Nuneaton & North Warwickshire Family History Society Stories from The Great War

Stories from the Great War

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Stories from The Great War

NNWFHS Journal Special edition August 2014 to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War 1914-1918

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Stories from The Great War

Stories from the Great War

Published by Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Family History Society August 2014

All material in this publication is © copyright of Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Family History Society and of the individual contributors unless otherwise stated.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recorded or otherwise without the prior written permission of the Nuneaton & North Warwickshire Family History Society and/or that of the individual contributors or copyright holders where appropriate.

Edited by John Parton. Compiled by Celia Parton. Additional material researched and written by Celia Parton.

www.nnwfhs.org.uk

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Dedicated to the men and women who fought in the Great War For Civilisation 1914 - 1918

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Foreword

"We Shall Remember Them"

The commemoration of the Great War is a project conceived by Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Family History Society long before the media stirred up such interest. The Society wished to encourage members and others to investigate and write about those affected by the war – not only those lost – to produce a special publication, and also to record as many local war memorials as possible and put onto the Society's website details of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The project has been ably led by Celia Parton who has encouraged many to write their stories for this special publication, and has persuaded others to help record local war memorials and to investigate the service records of those named. Her husband John, has edited the works to produce this publication. The society's project officer, Carole Eales, and webmaster, Ian Shuter, continue to add material to the website: if you can help with local memorials, please get in touch.

We are proud to put the following stories into print as a permanent record. We are also delighted to be able to provide this special publication to all members free of charge. Additional copies will be available for purchase via the online NNWFHS shop.

Finally, on behalf of all NNWFHS members I thank Celia and John for their wonderful effort to bring everything together for you to read.

Jacqui Simkins Chairman

Introduction

Stories from the Great War

The stories in this book have been contributed by members of Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Family History Society and by other individuals within North Warwickshire. Most of them relate to soldiers, airmen and sailors from the North Warwickshire area, but some, contributed by members, relate to ancestors outside of Warwickshire.

The contents are in no particular order. Some people were in at the onset of hostilities. Some joined up later in the conflict. Most were killed in action, but some survived with physical and emotional scars that remained with them for the rest of their lives. No one of their individual sacrifices is any more or less worthy than any other. They are all owed an immense debt of gratitude, and for this reason they have not been listed in any particular order.

John & Celia Parton

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Contents

Name - written by- Page

Thomas Arnold Pauline Morbey Page 1 Joseph Kendell Steve Casey Page 1 Corporal Harold Moore Margaret Paley Page 2 Frederick Cannon Janet Swales Page 2 William Orton Sheila Keany Page 3 John Redhead Jacqui Simkins Page 4 William Smart Jacqui Simkins Page 6 Fred Clay Celia Parton Page 8 Percy Bloor Jacqui Simkins Page 9 Charles Ross Ellen Spence Page 9 William Henry Thawley Ellen Spence Page 11 Arthur Jackson Roger Jackson Page 14 Sidney George Gudger Joy King Page 14 Coleshill memorials Michael Walpole Page 15 Maxstoke memorials Michael Walpole Page 17 Curdworth memorials Michael Walpole Page 18 George Preston & Eli Thorne Marjorie Thorne-Cringle Page 18 Francis Hutchinson Hope Sheila Dunn Page 19 Horace Chapman Geoff Shakespeare Page 21 R.F. Harris Pamela Trigg Page 23 Sidney Edward Farndon Thomas Farndon Page 24 Albert Harris Susan Hubbard Page 25 Albert Hatton Steven Coe Page 27 Henry Brough Till David Sylvester Page 29 Joseph Thomas Passam Denise Olssen-Hildick Page 31 Harry Pretty Denise Olssen-Hildick Page 32 Arthur Parker Bryan Roberts Page 33 Sydney Wood Ellen Spence/Celia Parton Page 34 Robert Pettifer Eales Carole Eales Page 34 Arthur Josiah Albrighton G & C Albrighton Page 35 Amos Whitehall Jill Joyce Page 37 Then and now ...... Page 37 Palfreyman & Day, a family at war Celia Parton Page 38 Dead man's penny John Parton Page 39 Pip Squeak and Wilfred John Parton Page 40 Acknowledgements ...... Page 41

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Thomas Arnold I was with him in his last He enlisted on 11th hours and he had December 1916, aged 26, nightmares still about the and joined the Chatham things he had witnessed. I division of the Royal am so very proud of him - Marines Light Infantry. He he did not have an easy life appears to have had about when he came home from six weeks training before the war. He went to work being sent to the front in down Griff Clara pit. February 1917. My mother remembered him being Thomas was also gassed home at some point and and years after when he polishing buttons with the had a chest x-ray at George aid of a slide in front of the Eliot Hospital they thought fire. His unit was involved he had T.B. because it left in the fighting around similar marks on the lung Passchendaele and this is and the young doctor had where he was killed on 22nd never seen it before. November 1917. Like so many others, he has no My Grandfather was Pauline Morbey known grave. Thomas Arnold. He was born in Abbey Street ---ooOoo--- His sacrifice is recorded on Nuneaton in 1891 and died a number of memorials, in 1979. His father was also Joseph Kendell amongst them being one in Thomas Arnold born 1863, Attleborough Baptist Chapel died 1933. Thomas's and another in Riversley mother was Mary Ann Park, although in the latter Millington. Thomas's father case his name is misspelled. was a newsagent and his shop was opposite the After the war, my mother Coach and Horses public remembered being taken to house. Mary Ann's father a meal in The Newdigate was a brush maker and also Arms Hotel for widows and had a shop in Abbey Street. orphans of the conflict. She had one small grainy Thomas was a private in the photograph and a death Joseph Kendell, my Royal Warwicks and fought plaque to remember him maternal grandfather, all through the 1914-1918 by. war. He told us lots of didn’t have to fight. stories of the horror in the According to the family Steve Casey trenches and the dirt and story, he was in a reserved rats that they had to live occupation. However, his ---ooOoo--- alongside. He said he could younger brother was called not forget the smells and up and he followed. Corporal Harold Moore noises. It affected his sleep An Attleborough lad, he for years. He married The Battle of Fromelles grew up in Freer Street and Elizabeth Askell and went to lived with his wife and three In the early evening of live in Dugdale Street. They small children in Wednesday 19th July 1916, had four children, Eva [my Attleborough Road. His near the village of Fromelles mother], George, Thomas sparse military records in northern France, two and Joan. show him to have been 5’5” divisions of Australian and tall and a practising Baptist. British Infantry attacked a

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4,000 yard section of the near the village of Fromelles Frederick Cannon German frontline. They in France. suffered terrible casualties. As far as I am aware my The Australians had 4,533 The Commonwealth War grandfather Frederick killed, wounded or missing, Graves Commission were Cannon retired from active and the British 1,547 killed, asking for relatives to service in the South wounded or missing. contact them to try and Staffordshire Regiment in identify any of the soldiers. about 1911. He had seen My great uncle 2132 One of the photographs action throughout the Boer Corporal Harold Moore was of the three Moore War (1899-1902) as a very enlisted with the 2/7 Royal brothers, the first picture I young drummer. Warwickshires, along with had ever seen. his brothers F. F. Moore, In 1914 he volunteered to (HMS Erin) and Fred Moore, Harold was one of the five re-join the army – this time (the Nuneaton Fortress men missing, all from in the Royal Warwickshire Company). Nuneaton and Bedworth. Regiment. He was shipped Sadly none of them have out to France in August to Harold was reported been identified. the western front. missing on 19th July. An th article and photograph of However, on 19 July 2010, In 1915 the British Army the three Moore brothers 94 years later I was was very much the “junior appeared in the Nuneaton honoured to attend the partner”. Joffre had plans Chronicle on August 25th Dedication and Burial for a spring offensive and 1916 and said that Cpl Ceremony at Fromelles aimed to reduce the Moore’s parents were (Pheasant Wood) Military enormous German salient awaiting news at their Cemetery attended by HRH which ran from Arras to home at 142 Arbury Road in Prince Charles and the Rheims. My grandfather Stockingford. Governor General of saw action at Neuve- Australia. Chapelle – east of Lille. A few years ago, I decided Conditions were appalling The coffin of the last soldier to try and find where in the trenches. Men to be buried was carried in Harold’s grave was. I experienced trench foot a First World War military discovered he had no causing excruciating pain wagon, through the village known grave but his name and misery. They paddled of Fromelles to the new was listed on the Memorial about by day in water up to cemetery. As there are at Loos Cemetery at Dud their knees and at night over 1,650 (about 350 Corner. they spent hour after hour British and 1300 Australian) in wet breeches, boots and In 2004 together with my soldiers who could be puttees which froze. Rain, husband John, my mother considered among the 250 snow, sleet and wind added Annie Bray (neé Moore), soldiers recovered from much to the discomfort of Harold’s niece, and Pheasant Wood, we will trench life. stepfather Peter, visited probably never know if France and laid a poppy Harold is amongst the 250 The battle of Neuve- wreath at the memorial. soldiers buried at Fromelles Chapelle was a minor affair This was the first time any or if he is indeed at the Loos compared with other family members had been. cemetery in an unknown battles, but it had a Four years later I saw an grave. profound effect on article in our local subsequent warfare on the Margaret Paley newspaper about a mass Western Front. It has to be grave that had been found remembered that the ---ooOoo--- British Army had not fought

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in a European war since Neuve-Chapelle. It was William Orton Waterloo in 1815. here that my grandfather came under heavy shell fire William Orton was known The village of Neuve- shattering his hip and upper to many in the Nuneaton Chapelle consisted of a arm. He fell into a shell area as the man who had church, a brewery and a hole in no man’s land and the chemist shop at the top scattering of houses. It was lay there for three days. A of Camp Hill and as a protected by miles of stretcher party picked him staunch member of Chilvers toughened wire, many up three days later and Coton Parish Church. To me machine guns and fortified thought he was dead. He he was the owner of an old houses. An attack was was taken to the field Ford car, which took the th planned for the 10 March hospital in Festubert and family on picnics and 1915. The night was cold eventually shipped back to husband to my and wet, the enemy England. My father told me grandmother. position was lightly held how his mother, brother and the German trenches and he went to London to Together they were called easily seen. The BEF stay with an uncle and aunt Billy and Florrie or Pa and suffered few losses as they overnight and then Ma to the family. Pa was crossed the enemy line and travelled on to Epsom. born in 1894 and lived well spirits rose. Nearly all the Here they visited a large into the 1970's. German front line troops country house which had were killed or taken been commandeered by the Soon after the start of WW1 prisoner and Aubers Ridge army and saw my he was in the army and was eventually taken. grandfather (what a journey lined up at the docks that must have been for expecting to go to France, The following day began at them!) Grandfather made a his brother Alfred was in 4.30am and having partial recovery but sadly the line just in front. Alfred reinforced a new line the died of the after effects of was told to embark for Germans opened up a new his wounds in 1929. France and Pa stood bombardment. There was waiting, but that was the much confusion and Janet Swales dividing line and he was misjudgement amongst the sent to India. So much to British and the battle ended ---ooOoo--- his surprise he went to with little advancement. Bangalore and worked in a March 12th saw exhausted dispensary by a hospital. He troops and the battlefield covered with dead from both sides. Both had learned hard lessons which brought about a bloody rebuff two months later.

On May 9th Gen. Haig launched another attack on Aubers Ridge, but this time the Germans were more than ready and the British suffered heavy losses.

On the 15th May another attack was made at Festubert, a village south of Above: William Orton with colleagues

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rode a horse around the John Redhead – “In Good (Western) Division. area and although he Physical Condition” worked hard with the army John was on active service in France from 11 Nov 1916 there were social events. John was born 29th January until invalided to UK on 28 1890 to Thomas Willoughby Oct 1917. The website “The REDHEAD and his wife Long, Long Trail” has Sarah Weetman, neé information about the 19th COLEY. Following his (Western) Division including education, for eight years battles with which they John worked alongside his were involved while John father on the farm at was serving – unfortunately Baxterley before signing up it does not identify which on 16th August 1916 for Battalion served where: service in World War 1. 1916 – from November On enlistment, John was 13th recorded as being 5ft 7in The Battle of the Ancre tall and weighing 122lbs; he This was part of the met the necessary chest Battles of the Somme 1916 expansion requirements and - other than a partial 1917 He had two servant boys to hammer toe on his left foot The Battle of Messines help him and when he ate – was declared to be in The Battle of the Menin he would always leave food good physical condition and Road Ridge on his plate, which is what fit for service. He joined the The Battle of Polygon Wood they would eat; he left a Royal Warwickshire The Battle of Broodseinde little food on his plate all his Regiment – No. 21016 - The Battle of Poelcapelle life in memory of the assigned to the 10th First Battle of hungry lads and always told (Service) Battalion, which Passchendaele us about poor children. had been formed in The Second Battle of During the war he sent September 1914 as part of Passchendaele – John was postcards to his little sister, Kitchener’s New Army and invalided home after 2 days. which arrived erratically came under command of and were treasured all her 57th Brigade, 19th life.

After the war he married Advancing under gas attack Florence and they had three children, all girls. This obviously saved some heartache when WW2 started. William Orton was luckier than most soldiers and his sense of interest in the wider world was passed on to me.

Sheila Keany (nee Smith of Manor Park Grammar School)

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These are phases of the Third Battle of Ypres - except Messines

The first recorded use of mustard gas was 12/13 July 1917 on the Western Front after which date it was aggressively used against the Allied Forces. Mustard gas is also called Yperite – after Ypres. Other poisonous chemicals were employed. Mustard gas is now defined as “lethal”: exposure to it can lead to disablement or death; it is highly carcinogenic. The effects could take several days to appear depending on the degree of exposure: sore weeping eyes; red irritating spots on the skin that subsequently blistered; blistering of the airways that could eventually suffocate; nausea, vomiting - many were affected because the gas cloud dissipated and the smell went – but the gas remained effective on the ground for a very long time. Research by Case & Lea published 1955 states that “…between this date [July 1917] and the end of the war the total number of British cases treated for war Professor Richard Holmes, John was invalided home gas poisoning is recorded as in “Tommy – The British October 1917 for “impetigo 160,970, and 80 per cent of Soldier on the Western & scabies” and treated at st these are estimated to be Front” relates first-hand the 1 Birmingham War due to mustard gas comments of the “ugly Hospital. His records state (Medical Services Diseases blisters over the skin” after that his condition had of the War, 1923). 124,702 an encounter with even started in August. He then of these cases were small traces of mustard gas moved to an Auxiliary admitted to hospitals, and “…it soon became clear that Hospital until 5 January 4,167 died before discharge. mustard was very persistent 1918 prior to going on sick These figures must be an indeed, and that splashed furlough. Shortly after underestimate of the total uniforms had to be going on sick leave he was British casualties…”. discarded”. “seized with acute pain in

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back” and admitted to the active service. His records despite the Army Medical Barracks Hospital, Coventry mention service at Ypres; it Board’s decision, he is where he was from mid- was here where mustard included as one of “the Men January. His condition now and other chemicals had of Baxterley who Gave Their included swollen glands in been indiscriminately used. Lives in the Great War neck and axillas; he was His final cause of death at 1914-1919”. transferred to the 1st home in Baxterley on 18th Southern General Hospital, April 1919 was: “(1) Jacqui Simkins Birmingham for three Endothelionia of ---ooOoo--- weeks and then to Perham pericardium. (2) Secondary Down before going finally to deposits in cervical glands, William SMART : 1890- the Military Hospital at pressure on trachea & nd 1924 Tidworth on 2 April. At oesophagus. Asthenia. Tidworth, which was the Certified by E.T. Power Divisional HQ, his medical MRCS”. In layman’s terms, One who returned from the assessment was “shortness growths of the endothelial Great War of breath and debility lining of the pericardium - attributable to service heart - with deposits, that Bob, born in 1921, had no during present war…in would cause difficulties memories of his dad, France…100% eating and breathing - William, only of his disablement”. There is a perhaps something akin to mother’s grumbles about recommendation for 45 ‘asbestosis’. In published him - though she fondly weeks pension. However, research of 1924 H.E. remembered her first the subsequent Medical Robertson regarded husband who’d died in the Board – was it “on orders” endothelionia of the War. Bob wanted to know to reduce the number pericardium as being “very more about his father. invalided due to enemy rare” in the normal Unravelling the family action - decided his population at that time – history was fraught with condition was (see cancerres.aacrjournals.org). problems in the late 1990s “constitutional” and not John is buried at Baxterley. though it was finally attributable to his War resolved (the untruths of In 1922 John’s father sent a service…and that he was family lore had not helped). terse note to the Ministry, only 70% disabled! He was However, at a time when no in reply to their request for discharged from the army service records were a receipt, confirming the on 10 June 1918 after 1 available online, William’s family had received John’s year 300 days on service as war service was explored by two medals and had unfit due to a WW1 military history previously “duly signed Lymphadenoma. The specialist, David Seeney, receipt and returned same”. pension records show no whose report is included below. We do not have evidence of payment made. John went to fight for his John’s signature on William’s personnel records country as a fit, strong – his being amongst those discharge documents was young man and returned an not the impeccable, strong lost due to WW2 invalid soon to die. John’s incendiaries. hand it had been when he great-niece is firmly of the signed up. opinion that his premature William was born in 1890 to death was attributable to John’s health had rapidly 18-year old Sarah who was his WW1 service; it seems deteriorated from that lodging temporarily with that those responsible for confident and fit young man her older sister at Fazeley. the War Memorial in straight off the farm in 1916 His grandparents at Hints Baxterley church were of to his state on returning to raised him along with his the same opinion as, UK after less than a year on cousin, Thomas Henry, who

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was a decade older. Arras/Scarpe/Monchy le quickly enough. We do not William was in the church Preux/Scarpe/Arleux/Ypres/ know if he was gassed – the choir and reputedly also in Pilckem Ridge/ Menin Road Division certainly saw action the choir at Lichfield Ridge/Polygon Wood/ in affected areas. Cathedral, though this is Brookseinde/ Poelcappelle/ unproved. His grandfather, Passchendaele. Finally from Back in Staffordshire, James, worked for many 5 April to 4 Nov 1918 the William married at Hints years at Bucks Head Farm. battalion was at Somme/ church in 1918 shortly In fact William’s Ancre/ Somme/ Albert/ before his honourable grandparents had been Hindenberg Line/ Havrin discharge was confirmed. married for over 64 years Court/ Canal du Nord/ His wife was a war widow. when they passed away – Cambrai/ Pursuit to Selle/ They subsequently had two surely a record for a couple Picardy/ Selle/ Sambre. children. born in the 1830s. It was during this later The wounds William Prior to the War, William campaign that William was suffered included the loss of worked as a gardener at seriously injured and was his arm and this prevented Ingestre in Staffordshire eventually honourably return to his work as a then at Styche in Shropshire discharged with wounds on gardener; he took up and at Hints Hall. He had 31 July 1918 aged 27 years employment with the served his apprenticeship and 213 days. His discharge Prudential Insurance becoming a journeyman certificate confirmed he Company and became the gardener. He was well was a Corporal, Kings Royal ‘Man from the Pru’ who thought of by employers: Rifle Corps, army number knocked on the door each Mrs Scott at Styche had R3550. week to collect the presented him with a book insurance money. Their on his leaving - that The medals awarded to him employment records do not inscribed book stayed with were: survive for the period. the family to the present The 1914-15 Star for service in However, coping with life day. theatre of war 5 Aug 1914-30 with disabling injuries and Dec 1915. William enlisted on 7 the long lasting mental trauma that troubled so September 1914 – we do British War Medal issued for not know if he was service overseas 1914-20. many who served in WW1, encouraged to volunteer and maybe struggling with but join up he did to serve Victory Medal awarded for the long-term effects of gas, his country. He was in the service in theatre of war. proved too much for William. This was perhaps Kings Royal Rifles, part of Silver War Badge for exacerbated by loss of both 13th (Service) Batallion, discharge on account of Army Troops attached wounds/sickness as a result of his much-loved initially to 21st (Service) war service. grandparents in 1923. He Division. took his own life the William is not shown in lists following year – his He landed in Boulogne 31 for Distinguished Conduct decapitated body being July 1915 after service in Medals, Military Medal or found on the local railway UK. The unit was involved Mentioned in Despatches. line – the inquest verdict in many of the major The family legend was that was “suicide while battles. 13-18 Nov 1916 his wounds were suffered temporarily insane”. Somme/Ancre then 9 April by returning an enemy to 12 Oct 1917 at grenade – but not quite

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William’s name is recorded on the Roll of Honour of those of the parish who served in WW1; this is displayed in Hints church just off the old A5 between Mile Oak and Weeford.

William may not have died on the battlefields of Europe but his death was at least in part due to his War service injuries - physical and mental.

Jacqui Simkins

---ooOoo---

FRED CLAY

Fred Clay was my mother’s first cousin and he was killed on the 2nd December 1917 aged 23. His story was not one handed down to me, in fact I knew nothing about it until I found his name on the War Memorial in Baddesley churchyard Fred Clay soon after I first started researching my family also learned that he was a March only eight months history. His name also private in the Machine Gun earlier. He had previously appears on the headstone Corps (Infantry) and that his been a miner working at on his parent’s grave, also name appears on the Tyne Birch Coppice Colliery. It in Baddesley churchyard, Cot Memorial in Belgium. also carried the following underneath their names is a transcription of a letter sent further inscription which I also searched the local to his parents by an officer: reads “Also Fred killed at newspaper. Atherstone Paschendale December 2nd library has the Atherstone “It is a sorrowful duty that 1917 aged 23.” His parents News, which covered the devolves upon me of were George and Eliza Clay, period of both world wars, informing you of the death George being my on microfilm which can also of your son Private F Clay, nd grandfather’s older brother. be searched. The killed in action on the 2 Eliza was also my Atherstone News reported December. I had visited him grandmother’s cousin. that Mr and Mrs George at his post only just Clay had been officially previously and spoken to I did some further research notified of the death of him. Unhappily when I and the Commonwealth their son Fred who was returned, it was to find that War Graves site confirmed killed in action on 2nd the gun position had had a that he was killed on 2nd December 1917. He had direct hit, and the worst December 1917 aged 23. I joined up the previous fate had befallen your son

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and his comrades there. Percy Bloor 1896 – 1917 Charles Ross You can derive consolation from the fact that his death Percy Bloor was the eldest Charles Ross was born on st was instantaneous- a brave son of Peter and Lizzie Bloor the 21 April 1882 in soldier’s end at his post of [nee Hazlehurst]. The Baddesley Ensor, the son of duty in a highly important family was one of the many Charles Ross and Sarah sector of the front- a life Cheshire farming families Bassett. Charles and Sarah given is by no means a vain that moved to northern ran the Red Lion at sacrifice. Your son had been Warwickshire – Percy had Baddesley. Although on the the servant of a brother been born at Monwode Lea 1881 census Charles is listed officer, and I knew him Farm, Ansley soon after the as the publican and a coal quite well. I had a high family came south. He was miner, it is more probable opinion of him, and am able born on 26 July 1896 and that Sarah had the day-to- to some extent to measure was baptised on 20 day running of the pub as the poignancy of your grief. September that same year she had previous May I extend an officer’s at St Lawrence, Ansley. By experience, her father respectful sympathy? I have the time of the 1911 having been a publican as made arrangements census, the family had well. whereby the location of the moved to Holt Hall Farm, Sarah died in 1885 and spot where you son’s body Over Whitacre. father Charles eventually lies will be notified to you remarried Ann Thawley in after the war.” His WW1 service records 1897. He relinquished the have not been found in the pub tenancy sometime Then a few years ago I met “burnt” series available between 1887 and 1891 my second cousin Mary Clay online. He enlisted at when he had relocated to neé Hewitt who would have Shustoke, although the date Hall End near Polesworth. been Fred’s niece. She had is unknown; he was nd Ann had four children by learned about Fred from an assigned to the 2 her first marriage to Henry early age. When she was a Battalion, Royal Thawley and Charles had child her family lived with Warwickshire Regiment, his some younger siblings, so it her grandmother Eliza who army number was 17372. was a bit of a squeeze in the was Fred’s mother and she house, therefore he always kept a photograph He died on 28 June 1917 probably decided to move of Fred in a frame on the while serving in Flanders – st to live with his grandfather mantelpiece. According to one month short of his 21 Richard Bassett, by now a Mary her grandmother birthday. grocer, who was residing in never believed that Fred Birchmoor in 1901. Charles was dead as no body had He is buried at the Mory had also followed in his been found. She thought Abbey Military Cemetery, father’s footsteps and he had been taken prisoner which is maintained by the started working as a coal or had lost his memory and Commonwealth War Graves miner, the main industry in would one day return. I Commission. He is the area. suppose that was her way remembered on the War of dealing with her grief. Memorial at Over Whitacre He married Sarah Jane Sometime later Mary told church – where his mother Mears in 1906 and moved me that her son had taken had been buried in 1907. to Mansfield working as a her to Belgium and they hewer in the coal mining had found Fred’s name on Jacqui Simkins industry. Sarah had been the Tyne Cot Memorial. married before and had a

Celia Parton son to her first marriage, but by 1911 Charles and

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Sarah had also had a son of He was posted overseas Marine Light Infantry their own, born in 1909, with the Mediterranean 16/9/14. The RMLI had just Charles Leslie. They were Expeditionary Force – 28th opened short-service also to have a daughter February 1915 to 13th July enlistment (men intended Irene in 1913. 1915, initially to the Middle exclusively for the RM East to organise their Brigade in the RND) & First transport and offensive for required a 'jump-start' to Charles ROSS name(s): the Gallipoli peninsular in bolster their numbers. It Rating: Pte April. Charles was there was arranged for 600 Army th 21.4.82. until the 13 July, when he Reservists/Recruits to be Birth Baddesley was killed in action. He is transferred to the RMLI. date/place: Warwick. commemorated at the Most of the 600, had served Section Helles memorial. only one day 'With the 10/0187 scan: Colours' & had then been Service Approx. 2500 'Kitchener's sent home to the 'Army R.M.L.I. branch: men' were transferred from Reserve.' Portsmouth the Army to the RNVR in The 600 RMLI transfers Ship unit: Battalion Royal this way. They all came were all volunteers; as were Naval Division from North Country all members of the armed Official Regiments (the Durham services before 1916. These Po/33 (S) number: Light Infantry, men provided a powerful Killed or died as a Northumberland Fusiliers, reinforcement for the RM Cause of direct result of Sherwood Foresters, York & Brigade when they joined death: enemy action. Lancs. & KOYLI), the greater their respective Battalions Date of proportion from the in November 1914. A very 13/07/1915 death: Durham/Tyneside area. The high proportion were Location of RNVR had acquired its core miners or labourers, Not recorded grave: of hard men, almost all extremely fit & strong, the No information miners or labourers. The result of a life of hard Cemetery: received as to majority served in the RN manual work. It was no location of grave Division with great doubt realised that such Widow: - Sarah, distinction. Cynics would men would be a great asset Relatives J. 6 Beresford St call these drafts 'cannon to the battalions, despite notified: Mansfield Notts. fodder' for the new their comparative lack of Brigades, but they might discipline & somewhat have been more accurately unruly nature. The survival Charles enlisted early in the called 'the excavation of an infantry battalion was st war on 1 September 1914, experts'. known to depend upon its initially with the ability to entrench a Nottingham and Derbyshire A further 600 men from position with the greatest regiment, service number 'Kitchener's Army' were speed & efficiency. In 15976. He was transferred transferred to the Royal practice, this was proven on short service to the Royal Marine Light Infantry service number PO/33/S on the 16th September 1914. (see note below) After basic training, he was assigned to the RM Brigade 17th November 1914, part of Portsmouth Battalion.

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time & again in Gallipoli & memorial is the Charles Died 26th March 1918 – France, where digging Ross of the RMLI described listed on the Pozieres absorbed so much of their above, but he was certainly Memorial in France, part of time. a Warwickshire lad who the 11th Battalion of the The 600 RMLI transfers should be commemorated Kings Royal Rifle Corps, came from two regiments: and his sacrifice honoured regimental number R/3706. 200 from the KOYLI & 400 with the rest of the men from the Nottinghamshire who didn’t make it home. Listed as aged 24 and the & Derbyshire Regt. (best son of Mrs Ann Ross of 18 known as The Sherwood Watling Street, Dordon. Foresters). The 200 KOYLI (www.cwgc.org) recruits were transferred to William enlisted on the 8th the Plymouth Division RMLI September 1914, only a & the 400 Sherwood month after the outbreak of Foresters were divided war, following the call to equally between Chatham arms from Lord Kitchener & Portsmouth Divisions after the disastrous battle RMLI. Plymouth's of Mons in August 1914 and regimental numbering the subsequent retreat of system for their Short- the army. William’s service recruits began quite Regimental cap badge of occupation was given as simply at PLY/1/S. This is the Royal Marines Light coal miner, and he was also the case for Chatham Infantry unmarried. He stated that and Portsmouth, beginning he was born in Hockley near at PO/1/S and CH/1/S. Ellen Spence Birmingham, but actually he Plymouth had already was born in Hockley, enlisted 11 volunteers for ---ooOoo--- Wilnecote. Short-service when their 200 KOYLI's arrived; William Henry Thawley He was one of four children therefore they occupied the (1893-1918) – born to Henry and Ann number blocks PLY/12/S to commemorated on the Thawley (nee Lea) in 1893, PLY/211/S inclusive. Dordon War Memorial. the only son and having Portsmouth had enlisted 30 three older sisters, men prior to their 200 Florence, Emily and Agnes. allocation, so they were Henry and Ann married at numbered PO/31/S to Wilnecote Holy Trinity on PO/230/S. Chatham 24th November 1887 and on numbered their 'Kitchener's the 1891 census Henry is Men' CH/1/S to CH/200/S. listed as a fireman at an engine. This may well have In his later years, Charles been work connected with Ross senior lived at Dordon the mining industry. Henry with his second wife Ann died in 1895 aged 47 and Thawley and her children Ann remarried to Charles from her first marriage. Ross on the 25th December 1897 at Wilnecote Holy Ross is a common name, so Trinity. I am uncertain if the Charles Ross on the Dordon war

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Miners did not have to enlist, their job being vital to the country’s economy, but many felt it their patriotic duty to do so. William heard the call to arms and signed up on the 8th September 1914, being assigned to the 11th Battalion of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. A period of training then followed at various camps in the UK.

He embarked for overseas service on the 21st July 1915 the Cambrai Operations. In recover. landing at Boulogne and 1918 they fought in the The Tamworth Herald date served on the Battle of St Quentin. October 28th 1916 reported French/Belgian front line. Twelve months elapsed After discharge in August him as wounded. 1916, he was posted to the without incident, although 1st KRRC Battalion, Whilst in England, William he was involved in several presumably to replenish was based in Sheerness and battles, and William was numbers lost during the went absent without leave admitted to a field hospital fighting. It was not long in January. For this he was at the end of July 1916 with before he was in action and docked a few days’ pay and some gunshot wounds. was wounded by gunfire, admonished. Had he been in the field, he might have The division, of which the being wounded in the arm, th been accused of desertion. 11 Battalion was a part, and this necessitated a Given he had witnessed served mainly in the St transfer back to England to such intense fighting and Omer area. After landing at Boulogne in July, they had moved on to Fleurbaix for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in the Battle of Delville Wood, the Battle of Guillemont, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the Battle of Morval and the Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battle of Langemarck, the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, the Battle of Polygon Wood and

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been injured, he must have known that he was shortly to return back to the front and the awful conditions that awaited him there. Perhaps he was still traumatised which had triggered some stress and cause him to go absent, because he was reluctant to go back to the hell hole that was the trenches.

William was posted back to his regiment in February 1917 and was transferred back to the 11th Battalion in June.

Further spells in hospitals followed throughout 1917, both from illness (tonsilitis) would be the last time that two days of very heavy and from gunshot wounds his family would see him fighting was making some in his left thigh, probably alive. inroads into pockets of the British line. The Germans occurring during the battle Spring 1918 and the of Cambrai, when the broke through the Reserve Germans launched their last line that evening, with a 40 battalion suffered very great offensive. These heavy losses. mile wide breach created in months saw an intense British defences. Casualties After a brief spell at the 9th period of fighting as they were very heavy as the Corps camp, William was desperately tried to hang British tried desperately to given leave to go home to on to the territory that had close the gap and replace the UK in February 1918 for been won since the start of the depleted forces. two weeks’ leave, which the war. William was Unfortunately, William’s was a common practice involved in the battle of St luck had run out and he was Quentin, which commenced killed on the 23rd. before men were sent back st to the front for the next big on the 21 March, a push. Unfortunately, this colossal bombardment by The Tamworth Herald dated the Germans, which after October 23rd 1920 reported that there was an unveiling of a memorial tablet in United Methodist church, Dordon.

William is also commemorated on the Dordon war memorial, one of thirty five men from the village who gave their lives in the war. He had not married and was only twenty four years old.

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They had two girls Rhoda Mortar Battery. He was born 1910 and Francis born killed in action in France on 1912. 29th August 1918 and is buried at the Cambrin Military Cemetery, Pas de Arthur was a servant at Calais in France. He is still More Burgess Farm at remembered by his Glascote in the 1901 census granddaughter Mrs Joy King and was a coal miner on who kindly loaned the the 1911 census. family memorabilia. He was a Lance Corporal in the 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment and died 10th March 1915. He does not After the war, his medals, have a grave but his name is the 1914-15 Star, the British on the Memorial at Le War Medal and the Victory Touret, Pas de Calais, Medal, were sent to his France and on a plaque in mother, Ann Ross. Newton Regis church.

His war grave is maintained His wife never married at Pozieres, six kilometres again and lived on what was north east of the town of called the rock (where there Albert in Picardy, northern are now bungalows) till France. Over 14,000 names 1955 and she is buried in are listed on the Newton Regis church yard commemorative panels and to me growing up in there for soldiers who have Newton she was known as no marked graves, who died aunt Mary. in the Somme area between st 21 March and 7th August Roger Jackson 1918. ---ooOoo--- Ellen Spence Gunner Sidney George ---ooOoo--- Gudger, Royal Field Artillery

Arthur Jackson Sidney George Gudger was born in 1879 in Atherstone, I have a great uncle who the son of William and was killed in the first world Emily Gudger. On war. He was Arthur Jackson November 4 1903 he born in Austrey in 1885. married Ada Alice Gudger and they had one child, a He was the son of Henry daughter, Gladys May. His Jackson and Fanny normal occupation was a Thompson. He married hatter but he volunteered Mary Riley in Newton Regis to serve his country in the on December 25th 1909. Great War, and joined the Royal Artillery in the Trench

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Coleshill War Memorials

Inside a rusting metal box, unseen for 80 years until discovered in the vicar’s vestry in the parish church a few years ago, was an envelope. It contained the fund raising details of the town’s war memorial in the churchyard.

Very little information was publicly available about the memorial, but when the envelope addressed to E W Townsend Esq, Coleshill, near Birmingham, and marked "war memorial" was emptied, the original of 1s 6d, 35 of 1s, 15 of 6d sketches, the faculty and 2 of 3d. (church legal document) The chairman for the authorising its erection, and Finance Committee, George details of who subscribed to Dyott Willmot, and Mrs G D Willmot headed the list, each donating £50.

He was clearly the right man for the job. His sons - Lieutenant John Dyott Willmot and 2nd Lieutenant Robert Dyott Willmot - died two years apart aged 19 in France.

On June 4 1919, a public meeting at the Institute estimated £500 cost of the decided "that a monument cross. It was “an occasion (the form to be decided when all should, in later) should be erected to gratitude to our brave it were revealed. the memory of the Men of soldiers and sailors, make the Parish of Coleshill who some sacrifice to A neatly hand-written gave their lives for their perpetuate their memory". subscription list records 329 Country during the donations totalling £477 1s European War". Headed Coleshill War 6d. 59 donations were of £2 Memorials, it reports "a or more, 32 between £1 The site near the widely manifested wish of and a guinea, 30 of churchyard gates offered the Parish that a Public Hall between 10s and half a the most suitable site. The should also be erected, and guinea, 59 between 3s and letter called for voluntary the War Memorial 10s, 57 of 2s 6d, 35 of 2s, 4 subscriptions to meet the Committee are making

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enquiries as to the remainder retired into the possibility of this."A tear off dug-out and fired rifles slip and another form listing through the entrances. He casualties of the war were went in alone to to be collected. reconnoitre, and returning for help finally brought out The memorial is shorter four prisoners. He showed than it was following a gale the greatest initiative and on March 17 1947, which fearlessness throughout.’ blew down the original ornate cross. 2nd Lieut Edward Shine’s DCM was awarded while he For the record, it shows on was a Sergent with the the west face the names of South Staffordshire 55 Coleshill men who died Regiment for gallant in the 1914-18 conflict, conduct on 10th September including the two brothers 1914, at Villiers-Cotterets, Willmot. in assisting a wounded man One of the last tasks for the across open ground for a The Willmot memorial in then parish priest, Father distance of 800 yards, the old cemetery, and an Marcus, was to have it under a heavy fire. engraved cross and restored and rehung near candlesticks on the altar, the altar at the church. The Like others before her, his still bear witness to their figure beneath it is Jimmy destitute mother had sacrifice. Spencer, who knows its handed her children over to story. It’s invidious to the St Pauls Childrens select two, but among the Home. He left the 50 or so names are two orphanage aged around 16 DCM winners. and joined the South Staffordshire Regiment Sergeant John Kelly’s Great War D.C.M. and 1914/15 star pair were auctioned three years ago. The price for his valour? £920.

He was was killed in action There are four war at Hulluch Sector in memorials in the town, one December 1917 of them only for WW1 casualties. The London Gazette 22 October 1917 said the This memorial stood for 25 award was for conspicuous years in a garage following gallantry and devotion to the demolition of Sacred duty during a raid on the Heart and St John church in enemy’s trenches. He was Coventry Road. A window in charge of a party which and this memorial were came upon a large dug-out removed for later from which the enemy This gentleman is the Rev installation in Sacred Heart commenced to emerge. The John Pinney, who was and St Teresa. first man was shot, and the Coleshill vicar from 1873- 1906.

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But he did for them both by According to Kelly’s his plan of attack. directory of Dorset of 1903 the Rev John Pinney of Broadwinsor and vicar of If you track the changes in Coleshill, Birmingham, was the poem, Sassoon lord of the manor of the originally said murdered Parish of Broadwinsor and a instead of did for them. principle landowner. The family money comes Sir Reginald didn’t do from plantations and himself any favours. A slavery in the West Indies. deeply religious man, he removed the soldiers’ rum The Rev John had six ration, replacing it with tea. children, one of them Major-General Sir Reginald He died on 18 February John Pinney, KCB (2 August 1943, survived by his wife 1863 – 18 February 1943) and five of his children. (right). Among other Army posts he served as a divisional commander Maxstoke Memorial during the First World War. Two graves and a memorial in Maxstoke churchyard WW1 poet Siegfried show that there were Sassoon’s first hand casualties in this country experience of the not the result of enemy unnecessary slaughter led action. him to write The General in which he condemns Sir On 19 August 1918 a Reginald and all generals. Handley Page 0/400 It was while Sir Reginald bomber like this one, serial Three years earlier, Captain was commanding a division number D4593, of 14 Eric Back RN and his wife at the Battle of Arras in Aircraft Acceptance Park were entertaining guests on 1917, that he was was on a test flight from HMS Natal while their ship immortalised as the "cheery Castle Bromwich when it was anchored in the old card" of Siegfried lost fabric from a wing and Cromarty Firth. Sassoon's poem "The crashed at Maxstoke.

General". On the afternoon of 30 It was quoted as the worst "Good-morning; good December 1915, not long accident in the first year of morning!" the General said after several lady guests, the Royal Air Force and all When we met him last week including his wife, QARNNS on board were killed. Two on our way to the line. sisters, a male civilian and of the victims, one of them Now the soldiers he smiled some children, had arrived the Canadian pilot Lr R at are most of 'em dead, on board to see a film show, Macbeth, are buried in the And we're cursing his staff a terrific explosion churchyard. I’m told that for incompetent swine. occurred, followed by his father visited the grave "He's a cheery old card," several lesser internal every year and bought grunted Harry to Jack explosions, and a severe flowers in the town to take As they slogged up to Arras fire. to his son. with rifle and pack.

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The Natal slowly heeled An Avro 504 (B925), of 28 over to port and lay on her Training Squadron, was Records show that he was beam-ends while some being looped when the seat lost to view above a bank of members of her company broke and jammed the clouds. Shortly afterwards escaped into the water, and controls. It crashed in the the machine reappeared, then she completely Castle Bromwich area. spinning from 8,000 feet. capsized. The Natal still lies Second Lt C. W. Jacot was He was killed in Cromarty Firth a hazard killed and Second Lt E. instantaneously when it hit to navigation marked on by Villiers was injured. the ground. a buoy. Over 400 died. Some, like Captain Back and A Sopwith 1½ Strutter Michael Walpole his wife, were never (A8262), of 71 Squadron, discovered and have no sideslipped and crashed on ---ooOoo--- known grave. take off from Castle Bromwich. Australian George Preston & Eli From a naval history airman A. J. Merritt, who Thorne perspective the explosions was the passenger, was that destroyed HMS Natal badly burned in an attempt George Preston of Oxford were a terrible omen. to save the pilot’s life and and Bucks Reg. was one of Although German sabotage, received the squadron’s 13 children to Albert & or a seabed mine, were at first decoration, the Hannah Preston of 62 first suspected, the Meritorious Service Medal, Haunchwood Road, subsequent investigation which was gazetted 2 Stockingford. Albert was a showed that she had been November 1917. miner from the age of eight. destroyed by internal George was killed by a explosions in the aft Second Lt Leslie Morley shell to the head and his magazines. Cordite, the Fletcher, Australian Flying remains are buried in a War propellant that once hurled Corps, was killed. His grave graves Cemetery in British bullets and shells, is is in the churchyard, and he Northern France. he was notoriously unstable – and is also commemorated on a my mother's brother. in the case of the Natal it simple wooden plaque My Grandfather Private Eli was thought that, owing to inside the church. Thorne was batman to a deterioration in its Lieut. Jas Knox. He told me condition, or some Another Avro 504 A9803, of many stories about his time unknown spark, that 71 Squadron, crashed in a in South Africa and his December afternoon it wood at Water Orton near experiences at the relief of spontaneously ignited and Castle Bromwich. Second Lt Ladysmith. When he utterly destroyed the ship. David K Billings, had fallen returned to his home in out of the cockpit to his Nuneaton his wife later And the link with death when the straps gave birth to my father, Maxstoke? Captain Back’s broke during aerobatics. Reginald Thorne of 22 father was vicar there at the Fitton Street. Lieut Knox time, dying two years later. This group portrait of was his Godfather. I have officers of No 1 Squadron Grandad's medals and the Australian Flying Corps (1 Curdworth Memorial silver fork and spoon given AFC) waiting to embark on by Lt Knox as Christening There are several WW1 troopship A67 Orsova gift. graves at Curdworth parish shows front row, fourth church. One is that of a from left Lt Sydney Marjorie Thorne-Cringle young pilot from Perry Bar. Woodrow.

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Francis Hutchinson Hope

Ethel Sarah Brunt was born in Chilvers Coton in 1889, she was the 4th child born to John Brunt and Charlotte Reader. The Brunt family came to Birmingham in 1898 and in due course Ethel met and married Francis Hutchinson Hope.

When Francis enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery at the start of WW1 they had 3 little girls, their middle child Ethel Ruth was my mother. I have a number of cards sent to her from her daddy during his time away from home. [See below and also back cover.]

Francis Hope 1886-1964, also had several brothers in the Great War. They all came home safely. Unfortunately Clive who is Francis Hope standing at the back mentioned in Frank’s letter (below) as ‘having it cushy’ died from the flu epidemic board to see what they are same. I expect Ethel and all of in 1919. going to do with me, don’t you will be disappointed at me you bother with any presents not coming home yet, still it A letter from Frank to his for me just keep sending me a is the fortunes of war and it is brother Alan 15/11/16 line when you have time. I no use grumbling I must be have not heard from floss patient a bit longer. I should

again yet, I find it was my have thought Don would have No 57462RGA fault about her name as I have had it easier now he is full Trench Mortar Detachs since found your letter in my Corporal it is generally the No 12 Camp kit bag with her surname in lance jack who has to do all France it, you must tell her how sorry the donkey work

I am and that it was not your Will close now with best love My dear Alan fault, it will perhaps save you to all at home and yourself Thank you very much for from getting your ears boxed and Floss. your long letter. I was a bit “A What”. I heard from Clive late receiving same as I had and he seems cushy enough I remain your loving brother been moved to a convalescent although he says it is Frank camp for ten days but I am monotonous I would like to now down at my base and change places for a bit all the have to go before a medical

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A card sent to Ethel Ruth reads –

My darling little girl. Daddy was so sorry to hear that you have been ill, but mamma says you are better now and what a good brave girl you have been, you would do for a soldier. Daddy will send you and Nig and Joyce a present for which was said to help blob nose, walrus Christmas, Be good girls maintain morale amongst moustache, muffler and for Mommy until Daddy British front-line troops and balaclava (later it was is safely back home. Love raise a laugh. It was the replaced by a tin helmet) from Daddy to darling character known as” Old made Bairnsfather a Ruth, kisses for Ruth, Nig Bill". He was the creation of household name. and Joyce xxxxxxxx Bruce Bairnsfather, an officer in the Royal Sheila Dunn During the First World War, Warwickshire Regiment apart from the rum-ration who arrived in France in and letters from home, 1914. "Old Bill" with his there was something else

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Stories from The Great War

A Grandfather who effects after my returned - Horace mother's death, and Chapman secondly because my grandfather's My maternal grandfather, detailed Short Service Horace Chapman (1882- Record and Discharge 1957), came from a long- documents were established Tamworth amongst those which family. His father, Joseph survived the Blitz, Henry Chapman, who and are thus available married Etty Buckerfield through Ancestry. in 1882, was a carpenter, but Horace, the only son Horace Chapman with five sisters, did not enlisted in December follow his father's trade. 1915 and reported He worked mainly in for duty at Lichfield clerical and travelling in June 1916. He was salesman occupations. category A1, aged 33 The 1901 Census records and lived at 36 him as a colliery clerk: George Street, 1911 as Brewer's Tamworth. He gave Traveller. At some point his occupation as a in the 1920s or 30s, under Church Clerk. The only clerk working at Fisher & 'war emergency child from this marriage Co Ltd, papermakers, and measures' he was sub- was my mother, Dorothea was married with one child. postmaster at the villages Mary (1910-2001). He joined as a Private of Seckington and Thorpe (Rifleman) in D Company Constantine and Like a good many veterans, 3rd Reserve Battalion, North according to a newspaper my grandfather never Staffs Regiment, and cutting he was also spoke about his disembarked at Boulogne "churchwarden, sexton, experiences in the Great in September 1916. By billeting officer and head War, and only once do I October of that year he ARP warden". This remember my mother had been transferred to occupation ended after a muttering darkly about his the 12th Battalion Yorks legal dispute over the terrible experience as a and Lancs, and remained in tenancy of the cottage in prisoner of war and of this regiment for the rest of which he lived with his "fighting over cabbage his service. Between family in Seckington. leaves" - a remark which November 1916 and May has a ring of truth about it. 1917 he was twice In 1906 he married Editha However, I have been admitted to Canadian Field Mary Wainwright who fortunate in unravelling Hospitals at Camiers and came from another long- some of his wartime Etaples suffering trench established Tamworth experiences for two feet, septic sores and family, her father, Joseph reasons: firstly the "fever from The Field". Charles Wainwright discovery of a number of After a period of leave in (1854-1899) being certificates, newspaper late 1917 he rejoined his recorded in the 1891 cuttings and other battalion on 16th February census as living at 29, documents which I had 1918. Church Street, Tamworth, never previously seen until aged 39, and Parish dealing with the family

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At this point my grandfather's war changed dramatically. On 26th March 1918 he was taken prisoner of war during the battle of Cambrai, and on 13th April received a shrapnel wound in his right calf at the village of Ecoust- St-Mein near Bullacourt, when behind enemy lines. He was posted "missing" and my grandmother believed he was dead, (by family legend she may have received a widow's pension) until she received notification dated 10th April 1918 that he was a prisoner at the Stammlager, Parchim, Germany. His wounds had been operated on twice: firstly at the time of the wounding, and secondly at Soltan Lazarett in Hanover. My family always felt that the skill of a German surgeon saved his leg.

He remained a prisoner of war until his final repatriation, arriving at Hull, 31st December 1918. some point he seems to as a portly, kindly, heavy A period of leave followed have been awarded an smoking elderly man who but he rejoined his allowance of 8/- per week said little, wrote beautifully battalion on Salisbury Plain for 26 weeks, with 3/6 for with a black Swan fountain in March 1919. Between his wife and child. He was pen, and had a twinkle in September 1919 and April now category Bii, but still his eye. He had an 1920 there followed a regarded as capable of allotment, kept a few hens lengthy series of medical military service. Finally on and a strutting bantam enquiries to establish his 20th September 1919, with cockerel and still sang along pension due to wounds and a gratuity of £48-15s, he very tunefully to hymns and disabilities. This was no was demobilized and songs (the Chapmans had a simple matter! There were transferred to the Z history of choristers and disagreements over the reserve. bellringers at Tamworth nature of the wounds, how Parish Church). I'm grateful well they had healed, the In my very young days, that I knew him - he came percentage disablement World War I meant nothing back from that terrible war (gradually reduced from to me. But from visiting my when millions didn't, 20% to 4%) - even which grandparents in Tamworth, including his wife's leg had been wounded! At I remember my grandfather youngest brother Rifleman

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Harold James Wainwright, killed in Belgium in November 1915, aged 27 and married for two years. It could just as easily have been my grandfather.

Geoff Shakespeare

---ooOoo---

L.C.E./C.P.L R. F. HARRIS

I lived in Dugdale St 1940s- 50s. On wet days I would play "under the stairs" and played with a soldiers cap and belt. I used to roller skate in Riversley Park around the war memorial and found the name of R. F. Harris who was my father’s elder brother and the uncle I should have had.

The following letter was received by my Dear Madam, the station. His comrades grandparents. deeply grieved at his loss It has fallen to my unhappy L.C.E/C.P.L R.F.Harris and gathered and made a lot to be the bearer of sad GOOD N.C.O.KILLED IN wreath and placed it upon news. Your son joined my ACTION the cross we erected for platoon many months ago him. I can assure you he Information has been and always did his work was buried with every care. received by MR J. HARRIS well and conscientiously acting captain of Nuneaton and was on very good terms Rev. F.B Davies, chaplain to Fire Brigade of the death of with everyone due to his the regiment also writes. his eldest son which took cheerful disposition, a good My dear Mrs. Harris, I am place in France on Aug 4th. N.C.O. and very steady lad. I sorely grieve to say that very sorry to have to write L/Cpl. Harris who was 19 today, whilst asleep in his and tell you that your son years of age, enlisted in dug-out, together with his has been killed in action, Feb. 1917, prior to which he comrades, a shell and on behalf of myself and worked at Messrs Parson penetrated and burst inside. the officers and men of his and Sherwins garage. He Help was at hand, and battalion, I beg to offer you went to France last within a few minutes he our heartfelt sympathy. September. was on his way to a Your boy was much loved by dressing station one his many chums and was Mrs Harris received the hundred yards away. He most highly thought of by following letter from Leut. never regained both officers and men. To Penfold who was her son's consciousness and passed you I know his death is a officer. peacefully before reaching hard blow, but indeed like

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your brave son you must too be brave. It will I know be a help to you when I tell you that he did not suffer at all before he died, death being instantaneous. He was killed by a piece of shell. His body was brought down from the line and rests in the British cemetery at Amand. It was my sad duty to take the burial service at the grave side in the presence of as many of his comrades as could be Sidney Farndon (on the right of the picture), with some of his comrades spared. His grave is marked with a cross bearing his severely wounded. He was name and will be carefully found on the battle field looked after. and he had been shot by a machine gun. My dad used Pamela Trigg Nee Harris to tell us he was also gassed. It was stated in the Coventry Graphic dated the Mr J Harris at his son’s 19th November 1915 that grave he was sent to Falmouth hospital. He had bullet wounds to the temple, three gun shots to his left arm and shrapnel wounds to his body. My dad told us he had a total of 22 wounds to his body. I can he worked at Exhall colliery. remember when my He lived at 112 Bulkington brother and sisters were Road Bedworth. He enlisted kids we went to visit th in Nuneaton on the 29 granddad and grandma, if August 1914. He served he was having a wash and shave we were not allowed ---ooOoo--- in the Royal Warwickshire into the room in case we nd Regiment, 2 battalion, were to see his wounds. Sidney Edward service number 4263. He My granddad died on 17th Farndon served in France and after December 1961. coming under fire he was My grandad Sidney Edward Farndon was one of nine children. He was born at Bedworth in 1894 and was the son of Thomas and Alice Farndon (nee Abbott). My grandad worked as a coal miner. Before the war Bullets and shrapnel removed from Sidney’s body

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My granddad had three 20th March 1916 by a shell brothers who also served explosion and is buried in in the war, his brother Point 110 New Military Herbert Albert Farndon Cemetery Fricourt France. was born in Little Beaton Before the war Herbert Exhall. He was married to worked as a coal miner at Edith Beer who was a Exhall colliery. widow. They had four Granddad also had four children and they lived at more brothers, Fred 85 York Buildings Farndon, who served in Bulkington Road Bedworth. India, born Little Beaton Herbert enlisted in Exhall,1877, Frank Abbott 1883 and Thomas Farndon Nuneaton and served in Farndon (sapper was his born Little Beaton 1881. the 2nd battalion Royal nick-name), born Little Six Farndons in total served Warwickshire Regiment, Beaton Exhall 1874, in the war. service number 4275. He Earnest William Farndon, was killed in action on the born Little Beaton Exhall Thomas Farndon

Gunner Albert Harris buried and make a pilgrimage on behalf of my ! have been on a quest to mother and the family. discover more about my Uncle Gunner Albert Harris, After contacting the war whose name appears on the graves commission, we Riversley Park Memorial. As found out that he was a young child in the 1950`s, buried near a village called my mother used to tell me Longueval in the middle of about Uncle Albert, her the Somme battlefields. So eldest brother, who was after more research we killed in France, just two information about him was were in a position to make weeks before the 1st World that he had been engaged our first visit in 1999 and War ended. He was only 21 to be married, played the finally found him in the years and had been killed piano beautifully London cemetery and by a snipers bullet while entertaining the family and extension. It was a very fetching water for his gun the officers and men at the emotional visit but very battery. The bullet had front and that he was satisfying to think that at passed through his uniform buried somewhere in last someone from the breast pocket, containing France. His younger brother family had finally paid their his wallet, diary and pocket my Uncle Cecil was in the respects to him. However watch. Royal Horse artillery, the story did not end there survived the war but never for our interest in the 1st The watch had been struck talked about it afterwards. world war grew and we and the hands had come That was how things stayed have now been back a total loose and my mother was until my mother’s death in of four times, walking the given it to keep as a 1991 when we rediscovered Somme battlefield visiting memento of her brother. Uncle Albert’s pocket watch Ypres and Passchendale The only other with the broken hands. My and many other places ,but sister and I decided to try always revisiting Uncle

and find where he was Albert’s grave somehow

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feeling the pull of another world long vanished.

This year my research took me to Nuneaton Library to view old Nuneaton Observer newspapers and it lead me to a front page article about uncle Albert that no one had seen before entitled “I die a soldiers death”, ”Nuneaton man’s message to his mother”

Nuneaton Observer November 15th 1918

‘I die a soldiers death’ NUNEATON MAN’S MESSAGE TO HIS MOTHER

It is sad to record the death in action of Gunner Albert Harris of the Royal Field Artillery, on October 31st when the war was nearing the end. His home was at 155 Gunner Albert Harris (right), Service No 59230, Royal Field th th Edward Street and he worked at Griff Artillery 19 Div. 88 BDE ‘A’ Bty., and his brother Cecil. (Clara) Pit before joining up.

Twice he was wounded and returned to The article confirms that duty. He had put in 3½ years’ service in he was killed while France, and has a brother also serving. drawing water, but that he was killed by shrapnel Major Anderson stated that the deceased from a shell and not a soldier was returning from drawing some sniper as we had always water when a shell fell close to him, thought. It was once inflicting mortal wounds. again very emotional to sit and look at that article The Chaplain writes: ‘A big shell had fallen but also made me feel about 100 yards away and he was taken to very proud. the Aid Post wounded. One piece of shell had passed through his pocket book into My son has also managed his breast. We did all we could ... but in to visit his great uncle about quarter of an hour his youthful spirit Albert’s grave and so I passed to the other world. He was very hope that the brave and said, ‘Tell my mother, I die a remembrance continues soldier’s death’. through the generations. Susan Hubbard, pictured above standing by Gunner

Susan Hubbard Albert Harris’ headstone at Longueval

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Albert Hatton weeks before Christmas in the three Rs. Albert lived at 1882 aged 8 months and a few addresses in Fazeley. Ellen in the early spring of In 1891, it was Lichfield 1887 aged 20 months, both Street and in 1901 and 1911 were baptised and buried it was at 9 Atherstone with ceremony at St Paul's Street. By the time he was Church Fazeley. 14 in 1901 he was a general labourer at George Skey's In the year of Albert's birth, Beauchamp mine. This 1887, it was also the year of wasn't unusual, children Queen Victoria's Golden would start work back then Jubilee celebrations all in their early to mid teens. across the Empire. Albert was born a couple of The first world war started months before the on 28th July 1914. Germany celebrations on the 20th and invaded Belgium, 21st June where the whole Luxembourg and France country celebrated their and was stopped by British Queen, Country and forces in France and this Empire. In Fazeley that was the start of 3 years of meant a large street party fairly static trench warfare Albert was baptised at St for everyone to enjoy. which resulted in the loss of Paul's Fazeley on 25th June The cheering would have life of 35 million people 1887. The church wanted been deafening and there both military and civilian. every child baptised and the seemed real joy and pride in Albert joined up in October quicker the better, if the being British, something 1914. He enlisted in the that would inspire Albert in Royal Warwickshire child died before they were th baptised they were buried later life to join the army regiment 11 Battalion. He without any ceremony from and fight for his country. At was a Private and his the church. Albert would this point in history it was number was 8654. expected that men of a have been born at home, th like many people at the certain age had a duty to The 11 battalion was time. The whole family the King/Queen and formed in Warwick in country. I suspect Albert October 1914. Troops were would have been living in th the same house 2 to 3 in a Hatton was named after attached to the 34 division bedroom in Lichfield Street. Queen Victoria's beloved in the Salisbury South husband and consort Prince downs. The battalion was Albert. sent to France and Flanders When Albert was born th William-Henry, his father, on 30 July 1915, into an was a coal miner. So what was life like for area that became known as Interestingly on the birth Albert while he was growing the Somme after the river. certificate it states the up? There was a school On 3 July 1916 the battalion mother as Sarah Jane built on Coleshill road in had reached Bienvillers. Hatton formally Thomas. Victoria's era close to where The following day they had Her maiden name was Millfield School is at the marched to Halloy. They Parsons so maybe an error moment, sadly it's no had marched in heavy rain by the registrar? At the time longer there. The and their billets were very of Albert's birth his parents Government took control of bad. They stayed in billets schooling in 1870 so it for a couple of days, then William-Henry and Sarah th had already lost two seems Albert had a good on the 6 motor buses children. Susannah two education, at least he learnt arrived in the early morning

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to take them to Hellincourt, machine gun and rifle fire. clearing station said that where they pitched billets The losses for the day were although everything was for the night. The next 3 officers killed and 3 done to revive him and to morning starting at 5.20am wounded, 6 men killed and relieve his pain, he they marched towards and 34 wounded and 6 missing gradually sank, passing through Albert village to the away peacefully at 1.20am reserve trenches at Tara On the 11th the battalion on July the 11th. Redoubt. was relieved by the 10th Loyal North Lancaster and Albert is remembered in Our bombardment started returned to the reserve Fazeley on the war at 7.30am and the battalion trenches with a loss of memorial, originally it was prepared to move forward. about 50% of it's officers in Fazeley square, outside The battalion moved to the and 160 of other ranks. It The White Lion, then it was forward positions and had little to show for the moved to the church and occupied the trenches in loss. Nothing gained or now back to the centre of Contalmaison – La given. the town next to the town Boiselle road on the 8th July. hall. It now stands about On the 9th in the afternoon The Somme offensive 100 yards from where there was very heavy started on the 1st July 1916, Albert lived most of enemy bombardment of and for Albert it ended on his life. the battalion’s positions the 11th. While trying to and this continued take Contalmaison wood I'd like to thank The Royal throughout the night, 4 Albert was badly wounded Regiment of Fusiliers officers and 10 men were in the left leg on the Museum (Royal killed and 86 were wounded evening of the 10th July. Warwickshire) for their by shell fire. assistance and the details of William, his father received Albert's time in the Army. On the 10th of July the a letter from the sister at battalion was ordered to the casualty clearing station Steven Coe push strong patrols to the shortly after his death South West of explaining the ---ooOoo--- Contalmaison wood where circumstances. The sister in they encountered heavy charge of the 36 casualty

Albert Hatton remembered on Fazeley War Memorial Fazeley War Memorial photographed in 2012

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Henry Brough Till, known as Brough

Henry Brough Till was the eighth child of nine born to Thomas and Caroline Till. Throughout his life he lived in coal mining areas; first of all in Gentleshaw, a small community near Lichfield, Staffordshire and then in Bedworth, Warwickshire. One assumes the family moved to seek better employment and improved quality of life. On the 1901 Census the family lived at Malt House Row, Gentleshaw. Brough was a Scholar and 9 years old. His father was a coal miner. On the 1911 Census the family had moved to 5 Newtown Road, Bedworth. At this time Brough was 19 years of age and employed as a Blacksmith’s Striker in a local colliery. He must have been very fit. The father had found employment as a coal miner, hewer, cutting coal on the face. At the time of Brough’s death, his the other hand, was a part. At the beginning of parents were living at 54 conscripted a little later and October 1917 the 1st Leicester Road, Bedworth. joined a Warwickshire Battalion, South Brough did not marry and regiment. Staffordshire Regiment took does not have any direct part in a major offensive to descendants. It is not known at what secure the main line of the point Brough joined the ridge east of Zonnebeke. Brough’s army service Regiment, but given the The Seventh Division’s number indicates that he date of his death, it must be objective was to establish joined as a volunteer. fair to assume that he was itself just east of Although living in Bedworth killed during the Broodseinde - Becelaere he still had an affinity with unsuccessful assault south road. The outcome was his County of Birth as he of the Menin Road on 26th successful, but the South chose to signup, in October 1917. This Staffs’ casualties were 30 Nuneaton, for the South involved an attack by the men killed, 33 missing and Staffordshire Regiment, Seventh Division’s 91st 291 wounded. Following ultimately serving in the 1st Brigade, of which the1st this the battalion was given Battalion. Brough’s older Battalion, South 10 days out of the line to brother, John William, on Staffordshire Regiment was

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recuperate and incorporate sums up the plight of the stream of machine gun replacement troops. Seventh Division. By bullets from the flank and appreciating this planned its few survivors sheltered As part of the eighth phase major contribution by the in shell-holes and waited for of the Third Battle of Ypres, Seventh Division, the a chance to get back. the Seventh Division Divisional Commander received explicit orders to refrained from protesting to When all the surviving units attack on the morning of the higher authorities that had indicated that they October 26 1917, and was under the conditions that were back on their original expected to achieve existed success would be line, the Allied artillery was another success, even impossible. ordered to put down a though the conditions, as a protective barrage, to result of rain and mud, The attack started at the discourage the Germans were worse. The prospect first sign of dawn. The from counter-attacking. of another attack in the Germans responded But the Germans would not mud and the fact that the immediately by putting have fared well because of drafts did not make good down a barrage. the mud and rain. The mud recent losses did not Fortunately it fell behind enabled the Germans to encourage the men. Nor the attacking battalions. On hold Geluveld. The Seventh was it easy for the officers the 91st Brigade’s right, the Division had every right to and troops to understand South Staffs at first fared claim that it was the the logic of continuing the quite well against most of elements and the offensive in the face of the machine guns, being conditions that defeated conditions so absolutely shielded by higher ground. them and not the enemy. fatal to rapid progress. The The right company, B, The surviving troops could primary objective for the reached its objective - a take great pride from the Division that morning was strongly held mound S.W. tribute General Shoubridge to capture Geluveld, or of Hamp Farm. A savage made about their “splendid rather the knoll on which conflict followed; the behaviour”: “They went Geluveld had once stood, company’s two officers forward under the worst and to secure the Tower were killed and all the conditions of mud and fire Hamlets ridge east of the senior NCOs, but the men and would not give up until Basseville Brook. Success fought on. In the end the they died or stuck in the would greatly improve the survivors, commanded by a mud - no soldier can do situation of the British right corporal, found themselves more.” The Seventh and act as an effective in possession of the mound. Division’s men had gone diversionary tactic. The They had captured a into the attack knowing that main Allied attack was machine gun and had the chances were all against being delivered away to the caused heavy casualties on success: they had attacked left in a more northerly the Germans, but they were as if they had believed the direction - Passchendaele. rather isolated. D Company battle would go their way. By keeping the Germans in the centre, which was Geluveld stands out in the occupied at Geluveld, this attacking Hamp Farm, had Division’s story, not as a day would prevent them from been mown down of loss and disaster but of moving reserves to meet wholesale by a crossfire of honourable defeat. It was the main attack. The term machine guns, while the left to be the Division's last fight “Forlorn Hope”, as used by company, C, when within 50 in Belgium. the author of “The Seventh yards of its objective, Berry Division 1914 -1918”, most Cotts, had caught the

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We cannot be sure of the circumstances surrounding Lance Corporal Till’s death; his body has not been found. His memory, gallantry and death are commemorated at Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. On 26th October 1917, he was one of the South Staff’s fallen men; 38 killed, 140 wounded and 92 missing. In addition to the Tyne Cot Memorial, Brough’s death has been further remembered on the WWI and WWII War The Till family 1905 at 194 Heath Road Bedworth on Thomas & Caroline’s th Memorial in Coventry Road 30 Wedding anniversary. Cemetery, Bedworth, Back row: John William & Ethel Emma. Middle row: Henry Brough, Rose Warwickshire. Annie (my Grandmother), Susanna, Nathaniel, Thomas, Olive Jane. Front

row (seated): Ada, Thomas, Caroline, Arthur James. We should not forget Brough’s mother and on more than one occasion communicated via letter father. Losing one of their during WWI. It must have from that point onwards. sons must have been a been a further upset when devastating experience. John William Till decided to David Sylvester. Brough But they also had news emigrate to the USA during was my Great Uncle. about another of their sons, the 1920s. John and his John William, being injured parents probably only

A Grandfather and a Great going to Winshill Infants Garrison Artillery was Uncle - Joseph Passam & School 2, singing with the responsible for the Harry Pretty. church choir and living a maintenance of the heavy, few doors away from the large calibre guns and Joseph Thomas Passam Pretty family. howitzers that were (29.5.1891 - 22.5.1962), my positioned some way lovely Grandfather, was He was employed as a behind the front line. Tom, born on 29th May 1891 in porter 21&25 in the Middle as a Gunner Signaller was Lullington, a small village in Yard of Bass Brewery at responsible for signalling 1,20&25 Derbyshire . His Burton on Trent from 13th the Gunners with parents Samuel and Tilstone June 1904 to 22nd June instructions concerning the moved to live at number 1 1906 18, being 13 years old elevation of the cannons. Wheatley Lane, Winshill, when he first started work. This was a tricky and 22 Burton on Trent before responsible job23. He served moving again to live at 1, Tom fought in he 1914 - in France as a signaller at Mear Greeves Lane. He 1918 war, joining the 186 the rank of Gunner21, spent his childhood and Siege Battery on 30th fighting at Ypres3 and was early adulthood there, November 1915 when he transferred to the army was 24 years and six reserve on 4th March months old21. The Royal 19195. He received £27.5s

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2d on demobilisation6 and 17 Family memories Freda Bignall nee hospital ship where the Saunders (niece) issued with the Victory 18 Bass Museum Archives M.O. said “This is a Blighty 24 Medal . 20 Passam family bible one” but Harry replied, “I 21 Attestation Document would rather stay with the 22 1901 Census 4 On home leave from the 23 Information from Royal Garrison boys” . Surgeons operated trenches he was not Artillery officer on him without anaesthetic, 24 War Service Record allowed into the house until 25 1911 Census leaving him with dreadful he stood in the bath outside scars. His granddaughter 4 to be deloused . Many Laura once saw them and years after the war had Harry Pretty (28.9.1893 - asked him what had ended he went back to visit 3.1969), my Grandmother’s happened. It is likely that Ypres, returning with a brother and therefore my some shrapnel was left 11 necklace each for his Great Uncle, was the fourth behind in his body . He daughters Peggy and Joan child and first son of Arthur was sent back to England, 3 and his niece Kathline . He and Fanny Pretty, born on admitted to Haslor Hospital, was never heard to talk 28th September 1893. Portsmouth and his sister 3 about the war . Kate and sweetheart Kit For the next few years until made a nightmare journey Popular with the girls who March 1899 (when his to visit him. When the used to leave him notes brother Albert was born), wound healed the medical 3 under his house steps , he Harry was “the only boy board were prepared to fell in love with Frances among a clutter of girls and discharge him, saying he Pretty who was the eldest could do no wrong” 2. He would never be able to girl in a family of 11 children was the favourite brother of carry a pack again. and who lived a few doors his sisters Elizabeth and However, at his own away at number 7 Mear Mabel12. request he was transferred 4 Greaves Lane. to a ship . On leaving school he was Just before Christmas in apprenticed at Worthington He fought as a Royal 2 & 3 1918 he was granted Brewery. He played cricket Marine (probably in the 21 7 leave , travelled for the brewery club, rowed rank of Lance Corporal ). immediately and arrived with the Leander and was a His ship, the St Vincent was unexpectedly at Spondon member of the YMCA4. sunk during the war. Harry Hall in Derbyshire where his was a strong swimmer, childhood sweetheart, At the outbreak of the having learned to swim with Frances was working in Great War Harry joined up all his brothers in the River 7 service . They married a few at Gosport and landed on Trent as a boy. By clinging days later on 28th the Dardenelles with the to some flotsam he was December at the Parish first Australian attack. He able to save himself and Church at Winshill, Burton kept a brief diary of his was picked up and landed 8 on Trent . initial experiences9 but at at Scapa Flow. There, by Galipoli he was badly chance he met his cousin Notes Frank Duncanson. His 1 Birth Certificate Joseph Thomas wounded in the back and Passam lay unattended for 24 hours youngest sister Mabel was 3 Family memories of Kathline as the shell fire was so with their parents when Hodgkinson (niece) they received a telegram 4 Family memories of Mabel Stenson heavy. A comrade stuffed nee Pretty (sister in law) his shirt round the wound informing them that Harry 5 Certificate of “Transfer to Reserve” was “missing, believed 6 Soldier’s Demobilisation account to prevent him from 7 Family memories of Frances Passam bleeding to death. At night drowned”. His mother nee Pretty (wife) he was taken off with the cried, the only time she was 8 Marriage Certificate Joseph Passam seen to do so by Mabel, and to Frances Pretty other wounded to the

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was later overjoyed to hear Mother has nothing to place, but for an Arthur of his rescue2. Harry’s own substantiate this. During WESTWOOD not Parker. son (also called Harry) one of our conversations disputed this version of Mother also said that she Arthur Westwood, born in events, never having heard had an older sister, no other the parish of Meriden near of the ship or the details were known just Coventry, occupation coal adventure6. that she had an older sister. miner, age 22 years 53 days. Looking through the record for this man, he Notes As you do off I set (on the 2 Family memories Mabel Stenson nee computer) to try and joined on 27th August 1914 Pretty confirm this. I found an and was posted on 28th 3 Photographs entry for birth in 1918 for a August 1914 to the Depot 4 Family History Kathline Joan Daniel th nee Wootton Christiana Parker in 4 battalion Warwickshire 6 Family memories Harry Pretty Coventry. When they Regiment. He was (junior) rd 7 Uniform identified by Ex-Army married my Grandad and transferred to the 3 soldier Grandmother both lived in battalion the Wiltshire 9 Harry’s diary (copied by Kathleen Nuneaton. So they had not Regiment on 3rd May 1915. Pretty) st 11 Family memories Laura Burnett nee moved very far. He was posted to the 1 Pretty Battalion the Wiltshire 12 Family memories Molly Pretty Regiment and spent from (junior) I sent off for a copy of the birth certificate and the 13th May 1915 to 16th Denise Olssen-Hildick confirmed the entry was my December 1915 in France, mother's elder sister, born where he was slightly ---ooOoo--- 1918 died 1918, father wounded (no details). He Arthur Parker and mother was then discharged as no Christina Parker nee longer physically fit for war service. My Grandfather and Bradnock. It gave Arthurs

World War One. occupation as labourer formally a Pte (Private) in How did I know that this was in fact Arthur Parker? Arthur Parker was born to the Wiltshire Regiment. Proof that he did in fact He had put his stepbrothers Ellen Harris, no father name and address in mentioned on the birth serve during world war one. Nuneaton as his next of kin certificate, at the and place of residence on Workhouse Meriden. He I searched for many hours for any record for Arthur leaving the army. This was my grandfather, but me address is where he was and my family knew very Parker in the Wiltshire Regiment, and found living at the time of his little about him. During his marriage. So for some life he was not very forth nothing, maybe his was one of the thousands of reason best know to Arthur coming about his family. he joined the Army as documents destroyed by fire. I kept looking and Arthur Westwood. Discussing her family with my mother who was 90 eventually tried something different, I left off the name Bryan Roberts years young in December 2013, she thinks that her and just put date and place of birth. Well blow me father served in the Army ---ooOoo--- during World War One. down there was an entry for the date of birth and

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Sydney Wood

Image © The British Library Board all rights reserved

Rifleman A/2059, 12th Bn., King's Royal Rifle Corps who died on 4th December 1915

Buried at Wye Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier

Sydney Wood enlisted in August 1914. He embarked for France on the 23rd July 1915, and was accidentally shot in the trenches on 4th December 1915. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War medal and the Victory medal. Fortunately, his service record has survived as a result of there being an inquest held to determine how he had died. This was a tragic story. In the surviving service papers are copies of the witness statements taken from the inquest, describing how the accidental death had occurred.

Researched by Ellen Spence written by Celia Parton

Sergeant 9312 Robert EALES was born in 1888. he lied about his age, Pettifer EALES 1888-1963 His mother died when he implying he was 18 months was 13 years old and, at younger and still growing ! The EALES family, long aged 19, wishing “to be established in Towcester, educated and see the After initial training, he was moved to live in world”, he chose to join the posted to India where he Northampton shortly Kings Own Royal Lancaster remained for 7 years. before Robert Pettifer Regiment; small of stature, When War broke out, he

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Sgt Robert Pettifer Eales - mentioned in Despatches was returned to England; of malaria, resulting from in 1919. Despite his according to his account, his time in India. ‘Service with the Colours’ the ship turned around in recorded as being in excess Southampton harbour, and After Belgium, he was of 12 years, he was denied a transported them directly posted to Bulgaria and took pension by the MoD, and to Belgium. He was part in the battles in always felt he had been wounded during the 2nd Salonica, where he was cheated; his poor health battle of Ypres [1915], one twice ‘Mentioned in making working life a very of just a few to survive a Dispatches’ in 1917 & 1919. hand to mouth affair. prolonged siege in Mons, He believed that his time in and saw Hill 60 blown up. India, under constant attack He married in 1922, was Unfortunately, he was also from snipers, had helped father to a son, and died in one of those affected by him to survive, particularly 1963. Despite his ‘gas’ during his time in the against the Bulgarians, background, he was the trenches, and was a whom he said were most gentle man one could respiratory cripple for the ferocious fighters. imagine ! rest of his adult life, in addition to frequent bouts After the War, he was Carole Eales transferred to the Reserve

Private Arthur Josiah occupation was a hatter Albrighton, Royal Marine and like many others he Light Infantry joined up on 17 August 1917 to serve his country Arthur Albrighton was born and became a private in the in Atherstone in 1884 the Royal Marine Light Infantry. son of Josiah and Harriet He died of wounds in Albrighton. On 6th August hospital on 25 March 1918 1905 he married Florence aged 32. He was buried in Rogers and they had one the St. Pierre Cemetery in child, a son also called Amiens in France. Arthur. His normal

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All soldiers in the First A copy of Arthur’s will was where her husband died but World War were issued found amongst some family unfortunately there is no with a Pay Book which memorabilia. Also found record of a reply. All this contained personal were various letters from family memorabilia was information such as next of the Ministry of Pensions kindly loaned by Arthur’s kin and medical informing his widow grandson Gary Albrighton information. Also included Florence of her entitlement and his wife Cynthia was a blank page on which to War widow’s pension. (membership no 2012-61). the soldier could make his There is also a copy of a will in the event of his letter sent by Florence to death. the hospital in Amiens

Above & below: Letters relating to Above: Arthur's will Florence's pension

Below: the letter sent by his wife to the hospital in Amiens.

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Amos Whitehall Then and now Amos was born in 1881 in Lechampstead, Buckinghamshire, one of four boys, the eldest being William, born 1871, Francis Henry born 1875 (my grandfather), Joseph born 1878 and Amos.

Amos with his brothers came to Nuneaton to work in the mines around 1897. They are on the 1901 Above: The census living in Fife Street, Menin Gate Nuneaton with William’s destroyed family and a friend from

Buckingham, Fred Smedley. Below: The Above: Document sent to Amos Menin Gate as it In 1905 Amos enrolled in on his arrival in the Netherlands is now the army, the Royal [Photographs by from the salt mines. Warwickshire Regiment Dr Carole Eales] aged 25. He served in Below: Letter from the King to India with Lord Montgomery who was returning prisoners of war. then a subaltern.

During 1914 to 1918 he served in France, was wounded, then taken prisoner and sent to the salt mines. I am not certain where he was wounded; it was possible in his arm. He was repatriated to England in September 1918 and later married Jessie in Akley, Buckingham. In later years he worked at Calvert Brick Works. Amos died in 1969 aged 88. He was a quiet country man and I met him several times.

Jill Joyce

Member 1999-08

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Palfreyman and Day - a continued to live in family at war Atherstone until their deaths. There are four Palfreyman names on the Atherstone War memorial. Three of them, Bertram, Charles and Harry were brothers. Benjamin Edward was their first cousin. The parents of the three brothers were Charles and Elizabeth Palfreyman. All three brothers were born in Atherstone although the Charles Palfreyman parents later moved to Yorkshire. They had a large Charles was two years family of eleven children in younger than Bert. He too total but four of them died joined the Royal Benjamin Palfreyman in childhood. Warwickshire Regiment but was promoted to Lance Benjamin had been a Bertram or Bert as he was Corporal and transferred to regular soldier having known was the eldest son. the Royal Berkshire joined the Royal Regiment. He was Warwickshire Regiment in presumed killed in action on 1899. He had served eleven 15th September 1915 after years in India prior to going having first been reported to France at the beginning as missing on that date. He of WW1. He was killed on was 29. 13th October 1914, the same day as his cousin Bert Harry was the youngest of and was believed to be the the three being born in first man from Atherstone 1896. He joined up in 1915, to be killed in the war. Both firstly with the Scottish he and Bert are buried at Rifles and then transferred the Meteren Military to the Royal Engineers. He Cemetery in France and as died of wounds on 4 the grave numbers are November 1917. It must consecutive I think we can Bertram Palfreyman have been a terrible blow to assume that they were the parents to lose their buried next to each other. He enlisted in the Royal eldest son so soon after the Warwickshire Regiment at start of the war but to then Benjamin had a sister called the beginning of the war lose two more sons I can’t Ada who was the and was killed on the 13 imagine how they would grandmother of Pauline October 1914. He was aged have coped with their grief. Wright, member no. 1996- 30. In 1908 he had married 21. He had another sister Elizabeth Jones and on the Benjamin Edward was the called Kate who married 1911 census they were son of Benjamin Edward William Day. William was living at 58 Arthur Street, and Amelia Palfreyman. He my mother’s first cousin Chilvers Coton with no too was born in Atherstone and this marriage links children. and was one of a large Pauline’s family and my family. His parents own. William was the son

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of Joseph and Ann Day. Francis John Day Joseph was killed in the and Benjamin Baddesley Pit Explosion of 1882, leaving a widow with Palfreyman three young sons and another on the way. Francis John Day was born on the 17th December 1882 over 7 months after the death of his father. At the outbreak of WW1, Francis or John as he was known, also joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and went out to France. He was killed in action on the 18th August 1916. So both William and Kate lost a brother. They had the bronze plaque issued to all the families who lost someone in the war for both brothers.

They had a wooden frame made for them and they hung on the wall of their sitting room for many years. These two brothers-in-law were well remembered by their families and still are now by Pauline and myself.

Celia Parton

Membership no. 1996-18

The dead man's penny

The Great War memorial plaque, struck in bronze, was issued to the next of kin of service personnel who were killed by the war. Popularly known as the dead man's penny they were in fact much larger than a penny at 5 inches diameter. The design is called Pyramus and was by Edward Carter Preston. Each plaque bears the name of the deceased without rank so that there was no distinction between those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Many were mounted at home in some sort of frame or display rack as in the example shown here.

Issue number: about 1.4 million.

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Pip, Squeak & Wilfred

Pip squeak and Wilfred were a trio of characters in a comic strip published in the Daily Mirror in the 1920s. Pip was a dog, Squeak was a penguin and Wilfred was a rabbit. At about the same time the three Great War campaign medals were being issued, and as many veterans received a trio of medals they soon became known by association with the cartoon trio as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Pip was more properly known as the Star or Mons Star. This came in two versions. The first was awarded to those who had served in Belgium or France between 5th August 1914 and 22nd November 1914. The obverse shows a star and 1914, the reverse is plain and stamped with the recipient's name, rank, service number and unit. Some 378,000 were issued. The second was awarded to those who served anywhere against the enemy 5th August 1914 and 31st December 1915. The design is similar but the obverse shows 1914-15. It was awarded to about 2.4 million people. The example shown is of the second type - the 1914-15 Mons Star.

Squeak was a silver medal more properly known as the British War Medal and was awarded to those who served in the British or Empire Forces. The obverse bears the head of the King, the reverse shows an equestrian figure. The recipient's name, rank, number and unit are stamped on the rim. About 6.5 million were issued.

Wilfred was the Victory Medal. The obverse shows a classical winged victory figure, the reverse bears the inscription THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION 1914-1919. The recipient's name, rank, number and unit are stamped on the rim. About 5.7 million were issued. Strangely not everyone received the victory medal, but in general those who were awarded the Mons Star also received the War Medal and the Victory Medal, whilst those not entitled to the Star but awarded the Victory Medal also received the War Medal.

Medals kindly loaned by Bernadette Evans.

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Acknowledgements

NNWFHS would like to thank all the individuals who gave us their stories and loaned family memorabilia for us to copy -

Pauline Morby, Steve Casey, Janet Swales, Sheila Keany, Jacqui Simkins, Celia Parton, Ellen Spence, Roger Jackson, Joy King, Michael Walpole, Marjorie Thorne-Cringle, Sheila Dunn, Geoff Shakespeare, Pamela Trigg, Thomas Farndon, Susan Hubbard, Steven Coe, David Sylvester, Denise Olssen-Hildick, Bryan Roberts, Dr Carole Eales, Gary & Cynthia Albrighton, Jill Joyce, Pauline Wright & Bernadette Evans.

Thanks to Bygones Babbacombe, Devon (www.bygones.co.uk) for use of the pictures on pages ii and iv

Image of Sydney Wood on page 34 reproduced with kind permission of the British Newspaper Archive (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

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Letters and cards from

42 the front

Contributed by Sheila Dunn