1914-1918 THE GREAT
WAR - SERVICE PERSONNEL FROM
THE COMER GARDENS AREA
Herbert BADGER, Ordinary Seaman Killed in action 31.05.1916
James BADGER
(Robert) Gilbert CHAMBERS,
Lance Corporal
Killed in action – Missing presumed dead in 1917.
Service No. PO/16471, 2nd Royal Marine
Battalion RND Royal Marine Light
Reginald John
Charles HUGHES, Private
(Unett) Edward LERRY, Sapper
Raymond LERRY,
Gunner & Sapper
Sidney LERRY,
Gunner
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William was sick in hospital for 11 days until 29 June 1917 when he was discharged to duty although not attached until a month later. He returned to 605 (Mechanical Transport) Company. William was awarded a Good Conduct badge in October 1917. The following July he was attached to the O/C Reinforcements Summerhill? (the word is unclear.) Depots were the distribution centres for collecting sorting and despatching reinforcements:- http://www.1914-1918.net/asc.html
Thomas Francis,
aka Frank, WALTERS
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THE COMER GARDENS AREA
Francis
ADAMS, Private
Service No. R38820, Kings Royal Rifle
Regiment.
Born 1873, Francis lived in Green Hill Terrace (Census 1881). Father
James, mother Ester (nee Rowe), brother Henry James, and sister Alice Amelia.
Possibly a Prisoner of War March 21 1918, repatriated Dec 1918. Awarded the
Victory & British War Medals.
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Hubert
ALLEN, Sergeant
Ordnance Dept., Machine Gun Corps.
Noted in the Parish Magazine as enlisted
September 1914.
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Herbert BADGER, Ordinary Seaman Killed in action 31.05.1916
Service No. J/25480, Royal Navy,
HMS Royal Arthur (1914)
and HMS Queen Mary
Herbert was born on 26 May 1897. His parents were James and Edith Badger
of 6 East Comer which then was in Hallow. The family had lived in Happy Land
West at the time of the 1911 census when Herbert was fitting in a part-time job
as Hairdresser’s assistant whilst he was still at school. Herbert was a blacksmith’s assistant when he
joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 1 June 1913. He is first mentioned in the Parish Magazine
of September 1914 serving on HMS Royal Arthur, which was at the time in the
10th Cruiser Squadron. After a period attached to a shore base establishment
Herbert joined the newly refitted HMS Queen Mary on 9 January 1915 as a Boy 1st
Class. In 1916 HMS Queen Mary was part of the large fleet at “The Battle of
Jutland”. She suffered two hits and her magazines exploded causing her to
sink. Herbert died on that day, 31st May
1916, just a few days after his 19th birthday, when he had become an Ordinary
Seaman. The circumstances of his death were reported in the Parish Magazine for
July 1916. Herbert’s brothers also
served in the War, namely James, John, Thomas, William Charles (see details
below).
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Royal Army Medical Corps.
Recorded in the Parish Magazine of August 1915. He was born in 1893. His parents were James and Edith Badger of 6
East Comer which then was in Hallow. The family had lived in Happy Land West at
the time of the 1911 census.
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John BADGER,
Private.
Service
No. 11165, 1st Coldstream
Guards,
1918 Reserve Bttn
Coldstream Guards, No. 5 Co
First mentioned in the Parish Magazine of April 1915. John lived at 6
East Comer, Worcester with his parents, James and Edith. (He is named as
Jonathan on Absent Voters List of 1918).
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Thomas
BADGER,
Service No. J89447, Royal Navy. HMS Powerful
(1918) / HMS Cicala (1919)
Thomas was born on 7 May 1900, one of the sons of James and Edith Badger
who by 1911 were living at 6 Happyland West in St Johns, Worcester. He joined
the Navy for 12 years on 7 May 1918. He is mentioned in the Parish Magazines of
June 1918 and March 1919. Thomas was a “Boy II”, “Boy I” and later an Ordinary
Seaman on HMS Powerful which was a training ship at Devonport. From 30 September 1918 to September of the
following year Thomas was serving on HMS Cicala which was a River gunboat. This
website gives full details of the ships travels taken from the ship’s
logbooks: http://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-11-HMS_Cicala.htm. Thirteen other attachments followed until
Thomas completed his naval service on HMS Concord on 9 April 1928 having taken
troops to China in February of that year.
He was awarded Good
Conduct badges in 1921 and 1926 which entitled him to additional pay,
(believed to have been one penny ‘1d’ a day). The RN record is also marked
“Traced Medal” which indicates that he was awarded the RN Long Service Good Conduct medal.
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William Charles BADGER, Stoker
Service Nos. SN K25365 / SN
125365,
Royal Navy, HMS Victory /
HMS Dido /
HM Submarine L14
William was born on 19 January 1896, one of the sons of James and Edith
Badger (mentioned above). He enlisted on
15 April 1915 and was based on land at Victory I Portsmouth. Other land depots
followed – HMS Dido and from 28 August until 27 October 1918 HMS Dolphin, which
was a shore base for submarines, His
wartime service was completed attached to the depot ship HMS Maidstone at Harwich on HMS L14, (part of
the Harwich 9th Flotilla) which was a Group 2 submarine with a mine-laying
capability. William continued to serve in the Royal Navy until September
1928. It is thought that most of his
career was spent on submarines. During
his time in the Royal Navy, William was granted the War Gratuity in 1919,
gained an Auxiliary Working Certificate 1921 and later was awarded an Education
Certificate. William was also awarded three Good Conduct badges and the RN Long Service Good Conduct
medal.
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William BAKER, Acting Sergeant &
Corporal
Service
No. M2/117333, Army Service Corps. MT 594 Co.
William
was born c. 1886 in Worcester and, when he enlisted 14 August 1915 aged 29, he
lived at 13 Farley Street, Comer Gardens.
In 1906 he married Annie Stokes at Lady Huntingdon’s Chapel in
Worcester. They had two children John
and Dorothy, the latter having been born In March 1915. William was an electrician by trade. His
vision was good, but he had a slight haemic murmur of the heart. William had previously served for seven years
in the Worcs Field Artillery and he joined the MT section of the Army Service
Corps. He was appointed as a paid Acting Corporal in November 1915 whilst in
Portsmouth and the appointment to Corporal was confirmed the following June. He
was an electrician, part of the 594 Company BEF in February 1916 and was on
furlough for a fortnight from 30 September1918. William spent his service from
6 October 1916 with 594 Corps X Siege Park, which was the ammunition column for
the RGA 34th Brigade. By 5 April 1919 he
was Acting Sergeant and was in Bonn, Germany for a medical prior to
demobilisation. He was in the UK for a month from 13 April 1919 when he was
sent home for permanent discharge. William was well regarded, “very reliable
and conscientious”, he had good power of control and was tactful in the way of
handling his men.
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Bertram Henry BECK, Private
Service No. 204269,
7th/8th Worcs Regiment
Bertram was born
in 1891 (St Peters), his father William was a dealer in hides, and his mother
was Mary (Census 1891). They lived at 81 Diglis Road. Bertram had 2 brothers
and 2 sisters, and he enrolled June 1917 (his occupation was given as horse and
cattle dealer). At this time, he was living at 235 Henwick Road. He was posted
to Rouen, France Nov 1917. In June 1918 he was appointed Lance Corporal, and
demobbed in March 1919. He received the Victory and British War medals.
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David BOYD, Driver.
Service
No. B2505 & M2/ 114703, Army Service Corps, Motor
Transport.
David
Boyd was born c. 1883 in Minley, Hampshire.
He was an “Electrician Motor Fitter” working as a chauffeur for Mrs.
Fisher, Radyr, Cardiff, South Wales when he was posted for duty on 25 June 1915
at Cardiff. David was in France with ASC
378 Company which was 11 MAC (11 Motor Ambulance Convoy) from July to December
1915 and whilst there he was run over by a car which apparently started his
health problems. He seems to have got appendicitis following the accident on 10
November 1915 and was attended by the doctor for 11 MAC and later was sent to
Stationary Hospital in France, but whether this was for the accident or the
appendicitis is not clear. David was sent to King George Hospital London for an
appendisectomy and then on 10 November 1915 to Woodcote Convalescent Hospital
in Epsom where he suffered from iliac pain from a hyperactive nerve. He left
there in February 1916 and was considered fit for overseas service. In April
1916 he returned to the BEF serving with ASC 908 Convoy - 36 MAC.
David
was admitted 2nd Birmingham War Hospital on 11 September 1916 as he still had
pain and his abdomen was opened but nothing was found so he was discharged on
19 December 1916 and was in England until 31 October 1917 when he was posted to
Italy with 908 Convoy- 36 MAC (Motor Ambulance Convoy) he was in Italy until
April 1919 and served latterly at the Base MT Depot of the RASC. Possibly 2nd
Base Depot at Arquata, Italy (62 miles south of Turin), where on 11 April, a
Medical Board reviewed David’s “internal injury” (Appendicitis and Hernia)
which was deemed to be 20% attributable to his military service and he was
granted a conditional six month pension of 5s 6d from 28 May 1919 the day after
his demobilisation into Class Z Army Reserve.
In
September 1919 he received an additional 2s per week in respect of his wife.
Unfortunately David continued to suffer with abdominal and chest pain when
walking quickly and bad weather affected him in other ways. On 15 October 1919
his case was reviewed and his condition was deemed to be in a final stationary
condition (symptoms as already mentioned) and he was classed as Gii. In
November 1919 the pension expired and David was granted a gratuity of £32 10s,
rather than the pension.
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Harold F. BRAZIER, Corporal/Acting Sergeant
Service No.
202686, Worcs Regiment
David had married
Fanny Shepherd in Worcester area on 24 February 1916 and their home address was
Fair View , East Comer, described on the 1918 Electoral Roll, as, 4 East Comer,
Worcester. David’s medal card shows he received the Victory and British War
medals.
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Martin Eustace BRIGGS, Private.
Service
No. S/306773, Army Service Corps, 3 Co., 29 D.T.
1889-1961
Martin was born in Worcester and at the time he attested he was a butcher
living in Westgate on Sea, Essex. It seems that he was in the Army Reserve
until he was mobilised in February 1917 when his home address was 11 Comer
Gardens St John’s. Martin joined the 227th Co RASC. The ASC as it was known
until 1918, has been justly called the unsung hero of WWI, thanks to its
organisational skills it supplied the armed forces with food, equipment and
ammunition.
See http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-army-service-corps-in-the-first-world-war/
See http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-army-service-corps-in-the-first-world-war/
A note
in the margin of Martin’s military record states “Group 7 Butcher”. In April
1917 he was sent to France on the SS Huntscraft, a ship which was used on the
regular supply run from Southampton to Le Havre. He was briefly at the ASC base depot H T
& S (Horse Transport and Supply Corps) and was then posted to 29th Divisional
Train 3 Coy. The Train moved with the Division and carried stores and supplies.
There is more information on where he served but it is not easy to read. He was
admitted to hospital with scabies on 5 January 1918 and “discharged to unit” on
the 26th. In April he was deprived of a day’s pay because he took 20 mins
before he carried out orders to guide lorries into camp. Two weeks leave was
granted on 28th November 1918 and on 28thJune he went to the Disposal Camp at
Solingen in Germany for demobilisation. The
Electoral roll for 1918 shows he lived at Croyden Villas, 3 Comer Gardens.
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Alfred BROOKS, Private
Service No.128983, RAMC
Alfred was born in Kidderminster c. 1876 and
married Amy Elizabeth in 1906. In the Census of 1911, they had one son, Alfred,
and lived at 173 Henwick Road, Worcester. Alfred was a commercial traveller in
the Woollen industry. (The 1891 Census
showed that Alfred had 2 sisters, and his widowed mother worked as a carpet
weaver. As his name is not recorded in
the Parish Magazine before June 1918, it is possible that Albert did not enrol
until that year. No medal card or service history can be found.
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A (Poss. Arthur R.) CALLOW, 14th
Worcs Regiment
This
soldier is first noted in the Parish Magazine of January 1916.
He may have been Arthur, step brother of Francis J Ross, of Greenhill
Terrace, Broadheath.
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Francis John, aka Frank, CALLOW (Also known
as ROSS), Private
Service
Nos. 48118, 6th/10th Worcestershire
Regt and 31321 Devonshire Regt.
Francis
John Ross was born 1886 and died in 1955. On the 1901 census he is shown as
Francis John Ross a stepson of John Callow and his wife Ellen. By 1911 he is
using the surname Callow and is shown as a market gardener’s labourer reported
to be aged 23. Frank’s full military record has not survived, but both the
Worcestershire Regiment database and the Medal Card Index list him as Private
Frank Callow. A “Sick and Wounded” list for BEF at Doullens, France, dated
April 8 1918 has survived and Frank was hospitalised with eczema in the 3rd
Canadian Stationary Hospital awaiting transfer to base. The form states that he
was with the Devonshire Regt. If he was
serving with 1st Battalion he would have only arrived in France from Italy the
day before. Mentioned in Parish Magazine
November/December 1918, Frank lived at 45 Comer Gardens. (AVL 1918). He is
believed to have married Elizabeth J Millin in the preceding year under the
name of Francis J R Callow. When Frank died in 1955 his death was registered as
Francis J Ross-Callow. (He was awarded
the Victory & British War medals).
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Killed in action – Missing presumed dead in 1917.
Service No. PO/16471, 2nd Royal Marine
Battalion RND Royal Marine Light
Robert
Henry Gilbert Chambers was born 28 June 1893 in Comer Gardens, the son of
Robert and Lydia Chambers. Robert Senior was a cooper and the younger Robert
was known as Gilbert. In 1911 the family were living at 217 Hylton Road and
young Gilbert was a butcher’s assistant. The Parish news for September 1914
shows him serving on HMS Hampshire. Gilbert was a Lance Corporal in the 2nd
Royal Marine Battalion, who in 1917 was declared missing presumed dead. He is
commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France Bay 1.
For full
information about Gilbert please see Mark Chambers research on the Remember the
Fallen website:-
http://www.rememberthefallen.co.uk/Casualties/ShowDetails/CHAMBERS_PO16471?casualty=2926
NB: The photograph shown above is captioned only as Pte Chambers, so we are unable to establish whether this is Robert Chambers, who was reported as missing, presumed dead, or Albert Chambers of Lwr. Broadheath.
NB: The photograph shown above is captioned only as Pte Chambers, so we are unable to establish whether this is Robert Chambers, who was reported as missing, presumed dead, or Albert Chambers of Lwr. Broadheath.
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Percy CHESTON, 4th Machine Gun
Section / Worcs Yeomanry
Noted in
the Parish Magazines of September and October 1914 as being in the Worc
Yeomanry.
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Albert Edward CROFTS, Private
Service
Nos. 2125 Worcs Yeomanry & 325153 -
Corps of Hussars
The
Parish Magazine of April 1915 and Absent Voters List states Albert is a Prisoner
of War. Also gives Corps of Hussars Service Number whilst in Worcs Yeomanry.
Lived at 34 Comer Gardens. Brother to
Frederick, noted below.
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Frederick CROFTS, Corporal / Private
Killed in action, November 1918.
Service
No. 37920, Worcs Yeomanry / Somerset Lt Infantry
First
noted in the Parish Magazine of April 1915. Killed in action (Parish News Nov
1918). Lived at 34 Comer Gardens.
Brother of Albert, above.
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Thomas John DIXON, Stoker Class I
HMS
Victory II / HMS Naiad / HMS King George V / HMS Lupin / HMS Minerva
Thomas
John Dixon was born on 25 July 1894 in Worcester. His occupation was as a
porter when he joined the Royal Navy for 12 years on 27 July 1912. He became a
Stoker Class II rating attached the land depot HMS Victory II and became
a Stoker Class I on HMS Naiad – an Apollo Class cruiser. From 8 November 1913
until 23 January 1916 Thomas served on board HMS George V and this was
mentioned in the Parish magazine for September 1914. On 31 May 31- 1 June HMS
George V as the lead ship of 1st Division of the 2nd Battle Squadron she took
part in the Battle of Jutland and was not damaged. Thomas spent nearly three months on board HMS
Lupin a Flower Class sloop which at that time was a mine sweeper. From 25
November 1917 until 1 January 1918 Thomas was on board HMS Minerva, probably in
the Indian Ocean. It’s not clear known what happened to Thomas after this.
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Abiathar DUNN,
London
Regt / Warwickshire Reserves – might be
SN 686081 & G/106649, if so diff rgt
Recorded
in the Parish Magazine of March 1918 – no other information found. Brother to Sidney and Stephen, below. Abiathar’s military record has not survived.
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Sidney Edmund
Thomas DUNN
Service
No. 5296, 30th Company Army Ordnance Corps.
Sidney
Edmund T Dunn 1886 -1945 was living at 9 Comer Gardens, a blacksmith by trade,
(like his father, Edmund) he enlisted on 9 March 1915 at the Guildhall
Recruiting Office 42 High Street, Worcester. He married Mary Annie Reeves in
1909 and had two daughters, Beatrice (born at Broadheath in 1912) and Edith
(born at Comer Gardens in 1914). His
Certificate of Trade was signed on 10 March 1915 by Joseph Southall, the
Managing Director of Hardy & Padmore, Worcester Foundry and he classified
Sidney as a Very Good 2nd Class Blacksmith. On 15 March Sidney was tested again
at the Workshops of the Ordnance College at Woolwich and proved as a 2nd Class
(skilled) Blacksmith. 182 days after enlisting Sidney was discharged on 6
September 1915 from No 2 Section RAOC, Tidworth, as medically unfit (catarrhal
bronchitis), His address was given as Camp Lane, Hallow. Sidney was granted a
gratuity of £15 and because the condition had been aggravated by his work as a
blacksmith for the Army, Sidney was awarded a pension of 5s 6d a week from late
September 1917 to 20 June 1919 and the same again from that date for 52 weeks,
plus an allowance of 1s 10d a week from 23 September 1917 to 30 April 1918 and
then the same again until1 May 1918, for his children. The letter Sidney wrote
asking if he was entitled to a Silver badge as he had served for 182 days before
he was discharged as medically unfit, is in his Army file. The badge and
certificate were sent to him in September 1917, together with typed
instructions on how it should be worn - either on the right breast or the right
lapel of a civilian jacket. By now Sidney was living in St Martins Gate,
Worcester. Brother to Abiathar (above)
and Stephen (below).
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Stephen DUNN,
Service
No. 541902, Worcs Yeomanry/Royal Tank Corps/RFA
Stephen
Dunn, born in 1896, a fitter by trade joined the Royal Tank Corps. The RTC
Enlistment Records state that he had been in the Worcestershire Yeomanry and
when he enlisted in the RTC on 19 December 1921 he had the Service Number
541902. He was transferred on 1 April 1922 to the Worcester & Oxford
Brigade of the RFA. His next of kin was his mother Mrs Ellen Dunn who by then
living in Comer Gardens. Edmund and Ellen Dunn had nine surviving children and
two of Stephen’s brothers, Sidney born 1886 and Abiather born 1899 (noted
above) served in the Army.
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Ernest Richard EDWARDS,
A.S.C., M.T.,
2nd Div. M.T. Co.
Ernest Richard
Edwards was born in 1884 in Worcester. His parents were William and Sarah
Edwards. His father died about 1887 and his mother and large family lived at 36
Tallow Hill. At the time of the 1911
census Ernest, a china kilnman was living with his wife Beatrice Edwards nee
Dunn at 8 Comer Gardens, which was part of Hallow for electoral purposes.
Unfortunately
Ernest’s Army Service record has not survived and his name cannot be found on
the medal card index.
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Frederick George FARMER, Lance Corporal (Jan
1916) and Corporal
Service
No. 25646, 14th Worcs Regiment
Frederick
George Farmer was born in 1896, a printer by trade and one of the sons of
William Edward and Mary Emma Farmer.
William worked as a housepainter and in 1918 as a Railway Carriage
painter, they lived in Comer Gardens.
Frederick enlisted on 15 November 1915 when he was 20 years old and
living at 5 Farley Street. He joined the
14th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment at some point transferring to the
2/8 Worcs Regiment. Unfortunately only
part of his military record has survived.
Frederick was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on the 6 December of that
year. In May 1916 he was appointed paid
Lance Corporal and again after a period unpaid as Corporal he received his paid
promotion on 20 October 1916. He was demobilised
to Class Z when he was entitled to wear two blue chevrons for service overseas
and his Army records shows that his character was Very Good, that does not mean
that his conduct sheet was completely clear, he was reprimanded for neglect of
duty on two occasions whilst a corporal, once when he was Orderly Sergeant and
on another occasion when he was in charge of the Ration Party. Frederick was on furlough from 9 to 19
February 1918 as a result of having received a 2nd gunshot wound to his left
hand. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. There is a letter on Frederick’s file
concerning the death of his mother in 1918 which identifies his brother as
Walter who had the Service Number 277704, see below.
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Walter Joseph
FARMER, Lance Corporal
Service
Nos. 2554, 277704 & S/11246, 2/8th Worcs Regt., Durham Lt.Inf. and RAOV
Walter Joseph Farmer was the second eldest son of William Edward and
Mary Emma Farmer who lived in Farley Street. At the time of the 1911 census he
was working as a labourer in “motor garage”. It seems that his Army record has
not survived and it is only because he is mentioned in his brother Frederick’s
Army file that it has been possible to find out with which regiments he served.
He was first in the Worcestershire Regiment with Service Number 2554, he later
transferred to the Durham Light Infantry Service Number 277704 (as mentioned
about him in brother’s file) and finally with the Army Ordnance Corps S/11246.
Nothing more is known at present, although it is possible that he was the
Walter Joseph Farmer whose Army medical record was placed in William Bourne
Farmer’s Army file and caused such confusion (see below).
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William E.
FARMER, Farrier, 7th East Surrey Regiment
Service No. 210 ?
Recorded as being in service, Parish Magazine of November 1914 – no other
information found.
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Frank -
re-enlisted as Frances James (February 1910) – FAWDRY, Private.
Killed in action
30th or 31st October, 1914.
Service Nos. 5027 and 11571, Worcs Regiment / 1st Battalion South Wales
Borderers.
Born in Hallow, Frank's trade was a skinner. He was the son of James and
Mary E. Fawdry of 3 Mill Walk, East Comer, Worcester. He enlisted October 1897
in Worcester, and his records on CWGC show that he served in the South African
campaign. Frank had many punishments during this service for drunkenness (fined
10 shillings plus 5 shillings costs) for being drunk and disorderly in Methyr
Tydfil, being late for Tattoo, late back for duty, etc., and was discharged in
July 1909. He re-enlisted again under his full name of Francis James Fawdry in
Brecon February 1910. He was killed in action at Ypres on 30th or 31st October
1914 aged 38 and is commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) memorial panel 22. Brother to Thomas and George, detailed below.
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George
Washington FAWDREY, Private
Service Nos. 22347 and SN
77041, 5th Worcs Rgt. And Royal Defence Corps
George Fawdry was born in 1878 in Hallow, one of the three sons of James
and Mary Fawdry who served in WWI. All three brothers were remembered in the
parish’s Intercessory Prayers. George had married Ellen Langford from Malvern
at St Clements, Worcester in 1902 and by the 1911 census they had 3 daughters
and the family were living in Aston, Birmingham where George was a
fellmonger. George served in the 5th
Worcs Regiment and later the Royal Defence Corps which was formed in 1917. It
was composed of men who were either too old or unfit to serve overseas. The
Corps undertook security and guard duties in the UK. George’s army record has
not survived, so this all the information we have at the moment. He was awarded the Victory & British War
medals. Brother to Frances (above) and Thomas (below)
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Thomas Henry
FAWDRY,
Service Nos. 26946 / 34869 / 52552 & 127719,
Devonshire Rgt./ 1st TS Somerset Lt Inf./Inf. Lab. Corp
Devonshire Rgt/3rd Lab. Corps
Thomas Henry Fawdry 1881 – 1958, was born in St Clements in the St Johns
area of Worcester in about 1881 and was another of James and Mary Fawdry’s sons
who served in WWI. Thomas married Jane Causier from Grimley in 1908. They seem
to have had four children between 1911 and 1922. Jane lived in Mill Walk, Comer
Gardens whilst Thomas was in the Army.
Thomas was a housepainter when he attested on 11 December 1915. He was
mobilised on the 9 June 1916 and on that day he had a medical at the Public
Hall in Worcester. He was 5ft 8ins tall, but only weighed 105lb. His physical
development was poor and he suffered from varicose veins. He was classed as C1
suitable for Home Service. This is reflected in his service record. Thomas suffered from mucous colitis and after
demobilisation on 9 April 1919 an Army Medical Board considered that he was
entitled to an award for 46 weeks of an allowance of 7s 10d including a children’s
allowance. It is not clear if this was
back- dated. (Brother to Frances and
George, above).
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Charles Henry FROWD,
Service Nos.
4921 & 241696, 8th Worcs Regiment
(The Parish magazine
showed this servicemans’s surname as Froude, this was an error. The 1911 census
signed by his father declared the spelling of the surname as Frowd.)
Charles Henry
Frowd was born in 1893 at Severn Stoke, Worcestershire. At the time of the 1911
census he was with his father also Charles Henry, a market gardener, his sister
Elizabeth and niece, Winifred at 6 Comer Gardens. (His mother Annie was a
patient at Powick Hospital). Charles' Army service record has not survived, but
his medal card states that he was awarded the 1915 Star, British War &
Victory Medals.
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Cyril FURBER,
Corporal
Killed in action
12th October 1916
Service No. 33414, 14th Manchester / 17th Bn
Manchester Rgt
Cyril was born in Chester c. 1890, the son of John (a Locomotive Engine
Driver) and Annie. They lived at 133 Rock Street, Oldham. Cyril was a Polisher
(Watch Trade) and was a single man (Census 1911). He enlisted at Chadderton,
Lancs. His name was first noted in the Parish Magazine of April 1916, and in
December 1916 it was reported that Cyril had been killed in action in France,
part of the Western European Theatre. (Widowed mother lived in Oldham, Lancs.)
CWGC states 'died 12 Oct 1916 aged 26, Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 13A and
14C'. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. (His name is not on
Hallow Memorial)
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James Henry GRIFFIN, Private/Corporal
Service No.15670,
Army Pay Corps
James was born
in St. John's, Worcester 1877 and he married Helen Beatrice Yeates in
1904. The 1911 Census stated he was a
Merchants Clerk, and they lived at Kingswood, 169 Henwick Road, Worcester.
James' parents were George (a farmer) and Emma and in 1881 they lived at Earls
Court, St John's. There were 3 daughters, and two sons (inc. James) and two
general servants. James attested on 10
December 1915 and was placed in the Reserves, he was mobilised on 21 August
1917. Following his attestation he had
been classed in Medical Category BII “for slight flat feet”. He was enlisted
into the Worcestershire Regiment in accordance with a letter sent by Colonel
Benson, the Regimental Paymaster, Warwick to the Recruiting Officer at
Worcester. James would be on probation with the Army Pay Corps and the
Worcestershire Regiment should send James to the Warwick Office on probationary
duty. James was made a Corporal on 21
August 1918. On 27 October he caught
influenza and spent 11 days in Warwick Military Hospital. He proceeded to the
Dispersal Station 17 February 1919 and was transferred to the Reserves on 19
March 1919. His death is registered 4th
June 1951 at the Worcester Royal Infirmary. He was 74 yrs old.
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Gilbert Arthur HARRIS, Lance Corporal
Service No. S4/143573,
Army Service Corps, Comd Depot E.E.F.
Gilbert was born
in Worcester c. 1898, son of Thomas and Sarah. Thomas was a warehouseman at a
China Works. There were three daughters and four sons, and Gilbert was the
second eldest boy. The family lived at Jubilee Villas, Hylton Road, Worcester
(Census 1911). Gilbert is mentioned in the Parish Magazine of April 1916 and therefore
may have enlisted at that time. The Absent Voters List of 1918 gave his address
as 233 Henwick Road, Worcester. He was awarded the Victory & British War
medals. No other records can be found.
Brother Henry is
shown below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henry Ernest HARRIS,
Service No.
could be Bristol Z/10961, Ord. Telegraphist, RNVR Wireless Section
Henry was born
in Worcester c. 1900 to Thomas (a warehouseman at a China Works) and Sarah.
They had eight children. In 1911 three
daughters, and four sons were living at Jubilee Villas, Hylton Road, Worcester.
Henry's name appeared in the Parish Magazine for April/May 1918 so he may have
enlisted about that time. His death was registered in Birmingham, but he died
in Worcester 22 May 1938. His probate record gave his address as 18 Dorothy
Crescent, Worcester, and named 'Frances Harris and Sarah Ann Harris widows.' No
other records have been found.
Brother Gilbert
is shown above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas HARRIS, Might
be: Private - SN 22825
Worcs. Regiment./Royal Engineers/Somerset L.I./York L.I./R.E.
This might be Thomas James who was born in Worcester c. 1885. His mother
Annie was a widow, and he had one sister. They lived at 16 Pitmaston Road, St
John's, Worcester (Census 1911). He may have enlisted about August 1915 as this
was when his name first appeared in the Parish Magazine. If the service medal
card is correct, he is shown as starting his service in October 1915, and
Thomas was awarded the 1915 Star, Victory & British War medals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles
Alan HOLLIDAY, Private
Service No. M2/103657, Army Service
Corps/Motor Transport Div.
Charles enlisted 2 June 1915 - he was just
22 yrs (born 1893) and lived at Comer Lodge, Comer, Worcester. He worked as a
motor engineer. He was married to Alice Ethel Caldwell at the Parish Church in
Malvern Link, 1915 and gave his father's name as next of kin, i.e. Charles
James Holliday. He was sent to France with the Expeditionary Force in August
1915 until March 1916, when he returned to the UK. He was discharged as being
medically unfit for war service 28 June 1916. He was suffering from anaemia and
debility 'chiefly in the opinion of the results of dysentry'. He had been
trated in two hospitals, the 2nd Australian General and the 1st Southern
General. He received the Victory, British War medals and the 1915 Star.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ernest HUGHES,
Driver
Service No. 2569 (1/2nd South Midland Brigade RFA) and No. 803648 (B/241st South Midland Brigade,
48th Divisional Ammunition Column)
Ernest Hughes born 1898 was one of the sons of Henry William and Ellen
Maria Hughes of Broadheath Common and was aged 18 years 10 months when he
attested in to the Territorial Forces on 30 September 1914. He was initially
allocated the Service Number 2560 and later a permanent number of 830648. He was attached to 2nd and later the 1st
South Midlands (HS) Brigade RFA as a Driver.
For more of his
research, click here.
Brother to Fred, Harold & Reginald, below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fred HUGHES,
Private.
Service No. 17231, 9th Batt. Worcs Regiment
Fred was born in 1892 one of the six sons of Henry William and Ellen
Maria Hughes nee Pope. At the time of the 1911 census they were living at Rose
Cottage, Little Common, Broadheath, later they moved to 30 Comer Gardens.
Fred’s military record has not been found but his medal card records that he
enlisted 3 July 1915 and he served in the Balkans. He was awarded the 1915 Star, British War and
Victory medals.
Brother to Ernest (above) and Harold and Reginald (below)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harold Albert
HUGHES, Private
Died 21st
September 1915.
Service No. 13621, 2nd Battalion Worcs Regiment
Harold died 21st September 1915 aged 19. Son of William Henry and Ellen
Maria Hughes, 30 Comer Gardens, Worcester. He is buried in Guards Cemetery,
Windy Corner, Givinchy, Cuinchy France, Grave II. D9. There is a photograph in
Berrows Journal supplement 2 Nov 1918. (He is remembered in St David’s church,
Comer Gardens as Albert, and at Hallow church as Harold Albert)
Brother to Ernest and Fred (above) and Reginald (below)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Died of his wounds 25th September 1918
Service
No. 52356, 1st/2nd Worcs Regt.
Reginald
John Charles Hughes was born in 1899, his parents were William Henry and Ellen
Maria Hughes who had six sons, five of whom are known to have served in WWI -
Ernest and Fred survived whilst
Harold, James and Reginald died. The family lived at Rose Cottage,
Little Common, Broadheath in 1911 and later moved to 30 Comer Gardens. There is
some confusion in on-line databases about this soldier, but "The
Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War by Captain H Fitz M Stacke"
confirms that Reginald was in the 2nd Bttn when he died in France on
25 September 1918. This is backed up by his brother Ernest's service record
that states that three of his brothers had died, (his file shows that this was
verified during the war by the police). The Hughes family are also mentioned in
the Berrows Worcester Journal. The
Parish Magazine for May 1919 also notes Reginald's death, but does not give any
further information.
Reginald is buried
in Grave III. B6 at Villers Hill Cemetery, Villers Guislain about 9 miles from
Cambrai under the correct service number with the name of John Charles Hughes.
His first name Reginald has been omitted. Although the Commonwealth War Graves
Commission website indicates that his
place of birth was Nether Compton, the 1911 census form completed by Reginald's
father shows he was born at Tolladine, near Worcester which is also confirmed
by his General Registrar Office's birth registration in the Droitwich district.
Brother
to Ernest, Fred and Harold, above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Albert Edward HUNDLEY,
Leading Stoker
Service
No. K15722, Royal Navy
Albert
Edward Hundley, a butcher’s worker, was born on 28 December 1892 one of the
sons of Walter and Martha Hundley nee Ody, who at the time of the 1911 census
were living in Cheshire Cheese Entry in the Foregate, Worcester. Albert joined
the Royal Navy for 12 years on 7 August 1912, By the start of the War Albert
was a stoker on board HMS Superb which was a Bellerophon class
Dreadnought. Albert remained with her
until 17 April 1916. Following a period attached to the land-base HMS Victory
II, Albert joined the Lion-class Battle-cruiser HMS Princess Royal on 8
November 1916. Earlier in the year she had taken part in the Battle of Jutland,
the damage being repaired at Rosyth. Subsequently HMS Princess Royal was
involved in patrolling the North Sea until the end of the War. Albert was
granted the War Gratuity. He became an Acting Leading Stoker on 17 June 1918
and was promoted to Leading Stoker in the December. Albert completed his 12 years service in
1924.
Brother
to Walter, below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walter William Charles
HUNDLEY, Royal Marines.
Service
No. PO/16686
Walter
was born 4 May 1895, the younger brother of Albert Hundley mentioned above. He
enlisted on 13 January 1913, whilst “underage” into the Royal Marine Light
Infantry, Portsmouth Division, At the time he enlisted his parents William and
Martha Hundley nee Ody were living at Foregate Hole Cottage, Foregate Street,
Worcester. Walter joined the Portsmouth Division on 29 October 1913 after
training at the Deal Depot where he passed the Musketry course. On 11 June 1914 Walter embarked on the
battleship HMS Glory (commissioned 1899), which had been part of the Home
Fleet, but was posted as a guard ship at Nova Scotia and patrolled down to the
West Indies Station. From June 1915 HMS Glory was in the Mediterranean. The
following websites shows the ship’s journeys and includes daily log entries from
that time:-
http://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-01-HMS_Glory.htm
Walter
was posted to the HMS Monitor 23 in October 1915 which had been launched in
July of the same year and had been intended for shore bombardment. Walter
remained with M23 until 30 September 1918, by which time the designation “M23”
had been given to his former ship HMS Glory. During the period October 1915 to
June 1917 M23 served in Egyptian waters, East Indies (Bitter Lakes) and Suez
Canal. From June to September 1918 M23 was in the Dover area. Walter was next attached to M25 until
September 1919, so saw out his war-time service on that ship patrolling the
White Sea. In December 1919 he was with Portsmouth Division and Walter served
as Royal Marine until 27 May 1920 when he was invalided out of the service. His
home address was given as 8 Infirmary Walk, Worcester.
Walter
received a Good Conduct Medal in 1915 and was awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory
and British War Medals. He married Nellie Kirkham in 1923 and died in 1978 in
the Stourbridge Registration District
Brother
to Albert above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William Edmund JENNINGS,
Aircraft
Worker, Coventry.
An
Absent Voters List noted William away on war work. He lived at 64 Comer Gardens
– no other information is known.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harold Ernest JEYNES,
Gunner / Bombardier / Corporal
Service
No. 150510, Royal Field Artillery
Harold
was born c. 14 May 1891 to Thomas (a market gardener) and Clara who lived at
East Comer (Census 1901). There were two other sons, and one daughter. In 1911,
the family lived at Gordon Villa, 277 Upper Henwick Road, Worcester - Thomas
was a florist, and Harold was a gardener. He married Gertrude Mary Brown of
Worcester in July 1913, and they had one child in November 1914. In December
1915, Harold's address was Crown Inn, Friar Street, Worcester and he was a
licensed victualler. He attested in December 1915, and enlisted August 1916,
when he was sent to France as a Gunner. In 1917 and 1918 he served in Italy
(promoted at this time to Bombardier), finally being demobbed in March 1919
having been promoted to the rank of Corporal. October 26, 1918 he was mentioned
in dispatches from General F. R. Earl of Cavan. He was awarded the British War
and Victory medals. Harold died September 1979 aged 88.
Brother
to Henry, below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henry William
JEYNES, Private
Killed in action
25th January 1917
Service
No. 31004, 9th Battalion Worcs Regiment
Henry
was born in Hallow in 1883. His father Thomas was an agricultural labourer
(Census 1891) and his mother was Clara. Henry was the eldest son of a family of
three boys and one girl. In 1901, Henry was a Civil Engineer Clerk, and by 1911
was a draughtsman. In the Census of 1911, he was living at Abbotsmead, 5 Cyril
Road, Worcester with his wife Mary and 4 month old daughter. He enlisted in
Worcester, and was killed in action in Mesopotamia as part of the Asiatic
Theatre, 25th January 1917. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
He is buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq, Grave XIX. F. 9.
Brother
to Harold, above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sidney
J. JOHNSON, Corporal / Sgt.
Service Nos.1068 & 830193, 1st Worcs
Battery (2nd S. Midland Brigade RFA)
Sidney Johnson
was born in 1894, the son of Frederick and May Johnson of 202 Henwick Road. He
joined the Territorial Forces for 4 years as gunner in the RFA (T)[ Reserves]
1st Worcester Battery on 9 December 1912 and was promoted to Corporal in July
1913. He attended the annual camp 2nd South Midland Brigade at Salisbury on the
3 August 1913. As a member of the Territorial Force, Sidney undertook a 12 day
course from 1-13 June 1914 at Bulford Camp in Riding, Gunnery, and Stable
Management. His record showed “Very Good” for Conduct, Industry and General
Proficiency in the subjects of the course.
Sidney was a
compositor working for Mr. Cook in Foregate Street, Worcester when, on 5th August
1914, he was mobilised as a Corporal with 1st
Battery 2nd South Midland Brigade RFA
which became 241 Brigade http://www.denniscorbett.com/241.html
and by 2 October 1914 he was at the garrison at Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight.
Sidney’s Conduct Sheet showed four misdemeanours, none requiring more than a
severe reprimand and they didn’t prevent him being promoted to Sergeant on 28
Nov 1914. In July 1916 he undertook a 5 day Anti gas course. Sidney was posted
to with 241 Brigade to France from 30 March 1915 to 21 November 1917. He seems
to have served with D Battery, which had formally been the Warwickshire Heavy
Howitzers.
http://www.denniscorbett.com/241.html
Sidney was granted 10 days leave of absence
in December 1915 (and again in September 1917). The file was stamped “Proceed
to Italy” 1917 and on 25 March 1918 he returned to England from Italy for
admission to Officer’s Cadet Unit. His file showed that he was a Sergeant Cadet
at No 3 RFA Cadet School at Weedon, Northants. He received a Bounty of £15
under Army Order 209 of 1916. Details of Order 209 and a discussion about it
are here:-
Sidney was demobilised into the Reserves on
20 January 1919 and was finally discharged on 18 January 1919. Sidney was
awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War and Victory medals.
In response to a letter that Sidney wrote
in July 1935 from the Police Station, Romsley, Birmingham, the Director of
“Personal Services” wrote to say that in order to qualify for the Territorial
Efficiency Medal he needed 12 years continuous service and as he had - including reckoning his period of
embodied service as double - 11 years
339 days, he was ineligible for the Medal.
Part of the War Diary of 240 Brigade whilst
in Italy is on-line and it mentions various places where 241 Brigade was too
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service No. 284388,
Royal Engineers
Edward was born
in Abingdon c. 1887 to George Edward (a sawyer at a saw mill) and Jane - they
lived at Steventon, Berks. At this time there was only Edward and daughter,
Mina. In 1901, George was an engine
driver, and the family had grown to three sons and a daughter, and they lived
at Farley Street (later moving to 13 Vincent Road), Worcester. Edward was an
errand boy. In the 1911 Census, the family lived at 38 Comer Gardens, Worcester
and Edward was now a Railway fireman. He married Mabel Bradley in 1916. His
name first appeared in the Parish magazine of March 1919, so he may have
enlisted around that time - unfortunately his medal record card did not
indicate when he joined as a Sapper, only that he received the British War and
Victory medals. Edward died in Autumn 1972 aged 85.
You can view his
gravestone here:-
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=83935682
(Brothers Raymond & Sidney are shown below)
(Brothers Raymond & Sidney are shown below)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Nos. 930 (Gunner), 190715 & WR 258675 (Sapper), Royal Field
Artillery /
Royal Engineers
Raymond was born in Worcester 28 December
1893. His parents were George Edward, an engine driver, and Jane. He had two
brothers and a sister and the family lived at 38 Comer Gardens (1911
census). He enlisted 18 June 1915 as a
gunner. He was living at 13 Vincent
Road, Worcester and was a locomotive fireman at Worcester, Gt. Western Railway
when he enlisted on 18 June 1915 into the Worcester Territorial “A” part of the
2nd South Midland Division, reserve for
the RFA. In January 1916 he was a gunner
to the 61st DAC (Divisional Ammuntion Column) 2nd South Midland Division and on
July 1 1916, he married Martha Ellen Hughes at St Mary’s Church, Worcester. He re-enlisted 4 July 1916 at Audruicq in
France as a Sapper/ Engine Driver in the Royal Engineers ROD ( Railway Operating Division, for which
he was granted the skilled rate (1/4) of Engineers pay and he agreed that for
any period of service unexpired would re-enlist into his original unit at his
previous rate of pay. See the following
link concerning the large military camp at Audruicq including some
photographs:-
Raymond’s Regimental Conduct sheet lists
misdemeanours one of which gives some indication of discipline “in the field”.
He was awarded 14 days “Confined to barracks”, as a punishment for “not
complying with camp orders viz placing debris of his food on dining Hall
table”.
He served in France until May 1919. On
leaving the army he gave his address as Richmond Road, Worcester. He was
awarded the British and Victory medals. He returned to the railway as an
engineman, and worked until his retirement in 1956. He died in the Spring of 1981
aged 87 (registered Stratford on Avon).
(Brothers - Edward is shown above, and Sidney, below)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Killed in action 11
September 1917
Service
Nos. 2626 / 830706, Royal Horse and Field Artillery - H.Q. 241st Brigade
Sidney was born in Worcester c. 1895 to George
Edward (an engine driver) and Jane. They lived at Farley Street (later moving
to 13 Vincent Road), Worcester with their other two sons and daughter (Census
1901). In 1910, Sydney worked as a cleaner at Worcester Station with the Gt
Western Railway. He enlisted March 1915 and was killed in action as part of the
Western European Theatre, France and Flanders, 11 September 1917 aged 22. He is
buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XI.H.5.PN May
1919.
You can read about the 241st Brigade Royal Artillery and see a
photograph of Sidney’s gravestone in Flanders here:-
(Brothers Edward and Raymond are shown above)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arthur Edward MARTIN,
Private
Service
No. 48250, 7th (Reserve), 9th Btn Worcs Regt.
Arthur
Edward Martin was born in 1888 the son of Charles Martin a general labourer
born in Claines. By 1917 Arthur was a shop manager in Swansea and gave his
father Charles, who lived at 16 East Comer, within Hallow parish, as his next
of kin. Arthur was a bachelor and enlisted at Swansea and joined the 6th
/ 9th Worcestershire Regiment on 3 August 1917 at Norton Barracks.
Arthur was classed in medical category A1.
Arthur embarked from Devonport on 7 October 1917 and landed at Bombay,
India on 26 November. He arrived at Belgaum camp the following day. This
appears to have been a prison camp.
http://www.archive.org/stream/reportsonbritish00inteuoft#page/34/mode/2up and saw service with the
9th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment in the No 7 Reserve Battalion (India). On
21 March 1918 he was caught talking on the Commanding Officer’s Parade and was
confined to barracks for three days. 17 December 1918 saw Arthur proceed to
Kirkee (Khadki) and in the following April he spent 11 days in hospital
suffering from a boil near his left knee. He recovered, the less fortunate were
buried at the Kirkee War Cemetery. The Kirkee War Memorial remembers the 1800
servicemen who died in India and Pakistan in WWI and are buried in cemeteries
that can no longer be maintained. At
some point Arthur was classed as medical category B2 and he was demobilised to
Class Z Army Reserve on 11 February 1920.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William Fulford MAXTED,
Airman
Service
No. 33516, Royal
Flying Corps
William
Fulford Maxted was born in Hednesford Staffordshire and in 1911 was living with
his parents Arthur and Alice and his four sisters. He enlisted in the Royal
Flying Corps as a Driver on 13 June 1916. Later in the same year he married
Gladys E Moreton from Leigh Hurst School, Bransford, Worcs, where her father
was headmaster. In the 1920’s they had three children in the Tamworth
registration District. Nothing more is known at the moment about William’s
wartime service.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William Philip MILES, Private/Acting
Corporal
Service
Nos. 292132 & 173550, Royal Army
Service Corps, Forage Depot
William was born c. 1878 in Selly Oak. He married Elizabeth Mary of Tewkesbury in
1907, and at the time of enlisting in February 1917, they had one daughter, and
lived at 183 Henwick Road, Worcester.
William worked as an Estate Agent's Clerk and Auctioneer. His service record stated he had previously
served from 1898 for 4 years in the Worcester Artillery. He was promoted from Private to Acting
Corporal in August 1917. His medical
report showed that he had arthritis, and he was not posted abroad - he may have
served his time based at Fulford until being demobbed in July 1919. His medal card cannot be found.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmond John NORMAN, Air
Mechanic 2 - Storeman / RAF Clerk
Service Nos. 94160 & 27954, Royal Flying Corps
/ No 3 Stores Depot RAF
Edmund was born in Ombersley 1881, son of Frederick
and Sarah Norman. John was a tailor by trade when he married Margaret Emma
Matthews from Martley on 15 June 1909. They were living in Newtown Ledbury on 2
April when the 1911 census was taken and 12 days later their son Stanley John
was born. John was living at 40 Comer
Gardens with his family when he originally attested into the Army on 1 November
1916, but was transferred as Air Mechanic 3rd class (3 A/M) to the RFC (Royal
Flying Corps) on 11 September 1917. At the beginning of the following year he
was 2 A/M, but in April 1918 became an RAF Clerk 2 (27954). John was
reclassified as a Clerk 1 on 30 November 1918 and was a storeman at No 3 Stores
Depot at RAF Milton, Berkshire possibly until he transferred to the RAF
Reserves in 1919. John was demobbed on 30 April 1920.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James OLIVER, Private
Service Nos. 3/10206, 3rd Suffolk Regt.
James Oliver was born in 1870 and married Mary
Maria Crump at St Clements church on 29 November 1899. They had two children of
their own, Nellie and Arthur, and adopted May who was born in 1905. His Army Service
records showed his home address as 5 Court Hylton Road.
James attested at Felixstowe on 2 October 1914 for
Short Service of one year with the colours and duly made his mark. He had
previously served with the 1 Suffolk Regiment (SN 682) – “Time expired”. James
was posted to the 3 Suffolk Regiment on 9 October 1914 and then to the Depot in
November. He was discharged as a re-enlisted man whose service was no longer
required on 13 December 1915. He served for 1 year and 73 days in the UK.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry PROSSER, Private
Died in action
May 1919
Service
No. 19777, 1st Worcs Regiment
Harry
was possibly from the Comer Gardens area.
His name first appeared in the January 1916 edition of the Parish
Magazine. It was reported in the May
edition, 1919 that he had died in action.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frederick William
PUGH, Sapper
Killed in action
18th September 1918
Service
No. 63391, 90th Field Company, Royal Engineers
Frederick
was born in Wichenford, Worcs. c. 1888, the son of William (a waterworks
labourer) and Ann Pugh, and in 1911 they lived at 5 Hylton Road,
Worcester. At that time there were 6
children. Frederick was a house painter,
and he married Ethel Sarah Harris at St. Clements Church, Worcester 21 June
1913. They lived at Rockwell, Henwick
Road, Worcester. (Ethel is later
recorded as living at 37 Lechmere Crescent, Hallow Road, Worcester). He enlisted October 1915, and was killed in
action (France and Flanders) 18th September 1917 aged 30. He is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery,
Belgium, Grave I. E. 18. Frederick was
awarded the 1915 Star.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David RABJOHN(S), Cadet / Acting Corporal / Second
Lieutenant
1/Worcs 17th CCB / 2/8th Worcs Regiment
David was born
in Birmingham c. 1881 - his father, also David, was a musician, and his mother was
Sarah nee Hill. There were 6 children recorded on the Census of 1901, and they
lived at 144 Latimer Street, Birmingham, where they were also recorded in
1891. David was on the Census of 1911
and lived at 7 Himbleton Road, Worcester, working as an Elementary School
Teacher. He was married, but his wife was not at home. She is believed to have been Alice Edith nee
Faulkner but cannot find a record of the marriage or his wife's name. David's medal card showed that he enlisted in
July 1917 and served in France. He was
awarded the Victory and British War medals.
His name is also on the Absent Voters List of 1918.
David
participated in the Peace Parade in Worcester on 8 July 1919. Detachments of all battalions of the
Worcestershire Regiment were present together with representatives from the
Royal Navy, Territorial Forces, Worcs Yeomanry, Volunteers, WAAC, VAD’s; Land
Girls, plus other women’s organisations. Lieutenant David Rabjohns was part of
the contingent from the 8th Battalion. Page 513 of Captain H FitzM Stacke’s
“The Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War” describes the Peace Parade. David was listed in the National Union of
Teachers War Record for 1920 as a member of the NUT in Worcester City.
Information on the internet related to his
interest in cricket can be found here:-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell Hamilton RANDALL, Private
Service
No. M2-226516, Motor Transport, Army Service Corps/
82nd Brigade RGA (Salonica)
Russell was born in Leeds c. 1887. His father John was an Inland Revenue
Officer. (Unable to ascertain the name
of his mother, may have been Emma Jane).
On the Census of 1891, Russell was with his grandparents at Station
Road, Madeley, Shropshire, and in 1901 the family of father, 5 children and a
housekeeper lived at Green Hill, Worcester.
On the Census of 1911, Russell was a boarder, living at 10 Milton
Avenue, Highgate, London and he was an Elementary School Master. In the Kelly's Trade Directory of 1916,
Russell was living at 177 Henwick Road, St. John's, Worcester. His name is on the Absent Voters List for
1918. He was awarded the Victory and
British War medals. Russell married
Lilian Cunningham in 1919 and in 1922 they were in the party of 20 people who
sailed to Boston as “ Worcester Football Team Party”. Russell was the Head of
the Boy’s Department at Stanley Road School in Worcester from 1929 to
1944. He seems to have died in Suffolk
in 1960.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Albert RATCLIFFE, A Mech 1
Service
No. 117273, Royal Flying Corps / RAF 17 Bat. Co.
Albert
Ratcliffe was born in 1884, one of the sons of Thomas and Jane Ratcliffe nee Mason who in the 1901 census were living at
Newbury, Cotheridge. Jane was a widow by
1911 and living in Barbourne Road with nine of her eleven children. Albert was
a leather dyer at that time. He married Laura Rutter in March 1913 and they had
four children. Albert attested in 1916
and gave his civilian occupation as a chauffeur, the family were living at
Arundel Villa, East Comer. Albert’s
service record showed that he was in France from 9 March 1916 to 2 February
1919. In 1916 he was with 3 Brigade
which had been formed in January of that year.
Albert was wounded 8 June 1917 and was admitted to 8th General Hospital in
Rouen. He was at the Candas Depot 13
June 1917. It is not clear why his gunshot
wound is mentioned in relation to this Candas supply and repair depot. There is no further information about the
wound and his Casualty Card was destroyed on 4 January 1921. Albert was transferred to the new RAF 1 April
1918 and left France on 2 February 1919.
After the War was Albert was transferred to RAF Reserve on 30 April
1920. He was awarded the British War
Medal and the Victory Medal. He died in 1953.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward Austin RICKETTS,
3rd
Worcs Regiment
Edward Austin Ricketts was born on 27 October 1901
the eldest son of Ernest and Alice Ricketts nee Finn who were living at 55
Comer Gardens at the time of the 1911 census.
Edward is mentioned in the Intercessory prayers in the Parish Magazine
for February 1918. As Edward would have
been under age in 1918 and neither the Worcestershire Regiment website or the
Imperial War Museum Digital Memorial has a record for him, it is not clear if
he actually served during WWI. Edward
married Gertrude Robinson in 1929 and he died in 1982 in the Worcester area.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ernest RIGBY, Private
Service
No. 10905, 23rd Royal Fusiliers
Ernest
was born in 1897 the youngest of the four children of William and Elizabeth
Rigby nee Finn. William was an electrician and the family lived in Mill Walk,
East Comer. Ernest’s Army Service Record does not seem to have survived but his
medal card shows that he was awarded the British War and Victory medals. We have no further information at the
moment.
(Brother,
William noted below)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William RIGBY, Private
Service
No. D.M.2/130040, 8th Worcs Rgt / ASC 605 MT Co.
William
Rigby was born in 1893 the elder son of William and Elizabeth Rigby. His brother Ernest also served during the
War. William Snr was an electrician and
the family lived in Mill Walk, East Comer.
He attested on 5 October 1915 and gave his occupation as hosier, his
address being 108 Dilston Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne. He put his father William Rigby of East Comer
as his next of kin. He joined the ASC at
Osterley Park, Middlesex on 9 October and passed the Motor Learners Test there
in December 1915 and obtained a certificate.
William was discharged from hospital on 29 July 1916, 9 days after
having been admitted suffering from colic.
On 8 November 1916 William embarked on HT Ballarat at Devonport and
arrived at Salonica on 4 December and went to the BMTD – Spares (Base Motor
Transport Depot). The following on-line chapter of “The Story of the Salonica
Army” by G Ward Price gives information about the difficulties concerning the
supply of spares in Salonica http://www.gwpda.org/memoir/Salonica/salon6.html
William was sick in hospital for 11 days until 29 June 1917 when he was discharged to duty although not attached until a month later. He returned to 605 (Mechanical Transport) Company. William was awarded a Good Conduct badge in October 1917. The following July he was attached to the O/C Reinforcements Summerhill? (the word is unclear.) Depots were the distribution centres for collecting sorting and despatching reinforcements:- http://www.1914-1918.net/asc.html
William’s attachment to Reinforcements HQ meant
that his daily pay increased by 3d in October 1918. He was transferred a couple of times up to
December 1918 and on 10 February 1919 was Classed as BII (Labour Service
abroad) and embarked for the hospital at Chanak(i). Perhaps this one - http://nam.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/4372
-where he remained for 4 months, before
embarking for the UK on 7 June 1919. No
further medical records have survived, although there is written faintly -
Service No 168285 and Mil? Chen? He
transferred to Class Z Army Reserve on
demobilisation on 22 July 1919 when his home address was given as 1 East Comer
William acknowledged receipt of his British War Medal and Victory Medal in 1922
and quoted his Service Number as 663663 and “Unit N L N “.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William ROBERTS, Driver
Royal
Field Artillery
William
was born in Hallow c. 1898. His father,
John was a self employed market gardener, and his mother Harriet was a
greengrocer. They had 5 children in all,
but only 4 had survived (Census 1901) and the family lived at 9 Hylton Road,
Worcester. By 1911, they had moved to 4
Oldbury Road, Worcester. William's name
first appears in the Parish Magazine for August 1916 so he may have enlisted
about that time, but his service number is not known and therefore no other
information has been found.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph ROBBINS, 8th Worcester Regt.
There
is no trace on the Worcestershire Regiment database or Imperial War Museum
Digital Memorial. This possibly could be Ralph Edgar J Robbins born in Claines
in 1895 living with his parents James and Mary Robbins nee Jones in Blackwell
Street, Kidderminster in 1901 and a servant of John Jones, a farmer at Spring
Valley Farm, Quatford near Bridgenorth, Shropshire in 1911. Could he have been
drafted into the Labour Corps after his Medical? If so his service number was
346942. The record card for this number
shows an enlistment date of 9.11.14 and discharge date of 13.4.19 - no other
information is given re. medals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arthur William SHERRIFF,
Private
Service
No. 235106, 7th Worcs Rgt/7th Warks Rgt
Arthur
William Sherriff was born in 1883 in Worcester. On the 1911 census he is the
eldest of the four sons (three lived at home) of Charles and Annie Sherriff of
15 Farley Street, Comer Gardens. His occupation was shown as Shed man, Tram
Company. Four of their sons served in WWI.
Arthur’s Army Service Record has not survived but there is a record of
his name on a damaged list of the sick and wounded (no date). He appears to
have had scabies which is a contagious skin disease caused by mites. It was a
common ailment for serving soldiers.
Arthur was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
(Brothers
Albert, Frederick and Harry shown below)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Albert E. SHERRIFF, Private
Service
No. 37760, 5th Worcs Regiment
Albert
Edward was another of Charles and Annie Sherriff’s three sons who were at home
in Farley Street at the time of the 1911 census. His occupation was as a Horticultural
labourer. (Charles and Annie had six surviving children in 1911). Albert’s Army
Service record has not survived. He first appears for Intercessory Prayers n
January 1917 Parish Magazine. As his Army Service Record has not survived the
only information we have is from the Medal Card Index which shows he received
the British War and Victory medals.
(Brothers
Arthur, Frederick and Harry also shown)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frederick Charles SHERRIFF,
Service
Nos. 24872/ 92719, Royal Engineers
Frederick
Charles Sherriff was born in 1874 in Worcester the eldest son of Charles and
Annie Sherriff who in 1911 lived at 15 Farley Street. Frederick was living in Higham near Nuneaton,
Leicestershire in 1911 with Emma and their four children. His occupation was copper smith. Frederick’s Army Service Record has not
survived and the only information we have is from the Medal Card Index which
shows that he served from 8.9.14 and received the British War and Victory
medals.
Brothers
Arthur, Alfred and Harry are also shown)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Alfred SHERRIFF,
Gunner, Royal Field Artillery
Died of wounds
received in action
Service
No. 2931 & 830591
Harry
was born in 1890 and on the 1911 census his occupation was given as a
Horticultural labourer. He was living
with his parents at 15 Farley Street with two of his three brothers who served
in WWI. Harry married Charlotte Allso in
1912 and they had a daughter Mabel in 1915 . Harry is first mentioned in the
January 1917 Parish Magazine. The
edition of May 1919 reported that he had died aged 27 in a London hospital from
wounds received in action in France.
(The Remember The Fallen website and GWGC state that Harry died in
Devenport.) He was buried in St John's
Cemetery, grave 4601. His occupation was
given as ' soldier' and he lived at Lower James Street, St Pauls, Worcester.
Brothers
Alfred, Arthur and Frederick are also given)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Samuel SMITH,
Sailor, HMS Venerable
Samuel is listed in the Parish News of October 1914, but no other information has been found.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Herbert STAITE, Bombardier / Sergeant
Sailor, HMS Venerable
Samuel is listed in the Parish News of October 1914, but no other information has been found.
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Herbert STAITE, Bombardier / Sergeant
Service
No. 17128, Royal Field Artillery
Herbert
Staite was born in Longdon Heath, Worcestershire in 1877 and was in the Army
for 12 years from May 1901. He served for nine years as a Gunner in the RFA
mainly in the UK (including Ireland), with 2 years in India. He was in the
Reserves for a further 3 years. Herbert married Margaret Ann Swindin in
Owlerton, Sheffield in December 1905 and they had four children between 1907
and 1916. He was awarded the Military Medal. For more information, click here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walter John
STOKES, Private/ Sergeant
/Second
Lieutenant /Second Lieutenant attached 12 Norfolk Regt /
Lieutenant Royal
Engineers
Service No. 1463,
8th Worcs Regiment
Walter was born
in 1887 in St Johns, Worcester. He was living with his mother Maria aka Minnie
Stokes at 3 Middle Road, St Johns at the time of the 1891 and 1901 census. She
was married but his father was away from home, a similar situation applied in
1911 Minnie and her two children Walter and Ethel were living in Chestnut
Street. Walter was an Engineer’s Pattern Maker.
Walter’s Army
Service record has not survived, but it is believed that he enlisted in about
January 1916. Although he was at first a private, he was by late December 1917
promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and the Worcestershire Regiment website gives the
information that he was attached to the 12th Bttn Norfolk Regiment in an action
which resulted in him being awarded the Military Cross. The Parish Magazine
offered congratulations and the London Gazette later confirmed by the
information in the Supplement of 24 October 1919. The only other information we
have is from the Medal Card Index – 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory
Medals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William STOKES, Corporal
8th Worcs
Regiment
Born c. 1864,
William was the stepson of James Stokes, a labourer and carthorse driver. His wife was Charlotte. There was another stepson, two sons and three
daughters and the family lived in Comer Gardens. The Parish Magazine of September 1914
mentioned William as having enlisted.
He was a
labourer. No other information can be
found.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henry TAYLOR,
HMS
Statesman / Royal Flying Corps (June 1916)
There
seem to be three possible Henry Taylor’s - the first is the brother of Sidney
Eaton Taylor below, Sidney lived with his wife in Comer Gardens at the time he
enlisted. There are other examples where
there is a family member in the parish and so the family’s other servicemen who
lived elsewhere were remembered in the Parish’s Intercessory Prayers and there
is a specific request in the Parish Magazine for those servicemen and women to
be included. The other possibles are
Henry Taylor of 84 Oldbury Road born in Bishop’s Frome, Hfds. c. 1889 and Harry
Charles Taylor, 94 McIntyre Road born in
Worcester 1898.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sidney
Eaton TAYLOR, Lance Corporal
Service No. 30842, 1st Worcs Regt
Part of Sidney’s
Army Record for WWI has survived and shows he had been a grocer. His home
address was Brookholding, Comer Gardens, St Johns, Worcester, where he was
living with his wife Gertrude nee Lewis and their two children, when he
enlisted on 1st June 1916 at the age of nearly 28 years. He joined the 5th
Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment and did not go to France until 28 July 1917.
He had been appointed to the temporary rank of Lance Corporal whilst on Home
Service, but the day before they embarked for France he was reverted to a
Private. There is no explanation as to why he was not able to carry the
temporary rank to France. A corner of one page of his Army Record has survived
that might have contained useful information, any further pages are missing.
Sidney was demobbed probably in late February 1919. He was of Good Character
and awarded the British and Victory Medals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reginald Baker THORNE,
Private
Service
No. 24912, 3rd/5th Worcs Regiment
Born
in 1897 in Lancashire Reginald was the son of Joseph and Edith Thorne nee Baker
of 12 Comer Gardens. He enlisted 19 October 1915 discharged 1 November 1919.
Reginald was 22 years of age when he was awarded the Silver War Badge (number
B335002) on the 22 November 1919 for wounds received during his service. The
Worcestershire Regimental archive will hold further information. See
http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/swb_intro.php. On 10 October 1926 he married Dora Evelyn Woodward at Berkeswell Warwick (where his mother was born). Reginald died in the Hereford area in 1960.
http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/swb_intro.php. On 10 October 1926 he married Dora Evelyn Woodward at Berkeswell Warwick (where his mother was born). Reginald died in the Hereford area in 1960.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Albert Henry
TYLER,
Fitter
(general) Flight Sgt Ch Mech /Chief Mechanic (29 April 1915 to 1 Sept 1918) /
Sergeant Major - SN 5003
Royal
Flying Corps / Royal Air Force
Albert
Henry Tyler was born on 26 July 1894 in Hallow, one of the six children of
George and Mary Tyler who lived in Parkfield Lane. Albert was a Hot Water Fitter and he attested
into the RFC on 29 April 1915, the same day as one of his younger brothers, Arthur. Albert’s promotions were as follows: Air
Mechanic Class 2 – 29 April 1915; Air Mechanic Class 1 - 1 September 1915;
Corporal – 1 May 1916; Sergeant – 1 November 1916; F/Sgt – 1 February 1918.
Transferred to the RAF – Chief Mechanic – 1 April 1918. Appointed “Ch Mr M L” –
1 June 1918 (if anyone knows what title this refers to, please let us know).
He
was transferred to the new RAF on 1 April 1918 and served with 21 Squadron,
which was based at RAF Saint Inglevert, Pas de Calais, until 14 February 2019
when he was transferred to 31 Training Depot Station (Fowlmere, Hertfordshire).
Confusingly in the section concerning the awarding of the British War and
Victory Medals in 1921 it is stated that he served in France from 16 December
1916 until 14 February 1919, whilst the Medical records infer otherwise. Was the word “France” used as the generic
term for service overseas and entitled the servicemen and women to the relevant
medals? The RAF record also contains an
extract from his RFC Medical Record which shows that he was in hospital in
Basra for a week in September 1916
(NYD) and in 1917 (Malaria) although it
is not clear which General Hospital he was in, the following link gives
information about conditions in the area at that time :-
Albert
married Dora Elizabeth Clarke 1 January 1919 at Hallow Church and he seems to
have remained in the RAF until at 7 June 1921, although elsewhere his record
states that he was recalled from indefinite leave on 4 June 1921 and discharged
on 28 April 1923 after 8 year’s service.
If anyone has any additional information we would be pleased to hear
from you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arthur TYLER, Rigger(Aero)2nd
Airman - Corporal / Cpl Mech Sergeant
Service
No. 5002, Royal Flying Corps / RAF
Arthur
Tyler was born on the 2 November 1896 in Hallow, one of the six children of
George and Mary Tyler who lived in Parkfield Lane, Arthur was, like his brother
Albert, a Hot water Fitter and he attested on the same day 29 April 1915 into
the RFC. His service number was 5002 and Albert’s 5003.
WWI: Arthur’s original RFC service record has
survived and show his promotions as an Aero Rigger were as follows: Air
Mechanic Class I – 1 August 1916, Corporal – 1 April 1917, Sergeant – 1
February 1918.
He
transferred to the RAF as a Sergeant Mechanic 1 April 1918 and re-classified as
a Sergeant on 1 January 1919. Arthur was
transferred to Class E, the Air Force Reserve Section 1 on 1 June 1919.
(Parish
Magazine information – First mentioned May 1915. Wounded 1916, but later returned to active
service. Cpl Mech Sgt - 29 April 1915 to
1 April 1917). The section of Arthur’s
service record concerning where he served is as confusing as his brother
Albert’s. It indicates he was in France from 16 September 1916 to 23 December
1918 and immediately underneath lists the following: India 16 September 1915,
Egypt 26 September 1915 – Awarded 1915 Star and in pencil “War and Victory
Medals not yet issued.” (no date). Was the word “France” used as the generic
term for service overseas and entitled the servicemen and women to the relevant
medals?
Arthur
was mobilised by Royal proclamation on 8 April 1921 and joined the Andover
Reserve Pool. He was re-transferred to
Class E Reserve Roll on 6 June of the same year and finally discharged under
Kings Regulations Para 292 (xxi) as a Sergeant on 28 April 1923. As both RFC and RFA service records exist it
can be seen that although Arthur’s service towards engagement was 8 years, only
4 years 93 days counted as service towards a pension. This information was sent to the Squadron
Leader Officer in Charge of Records at RAF Ruislip in Middlesex. Arthur received a 1st Good Conduct Medal in
April 1921.
He
married Gladys Edith Richardson in 1923 and two children are recorded on his
RAF record..
WWII: Arthur was re-mustered on 21 October 1938 as
“Rigger Aero”, having enlisted in Class E for 4 years from 21 October 1938.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John WALL, Colour Sergeant (1915)/ Regt. Sgt Major
(May 1916) /Warrant Officer
Service Nos.
8761, SN 9761 & 75061, 1st Battalion Hon. Artillery /
3rd Grenadier
Guards / Worcs Rgt
This could be
John Wall who was born in Worcestershire in 1884, and was living in the Comer
Gardens district in 1891. His parents
were John (a gardener domestic servant) and Sarah, and there was 1 sister and 2
step-brothers. The Parish Magazine of
January 1915 reported John as severely wounded and in a London Hospital. He was awarded the Military Medal and Star of Mons in 1919.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Killed in action
26th April 1917
Service
No. 240466, 1st/8th Worcs Regiment
Thomas
Francis Walters, a gardener, was born in 1890, the son of Tom and Hannah
Walters who were living in Dines Green in 1911, which had the postal address of
Lower Broadheath at the time. Thomas’ Army Record has not survived so it is not
known when he enlisted in the Worcestershire Regiment. It is assumed that
Thomas was always in the 1st Bttn the 8th Regiment. He was a Lance Corporal
when he was awarded the
Military Medal on 26 April 1917. He was subsequently promoted to
Sergeant, Thomas was killed in action on 9 October 1917 and is commemorated on
Panel 75-77 Tyne Cot Memorial.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leslie WARREN, Second
Lieutenant
20th Divisional Ammunition Column
83366, Royal Field Artillery 74th Brigade.
Leslie
Warren born 1898 was one of the three sons of Richard & Emily Warren nee
Bendall who lived at 3 Hallow Road in 1911.
All three sons served in the Great War.
Their father Richard was the manager of the vinegar works. He and Emily later lived at 93 Park Avenue,
Worcester. First mentioned in the
Parish Magazine of July 1915, Leslie was later wounded (June 1918) and in a
Leicester Hospital. The Magazine of April/May
1918 reported he had gunshot wounds and in hospital in Trouville. Leslie lived
at 9 Hallow Road and was brother to Richard (MN)
(brothers
Martin and Richard also noted below)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin WARREN,
Acting Captain
Killed in action
25th March 1918
C'
Company, 5th Battalion attached to 1st Battalion Worcs Regiment
Martin
died 25 March 1918 aged 20. He was the
son of Richard Alfred and Emily Mary Warren, 93 Park Avenue, Worcester, and is
commemorated on Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 41. He was killed on the
retreat from the Somme Canal. Martin was
born 1897 both of his brothers Leslie and Richard also served in WWI. Acting
Captain Warren had been a pupil at King’s School Worcester and more information
about the events leading up to his death can be found here :-
Martin
was killed in action 24 March 1918 Source
- Capt H FitzM Stacke MC “The Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War).
Some websites give the date as 25 March. Martin was killed during heavy
fighting for the village of Pargny (page 338)
(Brothers
Leslie and Richard also noted)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard WARREN, Officer,
Merchant
Service
Richard
was born in 1896 the eldest of the three sons of Richard and Emily Warren nee
Bendall. As previously indicated Richard
Warren Senior was the manager of a vinegar works. As he and Emily Bendall
married at St Paul’s church in Worcester, Richard may have been the manager of
the nearby Hill & Evans Vinegar Works.
(Brothers
Leslie and Martin, above)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Hugh WARREN, Sergeant/2nd Lieutenant
Service
Nos. 8642 & 241191, 4th/8th Worcs Regiment
Robert
Hugh Warren was born in 1889 one of the nine surviving children of Albert and
Clara Warren nee Bearfield who lived at
65 Comer Gardens with three of their children at the time of the 1911
census. Stella, Cecilia and Robert were
all Elementary School Teachers. Robert
enlisted c. November 1915 and he was awarded the Military Cross in 1919 for conspicuous gallantry and
devotion to duty during operations at Gheluvelt Sept 28th to Oct 3 1918. During
the attack on Keelenberg Ridge, after his commander was wounded, he assumed
command and led the company forward, maintaining their position under heavy
machinegun and trench mortar fire, until relieved at dusk. (Also awarded the MM)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hubert WEAVER, Gunner
Service
Nos. 3431 & 832206, Royal Field Artillery
Recorded
in the Parish Magazine of November 1915 – no further information has been found.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harold Stephen WEST,
Service No.
19634 or 466121, Shropshire Lt Inf. / Agricultural Labour Unit
Harold was
registered on the Electoral Roll of 1918.
He lived at 30 Comer Gardens - the same address as Hughes, and in 1918
he married Violet Hughes. Harold’s Army
Service record has not survived, so we do not know any more about him at the
moment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William Edwin WILKINS,
Private
Service
Nos. 115657 & 291780, RE Pioneer / Labour Corps, 703 Co.
William
Wilkins was a widower who gave his son William Edward born 10 August 1914 as
his next of kin c/o 50 Dolday, Worcester. William was a market gardener who
joined up on 8 August 1915. He was in the Labour Corps and later served in the
Royal Engineers. He embarked for France on 25 August 1915. Two months later he
was a Private in Labour Coy 703, 424 Agric Coy.
He was in France for 3 yrs 2 months and England 3 months. In about
February 1916 he contracted a rupture due to lifting. (Large left varicole). He
transferred to Reserve 424 A C Labour Corps
8 March1919. He received the 1915
Star, Victory & British War medals. Hel
lived at 43 Hallow Road.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Richard WOOLLEY,
Service
Nos. 201276 & TR/4/64072, 1/4 King's
Shropshire Lt Infantry/Training Reserve Btn.
Possibly
lived in Wichenford, he died in 1965 (in Martley reg. district) - Absent Voters
list 1919.
Ernest Thomas YARNOLD,
Private
Service
No. 441, Ag. Co. Labour Corps.
Ernest
and Charles Yarnold were brothers.
Ernest was born in 1878 in Grimley and the 1901 census shows he was
living with his parents and siblings at Park Cottage, Grimley. His home address was later Moseley Road,
Hallow. In the 1918 &1919 Electoral
Roll he was shown as a Private in the Ag. Co. Labour Corps. Ernest married Alice Crowe in 1922 and he
died in 1959
(Brother
Charles below)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles James YARNOLD,
Service
Nos. 31651 or 31851 (MCI) & SN 60861, Royal Fusiliers / 192nd Labour
Corps.
He was born in Claines in about 1876 and on the 1881 census he was living
at The Cottage, World's End, Grimley.
He later joined his sister Clara and her husband and family who had
moved to Ystradyfodwg, Pontypridd, Glamorgan where Charles and his brother-in
-law John Price were coal miners.
Details of his service record have not survived, but the Electoral Roll
for 1918 indicates that he was living at Moseley Road, Hallow.
(Brother Ernest above)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acknowledgements:
Names
of those servicemen who died during The Great War have been taken from church
memorials in Hallow, Broadheath and Comer Gardens, also the Roll of Honour in
Broadheath Village Hall. The website 'Remember The Fallen' has kindly given
permission for us to use its research and record it with our own.
The
archives held at The Hive, Worcester, and websites Ancestry co.uk and Find My
Past have also been instrumental in our research, for which we are most
grateful.
