Mark Crame Posted 2 December , 2005 Share Posted 2 December , 2005 5493 Serjeant Frederick Charles ‘Jim’ Crame 16th (The Queens) Lancers - the Scarlet Lancers Aut Cursu, Aut Cominus Armis - Either in the charge or hand to hand Frederick Charles Crame Peacetime Service: Aldershot, Colchester, Norwich, The Curragh. Riding through Aylesbury Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Crame Posted 2 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 2 December , 2005 D Squadron, the Kings Birthday Parade, Curragh, 1913 The Kings Birthday Parade, Aldershot 1908 16th Lancers Football team 16th Lancers Musical Ride Off Duty On Parade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Crame Posted 2 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 2 December , 2005 Operational Service: France, Belgium, August - September 1914 The band on the March Regimental Battle Honours awarded during period of service: Mons, Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons, Marne, Aisne Battle Honours Service with: R Squadron, D Squadron, 16th (The Queens) Lancers under Lieutenant Colonel Cuthbert Eccles, Lieutenant Colonel McEwen; 2nd Cavalry Division under Brigadier Sir Hubert de la Poer Gough; 3rd Cavalry Brigade under General Sir Edmund Allenby, overall command of the British Expeditionary Force in France residing in Field Marshall Sir John French. Corporal with horse On Camp On Camp On Camp On Camp Mounted Colour Sergeant On Camp Frederick Charles Crame was born on 22nd September 1885 at Burghclere in Hampshire to farm labourer (carter) James, and his wife Elisabeth (née Pike) Crame. He enlisted at Northampton on 7th November 1905, and later attained the rank of Serjeant, his role that of a riding instructor and scout. He is thought to have rode at the Olympia Tattoo on five occasions. 16th Lancers at Olympia 1907 As a Private he was awarded the Third Class Certificate of Education on 11th June 1906 and the Second Class Certificate as a Lance Corporal on 26th March 1909. Class 3 Education Certificate Class 2 Education Certificate On 11th December 1912 as a Corporal he married Laura May, the daughter of Robert and Eliza Stark. Frederick Charles and Laura May One I coloured many years ago Serjeant Crame sailed from Dublin via Southampton for active duty in France as a member of the British Expeditionary Force, the “Old Contemptibles”, on 16th August 1914 having left Ponsonby Barracks in the Curragh on the 14th, the day on which his son Stanley Frederick Crame was born at 131 Knowlesly Road, Norwich. His war was to be over in less than a month of active service, being invalided out of the Army having been wounded in action on 13th September 1914 during either a reconnaissance patrol with three other Lancers, or whilst retiring over a ridge under fire. A large piece of shrapnel went into his leg, recorded as Gun Shot Wound - Severe - Left thigh and his horse is believed to have been killed. He was admitted to No 1 (Staty) Hospital at Le Mans on 15th September 1914 and was repatriated to England on 17th October. [ The piece of shrapnel, measuring approximately 1½” x ½” He was discharged from the army on 26th April 1915 at the Eastern Cavalry Depot, Woolwich, having received his Princess Mary Christmas Gift. Princess Mary Christmas Gift It was in this tin that many of his souvenirs remain. There was a perfume bottle in blue glass and a cigarette, but these now reside here (the bottle being safely elsewhere, the cigarette has been missing for years - but so was the shrapnel.) His identity tag, the shrapnel from his thigh, a button, shoulder titles, and the lion head hook from his Czapka that held the chinstrap. Army Form B. 2079 recorded: ‘He is discharged in consequence: No longer physically fit for war service. Paragraph 392 (XVI) Kings Regulations after serving 9 Years, 171 Days with the Colours. This document describes him as being 295/12 years old, 5ft 7½ in height with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and light brown hair with a scar by his left eye. He is also described as: Character: Exemplary. Sober, intelligent and reliable. A very good Horseman. Discharge Papers Discharge Papers For his wartime service he was awarded the 1914 (Mons) Star with August - November Clasp, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Silver War Badge. A pity they spelt his name incorrectly as Crane. Scout Badge, 1914 Star, War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge, 16th Lancers Badge Released from Reserve duties, he later served as a civilian employee in the War Department Infantry Record Office at Ashford, Kent, for 1 year and 4 months as a recording clerk, documents of OCTU and his grade on leaving due to closure of office was TCCIII. He is recorded as: Ability: Good. Conduct: Excellent. ‘A clerk who has loyally given of his best.’ Civilian Employment Frederick and Laura were reunited and had a second child, Millicent May ‘Madge’, on 3rd February 1916 and became a chauffeur to Major Marsham before becoming a landlord at the Pelican Inn at Tacolneston, Norfolk. He died of a cerebral haemorrhage due to atheroma and arterial hypertension on 14th July 1963 at 31 Copse Hill, Wimbledon and is buried with his wife in the cemetery at Sunbury on Thames, his death certificate recording him as being a retired bench fitter. The ‘Scarlet Lancers’, as they are known, have two Regimental Marches: ‘Queen Charlottes March’ being the slow march, ‘The English Patrol’ being the fast. Their day of commemoration is Aliwal Day, celebrating the events of 28th January 1846. In 1825 they were the first British Regiment to use their Lances in action, fighting at Bhurtpore. During the Second Sikh War at Aliwal they broke the enemy’s infantry and rode down the artillery, their Lance Pennons becoming so covered in blood that they appeared to be crimped, the practice of crimping the pennons being continued to this day as a tribute to those members of the Regiment who have fallen in battle. Mounted Lancer 16th (The Queens) Lancers was cavalry of the line. A Cavalry Brigade was subdivided into 3 Regiments, a Regiment being 6-8 Troops consisting of 25 officers and 526 other ranks. A Squadron consisted of 149-152 other ranks commanded by 6 officers, further divided into 3 Troops of 50 men led by a Captain and a Subaltern. The four Squadrons of the 16th were A, C, D and R. These were further split into Sections of 4 men and 4 horses. Lancers of the Line Lancers of the Line From 4th August 1914 until 6th September the 16th Lancers were in the 1st Division, before joining 3rd Cavalry Brigade until 13th September when it transferred over to 2nd Cavalry Division. They were stationed at the Curragh in Ireland on 4th August when war broke out, leaving on 14th August, and the Regiment was billeted overnight at Castlenock with the exception of D Squadron, the MG Section and Regimental Headquarters who started at 5am and completed the march in one day. The Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel McEwen embarked at Dublin and Cork on the 16th, from where they sailed via Southampton to France. They landed at Le Havre on the 17th with 26 officers and 523 other ranks, disembarking on the 18th and entrained for Jeumont. They detrained the following day and marched to Consolre. Their war had begun. The war diary of a 16th Lancers officers Friday 11th. Moved at 6 am in nasty raw weather. Were advance guard but not much doing until afternoon when we watched a biggish force of Germans entrenching about 3 miles north of Villemontoire. About 4:30pm the French started a battle on our left, so Goughy at once ordered our 1 Section of guns to open fire! Luckily the Germans took no notice of us, otherwise we should have been well hammered with our two guns and 1½ squadrons. Billeted at Villemontoire after 4th Hussars had taken the best of everything. Slept in a bed which the old lady had said had been occupied by a German General the night before - what a life it is! First really wet day we’ve had since the start. Saturday 12th. Moved at 6am and marched towards River Aisne about 5 miles east of Soissons. Had a bit of a fight above Chassemy and had MG in action. Fired at some groups about 1,200 yards away, but not much damage except to make them scatter: (no range finder of course spoils ones efficiency). Moved to guard D Squadrons right flank who were in a wood, and searched the wood pretty effectively. About 250 captured and a good many killed, and believe 5 Brigade bagged some more as well. Billeted at Ciry and were fairly comfortable, though everyone came in wet to the skin and very cold. Sunday 13th. Stayed in billets until 10:30am when a couple of 9-inch howitzer shells moved us out very quickly. Lucky to get away as road blocked with transport and ambulances. Had to retire over the ridge where our guns were in action, so fairly ran the gauntlet. Serjeant Crame hit, and saw a good many gunner horses wounded and dead. Went to farm about two miles further back and stayed there for the night. Dislike billeting by Regiment all in one place, as there’s always a fight for the best room, cooking stove, etc! My ‘Petite Marmite’ soup voted the success up to date! Also asked the lady of the house to dine with us – quite strange to se a lady at table again: rather curious as her husband is a private in the same regiment as her husbands servant, who is an officer! One can only imagine what happened to the pre-war professionals with whom he had served. In memory of my Great Grandfather, in memory of his friends, and in memory of all who served with 16th (The Queens) Lancers in the First World War. Frederick Charles Crame standing, centre rear. This is very much a work in progress, if anybody has details that they can add of the Regiment in the time that my great Grandfather served I would be most grateful for the opportunity to add to his service history. Coincidentally, his Great Great Grandaughter shares his birthday, her big sister sharing that of his son! Perhaps that makes up for my never having known him. Aut Cursu, Aut Cominus Armis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGWR Posted 2 December , 2005 Share Posted 2 December , 2005 Mark, A wonderful collection... Thank you for posting these pictures. Regards, AGWR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunmore44 Posted 2 December , 2005 Share Posted 2 December , 2005 Really interesting, thanks for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 2 December , 2005 Share Posted 2 December , 2005 Really enjoyed seeing those - they look as if they could step right off the page! Marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest C729LEE Posted 2 December , 2005 Share Posted 2 December , 2005 Wow A fascinating and comprehensive post as ever I have seen. Beautifully done. I am sure this will bring some comment. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanhemmings Posted 3 December , 2005 Share Posted 3 December , 2005 (edited) Thank you for sharing this - it has been put together very well. You are very lucky to have all this of your gr grandad. thank you again... Edited 3 December , 2005 by susanhemmings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Bramley Posted 3 December , 2005 Share Posted 3 December , 2005 Really enjoyed those pictures and the history, thanks. With your level of interest it looks like they will be proudly displayed in the family for a long time to come, and rightly so, Regards, Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 3 December , 2005 Share Posted 3 December , 2005 Thanx for sharing this treasure with us. i was particularly stunned by the wedding picture "On 11th December 1912 as a Corporal he married Laura May". If you see the wedding picture of my Granparents in the "trunk" thread: they married exactly one day later on 12th Dec 1912 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Crame Posted 3 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 3 December , 2005 Thanks everyone. Well, the wedding photo is displayed on my parents walls, but not here. It used to be. I'm a photographer, but for some bizarre reason I have no photos up anywhere on any wall. Mind you, it's kind of fixed in my memory!!. Egbert, thats kind of an amazing coincidence! Just reinforces perhaps how close each side was to its opposite on a human level. And, by the way, your trunk thread shares some responsibility in this post - so fascinating I figured it might be good to do something similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Crame Posted 3 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 3 December , 2005 Who is ready for another coincidence? I posted this on another forum that I frequent, an aviation forum. There is a post this morning from somebody I know rather well and have known for a number of years: "Oh we soooo need to talk Mark me old mucker. Catherine's great uncle was Ephraim T Deadman, service no L/2563, 16th (The Queen's) Lancers... killed 12/09/1914. Edit - here's the one and only piccy we have of him. We have very little else - just a few scraps from his service records. Off to the PRO on Tuesday to find out more with luck, though not wildly hopeful as most of the relevant records were destroyed in WWII. " Deadman was the only other member to become a casualty on that day. Would somebody please do a SDGW look up for me please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian turner Posted 3 December , 2005 Share Posted 3 December , 2005 Mark, Congratulations on your interesting post. SDGW: Pvte 2563 Ephraim Thomas Deadman 16th Lancers - born, resided and enlisted Sheerness. KIA 12/9/14 France & Flanders Maybe as a next step you might want to research your grandfather's comrades who were killed or died during this period.? Thanks for sharing with us. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cubin Posted 3 December , 2005 Share Posted 3 December , 2005 Great stuff, Mark. Anyone notice the cheeky face peeking out of the tent in the last of the 'on camp' photos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Crame Posted 3 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 3 December , 2005 You know, I never ever noticed him before. That's great! It would be interesting to research the casualties from 16th Lancers up until the end of the battle of the Aisne, and I wouldn't mind doing that to some degree. Thing is, I don't have a copy of SDGW and CWGC is a bit tricky for that in that you can't search by unit (unless I'm missing something). Equally the cemetery reports are split into letters and are hard going. Hmm, I may go to the library tomorrow and see what I can do. I forgot to mention, my father also has his spurs, and I have a belt I made from his horses girth strap many years ago. There was a lance in the greenhouse at my grandparents for many years too but that was stolen unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Crame Posted 3 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 3 December , 2005 Missed this one, his Particulars of Service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ciaran Byrne Posted 3 December , 2005 Share Posted 3 December , 2005 16th Lancers KIA up until the end of September 1914 (other ranks only) 2563 Private Thomas Deadman KIA - 12.09.14 4683 Private Walter Harvery KIA - 12.09.14 3621 Private Edmund Kemp - KIA 06.09.14 2583 Corporal Walter Kerry - KIA 08.09.14 868 Private Daniel King - Died Home 10.08.14 5482 Private Fredrick Leach - KIA 12.09.14 3638 Private Charles Smith - KIA 29.08.14 There are quite a few who died in the subsequent battles at Messines and during First Ypres in November. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Crame Posted 3 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 3 December , 2005 Thanks Ciaran. With CWGC details as well: 868 Private Daniel King Died at home 10.08.14 L/3638 Private Charles Smith ‘D’ Sqdn Killed in action age 22 on 29 August 1914 Son of William Henry and Agnes Mary Smith, of 44, Melbourne Grove, East Dulwich, London. Born at Camberwell, London. Flavy-Le-Martel Communal Cemetery 3621 Private Edmund David Kemp Killed in action age 21 on 06 September 1914 Son of George Thomas and Harriett Kemp, of Ashfield Cottage, Hawkhurst, Kent. La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial L/2583 Corporal Walter Birbeck Kerry Killed in action age 24 on 08 September 1914 Son of Edward and Elizabeth Kerry, of 55, Arbury Rd., Cambridge. Perreuse Chateau Franco British National Cemetery L/2563 Private Ephraim Thomas Deadman Killed in action 12 September 1914 Vailly British Cemetery 4683 Private Walter Harry Harvey Killed in action 12 September 1914 La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial 5482 Private Fredrick Leach Killed in action 12 September 1914 Buzancy Military Cemetery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamienB Posted 4 December , 2005 Share Posted 4 December , 2005 Who is ready for another coincidence? Me stumbling across this forum same day...? Been doing a lot of reading!! Thanks for the post regarding Ephraim in here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Crame Posted 4 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2005 Good forum eh Damien? Very nice and helpful chaps. I've been here a week as a change from the usual and it's fascinating! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Crame Posted 4 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2005 The Regiment embarked on the SS Indian, which was built in 1900 by Workman Clark & Co, Belfast and was subsequently owned by the Leyland Line. The Indian was used by the British and French Government's as a troop carrying unit transport ship from 1914 to 1916. After this she returned to her owners. On 12th June 1917 the American Destroyer ‘Patterson’ dropped depth charges to help drive away a German U-boat attacking SS Indian while engaged on patrol and escort duty in the approaches to Queenstown, off the South West of Ireland. She was again attacked in August 1918 off the West of Ireland. In 1923 she was sold to German scrappers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Nixon Posted 6 December , 2005 Share Posted 6 December , 2005 Mark Just coming to this post rather late - excellent photos and I suspect your professional touch at work on some of them. One of my Chailey men was a regular with the 16th Lancers so reading the service history of your great grandfather is very interesting. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Hesketh Posted 6 December , 2005 Share Posted 6 December , 2005 Mark, A superb collection. Thanks for showing it to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Crame Posted 6 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 6 December , 2005 I got hold of a few more postcards from my dad today. D squadron, winners of the Babington Shield, 1906 Winners of the Sir Evelyn Woods Cup at Bulford Camp, 1907 Church Parade The Kiwi, carved into a hill at Bulford Camp by ANZAC’s Bulford Camp from the air Cavalry Scouts, South Africa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 7 December , 2005 Share Posted 7 December , 2005 Mark, thanks for sharing this. It is a superb post and the photos are terrific. Incidentally, the New Zealanders referred to their camp at Bulford as "The Sling" for some reason that I am unaware of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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