4/5th Black Watch: English, Irish, US & South African

[Tom A McCluskey]

Hi All,

I was wondering if any kind souls would take the time to scan through the names listed below. They are men from England, Ireland, USA, South Africa, and Hong Kong, that served with either the 4th, 5th, or 4/5th Bns of The Black Watch during the First World War.

If there are any soldiers listed that you are willing to offer a small obituary on, or a small biographical piece, then it would be much appreciated. This can be provided by posting it on this thread, or alternatively PM/email it to me (if this is your preferred option)

Any information is much appreciated, and Many Thanks, in advance.

4th Black Watch

Barron, John - Pte -201364 - 03/09/1916 - KIA - Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 A.- Born Craigmannan Co Kilkenny

Campbell, William George - Pte - 6224 - 13/11/1916 - KIA - Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 A.- Born Rudgeley Staffordshire

5th Black Watch

Brand, Alexander - Pte - 1762 - 05/09/1916 - DOW - Couin British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, Row III. C. 10. - Son of Alexander and Elizabeth Brand, of 37, Union St., Brechin. Born Philadelphia USA

Butler, Clifford Hicks - 2nd Lieut - 23/04/1917 - KIA - Brown's Copse Cemetery Roeux, Row I. H. 3.- Son of Mrs. S. Butler, of 7, Thorpe Rd., Norwich.

4/5th Black Watch

Billing, Ernest John - Pte - 201798 - 26/09/1917 - KIA - Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 94 to 96. - Born Hampstead London

Bloomer, William John - Pte - 266283 - 01/04/1918 - KIA - Pozieres Memorial, Panel 49 and 50. - Born Belfast

Carr, Robert - Pte - 290476 - 26/09/1917 - KIA - Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 94 to 96. - Born West Stanley, Durham

Clapham, John Robert - Pte - 267737 - 18/09/1918 - KIA - Philosophe British Cemetery Mazingarbe, Row II. F. 23. Only son of Mr. and Mrs. Clapham, of 19, Warwick St., Blackburn. Age 21

Cleveland, Charles - Pte - 201547 - 01/04/1918 - KIA - Pozieres Memorial, Panel 49 and 50. - Born York

Cohen, Michael Angel Pte - 201649 - 01/04/1918 - KIA - Pozieres Memorial, Panel 49 and 50. - Born Cape Town South Africa

Corrall, William - Pte - 240188 - 31/07/1917 - KIA - Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 37 - Born Mass USA

Duncan, Edward James - Sgt - S/13314 - 14/09/1918 - KIA - Philosophe British Cemetery Mazingarbe, Row III. F. 6. - Husband of E. Duncan. of Upper Row, Leeds. Born Selby [recorded as KIA on CWGC as 14/09/1918]

Dunn, William - A/L/Cpl - 202579 - 31/07/1917 - KIA - Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 37 - Son of John and Elizabeth Miller Dunn, of Netherwitton, Morpeth, Northumberland. Age 20

Dyas, George - Pte - 267525 - 18/09/1918 - KIA - Philosophe British Cemetery Mazingarbe, Row III. F. 20. - Son of Mary Rogers (formerly Dyas), of 10, Mountjoy Square, Dublin. Born Dublin. Age 22

Endean, George Henry - Sgt - S/5734 - 01/08/1918 - KIA - Raperie British Cemetery, Villemontoire, Aisne, Row III. E. 7. - Son of James and Rose Endean, of Victoria St., St. Columba, Cornwall. Born St Columba Truro Cornwall.

Ewing, Peter - Pte - 292755 - 03/05/1918 - KIA - Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 94 to 96. - New York USA

Forman, Launcelot Leslie - Pte - 201816 - 27/09/1917 - KIA - Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 94 to 96. - Son of George and Clara Forman, of 29, Pen St., Boston, Lincs. C Coy. Age 22

Garth, Ernest Lancelot Langton - Pte - 202585 - 28/06/1917 - KIA - Brandhoek Military Cemetery, Ypres, Row I. L. 16. - Son of Annie and the late Lancelot Garth, of Middlesbrough, Yorks. Age 22

Hayes, Victor William Pte - 201753 - 16/11/1917 - KIA - Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 94 to 96. - Born Paddington

Hicks, George Henry Pte - S/40852 - 23/07/1918 - DOW - Royallieu French National Cemetery, Oise, Row G. IV. 58. - Born Sunderland Durham. Formerly 31689 R.S. Fusiliers.

Hollington, Edward Henry Thomas - Pte - 201745 - 24/11/1917 - KIA - Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 94 to 96. - Born Bethnal Green Middlesex

Jeynes, James (Jaynes) - Pte - S/18977 - 28/07/1918 - KIA - Soissons Memorial - Son of Mr. W. H. Jeynes, of 20A, Bentley Lane, Walsall, Staffs. Age 20

Jones, Evor John - Pte - S/23353 - 01/04/1918 - KIA - Pozieres Memorial, Panel 49 and 50. - Son of Mrs. J. Jones, of 275, Upton Lane, Forest Gate, Essex. Age 19

Jones, Oliver Edwin - Pte - 201667 - 29/10/1917 - KIA - Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 94 to 96. - Husband of Hannah Amelia Walker (formerly Jones), of 85, Kingsbury Rd., Hendon, London. Age 29

King, William Benjamin - Pte - 201704 - 03/05/1918 - KIA - Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 94 to 96. - Son of Thomas and Emma King, of Little Stanmore; husband of Rosetta King, of 6, Church Row, Stanmore, Middlesex. Age 36

Lane, John Albert - Pte - 202187 - 27/09/1917 - KIA - Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 94 to 96. - Son of George H. and Ellen Lane, of 7, Beyer St., Gorton, Manchester. D Coy. Age 20

Lenox, William Sydney (Lennox) - Pte - 268100 - 01/04/1918 - KIA - Pozieres Memorial, Panel 49 and 50. - Son of Emily Marion Lenox, of 50, Crescent Rd., Upton Manor, Plaistow, London, and the late Charton Lenox. Age 28

McTigue, John - Pte - 291998 - 01/04/1918 - KIA - Pozieres Memorial, Panel 49 and 50. - Born Ballycrough Ireland

Randall, Herbert John Pte - 201768 - 15/11/1917 - KIA - Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ypres, Row IXA. E. 16. - Born Tottenham, Middlesex

Robertson, Norman - L/Cpl - 201088 - 01/04/1918 - KIA - Pozieres Memorial, Panel 49 and 50. - Born Hong Kong China

Ryans, Albert - L/Cpl - S/21383 - 10/06/1918 - KIA - Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Row VI. G. 19. - Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Ryans, of Castleford; husband of Elda J. Ryans, of Gibson Yard, Mickletown, Methley, Leeds. Age 24

Swinnens, Albert Bartholomew - Pte - 201773 - 17/01/1918 - DOW - Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Row IX. C. 22. - Born London

Taylor, Percy - Pte - S/21384 - 28/07/1918 - KIA - Soissons Memorial - Son of William Green Taylor and Phoebe Taylor, of 7, Middle Row, Methley Junction, Leeds. B Coy. Age 20

Vollands, Harry - Pte - 202632 - 27/09/1917 - KIA - Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 94 to 96. - Born Leicester

Watson, Arthur - Pte - S/20776 - 21/03/1918 - KIA - Pozieres Memorial, Panel 49 and 50. - Son of Mrs. Rose Elizabeth Hazell, of 44, Alexandra Rd., Aldershot. Born Reading. Age 18

Wilkie, John - Pte - 201605 - 04/09/1917 - DOW - Voormezeele Enclosures Nos. 1 and 2, Ypres, Row I. H. 8. - Nephew of Mrs. M. Tosh, of 59, Hill St., San Francisco, California, U.S.A. Born Arbroath. Age 29.

Yours Aye

Tom McC

[DMannus]

Tom

1911 Irish census entry for George Dyas shows him residing at 5 Ilsland Villas, Dublin with his mother mary remarried for 3 years to his stepfather John. All were Roman Catholic and George was an apprentice plumber. Three other brothers also there Edward (20), Albert (12) and John (9).

David

[Tom A McCluskey]

David,

That's great. Many thanks for providing the information concerning George Dyas.

Aye

Tom McC

[GraemeClarke]

James JEYNES

Private S/18977

4/5th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

Killed in France on Sunday 28 July 1918

An ex pupil of Blue Coat School, James was a single man living with his parents at 20a, Bentley Lane, Birchills. He enlisted at Walsall during February 1918 at which time he was employed by the Willenhall Brick Company.

Regards,

Graeme

[Tom A McCluskey]

Graeme,

Fantastic, and many thanks for the information concerning James Jeynes.

One more, I'm getting there.

Aye

Tom McC

[grantowi]

Tom,

Have you got the entrys from SDGW ?

Grant

[Tom A McCluskey]

Grant,

Yes, for all of the soldiers mentioned, I have their SDGW entries, so thanks for mentioning this. I am after a wee bit of a biography, or more, if it is available.

Aye

Tom McC

[PRC]

Tom,

Don't know if its any help to you, but in connection with Clifford Hicks Butler, I recently visited the church of St Michael and All Angels, Booton, Norfolk, which has a memorial plaque dedicated to him.

It reads:-

"In loving memory of Clifford Hicks Butler M.A

Classical Exhibitioner of Jesus College, Oxford. Graduate in Lit.Hum.1^st Class Honours Incorporated Law Society.

St Clements Inn and Daniel Reardon Prizeman.

2^nd Lieut. 5^th Royal Highlanders Black Watch, (Angus and Dundee). Attached to 6^th Black Watch in France.

Born at Booton Hall, 26^th September 1881

Fell in action in the Battle of Arras on St Georges Day 1917, leading his company. And for your wives and babies in the front rank he fell."

Not sure about the last sentiment, but presumably its a quote.

This site has a transcription of the Battalion War Diary for the day, which mentions the death of 2/Lieut. Butler

http://dnausers.d-n-a.net/dnetDkjs/bwreport.htm

I've done a bit of digging into the Census and come up with the following.

The 19 year Clifford Hicks Butler, (born Booton, Norfolk), is recorded on the 1901 Census for England and Wales at 121 Rosebery Square, Holborn, London.. His occupation is given as Oxford Undergraduate. This is the household of his sister, Rachel Hicks Butler, aged 21,also born Booton, and a Medical Student. Rachel and Clifford’s younger sister, Rhoda Hicks Butler, aged 15, is also resident.

On the 1891 Census, the 9 year old Clifford is recorded at Booton Hall. This is the household of his parents, Henry Jackson Butler, (aged 42 and a farmer from Barney, Norfolk), and Susanna, (aged 38 and from Plaistow in Essex). Their other children are:-

Rachel Hicks…………..aged 11

Rhoda………………….aged 5

Kenneth Hicks…………aged 2

Henry also has two of his nieces living with him - Dorothy Charlotte Hicks (aged 7) and Margaret Hicks, (aged 6), both born Islington. The Hicks surname suggests that this was actually Susanna’s maiden name.

The Butler’s also have a Governess, Mathilde Rauch from Zurich., plus three servants.

I'll let you know if I find out anymore.

[carolm]

Hi Tom,

Edward H T Hollington is on the 1911 census - aged 25. Wife Hannah, married one year no children.

He was a Printers Cutter, born Bethnal Green. Address 28 Folkeston (?) Road Upper Edmonton N.

John Robert Clapham and William Dunn are also in the census, but no information beyond what you have. However will happily send you the pages if you want. Checking a Victor William Hayes, born London 1882 to see if he is the right one - will let you know.

Carolyn

[carolm]

One more -

Harry Vollands - 1911 census. Age 18, butcher, born Leicester.

Father Albert, fish salesman. Mother Harriett.

Harry was eldest surviving son.

Address 22 Beelott (?) Street Cheetham.

Carolyn

[carolm]

Another -

1911 Parish of Tottenham

Albert Swinnens age 30 letterpress printer (employer) born London, Hoxton. Married 1 year wife Annie. No children

Address 109 Effingham Rd, Hornsey N.

Carolyn

[GraemeClarke]

Tom

Photo of James Jeynes

Regards,

Graeme

[carolm]

I made contact with a relative of Victor William Hayes here in Australia (via Ancestry).

Hayes was born 12/7/1882. Father James C Hayes (silk merchant) died 1915, and mother Mary Ann Milner Salter, died 1892.

In 1911 Victor, aged 29 was an assistant in a silk warehouse. In December 1911 (16/12/1911) he married Ethel M Gooch. His address at the time was 19 Charleville Rd Fulham. In 1912 a daughter Emily was born in Oldham.

His address at the time of his death in 1917 was Wood Green, Middlesex.

Carolyn

[carolm]

More on Victor William Hayes from Scotsman 5/1/1918. Another address.

Carolyn

[Guest Rick Dyas]

Tom

1911 Irish census entry for George Dyas shows him residing at 5 Ilsland Villas, Dublin with his mother mary remarried for 3 years to his stepfather John. All were Roman Catholic and George was an apprentice plumber. Three other brothers also there Edward (20), Albert (12) and John (9).

David

David,

George Dyas was my great uncle. My grandfather, the Edward Dyas listed above emigrated to the US in 1913, and joined the 1st Virginia Infantry, chased Pancho Vilas in Mexico in 1916 and returned to europe with the AEF. The 1st VA became the 116th Infantry part of the US 29th Division. He was wounded in the Argonne a month after his brothers death. I have George's war medals and uniform badges given to me by grandfather, as I was only grandson who served in the military. His 3 sons served in WWII in europe and the pacific.

Amazing to see all this on the web.

Thanks,

Rick Dyas

[Derek Black]

From the Arbroath & District Roll of Honour.

John Wilkie is also on the Arbroath War Memorial.

Cheers,

Derek.

[Tom A McCluskey]

PRC, Graeme, Carol Rick & Derek,

Many thanks for your contributions concerning the men of the 4th, 5th, and 4th/5th Black Watch, and sorry I’ve been so long in getting back to you; nevertheless your work is much appreciated. Your contributions have filled a fair few gaps in my research.

Yours Aye

Tom McC