4th Hussars.

[markus]

A photo of 4th Hussars taken in Ireland, 1914.

The figure second from left in the back row is Private 8373 Ernest Reginald Wyatt. Unfortunately the identity of his eight companions are unknown to me.

The back of the close-up photo reads: Pte E Wyatt. 4th Hussars, Ireland.

Left England 6th of Aug 1914.

[Steven Broomfield]

Cheers Markus - very nice.

[markus]

Thanks Steven. I will add a post if I can/when further info comes to light.

All the best.

[ianw]

I would think it quite likely that his companions on that fateful day may well be in the picture.

[markus]

I've though the very same thing, Ian. As well as being pure gut-reaction it would seem likely, they all look to be around the same age and perhaps simply got together for the photo as a commemoration of their comradeship. Just wish I knew for sure.

[Don]

Hi Markus,

thank you for posting the picture I would love to find out more about the men in the picture as a Friend of mine has a big interest in the 4th Hussars

I came across these Men from the 4th Hussars who died in 1914

L/Cp. George Wakefield 10042 KIA Messines 16/10/ 1914.

Pte. John Warnock 2268 died of wounds no 2 Cavalry Field Hospital Hollebeke.31/10/1914.

Cpl.Joseph Rochford 10873 died of wounds No 2 Field Ambulance Bailleul 03/11/1914.

G

[Steven Broomfield]

In the Regimental History, Warnock is given as Warmock.

I suspect Wakefield was one of two men killed when a dismounted patrol of "A" Squadron entered Warneton and were surprised by Germans firing from the houses (they had barricaded the entrance to the place). The other two, I suspect, were killed/wounded in the stiff fighting round Hollebeke.

If you like, PM me an e-mail and I'll photograph the relevant pages and send them to you.

[Guest exuser1]

Markus my grandad and his brother served at the same period as your man in the 4th will check his notes and his brothers to see if any references .

[Triumph_Dave]

^{Hi Markus, I have sent you a PM. I believe the trooper standing on the back right side of your photograph is my grandfather, He was a regular in the Hussars from approximately 1912.}

^{Rgds Dave}

[markus]

Hello Dave.

Thanks for your PM, good to hear from you.

I've sent you a reply by PM detailing the only other photos I have of my great uncle, together with 'C Squadron' of the 4th Hussars.

[markus]

Hi

Thank you for your thread, much appreciated.

It would be superb if you could find anything mentioning Trooper Wyatt, any information relating to him is obviously like gold-dust to me.

Thank you very much indeed.

All the best,

Mark.

[Guest bevan]

Hi Guys,

I am only beginning to Dip my toes into researching my two Great Uncles (its incredible to me at 30 years of age to only have two generations to look back) I believe my Uncle Joseph is in the attached picture. If anyone can point me in the direction of more information or regimental diaries etc for the 4th QO Hussars I would be very greatful.

My uncles are

Cpl.Joseph Rochford 10873 died of wounds No 2 Field Ambulance Bailleul 03/11/1914.

Regiment, Corps etc

Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (incl. Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps)

Battalion/etc

4th (Queen's Own) Hussars.

Surname

Rochford

Christian Name

Joseph

Initials

J

Born

Trim, Meath

Enlisted

Drogheda

Residence

Trim

Rank

L/CPL

Number

10873

Died Date

05/11/1914

Died How

Died of wounds

Theatre of War

France & Flanders

Supplementary Notes

Regiment, Corps etc

Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians)

Battalion/etc

2nd Battalion.

Surname

Rochford

Christian Name

Michael

Initials

M

Born

Trim, Co. Meath

Enlisted

Drogheda, Co. Louth

Residence

Rank

PRIVATE

Number

10084

Died Date

20/10/1914

Died How

Killed in action

Theatre of War

France & Flanders

[Guest]

Hi All,

 

I have just come across this old thread and was trying to get in touch with Markus but can't seem to send a PM!  Ernest Reginald Wyatt 4th (Queen's Own) Hussars is my 2nd Great Uncle. I have spent the past 20+ year researching the Wyatt family (from Thetford) history, including their military past. I have the very same picture posted by Markus on 10 September , 2012, so am hoping Markus will read this and get in touch as I assume we must be related.

 

Thanks! 

[PRC]

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

 

Markus hasn't been on the forum since July 2015 so I've sent him a PM to let him know you've posted - hopefully he's got things set up to alert him via email.

 

I saw your interest is the Wyatt family of Thetford, so had a quick look through the wartime mewspapers that I've transcribed so far. The edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday October 10 1914 had a piece on Corporal Albert Wyatt, a Thetford soldier of the 1st Norfolks, who was at his home in Painter Street, Thetford following being wounded by shrapnel. It talks of his mobilisation and experiences in the opening months of the war which I haven't got round to fully transcribing. However the final paragraph reads

 

It is well worth noting that Mrs Wyatt has eleven sons, no fewer than seven of whom are serving their country with the Army. In addition to Corporal Wyatt, a brother named Harry is in the Royal Engineers stationed in India, Herbert is in France with the Army Ordnance Corps, George is a blacksmith with the A.O.C. at York, and is waiting to go to the Front. Ernest is a shoeing smith with the 4th Hussars at the Front, Oliver joined at the beginning of the war and is a blacksmith with the A.O.C. in France, and Percy has since enlisted, and is in the Army Service Corps at Aldershot.

 

Would appear to be the same family. (Apologies if you are already aware of the article).

 

Cheers,

Peter

[markus]

Hello, PRC.

Thanks for the heads-up on the message, very good of you to give me a shout.

Best regards !

[madraf]

I take a look at this thread & others that are about the 4th Hussars every once in a while to see if anything new comes up pics etc glad to see a couple of new posts. For anyone interested in Hussars regiments there is a great facebook group dedicated to them "The Queen's Royal Hussars Museum" lots of great stuff on there & info on the new museum that I believe is being opened this year, I'll be adding that to the bucket list. 

Cheers Rich.

Edited 5 May , 2019 by madraf

[LtCdrRNR]

Hello, Private 8373 Ernest Reginald and my Grandfather Private Henry Arthur Stearne were great friends as boys in Thetford. They worked together in the Burrells Traction Engine Works and joined the 4th QOH together before the start of the war. Sadly Wyatt was killed within a few weeks of the Regiment landing in France but, thank God, my Grandfather survived the war. Wyatt's family was well known in the town, the family received a congratulatory letter from the King for having a record number of sons signing-up and fighting in the war.  I have a few photos of Wyatt as part of my own family history story, I'll attach 2, the first is in the family of Wyatt's in uniform from the local newspaper at the time, the second of the Shoeing Smiths course at the Curragh. I'd love to swap notes etc with anyone who can add more to my knowledge of the regiment at this time in their history. My Grandfather went on the be a Sadler and Shoeing Smith and served with the 4th., 8th., and finally 290th Hussars.  

[LtCdrRNR]

On 04/04/2019 at 00:35, PRC said:

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

 

Markus hasn't been on the forum since July 2015 so I've sent him a PM to let him know you've posted - hopefully he's got things set up to alert him via email.

 

I saw your interest is the Wyatt family of Thetford, so had a quick look through the wartime mewspapers that I've transcribed so far. The edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday October 10 1914 had a piece on Corporal Albert Wyatt, a Thetford soldier of the 1st Norfolks, who was at his home in Painter Street, Thetford following being wounded by shrapnel. It talks of his mobilisation and experiences in the opening months of the war which I haven't got round to fully transcribing. However the final paragraph reads

 

It is well worth noting that Mrs Wyatt has eleven sons, no fewer than seven of whom are serving their country with the Army. In addition to Corporal Wyatt, a brother named Harry is in the Royal Engineers stationed in India, Herbert is in France with the Army Ordnance Corps, George is a blacksmith with the A.O.C. at York, and is waiting to go to the Front. Ernest is a shoeing smith with the 4th Hussars at the Front, Oliver joined at the beginning of the war and is a blacksmith with the A.O.C. in France, and Percy has since enlisted, and is in the Army Service Corps at Aldershot.

 

Would appear to be the same family. (Apologies if you are already aware of the article).

 

Cheers,

Peter

 

[LtCdrRNR]

Hi Peter,

 

I can't get that edition on my membership of the British Newspaper Archive, I'd so very much like to see a copy of that report. He would have served and fought alongside his boyhood pal, my Granddad. They joined up together from their home (and mine) Thetford. Wyatt's actions would have been Grandad's actions too so I'd be so, pleased to get a full transcription. Can you help?

 

David 

[PRC]

1 hour ago, LtCdrRNR said:

I can't get that edition on my membership of the British Newspaper Archive, I'd so very much like to see a copy of that report.

 

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

I'm working from my notes and images gathered over the years from the Local Studies area in the Millenium Library in Norwich - although there was a note up about two years ago that FindMyPast were working on scanning the Norwich Mercury.

 

I'll check my notes and get back to you - meanwhile is Private Herbert Stearne of Thetford also a relative? I researched him a couple of years back and added his picture to Flickr.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/26809174289/in/dateposted-public/

 

Cheers,

Peter

[LtCdrRNR]

Hello Peter, great to hear from you. Yes that’s my Granddad’s brother (my Great Uncle) Herbert Arthur (“Buller”) Stearne. Buller also had a very “interesting” time of it. He served with the Norfolks in Gallipoli and came home with enteric fever. He was cured and went back to France & Flanders with the East Yorks Regt. There, in 1917 he was wounded by shrapnel and bayonet in both knees (!!) and taken PoW. He finished the war in various camps. A remarkable war history. I’d be so interested in anything. You come up with and really that you took sufficient interest to write back to me. I’ll await anything you can find. Best wishes, David 

[PRC]

5 hours ago, LtCdrRNR said:

I'd so very much like to see a copy of that report.

 

Right I've dug it out and the article itself relates Corporal Albert Wyatt of the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. I can by all means private message you a copy, (it's not relevant to this thread), but the extract I've already posted is the sole reference to the 4th Hussars.

 

I see that Ernest Reginald Wyatt died on the 14th November 1914, so likely to get a mention in the local press tail end of November 1914 / December 1914. Unfortunately the only newspapers that I've even looked at for that period is the Norfolk Chronicle, which doesn't even mention Thetford most of the time.

 

Itake it you know War Diaries can currently be downloaded for free from the National Archive?

You do need to sign in with an account, but even that can be set up as part of placing your first order - no financial details required.

 

The 4th Hussars War Diary for August 1914 to May 1919 is here: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7351481

 

8th Hussars

August 1914 to December 1916 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7351740

January 1917 to February 1918 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7351619

March 1918 to February 1919 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7351444

 

20th Hussars

August 1914 to February 1919: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7351497

 

Unlikely to mention your relative by name but will give a feel for where they were and what they were up to.

 

Hope that helps,

Peter

 

[FROGSMILE]

19 hours ago, LtCdrRNR said:

Hello, Private 8373 Ernest Reginald and my Grandfather Private Henry Arthur Stearne were great friends as boys in Thetford. They worked together in the Burrells Traction Engine Works and joined the 4th QOH together before the start of the war. Sadly Wyatt was killed within a few weeks of the Regiment landing in France but, thank God, my Grandfather survived the war. Wyatt's family was well known in the town, the family received a congratulatory letter from the King for having a record number of sons signing-up and fighting in the war.  I have a few photos of Wyatt as part of my own family history story, I'll attach 2, the first is in the family of Wyatt's in uniform from the local newspaper at the time, the second of the Shoeing Smiths course at the Curragh. I'd love to swap notes etc with anyone who can add more to my knowledge of the regiment at this time in their history. My Grandfather went on the be a Sadler and Shoeing Smith and served with the 4th., 8th., and finally 290th Hussars.  

In photos numbers 4 and 7 he is wearing the uniform and insignia of the Army Ordnance Corps and must therefore have formally transferred at some point.  In photo number 6 he is wearing a white tropical pattern uniform that was worn in some parts on India, Ceylon, South Africa, and various other colonial garrisons during their hot seasons.  His skill as a farrier or blacksmith might well be the specialist role that he took in the AOC.  He has very dark features and looks as if he might be Anglo-Indian, or with other origins, do you know anything more of the family background?

Edited 2 March , 2021 by FROGSMILE

[LtCdrRNR]

Hello Frogsmile, thanks so much for you interest though I fear I may have unintentionally misled you and for that I should apologise. The collage of photos is of ALL the Wyatt brothers, only No.2 is our Ernest, in the 4th Hussar Regt. Ernest was killed very early in in 1914 not long after arriving with the BEF. I am unable at this point to say who all the other brothers are by name but this is the full family of serving brothers for which the King sent his letter of commendation to the parents. In the Shoeing Smith course photo he is seen standing at the back 5th from the left and my Granddad is 4th also standing from the right. As to the possible Indian connection, I grant you that some have a darker complexion but they are all Norfolk (Thetford) lads, indeed even my own family were dark of skin and deep brown eyes, I am unable to explain (nor should I connect) but perhaps one of the family might be able to offer some thoughts? Thank you again.D (LtCdrRNR) 

12 hours ago, PRC said:

 

Right I've dug it out and the article itself relates Corporal Albert Wyatt of the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. I can by all means private message you a copy, (it's not relevant to this thread), but the extract I've already posted is the sole reference to the 4th Hussars.

 

I see that Ernest Reginald Wyatt died on the 14th November 1914, so likely to get a mention in the local press tail end of November 1914 / December 1914. Unfortunately the only newspapers that I've even looked at for that period is the Norfolk Chronicle, which doesn't even mention Thetford most of the time.

 

Itake it you know War Diaries can currently be downloaded for free from the National Archive?

You do need to sign in with an account, but even that can be set up as part of placing your first order - no financial details required.

 

The 4th Hussars War Diary for August 1914 to May 1919 is here: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7351481

 

8th Hussars

August 1914 to December 1916 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7351740

January 1917 to February 1918 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7351619

March 1918 to February 1919 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7351444

 

20th Hussars

August 1914 to February 1919: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7351497

 

Unlikely to mention your relative by name but will give a feel for where they were and what they were up to.

 

Hope that helps,

Peter

 

 

[FROGSMILE]

5 minutes ago, LtCdrRNR said:

Hello Frogsmile, thanks so much for you interest though I fear I may have unintentionally misled you and for that I should apologise. The collage of photos is of ALL the Wyatt brothers, only No.2 is our Ernest, in the 4th Hussar Regt. Ernest was killed very early in in 1914 not long after arriving with the BEF. I am unable at this point to say who all the other brothers are by name but this is the full family of serving brothers for which the King sent his letter of commendation to the parents. In the Shoeing Smith course photo he is seen standing at the back 5th from the left and my Granddad is 4th also standing from the right. As to the possible Indian connection, I grant you that some have a darker complexion but they are all Norfolk (Thetford) lads, indeed even my own family were dark of skin and deep brown eyes, I am unable to explain (nor should I connect) but perhaps one of the family might be able to offer some thoughts? Thank you again.D (LtCdrRNR) 

 

Thank you for explaining the background, there’s certainly a strong family resemblance.