....... a most obscure Great War Memorial ......

[TullochArd]

In the early 1990’s I had the pleasure to be the guest, over several liquid lunches, of the late Angus  Campbell MBE who was at that time historian of the Manila Club in the Philippines.  I have recently rediscovered a copy of his book, The Manila Club, still preserving several “period” bar chits .... all paid in full of course.  Of interest to some GWF chums may be the Club Memorial which is shown below.  The Club members named are almost certainly British and Australian and most likely Merchants and Bankers.  For clarity I have transcribed the names below and added the dates they joined the Club.

 

To date I have only identified two of them - the easiest of course.  Lt Alexander Skene-Smith MC was born in Scotland and was serving in 22 Bn, AIF when he was killed at Poelcappelle on 9 Oct 1917.  He is buried at Tyne Cot. His service is recorded in the familiar, pleasingly chunky Australian documentation.  Capt Edward William Collison Griffith is an interesting character.  Born in Ceylon and was a Sergeant in Bedford School Cadet Corps and later served for nearly five years in the Cape Mounted Rifles in South Africa. In 1908 he enlisted in the 12th United States Infantry at Philadelphia, and later saw service in the Philippine Islands. In 1901 he was Lt, Philippine Islands Constabulary and in 1906 he was Lt Col becoming Assistant Director in 1907. In 1914 he was Col and Assistant Chief of the Philippine Constabulary.  He resigned his commission in the Philippines in March 1915 to return to the UK and was commissioned into the Royal Irish Rifles. In December 1915 he received the severe wound which more than three years later accounted for his death.

 

The names recorded are: RW Barratt (joined Club in 1914) NA Black (in 1911) CD Blackie (in 1914) BF Chapman (in 1914) DM Cunningham (in 1914) GL Davidson (in 1911) RS Finlay (in 1914) EWC Griffith (in 1911) HJ Jones (in 1911) M McGregor (in 1914) NM Robertson (in 1911) T Russell (in 1914) A Skene-Smith (in 1911) R Warnock (in 1914)

 

If anybody has an interest in following through please let me know the direction and I will step back or simply assist where possible.

 

Of interest - the hole obscuring “Pro” on the Memorial is reputed to be a Japanese bullet from WW2

 

Edited 17 October , 2020 by TullochArd

[IPT]

B/23066 Charles Douglas Blackie, 26th Royal Fusiliers, Resident of Croydon. Son of Mr. W. M. and Mrs. Decima Blackie.

 

Attested 11th December 1915.  Died 15th September 1916, aged 28 - https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/542492/C D BLACKIE/

 

He was travelling from Hong Kong to England on board the Shinyo Maru in May 1915.

 

 

[MelPack]

And this looks like your NM Robertson:

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/61245/NORMAN MACLEOD ROBERTSON/

[MelPack]

And this is your GL Davidson:

 

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/270728/GERALD LOUIS DAVIDSON/

 

• Personal Inscription OF MANILA PHILLIPINE ISLANDS SON OF F.G. DAVIDSON OF SUEZ, EGYPT

[IPT]

Probably Captain Edward William Collison Griffith, 10th Royal Irish Rifles -  https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/660040/

 

Died at home 1/2/1919 from wounds received 14/12/15.  Apparently shot by a sniper.

 

 

[IPT]

The D.M. Cunningham that travelled to Manila in 1912, with Manila as permanent intended residence, was described as 32 yr old engineer.

 

The obvious casualty is 2nd Lt Douglas Murray Cunningham, Black Watch, who died 11th June 1918, but he seems to have been ten years younger. 

 

 

[TullochArd]

IPT and MelPack.  Apologies for the delay in acknowledging your kind input.  Really appreciated.  Certainly moving forward now.  Regards and thanks.  Ian.

[MelPack]

Ian

 

Here is your Robert Warnock:

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/524119/ROBERT WARNOCK/

 

Some of his papers were auctioned last year:

 

WARNOCK 2nd Lt. ROBERT, 6th/7th Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (died 12 Aug.1916).  Turnbull Robert (Ed.) Robert Warnock, Scout & Soldier. A collection of edited transcripts of Robert Warnock's letters, written while based in the Philippines (1911-1915) & serving in France (1915-1916), many illus., Glasgow, 1917; also Buchan John, The History of the Royal Scots Fusiliers (1678-1918), first edition, 1925 (passing ref. to Lieut. R. Warnock on page 357); Warnock family maroon photo album c.1901/1902 showing young Robert, mainly Glasgow/Scottish interest, last few pages show many scenes of 1901 International Exhibition in Glasgow (eg Russian Pavilion) & hardback notebook part filled with newspaper cuttings re. Robert Warnock's life (incl. his contribution to the Boy Scout movement) & death in service.  (4).
2nd Lieutenant Robert Warnock M.C., Royal Scots Fusiliers was killed in action in France in August 1916. He was educated at Glasgow High School where he was a member of the Cadet Corps, from which he passed on to the 1st Lanark Volunteers. When war broke out Lieutenant Warnock was in business in Manila with Messrs. Smith, Bell & Co. but at once proceeded to Hong Kong & enlisted. Being posted to the Royal Scots Fusiliers he came home to join his regiment early in 1915 & in the following October went to France, where for his gallant & distinguished services as machine gun officer of his battalion he was awarded the Military Cross. He was a remarkably good shot & often figured in the Bisley Prize Lists, more than once being well in the running for the King's Prize.

[MelPack]

And here is Ben Fletcher Chapman KIA during Second Gaza as forward observer for the Hong Kong and Singapore Mountain Battery:

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/649689/B F CHAPMAN/

 

https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/the-hong-kong-and-singapore-mountain-battery-in-egypt-sinai-and-palestine/

 

[TullochArd]

MelPack - appreciated - Ian