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Remembered Today:

Wounded solders at Desford


Jane Hayward

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Thank you so much, Dink999!!! I have wondered about this photograph for such a long time. I thought it was a newspaper-style one but never found it. I'm thrilled!

5 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said:

I don’t know if you spotted it, but the lance corporal in a greatcoat is actually giving your grandmother a military salute - although not an especially smart one - as he would an officer.

I did, and it always makes me smile. I have to say though that my mother said it was the matron in the car so it might have been largely directed at her!

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14 minutes ago, Jane Hayward said:

Thank you so much, Dink999!!! I have wondered about this photograph for such a long time. I thought it was a newspaper-style one but never found it. I'm thrilled!

I did, and it always makes me smile. I have to say though that my mother said it was the matron in the car so it might have been largely directed at her!

No I think it’s you’re grandmother in this case Jane, she’s greeting him and reaching out her hand to shake, it seems to me, and he’s responding with an initial salute, which must come first in correct etiquette.  The body language is quite compact and revealing, almost like a tableau.

Edited by FROGSMILE
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5 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said:

No I think it’s you’re grandmother in this case Jane, she’s greeting him and reaching out her hand to shake, it seems to me, and he’s responding with an initial salute, which must come first in correct etiquette.  The body language is quite compact and revealing, almost like a tableau.

Yes, I see that now you've explained it. Lovely. I think it's such an interesting photograph altogether with the various social interactions. Plus clipboard lady of course.

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4 hours ago, CorporalPunishment said:

He is definitely a Major in the RAMC. His last medal ribbon is for the QSAM and the centre one looks to be for the MC. The first medal ribbon is unclear but could be for the DSO maybe.       Pete.

Thank you for confirming RAMC  Pete and for adding medal ribbon suggestions.

Your help is appreciated.

Regards, Bob.

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24 minutes ago, Bob Davies said:

Thank you for confirming RAMC  Pete and for adding medal ribbon suggestions.

Your help is appreciated.

Regards, Bob.

Yes, very much appreciated. I'm hoping to visit the Leicestershire Record Office and perhaps put a name to him. I saw from TEW's link that they hold Desford Hall's annual reports etc.

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On 21/02/2024 at 17:40, Jane Hayward said:

Yes, very much appreciated. I'm hoping to visit the Leicestershire Record Office and perhaps put a name to him. I saw from TEW's link that they hold Desford Hall's annual reports etc.

Thanks Jane, I know we will all be delighted to see what you come up with.

From your picture 4.

Desford Hall.

picture 3.

Soldier 149.  (Peters Numbering system)

image.png.06858430bc59c39e7427e2c787400f1e.pngimage.png.caf06c3cdc359b0cdbfcb8a8cca2eb6c.png

Bowyer 2336 - Leic Yeo

The closest I can find is,

2538 Pte Frederick Bowyer Leicester Yeomanry/

255487 Corps of Hussars.

From his MIC entered France 27-5-1915.  Discharged 1-8-1917.

SWB (Silver War Badge) CY 202 (That is the book number under Corps of Hussars) Badge number is 226,012. Sickness is recorded as his injury.

His 1915 Star and British War Medal and Victory medal rolls all show the same names, numbers and Regiments.

Looking on these rolls from Ancestry I cannot find another Bowyer in any Yeomanry Regiment/Corps of Hussars, with the Number 2336.

Therefore I am sure that I have your man.

Possibly @charlie962 will be able to confirm my findings as he has done this type of research before.

A first for me, a light came on :lol:

Regards, Bob.

 

 

Edited by Bob Davies
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Picture 3

Date: late August/early September 1915?

 

100 Charles H Bignall, 11250, Dorsets, also in the Royal Engineers

101 Shaw, W Ridings

102 Leighton, 3488, 1488? Staff Yeo

103 Ralph Balderson, 21456, Durham Light Infantry, also in the Royal Engineers

104 Albert Edward Taylor, 20716, KOYLI

105 George Cooke/Cook, 12494, Royal Engineers

106 Pennington, 16135, K Liverpool. Could be Edward John Pennington 16135, 2nd South Lancashires. He was from St Helens (near Liverpool). Date of Entry 26/5/15. Appendicitis in the field 24/8/1915 and evacuated to England 5/9/15. Returned to service and was KIA Oct 1916.

D Dog

107 M Pendleton, 2182, King's Liverpool Regiment

108 William Smith, RBB/366, 11th & 13th RB Died of wounds 14/3/16

109 William Smith, 3594 King's Royal Rifle Corps

110 John James Mohan, 10573, Liverpool

 

111 John Ainley, 9522, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

112 Robert Charles Bidgood, 5221, 4th Dragoon Guards

113 Thomas Calder, 6362, King's Own Scottish Borderers

114 Nurse

115 Sister Fanny Harper, assistant matron from 1912-1917

116 Matron Lucie Maud Havers, ran Desford Convalescent Home/Auxiliary Military Hospital throughout the war. In August 1918, recognised by the War Office for valuable nursing services

117 Major Thomas Gordon Kelly, medical officer throughout the war

118 Nurse - possibly Florence Maud Morley?

119 Reverend William Townshend, rector of Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire, 1908-23, and county cricketer

120 Walter Herbert Barnes, 1911, Rifle Brigade

121 Stuart McAulay, 812, Royal Engineers

122 Herbert W Garner, 17013, Suffolks

 

123 Robert Everitt (Sergt), 8142, 1st Leicesters, Named in Leicester Chronicle article (28/8/15) on Desford soldiers visit to Enderby Hall which said he was wounded at Rue de Bois. Also pictured as No 95.

124 

125

126 Williams, 15 Buffs

127 Cox, 20222, Leicester

128 Alexander Budge, 3533, Seaforth Highlanders

129 Harold Barker, 9870, East Kents

130 Frederick Hubert Lake, 2308, Rifle Brigade

131 Herbert John Empringham (Sergt), 8013, 1st Hampshires. Named in Leicester Chronicle article (28/8/15) on Desford soldiers visit to Enderby Hall which said he was wounded at Ypres. Awarded the DCM (3.10.18),

132 Richard Anderson, 857 Scottish Rifles

133 Frank Herbert Hole, 7599 Devons

134 Harold Buck, 3576, Staffs Yeomanry

135 Perkins

136 McNiel, ASC

 

137 Arthur Wicks, 14343, Notts and Derby Regiment

138 Arthur Widdowson, 3427, Notts and Derby Regiment

139 Brant or Brunt, possibly Robert Matthew Bronte, RAM C Cat, see discussion below. Also 1725 Brant RAMC wounded about Aug 1915.

140 Constantine, 1220, K Liverpool

141 Harold Wollatt/Woollat, 1687 RAMC. Enlisted Sept. 1911, transferred (Own Request) Sept 1915 to Argyll & Southern Highlanders 3085/7575 then in Oct. 1918 he was transferred to the RAMC no. M/398458.

142 Richard Harry Quilter, 11964, Wilts

143 Massay, 6 Liverpool

144 George Sydney Hallum, 3099, Seaforth Highlanders

145 Smith, 4013 or 4073 Leicester

146 William Lear, 10051, 1st Cheshire Regiment, embarked 18 Dec. 1914, discharged 14 Aug. 1918. Named in Leicester Chronicle article (28/8/15) on Desford soldiers visit to Enderby Hall, which said he was wounded at Ypres.

147 Roger Toon, 16715, Leicestershire Regiment

148 (Arthur) Francis Terry, 7884 Rifle Brigade

149 Frederick Bowyer, 2538, Leicestershire Yeomanry/255487 Corps of Hussars

150 Thomas Lovatt, 3436, Rifle Brigade (died 1 July 1916)

Edited by Jane Hayward
Soldiers info added twice
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26 minutes ago, Jane Hayward said:

Sounds very promising, Bob.

This is what I have for the third pic so far but tons of gaps. I think I have picked off the easy ones!

Thanks Jane,

just a matter of perseverance I suppose, we will get there in the end :thumbsup:

Cox is a popular name in the Leicesters :D

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9 hours ago, Jane Hayward said:

Lear, 10037

Jane,

A Pte Lear 1st Cheshires is listed amongst the 14 who visited Enderby Hall. The one that fits is Pte 10051 William Lear, embarked 18 Dec. 1914, discharged 14 Aug. 1918.

9 hours ago, Jane Hayward said:

Empingham, 8073 or 8013, Hants

Also amongst the 14 is Sgt. H Empringham 1st Hampshires. He is 8013 Sgt. Herbert John Empringham who was later awarded the DCM.

Image courtesy of Ancestry

Screenshot 2024-02-22 at 08.58.59.png

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A Pte Lear 1st Cheshires is listed amongst the 14 who visited Enderby Hall. The one that fits is Pte 10051 William Lear

Brilliant find.

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Friday August 27th 1915 (Issue 1225 of the Coalville Times).

 

DESFORD WOUNDED SOLDIERS

OUTING TO LEAMINGTON

Favoured with fine weather, the wounded soldiers stationed at the Convalescent Home, Desford, were taken to Leamington on Thursday afternoon by the Earl Shilton and Barwell Motor Association. The arrangements were admirably carried out by the organising secretary, Mr L. M. P. Ney. A start was made from the hall at 2.45, and the cars, headed by Mr L. M. P. Ney’s “pilot car,” proceeded through Earl Shilton, Barwell, Hinckley, Wolvey, Walsgrave, Coventry, Kenilworth, and Warwick, arriving at Leamington about 4.45. The ruins at Kenilworth were inspected, and a halt was made on the bridge at Warwick for a view of the castle. In most of the villages people turned out in large numbers to give the soldiers a good cheer as they went along.

This was particularly noticeable at Wolvey, where on the return the cars were signalled to stop in the village square. Nearly all the inhabitants must have turned out, including the Vicar, to greet the men, and cigarettes, chocolates, plums, apples, bananas, and flowers in abundance, were thrown into the vehicles. In one car alone 52 packets of cigarettes were collected. As the cars were about to leave three hearty cheers were given for the people of Wolvey in appreciation of their generosity. Tea was provided at the Café Royal, Leamington, and was given by Mr Ney, secretary of the Association. After repast, cigars were handed round and before leaving a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Ney, with the usual three cheers, proposed by Sergt. Everett. Mr Ney suitably responded, and spoke of the generous spirit displayed by the car owners in lending their vehicles for these outings. He hoped before the fine weather was over many more outings would be arranged. The return journey was made via Stoneleigh and Coventry and enthusiasm was at a very high pitch en route for the halt at Wolvey (as already mentioned), Hinckley and Earl Shilton. The Home was reached at 7.45, after a run of 75 miles in all. Those lending cars were Messrs. L. M. P. Ney, A. V. Hopecroft, C.C., W. H. Bird, S. Norton, H. Orion and George Geary.

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Apologies for finds already mentioned. I've included refs. if anyone would like more details.

A couple of suggestions/alternate transcriptions.

 

Bignall, 11280 or 11200, 11250 Dorsets  MIC Charles H BIGNALL Dorset R Pte 11250 / R E Sgt WR/281138 / R E 310227 * see BIGNAL  R E SWB

Shaw, W Ridings

Leighton, 3488, 1488? Staff Yeo

Balderson, 21486 or 21456, Durham MIC Ralph BALDERSON

Taylor, 20716, KOYL L1

Corke, 12494, RE

Pennington, 16135, K Liverpool WFA Pension Record

M Pendleton, 2182, King's Liverpool Regiment

Smith, 336 RB WFA Pension Record

William Smith 3594 King's Royal Rifle Corps

Morham, 10573, K Liverpool MIC John James MOHAN Liverpool R Pte 10573 - SWB Enlisted 24.7.14 Discharge 30.1.16 Wounds WFA Pension Record

 

 

Garner, 1703, Suffolks MIC Herbert W GARNER Suff R Pte 17103 / Pte 241320

Macauley, 812, RE MIC Stuart McAULAY R E Pte 812 / R E Pte 406394 / A & S Hrs 1290 SWB Enlisted 5.8.14 Discharge 1.1.19 Sickness

Walter Herbert Barnes, 1911, Rifle Brigade MIC

 

Thomas Calder, 6362, King's Own Scottish Borderers MIC

Robert Charles Bidgood, 5221, 4th Dragoon Guards MIC - SWB - WFA Pension Record

John Ainley, 9522, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

 

Robert Everett, 8142, Leicesters MIC Cpl 8142 Robert EVERITT 1st Bn Leics Reg / A/Sjt 8142 1st Bn Leics Reg Discharged 1.7.17 - SWB

 

Williams, 1st Buffs

Cox, 20222, Leicester

Alexander Budge, 3533, Seaforth Highlanders

 

Harold Barker, 9870, East Kents

Frederick Hubert Lake, 2308, Rifle Brigade

Empingham, 8073 or 8013, Hants

Richard Anderson, 857 Scottish Rifles

Frank Herbert Hole, 7599 Devons

Harold Buck, 3576, Staffs Yeomanry

Perkins

McNiel, ASC

 

Arthur Wicks, 14343, Notts and Derby Regiment WFA Pension Record Died of wounds 29.7.16

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/77852/arthur-wickes/

Arthur Widdowson, 3427, Notts and Derby Regiment

Brant or Brant, RAM ??? MIC BRONTE Robert Mathew R.A.M.C Capt.

Constantine, 1220, K Liverpool

Woollat, 1689 RAM C

Linilter, 11964, Wilts MIC Wilts R Pte 11964 Richard Harry QUILTER - SWB

Massay, 6 Liverpool MURRAY

George Sydney Hallum, 3099, Seaforth Highlanders MIC - SWB - WFA Pension Record

Smith, 4013 or 4073 Leicester

Lear, 10037 MIC Pte 10051 William LEAR Cheshire Regiment - SWB - WFA Pension Record

Roger Toon, 16715, Leicestershire Regiment MIC

Francis Terry, 7884 Rifle Brigade WFA Pension Records Killed in Action 21.8.16

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/815451/arthur-francis-terry/

Bowyer, 2536 or 2336, Leicestershire Yeomanry

Thomas Lovatt, 3436, Rifle Brigade (died 1 July 1916)

Edited by BarbaraG
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You are excellent at deciphering my grandma's writing, Barbara. I can't tell you how long it took me to get Quilter.

I have these two which I found just with the regiment number on Find My Past but can't find elsewhere. Not sure about them.

Albert Edward Taylor, 20716, KOYL L1 (from Find My Past, born 1886)

George Cook or Cooke, 12494, Royal Engineers??? (From Find My Past)

 

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Third photo.

Regarding the man IDd at present as;

'Robert Matthew Bronte, RAM C Cat'

Or

'Brant or Brant, RAM ??? MIC BRONTE Robert Mathew R.A.M.C Capt.'

He is RAMC and if I've got the right man he's not in uniform so must be a patient. You're not going to have a RAMC captain mixed in with ORs.

I would go with Brant or Brunt. I'm not seeing any MICs to that name/unit but there is 1725 Brant RAMC wounded about Aug 1915 and 1970 Brunt RAMC wounded Aug 1916.

The other RAMC man - Woolatt is surely written as 1687 not 1689. Either way he's being elusive!

Incidently,  KOY L1 should read KOYLI, King's own Yorkshire light infantry.

TEW

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Harold Wollatt, 1687, Royal Army Medical Corps, from Find My Past's Military Records? I don't have an account so can't view the details.

Edited by Jane Hayward
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Hello All,

I need your help please, cause I am struggling to find this Soldier on Ancestry.

This is the list, back of the picture.

image.png.11bef06d71d1c95565e750a2e8c5acb2.png

This is the name,

image.png.0930b934b3a947694258525bee2b6745.png

At first sight it looks like;

Cox

202222

Leicester(s)

There are 20 plus Coxs listed under Leicestershire Regiment but none with that service number.

As he is in a convalescent home, one would presume he would have a SWB.

So I have been through all lists, MIC etc and the only 202222 number comes up with

Fox 20222 Manchester Regiment.

SWB  List H/656

Is the C an L or an F or other?

If any one can help please shout out. @kenf48 @Matlock1418 @PRC If I may call upon you to help?

Best wishes, Bob.

 

 

 

 

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7 hours ago, Bob Davies said:

 

image.png.0930b934b3a947694258525bee2b6745.png

At first sight it looks like;

Cox

202222

Leicester(s)

Bob, To me the number is 20222 [you've an extra 2 in there]

That 20222 can offer a MIC for a Harold COX, 20222, RFA [14 Bde]

He has an unspecified condition disability pension index card - we can see he was discharged 16.1.17

Unfortunately the PIC doesn't have an address so we can't see if he came from Leicester [but perhaps another record can be found somewhere]

???

M

Edited by Matlock1418
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I think we have to consider he did not return to the Leicestershire Regiment but in all probability was posted elsewhere and renumbered, e.g. Labour Corps.

The Medal Roll for the Leicestershire Regiment

Screenshot 2024-02-23 at 08.11.29.png

Courtesy Ancestry

We may find an initial in the casualty records but I'm late to this thread and haven't read it all for once it's nt raining and the dogs have to go out but will have a look later unless someone else comes up with the answer.  It's unusual as FMP does index earlier units. Harold Cox was from Deptford in Kent and in the RFA His record survives and no Leicester connection.

20221 Hardy (allocated 8th February 1915) 2/4th Battalion then RDC and finally Labour Corps

20226 was allocated on 25th March 1915 to a Pte George who appears to be a Special Reservist who was posted to the 5th Supernumerary Company and then on to the RDC he is not on the Leicester Roll

Both these men were aged 48 and 49 years respectively on enlistment

20227 Ross who is on the Roll enlisted on 22nd  May 1915 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion and was wounded and evacuated to India on recovery returned to unit via Basrah and posted missing death presumed January 1917. He was aged 21 and enlisted at Nuneaton.

Not sure any of this takes us closer to identifying Pte. 20222 Cox

 

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2 minutes ago, kenf48 said:

Harold Cox was from Deptford in Kent and in the RFA His record survives and no Leicester connection.

Thanks Ken - I was clutching at a straw

M

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16 minutes ago, kenf48 said:

I think we have to consider he did not return to the Leicestershire Regiment but in all probability was posted elsewhere and renumbered, e.g. Labour Corps.

Funny you should suggest that ... I was just looking a chap who was Labour Corps, late Leicesters

Charles COX, 595871, Labour Corps [another potential 47849 is floating around on the card - but no 20222] 35 Lower St, Newcastle-on-Tyne.  Discharged 30-9-18, Unspeciified disability

So again very much ???

M

Edited by Matlock1418
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@Bob Davies

Regarding As he is in a convalescent home, one would presume he would have a SWB.

It's not a certainty that these men went on to be discharged. I think some have been shown to have later service with other units or to commission.

Plus, some of the photos pre-date the SWB and those that may have been discharged would have to apply later and not all men bothered with it.

There is the possibility that the names/numbers/units on the reverse may not be 100% correct. There is some correcting on the 3rd photo.

I'm not certain that all these men necessarily had overseas service which makes the hunt for them much more difficult.

It's possible to have home based accidents or sickness.

1687 Wollatt RAMC. Seems to have a WO363 sheet on FMP (I can't view it) but I haven't made any match to medals by name or number.

TEW

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Re. TEW's last post,

I can help with the RB men

B/366, Smith, William 11th & 13th RB Died of wounds 14/3/16

Z/1911, Barnes, Walter Herbert, 3rd, 10th, 2nd, 10th & 2nd RB, Class Z 1/4/19

B/2308, Lake, Frederick Hubert, 8th RB, WIA Gsw Calf 31/7/15, invalided to UK 15/8/15, to 5th RB 21/11/15, Commissioned 3rd Att'd 13th Royal Sussex Regiment 4/8/16, WIA 31/7/17

S/7884, Terry, Arthur Francis 8th, 3rd RB, KIA 21/8/16

B/3436, Lovatt, Thomas, 7th & 1st RB WIA 27/7/15, invalided UK 15/8/15, Depot 1/10/15, BEF again 31/12/15 KIA 1/7/16

3865, Scott, Charles James, 4th RB going overseas with them, WIA Gsw Neck 9/5/15, 2nd Garrison Northants Battalion 1/10/16, 13th Royal Defence Corps 10/8/17, Disc KR392 Xvi 26/11/17, awarded Silver War Badge 279314

Hope it helps a little

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2 hours ago, Matlock1418 said:

Bob, To me the number is 20222 [you've an extra 2 in there]

That 20222 can offer a MIC for a Harold COX, 20222, RFA [14 Bde]

He has an unspecified condition disability pension index card - we can see he was discharged 16.1.17

Unfortunately the PIC doesn't have an address so we can't see if he came from Leicester [but perhaps another record can be found somewhere]

???

M

Thank you M, I see that now on my post, my big fat fingers adding an extra 2 :lol:

Searching on Ancestry I was using 20222, as I kept checking and re looking.

Thanks for your help, It confirms I am not a complete duffer when it comes to looking up these men.

1 hour ago, kenf48 said:

I think we have to consider he did not return to the Leicestershire Regiment but in all probability was posted elsewhere and renumbered, e.g. Labour Corps.

Thank you for your help Ken, I had not considered this, there are obviously so many variations on service etc,

that it is not just a case of finding the name/number in a list, that you hope is in Alphabetical order or numerical order.

@TEW Thank you for you help here, certainly some ideas I had not thought about, it is good to find out and

then remember these points in future searches.

There was me thinking 'you doddering old fool Bob, it has to be here some place'

Many thanks to you all for the education:D

Regards, Bob.

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1 hour ago, TEW said:

1687 Wollatt RAMC. Seems to have a WO363 sheet on FMP (I can't view it) but I haven't made any match to medals by name or number.

He is Harold Wollatt/Woollatt. Enlisted Sept. 1911, transferred (Own Request) Sept 1915 to Argyll & Southern Highlanders 3085/7575 then in Oct. 1918 he was transferred to the RAMC no. M/398458.

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What a fantastic team effort by everyone.  Kudos to you all.  How wonderful it will be if these photos can be preserved, along with the extra meaning given by the annotation with the fates of the sitters, and then on public display somewhere.  It really is the forum at its best I think. 👍

Edited by FROGSMILE
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