34th Division Royal Engineers

[mrfrank]

A couple of original, named 1915 34th Division Royal Engineer photographs that may be of interest to some forum members. Probably taken late summer/early autumn 1915. Photographer’s studio was situated in Bath so likely taken at Sutton Veney.  Here’s the first one featuring the Officers:

 

 

Names thus far following a scan of the medal rolls. If anyone can add any full names, I’d appreciate it:

 

Col Alfred Creagh MacDonnell

Capt Hilder Daw

Capt Sydney Elliott Glendinning DSO

Capt FR McMahon

Capt Rupert Falshaw Morkhill MC

Capt LJ Murphy

Capt JH Stephens

Lt Frederick Gordon Ash MC

Lt Reginald Guy Attwood 

Lt Alfred Edward Knight

Lt Hugh Michell Luttman-Johnson

Lt & Adjt John Chiene Shepherd MC

Lt Harry Douglas Wilding MC

2nd Lt Charles Antony Ablett

2nd Lt Hubert Joseph Benians

2nd Lt Ivor Bowen (KiA 25Feb17 aged 31. Aubigny Communal Cem. Ext.)

2nd Lt Edward Morton Gilbert-Lodge 

2nd Lt TH Harrison

2nd Lt John Raymond Stuart Hawker

2nd Lt Lancelot Herman Keay

2nd Lt H Mason

2nd Lt Arthur Rought MC

2nd Lt Henry Favil Scott-Holmes (KiA 01Jul16 aged 22. Thiepval Memorial)

 

 

Edited 28 March by mrfrank

[Terry_Reeves]

Colonel A C MacDonell: Afghan War Assistant Field Engineer. Rumpa rebellion 1879 - 1880. 1879 - 1885 - Suakin with Indian contingent. Medal with clasp. Peshawar Valley Field Force - Bazar Valley Field Force. Medal

War 1914 - 1919 Despatches LG 4Jan 1917. 

Captain Hilda Daw. Despatches LG 7 Oct 1918 and 7 July 1919. Belgian War Cross. Record at TNA WO 339/62780.

Major Sydney Elliot Glendenning 1880-1956 Despatches (LG 11.12.1917)  DSO . Disembarked 9.1.16Electrical Engineer (designer)  Member Institute of Electrical Engineers . Resided 84 Rosary Rd , Norwich. Also entitled to Territorial Efficiency Medal.

LG 12 Dec 1939: Maj Sydney Elliot  Gendinning DSO. MIEE. Late RE to be 2Lt 2nd September 1939.

Died Norwich 24 April 1956. Buried Rosary Rd Cemetery , Norwich.

TR

 

Edited 28 March by Terry_Reeves

[mrfrank]

Thanks for that info Terry. Col MacDonnell’s son - Herbert Creagh MacDonnell of the Royal Irish Regiment & RFC died in 1915 and appears in this photo:

 

[Terry_Reeves]

Capt / Major Rupert Falshaw Morkill.MC. 1877 - 1950, Bn  Sherbrooke, Canada, Served in South Africa (Boer War) Queens South Africa Medal clasps Cape Colony and  Natal as Sgt Canadian Mounted Rifles. Enlisted Valcartier, Canada 28 Sept 1914. Railway signal engineer. Served with 1st Field Company ( Canadian?) and Director General Transportation BEF.  Medals issued  by Canadian Government. MC New Years honours list, 1917. 

1939 Register residing 26 Lowlands Rd Pinner. Railway Signal Engineer. Major RE retired and ARP warden . Medals sold by Noonan's 21 Sept 2001. The group ioncuded the Defence Medal (WW2).

Died 1 May 1950, Pinner. Effects £615 8s 1d.

File at TNA in WO339/55606

TR

 

 

 

Edited 28 March by Terry_Reeves

[PRC]

The Field Companys and Divisional Signals were originally raised in Norfolk, and we've had a forum thread on Other Ranks before.

In the Cloisters of Norwich Cathedral there is a memorial to the fallen of the 34th Divisional Royal Engineers.

Working through the Units.

207th Field Company.

Lieutenant I. Bowen. Lieutenant Ivor Bowen died on the 25th February 1917, aged 31. He is buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. Addition information is that he was the Son of Thomas and Caroline Myer Bowen, of Maesderwen Graig, Pontypridd. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/51412/ivor-bowen/

208th Field Company.

Lieutenant V.W. Bennett. - Not in the Mess picture.
Second Lieutenant P.M. Dyer. - Not in the Mess picture.

Second Lieutenant H.T. Scott-Holmes. Second Lieutenant Henry Favil Scott-Holmes died on the 1st July 1916, aged 22. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Additional family information is that he was the son of Robert and Eleanor Scott-Holmes, of 127, Rosary Rd., Norwich. Enlisted Aug., 1914. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/811790/henry-favil-scott-holmes/

The image of the right comes from Picture Norfolk, the county image archive, and restrictions on re-use of that image apply. https://norfolk.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/BIBENQ/129741881/2215532,1?FMT=IMG

No new IP is claimed for the above, and all image rights, if any. remain with the current owners. A colourised version can be found on Lives of the First World War. https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1943268

209th Field Company.

Second Lieutenant W. Wilkinson.- Not in the Mess picture.

34th Signals.

Lieutenant F.G. Avery, M.C. - Not in the Mess picture.
Lieutenant F.W. Drake, M.C. - Not in the Mess picture.
Lieutenant A. Kemp, M.C.  - Not in the Mess picture.
Seond Lieutenant T.W. Dowse, M.C. - Not in the Mess picture.

Cheers,
Peter

[PRC]

From the edition of the Norfolk Chronicle dated Friday July 21st, 1916.

LIEUT. H.F. SCOTT HOLMES.

Official intimation was received on Sunday of the death in action on July 1st of Second Lieutenant H.F. Scott Holmes, Royal Engineers, only son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Scott-Holmes, of Neville-street, Norwich, and grandson of Major Holmes, of Wacton House. Last week the War Office notified that he was wounded, and no further details were received until the telegram came announcing his death. Dr. Scott Holmes joined the transport section of the 6th Norfolks at the outbreak of the war, and afterwards obtained a commission in the 10th Norfolks. Subsequently he transferred to the battalion of Royal Engineers raised by the Lord Mayor of Norwich. He was only 22 years of age.

A low quality image of him appeared in the edition of the Eastern Evening News  dated Wednesday, July 19th, 1916.

Cheers,
Peter

[brianmorris547]

My notes tell me that the War Diary for the Commander RE 34 Div has lists of all wounded on the Somme from 01/07/1916 to 14/08/1916 also lists of Honours and Rewards, some with citations. The January 1916 War Diary of 34 Div Sigs Co has a Nominal Roll.

Brian 

[PRC]

17 hours ago, mrfrank said:

2nd Lt TH Harrison

There is a MiC for a T.H. Harrison, a Lieutenant, (later Captain), Royal Engineers who landed in France on the 2nd January 1916 and who would receive the Military Cross. The date would roughly fall in with the deployment of 34th Division overseas, but there would have had to have been a step up in rank. Unhelpfully for this purpose the contact address given when he applied for this medals formally in March 1921 was "C\o W.D., Jerusalem, Palestine".

Looking for a fuller name in the London Gazette based on his commissioning date, I then looked at the September 1915 British Army Montly List, as the picture was believed to have been taken late summer \ early autumn. The index has two T.H. Harrison's , but as usual a unit has been given for one to help distinguish them - in this case it's doubly helpful as its a Royal Engineers Officer who gets that treatment - showing him to be in column 811b. https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/123024969

Scanning down that column of Second Lieutenants also brings up H.F. Scott Holmes, (Commissioned 29th December 1914, with the Royal Engineers from 22nd April 1915), E.M. Gilbert-Lodge (seniority\commissioned 7th May 1915), and J.R.S. Hawker (seniority \ commissioned 22nd April 1915). T.H Harrison has a seniority date and therefore as a Second Lieutenant almost certainly his commissioning date as the 2nd May 1915. https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/123010485

On page 4389 of the London Gazette Supplement dated 6th May 1915 it is noted that in the Corps of Royal Engineers, Regular Forces, a Thomas Herbert Harrison was to be a 2nd Lieutenant, dated 2nd May 1915. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29155/supplement/4389/data.pdf

(There is also a MiC for a Major Thomas Herbert Harrison, Royal Engineers, but he was a Lieutenant in the Army Cyclist Corps when he landed in France in November 1915. He is likely to be the other T.H. Harrison that was in the index of the September 1915 British Army Monthly List).

Cheers,
Peter

[PRC]

18 hours ago, mrfrank said:

Capt LJ Murphy

There is a MiC for a Captain Louis Joseph Murphy, (subsequently Major), who landed in France on the 10th January 1916. When he applied for his medals in May 1924 he gave two contact addresses.
1) Killurah Glen, Killavullen, Near Mallow, County Cork
2) Royal Auto Club, Pall Mall, (London), SW1.

In the September 1915 British Army List there is a Captain L.J. Murphy with seniority from the 2nd May 1915, (Column 808b) https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/123010425

He is the only L.J. Murphy in the index for that months' list. https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/123026217

Cheers,
Peter

[Terry_Reeves]

Capt J H Stephen’s  MID LG 4.1.17. Disembarked 28.8.15.

Lt Frederick Gordon Ash MC. 1891- 1979. France 11.1.16. T Capt 8.3.18. 1939 Register Bn 14.2.1891. Civil Engineer. Res 19 Wickham Way, Beckenham, Kent. 
Died 16 Feb 1979 , West Wickham Kent. Effects £35,283.

Lt/Major Reginald Guy Attwood. Disembarked France, 24.8.16. Resided Church Field Chorelton-cum-Hardy. OBE New Years Honours 1919 For valuable services rendered in France. 1939 Mechanical Construction Engineer employed as manager by Miles Machinist Co Ltd. Residing Openshaw Hall, New Mills Derby. Died November 15 , 1973 of The Steps,, Playden Ryse, Sussex. Effects £127,644

Edited 29 March by Terry_Reeves

[mrfrank]

Just now, PRC said:

There is a MiC for a Captain Louis Joseph Murphy, (subsequently Major), who landed in France on the 10th January 1916. When he applied for his medals in May 1924 he gave two contact addresses.
1) Killurah Glen, Killavullen, Near Mallow, County Cork
2) Royal Auto Club, Pall Mall, (London), SW1.

In the September 1915 British Army List there is a Captain L.J. Murphy with seniority from the 2nd May 1915, (Column 808b) https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/123010425

He is the only L.J. Murphy in the index for that months' list. https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/123026217

Cheers,
Peter

Great work Peter! 
I’ve got the accompanying image of the WO & Sgts Mess (all named, but unfortunately no initials just the surname) and I’m going through the MICs trying to identify them although very hit and miss. 
Will post the 2nd image in the coming days. Thanks again. 

[Terry_Reeves]

Lt Alfred Edward Knight RE and Capt RAOC. France Jan 1916. Resided “Buxton” Cedar Rd , Thorpe, Norwich and 33 Hawsside St Southport. TNA record WO339/29371

TR

[Terry_Reeves]

Lt Hugh Michell Luttman-Johnson MiD LG 4.1.17. Resided Redhill House, Petworth , Sussex . Died 13 April, 1960 of the The Grand Hotel Suisse, Montreau, Switzerland. Effects 43,874 7s 8d.  
There is a TNA record for a man of exactly the same name bur serving in the Royal West Kent Regiment. Co-incidence or error? https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=WO+339+21141&_sd=&_ed=&_hb=

 

https://www.s2a3.org.za/bio/Biograph_final.php?serial=1738

TR

 

Edited 29 March by Terry_Reeves

[PRC]

19 hours ago, mrfrank said:

2nd Lt H Mason

The Index to the September 1915 British Army Monthly List does not have any H. Mason listed serving with the Royal Engineers or with an entry in the columns that made up the officer establishment of the Royal Engineers. https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/123025989

I had the April 1916 British Army List opened as I was trying to work out if T H Harrison was promoted Lieutenant before landing in France - but he was still shown as a Second Lieutenant. There is however now an H. Mason appearing in the index with the Royal Engineers - but only one. https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/104116856

That leads to column 813 which has a Temporary Second Lieutenant H. Mason with seniority, (and thus likely commissioning), from the 4th November 1915. https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/104098688

Page 10876 of the Supplement to the London Gazette 3rd November 1915 records that a Henry Mason was to be a Temporary Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Royal Engineers, dated 4th November 1915. He was part of a list of names that then appears in the same order in column 813 of the April 1916 Army List. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29350/supplement/10876/data.pdf

The fly in the ointment is that while there is no obvious MiC for a Henry Mason, there is one for a Second Lieutenant Harry Mason, Royals Engineers. But that officer landed in France on the 22nd November 1915. If they were the same individual it would seem unlikely that he'd been commissioned, appeared in an Officers Mess photograph in the UK and gone on to land in France to serve with a different unit, all in less than three weeks. There is no obvious corresponding entry in the British Army Lists in September 1915 and April 1916.

However even if it's not the individual with the MiC, despite the index from April 1916 showing no other matches,then still potentially draws a line in the sand as to when the photograph might have been taken.

The National Archive has Great War era Officers Long Service papers for a Harry Mason but not for a Henry Mason. Henry of course could have continued serving or his papers might have been weeded out of existance.

So a bit of a headscratcher. Not impossible that Henry and Harry were two different individuals but takes a number of things coming together to ensure there is no obvious paper-trail for Henry to distinguish him from Harry.

Cheers,
Peter

[Terry_Reeves]

Lt Hubert Joseph Benians , architect, 1883-1964. Born 4.5.1883, Kent. Inns of Court Regiment OTC and RE.  MID LG 23.12.18.  1924 responsible for the design of Goudhurst War Memorial (1924). Died Pembury Hospital  Little Brandfold , Cranbrook, Kent 10 Sept 1964. £19,035.

TNA record WO339/8822

TR

Edited 29 March by Terry_Reeves

[PRC]

A quick look at the War Diary for the 207^th Field Company , (the only one of the four units I’ve had cause to download in the past) from landing till the end of November 1916 shows the following first mentions \ woundings of individual officers:-

Embarked on the evening of 8^th January 1916 in two boats – one arrived off Le Havre at midnight, the other at 5 am.

16^th January 1916 CAPTAIN GLENDENNING paid a visit to STRAZEELE, R.E. PARK to arrange for drawing technical stores.

17^th January 1916. LIEUT. WILDING took transport to STRAZEELE to draw explosives, etc, for Divisional R.E.

21^st January 1916. MAJOR McMAHON and 3 N.C.O.s proceed to Divl Headquarters for experiments with antigas helmets.

22^nd January 1916. LIEUT. A ROUGHT attended a lecture on grenades by the Chief Engineer at G.H.Q. St. OMER.

27^TH February 1916. Lt. LUTTMAN JOHNSON carried out reconnaissance for an O.P. site.

The entry for the 1^st July 1916 mentions Luttman Johnson and Wilding, (wounded but remained at post) but looks like they were in reserve.

9^th July 1916. 2/Lieut I. Bowen Wounded – (Shell Shock) At Duty.

5^th August 1916.
LIEUT. H.D. WILDING wounded in the early morning while waiting in front line trench with the Company, as mentioned in yestersdays diary. ( That entry reads All 4 Sections waiting at night in front line to follow up bombing attack on intermediate line + dig communication trench. Work impossible due to failure of attack.)

 

Additional Officers did join and usually get a subsequent mention – indeed all bar one seem to have been wounded. However as they are not relevant to the Mess picture I’ve not included them.

Cheers,
Peter

[Terry_Reeves]

2Lt / Capt Edward Morton Gilbert-Lodge. France 12.1.16. Born 1880, Ham , Gloucestershire. Chartered Surveyor. Post-war address c/o City Imperial Trust, Bombay. Died 17 June 1941. Of 28 Queen Anne’s Grove , Cheltenham. Effects £3,617 ps 1d.

TR

Edited 29 March by Terry_Reeves

[PRC]

On 28/03/2024 at 16:58, mrfrank said:

2nd Lt Charles Antony Ablett

MiC shows first landed in France on the 10^th January 1916 as a Second Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, subsequently Captain. No contact address in the reverse side of the MiC on Ancestry.

He was gazetted Temporary Secondary Lieutenant in the Corps of Royal Engineers with effect from the 9^th June 1915 on page 5516 of the London Gazette, 8 June 1915. But the entry shows him as Lieutenant Charles Antony Ablett, 58^th Westmount Rifles, Canadian Militia. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29186/page/5516/data.pdf

Library and Archives of Canada are not however showing any Militia or Canadian Expeditionary Force records for him.

That unit originated in Westmount, Quebec on 2 November 1914, when an "8 company regiment of infantry" was authorized to be formed. The regiment was designated the '58th Westmount Rifles' on 1 December 1914. It was redesignated: 'The Royal Montreal Regiment' on 29 March 1920; https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/official-military-history-lineages/lineages/infantry-regiments/royal-montreal-regiment.html

Early in 1915 a further Battalion was authorised for overseas service under the designation of the 23^rd Westmount Battalion, Candian Expeditionary Force. A large number of officers and other ranks of the 58^th joined the 23^rd Battalion, and after the unit embarked for overseas some enlisted in other branches of the service. https://ia800403.us.archive.org/19/items/58thregimentwest00reno/58thregimentwest00reno.pdf

It may be a co-incidence but on the 1911 Census of England & Wales there is a 29 year old unmarried Electrical Engineer and member of the Institute of C.E. Charles Antony Ablett, born Ilkley, Yorkshire, who was living at 43 Outram Road, Croydon, Surrey. This was the household of his parents Thomas Robert Ablett, (62, Artist & Founder of The Royal Drawing Society, born St. Pancras, London), and Jane Ablett, (54, born Woodmansey Grange, Beverley). The couple state they have been married 30 years and the union has produced just the one child. The household also runs to two live in servants.

On the 1891 Census the family were recorded living at Victoria Lodge. Merchland Road, Eltham, Kent, but at least in the sources I have access to the family surname has been transcribed as “Abbett”.

On the 26^th December 1912 the S.S. Oceanic sailed from Southampton bound for New York. Aboard was a 32 year old unmarried English Engineer, Charles Antony Ablett whose last place of residence was Croydon. His next of kin was a T.R. Ablett of 43 Outram Road, Croydon. His final destination was going to be Montreal, Canada. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JN51-56Y

A look at the outbound passenger lists  shows the following that might relate.

1903. Mr. Chas. A. Ablett, age not stated, sailed from Liverpool aboard the Ivernia bound for New York.  The S.S. Ivernia  sailed from Liverpool on January 8^th 1903 and amongst the “alien immigrants” aboard was a 21 year old Engineer, Chas. A. Ablett, single and last resident Addiscombe. He had not been to the U.S. before and his final destination was New York. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JFP4-42D

1904. Mr. C.A. Ablett, age not stated, sailed from Southampton aboard the Kaiser Wilhelm II bound for New York.
However the US Immigration authorities at Ellis Island record the arrival of a 23 year old Charles Antony Ablett, a single man and an English national who worked as an Electrical Engineer. He was last resident in London and was bound for Schenectady, New York. He was returning to that city where he was resident at 24 Front Street. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JNMD-623 Schenectady was the headquarters of Thomas Edisons General Electric Company

1913. Charles Ablett, aged 32, sailed from Southampton aboard the Kaiser Wilhelm II bound for New York.

1914 Charles A. Ablett, aged 32, sailed from Southampton aboard the Oceanic bound for New York.
The Oceanic had sailed from Southampton on the 7^th January 1914. The 32 year old Charles Ablett was recorded as unmarried and an Engineer. Last resident Croydon, his next of kin was T.R. Ablett of 43 Outram Road, Croydon. Final destination was Montreal, Quebec. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJQ3-XQQ

I don’t know where Charles took himself off to after the war but I’m not readily spotting him on the outbound passenger lists from the UK, the 1920 Census, the 1921 Canadian Census or the 1921 Census of England & Wales.

1936. Mr. C.A. Ablett, aged 55, sailed from London aboard the Gloucester Castle bound for the Cape.
1938. Mr. C.A. Ablett, aged 57, sailed from London aboard the Orion bound for Colombo.

On the 1939 Register there is a Charles “Anthony” Ablett born 1881, who was recorded at 1-2 Alexandra Hotel, King Edwards Parade, Eastbourne, Sussex. He is the only person with the surname Ablett recorded with an open record living in Eastbourne. The original document will have a few more details, plus should be checked to see if the middle name has been described correctly and whether Charles played any part in Civil Defence. (First column of the opposing page, which we are not supposed to see!)

1947. Charles Antony Ablett, aged 65, sailed from Southampton aboard the Aquitania bound for Halifax.
(When the ship arrived at Halifax on the 3^rd May 1947 he was recorded as an English National, born “Likley” – suspect that may be a transcription error.) https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XPSG-MZR The ships manifest correctly has it as Ilkley and that he was a 65 year old married Civil Engineer. He was last resident in Kings Lynn, England -  there is always a Norfolk connection ! https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK3B-6GP3

1947. Charles A. Ablett, aged 66, sailed from Tilbury aboard the Highland Brigade, bound for Rio de Janeiro.
On his arrival in Brasil in October 1947 Charles Antony Ablett, a married Engineer, born Ilkley on the 30^th April 1881 was issued with a Temporary photo ID card. His address back in the UK was Percy Lodge, The Oval, Harrogate. Parents were Thomas Robert and Jane Ablett.

Image courtesy familysearch. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVJB-MR1D

Unfortunately neither of the adjoining ID cards appear to relate to his wife.

1949. Charles A. Ablett, aged 67, sailed from Liverpool aboard the Reina Del Pacifico bound for Kingston.

The death of a 74 year old Charles A. Ablett was recorded in the London City District in Q3 1955. The 1955 Probate Calendar records that a Charles Antony Ablett, c\o Lloyds Bank Limited and 2 Rue de Petit Mont Felard, Jersey, died on the 19^th July 1955, at the Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool Street, London. Probate was granted at the London Court on the 21^st September to Sydney Kay, chief engineer, and Robert Alexander Rogers, solictor. His estate was valued at £46, 411 14s 3d. Even just allowing for inflation that would be around £850k in 2024.

32 years apart doesn’t make for the best of facial comparisons –

No new IP is claimed for the above, and all image rights, if any, remain with the current owners.
Cheers,
Peter

Edited 30 March by PRC
Formatting

[Terry_Reeves]

Lt John Raymond Stuart Hawker. Born Southern India 28 Jan 1892 . Civil Engineers. Educated University Of London (BSc) -  2d Class Hons 1913. Elected as Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers 12 June  1917. The record notes him as Lt RE  attached to the War Office Contracts Engineering Department. Address The Old Rectory, Cavendish Suffolk. 

The UK WW1 and WW2 Memorial Books shows he was wounded and invalid. 

1939 residing Wimbledon , Company Director (Civil Engineer). 

Died 20  October 1951 - of "Birchwood" Ellerton Rd Wimbledon. Effects £43,126 8s 3d.

TNA Record WO339/27661

TR

 

Edited 30 March by Terry_Reeves

[PRC]

You know I can't resist numbering a group shot picture to save myself and others have to count names and heads, so please indulge me

No new IP is claimed for the above, and all image rights, if any, remain with the current owner.

A few more snippets on some of those present - hopefully most of it will be additional information.

19. Colonel Alfred Creagh MacDonnell.

MIC shows landed France 6^th January 1916, rank Brevet Colonel. Eligible for Silver War Badge.
Applied for Medals December 1919 giving contact address of Rossmore, Fleet, Hampshire.
The additional information on the CWGC webpage for his son, Captain Herbert Creagh MacDonnell gives the same address for his parents https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/44658/herbert-creagh-macdonnell/

May be a co-incidence but the 1921 Census of England & Wales has an Alfred Macdonnell, born Dublin, c1855, recorded in a household in the Parish of Crookham, Hartley Wintney District, Hampshire.
Also resident was an Adele Macdonnell, born Calcutta c 1852. There were two others in the household. I don’t subscribe so can’t check it out.
The death of an Alfred Creagh Macdonell, aged 72, was registered in the Marylebone District in Q4 1927.
The 1928 Probate Calendar records that Alfred Creagh Macdonnell of Rossmore, Fleet, Hampshire, died on the 16^th December 1927 at 4 Dorset Square, Paddington, Middlesex. Probate was granted to the Public Trustee. His estate was valued at £5,483 3s 7d.

17. Captain Hilder Daw.

MiC shows landed France April 1916 as a Temporary Major with the Canadian Contingent, Royal Engineers but then served as a Major with the 209th Company Royal Engineers. Although potentially it sounds like it should be there other way round, it looks like he is shown on the Medal Roll as ex-Dominion. Silver War Badge issued. Contact addresses from late 1919 look like 6 Cavendish Place, Eastbourne and S.E. Agricultural College, Wye, Kent.
His attestation in the Candian Expeditionary Force  is dated 23rd September 1914 at Valcartier and looks like he had served in the Militia in both Canada and the UK. Married and born “Marlebone” Parish, London, England in 1871 he worked as a Civil Consulting Engineer. https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=349766
On the 1921 Census of England & Wales there is a “Hilde” Daw, born Marylebone, London, but they are recorded as born c1865. They were recorded in a household in Cambridge Without, in the Chesterton District. In the same household were Reginald B. Appleton, (born Bradford, Yorkshire c1886), Mona Appleton, (born Worcester c1895), and two others.

The birth of a Hilder Daw, mothers’ maiden name Hilder, was registered with the civil authorities in the Marylebone District of London in Q1 1865.
Aged 6, born Marylebone and transcribed as Hilden on the sources I have access to for the 1871 Census of England & Wales, he was living with parents Thomas, (43, Printer, born Morbury, Devon) and Elizabeth, (44, Milliner, born St. Pancras, Middlesex) at 273 Regent Street, Marylebone, London.
A Hilder Daw married an Alice Florence Grosvenor in the St George Hanover Square District of London in Q1 1899.
On the 1901 Census of England & Wales Hilder Daw, (36, Civil Engineer, born Marylebone, Middlesex) and his wife Alice Florence Daw, (35, born Marylebone, Middlesex), were recorded living at 408 Manchester Road, Bolton.
In August 1906 Hilder Daw, aged 41 and English National sailed aboard the Tunisian bound for Quebec. Alice does not appear to be with him, and his occupation has been left blank. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2Q3D-5SJ
In February 1911 a 46 year old Hilder Law, an English National born London and living in Montreal, crossed into the United States. He doesn’t appear to be on the 1911 Canadian Census so presumably was still then in the US. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XP2R-Z2D
He is described as a Mining Engineer and was travelling with his wife Alice Florence. Both have no living relatives. They were heading for New York. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK3Y-LV9H
His immigration card looks like it describes him as 6 feet 3 inches tall with grey hair and blue eyes. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK31-4QCZ
Post the 1921 Census I’m not spotting Hilder on the outbound passenger lists or the index of deaths in England & Wales.

23. Captain Sydney Elliott Glendinning DSO.

MiC shows the contact address for his Medal Application in November 1922 was 84 Rosary Road, Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich. On the 1921 Census of England & Wales there is a Sydney Elliott GLENDENNING, born Norwich c1880, recorded in a household in the Parish of South Walsham, Norfolk. He is the only person resident.

The birth of a Sydney ELLIOT GLENDENNING, mothers’ maiden name Scott, was registered with the civil authorities in the Norwich District in Q2 1880.
Aged 11 months and born Norwich a Sydney E GLENDENNING turns up on the 1881 Census of England & Wales living with his parents John, who runs his own desk making business, and Elizabeth M., at 40, Chalk Hills, Thorpe, Norwich.
By the 1891 Census the family had moved round on to Rosary Road, Thorpe, Norwich. Sydney E. GLENDENNING was then aged 10.
On the 1901 Census of England & Wales the 20 year old Student Electrical Engineer Sydney GLENDENNING, born Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, was recorded boarding at 68 Gladsmuir Road, Islington, London.
Still unmarried and working as an Electrical Engineer (Designer), the 30 year old Sydney ELLIOT GLENDENNING, was living with his widowed mother on the 1911 Census of England & Wales at Thorpe Hamlet Cottage, 84 Rosary Road, Norwich.
Received his D.S.O. in the 1919 New Years Honours List as Sydney ELLIOT GLENDENNING. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918_New_Year_Honours
Obituary says he was gassed early in 1918 and spent nearly two years in hospital before being invalided out.
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=5321118
1956 Probate Calendar has Sydney ELLIOT GLENDENNING as died 21 April 1956 and with a address of  84 Rosary Road, Thorpe, Norwich. Probate was granted to Leonard John Glendenning, retired merchant service commander.

20. Captain  F R McMahon.

MiC shows an application for the 1914-15 Star received from a Major F.R. McMahon in December 1918 but it was ruled as ineligible as he was on temporary duty only – which seems at odds with the many references in the War Diary. Contact address given was “Northcot”, Laleham Road, Staines.
On the 1921 Census of England & Wales there is a Francis Richard McMahon, born Wellington, New Zealand c1878, who was recorded in a household in the parish of Staines. Living with him were:-
Alice Julia Joan McMahon, born Bow, London, c 1887.
Mary Josephine McMahon, born Essex, c1916.
Joan Elizabeth McMahon, born Staines, c1917.
Patricia “Analysis” McMahon, born Staines, c1919.
The death of a 53 year old Francis Richard McMahon was recorded in the Battersea District in Q2 1932.
No obvious entry in the Probate Calendar.
Lives of the First World has linked him to serving in the RFC. This appears to be based on an AIR76 record for a Francis Richard McMahon born 30th October 1878. There is no mention of service with the Royal Engineers, and other than the award of the Distinguished Service Order it actually has very little to say. The two potential links are that his permament home address is Northcot, Laleham Road, Staines, and his wife is Mrs A.J. McMahon. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8202384

16. Captain Rupert Falshaw Morkhill

Nothing obviously in the way of Great War military records at Library and Archives of Canada.
When the SS Tunisian sailed for Quebec in October 1909 one of the returning Canadians aboard was a 32 year old married man, Rupert Morkhill.  The section on “Occupation in Country travelling from” has been left blank. His final destination was Sherbrooke, Quebec. Travelling with him was his 25 year old wife Maria, an English National born in the Transvaal, and their 3 year old daughter Doreen, also born in the Transvaal. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H2V-2SB
The family are not however readily turning up on the 1911 or 1921 Census of Canada or the 1921 Census of England & Wales.

22. Captain L J Murphy

Could be a co-incidence but on the 1901 Census of Ireland there is a 29 year old Louis Joseph Murphy, an unmarried Brewer, born Cork, who was recorded boarding in the household at Adelaide Villias in the North East Ward of that city. http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000510860/
A Louis Joseph Murphy was born on the 4th March 1873 at 8 Adelaide Place, St. Lukes, Cork, on the 4th March 1873. He was the son of Jerome James Murphy, a Brewer, and Mary Josephine Murphy, nee Cagney. https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1873/03203/2174403.pdf
No obvious marriage or death in the Republic of Ireland civil records.
No obvious candidate on the 1921 Census of England & Wales.

3. Lt Frederick Gordon Ash MC

MiC shows he applied formally for his medals in August 1920, giving a contact address of Fonthill Gifford Rectory, Lisbury, Wiltshire. (Suspect that should be Salisbury). http://www.salisburycivicsociety.org.uk/awards/the-old-rectory-fonthill-gifford/

Could be a co-incidence but FindMyPast have indexed a 1921 Census of England & Wales entry for a “Frederich” Gordon Ash, born Manchester c1891, and then in a household in Lewisham, Kent.
On the 1901 Census of England & Wales there is a 10 year old Frederick Guy Ash, born  Manchester, who was recorded as a pupil at the Royal Asylum of St.Annes Society Home for Children at Redhill, Reigate, Surrey.
The most likely match on the 1911 Census of England & Wales was a 20 year Frederick Gordon Ash who was recorded as a visitor at 22 Francis Road, Edgbaston. Frederick describes himself as a Student Civil Engineer studying for exams- however place of birth is recorded as Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire.

7. Lt Reginald Guy Attwood

MiC shows when he applied formally for his medals in September 1924 he was living at Church Field, Chorlton-cum-Hardy.
On the 1921 Census of England & Wales FMP have indexed a Reginald G. Attwood, born Streatham, London, c1888, who was recorded in a household in the Parish of South Manchester, Chorlton Registration District.
Others resident at the same address include:-
Violet E E D Attwood, born Buxton, Derbyshire, c1892
Dorine Iris Attwood, born Hindhead, Surrey c1916.
David Reginald Attwood, born Hindhead, Surrey c1920.
And 3 others.
The birth of a Reginald Guy Attwood, mothers’ maiden name Phipps, was registered with the civil authorities in the Wandsworth District of London in Q1 1888.
On the 1891 Census of England & Wales there is a Reginald G. Attwood, (middle initial transcribed as “Q” on the sources I have access to), born Streatham, Surrey, who was recorded with parents Guy, (36, living on own means, born Mitcham, Surrey) and Ada M., (31, born Husband Rusworth, Leicestershire). The couple have two younger daughters.
On the 1901 Census of England & Wales there is a 13 year old Reginald G. Attwood recorded as a boarding pupil at The Observatory School, Christchurch Road, Mortlake, Surrey. He is shown however as born Mitcham Surrey.
Not spotting him on the 1911 Census of England & Wales.
The marriage of a 27 year old Reginald Guy Attwood, son of Guy Woodward, took place at Cobham, Surrey, on the 8th June 1915, His bride was the 23 year old Eileen Violet Enid Doris Spence. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NXJ1-QQX
His entry in the civil death record gives his date of birth as the 26th January 1888.

4. Lt Alfred Edward Knight

No obvious candidates in the Norwich or Southport area on the 1921 Census of England & Wales.

13. Lt Hugh Michell Luttman-Johnson

SWB MiC in the National Archive Catalogue as Honorary Captain H.M. ‘Lottman’ (surname) Johnson. Eligible 3rd June 1918. Contact address Redhill House, Petworth, Sussex. Card is noted across the top – “see Lutman-Johnson”. But I couldn’t find anything indexed in the National Archive catalogue or on Ancestry.

21. Lt & Adjt John Chiene Shepherd MC.

There are two MiC’s for a John Chiene Shepherd. One was a Royal Field Artillery Officer who landed at Gallipoli on the 15th June 1915, would reach the rank of Lieutenant, and at the time of initially applying for his medals in November 1921 was living at 51 Tovington Square, London, W.C.1, but shortly thereafter moved to Gleghornie, Freshfield, W. Liverpool. The other was a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers who first served in France, (Victory Medal and British War Medal only), would reach the rank of Captain and win the M.C. When he applied for his medals in January 1921 he gave a contact address of Pennant, Rhualt, St. Asaph, North Wales.
Operational Orders in the 207th Field Company War Diary in the early summer of 1916 were coming through signed by John in his capacity as Lieutenant & Adjutant R.E. 34th Division.
On the 1921 Census of England & Wales FMP have indexed a John Chiene Shepherd born Liverpool, Lancashire, c1885 resident in the parish of Tremeirchon in the District of St. Asaph, Denbighshire.
In the same household is a Muriel Emily Marguerite Shepherd, born Cornwall c1882, and one other.

The birth of a John Chiene Shepherd was registered with the civil authorities in the Toxteth Park District of Lancashire in Q4 1885.
On the 1891 Census of England & Wales there is a 5 year old John C. Shepherd, who was born Liverpool and living at No.6 Victoria Road, Formby. This was the household of parent John, (34, Cotton Merchant), and Emma, (36).
The marriage of a John C. Shepherd to a Muriel E.M. Peter was recorded in the Redruth District of Cornwall in Q4 1914.
The death of a Major John Chiene Shepherd, M.C., General List occurred at the age of 58 on the 7th October 1943 while serving in Algeria. The additional information on his CWGC webpage is that he was the Son of John and Emma Shepherd; husband of Muriel Emily Marguerite Shepherd, of Bickley, Kent. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2151654/john-chiene-shepherd/
He is also remembered in the WW2 Memorial of the Camborne School of Mines in Cornwall. https://www.cornwallfhs.com/cornwallswarhistory/maps/war-memorials-2/camborne-school-of-mines/
Possibly responsible for these drawings on the Royal Institute of British Architects  - it comes from the publication 'Italian Gardens of the Renaissance' by John Chiene Shepherd and Geoffrey Alan Jellicoe (London, 1925). https://www.ribapix.com/Plan-of-a-villa-and-its-gardens_RIBA32343
BUT he is also recorded on the Trinity College Memorial – the source doesn’t make clear which one – and they have linked him to the WW1 RFA man. It’s also isn’t clearly stated but I believe from the way the information is provided they are not certain the right man has been identified. http://trinitycollegechapel.com/media/filestore/general-documents/RollOfHonourWWII.pdf
The 1947 Probate Calendar records that John Chiene Shepherd of 1 Yew Tree Avenue, Mansfield Road, Nottingham, died on the 7th October 1943 on war service. Probate was granted to Muriel Emily Marguerite Shepherd, widow.

Major Edit 01/04/2024. In fact that does probably all relate to the RFA Officer. The War List of the University of Cambridge 1914-1918, published in 1921, records a J.C. Shepherd. Lieutenant R.F.A. M.C. in connection with Trinity College. All the civil records identified above therefore relate to that man.

There is however another John Chiene Shepherd in the civil birth records for England & Wales and of a generation that might have served in the Great War. This birth was also registered in the Toxteth Park District of Lancashire, but in this case in Q4 1896. Mothers’ maiden name was Mackenzie.

On the 1901 Census of England & Wales there is a 4 year old John C. Shepherd, born Liverpool, who was recorded living at 15 Croxteth Road, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, Lancashire. This was the household of his parents Joseph, (aged 45, Grain Merchant, born Scotland), and Annie, (aged 36, birn Lee, Kent). John has an older brother George C., (10, born Liverpool) and younger sister Elizabeth M (1, born Liverpool). The household also runs to 5 live in servants including a Governess.

The birth of a George Child Shepherd, mothers’ maiden name Child, was registered with the civil authorities in Toxteth Park District in Q1 1891.
The birth of an Elizabeth Margaret Shepherd. Mothers’ maiden name Mackenzie, was registered with the civil authorities in Toxteth Park District in Q4 1899.

Given the age difference between the parents on the 1901 Census there is a possibility that father Joseph had been married before. And indeed on the return for father Joseph, (55, Retired Corn Merchant) and Annie, (46) on the 1911 Census of England & Wales the couple are only recorded as having been married 15 years. There union has produced four children, all then still alive, but on the night od the census only three were living with them – John being the absentee. They were living then at Freshfield, Formby, Lancashire – poosibly the same area where the RFA man moved to during his service medal claim!

It may be a co-incidence but there is a 14 year old John Shepherd, born Liverpool, who was recorded on the 1911 Census of England & Wales as a Boarding School Student at Charterhouse School, Hurtmore Road, Godalming, Surrey.

The Charterhouse Register 1875-1910, published in 1911, has a John Chiene Shepherd born 10^th October 1896 but the second son of “John Chiene Shepherd”, who entered in the school in 1910. His address was given as “Gleghornie, Freshfield, Lancashire” -  which looks remarkably like the adress used by the RFA Officer to claim his service medals. https://archive.org/details/charterhouseregi02charuoft/page/846/mode/2up?q=%22John+Chiene+Shepherd%22

There is no obvious match on the 1921 Census of England & Wales.

It looks like father Joseph died at the age of 73 in 1929, but the entry in the 1929 Probate Calendar adds both confusion, (his address looks to be the same as that used by the RFA Officer to claim his service medals), but also tells us that John was still alive and his line of work - architect.

 

Image courtesy https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk

Which almost certainly means the book on the Italian Gardens of the Renaissance does relate to this former Royal Engineer Officer and also brings up this piece on the website “Biographical Dictionary of British and Irish Architects”.

John Chiene Shepherd was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England on 10 October 1896 and trained as an architect at the Architectural Association in London, where he also worked as a part--time tutor.  His studies at the AA had been interrupted by World War One.  While serving in the Army in France he was badly injured and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. He subsequently returned to the AA and graduated in 1922, and was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) the same year. He was awarded the Henry Jarvis Studentship in 1922 and the Tite Prize in 1923. In 1925 he formed a partnership with the landscape architect Geoffrey Jellicoe (1900-1996) and together they produced the book Italian Gardens of the Renaissance (1925).  Jellicoe provided the text and Shepherd the drawings.

In 1928 Shepherd married the New Zealand-born architect and fellow AA student Alison Sleigh (1898-1972), who shared a flat with the architect Elisabeth Whitworth Scott (1898-1972). Scott had won the 1927 competition to design the new Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in 1927 and in 1929 she formed the partnership Scott, Chesterton & Shepherd with Shepherd, Sleigh [now Shepherd] and Maurice Chesteron (1883-1962) to help he in the building of the theatre. A house designed by designed by Scott, Chesterton & Shepherd for the Modern Homes Exhibition at Gidea Park, Essex, in 1934 is discussed in Small Houses £500-£2500, edited by H. Myles Wright (1927 p. 87).

By 1934 Chesterton had withdrawn from the practice and John Breakwell (c.1905-1959) became a partner in the firm which was renamed Scott, Shepherd & Breakwell.   Notable among projects by Scott, Shepherd & Breakwell was the Fawcett Building at Newnham College, Cambridge, competed in 1938.  A house in Clapham, Sussex designed by Scott, Shepherd & Breakwell is discussed in Small Houses £500-£2500, edited by H. Myles Wright (1927 p. 89).

John Chiene Shepherd was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1935. He died in Romsey, Hampshire in 1979.
https://architecture.arthistoryresearch.net/architects/shepherd-john-chiene

Selected extracts from the Wikipedia article on Alison Sleigh.

Sleigh married architect John Chiene Shepherd, known as Jock, in February 1928.
Sleigh gave birth to a son in 1934 and soon after returned to work.
In 1938 the Shepherds designed Pond House in Stoke Row, Henley-on-Thames for themselves.
During the Second World War, Jock Shepherd served in the army, and Sleigh took in five evacuee children, with the support of her nanny and a cook. From 1943 to 1945 she also worked for the National Buildings Record (NBR), of which Summerson was the deputy director. The NBR listed and recorded heritage buildings that were under threat of destruction or demolition, and Sleigh's work included measuring, drawing, and photographing the buildings. Jock joined Alison in the work when he returned after the war, and both continued until their retirement in 1957.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_Sleigh

The death of a John Chiene Shepherd, born 10^th October 1896, was registered in the Romsey District in Q3 1979.

The 1979 Probate Calendar records that he died on the 6^th July 1979. Home address was Griffon House, Grove Place, Nursling, Southampton. His estate was valued at £157, 742.

John Chiene Shepherd seems to be a family name, along with calling their houses “Gleghornie” – a search of the British Newspaper Archives brings up a number of matches going back to the 1850’s.

Hopefully this time the right John Chiene Shepherd has been identified. More information may be available through the Charterhouse Digital Archive. https://www.charterhousearchives.org.uk/

10. Lt Harry Douglas Wilding MC

MiC as Captain. First landed France 9th January 1916. Mother. Mrs. E.A. Wilding, applied for her sons medals  on his behalf, July 1921. She gave an address of Trefula House, Old Balto Road, Cheltenham – not sure of that address at all.

Looking for Wilding’s living in the Cheltenham area on the 1921 Census of England & Wales the only possible match for the mother, whether she used her own or her husbands initials, was an Emily Elizabeth Ann Wilding, born Worcestershire c1862.
On the 1901 Census of England & Wales there is a 41 year old Emily E. A. Wilding, born Powyke, Worcestershire, who was recorded at the Grammar School, Green Hill, Eversham, Worcestershire. Her husband Henry St.J. Wilding, (44, born St Peters, Worcester), is the Schoolmaster. They have two sons living with them, the youngest being a 12 year old ‘Henry’ D. Wilding, born Evesham.
The birth of a Harry Douglas Wilding, mothers’ maiden name Sherlock, was registered in the Evesham District in Q4 1888.
In 1921 while en-route from Guadeloupe to England a Harry Douglas Wilding had cause to stop-over in Canada, and so the authorities completed a passenger declaration that he did not intend to stay. Having arrived on the Empress of Russia, he was then 32 years and 2 months old, unmarried, and a British National and Engineer in the employ of the Asiatic Petroleum Company of London. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:68ZQ-YS2F

On the 1939 Register there is a Harry D. Wilding, born 1888, recorded at Foxdentor, Western Way, Gosport, Hampshire. At the same address there is a Horace R. Wilding, born 1887. Original document will need checking.
The death of a Harry D. Wilding was registered in the Gosport District, aged 68, in Q2 1957.
The 1957 Probate Calendar records that a Harry Douglas Wilding, of 37 Palmerston Way, Alverstoke, Hampshire, died on the 7th June 1957. Probate was granted to Florence Rita Wilding, widow. While that can mean she was just A widow rather than necessarily HIS widow, in this case there was a marriage of a Harry D. Wilding to a Florence R. Clarke recorded in the Christchurch District of Hampshire in Q3 1922. (I do wonder in the Horace on the 1939 Register might be a mis-transcription of Florence!).

Cheers,
Peter

Edited 1 April by PRC
Formatting

[mrfrank]

A big thank you to everyone who have contributed information on these officers and an apology for the delay in posting images of the second related group photograph of the Sergeants’ Mess. More difficult to identify these individuals as no initials/just surnames to the mount:

 

 

 

Here are the names for future searches:

RSM Ingram

CSM Bannister

CSM Davison

CSM Rust (prob 85239 Robert Rust)

CSM Widgery

QMS Barter

QMS Goodger

QMS Walker

CQMS Grant

Farrier Sgt Ellis

Farrier Sgt Pilch (prob 85283 James Richard Pilch)

Farrier Sgt Wills

Sgt Allen

Sgt Anderson

Sgt Boddy (prob 84644 Sidney A Boddy)

Sgt Burgess

Sgt Daplyn (possibly 85510 William James Daplyn, commissioned SWB Mar17)

Sgt Herbert Francis Garrard 84580 (Commissioned Dec 17, Labour Corps)

Sgt Hammett

Sgt Holmes

Sgt Lawence

Sgt Ernest Charles McAuliff 84971 (Commissioned LC Oct17)

Sgt Mallett (prob 85446 Percy W Mallett)

Sgt Neve (prob 84612 George W Neve)

Sgt Peacock

Sgt Arthur Selwyn Runacres 84756 (Commissioned)

Sgt Sanderson

Sgt Smith

Sgt Till

Sgt Ward

Sgt Watson

Cpl Atterton

Cpl Bale (prob 85190 Richard H Bale)

Cpl Brown 

Cpl Burdett

Cpl Clarke (possibly 84551 Martin William Clarke KiA)

Cpl Ernest George Doggett 84552 KiA

Cpl Horstead (prob 84571 Albert H Horstead

Cpl Huggins

Cpl Miller

Cpl Moore

Cpl Charles Herbert Oxley 85412 (Commissioned RE)

Cpl Saunders

Cpl Arthur Tallent 84724

Cpl Thrower (prob 85349 Alfred Thrower)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 9 April by mrfrank

[PRC]

Apologies - I thought I'd posted these.

6. 2nd Lt Hubert Joseph Benians. 

MiC shows first landed in France December 1915, but there is no 1914/15 Star awarded. He is shown as 2nd Lieutenant R.E, then Lieutenant, R.E., then Lieutenant Defence Force and finally  Captain 4th Army Infantry. Emblems were issued – presumably for a M.I.D. When he formally applied for his medals in April 1922 he gave a contact address of High Street, Goudhurst, Kent.

When his father passed away in 1939 it looks like Hubert was a practising architect at Goudhurst – earlier reports in the thirties appear to link him to work being done at Sissinghurst.

Publications like The British Architect refer to him practising at Goudhurst prior to the war. https://archive.org/details/the-british-architect-76/page/78/mode/2up?q="Hubert+Joseph+Benians"

His father was the headmaster of Bethany School. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany_School,_Goudhurst

On the 1911 Census of England & Wales the 27 year old Hubert J. Benians, unmarried and a self-employed Architect born Goudhurst, Kent, was recorded living at 2, Beresford Road, Goudhurst. No one else was recorded living with him.

The most likely match on the 1921 Census of England & Wales has been indexed by FindMyPast as “Herbert Bevians” – born Goudhurst c1884 and resident in the parish. He was the only person on the census return.

Father William Albert Benians did not list him as one of the executors of his estate in the 1939 Probate Calendar.
 
On the 1939 Register a “Herbert” J. Benians was recorded living at Little Brandfold, Brandfold, Kent. An Eileen T. Benians, born c1897, was recorded living at the same address. May be a co-incidence but a Hubert J. Benians married an Eileen T. Dodd  in the Headington District of Oxfordshire in Q4 1922.

The 1964 probate calendar tells rather a sad tale. First comes Eileen Theodora Benians, of Little Brandfold, Goudhurst, Kent, wife of Hubert Joseph Benians, who died on the 17th November 1963 at Mabledon Hospital, Darenth, Kent. Probate was awarded in April 1964 to the said Hubert Joseph Benians, retired architect.

But on September 10th 1964 a Hubert Joseph Benians of the same address passed away Pembury Hospital, Kent. Probate  was granted to Hubert Michael Benians, engineer, and Robin Christopher Benians, medical practitoner. There are likely birth records for those two in 1925 and 1929 respectively , with mothers’ maiden name Dodds.

9. 2nd Lt Ivor Bowen.

There is a MiC for a Lieutenant  Ivor Bowen, 207 Field Company, Royal Engineers, died 25th February 1917, but looks like it is just a marker as no claim was received.

On the 1911 Census of England & Wales there is a Bowen family recorded living at Maesderwen Graig, Pontypridd. Parents were Thomas John Bowen, (57, Surveyor & Inspector, Joint Work(?) Board, born Kilgonan, Pembroke) and Caroline Myer Bowen, (49, born Brecon, Breconshire). The couple have been married 29 years and the union has produced 2 children, both then still alive. Still single and living at home is the 25 year old Ivor Bowen, a Surveyor & Engineer for the District Council, born Pentre, Glamorgan. Completing the household was a niece.

An Ivor Bowen married a Maud E. Thomson in the Aylsham District of Norfolk in Q4 1914.

The September 1915 British Army Monthly List has a Second Lieutenant I. Bowen, Royal Engineers, with seniority from the 22nd May 1915. (Column 811c)  https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/123010485
This ties in with his commissioning as recorded on page 4897 of the edition of the London Gazette dated 21 May, 1915.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29169/page/4897/data.pdf

The 1917 Probate Calendar records that Ivor Bowen, of the Red Lion Hotel, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, lieutenant R.E., died 25th February 1917 in France on active service, Administration was granted at the London Court to a Maud Evans Bowen, widow. His estate was valued at £230.

5. 2nd Lt Edward Morton Gilbert-Lodge.

No obvious birth in England & Wales for anyone with that name, or with those forenames in the Gloucestershire area around 1880.

Indeed the first time that name appears to turn up in the civil record is in Q4 1908 when an Edward M. Gilbert-Lodge married a Helena Marian Spencer in the Paddington District of London.

The birth of a Margaret May Gilbert-Lodge, mothers’ maiden name Spencer, was registered with the civil authorities in the Wandsworth District in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1910.
Sadly the death of a 29 year old Helena M.M. Gilbert Lodge was registered in the same District in Q1 1911.

On the 1911 Census of England & Wales the 31 year old widower, Edward Morton Gilbert-Lodge, a Chartered Surveyor, born Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, turns up living in the household of his mother-in-law at 19 Trinity Road, Wandsworth. Edward was working on own account, and gave his trading address as 11, Queen Victoria Street, (London), E.C.
His mother in law was the 59 year old widow, Mary Spencer, an Antique Dealer running a shop at that address. Also living at that address was Edwards’ daughter, Margaret May Gilbert-Lodge, (aged 1 year 3 months, born Tooting, (London) S.W.), and his widower father Edward Gilbert-Lodge, (69, No occupation \ living on private means, born Cheltenham. Father Edward states his marriage had produced 12 children, of which 11 were then still alive.

But I’m not readily spotting father Edward on earlier censuses either.

The MiC shows that when he initially applied for his medals in August 1920 he gave a contact address of c\o The City Improvement Trust, Esplanade Road, Bombay. This at some point was supplemented by what lools like c\o Miss “Carraher”, 71 Woodville Road, Thornton Heath, London.

Brief introduction to the Bombay City Improvement Trust here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_City_Improvement_Trust

I’m not spotting Edward Morton Gilbert-Lodge in the outbound passenger lists from the UK, but he may have gone via Europe. No obvious match on the 1921 Census for Edward Morton, daughter Margaret May, or a Miss Carraher living in the Thornton Heath area.

No obvious match on the 1939 Register.

12. 2nd Lt John Raymond Stuart Hawker.

MiC shows that when he formally applied for his medals in May 1925 he gave a contact address of 9 Belmont Street, Bushey, Hertfordshire.

The indexing of the 1921 Census of England & Wales John Raymond Stuart Hawker, born Madras, India c1892, recorded living in a household in the parish of Bushey, Hertfordshire with :-
Muriel Hawker, born Cambridge c1895.
Arnold McNab-Hawker, born Sheffield c 1919
Peter Norman Hawker, born Bushey c 1920
Isabel Watts, born UK c1900.

A John R.S. Hawker married a Muriel Eames in the Lewsisham District in Q1 1918. A piece on the wedding appeared in the edition of the East Kent Gazette dated 12th January 1918 and from the brief snippet available to non-subscribers on the British Newspaper Archive it would appear he was the only son of the Reverend E. Hawker. M.A., late of the London Missionary Society, Samoa. The wedding took place at the Lewisham Congregational Church.

Cheers,
Peter

[Terry_Reeves]

J G Gordon-Munn here: https://nrocatalogue.norfolk.gov.uk/index.php/j-g-gordon-munn-1854-1933-doctor-mayor-of-norwich-norwich-norfolk

TR

[PRC]

Picture Norfolk also has the Officer Group image that started this thread off https://norfolk.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/BIBENQ/131614305/2206426,2?FMT=IMG

Cheers,
Peter

[PRC]

2. 2nd Lt Lancelot Herman Keay. MiC as Major. No first theatre or date of landing information on his MiC, but Victory Medal and British War Medal only.  Originally enquired about his medal entitlement in February 1924, giving an address of “Mariemont”, Westbourne Crescent, Edgbaston. When he formally applied for them in April 1927 he now gave a contact address of Red House, Allerton Road, Liverpool.

On the 1921 Census of England & Wales there is a Lancelot Herman Keay, born Eastbourne, Sussex c 1883, who was serving in the Army.

From my own records of visits to the Norfolk County  Archive to view contemporary local newspapers I have this note of a report of Norwich news items in the edition of the weekly newspaper The Norfolk Chronicle dated July 14^th, 1916.

Lieut. Lancelot Keay, Royal Engineers, has been wounded, but is not considered to be a serious case. The young officer has many friends in Norwich, where he held a public appointment prior to the war.

The following days edition of the Norwich Mercury added a smidgeon more -

Alderman and Mrs. H.W. Keay, who are well known in Eastbourne, have received news that their son, Lieut. Lancelot Keay, Royal Engineers, has been wounded, but is not considered to be a serious case. The young officer has many friends in Norwich, where he held a public appointment prior to the war.

The obituary of Lancelot that appeared in the edition of The Times dated Tuesday November 5^th  1974 gives the following:-

SIR LANCELOT KEAY

Sir Lancelot Keay, KBE, PPRIBA, who died on Saturday at the age of 91, was a distinguished architect administrator who gained fame for his large and progressive housing schemes carried out when he was City Architect and Director of Housing in Liverpool 1925-48. He was president of the Royal Institute of British Architects 1946-48.

Keay had considerable experience in the formation of two of the new towns being the first chairman of Bracknell New Town Development Corporation, and of Basildon New Town Development Corporation. He was a good speaker and his quiet manner hid a strong and determined personality. He was a member of the Housing  Advisory Committee 1936-57 and the Advisory Council on Building and Civil Engineering Research and Development 1947-57. He was senior partner in the firm of Sir Launcelot Keay and Partners.

Lancelot Herman Keay was born August 3, 1883, the second son of Henry William Keay, seven times mayor of Eastbourne.. He was educated at Eastbourne College and Brighton School of Art and Technology. He was a member of the Society of Architects and when that society became a part of RIBA in 1925 he became an LRINA; he was elected FRIBA in 1929. Keay held architectural appointments at Norwich and Birmingham before being appointed to Liverpool. He was responsible for the erection of over 35,000 houses and flats; for effecting the rebuilding of slum areas and for four developments comprising 850 acres in the centre of the city.

His earlier service at Norwich, where he was articled to the city engineer and architect is worth recalling, for he was responsible for the restoration of the ancient Guildhall and the St. Andrew’s and Blackfriars Halls. He was an early member of Nugent Monck’s famous Norwich Players.

On the outbreak of the First World War he volunteered as a dispatch rider, but shortly afterwards was commissioned as Lieutenant in the 209^th Field Co RE attached to the 34^th Division. He was severely wounded at the Battle of the Somme. After leaving France , he was posted to Egypt and was CRE Kantara Area, and in addition to the normal RE services was responsible for the operation of the road and rail bridges across the Suez Canal, and for the supply of drinking water to the occupied area of Palestine.

After the amalgamation of the RE commands of Kantara and Ismailia, he was lent for duty with the Frontier District Administration to prepare a Report on Transport Routes in the Western Desert, and visited Siwa.

In 1920 he married Iris, elder daughter of E.G. Stone and they had two daughters.

There are many mentions of Lancelot Keay on the likes of the British Newspaper Archive, some of which may include pictures. There are also others available across the internet, but they are either heavily watermarked or hidden behind paywalls. There is also a painting of him stated to date from 1943.

The two pictures I could find to make some sort of facial comparison are both from later in his life.

 

No new IP is claimed for the above and all image rights remain with the current owners.

Picture sources

a] Lancelot Keay undated original source Getty Images on ebay account karlj1982 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284531207124

b] Sir Lancelot Herman Keay 1947 sourced National Portrait Gallery https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw209905/Sir-Lancelot-Herman-Keay?LinkID=mp103198&role=sit&rNo=0

Cheers,
Peter