Steve Newman Posted 6 July , 2006 Share Posted 6 July , 2006 Dear All, I'm currently working on my second book (Gallipoli Then and Now was my first) which is based around the men of the Essex town/villages of Wickford and Runwell. I am going to privately publish at my own cost to allow all the funds raised to go to our local Royal British Legion Branch where I have asked for the money to go directly to a project such as improving our town war memorial or going directly to the Poppy Appeal. The book is obviously going to be largely based around the traditional roll of honour format but I am hoping to also have as many pictures as possible, either of graves and memorials and/or of the men themselves. I am covering both World War 1 and 2 but obviously on this site and am looking for help on the former. Like all memorials ours has errors, some are obvious 'typos', others are exclusions that presumably have come about from families having moved away from the area, during the war and not subscribing to go on, or more commonly someone who was born and lived here moved before they enlisted and thus very possibly appear on other towns memorials. I have searched already the most obvious sources and have now around 65 names that have some form of local connection, I have gone for inclusion rather than exclusion, except in such cases as where I can prove that there is no real connection other than a clerical error of the time. So where is this leading I hear you ask....? Below are around 40 names that I do not have pictures of and indeed in many cases have very little info on at all. So I'm desperately seeking help to see if a full and final roll of honour for these braves chaps can be created that actually brings them as real people to life particularly for many of the younger generation who just reading names does not seem to have the same effect. And if you really are glutton for punishment, I will happily put up the remaining 25 or so names that I do have pictures of, on the chance that perhaps even a few snippets of extra info will help to create a clearer picture of their life and times. I thank you in advance for any help. Steve Ball, William S2SR/02994, Staff Quarter Master Sergeant, Army Service Corps, Died Mesopotamia 23rd February 1918, Age 3 BIRD, Ronald Stanley 200807 Private, 1/4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment Died Palestine 18/12/17 CLARKE, Edwin 8101 Private, 17th Battalion Manchester Regiment, Killed In Action France & Flanders 1st July 1916. PARTICULARLY INTERSTED IN CLARKE AS HE WAS BORN AND LIVED IN MY HOUSE BEFORE MOVING TO SMITHILLS HALL BOLTON, LANCS!! CORKE William 18394 Private 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment Died Mesopotamia 4th September 1916 Age 36 COX, Albert Charles 19563 Private 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment Killed in Action, France & Flanders, 12th October 1916 DRIVER, James Private 36th London Reg KIA 29/9/18 ENGLAND, Ernest Walter Henry 548040 Private 15th Battalion London Regiment (Originally 305625 Pte 5th Battalion London Regiment,) Died of Wounds 4th September 1918 age 19. FAIRWEATHER, John Henry 625491 Driver Honourable Artillery Company Died Germany February 28 1919. Age 21 FRANKLIN, Herbert Edward 202304 Private, 2/4th Battalion (City of Bristol) Gloucester Regiment, (originally 2791 Private 4th Battalion Essex Regiment) Killed in Action France & Flanders July 5th 1916 age 21 FRENCH Frank Arthur 1923 Private 59th Battalion, 15th Infantry Brigade Australian Imperial Forces Died of Wounds 19th March 1917 Age 26. GILLSON, Frank R/35208 Rifleman, 12th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps Died of Wounds 16th August 1917 Age 29. GRAVES, Edward Basil Lieutenant-Commander Royal Naval Reserve Died Wickford 17th February 1919 aged 36 GROUND, John 13468 Corporal, 105th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, 13468 Died 31st October 1917 Age 3 HEARD, Albert William 60275 Lance Corporal 26th Royal Fusilers. Formerly 40510 Essex Regiment Killed In Action, France & Flanders 20th September 1917 age 21. HILLEARD Paul James, 2518 Rifleman 12th Battalion London Regiment (The Rangers) Killed In Action, France & Flanders, 24th April 1915 age 21. HUGHES Charles, 3472 Private, 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, Killed In Action, France & Flanders 8th October 1918 HULL Alfred Davis, 514994 Private, 14th Battalion London Regiment (London Scottish) Killed In Action, France & Flanders 16th October 1917 Age 34. JENKINS Joseph, 54603 Private, 15th Battalion Hampshire Regiment, formerly 22751 Royal Engineers, Killed In Action, France & Flanders 2nd October 1918 Age 27. KIMBERLEY Frederick John, 56869 Private, 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, formerly 205429 Norfolk Regiment, Killed In Action, France & Flanders 20th April 1917 KING Henry Edward, 14692 Private 11th Battalion Essex Regiment, Killed In Action, France & Flanders 26th September 1915 Age 19. LARK Arthur Frank, L/10077 Private 1st Battalion Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment, Killed In Action, France & Flanders 26th September 1914. LEETE Sydney John, 2nd Lieutenant Royal Flying Corps, formerly Worcestershire Regiment, Killed In Action, France & Flanders, 28th July 1917 Age 24. MARSHALL William, 80038 Driver, ‘G’ Battery 5th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery, Died France & Flanders 21st October 1918 aged 32 MOTT Herbert Thomas, G/21421 Private Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment, formerly 21239 East Surrey Regiment, Killed In Action, France & Flanders 10th August 1917 Age 23. NEVILLE George 13297 Private 4th (Reserve Battalion) Coldstream Guards, Died Home, 7th May 1915 Age 25 NEVILLE William Arthur 25th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, formerly 068010 Army Service Corps, Died of Wounds as a prisoner 21-23 March 1918 Age 35. RAVEN Frederick Walter 26695 Private, 10th Battalion Essex Regiment, Died Of Wounds as a prisoner Germany 13th September 1917 Aged 25. ROBERTS William Edward, 805 Trooper, Household Cavalry/ Essex Yeomanry, Killed In Action, France & Flanders 8th February 1915 Aged 24. TAYLOR Edward T/21290 Driver, Army Service Corps attached 3rd Cavalry Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps Killed In Action, France & Flanders 9th August 1918 Age 33. TRIGG Herbert 45823 Private, 8th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, Died Of Wounds, France & Flanders 21st October 1917 Age 19. TWEED Edward Thomas, 10572 Private, 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards, Killed in Action, France & Flanders 16th February 1915 Age 20 TWEEN Jonathan, 1615 Gunner, Royal Garrison Artillery, Died France & Flanders 9th October 1916 Age 39 VALENTINE William John, G/11972 Corporal 7th Battalion The Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment, Killed in Action, France & Flanders 8th August 1918. VAN Bernard William, Private, 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment, Died UK 11th September 1914 age 28. WHALLEY William, 300082 Corporal, 7th Battalion Essex Regiment, Died of Wounds, Palestine 5th May 1917 WILSHER John Edward, 31113 Private, 1st Battalion Essex Regiment, Killed in Action, France & Flanders 28th July 1917 age 36. WINTERTON Frank Walpole, 608553 Rifleman, 18th Battalion (London Irish Rifles) London Regiment, formerly 35063 5th Battalion London Regiment, Killed In Action, France & Flanders 7th April 1918 Age 39. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandcroft Posted 6 July , 2006 Share Posted 6 July , 2006 Dear Steve, I have an interest in the 22nd Brigade RFA, ( 104th, 105th & 106th Batteries) From the 22nd Brigade R.F.A. 1914 Star Medal Roll, 13468 Corporal Ground J. Date of Embarkation 6 10 14, Died Val. Dis. Heart 31 10 17. The CWGC. detail states he proceeded from South Africa to France. The 105th Battery was stationed at Potchefstroom, South Africa, at the outbreak of the war. The Battery along with the rest of the 22nd Brigade RFA sailed from Cape Town aboard the SS Goorkha on the 27th of August. I hope this is of interest to you, if I can help with other details let me know. Sandcroft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Newman Posted 7 July , 2006 Author Share Posted 7 July , 2006 Many thanks for that, it is additional info I didn't have. The man in question is buried locally here and I have pictures of his grave and have found a fairly detailed report of the 'first military funeral in Wickford'. I don't know if your interest in the unit includes compiling such info on individuals, if it does let me know and I will happily copy it and send it through to you. Once again thanks for the assistance Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 7 July , 2006 Share Posted 7 July , 2006 Steve There are 24 pages on Frank Arthur French in the Australian Archive LINK Myrtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Bloomfield Posted 7 July , 2006 Share Posted 7 July , 2006 Steve I've got a couple of casualties from matching units but can't really tell you too much as dates don't tie in and there are gaps in what histories I do have. However it would appear that Ronald Bird may have been a non combat casualty (accident or disease?) as he died four days before the Battle of Jaffa when the 54th Div seemingly weren't involved in any action. William Corke is buried in Amara which was a large hospital area and the majority of his battalion were by this time prisoners of the Turks, having been taken at the siege of Kut on April 4th 1916. Apologies if you already know any of this. The Norfolk's museum in Norwich are very helpful with enquiries of this nature and well worth a try. Good luck. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobpike Posted 7 July , 2006 Share Posted 7 July , 2006 Steve, Have you got grave/memorial photos for all your men? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest geoff501 Posted 7 July , 2006 Share Posted 7 July , 2006 I'm currently working on my second book (Gallipoli Then and Now was my first) which is based around the men of the Essex town/villages of Wickford and Runwell. I am going to privately publish at my own cost to allow all the funds raised to go to our local Royal British Legion Branch where I have asked for the money to go directly to a project such as improving our town war memorial or going directly to the Poppy Appeal. A few words of info. If the funds pass through the local RBL's books, you should be aware that they are not allowed to fund memorial restoration. Local funds can only be used for the needs of ex-servicemen and their dependants. Set up a seperate fund to avoid any possible problem. Also if it goes to the poppy appeal, it will presumably go to the machinery at Pall Mall. Much as I think this is a very worthy cause, I'll bet your local memorial needs tender loving care, either now or in the future. We'll all buy poppies when the time comes, memorial funding is hard to come by. (A funeral director sent a collection taken at a funeral of an uncle of my wife to Pall Mall, rather than to the local fund, where the family had intended it to go, for local needs. No chance of getting it back!) Best wishes for the book, and keep us posted. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobpike Posted 7 July , 2006 Share Posted 7 July , 2006 Might be worth contacting the War Memorials Trust (formerly Firnds of War Memorials) to see what they advise, bob http://www.warmemorials.org/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest geoff501 Posted 7 July , 2006 Share Posted 7 July , 2006 Might be worth contacting the War Memorials Trust (formerly Firnds of War Memorials) to see what they advise, http://www.warmemorials.org/ Reading of the experience of others on this forum who have mentioned this, they don't seem very helpful. However may be worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 7 July , 2006 Share Posted 7 July , 2006 Hello Ill check the Coldstream Gds when I get home and see what I can find out Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Newman Posted 7 July , 2006 Author Share Posted 7 July , 2006 Wow, great start!! Many thanks to those who have replied, the details on French are superb. In answer to your question Bob, the names mentioned here I do not have photos of, the remaining 28 names that I haven't posted here, I do have pictures of, but from the info this site produces it would seem well worth while posting them up. I just didn't want it to look like I was taking the mickey by posting 60 odd names up on my very first post!!! Cheers Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hambo Posted 7 July , 2006 Share Posted 7 July , 2006 Steve Do you have SDGW info for this little lot? If not PM me with your email address and I can do that for you Hambo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manchester regiment Posted 7 July , 2006 Share Posted 7 July , 2006 steve,i will keep my eyes peeled for edwin clarke,are there any other manchesters in your other list,edwin is john hartleys battalion so he may have summat,i will scour the newspapers tonight for you,bernard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hambo Posted 7 July , 2006 Share Posted 7 July , 2006 Leete was flying in a DH4 A7540 whci left on a bombing operation at 4.15pm on the 28th of July 1917. It is thought the aircraft was claimed by Leutnant H Adam of Jasta 6 at 5.55pm. Looks like it came down at Oosroosebeke. Looks like the aircraft was flown by Captain L Minot who was listed as missing in action and Leete was the observer listed as killed in action Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 8 July , 2006 Share Posted 8 July , 2006 Hello No new info from my database - will check the Roll of Honour for anything else ... Ian Hello Ill check the Coldstream Gds when I get home and see what I can find out Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hambo Posted 8 July , 2006 Share Posted 8 July , 2006 Had a trawl through De Ruvigny's and only one gets a mention and not much of one. Lark-his father was Arthur Lark who De Ruvigny's says was from Clerkewell, whilst CWGC says Liphook in Hampshire Leete was in 57 Squadron (forgot that last night) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auimfo Posted 8 July , 2006 Share Posted 8 July , 2006 Steve, There's 21 pages of 'Red Cross Missing and Wounded' enquiries on the Australian War memorial website about 1923 Private Frank French. Very informative with many eyewitness accounts of his death. Here's the link, just type in his details. http://www.awm.gov.au/database/1drl428.asp While you're in the AWM site it's worth checking the Roll of Honour and Nominal Roll databases. They will give you even further details about French. Unfortunately there's no photo in their files that I can find......yet. Tim L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Newman Posted 8 July , 2006 Author Share Posted 8 July , 2006 Hi Tim That has really helped, French has gone from being one I had a little on to now being one I have a good picture as to what happened to him. Alas still no photographic picture though, even the local UK newspaper of the time shows' Wickford Man dies of wounds' but doesn't follow up with a picture!! Once again thanks for the link Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest marinyshka Posted 12 July , 2006 Share Posted 12 July , 2006 Hi, My names Alex Newman. My Grandmothers name was Cox, which I think is probably quite unusual. Her brother died in the 1ww, Jack Cox, who is on a war memorial in victoria park, Hackney. I will ask my 2nd uncle(cox), if we had an Albert charles Cox in the family. I believe the name originates from french hugenoes(wrong spelling, sorry) who immigrated to the eastend of london . Am actually trying to look up my grandad Henry Newman in the C 'Coy' KRRC, as recently dug out his two service medals and some 1ww photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Newman Posted 12 July , 2006 Author Share Posted 12 July , 2006 Hi Alex There is also a second Cox who is listed, James Edward who was in the 9th Battalion Essex Regiment and was kia in France 25 September 1915. I know Albert Cox enlisted in Ilford so the East London connection may well be correct, he was born in Wickford hence his inclusion in my list. If you think there may be a family connection I would be happy to pass on the details I have Cheers Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyman Posted 7 August , 2006 Share Posted 7 August , 2006 Steve I don't have a photo for you but can add a few snippets on W E Roberts, Essex Yeo. The Southend Standard of 7 Jan 1915 lists him as W W Roberts and shows him in the Southend Troop but he was serving with the A Squadron ration party when he was killed - see page 89 of the regimental history by Burrows. (D Squadron, which included the Southend troop, was split between the other 3 Squadrons when the Essex Yeo went to France) Roberts was the first casualty inflicted by the enemy on the Essex Yeo. He had proceeded overseas on 30 November 1914 and was entitled to the 1914-15 Star trio. Beyond the info that is in Southend's Roll of Honour, Soldiers Died and CWGC, the only other notes I have are that his name appears on the Wickfrod URC Memorial and the Downham Village Cross - but I guess you know that already. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 8 August , 2006 Share Posted 8 August , 2006 Steve, The second man on your list caught my eye quote: BIRD, Ronald Stanley 200807 Private, 1/4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment Died Palestine 18/12/17 Please note that the CWGC site give the following [Turkey instead of Palestine] Name: BIRD Initials: R S Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 1st/4th Bn. Age: 23 Date of Death: 18/12/1917 Service No: 200807 Additional information: Son of John Edward and Elizabeth Bird, of 50, Meadow Rd., Loughton, Essex. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I. B. 5. Cemetery: HAIDAR PASHA CEMETERY HAIDAR PASHA CEMETERY was first established for Crimean war burials and was used during the First World War by the Turks for the burial of Commonwealth prisoners of war. After the Armistice, when Istanbul was occupied, further burials were made mainly from No 82 General Hospital and graves were brought in from other civil cemeteries in the area. During the Second World War, Turkey retained her neutrality and those Commonwealth servicemen buried there were mainly men taken prisoner during operations in the Aegean, who died while attempting to escape from camps where they awaited transport to Germany and Italy, and whose bodies were washed up on the Turkish coast. The war graves plot contains 405 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 60 of them unidentified. Second World War burials number 39, 14 of them unidentified. Also within the cemetery, which the Commission maintains as a whole, are about 6,000 Crimean graves, mostly unmarked, and numerous non war military and civilian graves and memorials. Within the war graves plot stands the HAIDAR PASHA CREMATION MEMORIAL, which commemorates 122 soldiers of the Indian Army who died in 1919 and 1920 who were originally commemorated at Mashiak and Osmanieh Cemeteries. In 1961 when these cemeteries could no longer be maintained, the ashes of the Hindus, whose remains were cremated in accordance with their faith, were scattered near this memorial, while the remains of their comrades of the Muslim faith were brought here and re-interred. The war graves plot also contains the HAIDAR PASHA MEMORIAL, which was erected to commemorate more than 30 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War who died fighting in South Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, and in post Armistice operations in Russia and Transcaucasia, whose graves are not known. An Addenda panel was later added to commemorate over 170 Commonwealth casualties who are buried in cemeteries in South Russia and Transcaucasia whose graves can no longer be maintained. I have your Gallipoli book which I enjoy very much [Was Bird captured while the 1/4th Norfolks were at Gallipoli (6th Aug - 7th/8th Dec 1915)? Hopefully someone better aquainted with the Norfolks can help out here] Best of luck with this new project Michael D.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Newman Posted 19 September , 2006 Author Share Posted 19 September , 2006 Again thank you all for adding info. I think Bird was likely captured at 2nd Gaza as the 1/4 Norfolks reported 99 men missing after this and thanks to Greg, the resident local Norfolk expert, it would appear his regimental number was to high to have gone with the 'originals' to Gallipoli but was likely to have been in a draft that joined them in Egypt in 1916. An addition to that story, I have a friend and business associate who was born and bred in Turkey and still lives in Istanbul. I asked himl to get a picture of the grave for my book. He rang me up to say he had completed the task but had not laid any flowers as I had asked, as the cemetery was so beautifully maintained that it was unnecessary. He then went to see the gardeners and thank them for their work and asked them 'to take good care of my man'. He then wrote all this to me adding 'that the lad from your village is safe with us here'. It just seemed really quite touching that a mature man who has no link with my Essex village (other than knowing me!) took the time, effort and trouble to do this and it quite clearly touched and moved him. It spurred me on again to complete the task and ensure that our local memorial is improved to show the same respect at home that complete strangers can show in a foriegh field. Regards to all Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 19 September , 2006 Share Posted 19 September , 2006 Steve, Thanks for the details of your follow-up on Bird Nice story too about the visit to the grave Best of luck with the project Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Gorst Posted 3 September , 2008 Share Posted 3 September , 2008 Hi Sorry to be late to this (probably too late) but I have a possible lead on Rifleman Hilleard. There is a picture of a Rifleman F J Hilleard of the Rangers in the Polytechnic magazine for June 1915 - I know the initials are wrong and the date is given as 24th May 1915 but the only Hilleard on the CWGC for 1915 is Paul James Hilleard so I am assuming it is a mistake on the part of the editor - not uncommon! The magazine is held at the University of Westminster Archive and I can get a scan/photo, if you still want one - any info on Hilleard would be much appreciated for a roll of honour that I am compiling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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