Guest Posted 31 August , 2007 Share Posted 31 August , 2007 Back in 2004 there was a question posted about Army Remount Units. In one reply Kate Wills mentioned Major Richard Spencer Britten and it looks like she had a fair amount of information about him. I have been asked to find out some information about this man, and earlier this week visited his grave in Northern France. I would be grateful for any information about him, especially if Kate Wills is able to answer. Tony Reading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 31 August , 2007 Share Posted 31 August , 2007 Welcome to the forum Tony, you've certainly come to the right place...be careful though..it's addictive...I'm sure Kate will be along soon... cheers, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Underwood Posted 17 January , 2008 Share Posted 17 January , 2008 Tony It's a bit late in the day, but this might help you slightly with regard to Major Richard Spencer Britten. If you type his name into our website at www.buckinghamshireremembers.org.uk there is a small amount of information about him, but it might not be what you are looking for. You will see that his name is listed on the War Memorial at Penn, Bucks. At the same time can I ask you a favour, if you have a photograph of the grave. Would you be willing to PM me a copy to put on the website? June Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 18 January , 2008 Share Posted 18 January , 2008 Tony, Yes, I did pursue Spencer Britten, who was a friend of Blair Swannell (see my signature below). They served together in the Boer War. I gleaned most of it from the local press and the National Army Museum in Chelsea. What do you need to know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 1 March , 2008 Share Posted 1 March , 2008 Replying to both June and Kate, apologies for delay but your posts appeared just after I went away to work for 5 weeks. June - yes have a couple of photos and gladly let you have them. Kate - interested in anything you have. My interest in Maj Britten is that I was emailed by a Ron Saunders who is doing research into the names on the Penn memorial and R S Britten's parents appeared on my web site as part of a family history interest. Although not a direct member of the Britten's I'm researching (my wife's family) I have collected any references to the name in Northamptonshire as they are mostly connected. R S Britten is also named on the small memorial in Great Billing. From The Times online archives I have been able to find that his widow remarried and that he had a son. The photos of his grave were taken during a day trip into Northern France from Ypres where we were staying with friends who run a B & B. regards Tony Reading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 1 March , 2008 Share Posted 1 March , 2008 From the Northampton Independent, 24-8-1918 Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Underwood Posted 4 March , 2008 Share Posted 4 March , 2008 Tony and Steve Many thanks for your replies. I am sending PMs to you both June Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 6 March , 2008 Share Posted 6 March , 2008 Tony, Here are the bits I have to hand. The best place to follow Britten is the reading room of the National Army Museum Chelsea, which has a number his notebooks and letters relating to his Boer War experience. I consulted them in relation to my researchee, Blair Swannell. Generally known as Spencer, certainly to BISwannell. Boer war experience recounted in letter to father, see page 214 in Lord Carver's book. Pic and news item in 1915 NI. His obit in the NI says he spent 3 days ill with diphtheria and died. He had been with the Remount service since the outbreak, and in France from January 15, when he commanded a gunnery squadron. He won distiction in the SA war, when he became one of the youngest captains in the army. 1899 already Cpl in RBucks Hussars, vol for Imp Yeo 22 Dec at George Hotel, same day as BIS 1881 census Dwelling: 3 Farm House Census Place: Great Billing, Northampton, England Source: FHL Film 1341372 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 1543 Folio 4 Page 1 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Arthur BRITTEN M 34 M Gt Billing, Northampton, England Rel: Head Occ: Farmer Of 360 Ac Employing 10 Men & 5 Boys Ellen B. BRITTEN M 31 F Bedford, England Rel: Wife Thomas BRITTEN 7 M Gt Billing, Northampton, England Rel: Son Occ: Scholar Mary H. BRITTEN 6 F Gt Billing, Northampton, England Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar Kathleen W. BRITTEN 4 F Gt Billing, Northampton, England Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar Richard S. BRITTEN 2 M Gt Billing, Northampton, England Rel: Son Jane DAVIS U 24 F Shipston, Warwick, England Rel: Serv Occ: Servant General Lizzie BENNETT U 14 F Whittlebury, Northampton, England Rel: Serv Occ: Nursemaid Alice M. RAWCLIFFE U 39 F Manchester, Lancashire, England Rel: Governess Occ: Governess (Teacher) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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