The Somme Remembered – 8th July 1916

The Somme Remembered –  8th July 1916

Thiepval Memorial via CWGC

Thiepval Memorial via CWGC

George Fox was killed in action on this day 100 years ago and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, which in the last few days has been the focus of a memorial service and vigil to commemorate the Battle of the Somme’s centenary.

Who was George Fox?

George was the son of David and Mary Ann Fox and according to the census of 1891 was born in Yorkshire. Home in this census was West Street, Altofts, near Pontefract.  In the house was mum, Mary Ann and three siblings.  Ten years later, the family, including dad David, are at 5 Helena Street, Snydale – George now has seven siblings, ranging in ages from 23 to 8 months. His father, David, works as a coal miner, hewer aged 49.

St Andrew's Church

St Andrew’s Church

George on 7 February 1906 in St Andrew’s Church, Wakefield married Maria Farrar – a Wakefield girl.  The couple at the time of their marriage both gave 58 Bailey’s Buildings as their address.  The 1911 census tells that George and Maria at the time had two children and George’s sister, Lily aged 19, was living with them.  Home for the extended family was 6 Halford Yard, Ingwell Street, Wakefield. George, like his father and brothers, was employed as a miner.

The hostilities began.  George enlisted in Wakefield, joining the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1/4th Battalion and becoming Private 201431.  There is a document that gives another service number – 3820, this document, tells that George was presumed dead between the 1 – 8th July, while other documents give the date of his death as the 8th – either way. he was 36 years of age.

Maria, his wife was eligible to receive all monies due to George from the War Office, which she received in two installments.

The Somme Remembered – 7th July 1916

The Somme Remembered – 7th July 1916

The 7th of July would be a day the Moth family would not forget in a long time.

Albert Victor Moth, was the son of Shadrach Moth and his wife Sarah nee Cook.  He was born in Manchester.  By 1911 he was one of 8 surviving children living at 50 Bosworth Street, Openshaw, Manchester – a six roomed house where 10 lived.  His father worked as an iron founder at the local waggon works and 12 year old Albert attended school.

headstone logoAlbert enlisted in Manchester, joining the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment – Private 3571.

The Service Record for Albert survives and one page tells that he was wounded in action on the 4th July and transferred to 76 Field Ambulance.  Warloy-Baillon during the early part of 1916 had become a popular billeting area, with the hospital there at the time specialising in abdominal and chest cases.  By the summer of that year the 76th Field Ambulance was in the village – some said that the 76th should have been run as a base hospital and not by Field Ambulances.  On 2nd July, the situation at the hospital was said t be chaotic, with ‘too many wounded unable to be evacuated’, lying outside the tents.  The 76th FA was taken over by the 92nd Field Ambulance, the original medical officers slowed their working pace, their commanding officers being overwhelmed with paperwork.  The 92nd marched out on the 5th July leaving everything in disarray and dirty.

Albert's headstone via FindaGrave

Albert’s headstone via FindaGrave

Albert died of wounds on the 7th July 1906 aged 17.  He rests in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension with over 1300 other identified casualties including 18 German casualties and two Second World War casualties.

The Somme Remembered – 6th July 2016

The Somme Remembered – 6th July 1916

Louis D’Argenson Beauvoisin was the eldest son of four to William Edward and Mary Edith.  He was born in Sheffield but by the 1901 census was taken the family were living at 35 Arthur Road, Erdington. William worked as a commercial traveller.

Ten years later the 1911 census tells that Mary had given birth to nine children of which one had died.  Mary, now was not the only female in the family now as she has a daughter.  The entry for the family is quite unusual, as well as having handwritten entries for the family surname – William and Mary, the children’s surname seems to have been rubber-stamped!  One general servant is also included on the schedule. William signs his families information in a very good hand that seems well versed in signing a signature.  Home is King’s Road, New Ascott, Birmingham, a house containing 11 rooms.

Going back to find a little about William, Louis father the 1891 census has him working as a merchants clerk and living in his elder brothers household, including his widowed mother.  The family have been transcribed and indexed as Beanboison!  The 1881 census has Williams parents Henry and Mary – Henry is a commercial clerk in the steel trade.  It seems that the family were well educated.  The family it appears were the descendants of a young man who came from the Normandy region of France and was employed as a teacher of French.

Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Royal Warwickshire Regiment

It appeared that Louis had been in Canada as he can be found arriving in Liverpool from New York on the 2nd of July 1915 – was he coming home to enlist? Could Louis speak French with his not too distant ancestry being from France?

Louis enlisted into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, as Private 4858. He died of wounds on 6th July 1916 and rests in Merville Communal Cemetery near Bethune along with over 1200 other casualties.

The Register of Soldier’s

Louis Beauvoisin headstone with thanks to Dom Beauvoisin

Effects have an entry for Louis, who has now had his surname transcribed and indexed as Beauvrison, with monies owed being paid in two instalments.

Louis brother Joseph Bernard Beauvoisin also served in the war, serving in the Worcestershire Regiment as Private 35733.  He died on 29 July 1917 and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.

Additional information – April 2021.  I have been contacted by a relative of the Beauvoisin family who has very kindly sent a picture of Louis.  Do you know want to know what Louis looked like?

Louis Beauvoison with kind permission of Dom Beauvoisin.

The Somme Remembered – 5 July 1916

The Somme Remembered – 5 July 1916

George Neate was the son of George Neate and his wife Alice Maud Mary, born in Slaughterford.

The 1901 census has the family living, according to the census enumerator ‘road from Chippenham to Slaughterford’, possibly close to what was known as ‘Keeper’s House’. George snr. worked and his wife worked at the local paper mill.

Ten years later in 1911, George snr. was now a foreman at the papermill and it looks like four of his six children also worked in the mill.  Home for the family was Fford near Chippenham, the enumerator entered that their house had four rooms and that seven people lived there..  The entry for the family was completed by George jnr. who in error included his sister Annie on the sheet, Annie was infact living in Bath and worked as a servant for 70 year old Annie Marie Daries.  Annie’s entry was struck through by the enumerator and is one of the many mis-entries that are useful snippets of information.

Wiltshire Regiment via Wikipedia

Wiltshire Regiment via Wikipedia

George jnr. enlisted in Devises into the Duke of Edinburgh’s Wiltshire Regiment, serving as Private 18360 in D Company.

George, aged 22, was Killed in Action on the 5th of July 1916 and is remembered on the Theipval Memorial to the Missing along with over 72200 casualties whose final resting place is known only unto their God.

Thiepval Memorial

Thiepval Memorial

The Somme Remembered – 4th July 1916

The Somme Remembered – 4th July 1916

William James Denton Milson was born in Beverley in 1890, the son of William Carr Milson and his wife, Ann Marie nee Cooper.

In 1909 William attested in Scarorough. By 1911  was a drummer in the 1st Btn Yorkshire Regiment, following in his father’s footsteps.  William Carr Milson had attested in 1885 aged 19. He was discharged at his own request on payment of £15 in 1884 – there must be an error in the typing as he was discharged before enlisting!  He must have at some time re-enlisted as he served in Egypt, South Africa, and the Cape Colony and was the recipient of medals for his service.  His character is described as being Very Good whist with the Colours.  He is described as being 5′ 5″ tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair.  He had a scar on his right leg and had the tattoo of a man on his right breast and an anchor etc., on his left forearm.

DCM via Wikipedia

DCM via Wikipedia

Back to William jnr., William James Denton Milson served as sergeant7813 in the Yorkshire Regiment, and according to his Medal Card was in France by June of 1915. On the 15th of March 1916 he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).  His citation reads ‘7813 Sjt W J D Milsom (note the m in his name) 2nd Bn.  For conspicuous gallantry. Serjeant Milsom and Corporal Wilson organised a rescue party under heavy shell fire, and supervised and assisted in rescue work regardless of continuous sniping (15.3.16).

Yorkshire Regiment © Carol Sklinar

Yorkshire Regiment © Carol Sklinar

July 1916 arrived and with it one of the bloodiest battles – The Battle of the Somme. William during the first days of battle was injured and on the 4th day died of his wounds.  He rests in Corbie Communal Cemetery

C#orbie Communal Extension Cemetery via CWGC

C#orbie Communal Extension Cemetery via CWGC

Extension along with over 900 other identified casualties.  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry for the cemetery tells that the town became a medical centre and no. 5 and 21 Casualty Clearing Stations (CCS) based at La Neuville until October of 1916.

 Williams Medal Card tells that he was eligible for the 1915 Star along with the British and Victory Medals (Pip, Squeak and Wilfred).  His mother Annie Marie was the recipient of monies owed to her son, which were paid in two installments.  She would also have received his Memorial Plaque which is more popularly known as the ‘Dead Man’s Penny’ or ‘Death Penny’ and the accompanying scroll

The Somme Remembered – 3 July 1916

The Somme Remembered – 3 July 1916

Humphrey Robertson Barkworth the son of Harold Arthur Sandbach Barkworth and  Mary Alma nee Gadesden, was born on 16 October 1891 (registered in Paddington) and baptised on 25 November 1891 in Christ Church, Epsom, Surrey.

Home for a 9 year old Humphrey, according to the 1901 census was 11 Cargate Avenue, Aldershot, one many fine looking semi-detached and detached villa’s.  Humphrey’s father was a Major in the Infantry and at one time served in the Border Regiment.  Humphrey was one of two children looked after by Miriam Thompson, the 21 year old children’s nurse.  The household also had a cook named Lottie Redman and a parlourmaid called Martha Gregg.

Nash Court

Nash Court

Ten years later, there are still only two children to Harold and Mary – Humphrey and Godfrey Egremont Boulderson Barkworth who is three years younger than his brother.  Harold, born in Beverley, is now retired and pension from the army and living with his family at Nash Court, Marnhull, Dorset- a rather nice looking country residence.

Humphrey attended Hazelwood School, leaving in 1905 for Wellington College.  He left in 1909 for Sandhurst Military College and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 25th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers.  Being promoted to Lieutenant in August of 1914. Humphrey’s entry in the Sandhurst Register is available to download from the Sandhurst Collection for a small charge.

When war was declared Humphrey was in India with his regiment.  After sailing from Karachi to Plymouth he was the following month in France.  During February of 1915 Humphrey and many others from his regiment suffered from frostbite.  He was returned to England was hospitalised.   He was shortly back in France, and it was while stationed near Kemmel that he was wounded in the chest while lying in one of the front trenches. After being evacuated to Boulogne he was again sent back to England.

Northumberland Fusiliers

Northumberland Fusiliers

Humphrey was soon back in the thick of war again and on the 1st of July 1916 his battalion as part of the 103rd Brigade was near La Boiselle.  At 7.30 in the morning a British mine exploded telling the allies that the advance was to start.  And start it certainly did.  Humphrey and his men advanced slightly behind the main advance due to the congestion of such large numbers moving forward.  Humphrey’s men for some time during their advance were sheltered by a higher ground.  As they started to move towards the enemy they became visible to the German machine gunners and riflemen. The Northumberland Fusiliers were mown down as the machinegun worked from left to right over and over again.  Humphrey was wounded but would not allow himself to be attended to until his men had had their wounds attended to and dressed.  He was eventually carried to 92nd Field Ambulance where he died two days later.

During that fateful day, the 1st of July 1916, the 25th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers sent into battle 20 officers and 730 other ranks.  By the end of that day 16 officers and 610 other ranks were either killed, wounded or missing.

Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension via CWGC

Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension via CWGC

Humphrey rests in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension Plot I Row B Grave 8 along with over 120 other casualties of war.

Humphrey’s brother, Godfrey Egremont Boulderson Barkworth, also served in WW1, serving in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.  He survived the war and in 1922 was granted the Freedom of the City of London and was a member of the Guild of Grocers.  He moved to Kenya and died in 1955

The Somme Remembered – 2nd July 1916

The Somme Remembered – 2nd July 1916

Walter Edmund Say enlisted in Southwark.  He was born in Newington or Walworth depending which census you are look at.  In the 1901 census you will find Walter aged 1 year living with his parents, Walter and Sarah, and his sibling – Henry aged 7 and his step-sister Rhoda Eaglen aged 8, at 38 Rodney Place, Newington.  His father, Walter was a labourer but is listed as being on the Army Reserve List.

Ten years later in 1911 the family has grown and Walter Edmund now has three siblings. Rhoda, his step-sister, is now listed as Rose but Henry who was entered as 8 years old in the 1901 census, now becomes a step-brother.  Home for the family at this time is 16 Palatinate Buildings.

Walter while living at 2 Black Prince Court, Walworth, signed his Attestation Papers at Southwark Town Hall on 9 December 1914, joining the 9th Batt.,  in the Queens (Royal West Surrey. In August of 1915  he was transferred to the 7th Batt.,  of that regiment and they became his new family.  He served as Private 3887.

One document in Walter’s surviving service records give his sibling and information on Rose and other close relatives.

The Queen 7th Battalion was made up mainly of Kitchener Volunteers.  These volunteers had served on the Western Front with distinction.  Walter and the 7th went to France in August 1915 and suffered horrific casualties on the Somme, at Ypres and Amiens.

La Neuville British Cemetery via CWGC

La Neuville British Cemetery via CWGC

Walter was wounded, and died on the second of July aged 17.  He rests in La Neuville, CWGC cemetery, Corbie.

For his service to King and Country Walter was eligible for the 1915 Star and the British and Victory Medals.

Walter’s family, unable to say goodbye to him or visit his grave, for many years would be receiving letters from the Army.  One such letter was posted on the 9 November 1916 – addressed to his mother, Sarah Ann, asked to confirm where Walter’s possessions and medals were to be sent. Can you imagine how many tears must have been shed over that letter, but Sarah, as we now know, was not alone in shedding tears over such letters.

Walter died of wounds in July 1916.

The war ended in November 1918 and in 1921 Sarah was still receiving letters and documents from the Army.  The 18 March 1921 Sarah was asked to confirm the receipt of Walters Victory Medal.  The 1914-15 Star and the British War Medal had been received in June of the previous year.  The monies due to Walter were settled in two installments, firstly in November of 1916 with the sum of £2 13s 7d and in August of 1919 with £6 10s.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone information has Sarah Ann as Mrs S A Day, 2 Black Prince Court, Walworth Road, London S E 17.  Sarah chose, in addition to the standard information, to include on her son’s headstone the following inscription:-

Gone to meet our Saviour. He who loves so dear.  Gone to rest in Heaven and we shall meet him there.

Sarah Ann Say died in 1932.  Did she ever get to see the grave of her son and say Goodbye?

 

The Somme Remembered – 1st July 1916

The Somme Remembered – 1st July 1916

Frederick Arthur Churchyard – In 1901 Frederick was seven years old, the son of Arthur and Emma Churchyard of Bruisyard, Suffolk.  Arthur worked as an Ag. Lab. on a local farm, while Frederick and his elder sister Mabel,  attended school.  Their younger brother, Leslie, was only one at the time.  The family at the time lived on The Street, Bruisyard, a small village which seems to mainly consist of a hall, a collection of houses and a few farms.

Ten years later the family had grown with eight children being born to Emma, all of which were alive to be included in the census, with the ages ranging from 17 down to eight months.  Arthur and Emma had been married 19 years and he now was a yardsman at a local farm, while Frederick worked as a milkman on a farm – possibly the same farm his father worked on.  Also, living in the house was Samuel Crisp, a widow, who in the previous census lived next door to the Churchyard family. It appears that when looking at Mr Crisp’s place of birth it is the same as Emma Churchyard.  A quick look at FREEBMD for Arthur and Emma’s marriage (Dec. Qtr. 1891), and it appears that Emma’s maiden name was Crisp.  Home for the extended family of 10, must suffolk regt headstone logohave been quite a good size as it consisted of nine rooms – Emma, who completed the census form, wrote in the ‘number of rooms’ box, that her house had six bedrooms and three sitting rooms.

The war, which was supposed to end all wars, started and Frederick enlisted in Ipswich.  He became Private 14702 in the Suffolk Regiment and entered France in July 1915.

The Suffolk Regiment 8th Btn., had been raised in Bury St. Edmunds the month following the outbreak of war as part of Kitchener’s New Army.  The Division moved to Salisbury Plain in May Thiepvalof 1915 and by July were on their way to France.  In 1916 the regiment saw action on The Somme including the Battle of Albert and the Battle of Thiepval Ridge.

Frederick was Killed in Action on Saturday, 1st of July 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A, along with over 72240 other casualties of war whose final resting place is known only unto their God.

St Peter's Church, Bruisyard war memorial via lives of WW1

St Peter’s Church, Bruisyard war memorial via lives of WW1

Frederick is also remembered on the war memorial in St Peter’s Church, Bruisyard along with six others who died during WW1 and two who died in WW2.

Emma, in the latter part of 1916 was sent £4 15s from the War Office, with a further £8 10s in September 1919.

Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery – Who is resting in peace?

Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery

Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery entrance © Carol Sklinar

Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery entrance © Carol Sklinar

Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery nr Poperinge has a very special place in my heart, not only does my great uncle rest there but Nellie Spindler from my home town also calls Lijssenthoek ‘home’. A while doing a bit of research a few years ago, I came across another man whose final resting place is also Lijssenthoek – Philip Brydges Henriques.

In 1901 Philip was six years old and living with his parents Philip Guttery Henriques, a Barrister at Law and Beatrice Rachel nee Faudel-Phillips, who married in 1892.  Home for the family at this time was 33 Grosvenor Place, Knightsbridge. The young Philip at the time was cared for by Amalie Eberhard, his Governess.

Ten years later in 1911 Philip Guttery Henriques and Beatrice were living at Normandy Park, Surrey, which they had purchased in 1903. In the house on the night of the census there were no children (Philip was an only child), but  Philip and Beatrice had a few visitors and plenty of staff. The visitors included : John Fowle, 48 a Colonel in H M Army (War Dept.,) and his wife Helene Fowle, 35 who was born in Belgium; Natananiel Davidson, 26 a silk merchant; Stephen Slocum, 51 U S American Naval Attache and his wife Luna, 38 and Lay Louise Prescott, 56 who was a Paris resident. The servants included a Butler, cook, footmen, ladies maids, housemaids and kitchen maid – one of the ladies maids was Rosalie Schustes, she was one of the visitors maids and born in Russia – possibly Lady Prescott’s maid.

Philip during the 1911 census was attending Eton College, just a short walk from Windsor Castle, which he left in 1912 then attended New College, Oxford.  War was declared while he was in France when on a break from Oxford. Following his return to the UK he was Commissioned in August 1914 into the King’s Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC.

The following May he was on the Western Front, serving in his regiment as a Second Lieutenant.

Henriques headstone in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery © Carol Sklinar

Henriques headstone in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery © Carol Sklinar

On 23rd July 1915, at Ypres, he was wounded and died of his injuries while in hospital the following day. He rests in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery near Poperinghe, Belgium along with over 10,000 other casualties including one English nurse from Wakefield, Yorkshire, QAIMNS Nellie Spindler. Although he rests in France, he is remembered by his family with a stained glass window in St Mark’s Church, Normanby and also on the Normanby War Memorial and All Saints Church Memorial, Eastbourne.  He is also remembered with honour on the KRRC Memorial, Eton College.

The Probate entry for Philip reads ‘ Henriques Philip Brydges of 33 Grosvenor Place, Middlesex 2nd lieutenant K R Rifle Corps died 24 July 1915 at Ypres Belgium Administered London 15 January to Philip Joseph Gutterez Henriques barrister-at-law.  Effects £6126 13s 2d’

King's Royal Rifle Corps Memorial Eton College © Carol Sklinar

King’s Royal Rifle Corps Memorial Eton College © Carol Sklinar

The public schools of England suffered 20% losses, as opposed to 13% of others who served.  These men who were more than likely junior officers, lieutenants and captains, who lead by example and were first out of the trenches and last to return, and were often the target of snipers – without an officer in charge the leadership would be passed down the ranks.  Eton College, was not alone when it came to losing high numbers of  its ‘Old Boy’s’.  They infact lost 1,157 men, some as young as 17 and still only boys. Harrow School lost over 600 of its ‘boys’.

During the war Philip’s father served in the Government and received a Knighthood when peace had been declared.

The couple, Philip Guttery Henriques and Beatrice continued to live at Normanby Park and in 1939 just before the outbreak of the second world war their information was once again recorded.  Sir Philip was now a JP,  Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey and Chairman of Surrey County Council. Beatrice the lady of the house had her personal occupation classed as ‘unpaid domestic duties’ – I bet that made the paid staff cuckle!  Other people within the walls of Normandy Park were :- Juliana V Lucas, a widow living on her own means; Dudley Aukland, a Clerk to Surrey C C; William My Hollingshead, manservant; Walton Sandford, cook; Lilly S Watkins, ladies maid; Marian A Watkins, housemaid; record closed; Alice M Sandler (?), ladies maid; record closed; John T Moore and Thomas Banks, both house boys.  It appeared that the family chauffeur, Sidney Fisker and his wife Kate, lived at Normanby Park Lodge, as did the gardener William Church and his wife Florence.

Sir Philip died in 1950 and Beatrice, his wife followed in 1952.  The estate then passed to their nephew Claude Arthur Lucas, which he sold the following year.

10 Scottish Family History Websites

10 Scottish Family History Websites

10 Scottish Family History Websites of use when researching Scottish family history.

A few of the sites are portals which take you to other useful and interesting collections of information, while others are Record Offices and Archives.  I hope you find what you are looking for. Sites are listed in no specific order.

  1. Scotlands Family – The site in their words is a ‘one-stop’ shop for all do-it-yourself Scottish family historians, with their aim being to point you to free on-line data.  Well worth a look!
  2. ScotlandsPeople – The on-line face of the National Records of Scotland and the Court of the Lord Lyon.  Look here for births, marriage and deaths; Old Parish Registers; Catholic Registers; Census; Service Records; Wills and much more.  This site is a pay-per-view site – credits being purchased in 30  credit vouchers to allow both searching and viewing. Sadly, even a search costs.  On the plus side your purchases and searched are remembered, so going back to view your purchases is not a problem.  I do wish they would do an annual fee!
  3. Genuki Scotland – A site that has been around for years but still worth a look as its pages are always updated with new information and websites links.
  4. National Library of Scotland (Family History) – What would you expect from a library….books, books and more books.  With the libraries collection covering various topics including: local history; newspapers; voters rolls, gravestones, emigration, clubs. There is also an India collection – did your family have a commercial or military connection to India, if so this may be the place to look.
  5. Scotland – Although the focus of this website is about Scotland in general, there is a handy little section entitled ‘Getting started in Scottish genealogy’. A question and answer based help page giving hints, tips and useful information for beginners and veteran researchers alike. Other pages on the site are full of information about visiting, living and working in Scotland plus a features page of informative articles
  6. FamilySearch (Scottish Genealogy – No matter where you are researching in the world FamilySearch has a section for you.  The Scottish page is packed with information and links to useful and informative websites to aid your research.  If you are looking for a map or a specific surname look no further.
  7. GlobalGenealogy – Again, a collection of useful websites, but this time there are one or two that seem to not only aid research but help with deciphering that newly found data.
  8. Old Maps –  Search for a town or village and view the map but to view in detail there is a subscription cost.  Depending on your needs you may find the fee worthwhile but the amount of maps available is worth a look.
  9. The Federation of Family History Societies or Scottish Association of Family History Societies – Joining a family history society could be the next step in your research.  Their members may be able to assist your further research, or connect you with researchers who have the same or similar interests. The local knowledge of these local societies is outstanding.
  10. The Happy Haggis – Another collection of links divided and indexed by subject, well worth a look.