The Somme Remembered – 27th July 1916

Oscar Frank Moritz from De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour

Oscar Frank Moritz enlisted in the R.A.M.C. in 1914, obtained a commission to the Border Regiment on 30th of April 1915 and was transferred to the M.G.C. (Machine Gun Corps) in January of 1916.

But, let’s go back a few years.

Oscar was born in Edmonton, Middlesex, the son of Herman Rudolph Moritz and his wife, Elisa Mathilda Kronheim, who he married on the 15th of June 1869 at St Anne’s Tottenham.  Oscar’s older siblings were born in Scotland, and it was in Scotland that Herman, born in Prussia, presented himself before the Right Honourable Robert Lowe, and signed his Naturalization papers on the 8th of October 1873 before Alan Arthur, J.P. for Lanarkshire. Herman at the time told he was 31 years old, a merchant, married and the father of two children – Alicia aged three and Arnold aged one, both children were living with him.

The family moved south as Herman became a Stock Broker at the London Stock exchange and  in 1891 the family were living at West Bank, Broadlands Road, Hornsey, Middlesex.

Oscar attended Sherborne School in Dorset and by 1911 was a Barrister of the Middle Temple, living at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Victoria Road / 16-18 De Vere Gardens, Kensington – there was another Moritz family living in the hotel at the same time.  Oscar’s name on that census had been transcribed as Monitz, so it meant a search for his first names (no surname) and place of birth to find him, but I got there after a few attempts of looking for him.

The year after the census, 1912, there is a Mr O F Moritz  found on a passenger list from Peru  to Liverpool on board the Oravia – if this Oscar he was travelling 1st Class.

We now come forward a few years to the time of the war – Oscar served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from April 1916 and was killed in action at Delville Wood 100 years ago today.  Just before he died he was endeavouring to bring up reinforcements for his gun, having previously been wounded in the thigh. As Oscar has no known grave he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

The medal card in Oscar’s name is sparse in the information and has no details of his previous regiments, only a brief note of the M.G.C. There is however, a note at the top that says ‘no ran service o/s’. The Register of Soldiers’ Effects has the unual information: rank, regiment, date and type of death along with monies due. Oscar’s money, some £68 5s was transferred – with no details of where the transfer went or to whom on 27th of November 1916.

Oscar’s Service Record is available from the National Archives for anyone to purchase via the Archives, a researcher or by visiting in person.

Oscar’s entry in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour

It may be generations since Oscar and other men and women died during The Grear War but Oscar like the others is not forgotten. He is remembered on the Sherborne School Roll of Honour. He is also included in the book The Cross of Sacrifice:Officer who died in the Service of British, Indian and East African

Oscar Frank Moritz entry in Sherborne School Roll of Honour

Regiments 1914 – 1919 and the Book of Remembrance for Tweedale.  Oscar is also one of the casualties of The Great War mentioned in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour.

I cannot fine a Probate entry for Oscar during and after the war but there was an entry for his father, Herman who left over £49,000 in 1906 to Julian Herman Moritz, chartered accountant, Martin Rudolph Moritz, member of stock exchange and Alan Mackinnon Mayow Forbes solicitor – no mention of Oscar of any other children – could a will rectify that?

Rudolph, Oscar’s elder brother, was also a Barrister, working from 4 Brick Court, Temple in the first decade of the 1900’s.

The Somme Remembered – 26th July 1916

Thiepval Memorial to the Missing from the air via Google

James Hodgkiss was another young man whose final resting place is known only unto his God, as he like many others, is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

Who was James? Who were his family? Where did he live and work?  Let’s find out!

Well, it seems with a name like Hodgkiss there are quite a few variations, as I learnt when I taught family history a few years ago – one of the class was researching his Hodgkiss line. So with time restraints and non-high speed internet, lets go!

James was the son of James and Kate Hodgkiss in St Paul’s, Cheltenham.  In 1901 he was one of five children living with his parents at 8 Leva (?) Court, Gloucester.  James snr. worked as a Hawker.

The entry for James in the 1911 census evades me, but with a little more time, he will turn up. anyway, in 1912 he married Gladys Edith Mayo.  The wedding took place on 21st of January at St Mary de Lode in Gloucester.  James at the time was working as a labourer, living at No6 Toby Court, Deacon Street.  His father, was now noted as being deceased, but prior to his demise had been a labourer.  Gladys Edith on the other hand was living at 22 Clare Street, the daughter of Alfred Mayo, a waterman.  Witness to the union were Charles Henry Wakeman and Charlotte Young.

Gloucestershire Regiment CWGC headstone logo

James enlisted in Gloucester, joining the Gloucester Regiment and becoming Private 2055 or as seen on some documents 2053.  He was in the 10th Service Battalion.

 We already know that James died, but did his union with Gladys produce any children?  There are two entries on FreeBMD for children being born to Hodgkiss/Mayo in the Gloucester area – Ivy E born in the June ¼ 1914 and Grace V born in the September ¼ 1916.  Was Grace born after her father’s death if this is correct?  How did Gladys cope with being the mother of two children under three and the news of her husband’s death?

The medal card for James tells his medal entitlement and that he was KIA on 26.7.16.  The Soldiers’ Effects Register goes on to tell that James was now a Lance Corporal, also how much money was due to his widow Gladys Edith, who by now was Gladys Edith Whitaker.  The register also tells about James’ death ‘Officially accepted as on or about 26.7.16 France.’

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry for James gives one more snippet of information for those interested in James’ life – his widow, now Mrs Whitaker had moved north and was living at 12 Grace Terrace, Thornhill Road, Upper Wortley, Leeds.

The Somme Remembered – 25th July 1916

John William Bryant in 1881 was living with his parents, William and Susannah Bryant. Home for the family of 8 was Nursery Grounds, Rugby.  Also, in the house on census night was, Emily Coleman, a servant and  John Williams maternal grandmother, Mary Ingram, a 55 year old widow.  Mary, like her son-in-law, is described as a nursery and seedman. William has the added information of how many acres he works and how many people worked for him – he had 9 acres and employed 13 labourers and 1 boy.

When the census was taken on the night of Sunday the 2nd of April, William and Bertha were parents to 7 children – of which six were living at home – the eldest being 13 and the youngest 4 months.   John W was a self employed Carpenter and Joiner.  Home for the family of eight was 98 York Street, Rugby, a six roomed house.

Royal Warwickshire Regiment

War was declared and John W enlisted at St. Andrew’s, Rugby, where he joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.  His service number was 308 and he rose to become a Company Sergeant Major.  He was 41 years of age when he was Killed in Action 100 years ago today. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

John William Bryant Medal Card

The Register of Soldiers’ Effects gives details of service number, rank, gives all monies owing from the War Office to his wife, Bertha and also notes where John  died ‘ 25.7.16 in the field France’. John’s Medal Card tells that he qualified for medals from 22nd March 1915. The following is also written in blue ink across the bottom of the card ‘T Eff M A O 304 of 908’.

The Somme Remembered – 24th July 1916

Archer France was born on 9th March 1885 and baptised 16th of June the following year at St John the Baptist, Kirkheaton.  His parents were George and Annie who at he time lived at Hutchin Fold, Kirkheaton.

The 1891 census shows the George and his wife along with three children – Archer at the time being the middle child.  Ten years later in 1901, George and Annie are living at  Hodgson Fold, Kirkheaton.  There are still only three children in the family:- Lily now aged 19; Harry, 17 and Archer who is now a young man aged 15 and like his brother and father are working at a local mine.

The next census, 1911, Archer is the only child still living with his parents.  His father works as a Datellerm repairing stock underground in a pit, while Archer is an Assistant Deputy – both working at Helm (?) Colliery (Upper Hopton).

Christ the King, Battyford

Archer married Hilda Clough at Christ the King, Battyford on 28th October 1911.George, Archer’s father gave his occupation as Steward, while Hilda’s father, Thomas, told the Vicar, J E Roberts, he was a Coal Merchant.  Witnesses to the union of Archer and Hilda were George Oldroyde and Laura Hopton (?).

Prince of Wale’s Own Regiment headstone logo

War was declared and eventually Archer enlisted in Huddersfield, when he joined the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own) becoming Private 17/1037 in the 17th battalion. His regiment would have seen action in the Battle of Bazentin Ridge and fighting for Arrow Head Corps and Malthorn Farm in the Somme.

Archer’s life was cut short when he was killed in action 100 years ago today.  He has no known grave and is therefore remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing along with many thousands of other men, both young and old.

Archer’s Medal Card gives very little information – name, rank, serial number, two medal entitlements and his death details.  Although this information is given on many cards, Archer’s see,s quit bare.

However, his Soldier’s Effects details tell how much was owing from the War Office, paid over two installments to his wife Hilda and the dates of the payments.

24 Coppin Hall, Mirfield

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry for Archer has his parents living at Bogg Hall, Kirkheaton, while Hilda is living at 24 Coppin Hall, Mirfield.

                                                                        Bogg Hall,                                                                             Kirkheaton via                                                          Kirklees Image Archives

The Somme Remembered – 23rd July 1916

As I have said earlier, war does not care what your background was or whether you were a Private or a high ranking officer.  They were there and that was all that was needed.

The man, I say man and not young man, as the one who died 100 years ago today was in his early middle years.

So, who was this man?  A man who was in the prime of his life.

Humphrey Francis William Bircham, born in 1875 to Francis Thomas Bircham and his wife Edith nee Okeden, who married on the 11th of May 1871 at Turnworth, Dorset.  The couple went on to have four children.  One of the children is the focus of days remembrance, while another son will get a small mention.  In the meantime, a little about Francis Thomas – in 1911 Francis, his wife and daughter Cecily were living at Gwentland, Chepstow with 7 servants in an 18 roomed house.  Francis was a Retired Lt. Colonel, JP and Local Government Board Inspector.

In 1881 the family of five – Francis, Edith, an elder sister Catherine Margaret and the two boys were looked after by six servants. Our man is the eldest of these two boys and like his brother was educated at Eton College, Humphrey went on to attend Sandhurst.  While he was at Eton College he was a keen cricketer, as were a few men in his immediate family. He also played for county and military teams during his life.

Going back to where he was at the time of the 1911 census – he eludes me during the 1891 and 1901 census.  By 1911 he was aged 36, a married man and gave his his occupation as that of Captain in the Regular Army. Home was 4a Low Belgrave Street.  When Humphrey signed the census he added ’60th Rifles’ after his signature, anyway, 4a was an eight roomed house which

Electoral Register for London 1912

the couple shared with two servants. Humphrey had married Gladys Violet Willes in 1908.  By the way her father was also a cricketer. The London Electoral Register for 1912 includes Humphrey at 4a Lower Belgrave Street.

Humphrey joined the army in 1896 and served in South Africa. During his war service, Humphrey was awarded the D.S.O. (Distinguished Service Order), which he was awarded as part of the 1915 Birthday Honours by King George V.

By the title of this series of blogs and what was mentioned earlier you know that 100 years ago Gladys became a widow when Humphrey died of wounds nr Pozier after being hit by a shell earlier in the day.  Humphrey died being with his men, a dangerous but much respected activity.  And so he died during an attack on German trenches near High Wood – the attack failed due to a fierce German counter attack.

Kings Royal Rifle Corps logo CWGC headstone

Humphrey Francis William Bircham, Lt. Colonel, serving with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps rests in Corbie Communal Cemetery Plot 1, Row R, Grave 34.  His headstone includes the following inscription ‘He died with his men, He lives with those he left behind.’

The medal card belong to Humphrey is full of information, including when he entered France. Along with a note saying that Humphrey’s father applied for his medals on behalf of Gladys, his wife. At the bottom of the reverse of the card is the address for Gladys and an address for her father-in-law – 42 St George’s

Corbie Communal Cemetery ia CWGC

Road Warwick Square, SW and Gwentland, Chepstow respectively.  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes Gladys’ address as 24 Gerald Road, Sth. Eaton Place, London.

The Register of Soldiers’ Effects notes that money owed to Humphrey was to be forwarded to Cox and Co., whom I believe were solicitors used by many military personnel. The Probate entry for Humphrey has £123 15s 8d going to Gladys Violet Bircham, this would include moneys from the War Office as accounted for in the Soldiers’ Effects Register,

Humphrey is remembered on the King’s Royal Rifle Corps memorial at Eton College

Back to his brother who I mentioned earlier – Bertram Okeden Bircham who was born in 1877. As I have said he also attended Eton College, he also was a keen cricketer.  Bertram was called to the Bar in 1901, Inner Temple.  During WW1 he served as a Captain with the Hampshire Regiment and awarded the M.C. (Military Cross).  After the war he became Solicitor to the Ministry of Labour and was Knighted in 1932. He died in 1961 when he left ove £4000 to his sister Cecily and Arthur James Locke, solicitor.

The Somme Remembered – 22nd July 1916

Richard Elkhanah Hownam Healey was the son of Randolph Eddowes Healey and Alice Minnie nee Meek, who married in the Prestwich Registration District in the late summer of 1880.

In 1891 the family were living at St. Thomas’ Rectory, Cheetham, Manchester and Richard was one of three children.

Ten years later, in 1901, he is a scholar, living at Brooklands, London Road, Uppingham, with Samuel Haslam, the head of the house, and numerous boys and staff.

In the census of 1911, Richard is a boarder in the home of Jessie J A Millar aged 57, who is an artist and writer working for fashion magazine as a journalist.  Richard, has finished his education and is a daily newspaper reporter (journalist) – home being  11 Kensington Hall Gardens, London, W, which is infact a six roomed house.

He was educated at King Henry VIII School; Uppingham School, where is is during the 1901 census, and Selwyn College, Oxford.

Richard was in The Gazette of 27th of October 1914, when he became a 2nd Lieutenant, he was later promoted to a full Lieutenant.

Thiepval Memorial

100 years ago today Richard Elkhanah Hownam Healey was killed in action and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

As he was an officer Richard’s Service Record is available from the National Archives but has not yet been digitised.  If you are related or interested you will need to pay a visit to the Archives at Kew or employ a researcher.

Richard’s Medal Card tells that he was in the

Richard’s medal card

Royal West Kent Regiment and entered France in April of 1915.  His father, Rev. Randolph E Healey applied for his medals on 9th of August 1921, with an address included of Hownam Lodge, Odiham, Hampshire

The Memorial Plaque or ‘Death Penny’ belonging to Richard, was in November 2014 in a saleroom ready to be sold to the highest bidder and estimated to reach £40 – 60. I wonder who owns the plaque now that Richard gave his life for?

Richard is remembered on the war memorial in Odiham along with others from the surrounding area – I wrote about Richard a while ago.  He is also remembered on the King Henry VIII School Memorial and the Coventry Roll of Honour. I also believe he has his name recorded on the Uppingham School Memorial along with many others who attended that school.

The Somme Remembered – 21st July 1916

William Alfred Chesworth, born in 1893 in Prescot, Lancashire, was the son of Alfred Chesworth and his wife Jane nee Poole.

In the 1901 census he was living at 11 Carlton Street, Prescot, with his parents and two siblings. Alfred at the time was noted as being an Assurance Agent.  Ten years later in 1911, William, aged 17, was one of five children.  William worked in a wire mill, while his father is now listed as being a File Cutter.  Home was Ellaby Road, Rainhill, Lancashire.

War was declared on 4th of August 1914 following other countries declarations starting on 28th of July when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. William enlisted in St Helen’s, Lancashire, when he joined the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, becoming Private 18423.  He entered France in July 1915. Some 12 months later he was killed in action.

Thiepval Memorial

The Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, pier/face 4A 4D, bears the name of William Alfred Chesworth.

The Medal Card for William tells when he entered France, along with his medal entitlement, along with a note – ‘….requests auth to dispose of medals of Decd man 4.11.20’.

The Soldier’s Effects record for William was a little harder to find, only a little, as he had been transcribed as Chestworth – I am not one to be outdone by a transcriber!  This record differs to others, as William’s death is marked as ‘on or since 31.7.16 presumed’. Like other soldiers his payment from the War Office was sent to his father, Alfred, in installments.

St Ann’s War Memorial, Rainhill

Not only is William remembered in The Somme region of France, he is also remembered in Rainhill where he called home.

The Somme Remembered – 20th July 1916

Bertrand Gorges Reginald Gordon was the son of James Rollings Gordon and his wife Isabel Emily Pauline Lawford. He was baptised at Hove in Sussex on the 8th of December 1880. Bertrand’s parents had married in Winterbourne Stoke, Wiltshire – James Rollings Gordon being born in St James, Cornwall, Jamaica (via Familysearch) in 1831, the son of James Gordon.  Isabel being the daughter of Charles Lawford.

Bertrand was a career soldier, having served originally in the King’s African Rifles in the Transvaal, followed by the Warwickshire Regiment where served as a Lieutenant. Later being in the 2nd Batt. Gordon Highlanders and becoming a Lieut. Colonel. He is mentioned in Hart’s Army List of 1908.  Bertrand followed in his father’s footsteps as James Rollings Gordon, as in the 1901 census he was living at  19 Victoria Road, Lambeth and gave his occupation as that of ‘Late Lt. Col. in Infantry’.

Distinguished Service Order via Wikepedia

1916 Birthday Honours list includes Bertrand as he was awarded the D.S.O. (Distinguished Service Order) over 3,800 others including 708 M.M. (Military Medal) (including the Prince of Wales), 1,217 Military Medals and 500 nurses who were awarded various Red Cross Society awards.

Bertrand had been part of the B.E.F. in 1914, seeing more than his fair share of war during his time in France. But, it was The Battle of the Somme, that would see him injured on the 1st day, but 19 days later he was killed, aged 35, during fighting at High Wood near  the village of Bazentin-le-Grand – many believe his death was due to shellfire.

The Aberdeen Journal wrote ‘ Major Pailthorpe, who was the doctor attached to the 2nd Gordon Highlanders, wrote at the time: “At about 11pm I found Colonel Gordon.

“For the first time in my experience he seemed shaken – small wonder when the Bosche had been directing fire all day at his cross roads and he had had many direct hits all around him.

“About ten minutes after our return we were about to move out when crash upon crash sounded in the valley below and a battalion runner breathless gave me a slip of paper – it was from the Drum Major [Kenny], ‘The Colonel and Anderson both buried and killed – heavy barrage here – hopeless to attempt anything – am leaving’.

“It’s hard to estimate what a loss Colonel Gordon was, he had fashioned the Battalion since Loos and was entirely devoted to it. The Drum Major took a horse in the afternoon and, without disclosing his intentions, rode back and managed to bring back the bodies of Colonel Gordon and Captain Anderson. 

“They were buried in the field that evening.”

Drum Major Kenny, who retrieved the bodies, had earlier been awarded the Victoria Cross, in October 1914, for rescuing wounded men under heavy fire on five occasions, and twice saving machine guns by carrying them out of action.

The other commanding officer killed at the Somme was Major R D Oxley. He was in temporary command when he was killed on September 6 at the end of the third successful, but ultimately futile, attack on Ginchy.

Of the other 2nd Battalion COs killed in action during the war were Lieutenant Colonel Henry P Uniacke, who was shot by a sniper in March 1915, Lieutenant Colonel J R E Stansfeld of Montrose, who was mortally wounded during the Battle of Loos in September 1915, and Lieutenant Colonel Hugh A Ross was killed in October 1918, two weeks before the Armistice.’

The Medal Cards for Bertrand are very interesting, I say ‘cards’ as he has four Medal Cards and one in particular has a great deal of information upon its two sides, including his medal awards, many with clasps, his name, regiment, two addresses – one being his regiment and the other being possibly a solicitor, Messrs Holt & Co., 3 Whitehall Place, SW1.  There is also mention that one of the clasps for his medals was sent by post and marked as ‘undelivered’.

Any monies due according to the Soldier’s Effects records for 1917, were to be sent to R C L Gordon.  This amount would be included in the sum recorded in the Probate entry for Bertrand which reads: Gordon Bertrand Gorges Reginald of Conanbury House Bognor Sussex lieutenant-colonel Gordon Highalnders died 20 July 1916 France Administration (with will) London 30 july to Alexander James Marriott Gordon major Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.  Effects £226 9s 8d.  Former Grant November 1916.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry for Bertrand tells that he rests in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery, some three kilometers south of Albert along with over 120 other casualties of The Somme Battles, including some French burials.  The Field Ambulance used the cemetery up to August of 1916. The CWGC entry for Bertrand, has no family information, only the basic details are recorded.

Bertrand is remembered locally on St Wilfred’s War Memorial, Bognor Regis.

The Somme Remembered – 19th July 1916

The Speight Family – A Tragic Tale of Three Barnsley Journalists

Thomas Speight, born in Westmoreland about 1853, was a newspaper reporter who moved to Barnsley to work for Barnsley Chronicle from January 1879. Thomas remained at the Chronicle for some years but was also appointed the local reporter of Sheffield Daily Telegraph plus other daily and weekly journals. He represented Barnsley then Sheffield on the Institute of Journalists and he was a member of the choir and a church warden at St George’s Church, Barnsley. Thomas continued to work while suffering from ill health, which led to his premature death of consumption in 1902, aged 49. Thomas was buried with his first wife in Barnsley Cemetery; his funeral had been held at St George’s Church and “a large number of beautiful floral tributes were sent, amongst these being wreaths from the staffs of the “Barnsley Chronicle” and “Barnsley Independent””. Thomas’ Obituary was in Sheffield Daily Telegraph.

Thomas had a son, also called Thomas, by his first wife Kezia, who died shortly after they moved to Barnsley. He married again in 1884 to Alice Casson, with whom he had three children: Alice May, Dorothy then James Christopher. Both sons attended the Holgate Grammar School and became journalists.

Thomas Speight junior, born in Kendal in 1879, worked for Barnsley Independent and Sheffield Daily Telegraph before emigrating to Australia for the benefit of his health about 1900, continuing to work as a reporter in Melbourne. He married there and had a son but died in 1916 about 9 months after a throat operation, aged only 37. His death was reported in Sheffield Daily Telegraph.

James Christopher Speight was born on 1 March 1893 in Barnsley and baptised at St George’s Church. He was only 8 years old when his father died at home in Kensington Road, Barnsley. By 1911, James, Newspaper Reporter, was living with his mother and sister Dorothy, Teacher, in a large house in Park Grove, Barnsley; his sister Alice was married with two young children. After attending the Holgate, James worked for Barnsley Chronicle & Barnsley Independent and, as district correspondent, for Leeds Mercury and Yorkshire Telegraph & Star.

James Speight

James enlisted at the end of November 1914 in the 16^th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment (Bantams) after being rejected three times because of his height. He was promoted to Sergeant and in January 1916 went out to France, where he was killed on 19 July 1916, aged 23, along with many others, while asleep in headquarters at Trones Wood on the Somme, during a heavy bombardment. According to Major Worthington’s letter to his family, James was unconscious when found but died soon afterwards and was buried in Haricourt. However, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission have James “killed in action” rather than died of wounds with his name listed on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, which probably meant that subsequent action on the battlefield resulted in his grave or grave marker being destroyed. James’ mother of Dodworth Road, Barnsley, learnt of her son’s death a month later, confirming her fears after receiving no letters from him for some time.

James Speight

Signaller Fred Brown, 16^th Cheshires, wrote to Barnsley Chronicle from France: “I would like to express my deepest sympathy with the parents and relatives of one of our own townsmen, a promising journalist – Sergeant Speight. I was only about 15 yards away from him when he received the fatal blow. I am a Barnsley man, my home being at 16 Allison Terrace, Grace Street. All the Barnsley boys here are in the best of health. I wish the Barnsley Pals, the Territorials & the Royal Engineers good luck. I receive the Chronicle every week”.

The Holgate Alumnus magazine stated: “His affability, unfailing courtesy and uprightness of character won him a large number of friends who held him in high esteem”. Barnsley Independent, for whom James had worked for six years, regretted “the loss of one of our own circle, a member of the literary staff of this journal, a young, faithful and promising journalist, and one popular with all”…. “he had

James Speight

made great progress in the profession, being marked as a journalist of rich promise…. Of cheerful disposition, big hearted and a most loveable lad, Sergeant Speight’s death is keenly felt in many quarters and particularly by the staff and employees of this journal, to whom he had very closely endeared himself”. Barnsley Chronicle added: “His ability, his kindly nature and his cheerful disposition made him a great favourite amongst the Pressmen of Barnsley, who deeply deplore his untimely end…. In the many circles of life in Barnsley and district with which Sergeant Speight became associated in a professional capacity he was held in high esteem, and the news of his death has been received with sincere regret.

NB James Christopher Speight is one of the 76 Old Boys on the Barnsley Holgate Grammar School War Memorial and his story is included in my book Great Sacrifice: The Old Boys of Barnsley Holgate Grammar School (published by Helion and Company).  Also                                                          available on Amazon 

 By Jane Ainsworth

The Somme Remembered – 18th July 1916

Ian Lacy McGregor, born in August 1891, was the son of James McGregor and his wife Eunice Dacre Lacy.

Balmenach Distillery via Whisky distilleries

In 1901, the family were living at Strathmore, Seabank Road, Nairn.  James worked as a manager and MD of Balmenach Distillery. Ian at the time was a scholar.  It seems that the McGregor family had been connected to the Balmenach Distillery for some years as originally a James McGregor had been one of the first distillers to apply for a licence to distill legally – James having originally been a moonshine distiller in the Tomintoul area for a while.

Cameron Highlanders

Ian enlisted into the Cameron Highlanders, being given the service number 14564.  He was given a commission which was recorded in the Gazette (London) issue of 22nd September 1914 and by September of the following year (1915) he is in France as part of the 5th battalion which had been formed at Inverness in August of 1914, as part of Kitchener’s new army, moved to Aldershot before landing at Boulogne on 10th of May 1915 – some six months before Ian stood on French soil.  The Battalion saw action in The Battle of Loos, The Battles of the Somme and after Ian’s death – the Arras Offensive, Ypres battles and Cambrai to name a few.

Thiepval Memorial

Ian Lacy McGregor was killed in action 100 years ago and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing with over 72,000 other casualties of war whose final resting place is not known.

Ian’s medal card tells, as I have said earlier, that he originally enlisted as a private and goes on to inform about his medal entitlement, his commission date and date of death and cause. Also mentioned is his father’s address – Balmenach, Cromdale, Scotland.

During the time I have been looking for Ian, I have found that in many records he is listed in the transcript index as J L McGregor – it appears that some transcribers are a little confused by the elaborate writing of years ago, and some I just wonder if they were looking at a different document as the writing is very clear.  Anyway, the Register of Soldiers’ Effects for Ian, when looking at his name in the document I wonder what the indexers were doing as the original bares no resemblance to the J L MacGregor indexed! But he was owed sums of money from the War Office which was transferred by transfer 2250 C,P. Base.

The service records for Ian are available from the National Archives, but sadly are not available to download.