All posts by ckponderings

accident, Air Mechanic, Berkshire, Commonwealth War Graves, Flight Cadet, Great War, Hampshire, history, photography, Private, Royal Air Force, Royal Berkshire Regiment, story, war

Flight Cadet Douglas Baker

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Flight Cadet Douglas Baker

Douglas Walter Baker was born in Newbury, Berkshire, in 1898. One of seven children, his parents were Henry and Rosa Baker. Henry was a commercial traveller for a cornmeal, cake and flour merchants, and the family lived at 91 Crescent Road, Reading at the time of the 1901 census, then at 196 King’s Road, Reading, ten years later.

There is little concrete information about Douglas’ early life. When war broke out, he enlisted in the 4th Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, later documents seeming to suggest that he had added three years to his age to enable him to do so. His unit served in France from April 1915, but, as his army service records have been lost, it’s unclear when or if Private Baker went with them.

Douglas seemed to want more, though, and, on 18th December 1915, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Given the rank of Air Mechanic 2nd Class, he was attached to No. 1 Aircraft Repair Depot. By March 1917, he had been promoted to Air Mechanic 1st Class. Again, however, he sought more and, just a few months after the Royal Air Force was formed, he started flying lessons.

The now Flight Cadet Baker had transferred to 29 Training Depot Station in Hampshire. Based at an aerodrome near Beaulieu, Douglas was taught in a Sopwith Camel. Two months into his instruction, he was undertaking a routine flight, when his aircraft got into a spin he was unable to get out of. The machine fell to the ground, and Douglas was killed instantly.

A report of the incident noted that: “the cause of the accident was in our opinion due to the machine spinning to the ground from about 500ft. The reason the pilot could not regain control of the machine is unknown.” [Royal Air Force Casualty Card]

Douglas Walter Baker was just 20 years of age when he died on 26th October 1918. His body was taken to the graveyard of St Paul’s Church, East Boldre, not far from the air base at which he had been billeted.

Flight Cadet Douglas Baker
(from findagrave.com)

The life of a WW1 pilot was notoriously dangerous. On the same day of Douglas’ death, and at the same airfield, fellow pilot Second Lieutenant Malcolm Vande Water lost his life in a separate incident.

accident, Air Mechanic, Canada, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hampshire, history, photography, Royal Air Force, Second Lieutenant, story, United States of America, war

Second Lieutenant Malcolm Vande Water

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Second Lieutenant Malcolm Vande Water

Malcolm Gifford Boggs was born on 14th August 1894 in Brooklyn, New York. The second of four children, his parents were Seth and Anna Boggs. Seth died in 1905, and Anna married again, to widower lawyer Charles Vande Water: her children took his name.

The next record for Malcolm is that of his Royal Flying Corps service records. Interestingly, they note that he enlisted on 10th September 1917, and did so in Toronto, Canada. While the United States had entered the First World War by this point, it may have been easier for him to join via a colonial route.

Malcolm’s papers show that he was 5ft 11ins (1.81cm) tall, and was a student aviator at the time he joined up. He was recorded as being an Air Mechanic 3rd Class, but that came to an end when, on 2nd February 1918, he was accepted for a commission.

Second Lieutenant Vande Water was attached to the 29th Training Depot Station in Hampshire. There is little information about his time there, but a later American newspaper provided details of what happened to him:

Intelligence reaching relatives of Lieutenant Malcolm G Vande Water, of the Royal flying corps, a former Passaic newspaper man, is that he was killed in a fall while testing a new airplane at the British airdrome in Beaulieu, France. Wande Water was the first member of the Pica club to pay the supreme sacrifice. He was on leave in England, after six months’ active service at the front, having operated a machine across the English channel to France on the day before his fatal fall. His machine gun shot off a propellor blade while he was flying 100 feet in the air and the airplane dove to the earth.

[The Morning Call: 17th December 1918]

The accuracy of the information included in the article is variable to say the least. Malcolm may have enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps, but, by the time of the accident on 26th October 1918, that had become the Royal Air Force. The Beaulieu aerodrome mentioned was in Hampshire, not France. The RAF’s records for the incident do confirm, however, that the propellor of his Sopwith Camel was indeed shot through, causing the aircraft to fall to the ground.

Second Lieutenant Vande Water was taken to the Forest Park New Zealand General Hospital in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, for treatment, but his injuries would prove too severe. He died later that day, at the age of 24 years old.

The body of Malcolm Gifford Vande Water was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Paul’s Church in East Boldre, Hampshire, not far from the base he had called home.

The life of a WW1 pilot was notoriously dangerous. On the same day of Malcolm’s death, and at the same airfield, Flight Cadet Douglas Baker was also killed, in a separate incident.

accident, Cambridgeshire, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hampshire, history, Kent, photography, Royal Air Force, Second Lieutenant, story, war

Second Lieutenant Edward Topley

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Second Lieutenant Edward Topley

Edward Percival Augustus Topley was born on 6th November 1899 in Woolwich, Kent. He was the third of seven children to Percival and Sarah Topley. Percival was a grocer, and the 1901 census found the family living at 64 Eglinton Road, Plumstead.

Details about Edward’s early life are sketchy. There is a record of him learning to fly at the Cambridge School of Flying, and gaining his wings on 4th November 1917. “…he went through a course at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. From there he was sent to Beaulieu Aerodrome, Hants…” [Kentish Independent: Friday 15th November 1918]

Edward rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant when the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service merged to become the Royal Air Force on 1st April 1918. Attached to the 29th Depot Training Station, he seems to have built up a fair amount of flying experience.

On 30th October 1918, Second Lieutenant Topley was flying his Sopwith Camel, when the engine stalled, and the aircraft crashed to the ground. Edward was killed instantly. He was a week shy of his nineteenth birthday.

The body of Edward Percival Augustus Topley – “a very promising young officer, and loved by all who knew him” [Kentish Independent: Friday 15th November 1918] – was taken to St Paul’s Church, East Boldre, not far from the base he had begun to call home, and laid to rest.

Second Lieutenant Edward Topley
(from britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
accident, Canada, Canadian Infantry, Commonwealth War Graves, Corporal, Great War, Hampshire, history, Lancashire, photography, Private, Royal Air Force, Second Lieutenant, Sergeant, story, Surrey, war

Second Lieutenant Wesley Archibald

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Second Lieutenant Wesley Archibald

Wesley Alexander Archibald was born in Flatlands, New Brunswick, Canada, on 19th October 1894. The oldest of ten children, his parents were Scottish-born couple James and Jane Archibald. It is unclear what employment James was in, but when he completed his schooling, Wesley found work as a telegraph operator.

When not working, Wesley was an active member of the Irish Fusiliers of Canada, and, by the time was broke out, he had been with the 11th Regiment for a year.

Wesley enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 29th November 1915. His service records show that he was 5ft 6.5ins (1.69m) tall, with black hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. He was also noted as having a large scar on the outer side of his right thigh.

Private Archibald’s initial training was completed on home soil. His unit – the 121st Battalion – left Halifax on 14th August 1916, and arrived in Liverpool, Lancashire, ten days later. His dedication to the role was clear: his unit moved to Bramshott, Surrey, and he had been promoted to Corporal by the time he arrived there, and Sergeant just two months later.

In January 1917, Wesley was assigned to the 7th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and sent to the Front Line. Over the next few months, his unit saw some fierce fighting at Arras, Vimy and Hill 70. On 9th July Sergeant Archibald was awarded the Military Medal for his actions.

By the end of 1917, Wesley was seeking more adventure, and, on 10th December, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Attached to the 29th Training Depot Station, he was based near Beaulieu in Hampshire when the Royal Air Force was created. Over the next year he learnt his new trade and, on 7th November 1918, he was appointed Second Lieutenant.

The following day, Wesley was preparing for a flight in his Sopwith Dolphin. The aircraft took off, but the engine stalled, and the plane crashed. Second Lieutenant Archibald was killed instantly. He was 24 years of age.

The body of William Alexander Archibald was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Paul’s Church in East Boldre, not far for the airfield he had called home.

Able Seaman, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, illness, Leading Seaman, Lieutenant, Ordinary Seaman, Petty Officer, photography, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Royal Navy, story, war

Lieutenant Frederick Hill

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Lieutenant Frederick Hill

Frederick Charles Hill was born on 13th June 1882 in the Devon village of Marldon. One of seven children, his parents were William and Elizabeth Hill. William was a carpenter, and the 1891 census found the family living or boarding at the Royal Oak Inn.

When he finished his schooling, Frederick found work as a gardener. However, he sought a bigger and better life and, on 21st April 1897, he joined the Royal Navy. His service record suggests that he lied about his age to do so, giving his year of birth as 1881,

Frederick was below the age to formally enlist in the navy, and was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class. He was sent to HMS Impregnable, the training base in Devonport, Devon, spending the next eighteen months there. Promoted to Boy 1st Class in February 1898, he was given his first posting, on board HMS Agincourt, later that year.

In the autumn of 1898, Frederick was assigned to the cruiser HMS Leander. The following summer, and based on the date of birth he had previously provided, he came of age, and was formally inducted into the Royal Navy. His service records show that he was 5ft 2ins (1.57m) tall, with red hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. Hs was also noted as having a scar on his forehead.

The now Ordinary Seaman Hill remained on board HMS Leander for more than two years. He proved a worthwhile member of crew, and was promoted to Able Seaman in May 1900. He left Leander in January 1901, and was billeted at HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Plymouth, Devon, which would become his base when not at sea.

Frederick’s contract was for twelve years, and during that time he would serve on four vessels. His dedication to the navy was evident by his promotions – he made Leading Seaman in October 1904, Petty Officer 2nd Class in October 1906, and Petty Officer 1st Class in March 1911. When his term of service ended, he immediately re-enlisted, and, at his annual reviews, was regularly noted for his very good character and superior ability. His career kept going from strength to strength, and, in 1914, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer.

He was sent to Antwerp in September [1914] with the Royal Naval Division, and in 1916 went to the Dardanelles, there gaining his commission for bravery. After the evacuation he was sent to France and won the MC in the Ancre drive in 1916. In February 1918 he was sent for six months’ rest to England. Lieut. Hill volunteered to go to France again in November the same year, and contracted heart disease, from which he died. He returned to England early in June [1919], and, being on sick leave, went to Paignton Hospital, where his death occurred.

[Brixham Western Guardian: Thursday 7th August 1919]

Frederick Charles Hill was 37 years of age when he died on 2nd August 1919. His body was laid to rest in the family plot in St John the Baptist’s Church, Marldon.

Frederick’s headstone records his rank as Lieutenant Commander. However, Commonwealth War Grave Commission documents suggest his rank was Lieutenant.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, Norfolk, photography, Royal Garrison Artillery, Sergeant, story, unknown, war

Serjeant William Low

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Serjeant William Low

In the graveyard of St John the Baptist Church in Marldon, Devon, is a headstone commemorating Sergeant William Low of the Royal Garrison Artillery. The marker notes his parents as being Thomas and Mary Low, and that he was their eldest son.

Details of William’s early life are a challenge to piece together. Born early in 1872, he was the oldest of eight children. The 1881 census found the Low family living in the village of Compton, just to the north of Marldon. Thomas was working as a farm labourer and his children were still at school.

At this point, William falls off the radar. Thomas and Mary continued to live in Compton until their deaths in 1906 and 1907 respectively, but their eldest son is nowhere to be seen. It is possible that he had sought a better life for himself and enlisted in the army when he came of age, but there are no military records to back this up.

The only other available document relating to him is his entry on the British Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects. This confirms that Sergeant Low had passed away in Lakenham Military Hospital, Norfolk, on 21st February 1916. His next of kin was recorded as being his executor, Edward A Harper, and his effects were recorded as being £24 6s 9d (around £2700 today), with a war gratuity of £8 10s (approx. £950).

The body of William Low, who was 44 years old when he passed away, was taken back to Devon for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of his childhood parish church.

Able Seaman, Boatman, Boy, Coastguard, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, illness, Leading Boatman, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Royal Navy, story, war

Able Seaman William Watts

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Able Seaman William Watts

William Watts was born on 24th October 1872 in the Devon village of Stockfleming. Details of his early life are unclear, but his later marriage record gives his father’s name as Richard.

The first confirmation of William’s life was his military service records. He left his job as a farmer’s lad and joined the Royal Navy on 3rd January 1888 and, being just 15 years old at the time, he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class.

William was sent to HMS Impregnable, the navy’s training base in Devonport, Devon, for his initial induction. He remained there for the next eighteen months, and was promoted Boy 1st Class during that time. In October 1889, he was given his first posting, on board the sloop HMS Pylades. She would be his home for more than three years, during which time he came of age.

Now formally inducted into the Royal Navy, William was given the rank of Ordinary Seaman. His service papers show that he was 5ft 1ins (1.55m) tall, with dark hair, hazel eyes and a fair complexion.

Over the twelve years of his initial contract Ordinary Seaman Watts made a career for himself. By the end of that time, he had served on five further ships, returning to HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport, in between voyages. He was proving his mettle as well, and was promoted to Able Seaman on 1st November 1893.

When, in March 1901, his contract came up for renewal, William immediately re-enlisted. His service record shows that he had grown to 5ft 4ins (1.65m) tall, and now sported a tattoo of a star on his left wrist. He spent another thirteen years in the Royal Navy, but transferred to the Coastguard, serving in Weymouth in Dorset, and Brixham and Dartmouth in Devon.

On 15th September 1903, William married Olief Lawrence. The daughter of a labourer from Fontwell Magna, Dorset, the couple married in her local parish church. They would settle in Brixham, and have one son, William, who was born in October 1907.

When war broke out, William was called up on to play his part. Pensioned off just two months previously, he now returned to sea, joining the battleship HMS Goliath as an Able Seaman. His health was failing him by this point, however, and on 18th December 1914, he was invalided out of naval service.

At this point, William’s trail goes cold. It is clear that he and Olief moved to Marldon, to the west of Paignton, and he took up the role of landlord of the Ship Inn (now Ye Olde Smokey House). His health still seemed to be impacted, however, and it would eventually get the better of him. He died on 16th June 1917, at the age of 44 years of age.

The body of William Watts was laid to rest in the graveyard of St John the Baptist Church in Marldon, the village which he had come to call home.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, illness, Pembrokeshire, photography, Royal Navy, Stoker, story, war

Stoker 1st Class Stanley Westaway

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Stoker 1st Class Stanley Westaway

Stanley James Isaiah Westaway was born on 2nd March 1898 in the Devon village of Marldon. One of twelve children, his parents were builder’s labourer George Westaway and his wife, Eliza.

Being a large family, Stanley may have felt the need to make his mark on the world. When war broke out, he found that opportunity and, on 10th April 1916, he enlisted in the Royal Navy.

Taking on the role of Stoker 2nd Class, Stanley was sent to HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport, for his training. His service papers show that he was 5ft 3ins (1.6m) tall, with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a fresh complexion.

Stoker Westaway’s first posting was aboard HMS Berwick, a cruiser that patrolled the English Channel. He remained there for eighteen months, and, during this time, he gained a promotion to Stoker 1st Class. In November 1917, he returned to his shore base, and remained there through to the following spring.

In early 1918, Stanley fell ill. As he was at sea at the time, he was sent to the closest Royal Naval Hospital in Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire. His condition worsened and the condition was to prove fatal: he passed away on 8th April 1918, at the age of 19 years of age.

The body of Stanley James Isaiah Westaway was taken back to Devon for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St John the Baptist’s Church in his home village.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, injury, Machine Gun Corps, photography, Private, story, war, Wiltshire

Private Victor Creed

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Private Victor Creed

Herbert Victor Creed was born in Warminster, Wiltshire, towards the end of 1898. One of eight children, his parents were David and Mary Creed. Davis was a railway porter, and, at the time of the 1911 census, the family were living at 41 Vicarage Street, to the west of the town centre.

When he finished his schooling, Herbert – who had begun to be known by his middle name – found employment working alongside his father. When war broke out, however, he stepped up to play his part. His service papers have been lost to time, but it is clear that he enlisted by the spring of 1918, and he was attached to the Machine Gun Corps.

Private Creed was sent to the Western Front. Where and when he served is not known, but he would definitely have been in the thick of it.

Victor Hubert Creed [sic] (21), third son of Mr and Mrs DJ Creed… who was attached to the Machine Gun Corps, was seriously wounded in action on October 21st. He was taken t a hospital in Manchester, where he passed away on Friday.

[Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser: Saturday 9th November 1918]

Herbert Victor Creed – plain Victor to his friends – was 21 years of age when he died on 1st November 1918. His body was taken back to Wiltshire for burial and he was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Denys’ Church.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, injury, photography, Private, story, war, Wiltshire, Wiltshire Regiment

Private Harry Carr

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Private Harry Carr

Harry James Carr was born on 17th October 1893 in Warminster, Wiltshire. The youngest of four children, his parents were Joseph and Annie Carr. Joseph was a plasterer and tiles, and also a sexton for the local church: the 1901 and 1911 census returns found the family living at 22 Church Street, towards the west of the town centre.

When Harry completed his schooling, he found work as a plasterer alongside his father. War was coming, and he stepped up to play his part. Full service records have been lost to time, but he would have enlisted no later than the summer of 1916, joining the 1st Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment. Private Carr’s unit became entrenched on the Western Front, fighting at the Somme during that year.

Harry was wounded during the Battle of Ancre Heights. The details of his injuries are unclear, but they were bad enough for him to be medically evacuated for treatment. Admitted to the Graylingwell Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex, he would remain there for the next four months. Ultimately, his wounds were too severe: Private Carr passed away on 17th February 1917, aged just 23 years old.

The funeral took place at the Minster on Thursday of Pte. Harry James… The deceased was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs J Carr, the respected sexton and sextoness for many years at the Minster Church.

[Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser: Saturday 24th February 1917]

Harry James Carr was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Denys’ Church, in his home town of Warminster.