Category Archives: illness

Commonwealth War Graves, County Antrim, County Donegal, Great War, history, illness, Ireland, Lancashire, Northern Ireland, photography, Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, story, war

Private Rondaine Cary

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Private Rondaine Cary

Rondaine Tristram Cary was born in Lancashire in the autumn of 1896 and was the oldest of two children to Henry and Wilhelmina. Henry was an insurance agent, and, by the time of the 1901 census, the family had moved to the parish of Linsfort in County Donegal, Ireland. This is near where Wilhelmina had been born, so it seems likely that the draw of family had been partially responsible.

The 1911 census found the Carys living a few miles down the road, in Buncrana. Rondaine was listed as being a scholar, while his younger brother, five year old John, completed the family setup. John was employed as a commission agent, and all four members of the household were listed as being Episcopalian.

When war came to Europe in 1914, Rondaine was keen to play his part. He seems to have enlisted almost at once, joining the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Assigned to the 11th (Service) Battalion (Donegal and Fermanagh), Private Cary was sent to Ballymena, County Antrim, for training.

Rondaine had only been in the camp for a matter of weeks, when he contracted measles. He was admitted to a hospital in Ballymena on 17th February 1915, but his condition worsened, and his father came to visit. Private Cary passed away on 27th February 1915, aged just 18 years of age.

The Cary family seemed unable to afford the cost of bringing their son’s body back to Buncrana. Instead, the local authority paid for Rondaine Tristram Cary’s coffin and funeral at Ballymena Cemetery, while his army colleague funded his headstone.

Able Seaman, Boy, Channel Islands, Chief Gunner, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Gunner, Hampshire, history, illness, Jersey, Leading Seaman, Lieutenant, Ordinary Seaman, Petty Officer, photography, Royal Navy, story, war

Lieutenant Albert Bendell

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Lieutenant Albert Bendell

The life Albert Bendell is one of dedication to naval service. Born in Portsmouth on 28th May 1865, his parents were Master at Arms John Bendell and his Jersey-born wife, Eliza.

The family had moved to St Martin, Jersey, by the time of the 1871 census. Given the amount of time her husband spent at sea, it would seem likely that Eliza, who had three young children to raise on her own, wanted to be close to her family.

Albert was keen to follow in his father’s footsteps and, on 6th December 1880 he enlisted in the Royal Navy. Just fifteen years old, his service records show that he was just 5ft 1.5ins (1.56m) tall, with blue eyes, light hair and a fair complexion.

Albert’s dedication to the role was obvious: starting off as Boy 2nd Class, he steadily – and rapidly – rose through the ranks. Over the next twelve years, he served on seven ships and shore bases. He was promoted to Boy 1st Class in September 1891, while serving on the training ship HMS St Vincent.

When he came of age in May 1883, he was given the rank of Ordinary Seaman: within a year he had risen to Able Seaman, and achieved the role of Leading Seaman in January 1888. Just three months later, Petty Officer Bendell was beginning a two-year service on board HMS Fearless.

In April 1893, Albert received a further promotion, and a change in direction within the Royal Navy. He was now a Gunner, a standing officer’s role, permanently attached to HMS Duke of Wellington – returning to the first ship he had been assigned to nine years earlier.

On 17th September 1900, Albert married Amelia Renouf, the daughter of a land proprietor from St Martin, Jersey. The couple wed in St Helier, Albert giving his profession as Warrant Officer. At 37, Amelia was a year older than her new husband: the couple would not go on to have any children.

Albert’s rise through the ranks continued. The 1911 census found him moored in Malta. He was Chief Gunner on HMS Egmont: the importance of his role on board highlighted by the fact that he was the 11th person out of 188 to be recorded on the document.

When war came to Europe, Albert served his King and Country proud. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and, in June 1919, he was awarded the MBE “for valuable services as Officer-in-Charge, Defensively Armed Merchant Ships, Southampton.” [The Edinburgh Gazette, 1st July 1919]

This distinguished life was beginning to take its toll, however, and, on 16th March 1920, after nearly 40 years in naval service, Albert was medically stood down. Suffering from dyspepsia, he returned to Jersey, and his home, La Rosaye, in St Martin.

Albert Bendell’s health was to get the better of him. He passed away on 26th April 1920, at the age of 54 years of age. He was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard of St Martin’s Church, Jersey.

Amelia remained on the island for the remainder of her life. She passed away on 31st August 1943, at the height of Jersey’s German occupation, at the age of 80 years old. She was laid to rest with Albert, husband and wife reunited after more than 23 years.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, Jersey, photography, Royal Navy, Scotland, Stoker, story, war

Stoker 1st Class Samuel Graham

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Stoker 1st Class Samuel Graham

Samuel Robert Graham was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1895. He was one of six children to Samuel and Alice Graham. Samuel was a postman from Liverpool, while Alice had been born in St Helier, Jersey.

Information about Samuel Jr’s early life is scarce: the 1901 census found Alice and the children visiting her mother in Jersey, while he husband is missing from census records. The next return in 1911 recorded Samuel Sr, Alice and three of their children living in the Trinity area of Jersey, but Samuel Jr is missing.

On 9th September 1913, Samuel Jr enlisted in the Royal Navy. He had been working as a blacksmith, and sought a career at sea. His service records show that he was 5ft 5ins (1,65m) tall, with brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion.

Stoker 2nd Class Graham signed up for a period of twelve years’ service. Based at HMS Victory, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth, Hampshire, his first formal posting was on board the cruiser HMS Bristol. He remained on board for nearly two years, and was promoted to Stoker 1st Class in the process.

During the First World War, Samuel served on two more ships and, by the end of the conflict, he was based at HMS Columbine, the naval base at Port Edgar on the Firth of Forth, Scotland. He fell ill while barracked there, and was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital in nearby Queensferry. Whatever Stoker 1st Class Graham’s condition, it was to prove too severe: he passed away on 1st December 1918, at the age of 23 years old.

Samuel Robert Graham’s body was taken back to Jersey for burial. He was laid to rest in Trinity Churchyard, not far from where his family still lived.

Channel Islands, Commonwealth War Graves, Devonshire Regiment, Great War, history, illness, Jersey, photography, Private, story, war, Wiltshire

Private Clarence Rondel

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Private Clarence Rondel

Clarence Philip Rondel was born in 1900 in St Lawrence, Jersey. One of twelve sibling, nine of whom survived childhood, his parents were John and Louisa Rondel. John was a farmer and by the time of the 1911 census, the family had moved to St John’s to take up a new post, a lot of the family pitching in to help out.

When war came to European shores, Clarence was keen to play his part. Too young to enlist when hostilities were declared, it was not until the spring of 1918 that he was able to join up. Private Rondel was assigned to the 53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment.

Clarence was sent to England for training, and was based at the Rollestone Camp on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire. The barracks were breeding grounds for illness and disease, and Private Rondel was not to be immune. He contracted pneumonia, and was admitted to the camp’s hospital. The condition got the better of him, and he passed away on 2nd November 1918: he was just 18 years of age.

The body of Clarence Philip Rondel was taken back to Jersey for burial. He was laid to rest in St John’s New Cemetery, not far from where his family still lived.

Commonwealth War Graves, Cornwall, Gloucestershire Regiment, Great War, history, illness, Kent, photography, Private, story, war

Private Richard White

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Private Richard White

Richard Ezra Baron White was born in the autumn of 1886 in the Cornish village of St Minver. The third of four children, his parents were Joseph and Zillah White. Joseph was a ship’s carpenter by trade, and Richard served an apprenticeship as a woodworker. By the time of the 1911 census, however, the Whites were working as farmers on the outskirts of the village.

When war was declared, Richard stepped up to serve King and Empire. It is unclear when he enlisted, but he joined the Gloucestershire Regiment, and was attached to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion. Private White was based in Kent during the conflict, his unit being attached to the Thames and Medway Garrison.

Richard survived the conflict, but the winter of 1918/19 was to prove his undoing. He contracted pneumonia, and was admitted to the military hospital in Aylesford. The condition was to get the better of him: he passed away on 20th February 1919, at the age of 33 years.

The body of Richard Ezra Baron White was taken back to Cornwall for burial. He was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard of St Menefreda’s Church in his home village, St Minver.

Commonwealth War Graves, Cornwall, Devon, Devonshire Regiment, Great War, history, illness, photography, Private, story, war

Private George Buse

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Private George Buse

George Henry Buse was born in the Cornish village of St Minver in 1880. One of four children, his parents were Richard and Angelina. Richard was an agricultural labourer, but his son followed a different trade, finding employment as a stonemason.

In the summer of 1904, George married a woman called Mary. They went on to have a daughter, Olive, who was born in 1906, and set up home in Splatt, on the outskirts of the village.

When war came to Europe in the summer of 1914, George stepped up to play his part. He enlisted by the summer of 1916, and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. Private Buse’s unit served on the Western Front, but it is unclear whether he fought overseas.

By the winter of 1916, George had fallen ill. He contracted pneumonia, and was admitted to the military hospital in Devonport, Devon. The condition was to prove too severe, however, and he passed away on 28th January 1917: he was 36 years of age.

George Henry Buse was brought back to Cornwall for burial. He was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard of St Menefreda’s Church in St Minver.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Kent, Lance Serjeant, photography, Royal Garrison Artillery, story, war, Wiltshire, Yorkshire

Lance Serjeant John Chapman

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Lance Serjeant John Chapman

There is little concrete information available on the life of John Henry Chapman. His headstone, in Amesbury Cemetery, Wiltshire, confirms that he was a Lance Serjeant in the Royal Garrison Artillery, and that he died on 19th December 1920.

John’s pension ledger gives his widow’s name, Caroline, date of birth, 25th August 1900, and her address, High Street, New Romney, Kent. It also gives a cause of death for John, who passed away from pneumonia.

The record for Lance Serjeant Chapman’s headstone gives his next of kin as Mrs C Chapman, c/o Mrs Savage, which would suggest that that was Caroline’s maiden name. The Civil Registration Marriage Index records the union of a John H Chapman to someone with the surname of Savage in the summer of 1920: the wedding took place in Richmond, Yorkshire, although there does not appear to be any direct connection between the Lance Serjeant, Caroline and the town.

There are no further clear documents relating to John Henry Chapman. He lies at rest in the peaceful anonymity of Amesbury Cemetery.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, illness, photography, Private, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, war

Private William Whaites

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Private William Whaites

William Whaites was born on 12th April 1879 in Milverton, Somerset. One of nine children, his parents were George and Anne Whaites. George was an agricultural labourer, and that is work that all of his sons went into at some point.

By the time of the 1911 census, George and Anne were living at Court Bottom in the village, with three of their adult sons – William included – living with them – and doing farm work.

When war was declared, William was called upon to play his part. He enlisted at some point after October 1915, joining the Somerset Light Infantry. Assigned to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Private Whaites was sent to the unit’s base in Devonport, Devon, for training.

Army barracks were cramped places, and often breeding grounds for illness and disease. William was not to be immune to this, and, in the spring of 1916, he contracted pneumonia. He was admitted to the military hospital in Devonport, but quickly succumbed to the condition. He died on 21st April 1916, having just turned 37 years of age.

William Whaites’ body was taken back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Michael’s Church in his home town, Milverton.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, illness, Ireland, Lance Serjeant, Middlesex, Northern Ireland, photography, Scotland, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, Surrey, war

Serjeant John Chambers

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Serjeant John Chambers

John Dwelly Chambers was born on 21st August 1846, in Holborn, Middlesex. The second of four children, his parents were John and Sarah Chambers. John Sr was a tailor, and this was a trade into which his oldest son followed.

Unusually, John Jr travelled widely with his work and, by the late 1860s, he was based in Devon. It was here that he met and, on 5th March 1870, married Isabella Smith. She was born in Exeter, and couple initially made a life for themselves there.

The 1881 census return shows just how far the family moved in the coming years. John and Isabella were to have nine children: their first, Louise, was born in Exeter a hear after their marriage. The second child, son John, was born in Armagh, Ireland, though; their third, Emily, was born in Glasgow; while their fourth, George, was born in Surrey. It was only by the time their fifth and sixth children, Thomas and Charles, were born that they family returned to Devon. Their youngest three children – Percy, Victoria and Ivor, were all born in Somerset, when the family had settled in Taunton.

The reason for these moves seem to have been because his tailoring work was for the army. The 1891 census found the family living in army barracks, where John was listed as being a soldier. Ten years on, and John was recorded as being a Lance Sergeant in the Somerset Light Infantry, the Chambers’ still being billeted in barrack accommodation in Taunton.

By this point, Percy, now 17 years of age, was employed as a gunsmith, and a later photo suggests that all six of John’s sons went into the army.

Isabella died in 1906, at the age of 58: the following year, John married Elizabeth Dunning, a widow with her own children to raise. The 1911 census found the extended family living in the barracks: John, Elizabeth, Ivor and Elizabeth’s two daughters, Kate and Beatrice. John, by now, was listed as being a master tailor (military), Ivor was now a gunsmith, and the two girls were employed as a book binder and dressmaker respectively.

John had officially been discharged from the army by this point, but it seems likely that the outbreak of war brought him back into service. His life over the next few years is largely undocumented, but it is fair to assume that Serjeant Chambers was called back to the army, possibly to train newer recruits in the trade he had been working in for decades.

John Dwelly Chambers died of a heart attack on 2nd August 1915: he was just short of his 69th birthday. John was laid to rest in the sprawling St Mary’s Cemetery in Taunton, not far from the barracks to which he had devoted his life.

Serjeant John Chambers (seated middle, with his sons)
(from ancestry.co.uk)
Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, photography, Private, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, war

Private Edwin Hawkins

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Private Edwin Hawkins

Another sudden death has occurred… when Edwin Giles Hawkins, Divisional Reserve company, 8th Divisional Train, BEF, passed away at the age of 38 years. Deceased… was called up with the National Reserves, and for some time he had been in France. On December 2nd he was granted eight days leave from the Front and arrived at home the same evening. He retired to rest at 10pm, apparently in his proper health. At 5am next morning he called his mother and complained of pains in the stomach. Hot water was applied and a doctor sent for but before the latter arrived he passed away.

Western Chronicle: Friday 10th December 1915

Edwin Giles Hawkins was bornin the autumn of 1877, the oldest of six children to Giles and Elizabeth. Giles had been born in West Coker, Somerset, and the family grew up in the Anchor Inn, Yeovil, where he was the innkeeper and glover.

By the time of the 1891 census, Giles had stepped down as landlord, and the growing family were living in a cottage next to the pub. He was working as a leather dresser and glover, working to feed his wife and five children.

Little information about Edwin’s time in the army before the First World War is available. However, his details are missing from the 1901 census, which would suggest that he was serving overseas at that point.

Edwin was called upon to due his duty once more when war was declared. Joining the Somerset Light Infantry, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, and, by December 1914, he was in France. Private Hawkins was caught up at Ypres the following spring and returned home on leave in December 1915.

The cause of Private Hawkins’ death was recorded as being heart failure. As the newspaper report noted, he was 38 years of age.

Edwin Giles Hawkins was laid to rest in Yeovil Cemetery, a short walk from where his parents still lived.