Category Archives: unknown

Chief Officer, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Gloucestershire, Great War, history, India, Merchant Navy, photography, Scotland, Somerset, story, unknown, war

Chief Officer Percival Boyce

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Chief Officer Percival Boyce

Percival Osmond Bean Boyce was born in Calcutta, India, in January 1887. The oldest of seven children, his parents were Edward and Mary. While details of his early life are not readily available, it would seem that Edward had some military connections. He had been born in Calcutta in 1859, while Mary was Welsh. Most of Percival’s siblings had been born in India, although two – Cecil in 1891, and Dorothy in 1896 – had been born in Somerset.

The 1901 census recorded Percival as boarding at Keyford College in Frome, Somerset. His family do not appear on that census return, nor does he appear on any other census document. He went on to study at Bristol Grammar School, Gloucestershire, making the First XI rugby team.

In May 1915, Percival married Florence Cooper. There is little information available about her, but the couple exchanged vows in Paignton, Devon.

Percival seemed to have taken to a life at sea by this point, and was the Chief Officer of the cargo ship SS Indore. On 25th July 1918, she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-62, off the Irish coast. The Indore was beached, and two of the crew were killed. Chief Officer Boyce managed to get the ship re-floated and safely back to shore. 

At this point, Percival’s trail goes cold again. He survived the war, but died in Scotland on 27th November 1918, the cause of his passing unknown. He was 30 years of age.

In a traditionally Edwardian obituary, it was noted that “great sympathy is felt for Mr JH Cooper, Chairman of Paignton District Council, in the death of his son-in-law, Mr Percival OB Boyce, master mariner, at Glasgow. Both of Mr Cooper’s daughters are now widows, and he lost a son not long since.” [Western Times: Tuesday 3rd December 1918]

Percival Osmond Bean Boyce was laid to rest in Paignton’s sweeping cemetery.

Chief Officer Percival Boyce
Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, Kent, photography, Royal Naval Reserve, Scotland, Stoker, story, unknown, war

Stoker James Clark

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Stoker James Clark

In the regimented Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham, Kent, stands the headstone dedicated to Stoker James Clark of the Royal Naval Reserve. The grave marker, and associated documents, confirm James’ age at the time of his passing as 48 years, but gives no details of next of kin or any relatives.

Stoker Clark’s service records are sparse, but confirm a date and place of of birth – 13th December 1867 in Glasgow, Scotland – and his parents’ names, William and Catherine. Sadly, while the document also gives the names of two of James’ siblings – Mary and William – it has not been possible to match these with any census documents from the Glasgow area.

James’ service records state that he joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 1st October 1897. He was 5ft 8.5ins (1.74m) tall, with grey eyes and a fresh complexion. He was also noted as having a number of tattoos on his right arm, including a sunrise and a heart.

Stoker Clark’s time in the Royal Naval Reserve are a bit patchy, but it seems that he was called into full duty in 1914. Over the next couple of years he served on three different ships, each time returning to HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent.

While his overall service seems to have gone well, in July 1915, he deserted. Full details are not evident, but he was captured, and seems to have returned to duty by the end of the month.

The next record for Stoker Clark is that of his passing. His service records state that he “died suddenly at [Royal Naval Barracks] Chatham on 2nd May 1916 (cause of death at present unknown)”. There is no other information about his death, and, while his siblings were informed of his death, it appears they were unable – or unwilling – to bring his body back to Scotland for burial.

Instead, James Clark was laid to rest in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, not far from the dockyard he had called his home.

Channel Islands, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, Jersey, Lancashire, photography, Private, Royal Jersey Militia, story, unknown, war

Private Alexander Cain

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Private Alexander Cain

Alexander Bertram Cain was born on 31st July 1885 in Ormskirk, Lancashire. He was the ninth of eleven children to concert promoter Robert Cain and his wife, Sarah.

By 1901, Robert and Sarah had moved the family to Jersey, setting up home in St Saviour’s. Robert was noted as living off his own means, but Alexander, who would have been 15 by this point, is noticeable by his absence and, in fact, does not appear on that year’s census return.

Robert died in 1909, and on 26th January 1911, Alexander married a woman called Hilda Bedford. They settled down in St Helier, and went on to have two children, daughters Yvonne and Elizabeth. The census taken three months after the couple’s wedding recorded Alexander as living on his own means, so money appeared not to be an issue for the young family.

When war came to Europe, Alexander was called upon to play his part. On 12th March 1917, he enlisted in the Royal Jersey Militia, and was attached to the regiment’s Garrison Battalion, stationed on the island. His service records confirm that he was 5ft 7ins (1.7m) tall, and that he had a scar on his left cheek. The document also suggests that he had spent time in the Gloucestershire Regiment, but no further information about this is available.

Private Cain spent the next two years in the army. Towards the end of this time, however, his health appears to have been impacted, to the point that, on 6th May 1919, he was medically discharged from the Royal Jersey Militia.

Whatever his condition, it was to prove fatal. Alexander passed away at home on 31st May 1919: he was 33 years of age.

Alexander Bertram Cain was laid to rest in the family plot in La Croix Cemetery in Grouville, Jersey, Hilda left widowed and with two children – Elizabeth just four months old – to raise.

Channel Islands, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, Jersey, photography, Private, Royal Jersey Militia, story, unknown, war

Private Sydney Ecobichon

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Private Sydney Ecobichon

Sydney William Ecobichon was the youngest of five children to French-born farmers Mathurin and Ann Ecobichon. The couple had moved to Jersey in the Channel Islands in the late 1860s, setting up home in St Peter’s by the time their children were born.

Mathurin passed away in 1895, aged 53 years old, leaving Ann and the children to managed the farm. By the time of the 1901 census, Sydney’s older brother Ernest was the farm manager, with Ann remaining head of the household.

When Sydney finished his schooling, he also started work on the farm. The 1911 census recorded Ernest and his family living in on part of the farm, with Ann, and Sydney living in their own accommodation with Sydney’s sister Anna, her husband and two children.

On 28th February 1917, Sydney married Lilla Amy, a farmer’s daughter from St Ouen. Sydney’s trade was listed as farmer, and it seems likely that the young couple married ahead of his conscription into the army.

Details of Sydney’s military service are lost to time. It is clear from his headstone that he enlisted in the Royal Jersey Militia, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records suggest that he was attached to the regiment’s Garrison Battalion.

The only other details for Private Ecobichon’s life are that of his passing. Sydney died on 19th October 1918, and was laid to rest in St Ouen’s Churchyard. The cause of his death is unclear, but he was 30 years old when he died.

Channel Islands, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, Jersey, Machine Gun Corps, photography, Private, story, unknown, war

Private Philip Mauger

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Private Philip Mauger

Philip Mauger was born in 1893 in the St Peter’s area of Jersey, Channel Islands. He was the oldest of six children to Albert and Jane Mauger. Albert was a labourer, alternating between road-building and farm work, depending on the time of year. When he finished his schooling, however, Philip fund work as a wheelwright’s assistant.

On 10th February 1917, Philip married Florence Dimmick, a shoemaker’s daughter from St Ouen. Their marriage certificate confirms Philip was a farmer by this point, and it seems likely that the young couple tied the knot ahead of his conscription the army.

Full details of his military service are lost to time, but it is clear that Philip enlisted in the Machine Gun Corps. Private Mauger survived the conflict, but here his trail fades. All that can be confirmed is that he passed away on 2nd March 1919, at the age of 26 years old. He was laid to rest in St Ouen’s Churchyard.

After her husband’s passing, Florence did not remarry. The couple had not had children, and it appears that she reverted to her maiden name. Husband and wife were reunited, however, when Florence passed away in 1937, and she was buried alongside Philip.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Dorset, Great War, history, Leicestershire, photography, Royal Field Artillery, Somerset, story, unknown, war

Gunner William Woodward

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Gunner William Woodward

William Percy Walker Woodward was born on 18th November 1879, and was the third of six children to James and Mary Woodward. James was a manufacturer of sanitaryware and had been born in Derbyshire, but it was in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire that he and Mary raised their family.

James passed away in the spring of 1886, leaving Mary to raise the family on her own. His obituary in the local media underlined the business that he had built up: “Mr Woodward succeeded his father and eldest brother to the fire brick business, established by the late Mr John Hunt of Swadlincote, of 1790.In 1856 Mr Woodward added to the above trade that of glazed sewerage pipe and terra cotta earthenware, and in 1873 that of general sanitary appliances, and by industry, perseverance, and foresight developed the same into one of the largest manufactories of the kind in the Midland counties, and became well known throughout the greater part of the kingdom as a leading manufacturer of these goods. He was a large employer of labour, kind and considerate, always manifesting great interest in the welfare of his employees.” [Hinckley News – Saturday 15 May 1886]

Mary was left to raise six children, but, thanks to the business, did not do so without support. The 1891 census found the family living at High Fields in Ashby, with a cook, housemaid, children’s maid and a coachman and his family living next door. William and his siblings were all taught at home by their governess.

By the time of the next census, William seemed to have taken on the running of his late father’s business, along with two of his brothers, James and Harold. Things were to change for the Woodward family, however, as they began to go their separate ways.

The 1911 censes shows a divide: James was living on his own means in Snarestone, Leicestershire, with his young family and household retinue. Harold, meanwhile, had emigrated to Canada with another sibling, younger brother Ernest, where they had both set up as farmers.

Mary had also moved, setting up home in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. She lived on Clarence Road South with William and her daughter, Lilian. The house – Glencathara – was twelve-roomed property, and they had a live0in cook, Emily Young, supporting them. Notably, William’s employment was listed as ‘none, on account of health’, so the move to the coast may have been brought about for medical reasons.

When war came to Europe in summer of 1914, William stepped up to play his part. His service records have been lost, but he had enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery no earlier than the autumn of 1915. He was attached to the 18th Reserve Battery, and came to be based in Topsham Barracks in Exeter.

Little is known of Gunner Woodward’s time in the army, but it was to be brief. He passed away, through causes unknown, on 13th April 1916, at the age of 36.

It is unclear where Mary was living at this point. The body of William Percy Walker Woodward was taken to Dorset for burial, and he was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard of St Hippolyte’s Church, in Ryme Intrinseca. Interestingly, the parish records note that William was ‘a personal friend of [the] rector’.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Gunner, history, Lancashire, photography, Royal Field Artillery, story, unknown, war, Wiltshire

Gunner Kei Marsh

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Gunner Kei Marsh

In a corner of the peaceful St Mary’s Churchyard in Codford, Wiltshire, is a headstone dedicated to L/17062 Gunner K Marsh. He served in the Royal Field Artillery, and passed away on 5th January 1916.

Gunner Marsh’s entry in the Army Register of Soldier’s Effects gives his first name – Kei – and that of his widow – Edith. The parish record for his funeral giving an age of 34 years old, and from here it is possible to piece together some of his family’s past.

Kei was born in Burnley, Lancashire, in the autumn of 1882, and was the son of engineer Alfred Marsh. He and Edith married in 1907, and were living with her widowed mother, Sarah, and their three children, John, Sarah and Edith, by the time of the 1911 census. The house – 30 Thorn Street in Burnley – was crowded. Along with the Marshes, Sarah also had her other six children living with her: a total of eight adults and four children sharing four rooms in the small terraced house.

Kei was working as a miner by this point, but had enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery by the summer of 1915. He acted as a Gunner in the 32nd Division Ammunition Column, although it is unclear whether or not he spent any time overseas.

By the end of 1915, Gunner Marsh had been admitted to the military hospital in Codford. The cause of his admission is unclear, but it was to be one that he was to succumb to: he passed away on 5th January 1916. Kei lies at rest in the quiet Wiltshire churchyard.

Commonwealth War Graves, Dorset, Dorset Yeomanry, Great War, history, illness, killed in action, photography, Private, Somerset Light Infantry, story, unknown, war

Private William Biddlecombe

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Private William Biddlecombe

William Charles Biddlecombe was born in the spring of 1896, and was the third of nine children to Robert and Eliza. Both of his parents came from Hampshire, but their older children – William included – were born and raised in Poole, Dorset. Robert was a police constable there, but moved to the village of Longburton, near Sherborne, in around 1910.

According to the 1911 census, William was two of the household of eight to be employed, having found work as a gardener when he finished his schooling. Storm clouds were brewing across Europe, however, and he would be called upon to play his part.

Full service details have been lost to time, but it is clear that William had joined the Dorset Yeomanry (Queen’s Own) by the summer of 1915. He was attached to the 3rd/1st Battalion. The unit was based on home soil and there is no evidence that Private Biddlecombe saw any action overseas.

At this point, William’s trail goes cold and, in fact, the next record for him is that of his passing: “The funeral took place on Wednesday amid every token of respect and esteem of Trooper W Biddlecombe, of B Squadron (3/1st Dorset QO Yeomanry, son of PC and Mrs Biddlecombe of Westhill Police-station.” [Western Gazette – Friday 18 February 1916]

William Charles Biddlecombe died on 15th February 1916: he was 20 years of age. He was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard of St James the Great Church in Longburton, close to where his grieving family lived.

William’s was not the only passing that his grieving mother would have to attend to. On 18th December, Robert was on duty, which had taken him into Sherborne. He was suddenly taken ill, and rushed to the town’s Yeatman Hospital, but died the same day. He was laid to rest close to his son in Longburton.

William’s younger brother, Robert, also served during the First World War. As a Private, he was attached to the 8th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, and spent time fighting in Northern France. He was caught up and was killed in the Second Battle of Cambrai. He died on 9th October 1918, and was laid to rest in Naves Communal Cemetery Extension.

The pain for Eliza at having lost her husband and two of her sons in such a short space of time is unimaginable. However, she still had children to support, and so had to keep on going. The 1921 census recorded her as living in Weymouth with her youngest boy, Bertram. She was carrying out home duties, and it is unclear how she was making ends meet. She would remain in Weymouth for the rest of her life, passing away in the autumn of 1937, aged 71.

Channel Islands, Commonwealth War Graves, Egypt, Great War, Gunner, history, Jersey, photography, Royal Garrison Artillery, story, unknown, war

Gunner Herbert Cudlipp

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Gunner Herbert Cudlipp

Herbert Henry Cudlipp was born in St Peters, Jersey, in around 1891. He was one of ten children to farmers John and Louisa Cudlipp. The family had moved to Mont à L’Abbé, on the outskirts of St Helier, by the time of the 1911 census, at which point the whole family were involved in the farm in one way or another.

Little information is available about Herbert’s military life. He enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery at some point during the war, and was attached to the 38th Siege Battery. The unit was based in Egypt from December 1915, and later moved to France. However, records are unclear as to when and where Gunner Cudlipp served.

Details of Herbert Henry Cudlipp’s later life are also lost to time. Herbert survived the war, but died on 4th June 1919, at the age of 28 years old. He was laid to rest in the family plot in Macpela Cemetery, St John’s, Jersey.

Gunner Herbert Cudlipp
(from ancestry.co.uk)
Commonwealth War Graves, Dorsetshire Regiment, Great War, history, North Somerset Yeomanry, photography, Private, Somerset, story, unknown, war

Private Charles Morris

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Private Charles Morris

Charles William Morris was born in the summer of 1887, the third of four children – and the only son – to James and Emily Morris. James was a house painter: both he and Emily came from Bath, Somerset, and this is where the Morris family were born and raised.

When he completed his schooling, Charles found work as a clerk: by the time of the 1911 census, he was employed by the Urban Sanitary Authority. Only two of the children were still living at home by this point, and so James and Emily had taken in a boarder, 25-year-old motor engineer Zackarias MacPherson Jackson, to bring a little more money in.

When war was declared, Charles quickly stepped up to play his part. A later newspaper report provides an insight into his service:

The death occurred on Saturday midnight, at 11, Margaret’s Buildings, Hedgmead, of Mr Charles W Morris, at the age of 33. Previous to joining the forces in 1914, he was a member of the Coleford (Somerset) Cricket Club. Joining the North Somerset Yeomanry as a trooper, he went to France, afterwards being transferred to the 5th Dorsets (Cyclist Corps). Eventually he was taken prisoner and was in Germany for two years suffering great hardships. On his return to his native city he joined the St Stephen’s Rugby FC. He was a member of the Walcot Liberal Club, and at the time of his death was employed by his brother-in-law (Mr Z McJackson [sic], motor engineer). Another brother-in-law us Mr W Hollick, headmaster of Coleford schools, and formerly an assistant master at Holy Trinity School, Bath.

The funeral took place at Locksbrook Cemetery on Thursday. The deceased was extremely well known in the neighbourhood in which he resided, and quite a large number of friends attended the cemetery to pay their last respects.

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette: Saturday 4th June 1921

Zackarias had married Charles’ younger sister, Gladys, in 1915, the one time lodger having literally become a member of the family.

Charles William Morris died on 28th May 1921, through causes unknown. He was laid to rest in a peaceful corner of the sprawling Bath cemetery.