Category Archives: Somerset

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, Gunner, history, Leicestershire, photography, Royal Garrison Artillery, Somerset, story, war

Gunner Alan Hardie

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Gunner Alan Hardie

Alan James Howland was born in the spring of 1897 in Plymouth, Devon. One of nine children, his parents were pianist and musician Harman Howland and his Irish wife, Ellen.

The Howland family moved around as, presumably, Harman followed where his work was needed. The 1901 census records them living in Devonport: ten years later they had moved to Barnstaple. Alan, by this time, had left school and was working as an errand boy.

War came to Europe in 1914, and, at some point, Alan stepped up to play his part. Full details of his military service are no longer available, but from what remains it is clear that he enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery at some point before the summer of 1917.

Alan enlisted using his mother’s maiden name of Hardie, and was assigned to the 274th Siege Battery. His troop saw action at the Somme and Arras, and a later newspaper report confirmed that Gunner Hardie saw action overseas:

[He] had been previously wounded but was gassed and entered Leicester Hospital on November 2nd 1917.

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser: Wednesday 30th January 1918

Gunner Hardie had been admitted to the 5th Northern General Hospital following his injury. He seemed to be improving, but developed pneumonia and the lung condition was to take his life. He passed away on 21st January 1918, at the age of just 20 years old.

Alan James Hardie/Howland was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the cemetery of the town where his family now lived, Ilminster, Somerset.

Alan’s older brother, William Harman Howland, also fought in the First World War. He enlisted in the 1st Battalion of the Hertfordshire Regiment, also using his mother’s maiden name. Again, details of his service are sparse, and Private Hardie seems to have transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps at some point during his military career.

William passed away on 18th August 1918, while in Germany. The cause of his death is not clear, but he was 28 years old. He was laid to rest in the Ohlsdorfer Cemetery in Hamburg.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Driver, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, photography, Royal Engineers, Somerset, story, war

Driver William Moore

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Driver William Moore

William Hearn Moore – who became known as William Ernest Moore – was born in Churchstanton, Devon, in the summer of 1883. His mother, Mary, was only eighteen at the time but, when she married Henry Westcott in August 1891, he treated William as his own.

Henry found work as a coachman in Ilminster, Somerset, and, when he left school, William took on work as a gardener. In October 1903, he married carter’s daughter Charlotte Tucker: the couple set up home in the centre of the town, and went on to have three children – Gladys, Ethel and Henry.

William was working as a foreman for the Chard Lace Company when war broke out. While his full service records are lost to time, it is clear that he enlisted in the Royal Engineers, and was given the rank of Driver.

Driver Moore was in Aldershot, Hampshire, by the autumn of 1915, when he fell ill. He contracted cerebrospinal meningitis, a condition which took his life on 18th October 1915. He was just 32 years old.

William Ernest Moore was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the cemetery in Ilminster, where Charlotte and the family were still living.

With three children to raise, Charlotte married again, to a William Dean, on 21st October 1916. They did not have children of their own and lived in Chard. Charlotte passed away in the winter of 1941, at the age of 57 years old.

Commonwealth War Graves, Dorset, Great War, history, illness, photography, Royal Engineers, Sapper, Somerset, story, war

Sapper William Locke

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Sapper William Locke

William Locke was born in the spring of 1885, the sixth of ten children. His parents were George and Sarah Locke, both of whom were from Chard, Somerset, and it was here that William and his siblings were raised.

George worked in the local lace factory, and the 1891 census provides a snapshot of where the Lockes lived. The document notes that the family’s neighbours were a sawyer, launderess and a chimney sweep.

William did not follow in his father’s – or siblings’ – trade when he left school. Instead, he first found work as an ironmonger’s porter, then as a plumber.

On 5th April 1915, William married Mabel Male, a gardener’s daughter from Barrington, Somerset. War had come to Europe, and it seems that William was aware that he would shortly receive notice for him to play his part. The couple were by now living in Parkstone, Dorset, and William had changed career again: his service records confirm that he was a line telegraphist at the time he enlisted.

William enlisted in the Royal Engineers in Bournemouth on 29th July 1915: his records note that he was 5ft 3ins (1.6m) tall, 122lbs (55.3kg) in weight and had blue eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion.

Sapper Locke spent a year at the regiment’s Stratford Depot, learning the skills he would need for the front line. He had leave before he was then dispatched to the Front Line and arrived in France on 29th May 1916.

In September, Mabel gave birth to a son the couple called Roy. She had, by this time, returned to Somerset, moving to Chard, to be near William’s family.

Sapper Locke remained in France until the autumn of 1918. He came home in November, but was unwell. A doctor attended, and noted influenza that has developed into pneumonia. Sadly, the conditions were to take William’s life. He passed away at home on 7th November 1918, his death, according to the doctor, directly attributable to his army service. He was aged just 34 years old.

Mabel returned to her family home in Barrington, and William Locke was laid to rest in the graveyard of the village’s St Mary’s Church. His burial was on 11th November, the day the armistice was signed.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, photography, Private, Somerset, story, unknown, war, Worcestershire Regiment, Yorkshire

Private Herbert Cleal

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Private Herbert Cleal

Herbert Henry Cleal was born on 6th November 1899, in the Somerset village of Hambridge. The tenth of twelve children, his parents were Daniel and Emily Cleal.

Daniel was a cowman on a farm, and it is likely that Herbert would have started in agricultural labouring, had war not intervened.

Full details of Herbert’s military service are not available, although it is clear that he had enlisted in the Worcestershire Regiment by the summer of 1918. By this point in the war, Private Cleal’s battalion – the 2nd/8th Battalion – was already in France, although, according to his records, it does not appear as if he saw any service overseas himself.

The only other record for Herbert is his entry in the Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects. This confirms that he passed away at Bradford War Hospital on 1st January 1919. The cause of his passing is not noted, but he had just turned 19 years of age.

Herbert Henry Cleal was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St James-the-Less Church in his home village of Hambridge.

Canada, Canadian Infantry, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, killed in action, photography, Private, Sergeant, Somerset, story, war

Serjeant Frederick Francis

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Serjeant Frederick Francis

Frederick John Francis was born on 15th February 1893, to Henry and Mary Francis. One of nine children, the family lived in the Somerset village of Curry Rivel.

Henry was a labourer, but Frederick had his sights set on a new life and, at some point in his teens, he emigrated to Canada to work as a farmer. Details of his life in North America are scarce, but it is clear that he was in Manitoba when war broke out back in Europe.

Frederick stepped up to serve his King and Country, enlisting at Camp Sewell on 5th April 1915. His service records confirm that he was 5ft 5ins (1.65m) tall, and weighed 145lbs (65.8kg). He was assigned to the 53rd Battalion of the Canadian Infantry. His service papers also note that he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on 30th April 1915, although whether the date is correct, or whether Frederick had previous military experience is unclear.

Sergeant Francis boarded the SS Empress of Britain to make the journey back to Europe, little knowing that he was not going to see his home again. On 9th April 1916, just one day from docking in Hampshire, he passed away from quinsy, or throat abscess. He was just 23 years of age.

The body of Frederick John Francis was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Andrew’s Church in the village of his birth, Curry Rivel.

Frederick’s younger brother, Charles, had also made a life in Canada. He enlisted at Camp Sewell just two months after his brother, joining the same battalion.

Charles, who had the rank of Private, arrived in Europe before Frederick and, and was sent to the front line in February 1916. In June, he was involved in the fighting at Mount Sorrel, on the Ypres Salient, and it was here, on 6th June 1916, that he lost his life. He was just 21 years of age.

Charles Arthur Francis is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres. His parents had to mourn the loss of two sons within two months.

Bombardier, Commonwealth War Graves, Corporal, Great War, Gunner, history, illness, Pembrokeshire, photography, Royal Field Artillery, Somerset, story, Wales, war

Corporal James Stuckey

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Corporal James Stuckey

James Oscar Stuckey was born in the summer of 1886, in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. The second of eight children, his parents were James and Minnie Stuckey. James Sr was a carter from Langport in Somerset, and his work took him across the country. James Jr’s older sister was born in Sandown, on the Isle of Wight, and, when his next sibling was born, the family had moved back to Somerset and were living in the village of Curry Rivel.

By the time of the 1901 census James Sr was working as a warehouseman. James Jr had also left school and found employment as an agricultural labourer.

On 24th March 1913, James married Margaret Beatrice Tilley – who was better known as Beattie. The couple set up home in Curry Rivel, and went on to have two children, Cecil and James.

By this time war was coming to Europe and, in January 1915, James stepped up to play his part for King and Country. He enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery, and was given the rank of Gunner. Over the next couple of years, he served in France and Italy, rising through the ranks to Bombardier and Corporal.

During this time, however, James’ health was being impacted. His troop was gassed while in France, and he was hospitalised a couple of times with bronchitis and tuberculosis, and it was TB that saw him evacuated to Britain for treatment in September 1918.

His condition was such that Corporal Stuckey was medically discharged from the army on 23rd November 1918, as he was no longer fit for duty. He returned to civilian life, and settled back into Curry Rivel.

He was well-known in the district, and being of a jovial disposition, was liked by everyone with whom he came into contact. He was a member of the Curry Rivel Male Friendly Society.

Langport & Somerton Herald: Saturday 11th December 1920

James’ lung conditions were to get the better of him. After a protracted illness, he finally succumbed, breathing his last on 3rd December 1920. He was just 34 years of age.

James Oscar Stuckey was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Andrew’s Church, in Curry Rivel.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, Kent, photography, Private, Royal Marines, Somerset, story, war

Private Lot Hayward

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Private Lot Hayward

Lot Hayward was born in November 1897 in the Somerset village of West Coker. The seventh of eight children, his parents were Walter and Elizabeth Hayward. Walter was a twine maker at a local factory, but when Lot left school – and after Elizabeth died in 1908 – he found work as a farm labourer.

Lot was seeking bigger and better things in life, however, and on 18th August 1913, he enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry. His service records confirm that he was 5ft 6ins (1.67m) tall, had light brown hair, brown eyes and a pale complexion. It also confirms that he lied about his age – giving his year of birth as 1895 in order to be accepted for service.

Private Hayward joined up at the recruitment depot in Deal, Kent, and, after training there, he was sent to Plymouth in Devon, arriving there in June 1914. Over the next couple of years, he moved between Devon and HMS Victory, the Royal Navy Dockyard in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

When war was declared, Lot also served overseas, fighting at Antwerp, Alexandria and in Turkey. While there in the summer of 1916, he fell ill, contracting pulmonary tuberculosis. He returned to Plymouth, and was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital in the city.

His lung condition meant that Private Hayward could no longer perform his duties as a soldier. He was medically discharged from the navy on 10th June 1916.

Lot returned home, but his condition grew steadily worse. He eventually succumbed to it, passing away on 18th November 1917, at the tender age of just 20.

Lot Hayward was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Martin’s Church in his home village of West Coker. Reunited with his mother, Lot’s father, Walter, was also laid to rest in the family plot when he passed away in 1920.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Lancashire, photography, Sergeant, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, war, Wiltshire Regiment

Sergeant Herbert Rendall

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Sergeant Herbert Rendall

Herbert Edward Rendall was born in West Coker, Somerset, in the autumn of 1889. He was one of eight children to William and Mary Rendall. William was a foreman at a local twine factory, although by the time of the 1911 census, he had also taken on ownership of a local grocer’s shop. Herbert and his younger brother, Clifford, managed the shop for their father.

In the spring of 1913, Herbert married Thirza Shire. She was the daughter of an agricultural labourer from Yeovil and, by the time of their marriage, she had taken on work as a servant for the vicar of St Leonard’s Church in Misterton, near Crewkerne.

When war was declared, Herbert joined the Somerset Light Infantry. Sadly, little detail of his military service remains. It is clear that he was hard working and well thought of, as he progressed through the ranks to Sergeant, and transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment.

Herbert served on the Western Front, and, as the war entered its final months, he would certainly have been involved in the Battles of the Lys, on the Hindenburg Line and in the closing Battles of the Somme.

By the autumn of 1918, Sergeant Rendall was back on home soil, either for home support, or for medical reasons. He was based in Bury, Manchester, and had fallen ill. While the full details are unclear, whatever condition he had contracted got the better of him, and he passed away on 4th November 1918. He was 29 years of age.

Herbert Edward Rendall was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the quiet graveyard of St Martin’s Church in West Coker.

Records vary over the date of Herbert’s passing. While his headstone confirms 4th November, military records – and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website – suggest the following day. Similarly, some documents suggest he was 30 when he died, while his birth and death records confirm he was in his thirtieth year.

Thirza went on to have a full life. She married again in 1923, to a Henry Tregale, and the couple went on to have a daughter. She lived to a ripe age, passing away in the autumn of 1981, at the age of 93.

Commonwealth War Graves, Dorset, Great War, history, illness, Machine Gun Corps, photography, Private, Somerset, story, war

Private Edgar Bowditch

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Private Edgar Bowditch

Edgar George Bowditch was born in the spring of 1887, in the Dorset village of Melbury Osmond. One of seven children, his parents were William and Sarah Bowditch. William was an agricultural labourer turned gamekeeper, and Edgar helped his father out when he left school.

William passed away in 1911, and Edgar fell off the radar until March 1914, when he married local mason’s daughter Rosetta Morris. The couple settled down in her home village of West Coker, Somerset.

When war was declared, Edgar stepped up to serve his King and Country, and enlisted in the Machine Gun Corps as a Private. He was assigned to the 37th Battalion, and certainly saw action overseas. He “came through without a scratch and in good health until demobilised in France.” [Western Chronicle: Friday 21st February 1919]

Private Bowditch was unwell when he arrived back in West Coker on 4th February 1919. While his condition is unclear, it worsened, and he passed away at home ten days later. He was 32 years of age.

Edgar George Bowditch was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Martin’s Church in his adopted home of West Coker.

Rosetta married again in 1921, to a John Axe. The couple remained in the same part of Somerset, John dying in 1947. Rosetta lived on, passing away in Yeovil in 1963, at the age of 77 years old.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Grenadier Guards, Guardsman, history, injury, Kent, London, photography, Somerset, story, war

Guardsman John Boucher

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Guardsman John Boucher

John Charles Boucher was born in East Coker, Somerset, in the spring of 1894. The youngest of five children, he was the son of Charles and Ann Boucher. Charles worked on the railways as a plate layer, while John found work in a local textile factory as a yarn dyer when he left school. He was a sporty young man, and became a prominent member of the nearby Stoford Football Club.

Ann died in 1914 and, when war was declared, John was keen to play his part. He had enlisted in the Grenadier Guards by the summer of 1917 and was assigned to the 5th Battalion. Full details of Guardsman Boucher’s military service are lost to time, but it is clear that he served abroad, and was wounded twice in the fighting.

John was based at Guards barracks in Kensington, London. It was here that he met Elsie Louise Vaughan, who was the daughter of a local insurance agent. The couple married at the Holy Trinity Church in Paddington on 28th June 1917.

Guardsman Boucher was soon sent to the Western Front again, however, and, in the spring of 1918, he was caught up in the Battles of the Lys. Wounded for a third time, he was medically evacuated to Britain, and admitted to the Military Hospital in Sidcup, Kent. Sadly, it was to be third time unlucky for John: his wounds proved too severe, and he died of his injuries on 13th April 1918. He was just 24 years of age.

John Charles Boucher was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the cemetery of his home village, East Coker.

Tragically, just three weeks after John’s death, Elsie gave birth to their first, and only, child, a son she named after his father. She went on to marry again in the spring of 1919, to a John Bellamy. The couple would go on to have a child of their own – a daughter called Iris – the following year. John Jr died in 1972, and Elsie followed five years later, at the age of 83 years old.