George McFarlane was born in Alexandria, Dumbartonshire, in 1879, and was the third of four children to George and Jane.
There is little concrete information about George Jr’s life, and most of that information comes from his army service records. These confirm that he was working as a printfield worker, employed by the local dye works to produce printed cloth.
The service papers also confirm that George had married Christina Kerr on 19th April 1905, and that they had four children: Irene, William, Christina and George. Christina had also had a son, Richard, from a previous relationship.
George had readily answered the call to serve his country when war broke out. He enlisted on 18th September 1914, and was assigned to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He is recorded as being 5ft 7ins (1.69m) tall and 135lbs (61.2kg), with auburn hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion.
Private McFarlane was sent to Wiltshire for his training, and was barracked near the village of Boyton. His time there was to prove tragically short. Within a matter of weeks he contracted pneumonia, and succumbed to the condition on 4th October 1914. He was just 34 years of age, and had been in the army for 16 days.
Christina was unable to cover the cost of bringing her husband back to Scotland. Instead, George McFarlane was laid to rest in Boyton Cemetery, his headstone paid for by the men of his regiment.
The death occurred at the Voluntary Aid Detachment Red Cross Hospital last week of Private John Thompson, aged 38 years, of the 10th Battalion Gloucester Regiment. The deceased was admitted to the Hospital about two months since with injuries which developed into hemorrhage [sic] of the brain.
[Salisbury and Winchester Journal: Saturday 19th December 1914]
The life of John Thompson is a challenge to unpick. Full service details are lost to time, but his Pension Ledger Card confirms that he was married to a Mary Ellen, who lived in Ladywood, Birmingham, and that the couple had a daughter, Florence May, who was born on 4th October 1903.
The family do not appear on the 1911 census return, and there are no marriage records for John and Mary. It is uncertain whether the couple had wed before the time of the 1901 census, and without a definite place of birth, John’s name is too common to provide an accurate search before then.
The British Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects suggests that he had served with the Gloucestershire Regiment for less than six months, and, given the date of his death, it is probable that he enlisted shortly after war was declared, falling ill soon after that.
The 10th (Service) Battalion was based on Salisbury Plain when Private Thompson first became unwell, and it seems likely that he was camped near Mere, Wiltshire, as this is where the VAD hospital was situated.
John Thompson died on 9th December 1914, at the age of 38 years old. He was laid to rest in Mere cemetery on the outskirts of the town.
A distressing fatality, involving the death of a member of the crew of HM destroyer “Rifleman”, and injury to two others, occurred at the harbour where his ship was on Saturday night. A party of four – one civilian and three Navy men – were on a motor cycle and side-car on their way to Provost Matthews’ Quay, from which the sailors were to join their ship. The cyclist, who was controlling the machine in the darkness of the night, failed to observe that the bridge at the dock gates was open to allow a vessel to pass out to sea. The motor cycle collided with the obstruction, with the result that the machine and side-car swerves round, and plunged headlong into the well from which the bridge swings.
The result of the accident was that Gerald Bowerman (25), engine-room artificer, fractured his skull, while his two ship-mates, Charles Morrice, chief engine-room artificer, and James Fulthorpe, engine-room artificer, were somewhat severely injured. Deceased belonged to Buckfastleigh, his residence being the Mechanics’ Arms.
[Western Times: Friday 25th September 1914]
Gerald Bowerman was born in Buckfastleigh, Devon, on 30th October 1888. The youngest of four children, his parents were James and Augusta Bowerman. James was a jack-of-all-trades, with the 1891 census noting that he worked as a grocer, coal dealer and cab proprietor, with his wife assisting in the business.
James seemed to seek out new opportunities, and, by the time of the next census, taken in 1901, the family had moved to Exeter, and were running the Red Cow Inn at the foot of St David’s Hill.
Gerald’s older brother, Harold, joined the navy in 1906, and his sibling was not to be outdone. By 1910, James and Augusta had moved back to Buckfastleigh, and were running the Mechanic’s Arms. Gerald, however, was drawn to the sea and gave up his employment as a fitter and turner to enlisted in the Royal Navy on 14th September 1910. His service records show that he was 5ft 6ins (1.68m) tall, with brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion.
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Bowerman was first sent to HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport, for his training. He joined the battleship HMS Bellerophon in February 1911, and she would be his home for the next two years.
After another short spell in Devonport, Gerald transferred to HMS Caesar, then to the depot ship HMS Blake, to which he was assigned on 30th August 1913. The following month he was promoted to Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class, and would remain on board Blake through to the outbreak of war the following year.
Engine Room Artificer Bowerman’s ship was based in Aberdeen when the motorcycle accident occurred. He was just 25 years of age when he died, on 20th September 1914.
Gerald Bowerman’s body was taken back to Devon for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of Holy Trinity Church in his home town of Buckfastleigh.
Giovanni Teuma was born on 25th December 1878 in Valetta, Malta. There is little information about his early life, but documents confirm that his parents were Paulo and Vinza Teuma.
Most of the information about Giovanni comes from his service records. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 13th February 1898 as a Domestic 3rd Class. He was noted as being 5ft 5ins (1.65m) tall, with brown eyes, black hair and a dark complexion.
Giovanni’s first posting was on the cruiser HMS Venus. He remained on board for more than three years, which would be his longest assignment. Over the next fifteen years, he would serve on another dozen vessels, returning to shore at HMS Victory and HMS Pembroke – the Royal Naval Dockyards in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and Chatham, Kent, respectively – in between voyages.
Giovanni continually attained a Very Good rating at his annual reviews, and rose through the ranks over the years. He was promoted to Domestic 2nd Class in March 1905 and Officer’s Steward 2nd Class in October 1907. At this point, however, his ranks started to vary, spending just over a year as Officer’s Cook 1st Class before returning to the rank of Officer’s Steward 2nd Class.
On 21st January 1914, Giovanni was stood down: he seems to have requested extended shore leave. He returned to action three months later, retaking his previous rank. On 11th August, just a few weeks after war was declared, he was assigned to the light cruiser HMS Arethusa, as Officer’s Steward 1st Class.
The Arethusa had been launched in the autumn of 1913, and was confirmed as the flotilla leader of the Harwich Force when was was declared. Within weeks of Officer Steward Teuma boarding her, she was involved in the Battle of Heligoland Bight. Severely damaged by two German cruisers, a number of the crew were killed and injured, and she had to be towed home.
When the Arethusa docked at HMS Pembroke, those who were injured were taken to the Royal Naval Hospital in Chatham. Officer’s Steward Teuma was one of those treated there but, sadly, his wounds were to prove too severe. He passed away on 29th August 1914, the day after the battle: he was 35 years of age.
Givoanni Teuma was laid to rest in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, not far from the Kent naval base he had visited regularly.
William Cooper was born in Mobberley, Cheshire, in 1894. Little information is available about his family life, but records suggest that his father was called John.
The first document that can be attributed to William is the 1911 census. This recorded him as living in Newton Hall Lane in Mobberley, with his widowed aunt and two cousins.
William’s trail goes cold again at this point, and can be picked up again when war broke out in the summer of 1914. He enlisted early on, joining the Cheshire Regiment. Attached to the 10th (Service) Battalion, his unit moved to Codford on the edge of Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, by September.
William Cooper… was taken suddenly ill while on parade on Sunday morning at 8.30, and dropping out of the lines, was carried to the Army Medical Corps tent in the Chitterne Road, but on arrival there death had already taken place.
Lieutenant Spraight, of the Army Medical Corps, stated having examined the body of deceased, want he came to the conclusion that death was due to asphyxia and an epileptic fit.
[Devizes and Wilts Advertiser: Thursday 1st October 1914]
Private William Cooper died on 27th September 1914: he was just 20 years old when he died. It seems that his family were unable to cover the cost of the funeral: he was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard of St Mary’s Church, Codford, his headstone being erected by his comrades in the battalion.
On Tuesday morning another member of the Royal Flying Corps, Second Lieutenant Henry Roland Fleming, lost his life at Upavon. Lieutenant Fleming, who was 28 years of age, and married, having his home at Ripley, Surrey, was attached to the Central Flying School early last month, having volunteered for service on the outbreak of war, joining the Special Reserve Air Service. Nearly four years ago he gained the Aero Club’s certificate at Brooklands, but for nearly two years prior to the outbreak of war had not practiced aviation. On Tuesday morning the conditions were very favourable for flying, and the deceased’s flight was watched by Major Webb-Bowen, assistant commandant at the school, and Captain Stopford, who was flying at the same time. Lieutenant Fleming was about 1200ft [365m] up when the attitude of his machine first attracted the attention of the officers. They noticed it dive in an almost vertical position, after which it turned over on its back and glided for some distance upside down. Then it turned its nose to ground again, and from a height of some 450 feet [137m] dived straight into the earth. Death was instantaneous. The officers found Mr Fleming dead in the remains of the machine, with the strap broke in the fall still about his waist. Medical examination showed that he had dislocated his neck and fractured his skull. Lieutenant Fleming, who comes from a well-known family, was one of the first in the country to take up aviation. His father went through the Crimean Campaign in the 4th Irish Dragoon Guards, and a brother was killed in the South African War.
Salisbury and Winchester Journal: Saturday 28th November 1914
Henry Roland Fleming was born in the summer of 1884 in Farnham, Surrey. There is scant information about his early life, but the 1911 census recorded him as boarding at the New Inn in Amesbury, Wiltshire, where he was employed as an aviator.
Henry gained his wings on the 25th April 1911 – shortly after the census – flying a Bristol biplane. He married Ivy Wyness-Stuart, a widow six years his senior, in the spring of 1913, but after this, the couple’s trail goes cold.
When war broke out, Henry stepped up to play his part. He gained a commission to the Royal Flying Corps and, once again found himself based on Salisbury Plain. Tragically it was only a matter of months because the fatal accident.
While his widow was living in Surrey, her Henry Roland Fleming was laid to rest in Amesbury Cemetery, not far from airfield where he had developed his flying skills.
Second Lieutenant Henry Fleming (from findagrave.com)
Samuel Herbert Smith was born on 15th March 1886 in Liverpool, Lancashire. He was one of six children to parents Henry – a road labourer for the local council – and Elizabeth.
There is little concrete information about Samuel’s early life. While the 1901 census confirms he was employed as an apprentice, the writing is not legible enough to identify the trade he was in. A later record suggests he spent two years in the Royal Engineers, although, again, no supporting documents evidences this.
Samuel married a woman from South Wales. Her details are lost, but his war pension record gives the name Mrs SH Smith, and gives her address as 34 Albany Street, Newport, Monmouthshire.
It would seem that Samuel was keen to build a bigger and better life for the couple, and left Britain to find work overseas. By 1914 he was living in Valcartier, Quebec, and working as a bartender. War was declared in the summer of that year, however, and he immediately stepped up to serve his country.
Samuel enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 23rd September, and was assigned to the 13th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry. His service records suggest he cut a striking figure: he stood 6ft 1in (1.85m) tall and weighed 168lbs (76.2kg). He had light brown hair, hazel eyes and a medium complexion, and his records note that he had a crossed hands tattoo on his right arm.
His unit set sail for England and, by the end of October, Private Smith was installed at Bustard Camp on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire.
An enquiry was led into the death of Samuel Herbert Smith… Private Smith was travelling… in a motor car, and while the car was passing over uneven ground he fell into the road and was almost instantaneously killed.
George William Hincks, a private in the Canadian Force… was driving from Salisbury… in a motor car, which was meant to carry a machine gun, and was, therefore, open at the sides. Private Smith was seated next to [him] and was inclined to be rather sleepy. He had travelled in the train from Liverpool on the previous day. hey had gone some distance on their journey when deceased said “I want to get out of this.” [Hincks] said “Sit still, Bert. We will be soon be there,” Smith smiled and said “Oh, all right.” Almost immediately the car jolted on a rough piece of road, and Smith pitched on his head in the road. The car was immediately stopped, and [Hincks] went back to him and found him lying with his knees up, on his back, with wounds in his head. He was dead. [Hincks] returned to Salisbury and reported the occurrence to superior officers. The road on which fatality happened was rough and had been badly cut up, more especially at the place where deceased fell from the car.
Salisbury and Winchester Journal: Saturday 31st October 1914
The accident occurred on 29th October, Private Smith was just 28 years of age.
Samuel Herbert Smith’s widow was unable to cover the cost of bringing her husband back to Wales for burial. Instead, he was laid to rest in Amesbury Cemetery, not car from Bustard Camp.
John Pole was born in Halse, Somerset, early in 1897. He was one of eleven children to Robert and Martha Pole. Robert was a basket weaver, and the family had moved to nearby Fitzhead by the time of the 1901 census.
Martha died in 1911, at the age of 51. John had finished his schooling by this point, and had found employment as a gardener. When war came to Europe, he gave that up to serve his King and Country. Details are scarce, but it is clear that he enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry, and was attached to the 5th Battalion.
Private Pole was sent to Taunton for training, but his time in the army was not to be a lengthy one. His unit was sent to Southampton in September 1914, but it seems that he did not go with them. John contracted pneumonia, and seems to have been admitted to a military hospital in the town – possibly connected to his barracks. He died from the condition on 18th December 1914, aged just 17 years old.
John Pole’s body was brought back to Fitzhead for burial. He was laid to rest in the tranquil surroundings of St James’ Churchyard, close to where his father and siblings still lived.
Albert Daymond was born on 7th June 1893, in Porlock, Somerset. The youngest of seven children, his parents were Devon-born Albert and Maria, who was also born in Porlock. Albert Sr was a wall mason, and, by the time of the 1901 census, his work had moved the family to the sleepy village of Luccombe.
When he finished his schooling at the village’s Church of England School on 20th December 1908, Albert found employment in a bakery. This was the employment he would continue in until, in the summer of 1914, war broke out across Europe.
Albert enlisted on 9th October 1914, joining the West Somerset Yeomanry as a Private. Little information about his military service is available, although the Commonwealth War Grave Commission records note that he was known by the surnames of Daymond and Daiman.
Tragically, Private Daymond’s time in the army was not to be a long one. He passed away while in a camp in Minehead, Somerset, on 10th December 1914. The cause of his passing is not known, but he was just 21 years of age.
Albert Daymond was brought back to Luccombe for burial. He was laid to rest in the village’s St Mary’s Churchyard.
Albert’s older brother, Alfred, also served in the First World War. Read his story here.
Arthur Henry Lane was born in the summer of 1895, the third of eight children to Henry and Ada Lane. The family were initially born and raised in Templecombe, Somerset, before moving to Bath in the early 1900s.
Henry was employed as an engine driver for Great Western Railways and, after initially finding work as a jobbing gardener, Arthur moved in with relatives in Highbridge in 1911. He found work as an engine cleaner for the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway Company, and was there for nearly three years.
When war broke out, Arthur was one of the first to enlist. He joined the 3rd Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry at the barracks in Taunton. Private Lane was then sent to Devon for further training, but he quickly fell ill.
Admitted to Devonport Hospital with appendicitis, he suffered complications following the operation, dying just five days later. He was only 19 years of age, and had been in the army for less than a month.
Arthur Henry Lane’s body was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in Bath’s Twerton Cemetery.
Death and Service 