Tag Archives: 1918

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

Able Seaman Amos Cornish

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Able Seaman Amos Cornish

Amos William Cornish was born on 16th August 1887 in Dunster, Somerset. One of five children, his parents were George and Elizabeth Cornish. George, who was a brickmaker, died in 1893, and at this point the family relationships seemed to have broken down.

By the time of the 1901 census, Elizabeth had remarried, and was living with her new husband and Amos’ youngest sibling, sister Lily. Two of Amos’ brothers, Walter and George, were living with his maternal grandparents, while Amos himself was one of three hundred inmates at the Horton Kirby Home for Homeless Boys in the Dartford area of Kent.

Amos’ schooling would have finished by the time he was 14 years old, and he quickly sought work that allow him to support himself as a young man with no home to go to. A career in the Royal Navy seemed to provide that regular pay and, on 4th June 1902, he enlisted.

As he was under age, Amos was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class, and sent to the shore-based training ship HMS Impregnable in Devonport, Devon. His service records show that he stood just 5ft 4ins (1.63m) tall, had brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. He was noted as having a scar in the centre of his forehead, and a tattoo of clasped hands over a heart on his right forearm.

Boy Cornish transferred to another training vessel – HMS Lion – after a month or so, and it was here, in February 1904, that he was promoted to Boy 1st Class.

Over the next eighteen months, Boy Cornish served at two more training bases – HMS Boscawen and HMS Vivid. He was given his first sea-going posting in April 1905, aboard the cruiser HMS Blake. It was on his next assignment, however, that he came into his own.

In May 1905, Amos boarded HMS Carnarvon, an armoured cruiser that had been launched a couple of years before. He was to spend the next two years as part of her crew, gaining the rank of Ordinary Seaman when he came of age in August 1905, and Able Seaman a year later.

When his time on board Carnarvon came to an end, Amos returned to shore, to HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, which was to be his base on and off for the next eight years. During that time, he served on six more ships, and rose to the rank of Leading Seaman in December 1911. This new rank, however, seemed not to suit Amos, and he reverted back to his previous rank eight months later.

Able Seaman Cornish’s longest posting was on board the cruiser HMS Antrim. He joined her crew in September 1913 and, over the next three-and-a-half years he travelled far and wide. Initially patrolling the North Sea – particularly around the Scottish Isles – Amos was on board for a journey to Arkhangelsk in Russia. The ship then transferred to the Western Atlantic, patrolling around America and the West Indies.

Able Seaman Cornish returned to British shores in April 1917, to be based at HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport, for the nest nine months. During this time, he became ill and was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital in Truro with double pneumonia. Tragically, this was something he was not to recover from: Amos passed away on 4th February 1918, at the age of 30 years old.

While somewhat stretched, Amos’ family bond still remained. Elizabeth was living in Minehead by this point, with husband Alfred and their two children. It was to the Somerset town, therefore, that Amos William Cornish’s body was brought. He was laid to rest in the town’s sweeping cemetery.

George’s death in 1893, and Elizabeth’s remarriage a few years later split the family, and Amos’ siblings all followed separate paths.

The oldest of his siblings, Walter, also followed a military path. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner and, by the time of the census, was based in Gibraltar. On completing his service, he returned to Somerset, marrying Florence Peddle in 1925. The 1939 Register found the couple living with his cousin, Amelia, while he worked as a gardener. Walter died in Weston-super-Mare in 1962, at the age of 74.

Amos’ next sibling, brother Harold, seems to have had a less fortunate time of things. Absent from the 1901 census, he appears in prison records four years later. He was incarcerated for six months’ hard labour in Brecon Prison, having been found guilty of “Gross Indecency with another male person”. Harold was 14 years and three months old at the time. A newspaper report from around this time suggests that the other party was a George Williams, but there is no further information about him. Harold seems to have come out the other side of his experience, however: the 1911 census recorded him as living and working with draper and grocer James Ridler and his family in Dunster, Somerset.

Amos’ third sibling, sister Lily, found work as a servant to bakers Joseph and Minnie Bagley in Minehead. She married painter and decorator William Whitting in 1916 and the couple went on to have a daughter, Kathleen, eight years later. The family settled in Weston-super-Mare, Lily passing away in 1968, at the age of 75.

The youngest of the Cornish siblings was George. He remained living with his maternal grandparents in Dunster, and found work as a printer. In the spring of 1921, he married Clara Govier and, by the time of the 1939 Register, they couple were living in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, where George was working as a printer and compositor. He died in 1957, at the age of 62 years old.

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

Private Victor Sperring

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Private Victor Sperring

Victor William Sperring was born in the spring of 1897, in Lympsham, Somerset. One of nine children, his parents were James and Catherine Sperring. James was a farmer, 22 years older than his wife and, when he died in 1904, she was left to bring up the family alone. She remarried, to dairy farmer Frederick Butler, continuing the farming life.

Frederick died in 1914, and with her older children now in their 20s, Catherine’s sons took up the reins to keep the farm going. War was on the horizon now, and tragedy was never going to be far from the Sperring household.

Of the five brothers, at least two – Victor and his older brother, Hubert – stepped up to serve their King and Country. Hubert joined the Gloucestershire Regiment, rising to the rank of Lance Corporal in the 1st/6th Battalion. He was caught up at the Battle of the Somme, and was recorded as missing, presumed killed, on 21st July 1916. He was just 23 years of age, and is one of the tens of thousands of names commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in Northern France.

Victor also joined the Gloucestershire Regiment, but his story is less clear. Certainly by 1918 he was attached to one of the regiment’s depots, possibly on home soil. He was admitted to the 2nd Southern General Hospital in the autumn of 1918, and this is where he passed away on 16th November. He was just 21 years of age.

Victor William Sperring was brought back to Lympsham for burial. He was laid to rest in the family plot in St Christopher’s Churchyard.

It seems likely that illness is what took Victor’s life. Just a month later, his sister, Annie, also passed away: she was interred next to her brother.

Catherine’s grief must have been indescribable, having lost a husband and three children in a matter of years. She continued on, however, and, by the time of the 1939 England and Wales Register, she was living with her son Roland, supporting him with his farm. She died in October 1941, at the age of 77: she was buried with her family in St Christopher’s.

accident, Berkshire, Cadet, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, photography, Royal Military College Sandhurst, Somerset, story, war

Cadet Richard Whitting

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Cadet Richard Whitting

Richard Harcourt Whitting was born on 21st March 1900 in the Somerset village of Uphill. The younger of two children, his parents were local landowner and Justice of the Peace Charles Whitting and his second wife, Jessie. The 1911 census records father, mother and two children residing at Uphill Grange, where they were supported by six live-in staff: a cook, parlour maid, two house maids, a kitchen maid and a nurse.

As the son of a gentleman, education was an expected prospect for young Richard. Indeed, after finishing his schooling locally, he was sent to the Royal Military College in Sandhurst.

He entered the school in 1913 and left in April 1918. He was then Head of the Modern Side, and also a good runner who achieved a fine record when he won the Junior Athletic Cup and, still more, as mentioned in a notice of him in the Meteor of October 16th, 1918… “he had very delightful manners, and a sympathetic appreciation of the difficulties of other people, which is less rare in women than in men. These qualities, combined with a great fund of common sense, made him a particularly helpful and agreeable companion in all kinds of occupations, from spraying a potato field to managing a House.

He was intended for the University and the Bar, but the War caused him to leave School early and to go to the [Royal Military College], Sandhurst. There he showed himself a most promising Cadet, and continued his athletic successes by winning the Mile and being in the winning team in the Relay Race.

Memorials of the Rugbeans Who Fell in The Great War, Volume VIII

It was while he was at the college, that Richard met his untimely end.

On Saturday [21st September 1918] a cadet of the Royal Military College, named Richard H Whitting, was killed while cycling along the Bagshot main road near St Alban’s Church. Deceased, who was accompanied by two other cadets’ names respectively Money and Shute, was holding on to the rear of a motor vehicle, when his bike swerved, and he was thrown on his head. At the inquest a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.

Reading Mercury: Saturday 28th September 1918

Cadet Whitting was just 18 years of age when he died. His body was brought back to Somerset for burial: he was laid to rest in the family plot at St Nicholas’ Church in Uphill.

Cadet Richard Whitting
(from fold3.com)
Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Somerset, story, Surrey, war

Ordinary Seaman Walter Nipper

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Ordinary Seaman Walter Nipper

Walter Henry Nipper was born on 21st September 1900 in Bleadon, Somerset. The oldest of four children, his parents were Gilfred and Rose Nipper. Gilfred was an agricultural labourer turned butcher and poultry dealer, and, by the time of the 1911 census, he had set up a retail business in the middle of the village.

Walter turned to farm work when he finished his schooling, but with war raging across Europe, he seems to have been one of the young men desperate not to miss out on the action. On 16th September 1918, just five days before he turned 18, Walter enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. His service records confirm that he stood just 5ft 1.5ins (1.56m) tall, had black hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion. The document also noted that he had a scar on the back of his right hand.

Ordinary Seaman Nipper was sent to HMS Victory VI, the shore-based training vessel in Crystal Palace, Surrey, for his induction. It is likely that, when he left Somerset for the capital, that was the last time his parents saw him. Billeted in cramp barracks, with young men from across the country, Walter fell ill: he passed away on 10th October, just 24 days after joining up. He was barely 18 years of age.

Walter Henry Nipper’s body was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the tranquil graveyard of St Peter and St Paul’s Church in his home village.

Commonwealth War Graves, Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry, Great War, history, illness, Labour Corps, photography, Private, Somerset, story, war

Private Maurice Lock

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Private Maurice Lock

Maurice Lock was born in Nailsea, Somerset, the seventh child to William and Rebecca Lock. Dates of birth vary according to documents available: census records suggest he was born around 1884, although his military records put his year of birth as 1877.

Maurice had a total of eleven siblings, with names including Merrick, Britannia and Cinderella. His father was a licensed hawker and this was something of a family trade.

The 1891 census recorded the family living at The Heath in Nailsea, although, unusually, it was noted that “this family now residing in a house occupy a travelling van in summer.” By the time of the next census return, the family business was continuing, with eight members, Maurice included, recorded as being peddlers, hawkers and horse dealers.

On 23rd January 1909, Maurice married Emily Hughes. There is little information available about her, but the couple continued Maurice’s parents’ travelling lifestyle, and went on to have four children: Albert, Mary, Gladys and Agnes.

Maurice was called upon to do his duty when war came to Britain. He enlisted on 4th September 1916 and was initially assigned to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Private Lock’s service record shows that he was 39 years and 10 months old when he joined up, and that he stood 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall. He was working as a basket maker and farm labourer when he received the call to enlist.

Private Lock spent a couple of months on home soil, before his troop – the 12th (Labour) Battalion – were sent to France. He remained overseas for some sixteen months, before three separate bouts of trench fever within a month saw his return to Britain’s shores.

Maurice was transferred to the Labour Corps at this point and, once he had recovered, it was to be presumed that his previous farm work would be called upon once more. However, his age and the conditions on the Western Front conspired against him, and he developed rheumatism, which led to his discharge from the army. His medical records at this point noted that “he walks very lame with the aid of a stick. His left leg is especially [bad]. He has pains in his back, legs and shoulders. These pains are aggravated by pressure and weather changes.”

Maurice returned home, but his time back in Somerset was to be brief. His health deteriorated, and he passed away at home on 29th June 1918: he was in his late 30s or early 40s when he died.

Maurice Lock was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard of Christ Church in his home town of Nailsea.

Commonwealth War Graves, Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry, Great War, history, photography, Private, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, unknown, war

Private Alfred Daymond

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Private Alfred Daymond

Alfred Daymond was born on 9th July 1891, in Porlock, Somerset. The second youngest of seven children, his parents were wall mason Albert Daymond and his wife, Maria. By the time of the 1901 census, Albert’s work had moved the family to the sleepy village of Luccombe.

When Alfred finished his schooling, he followed his father into wall building. This was the career he was still following when, in 1914, war broke out.

Alfred was quick to play his part for King and Country. He enlisted on 4th November 1914, joining the Somerset Light Infantry. Private Daymond’s service records show that he was 5ft 10ins (1.78m) tall, with good vision and a fair physical development.

Initially serving as part of a territorial force, Alfred remained on home soil until September 1916. At this point he was transferred over to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, and became attached to the 7th (Service) Battalion. Details of his time in the army are sketchy, but his troop certainly fought at the Somme in 1916, and at Ypres the following year.

In May 1917, Alfred returned to British shores. His health appears to have been suffering, although it is not clear from what ailment. On 8th February 1918, Private Daymond was discharged from army service as being no longer physically fit.

Alfred’s trail goes cold at this point. It is likely that he returned home to Luccombe, and this is where he passed away, on 11th November 1918, Armistice Day. He was 27 years of age.

Alfred Daymond was laid to rest in the family plot of St Mary’s Church, Luccombe. He was interred alongside his younger brother, Albert.

Alfred’s younger brother, Albert, also enlisted for war service. Read his story here.

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

Sapper Walter Greedy

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Sapper Walter Greedy

Walter John Greedy was born in the spring of 1889, the eighth of nine children to Theophilus and Mary Greedy. Theophilus was an agricultural labourer from Wiveliscombe in Somerset, and it was here that the Greedy family were born and raised.

When he finished his schooling, Walter found work as a carter for a brewery. In 1906 his oldest sister, Charlotte, was widowed, and he moved in with her and her children to help provide some additional support. He soon found alternative employment, however, and within a couple of years was employed by Great Western Railways as a plate-layer.

On 26th December 1913, Walter married Irene Hobbs. She was a blacksmith’s daughter from nearby Fitzhead, who was working as a domestic servant when the couple wed. They went on to have three children: Frederick, Winifred and Dorothy.

When war was declared, Walter stepped up to play his part. Full details of his military service no longer remain, but he had certainly enlisted by the summer of 1918. Walter joined the Royal Engineers, and, based on his previous employment, was assigned to the 278th Railway Company.

Sapper Greedy served in Northern France, and was based in and around Boulogne. He survived the war, and was back on home soil by December 1918. This may have been because of illness: Walter was admitted to Exeter War Hospital in Devon, having contracted influenza and pneumonia. Sadly, the combination of conditions was to prove a fatal one: he passed away on 22nd December 1918, at the age of 29 years old.

Walter John Greedy was brought back to Somerset for burial: he was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard extension of St Nicholas’ Church in Brushford, where Irene and their children were now living.

Sapper Walter Greedy
(from findagrave.com)
Commonwealth War Graves, Corporal, Great War, history, Labour Corps, Lance Corporal, Military Police Corps, photography, Somerset, story, unknown, war

Corporal Herbert Wear

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Corporal Herbert Wear

Herbert Francis Wear was born in the summer of 1895, one of twelve children to Charles and Harriet Wear. Charles was a farmer from Congresbury, and when he died in 1907, aged just 51 years old, it fell to Harriet and her children to keep the farm running.

At this point, however, much of Herbert’s trail goes cold, and it is a challenge to piece together anything concrete. When war broke out, he stepped up to play his part, enlisting in January 1917. He was assigned to the Military Police Corps and initially served in the Military Foot Police.

However, at some point during the conflict, Corporal Wear transferred to the Labour Corps, where he was attached to the 449th Agricultural Company. This meant he remained relatively close to home, as he was based in the Taunton area of Somerset.

The next record for Herbert is the British Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects, which confirms that he passed away in Somerset. An entry in the Bristol Times and Mirror (Wednesday 4th December 1918) states that “The funeral of the late Lance-Corporal HF Wear, Stonewell Farm, Congresbury, will take place to-day… 2:30pm.”

Herbert’s death certificate confirmed that he died at home from a combination of influenza and pneumonia. He was 23 years of age when he breathed his last.

Herbert Francis Wear was laid to rest close to his father in the graveyard of St Andrew’s Church in Congresbury.

Commonwealth War Graves, Driver, Great War, history, illness, London, photography, Royal Army Service Corps, Somerset, story, war

Driver Albert Partridge

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Driver Albert Partridge

Albert Victor Partridge was born in the spring of 1885, in the north Somerset village of Abbots Leigh. The younger of two children, his parents were agricultural labourer James and his laundress wife, Elizabeth.

The family don’t appear on any surviving 1891 census records, but by the next return in 1901, James had been widowed and was living with his two children in Wraxall, near Nailsea. James was working as a carter on a farm, while Albert was employed as a domestic gardener.

Ten years later, and James had also passed away. Albert was now head of the household, and was working as a carter as his father had. Emily was sharing the home, and was employed, in the terminology of the day, as her brother’s housekeeper.

When war broke out, Albert was called upon to play his part. Details of his service are scant, but he joined up as a Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps and was attached to one of the Horsed Transport units. It is unclear whether he served on the home front or overseas, but what records remain suggested that he had enlisted by November 1917.

Driver Partridge was admitted to a hospital in London in May 1918. The only suggestion as to why comes through his Pension Ledger Card, which simply says ‘disease’. The condition was severe enough for him to pass away: Albert died on 24th May 1918, at the age of 32 years old.

Albert Victor Partridge was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the peaceful grounds of All Saints’ Church in Wraxall.

Emily disappears from records at this point. She was 38 years old when her brother died, and it is unclear what became of her.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Labour Corps, photography, Private, Somerset, story, war, West Midlands

Private Albert Pearce

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Private Albert Pearce

Albert Edwin Pearce was born on 12th November 1883 in Bristol. Gloucestershire. One of nine children, his parents were William and Mary Pearce. William was a farmer and grazier and, when he finished his schooling, Albert followed him into farm work.

In 1908, when Albert was 25, his older sister Olive was widowed: the following year, their mother, Mary, also passed away. Olive’s late husband had been a farmer in Tickenham, near Clevedon, and so Albert and his older brother Walter moved in with Olive and her four children to help run the farm.

When war came to Europe, Albert stepped up to play his part. Full service details are not available, he served with the Labour Corps. Attached to the 446th Agricultural Company, towards the end of the conflict, he seems to have been serving in the West Midlands.

By the autumn of 1918, Private Pearce was admitted to the Military Hospital on Dudley Road in Birmingham. Details of his condition are not available, but they were to take his life. He passed away on 19th November 1918: he had celebrated his 35th birthday just a week before.

Albert Edwin Pearce’s body was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the quiet graveyard of St Peter & St Paul’s Church in Weston-in-Gordano. He was buried in the family plot, reunited with his mother: his father, William, would be interred there just five months later, when he died in April 1919.