Tag Archives: 1918

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.

By the time of the 1891 census, the family were living at Upper Farm, but Elizabeth died at some point afterwards and James moved the family to Wraxall, near Nailsea. He 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’s whereabouts become a little vague following her brother’s death. An entry in the 1921 census suggests she may have taken employment at the Royal School for the Blind in Bristol, and she was still recorded there at the time of the 1939 England and Wales Register. Further records suggest that she passed away in Weston-super-Mare in 1945: she would have been 65 years of age.

[Note: My thanks to Rob Clarke of the Weston-super-Mare Family History Society for filling in some of the blanks in Albert and Emily’s lives.]

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.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, injury, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, Northamptonshire, photography, Rifleman, Somerset, story, war

Rifleman Reginald Murdin

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Rifleman Reginald Murdin

Reginald John Murdin’s early life is one of contradictions. Born in 1899, his parents were George White and Lily Murdin, and he is recorded with both surnames in documents from the time. George was a iron ore labourer from Northamptonshire, and is was in Woodford, near Kettering, that the family were raised.

When he finished his schooling, Reginald followed George into iron ore and, by the time war broke out he was in the employ of the Islip Iron Company Ltd. Keen to play his part, Reginald enlisted in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps on 29th January 1916.

While it’s not possible to fully identify Rifleman Murdin’s service, he was certainly caught up on the Western Front by the autumn of 1918. It was here that he was injured by “a shell which burst about two yards from him, wounding him severely in the thigh.” [Midland Mail: Friday 15th November 1918]

Reginald was medically evacuated to Britain for treatment, and was admitted to the Bath War Hospital in Somerset. Sadly, his wounds were to prove to severe, and he passed away on 2nd November 1918: he was just 19 years of age.

Reginald John Murdin was laid to rest in the sweeping grounds of Bath’s Locksbrook Cemetery.

Rifleman Reginald Murdin
(from britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Commonwealth War Graves, Essex, Great War, history, London, photography, Private, Royal Army Service Corps, Somerset, story, Suffolk Regiment, unknown, war

Private Frank Harvey

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Private Frank Harvey

Frank Ernest Harvey was born at the start of 1892, the youngest of seven children to George and Clara Harvey. George was from Bethnal Green, London, and worked as a telegraphist clerk for the Post Office. By the time Frank was born, the family had moved to Leytonstone, while the 1901 census records them as living in Ilford.

On the day of the next census, in 1911, George and Clara were visiting friends in Guildford, Surrey. The four of their children who were still living with them were all at the family home. Ida, their daughter, was not listed as having any employment, while her three brothers were all working a clerks: one for an ironmonger, one for a stockbroker and Frank for an electrical engineer.

When war broke out, Frank stepped up to serve his king and his country. Little information is available about his military career, and, while his headstone confirms he was in the Suffolk Regiment, other records suggest that he had transferred to the regiment from the Royal Army Service Corps.

There is also little information about Private Harvey’s passing. Based on the fact that he was laid to rest in the Locksbrook Cemetery, Bath, it is likely that he had been admitted to the city’s War Hospital. This did not specialise in any single condition or set of conditions, so it could be that Frank was sent there to recuperate from an injury, or to recover from an illness.

Sadly, neither was to be the case, and Private Frank Ernest Harvey passed away on 9th February 1918. He was 26 years of age.