Tag Archives: 1921

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, illness, Ireland, Northern Ireland, photography, Private, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, war

CWG: Private Henry Weakley

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Private Harry Weakley

Henry Weakley was born in 1885 in Bath, Somerset. The second of six children, he was the eldest son to James and Fanny. James was a cab driver, and Henry – who was better known as Harry – followed suit, becoming a coachman by the time of the 1901 census.

In 1910, Harry married a woman called Jennie. There is little information available about her, but the following year’s census return found the couple living with his family at 1 Cork Street, Bath, not far from the city’s Royal Crescent. The census had two records for that address, which confirmed the family’s living arrangements. Harry and Jennie had one room, while the rest of the Weakleys – James, Fanny, four of their children and a grandson – took up four rooms.

Harry was still employed as a coachman as this point, but, with war on the horizon, things were to change. Full details of his military service are lost in the mists of time, but it is clear that he enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry, and that he was assigned to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion.

Private Weakley’s unit was a territorial battalion and it remained on UK soil throughout the war. Initially based in Devonport, Devon, the 3rd moved to Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in November 1917, and Belfast the following April. Sadly, the little that remain of Harry’s records do not confirm where he served.

Harry was demobbed on 13th May 1919: his pension ledger notes that he had received gun shot wounds to his neck and back, although no further records identify when or how these injuries occurred. He returned home – 5 St George’s Buildings, Upper Bristol Road, Bath – and seems to have settled back into his pre-war life, although his health was still impacted.

Harry passed away at home on 27th March 1921. He was 36 years of age, and had died of heart failure. Despite his wartime injuries, the war office determined that his condition had been contracted after his army service: Jennie was denied a war pension.

Henry “Harry” Weakley was laid to rest in Bath’s sweeping Locksbrook Cemetery, not far from where his widow still lived.

Commonwealth War Graves, Dorsetshire Regiment, Great War, history, North Somerset Yeomanry, photography, Private, Somerset, story, unknown, war

CWG: 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.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, photography, story, war

CWG: Private Edwin Barber

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Private Edwin Barber

Edwin Reginald Barber was born on 26th November 1864 in Martock, Somerset. The oldest of three children, his parents were William and Julia Barber. William was a tailor by trade, but Edwin sought bigger and better things.

On 3rd March 1885, Edwin enlisted in the Border Regiment. Sadly, there are no further details of his military service, although a later report suggests that he spent seven years with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

By 1898, Edwin was back in civilian life. He married a woman called Gertrude and, according to the 1901 census, they were living in Wrexham, Denbighshire, where he was employed as a labourer.

Somerset beckoned Edwin home, and he and Gertrude took up residence as landlords of the Stapleton Cross Inn in Martock. They remained there for more than ten years, although the army wasn’t completely done with them as yet.

When war came to Europe, Edwin felt the need to step up and serve once more. Despite approaching his 50th birthday, he joined the Somerset Light Infantry on 15th November 1914, although he soon transferred to a less physical role in the National Defence Corps.

This seemed to have proven to strenuous for Private Barber’s body, however, and he was formally discharged from military service on 2nd October 1916. Edwin returned to Martock, and once again took up his landlord duties.

From here on, Edwin was dogged with poor health. He passed away at home on 18th May 1921, after a long illness. He was 56 years of age.

Edwin Reginald Barber was laid to rest in the graveyard of All Saints’ Church in Martock.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, photography, story, war

CWG: Sapper Edward Pullinger

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Sapper Edward Pullinger

Edward Arthur Pullinger was born in Sutton, Surrey, in the summer of 1897. The oldest of three children, his parents were gardener Arthur Pullinger, and his wife, Ellen.

Arthur seemed to move the family to wherever the work was. By 1902 they had settled in Monkton Wyld, in Dorset, where he was employed on a local estate. Edward’s two siblings, sisters Constance and Nellie, were both born there, but the 1911 census shows that the Pullingers had moved again, to the village of Charlton Mackrell in Somerset.

When war came to Europe, Arthur stepped up to play his part. Sadly, full service records are no longer available, but it is clear from what remains that he enlisted in the Royal Engineers as a Sapper. He remained in the army, until being discharged from duty on 21st May 1919.

Another sad death took place on Wednesday of last week in the person of Mr EA Pullinger, only son of Mr and Mrs A Pullinger… Deceased, who was of a bright and happy disposition and a favourite with all, was gassed in the Great War, from the effects of which he never really recovered. He was always ready and willing to help in the social life of the village and will be missed greatly.

Langport & Somerton Herald: Saturday 12th March 1921

Edward Arthur Pullinger had succumbed to tuberculosis on 2nd March 1921, at the age of 23 years old. He was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard of St Mary’s Church, in Charlton Mackrell.

Commonwealth War Graves, Corporal, Devon, Devonshire Regiment, Great War, Hampshire, Hampshire Regiment, history, illness, India, Lance Corporal, Lance Serjeant, photography, Private, Sergeant, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, war

CWG: Serjeant Alfred Pollard

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Serjeant Alfred Pollard

Alfred Pollard was born in the spring of 1869 in Hinton Charterhouse, Somerset. His early life seems to have been a little disjointed. The son of Harriett Pollard, who had him out of wedlock, his baptism record gives no details of his father.

The 1871 census found him living with his mother and her widowed father, Thomas Pollard. Ten years later, Harriett is living with her husband, Walter Hayden, and four children, including Alfred – who has also taken the name of Hayden. Thomas is also recorded as living with the family.

Alfred is missing from the 1891 census return. Harriett, however, is now listed as married and the head of the household. She and Walter had a further three children – their youngest, Percy, being just three months old. Times must have been tough for her: the same census recorded Walter as being an inmate of the Somerset and Bath Asylum, where he is listed as being a lunatic.

Harriett died at the start of 1892, aged just 46 years old: Walter died three years later, at the age of 55. Both are buried in the graveyard of St John the Baptist Church, Hinton Charterhouse.

The passing of his mother and the diminishing health of his stepfather seems to have spurred Alfred into building a career to support his siblings. Having been working as an engine driver, on 7th December 1892, he enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry.

Alfred’s service records give his height as 5ft 7ins (1.7m) and his weight as 137lbs (62kg). He was noted as having black hair, bark eyes and a coarse complexion. He also had a number of tattoos, including a cross on his right forearm; a circle of dots on his right wrist; crossed flags, an anchor and Jubilee 1887 VR and crown on his left forearm; and a bracelet on his left wrist. The records also noted the loss part of the middle finger on his right hand.

Private Pollard quickly became a career soldier. Over 21 years, he rose through the ranks to Lance Corporal (July 1902), Corporal (April 1906), Lance Sergeant (November 1907) and Serjeant (June 1911). He spent more than 14 years in India, and was involved in the Mohmand Campaign of 1897. He was formally discharged on 6th December 1913, having served as a signaller for eleven years, and a Provost Sergeant for three. His discharge papers confirmed his exemplary character, and that he was “thoroughly hardworking, sober and reliable.“

Back on civvy street, Alfred found work as a labourer in an iron foundry. This was not to last long, however, as he stepped up once more when war was declared in the summer of 1914. Joining the Somerset Light Infantry on 12th October, he retook his previous rank of Serjeant.

Alfred served on home soil during this second period in the army. Initially attached to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, his unit was based in Devonport, Devon. In September 1916, Sergeant Pollard was transferred to the 2nd Garrison Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, which was based in nearby Plymouth. In January 1917, he moved again, to the Hampshire Regiment. He spent most of the year with 18th (Home Service) Battalion in Aldershot, Hampshire, and by December had moved to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, which was based in Gosport.

Sergeant Pollard remained on active service until the end of February 1919, when he was formally demobbed. At this point, his trail goes cold, although he seems to have settled in Bath, Somerset. He went on to marry, although details of his wife are limited to the name Mrs AE Pollard and her date of birth, 15th March 1879.

Alfred Pollard died of cardiac failure on 7th March 1921: he was 52 years of age. He was laid to rest in the army section of Bath’s Locksbrook Cemetery.

Bandsman, Commonwealth War Graves, Corporal, Egypt, Great War, history, illness, Kent, Lance Corporal, Lance Serjeant, photography, Private, Somerset, story, The Lancers, Trumpeter, Tyne & Wear, war, Wiltshire

CWG: Corporal John Ashton

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Corporal John Ashton

John Gordon Ashton was born at the start of 1885, and was one of at least two children to John and Elizabeth. Little information is available about his early life, although later records confirm that he was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and that the family were living on Elswick Road, leading west out of the city, by 1900.

John found work as a musician, but sought a bigger and better career for himself. On 3rd October 1900, he enlisted in the army, joining the 21st (Empress of India’s) Lancers. His service records show that, at not yet sixteen years of age, he was just 5ft 1in (1.55m) tall, and weighed 101lbs (46kg). He had brown hair, grey eyes and a dark complexion, and two moles on the front of his left shoulder.

Private Ashton joined up for a period of 12 years’ service, and spent most of it on home soil. The army seemed to suit him, and he steadily rose through the ranks. By August 1901, John was promoted to Bandsman; five years later, he took the rank of Trumpeter; the start of 1908 brought with it a promotion to Lance Corporal.

In September 1910, John’s unit was sent to Egypt: the move brought him a further promotion. Corporal Ashton spent two years in Cairo, before returning to Britain in the autumn of 1912. He had completed his contract of service with the 21st Lancers, and was formally discharged from service on 4th October.

Back on civvy street, John once again found work as a musician. Life outside of the army seemed not to suit him, however, and he joined the reserve forces in March 1913. The now Lance Sergeant’s service records show the man he had become: he now stood 5ft 9ins (1.75m) tall, and bore a large oval scar on the underside of his right knee.

When war was declared the following summer, John was formally mobilised once more. He was attached to the 9th (Queen’s Royal) Lancers and, by 27th August 1914, was in France. Lance Sergeant Ashton’s time overseas was not to last long, however; he returned to Britain just before Christmas that year, and was based at Tidworth Camp in Wiltshire.

John’s military record was not without its hiccups. On 11th March 1910, while based in Canterbury, he was severely reprimanded for being in neglect of his duty whilst in charge of a barrack room. In 1915, however, he received a more severe punishment: on 23rd January, he was found guilty of using insubordinate language to his superior officer – in front of six ranking witnesses – and was demoted to Corporal.

It would seem that John’s health was beginning to suffer, and, after a career of nearly sixteen years, he was medically discharged from the army because of a heart condition.

At this point, his trail goes cold. He remained in the Wiltshire area, and seems to have been receiving ongoing medical treatment. At some point, he married a woman called Mary, although no other information is readily available for her.

Early in 1921, John was admitted to the Pensions Hospital in Bath, Somerset, having contracted pneumonia. He passed away there on 25th February following an aneurysm of the heart. He was 36 years of age.

John Gordon Ashton was laid to rest in the sweeping Locksbrook Cemetery in Bath.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, injury, Labour Corps, London Regiment, photography, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, war

CWG: Private Frank Gunney

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Private Frank Gunney

Frank Gunney was born in Brushford, Somerset, in the spring of 1890. The youngest of four children, with two sisters and a brother, his parents were William and Mary. William was a groom-turned-gardener, but when Frank left school, he found other employment: by the time of the 1911 census, he was recorded as being a tailor.

Frank’s older brother, James, followed his father’s trade, becoming a groom when he finished his schooling. His work took him to South Wales, where he met and married Emma Lewis. The couple went on to have two children: Hilda and Kenneth. When war came to Europe, James enlisted, joining the Royal Army Service Corps as a Private.

Frank followed his brother into the army, enlisting in the Somerset Light Infantry on 11th December 1915. This must have proved a tragic time for his mother, Mary, as, just ten days later, William died “after a long an painful illness.” [Western Times: Friday 24th December 1915]

Frank’s service records give little away about the man he had become, but do note that he was 5ft 5ins (1.65m) tall. He was re-assigned to the 1st/21st Battalion of the London Regiment, and was sent to France in June 1916.

Private Gunney’s service papers suggest that he was injured on 9th September 1916, having received a gun shot wound to the head. He appears to have been treated on site, and there seems to be no notable break in his time on the front line.

James was killed in action on 7th April 1917: he was 33 years of age, and was laid to rest in the Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery in Saulty. Mary had lost a husband and a son within eighteen months, and James had left a widow and two children.

In March 1917, Private Frank Gunney had transferred to the Labour Corps, and aside from a six-month period on home soil, would remain in France until September 1919. He then returned to Britain, and was demobbed a month later.

Frank returned to Somerset, but his trail then goes cold. Two documents give an idea as to what happened next, however. The first is a newspaper report about his burial:

The funeral took place in All Saints’ Churchyard, Dulverton… of Mr F Gunney, only don of Mrs Gunney… who died on Tuesday last. Deceased served three years in France, and has been in failing health practically ever since demobilisation, although the end came rather suddenly.

Western Times: Tuesday 22nd March 1921

His army Pension Ledger Card, confirms that he had been discharged from the army because of a ‘septic wound to his left thumb’, which was due to his military service. It appears that this had festered over the ensuing years: Frank Gunney passed away on 15th March 1921, aged 30 years of age.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Devonshire Regiment, Great War, history, illness, injury, photography, Sergeant, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, war

CWG: Serjeant Walter Hayes

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Serjeant Walter Hayes

The early life of Walter Hayes is destined to remain a mystery: his headstone suggests he was born in 1882. The first document in which he can be definitely identified is his marriage record, in the spring of 1914. This confirms his wife – Emily Mary Tarr – and that the wedding took place in Tiverton, Devon.

The couple did not stay in Devon for long as, just weeks after their wedding day, Emily gave birth to a daughter, Edith, over the Somerset border in Dulverton.

Storm clouds were brewing over European shores, and Walter was called upon to play his part. His service records are also sparse, but they confirm that he initially joined the Somerset Light Infantry, before moving across to the Devonshire Regiment.

Walter had either been in the army earlier in his life, or he worked his way up during the war, and at some point he reached the rank of Serjeant. He saw fighting overseas and, according to later documentation, was caught up in a gas attack. This was to have an impact on his health and he was discharged from army service sooner than he might otherwise have done. Officially stood down in March 1919, he returned home to his wife and family.

Emily and Walter had a second child, William, later that year, and the family were finally able to settle into a routine. Walter’s health, however, was severely impacted and, on 12th January 1921, he passed away from bronchitis. The lung condition was found to be directly attributable to his war service, and that gas attack, Walter was 38 years of age.

Walter Hayes was laid to rest in the quiet graveyard of All Saints’ Church in Dulverton.

Emily was pregnant when her husband died: she gave birth to their third child, a son she named Walter, just a few months later. She did not re-marry, and, according to the 1939 Register, she was boarding in a house in Dulverton and carrying out unpaid domestic duties.

Emily lived on until the autumn of 1973, passing away in Taunton at the age of 85.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, King's (Liverpool Regiment), Labour Corps, photography, Private, Rifleman, Somerset, story, unknown, war

CWG: Private Joseph Curtis

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Private Joseph Curtis

In the war grave section of Locksbrook Cemetery in Bath, Somerset, is a headstone dedicated to a Private J Curtis, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, who passed away on 3rd January 1921. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission confirms that Joseph Curtis had transferred to the 430th Company of the Labour Corps at some point.

Little additional information is available for Joseph Curtis. Only one service document remains, his Medal Roll Index Card. This gives the dates of his service – 22nd February 1915 to 17th October 1918 – but no other identifying details.

Without a year or place of birth, it is not possible to track down any census records. As Bath was the location of both a War Hospital and one for army pensioners, his burial in a cemetery nearby is no guarantee that the city was ever his home. There is also no report of Private Curtis’ passing or funeral in any available contemporary newspapers.

The life of James Curtis is destined to remain a mystery, therefore, taken with him when he was laid to rest.

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

CWG: Corporal Frank Crew

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Corporal Frank Crew

Frank George Crew was born in Twerton, Somerset, on 25th January 1886. The fourth of five children, his parents were nurseryman and market gardener William Crew and his laundress wife, Fanny.

When Frank finished his schooling, he followed his father into the nursery trade, and this is how he was employed when war was declared. He enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment on 19th July 1915, and was assigned to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion. Private Crew’s service records are limited, but his medical report shows that he was 5ft 9ins (1.75m) tall, weighing around 10st (63.5kg).

On 6th October 1918, Frank was admitted to the Military Hospital in York with a bullet wound to his right forearm. Given that his battalion remained on home soil for the duration of the conflict, it is unclear whether this was an accidental injury at camp, or if he transferred to another troop when he recovered.

Little additional information for Frank remains. He remained in hospital until 8th November 1918 and it is unclear if he continued with his army service once he recovered – although given the Armistice was declared three days later, it is unlikely that he did.

On 11th November itself, Frank married Kate May, a mason’s daughter from Limpley Stoke, to the west of Bath. By this point he recorded his profession as gardener, so it seems his army career was indeed behind him. The couple went on to have a daughter, Peggy, who was born a year later.

At this point, Frank’s trail goes cold. All that can be confirmed is that he passed away on 21st August 1921, dying from a combination of influenza and epilepsy. He was 35 years of age.

Frank George Crew was laid to rest in the quiet Englishcombe Churchyard, close to the family home.