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

Leading Stoker Victor Jordan

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Leading Stoker Victor Jordan

Victor Jordan was born on 20th November 1893 in Beeston Regis on the north Norfolk coast. The second of four children, his parents were school teachers Albert and Melletta Jordan.

By the time of the 1911 census, the family had moved from one coast to another, setting up home in Bognor Regis, Sussex. Albert had given up teaching, and had become an insurance agent for Prudential. Victor had left school and found work as a wheelwright, while his older sister, Emily, had taken up where her father had left off, teaching in an elementary school, The family of six was expanded by the inclusion of Albert’s mother, Emily, who had moved in with them.

By 1914, war was on the horizon, and Victor sought out a career beyond wheel work. On 21st May he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class. His service records show that he was 5ft 6ins (1.78m) tall, had light brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.

Stoker Jordan was initially sent to HMS Victory, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth, Hampshire, for training. After an initial six-month period, he was assigned to the battleship HMS Indomitable, on board which he was to serve for the next four years.

During his time on board, Victor proved to be a disciplined and determined worker. He was promoted to Stoker 1st Class in July 1915, and reached the rank of Leading Stoker in the summer of 1918. HMS Indomitable was involved in some of the key naval battles of the First World War – including Dogger Bank and Jutland – and Victor would have been on the forefront of maintaining the vessel’s power.

By October 1918, Leading Stoker Jordan was back on dry land, and was based once again in Portsmouth. As the war came to a close, however, he became unwell, and was admitted to Haslar Naval Hospital in nearby Gosport, suffering from acute tonsillitis.

Tragically, the condition was to get the better of him: Leading Stoker Jordan died of heart failure on 8th December 1918, having not long turned 25 years old.

Victor Jordan’s family were, by now, living in the Somerset hamlet of Brewham, and this is where his body was brought for burial: he was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard of St John the Baptist’s Church.

Leading Stoker Victor Jordan
(from findagrave.com)

Scandal was set to rock the grieving family. Albert, who was now teaching again, was charged with indecently assaulting a nine-year-old girl three times over the winter of 1918/19. He denied the accusation and a jury found him not guilty after only a few minutes’ deliberation.

Albert and Melletta seem to have found it impossible to remain in the quiet corner of Somerset, and moved to Essex. The couple took up new teaching posts, Albert eventually becoming the headmaster of Doddinghurst Church of England School, near Brentwood, while his wife worked as a school mistress for one of the classes.

Melletta died in February 1931, and at this point, Albert came back to Somerset to live with his daughter and her family in Cheddar. He was 75 years old when he passed away at Emily’s family home – called Melletta after her mother – and was laid to rest in St Andrew’s Churchyard, Cheddar.

Able Seaman, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, East Surrey Regiment, Great War, history, illness, Labour Corps, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Private, Royal Navy, Somerset, story, Surrey, war

Private William Stringer

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Private William Stringer

William Stringer was born in Warlingham, Surrey, on 4th December 1885, and was one of nine children to Stephen and Jane Stringer. Stephen was a carter, but is seems that William wanted an escape.

On 18th April 1901, he enlisted in the Royal Navy and, because of his age, he was granted the rank of Boy 2nd Class. He was initially sent to HMS Impregnable, the school ship, and remained there for just over a year, during which his hard work paid off and he was promoted to Boy 1st Class.

His basic training complete, and after a short stint at HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard at Devonport, he was assigned to HMS Collingwood. Over the next couple of years, William served on a couple more vessels and, in 1903, when he came of age, he was formally inducted into the navy, and given the rank of Ordinary Seaman.

William’s service records show that he was 5ft 4ins (1.63m) tall, had auburn hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. For distinguishing marks, he was noted as having two dots on his left forearm and scars on his legs.

Now that he was tied to a twelve year contract, Ordinary Seaman Stringer’s seems to have viewed his life in a different light. His ‘very good’ conduct quickly changed to ‘fair’ and, at the end of 1904, he spent two separate stints in the cells, presumably because of his attitude or behaviour.

This shock to the system seems to have been what William needed, however, as in 1905, he took to the new role, and his ratings improved once more. Over the next couple of years, he served on HMS Montagu and HMS Diamond, returning to Devonport in between voyages. In January 1907 he was promoted again, this time to Able Seaman, but, as with the previous promotion, things began to go downhill again.

In March, he spent two weeks in Diamond’s brig, a punishment that was repeated in September. The following month Able Seaman Stringer’s service records not his character as ‘indifferent’ and, the following month he was discharged from the Royal Navy, having refused to work for 42 days.

It was while he was serving on board HMS Diamond that William met Lena Cropp, who was presumably working in one of the ports on the South Coast. She was the daughter of labourer Jesse Cropp and his wife, Philadelphia. When Jesse died in 1897, Philadelphia married bricklayer James Smith, who had boarded with the family for a number of years.

William and Lena had a son, Joseph, on Christmas Day 1907. Now removed from the Navy, William moved his young family back to Surrey, where he found work as a cowman, and Lena took in laundry to bring in an extra income. The couple went on to marry in 1911, and went on to have two further children – Elsie, who was born in 1912, but who died when just a toddler; and Gladys, who was born in the summer of 1918.

When war closed in on Europe, something of a sense of duty must have pulled on William. He enlisted in the summer of 1915, joining the East Surrey Regiment. He seems to have quickly transferred across to the Labour Corps, and arrived in France on 15th July.

It is unclear for how long Private Stringer served in France, but at some point he returned to Britain. In October 1918, he was admitted to the War Hospital in Bath, suffering from stomach problems. His health was to prove his undoing, and he passed away from a biliary calculi peritonitis on 8th October 1918, at the age of 34 years of age.

Finances may have been tight for Lena, as William was buried in the city where he died, rather than being brought back to Surrey, where she was living. Because of this, it is unlikely that he ever met his daughter, who had been born just two months before.

William Stringer was laid to rest in the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Bath.

William’s Pension Ledger notes Lena as his widow, but only mentions one child – Joseph – as a dependent. The document also records him as an illegitimate stepchild, as he had been born a couple of years before the couple married.

The record notes that it, while Joseph’s legitimacy meant he was not eligible for a share of his William’s pension, it had been decided that the basic rate should be provided while he remained in Lena’s care.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, Lancashire, photography, Private, Royal Army Service Corps, Somerset, story, unknown, war

Private Francis Barnes

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Private Francis Barnes

The life of Francis – Frank – Barnes is destined to remain a mystery and, indeed, the majority of the information comes from his headstone and one document, the British Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects.

Frank’s headstone confirms that he was a Private in the Royal Army Service Corps, and that he died on 13th December 1917, though the cause of his passing is unknown. He is buried in Bath Roman Catholic Cemetery, so this also sheds light on his religion.

The British Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects suggests that he was also known as Frank McBarnes, although no further information comes to light with this alternative surname. The document confirms that he died in Bath War Hospital, and that his dependents were not eligible for a war gratuity, which suggests that he enlisted after June 1917.

Five dependents are highlighted on the record – Frank’s siblings Sabrina, Elizabeth, Margaret, Patrick and Thomas. This would suggest that both of their parents were dead by the time Frank himself passed away. Sadly, a combined search of the siblings doesn’t shed any light on their background, despite married names being given for Sabrina and Margaret, and an alternative surname – McManus – being provided for Thomas.

Some lives are not meant to be uncovered, and that of Frank Barnes, at rest in a peaceful Somerset cemetery, took everything to his grave.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, North Somerset Yeomanry, photography, Sergeant, Somerset, South Africa, story, war, Welch Regiment

Serjeant George Collins

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Serjeant George Collins

Details of the lives of those who fell during the Great War can be limited by the documentation that is available more than a century later. Based on what remains, the life of George Collins would have been technical and sparse.

From the formal documents that remain, it is possible to determine that he was born in Bath, Somerset, in 1870 or 1871, and his father was farmer Oliver Collins.

George married Florence Lydyard on 25th January 1896 at the parish church in Bathampton. George was listed as a cellarman, while Florence was noted as being the daughter of George Lydyard, an agent.

The 1901 census found the couple living at the Liberal Club in Bath, which they were both managing. The couple had had a son, George Jr, who was born in 1898, and were employing a servant to help with the daily chores.

The 1911 census shows that George had left the club behind, and was employed as a gymnastic instructor. He and Florence now had four children: Mona, who was 14 (and who didn’t appear on the previous census); George; and twins Marjorie and Dorothy, who were born on 5th July 1904.

The limited military documentation confirms that George enlisted in the North Somerset Yeomanry by October 1917. He was assigned to the 2nd/1st Battalion, which was a mounted division that became a cyclist unit. The troop was based on home soil throughout the war and, depending on when he joined, George could have served anywhere from Northumberland to East Anglia or Southern Ireland.

These details, while uncovering something of George’s life, remain as clinical as the engraving on his headstone. With Serjeant Collins, it is a newspaper article on his passing that adds humanity to his life:

Many friends in Bath will regret to hear that Sergeant George Collins died on Saturday at the Bath War Hospital, where he had been an inmate for seven weeks, suffering acutely from gastritis. Deceased, who was a Bathonian by birth, when a youth joined the Welsh Regiment, and served for seven years in the 1st Battalion… He returned to Bath 21 years ago, and became a drill and physical instructor to several schools… whilst he also instructed evening classes at Guinea Lane and St Mary’s Church House. Being a Reservist he was called upon for the South African War, and Sergeant Collins rejoined his old regiment in 1899. He was wounded and invalided home… When he recovered from his wounds, Sergeant Collins resumed his work as an instructor at schools, and continued to act in that capacity until 1915. Though 44 years of age and not liable for military service, he very patriotically rejoined; he entered the North Somerset Yeomanry and became a drill instructor. He had not been abroad in this war, but had served in several places with the 2/1st NSY. The fatal illness became very pronounced in January when on leave, and he was not able to rejoin his unit. Sergeant Collins was a fine boxer, and became middle-weight champion of the Army when serving with the 1st Welsh. His experience as a trainer was often in request locally, and he had acted in that capacity to the most successful Avon Rowing Club crews. Deceased leaves a widow, one son, and three daughters. His only boy, Sapper George Collins, Wessex [Royal Engineers], has been serving at Salonika since 1915.

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette: Saturday 13 April 1918

Beyond the staid, formal documents is a life well lived. Serjeant George Collins was 47 or 48 years old when he passed on 5th April 1918; the army record noted the cause of his death as a cerebral haemorrhage. His body was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Mary the Virgin Church, Bathwick, overlooking the city he loved.

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

Private Kenneth Harding

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Private Kenneth Harding

Kenneth Gordon Harding was born in the autumn of 1896, in the Somerset village of Batheaston. The oldest of nine children, his parents were Lawrence and Fanny Harding. Lawrence was a market gardener when Kenneth was born, but by the time of the 1911 census – and with a growing family to support – he found other employment as a roadman.

When he left school, Kenneth found work as a gardener, but he had his sight set on distant shores. On 25th September 1913 he enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, determined to see the world. His service records show that he was 5ft 3ins (1.6m) tall, with light hair, blue eyes and a light complexion.

For the duration of his naval career, Private Harding was based out of Plymouth Dockyard, returning there in between each of his voyages. Over the next four years, he served on three different vessels – HMS Heroic, HMS Duke of Edinburgh and HMS Skirmisher. His service records shows that he maintained a satisfactory level of conduct, and that his general character was very good.

By January 1917, Kenneth had fallen ill, and was medically discharged from the army, having contracted tuberculosis. He returned home, but his illness continued to dog him.

On 22nd May 1918, Kenneth’s younger brother, Leonard Harding, who was serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed while fighting in France. Private Leonard Harding was just 19 years old. He was laid to rest in the Duhallow ADS Cemetery at Ypres.

With Kenneth’s own health not looking good, his parents must have feared the worst. The worst was to some, sadly, when he breathed his last at home on 29th December 1918. He was just 22 years of age.

Kenneth Gordon Harding was laid to rest in the graveyard of St John the Baptist Church in his home village, Batheaston.

Captain, Commonwealth War Graves, Egypt, Great War, history, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, Lieutenant, London, Major, Malta, Pembrokeshire, photography, Somerset, story, unknown, war

Major Richard Jordan

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Major Richard Jordan

Richard Avary Arthur Young Jordan was born on 24th May 1866 in Cashel, Tipperary, Ireland. His father, Richard Jordan, died a week after his son’s birth, leaving his mother, Annabella, to raise him.

The 1871 census records mother and son living in Woolwich, London, with Annabella’s widowed mother, Grace. They were obviously a well-connected family, with Grace living as an annuitant, or pensioner, one son a Surgeon Major in the army and another as a Colonel in a different regiment. Annabella herself was recorded as a landowner, and the family had support with a cook and housemaid living in.

Surrounded by army servicemen as he was, it is no surprise that a military career called to Richard. He enlisted on 10th November 1886, joining the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry as a Lieutenant. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, his service records confirm that he had attended Burney’s Gosport School – a military academy – and was 5ft 7.5ins (1.71m) tall.

Richard was sent to Egypt just before Christmas that year, and over the next five years, he served both there and in Malta. On 11th May 1889 he attained the rank of Captain and, in December 1891 he was sent further afield, to Hong Kong.

After three years in the Far East, returned to Britain, and spent the majority of 1895 back on home soil. His travels were not at an end, however, and by the end of the year, Captain Jordan found himself in India. He spent three-and-a-half years in the sub continent, returning to the UK in May 1899.

At this point, details of Richard’s life get a little sketchy. He seems to have settled in Pembroke Dock, South Wales, and, on 18th April 1904, he married Ella Mary Caroline Grove. She was eight years his junior, and the daughter of a late Lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry. The couple married at St George’s Church, Hanover Square, London.

Richard’s trail goes gold again, for a couple of years. He retired from the army on 8th August 1906, after nearly twenty years’ service. By the time of the 1911 census, he and Ella had set up home in Heywood House, on the outskirts of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, with two servants – Beatrice and Edith – as two live-in staff.

War came to Europe in the summer of 1914, and Richard seemed to keen to play his part once again. He enlisted again in August 1915, and was assigned the rank of Major in his former regiment. While it is not possible to determine Major Jordan’s complete service at this time, he definitely arrived in France the following month. If he remained in France, it is likely that he saw fighting at the Somme in 1916, Cambrai in 1917 and at Lys and on the Hindenburg Line in 1918.

Again, Major Jordan’s post-war life remains tantalisingly elusive. By the summer of 1920, he and Ella were living at Holcombe Lodge in Bathampton, on the outskirts of Bath. It was here on 14th June, that Richard passed away. He was 54 years of age.

Despite all his travelling, it seems that Ella was comfortable living in Bathampton, and this is where she laid her late husband to rest. Richard Avary Arthur Young Jordan was buried in the graveyard of St Nicholas’ Church in the village.

The widowed Ella married again, to Captain Clare Garsia, on 9th October 1921. She remained in Bathampton, and lived to the age of 77, passing away on 13th August 1951. She was laid to rest in the same plot as her late husband.

When Captain Garsia died the following year, he was also buried in St Nicholas’ Churchyard, in a neighbouring plot to his beloved Ella.

Commonwealth War Graves, Cornwall, Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry, Great War, history, injury, Major, photography, Somerset, story, war, Wiltshire

Major Francis Dickinson

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Major Francis Dickinson

Francis Arthur Dickinson was born on 5th February 1874 in Lufton, near Yeovil, Somerset. The elder of two children, his parents were banker Arthur Dickinson, and his wife, Alice.

Francis was drawn to a military life. The 1891 census lists him as an army student at a boarding school in Cornwall, and by the end of the decade, he had enlisted in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

Over the next fifteen years, Francis served around the world, fighting in India, South and East Africa and in the Middle East. By the end of his term of service, he had risen to the rank of Major. During this time, he had been awarded a number of decorations, and had been mentioned in dispatches twice for his gallantry.

On 23rd July 1914, Francis married Clare Phipps, the daughter of a man of private means from Dilton Marsh, near Westbury, Wiltshire. The couple married in Clare’s home village, but set up residence in the Dickinson family home in Kingweston, Somerset.

When war was declared in 1914, the newlyweds were on their honeymoon. Francis returned to the army and was offered the rank of Colonel, but turned it down, in order to return to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. He soon found himself in the thick of things again, and was caught up in the fighting at Mons, Marne, Aisne and Messines.

In April the following year, Major Dickinson was wounded. Evacuated to a camp hospital in Boulogne, he was not to survive his injuries this time round. He passed away at the hospital on 11th April 1915, at the age of 41 years old.

Due to the masses of servicemen being killed, a decision had been taken by the government of the time to not repatriate the dead to Britain, but to bury them in cemeteries close to where they fell. However, whether because of his family’s connections, or because he passed on the Channel coast, Major Dickinson’s body was, in fact, brought back to Somerset.

Francis Arthur Dickinson was laid to rest with full military honours in the graveyard of All Saints’ Church. He was buried alongside other family members, and in the shadow of the family manor.

Major Francis Dickinson
(from findagrave.com)
Commonwealth War Graves, Driver, Great War, history, illness, Norfolk, photography, Royal Field Artillery, Somerset, story, war

Driver George Brown

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Driver George Brown

George Edward Brown was born on 26th June 1898 in South Petherton, Somerset. An only child, his parents were Escourt and Alice Brown. Originally a millstone dresser, by the time of the 1911 census, Escourt had turned his hand to farm work, while Alice made shirts and did housekeeping to bring in a little more money for the family.

George was only 16 years old when war broke out, but he was keen to play his part as soon as he was able to. In the spring of 1917, he enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery, and was assigned to the 105th Company.

Little information remains of Gunner Brown’s military service, but it is evident that he did his training in Norfolk. While here, he came down with appendicitis, and was admitted to the Norfolk War Hospital in Norwich. He was operated on, but sadly died following the procedure. He passed away on 29th June 1917, having just turned 19 years of age.

George Edward Brown’s body was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the family grave in South Petherton Cemetery. He was reunited with his parents, when they passed away, Escourt in 1924 and Alice some time later.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, photography, Private, Royal Defence Corps, Somerset, story, war

Private Arthur Gentle

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Private Arthur Gentle

Arthur William Gentle was born in 1867 in Whitelackington, Somerset. The son of Maria Gillard, his father is not noted, although he was accepted as one of the family when Maria married Richard Gentle in 1873. The couple went on to have eleven children of their own, giving Arthur a large family of siblings.

Richard was an agricultural labourer, and this was a trade into which Arthur followed. On 23rd October 1897, Arthur married Mary Marsh, a labourer’s daughter from South Petherton. The couple tied the knot in her local church, the illiterate Arthur marking his intent with a cross.

The couple set up home just off Silver Street in South Petherton, and went on to have ten children of their own. The 1911 census recorded Arthur still employed as an agricultural labourer, his oldest son following suit, and Mary – who was also known as Polly – raising the family.

War came to Europe, and, despite his age, Arthur felt a need to play a part. While full service records are no longer available, what remains confirms that he had enlisted by the summer of 1916, and had joined the 300th Protection Company of the Royal Defence Corps.

Sadly, Private Gentle’s military career was to end in the same way as so many of his army colleagues. He contracted pneumonia during the winter of 1916, and passed away at home on 21st February 1917. He was 49 years of age.

Arthur William Gentle was laid to rest in the cemetery of his adopted home town, South Petherton.

Arthur’s brother Frank Gentle also fought in the Great War. Assigned to the 1st Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, he was caught up in the fighting in the Somme, and was killed on 14th July 1916. He was just 26 years of age.

Private Frank Gentle is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in Northern France.

Captain, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, London, photography, Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, Second Lieutenant, Somerset, story, war, Yorkshire

Captain William Poulett

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Captain William Poulett

William John Lydston Poulett was born on 11th September 1883, in Belsize Park, London. The oldest child to William Poulett, 6th Earl Poulett, and his third wife, Rosa, William Jr was known by the title Viscount Hinton.

When William’s father died in January 1899, a battle ensued for the title of the 7th Earl Poulett. The 6th Earl had married his first wife, Elizabeth, in 1849, separating from her within a couple of months, when he learnt that she was pregnant. The alleged father was Captain William Turnour Granville, and when the 6th Earl died, Elizabeth’s son, another William Poulett, claimed the right to take the title. In July 1903, the judge decreed that William and Rosa’s son held the valid claim, and William John Lydston Poulett succeeded him, becoming the 7th Earl. At this point, he was living in Ayston, Rutland, expanding his education and boarding with a Clerk in Holy Orders.

In 1908, William married Sylvia Storey. She was the daughter of actor and dancer Fred Storey, and was herself an actress and Gaiety girl. Given Earl Poulett’s status, it seems this might not have been the most appropriate of matches, as a contemporary newspaper reported:

Another marriage alliance of the stage with the aristocracy, and one of the most remarkable of them all, was brought about yesterday by a quiet ceremony at St James’ Church, Piccadilly, uniting Earl Poulett and Miss Sylvia Lilian Storey, the well-known comedienne.

Besides contracting parties, there were only one or two persons present, including the family solicitor and Lady Violet Wingfield, sister of the bridegroom [who was also a Gaiety girl]. There were no bridesmaids.

Before the ceremony, some consternation was caused by an untoward event. The wedding ring was dropped, and there were some perturbing moments while a scrambling hunt was made for it on the floor. Finally it was discovered and pounced upon by the verger.

The time and place of the ceremony had been kept quite a secret, and the bride and bridegroom were on their way from London before the news of their marriage became known. The sudden announcement which was then made greatly enhanced the romance of the affair.

The Earl is just twenty-five years of age, and the new Countess is eighteen…

Shields Daily News: Thursday 3rd September 1908

The secret nuptials couple went on to have two children – George and Bridget – and, by the time of the 1911 census, the family were living in some luxury at Hinton House in Hinton St George, Somerset.

William had also had a distinguished military career by this point. In 1903 he received a commission as Second Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, before being transferred to the 4th Highland Light Infantry.

On 26th February 1913, he was recommissioned, as a Second Lieutenant in the Warwickshire Royal Horse Artillery and, when war broke out, he was sent to France. By November 1915, he had been promoted to Captain, but after three years on the Western Front, his health was beginning to suffer.

Captain Poulett was transferred back to Britain, and assigned to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. By 1918, he was serving as part of the Anti-Aircraft Corps in Middlesbrough, when he contracted pneumonia. This was to take his life, and he breathed his last on 11th July 1918, at the age of just 34 years old.

William John Lydston Poulett, 7th Earl Poulett, was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St George’s Church in Hinton St George.

Captain William Poulett
(from ancestry.co.uk)

William’s death meant that his nine-year-old son, George, inherited his title and his £187,200 estate (worth £8.2m today). The 8th Earl served during the Second World War, working as an engineer at Woolwich Arsenal and becoming an Associate of the Institute of Railway Signal Engineers and the Institute of British Engineers.

George married three times: he divorced his first wife, Oriel, in 1941; outlived his second wife, Olga, who died in 1961; and was survived by his third wife, Margaret, when he passed away in 1973. When he died, with no children, all of his titles became extinct.