Tag Archives: Gloucestershire

Commonwealth War Graves, Gloucestershire, Great War, history, injury, Lieutenant, photography, Sherwood Foresters, Somerset, story, Surrey, war

Lieutenant Hubert Cavell

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Lieutenant Hubert Cavell

Hubert John Cavell was born on 12th August 1882 in Bristol, Gloucestershire. The middle of three children, his parents were John and Annie Cavell. The 1901 census recorded John as a cycle manufacturer, and both he and Annie were keen to educate their children.

Hubert studied to be an architect, and was employed as such when, on 17th February 1910, he married Florence Shellard. Also born in Bristol, she was the daughter of an insurance agent. Hubert’s father, however, had changed career by the time of his son’s nuptials, and was working as a manufacturer of steel rope.

After their wedding, Hubert and Florence moved out to Easton-in-Gordano, Somerset, and went on to have two daughters: Phyllis, who was born in November 1910; and Dorothy, born in April 1912.

War was brewing across Europe by this point, and, when hostilities were announced, Hubert stepped up to play his part. Full service records for him are lost to time, although is it clear that he joined the Sherwood Foresters (the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment). He was assigned to the 11th (Service) Battalion, and, by the spring of 1917, was firmly entrenched on the Western Front.

News has just been received of the death from wounds, received in action, of Lieut. Hubert John Cavell, of Easton-in-Gordano. The deceased officer was educated at the Cathedral School, and had been associated with the firm of Messrs. Paul and James, architects, for the past 16 years. He was for some years a member of the Church Ringers’ Society, being engaged in that capacity at St James’s Church, Bristol. He joined the Sherwood Foresters in January, 1916, received his commission, and had for the past three months held the position of acting-adjutant. He was 34 years of age, and leaves a widow and two little daughters.

Western Daily Press: Tuesday 24th April 1917

Lieutenant Cavell had been caught up in the fighting near Ypres, and was medically evacuated to a military hospital in Dorking, Surrey. It was here that he succumbed to his injuries on 22nd April 1917.

Hubert John Cavell’s body was brought back to Easton-in-Gordano for burial. He was laid to rest in the family plot in St George’s Churchyard. He was reunited with Florence, when he died in 1971, and Dorothy, when she passed away in 1997.

Commonwealth War Graves, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, Kent, London, photography, Private, Royal Marines, Somerset, story, Surrey, war

Private James Kendall

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Private James Kendall

Much of the early life of James Kendall is destined to remain shrouded in the mists of time. Born on 10th June 1883 in Stalbridge, Dorset, his parents are recorded as James Kendall and Anna Louisa Yeatman.

The 1901 census recorded James as being the head of a household, despite being only 17 years old. He was working as an agricultural labourer, and was living with his maternal grandmother, Mary Ann Yeatman, and her daughter, Louisa (the census recorded her as James’ aunt, although she shared a name with his mother).

James sought a proper career, however, and, on 19th July 1901, he enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry. His service records show that he was 5ft 6.5ins (1.69m) tall, with brown eyes, light brown hair and a fresh complexion.

Private Kendall was sent to Deal in Kent for his training: he remained here for nine months, before being transferred to Portsmouth, Hampshire. Over the next twelve years, he served on ten ships – including the HMS Duke of Wellington, HMS Egmont and HMS Renown – returning to the HMS Victory, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth, in between each assignment.

James was billeted at HMS Victory when war was declared. During the conflict he remained based in Portsmouth, while being assigned to HMS Cornwall and HMS Birmingham for spells. It seems likely that his shore service helped support new recruits: Private Kendall’s experience would have been invaluable.

In 1915, James married a woman called Edith: there are no other details for her, other than that she his named as his next of kin on his service records.

When the armistice was declared, Private Kendall was serving on HMS President III, a shore base split between Bristol, Windsor and London. He returned to Portsmouth in the summer of 1919 and was formally stood down the following January, having been invalided out of the Royal Marines. He had served for more than eighteen years, and consistently received notices of high levels of character and ability.

James’ dismissal from service was as a result of an unrecorded illness, likely to be one of the lung conditions prevalent at the time. The next record for him is that of his passing, on 24th May 1920, at Bath War Hospital, Somerset. He was 36 years of age.

James Kendall was laid to rest in the city’s Locksbrook Cemetery. He was interred in the military section on the graveyard, often reserved for those servicemen whose families were unable to afford to bring their loved ones home.

Commonwealth War Graves, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Great War, history, Lancashire, Lieutenant, photography, Royal Naval Reserve, story, unknown, war

Lieutenant John Martyn

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Lieutenant John Martyn

John Leslie Martyn was born in Egloshayle, Cornwall, on 15th February 1888. He was the youngest of five children, and was the third son to John and Mary Martyn. John Sr was a general merchant, and the household had a couple of live-in servants to help both with the household and the business.

When John Sr died in 1904, William, his middle son, took over the running of what was a decent family business.

John Jr, however, had sought another way of life and, was set on a life at sea. He enlisted on the training ship Conway in 1902. Based on the River Mersey, by the time of the 1911 census, he was boarding in the Sailor’s Home in Liverpool. The document confirms that he held the rank of Ship’s Mate in the merchant service, and it would seem that he was doing what he could to build on his skills.

On 26th August 1912, John received his certificate of competency to be the Master of a foreign-going ship. He received a commission in the Royal Naval Reserve, before joining the New Zealand Shipping Co. two years later. When war came to Europe, however, he was called back into naval service.

After serving a few months on the air defences in the Thames Estuary he sailed on his Majesty’s ship Laconia for the coast of German South-West Africa, where he remained. He became a Lieutenant in 1915, and in 1917 was given his first command of HMS Prattler. It is not too much to say that most promising young life has been given to his country.

Cornish Guardian: Friday 8th November 1918

In the summer of 1918, John came home on leave. On 25th July he married Lucy Dudfield in Stanway, Gloucestershire. Tragically, their married life was not to be a lengthy one.

Lieutenant Martyn returned to Devon, and, for reasons undetermined, was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital in East Stonehouse, Plymouth in October. Whatever the cause of his ailment, he was not to survive it. He passed away while still admitted, on 25th October 1918. He was 30 years of age.

John Leslie Martyn’s body was taken back to Cornwall for burial. He was laid to rest in the family plot in Egloshayle Cemetery.

Canada, Canadian Infantry, Commonwealth War Graves, Gloucestershire, Great War, history, illness, photography, Private, Somerset, story, war, Wiltshire

Private Henry England

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Private Henry England

Henry Edward England was born in Gloucestershire on 7th October 1893. One of seven children, his parents were Charles and Unity England. Charles was coachman and groom to Sir Charles Cuyler, and the family were raised in Bristol.

There are gaps in Henry’s life that are a challenge to fill. He seems to have sought to better himself, emigrating to Canada and becoming a bank clerk in Quebec.

When war broke out, Henry was quick to enlist. He joined up on 21st September 1914, becoming a Private in the 19th Battalion of the Alberta Dragoons. His service records show that he was 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall and weighed 140lbs (63.5kg). He was noted as being of average physical development with dark hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion.

Private England returned to home shores by December 1914, at which point he transferred to the 6th (Reserve) Battalion of the Canadian Infantry. His troop proceeded to Tidworth Camp in Wiltshire, on the edge of Salisbury Plain.

Army barracks at this time were melting pots: hundreds of men from different parts of the world cramped together in small billets proving breeding grounds for illness and disease. Henry was to prove a victim of the conditions: in the winter of 1914, he contracted meningitis. Admitted to the camp hospital, he was to succumb. Private England breathed his last on 14th February 1915, aged just 21 years of age.

Henry Edward England’s body was taken back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the sweeping vista of Minehead Cemetery, not far from where his family now lived.

Able Seaman, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Gloucestershire, Great War, history, killed in action, Leading Seaman, Ordinary Seaman, Petty Officer, photography, Royal Navy, Somerset, story, Suffolk, war

Petty Officer Thomas Slade

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Petty Officer Thomas Slade

Thomas Charles Slade was born in Bristol, Gloucestershire, on 13th March 1880. One of twins, he and his sibling Ernest were two of nine children to Charles and Elizabeth Slade. Not long after the twins were born, the family had moved to Minehead, Somerset, where both Charles, who was a mason and bricklayer, and Elizabeth had hailed from.

Whilst Ernest seemed content to remain in Somerset – going on to become a poultry farmer – Thomas sought a life of adventure. Foregoing his gardening job, he enlisted in the Royal Navy, setting his sights on a life at sea.

Thomas’ service records show that he joined up on 12th November 1895. He stood just 5ft 2ins (1.57cm) tall, with brown hair, blue eyes and a ruddy complexion. As he was to young to formally join up, he was give the rank of Boy 2nd Class, and sent to HMS Impregnable, the shore-based training establishment in Devonport, Devon.

Boy Slade seemed to create a good impression. He was promoted to Boy 1st Class in July 1896, and the follow February was given his first posting, on board the battleship HMS Benbow. This was the ship he was serving on when he turned 18 and, having come of age, he was officially inducted into the navy, and given the rank of Ordinary Seaman.

And so began a glittering career for young Thomas. Over the twelve years of his contract, he served on nine different ships, returning to HMS Vivid – the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport – between voyages.

Small in stature, Thomas appears to have been a dedicated young man. His annual reviews noted his character was ‘very good’ every year, and his ability was either ‘very good’, ‘superior’, or ‘excellent’. He was promoted to Able Seaman in September 1898, just eighteen months after becoming an Ordinary Seaman. By June 1906 he rose in rank again, ending his initial term of service as a Leading Seaman.

Thomas was not done with the navy yet, however. He immediately re-enlisted and, over the ensuing years served on a further four vessels. He spent more and more time on board HMS Defiance, the torpedo and mining school ship in Devonport. Whether this was because he was being taught, or was supporting incoming students is unclear, but by September 1912, he had been promoted again.

In November 1915, the now Petty Officer Slade had moved to the depot ship HMS Dido. His new posting supported the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla in the North Sea, patrolling the waters off the East Anglian coast. In February 1917 he moved to another of the support vessels, HMS Sturgeon.

In June 1917, a mine exploded on board, injuring a number of the crew, including Petty Officer Slade. The wounded were transferred to a hospital near Ipswich, and it was here that Thomas was to pass away. The only one of those caught up in the incident to die, he was 37 years of age.

Thomas Charles Slade was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the sweeping Minehead Cemetery, close to the grave of his mother, Elizabeth, who had passed away nine years before.

Thomas’ headstone also includes an inscription to Roy Thomas Allen, who died six months after him. Roy was the young son of Thomas’ younger sister Emily: an uncle and nephew reunited.

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

Driver Albert Hall

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Driver Albert Hall

The life of Albert Edward Hall is a challenging one to unpick. His headstone, in Bath’s Locksbrook Cemetery, confirms that he was a Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps, and passed away on 15th January 1920.

Driver Hall’s service records confirm that he enlisted in Gloucester on 21th September 1914, at which point he was 45 years of age. He was born in Bristol, stood 5ft 6.5ins (1.69m) tall and weighed 172lbs (78kg). He had blue eyes and brown hair. The only next of kin that Albert recorded were two brothers, Arthur and Alfred, although their addresses were not known.

Driver Hall was sent to France within a couple of weeks of enlisting. He became attached to the 23rd Field Ambulance Unit, and, barring leave, remained on the Western Front for the next four-and-half years. His service appears to have been impeccable, although in August 1918, he docked a week’s pay when he returned back to the unit a day late following a period of leave.

In June 1919, having been back on home soil for a month, Albert was discharged from the army. This seems to have been partially on medical grounds, as his records suggest he was suffering from heart disease.

At this point, Albert’s trail goes cold. He may well have returned to Bristol, but by the start of 1920 it is likely that his health was failing. He was admitted to the Pensioner’s Hospital in Bath, Somerset, and it was here that he breathed his last. He was 50 years of age.

Albert Edward Hall was laid to rest in the sweeping visa on the city’s Locksbrook Cemetery.

Bombardier, Commonwealth War Graves, Gloucestershire, Great War, history, illness, photography, Private, Royal Garrison Artillery, Somerset, story, war

Bombardier Albert Packer

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Bombardier Albert Packer

Albert Edward Farvis Packer was born in Bristol, Gloucestershire, in 1890. The middle of three children, his parents were Francis and Eliza. Francis was a grocer, and when Albert finished his schooling, he worked as his father’s assistant.

Albert went on to work as a butcher’s manager for Messers. John Lewis and Sons in Midsomer Norton. By the time of the 1911 census, he was living in Batheaston with his parents and younger sister, Elsie. When war broke out, Albert stepped up to play his part, following in his older brother’s footsteps. He enlisted in Taunton on 9th December 1915: his service records showed that he was 5ft 10.5ins (1.79m) tall.

Gunner Packer was assigned to the Royal Garrison Artillery. Initially posted to a depot in Cornwall, he was soon assigned to the 173rd Siege Battery, and found himself in France by the beginning of October 1916. Albert remained overseas for the next fourteen months and, in March 1917, was appointed Acting Bombardier.

On 12th December 1917, Albert returned home on leave and, five days later, he married his sweetheart, stationery shop assistant Dorothy Flower, in St Paul’s Church, Bath. The couple made their way to Bristol, to stay with Dorothy’s parents, but Albert fell ill. He was admitted to the 2nd Southern General Hospital in Bristol, suffering from pleurisy and double pneumonia. The condition was to prove too much for his body, and he passed away, while still admitted, on 27th December 1917. He was just 27 years of age.

Albert Edward Farvis Packer was taken back to Bath for burial. He was laid to rest in the sweeping vista of the city’s Locksbrook Cemetery.

In less than a fortnight, Dorothy had become the blushing bride and a widow. She was to go on and find happiness, however. On 20th February 1920, she married Sapper Sidney Bethell, of the Royal Engineers. Their wedding was in Jamaica, where he was based, and the couple went on to have a daughter, Phyllis, the following year.

Sidney and Dorothy eventually settled in Hertfordshire. He died in 1953, at the age of 59: Dorothy passed the next 38 years as a widow again, passing away on 26th December 1991 – almost exactly 74 year after Albert – at the age of 93.

Albert’s older brother, Francis Packer, also fought and died in the First World War. His story can be found here.

Commonwealth War Graves, Glamorganshire, Gloucestershire, Great War, history, illness, Lincolnshire, Petty Officer, photography, Royal Naval Reserve, Somerset, Stoker, story, Surrey, war

Stoker Petty Officer Henry Cordas

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Stoker Petty Officer Henry Cordas

Much of Henry John Cordas’ early life is destined to remain a mystery. The first record for him is the 1881 census, which gives is his address as St Mary’s Orphanage in Heston, Middlesex, where he was one of 650 children.

The 1891 census recorded Henry as living in Humber Street, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, right next to the town’s docks. He is noted as being a fisherman, and is married to a woman called Mary, who was born in Deptford, Surrey.

The next available census record for Henry adds confusion to his story. The document, dating from 1911, confirms that he and Mary are now living in Hotwell Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire, again within spitting distance of the docks. Henry was employed as a marine fisherman in the merchant service. The document suggests that the couple had been married for ten years, and give Mary’s place of birth as Swansea, Glamorganshire.

While the document matches previous information for Henry, it seems unlikely that the Marys in the 1891 and 1911 censuses are one and the same. Either way, the couple were sharing their house with Mary’s niece, Ellen.

Henry seems to have joined the merchant fleet in a more official capacity in the autumn of 1900. His records show that he was 5ft 11ins (1.8m) tall, with blue eyes and a fair complexion. He served out of Bristol and, in the years leading up to the outbreak of war, he was assigned to a number of ships, travelling the Atlantic to Montreal and Jamaica, amongst other far-flung places.

When hostilities commenced, Henry was assigned to the Royal Naval Reserve. Over the next few years, he served on a number of ships, including the armoured cruisers HMS Suffolk and HMS Doris. He worked as a Stoker, but by the end of the conflict had been promoted to Stoker Petty Officer.

In December 1918, Henry’s service came to an end. He was, by now, based at HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport, but his health was suffering. Medically discharged with a combination of chronic bronchitis and rheumatic pain, he seems to have returned to Bristol.

On 6th December 1920, Henry was admitted to Bath War Hospital in Somerset, as he was coughing up blood. The plan was to transfer him to Greenwich Hospital in Surrey, but he suffered an aneurysm before that move could be made. He passed away on 11th December 1920, at the age of 50 years old.

The body of Henry John Cordas did not travel far for burial. He was laid to rest in the peaceful expanse of Bath’s Locksbrook Cemetery.

Commonwealth War Graves, Gloucestershire, Great War, Gunner, history, illness, killed in action, photography, Royal Field Artillery, Somerset, story, war

Gunner Stanley Parry

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Gunner Stanley Parry

Stanley William Parry was born in the spring of 1890 in St George’s on the outskirts of Bristol, Gloucestershire. One of four children to Herbert and Susannah Parry, Stanley was a twin to brother Roland. Herbert was a commercial clerk for a chemical manufacturer, and this afforded the Parry boys a level of education, with both Roland and Stanley attended the Colston Endowed School in Bristol.

Tragically, Susannah had died when Stanley and Roland were just 3 years old: their younger brother, Wilfred, had died the year before, when just a babe-in-arms. By the time of the 1911 census, Herbert had moved the family to Portishead. He was still working as a clerk, while both of the twins were employed as insurance clerks. Their older brother, Edwin, was also a clerk, in the docks at Bristol, and Herbert had employed a live-in housekeeper, Mary Govier, to look after him and his sons.

When war came to Europe, both Stanley and Roland enlisted. The two of them joined the Royal Field Artillery as Gunners. While full service records are not available, Stanley was assigned to the 40th Trench Mortar Battery, while Roland became attached to A Battery of the 240th Brigade.

Stanley was serving in France in the summer of 1916, when he became ill.

The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, at Portishead Cemetery, of Gunner Stanley Wm Parry, who… died at Mile End Hospital, London, on September 19th. The deceased, who was 27 years of age, was always somewhat delicate in health, but was anxious to serve his King and country, and joined the [Royal Field Artillery]. He was brought to London from France on the previous Saturday suffering from enteritis, and although he lived until his father reached him, he died shortly after. He was the third son of Mr HC Parry… whose two other sons are also serving, one in France and the other in Egypt.

Bristol Times and Mirror: Monday 25th September 1916

Gunner Stanley William Parry was laid to rest in Portishead Cemetery, just a short distance from the family home.

Gunner Stanley Parry
(from findagrave.com)

Roland continued to serve his country in France, but tragedy was to strike the family once more.

Mr HC Parry… has received the sad intelligence that his son, Rowland G Parry [sic], of the [Royal Field Artillery], was killed in action on the 17th September. A letter from deceased’s officer stated that Gunner Parry was returning to the battery when a shell burst on the track, killing deceased instantaneously, death being absolutely painless. The letter further states that Gunner Parry had been a very valuable member of the battery, and will be missed by them all. Gunner Parry was the second of Mr Parry’s three sons to lay down his life in the great fight, a twin brother having died in a military hospital in London last year. The other son, the eldest, is serving in Palestine.

Bristol Times and Mirror: Saturday 29th September 1917

Roland George Parry was 28 years of age when he died. He was laid to rest in the Vlamertinghe New Military Semetery, in Ypres.

Gunner Roland Parry
(from findgrave.com)

Herbert Parry passed away in the summer of 1920, at the age of 62. He had outlived three of his sons, as well as being a widower for 27 years. He was laid to rest in Portishead Cemetery with his son Stanley.

Edwin Parry, Stanley and Roland’s older brother, had returned from the First World War by the summer of 1919. He resumed his work as a clerk at the docks in Bristol, and married schoolteacher Annie Homewood in August 1919. They went on to have three children, Barbara, Gwladys and Roland. Edwin died in September 1959, at the age of 71 years old.

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

Private James Savory

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Private James Savory

James Henry Savory was born in Gloucester in the spring of 1872. An only child, his parents were Frederick and Sophia Savory. Frederick was innkeeper of the town’s Bell Inn, but things seemed to go wrong for the family as time passed.

Both Frederick and James disappear from the 1891 census return, while Sophia is recorded as being an inmate in the Bristol City Workhouse. She was still there ten years later, although whether she had been there for the full decade is unclear.

James, by this point, had found employment as a travelling labourer. By the autumn of 1891, he had met Edith Morgan, a butcher’s daughter from Bristol. The couple married on 16th May 1892, four days before Edith gave birth to their first child, a daughter they called Eleanor. The couple set up home in Bedminster, James finding work as a foreman at the local marble works. He and Edith went on to have four children in all.

James was drawn to piecemeal work: by the time of the 1911 census, the family had moved to Portishead, Somerset, and he was employed as an ironmonger. His son, James Jr, was apprenticed in the same line of work, and the family had a relative, 71-year-old printer William Badger, boarding with them to bring in a little extra money.

What war came to Europe, James stepped up to play his part. Full records are not available for him, but he certainly enlisted in the army. Based on his age – he was 42 years old when the conflict began – it seems likely that he either volunteered for service, or that he was called up later in the war.

Private Savory was attached to the 19th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment. Whether he service on home soil or overseas is unclear, but he survived through to the end of the war, and had returned home by the start of 1919.

James Henry Savory died on 6th March 1919: he was 46 years of age. He was laid to rest in Portishead Cemetery, not far from where his widow still lived. Edith lived on until October 1957: she was laid to rest with her late husband, reunited after nearly forty years.