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Bed Steward, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Essex, Great War, history, killed in action, Merchant Navy, photography, story, war

Bed Steward Henry Herring

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Bed Steward Henry Herring

Henry George Herring – also known as Harry – was born on 10th November 1889. The second of six children, his parents were Thomas and Mary Herring. Thomas was a tailor from Tiverton, Devon, and the family lived at 131 West Exe South in the town.

Henry sought a life of adventure, and joined the Merchant Navy. Sadly, details of his service have been lost to time, so it is not possible to get a clear picture of his time at sea. Certainly he had moved out of the family home by the time of the 1911 census, though it is unclear whether he had enlisted by this point.

By the start of 1916, Henry was serving as a Bed Steward on board the SS Maloja, a passenger steamship that travelled between Britain and India. On 26th February she left Tilbury, Essex, bound for Bombay, with a crew of 301 and 122 passengers on board.

The following morning, Maloja was sailing through the Strait of Dover when she hit a mine. There was a large explosion and she faltered. The Canadian ship Empress of Fort William was only a short distance behind, and she steamed forward to assist, but she also struck a mine just 1km (0.6miles) away.

The Maloja’s lifeboats were readied to launch and passengers started to board, but the ships engine room had flooded, and she began to list. Three of the four lifeboats were unable to launch, and, as she was unable to stop, no rescue ships could come alongside.

The Maloja sank 24 minutes after hitting the mine. Many of the crew and passengers ended up in the water: most were rescued, but 44 bodies – including that of Bed Steward Herring – were recovered and around 100 people were unaccounted for.

Henry George Herring’s body was taken to shore: he was just 26 years old when he died. He was taken back to Devon for burial and laid to rest in Tiverton Cemetery, not far from where his grieving family still lived.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Driver, Great War, Hampshire, history, photography, Royal Field Artillery, story, unknown, war

Driver Thomas Dicker

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Driver Thomas Dicker

Thomas Lockyer Dicker was born at the start of 1890 in Tiverton, Devon. One of six children, his parents were Thomas and Mary Dicker. Thomas Sr was a cab driver, and the family lived at 4 Back Lane in the town.

Thomas Jr’s later life is a challenge to pin down. He doesn’t appear on the 1911 census, and his service records have been lost to time. It is clear that he had enlisted before October 1919 – and, in all likelihood, while the war was being fought. Assigned to the Royal Field Artillery, he worked as a driver, and again it is possible that he served overseas at some point.

Thomas Lockyer Dicker died at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, Hampshire, on 12th April 1920, although the cause of his passing is unclear. He was 30 years of age. His body was taken back to Devon for burial, and he was laid to rest in Tiverton Cemetery, not far from the family home.

Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Devonshire Regiment, Great War, history, illness, Ireland, photography, story, war

Boy George Hunt

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Boy George Hunt

The funeral took place at the Tiverton Cemetery, on Tuesday afternoon, of George Hunt, 17… a member of the Devon band, who died in Ireland as a result of an illness brought on by exposure. Pte. Hunt visited Tiverton for the last time at Christmas. On the return journey to Ireland he, with several others, were drafted to camp to await the arrival of a steamer. Whilst in camp he contracted a severe chill which he was unable to throw off and his parents recently received a message stating that his condition was giving rise to some anxiety. Mr and Mrs Hunt journeyed to Ireland and satisfied themselves that everything possible was being done to save their son. In spite of all efforts he died on Thursday, June 16th.

[Tiverton Gazette (Mid-Devon Gazette): Tuesday 28th June 1921]

George Cockram Hunt was born on 15th January 1904, and was the youngest of five children to William and Emily Hunt. William was a carpenter and joiner from Tiverton in Devon, and this is where the family were born and raised.

There is little additional available about young George’s life. He had enlisted in the army by the middle of 1920, and, as a Band Boy, was attached to the 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. Given his age, it is unlikely that he spent any time overseas before the Armistice but, as the report of his funeral suggests, he was stationed in Ireland at the time of his death.

Boy Hunt died in barracks in Queenstown – now Cobh – in the south of Ireland. His body was brought back to Devon for burial.

George Cockram Hunt was laid to rest in Tiverton Cemetery, on the outskirts of the town he had called his home for less that two decades.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Devonshire Regiment, Great War, history, illness, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, photography, Private, story, war

Private James Chilcott

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Private James Chilcott

James Chilcott was born in Eccles, Lancashire, in the autumn of 1885. One of twelve children, his parents were William and Mary Chilcott. William seemed to be able to turn his hand to most things: the 1891 census recorded him as a hawker of fish, while ten years later he was employed as an insurance agent.

The Chilcotts had moved to Tiverton in Devon in around 1891, setting up home on St Andrew’s Street, to the south of the town centre. James initially found work as a bookseller’s assistant when he left school, but things were to change.

In the autumn of 1908, James married Mabel Candey. The couple moved to Nottinghamshire, settling in the village of Cresswell, where they lived in a small cottage at 6 John Street. James had found work as a coal miner in the area, which had taken the couple away from the comfort of Devon.

Over the next four years, James and Mabel would have four children, all of whom died before they celebrated their first birthday. The series of tragic events may have driven a need for Mabel to be with family, and by 1913, the couple had moved back to Tiverton. Daughter Dorothy was born in 1914.

When conflict his Europe the following year, James stepped up to play his part. Full details of his military service hare long since lost, but it is clear that he enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment, and had done so at the beginning of the war.

Attached to the 2nd Battalion, Private Chilcott was in France by 9th February 1915. Over the next few years, the unit saw fighting in most areas of the Western Front, including the Somme and Ypres. It is unclear how much of this James was involved in, but it is unlikely that he would have come away completely unscathed.

Pte. James Chilcott, of the 2nd Devons, who went through the dispersal camp at Fovant on February 20, died at Exeter on Monday from influenza. A son of Mr WH Chilcott, of St Andrew-street, Tiverton, he joined up at the beginning of the war, and had seen considerable service. He leaves a widow and one child.

[Western Times: Wednesday 26th February 1919]

James Chilcott died on 24th February 1919: he was 33 years of age. His body was taken back to Tiverton for burial, and he was laid to rest in the town’s cemetery.

“He leaves a widow and one child” does no justice to the pain that Mabel had to go through, having lost four children and her husband in a matter of six years. The 1921 census recorded her living on St Andrew Street with Dorothy, and showing she was undertaking home duties. She had two lodgers, who helped bring in a little more money.

Mabel Chilcott never remarried: she passed away in Tiverton in January 1946, at the age of 62.

Commonwealth War Graves, Dorset, Great War, history, photography, Private, Sergeant, story, Tank Corps, unknown, war, Wiltshire

Serjeant Herbert Newman

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Serjeant Herbert Newman

Herbert James Newman was born at the start of 1891, the fourth of five children – all sons – to Charles and Mary Newman. Charles was a general labourer, and the family lived on Well Head, to the north of Mere, Wiltshire.

Charles died when Herbert was just a boy, and Mary was left to raise the family on her own. By the time of the 1901 census, the family had moved to a cottage on Old Hollow, and she had taken work as a charwoman. Herbert’s older brother, Theodore and William, had also taken jobs to help with money.

In 1911, her boys had all grown up and were moving on, and Mary found more secure employment as a live-in servant to 80-year-old Anna Collard, a single woman who was living on her own means.

Herbert, meanwhile, had left Wiltshire for the capital, and was working as a compositor. He was boarding with widow Mary Ann Day and her two children, all living relatively comfortably at 41 St Thomas’ Road in Finsbury Park, Middlesex. Amongst the other lodgers were Jeweller John Tipping, conductor Wilfred Mustill and cycle mechanic Lester Rule.

When war came to Europe, Herbert stepped up to play his part. Full details of his military service have been lost to time, but it is clear that he had enlisted by December 1917. Initially joining the Tank Corps, It seems likely that Private Newman had seen service overseas, although there is nothing to confirm this either way.

As the conflict drew into its closing months, the now promoted Serjeant Newman seems to have been based in Dorset. In the spring of 1918, he fell ill, and was admitted to the Military Hospital in Wareham. The cause of his illness is unclear, but it would prove fatal: he passed away on 18th May 1918, at the age of 27 years old.

The body of Herbert James Newman was taken back to Wiltshire for burial. He was laid to rest in Mere Cemetery, on the outskirts of the town he had called home.

Interestingly, Serjeant Newman’s Pension Ledger Index Card gives his beneficiary as his mother, Mary. The British Register of Soldiers’ Effects, however, suggests his next-of-kin was his widow, Lucy, although there appears to be no record of Herbert having married.

Canada, Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Kent, photography, Private, story, Sussex, war, Wiltshire

Private John McKinnon, aka James Chalk

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Private John McKinnon, aka James Chalk

In Mere Cemetery, Wiltshire, is a headstone dedicated to JE Chalk, who served as Private J McKinnon in the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps. He died on 25th June 1920, and gives his age as 53 years old.

Private McKinnon’s service records suggest, however, that he was born on 14th October 1874 in Inverness, Scotland, and give his army name as John. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission give his other name as James Edward Chalk. James seems to have been keen to disguise his background, and it is only with some digging that the real story comes out.

James was the youngest of five children to Edward and Mary Chalk. Edward was a carpenter from Mere, and this is where the family were born and raised.

When he finished his schooling, James found work as a booking clerk. Edward died in the 1880s, and the 1891 census found James living at home with his mother, who had taken on laundry work to help with their finances.

By 1901, Mary and James were living on Water Street, to the south of the town centre. There’s was now an extended household, and included James’ sister Olive. James is noted as being married, and while no marriage records exist, it would seem that his wife, Mary, and their daughter, Ivy, were also living there.

The next census, taken in 1911, suggests James’ life had taken a different turn. Employed as a railway foreman, he was now living with his older sister, Olive, in her home. He is noted as being married with a child, but neither Mary nor Ivy appear in the same census.

At some point in the next five years, James took the decision to move overseas, and create himself a new identity.

John McKinnon was living in Montreal when the call came to join up. He enlisted on 29th April 1916, by which point he was 41 years of age. Assigned to the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, his service records confirm that he was 5ft 9ins (1.75m) tall, with greying brown hair, grey eyes and a sallow complexion. He was noted as having scars on both legs, and another on the second toe of his right foot.

Private McKinnon’s unit were quick to be dispatched to Britain, and he arrived in Shornecliffe, Kent, on 29th June. He spent the next five months at the army base, and had two spells of a month each in hospital during that time: the first for asthma, the second for bronchitis.

In November 1916, John moved along the coast to Shoreham, West Sussex. His health was badly impacted, though, the medical report stating that ‘his chest is of the emphysematous type but at present free from bronchitis. He will not do well in England.’ John was formally discharged from the army on 15th November 1916.

At this point, John’s already sparse trail goes cold once more. It is possible that he moved to Wiltshire to be nearer to family, although nothing can be confirmed.

James Edward Chalk, who serves as Private John McKinnon, died on 26th June 1920: His service records suggest that he was 45, but he was, in fact, 53 years of age. He was laid to rest in Mere Cemetery, on the outskirts of the town he had called home for so long.

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

Able Seaman Arthur Norris

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Able Seaman Arthur Norris

Arthur Norris was born on 24th February 1897 in the Wiltshire town of Mere. The seventh of nine children, he was one of four sons to Fred and Mary Norris. Fred was a domestic groom, and the family lived on Castle Street on the western edge of the town.

By the time of the 1911 census, Arthur had left school, and had found work as an errand boy. He had moved out of the family home, and was living with his older sister, Beatrice, and her husband. Piecemeal work wasn’t something Arthur was keen on, however, and in September 1913, he found himself a career.

That autumn, Arthur enlisted in the Royal Navy. Just 16 years of age, he was too young to formally join up, and so he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class. He was sent to HMS Impregnable, the training ship based in Devonport, Devon, for his induction, and seemed to make an impression.

On 14th May 1914 Arthur was promoted to Boy 1st Class, and was assigned to the depot ship HMS Gibraltar. On 24th February he came of age, and officially joined the Royal Navy. His service records show that he was 5ft 5ins (1.65m) tall, with dark brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. He was noted as having a mole on his left shoulder blade.

The now Ordinary Seaman Norris remained on Gibraltar for most of the year. After a couple of weeks back in Devonport, he was assigned to the Armed Merchant Cruiser Oropesa, and remained on board for the next twelve months. During his time there, Arthur was promoted again, gaining the rank of Able Seaman.

Over the next three years, Arthur served on three further vessels: HMS Excellent from March 1916; HMS Woolwich from April 1916 to June 1918; and HMS Columbine from July 1918.

While attached to the Columbine, Arthur fell ill. He contracted pneumonia, and passed away on 16th October 1918. He was 21 years of age.

The body of Arthur Norris was taken back to Wiltshire for burial. He was laid to rest in Mere Cemetery, not far from where his grieving family were still living.

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

Private John Thompson

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Private John Thompson

The death occurred at the Voluntary Aid Detachment Red Cross Hospital last week of Private John Thompson, aged 38 years, of the 10th Battalion Gloucester Regiment. The deceased was admitted to the Hospital about two months since with injuries which developed into hemorrhage [sic] of the brain.

[Salisbury and Winchester Journal: Saturday 19th December 1914]

The life of John Thompson is a challenge to unpick. Full service details are lost to time, but his Pension Ledger Card confirms that he was married to a Mary Ellen, who lived in Ladywood, Birmingham, and that the couple had a daughter, Florence May, who was born on 4th October 1903.

The family do not appear on the 1911 census return, and there are no marriage records for John and Mary. It is uncertain whether the couple had wed before the time of the 1901 census, and without a definite place of birth, John’s name is too common to provide an accurate search before then.

The British Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects suggests that he had served with the Gloucestershire Regiment for less than six months, and, given the date of his death, it is probable that he enlisted shortly after war was declared, falling ill soon after that.

The 10th (Service) Battalion was based on Salisbury Plain when Private Thompson first became unwell, and it seems likely that he was camped near Mere, Wiltshire, as this is where the VAD hospital was situated.

John Thompson died on 9th December 1914, at the age of 38 years old. He was laid to rest in Mere cemetery on the outskirts of the town.

Commonwealth War Graves, Cumbria, Driver, Great War, history, illness, photography, Royal Field Artillery, story, war, Wiltshire

Driver George Messenger

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Driver George Messenger

The death of Driver G Messenger, aged 20, of the 18th Divisional Ammunition Column, stationed at Heytesbury, took place at the Red Cross Military Hospital on Friday, the 11th inst. Messenger was a native of Lower Braithwaite, Carlisle, and was admitted to the hospital in the middle of May suffering from consumption. Deceased joined upon the commencement of the war.

[Salisbury and Winchester Journal: Saturday 19th June 1915]

George Messenger was born in 1895 and was the third of seven children. His parents, George and Sarah, were farmers, and the family grew up in Mealsgate, on the edge of the Lake District. Sarah died in 1901, and by the time of the 1911 census, George Jr and his siblings were helping their father on the farm.

When war broke out, George Jr was quick to enlist. Details of his military service are sparse, but what does remain confirms that he had enlisted no later than December 1914, which backs up the details in his obituary.

Driver Messenger joined the Royal Field Artillery, but it seems unlikely that he spent any time overseas. He seems to have been sent to a camp on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, for training and this is where he became ill. Contracting tuberculosis, probably from the cramped environment of the army barracks, George was admitted to the Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital in the town of Mere. He passed away from the lung condition on 11th June 1915: he was just 20 years of age.

Rather than being taken back to Cumbria, George Messenger was instead laid to rest in Mere Cemetery.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hertfordshire, history, illness, Kent Cycle Corps, London, photography, Private, Royal West Kent Regiment, story, war, Wiltshire

Private Horace Welch

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Private Horace Welch

Horace Ralph Welch was born in Mere, Wiltshire, in the autumn of 1884. The middle of seven children, his parents were John and Ellen Welch. John was a silk drier, and the family lived in Water Street, close to the town centre.

John died in 1895, and Ellen was left to bring up the family on her own. Her older children found work, and Horace was employed by John Runtz, stock broker and Justice of the Peace. The family lived at 131 Lordship Road, Stoke Newington and employed two live-in servants other than Horace, who worked as a page.

On 11th November 1916, Horace married Beatrice Batchelor. Born in Watford, Hertfordshire, she was the daughter of an engine driver and, at the point she exchanged vows, she was working as an assistant in a boot shop. Horace was now employed as a butler, and the couple set up home in Watford. They went on to have a daughter, Eileen, in the summer of 1917.

By this point, Horace has stepped up to play his part in the conflict that was raging across Europe. He enlisted on 12th December 1916 – just four weeks after marrying Beatrice – and was initially assigned to the Kent Cycle Corps.

Private Welch would spend the best part of two years on home soil, before being shipped off to France in April 1918. By now he had been transferred to the Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).

Horace was only overseas for a matter of a fortnight, before he became unwell. Medically evacuated to Britain for treatment, he was admitted to the Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital in his home town, Mere. Suffering from appendicitis, he was operated on, but died from peritonitis soon afterwards. Private Welch passed away on 2nd July 1918: he was 33 years of age.

Horace Ralph Welch was laid to rest in Mere Cemetery, on the outskirts of the town.