Michael Smith was born in Melbourne, Australia, in the spring of 1878. Details of his early life are scarce, but he seems to have been one of five children to Michael and Mary Smith.
Michael Jr married Lucy Mungovan, twelve years his senior, on 7th August 1915. By this point he had moved to Sydney and was working as a cook. The couple had had a son, William, in 1903, and the wedding seems to have been a way of formalising their relationship in anticipation of the coming war.
Michael Jr enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 13th July 1916. His service records show that, at 38 years of age, he was 5ft 3.5ins (1.61m) tall and weighed 125lbs (56.7kg). A Roman Catholic, he had brown hair, although he was balding, blue eyes and a fresh brown complexion. He was also noted as having two scars: one on the back of his right shoulder, the other on the back of his right thigh.
Assigned to the 45th Battalion of the Australian Infantry, Private Smith’s unit left Sydney on 7th October 1916 for its seven week voyage to Britain. The A40 Ceramic troop ship reached Plymouth, Devon, on 21st November, and Michael was marched to the ANZAC base in Codford, Wiltshire the same day.
The voyage took its toll on the soldiers, and Private Smith was not to be immune. Within a fortnight he had been admitted to the Military Hospital in Sutton Veny, five miles to the north west. He was suffering from pneumonia, but it was to prove too late. He passed away on 5th December 1916 – the day he arrived at the hospital – at the age of 38.
Thousands of miles from home, the body of Michael Smith was laid to rest in the extension to St Mary’s Churchyard in Codford, Wiltshire.
The shock of her husband’s death was to prove too much for Lucy. She passed away on 16th January 1918, at the age of 52.
Thomas Ernest Osborne was born in the spring of 1884 in the New South Wales town of Cardiff. One of twelve children, his parents were Bartholomew and Hannah Osborne.
Little information is available about Thomas’ early life, but he found employment as a miner when he completed his schooling. In 1903 he married Florence McLean: they settled in Wollongong, to the south of Sydney, and had six children.
When war broke out, Thomas stepped up to play his part, and he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 12th June 1916. His service records show that he was 5ft 7.5ins (1.71m) tall, and weighed 168lbs (76.2kg). He had brown hair, brown eyes and a fair complexion. He was also noted has having two vaccination marks on his left arm, and an inch-long scar on his lower lip.
Private Osborne boarded the A40 Ceramic troop ship on 3rd October 1916. It took nearly two months to make the trip from Sydney to Britain, and his unit – the 45th Battalion of the Australian Infantry – finally disembarked in Plymouth, Devon, on 21st November. From here, he marched into the ANZAC base in Codford, Wiltshire.
The voyage from Australia took its toll on a significant number of troops, and Thomas’ health was also impacted. He was admitted to the military hospital in Sutton Veny – just a few miles from base – suffering from pneumonia. The condition was to prove fatal: Private Osborne died on 10th December 1916, at the age of 33 years old.
The body of Thomas Ernest Osborne was laid to rest in the newly extended graveyard of St Mary’s Church, Codford.
Thomas’ effects were sent to his widow, although she was still chasing their return some nine months after his passing. They consisted of “diary, pocket book (leather), wristlet watch and strap, pipe, writing tablet, soap dish, jack knife, pencil, letters, postcards, photos, Testament, money belt, 2 keys, small penknife, ring.”
Florence married again on 16th February 1918, to a Victor Johnson. Thomas’ papers show that communications about her late husband continued, however. On 27th July 1921, an urgent missive was sent to Florence regarding the erection of a permanent headstone for his grave. There is no evidence of any response, and it seems likely that the now Mrs Johnson was unable to cover the cost. Thomas’ grave marker was eventually erected by his army colleagues.
Thomas’ youngest sibling, Reuben, also fought in the First World War. Eleven years younger than his brother, Private R Osborne was attached to the 35th Battalion of the Australian Infantry. By the spring of 1917 his unit was firmly entrenched on the Western Front. Rueben was killed on 7th June, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres.
Richard Charles Gladstone Ryan was born in Talia, South Australia, on 31st March 1895. The son of Richard and Margaret Ryan, he was the older of two chidren.
There is little information available about Richard Jr’s early life. When he finished his schooling, he found work as a farm hand, and this was the trade he was following when war broke out. In his spare time, he was a member of the Elliston Rifle Club, and, on receiving the call to serve his King and Empire, he stepped up to play his part.
Private Ryan’s service papers show that he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 13th March 1916. The document shows that he was 5ft 4.75 (1.64m) tall, and weighed 143lbs (64.9kg). A Roman Catholic, Richard had auburn hair, brown eyes and a medium complexion.
Richard ‘s unit – the 50th Battalion of the Australian Infantry – left Adelaide on 21st September 1916. The ship he was on, the A73 Commonwealth, would take nearly two months to reach Britain, and he disembarked in Plymouth, Devon, on 14th November. From there, he was marched to the ANZAC base in Codford, Wiltshire.
Soon after arriving, Private Ryan became unwell. He had contracted pneumonia, and was admitted to the No. 3 New Zealand General Hospital in Codford on 13th December 1916. His condition quickly worsened, and he passed away just three days later. He was 21 years of age.
The body of Richard Charles Gladstone Ryan was laid to rest in the newly extended graveyard of St Mary’s Church in Codford.
Christopher Coutts was born in Lerwick, Shetland, on 2nd August 1894, and was the only child to Robina Coutts. There is little information about his early life, but by the time war broke out, he was working as a shop assistant.
Given the location of his island home, it makes sense that Christopher also had a knowledge of the sea and seafaring. This was put to use during the war, and he was assigned to the Royal Naval Reserve as a Seaman. Initially based in Shetland, by the summer of 1916, he had been transferred to HMS Acteon, the torpedo school based in Sheerness, Kent.
Information has been received here that Christopher Coutts, RNR, has died in Hospital at Haslar. He had been in failing health for some time, and the end was not unexpected. Prior to the outbreak of war, deceased was employed as a shop assistant with Mr Brown, Freefield. After war broke out, he joined the RNR (Shetland Section), and after undergoing a period of training in Lerwick proceeded south to one of the naval depots, where he contracted the illness to which he has now succumbed. Deceased was a bright and promising young man, and much sympathy is extended to his sorrowing mother and other relatives.
Shetland Times: Saturday 12th May 1917
Given the location of HMS Acteon and the subsequent place of his burial, it is likely that Seaman Coutts died at the Royal Naval Hospital in Chatham, Kent, rather than Haslar Hospital, which is in Gosport, Hampshire. He died on 8th May 1917, at the age of 22 years old.
Christopher Coutts was laid to rest in the naval section of Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent.
Charles William Harris was born in Wingham, near Canterbury, Kent, on 19th July 1879. The fourth of eleven children, his parents were Charles and Kate Harris. Charles Sr was a carpenter and builder, and his son was to follow in his stead.
By the time of the 1901 census, however, Charles Jr had stepped out on his own. He had moved to London, and was boarding with the Hurley family, in rooms at 408 Bethnal Green Road, Middlesex.
On 1th June 1902, Charles Jr, now a plumber, married Esther Danton. An engine driver’s daughter from Kent, she was four years her new husband’s senior. The couple set up home at 5 Leatherdale Street in Mile End, and had two children: daughter Lilian was born in 1905, with son George following three years later.
When war broke out, Charles was called upon to play his part. He enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service as an Air Mechanic, and was quickly promoted to Leading Mechanic. His service records show that, when he joined up on 15th June 1916, he was 5ft 7.5ins (1.71m) tall, with light brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion.
Leading Mechanic Harris would be based out of HMS President, the umbrella name for the Royal Navy’s London bases. He spent time working at Wormwood Scrubs, and, in February 1917, was moved to Kingsnorth, Kent.
What happened next is summed up in a simple statement on Charles’ service papers: “26th May 1917 Accidentally killed by explosion of gas holder.” There is no further information, and nothing in the media about the incident. Leading Mechanic Harris was 37 years of age.
The body of Charles William Harris was taken to the Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent. He was laid to rest in the naval section of the burial ground.
Tragedy was to strike again just two years later, when Charles and Esther’s daughter also passed away:
Much sympathy and respect were shown at Holy Trinity Church, Springfield, when the funeral of Lily Harris, the fourteen-year-old daughter of Mrs and the late Mr CW Harris took place. Deceased’s father, who was chauffeur to the Bishop of Chelmsford, lost his life in the war while serving with the RNAS, and this fact added to the regret felt by the parishioners at the further sad loss sustained by his widow, who is now left with only one little boy. The funeral procession included a large number of the scholars of the Springfield Day and Sunday Schools, with Mr R Coward of the day school, and practically every child carried a floral tribute. There was also a large attendance of neighbours and friends, including children, assembled at the church. The Bishop of Chelmsford officiated… [and] gave a touching address to the church, speaking particularly to the children; and his lordship also performed the last sad rites at the graveside.
[Essex Newsman: Saturday 29th November 1919]
There is no evidence of any connection between Charles and the Bishop of Chelmsford: as far as the records show, he was never a chauffeur, working as a builder, plumber and gas fitter before enlisting.
James Muir was born on 29th October 1889 in the hamlet of Burness on the remote Orkney island of Sanday. The youngest of three children, he was the only son to agricultural labourer Alexander Muir and his wife, Ann.
Little information remains about James’ early life. He seems to have found work at sea, as, when war broke out, he enlisted in the Royal Naval Reserve. His service records show that he was 5ft 8in (1.72m) tall, with brown eyes and a fresh complexion.
Deck Hand Muir initially served on the depot ship HMS Zaria, before bring transferred to the cruiser HMS Brilliant. By the spring of 1917, he was stationed at HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent.
James was admitted to the town’s Royal Naval Hospital, suffering from fibroid phthisis, a wasting disease of the lungs. Formally discharged from the Royal Naval Reserve on medical grounds on 28th June 1917, his condition was to worsen, and he passed from the heart condition pericarditis on 16th July. He was 27 years of age.
James Muir passed away 560 miles (900km) from home: he was laid to rest in the naval section of Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent, not far from the dockyard that had been his home.
Edwin Charles Hocking was born in Newton Abbot, Devon, on 28th January 1873. The youngest of four children, his parents were Richard and Harriet Hocking. Richard was an engine driver, and he was to die less than a year after his youngest boy’s birth:
Mr Deputy-Coroner Square and a jury of twenty-two to-day brought to a conclusion the inquest on the death of the engine driver Richard Hocking. The evidence of numerous witnesses went to show that the accident, which occurred on the morning of the 2nd inst., between Menheniot and St Germans stations occurred in consequence of the guards of two trains being called Dick. The morning was very dark, and at Menheniot there was standing at the station an up and a down goods, and a second down goods was on its way from St Germans, but this was unknown to the up goods. The porter Pratt at Menheniot gave the order to the guard (Wills) of the down train to start, saying “All right, Dick.” The driver of the up train (Scantlebury) was also called Dick, and when he heard the words he said “Is it right for me?” and Pratt, not seeing Scantlebury, and thinking Wills asked the question, repeated “It’s all right, Dick.” Scantlebury through it was meant for him, and gave the order to the deceased, “Right away.” Pratt, who had gone to let out the down train, hearing the starting whistle of the up train, rushed back to the platform waving his hand “danger” light. This attracted the attention of Scantlebury, the head guard, and he missed his van in consequence. Pratt said, “Wherever are you going?” Scantlebury replied, “Right away isn’t it?” Pratt said “God bless the man, who gave you ‘right’? The up goods is ten minutes off St Germans.” Scantlebury cried out “Oh! my God! Oh! my God!” Together they shouted and waved the danger light, but were unable to attract the drivers of either of the two engines attached to the train. The trains came into collision at full speed about two miles away. The deceased and the other driver were at great fault in leaving Menheniot, notwithstanding the order of the guard, for the signal was against them, and they did not observe the rules of the Company. They should not have gone on without hearing the second whistle of the guard, and after starting they should have satisfied themselves that they had the head guard in the train by seeing his lamp. Richard Scantlebury, the head guard, after being cautioned that he need not say anything to criminate himself, gave evidence that when Pratt said “All right Dick” he certainly thought it referred to him, especially as his train had nothing to do at Menheniot.
The jury deliberated for half-an-hour, and then returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” exonerating Pratt and Scantlebury from all blame. The appended a recommendation to the South Devon and Cornwall Railways to provide for a strict observance of their bye-laws for the use of some definite word for the up and down trains, and Christian names never to be used in such cases; that there be communication between the driver and guard on luggage trains as well as passenger trains, and that there be to men at least at each station on duty.
[Western Times: Wednesday 17th December 1873]
Harriet was just 28 years old when her husband died. With four children to raise, she married again – to John Staple – and went on to have four children with him too.
John also passed away in the spring of 1885, and the 1891 census found Harriet and six of her children living at 43 Richmond Terrace, to the west of the centre of Truro, Cornwall. Harriet was working as a washer woman, while Edwin, who was 18 by this point, was employed as a plumber’s assistant.
It is clear that Edwin wanted a better life for himself and in the spring of 1896, he took the skills that he learnt and signed up to the Royal Navy. His service papers show that he was 5ft 5ins (1.64m) tall with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. He was also noted as having a tattoo on his left forearm.
Edwin took the rank of Plumber’s Mate, and spent the first two years split between two shore establishments – HMS Vivid and HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyards in Devonport, Devon, and Chatham, Kent. He had enlisted for a twelve-year term and, over that time, he would serve on five ships, returning to Chatham in between assignments.
Plumber’s Mate Hocking consistently received very good reviews at his annual appraisals and, when his initial contract came to an end in May 1908, he immediately re-enlisted. He had a family to support by this point, having married Fanny Sears in Camberwell, Surrey, on 16th March 1902. A bricklayer’s daughter, she moved to Gillingham, Kent, to be close to Chatham Dockyard. The couple went on to have five children: Henry, Raymond, Doris, Elsie and Percival.
Back at sea, Edwin’s career continued with some consistency. His annual appraisals noted not on a character that was very good, but an excellent ability. Nevertheless, it would only be in the spring of 1916 that he would gain a promotion to full Plumber. Notwithstanding his general character, Edwin seems to have been a flawed character: in 1909 he applied for a discharge to the Royal Naval Reserve, but this was not approved as he had been found to be “carrying on a business as [a] bookmaker.” Instead, he was to be sent “to sea forthwith and warned that unless his betting practices [were] not stopped his discharge will have to be considered.”
By the summer of 1916, Plumber Hocking was eight years into his second term of service, and had served on five further ships. HMS Pembroke remained his shore base, and it was here that he attained his increased rank.
In October 1916, Edwin was given what would be his final assignment, on board the armoured cruiser HMS Royal Arthur. Based at Scapa Flow in the Orkneys, she was employed as a depot ship for submarines. Plumber Hocking spent ten months on board, before illness hit. Coming down with gastroenteritis following food poisoning, he was transferred back to Kent, and admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital in Chatham. The condition was to prove his undoing, and he passed away on 23rd August 1917: he was 44 years of age.
The body of Edwin Charles Hocking was laid to rest in the naval section of Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, a short distance from his grieving family’s home in King Edward Road.
Richard Henry Jenkins was born on 7th April 1878 in Soho, Middlesex. The youngest of seven children, his parents were glazier George Jenkins and his wife, Emma. The 1881 census found the family living in rooms at 2 Church Street, but they disappear from both of the next two census returns.
The next document for Richard is his service record. He gave up his job as a labourer to join the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class, on 27th November 1905. His papers note that he was 5ft 5.5ins (1.66m) tall, with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion.
Stoker Jenkins was sent to HMS Acheron, a torpedo boat, for his training. Over the term of his five-year contract, he would spend time on three further vessels, but it was HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, that would become his on-shore home. Promoted to Stoker 1st Class in Mary 1907, he was stood down to reserve status then his contract ended in 1910.
By this point, Richard was married. He exchanged vows with widow Mary Ann Bunyon, on 11th April 1909. The same age as her husband, she had a son, Edward, from her previous marriage, and the couple set up home in Clerkenwell. The 1911 census found them living in rooms at 3 Roberts Place. They shared their home with their first child and Mary’s mother and sister.
When war broke out, Richard was called upon to play his part once more. Sent back to HMS Pembroke on 2nd August 1914, he seems to have spent the next couple of years on shore. His papers note that he was wounded on 26th June 1915, but no further information is available.
On 15th May 1917, Stoker 1st Class Jenkins was assigned to the monitor ship HMS Roberts. She has spent time in the Mediterranean, but by the time Richard joined her crew, she was put to use as a guard ship off the Norfolk coast.
A case of very determined suicide was inquired into at the Royal Naval Hospital, Gillingham, on Saturday last, by Mr CB Harris (County Coroner) and a jury. It appeared from the evidence that Richard Henry Jenkins, a stoker petty officer [sic], of the Royal Fleet Reserve, had been depressed and in a morose state of mind for some days, reference being made in a letter to an alleged unpleasantness at his home. On October 4th, when the vessel was at sea, Jenkins cut his throat with a savage slash of his own razor, and them jumped through a port-hole. The Coroner remarked that it was extraordinary that the man should have had sufficient strength to get through the port-hole after inflicting such a severe wound upon himself. A verdict of suicide during temporary insanity was returned.
[Sheerness Guardian and East Kent Advertiser: Saturday 13th October 1917]
Richard Henry Jenkins was 39 years of age when he took his life. His body was laid to rest in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent, not far from HMS Pembroke.
There is no further information about the alleged unpleasantness at home. The 1921 census recorded Mary living in Clerkenwell with their two children and her mother.
Stoker 1st Class Richard Jenkins (from ancestry.co.uk)
George Wilson was born on 1st February 1879 in the village of Worfield, Shoprshire. Details of his early life are unclear, although his father’s name was John.
When he completed his schooling, George found work as a porter. However, he was keen on adventure and a decent career, and so, on 31st May 1898, he enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry. His service papers show that he was 5ft 7.5ins (1.71m) tall, with brown hair, blue eyes and a dark complexion. He was also noted as having a birth mark above his navel.
Private Wilson signed up for a period of twelve years and, during that time, he would serve around the world. Initially sent to barracks in Walmer, Kent, he would become based at Plymouth, Devon, in between assignments. Time overseas would include two years attached to HMS Magnificent (the 1901 census recording the battleship being moored in Gibraltar), two years on board HMS Spartan and three aboard HMS Encounter.
Away from the military, love blossomed and, in January 1909, George married Annie Curtis. She had a daughter, Gladys, who was either George’s, or was adopted by him. The couple set up home in Plymouth, and went on to have a son, Leslie, in 1911.
By this point, Private Wilson had renewed his military contract, and would go on to serve for a further seven years in the Royal Marines. In June 1915, he was assigned to the light cruiser HMS Carysfort. Part of the Harwich Force, her role was to patrol the waters off the east coast of England. During his time on board, George would have been involved in a number of sorties, including an attempt to intercept an enemy raid on Sunderland in August 1916, and another attempt to make contact with German ships off Zeebrugge, Belgium, that October.
In December 1917, while patrolling off Orford Ness, Suffolk. the Carysfort collided with the SS Glentaise, a collier ship. Two crew were killed in the incident, including Private Wilson: he was 37 years of age.
Carysfort sailed to HMS Pembroke, the Royal Navy Dockyard in Chatham, Kent. From here the body of George Wilson was taken to Woodlands Cemetery in nearby Gillingham, and he was laid to rest in the naval section there.
Edward Thomas Stewart was born on 7th September 1880 in the Kent village of Sturry. The middle of three children, his parents were farm labourer James Stewart and his wife, Frances.
When he finished his schooling, Edward found work as a coachman, but he sought a life of adventure and, on 24th July 1899, he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class. His service records show that he was 5ft 7.5ins (1.71m) tall, with light brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion.
Stoker Stewart was sent to HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, for his training, and remained there for the next eight months. He was then given his first assignment, on board the battleship HMS Sans Pareil. She became his home for the next year, during which time he was promoted to full Stoker.
Edward’s initial term of contract was for twelve years, and over that time he would serve on nine different vessels. Between voyages his shore home remained Pembroke, and he spent more than two years based there. By the summer of 1911, Edward had been promoted three times – to Stoker 1st Class in July 1906, Leading Stoker in March 1908, and Stoker Petty Officer in March 1910.
When his contract came to an end, Edward immediately re-enlisted. By this point, his records show that he had grown to 5ft 10.5ins (1.79m) tall, and had a scar on his nose.
In the autumn of 1912, Stoker Petty Officer Stewart was assigned to the troop ship HMS Tyne. She would become the ship on board which he would spend the longest part of his career, not disembarking until 31st May 1917. He transferred to HMS Fairy, a destroyer, and with the move came a promotion to Acting Chief Stoker.
Attached to the Grand Fleet, Fairy was engaged in convoy work off the east coast. Edward’s time on board would not be a lengthy one, however. On 24th December 1917, he fell overboard, and was killed. He was 37 years of age. There is little additional information about the incident, although his service papers note that “no blame was attributable to anyone.”
Edward Thomas Stewart’s body was recovered, and brought back to Kent for burial. He was laid to rest in the naval section of Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, not far from the base he had called home for so long.
Death and Service 