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Australia, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, killed in action, Lincolnshire, photography, Pioneer, Royal Engineers, Sapper, Somerset, story, Sussex, war

Sapper Arthur Naile

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Sapper Arthur Naile

Arthur Edward Naile was born in the summer of 1888, the youngest of ten children to James and Mary Naile. Both of his parents were born in Bath, Somerset, and this is where they raised their growing family.

The Nailes lived in the Camden area of the city, consecutive census returns showing different addresses, as the children grew and then left home. In 1891, they lived at 11 Malvern Buildings, a small terraced house on a steep hill. Ten years later, they had moved to 3 George’s Road, to another terraced cottage close to their old home. By 1911, only Arthur was still living at home, which was now the four-roomed terrace at 51 Brooklyn Road, in the more built up Larkhall area no the northern outskirts of the city.

During all of this time, James had worked as a printer’s compositor. By 1911 he was 64 years of age, and was employed by a newspaper in the area. Arthur, meanwhile, was working as a grocer’s assistant.

On 9th August 1914, he married soldier’s daughter Bessie Brine. She was working as a dressmaker, and lodging with Charles and Eleanor Richman, in a small cottage in Dover Place. Their marriage certificate shows that Arthur was living three doors down, so it is likely she caught his eye not long after he moved in. They went on to have a son, Leslie, in November 1916.

War was raging across Europe by this point, and Arthur had stepped up to serve his country. He joined the Royal Engineers as a Sapper, but there is little concrete information about his time in the army. He was awarded the Silver War Badge, which was given to men medically discharged from military service during the conflict, which would suggest that he was badly wounded at some point. He died in a hospital in Hastings, East Sussex, an annexe of which was dedicated to personnel who had been blinded during the war.

Sapper Arthur Edward Naile passed away from a combination of influenza and diabetes on 31st October 1918: he was 30 years of age. His body was taken back to Somerset for burial, and he lies at rest in a peaceful corner of Bath’s sweeping Locksbrook Cemetery.

After Arthur’s death, Bessie was left to bring up their young son. In the autumn of 1923, she married again, to John Forman, and not long afterwards the three of them emigrated to Australia, in search of a better life. They settled in Bunbury, Western Australia, and went on to have two children, Ron and Nan.

When war broke out again, Leslie was old enough to step up, and joined the Royal Australian Air Force. By 1943, he found himself as a Flight Sergeant in Waltham, Lincolnshire. He had joined 100 Squadron of Bomber Command and, on the night of 25th June 1943, was piloting a Lancaster over the Netherlands. His plane was hit and destroyed, killing all those on board. Father and son both lost to war, Flight Sergeant Naile was just 26 years of age when he passed. He was buried in Westbeemster, and commemorated on memorials in Runnymede, Surrey, and Canberra, Australia.

Bessie lived on until her early 70s. She died on 8th December 1960, and is buried in the family plot in Bunbury Cemetery.

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

Private George Tucker

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Private George Tucker

George Edward Tucker was born in Lyncombe, Bath, Somerset in the autumn of 1883. The fourth of eight children, his parents were stone mason Edward Tucker and his wife, both of whom were from northern Somerset.

When he finished his schooling, George found work as an errand boy. By the time of the 1911 census, however, he had taken a job as a painter, possibly being employed by his father’s boss.

George married Rosina Hurley at Bath Register Office at the start of 1913. the couple set up home and went on to have two children, Edina and Audrey.

George enlisted in the opening weeks of the First World War, joining the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private. His time in service was not to last long, however. He was out on a route march on 1st December, when he was pulled up with acute pain in the chest.

Private Tucker was sent back to barracks, and given light duties. A subsequent medical confirmed an enlarged heart, and he was medically discharged from military service on 31st December 1914.

At this point, George’s trail goes cold. The next record for him is that of his passing, on 2nd January 1917. He was 33 years of age.

George Edward Tucker was laid to rest in Bath’s sweeping Locksbrook Cemetery.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, photography, Private, Royal Engineers, Sapper, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, unknown, war

Private Stanley Newman

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Private Herbert Newman

Stanley Herbert Newman was born on 14th May 1890 in the Walcot area of Bath, Somerset. One of at least six children, his parents were Charles and Sarah Newman. Charles was a stonemason and, when Sarah died in 1904, he married again, to widow Matilda Shearn, raising her children as part of the family.

When Stanley left school, he found work as a mason’s labourer – presumably either assisting his father, or having found work through him. On 3rd August 1912, he married Rosa Bean, a farm worker’s daughter from Bathwick, to the east of the Bath. The couple set up home at 7 Margaret’s Hill, and went on to have two children, Mabel and Albert.

With a growing family to support, Stanley’s work as a labourer was not going to bring enough money in, and he sought a more reliable career. On 2nd September 1912, he enlisted in the army, joining the Royal Engineers. His service record shows that he was 5ft 5.5ins (1.66m) tall.

Detailing Sapper Newman spent just over two years in the Royal Engineers, his time there coming to an end on 11th December 1914 when he was deemed medically unfit to serve.

At this point Stanley’s trail goes cold. At some point he joined the Somerset Light Infantry, although his service documents for this period of time in the army as lost to time. Attached to a Depot Battalion, it seems likely that he remained in Somerset, although this is not conclusive.

Private Newman died in a military hospital on 28th July 1917, through causes unknown. He was 27 years of age.

Stanley Herbert Newman was laid to rest in the family plot in Bath’s sweeping Locksbrook Cemetery. He was reunited with his mother, who had been buried there thirteen years before. His father, Charles, was buried with them in 1921.

Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Mechanic, photography, Royal Air Force, Somerset, story, war

Boy Mechanic William Mackay

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Boy Mechanic William Mackay

William James Mackay was born in Bath, Somerset, on 2nd January 1900. The son of a woman called Matilda, the following year’s census found him living as a nurse child in the home of John and Elizabeth Logie. The household was made up of the Logies, their five children, a boarder, and another nurse child, Harold Fellows.

The next census, taken in the spring of 1911, shows a change in circumstances for the family. Matilda and William were living in the Walcot area of the city, with Matilda’s husband, William Smith. The document suggests that the couple had been married for twelve years, but this would not account for the younger William’s original surname. The census return states that he had taken the name of Smith as well, and there was a fourth resident in the household, widow Elizabeth Clarke.

War came to Europe in the summer of 1914, and William Jr was keen to step up and play his part. Because of his age he was unable to enlist immediately, and it was not until the start of 1917, that he was able to enlist.

William – who had returned to the name Mackay by this point – was working as a clerk when he joined the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) on 23rd January 1917. His service records show that he enlisted as a Boy Mechanic, and that he was 5ft 8.5ins (1.74m) tall. He had brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion.

Boy Mechanic Mackey was assigned to HMS Daedelus, one of the RNAS shore-based facilities: it was here that he was to receive his training over the spring and summer. Military barracks were notoriously cramped and hotbeds for illness and disease, and William was not to be immune to health issues. He contracted cerebrospinal meningitis within months of arriving at the base, and passed away on 5th August 1917. He was just 17 years of age.

William James Mackay was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the sweeping grounds of Bath’s Locksbrook Cemetery.

Commonwealth War Graves, County Antrim, Great War, history, illness, Ireland, Northern Ireland, photography, Rifleman, Royal Irish Rifles, story, Surrey, war

Rifleman David Orr

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Rifleman David Orr

David Orr was born in Ballymena, County Antrim, in 1897, one of five children to William and Annie Orr. William was employed as a railway porter but, when Annie died in the early 1900s, he took on work as a dealer.

By the time of the 1911 census, David, who was now 13 years old, had taken a job as a message boy. War was coming to Europe, however, and he felt it his duty to serve his King and Country.

David joined the Royal Irish Rifles, and was attached to the 18th Battalion. He “was one of the first in [the] district to join the Ulster Division when it was formed in September 1914, and began his training at Cleggan Camp. He was subsequently transferred with his regiment to Clandeboye, where he completed his training…” [Ballymena Weekly Telegraph: Saturday 26th February 1916]

Rifleman Orr’s unit arrived in France on 5th October 1915, but was only overseas for a matter of months.

While serving in the trenches, he was stricken by illness, and was eventually sent back to England and underwent treatment in the 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill, and at the Wallace Field Convalescent Home, Croydon. His condition improved somewhat, and he was afterwards transferred to Victoria Barracks, Belfast; but the improvement was, unfortunately, only of a temporary nature…

Ballymena Weekly Telegraph: Saturday 26th February 1916

David Orr passed away on 17th February 1916: he was 18 years of age. He was laid to rest in Ballymena New Cemetery, not far from where his family still lived.

Rifleman David Orr
(from britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Commonwealth War Graves, County Antrim, Great War, history, illness, Ireland, Lance Corporal, Northern Ireland, photography, Private, Royal Irish Rifles, story, war

Lance Corporal John Bowden

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Lance Corporal John Bowden

John Bowden was born in Slaght, Ballymena, County Antrim, in 1896. The third of four children, he was one of three sons to David and Margaret. David was a railway labourer, and by the time of the 1911 census, the family had four wages coming in. John, at 15, was working as a solicitor’s clerk, while his older brothers were both employed, one as a baker, the other as an engine cleaner.

On Saturday afternoon last there were laid to rest in the Ballymena New Cemetery the mortal remains of Lance-Corporal John Bowden, of the Royal Irish Rifles, whose lamented demise from scarlet fever took place at Newtownards Camp… to the intense regret of his commanding officers and comrades, with all of whom he was on the most intimate and friendly terms.

The deceased was a bright, intelligent young man, of a rather retiring disposition but by his unassuming personality, combined with a cheery and lovable disposition, he gained for himself hosts of friends wherever he went.

He served his apprenticeship to the law in the office of Mr John Owens, solicitor… where he was held in the very highest esteem by his employer and fellow clerks. Indeed he was on happy relations with all the law clerks and young men in the town, all of whom deeply deplore his demise.

He was for a considerable length of time a staunch and loyal member of Slatt LOL No. 475, and… [at] Ballymena District Orange Lodge very sympathetic allusions were made to his untimely death, and the District Secretary (Br. Hugh Ballentine) was instructed to forward a letter of sympathy and condolence to the bereaved parents and other relatives in this season of their affliction.

The deceased was a most enthusiastic member of the No. C Company Ulster Volunteers (Harryville Branch) and here is may be remarked that out of a hundred of a membership there at the present time thirty-nine members in Lord Kitchener’s army, together with eight reserve men at the front, which educed the company by almost fifty per cent…

Shortly after the outbreak of hostilities the deceased very gallantly volunteered for active service and was accepted, being attached to the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles… He was most attentive to his drill instructions, courteous and obliging to his officers, and a true comrade in every sense of the term.

Ballymena Observer: Friday 9th April 1915

Much of John’s service records are lost to time. His commitment to duty was underlined by his promotion to the role of Lance Corporal within months of enlisting.

John Bowden passed away from scarlet fever at Newtownards Camp on 1st April 1915. He was just 19 years of age. He was laid to rest in Ballymena New Cemetery, the newspaper report going on to outline the outpouring of grief at what would have been one of the town’s first military funerals of the war:

The tremendous crowds which formed in the funeral procession at the several squares and crossings en route to the cemetery testified to the respect in which the deceased was held by all who knew him.

The footpaths were lined and thronged with people all along the entire way, and as the funeral passed through the town business was suspended for the time being…

On arriving at the Cemetery the place was absolutely packed with spectators, all anxious to witness the carrying out of the obsequies… the scene was truly most pathetic, whilst to add to the sorrow and sympathy manifested on the face of everyone, the wailing and sobbing of deceased’s little sister as the remains were lowered into the grave were heartrending.

Ballymena Observer: Friday 9th April 1915
Lance Corporal John Bowden
(from findagrave.com)
Commonwealth War Graves, County Antrim, Great War, history, illness, London, photography, Private, Royal Army Service Corps, story, war

Private Alexander Reid

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Private Alexander Reid

Alexander Reid was born in Ballymena, County Antrim, in the autumn of 1898. Information about his early life is a challenge to pin down, as there were a number of boys with the same name growing up in the area at the time. However, his parents were John and Margaret – or Maggie – Reid.

When Alexander finished his schooling, he found employment as a mill hand. However, when war broke out, he received the call to play his part and, on 13th October 1917, he enlisted in the Army Service Corps. His service records show that he was 5ft 7.5ins (1.71m) tall and weighed 138lbs (62.6kg). He was noted as having a tattoo of his initials on his left thumb, and that his right knee was stiff and swollen from an old injury.

Private Reid was sent to England to serve. He was attached to the Mechanical Transport Depot at Grove Park, Kent. Barracked in an old workhouse that had been taken over for army use, he remained there until the spring of 1918.

Alexander had contracted tuberculosis and was medically discharged from service because of the contagious disease. He returned home to Ballymena, but the condition worsened. He passed away at home on 12th November 1918, aged just 19 years old.

Alexander Reid was laid to rest in Ballymena New Cemetery, County Antrim, a twenty-minute walk from where his grieving family lived, in the centre of the town.

Commonwealth War Graves, County Antrim, County Donegal, Great War, history, illness, Ireland, Lancashire, Northern Ireland, photography, Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, story, war

Private Rondaine Cary

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Private Rondaine Cary

Rondaine Tristram Cary was born in Lancashire in the autumn of 1896 and was the oldest of two children to Henry and Wilhelmina. Henry was an insurance agent, and, by the time of the 1901 census, the family had moved to the parish of Linsfort in County Donegal, Ireland. This is near where Wilhelmina had been born, so it seems likely that the draw of family had been partially responsible.

The 1911 census found the Carys living a few miles down the road, in Buncrana. Rondaine was listed as being a scholar, while his younger brother, five year old John, completed the family setup. John was employed as a commission agent, and all four members of the household were listed as being Episcopalian.

When war came to Europe in 1914, Rondaine was keen to play his part. He seems to have enlisted almost at once, joining the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Assigned to the 11th (Service) Battalion (Donegal and Fermanagh), Private Cary was sent to Ballymena, County Antrim, for training.

Rondaine had only been in the camp for a matter of weeks, when he contracted measles. He was admitted to a hospital in Ballymena on 17th February 1915, but his condition worsened, and his father came to visit. Private Cary passed away on 27th February 1915, aged just 18 years of age.

The Cary family seemed unable to afford the cost of bringing their son’s body back to Buncrana. Instead, the local authority paid for Rondaine Tristram Cary’s coffin and funeral at Ballymena Cemetery, while his army colleague funded his headstone.

Able Seaman, Boy, Channel Islands, Chief Gunner, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Gunner, Hampshire, history, illness, Jersey, Leading Seaman, Lieutenant, Ordinary Seaman, Petty Officer, photography, Royal Navy, story, war

Lieutenant Albert Bendell

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Lieutenant Albert Bendell

The life Albert Bendell is one of dedication to naval service. Born in Portsmouth on 28th May 1865, his parents were Master at Arms John Bendell and his Jersey-born wife, Eliza.

The family had moved to St Martin, Jersey, by the time of the 1871 census. Given the amount of time her husband spent at sea, it would seem likely that Eliza, who had three young children to raise on her own, wanted to be close to her family.

Albert was keen to follow in his father’s footsteps and, on 6th December 1880 he enlisted in the Royal Navy. Just fifteen years old, his service records show that he was just 5ft 1.5ins (1.56m) tall, with blue eyes, light hair and a fair complexion.

Albert’s dedication to the role was obvious: starting off as Boy 2nd Class, he steadily – and rapidly – rose through the ranks. Over the next twelve years, he served on seven ships and shore bases. He was promoted to Boy 1st Class in September 1891, while serving on the training ship HMS St Vincent.

When he came of age in May 1883, he was given the rank of Ordinary Seaman: within a year he had risen to Able Seaman, and achieved the role of Leading Seaman in January 1888. Just three months later, Petty Officer Bendell was beginning a two-year service on board HMS Fearless.

In April 1893, Albert received a further promotion, and a change in direction within the Royal Navy. He was now a Gunner, a standing officer’s role, permanently attached to HMS Duke of Wellington – returning to the first ship he had been assigned to nine years earlier.

On 17th September 1900, Albert married Amelia Renouf, the daughter of a land proprietor from St Martin, Jersey. The couple wed in St Helier, Albert giving his profession as Warrant Officer. At 37, Amelia was a year older than her new husband: the couple would not go on to have any children.

Albert’s rise through the ranks continued. The 1911 census found him moored in Malta. He was Chief Gunner on HMS Egmont: the importance of his role on board highlighted by the fact that he was the 11th person out of 188 to be recorded on the document.

When war came to Europe, Albert served his King and Country proud. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and, in June 1919, he was awarded the MBE “for valuable services as Officer-in-Charge, Defensively Armed Merchant Ships, Southampton.” [The Edinburgh Gazette, 1st July 1919]

This distinguished life was beginning to take its toll, however, and, on 16th March 1920, after nearly 40 years in naval service, Albert was medically stood down. Suffering from dyspepsia, he returned to Jersey, and his home, La Rosaye, in St Martin.

Albert Bendell’s health was to get the better of him. He passed away on 26th April 1920, at the age of 54 years of age. He was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard of St Martin’s Church, Jersey.

Amelia remained on the island for the remainder of her life. She passed away on 31st August 1943, at the height of Jersey’s German occupation, at the age of 80 years old. She was laid to rest with Albert, husband and wife reunited after more than 23 years.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, Jersey, photography, Royal Navy, Scotland, Stoker, story, war

Stoker 1st Class Samuel Graham

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Stoker 1st Class Samuel Graham

Samuel Robert Graham was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1895. He was one of six children to Samuel and Alice Graham. Samuel was a postman from Liverpool, while Alice had been born in St Helier, Jersey.

Information about Samuel Jr’s early life is scarce: the 1901 census found Alice and the children visiting her mother in Jersey, while he husband is missing from census records. The next return in 1911 recorded Samuel Sr, Alice and three of their children living in the Trinity area of Jersey, but Samuel Jr is missing.

On 9th September 1913, Samuel Jr enlisted in the Royal Navy. He had been working as a blacksmith, and sought a career at sea. His service records show that he was 5ft 5ins (1,65m) tall, with brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion.

Stoker 2nd Class Graham signed up for a period of twelve years’ service. Based at HMS Victory, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth, Hampshire, his first formal posting was on board the cruiser HMS Bristol. He remained on board for nearly two years, and was promoted to Stoker 1st Class in the process.

During the First World War, Samuel served on two more ships and, by the end of the conflict, he was based at HMS Columbine, the naval base at Port Edgar on the Firth of Forth, Scotland. He fell ill while barracked there, and was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital in nearby Queensferry. Whatever Stoker 1st Class Graham’s condition, it was to prove too severe: he passed away on 1st December 1918, at the age of 23 years old.

Samuel Robert Graham’s body was taken back to Jersey for burial. He was laid to rest in Trinity Churchyard, not far from where his family still lived.