Tag Archives: North Somerset Yeomanry

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Inniskilling Dragoons, North Somerset Yeomanry, photography, Private, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, war

Private Albert Neathey

Leave a comment
Private Albert Neathey

Albert Ernest Neathey was born in Bath, Somerset, early in 1875. The third of six children, his parents were John and Rose Neathey. John was a baker and the family lived at 11 Trinity Square. When John died in 1890, Rose and the four youngest children remained there, and by the time of the following year’s census, three of the Neathey siblings were bringing in a wage.

The 1891 document recorded Rose as living on her own means, while Albert, then 16 years of age, was employed as a telegraph messenger. His older sister, Alice, was a dressmaker’s apprentice, while his younger brother, Sidney, was apprenticed to a hairdresser.

The family are missing from the 1901 census, but the following year Albert got married. His new bride, Mary Louisa Slip, was a mason’s daughter, and the couple exchanged vows in Christ Church, Bath, on 18th September. They would go on to have one child, Doris, born in the summer of 1903, but she would only live for a few months, before passing away on 1st November.

Albert was, by this time, working as a postman, and the 1911 census found him and Doris living at 18 Lansdown Road, to the north of the city. Mary was noted as assisting in the business, although her trade was recorded as being general grocery. The couple were sharing their home with Albert’s ten year old nephew, Norman.

When war broke out, it was inevitable that Albert would be called upon to play his part. Full service details are not available, but a later newspaper report sheds light onto not only his army career, but his personal life:

DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN BATH POSTMAN

The death occurred at the Bath War Hospital… of Mr Albert Ernest Neathey, of 18 Lansdown Road. Mr Neathey, who was only 44 years old, was the second son of the late Mr John Neathey, of Walcot.

When quite young he entered the service of the Bath Post Office as telegraph boy, and rose to be a postman. Altogether he was a postal servant for nearly 30 years. While thus engages he was a member of the Post Office Band, in which he played cornet.

His military career began with the old 1st Volunteer Battalion of the [Somerset Light Infantry], which whom he served six years. After leaving the infantry he joined the North Somerset Yeomanry. At the outbreak of war he was mobilised with the Yeomanry, and from August 1914, to the November of the same year he was stationed with the regiment in different parts of this country. When the regiment was sent to France, he was sent, much against his will, to the Regimental Depot at the Drill Hall, Lower Bristol Road, and remained there as a member of the staff until his death. While there he was promoted to Corporal. His constant wish was to be with his regiment in France, but his state of health would not have allowed him to stand the rigours of a campaign.

On Tuesday last he was not feeling well, but would not give up his work, and it was not until Saturday that he did so. Then he was sent to the War Hospital, where he was detained, and he passed away at 8:30 on Monday morning. The cause of his death was congestion of the lungs following influenza. For twenty years he was a member of the Foresters (Queen of the West Lodge). He was greatly respected by all who knew him. He leaves a widow, but no children.

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette: Saturday 22nd March 1919

As part of his retention on home soil, Albert was transferred across to the 6th Dragoons (Inniskilling) Reserve Regiment. Nothing on the available documents, however, suggest a promotion during his time in Bath. Albert Ernest Neathey died on 17th March 1919: he was laid to rest in the city’s sweeping Lockbrook Cemetery.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, injury, North Somerset Yeomanry, photography, Private, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, war, Yorkshire

Private John Sheppard

Leave a comment
Private John Sheppard

John Henry Sheppard was born in the autumn of 1889, the older of two children to John and Ellen. John Sr was a general labourer from the Weston area of Bath, Somerset, and when he died, Ellen found work as a laundress to bring in some money.

From the census returns of 1891, 1901 and 1911, it seems that John remained living on Church Street, Bath. The earliest record noted him living with his parents and younger brother, Charles. By 1901, his father had died, and Charles was also noticeable in his absence, so it may be that he had also passed away.

The 1911 census adds a little mystery to the Sheppard line. Although signed off by Ellen, she is not listed as being at the house on the day the return was taken. There are three occupants: John, working as a farm labourer; eight year old Nellie, whose relationship is listed as daughter; and Charles Crane, a 73 year old retired gardener.

On 27th September 1913, John married Elsie Holbrow. The daughter of a gardener, she was working as a domestic servant and he was a groom when the couple exchanged vows. They went on to have a son, Albert, who was born in October 1914.

When war came to Europe, John stepped up to play his part. Full details are lost to time, but it is clear that he had enlisted by the autumn of 1916, initially joining the North Somerset Yeomanry, before transferring across to the Somerset Light Infantry. Private Sheppard was attached to the 1st Battalion and soon found himself on the Western Front.

There is little concrete information about his service, but is appears that he was wounded at Arras in the spring of 1917. He was medically evacuated to Britain for treatment, and was admitted to the 3rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, Yorkshire.

Private Sheppard’s wounds were to prove too severe however, and he succumbed to them on 31st May 1917. He was 27 years of age.

John Henry Sheppard’s body was taken back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the family plot in Bath’s sweeping Locksbrook Cemetery. He was reunited with Elsie when she passed away in December 1949: husband and wife together again after more than three decades.

Commonwealth War Graves, Dorsetshire Regiment, Great War, history, North Somerset Yeomanry, photography, Private, Somerset, story, unknown, war

Private Charles Morris

Leave a comment
Private Charles Morris

Charles William Morris was born in the summer of 1887, the third of four children – and the only son – to James and Emily Morris. James was a house painter: both he and Emily came from Bath, Somerset, and this is where the Morris family were born and raised.

When he completed his schooling, Charles found work as a clerk: by the time of the 1911 census, he was employed by the Urban Sanitary Authority. Only two of the children were still living at home by this point, and so James and Emily had taken in a boarder, 25-year-old motor engineer Zackarias MacPherson Jackson, to bring a little more money in.

When war was declared, Charles quickly stepped up to play his part. A later newspaper report provides an insight into his service:

The death occurred on Saturday midnight, at 11, Margaret’s Buildings, Hedgmead, of Mr Charles W Morris, at the age of 33. Previous to joining the forces in 1914, he was a member of the Coleford (Somerset) Cricket Club. Joining the North Somerset Yeomanry as a trooper, he went to France, afterwards being transferred to the 5th Dorsets (Cyclist Corps). Eventually he was taken prisoner and was in Germany for two years suffering great hardships. On his return to his native city he joined the St Stephen’s Rugby FC. He was a member of the Walcot Liberal Club, and at the time of his death was employed by his brother-in-law (Mr Z McJackson [sic], motor engineer). Another brother-in-law us Mr W Hollick, headmaster of Coleford schools, and formerly an assistant master at Holy Trinity School, Bath.

The funeral took place at Locksbrook Cemetery on Thursday. The deceased was extremely well known in the neighbourhood in which he resided, and quite a large number of friends attended the cemetery to pay their last respects.

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette: Saturday 4th June 1921

Zackarias had married Charles’ younger sister, Gladys, in 1915, the one time lodger having literally become a member of the family.

Charles William Morris died on 28th May 1921, through causes unknown. He was laid to rest in a peaceful corner of the sprawling Bath cemetery.

Commonwealth War Graves, Corporal, Great War, history, Lance Serjeant, North Somerset Yeomanry, photography, Private, Reserve Cavalry Regiment, Somerset, story, unknown, war

Lance Sergeant John Legg

Leave a comment
Lance Sergeant John Legg

John Thomas Legg was born in the summer of 1885, the oldest of five children to Benjamin and Sarah Legg. Benjamin was a carpenter from Dorset, and it was in Bridport that John was born. Within a year or so, however, the young family moved north to Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, and this is where they settled.

When he completed his schooling, John found a job as a clerk. By the time of the 1911 census, he was working as a political assistant/clerk, and five of the six members of the Legg household were gainfully employed. Benjamin was still working as a carpenter, while John’s two sisters were dressmakers, and his younger brother Percy was a tailor’s assistant.

In the summer of 1914, war came to Europe, and John was one of the first to step up and serve his King and Country. He initially enlisted in the North Somerset Yeomanry, and was assigned to the 1st/1st Battalion. Private Legg’s unit was quickly sent to France, and fought at the Battle of Nonne Bosschen that November.

John’s service records are sparse, and so it is not possible to confirm exactly when and how he served. He moved from the North Somerset Yeomanry to the 6th Battalion of the Reserve Cavalry Regiment: his promotion to Corporal and then Lance Sergeant suggests that this move enabled him to share his skills with incoming recruits. It is unclear whether he was based in Somerset by this point, but it is certainly where he ended up by the start of 1917.

The remains of Sergeant JT Legg, North Somerset Yeomanry, were buried at Weston-super-Mare Cemetery on Wednesday. The first portion of the service was held at St Saviour’s Church, which the sergeant formerly attended, and the interior of which bears many evidences of his skill as an amateur wood-carver… Sergeant Legg was formerly chief clerk in the offices of the Well Division Conservative Association.

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette: Saturday 10th March 1917

John Thomas Legg passed away on 2nd March 1917: he was 31 years of age. He was laid to rest in the sweeping grounds of Milton Road Cemetery, Weston-super-Mare, a short walk from where his family still lived.

Commonwealth War Graves, Dorsetshire Regiment, Great War, history, illness, North Somerset Yeomanry, photography, Private, Somerset, Somerset Light Infantry, story, war

Private Reginald Day

Leave a comment
Private Reginald Day

Reginald Charlie Day was born in the spring of 1891, the sixth of thirteen children. His parents – George and Charlotte Day – were born and raised in Gloucestershire, but had moved to Wellow in Somerset by the time Reginald was born.

George was originally a shepherd, but Wellow had two key industries – mining and the railways – and it was into the former that he went, presumably to bring in a regular wage for the expanding Day family.

When he left school, Reginald initially followed his father to the pit, but in April 1913, he opted for a more prestigious career, and enlisted in the army. He joined the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private but, because of his profession, he was not formally mobilised until 1916. His service records give away little about his stature, only that he was 5ft 7ins (1.7m) tall, with good vision and good physical development.

In January 1916, Private Day was moved to the North Somerset Yeomanry and, within a matter of weeks was bound for France. By that October, however, he was moved again, and became attached to the 5th (Service) Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment. He was assigned to one of the regiment’s depots, and remained close to the Western Front until the end of July 1917.

At this point, Reginald’s health was beginning to suffer, and he was moved back to the UK for treatment. He was admitted to hospital suffering from a pelvic abscess, and this was later diagnosed as carcinoma of the rectum. No longer fit for military service, he was dismissed from the army on 17th February 1918, his medical records noting that he had been fitted with a colostomy belt.

At this point, Reginald’s trail goes cold. It is likely that he returned home, but whether he was able to take up his previous employment – or work at all – is unclear. His headstone records that he died in Bath War Hospital, although again it is uncertain whether he was admitted from the point of leaving the army, or only in later months as his condition deteriorated. He passed away on 18th October 1919, at the age of 28 years old.

Reginald Charlie Day was laid to rest in the family plot in the peaceful Wellow Cemetery.

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

Private George Mason

Leave a comment
Private George Mason

Much of George Mason’s life is destined to remain elusive, and much of the information comes from just a couple of documents.

His Commonwealth War Grave headstone confirms that he was a Private in the North Somerset Yeomanry and that he died on 28th December 1916. Sadly, his service records no longer exist, but his pension records state that he ‘died of disease’ and give his mother as Harriet Mason.

There is only one census record for a Harriet Mason with a son called George. This dates from 1901, and give the head of the household – Harriet’s husband and George’s father – as bootmaker Albert Mason. It also gives George’s age as 9 years old, suggesting he was born in around 1892.

Further research brings nothing further to categorically link to the Mason family, and so it is impossible to add any further details to Private Mason’s life.

All that can be determined is that George Mason died of an illness on 28th December 1916, and that he was around 24 years of age. He was laid to rest in St James’ Cemetery in his home city of Bath.

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

Serjeant George Collins

Leave a comment
Serjeant George Collins

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette: Saturday 13 April 1918

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

Commonwealth War Graves, Corporal, Great War, history, illness, Kent, North Somerset Yeomanry, photography, Private, Somerset, story, war, Wiltshire

Corporal de Courcy Raymond

Leave a comment
Corporal de Courcy Raymond

de Courcy William Raymond was born in the summer of 1883 in the Somerset village of West Camel. He was one of six children to carpenter George Raymond and his wife, Anne. de Courcy – whose name may have had family connections – followed his father into carpentry and, by the time of the 1911 census, the family had moved to nearby South Barrow, where George had been born.

When war came to Europe, de Courcy was keen to play his part. Sadly, full details of his military service no longer survive, but what can be determined is that he had enlisted by March 1915, joining the North Somerset Yeomanry.

Private Raymond was assigned to the 2nd/1st Battalion, which was a second-line troop, and remained on home soil, moving from Somerset to Wiltshire to Kent by the autumn of 1915. He was evidently good at his job as he was soon promoted to the rank of Corporal for his efforts.

It was while he was based in Kent that de Courcy fell ill. He contracted pneumonia, and was admitted to a military hospital in Canterbury. Sadly, the condition was to prove too much, and he passed away from the condition on 9th October 1915. He was 32 years of age.

The body of de Courcy William Raymond was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the family plot in the graveyard of St Peter’s Church in South Barrow.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, North Somerset Yeomanry, photography, Private, Somerset, story, unknown, war

Private William Woodgate

Leave a comment
Private William Woodgate

Much of William Woodgate’s life seems destined to remain a mystery. He was born in Dunsford, Devon, in around 1877, and was the son of Lewis Woodgate.

By the age of 14, he was living on a farm on Bovey Tracey, working as an agricultural labourer for the farm owners, Thomas and Betsy Dayment. Ten years later, William had made the move to Wellington in Somerset, where he was lodging with the Denner family, and working as a carter.

On 20th June 1903, William married Mary Jane Grinter, a signalman’s daughter from Wellington; the couple went on to have three children, Lewis, Leonard and Francis. The young family set up home in North Street, near the centre of the town. By the 1911 census, William had changed profession, and was working as a fish salesman.

War was about to descend on Europe, and, in May 1916, William signed up to play his part. He was enlisted as a Private in the North Somerset Yeomanry, and was assigned to the 2nd/1st Battalion. His service record shows that he was 5ft 2.5ins (1.59m) tall, and weighed 117lbs (53kg), and had a fair physical development.

Private Woodgate did not see any service abroad: his battalion became part of the 6th Cyclist Brigade, and he was based in East Anglia and, for a short while, in Northumberland.

There is little further detail about Private Woodgate’s life. He survived the war, and was transferred to the Army Reserve on 9th February 1919, having served for just under three years.

At this point, William’s trail goes cold. He returned home to Somerset, and passed away nine months later, on 11th November 1919. He was 42 years of age.

William Woodgate was laid to rest in Wellington Cemetery, not far from where Mary and their children lived.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Machine Gun Corps, North Somerset Yeomanry, photography, Private, Somerset, story, war

Private William Small

Leave a comment
Private William Small

William Charles Small was born towards the end of 1896 in the Somerset town of Midsomer Norton. He was one of six children to coal hewer William George Small and his wife Margaret.

When he left school, William worked for the Co-op store in nearby Radstock, but when war came, he was keen to play his part. His service records are lost to time, but the local newspaper’s report on his funeral in 1919 sheds light on Private Small’s army career:

…he joined the army in May 1915, then being only 18 years of age. He joined the North Somerset Yeomanry and went to France on active service in September the same year, being sent straight to Belgium. There being a shortage of machine gunners, he was transferred to the [Machine Gun Corps], in the 3rd Cavalry Division.

He fought at Peronne, at Cambrai, Arras and Verdun, and other places. His regiment were commended by its General for their bravery in holding back the Germans. He first had leave after one year and eight months’ service in France, and another in August 1918.

He was in the Third Army which stemmed the German attack when they attempted to break through, and fought night and day till they succeeded in holding the enemy back. He had many narrow escapes while in battle, but came through without a scratch.

He was demobilised in January 1919, and was discharged A1, but the strain of 3 years and 6 months of active service proved too much and his health entirely broke down, and he was not able to follow his employment at all. His case was taken up by the military two months ago, and he was sent to Bath War Hospital, where he never recovered from the severe strain…

Somerset Guardian and Radstock Observer: Friday 7th November 1919

Private William Small died in the hospital on 25th October 1919, at the age of just 22 years of age. His body was brought back to Midsomer Norton for burial and he was laid to rest in the family plot in the graveyard of St John the Baptist Church there.

Private William Small
(from britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)