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Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, illness, photography, Pioneer, Royal Engineers, story, war

Pioneer Albert Miles

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Pioneer Albert Miles

Albert George Miles and his twin Judith Ann Miles were born on 8th August 1893 in the Devon village of Georgeham. Two of five siblings, their parents were labourer and road contractor Richard Miles and his wife, Elizabeth.

When Albert finished his schooling, he found work as a farm labourer, but when war broke out, he was keen to play his part. There is little information about his time during the conflict, but it is clear that he enlisted in the Royal Engineers and attached to the 315th Field Company. According to a later newspaper report, he served in both France and Germany.

Pioneer Miles survived the war, and was medically discharged from army duties on 10th November 1919, almost exactly a year after the Armistice was signed. He returned home, but was dogged by illness.

Great sympathy has been manifested towards Mr and Mrs R Miles, of Croyde, in the loss of their youngest son, Albert George, who passed away last Friday, aged 27. The deceased served in the RE… during the war, but had not been well since he came home. However, he took to his bed only a fortnight before he died. He then sank rapidly.

[North Devon Herald: Thursday 12th August 1920]

Albert George Miles died on 6th August 1920, two days before his and Judith’s 28th birthdays. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St George’s Church, in his home parish of Georgeham.

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

Able Seaman William Lang

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Able Seaman William Lang

William John Lang was born on 22nd August 1882, and was one of six children to Thomas and Elizabeth Lang. Thomas was a general labourer from the Devon village of Georgeham, and this is where the family were born and raised.

William initially followed his father into labouring work, but after Thomas died in 1891, he decided he wanted bigger and better things. On 28th February 1899 he joined the Royal Navy. Under the age to formally enlist, he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class, and sent to HMS Impregnable, the school ship based in Devonport, for his training.

It seemed that William impressed his teachers. By the end of November he had been promoted to Boy 1st Class, and in the spring of 1900, he was given his first assignment, on board the frigate HMS Agincourt. In August he was transferred to the battleship HMS Camperdown, and he was within days of arriving that he came of age.

William was now formally inducted into the Royal Navy, and given the rank of Ordinary Seaman. His service papers show that he was a little over 5ft 5ins (1.65m) tall, with light brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.

Ordinary Seaman Lang signed up for a period of 12 years, and during that time, he would serve on eight vessels, returning to what would become his shore base – HMS Vivid in Devonport – between assignments. In January 1903 he was promoted to Able Seaman but, while his annual reviews consistently noted a very good character, as time went on, his ability varied from good to moderate.

Able Seaman Lang’s contract came to an end in August 1912, and he immediately re-enlisted. In November 1913 he was assigned to the battleship HMS Colossus, and she would remain his home for the next three years. The posting seemed to suit William well, and his annual reviews reflected this, with superior ability being noted at the end of 1914.

By the start of 1916, William’s health was beginning to be affected and, he returned to HMS Vivid. He had contracted tuberculosis, and this led to his ultimate discharge from naval service on 22nd March.

At this point his trail goes cold, but it is likely that he returned home. Elizabeth had remarried by this point, and she and her husband, Thomas Physick, were living on a farm in Georgeham. William’s lung condition would get the better of him, and he passed away on 2nd September 1916. He had not long turned 34 years of age.

The body of William John Lang was laid to rest in the family plot in St George’s Churchyard, Georgeham: father and son reunited after 15 years.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, photography, Private, Royal Marines, story, war

Private Frank Tucker

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Private Frank Tucker

Frank Tucker was born in the Devon village of Georgeham on 7th June 1890. The youngest of seven children, his parents were farmers Charles and Mary Tucker.

When Frank completed his schooling, he joined his older siblings helping on the farm. The 1911 census recorded all but one of the Tucker household doing agricultural work, Frank’s older sister Hannah being the exception, as she was working as an elementary school teacher.

War broke out in the summer of 1914, and Frank would be called upon to play his part. He did not enlist until 21st June 1918, however, when he joined the Royal Marine Artillery as a Private. His service papers note that he was 5ft 10ins (1.77m) tall, with fair hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.

Private Tucker was sent to the Royal Marine depot in Eastney, Hampshire, for this training, but his time there was not to be a lengthy one.

It is with regret that we have to record the death from pneumonia, of Pte. Frank Tucker (RMA) son of Mr and Mrs C Tucker, or Darracott, which occurred at Haslar Hospital, Gosport, on Tuesday in last week after a brief illness. Deceased, aged 28, had been serving with the colours just a month, and his death came as a sad blow to his many friends and relatives resident in Braunton and district.

[North Devon Journal: Thursday 25th July 1918]

The body of Frank Tucker was taken back to Devon for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St George’s Church in his home village.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Norfolk, Orkney, photography, Private, Scotland, Seaforth Highlanders, story, war

Private Alexander Shurie

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Private Alexander Shurie

Alexander Cursiter Shurie was born in Orkney, in 1886. The youngest of seven children, his parents were farmers James and Maria Shurie. The family were born and raised in West Grenigoe, a small hamlet between Orphir and Scapa, on the Orkney mainland.

There is little information about Alexander’s young life. James died in 1902, and it is likely that his son helped with the running of the farm. When war broke out, he did not enlist immediate and, while his service records have been lost to time, it seems likely that he did not join up until the autumn of 1916.

Private Shurie’s unit – the 6th Battalion or the Seaforth HIghlanders – served on the Western Front during the conflict, but there is nothing to show that Alexander spent any time overseas himself. By March 1917, he had fallen ill, and was admitted to the Norwich War Hospital in Norfolk. His condition is unclear, but it would prove fatal: he passed away on 18th March 1917, at the age of 31.

The body of Alexander Cursiter Shurie was taken back to Orkney for burial. He was laid to rest in the family plot in the graveyard of St Magnus’ Cathedral, Kirkwall.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Orkney, photography, Private, Scotland, Seaforth Highlanders, story, war

Private James Mackay

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Private James Mackay

James – or Jim – Mackay was born in Kirkwall, Orkney, in 1897, and was the youngest of six children to John and Margaret Mackay. John was a stone mason, and the family lived in a small cottage at 14 Victoria Road, close to the town centre.

Little information survives about Jim’s life, and the family do not appear on the 1911 census. He would have been too young to enlist when war broke out, but at some point during the conflict, he enlisted in the army, joining the Seaforth Highlanders as a Private. His unit – the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion – was a depot unit, and was based at Cromarty, to the north of Inverness, for the duration.

In the closing weeks of the war, Jim fell ill, and was admitted to the military hospital in Cromarty, suffering from pneumonia. The condition would prove fatal, and he passed away on 11th November 1918, the day the Armistice was signed. He was just 21 years of age.

The body of James Mackay was taken back to Orkney for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Magnus’ Cathedral, a short walk from where his family still lived.

Australia, Commonwealth War Graves, Egypt, Great War, Hampshire, history, injury, New Zealand, New Zealand Auckland Regiment, Orkney, photography, Private, Scotland, story, war

Private James Cooper

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Private James Cooper

Private James Cooper, a native of Kirkwall, died in the Red Cross Hospital at Netley last Thursday from a wound received at the Dardanelles. Private Cooper, who was 35 years of age, was a son of Mrs Cooper, School Place, Kirkwall (with whom much sympathy is felt), and of the late Capt. Charles Cooper. After being employed for some tim in a shop in Kirkwall, he decided to follow his father’s vacation [sic] and went to see for some years, during which time he served in the Naval Reserve. He was in New Zealand when the war began, and at once enlisted in the 6th Hamaki Coy. With the New Zealand contingent he went to Egypt and took part in the fighting with the Turks near the Suez Canal. In April the contingent was sent from Egypt to the Dardanelles, and towards the end of that month Private Cooper received a gunshot wound in the left arm. With other wounded he was sent to the base hospital at Alexandria, and thence, after a few weeks, was sent home to the hospital at Netley. In all his letters home he wrote cheerfully and made light of his wound, but the nurse wrote that the wound was a serious one. At Netley the arm was amputated. Private Cooper gradually sank and died last Thursday.

[Orkney Herald: Wednesday 30th June 1915]

James Cooper was born on 9th October 1879 in Kirkwall, Orkney. He was one of seven children – and the youngest of three sons – to Charles and Jane Cooper. With her husband being away at sea a lot of the time, Jane was used to raising her family on her own.

In August 1905, tragedy struck the family:

At an early hour on Friday morning last, the town of Stromness was thrown into a stat of alarm by the report that a sad burning fatality had taken place on board the barquentine Brazilian on Ness patent slip. To accurately describe how the accident took place is impossible, but from careful enquiries we learn that on Thursday evening Captain Charles Cooper, belonging to Kirkwall, accompanied by an acquaintance, left the town and went on board the vessel, where they lit a fire and make a cup of coffee, after which friend left him. At that time the fire was very low, and no danger apprehended. At an early hour of the morning, the vessel was observed to e on fire, and an alarm given. In a short time the fire hose from the town was on the scene, and two two streams playing on the burning vessel. The fire was fortunately confined to the cabin and companion way, where the rescue party discovered the body of Capt. Cooper terribly burned and disfigured, to such an extent that it was quite unrecognisable… There can be no doubt but that death was caused by suffocation, but what led to the fire is not known. It is supposed, however, that after the friend left the vessel, Capt. Cooper had taken the paraffin oil flask to put some oil on the nearly burnt-out fire, when possibly an explosion took place, and the cabin got suddenly full of smoke.

[Orkney Herald: Wednesday 16th August 1905]

Charles was 64 when he died. Jane brought his body across the island, and he was buried in the family plot in the churchyard of St Magnus’ Cathedral.

By this point, James was serving in the Royal Navy. The exact details are unclear, but he seems to have bought his way out, after completing six years. He travelled to Australia, and worked as a cook for a while, before moving on to New Zealand, setting up home in the town of Thames, on the country’s North Island.

When war was declared, he was quick to step up, and, joined the Auckland Regiment of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. His service papers show that he was 5ft 7ins (1.7m) tall and weighed 159lbs (72.1kg). He had brown hair, grey eyes and a medium complexion. He had a tattoo of a naval coat of arms on his right forearm, and one of a full length woman on the back of his left forearm.

Private Cooper’s unit left New Zealand on 16th October 1914, heading for Egypt. As the newspaper report stated, he moved from there to Gallipoli, before being medically evacuated to Egypt, and then to Netley Hospital, Hampshire.

After his passing, the body of James Cooper was taken back to Orkney for burial. He was laid to rest in the family plot at St Magnus’ Cathedral, reunited with his father after ten years.

Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Dorset, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, Orkney, photography, Private, Royal Marines, Scotland, story, war

Private Albert Thorne

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Private Albert Thorne

Albert Edward Thorne was born on 30th April 1874. The fourth of eight children, his parents were George and Rosanna Thorne. George was born in Nether Compton, Dorset, and this is where the family were raised. He worked as a stone mason, the 1884 census confirming he employed six men and two boys.

When Albert completed his schooling, he found work as a domestic gardener. This was not something he wanted to do long-term, however, and, on 30th May 1892, he enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry. His service records show that he was 5ft 6ins (1.68m) tall, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. He was also noted as having a mole on the right of this abdomen and a scar on the right of his waist.

Private Thorne was sent to the Royal Marine depot in Walmer, Kent, for his training, and he remained there until the end of November. He transferred to Plymouth, Devon, and, over the next three years, split his time between there and Devonport.

On 26th December 1895, Albert married Rhoda Mills, the daughter of a local labourer, in Plymouth Register Office. The couple would have three children: Albert Jr, Arthur and Vera.

Private Thorne was a career marine, and remained in the service, based between Plymouth and Portsmouth, Hampshire, until the spring of 1914. Having completed 22 years, he was stood down to reserve status, although this was not to be for long, as storm clouds were brewing over Europe.

In August 1914, Albert was mobilised once more, and was assigned to the cruiser HMS Gibraltar. A depot ship, she would support other ships in and around the Orkney and Shetland Isles. The voyage north seems to have taken its toll, however, and Private Thorne was evacuated to the hospital ship Rohilla, suffering from appendicitis, which resulted in peritonitis. The conditions would prove fatal, and he passed away on 30th August 1914, at the age of 40 years old.

The Rohilla docked at Kirkwall on the Orkney mainland. Hundreds of miles from home, is seems that Rhoda may not have been able to afford to bring her husband’s body back to Devon. Instead, the body of Albert Edward Thorne was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Magnus’ Cathedral, Kirkwall.

Rhoda remained in Plymouth, in the rooms at 64 Durnford Street that she knew as home. The 1921 census found her living there with eldest son Albert – now a construction manager at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport – and daughter Vera. The family had a boarder, Irish-born merchant seaman William Arnold, whose sister, Margaret Fitzgerald, was also visiting.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Midlothian, Orkney, photography, Private, Scotland, Seaforth Highlanders, story, war

Private John Brass

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Private John Brass

John Harcus Brass was born in Kirkwall on the Orkney mainland in May 1900. He was the oldest child to Thomas and Margaret Brass. Thomas was a grocer, and the family lived at 3 Union Street, to the south of the town centre.

There is little information about John’s early life. Better known as Jackie, he was too young to enlist when war broke out, but joined up as soon as he came of age. He was assigned to the Seaforth Highlanders and, as a Private, was attached to the 4th Battalion.

Jackie was sent south for training, and was billeted in Glencorse, to the south of Edinburgh. Sadly, Private Brass’ war was not to be a lengthy one. He was admitted to the 2nd Scottish General Hospital in Edinburgh, suffering from influenza. The condition was to get the better of him, and he passed away on 30th October 1918. He was just 18 years of age.

The body of John Harcus Brass was taken back to Orkney for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Magnus’ Cathedral, in his home town of Kirkwall.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, Nottinghamshire, photography, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Scotland, Staff Sergeant, story, unknown, war, Wiltshire

Staff Serjeant George Brent

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Staff Serjeant George Brent

George Brent was born in the autumn of 1887 in Bratton, Wiltshire, and was the only child to George and Naomi Brent. Census records humbly record George Sr was a wool carder, although he actually ran Luccombe Mill, the family living in the substantial Luccombe House.

George had been widowed in the 1870s, and was thirty-four years older than his second wife, Naomi. When he died in 1900, she was left to raise her teenaged son. She was not on her own, however, the 1901 census recording her as living on her own means, and with servant Eliza Whately to support her.

Education was important to Naomi, and by the time of the 1911 census, George was working as a draughtsman and designer for an engineering company. War was on the horizon, however, and he would step up to serve his country.

George enlisted in the Army Ordnance Corps, and served in the Balkans from October 1915. Full details of his time in the army have been lost, but he rose through the ranks and, by the summer of 1918, he was a Staff Serjeant.

At some point love blossomed and, George married a woman called Edith. Sadly, her life is destined to remain a mystery: she is noted as being George’s widow on his probate record and his beneficiary in the Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects.

Staff Serjeant Brent’s health seems to have suffered after three years in the eastern Mediterranean. He was admitted to the military hospital in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, although his condition is unclear. He passed away on 3rd September 1918, at the age of 30 years old.

The body of George Brent was taken back to Wiltshire for burial. He was laid to rest in Bratton Baptist Chapelyard, not far from Luccombe House.

George left an estate of £978 16s 6d (approx. £58,000 in today’s money) to his widow. Naomi must have taken some comfort in Edith’s presence: the 1921 census found them living in Luccombe House.

The census sheds some light on Edith’s background, noting that she was born in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire. Interestingly, she and Naomi have two visitors: widow Helen Harrower (aged 65) and Helen Georgina Harrower (aged 32). The younger Helen was also born in Grangemouth, and it appears that the visitors were Edith’s mother and sister.

Berkshire, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, Kent, photography, Private, Royal Marines, story, war, Wiltshire

Private Edward Kent

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Private Edward Kent

Edward Kent was born in the Berkshire village of Little Coxwell on 8th December 1887. One of fourteen children, his parents were John and Agness Kent. John was a mason’s labourer, and by the time of the 1901 census, the family had relocated to Fisherton de la Mare in Wiltshire.

Edward found work as a general labourer when he completed his schooling, but when war broke out, he was called upon to serve his country. Conscripted in the spring of 1916, he enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry as a Private. His service papers show that he was 5ft 6.5ins (1.69m) tall, with brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. He was also noted as having a scar on the back of his neck.

Private Kent was sent to Deal, Kent, for his training, but by September 1916, he had moved to Portsmouth, Hampshire. Change was afoot, however, and in November Edward was assigned to the 3rd Battalion and sent to the Aegean, where he would remain for the rest of the conflict.

Edward returned to Portsmouth in January 1919, and was admitted to the Haslar Hospital, suffering from pneumonia. The condition would prove fatal, however, and he passed away on 2nd February 1919: he was 31 years of age.

The body of Edward Kent was taken back to Wiltshire for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Nicholas’ Church, Fisherton de la Mere.