Andrews, Frederick John (SS/1023) - Stoker, 1st Class

Date of Birth: 17 February 1886 

Place of Birth: Southampton

Service Number: SS/1023

Rank: Stoker, 1st Class                            

Service: Mercantile Marine

Ship: H.M.S. "Good Hope"

Died: 1 November 1914 age 28

Death location: At sea, off the coast of Chile

Commemorated:  Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Life before the War

Frederick was the 4th son of Edward and the late Ellen Andrews (nee Phillips) of 26 St. Monica Road, Sholing and the older brother of Thomas Andrews (see below). Frederick was born on 17 February 1886 in Sholing. He was baptised on 30 May 1886 at St Mary’s. 

Frederick was part of a large family one of 11 Children born to Edward and Ellen Andrews.  Edward (senior) was born in 1855 in Weston Common, Southampton and baptised on 27 May 1855 in St Marys. Like his son Frederick, he was a mariner. He married Ellen Phillips (born 1860 in Itchen Ferry) on 22 November 1879. By 1911 the family was living at Ash Villa in Church Rd, Sholing. Edward senior, Robert, Frederick and Thomas were listed as General labourers. At that time Flora, Clara, Albert and Wilfred were all still living at home. Muriel was living locally in Spring Road and employed as a domestic servant. 

Siblings

Richard Edward - (b. 1880 in Southampton)

Robert William - (b. 1882 in Southampton d. 1945 in Southampton)

Elizabeth - (b. 1889 in Southampton)

Thomas - (b. 1890 in Southampton d. 23 July 1916 in France)

Muriel Harriet - (b. 1893 in Southampton)

Flora - (b. 1896 in Southampton d. 1971 in Southampton)

Clara Dorothy - (b. 1898 in Southampton d. 1951 in Southampton) m. Herbert Henry Houghton (1900-1957) on 16 April 1927, in St Mary’s Church, Sholing.

Albert - (b. 1901 in Southampton)

Joseph - (b. 1902 in Southampton)

Wilfred - (b. 1904 in Southampton)

War Service

H.M.S “Good Hope” as a 14,100-ton Drake-class armoured cruiser of the British Royal Navy; she was originally to be named “Africa”, but was renamed before she was launched. Laid down on 11 September 1899 she was launched on 21 February 1901. When completed she was amongst the fastest ships in the world. The “Good Hope” however was limited to serving in home waters for much of her career. At the outbreak of war, the “Good Hope” joined the 6th Cruiser Squadron as part of the Grand Fleet. However, she was soon assigned to reinforce Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock’s South American Squadron, becoming his flagship. For the next few weeks she was employed protecting British merchant shipping as far south as Pernambuco and later the Falkland Islands. Then she embarked on the search for the German East Asiatic Squadron, leaving Stanley on 22 October for the west coast of South America via Cape Horn.

Cradock was under orders to intercept Admiral von Spee’s cruiser squadron. This contained five modern cruisers, amongst them the “Scharnhorst” and the “Gneisenau”. These were much better armed than the ”Good Hope”, each carrying eight 8.2 inch guns, six of which could be used on any one target at any given time.

Learning that von Spee was planning to sail into the South Atlantic, Cradock took his fleet into the Pacific. There he was ambushed by von Spee in what was to become known as the Battle of Coronel.  During the engagement the third salvo put the forward 9.2 inch gun out of action; this was followed by serious hits to the forepart, upper bridge and foretop. The “Good Hope” was repeatedly hit amidships setting her on fire. At 19:50 there was a large explosion between the mainmast and aft funnel with flames reaching 200ft. The ship was left dead in the water. Von Spee lost contact around 20:00 and ordered his light cruisers to search for the large British ship that was presumed damaged and finish her off with torpedoes. “Good Hope” was eventually sunk by the German light cruiser “Nürnberg”, her end not seen in the darkness and the driving rain. The “Good Hope” was lost with all 926 hands, on 1 November 1914 just off the Chilean coast, having not caused any significant damage to the German fleet. 

Like many seaman Frederick’s body was never recovered for burial. He is however commemorated on Portsmouth’s Naval Memorial, along with his shipmates.

Armishaw, George Samuel (41110) – Sapper

Date of Birth: 1893

Place of Birth: Winchester

Service Number: 41110

Rank: Sapper                

Regiment/Division: Royal Engineers

Battalion: 61st Field Company

Died: 21 March 1918 age 24

Commemorated: Pozieres Memorial, France

Life before the War

George was the eldest son of Samuel and Ann Armishaw of 43 Mortimer Road, Sholing, Southampton. Samuel was born in 1861 in Edge, Derbyshire and died in 1912 in Southampton. His wife Annie was born in Stone, Staffordshire during 1867. Ann and Samuel married 1887 in Billericay, Essex.

As was common in those days George was born into a large family, with 9 siblings. In the 1911 census 6 of those siblings were living at the family home at 13 Peveril Road, Itchen, along with George and his parents. Samuel is listed as a quay hand and dock labourer, Annie junior was a domestic housemaid and Eva was an apprentice at the dye works. George was an anglesmith (a bender or welder of metal) in a shipyard before joining up. 

Siblings

Mabel Jane - (b. 16 September 1889 in Winchester d. 22 August 1984 in Netley Abbey) m. Stanley Cecil Foyle (1892-1968) in 1919 in South Stoneham.

Ethel Annie - (b. 20 November 1890 in Winchester d. 29 June 1974 in Woolston) m. Albert Reginald Vaughan (1892-1918) on 17 September 1917 in St Luke’s Eltham, London later remarried John Boylan in St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Woolston, Southampton, on 19 August 1922. 

Eva - (b. 1895 in Alverstoke)

Louisa - (b. 12 January 1898 in Woolston, Southampton d. 1983 in Southampton) m. Charles Henry Awdry Crouch (1899-1960) in Southampton in 1928 

Lena Alexandra - (b. 24 September 1901 in Itchen d. 1974 Plymouth) m. James William Strode (1899-1979) in Plymouth during 1940.

Theresa Maud - (b. 5 January 1904 in Itchen d. 1990 in Southampton) m. Alfred Ernest Hemsworth (1895-1984) in Southampton

Hilda Marie - (b. 8 April 1906 in Itchen d. 1985 in Waltham Forest, London) m. Alexander Samuel Sweetlove (1898-1964) during 1931 in Southampton. 

War Service

The role of the field company of the Royal Engineers provided technical skills and know-how in support of fighting units.  

After embarking for France, the 14th Division (to which the 61st Field Company was assigned) was posted at Watten in Northern France on 25 May 1915. They were to see a very active war, counting Hooge, Delville Wood, Arras, Langemark and Passchendaele amongst a long list of battle honours.

His company is listed as being located in St Quentin the day of his death. He has no known grave but instead is commemorated on Poziers memorial to the missing. They were to see home leave on 17 June 1918, just 3 months after George’s death.

Austin, Richard (21819) - Lance Corporal

Date of Birth: 1865

Place of Birth: Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire

Service Number: 21819

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment/Division: Hampshire Regiment   

Battalion: 5th Battalion

Died: 15 November 1915 age 50

Death location: Brighton Road Military Hospital, St Helier, Jersey

Buried: Sholing St Mary’s Churchyard

Inscription: “Sleep on dear one thy work is done the laurels won sleep on”

Life before the War

Richard was born in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire during 1865 to Thomas and Emma Austin (nee Bailey), one of at least 7 children born to them.  It appears that Emma was Thomas’ second marriage, he was previously married to Sarah Wately between 1837 and her death in 1855. 

Emma was a lace maker who was born in Princes Risborough, 22 years her husband’s junior. Thomas married Emma in 1856 in Wycombe. She died 1882 in Wycombe. Despite being considerably older, Thomas would outlive his wife. The 1891 census reveals him still living in Princes Risborough and being ‘kept by the Parish’. 

Siblings

Thomas – (b. 1857 in Princes Risborough) was an agricultural labourer

Harry – (b. 1859 in Princes Risborough) by 12 was an agricultural labourer and wood cutter.

William – (b. 1863 in Aylesbury d. 1977 in Aylesbury)

Agnes Frances – (b.1867 in Princes Risborough, d. 1931 in Headington, Oxfordshire) m. Ernest Edward Gardner (1867-1942) on 16 September 1896 in Steeple Barton, Oxfordshire.

Alice Kate – (b.1871 in Princes Risborough d. 1910 in Tonbridge) m. Edward Stonell (1877-1959) during 1893 in Wycombe.

Andrew Oliver – (b.1874 in Princes Risborough d. in Portsmouth 1927) m. Gertrude Alice Dean during 1899 in Wycombe. Andrew was a caretaker and a club steward

Richard lived at 97 Firgrove Road (now Pinegrove Road), Sholing, Southampton with his wife Agnes Harriet Austin (nee Martin). The couple were married in Alton, Hampshire in 1896. Agnes was born on 14 February 1871 in Holybourne, Hants and died in 1942 in Southampton. By 1891 Richard was a serving Policy Constable in Winchester.

Children 

Richard Henry – (b. 14 October 1896 in Preston Candover d. 1969 in Southampton). He was a signalman in the Navy from the age of 15, before being invalided out in aged just 23. He married Gertrude Scorey (1899-1994) in Cork, Ireland during 1919.

Margaret Emma – (b. 1898 in Holybourne d. 1939 in Southampton) m. James R Langford in South Stoneham during 1919.

Alice – (b. 1900 in Silchester) 

Sidney Charles – (b. 1 May 1902 in Bradshaw d. 1945 in Southampton) m. Gladys Irene Rosendale (1904-1949) in Southampton during 1927.

Mabel Mary – (b. 8 November 1904 in Liss).

Agnes Cicely – (b. 14 April 1907 in Liss d. 25 November 1981 in Canford Cliffs, Poole) m. Philip Kemp Coley (1907-1977) in Southampton in 1933. 

Service

Having retired from the Police Force, Richard was working as a gatekeeper, when in December 1914 he volunteered. Being deemed unfit for Foreign Service he was stationed at Portsmouth and latterly in Jersey where he was employed in guarding German prisoners, an ideal role given his pre-war occupation. 

Sadly, Richard died on 15 November 1915 in Brighton Road Military Hospital, St Hellier, Jersey which was one of several small hospitals based in the Channel Islands during the conflict.  The cause of his death according to his military papers was hepatitis. At the time it was a school but was commandeered by the authorities. The pupils were moved out of the school and given temporary premises elsewhere. The photograph below shows the pupils returning to the Brighton Road School, possibly unaware of what went on in that building during their absence.  

His service records reveal that his Army Pension left Agnes a mere £2 15s (£120 in today’s money) to care for 6 children under the age of 18, and a wife that would survive him by 27 years. He also left a further 8s to his eldest son Richard Henry. He was buried near his home at St Mary’s on 20 November 1915 by the then vicar. The inscription on his grave reads “Sleep on dear one thy work is done the laurels won sleep on”

Barnes, Albert Ernest (M2/103623) – Private  

Date of Birth: 20 March 1885

Place of Birth: Beaulieu, Hampshire

Service Number: M2/103623

Rank: Private

Regiment/Division: Army Service Corps   

Battalion: 621st Motor Transport Company 

Died: 27 October 1916 age 31

Death location: Chatham Military Hospital, Kent

Buried: Sholing St Mary’s Churchyard

Life before the War

Albert was born in Beaulieu in March 1885. His parents were George and Matilda Emily Barnes (nee Morley) who were married on 19 February 1868 in Alverstoke. George was born in 1835 in Higham and was a Coastguard Officer. Due to George’s job it appears that the family had to regularly move to his latest posting. By the 1911 census George had passed away and Matilda (b. 1846 in Portsmouth) was living with Albert at their home in 4 Nelson Terrace, Cosham. With her other children having left home, Matilda was supporting Albert as a General Shopkeeper. 

The following year Albert moved out of the family home and married Caroline Butt on 28 May 1912 in Sholing. Caroline was born on 21 December 1884 in South Stoneham.

Siblings

Matilda Arabella – (b. 1869 in Landport d. 9 September 1947 in Southampton) m. Charles Toy (1859-1941) in 1887 in Fareham.

George Edward – (b. 3 March 1872 in Kinsale, Ireland). He served in the Royal Naval Reserve.

Major Thomas – (b. 24 August 1873 in Kinsale, Ireland d. 1874 in Kinsale, Ireland)

Arthur Charles - (b. 7 September 1875 in Kinsale, Ireland). He served in Royal Navy from 1891-1900.

Agnes Elizabeth – (b. 23 May 1877 in Ringabella, Ireland d. 9 December 1950 in Gosport) m. David Tuckey (1877–1956) in 1899 in Portsmouth. David was a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy.

Richard – (b. 1881 in Portsmouth)

War Service

Albert was living at 71 High Street, Cosham at the time of his enlistment on 9 June 1915. He was a tall slender man standing a quarter inch shy of 6 feet and weighing 10st 6lbs.  As he was a chauffeur at the time it seemed only natural that Albert was to join the Motor Transport Company, supplying troops with the goods, equipment and ammunition they needed.

His Service Record shows that he landed near Rouen as part of the British Expeditionary Force on 17 September 1915. He would spend little more than a year overseas before being invalided back to England.  Before being put on a ship he took care to pass on his kit and a few personal effects to a friend. Albert was then taken to a hospital in Chatham initially suffering with acute Appendicitis, however his temperature dropped and after spending almost a month in hospital Albert died from Bronchitis on 27 October 1916. There was a small comfort to Albert’s family in that they were at his bedside when he died. He was buried at St Mary’s on 31 October 1916. Upon his death his kit was returned to his wife, Caroline also received his army pension.  By this time Caroline was living at York Cottage, St Mary’s Road, Sholing.

Bright, George William (11719) – Private  

Date of Birth: 1894 

Place of Birth: Camden, London

Service Number: 11719

Rank: Private                     

Regiment/Division:  Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

Battalion: 6th Battalion 

Died: 13 May 1917 age 23

Buried: Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, France

Inscription: “God never loved me so much as when he gave me thee”

Life before the War

Little is known of George’s early life except that he was born in London circa 1894. He married Doris Evelyn Webber (b. 8 January 1889/1890) in South Stoneham on 22 April 1916. When receiving note of her husband’s death she was living at Rose Cottage, Cranbury Road, Sholing. Doris died on 14 November 1965 in Kettering.

War Service

George saw service in the 6th Battalion of Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. They were formed in Bodmin at the outbreak of the war before moving to Aldershot. After a period of basic training In Witley they were to move back to Aldershot in February 1915. They would finally receive an overseas posting when landing in Boulogne on 22 May 1915. During that year they would see action at Hooge and Bellewaard. They would add to their battle honours at Delville Wood, Flers-Courcelette, Langemark and the battles at Passendaele.  George died of his wounds on 13 May 1917 possibly from fighting at the Battle of Scarpe which occurred a few days earlier. 

Carter, Frank Henry (852746) - Trimmer

Date of Birth: 1898

Place of Birth: Southampton

Service Number: 852746

Rank: Trimmer                            

Service: Mercantile Marine Reserve

Ship: H.M.S. "Otranto"

Died: 6 October 1918 age

Death location: Off the Isle of Islay

Commemorated: Plymouth Naval Memorial 

Life before the War

Frank was one of eight children born to Noah Henry Carter and Elizabeth K Carter (nee Westall). He was native to Southampton having been born there during 1898. He was baptised on 7 January 1863 in South Stoneham. His father was Noah was born on 24 December 1862 in Southampton and was a worker in an iron mill and a coal porter at the docks during his lifetime. Frank’s mother Elizabeth was born in Eling in Hampshire around 1867. They married on 21 March 1886 in Highworth, Wiltshire. The 1911 census shows that Noah and Elizabeth and five of their children (Harold, Rosena, Frank, Lilian and Marjorie) registered at 15 William Street in Northam. Noah died during 1951 in Southampton.

Siblings 

Elizabeth Kate – (b. 7 November 1886 in Southampton). The 1939 census reveals she was incapacitated and living with her sister Gertrude along with her father.

Gertrude Evelyn – (b. 14 February 1888 in Southampton d. 1954 in Southampton) m. Ernest John Gunn (b. 14 February 1872) during 1905 in Southampton.

Harold Augustus – (b. 20 September 1890 in Southampton d. 1969 in Southampton) m. Daisy Beatrice Chalk (1890-1970) during 1914 in Southampton. He was a casual labourer.

Rosena Maud – (b. 22 March 1896 in Southampton d. 1983 in Southampton) m. Frederick Charles Barnes during 1914 in Southampton.

Lilian Constance Hilda – (b. 28 June 1899 in Southampton d. 1979 in Southampton).

Marjorie Winnifred – (b. 10 June 1902 in Southampton d. 1985 in Southampton) m. Ernest A Gibson (1895-1960) during 1923 in South Stoneham.

War Service

HMS Otranto was an armed merchant cruiser requisitioned by the Royal Navy when World War I began in 1914. Built before the war for the UK–Australia run as the SS Otranto, she was primarily used during the war to search for German commerce raiders. She played small roles in the Battle of Coronel in November 1914 (see Frederick Andrews) and apart from brief refits in the UK, Canada and Australia, she remained on this duty until early 1918 when she became a troopship.

Comley, Charles (14352) - Private

Date of Birth: 1888

Place of Birth: Southampton

Service Number: 14352

Rank: Private

Regiment/Division: Hampshire Regiment

Battalion: 2nd Battalion  

Died:  6 August 1915 age 27

Commemorated: Helles Memorial, Turkey  

Life before the War

Born in 1888 in St Deny’s, Southampton, Charles was the son of George and Rosina Comley (nee Harper). He was baptised on 7 September 1890 at Woolston Parish Church. The family lived at 2 Victoria Cottages, Church Road, Sholing. 

Charles’ father George was born in 1858 in Southampton. He married Rosina Harper, Charles was one of 11 children born to them. Rosina who was also born in Southampton during 1859, she died in 1943 in Southampton.

Siblings

George Ernest F – (b. 1881 in Portsmouth) m. Eva Hennings during 1916 in South Stoneham.

Henry James - (b. 1882 in Southampton d. 23 July 1961 in Southampton) m. Alice Louisa Spanner (1888-1972) in 1909 in Southampton. Served in Royal Field Artillery during WWI.  

Rosina - (b. 1886 in Southampton) m. John Trenery Clements (b. 1881) during 1906 in South Stoneham.

Bessie - (b. 30 August 1889 in Southampton d. 1969 in Southampton) m. Frederick Charles V Hall (1886-1938) during 1910 in Southampton.

Alice Emily - (b. 1896 in Southampton d. 2 February 1951 in Bournemouth) m. Frederick G Martin in Southampton during 1917.

William Charles - (b. 1898 in Southampton)

Florence Louisa - (b. 1901 in Southampton) m. Victor Charles Siney (1908-1937) in Droxford during 1935. After Victor’s death she re-married Arthur Harry J Cheater (1903-1978) in 1946.

Children

Elsie Comley Kneller – (b. 21 August 1906 in Woolston)

Ivy Comley – (b. 22 November 1910 in Sholing)

Ena Comley – (b. 9 June 1912 in South Stoneham d. 2004 in Poole)

Dora Comley – (b. 30 March 1914) m. Walter Ernest Line (1913-1998) during 1914 Southampton

The 1911 Census shows Charles living in Alma Road in Woolston along with this wife Mary Jane (Kneller) whom he had married 3 years earlier. With them are a 4 year daughter Elsie and a 4 month baby Ivy. Charles was a plasterer just like his father. 

War Service

Three Hampshire Regiment Battalions took part in the operations at Gallipoli, the 2nd Battalion, the 10th Service Battalion and the 1/8th Isle of Wight Rifles. 

Charles serving with the 2nd Battalion was amongst the first to land at Helles on 25 April 1915, sustaining many casualties. Between the 25 April and 14 May 1915 they had lost 11 officers and 198 other ranks with a further 519 wounded. There then followed an advance on Krithia where they lost a further 18 officers and 224 other ranks.    

The Register of Soldiers effects mentions that Charles’ pension was paid to his widow Mary Jane. 

Charles was entitled to the Victory medal and 1915 Star.

Crook, Ernest Richard (42634/3) – 2nd Lieutenant

Date of Birth: 1883

Place of Birth: Southampton

Service Number: 43634/3

Rank: 2nd Lieutenant

Regiment/Division: Royal Field Artillery

Battalion: "D" Battery 59th Brigade, 

Died: 13 October 1916 age 33

Buried: Contay British Cemetery, Somme, France (Grave II. A. 16)

Inscription: “In glorious memory of one who is very dear, thy way not mine oh Lord”

Life before the War

Ernest was born in Southampton the son of Mary and Samuel Bater Crook of Woolston Lawn, Obelisk Road, Sholing and husband to Marjory. He was baptised at Highfield Parish Church on 3 July 1883. His father Samuel was a Welshman born in Merthyr Tydfil during 1852, and who died on 12 May 1928 on the Isle of Wight. Samuel married Mary Berry (b. 1860 in Barnstable) on 1 September 1881 in Thame, Oxfordshire. They would go onto have 8 children. 

Siblings

Samuel – (b. 1882 in Southampton d. 1882 in Southampton)

Arthur Henry – (b. 1884 in Southampton)

Herbert Charles – (b. 5 November 1885 in Southampton d. 1972 in Southampton).  Herbert served an apprenticeship at J I Thorncroft before spending 3 years as chief chassis tester at Rolls Royce. He would later become a draughtsman at Clement Talbot Ltd in London.

Harold Bater – (b. 1887 in Southampton d. 1968 in Winchester)

Katherine Mary – (b. 1888 in Southampton)

Francis William – (b. 1893 in Southampton d. 1967 in Southampton) m. Mary Catherine Parry (1893–1980) in 1920 in St George, Hanover Square London. Son in law to Sir Edwin Cooper Perry (House Surgeon and House Physician at the London Hospital, Vice-Chancellor of London University, Senior Consulting Physician at Guy's Hospital and Director of the Faculty of Medicine in the University of Cairo). They were to have a son, Laurence Bater Crook who was to die tragically during the 2nd World War. 

Elsie – (b. 1900 in Southampton)

Whilst still serving in the Army during 1910, Ernest married Margaret ‘Marjory’ E Ray in Winchester. She was born in 1883 Owlsebury. Married less than 1 year by 1911 they were living at Trevana, Spring Road, Sholing. Childless, the couple have however employed the services of Ethel Parker an 18 year old servant. Margaret’s death is recorded as being on 4 Feb 1958 in Winchester.  

War Service 

He was a Grocers assistant before joining the Hampshire Yeomanry on 27 March 1905 (where he served up until to 12 February 1915) before serving in the Royal Field Artillery.

The 59th Brigade served with the 11th Northern Division. After initial training close to home, on the 4 April 1915 they assembled at Whitley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool at the end of June 1915, landing at Suvla Bay on 6 -7 August. By the 20 December 1915 they had been withdrawn to Egypt. Their next orders saw them post to France, and by 27 July 1916they were on the front line at the Somme. Ernest died of wounds likely sustained in the later stages of the Battle of the Somme, one of an estimated 420,000 British casualties from the battle.

Ernest is also commemorated on St Saviour's Church War Memorial, Shanklin where his parents resided. Upon his death Ernest left £636 14s 5d with Jay Ray (Civil Servant) and a Harold Rowsell (merchant) as executors. His last recorded address was Trevena, Spring Road, Sholing.

Fisher, Alfred Gilbert (3/3416) - Lance Corporal

Date of Birth: 1891

Place of Birth: Southampton

Service Number:  (3/3416)

Rank: Lance Corporal                  

Regiment/Division: Hampshire Regiment

Battalion: 2nd Battalion

Died: 6 August 1915 age 25

Death location: Gallipoli

Commemorated: Helles Memorial, Turkey 

Life before the war

The son of Charles and Ellen Fisher (nee Self) of 90 North East Road, Sholing, Southampton, Alfred was born in 1891 in St Deny’s, Southampton. His father was a bricklayer born locally in Bursledon in 1857, whilst his mother was born in West Marden, Sussex during 1859. Charles and Ellen married during 1877 in Southampton. Arthur was one of 9 children born to this marriage. 

Siblings

Florence Nellie – (b. 1878 in Southampton d. 1921 in Southampton) married William Thomas Webber (b. 1875) on 18 March 1905 in Southampton.

Charles Henry – (b. 1881 in Sholing d. 1882 in Southampton)

Sarah Ann – (b. 1883 in Bitterne) married Harry Webber (b. 1877) in 1905 in Southampton

Frederick George – (b. 1886 in Bitterne d. 1962 in Southampton) married Elizabeth Anne Thorn (b. 1889) in 1910 

Elizabeth Charlotte - (b. 3 May 1888 in Southampton, d. 1972 in Southampton) married William Light (b. 1888) in 1911.

Lillian May – (b. 17 November 1893 in Southampton, d. 24 July 1987 in Woking, Surrey). She was a   domestic servant.

Edith Amelia – (b. 1896 in Southampton, d. 1949 in Southampton) married Frederick Gibson during 1919 in Southampton.

William John – (b. 1898 in Southampton)

In the 1911 Census Charles and Ellen were living at 90 North East Road along with 5 of their children. Charles was a general labourer at a Gas Works. Alfred then aged 20 was a general labourer in the docks along with his older brother Frederick. Lillian aged 18 was a domestic servant whilst the two youngest children Edith and William were still at home, yet to start their working lives.

War Service

The 2nd Battalion was a Regular Army battalion that was serving in India at the outbreak of war and arrived back in England on 22 December 1914. They were at first meant to be deployed to France but were sent to Gallipoli instead, setting sail as part of the 29th Division from Avonmouth on 29 March 1915.  Having transferred to the “River Clyde” they were engaged in the fatal landings at Cape Helles on 24 April 1915. Having survived the initial landing and the subsequent battle for Achi Baba heights, it appears that Alfred was killed in the first day of the Battle of Krithia.  This battle took place from 6 - 13 August 1915, between the British and the forces of the Ottoman Empire. Both sides suffered heavy casualties in effectively what was a battle for a vineyard. 

Alfred has no known grave but is instead commemorated on Helles Memorial in Turkey.

Fisher, Walter Maurice George (SS/7164) – Able Seaman

Date of Birth: 4 July 1897 

Place of Birth: Southampton

Service Number: SS/7164

Rank: Able Seaman                            

Service: Royal Navy

Ship: H.M.S "Tartar"

Died: 17 June 1917 age 19

Death location: English Channel

Buried:  Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France (Plot 4 Row A Grave 21)

Life before the War

Born on 11 July 1897 in Southampton, Walter was named after his father. His mother was Louisa Stanley who had him baptised on 19 August 1897 at All Saints Church.  His parents were married in 1897 in Southampton. Both Walter senior and Louisa were born in Southampton, Walter in 1875 and Louisa in 1877.

Siblings

Hubert Henry William - (b. 9 September 1899 in Southampton d. 1985 in Southampton)

Ivy - (b. 1903 in Southampton)

Gladys Myrtle Louisa – (b. 15 July 1904 in Southampton d. 7 June 1986 in the New Forest) m. William T Bridle in 1925 in Southampton.

Vera Gladys - (b. 23 June 1907 in Southampton d. 1998 in Southampton aged 91)

Lynda Ellen – (b. 1909 in Southampton d. 1967 in Southampton) m. William C Buckman 1932 in Southampton

Owen Reginald – (b. 4 January 1913 in Southampton d. 1941 in Southampton)

Eric Edward – (b. 11 June 1916 in Southampton d. 1991 in Southampton)

The 1911 census shows that the family living at 12 Loane Road, Sholing. The 3 eldest children Walter, Hubert and Ivy had started school whilst father Walter was a general Labourer for Itchen Council. Both Owen and Eric were yet to be born and it is possible that Eric may never have met his older brother. Walter was still living at home in Loane Road when he joined up.   

War Service

Walter was a small man standing just shy of 5ft 6” tall with fair hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. Between May 1916 and 31 March 1917 he was posted to H.M.S "Hindustan" where he was engaged in important patrol and escort duties in the North Sea. 

He later served on the 275ft Tribal Class destroyer H.M.S "Tartar" which was built just down the road at John I Thornycroft in Woolston.  Its main role was escorting troop ships from Dover to Boulogne. Having only been posted to the ship 11 days earlier, Walter lost his life when the ship was mined on 17 June 1917 killing 45 of the complement including the ship’s Captain. The ship, although badly damaged did not sink. She was initially towed into Dover (and then later Chatham) for repairs. Walter was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

"This was an accident that should not have happened, although no blame [can be] attached to her officers. Being quite new to the patrol and the various danger areas her Captain told the destroyer accompanying, whose officer knew the patrol, to lead down the channel between Bassure de Bas and the French coast. This she did, but went inside a buoy marking a danger area, with the result that Tartar was mined.”  Admiral Bacon. 

Green, Charles (M.C) (57108) – Lieutenant   

Date of Birth: 29 June 1879

Place of Birth: Southampton

Service Number: 57108

Rank: Lieutenant

Regiment/Division: Central Ontario Regiment 

Battalion: 20th Battalion Canadian Infantry  

Died: 1 October 1916 age 37

Buried: Sunken Road Cemetery, Contalmaison, France 

Inscription:  “He that loseth his life for my sake shall find

it. Matt. 10.39 Mizpah” 

Life before the War

Charles was born on 29 June 1879 the 5th child of George and Elizabeth Green (nee Chalk).  George and Elizabeth married in Southampton during 1865 and lived in Firtree Farm, Church Road, Sholing.  George who was born in Godshill during 1839, was a coal dealer.  He died aged 80 in 1919 in Southampton. Charles’ mother Elizabeth was a native of Sholing where she was born in 1840. She died a year after her husband in 1920, also in Southampton. 

Born in Sholing, Charles was a market gardener and later a carpenter by trade. In 1911 Charles and his brother Frederick were still living at Firtree Farm along with their parents. By then their other siblings had all left home. Shortly afterwards Frederick emigrated to Canada where he would marry his wife. Charles would follow his younger brother to Canada just a couple of years later.  

Despite moving to Canada, Charles did return to England. In 1915 he would marry Mabel Gertrude West near her family home in Portland, Dorset. Mabel was born in Brixton, London on 7 January 1880 and later moved to Sholing. Still single in 1911 she was living as a domestic housekeeper to a Benjamin Read at 14 Eaton Square, Portland, a residence that would become her family home until her death on 5 August 1947.  

Siblings

Mary - (b. 1867 in Southampton)

Jane - (b. 1870 in Southampton) 

George - (b. 1874 in Southampton)

Elizabeth - (b. 1876 in Southampton)

Margaret - (b. 1877 in Southampton)

Frederick - (b. 4 March 1880 in Southampton d. 21 September 1944 in Kilbride, Ontario) m. Bernice Winifred West (b. 1884 Brixton d. 9 November 1946 in Hamilton Ontario) on 4 March 1914 in Wentwoth, Ontario. Looking at their histories both brothers seemed to have a particular strong bond. Like his brother he was a nurseryman and a market gardener. Frederick even married Mabel’s sister. 

War Service

Standing at 5’11” a fresh faced Charles signed up to the 20th Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). His service papers describe him as having green eyes and black hair.

The 20th CEF was authorised by the Privy Council on 6 August 1914 for service overseas and were mobilised on 7 November 1914 at the Exhibition Grounds, Toronto.

Upon arrival in France on 15 September 1915, the battalion was assigned to the 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, Canadian Corps and given a section of the front on the Ypres Salient, near Messines.  Their duties included, holding the line, nightly patrolling in no man's land and endless repairs to wire and trenches under almost continuous enemy shelling.  The winter of 1915-16 was spent in a routine of 18 days on the front and 6 days in the rear, all the while battling lice, trench foot, and disease.  

In the spring of 1916, the Commander of the British Second Army decided that it was essential for an enemy salient near the village of St. Eloi to be eliminated.  Following attacks and counter-attacks, the 4th Brigade tried to retake the craters that the 6th Brigade was forced to fall back from.  The 20th Battalion managed to retake one crater and held it through a month of concentrated shelling.  In one month, the 4th Brigade suffered 1,373 casualties.

On 15 September 1916 the Second Division joined the attack at the Somme, supported by tanks for the first time.  The infantry captured three lines of trenches and reached their final objectives in just 40 minutes.  The tanks, however, had broken down.  Meanwhile, the 20th was trying to consolidate its position despite taking machine gun fire from both flanks. 

Early October brought heavy rain and a second attack at the Somme.  Under heavy shelling, the 20th captured two lines of trenches in close combat, mainly with grenades and bayonets.  In both these actions, the 20th captured all of their objectives and held them until relieved, but at a cost of 111 killed and 319 wounded in only three weeks. 

Charles was one of 45 officers who gained the Military Cross for gallantry whist fighting for the 20th CEF. The London Gazette of 14 November 1916 reads: 

Altogether, 4,310 officers and men served in the 20th Battalion during the war. Of them, 843 were killed in action or died of wounds often having been wounded earlier. Another 1,855 were wounded, often repeatedly. 

Hayward, John (512193) - Private

Date of Birth: 1883

Place of Birth: Southampton

Service Number: 512193

Rank: Private

Regiment/Division: London Regiment (London Scottish)

Battalion: 2nd/14th Battalion  

Died: 23 August 1918 age 35

Buried: Arneke British Cemetery, Cassel, France 

Life before the War

John was born in Sholing to Peter Barrett and Elizabeth Hayward (nee Withers) of New Road, Sholing, Southampton. Peter was born in 1841 in Holdenhurst near Bournemouth. He had a varied life as coal dealer, an inspector for the RSPCA, a market gardener and a member of a school board. Elizabeth was the first wife of Peter Barrett Hayward. Elizabeth died in 1890 when John was only 7. 

A second marriage to Mary Ann Swain (b. 1845) lasted 12 years before she sadly died in 1902 aged 57. Shortly afterwards he married Esther Bradford (1850-1927) in 1903. This marriage was to last until Peter’s death on 4 January 1919.  

By 1911, John and his siblings had all moved out of the family home in Gladstone Villa on Spring Road. His father remained, living with his 3rd wife Esther to whom he had been married 7 years. Ellen was living in Ryde on the Isle of Wight where she was a parlour made. John was employed as a domestic footman for the de Winton family at Maesllwch Castle, Glasbury. He never married. 

Siblings

Elizabeth – (b. 1870 in Brighton)

Ann – (b. 1872 in Bradford)

Mary – (b. 1873 in Leicester d. 1954 Illford, Essex) m. Charles Frederick Crozier (1874-1934) during 1899 in Southampton. In 1911 they were living in Illford, Essex with their daughter Iris but by 1939 they had moved to Mercia Gardens in Sholing.

Henry – (b. 12 May 1874 in Leicester d. 24 March 1940 in Southampton) m. Emma Herridge (b. 1871) in Southampton during 1899. Henry was a labourer and clerk in a railway works during his lifetime. They had 5 children. 

Edith – (b. 1877 in Southampton)

Ellen – (b. 1879 in Southampton) m. Benjamin Denham (1879-1919) in Southampton during 1912. Four years after his death she married Arthur Jesse Long (1884-1965) who was named in Benjamin’s Will. Upon Arthur’s death he left his estate to Ellen and Benjamin’s two children, Arthur and William. Ellen was a parlour maid. 

Charles – (b. 1880 in Southampton d. 31 March 1964 in Southampton) m. Mary Margaret Keates (1879-1956) during 1904 in Southampton. They lived in Burghclere, Hampshire where Charles was a Police Constable. By 1911 they had 4 children. 

Edwin – (b. 31 July 1886 in Southampton d. 12 March 1955 in Essex) m. Lizzie Drew Sones (1884-1927) in Rochford, Essex during 1910. Edwin was a Commercial Clerk in a Tea Firm and also a shopkeeper. They had at least 4 children.

Frederick – (b. 12 April 1888 in Southampton d. 1968 in Southampton) m.  Winifred C Smith (b. 1891) during 1914 in Romford, Essex. Frederick had a long career as a Police Officer in both Lambeth and in Southampton Docks.

War Service

The London Scottish were a territorial unit formed in London during September 1914. They were due to be sent to France in 1916 but the rebellion in Ireland saw them deployed to Cork instead. They were to spend just over 2 weeks of April/May 1916 at Bullincolly before returning home. 

An overseas posting came when the landed at Le Harve on 22 June 1916 before later moving onto Salonika. They would also see service in Egypt and Palestine. The ancient cities of Jerusalem and Jericho were amongst their actions. They would return to France where they were involved in advance in Flanders. John died of his wounds just over 2 months before the end of the war and is buried in France. His brother applied for his medals nearly 9 years after hostilities ceased.  

Heath, Harry Charles (331120) – Rifleman

Date of Birth: 1896

Place of Birth: Southampton

Service Number: 331120

Rank: Rifleman

Regiment/Division: Hampshire Regiment 

Battalion: 1/8th (Territorial Force) Battalion

Died: 19 April 1917 age 20

Buried: Gaza War Cemetery, Israel 

Life before the War

Harry was born in Southampton to Harry and Susannah Heath (nee Wells) during 1896. His father, was a contractor’s carter born during 1870 in Andover. He married Susannah Wells during 1893 in Andover and from this marriage were born 4 children however only two survived past infancy. Susannah was born on 9 July 1874 in Hurstbourne.

Harry and his family were living in 1 Oak Cottage, South East Road, Sholing when 1911 census was taken. His occupation is stated as an ironmonger’s porter.  His adopted 3 year old brother Albert is also living with them.

Siblings

Nellie – (b. 19 July 1898 in Southampton d. 1970 in Droxford) m. John Dunstan (1894-1982) in Southampton during 1919. They had two children Millie and Arthur.

Albert Douglas Ackland – (b. 24 February 1909 in Southampton d. 2 March 1965 in Eastleigh). The adopted son of Harry and Susannah. He was adopted as an infant and was living with the family in the 1911 census. Despite being adopted he still kept his birth surname of Ackland. In 1939 he was living in Eastleigh with his mother Susannah, now widowed following Harry senior’s death 3 years earlier. He was a builder’s handyman by trade. 

War Service

The 1/8th Hampshire (Territorial Force) were more commonly known as ‘Princess Beatrice’s Isle of Wight Rifles’. At the commencement of the war they were stationed at Newport, Isle of Wight, before moving onto Bury St Edmonds and later Watford.                                   

After undergoing training their first deployment would be a baptism of fire, sailing from Liverpool on 30 July 1915 for Suvla Bay in Gallipoli. The initial assaults took place on 6 August 1915 but without success. Combining with the 2nd and 10th Battalions of the Hampshire Regiment they joined 54th East Anglian Division to make a reinforced attack Gabe Tewbe and a new landing at Suvla on 9th August in order to sever the middle of the peninsula. With the ground taken not worth a fraction of the heavy casualties they sustained, they were eventually evacuated to Egypt on 3 December 1915. 

Their next posting was to Palestine where Harry would lose his life on the last day of the Second Battle of Gaza. This battle was fought between 17- 19 April 1917, following the defeat of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) at the First Battle of Gaza in March. Gaza was defended by the strongly entrenched Ottoman Army garrison, which had been reinforced after the first battle by substantial forces. They manned the town's defences and a line of strong redoubts which extended eastwards along the road from Gaza to Beersheba. 

Although his medal records state that he was only presumed dead Harry does have a known grave in the Gaza war Cemetery.  He was awarded both Victory and British War Medals. His father received his war gratuity payment. A hundred year later that part of the world is still a place of conflict. The cemetery has been struck by shells and by an Israeli air strike over recent years. Despite that the cemetery has been repaired and is beautifully maintained.  Harry is also memorialised on the tablet in the Drill Hall in Newport, Isle of Wight.

Houghton, Albert Henry (102677) - Private

Date of Birth: 12 October 1889                                                  

Place of Birth: Southampton                           

Service Number: 102677

Rank: Private

Regiment/Division: Machine Gun Corps

Battalion: 154th Company   

Died: 20 September 1917 age 28

Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium

Life before the War

Albert was born on 12 October 1889 in Bitterne, Southampton the eldest son of Albert Edward and Rose Houghton (nee Harvey).  He was baptised a month later in Bitterne Parish Church on 17 November 1889. Albert snr was born on 24 May 1865 in Bitterne and was a grocer’s porter. Rose was born on 10 July 1866. His parents married in 1888 in South Stoneham. By 1911 the family (minus Eva, Sydney and Jeane) were living at 1 Pasadena Cottages, New Road, Netley. Albert was working as a baker and confectioner. He would marry Daisy Ethel Young (b. 28 March 1894) at St Marys, Sholing on 28 December 1912. Albert snr died during 1942 in Winchester, Rose died in 1960 in Winchester.

Siblings

Eva Rose - (b. 23 January 1891 in Bitterne, Southampton d. 5 March 1965 in Southampton) m. Archibald Thomas Parker (1888-1942) during 1911 in Southampton.

Sidney Arthur – (b. 30 January 1893 in Bitterne, Southampton d. 1961 in Surrey) m. Doris Emily Pridding (b. 1902) during 1929 in Eastleigh. Sydney served in the Merchant Navy during World War II. He was also an oil worker.

Jeane M – (b. 1895 in Bitterne, Southampton)

Francis John – (b. 17 February 1898 in Bitterne, Southampton d. 2 March 1961 in Southampton) m. Doris Clara Hodder during 1925 in Southampton. Francis served in Royal Navy during World War II.

Amy Edith – (b. 1899 in Bitterne, Southampton) m. George C Day during 1924 in Southampton.

Daisy Winifred – (b. 4 September 1902 in Bitterne, Southampton d. 1893 in Surrey) m. William R Thompson (b. 1903) during 1926 in Southampton.

Norah Margaret- (b. 4 May 1904 in Bitterne, Southampton d. 1896 in Southampton) m. Frank Chiverton (b. 1902) during 1930 in Eastleigh.

Edward Joseph – (b. 15 March 1907 in Netley d. 1986 in Southampton) m. Elizabeth L Day (b. 1911) during 1930 in Southampton. He was a riveter’s assistant.

Gladys Clara May – (b. 7 December 1910 in Netley d. 27 September 1992 in Newport, Isle of Wight) m. Edward Kearns during 1931 in Eastleigh.

Children

Ronald Albert - (b. 19 October 1913 in South Stoneham d. 2001 in Winchester) m. Agnes M Hodgson in Southampton during 1939.

Doris Margery - (b. 17 April 1915 d. 2006 in Southampton) m. William J Ricketts in 1938.

Sydney Francis William - (b. 2 January 1917 in South Stoneham d. 2004 in Southampton).

War Service

Albert initially joined the Hampshire Regiment (203789) on 28 February 1917 before transferring to the Machine Gun Corps in April of the same year. The 154th Machine Gun Company was formed as part of 51st Division on 14 January 1916. After a period of training he was drafted to the Western Front, where he took part in several engagements and rendered valuable services with his machine-gun section. It is likely that Albert saw action in the battle of Arras and Pilkem Ridge. Albert was killed in action on 20 September 1917 in the first day of the Battle of the Menin Road. 

On writing to Daisy on the death of her husband his commanding officer said of him “your husband was a very good soldier and is sadly missed by the company”. Albert has no known grave instead he is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres. He left behind 3 children Ronald, Albert and Doris.  He was entitled to the General service and Victory Medals.

Hyatt, Howard Wilmot (3/4066) - Lance Sergeant

Date of Birth: 1882

Place of Birth: Nettlebed, Oxfordshire

Service Number: 3/4066

Rank: Lance Sergeant                          

Regiment/Division: Hampshire Regiment

Battalion: 1st Battalion 

Died: 4 July 1915 aged approx. 33

Buried: Talana Farm Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium

Inscription: “Son of C.E. & Mrs. Hyatt of Woolston, Southampton R.I.P.”

Life before the War

Born in Nettlebed, Oxfordshire in 1882, Charles was the son of Charles Edward and Eliza Hyatt (nee Williams). Charles was born in 1860 in Twford whilst Eliza was born in 1857 in Southampton. They married in 1882. Although born in Oxfordshire, Howard spent most of his childhood in Romsey, where his parents and 3 siblings lived together. He was baptised in Romsey on 16 October 1885. Howard’s father was away from the family unit in his early childhood, the court records show Charles being sentenced to 4 months hard labour for what is described as a misdemeanour.  Neither Howard nor his father is listed on the 1901 census. By 1911 however the family were back together, the Hyatt’s lived at Sunnyside, Portsmouth Road, Woolston. Charles was a decorator and his sons Howard and Percival were listed as painters.

Siblings 

Hilda Winifred - (b. 12 June 1885 in Romsey, Hampshire d. 3 January 1977 in Clanfield, Hampshire) m. Reginald T Moody in South Stoneham in 1914.

Percival Edward Northcote – (b. 11 April 1888 in Romsey, Hampshire d. 29 December 1978 in Bitterne, Southampton) m. Louise Antoinette M Burnett in South Stoneham during 1919.

Violet – (b. 16 July 1891 in Romsey, Hampshire d. 1988 in Southampton). Violet was a housekeeper at Redhill Rectory.

War Service

The 1st Hampshire’s were part of the 4th Division, 11th Brigade originally stationed in Aldershot before moving to Colchester on Home Defence Force duties.  Having been relieved of this temporary assignment, they set sail from Southampton, arriving in Le Harve on 23 August 1914. They served in France and Flanders until the Armistice. 

Howard’s war however was a short one. He disembarked in France on 26 May 1915 and died of his wounds whilst on service and barely a month later. It is not known in which battle he sustained his wounds. It is however likely to have been one of the battles on the outskirts of Ieper, possibly Frezenberg or Bellewaarde. He was entitled to the Victory medal, 1915 Star and British War medal.

By the time the Commonwealth War Graves Commission came to erect a headstone at the end of hostilities, his father had passed away in 1920. His mother Eliza would live out her days in Portsmouth until her death in 1938.  

Jemmett, Frederick Charles (9244) – Rifleman

Date of Birth: Approx 1893

Place of Birth: Egham, Surrey 

Service Number: 9244

Rank: Rifleman                           

Regiment/Division: “C” Company, Kings Royal Rifle Corps

Battalion: 2nd Battalion

Died: 8 March 1917 approx age 24

Buried: Assevillers New British Cemetery, Somme, France

Life before the War

Born in Egham in 1894, Frederick was the son of Blanche Todd (formerly Jemmett) of 27 Butts Road, Sholing and the late George Jemmett.  

Blanche Andrews married George Jemmett on 25 February 1888 in St John, Egham. The marriage was fated not to last long when George died in 1896 in Guildford aged just 33. After her husband’s death in Blanche remarried Mark Todd (born 1848) in 1900 in South Stoneham. They had children, half siblings of Frederick. Tragically Blanche was to be widowed a second time when Mark died in 1911 in South Stoneham. Blanche passed away in 1926 aged 60. Her occupation is listed as a laundress.

Siblings

Eva Maud – (b. 1887 in Winchester)

William A – (b.1900 in Egham, Surrey)

Half-siblings

Albert Jemmett – (b. 1897 Egham, Surrey d. 1962 in Southampton) m. Clara Dorothy Chalk (1899-1975) during 1919 in Southampton.

Gertrude E Todd – (b. 1901 in Southampton).

Annie Alice M Todd – (b. 13 May 1908 in Sholing) m. Thomas James Chalk (1903-1975) during 1927 in Southampton.

War Service

Frederick was already a serving soldier by the time war broke out.  According to his service number he signed up in January 1909 aged just 15, indeed the 1911 census has Frederick already posted to India. The year of birth in the military records I have seen for Frederick is different than that given in censuses and records of his birth by some 2 years. Maybe it is possible that Frederick lied about his age in order to enlist. 

At the outbreak of war the Kings Royal Rifle Corps were stationed in Aldershot. They were to establish a long and proud list of battle honours, serving in many of the major battles of the Great War. They landed at Le Harve on 13 August 1914. Frederick would likely to have seen action at Mons, the Marne, Ainse, 1st Ypres, Aubers, Loos, Albert, Poziers, Cambrai and Passchendaele amongst others. It is uncertain where Frederick died as there was no major fighting involving the King’s Royal Rifles at the time.  

Blanche now living in Kitchener Terrace, received her son’s Victory Medal and war gratuity, Frederick was never to return from France.

Jerrim, Fred Henry (3/3417) - Private   

Date of Birth: 1892 

Place of Birth: Southampton

Service Number: 3/3417

Rank: Private                           

Regiment/Division: Hampshire Regiment

Battalion: 1st  

Died: 7 July 1915 age 23

Death location: Ypres, Belgium. 

Commemorated: on the Menin Gate panel 35

Life before the war

Fred was the eldest son born to Henry and Martha Jerrim in Sholing during 1892. Henry, or Harry as he was known, was born in 1869 in Sholing. He was coal porter on a ship and it was to be this job that lead to his death during August 1920. An article entitled "Buried by coal, sad fatality on the Imperator. Sholing man's death" featured in the Daily Echo on 27 August 1920 (and a feature on 21 January 2005), it gives further details of Henry’s death in the coalbunker of the ‘Imperator’.  

Fred’s mother was born Martha Joyce on 6 February 1870 in Bitterne, Southampton. She died in 1920. They married in on 18 April 1892 in Sholing.

The large family lived at 36 Botany Bay Road, Sholing in 1911. Unusually for the times, all nine children born to that date had survived early childhood and were living at home. Just months before enlisting Fred married Ethel Shepherd in Southampton in 1914.

Siblings

Alfred - (b. 1894 in Sholing, Southampton d. 1 October 1969 in Southampton) m. Ethel Emily Fisher (1884-1963) on 24 November 1914 in Bitterne, Southampton. Alfred who was a casual labourer and also served in the Somerset Light Infantry. He was wounded in the Palestine campaign in 1917 and was returned home

Alice Maud - (b. 11 March 1896 in Sholing, Southampton d. 1970 in Southampton) m. Frederick George Weller (1892-1938).

Bessie – (b. 1898 in Sholing, Southampton d. 1982 in Southampton) m. Alfred W Blenkinson (1875-1967) in 1922 in Southampton

Annie – (b. 2 June 1898 in Sholing, Southampton) m. George William H Parsons (1889-1968) in South Stoneham during 1922.

Martha – (b. 21 April 1900 in Sholing, Southampton d. 1984 in Droxford) m. Sidney Taylor (b. 1892) in 1922 in South Stoneham.  

Harriet - (b. 27 March 1902 in Sholing, Southampton d. 1985 in Southampton). Harriet was a hospital cleaner.

William – (b. 1906 in Sholing, Southampton)

James – (b. 18 May 1908 in Sholing, Southampton d. 8 March 1991 in Woolston, Southampton) m. Edith Blanche Bundy (1902-1963) on 14 November 1931 in Netley. James was a borough engineer.

Ernest – (b. 21 January 1913 in South Stoneham d. 1984 in Southampton) m. Elizabeth Banks (1914-1953) during 1935 in South Stoneham. Ernest was an aircraft fitter.

War Service

The 1st Hampshire Battalion was a regular army unit originally stationed in Aldershot, moving to Colchester at the outbreak of war in August 1914. The battalion was assigned to the 11th Brigade, 4th Division where it joined the British Expeditionary Force and was sent overseas to France in August 1914, landing at Le Havre on 23 August. The 1st Battalion saw its first combat against the German Army at Le Cateau. The battalion served on the Western Front for the rest of the war, participating in many battles in 1914 such as the First Battle of the Marne, the First Battle of the Aisne, the Battle of Messines and the Battle of Armentieres. In 1914, on Christmas Day, men of the 1st Battalion participated in the legendary Christmas Truce where British and German soldiers joined together in ‘No man's land’. In 1915, the battalion took part in the Second Battle of Ypres, infamous for its use of poison gas.

Fred himself volunteered in 1914 he was drafted to France and took a very prominent part in the Battles of Ypres and Loos, and was involved in heavy fighting on the Somme. He served alongside Howard Hyatt in the 1st Battalion and they were destined to die just 3 days apart, when Fred was killed in action in on 7 July 1915. Just like Howard, it is not known in which battle he died in, it was possibly in one of the engagements on the outskirts of Ieper, like Frezenberg or Bellewaarde.

He was and was entitled to the 1914 Star and the General Service and Victory Medals. Sadly, like so many others, Fred is one of those unknown soldiers with no known grave. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

Lunnon, Thomas – Greaser 

Date of Birth: c1889

Place of Birth: Southampton

Service Number: 

Rank: Greaser                            

Service: Merchant Navy Reserve

Ship: H.M.S "Alcantara" 

Died: 29 February 1916 age 26

Death location: North Sea

Commemorated:  Plymouth Naval Memorial

Life before the War

Little is known of Thomas’ early life. He was the eldest child of Thomas and Ellen Lunnon (nee Goree), although life as a family would be sadly limited. Thomas senior died in 1896 aged just 25, whilst Ellen died in 1909. They married in 1889 in Southampton.

The 1901 census reveals Thomas and his two younger siblings were visitors at an abode in Southampton his father had already passed away but there is also no sign of his mother Ellen. It is not clear where they living permanently. 

Thomas of 21 Botany Bay Road, Sholing married Mabel Stella Steele on 20 May 1913 at St Mary’s, Sholing. Mabel was born on 20 April 1889 in Southampton. She was still living in the same marital home in 1940 when she died.

Siblings 

Daisy Ann – (b. 1894 in Southampton) m. Charles F H Allcock (1891-1918) during 1913 in Southampton. Aged just 27, after losing both parents, a brother and a husband, she married for a second time to William E T Nash (1899-1966) in 1921. They were to stay married for some 45 years before both died in 1966 in Portsmouth. She had a child, Hilda (b. 1914) through her marriage to Charles.

Frederick Percy – (b.1896 in Southampton).

War Service                            

S.S “Alcantara” was an ocean liner that went into service just weeks before the start of World War I. She was converted to an armed merchant cruiser in 1914. In 1915 a further refit saw her acquire 6-inch guns, anti-aircraft guns and depth charges, and commissioned as H.M.S “Alcantara”.

The “Alcantara” was sunk when she was intercepted by what she thought was the Norwegian ship “Rena” on 29 February 1916 in the North Sea. “Alcantara” closed to 2,000 yards and slowed to lower a boarding cutter. The “Rena” then hoisted the German battle ensign to reveal her true identity as the German armed merchant cruiser S.M.S “Greif”, increasing speed and opened fire.  “Alcantara” returned fire from her port side guns at a range never more than 3,000 yards. She was then hit by a torpedo on her port side whist one of “Alcantara’s” shells exploded the ready ammunition in “Greif’s” aft gun as both ships lost speed. 

“Greif’s” crew abandoned ship 40 minutes after opening fire. The “Alcantara” sank first. The light cruiser “Comus” and destroyer “Munster” then arrived to sink the stationary “Greif” and rescue 210 German survivors. 

Like so many who served at sea Thomas’ body was never was never recovered. He was a Fireman before the war.