This is a list of men that I have researched, where upon further research I discovered they're not related to our family, but as I have their records and many of these men are related to each in some way or another (brothers and cousins etc.) I feel I should honour their Military service.
Lee Thomas April 2014.
Thomas Adair Butler V.C. 1836 - 1901
Thomas was born on the 2nd of February 1836 at Soberton, Hampshire. The son of Rev. Stephen Butler, curate of Soberton between 1825 and 1846, and Mary Ann (nee Thistlewayte). Thomas was baptised on the 10th of July 1836 at St. Peter's, Soberton, Hampshire.
Living at Soberton, Hampshire in the 1841 census. Thomas aged 5, is shown alongside his father and sister Mary Ann aged 11.
Educated at Royal Academy, Gosport. Thomas was educated in the classics and mathematics.
Thomas aged 15, is a Pupil at the Royal Academy, 20-21 Cold Harbour Road, Gosport, Hampshire, in the 1851 census.
Gazetted as an Ensign (Junior Officer) to the 1st Bengal European Fusiliers, on the 9th of June 1854.
Promoted to Lieutenant, on the 23rd of November 1856. Published in the London Gazette on the 30th of September 1862, Issue 22667, Page 4679.
Thomas served in the Indian Mutiny from the 10th of June 1857, being present at all engagements under the walls of Delhi, was galloper to General Nicholson at the action of Nugafshot, and took part in the Storming of Delhi.
Wounded in Action on the 14th of September 1857, at Lahore Gate, Delhi.
Thomas also took part in the actions of Gungehri, Puttialee and Mynpoorie and was present at the Siege and capture of Lucknow where as a 22 year old Lieutenant, on the 9th of March 1858, he won the Victoria Cross.
Thomas' citation was published in the London Gazette on the 9th of May 1859, Issue 22260, Page 1867;
"Of which success the skirmishers on the other side of the river were subsequently apprised by Lieutenant Butler, of the Bengal Fusiliers, who swam across the Goomtee, and, climbing the parapet, remained in that position for a considerable time, under a heavy fire of musketry, until the work was occupied."
(Extract of Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram's memorandum of operations carried on under his command at the siege of Lucknow, published in the Governor-General's Gazette Extraordinary, of the 5th April, 1858, and re-published in General Orders by the Commander-in-Chief in India, on the 27th of December, 1858.)
Thomas was presented his Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria on the 8th of June 1859, at Buckingham Palace, London.
Awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-1858, with clasps Delhi and Lucknow.
Thomas married Anna Maria Buckley, on the 12th of December 1859. Registered at Bangor, Caernarvonshire, Wales.
Appointed as Instructor of Musketry on the 30th of July 1862. Published in the London Gazette on the 19th of December 1862, Issue 22691, Page 6417.
Promoted to Captain without purchase, on the 16th of January 1863. Published in the London Gazette on the 16th of January 1863, Issue 22699, Page 270.
Thomas served in the Umbeyla (Ambela) Campaign on the North-west Frontier in 1863, being present at the attack on the Crag Picquet, Conical Hill, and Ambela.
Awarded the Indian General Service Medal 1854-1859, with clasp Umbeyla.
Living at the 101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers) Depot, North Camp, Aldershot, Hampshire, in the 1871 census. Thomas now aged 35 is still a serving Captain.
Thomas was in command of the guard of honour when the Colours of the Regiment (1st Bengal European Regiment, Light Infantry) were deposited in Winchester Cathedral on July 18th, 1871
Thomas was given the honorary rank of Major, on the 30th of September 1874, on retiring on a pension. Published in the London Gazette on the 29th of September 1874, Issue 24135, Page 4535.
Living at Castle Street, Portchester, Hampshire, in the 1881 census. Thomas now aged 45 is living with wife Anna.
Thomas' wife Anna died on the 12th of December 1887. (Anna died on the couples 28th wedding anniversary).
Living at 2 Frith Knowle Villa, Brookhurst Road, Gosport, Hampshire, in the 1891 census. Thomas now aged 55, is widowed and gives his occupation as a Retired Army Officer.
Thomas married Harriet Annie Davidson, on the 24th of August 1893. registered on the Isle of Mann.
Living at Lyndale, Camberley, Surrey, in the 1901 census. Thomas is living with wife Harriet, and his sister-in-law.
Thomas died aged 65 on the 17th of May 1901.
Buried at St. Michael's, Yorktown, Camberley, Surrey, on the 20th of May 1901.
Thomas was awarded the following medals;
Victoria Cross (No.239)
Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-1858, with clasps Delhi and Lucknow.
Awarded the Indian General Service Medal 1854-1859, with clasp Umbeyla.
The Victoria Cross awarded to Thomas is on display at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Painting of Thomas winning his V.C. by Louis William Desanges. This painting is one of a series of 55 depicting Victoria Cross subjects executed between 1859 and 1862 by the British artist Louis Desanges, and displayed at the Crystal Palace during the 1860s and 1870s. Now on display at the National Army Museum, London.
Lest We Forget.
William James Lendrim V.C. (sometimes spelt Lendrum) 1830 - 1891.
William was born on the 1st of January 1830 at Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, Ireland. He enlisted into the Royal Sappers and Miners, aged 15 in 1845.
Living at Military Barracks, Chatham, Kent in 1851 census. William now aged 21, is still serving with the Royal Sapper and Miners as a Private.
Promoted to Corporal, unknown date. Service No.1078.
Posted to the Crimean War, unknown date. (Crimean War was from 1853 until 1856. The Allied forces landed on the Crimean peninsular in September 1854).
Corporal William Lendrim was the first non-Officer Royal Engineer soldier (at that time he would have been a corporal in the Royal Sappers and Miners) to be awarded the V.C. He was awarded it for several acts of bravery in the trenches around Sebastopol.
On the 14th of February 1855, Lendrim was leading a party of 150 French Chasseurs. They were engaged in building No. 9 Battery ‘left attack,’ an eight gun battery, situated close to a chosen advance point. The battery was protected by large gabions that were being repeatedly attacked and may of the gabions were capsized. Repairing the damage to the gabions, under fire, was very dangerous. Lendrim accepted this undertaking - leading his men under fire from gabion to gabion, ensuring all were repaired. The officer in charge was in no doubt that Lendrim's actions had saved the battery.
On the 11th of April 1855, a 21 gun battery was under heavy attack from Russian artillery, resulting in a large number of casualties. A live shell hit the magazine roof, setting on fire sandbags that were very close to a 68 pounder gun. Lendrim immediately volunteered to extinguish the fire, leapt on to the roof, under fire, removed the burning sandbags and made good the breach.
On the 20th of April 1855, Corporal Lendrim was one of four volunteers that charged a Russian rifle pit directly, quickly clearing it and destroying the screen which the Russians had erected to conceal their advance rifle-pits, before occupying the rifle-pit. This was done in efforts to consolidate British and French gains of the 'right attack' and became the third action that contributed to his V.C.
The V.C. was introduced on the 29th of January 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War.
William's Victoria Cross was published in the London Gazette, Issue 21971, Page 656, on the 24th of February 1857.
The first ceremony for the newly created Victoria Cross was held at Hyde Park, London, on the 27th of June 1857 where Queen Victoria invested 62 Crimean War veterans, including William Lendrim.
William married Louisa Hobbey, between July and September 1857. Registered at Greenwich, London.
Posted to India, unknown date. William served in the Indian Rebellion (1857-1858) and was present at Lucknow and the Northwest Provinces.
William is shown as being present at the Royal Engineers Depot at Chatham, Kent, in the 1861 British Army Worldwide Index. Now ranked as a Sergeant.
Promoted to Sergeant-Major, unknown date.
Posted to the Staff College, Camberley, unknown date.
Living at the Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, in the 1871 census. William now aged 41, with wife Louisa are living with their three daughters and three sons.
Living at the Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, in the 1881 census. William now aged 50, with wife Louisa are living with their four daughters and seven sons. William is still Sergeant-Major, Royal Engineers at the Staff College, Camberley.
Living at the Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, in the 1891 census. William now aged 61, with wife Louisa are living with their two daughter, two sons and one granddaughter. William is still Sergeant-Major, Royal Engineers at the Staff College, Camberley.
William died on the 28th of November 1891, aged 61,
Buried at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Grave Reference: 182.
William had served for a total of 46 years and was awarded the following medals.
Victoria Cross. (No.53)
Crimean Medal 1854-56 with clasp Sebastopol.
Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58 with clasp Lucknow.
Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Medaille Militaire (French Medal)
Turkish Crimea Medal 1855-56.
William's Victoria Cross was stolen in 1955, after being loaned out by the Royal Engineers Musuem. This was reported in the Yorkshire Post and Ledds Mercury, on Monday the 9th of May 1955.
The medal was recovered at somepoint and is now on display at the Royal Engineers Museum, Chatham, Kent, alongside his other medals.
William was also a Freemason, and he was initiated into the Lodge of the Thirty-seventh Company of Royal Engineers, No. 963 on the 8th of July 1863 and passed on the 12th of August the same year. As the Lodge warrant was withdrawn on the 22nd of February 1864, he was raised in United Chatham Lodge of Benevolence, No. 184, Chatham on the 12th of April 1864, resigning in November the same year. He was the first Junior Warden of the Albert Edward Lodge No. 1714 chartered by the United Grand Lodge of England in the Province of Surrey, at Camberley in 1877, and its third Worshipful Master in 1879. He was appointed to Provincial Grand Steward in the Province of Surrey in 1878, and Provincial Grand Pursuivant of Surrey in 1881.
Lest We Forget.
Edwin Arthur, Alderton 1908- 1943;
Gunner 1094125, 125th Anti-tank Regiment Royal Artillery.
Taken Prisoner by the Japanese at the Surrender of Singapore February 1942. Burma - Siam railway.
Died 16th September 1943, Buried at Chungkai War Cemetery, Thailand, Grave Ref: 6. O. 3.
Brother to Ernest James Alderton (see below)
Ernest James, Alderton 1900 - 1995;
Deemed to have enlisted 11th May 1918, posted to 4th Reserve Battalion The Buffs East Kent Regiment.
Private 35417, Category B.1.
Demobbed on 22nd February 1919.
Elder brother to Edwin Arthur Alderton (see above).
John, Barrett 1883 - 1962;
Called up for Service 13th October 1916, Private 3325 1/6th (Cyclist) Battalion.
Posted to B.E.F France arriving 22nd July 1917 joining the 8th (Service) Battalion Norfolk Regiment.
Transferred to Yorks and Lancaster Regiment 14th August 1917, Private 235602.
Transferred to 7th (Service) Battalion Yorks and Lancaster Regiment 11th January 1918.
Wounded In Action September 1918 gunshot wound left arm.
Transferred to Military hospital in Shorncliffe, England arriving 8th September 1918, discharged 20th September 1918.
Posted back to B.E.F unknown date.
Leave to U.K 28th February to 14th March 1919. B.E.F France 15th March 1919 until granted leave from 25th July 1919 until 8th August 1919.
B.E.F France 9th August 1919 until 21st September 1919.
Posted to England 22nd September 1919 and Demobbed 21st October 1919.
Arthur, Burchett 1890 - 1914;
Serjeant, 7882 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards.
Enlisted between 10th June 1908.
Served in Egypt 1909 - 1911.
Posted to Reserve 1911.
Called up for Service at Outbreak of War.
Entered France 12th August 1914.
Killed In Action 14th September 1914.
Buried at Vailly British Cemetery, Aisne, France, Grave Ref. I.F.3.
His brothers, Colin and Edwin also fell.
Remembered on the Elstead War Memorial.
Ben, Burchett 1883 -1956;
Called up for service 13th October 1916, Posted to No.5 Res Bde. RFA (T) 14th October 1916. Gunner: 187596.
Posted to BEF 9th January 1918, Rank: Driver.
Posted to 2nd Divisional Ammunition 16th January 1918.
Posted to 241st Brigade RFA 10th July 1918.
Posted to A Battery 246th Brigade RFA 26th April 1919.
Transferred to Class Z Reserve 29th July 1919.
Cousin to Arthur, Colin, Edwin and William Burchett
Colin, Burchett 1893 - 1917;
Private G/48086, 17th (Service) Battalion Middlesex Regiment, known as the 1st Football.
Entered France after January 1916.
Killed In Action 11th December 1917.
Buried at Lebucquiere Comunal Cemetery, France, Grave Ref: I. E. 14. Remembered on the Elstead War Memorial.
His brothers, Arthur and Edwin also fell.
Edwin, Burchett 1878 - 1918;
Private 664563 2/1st London Regiment and Private 220046 1/4th Wiltshire Regiment.
Died 1st November 1918, buried at Haifa War Cemetery, Grave Ref: B. 23. Haifa War Cemetery, which was originally part of the German cemetery, was used mainly for hospital burials, but some graves were brought in from the battlefields.
1/4th Wiltshire Regiment had been training since the 28th October, and were training to the North of Haifa on the 1st of November 1918.
Remembered on the Elstead War Memorial.
His brothers, Arthur and Colin also fell.
Fred, Burchett 1888 - 1954;
Joined the Royal Army Medial Corps Militia 8th July 1905.
Enlisted Royal Horse and Field Artillery 2nd August 1907, Gunner 47466 posted to No.4 Depot R.F.A.
Posted to 122nd Battery 19th October 1907.
Posted 62nd Battery based in India arriving 16th October 1908.
Appointed Bombardier 19th June 1911.
Reverted to Gunner at Own Request 13th December 1912.
Posted back to England arriving 10th October 1913.
Transferred to the Reserve 11th October 1913.
Mobilized at Newcastle on Tyne 7th August 1914.
Posted to 29th Brigade R.F.A 8th August 1914.
Posted to B.E.F France 14th September 1914.
Posted to 37th Brigade 28th January 1915.
Posted to 55th Battery 14th February 1915.
Posted to 37th Brigade 21 August 1915.
Attached to 14th Brigade Royal Horse Artillery 17th May 1916.
Posted to 7th Divisional Ammunition Column 25th May 1916.
Granted leave to U.K 23rd July 1917 until 2nd August.
Posted to Italy with the 7th Division arriving 20th November 1917.
Posted to Divisional Mountain Trench Mortar Section 20th May 1918.
Granted 15 days leave to U.K via Havre, 8th December 1918.
Posted to Wimbledon Dispersal Area, leaving Italy on 15th February 1919. Demobbed on 1st August 1919.
Frederick Henry, Burchett 1888 - 1917;
Attested 7th December 1915 Rifle Brigade.
Transferred to the Reserve until Called up for Service 29th April 1916.
Rifleman S/18029. Posted to 14th Battalion Rifle Brigade, a training unit, 4th May 1916.
Embarked for the B.E.F France 28th August 1916, Disembarked at Havre 29th August 1916 and Posted to the 47th Infantry Base Depot.
Posted to the 16th (Service) Battalion Rifle Brigade, In The Field, 7th September 1916.
Killed In Action 20th September 1917.
Buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Grave Ref:LVII. B. 13.
Thomas, Burchett 1884 - 1930;
William, Burchett 1881 - 1960;
Enlisted 10th December 1915, Private 15797 Queen's Regiment Royal West Surrey, and posted to the Reserve.
Called up for Service 16th July 1916 and Posted to 13th (Labour) Battalion.
Transferred to 29th (Works) Battalion Middlesex Regiment 5th August 1916, Private 36137
Transferred to the Labour Corps, 5th Labour Battalion 18th May 1917, Private 160012.
Posted to Eastern Command Labour Centre 30th June 1917.
Despatched to Dispersal Centre Crystal Palace 16th May 1919.
Demobbed 14th June 1919.
Home Service Only.
William's Brother's Arthur, Colin and Edwin all fell during the War.
Frederick, Chiverton 1887 - ? ;
Born in Surrey, England. Emigrated to Canada 1910 age 23.
Attested into the Canadian Army at Valcartier, 16th September 1914.
Private 19206, 9th Battalion 3rd Brigade.
Ernest George, Cobbett 1875 - 1955;
Royal Navy 276108, enlisted before April 1891 as the census of that year shows Ernest as a 16 year old serving aboard HMS St. Vincent, a boys training ship moored in Portsmouth Harbour.
The 1901 census shows Ernest is now a Ranked Stoker, serving aboard HMS Prosperine, in Bermuda.
By the 1911 census Ernest now Ranked as Leading Stoker, is serving aboard HMS Infexible at sea near Howth Head, Dublin.
Service during WW1, awarded campaign medals.
Charles Samuel, Elkins 1888 - 1959;
Enlisted 3rd September 1914 (Territorial Force) 1/5th Battalion East Kent Regiment, The Buffs.
Private 1696, 240415 and 240446.
Attestation stated previous service of 5 years with N Coy 5th Buffs.
Posted to India 3rd December 1914.
Entered the Asiatic Theatre of War 14th August 1915.
December 1915 1/5th Btn. landed at Basra, Mesopotamia (Now Basra, Iraq), as part of 35th Brigade in 7th (Meerut) Division.
Discharged 25th April 1919.
Victor Douglas Horace, Fairminer 1919 - 1942;
Service with the Royal Navy during WW2, unknown enlistment date.
Service No. P/JX 195093
Served aboard H.M.S Phoebe, a Dido Class Light Cruiser, unknown dates.
H.M.S Phoebe was hit by a torpedo dropped by an Italian aircraft, whilst covering Troop transports to the besieged Tobruk, 27th August 1941.
Under went repairs in New York between 21st November 1941 and 21st April 1942.
Returned to Service May 1942.
H.M.S Phoebe returned to the Mediterranean in the Summer of 1942, as escort to the last heavily opposed convoy, including Aircraft carriers bringing Spitfires to Malta (Operation Pedestal August 1942).
H.M.S Phoebe and H.M.S Sirius were ordered to Capetown, South Africa, to patrol against Axis blockade runners from the far east, September 1942.
Whilst returning from unsuccessful patrol near Capetown, H.M.S Phoebe was hit at 07.56 hours, on the port side forward and aft by 2 torpedoes fired by U-161, 6 miles 282 degrees from Pointe Noire (Congo Estuary), French Equatorial Africa. U161 was chased away by a Corvette and H.M.S Phoebe, which was severely damaged, continued at 6 knots to Point Noire and was beached there.
54 Casualties including Leading Seaman Victor D.H. Fairminer.
Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial Panel 62, Column 3.
Also Remembered on the HMS Phoebe Memorial Stone in Bournemouth Gardens, Dorset.
Walter, Fudger 1873 - 1964;
Service with the Queens Regiment Royal West Surrey.
Marriage certificate gives Walters Occupation as Soldier, 31st July 1909.
Ranked as Lance Corporal, Based at Stoughton Barracks, Guildford, April 1911 Census.
No other military details known.
James, Heighes 1868 - 1946;
Service with the Royal Engineers unknown enlistment date.
1891 census shows Pioneer James Heighes based in Aldershot.
Not found in the 1901 census, but units of the British Army that were fighting in South Africa during the 2nd Boer War, were not counted in that years census.
I have found a record of a Corporal 22946 James Heighes A Pontoon Troop Royal Engineers, awarded the Queens South Africa Medal 1899-1902 with Clasps Transvaal and Natal but I have not confirmed whether this is the correct person.
George, Howard 1872 - 1942;
Attested in the Medical Staff Corps 8th September 1891, Private 3rd Class Orderly 9351.
Passed Class of Instruction Medical Staff Corps, at Aldershot 11th March 1892.
Appointed 2nd Class Orderly 4th November 1892.
Qualified as a Cook in a military hospital 29th June 1893.
Posted to Egypt arriving 10th February 1894.
Appointed 1st class Orderly 1st May 1896.
Awarded the Queens Sudan Medal 1896 and Khedive's Sudan Medal with Clasp Dongola (Dongola Expedition 1896) during the reconquest of Sudan (Mahdist War) 1896 - 1898, and Clasp Khartoum (2nd September 1898) Nile Expedition 1898.
Posted back to England arriving 29th October 1898.
Extended to complete 12 years Service 23rd December 1898.
Posted to South Africa (2nd Boer War) arriving 2nd November 1899 with the renamed Royal Army Medical Corps.
Appointed Lance Corporal 30th august 1900.
Promoted to Corporal 14th May 1901.
Awarded Queen's South Africa Medal 1899 - 1902 with Clasps Cape Colony and Orange Free State and also awarded King's South Africa Medal with Clasp South Africa 1901.
Posted back to England arriving 3rd January 1903.
Re-engaged with R.A.M.C to complete 21 years service 18th July 1903. Promoted to Sergeant 8th September 1908.
Posted to Indian Trooping 20th September 1910. The Trooping season in India commenced in September each year and finished in March - no trooping during the summer months at all.
Arrived back in England 16th March 1911.
Posted to No.19 Company R.A.M.C.
Discharged time expired (21 years) 7th September 1912, Trained in First Aid and Ambulance duties, Qualified Dispenser of Medicines and Qualified Cook in a Military hospital.
Re-enlisted 24th June 1916 Posted to the Reserve.
Mobilized 8th June 1917, Posted to R.A.M.C Depot at Blackpool 9th June 1916, Sergeant No.7254121.
Transferred to A Coy R.A.M.C 12th June 1916.
Posted to 317th Field Ambulance at Ashford 29th December 1917.
Volunteers for 1 year extra Service 29th January 1919.
Posted to Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, London 15th November 1919.
Deferred Demob 23rd January 1920.
Departed for Duty at Guildford 6th March 1920, Transferred to 24th Coy R.A.M.C 7th March 1920.
Extends Service for a period of 1 year, retaining Rank of Sergeant 30th April 1920.
Extends Service for a period of 1 year 30th April 1921.
Discharged on termination of period of Service 30th April 1922.
William H, Kent 1900 - ? ;
Born Wimbledon, Surrey.
Emigrated to Canada after 1901 census with Family.
Attested into the Canadian Army, 25th February 1918. States that had previously offered to serve but was under age.
Classed as Fit to Serve Overseas with Canadian Expeditionary Force 19th February.
Regimental No.2557464, 68th O/S Depot Field Battery, C.F.A.
Canadian Archives are digitising records, ready to view about 2015, attestation papers currently available to view
Alfred Henry, Kirby 1890 - ? ;
Gunner, Royal Garrison Artillery.
Enlisted before 1911, as the census of that year shows Alfred serving with No.99 Company, R.G.A, based in Malta.
World War One Medal Index Card shows that Alfred was Regimental No. 216387, Rank Gunner. No other military details known.
4th Cousin 3 x removed.
Arthur George, Ladd 1875 - ? ;
Royal Navy.
Enlisted about 1890/91. Based at Devonport, aboard Boys training ship H.M.S Impregnable in the 1891 census.
Official Navy No.155030.
National Archives have a record to download. No further information.
Herbert Edward, Ladd 1883 - 1948;
Service with the Royal Garrison Artillery unknown enlistment date.
1911 census shows Henry, Ranked as Bombardier with the 74th Coy R.G.A in India.
WW1 Medal Index Card only.
Service with R.G.A during WW1, Rank Warrant Officer Class 2, 18681. Unknown Demob date.
Brother of William Ladd (see Below)
William, Ladd 1869 - 1916;
Service with the East Surrey Regiment.
Enlisted about 1884.
Regimental No.963.
Posted to Ireland about 1902 (Eldest Son, Born Dublin).
Ranked as Sergeant Major, Territorial Force in 1911 Census aged 42 years, Address; 47 Drill Hall Flodden Road, Camberwell, London.
The 21st (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles) was the a Territorial Force based here.
Served with the East Surrey Regiment during the Great War.
Posted to the B.E.F entering France 31st August 1915.
9th Battalion East Surrey Regiment.
R.C Sherriff, author of Journey's End, served as a Captain with the 9th ESR.
Promoted to Warrant Officer Class I, Regimental Sergeant Major, unknown date.
Killed In Action (Shelling) 23rd June 1916 aged 47 years.
Buried in Dranoutre Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave Ref.II. E. 9.
Brother of Herbert Edward Ladd (see above).
Oliver, Letchford 1886 - 1968;
Joined the Royal Navy 1906, No: 310324. Serving aboard H.M.S Kangaroo, Rank Stoker, on the night of the census 2nd April 1911. H.M.S Kangaroo was a B Class Torpedo Boat Destroyer in the 4th Destroyer Flotilla. Service during the Great War with the Royal Navy, unknown if still serving with HMS Kangaroo. HMS Kangaroo served with the 6th Destroyer Flotilla based at Dover throughout the Great War. Awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory and British War medals. Records to download at National Archives.
Frederick, Light 1873 - 1942;
1891 Census shows Frederick as a Private in the Militia (Royal Fusiliers?) based at The Barracks, Hounslow, Middlesex.
Enlisted 3rd October 1891, Private 3582, Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment.
Posted to Malta arriving 9th April 1892.
Appointed Lance Corporal 20th December 1893.
Posted to East Indies arriving 17th January 1895.
Promoted to Corporal 28th October 1895.
Awarded India Medal 1895 with Clasps Tirah 1897-98 and Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (Indian Frontier Wars).
Tried by Regimental Court Martial (Unknown Offence) 23rd December 1898, Reduced to the Ranks and forfeits Good Conduct Pay.
Posted back to England arriving 3rd March 1899.
Transferred to the Army Reserve 5th March 1899.
Rejoined the Colours 10th May 1899.
Appointed Lance Corporal 17th July 1899.
Posted to South Africa (2nd Boer War) arriving 20th October 1899, 2nd Btn. Queens Regiment.
Invalid to England arriving 13th February 1900.
Awarded the Queens South Africa Medal 1899-1902 and Clasp Relief of Ladysmith.
Promoted to Corporal 2nd March 1901.
Appointed Lance Sergeant 20th June 1901.
Promoted to Sergeant 11th January 1902.
Re-engaged for the Queens Regiment at Aldershot to complete 21 years service with the Colours 30th April 1902.
Posted back to South Africa arriving 4th March 1903.
Posted back to England arriving 8th June 1904.
Promoted Colour Sergeant 16th May 1911.
Discharged after completing 21 years service with the Colours 2nd October 1912.
Re-enlisted 6th November 1914, posted as Sergeant to 9th Battalion. Promoted to Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant 12th December 1914. Transferred and Posted to the 21st Training Reserve Battalion 1st September 1916.
Tried By District Court Martial 15th May 1917, Sentenced to be reduced to Rank of Sergeant.
Posted to the 301st Reserve Labour Corps at Thetford 22nd May 1917. Posted to D Coy Eastern Command Labour Centre 11th August 1917 based at Thetford.
Demobbed 13th February 1919.
Thomas Cobbett, Light 1865 - 1924;
8 Years Service with the 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment, unknown dates, discharged Time Expired.
Re-enlisted aged 44, 5th September 1914.
Private 1220.
Posted to 10th (Reserve) Battalion East Surrey Regiment 31st October 1914.
Appointed Paid Lance Corporal 17th December 1914.
Deprived of Lance Stripes 22nd February 1915.
Awarded 28 Days Field Punishment No.2 by Commanding Officer 28th May 1915.
Transferred to 1st (Home Service) East Kent Regiment The Buffs Garrison Battalion, 28th April 1916, Private G/10821.
Transferred to Class W Army Reserve 24th July 1916.
Recalled to the Colours 30th July 1917. Order is crossed through in Service Records.
Discharged 1st December 1917, No Longer Physically Fit For War Service.
Allan James, Lock 1881 - 1962;
Enlisted 9th September 1901 into the Yorkshire Regiment after serving with the 4th Yorkshire Militia.
Posted to India 10th February 1904.
Posted to South Africa arriving 16th February 1906.
Posted to England 2nd March 1909.
Posted to the Reserve 9th September 1909.
Mobilised 5th August 1914, Posted to France 13th November 1914. Transferred to Army Service Corps 1915, No.M/3846214.
Posted to England 8th April 1919.
Demobbed 31st March 1920.
Herbert Walter, Martin 1890 - 1916;
Service with the 3rd Battalion North Stafford Militia, unknown enlistment date. Enlisted into the King's Royal Rifles Corps 27th August 1906, Private 7326. Posted to Regimental Depot at Winchester 30th August 1906.
Posted to 3rd Battalion KRRC 8th November 1906 at Aldershot.
Posted to 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifles Corps in Egypt, embarking on H.S Sicilia on 13th February 1907, arriving in Egypt 26th February 1907.
Posted to England arriving 13th February 1909.
Transferred to Army Reserve 26th August 1913, Qualified Telephone Operator, Trained Fireman and Clerk.
Mobilized at outbreak of war.
Posted to B.E.F France arriving 26th August 1914.
Wounded In Action 15th January 1915, Shrapnel wound elbow.
Transferred to the London hospital in Whitehall, London arriving 16th January 1915.
Discharged from hospital 2nd March 1915.
Posted to King's Royal Rifles Corps Depot 24th March 1915.
Posted to 5th Battalion KRRC based at Sheerness 23rd April 1915.
Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal 8th June 1916.
Posted to 1st Battalion KRRC B.E.F France, embarked at Southampton 14th June 1916, disembarked at Rouen 15th June 1916.
Rejoined 1st Btn. In the Field 30th June 1916.
Wounded and Missing In Action 27th July 1916 Battle of The Somme. Regarded for Official purposes to have died on or since 27th July 1916. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B.
Richard George, Mengham 1903 - 1940;
Enlisted with the Royal Navy aged 16 years although Navy records state a year of birth as 1901.
Served aboard HMS Hawkins (D86) in the 1930's
Awarded Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal 19th December 1934, Rank Leading Stoker, whilst serving aboard HMS Hawkins, which was sailing around India at that time.
Served aboard HMS Grenville (H03) during Second World War.
HMS Grenville was deployed with the 1st Destroyer Flotilla for patrol and contraband control in the Mediterranean at outbreak of war September 1939.
Transferred to Flotilla for Anti-Submarine in Home Waters October 1939.
Collided with HMS Grenade 7th November 1939 causing structural damage, flooding one of the boiler rooms.
Transferred with Flotilla to Harwich December 1939, joining the Flotilla 3rd December 1939 after completing repairs.
Carried out patrol to intercept coastal shipping between Holland and Germany (Operation ST1) 15th January 1940.
Carried further interception patrol 18th January 1940. Whilst on return journey 19th January 1940 HMS Grenville struck a mine in position 51.39N 02.17E, 23 miles east of Kenntish Knock Light Vessel. 77 of the ships company were killed as the ship sunk, including Petty Officer Stoker Richard George Mengham.
Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial Panel Panel 41, Column 2.
George William, Mercer 1896 - 1970;
Service with Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, Private T-4186 and T-241101. Medal Index Card only.
Henry John, Mercer 1899 - 1965;
Known as Jack.
Called up for Service 10th March 1917, Private 90585 9th Training Reserve Battalion.
Reclassified by Medical Board as Catergory B3, suitable for sedantry work only 18th June 1917.
Transferred to 7th Training Reserve Battalion 18th August 1917.
Transferred to Class W Army Reserve 6th November 1917.
Class W Reserve and its Territorial Force equivalent Class W(T) were introduced in June 1916 by Army Order 203/16.
They were ‘for all those soldiers whose services are deemed to be more valuable to the country in civil rather than military employment’.
Men in these classes were to receive no emoluments from army funds and were not to wear uniform. They were liable at any time to be recalled to the colours. From the time a man was transferred to Class W, until being recalled to the Colours, he was not subject to military discipline.
Discharge from Army Reserve 1st April 1919.
Arthur Henry, Miles 1897 - 1955;
Sergeant, Y/1088 King's Royal Rifles.
Enlisted 26th August 1914.
Posted to 6th Battalion 2nd September 1914, a training unit based at Sheerness.
Appointed unpaid L/Cpl. 1st March 1915.
Appointed paid L/Cpl. 21st May 1915.
Appointed Acting Corporal 9th November 1915.
Posted to the 5th Platoon, B Company, 20th Btn. KRRC in France 31 May 1916.
Promoted Corporal 31st March 1917 and appointed L/Sgt. on the same day. Wounded In Action about 27th April 1917.
Posted to hospital in England arriving 29th April 1917.
165 days in North Evington War Hospital, Leicestershire, also contracted measles whilst here, discharged 10th October 1917.
Posted to Irish Command Depot Tipperary, a military convalescent camp on the 22nd October 1917.
Posted to the 6th Btn. KRRC 8th December 1917.
Posted back to the BEF and the 20th Btn. KRRC 22nd December 1917.
Home Leave 21st November 1918 until 5th December 1918.
Posted to BEF 6th December 1918.
Volunteered for 1 year extra service 6th March 1919.
Appointed paid Acting Sergeant 11th March 1919 and promoted to Temporary Sergeant 20th June 1919.
Posted to Rhine Army details 7th February 1920.
Posted to England 29th February 1920.
Demobbed 1st March 1920 after 5 years 219 days service.
Cecil William, Warren 1895 - 1916;
Born in Selborne, Hampshire, England.
Travelled to Canada on the S.S Sicilian, arriving in Quebec 7th November 1915. Immigration Records show that Cecil had no intention for permanent residence.
Attested into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force 8th November 1915.
Posted to the 87th Battalion Canadian Grenadier guards, Private 177515 12th November 1915.
Posted to England with the 87th Battalion C.E.F, embarking the Empress of Britain at Halifax, Nova Scotia 25th April 1916, disembarking in England 5th May 1916.
Posted to France, 87th Btn, 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division, embarking the steamer Archangle at Southampton 11th August 1916, disembarking at Havre 12th August 1916.
Entered the trenches at Vormezeele Sector (near Ypres) 24th August 1916.
Posted to the Somme Sector October 1916.
Killed In Action 21st October 1916 whilst attacking Regina Trench, near Courcellette, Somme, France.
Remembered on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, France.
No known grave, although the Regina Trench Cemetery has 1077 Unidentified Burials.
Remembered on the Selborne War Memorial, Hampshire, England.
Charles Alfred, Westbrook 1898 - ? ;
Enlisted 1st February 1915 2nd H.C Field Coy Royal Engineers.
Rank: Driver No. 534428.
Medal Index Card also shows No. (T) 1788.
Also served in 155th Field Coy R.E.
Service Records badly damaged and very faded.
Demobbed 30th June 1919.