tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283085592024-03-12T10:22:08.224+05:30Chailey 1914-1918Commemorating and remembering the lives of the men and women of Chailey, Sussex during the Great War 1914-1918 and remembering too the sick and wounded soldiers nursed by Sussex 54 VAD. This is their story.Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.comBlogger660125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-24943149220501669222018-10-06T15:16:00.005+05:302018-10-06T15:17:52.677+05:30Chailey photo montage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxOJ2ep3iKzN5d-AYg6fnxwCFq-QbbMA5v87qjVsymOjEcM-__kZHWyxCy5xXnMNfOLi7oVA_L5w7E6wAd0c6bvMpPOf35r8b7nG6gqMyvz29QHF_n3AEkj4Nt4Bus3eLkwau/s1600/Chailey+Montage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="572" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxOJ2ep3iKzN5d-AYg6fnxwCFq-QbbMA5v87qjVsymOjEcM-__kZHWyxCy5xXnMNfOLi7oVA_L5w7E6wAd0c6bvMpPOf35r8b7nG6gqMyvz29QHF_n3AEkj4Nt4Bus3eLkwau/s400/Chailey+Montage3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's been a while since I posted on this Chailey 1914-1918 blog; too many competing priorities and a busy work and home life never leave me with enough hours in the day. Nevertheless, I have just applied a couple of updates to the blog and also created the montage above which I'm using as a background. The individuals here are all connected with Chailey of course; most of them serving men and women who lived in the village or in nearby Newick.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nurse Edith Oliver, who started this whole research project off for me, is the lady top left, whilst Margaret Cotesworth, third row down and second from right, was the indomitable commandant who ran Sussex 44 VAD. I shall be endeavouring to add all of these faces to another of my projects, <a href="https://britisharmyancestors.co.uk/" target="_blank">British Army Ancestors</a>, which I launched last year. There are close to 12m searchable records on that site, the aim being that people can upload and hopefully, in time, find a photo of their British Army Ancestor. But in the meantime there's till work to do on this Chailey site.</span></div>
<br />Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-41777137931631008902017-07-18T13:51:00.001+05:302017-07-18T13:51:53.637+05:30Private Joseph R Fish, 86th Aero Squadron, USA <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joseph R Fish was an American serviceman who was nursed at
Beechland House in 1918. His entry in
Nurse Oliver’s album reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">June
20-6-18 <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pte
Joseph R Fish<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">86th
Aero Squadron<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">USA<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He shares this page with entries from 235377 Private A
Wearing of the 3<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">rd</span> Worcestershire Regiment, 205445 Private Joseph H
Richards of the 11th East Yorkshire Regiment and 8451 Private Joseph
Spruce of the 8th North Staffordshire Regiment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The 86th Aero Squadron was formed on 17th August 1917 and served as part of the zone of advance in France during the
latter part of the Great War. The
squadron has been redesignated several times since then and today operates as
the 43rd Electronic Squadron Combat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nothing further is known of Joseph Fish and he appears to be
the only US serviceman in Nurse Oliver’s album.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-37361348413667919762017-07-18T13:50:00.000+05:302017-07-18T13:50:09.256+05:305363 Private W Ferguson, 3rd Border Regiment <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Little is
known about this man other than that he was an early arrival at Hickwells as a
convalescent. The first arrivals to the
home came on <st1:date day="26" month="3" w:st="on" year="1915">26th March 1915</st1:date> and Private Ferguson’s entry in Nurse Oliver’s album is
dated less than a month after that. It reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">April<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:date day="22" month="4" w:st="on" year="1915"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">22/4/1915</span></i></st1:date><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5363 Pte <st1:place w:st="on">W
Ferguson</st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3rd Border Regt M<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Shoeburyness Ay<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Essex</span></i></st1:place> <i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sc<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">He shares this page in the
album with entries from 19740 Private <span style="color: blue;">Joseph
Leigh</span> of the 3rd Border Regiment, W Wallace of the 1st Border Regiment and 50082 Driver <span style="color: blue;">James
Gilbert</span> of the Royal Field Artillery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Nothing further is known
about this man and I have been unable to find a medal index card for him.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-78398317987268489092017-07-18T13:48:00.000+05:302017-07-18T13:48:05.513+05:3022782 L/Cpl Ernest Fairbrother, 10th Loyal North Lancs <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lance-Corporal Ernest Fairbrother was a
patient at Beechland House, Newick. His
entry in Nurse Oliver’s album reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">L. Cpl E Fairbrother 22782<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10th Batt Loyal North Lancs Regt<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wounded on 15th Nov 1916 on the <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ancre. Also at
Givenchy May 1915.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Make new friends & keep the old”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He shares this page with 1366
Lance-Corporal Ernest Ladd of the 5th East Kent Regiment and 25442
Private Norman Wigston of the 4th Worcestershire Regiment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The 10th Loyal North Lancs
Regiment was a Kitchener (K3) battalion which was formed at Preston in October
1914. It was initially attached as Army
Troops to the 22nd Division but in April 1915 joined the 112th Brigade in the 37th Division.
It is possible therefore that Ernest was wounded at Givnecy On the day
on which Ernest was wounded, Chris McCarthy in his book, <i>The Somme - The Day by Day Account</i><b> </b>has this to say:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wednesday 15th November<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">V Corps - 37th Division<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The major concern of 37th Division, which had
begun the relief of 63rd Division, was the linking up with 51st
Division on their left. The 13th Rifle Brigade (111 Brigade) bombed up Beaucourt Trench towards Munich Trench
before 9am, but it was not until 10am that the link was established. On the right, Beaucourt was shelled all day. 63 Brigade sent out a patrol and found Muck
and Railway Trenches abandoned by the Germans.
Muck Trench was found to be full of mud.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-78405915384805025152017-06-01T03:18:00.000+05:302017-06-01T03:18:14.840+05:30914 Bombardier Francis E Ryan, Royal Field Artillery <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">914
Gunner Francis E Ryan was a patient at Hickwells in late 1915. His entry in Nurse Oliver’s album reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">May these be the <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Worst of your days<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Bombardier F E Ryan
(419)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Head Quarter Staff<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">2nd <st1:place w:st="on">West Lancs</st1:place> Bde.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">R.F.A.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Blackpool</span></i></st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lancs<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Underneath
this, Nurse Oliver has written, “Now somewhere overseas”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Francis
Ryan was a Territorial Force artilleryman.
He misquotes his number as 419 when it should have been 914. When the Territorial Force was renumbered in
early 1917 he was assigned the new number 840602. The 2nd West Lancs Brigade Royal Field
Artillery later became 276 Brigade, RFA and from January 1916 it was one of
four RFA Brigades within The 55th (<st1:place w:st="on">West Lancashire</st1:place>)
Division. The following information is
taken form Chris Baker’s website, The Long, Long Trail:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The brigade remained
in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>
when most of the rest of the division was broken up to reinforce the BEF on the
Western Front. It was attached to the 2nd Canadian Division and moved to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> in
October 1915. It rejoined the original division in January 1916. Re-armed with
modern equipment in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
Redesignated from I <st1:place w:st="on">West Lancs</st1:place> in May 1915<span style="color: #333333;">.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Francis
Ryan’s medal index card gives his rank as gunner rather than bombardier and
also notes that his medals were returned.
He was entitled to the British War and Victory Medals which suggests
that he did not serve overseas until 1916.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">During
his time at Hickwells he received a number of mentions in local newspapers
which are reproduced below:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sussex</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Daily News<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:date day="26" month="11" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Friday November
26<sup>th</sup> 1915</span></b></st1:date><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">CONCERT AT CHAILEY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A successful concert was held in the
Chailey Parish Room on Wednesday evening in aid of the building fund. The programme was composed mostly of items by
the soldier patients of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hickwells</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Relief</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Hospital</st1:placetype></st1:place>
and, judging by the vociferous encores, was much appreciated. A popular contribution seemed to be
‘Hickwells Band’ which, though not very tuneful, was certainly responsible for
plenty of fun. <b>Bombardier Ryan</b> announced the items and gave an excellent comic
song with tambourine dance. Sergeant Sheppard
gave some bugle calls of the British Army.
Driver Bradley kept the audience in roars of laughter with his comic
songs. Corporal Nash, Lance-Corporal
Smith and Private Allen’s songs were much appreciated. The only civilian who took part was Mr Stone,
who sang a couple of songs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sussex</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Express<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:date day="26" month="11" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">November 26<sup>th</sup>
1915</span></b></st1:date><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">ENTERTAINMENT - A most enjoyable
entertainment was given in the Parish Room on Wednesday evening by a number of
the wounded soldiers in residence at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hickwells</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">War</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Relief</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Hospital</st1:placetype></st1:place>. The programme was opened by Miss Sandford
with a pianoforte solo, which was followed by a song, entitled “Ordered to the
Fray” by Mr H R Stone. Sergeant Nash
next sang, “Somewhere in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>”
and “Till the boys come home” was rendered by Sergeants Nash and Shepherd. Alexander’s Rag Time Band next gave a spirited performance, the conductor of which,
<b>Bombardier Ryan</b>, can be
congratulated. Driver Bradley was
deservedly encored for his inimitable rendering of “My Beastly Eyeglass” and
replied with a recitation, “The 11.69 Express”.
He later gave “Christmas Bells” and in response to an encore gave a
humorous monologue, “The Single Hair”.
Other items were contributed by Private Jock Allan, who sang “For King
and Country” and on being encored gave the song, “I Love a Lassie”. Later he sang “Annie Laurie” and “Roamin in
the Gloamin”. Corporal Smith sang,
“Somewhere a Voice Is Calling” and sergeant Shepherd gave a variety of bugle
calls. Bombardier Ryan with his coon
song sang “Oh Dem Golden Slippers”. Mr
Stone followed with “To the Front”.
Bombardier Ryan acted as stage manager and his witticisms frequently
caused great laughter. The proceedings
were brought to a close by a hearty vote of thanks being recorded to the
performers, which was proposed by Mr West. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sussex</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Daily News<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:date day="3" month="12" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Friday December 3rd 1915</span></b></st1:date><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">WOUNDED SOLDIERS ENTERTAIN THEIR
FRIENDS AT CHAILEY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The soldiers at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hickwells</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Relief</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Hospital</st1:placetype></st1:place> at Chailey were
‘at home’ to their friends on Wednesday afternoon and by way of amusing them
gave two excellent entertainments - one at <st1:time hour="2" minute="30" w:st="on">2:30</st1:time> and the other at <st1:time hour="4" minute="30" w:st="on">4:30</st1:time>. The bugle
called the performers together and when the screens were withdrawn a nice
little group of waxworks was disclosed, <b>Bombardier
Ryan</b> shewing [sic] off their ‘beauties’ in his usual amusing way. Corporal Nash (as St George) and Private
Allen sang the ‘Tin Gee Gee’, Private Wise and Sergeant Calvert making two
fascinating ‘Little Dolly Girls’.
Rifleman Collins, still on crutches, made a splendid broken doll. Lance-Corporal Smith was a Japanese Lady,
and, later on, although only having the use of one arm, cleverly ‘vamped’ some
accompaniments. While dresses were being
changed, Private Hume and Private MacBride sang and danced, and then to the
tune of ‘Here We Are Again’, Hickwells’ Pierrot troupe appeared and gave a
spirited entertainment. Driver Bradley
and Private Allen made excellent ‘Corner Men’ and <b>Bombardier Ryan</b> was capital as the ‘Master of Ceremonies’. The troupe included, besides those already
mentioned, Sergeant Calvert, Sergeant Sheppard, Corporal Nash, Lance-Corporal
Smith, Privates Wise and Holleran, Driver Cleary and Corporal Dicks, many of
whom sang and recited. Two of the nurses
helped at the piano<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sussex</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Express<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:date day="3" month="12" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">December 3rd 1915</span></b></st1:date><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> - Page 12 </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">CONCERT AT HICKWELLS WAR RELIEF
HOSPITAL - On Wednesday afternoon an enjoyable entertainment was given by some
of the wounded soldiers in residence at the above hospital. It opened with a display of wax works
exhibited by Mrs Jarley (otherwise <b>Bombardier
Ryan</b>) whose antics and jokes caused great laughter. The costumes of all were varied and
humorous. This was followed by a number
of interesting items performed by Bombardier Ryan, Private McBride, Sergeant
Nash, Private Allan, Driver Bradley, Corporal Dicks and Gunner Hume. The parody on “The Village Blacksmith” by
Driver Bradley and Private Allan and the song “Macnamara’s Band” by <b>Bombardier Ryan</b>, were specially worthy
of notice. Another performance was given
later in the day.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-20930302503341149462017-06-01T03:10:00.000+05:302017-06-01T03:10:28.540+05:302229 Tpr Alfred Rock, Royal Horse Guards<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Alfred Rock
was a convalescent patient at Hickwells in early 1915. His entry in Nurse Oliver’s album reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Trooper A Rock (2229) <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">R H Gds<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">He shares this
page with entries from SR/1921 Private James W Salmon of the 4th Royal Fusiliers, 6271 Private Ernest Whitcomb of the 1st Middlesex
Regiment, 22002 Private D Jones of the Army Service Corps and 6155 Private
Frank Chivers Dixon of the 1st Wiltshire Regiment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">According to
his surviving military papers, Alfred was born in <st1:place w:st="on">Stafford</st1:place>
– or Fenton, Staffordshire, around April 1884.
He attested with the Household Cavalry at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Manchester</st1:place></st1:city> on <st1:date day="24" month="11" w:st="on" year="1914">24th November 1914</st1:date> giving his
address as <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">25 Mona Street</st1:address></st1:street>,
Douglas, <st1:place w:st="on">Isle of Man</st1:place> and his trade as
labourer. He was 30 years and eight
months old and single.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">His
attestation was approved in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>
the same day and on the 25th November he was posted to the Royal
Horse Guards and given the rank of Trooper and the army number 2229. All appears to have gone smoothly until <st1:date day="26" month="2" w:st="on" year="1915">26th February 1915</st1:date>
when, off duty at the YMCA Headquarters in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>, he fell down some stone steps, badly
damaging his left elbow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Between 3rd and 26th March he was at the 1st <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">London General</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Hospital</st1:placetype></st1:place>
where he was operated on and had his elbow wired. The following month, presumably still with
his arm in a sling, he married his sweetheart in the registry office at <st1:place w:st="on">Stafford</st1:place> (<st1:date day="21" month="4" w:st="on" year="1915">21st April 1915</st1:date>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The injury to
his arm was enough to permanently finish Alfred’s military career before it had
even got off the ground. A Medical Board
convened at Chelsea on 14th April 1916 found him “permanently unfit”
and reported on 10th May that year that:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> “Olecranon [elbow] has been wired, operation
not very successful as no true long union; wire has now been removed. Pain on movement, movements restricted. Result of accidental fall. Permanent.
No incapacity due to service.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Alfred was discharged
from Regents Park Barracks, NW on </span><st1:date day="23" month="5" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" w:st="on" year="1916">23rd May 1916</st1:date><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> after one year and 182 days’
service.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">He was described on discharge
as aged 32 years and one month; five feet, ten and one eighth of an inch tall
with brown hair, brown eyes and a fair complexion.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">He gave his address as </span><st1:street style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">29 Mawson Street</st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, Ardwick, </span><st1:city style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Manchester</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> and was discharged
in consequence of “being found remarkably unfit by the Medical Board held at
Duke of Yorks School, Chelsea on 14th</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> April that year.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">His military character was reported as very
good with “no offence during the whole of his service”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On 9th<st1:date day="9" month="1" w:st="on" year="1918"> January 1918</st1:date>
he was admitted to pension (although details of the award are not on his file). He also appears to have moved house by this
stage as the <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Mawson Street</st1:address></st1:street>
address is scored through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-30095850536997112132017-06-01T03:07:00.000+05:302017-06-01T03:07:09.455+05:30J E Robinson<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This man was a patient at Beechland House in late 1916 and
early 1917. His entry in Nurse Oliver’s
album reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">J
E Robinson<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wounded
on 15 Nov 16 on the Somme<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He shares this page with 4082 Lance-Corporal Andrew McCrorie
of the 2nd Royal Scots Regiments and 57941 Lance-Corporal Albert
Edward Smith of the 20th (Central Ontario) Canadians. Also on this page is a pasted newspaper
cutting relating to the pantomime organised in 1917. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The cutting lists the performers in the pantomime which took
place on 7th February 1917. A
Private Robinson is noted as having played the part of Firefly I (while Lance
Corporal McCrorie played the role of Fairy Godmother and Lance-Corporal Smith
played the part of a merchant).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nothing else is known about this man, the information in his
album entry being too slight to assist with further research.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-42801319210365027052017-06-01T03:04:00.001+05:302017-06-01T03:04:59.812+05:30Walter Robertson, 2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Private Walter
Robertson was a patient at Hickwells in early 1916. His entry in Nurse Oliver’s album reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Little Bits off Shrapnel, Little Bits<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Off Shell makes A Soldier Weary<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And Wishes He was in _______<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">England</span></i></st1:place></st1:country-region><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Pte Walter Robertson<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Second A & S Highlanders<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Wounded Cambrin<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On <st1:date day="22" month="1" w:st="on" year="1916">22nd January 1916</st1:date><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There is insufficient
information included here to identify Private Robertson and the battalion war
diary for the day that he was wounded does not go into great detail
either. The entry reads:<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:date day="22" month="1" w:st="on" year="1916"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">22nd January 1916</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">CAMBRIN<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Mining officers still unable to say
whether Germans are under our lines… a relief seems to have taken place in the
German line, trumpets being blown and much shouting across, this seems to
indicate Saxons, a fine cold night.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There is no mention
of casualties on this date but there is also no summary included of casualties
for the month either. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-58208806752541149972017-06-01T02:57:00.000+05:302017-06-01T03:00:13.230+05:30Various soldiers - Beechlands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXC3WIqZ3dKNIf3dSY_UqHdAwIu4XG0rnbIZKlLT8CYgtpQCewCDprdNpznDY2foPxMlw6nMrSfz5oxmuNQDI6Y4E31Xr-ETXthFgCwfuuh5nqnmgWgl2HEpFRlt1fVm1TQZC/s1600/Faded+Group+3A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1600" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXC3WIqZ3dKNIf3dSY_UqHdAwIu4XG0rnbIZKlLT8CYgtpQCewCDprdNpznDY2foPxMlw6nMrSfz5oxmuNQDI6Y4E31Xr-ETXthFgCwfuuh5nqnmgWgl2HEpFRlt1fVm1TQZC/s400/Faded+Group+3A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the pages in Nurse Oliver's album contains five badly faded photographs of convalescent soldiers at Beechland House. The photograph above is probably the most detailed of the five and certainly the one that has withstood the test of time the best. Neither Edith Oliver or Frances Blencowe named the individuals who appear in photographs in their albums; with the exception of these five.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The photos were clearly taken at Beechland House and date to June or early July 1916. Apart from the fact that lupins can be seen in full bloom in a couple of the photographs and the men appear to be blinking into the sunlight, Trooper Hicks appears elsewhere in Nurse Oliver's album and dated his entry May 1916. He was obviously still a patient when Hickwells was vacated and Sussex 54 VAD moved into its new Beechland House premises in June 1916. He left hospital on 5th July 1916 and so the photograph must date to between the move to Beechlands - about 6th June 1916 - and George Hicks's departure the follwing month. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The individuals who appear in the photograph above are named as:</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back row: Sergeant Milne, Private Hilton, Sergeant Richey; middle row: Trooper Hicks, Private Foster, Rifleman Deers, Private Hart, Bombardier Garland; front row: Rifleman Hardcastle, Private Dorchester, Rifleman R Nicholson.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9hcYTPzOMqF_RYRT6AwKZxLhvovZ3ty-ZnccSTb60QywkxQkjsbCDN6bh7dqJ3TeZCFjUaq6PHF2IhIRmKFvJtUvs2pC0L69egn819wbb71k_kVx8vuuN8axnkozFoBgLOls/s1600/Quintet_S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1111" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9hcYTPzOMqF_RYRT6AwKZxLhvovZ3ty-ZnccSTb60QywkxQkjsbCDN6bh7dqJ3TeZCFjUaq6PHF2IhIRmKFvJtUvs2pC0L69egn819wbb71k_kVx8vuuN8axnkozFoBgLOls/s400/Quintet_S.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Three of these men also appear in another photograph in Nurse Oliver's album (above). Identified soldiers in this photograph are Private Hart (holding the dog), Rifleman Nicholson (second from right) and Sergeant Milne (far right). This photo almost certainly dates from around the same time in 1916.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Rifleman Hughes is named as appearing in another one of the five faded photographs but the image has suffered badly and I have not reproduced it on this website.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The photogaph below appears elsewhere on this site and may have been taken at Hickwells rather than Beechlands; it is impossible to say which. George Hicks also appears in this photograph, recumbent front left. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv-MjmuEi76WHAppzso1qq27ujOJ3JEDO-jUI5NOADKK4IlINfmQ0h2Va256zQEduhnMxAzoCXzwruhUdlO3uGd_2GgZAybI2J0kR3vtScWiiTdSCxq3_1sv0CJl7Q1bhnoUd/s1600/Group+%252811%2529+Recumbant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv-MjmuEi76WHAppzso1qq27ujOJ3JEDO-jUI5NOADKK4IlINfmQ0h2Va256zQEduhnMxAzoCXzwruhUdlO3uGd_2GgZAybI2J0kR3vtScWiiTdSCxq3_1sv0CJl7Q1bhnoUd/s400/Group+%252811%2529+Recumbant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-33802829132508366742017-06-01T02:54:00.004+05:302017-06-01T03:05:17.527+05:30Private Hilton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXC3WIqZ3dKNIf3dSY_UqHdAwIu4XG0rnbIZKlLT8CYgtpQCewCDprdNpznDY2foPxMlw6nMrSfz5oxmuNQDI6Y4E31Xr-ETXthFgCwfuuh5nqnmgWgl2HEpFRlt1fVm1TQZC/s1600/Faded+Group+3A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1600" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXC3WIqZ3dKNIf3dSY_UqHdAwIu4XG0rnbIZKlLT8CYgtpQCewCDprdNpznDY2foPxMlw6nMrSfz5oxmuNQDI6Y4E31Xr-ETXthFgCwfuuh5nqnmgWgl2HEpFRlt1fVm1TQZC/s400/Faded+Group+3A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the pages in Nurse Oliver's album contains five badly faded photographs of convalescent soldiers at Beechland House. The photograph above is probably the most detailed of the five and certainly the one that has withstood the test of time the best. Neither Edith Oliver or Frances Blencowe named the individuals who appear in photographs in their albums; with the exception of these five.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The photos were clearly taken at Beechland House and date to June or early July 1916. Apart from the fact that lupins can be seen in full bloom in a couple of the photographs and the men appear to be blinking into the sunlight, Trooper Hicks appears elsewhere in Nurse Oliver's album and dated his entry May 1916. He was obviously still a patient when Hickwells was vacated and Sussex 54 VAD moved into its new Beechland House premises in June 1916. He left hospital on 5th July 1916 and so the photograph must date to between the move to Beechlands - about 6th June 1916 - and George Hicks's departure the follwing month. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The individuals who appear in the photograph above are named as:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back row: Sergeant Milne, <b>Private Hilton</b>, Sergeant Richey; middle row: Trooper Hicks, Private Foster, Rifleman Deers, Private Hart, Bombardier Garland; front row: Rifleman Hardcastle, Private Dorchester, Rifleman R Nicholson.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9hcYTPzOMqF_RYRT6AwKZxLhvovZ3ty-ZnccSTb60QywkxQkjsbCDN6bh7dqJ3TeZCFjUaq6PHF2IhIRmKFvJtUvs2pC0L69egn819wbb71k_kVx8vuuN8axnkozFoBgLOls/s1600/Quintet_S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1111" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9hcYTPzOMqF_RYRT6AwKZxLhvovZ3ty-ZnccSTb60QywkxQkjsbCDN6bh7dqJ3TeZCFjUaq6PHF2IhIRmKFvJtUvs2pC0L69egn819wbb71k_kVx8vuuN8axnkozFoBgLOls/s400/Quintet_S.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Three of these men also appear in another photograph in Nurse Oliver's album (above). Identified soldiers in this photograph are Private Hart (holding the dog), Rifleman Nicholson (second from right) and Sergeant Milne (far right). This photo almost certainly dates from around the same time in 1916.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Rifleman Hughes is named as appearing in another one of the five faded photographs but the image has suffered badly and I have not reproduced it on this website.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The photogaph below appears elsewhere on this site and may have been taken at Hickwells rather than Beechlands; it is impossible to say which. George Hicks also appears in this photograph, recumbent front left. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-32643228743159650202017-06-01T02:53:00.002+05:302017-06-01T03:05:41.153+05:30Sergeant Milne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXC3WIqZ3dKNIf3dSY_UqHdAwIu4XG0rnbIZKlLT8CYgtpQCewCDprdNpznDY2foPxMlw6nMrSfz5oxmuNQDI6Y4E31Xr-ETXthFgCwfuuh5nqnmgWgl2HEpFRlt1fVm1TQZC/s1600/Faded+Group+3A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1600" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXC3WIqZ3dKNIf3dSY_UqHdAwIu4XG0rnbIZKlLT8CYgtpQCewCDprdNpznDY2foPxMlw6nMrSfz5oxmuNQDI6Y4E31Xr-ETXthFgCwfuuh5nqnmgWgl2HEpFRlt1fVm1TQZC/s400/Faded+Group+3A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the pages in Nurse Oliver's album contains five badly faded photographs of convalescent soldiers at Beechland House. The photograph above is probably the most detailed of the five and certainly the one that has withstood the test of time the best. Neither Edith Oliver or Frances Blencowe named the individuals who appear in photographs in their albums; with the exception of these five.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The photos were clearly taken at Beechland House and date to June or early July 1916. Apart from the fact that lupins can be seen in full bloom in a couple of the photographs and the men appear to be blinking into the sunlight, Trooper Hicks appears elsewhere in Nurse Oliver's album and dated his entry May 1916. He was obviously still a patient when Hickwells was vacated and Sussex 54 VAD moved into its new Beechland House premises in June 1916. He left hospital on 5th July 1916 and so the photograph must date to between the move to Beechlands - about 6th June 1916 - and George Hicks's departure the follwing month. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The individuals who appear in the photograph above are named as:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back row: <b>Sergeant Milne</b>, Private Hilton, Sergeant Richey; middle row: Trooper Hicks, Private Foster, Rifleman Deers, Private Hart, Bombardier Garland; front row: Rifleman Hardcastle, Private Dorchester, Rifleman R Nicholson.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Three of these men also appear in another photograph in Nurse Oliver's album (above). Identified soldiers in this photograph are Private Hart (holding the dog), Rifleman Nicholson (second from right) and <b>Sergeant Milne</b> (far right). This photo almost certainly dates from around the same time in 1916.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Rifleman Hughes is named as appearing in another one of the five faded photographs but the image has suffered badly and I have not reproduced it on this website.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The photogaph below appears elsewhere on this site and may have been taken at Hickwells rather than Beechlands; it is impossible to say which. George Hicks also appears in this photograph, recumbent front left. </span></div>
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Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-47313515609716116982017-06-01T02:32:00.000+05:302017-06-01T03:05:54.425+05:30Sergeant Richey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXC3WIqZ3dKNIf3dSY_UqHdAwIu4XG0rnbIZKlLT8CYgtpQCewCDprdNpznDY2foPxMlw6nMrSfz5oxmuNQDI6Y4E31Xr-ETXthFgCwfuuh5nqnmgWgl2HEpFRlt1fVm1TQZC/s1600/Faded+Group+3A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1600" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXC3WIqZ3dKNIf3dSY_UqHdAwIu4XG0rnbIZKlLT8CYgtpQCewCDprdNpznDY2foPxMlw6nMrSfz5oxmuNQDI6Y4E31Xr-ETXthFgCwfuuh5nqnmgWgl2HEpFRlt1fVm1TQZC/s400/Faded+Group+3A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the pages in Nurse Oliver's album contains five badly faded photographs of convalescent soldiers at Beechland House. The photograph above is probably the most detailed of the five and certainly the one that has withstood the test of time the best. Neither Edith Oliver or Frances Blencowe named the individuals who appear in photographs in their albums; with the exception of these five.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The photos were clearly taken at Beechland House and date to June or early July 1916. Apart from the fact that lupins can be seen in full bloom in a couple of the photographs and the men appear to be blinking into the sunlight, Trooper Hicks appears elsewhere in Nurse Oliver's album and dated his entry May 1916. He was obviously still a patient when Hickwells was vacated and Sussex 54 VAD moved into its new Beechland House premises in June 1916. He left hospital on 5th July 1916 and so the photograph must date to between the move to Beechlands - about 6th June 1916 - and George Hicks's departure the follwing month. The individuals who appear in the photograph above are named as:</span></div>
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</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back row: Sergeant Milne, Private Hilton, <b>Sergeant Richey</b>; middle row: Trooper Hicks, Private Foster, Rifleman Deers, Private Hart, Bombardier Garland; front row: Rifleman Hardcastle, Private Dorchester, Rifleman R Nicholson.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Three of these men also appear in another photograph in Nurse Oliver's album (above). Identified soldiers in this photograph are Private Hart (holding the dog), Rifleman Nicholson (second from right) and Sergeant Milne (far right). This photo almost certainly dates from around the same time in 1916.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Rifleman Hughes is named as appearing in another one of the five faded photographs but the image has suffered badly and I have not reproduced it on this website.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The photogaph below appears elsewhere on this site and may have been taken at Hickwells rather than Beechlands; it is impossible to say which. George Hicks also appears in this photograph, recumbent front left. </span></div>
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Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-85293332360215871772017-06-01T02:20:00.000+05:302017-06-01T02:20:19.646+05:308030 Private Henry Walter Richardson, 1st Dorset Regiment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG53IuyvyKGDn-SQU06c_geq468bhdLF8dggToL5M7O8eSkp85JP9MBZHHGbqKh8SczLuSvfJG9NxApiOfcceZgvEqCuR593GPIAklMVOaTXFgqTxOcEI5TvA8OlWUMVILNFC/s1600/Richardson%252C+Henry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1155" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG53IuyvyKGDn-SQU06c_geq468bhdLF8dggToL5M7O8eSkp85JP9MBZHHGbqKh8SczLuSvfJG9NxApiOfcceZgvEqCuR593GPIAklMVOaTXFgqTxOcEI5TvA8OlWUMVILNFC/s400/Richardson%252C+Henry.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">8030 Private
Henry Walter Richardson was a career soldier who was probably a convalescent
patient at Hickwells in early 1915. He has
two entries in Nurse Oliver’s album, both along similar lines. The first reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">8030 Pte H. Richardson<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1st Batt Dorset Regt<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Was caught napping by<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">the famous General (one) O clocks<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Artillery at Missy [this is crossed
out and “Missines” written on top] stopping<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">three shrapnell bullets and his only<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">regret is that he couldn’t get his<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">own-back.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This page is
shared with entries from L/6738 Private Charles Sabourin of the 1st East Surrey Regiment and Corporal Albert Brandon of the 7th Middlesex Regiment. The second entry
reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Wounded at Messines by shrapnel
receiving<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">three Bullets, Hand Shoulder &
Head<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What ever I may do<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Or wherever I may be<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I shall remember all of you<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For your kindnesses to me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Oh if ever I get the Chance<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To see some more of those Alamand<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I will just make some of them Dance<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For their injury to my Hand<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Henry's entry is along very similar lines
to that of Private Sabourin and one gets the feeling that they had much in
common. Both were regular soldiers, both
served with the 5th Infantry Division and both received severe
wounds in the early stages of the war which would finish their part in the
action. In their few lines the two men
both express disappointment, regret and bitterness at being wounded and both
mourn the opportunity of not being able to exact some revenge. “General One O’Clock:”, mentioned in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Richardson</st1:place></st1:city>’s first entry
is General Von Kluck who commanded the German First Army. The “Alamand” in his second entry are
“Allemands”, French for “Germans”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Henry
Richardson’s military history is sketchy but we can piece together some basic
details. His medal index card notes that
he has a middle initial (W), while his entry on the silver war badge roll records
the fact that he enlisted on <st1:date day="28" month="8" w:st="on" year="1906">28th August 1906</st1:date>. This almost
certainly marks him as a reservist who was recalled to the colours immediately
war was declared. There are just too
many men with the name Henry Walter Richardson to identify him with confidence
on census returns but if he joined the army in 1906, assuming he joined as a
man rather than a boy, he would have been born around 1888 or earlier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The 1st Dorset Regiment arrived in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>
on <st1:date day="16" month="8" w:st="on" year="1914">16th August
1914</st1:date> and was soon in action at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mons</st1:place></st1:city> and Le Cateau. Henry <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Richardson</st1:place></st1:city> could have been wounded in these early battles as his name appears in a casualty list published in The Times on the 23rd October 1914, this list in turn reported from the Base on the 20th September 1914.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Henry was discharged form the army as medically unfit on </span><st1:date day="17" month="2" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" w:st="on" year="1916">17th February 1916</st1:date><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">He was entitled to the 1914 Star and bar, and
the British War and Victory Medals.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">He
also received a silver war badge.</span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-57757872603826020302017-06-01T02:09:00.001+05:302017-06-01T02:09:55.882+05:30205445 Private Joseph Henry Richards, 11th East Yorkshire Regt <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Private J H
Richards was a patient at Beechland House in June 1918. His name appears on a page shared with three
other men: 235377 Private A Wearing of the 3rd Worcestershire
Regiment, 8451 Private Joseph Spruce of the 8th North Staffordshire
Regiment and Private Joseph R Fish, an American serviceman from the 86th Aero Squadron. At the top of the page
there is a date: <st1:date day="20" month="6" w:st="on" year="1918">20th June 1918</st1:date>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Private
Richards’ entry reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Pte J H Richards<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">11 East Yorkshires’<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Wounded <st1:date day="21" month="2" w:st="on" year="1918">Feb 21st 1918</st1:date> Nr Lens<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">He is
possibly Joseph Henry Richards who, at the time the 1901 census was taken, was
living at number 2, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on">St Andrews
Square</st1:street>, <st1:city w:st="on">Hull</st1:city></st1:address>. The household comprised: Thomas Richards
(head, married, aged 45, a labourer on the docks), Elizabeth Richards (wife,
aged 39) and their five children: Elizabeth (aged 15, working as a weaver),
John Richards (aged 11), Joseph (aged eight), Henrietta Richards (aged six) and
Charles E Richards (aged two). The
children and their parents had all been born in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hull</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Joseph was
conscripted into the army on 1st<st1:date day="1" month="3" w:st="on" year="1917"> March 1917</st1:date> and his entry in Nurse Oliver’s album tells us that he
was wounded near Lens on <st1:date day="21" month="2" w:st="on" year="1918">21st February 1918</st1:date>. He was
discharged from the army on <st1:date day="24" month="7" w:st="on" year="1919">24th July 1919</st1:date>. His entry in the
Silver War Badge Roll at The National Archives in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city> gives his age as 26 on 9th<st1:date day="9" month="8" w:st="on" year="1919"> August 1919</st1:date>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The number on
his medal index card is 205445 which would appear to be one of the block of
numbers issued in 1917 to the 4th East Yorkshire Regiment
(Territorial Force). If this is the same
man it suggests that he initially enlisted with the 4th Battalion
but was transferred later to the 11th Battalion. This was formed in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hull</st1:place></st1:city> on 2nd<st1:date day="2" month="9" w:st="on" year="1914"> September 1914</st1:date>, by Lord
Nunburnholme and the East Riding TF Association. It was commonly known as the Hull Tradesmen's
Battalion and from June 1915 was attached to the 92nd Brigade in the 31st
Division.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-22468772322216626792017-06-01T02:07:00.000+05:302017-06-01T02:07:13.401+05:30Corporal W R D F Reynolds, 3rd Royal Fusiliers <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Corporal
Reynolds was a patient at Beechland House in 1917 but nothing is known about
this man other than his entry in Nurse Oliver’s album which has been heavily
over-written in blue biro. It reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:date day="20" month="4" w:st="on" year="2017"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">20/4/17</span></i></st1:date><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Cpl W R D F Reynolds<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3rd Royal Fusiliers<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Wounded at <st1:place w:st="on">Ypres</st1:place>
on <st1:date day="23" month="5" w:st="on" year="1915">23rd May 1915</st1:date><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Corporal
Reynolds shares this page with entries from Private Angus McKenzie of the 1/5th Seaforth Highlanders, 801298 Gunner John William Thurgood of the Royal Field
Artillery, 21/1522 Private Charles Edward Harrald of the 24th Northumberland Fusiliers and 21370 Lance-Corporal John William Williams of the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">24th</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">27th</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Northumberland Fusiliers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The National
Archives holds a medal card for a Walter R Reynolds but as this man’s
entitlement is only for the British War and Victory Medals, this cannot be the
same person. Nurse Oliver’s patient would also have been entitled to a 1914 or
1914/15 Star (depending on when he arrived overseas).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I think it is
unlikely that Reynolds would have been first at Hickwells and then transferred
to Beechland House as a result of his May 1915 wound and still be there in
April 1917. It seems more probable that
he was there as the result of either sickness or an operation which may or may
not have been related to his 1915 wound. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The war diary
for the 3rd RF in May 1915 reveals that the battalion is in trenches
in front of Belewaarde Lake. The entry
for 23rd May 1915 reads: “Fairly quiet day. Casualties 12 wounded.” The following day, which was Whit Monday, the
Germans attacked at <st1:time hour="2" minute="30" w:st="on">2:30am</st1:time>. The war diarist reported “continuous rifle
and machine-gun fire” and the gas which was released at the same time is
described as “particularly thick and strong.”
Casualties for the 24th May are noted as four officers
killed, three wounded and missing, one missing and eight wounded. Other Rank casualties are recorded as 536
killed, wounded and missing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Writing of
the day’s events on 30th May, Major E Baker commanding the 3rd Battalion wrote, “Out of a total of 800 rank and file, some 70 men were
collected in a gassed condition in rear of the line and 150 men remained
ultimately with me. The remainder were
killed, wounded or missing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-35260164096386544262017-06-01T01:59:00.001+05:302017-06-01T02:48:27.415+05:3015429 Sergeant Arthur Samuel Reeve, 8th KOSB <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wvs6b0xXRqsk-q71ducFY2WTNvXeHTIvJqUzy0KtU862VOBAwA4nw4WvVwfgP-bkd-Nw6bv5Z_MyaN0-KKiISFCa1SrZkjn_VDhcHZkWBAwUXs8wFbRNu9kFtJ4BoBFT1AEEKA/s1600/Reeve%252C+Arthur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1520" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wvs6b0xXRqsk-q71ducFY2WTNvXeHTIvJqUzy0KtU862VOBAwA4nw4WvVwfgP-bkd-Nw6bv5Z_MyaN0-KKiISFCa1SrZkjn_VDhcHZkWBAwUXs8wFbRNu9kFtJ4BoBFT1AEEKA/s400/Reeve%252C+Arthur.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">15429 Sergeant Arthur Samuel Reeve of the 8th Kings Own Scottish Borderers was a patient at Hickwells in October 1915. His entry in Nurse Oliver’s album is a watercolour of St Mary’s Church at nearby Newick which can be viewed <span style="color: blue;">here</span>. He signs it simply, <i>Sgt A Reeve, 8th KOSB</i>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Arthur Reeve was born at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hull</st1:place></st1:city>, in the East Riding of Yorkshire in July 1875. His Medical History Sheet, retained in his surviving service records at The National Archives in <st1:place w:st="on">Kew</st1:place>, gives the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">village</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Upton</st1:placename></st1:place> as his place of birth, but every other document notes <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hull</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He appears on the 1881 census living at <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">105 Peel Street</st1:address></st1:street>, Spotland, <st1:place w:st="on">Rochdale</st1:place> with his family. The household comprised Robert Reeve (head, married, aged 30, working as a silk loom jobber), his wife Susannah Reeve (aged 36, her occupation noted as “house duties) and their two children: Arthur (aged five) and Mary K Reeve (aged three). Robert Reeve was born in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Norfolk</st1:place></st1:city>, his wife in Wardle, <st1:place w:st="on">Lancashire</st1:place>. Arthur is noted as being born in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hull</st1:place></st1:city> and his sister in <st1:place w:st="on">Rochdale</st1:place>. This suggests that the family had moved from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hull</st1:place></st1:city> to <st1:place w:st="on">Rochdale</st1:place> certainly by 1878.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the 1891 census the family is still living in Spotland but has moved to <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">1 Joseph Street</st1:address></st1:street>. Arthur, now aged 15, is recorded as a silk finisher. Mary is recorded as, what looks like, a “woollen mule piecer”. There are also three other children – Robert Reeve (aged nine), Gertrude Reeve (aged seven) and Ethel Reeve (aged five). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The majority of the Reeve family’s neighbours have occupations in the silk or cotton trade and it is possible that the accommodation they occupied was either tied to a local silk/cotton factory or situated close by to one.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Arthur does not appear on the 1901 census. By that time he had been a soldier for close to seven years and was probably overseas. He’d enlisted in The Royal Lancaster Regiment at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Manchester</st1:place></st1:city> on 4th<st1:date day="4" month="7" w:st="on" year="1894"> July 1894</st1:date>. No doubt in common with many young men of the time, he probably felt that the British Army offered an escape from the humdrum life of work in a cotton mill or factory. When he enlisted however, he gave his occupation as labourer so it seems likely that he had already decided that life in a mill was not for him. (His father however, is listed on the 1901 census as a silk weaver. He was a widower by now and had moved to Reddish in <st1:place w:st="on">Lancashire</st1:place>. He was living at home with his three daughters: Mary (recorded as “:Minnie”), Gertrude and Ethel). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Arthur was given the army service number 4504 and commenced his army career. Where he did his soldiering is not clear now but we get some idea from his medical history sheet. He was vaccinated on 23rd July but was in hospital in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lancaster</st1:place></st1:city> for nine days the following month with a severe cold and sore throat. He was at Hilsea in October and then at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Portsmouth</st1:place></st1:city> that December. Quinsy (a condition similar to tonsillitis) kept him in bed there for eight days and in January and February 1895 he spent nearly a month in hospital with severe “follicular tonsillitis”. In November 1895 he appears to have been incarcerated in Gosport Military Prison (demeanour unknown) and in April 1896, apparently still in prison, he was fitted with a truss for a hernia.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">His hernia appears to have plagued him throughout 1896 and into 1897. He spent two more spells in hospital in 1896 because of it and was fitted with a second truss at Devonport in March 1897.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is then a gap on his service record of nine years until July 1906 when he spent time in an unknown hospital due to a problem with his lymph glands – his papers are difficult to read at this point. He was probably in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> however as an entry for <st1:date day="26" month="12" w:st="on" year="1906">26th December 1906</st1:date> notes “malarial symptoms” which caused him to be detained in hospital for 35 days. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bareilly</st1:place></st1:city> is also mentioned in connection with what looks like convalescence.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is not clear when Arthur Reeve left the army but by the time war was declared in 1914 he was off the Reserve but had joined the Special Reserve. He enlisted as a Special Reserve Recruit at Ardwick on 1st<st1:date day="1" month="9" w:st="on" year="1914"> September 1914</st1:date> at the grand old age of 39 years and two months. He joined the 8th Kings Own Scottish Borderers – which in due course would form part of the 15th (Scottish) Division - and was given the number 15429. His papers show that he was five feet, four and a half inches tall and weighed 132 pounds. Various moles are noted on his chest and arms together with a small mole between his shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Arthur was given a typhoid inoculation in October 1914 and transferred down to Bordon, Salisbury Plain in February 1915. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The following extract is adapted from part 9 of <span style="color: blue;">The Hospital Way</span>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The 15th Division, with the exception of two battalions from the Leicestershire and Bedfordshire Regiments was entirely Scottish and was raised at <st1:place w:st="on">Aldershot</st1:place>. It was comprised of men surplus to establishment of the recently formed 9th (Scottish) Division and from drafts sent from various Scottish depots. By 15th September it was complete. The major problem facing this and the other <st1:place w:st="on">K2</st1:place> Divisions however, was a lack of officers and experienced NCOs. Divisions comprised of the first 100,000 recruits had been able to call upon the services of regular officers and NCOs from the regimental depots; not so their successors. Scarcely a battalion had more than four officers and the 7th Royal Scots Fusiliers could muster just one officer: a recently commissioned RGA Quartermaster-Sergeant, amongst the 900 men. “At no time”, states the Divisional history, “were there more than five Regular officers in any one brigade.” There were some ex-regular NCOs and pensioners who had taken part in campaigns in Egypt and Afghanistan and they were given acting ranks but in many cases new officers were selected, so the Divisional history states, “solely on account of their smart appearance, and in nearly every instance the choice was justified.”<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Arthur Reeve a former NCO in the Regular army, and with just the kind of soldiering experience that the 15th Scottish Division so desperately lacked, must have been welcomed with opened arms. He was appointed sergeant and posted to D Company. <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A shortage of trained officers and NCOs was not the only problem that faced the division. Rifles did not appear until October, and when they did arrive they were found to be obsolete and fit only for drill purposes. Army uniform too was non-existent, the stores having been plundered by the First Hundred Thousand. Ordinary civilian clothes not being suited to the rigours of army life, new recruits were encouraged to obtain good suits, boots and greatcoats from home and promised an allowance of ten shillings per man. This though, reports the divisional history, “… did not help matters greatly. In these early days it was quite a common occurrence for men to be excused parade either because the state of their boots would not allow them to march or because their garments were not sufficiently decent to warrant their leaving camp or barracks.” When clothing did arrive towards the end of September 1914, it took everybody by surprise. “The garments consisted of English-pattern trousers and red serge jackets of every sort and description, some of which had been manufactured as far back as 1893. There were a few pairs of tartan trews but these were nearly all snapped up by NCOs and the men had to content themselves with what was left. One man was heard to remark that he had come down to be a Gordon Highlander and not a ****** postman.”<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">But slowly the men of the 44th, 45th and 46th Infantry Brigades, which comprised the 15th Division, settled into their new routine. “By the end of March 1915”, the divisional history reports, “weaklings had been weeded out” or rather, those men unable to withstand the 72 hour weeks which were the rule on Salisbury Plain. Although the men may have been ready, the division was still desperately short of the wherewithal to wage a war. Lewis gunners learnt their drill with the help of wooden models whilst signallers used imaginary telephone and telegraphic equipment. The divisional artillery was no better placed. Men improvised with a dummy gun made from a pine log mounted on a funeral gun-carriage and an old victoria carriage discovered in a stable was cut into two to represent a carriage and limber. When working artillery pieces did arrive they were found to date back to the Boer War with a number of French cannon dating back to 1890. Nevertheless, for the few months that they were in service, the 2000 men of the newly formed divisional artillery, read their manuals, practised their drill and waited for the day when they could fire real shells at a real enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">On July 4th the division received the order to mobilise and three days later the first advance parties left for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>. By nightfall, on <st1:date day="10" month="7" w:st="on" year="1915">the 10th July 1915</st1:date>, the entire 15th Division was on French soil. <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The war diary of the 8th KOSB lists all the NCOs who arrived in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> with the original contingent and Arthur Reeve is there, recorded as a sergeant with D Company. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The strength of the batallion on departure for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> was as follows:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">30 Officers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">6 Warrant Officers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">43 Sergeants<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">40 Corporals<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">901 Other Ranks <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">+1 Interpreter </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The following information is taken from the battalion war diary:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<st1:date day="10" month="7" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">10th July 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Headquarters Staff and C and D Companies land at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boulogne</st1:place></st1:city> at <st1:time hour="20" minute="40" w:st="on">8:40pm</st1:time> (A and B landed at <st1:time hour="9" minute="20" w:st="on">9:20am</st1:time>) and march to large rest camp at OSTROHOVE.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="14" month="7" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">14th July 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Smoke helmets issued.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[Over the following days, various minor promotions and demotions are announced including “Sergeant A R Fraser who had been struck off strength in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> for employment with Divisional Head Quarters, was today returned to duty for misconduct and posted to B Company for duty.” Also, “Sergeant Burns ‘B’ Company reverted to Corporal at his own request and was placed first in the list of his rank.”]<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="22" month="7" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">22nd July 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We received today the news of the regrettable death by shell fire of Major Forbes DSO of the 7th battalion who was at the front for instruction in trench warfare. Our sympathy goes out to the 7th Battalion on the loss of an esteemed and valuable officer.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="26" month="7" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">26th July 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Private J Golding D Coy was accidentally shot in a dug-out in Sector X2 about <st1:time hour="10" minute="30" w:st="on">10:30am</st1:time> by No 15445 Pte H Guest.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="2" month="8" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">2nd August 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[<st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Field General Court</st1:address></st1:street> Martial assembled for trial of Private Guest] “Neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline”, Sergeant Pike, “Drunkenness when warned for duty”, Corporal McKinnon, “drunkenness on parade”. Private Guest sentenced to one year’s imprisonment with Hard Labour and suspension of punishment applied for. Sergeant Pike and Corporal McInnon sentenced to be reduced to the ranks.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="4" month="8" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">4th August 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[Both men reduced to the ranks]<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="15" month="8" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">15th August 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">LES BREBIS<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Bathing of men and washing of clothes in mine condensers.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="16" month="8" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">16th August 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">MAROC<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Relieved 10th SCOTTISH RIFLES in Sector W3, relief completed <st1:time hour="16" minute="30" w:st="on">4:30pm</st1:time>. D on right, A on left, C in support trench, B in reserve billets <st1:place w:st="on">NORTH MAROC</st1:place> with Head Quarters.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">18th - 21st August 1915<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[Minor promotions and incidents continue]:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sergeant Ward of D Company accidentally wounded by bayonet in leg when returning over parapet from wire patrol. To Hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Private Saint ‘C’ Company. Gun shot wound in great toe of right foot, self-inflicted through negligence and disobedience of orders. To Hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="22" month="8" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">22nd August 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[Pte Ormerod is killed on a working party by a shell fragment striking him on the temple. Diarist records his burial]: “Buried in ground around <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">MAROC</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">CHURCH</st1:placetype></st1:place> by Father Gillen. Exact position of grave. Corner of church grounds. WEST SIDE of ruined church. 4 feet from WEST WALL and 101/2 feet from NORTH WALL. Next grave to that of No 1213 Lance Corporal A P BIRD 23rd Battn London Regmt. Grave marked with Regimental Wooden Cross.”<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The 8th KOSB was relieved by the 7th Battalion the same day. Five days later at Fouquereuil it was reported that Lieutenant [William Gray] Herbertson and Sergeant Reeve as instructors, and eight NCOs and men per company were to attend a bomb-throwing course at Noeux les Mines. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Douglas and eight NCOs and men were to attend a machine gun course (Vickers Maxim) at the same village. Lieutenant Herbertson would be the brigade instructor and Sergeant Reeve would be his assistant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On 31st August the battalion war diarist reported:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The 6th Battalion KOSB marched through on their way to VERQUIN where they are to be billeted for the night. Work was stopped in the Battalion and the 6th halted for a few minutes to allow of the men talking to each other. The 6th looked very fit.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The diary continues:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<st1:date day="1" month="9" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">1st September 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[Heavy rain - company inspections and Drill]<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="2" month="9" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">2nd September 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Battalion moved to MAZINGARBE marching by companies to NOEUX LES MINES and from there by Half platoon to Bivouac near SAULCHOY FARM. Heavy rain all night. Men most comfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="3" month="9" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">3rd September 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Rained continuously all day. Working parties in X Sector and at QUALITY STREET improving communications, making advanced ammunition stores, cutting gun emplacements, improving water supply, and laying a trolly [?] line from RE store MAZINGARBE to QUALITY STREET.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="4" month="9" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">4th September 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[Working parties continue]<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="5" month="9" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">5th September 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Usual church parades arranged for but no men available for church as all are required for day working parties except the 200 returned at <st1:time hour="4" minute="30" w:st="on">4:30am</st1:time>.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="7" month="9" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">7th September 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[Battn continues providing working parties for 73rd and 91st Companies RE - 300 men per day and 300 per night. Casualties occur from shell fire on billets - 1 killed, 16 wounded.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<st1:date day="8" month="9" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">8th September 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<st1:date day="8" month="9" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></i></b></st1:date></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">SECTOR X2<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All the battalion in trenches with exception of Head Quarter Company which remained in <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">QUALITY STREET</st1:address></st1:street>.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">9th - 15th September 1915<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[Various duties and casualties reported]<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="16" month="9" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">16th September 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lieut Herbertson rejoined from Brigade Bombing School and resumed duty as Bombing Instructor to Battalion, assisted by <b>Sergeant Reeve</b><o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">17th - 22nd September 1915<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[In and around NOEUX LES MINES, MAZINGARBE area]<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="23" month="9" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">23rd September 1915</span></i></b></st1:date> <b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">MAZINGARBE<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Bombers paraded for inspection by The Brigade Bombing Officer and Battalion supply of bombs drawn. It was now generally understood that an attack on the German Position was intended for Saturday morning 25th and the day was spent in General preparation.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<st1:date day="24" month="9" w:st="on" year="1915"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">24th September 1915</span></i></b></st1:date><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The MAIRIE was set aside for storing of kits and packs of Officers, NCOs and men, this storing was effected by <st1:time hour="10" minute="0" w:st="on">10am</st1:time>...<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On 25th September, The British Army launched its attack against the German positions around Loos. You can read more about the preparations for the battle and the role played in it by the 15th Scottish Division in parts 9 and 10 of The Hospital Way.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Arthur Reeve was a casualty on the opening day, shot through the right thigh. Lieutenant Herbertson and five other 8th KOSB officers were killed. Battalion losses for the day were close to 400. In all probability, Arthur would have made his way back form the front via a Field Ambulance, Casualty Clearing Station and possibly hospital before being transferred by hospital ship to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>. His service record is remarkably undetailed about his time in the army after his wounding at Loos, presumably because there was not much detail to include. His recovery appears to have been long and slow and there is nothing in his record to suggest that he returned to his battalion. His pensioner’s record card notes that his invaliding disability was the wound to his right thigh received on <st1:date day="25" month="9" w:st="on" year="1915">25th September 1915</st1:date>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On <st1:date day="10" month="5" w:st="on" year="1918">10th May 1918</st1:date> he was supplied with a part support denture and on 4th<st1:date day="4" month="1" w:st="on" year="1919"> January 1919</st1:date> a medical examination noted, “GSW right thigh, attributable to war service – 20% disability<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[unclear] [unclear] small scar of entry on outer side of right thigh about 2 ½ inches above [unclear] of fibula – a 1 ½ inch scar on front of thigh 2 ½ inches above patella [unclear].<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Arthur was discharged from the army on <st1:date day="17" month="2" w:st="on" year="1919">17th February 1919</st1:date> and rated Grade III. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A pension’s board held at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Manchester</st1:place></st1:city> on 2nd<st1:date day="2" month="2" w:st="on" year="1920"> February 1920</st1:date> notes his rank Acting Company Quarter Master Sergeant and he would attend further pensions’ boards over the coming months. On 9th<st1:date day="9" month="12" w:st="on" year="1920"> December 1920</st1:date>, a board held in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Manchester</st1:place></st1:city> noted that his condition was improving and that there was less than 20 per cent disability. Six weeks later, another board found that the disability had reduced to between one and five per cent. He was awarded nine shillings and six pence a week for the next 35 weeks and at this point, his service record yields no more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-25724674335273570872017-04-15T18:31:00.000+05:302017-04-15T18:31:54.632+05:302145 L/Corporal Gilbert Arthur Heasman MM, 11th Australian Imperial Force<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSmzB34UoldR0BRSVnSnBqa2nukSpiVaB5fJUeEWzRrkeUVAXTU368UbuJ4_BseNKzh7TXdzBRvMzrjimeSnTifiIs90XtIg2KeiBGf-6YmeUY2tof2RtWaxH8vbGDm4GIkCo/s1600/Gilbert-Heasman-Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSmzB34UoldR0BRSVnSnBqa2nukSpiVaB5fJUeEWzRrkeUVAXTU368UbuJ4_BseNKzh7TXdzBRvMzrjimeSnTifiIs90XtIg2KeiBGf-6YmeUY2tof2RtWaxH8vbGDm4GIkCo/s400/Gilbert-Heasman-Photo.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Digital
copies of Gilbert Heasman’s World War One service papers can be viewed on-line
at The National Archives of Australia. Although the photograph of him on the right is
undated, the presence of lance-corporal’s stripes suggests that it must date
from after September 1918. A summary of
his service history follows. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">When
he attested on <st1:date day="12" month="4" w:st="on" year="1915">12th April 1915</st1:date>, Gilbert Heasman was 22 years old. He had been born at Lewes in 1893, his birth
registered there in the June quarter of that year. He was the third son of Edric Owen Heasman
and Annie Heasman (nee Message) whose marriage was registered at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Uckfield</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Sussex</st1:country-region></st1:place>
in the December quarter of 1887.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
1901 census shows the Heasman family living at Whitehouse Number One, <st1:place w:st="on">East Chiltington</st1:place>, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sussex</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Edric Heasman (aged 36 and born at Mayfield)
is noted as “stockman on farm”. His 35
year old wife Annie Heasman is recorded as having been born in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>.
Children noted are: <a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/lieutenant-albert-heasman-mm16th.html" target="_blank">Albert Heasman</a> (aged 12, born in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bodle</st1:city> Street, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Sussex</st1:country-region></st1:place>), <a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2006/09/26th-september-chailey-mourns-two-men.html" target="_blank">Frederick Heasman</a> (aged 10, born <st1:place w:st="on">East Chiltington</st1:place>), Gilbert Arthur Heasman (aged seven,
born in <st1:place w:st="on">East Chiltington</st1:place> according to the
census)), Daisy May Heasman (aged five, born <st1:place w:st="on">East
Chiltington</st1:place>) and Grace Hilda Heasman (aged two and also born in <st1:place w:st="on">East Chiltington</st1:place>).
A two year old boarder, John A Irquhart (possibly), born in <st1:place w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:place>, is also living at the address, as is a 59 year
old widower from Wivelsfield, George Mitchell.
Two further children would also be born: Beatrice Heasman in 1907 and
Percival Heasman in 1910.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Gilbert
emigrated to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Western Australia</st1:place></st1:state>
in 1912, following his brother Albert who had emigrated early the previous
year. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Frederick</st1:place></st1:city> would join his brothers in 1913.
Prior to enlisting in the AIF, Gilbert and Albert worked as fettlers, helping
to lay the railway line from Geraldton to Mt Magnet, a gold mining town. In 1915, Gilbert joined the Australian
Imperial Force.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On
attestation at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Geraldton</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Western Australia</st1:state></st1:place>, Gilbert gave his trade as
Fettler and his next of kin as his father, Edric Owen Heasman, now living at
Tutts Farm, South Common, Chailey. He
was five feet, six and a half inches tall, had dark brown hair, dark eyes and a
medium complexion. Distinctive marks
were noted as vaccination marks plus scars on his left shin and left
wrist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">He
was given the number 2145 and, on <st1:date day="6" month="5" w:st="on" year="1915">6th May 1915</st1:date>, posted to the 6th Reinforcements of the 11th
Battalion AIF. This battalion had
originally been formed in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Western
Australia</st1:place></st1:state> in August 1914. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On
<st1:date day="7" month="6" w:st="on" year="1915">7th June 1915</st1:date> he
embarked for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alexandria</st1:place></st1:city>
from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Fremantle</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region></st1:place> aboard <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i>Geelong</i></st1:place></st1:city>. Arriving in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> he then embarked for the <st1:place w:st="on">Dardanelles</st1:place> aboard HMT Berrima on <st1:date day="31" month="7" w:st="on" year="1915">31st July 1915</st1:date>. Five days later at Gallipoli, he was taken on
strength by the 11th AIF but it wasn’t long before he was reporting
sick. On 24th August he was
admitted to hospital with diarrhoea and, a few days later, on 7th September, was admitted to the 25th Casualty Clearing Station at
Imbros with a recurrence of diarrhoea.
Two days later he was admitted to hospital and then, on the 12th September, to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station. He remained in hospital until 26th September, re-joining his unit the following day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Gilbert
then remained at Gallipoli until the evacuation was ordered, although the
precise date of his departure from the peninsular is unclear. He disembarked from HMT Lake Michigan at
Alexandria on 6thJanuary but hadn’t been in Egypt long (27th January) before he was back in hospital (No 2 General Hospital, Cairo) with
jaundice. Further spells in hospital
followed while he was in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>
but on <st1:date day="23" month="3" w:st="on" year="1916">23rd March
1916</st1:date> he embarked at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alexandria</st1:place></st1:city>
for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
arriving at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Marseilles</st1:place></st1:city>
on 5th</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> April.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On 4th October Gilbert Heasman was awarded the Military Medal in the
Field for gallantry at Pozieres. Chailey Parish Magazine and The London Gazette
both noted this the following month. He
appears to have remained in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for the remainder of the war. He was
appointed lance-corporal in September 1918 and granted leave only after the
Armistice had been signed, on <st1:date day="20" month="11" w:st="on" year="1918">20th November 1918</st1:date>. Between 22nd November and 7th<st1:date day="7" month="12" w:st="on" year="1918"> December 1918</st1:date> he was in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>, presumably spending at least
some of this time with his parents in Chailey.
He also took the opportunity, on 27th November, to marry Beatrice Ethel
Weaver (born 1886 in <st1:place w:st="on">East Chiltington</st1:place>). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Returning
to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>
in early December, he then remained there until 5th<st1:date day="5" month="2" w:st="on" year="1919"> February 1919</st1:date> when he returned
to the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for embarkation to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>
on the 21st. He was
discharged there on <st1:date day="11" month="4" w:st="on" year="1919">11th April 1919</st1:date>. A medical board
held on <st1:date day="10" month="6" w:st="on" year="1919">10th June
1919</st1:date> gave him a clean bill of health (despite his various hospital
stays) and also noted that he had enlisted originally at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mount</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Magnet</st1:placename></st1:place>
in March 1915. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">After
the war, for a short time, Albert and Gilbert ran a greengrocer’ shop in <st1:place w:st="on">West Perth</st1:place>. He had
intended to settle in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>
with his wife but because of some difficulty in her settling there with him, he
returned to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>
in 1920. Two years later, their only
child, Doris Heasman, was born at Lewes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Gilbert
remained in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for the rest of his life and died in 1965.
His medals are held at The Fremantle War Museum in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Gilbert’s
brothers Albert and Frederick also served their King and Country during the
First World War.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-22072073844891277932017-04-15T18:25:00.001+05:302017-04-19T14:50:18.038+05:30Lieutenant Albert Heasman MM,16th Australian Imperial Force<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBAqcu_B7-9VRZnLE1pBIEzLGhP7fo-wX_p-OkbL0UWuJAEU5qtZbX_hjQ7lNTgeTlQmtbXdh5BYcGm-3m0rWMNQQLdgBPHlACidb6I0Lc62Fv4gwvVQzWLF_sR8beDdg0jXu/s1600/Albert+Heasman+Photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBAqcu_B7-9VRZnLE1pBIEzLGhP7fo-wX_p-OkbL0UWuJAEU5qtZbX_hjQ7lNTgeTlQmtbXdh5BYcGm-3m0rWMNQQLdgBPHlACidb6I0Lc62Fv4gwvVQzWLF_sR8beDdg0jXu/s400/Albert+Heasman+Photo4.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Digital
copies of Albert Heasman’s World War One service papers can be viewed at The
National Archives of Australia. The photograph, right, was taken after his
commission as second lieutenant in January 1918. A summary of Albert’s service history
follows. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">According
to his attestation papers, Albert was born on <st1:date day="14" month="10" w:st="on" year="1888">14th October 1888</st1:date> in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Hailsham</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Sussex</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
He was the oldest son of Edric Owen
Heasman and Annie Heasman (nee Message) whose marriage was registered at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Uckfield</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Sussex</st1:country-region></st1:place>
in the December quarter of 1887.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Albert, born on the 14th October 1888, appears on the 1891 census as a two year old living with his parents and seven
month old brother <a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2006/09/26th-september-chailey-mourns-two-men.html" target="_blank">Frederick Heasman</a> at White House, <st1:place w:st="on">East
Chiltington</st1:place>, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sussex</st1:place></st1:country-region>. His place of birth is noted as <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bodle</st1:city> Street, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Sussex</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Edric, 26 years old and working as an
agricultural labourer, was born at Mayfield.
His 25 year old wife Annie was born in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>.
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Frederick</st1:place></st1:city>
was born at <st1:place w:st="on">East Chiltington</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ten
years later, the 1901 census notes that the family is still living at the same
address (reported as Whitehouse number one) with Edric’s trade now noted as
“stockman on farm”. There are also three
more children: Gilbert Arthur Heasman (aged seven), Daisy May Heasman (aged
five) and Grace Hilda Heasman (aged two).
A two year old boarder, John A Irquhart (possibly), born in <st1:place w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:place>, is also living at the address, as is a 59 year
old widower from Wivelsfield, George Mitchell.
Two further children would also be born: Beatrice Heasman in 1907 and
Percival Heasman in 1910.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Albert
emigrated to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Western Australia</st1:place></st1:state>
in early 1911 followed by Gilbert in 1912 and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Frederick</st1:place></st1:city> in 1913. Prior to enlisting in the AIF, Albert and
Gilbert worked as fettlers, helping to lay the railway line from Geraldton to
Mt Magnet, a gold mining town. In 1914,
war having been declared on <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
Albert joined the Australian Imperial Force.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Albert’s
records show that he attested on <st1:date day="21" month="9" w:st="on" year="1914">the 21st September 1914</st1:date> with the 16th Battalion
AIF. He was given the number 595. The 16th Infantry Battalion (<st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Western Australia</st1:place></st1:state> and <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Australia</st1:place></st1:state>) formed
part of the 4th Infantry Brigade.
Albert gave his age as 25 years and 11 months, his trade or calling as
labourer and his next of kin as <st1:place w:st="on">W Heasman</st1:place>,
Tutts Farm, South Common, Chailey. He
was five feet, eight and a half inches tall, weighed 142lbs, had a fair complexion
and brown eyes and hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On
12th October he was appointed to C Company and the following day
swore an oath of allegiance at Helena Vale, <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Western Australia</st1:place></st1:state>. He embarked at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:place></st1:city> aboard RMAT A40 “Ceramic” on 22nd December bound for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>. After four months there he landed at
Gallipoli on <st1:date day="25" month="4" w:st="on" year="1915">25th April 1915</st1:date> and was promoted lance-corporal the following month (13th). Eleven days later, he was promoted to full
corporal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On
<st1:date day="3" month="10" w:st="on" year="1915">3rd October 1915</st1:date>
he was admitted to the 3rd <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Canadian</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Stationary</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Hospital</st1:placetype></st1:place>
with influenza and then transferred to the 3rd <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">General</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Hospital</st1:placetype></st1:place>. On the
18th he was transferred to the British Base, “<st1:place w:st="on">Aquitania</st1:place>”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On
<st1:date day="22" month="3" w:st="on" year="1916">22nd March 1916</st1:date>,
whilst in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
he was promoted sergeant and on <st1:date day="23" month="10" w:st="on" year="1916">23rd October 1916</st1:date> was awarded the Military
Medal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On
<st1:date day="7" month="4" w:st="on" year="1917">7th April 1917</st1:date> he
was Taken on Strength with the 70th Battalion and on the 29th April
proceeded overseas to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>
via Folkestone as part of a draft to re-enforce the 16th Battalion. The same day, Base Records Office AIF sent a
letter to Mr Heasman at Tutts Farm stating, “I have much pleasure in forwarding
hereunder copy of extract from Supplement No 29854 to The London Gazette of <st1:date day="8" month="12" w:st="on" year="1916">8th December 1916</st1:date> relating
to the conspicuous services rendered by No 595 Sergeant A Heasman, 16th Bn…
Promulgated in Commonwealth of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>
Gazette No 62 of <st1:date day="19" month="4" w:st="on" year="1917">19th April
1917</st1:date>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sergeant
Heasman re-joined his battalion on <st1:date day="3" month="5" w:st="on" year="1917">3rd May 1917</st1:date>, but the following month (26th June), joined the 4th Training Battalion. On <st1:date day="2" month="7" w:st="on" year="1917">2nd July 1917</st1:date> he arrived at Codford for duty with the
permanent cadre. Between <st1:date day="31" month="8" w:st="on" year="1917">31st August 1917</st1:date> and <st1:date day="15" month="9" w:st="on" year="1917">15th September 1917</st1:date> he attended
a course of instruction in the Lewis Gun and qualified 1st class (Sgt).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On
<st1:date day="1" month="10" w:st="on" year="1917">1st October 1917</st1:date>
he was discharged from the permanent cadre of the 4th Training Battalion on
proceeding overseas (the following day).
He re-joined his battalion on the 6th October, attended a
week-long infantry training course at Aveluy on the 18th November
and then attended a further course at an Officer’s <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Training</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">College</st1:placetype></st1:place>
on the 27th December.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On
<st1:date day="4" month="1" w:st="on" year="1918">4th January 1918</st1:date>
he was commissioned as a second lieutenant at No 6 Officers’ Cadet Battalion, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oxford</st1:place></st1:city>. A confidential report on 23rd May
that year reported that he had “shown good sound common sense, worked well and
made good sound satisfactory progress.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On
<st1:date day="19" month="8" w:st="on" year="1918">19th August 1918</st1:date>, 2nd Lieutenant Heasman again proceeded overseas, joining his new
unit (unclear on his surviving papers) eight days later. He remained in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> until <st1:date day="16" month="6" w:st="on" year="1919">16th June 1919</st1:date>
when he returned to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>
aboard “Ormonde”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Although
no longer a native of Chailey, the Parish Magazine had also mentioned him
during the First World War. Under
“Distinctions’ it recorded his name for the first time in November 1916 stating
simply, <i>Sergt A Heasman, MM, Australian
Imp Forces, France. </i> This information
was repeated up to and including the final published roll in July 1919.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">After
the war, for a short time, Albert and Gilbert ran a greengrocer’ shop in <st1:place w:st="on">West Perth</st1:place>. When
Gilbert returned to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>
in 1920, Albert spent some time, in the words of one of his ancestors, “roaming
around the north of <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Western Australia</st1:place></st1:state>
on horseback”. He married Minnie Olive
Griffiths in 1923 and in 1932 was granted a conditional purchase block of 1,000
acres of land at Moorine Rock. He then
began a career as a sheep farmer, buying up neighbouring land as the years
progressed. Albert and Minnie had three
children: Edric John Frederick Heasman (born January 1925), Albert Charles
Heasman (born May 1926) and Ronald Keith Heasman (born April 1928). A fourth son, Robert, died shortly after
birth in 1931.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">In
October 1968, still living at Moorine Rock, Albert wrote to the officer in
charge at the Central Army Base Records requesting a Gallipoli Medallion. It was acknowledged that he was eligible and
he was duly sent it (to complement his Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British
War Medal and Victory Medal). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Albert
Heasman died in 1974 after a long and eventful life. His medals are held at The Fremantle War Museum
in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-15993114439233082892017-03-29T15:48:00.002+05:302017-03-29T20:27:09.168+05:30Chailey 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJZYOq-HILpF78Y5CAyY4wqUz12wyAhcQ3oypRLBM4sErjDXT2IJYLCWmhSGrwhTlOj7415GJSUBGiaUn9i_hJYHeg8cbCh0_aqWtpmTBH5J_zfyDgJb4l_OLlwCMn_7GW6NI/s1600/MA5D3-7913_4_5_6_7+Chailey+village+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJZYOq-HILpF78Y5CAyY4wqUz12wyAhcQ3oypRLBM4sErjDXT2IJYLCWmhSGrwhTlOj7415GJSUBGiaUn9i_hJYHeg8cbCh0_aqWtpmTBH5J_zfyDgJb4l_OLlwCMn_7GW6NI/s400/MA5D3-7913_4_5_6_7+Chailey+village+sign.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My thanks to photographer, Mike Anton, for sending me these new shots of Chailey. It's good to see the memorial (below) with the signs of spring creeping through in the background.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLIM5sYyMgrk5BvsseiIxLJpof-2SzBmi0fQz9KZ2hp07gA_oF1-N5cxeuNUoaHZ1JPHhEZJ4b_daL5rEkZ59zNxTvtN_8XQNQi5eQxxKJd4wXnWIb7GXEHEETtrvT0GMppKk/s1600/MA5D3-7893_4_5_6_7+Chailey+war+memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLIM5sYyMgrk5BvsseiIxLJpof-2SzBmi0fQz9KZ2hp07gA_oF1-N5cxeuNUoaHZ1JPHhEZJ4b_daL5rEkZ59zNxTvtN_8XQNQi5eQxxKJd4wXnWIb7GXEHEETtrvT0GMppKk/s400/MA5D3-7893_4_5_6_7+Chailey+war+memorial.jpg" width="285" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The shot below takes in both the war memorial and St Peter's church, Chailey, whilst the penultimate shot in this short series shows the triptych inside the church which was unveiled, prematurely, in 1918. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6JzJz70swP-LTR7WN23Z5SAyjikAUTTV2no_GUBbCmrnQAdXUdGp5JEYXE3HD3job0CTJsFkaGF8IY2xtgBIufsSTC4jXQ0M2okCiiqnpsE6nzKQkWNL9ID57JITjoRE8TCC/s1600/MA5D3-7903_4_5_6_7+Chailey+war+memorial+and+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6JzJz70swP-LTR7WN23Z5SAyjikAUTTV2no_GUBbCmrnQAdXUdGp5JEYXE3HD3job0CTJsFkaGF8IY2xtgBIufsSTC4jXQ0M2okCiiqnpsE6nzKQkWNL9ID57JITjoRE8TCC/s400/MA5D3-7903_4_5_6_7+Chailey+war+memorial+and+church.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjJC7z_Wb1atn91uBT9OcojLnm8KBSwX_cLCDdOSQdcpdxD4m3ivd4upXlQhdfyffqUqlpHUbqXOOQ-dVE2_qBM1_595oBl5o7yBmNbkajhy0jAyW-nzCDeWO6geSA-wqr-up/s1600/MA5D3-7930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjJC7z_Wb1atn91uBT9OcojLnm8KBSwX_cLCDdOSQdcpdxD4m3ivd4upXlQhdfyffqUqlpHUbqXOOQ-dVE2_qBM1_595oBl5o7yBmNbkajhy0jAyW-nzCDeWO6geSA-wqr-up/s400/MA5D3-7930.jpg" width="285" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seeing this great photo below reminds me that I need to visit Chailey again this year and re-acquaint myself with the village, the names on the memorial, and some of the sleepers in the churchyard. The last time I came here was in 2008 when my daughter was two years old and we were still living in India. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUoZDx0vELPVIAB6-2nWC5BwwUNAVLh3QA7tfE3MeURO2tAPwmQ_etRFFRvUUiWK1lCSi49qehr-gDaZZmawV1E5xpwJdnHQ4zP1XwLx1-JcQPEILPk4Ad5nN548ewOXZRZbg/s1600/MA5D3-8078_79_80_81_82+St+Peters+exterior+2+vert+shot+landscape+Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUoZDx0vELPVIAB6-2nWC5BwwUNAVLh3QA7tfE3MeURO2tAPwmQ_etRFFRvUUiWK1lCSi49qehr-gDaZZmawV1E5xpwJdnHQ4zP1XwLx1-JcQPEILPk4Ad5nN548ewOXZRZbg/s400/MA5D3-8078_79_80_81_82+St+Peters+exterior+2+vert+shot+landscape+Panorama.jpg" width="342" /></span></a></div>
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<br />Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-40754390510733128992017-02-12T13:20:00.000+05:302017-02-12T13:20:11.453+05:30Chailey War Memorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHsYQx1YJGIyBM-rGe2t7-zj9NXDK5FWRo3mkCcDsyTcddxDX_kx8AVya83wBlJzpb5I9rVKXx4T5dRmCWoe3mafk7Glc4v5KzbCRvNMOc-hjoLsnGntuNmUBof0U9MAh_9L-cA/s1600/Chailey+War+Memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHsYQx1YJGIyBM-rGe2t7-zj9NXDK5FWRo3mkCcDsyTcddxDX_kx8AVya83wBlJzpb5I9rVKXx4T5dRmCWoe3mafk7Glc4v5KzbCRvNMOc-hjoLsnGntuNmUBof0U9MAh_9L-cA/s400/Chailey+War+Memorial.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's another photo from the unveiling of Chailey's war memorial on the 2nd October 1920. The crop below shows some of the men of the parish, but who are they?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUZ6gws5-s4n4D4wGGCsns-xgW2ke6V14Ztxb-IXAI6kOHPl1flfDbbHZLYhjNQXg2QFqvvoS7gCmdSPZom5GoiT2x_xe9aHY7VVqmpmKedZoXhhdHXmZPh4BGQvwsXQbZ7UWOQ/s1600/Chailey+War+Memorial+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUZ6gws5-s4n4D4wGGCsns-xgW2ke6V14Ztxb-IXAI6kOHPl1flfDbbHZLYhjNQXg2QFqvvoS7gCmdSPZom5GoiT2x_xe9aHY7VVqmpmKedZoXhhdHXmZPh4BGQvwsXQbZ7UWOQ/s400/Chailey+War+Memorial+2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/206610-rifleman-thomas-william-deadman.html" target="_blank">Thomas Deadman</a> is the man on the far right, but what about the other men, and who is the officer? A Blencowe perhaps? Also see my earlier post on the unveiling of <a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/unveiling-chaileys-war-memorial.html" target="_blank">Chailey's War Memorial</a>.</span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-87989943601885291092017-02-12T13:00:00.000+05:302017-02-12T13:00:17.120+05:3010298 Pte Ernest Kelsey, Royal Fusiliers; later SE/31883 AVC<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Private Ernest Kelsey was a patient at Beechland House Newick in 1917. His entry in Nurse Oliver’s album reads:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The happiest hours of my life,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Were spent in the arms of another man’s wife,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Mother.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pte E J Kelsey<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22 Royal Fusiliers<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">(</span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Coventry</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>9.8.17</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He shares this page in her album with Sergeant H Hunter and 11066 Band Boy John William Pate, Dragoon Guards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is probably the same Private Kelsey who is mentioned in The East Sussex News of Friday June 29th 1917. The paper reports:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>INTERESTING STOOLBALL MATCH</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The contestants were Major Grantham’s team of officers of The Royal Flying Corps from Brook House (Chailey) Convalescent Hospital and Miss Cotesworth’s team of NCOs and men from Beechlands (Newick) Convalescent Hospital, and the former gained an easy victory by 50 runs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same match had also been reported on five days earlier in The Sussex Express which said that the event had taken place:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">… at Balneath Manor, the residence of Major W W Grantham, between officers of the Royal Flying Corps from Brook House, the new convalescent Hospital, and a team from Beechlands Convalescent Hospital. Those from Brook House were easy winners. Needless to say, Mrs Grantham entertained the company present to tea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ernest John Kelsey was born in the market town of Bedworth in Warwickshire in about 1882. He was a hatter by trade and appears on the 1911 census, aged 29, and still living in the family home with his brother and two sisters, all in their twenties.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No service record survives for Ernest but his medal index card gives the number 10298 for The Royal Fusiliers and SE/31883 for the Army Veterinary Corps. The Royal Fusiliers regimental number dates to December 1914 whilst the AVC number is much later and dates to about the 8th or 9th October 1917, a couple of months after Ernest signed Nurse Oliver's album. As he was only entitled to the British War and Victory Medal he was presumably wounded - or fell sick - overseas with the Royal Fusiliers, returned to England, transferred to the AVC, and then went back to France. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ernest Kelsey survived the war and died in late 1944 or 1945, his death registered at Nuneaton in the first quarter of 1945.</span></span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-28015216258793547462017-02-11T16:11:00.000+05:302017-02-11T16:27:42.390+05:30Mothers of the Empire - Mrs James Pointing of Chailey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFblK7ze1gbUEWdaLixePOdQOJOyqlph0-QUFWc726G7bxuy_h0A6cxHAnJRWHJ1dk5coT7MbHvvw7Ae8Wr8gV7K4vK5-qzrgBX8Bz3eL2mo4PppaR7rXO6fa2LaVrj53m3In/s1600/Sussex+Express+-+6th+April+1917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFblK7ze1gbUEWdaLixePOdQOJOyqlph0-QUFWc726G7bxuy_h0A6cxHAnJRWHJ1dk5coT7MbHvvw7Ae8Wr8gV7K4vK5-qzrgBX8Bz3eL2mo4PppaR7rXO6fa2LaVrj53m3In/s320/Sussex+Express+-+6th+April+1917.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Friday 6th April 1917 the Sussex Express published a photograph of Mrs James Pointing of Chailey and her four sons and one son-in law. The digital version of this page is now available on Findmypast and The British Newspaper Library. This particular page, which is probably from old microfilm, has not scanned well and so anyone who desires a better copy is advised to go to the British Library and recall the original paper. There are separate pages on this blog for the men who are reported in the Sussex Express as:</span><br />
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<a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/william-richard-pointing-wounded-at.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pte W Pointing, The Buffs</span></a><br />
<a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/6020-flight-sergeant-frank-pointing-raf.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sgt F Pointing, Royal Flying Corps</span></a><br />
<a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/m2105174-private-james-pointing-mt-army.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pte G Pointing, Queen's Own</span></a><br />
<a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/george-pointing.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Signaller G Pointing, Sussex Yeomanry</span></a><br />
<a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/cpl-ernest-frank-stevens-labour-corps.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cpl E F Stephens, Royal Fusiliers</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For what it's worth, even though it's a poor copy, I've reproduced the image on this post. Mrs Alice Pointing (who was possibly the cook for Sussex 54 VAD) is pictured below:</span><br />
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<br />Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-20307517102112565602017-02-11T15:53:00.000+05:302017-02-11T15:53:41.892+05:30Beauty & The Beast<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Friday 9th February the East Sussex News published an article on "an entertainment" - Beauty and The Beast - which took place at The Parish Room, Chailey. The full cast list was also printed, some of the players also appearing in Nurse Oliver's album.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The article and two subsequent articles are reproduced below. Over time, I will add links for those men and women who appear in Nurse Oliver's album. For the others who didn't record an entry, all we know for sure is that they were convalescing at Beechlands in February 1917.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ENTERTAINMENT AT THE PARISH ROOM</b><!--?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">An entertainment by the soldiers and staff of The Beechlands Red Cross Hospital, assisted by a few friends, took place at The Parish Room on Wednesday evening. The proceeds are for The Prisoners of War Fund and, judging by the crowded room, the fund should benefit by a considerable sum. <i>Beauty and The Beast</i>, a pantomime in three acts, proved very amusing and created roars of laughter. It was preceded by comic songs by Mr Gus Avery. Songs by Miss Hoather and recitations by Miss Beauchamp Marshall. The characters in the pantomime were represented as follows: </span><span lang="EN-GB">Beauty, Pte Keenan; Beast, Lc-Sgt Croft; Languor, Pte Lucas; Vanity, Rfm Maginnis; Merchant, Lc-Corpl Smith (Canadians); Fairy Godmother, Lc-Corpl McCrorie; Folly, Rfm Hobbs; Commonsense, Gunr Bright; King Cole, Corpl Reynolds; Fiddler, Pte Flynn; Fiddler, S-S Atkinson; Fiddler and Farmer’s Boy, Lc-Corpl Stern; Highlander, Pte McKenzie; Queen of Hearts, Pte Oliver; Knave of Hearts, Pte Hubbard; Knight, Pte Lincoln; Wizard I, Pte Head; Wizard II, Pte Gray; Wizard III, Pte Washbourne; Bo-peep, Pte Proctor; Poppy, Pte Brassington; Bee, Lc-Corpl Smith (Buffs); Firefly I, Pte Robinson; Firefly II, Pte Jennings; Forget-me-not, Pte Hoidge; Fairies, Misses J and K Fenn.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Sunday February 18<sup>th</sup> 1917 - Chailey </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">[The Sussex Express]<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Parish Room was crowded with a large and appreciative audience on Wednesday evening, when a variety entertainment, organised by Miss Cotesworth, was given. The first part consisted of song and recitations. The second half of the programme was composed of a short musical play in three acts written by Miss Hughes, entitled ‘Beauty and The Beast”. The proceeds will be donated to the Prisoners of War Fund.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">February 23<sup>rd</sup> 1917 </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">[The Sussex Express]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The variety entertainment which was held at the Parish Room a fortnight ago realised £9,17s for the Prisoners of War Fund.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-54567570904736475692017-02-11T15:46:00.000+05:302017-02-12T03:01:17.991+05:30Newspaper roll-call - Hickwells & Beechlands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">On my original Chailey 1914-1918 website I included a page of extracts from local newspapers which mentioned convalescent patients and nurses. I am re-publishing that page here. For some of the men noted here, their name-checks is the only information I have.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">The men whose names appear in <strong>bold</strong>, do not appear in Nurse Oliver’s album but from contemporary newspaper reports it is obvious that they were patients at Hickwells or Beechlands. For the most part, they are referred to only by their rank and surname and it is therefore virtually impossible to research them further. They do however warrant inclusion on this website and if any further information about any of the men named here comes to light, I will publish it in due course.<!--?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" ?--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Soldiers highlighted in blue did leave an entry in Nurse Oliver’s album and their biographies can be accessed by clicking on their names. A separate roll-call for men appearing in the February 1917 pantomime, “<a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/beauty-beast.html" target="_blank">Beauty and the Beast</a>” can be accessed by following the link.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:date day="5" month="11" year="1915"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">November 5th 1915</span></b></st1:date><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> - Page 12 - Chailey <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">CONCERT - A highly successful concert was held at the Parish Room the other evening. The proceeds were in aid of the building fund and the performers included several wounded soldiers… duets: <a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2006/05/9457-corporal-horace-frank-wood-8th-rwk.html" target="_blank">Corporal Wood</a> and <a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/john-thomson-allen-wounded-at-houdge.html" target="_blank">Private Allan</a>; … song “The Sunshine of Your Smile”, <a href="http://chailey1418.blogspot.co.uk/2006/05/9457-corporal-horace-frank-wood-8th-rwk.html" target="_blank">Corporal Wood</a> … recitation, “Wreck of the Hesperus”, Private <b>Goldborough</b>… The soldiers were cheered immediately they reached the platform.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Sussex</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> Daily News<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<st1:date day="26" month="11" year="1915"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Friday November 26th 1915</span></b></st1:date><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">CONCERT AT CHAILEY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">A successful concert was held in the Chailey Parish Room on Wednesday evening in aid of the building fund. The programme was composed mostly of items by the soldier patients of </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Hickwells</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Relief</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Hospital</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> and, judging by the vociferous encores, was much appreciated. A popular contribution seemed to be ‘Hickwells Band’ which, though not very tuneful, was certainly responsible for plenty of fun. Bombardier Ryan announced the items and gave an excellent comic song with tambourine dance. Sergeant <b>Sheppard</b> gave some bugle calls of the British Army. Driver <b>Bradley</b> kept the audience in roars of laughter with his comic songs. Corporal <b>Nash</b>, Lance-Corporal Smith and Private Allen’s [sic] songs were much appreciated. The only civilian who took part was Mr Stone, who sang a couple of songs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Sussex</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> Daily News<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<st1:date day="3" month="12" year="1915"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Friday December 3rd 1915</span></b></st1:date><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">WOUNDED SOLDIERS ENTERTAIN THEIR FRIENDS AT CHAILEY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">The soldiers at </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Hickwells</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Relief</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Hospital</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> at Chailey were ‘at home’ to their friends on Wednesday afternoon and by way of amusing them gave two excellent entertainments - one at </span><st1:time hour="2" minute="30"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">2:30</span></st1:time><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> and the other at </span><st1:time hour="4" minute="30"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">4:30</span></st1:time><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">. The bugle called the performers together and when the screens were withdrawn a nice little group of waxworks was disclosed, Bombardier Ryan shewing off their ‘beauties’ in his usual amusing way. Corporal <b>Nash</b> (as St George) and Private Allen [sic] sang the ‘Tin Gee Gee’, Private <b>Wise</b> and Sergeant Calvert making two fascinating ‘Little Dolly Girls’. Rifleman Collins, still on crutches, made a splendid broken doll. Lance-Corporal Smith was a Japanese Lady, and, later on, although only having the use of one arm, cleverly ‘vamped’ some accompaniments. While dresses were being changed, Private <b>Hume</b> and Private <strong>MacBride</strong> sang and danced, and then to the tune of ‘Here We Are Again’, Hickwells’ Pierrot troupe appeared and gave a spirited entertainment. Driver <b>Bradley</b> and Private Allen [sic] made excellent ‘Corner Men’ and Bombardier Ryan was capital as the ‘Master of Ceremonies’. The troupe included, besides those already mentioned, Sergeant Calvert, Sergeant <b>Sheppard</b>, Corporal <b>Nash</b>, Lance-Corporal<b> Smith</b>, Privates <b>Wise</b> and <b>Holleran</b>, Driver <b>Cleary</b> and Corporal Dicks, many of whom sang and recited. Two of the nurses helped at the piano<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:date day="20" month="12" year="1915"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Monday December 20th 1915</span></b></st1:date><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">SOLDIERS’ CONCERT AT CHAILEY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">The soldiers at Hickwells’ </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Relief</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Hospital</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> gave another entertainment to their friends on Friday evening and had an appreciative and crowded audience. Corporal <strong>Nash</strong> made an excellent Master of the Ceremonies. The performers were in fancy dress, some quite fine ‘ladies’ being among them. ‘Hickwells’ Famous Band’ opened the proceedings. Many and various were the instruments, from bells, drums, whistle-pipes and tambourines, while even a brass candlestick was made use of, and last but not least an accordion. No encores were allowed and two of the nurses helped at the piano.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">[There then follows a programme list - omitted here - performed by: Drummer <b>Davis</b>, Private <b>Holyrod</b>, Private <b>Hume</b>, Private Allen [sic], Lance-Corporal <b>Savage</b>, Corporal <b>Nash</b> and Private <b>Wise</b>]. Besides those already mentioned, the band included Sergeant Calvert, Corporal <b>Littler</b>, Driver <b>Cleary</b>, Private <b>Harrison</b>, Private <b>McBride</b>, Private Ladd, Private <b>Dawson</b> and Private <b>Kearton</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Sussex</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> Daily News<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<st1:date day="21" month="1" year="1916"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Friday January 21st 1916</span></b></st1:date><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">IN AID OF BLINDED SOLDIERS - SUCCESSFUL CHAILEY CONCERT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">In aid of St Dunstans Home, </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">London</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">, for soldiers blinded through the war, an enjoyable concert was held in the Chailey Parish Room on Wednesday evening. The programme was nicely varied… wounded soldiers contributing three items.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">… Gunner <b>Davis</b> and Private <b>McCann</b> each had to give a well deserved encore, and Private Baddock, in spite of a badly wounded head, gave some extremely clever ‘lightning sketches’ on the blackboard, illustrating some topics of the day, as for instance, ‘Lord Derby’s Christmas box for the Kaiser’, ‘Bottled up in the Kiel Canal’, ‘A captured British General’ (Omnibus) &c.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">East Sussex</span></b></st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> News<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<st1:date day="13" month="10" year="1916"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Friday October 13th 1916</span></b></st1:date><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">NEWICK – CONCERT IN AID OF ‘OUR DAY’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">… the performers consisted of convalescent soldiers from The Beechland Auxiliary Hospital and several ladies, for the most part from </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Brighton</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">… [Performers mentioned: Private<b> McWilliams</b>, Private<b> Gordon</b>, Private<b> Raynor–Smith</b>, Lance-Corporal<b> Beeching</b>, Private<b> Tomkinson</b>, Lance-Corporal<b> Coates</b>. Proceeds amounted to £10] “Performers took tea together at the Beechland Hospital, after which the programme was repeated there for the benefit of those who were inacpable of going to hear it at the Reading Room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:date day="26" month="1" year="1917"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Friday January 26th 1917</span></b></st1:date><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">[Whist drive reported – soldiers noted are: Private Maginnis, <b>Rifleman Head</b>, Corporal W Reynolds, Private H Proctor, Corporal A E Smith.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Sussex</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> Express<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<st1:date day="26" month="1" year="1917"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Friday January 26th 1917</span></b></st1:date><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">WHIST DRIVE - A whist drive was held in the Reading Room on Wednesday in aid of the Red Cross Hospital ‘Bucklands’, [sic] Newick. There were 24 ½ tables and the funds will benefit by £2,2s. The prizes and winners were … Gentlemen … 3rd</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Private </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Magginniss</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">, [sic] pipe rack, 170 points; hidden number, Rifleman </span><b style="font-size: 10pt;">F Head</b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">, money purse, 163 points. For wounded soldiers only: 1st</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">, Corporal </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Reynolds</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> (bogey, bogey), 100 cigarettes, 169 points; lowest, Private </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Proctor</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">, 10 cigarettes, 137 points, hidden number, Corporal </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Smith</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> (better known as “Canada”), 50 cigarettes, 78 points. The prizes, which, with the refreshments, and a box of cigars, for wounded soldiers only, the gift of a lady), were given away by Mrs Oldaker, to whom a hearty vote of thanks were recorded…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Sussex</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> Express<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<st1:date day="23" month="3" year="1917"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">March 23rd 1917</span></b></st1:date><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> - Newick </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">[Another Whist Drive is reported held on March 22nd - 20 tables - special prizes for wounded soldiers going to Private <b>Warner</b> and Private <b>Jennings</b>. Note, this may be the same Private Jennings who appeared in the Beauty and The Beast Pantomime held in February 1917.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">East Sussex</span></b></st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> News<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<st1:date day="28" month="12" year="1917"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">Friday December 28th1917</span></b></st1:date><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">[whist drive in aid of Reading Room. Wounded soldiers mentioned: Pte <b>Duffy</b>, Pte <b>Swift</b>, Grenadier Whitwan.]</span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28308559.post-87258121415087600632017-01-29T21:56:00.001+05:302017-01-29T21:56:19.430+05:3021675 Pte O Keenan, Border Regt<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know very little about this man. He appeared in a performance of Beauty & The Beast which was reported in The East Sussex News and the Sussex Express in February 1917. He is reported simply as Pte Keenan and he played the role of Beauty. I have a note form another source that he was 21675 Pte O Keenan but that is all that I currently know. The newspaper articles are reproduced below. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sunday 9th February 1917 </b>[The Sussex News]</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ENTERTAINMENT AT THE PARISH ROOM</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">An entertainment by the soldiers and staff of The Beechlands Red Cross Hospital, assisted by a few friends, took place at The Parish Room on Wednesday evening. The proceeds are for The Prisoners of War Fund and, judging by the crowded room, the fund should benefit by a considerable sum. <i>Beauty and The Beast</i>, a pantomime in three acts, proved very amusing and created roars of laughter. It was preceded by comic songs by Mr Gus Avery. Songs by Miss Hoather and recitations by Miss Beauchamp Marshall. The characters in the pantomime were represented as follows: </span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="background-color: yellow;">Beauty, Pte Keenan</span>; Beast, Lc-Sgt Croft; Languor, Pte Lucas; Vanity, Rfm Maginnis; Merchant, Lc-Corpl Smith (Canadians); Fairy Godmother, Lc-Corpl McCrorie; Folly, Rfm Hobbs; Commonsense, Gunr Bright; King Cole, Corpl Reynolds; Fiddler, Pte Flynn; Fiddler, S-S Atkinson; Fiddler and Farmer’s Boy, Lc-Corpl Stern; Highlander, Pte McKenzie; Queen of Hearts, Pte Oliver; Knave of Hearts, Pte Hubbard; Knight, Pte Lincoln; Wizard I, Pte Head; Wizard II, Pte Gray; Wizard III, Pte Washbourne; Bo-peep, Pte Proctor; Poppy, Pte Brassington; Bee, Lc-Corpl Smith (Buffs); Firefly I, Pte Robinson; Firefly II, Pte Jennings; Forget-me-not, Pte Hoidge; Fairies, Misses J and K Fenn.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Sunday February 18<sup>th</sup> 1917 - Chailey </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">[The Sussex Express]<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ENTERTAINMENT. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Parish Room was crowded with a large and appreciative audience on Wednesday evening, when a variety entertainment, organised by Miss Cotesworth, was given. The first part consisted of song and recitations. The second half of the programme was composed of a short musical play in three acts written by Miss Hughes, entitled ‘Beauty and The Beast”. The proceeds will be donated to the Prisoners of War Fund.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">February 23<sup>rd</sup> 1917 </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">[The Sussex Express]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The variety entertainment which was held at the Parish Room a fortnight ago realised £9,17s for the Prisoners of War Fund.</span></span></div>
Paul Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354531380984476532noreply@blogger.com0