Gunner Samuel Agland
Gunner Samuel Agland Service number 74231
Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery 142nd Durham Heavy Bty. 79th Brigade
Date of birth 25th April 1889
Date of death 4th January 1919
Age at death 29 years
His Story
Stoker 2nd Class E.C. Allen Service Number K/53025
Ship H.M. Trawler “Glenboyne
Date of birth 15th July 1900
Date of death 4th January 1919
Age at death 18 years
His story
Edward was born in Ware, Hertfordshire, but his family relocated to London. His address, as shown on both the 1911 Census is 63 Enfield Buildings, Aske Street, Hoxton. He enlisted on 9 August 1918, and served with the Dover Patrol. He was aboard HM Trawler Clemboyne in the English Channel when it hit a mine on 4 January 1919.
Rifleman H. Allison Service number R/10034 
Regiment King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Date of birth 19th August 1895
Date of death 4th January 1918
Age at death 22 years
His Story
ALFRED ANDERSON
Rank: Private
Service number: 2199
The Motor Section of the Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion in a display at the rear of the Bridge Hotel, Huntingdon.
Regiment: Huntingdon Cyclist Battalion
Born: 1st October 1888
Died: 21st December 1917
Age at death; 30 years
His Story
Thomas Andrews
Rank: Private
Service number: 242175 
Regiment: Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 11th Bn.
Born: 4th quarter 1890
Died: 10th February 1919
Age at death: 29 years
His Story
George Apps
Rank: Private
Service number: G/6498
Regiment: Middlesex Regiment
Born: 5th May 1890
Died: 25th February 1919
Age: 29/30 years
His Story
Telegrapher George Archard Service number: LZ/6508
Ship: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve H.M.S. “Pembroke.” (Portpatrick Wireless Station)
Born: 13th November 1898
Died: 5th November 1918
Age at death: 20 years
His Story
George was born in Homerton on 13 November 1898. His address, as shown on both the 1911 Census and Death Certificate, is 56 Ellesmere Road, Roman Road, Old Ford, London. He enlisted on 19 February 1917. He served aboard two trawlers of the Dover Patrol from August 1917 to February 1918. He survived the sinking of his second trawler. Later that year, he was sent on detached duty to the Portpartick wireless station, near Stranraer. He fell ill with pneumonia, and his father travelled to Stranraer to be with him. After five days of being hospitalised with lobar pneumonia, he died on 5 November 1918. His name is also recorded in the Bethnal Green War Memorial roll.
Driver W. J. Atkinson Service number 54859 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery 6th Reserve Bde.
Date of birth 1st quarter 1891
Date of death 19th February 1919
Age at death 28 years
His Story
Lance Corporal William Baker Service number S/22753 
Regiment Rifle Brigade 5th Bn
Date of birth July 1881
Date of death 12th December 1917
Age at death 37 years
His Story
Private William Banks Service number M2/052705 
Regiment Army Service Corps M.T
Date of birth 1879
Date of death 14th July 1918
Age at death 38 years
His Story
Bombardier J.W. Barker Service number 220423 
Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery 27th Anti Aircraft Sect
Date of birth c.1886
Date of death 26th November 1918
Age at death 36 years
His Story
Driver G.F. Bastick Service number 33029 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Date of birth 8th October 1882
Date of death 12th September 1918
Age at death 36 years
His Story
Private Ernest John Baxter Service number 12888 
Regiment Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 6th Bn
Date of birth 25th June 1896
Date of death 4th January 1920
Age at death 23 years
His Story
Lance Corporal D. J. Benbow Service number 106036 
Regiment Royal Engineers Inland Waterways and Docks
Date of birth 4th quarter 1892
Date of death 2nd October 1917
Age at death 25 years
His Story
Private A. Best Service number 14572 
Regiment The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) 1st Bn.
Date of birth c. 1873
Date of death 13th July 1920
Age at death 47 years
His Story
Rifleman E. Bleeze Service number 324823
Rifleman Regiment London Regiment (City of London Rifles) 6th Bn.
Date of birth 4th September 1899
Date of death 27th October 1917
Age at death 18 years
His Story
Ernest was born in Islington in 1899. He appears on the 1911 Census living at 31 Ruston Street, Bow. He died in Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot, presumably whilst training, on 27 October 1917.Given that he does not have a Medal Index Card, it would appear he died before having the opportunity of going overseas, and obtaining a campaign medal.
Rifleman Charles Blows Service number 570175
Rifleman Regiment London Regiment 17th Bn
Date of birth 1st quarter 1897
Date of death 3rd February 1917
Age at death 19 years
His Story
Gunner George Arthur Bolton Service number L/29854 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery 5th Reserve Bde.
Date of birth 12th February 1894
Date of death 20th February 1917
Age at death 23 years
His Story
Private H. Booth Service number 28465 
Regiment Royal Defence Corps
Date of birth 4th quarter 1868
Date of death 21st January 1917
Age at death 48 years
His Story
Gunner S. A. J. Brooks Service number 134281
Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery No.1 Depot
Date of birth 16th March 1887
Date of death 14th December 1916
Age at death 29 years
His Story
Driver G.F. Brooks Service number T/292620 
Regiment Army Service Corps 490th H.T. Coy
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1897
Date of death 5th April 1918
Age at death 20 years
His Story
Corporal A. Brown Service number WR/287979 
Regiment Royal Engineers Railway Operating Div
Date of birth c.1880
Date of death 26th September 1919
Age at death 39 years
His Story
Corporal A. E. Brown Service number 42788 
Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery 16th Siege Bty.
Date of birth
Date of death 8th March 1915
Age at death
His Story
Corporal Thomas Francis William Brown Service number S/6283 
Regiment Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Date of birth 12th December 1886
Date of death 6th April 1918
Age at death 28 years
His Story
Private S. Bruce Service number 1401 
Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
Date of birth 21st November 1895
Date of death 6th March 1915
Age at death 20 years
His Story
Sydney was the youngest of four children and a resident of Millwall when he enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps (Territorial Force). Sadly his army career came to an end on 6th March 1915 when he died at the 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill in South London from Tuberculous Meningitis aged 20. His three siblings, including a sister who was a VAD with the British Red Cross and St. John’s Ambulance, all took part in the war effort and survived.
Details of Sydney Bruce’s life and family are available in our publication “Hidden Histories”
Private Ralph E.G. Burwood Service number 3752
Regiment London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) 4th Bn.
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1896
Date of death 4th July 1916
Age at death 20 years
His Story
Ralph was the eldest child of a waterside labourer living at Wapping where his two uncles were also employed on the River Thames. However Ralph found employment as an office boy later enlisting with the 4th (City of London) Batalion (Royal Fusiliers). His service records cannot be found but we know his Battalion served at Gallipoli and Egypt before embarking for the Western Front in 1916. Ralph died at Ipswich Fever Hospital aged 20 years.
Details of Ralph Burwood’s life and family are available in our publication “Hidden Histories”
Private W. C. Bussell Service number 701797 
Regiment London Regiment 23rd Bn
Date of birth 2nd September 1888
Date of death 7th October 1918
Age at death 29 years
His Story
William was a native of Poplar, an only son with 3 older sisters. In early 1916 William, 27 and unmarried, enlisted at Canning Town into the 23rd Battalion, London Regiment and arrived in France July 1916 as part of the British Expeditionary Force. Later he was sent to Salonica and Palestine but by mid-1918 he had twice been admitted to hospitals in the Eastern Mediterranean region. William was repatriated home but died in September 1918 at Southern General Hospital, Bristol.
Details of William Charles Bussell’s life and family are available in our publication “Hidden Histories”
Private J. Callan Service number 958
Regiment Royal Defence Corps
Date of birth c.1864
Date of death 11th April 1918
Age at death 53/54 years
His Story
James was a member of the10th London Regiment, No. 20015 but probably due to his age, mid 50s, was transferred to the Royal Defence Corps. This latter unit provided security for key sites including bridges and ports. James served with 103 Company attached to the London District of the Corps. James does not appear to have had any offspring by his wife Emma who he had married in 1893 and he died in 1918 aged 54.
Details of James Callan’s life and family are available in our publication “Hidden Histories”
Private W. H. Cappaert Service number 292148 
Regiment Devonshire Regiment 1st/7th Bn
Date of birth 3rd April 1898
Date of death 14th February 1919
Age at death 20 years
His Story
Details of Wiliam Henry Cappaert’s life and family are available in our publication “Hidden Histories”
Gunner Alfred William Carr Service number 16297
Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery Forth Defences
Date of birth 1st quarter 1886
Date of death 11th November 1918
Age at death 32 years
His Story
Driver H. G. Carr Service number 61128
Regiment Royal Engineers Signal Depot
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1887
Date of death 24th February 1916
Age at death 28 years
His Story
Leading Seaman RN J. Carr Service number 92835
Service Royal Navy
Date of birth 20 September 1860
Date of death 3rd May 1917
Age at death 56 years
His Story
John Carr was born in Deptford on 20 September 1860. He had originally enlisted on 20 September 1875. After thirteen years, he left the Royal Navy, but joined the Royal Navy Reserve. He was mobilised on 2nd August 1914. He died on 3 May 1917 at Ingham Infirmary, South Shields of pleurisy. His widow, Georgina Carr, resided at 286, Central Park Road, East Ham.
Rifleman W. A. Carr Service number 4185 
Regiment London Regiment
Date of birth 4th quarter 1877
Date of death 19th February 1916
Age at death 41 years
His Story
Rifleman H. Chambers Service number 571927 
Regiment London Regiment 17th Bn
Date of birth 5th December 1897
Date of death 16th December 1918
Age at death 20 years
His Story
Serjeant R. G. Chapman Service number 329989 
Regiment Royal Defence Corps transf. to (329989) Labour Corps
Date of birth 1st quarter 1871
Date of death 6th January 1918
Age at death 47 years
His Story
Private A. Charrington Service number 95843
Regiment Royal Defence Corps 300th Command Reserve Coy.
Date of birth November/December 1892
Date of death 2nd February 1919
Age at death 28 years
His Story
TMR Ernest Frederick Walter Cochrane Service number 957674
Ship Mercantile Marine Reserve H.M.S. “Eaglet”
Date of birth 20th April 1902
Date of death 27th April 1918
Age at death 16 years
His Story
Gunner W. Coford Service number 144043
Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery 37th Coy.
Date of birth 1st quarter 1888
Date of death 9th April 1919
Age at death 31 years
His Story
Private A. Cole Service number 13370
Private Regiment Royal Berkshire Regiment 2nd/4th Bn.
Date of birth 4th quarter 1891
Date of death 22nd May 1918
Age at death 24 years
His Story
Driver A. Cole Service number T4/070700
Regiment Army Service Corps 662nd H.T. Coy.
Date of birth 7th March 1893
Date of death 2nd November 1918
Age at death 25 years
His Story
Rifleman Sidney Frederick Cole Service number 572434 
Regiment London Regiment 17th Bn.
Date of birth 1st quarter 1898
Date of death 25th April 1918
Age at death 19 years
His Story
Private RMLI William Charles Coleman Service number Ch/19350
Service Royal Marine Light Infantry H.M.S. “Carron”
Date of birth 11th January 1896
Date of death 29th September 1917
Age at death 21 years
His Story
Ordinary Signalman RN Sydney Arthur Collard Service number J/65135
Service Royal Navy
Date of birth 15th February 1900
Date of death 1st November 1918
Age at death 18 years
His Story
Rifleman William Henry Collins Service number 452809 
Regiment London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles) 11th Bn
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1887
Date of death 24th February 1918
Age at death 31 years
His Story
Lance Serjeant H.T. Constable Service number D/7362 
Regiment 6th Dragoons (Inniskilling)
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1893
Date of death 9th April 1919
Age at death 25 years
His Story
Lance Corporal W. Copp Service number 370848 
Regiment London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) 8th Bn
Date of birth 3rd January 1884
Date of death 11th January 1918
Age at death 33 years
His Story
Stoker 1st Class RN W. H. Cowell Service number 278335
Ship Royal Navy H.M.S. “Pembroke”
Date of birth 23rd November 1875
Date of death 12th May 1916
Age at death 40 years
His Story
William was born in Great Bentley, Essex on 23 November 1875. He had originally enlisted on 30 November 1894. After twelve years, he left the Royal Navy, but joined the Royal Navy Reserve. He was mobilised on 18th October 1914. He served on one ship only, HMS Hearty, from December 1914 to May 1915 and was then shore-based. He died on 12 May 1916 at Dreadnought Hospital Greenwich of cerebral meningitis. His widow, Annie Cowell, resided at 17, Park Grove, Portway, West Ham, London.
Corporal W. J. Cross Service number I/30294
Regiment The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1878
Date of death 20th August 1918
Age at death 41 years
His Story
Leading Stoker RN S. J. Cushway Service number 311747
Ship Royal Navy H.M.S. “Princess Royal”
Date of birth 7th March 1885
Date of death 24th April 1917
Age at death 31 years
His Story
Private I. Darman Service number 15477 
Regiment London Regiment 10th Bn.
Date of birth 2nd quarter
Date of death 1st March 1915
Age at death 44 years
His Story
Private Henry William Davey Service number 20484
Regiment London Regiment 7th Bn.
Date of birth 1st quarter 1873
Date of death 7th March 1919
Age at death 46 years
His Story
Driver W. H. Davis Service number L/26110
Regiment Royal Field Artillery “C” Bty. 173rd Bde.
Date of birth 1882
Date of death 8th August 1918
Age at death 39 years
His Story
Rifleman Henry Day Service number 571964 
Regiment London Regiment 17th Bn
Date of birth 12th June 1892
Date of death 25th January 1918
Age at death 31 years
His Story
Private W. H. Dear Service number D/28682
Regiment Sussex Yeomanry 2nd/1st
Date of birth 20th June 1900
Date of death 16th December 1918
Age at death 18 years
His Story
DEAR, Henry William. 1900-1918 Boyle, Ireland
Born on 29th June 1900 at 106 Hare Street, Bethnal Green to Charles Dear and his wife Eliza Rebecca nee Hogan and baptised at Christ Church, Spitalfields later the same year on 7th September.
In 1911 the family were living at 26 Cudworth Street, Bethnal Green. The parents had been married 12 years and had had 8 children although one had died before the census was taken on 2nd April 1911. However they have included the name of their dead child, Frederick aged 3 months on the form revealing he was a twin with his 3 month old brother Thomas.
William Henry joined the Sussex Yeomanry as Private D/28682. His unit, the 2nd/1st Sussex Yeomanry became the 5th Cyclist Brigade in July 1916 but by November had amalgamated with the 21st Surrey Yeomanry to form the 8th (Surrey and Sussex) Yeomanry Regiment. Early in 1917 the Regiment resumed their original identity but remained in the 3rd Cyclist Brigade and had been sent to Ireland and it is there that 18 year old William died on 16th December 1918 . He had had pneumonia for 10 days and influenza and his death was registered on 17th December by Corporal Revington, who was present at the death at Boyle, Co. Roscommon.
Private J. Donovan Service number 5913
Regiment Middlesex Regiment 2nd Bn. transf. to (385384) Labour Corps
Date of birth 1880
Date of death 12th December 1918
Age at death 38 years
His Story
Private Benjamin Henry Ede Service number 112612
Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
Date of birth 6th July 1885
Date of death 17th February 1919
Age at death 33 years
His Story
Baptised as Benjamin Adolphus Ede on 26th July 1885 at St. James the Less church, Bethnal Green the son of Benjamin, a Japanner and his wife Martha of 127 Old Ford Road, Bow.
In the 1891 census for 53 Seabright Street, Bethnal Green his 31 year old father is a furniture painter. His wife Martha is 30, his son Benjamin is 5 and at school, Ernest is 4 and Albert is 1. The whole family were born in Bethnal Green. In 1901 they are at 96 Quilter Street, Bethnal Green with Benjamin Snr. 41 a furniture japanner, wife Martha is 40, Benjamin 15 is a commercial clerk, as is his 14 year old brother Ernest. The 3 younger sons are Albert 11, Arthur 7 and George 3.
In 1911 the family are at 140 Roman Road with Benjamin 51 still carrying on his trade of furniture japanner which is the same trade undertaken by his 24 year old son Ernest. Wife Martha, 50 has been married for 27 years and had 6 children, 5 still alive. Benjamin A. is 25 employed as an order clerk for a firm of wholesale stationers, Herbert V. at 21 is an assistant in a boot shop, Arthur, 17 is a junior clerk at a stockbrokers firm whilst George W.F? is 13 and still at school [ is this Frederick?].
On 31st May 1914 at St. Andrew’s Church, Bethnal Green Benjamin Henry Ede, 26, an oilman of 2 St. Jude Street, Bethnal Green, son of Benjamin deceased, a cabinet maker married Esther Rosetta Sawyer. 25, a blouse machinist of 4 Seabright Street, daughter of William Henry Sawyer a packing case maker. The witnesses were William and Rosetta Sawyer.
His wife Esther was baptised at St. Andrew, Bethnal Green on 5th August 1881, the daughter of William Henry (a packing case maker) and Rosetta Sawyer of 65 Longner Road. In 1911 this family are at 54 Middleton Street, Bethnal Green where Esther is a 22 year old blouse machinist born at Mile End. Her father states he was born at Roehampton whilst her mother Rosetta, 46 is a trouser machinist who has been married for 27 years and had 7 children, all of whom had survived.
Benjamin stated he was 28 (in fact he was 31), an Oil and Colourman Assistant living at 2 St. Jude Street, Bethnal Green when he became Private No. 112612 in the Royal Army Medical Corps on 14th April 1917. He died of Pneumonia on 17th February 1919 at the Military Hospital in Bethnal Green having served 1 year and 310 days. He had spent 209 of those days being part of the Egyptian Force in the Middle East.
Benjamin and Esther had 2 sons born in 1915 and 1917 in Bethnal Green and his wife received his British and Victory medals. When his wife filled in a form in 1920? (she re-married in October 1920) requiring her to name her late husband’s relatives she stated ‘none’ against her husband’s parents details – in fact they both died in 1927. She disclosed that two of his brothers were in the Royal Navy, Arthur aged 29 and Frederick 25 a musician on H.M.S. “Orion” at Portland
EDE, Frederick. 9th March, 1896 – after 1919
In 1911 aged 14 Frederick may have been on the “Exmouth” Training ship at Grays, Essex but on 17th May 1919 he enlisted in the Royal Marines Band as No. 1864. Eight days later banns were called at St. Jude’s Church, Bethnal Green for Frederick Ede, 23 of HMS ‘Orion’ and Rosetta Sawyer, 19 of 8 Peel Grove, Bethnal Green. They were married on 14th June 1919 – Frederick Ede, 23, musician, Royal Marine Band of 4 St. Jude Street, son of Benjamin Henry deceased, a cabinet maker and Rosetta Sawyer, 19 of the same address, daughter of William Henry, a packing case maker. The witnesses were George Walter Maze and Florence Allen. So, Frederick married his brother Benjamin’s sister-in-law.
Stoker 1st Class RN Henry Edward Elderton Service number K/12072 
Ship Royal Navy H.M.S. “Coventry”
Date of birth 4th quarter 1890
Date of death 11th March 1919
Age at death 27 years
His Story
Driver William Henry Elfain Service number T/26076
Regiment Royal Army Service Corps M.T.
Date of birth 1st quarter 1888
Date of death 22nd May 1919
Age at death 31 years
His Story
Boy 1st Class RN G.W. Ellerbeck Service number J/79594
Boy 1st Class RN Ship Royal Navy H.M.S. “Curacoa”
Date of birth 24th February 1902
Date of death 21st November1918
Age at death 16 years
His Story
HMS Curacoa
Rifleman H.J. Fane Service number S/331
Regiment Rifle Brigade 9th Bn.
Date of birth 19th June 1894
Date of death 1st September 1915
Age at death 21 years
His Story
Ordinary Seaman C.A. Fearn Service number LZ/8262 
Regiment Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve R.N. Depot
Date of birth 14th December 1899
Date of death 28th January 1918
Age at death 18 years
His story
Private J. Ferret Service number 13212
Private Regiment Lincolnshire Regiment 8th Bn.
Date of birth 20th November 1885
Date of death 17th July 1920
Age at death 34 years
His Story
JOHN FERRET: Born 20 November 1885, Bromley by Bow. His father was the Landlord of the Duke of Wellington, Devas St, where by 1901 John was working as a Potman and Barman. On 25 May 1911, aged 25 John married Jane (surname unknown) at Christ Church, West Ham. Two daughters, Blanche and Rose were born during the next three years. John worked as a labourer before enlisting at Stratford, East London, in September 1914. He joined the Lincolnshire Regiment, was wounded at Arras April 1917, shipped back to the UK for treatment and finally discharged as medically unfit on 18 May 1918. John and Jane celebrated the birth of a son (also called John) on 10 May 1918. John Snr died 17 July 1920 aged 35.
Private J.C. Field Service number 1936 
Regiment London Regiment 7th Bn. transf. to (697753) Labour Corps
Date of birth 20th August 1892
Date of death 10th February 1920
Age at death 27 years
His Story
Sapper J.T. Ford Service number WR/336688 
Regiment Royal Engineers Inland Waterways and Docks
Date of birth 25th January 1882
Date of death 16th June 1918
Age at death 37 years
His Story
Able Seaman W.S. Foskett Service number LZ/3075 
Regiment Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Drake Bn. R.N. Div
Date of birth 18th February 1898
Date of death 25th June 1917
Age at death 19 years
His Story
Greaser J.D. Fox Service number 552879
Ship Mercantile Marine H.M.S. “Orama”
Date of birth 1st quarter 1891
Date of death 2nd November 1917
Age at death 26 years
His Story
Rifleman H.S. Fricker Service number S/22959
Regiment Rifle Brigade 15th Bn
Date of birth 1898
Date of death 2nd January 1917
Age at death 19 years
His Story
Sapper J.H. Froggett Service number WR/355357
Regiment Royal Engineers Inland Waterways and Docks
Date of birth 5th August 1890
Date of death 23rd December 1917
Age at death 27 years
His Story
2nd Corporal J.H. Gadd Service number WR/501985 
Regiment Royal Engineers
Date of birth 26th June 1886
Date of death 17th March 1920
Age at death 34 years
His Story
Rifleman J. Gallivan Service number R/49512 
Regiment King’s Royal Rifle Corps 1st Bn
Date of birth 22nd September 1902
Date of death 5th February 1920
Age at death 18 years
His Story
Rifleman T. Gamble Service number R/39914 
Regiment King’s Royal Rifle Corps 20th Bn
Date of birth 1st quarter 1894
Date of death 23rd April 1918
Age at death 24 years
His Story
Stoker 1st RN Alfred Gibbs Service number SS/111831
Ship Royal Navy H.M.S. “Pembroke”
Date of birth 14th November 1893
Date of death 4th September 1917
Age at death 23 years
His Story
Private Albert Gibbs Service number 29746
Regiment Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1881
Date of death 26th September 1918
Age at death 38 years
His Story
Rifleman Charles Henry Godley Service number 1222 
Regiment London Regiment 17th Bn
Date of birth 1893
Date of death 20th April 1917
Age at death 22 years
His Story
Leading Fireman A. Green Service number 774816 
Ship Mercantile Marine Reserve R.F. Aux. “Montenol”
Date of birth 1888
Date of death 21st October 1918
Age at death 30 years
His Story
2nd Air Mechanic George Greenland Service number 194997 
Service Royal Air Force Aircraft Accept. Park.
Date of birth 13th June
Date of death 19th August 1918
Age at death 22 years
His Story
Private John James Griffiths Service number 20326 
Regiment Army Pay Corps
Date of birth 12th February 1897
Date of death 22nd October 1918
Age at death 21 years
His Story
Serjeant G Grote Service number 2886 
Regiment Royal Munster Fusiliers 6th Bn
Date of birth 5th July 1888
Date of death 3rd April 1917
Age at death 29 years
His Story
Sapper C. Guy Service number 1365 
Regiment Royal Engineers 1st London Field Coy.
Date of birth 11th November 1891
Date of death 3rd July 1915
Age at death 24 years
His Story
Rifleman E.C. Hale Service number B/682 
Regiment Rifle Brigade 7th Bn
Date of birth 15th September 1890
Date of death 4th January 1916
Age at death 27 years
His Story
Gunner Alfred Philip Thomas Harwood Service number 94330
Regiment Royal Field Artillery “B” Bty. 63rd Bde
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1889
Date of death 24th September 1918
Age at death 30 years
His Story
Private H.J. Hatchman Service number 524599 
Regiment Labour Corps
Date of birth 23rd December 1891
Date of death 17th September 1918
Age at death 27 years
His Story
Driver W.F. Hatton Service number 69383 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery transf. to (346182) Labour Corps
Date of birth 1st January 1897
Date of death 13th May 1918
Age at death 22 years
His Story
Private F.J.G. Hayes Service number 19694
Private Regiment Bedfordshire Regiment 8th Bn
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1877
Date of death 29th July 1918
Age at death 41 years
His Story
FRANCIS JOHN GOODMAN HAYES: Born May 1877 in Paddington, Francis had varied employment as he grew up in London. These included an Errand Boy, an Auctioneers Porter, an Insurance Canvasser and a Bill Inspector. He married Lucy Amy Curtis on July 6 1898 at West Ham and by the time of his enlistment in February 1915 (aged 37) the family consisted of four daughters and one son. Francis served in France from October 1915 to February 1918, and was medically discharged due to ill-health in April 1918 being “no longer physically fit for war” which contributed to his death aged 41 on 29 July 1918.
1st Air Mechanic Henry Thomas Helps Service number F/9588
1st Air Mechanic Henry Thomas Helps Service number F/9588Ship Royal Naval Air Service H.M.S. “Daedalus”
Date of birth 28th April 1884
Date of death 5th February 1917
Age at death 32 years
His Story
Sapper J.H. Hill Service number 33613
Regiment Royal Engineers “A” Coy
Date of birth 1st quarter 1878
Date of death 19th February 1915
Age at death 37 years
His Story
Private P. Hoffman Service number 26835 
Regiment East Surrey Regiment 12th Bn.
Date of birth 1889
Date of death 26th May 1918
Age at death 18 years
His Story
PERCY THEODORE HOFFMAN: Percy was born in 1899 in Stepney to George and Emily Hoffman. Aged one, Percy and his family had moved to Seaforth, Lancashire where his father was employed as a Colour Marker. However, by 1911 Emily, now widowed and with three young children, returned to Stepney and was living in Ratcliffe. Percy enlisted at the Whitehall Recruiting Office, joining the East Surrey Regiment. Aged 18 he died of wounds on 26 May 1918 at Stamford Street Hospital, Waterloo.
Private J.J. Holyome Service number 6446476
Private Regiment Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn
Date of birth 2nd November 1896
Date of death 13th February 1921
Age at death 24 years
His Story
The non-conformist chapel
The Anglican chapel
Before the Victorian era, all of London’s dead were buried in small urban churchyards, which were so overcrowded and so close to where people lived, worked and worshipped that they were causing disease and ground-water contamination.
An Act of Parliament was passed which allowed joint-stock companies to purchase land and set up large cemeteries outside the boundaries of the City of London. There were seven cemeteries, the ‘Magnificent Seven’ laid out about the same time (1832-41). Highgate Cemetery, where lots of famous dignitaries are buried, is the most well known: the others are Nunhead, Kensal Green, Brompton, West Norwood, Abney Park.
Private A.H. Hood Service number 21483
Private Regiment Suffolk Regiment 12th Bn.
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1887
Date of death 9th February 1916
Age at death 28 years
His Story
Private Herbert Ernest Howard Service number 3709
Private Regiment Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry 1st/1st Bucks Bn
Date of birth 4th January 1890
Date of death 24th July 1916
Age at death 26 years
His Story
HERBERT EARNEST HOWARD: Born 1890 in Plaistow to Jesse and Eliza Howard, Herbert with his three siblings (two brothers and a sister) had, by 1911, moved from West Ham to Poplar, where he found employment as a Boxmaker. Herbert enlisted at New Court Middlesex, serving with the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. He died of wounds, aged 26 on 24 July 1916 at the Royal Hospital Netley, Southampton.
Serjeant J.W. Hudson Service number 9897
Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
Date of birth 6th April 1890
Date of death 9th April 1920
Age at death 30 years
His Story
Staff Serjeant T.A. Humphreys Service number TISR/673
Regiment Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Date of birth 1868
Date of death 3rd June 1916
Age at death 47 years
His Story
1st Pte Arthur James Hurrell Service number 217063 
Regiment Royal Air Force Reserve Depot (Blandford)
Date of birth 6th November 1888
Date of death 17th June 1918
Age at death 29 years
His Story
Private J. Ives Service number 18558 
Regiment Essex Regiment trans to (634313) Labour Corps
Date of birth 22nd March 1876
Date of death 3rd February 1919
Age at death 43 years
His Story
Private A. Jacobs Service number 378706 or 17928 
Regiment Training Reserve 43rd Bn. transf to (378706) Labour Corps
Date of birth 30th November 1894
Date of death 26th November 1918
Age at death 24 years
His Story
Private Harry Jeffreys Service number 86238 
Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1893
Date of death 15th March 1919
Age at death 26 years
His Story
Rifleman A.J. Jones Service number S/10374 
Regiment Rifle Brigade “C” Coy. 7th Bn.
Date of birth 1st quarter 1886
Date of death 30th August 1916
Age at death 30 years
His Story
Alfred was born in 1887 in Poplar. His address on both the 1891 and 1901 censuses was 13 Ford Street, St Paul’s, Poplar. He enlisted on 5 May 1915, and arrived in France on 28 July 1915. His Service Record states his occupation as tunneller, and his address as 11 Wharncliffe Street, Bethnal Green. He was severely wounded and evacuated to Netley Hospital, Hampshire where he died of wounds on 30 August 1916.
Private G.W. Jones Service number CH/20137 
Regiment Royal Marine Light Infantry 4th Bn
Date of birth 22nd August 1897
Date of death 23rd April 1918
Age at death 20 years
His Story
George was born in Bromley-by-Bow on 22 August 1897. He enlisted just after his eighteenth birthday, on 22 August 1915. His address, as shown on both the 1911 Census and Death Certificate, is 40 Devas Street, Bromley-by-Bow, London. He was killed in action at Zeebrugge.
The raid on Zeebrugge was a precursor of the commando raids of WW2. In addition to the purpose of the raid, to stop German submarines from leaving their pens and attacking merchant shipping in the English Channel, it was seen as a morale-booster for the public. There was a lot of media attention in the aftermath of the raid. An elaborate funeral for Jones and West was held, with an honour guard of Royal Marines in attendence. Photos of the funeral and an accompanying write-up appeared in the Daily Mirror on 3 May 1918.
Driver John Joseph Service number CMT/390 
Regiment Army Service Corps First Army Supply Column
Date of birth 18th June 1878
Date of death 4th January 1917
Age at death 38 years
His Story
Corporal Alfred John Kearney Service number 48158 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery “A” Bty. 1 12th Bde
Date of birth 4th March 1885
Date of death 2nd May 1916
Age at death 31 years
His Story
Private W. Kelly Service number SS/2564 
Regiment Army Service Corps Labour Coy
Date of birth 18th June 1878
Date of death 19th November 1915
Age at death 36 years
His Story
Private Harry Kilbourn Service number G/24034
Regiment Middlesex Regiment 28th Bn
Date of birth 20th May 1892
Date of death 16th November 1916
Age at death 23 years
His Story
Private Alfred King Service number R/27655
Regiment Army Service Corps Labour Coy
Date of birth 17th April 1883
Date of death 5th July 1917
Age at death 34 years
His Story
Driver H.A. Kirby Service number 548585
Regiment Royal Engineers Signal Sect. Training Centre
Date of birth 1st quarter 1892
Date of death 14th April 1918
Age at death 25 years
His Story
Rifleman Frederick Kiteley Service number 210514 
Regiment Rifle Brigade 25th Bn. transf. to (591564) Labour Corps
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1878
Date of death 25th February 1919
Age at death 40 years
His Story
Corporal A.W. Lacey Service number 8313 
Regiment Army Pay Corps
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1877
Date of death 19th August 1918
Age at death 40 years
His Story
Rifleman Edwin Ladlow Service number 841786 
Regiment London Regiment 32nd Bn.
Date of birth 10th August 1884
Date of death 17th March 1920
Age at death 35 years
His Story
PTE.RMLI R.J. Lane Service number PLY/14732 
Regiment Royal Marine Light Infantry
Date of birth 2nd April 1887
Date of death 4th November 1918
Age at death 31 years
His Story
Able SMN H. Larner Service number J/34741 
Date of birth 20th January 1899
Date of death 30th July 1920
Age at death 21 years
His Story
Able Seaman RN W.B. Lennox Service number SS/9172 
Date of birth 19th May 1900
Date of death 29th December 1919
Age at death 19 years
His Story
Gunner L. Lester Service number 39398 or 39298 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery “B” Bty. 180th Bde
Date of birth 4th quarter 1886
Date of death 2nd August 1917
Age at death 30 years
His Story
Private Samuel Randall Linley Service number 12251 
Regiment Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
Date of birth 11th July 1885
Date of death 28th July 1916
Age at death 31 years
His Story
Lance Corporal E.A.J. Lissamore Service number 1213 
Regiment Royal Defence Corps
Date of birth 1st quarter 1886
Date of death 20th October 1918
Age at death 32 years
His Story
Private J.E. Littleboy Service number G/17595 
Regiment The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
Date of birth 4th February 187
Date of death 26th January 1921
Age at death 43 years
His Story
Private Robert James Lobley Service number TR/14896 
Regiment Training Reserve
Date of birth 4th March 1899
Date of death 30th May 1917
Age at death 18 years
His Story
Private Leonard Lofts Service number 8677
Regiment The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1888
Date of death 4th November 1918
Age at death 38 years
His Story
Gunner James David Long Service number 31016 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Date of birth 1st quarter 1885
Date of death 19th December 1920
Age at death 36 years
His Story
Private F. Ludeman Service number 71819 
Regiment Canadian Infantry
Date of birth 11th January 1890
Date of death 23rd September 1916
Age at death 26 years
His Story
2nd Private Reuben Lyus Service number 135071 
Regiment Royal Air Force 89th Wing
Date of birth 14th 1887
Date of death 11th July 1918
Age at death 31 years
His Story
Private Reginald William Macknish Service number 6847 
Regiment East Surrey Regiment
Date of birth 1889
Date of death 12th November 1918
Age at death 29 years
His Story
REGINALD WILLIAM MACKNISH: Born1889 in Rotherhithe, Reginald lived in Bermondsey, enlisting at Southwark, serving with the East Surrey Regiment. He disembarked in France on 25th May 1915, and served with the East Surreys until he was evacuated back to the UK. He died, aged 29, on 18 November 1918, at the Fulham Road War Hospital, due to sickness.
Gunner MM T.W. March Service number 86753 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1891
Date of death 7th October 1917
Age at death 26 years
His Story
Acting Bombardier J.B. Marshall Service number 804 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1885
Date of death 25th February 1915
Age at death 29 years
His Story
Private George Martin Service number 20737
Regiment London Regiment 7th Bn
Date of birth 1st quarter 1871
Date of death 23rd October 1917
Age at death 45 years
His Story
Stoker 1st Class RN Peter Mason Service number K26961
Regiment Royal Navy
Date of birth 13th August 1891
Date of death 12th November 1918
Age at death 27 years
His Story
TMR. MMR W.Thomas McCarthy Service number 949682
Regiment Mercantile Marine Reserve H.M.S. “Peel Castle”
Date of birth 4th quarter 1900
Date of death 15th February 1918
Age at death 17 years
His Story
Captain F.C.A. McLaglen Service number 
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Date of birth 21st May 1882
Date of death 26th May 1917
Age at death 35 years
His Story
FREDERICK CHARLES ALBERTUS McLAGLEN: The son of a Minister, Frederick was born 21 May 1882 in Bromley Kent and by 1891 he, along with his six siblings, had moved to Burdett Road, Limehouse. Aged 22, Frederick, now a police officer, married Minnie Kettley (27) on 28 February 1904, at St Michael Paternoster Royal in the City of London. The McLaglens then moved to Canada where three children were born. The family returned to England and Frederick joined the Lancashire Fusiliers, gaining temporary promotion to 2/Lt in October 1915, rising to the rank of Captain by the time of his death on 26 May 1917, aged 35. His widow Minnie never remarried and died in 1958, aged 81.
Private William George McLaughlin Service number 15944
Regiment Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Date of birth 19th October 1894
Date of death 4th October 1918
Age at death 23 years
His Story
Private J.A. McQuire Service number 3051 
Regiment Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
Date of birth 26th April 1888
Date of death 22nd October 1918
Age at death 31 years
His Story
Private Frank D. Miles Service number 6390 
Regiment London Regiment Artists Rifles
Date of birth 29th September 1894
Date of death 20th September 1918
Age at death 23 years
His Story
Rifleman W. Miller Service number 6/241 
Regiment King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Date of birth 1893
Date of death 20th September 1918
Age at death 25 years
His Story
Private W. Milton Service number 895 
Regiment Royal Defence Corps
Date of birth 1st quarter 1865
Date of death 15th May 1918
Age at death 53 years
His Story
Corporal A. Moore Service number 30993 
Regiment Royal Irish Fusiliers
Date of birth c.1888
Date of death 21st November 1918
Age at death 30 years
His Story
Driver Albert Edward Moore Service number 935173
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Date of birth 2nd June 1893
Date of death 2nd February 1918
Age at death 24 years
His Story
Airman 1st Class James Newson Service number 95202
Airman 1st Class Service Royal Air Force No. 2 Navigation and Bomb Dropping School
Date of birth 13th August 1877
Date of death 28th November 1919
Age at death 41 years
His Story
Stoker 1st Class RN John Newton Service number K/9528
Regiment Royal Navy
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1878
Date of death 22nd January 1918
Age at death 26 years
His Story
Serjeant Henry William Nicholas Service number 1135 
Regiment London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
Date of birth 20th February 1892
Date of death 28th August 1916
Age at death 24 years
His Story
Driver J.G.J. Olley Service number T/292780 
Regiment Royal Army Service Corps 560th H.T. Coy. (Aldershot)
Date of birth 20th January 1892
Date of death 20th February 1919
Age at death 27 years
His Story
Private J. Osborn Service number 91629
Regiment Royal Defence Corps
Date of birth 1st quarter 1880
Date of death 29th November 1919
Age at death 39 years
His Story
Leading Stoker RN E.S. Palmer Service number K/3790 
Regiment Royal Navy
Date of birth 22nd June 1891
Date of death 18th October 1919
Age at death 28 years
His Story
Able Seaman RN William Francis Parker Service number J/254 
Regiment Royal Navy
Date of birth 3oth April 1892
Date of death 12th November 1918
Age at death 26 years
His Story
Sapper G.A. Patmore Service number 22906 
Regiment Royal Engineers
Date of birth 13th December 1887
Date of death 11th August 1915
Age at death 28 years
His Story
Corporal W.J. Pearson Service number 230976 13403 
Regiment Wiltshire Regiment
Date of birth c.1894
Date of death 23rd November 1918
Age at death 26 years
His Story
Rifleman L.R. Perry Service number 44765 
Regiment Rifle Brigade
Date of birth 1st quarter 1900
Date of death 7th September 1918
Age at death 18 years
His Story
Rifleman Bert Pickhaver Service number 2277 or 2377 
Regiment 17th Bn. transf. to (33944) Royal Defence Corps
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1897
Date of death 11th November 1918
Age at death 21 years
His Story
Gunner G.W. Piper Service number 159650 
Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1887
Date of death 5th November 1918
Age at death 31 years
His Story
Arthur Wellesley Polybank
Rank: Private
Service number: 94837 
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Born: 4th quarter 1889
Died: 5th March 1919
Age: 29 years
His Story:
POLYBLANK*, Arthur Wellesley. 1889-1919. *Shown as POLYBANK on the war memorial.
His birth was registered in Poplar in 1889 and he was baptised on 14th May 1890 at St. Michael and All Angels, St. Leonards Road, the son of George, a shipwright and Rebecca of 243 Brunswick Road, Bromley by Bow. George was born c.1849 at Rotherhithe and he may be the person who was bound as an apprentice to Richard Waters of Limehouse on 13th February 1866 (Thames Watermen and Lightermen records).
Arthur’s parents were married in Poplar in 1875 the birthplace of his mother Rebecca French. Rebecca’s father Robert was born at Northfleet in Kent but by 1871 he and his wife Elizabeth, their son and 2 daughters plus a 10 year old grandson (Thomas F. Goss) were living at 15 Bow Lane, Poplar. Robert aged 63 and his 23 year old son William were employed as shipwrights.
In 1891 George and Rebecca are still at the above address together with their nine children, the eldest Alice is 15 whilst Arthur, the newest arrival, is 1. Sadly by 1897 both parents had died within 5 weeks of each other. Rebecca, aged 46 died on 17th January and her husband followed her on 22nd February at the age of 48. The Death Duty indexes show that George was Rebecca’s executor, whilst an A. R. Polyblank was George’s executor. Arthur would have been only 7 years of age when left an orphan.
By 1901 the siblings had moved and were living at 50 Star Lane, Canning Town, in a household headed up by their eldest brother George aged 22 who was working as a stevedore in the docks. Alice is missing but the rest of the family are occupying the whole house and the majority are working. William 18 is a butcher’s assistant, Albert 17 a printer’s warehouseman, Alfred 15 is an apprentice leather bag maker whilst Arthur 11 (presumably still a schoolboy) is assisting on a milk round. Beatrice aged 20 is a waitress but her 23 year old sister Annie has no occupation shown so perhaps she looked after the home whilst their 13 year old sister Vera, who should have been shown as a scholar but this entry is blank, seems to have changed her name from Ethel.
In the December Qtr. of 1914 Arthur married Florence Hilda Plater at Lambeth; she was born on 11th May 1888 at Wycombe? This couple had 2 children – Edgar born on 12th September 1915 and Cynthia born on 25th December 1917. Both births were registered at Lambeth.
Arthur joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as Private 94837 and died on 5th March 1919. His last known address was 169 Railton Road, Herne Hill, London, SE24 while his brother William was living at 132 Railton Road in 1911 with his wife and son. Arthur was buried in Grave No. 9719 in Square 4. If there was a stone to mark the grave it has since disappeared but the grave is just in front of a large headstone recording his mother’s French family.
Before Arthur was called up he was employed at Smithfield Market in London where his name is displayed on the Market’s war memorial.
Arthur’s widow Florence does not seem to have remarried as she is living at Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire in 1939 with her daughter Cynthia Radford and her son-in-law Eric Radford, a van driver employed by the Co-operative Society. At this time her son Edgar is married and living in Croydon employed as a Precision Fitter Mechanic with the words ‘ARP Ambulance’ also shown against his name in the 1939 Register.
One of Arthur’s brothers, Alfred Mordaunt Polyblank fortunately survived the war and distinguished himself in the submarine world. He joined the Royal Navy at Portsmouth in 1903 aged 18 and was mentioned in the London Gazette twice when he was awarded the Roumanian Cross of Military Virtue 2nd Class and received the DSM in 1919 for services in submarines. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy on 25th March 1919 as Boatman II (AB), No. 3661. It would appear he stayed in Australia for the rest of his life.
Lance Cpl George Porter Service number 29040 
Regiment Somerset Light Infantry
Date of birth 22nd October 1887
Date of death 24th May 1918
Age at death 31 years
His Story
Shoeing Smith J. Pritchard Service number 39806 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Date of birth 4th quarter 1893
Date of death 31st May 1917
Age at death 23 years
His Story
Private Edward Abrahams Service number 54236
Regiment London Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own Civil Service Rifles) 15th Battalion
Date of death 27th January 1919
Age at death
His Story
Sapper S.E. Purday Service number 1907 
Regiment Royal Engineers
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1894
Date of death 2nd December 1915
Age at death 21 years
His Story
PURDAY, Samuel Esau. 1894 – 2nd December 1915
Samuel Esau was born in 1894 at Leyton, the eldest son of Samuel Esau Purday, a plumber and his wife Nancy Finch who married on 25th December 1890 at Highbury, North London. The 1911 census for 179 Dawlish Road, Leyton, reveals this couple had been married for 21 years and had produced 10 children
At St. Mark’s church, Victoria Park on 15th July 1914 Samuel married Florence Alice Lock, a 20 year old spinster of 173 Armagh Road, Bow, daughter of Frederick a boot maker. Samuel was 22, a hot water fitter of 516 Old Ford Road, son of Samuel with the same occupation.
In 1915? Samuel enlisted at Victoria Park for the Royal Engineers as Sapper No. 1907 with the 2nd/1st London Field Company. He died aged 23 on 2nd December 1915 having served with his regiment at ‘Home’ and his death was registered at Ipswich. On 25th June 1919 his widow Florence was awarded a £4.6s.5d. gratuity.
PURDAY, Samuel Esau. c.1870–1930 aged 60
His father also named Samuel Esau saw service in WW1. Aged 45 Samuel, was part of the British Expeditionary Force and joined the Royal Army Service Corps on 27th August 1915 as Private 15881 where he was attached to the 51st Artizan Works Company.
1st Air Mechanic T.G. Rankin Service number F/24306 
Regiment Royal Naval Air Service
Date of birth 16th October 1898
Date of death 17th October 1917
Age at death 19 years
His Story
Private James Reeves Service number G/21055 
Regiment Royal Fusiliers
Date of birth 5th March 1892
Date of death 1st September 1918
Age at death 26 years
His Story
Lance Serjeant James William Restell Service number G/4535 
Regiment Middlesex Regiment
Date of birth 7th August 1895
Date of death 12th November 1918
Age at death 24 years
His Story
Engineer Lieutenant William Joseph Martin Richardson Service number 
Service Royal Navy Reserve
Date of birth 1st July 1861
Date of death 15th February 1919
Age at death 57 years
His Story
Rifleman F.A. Ricks Service number 359
Regiment Rifle Brigade
Date of birth 5th December 1884
Date of death 23rd August 1917
Age at death 33 years
His Story
Private M. Rimini Service number 20270
Regiment
Date of birth
Date of death 8th August 1915
Age at death
His Story
Private M. Rimini Service number 20270 
Regiment London Regiment
Date of birth 1871
Date of death 8th August 1915
Age at death 41 years
His Story
Michael was born to Dutch Jewish parents from Amsterdam. He was born in Whitechapel in 1871. He appeared on the 1911 Census as a greengrocer, and was living at 83 Parnell Road, Bow. He died of pneumonia at Bethnal Green Military Hospital on 8 August 1915. Given that he does not have a Medal Index Card, it would appear he was a Home Service soldier who died before having the opportunity of going overseas, and obtaining a campaign medal.
Private Alfred Thomas Ritta Service number 18564 
Regiment Royal Irish Regiment
Date of birth 6 November 1885
Date of death 5th December 1918
Age at death 33 years
His Story
Alfred was born in Bethnal Green on 5 November 1885. In July 1894, he attended Pritchard’s Road School and resided at 11 Seabright Gardens, Haggerston. In 1909 he married his wife, Nellie. He appeared on the 1911 Census as a Wood Chopper, and was living at 60 Skidmore St, Stepney. He died at Mile End Military Hospital, Bancroft Road on 5 December 1918. He received the British War Medal and Victory Medal, which suggests that he was conscripted into the army, and that he saw combat from 1916 onwards.
Private J.H. Roberts Service number 532 (S) 
Regiment Royal Marine Engineers
Date of birth 28th March 1894
Date of death 23rd October 1918
Age at death 24 years
His Story
Private J.H. Roberts Service number 118887 
Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1881
Date of death 19th July 1919
Age at death 37 years
His Story
Private H. Roney Service number 14171 
Regiment Royal Munster Fusiliers
Date of birth 1st quarter 1897
Date of death 23rd October 1918
Age at death 22 years
His Story
Henry was born in 1897 at Hackney the son of George and his wife Emma. His parents were married on 17th March 1890 at St. Thomas, Bethnal Green.
In 1901 the family have moved to Laburnham Street, Shoreditch with their sons George aged 10, Harry 4 and Alfred aged 1.
In 1911 they are to be found at 5 Triangle Terrace, Hackney where the father George. They have now been married for 21 years during which time Emma has given birth to 9 children, 3 of whom have not survived.
Henry enlisted at Finsbury for the Connaught Rangers as Private 5266 but later transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, No. 14171. He served in both regiments at ‘Home’.
Henry died on 23rd October 1918 aged 21 at Devonport Military Hospital of influenza. He was awarded the Victory and British medals which were sent to his parents at 53 North Street, Mare Street, Hackney. His mother Emma received his effects totalling £22.17s.5d.
Private T.A. Ross Service number R/37747 
Regiment Royal Fusiliers
Date of birth 30th December 1882
Date of death 17th November 1918
Age at death 36 years
His Story
Private J. Saffron Service number 1804 
Regiment London Regiment
Date of birth 30th October 1890
Date of death 12th August 1918
Age at death 28 years
His Story
Private John Salmon Service number D/18880
Regiment Norfolk Yeomanry
Date of birth 4th quarter 1881
Date of death 18th February 1919
Age at death 39 years
His Story
SALMON, John. c. 1881 – 18.2.1919
He was born in Stepney the son of John and Sarah Salmon. In 1891 the family are at 69 Silver Street. The father John is a 40 year old horse keeper/groom born at West Wratting in Cambridgeshire while his wife Sarah is 38, a native of Devizes in Wiltshire. They have 6 daughters and 2 sons. By 1901 John’s mother is a widowed 49 year old working from home as a laundress at 36 Halley Street, Stepney. Only 4 of her children are still at home.
On 15th April 1906 at St. Peter’s church in Stepney John was married to Violet Frances Amelia Batson, 22.
The 1911 census for 20 Jupp Road, Mile End, reveals Thomas Batson 51 as a tea cooper and general labourer born in the parish of St. Matthias, Bethnal Green. Wife Frances was born in Wickham Market, Suffolk and has been married 29 years and had 6 children but one has died; she is now employed as a trouser finisher. Her 2 daughters, both in their mid-20s are working in the leather trade whilst their 19 year old brother is a general labourer.
John and Violet Salmon had 2 young sons born before the 1911 census where they were living at 54 Shepton House, Bethnal Green. John’s was then employed as a butcher’s assistant.
He served with the 2nd/1st Norfolk Yeomanry as Private D/18880.
John Salmon died on 18th February 1919 at Ballinasloe Workhouse Infirmary, Co. Galway of influenza His widow Violet was paid £7.3s.1d. on 30th May 1919 which included a War Gratuity of £6.15s.
Private J.W. Samways Service number 27207 
Regiment Royal Defence Corps
Date of birth 2nd November 1869
Date of death 16th July 1918
Age at death 48 years
His Story
Joseph was born on 2nd November 1869, the son of Joseph William, a mariner, and Mary Samways (nee Long) at 4 Reynold’s Terrace, Old Church Road, Mile End Old Town. The following year his father is at sea but Joseph, his mother and two much older sisters of 15 and 17 are at 4 Old Church Road.
In 1881 he is living with his parents at 18 White Horse Street, Ratcliff where this time his father is home but still described as a mariner.
Joseph is 21 in the 1891 census and has already chosen a different way of life to his father as he is a railway porter living at his previous address with his parents. His father is shown as a general labourer aged 65, obviously too old now to go to sea and they are supplementing their wages by taking in a lodger.
On 12th June 1892 at St. Thomas’ church, Stepney, Joseph now a 22 year old signalman living at 33 Stepney Causeway married Alice Elizabeth Alchin.
Between 1896 and 1903 the family are at 12 Robeson Street where the family has increased by 3 young children between the ages of 3 and 8. Between 1905 and 1909 a Joseph Samways is living at 4 Barnes Street, Limehouse but by 1911 they are settled at 99 Ravenscroft Road, Canning Town. Now they have 7 children (none have died) aged between 18 and 7 months old – Arthur born in Canning Town.
On 28th December 1914 Joseph William Samways aged 45 and the father of 9 children, enlisted as a member of the Royal Defence Corps. He was discharged on 4th May 1917 due to illness and was issued with a Silver War Badge on 11th May (No. 172756). He received a war gratuity of £6.5s. but sadly died on 16th July 1918 aged 48.
Rifleman F.H. Sargent Service number 2783
Regiment London Regiment
Date of birth 1st August 1896
Date of death 10th August 1916
Age at death 19 years
His Story
Rifleman Charles Saward Service number 207286 
Regiment Rifle Brigade
Date of birth 7th February 1895
Date of death 21st July 1918
Age at death 23 years
His Story
Private W.J. Sawyer Service number 29436 
Regiment London Regiment
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1875
Date of death 11th March 1915
Age at death 40 years
His Story
Private C.W.Schieferstein Service number 84115 
Regiment Middlesex Regiment
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1878
Date of death 15th February 1919
Age at death 41 years
His Story
Private A.G. Scoulding Service number 189868 
Regiment Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Date of birth 4th June 1889
Date of death 25th November 1918
Age at death 26 years
His Story
Rifleman W.C.D. Scurr Service number B/203684 
Regiment Rifle Brigade
Date of birth 18th February 1897
Date of death 20th February 1917
Age at death 20 years
His Story
Lance Serjeant C.P. Shackleton Service number 7032277 
Regiment London Regiment
Date of birth 1st quarter 1893
Date of death 24th April 1918
Age at death 26 years
His Story
Rifleman William Frederick Sheers Service number 572210 
Regiment London Regiment
Date of birth 14th August 1892
Date of death 24th October 1918
Age at death 26 years
His Story
Corporal E.G. Short Service number WR/314442 
Regiment Royal Engineers
Date of birth 4th quarter 1884
Date of death 18th February 1919
Age at death 36 years
His Story
Rifleman S.E.E. Siddle Service number 576226 
Regiment London Regiment
Date of birth 1st February 1898
Date of death 13th January 1920
Age at death 21 years
His Story
Pioneer E.A. Singer Service number WR/150871
Regiment Royal Engineers
Date of birth 1st March 1897
Date of death 3rd March 1919
Age at death 22 years
His Story
Private James Richard Skinner Service number GS/M/332
Regiment Middlesex Regiment
Date of birth 13th May 1894
Date of death 8th November 1918
Age at death 24 years
His Story
Serjeant Frank Charles Victor Smith Service number 52248 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Date of birth 10th August 1891
Date of death 24th October 1918
Age at death 27 years
His Story
Bombardier H.J. Smith Service number 10157 L/19247 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1894
Date of death 15th February 1919
Age at death 24 years
His Story
Private Jack Gilbert Smith Service number 10157 
Regiment Wiltshire Regiment
Date of birth c. 1892
Date of death 15th December 1918
Age at death 23 years
His Story
Private G. Spinks Service number 19550 
Regiment Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
Date of birth 16th December 1894
Date of death 7th October 1918
Age at death 23 years
His Story
Petty Officer J. Spoel Service number 236468 
Regiment Royal Navy
Date of birth 5th July 1889
Date of death 20th April 1917
Age at death 27 years
His Story
Private W.J. Thurgood Service number 540182 
Regiment London Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own Civil Service Rifles)
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1901
Date of death 27th January 1919
Age at death 17 years
His Story
Private Frederick John Tompkins Service number L/8944
Private Regiment Surrey Yeomanry (Queen Mary’s Regiment)
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1878
Date of death 31st December 1918
Age at death 40 years
His Story
Rifleman Edwin Arthur Turner Service number A/202347 
Regiment King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Date of birth 1st quarter 1898
Date of death 9th November 1918
Age at death 21 years
His Story
Corporal J.E. Turner Service number 50450 
Regiment Royal Air Force
Date of birth 25th November 1888
Date of death 13th July 1918
Age at death 29 years
His Story
C. Serjt. Major W. Turner Service number 107170
Regiment Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
Date of birth c. 1889
Date of death 4th July 1918
Age at death 29 years
His Story
A.F.C.Vaughan Sub-Lietenant
Service number
Service Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Date of birth
Date of death 1st March 1915
Age at death
His Story
Gunner Alfred Walton Service number 109168 
Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery
Date of birth 13th December 1897
Date of death 3rd March 1919
Age at death 21 years
His Story
Driver John Waren Service number 30972 
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Date of birth 8th November 1874
Date of death 28th September 1919
Age at death 44 years
His Story
Private Richard Victor Watson Service number 357 
Regiment Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
Date of birth 14th June 1895
Date of death 5th May 1916
Age at death 20 years
His Story
Private A. W. Wessel Service number G/36294
Regiment Middlesex Regiment
Date of birth 2nd quarter 1896
Date of death 5th September 1918
Age at death 22 years
His Story
Private G.T. West Service number Ch/13569
Regiment Royal Marine Light Infantry
Date of birth 24th August 1885
Date of death 23rd April 1918
Age at death 32 years
His story
Private George Thomas West is unique among the service personnel buried in Tower Hamlets Cemetery because he is the only one to have died in action. George enlisted in the Royal Marines in 1902 in the Chatham Division. He was ‘underage’ until the 23rd August of the following year.
As well as serving at shore bases in England, such as HMS Pembroke at Chatham, George served on seven different vessels, sometimes for only a few months. At the time of the outbreak of the War, George was serving on HMS Implacable. In March 1915, George embarked for the Dardanelles where the Implacable supported the main allied landings at Cape Helles. George arrived in Singapore on February 17th 1916 and back at Devonport on 17th February 1917. He now experienced the opposite end of the Naval experience, as he served on a depot ship with the British North Russian Squadron, patrolling the White Sea. On 23rd April 1918 the Intrepid was involved in the Zeebrugge Raid when she was deliberately sunk at the entrance to the Bruges Canal to try and prevent it being used by German U-Boats. George’s body was returned to England and buried in Tower Hamlets Cemetery on 2nd May 1918. George left behind a widow, Elizabeth.
Details of George Thomas West’s life and family are available in our publication “Hidden Histories”.
Rifleman J.P.White Service number 4392 
Regiment London Regiment
Date of birth 3rd quarter 1872
Date of death 27th July 1915
Age at death 43 years
His Story
Private P. Wildig Service number DM2/224703 
Regiment Army Service Corps
Date of birth 15th March 1888
Date of death 31st October 1918
Age at death 30 years
His Story
Rifleman Alfred Williamson Service number 881508 
Regiment London Regiment
Date of birth 1888
Date of death 26th February 1919
Age at death 30 years
His Story
Private William Herbert Windebank Service number 368058 
Regiment London Regiment
Date of birth c.1897
Date of death 23rd September 1918
Age at death 23 years
His Story
William, born circa 1897 in Bethnal Green, was the grandson of William Charles Jessup and his wife Theresa and was living with them at 131 Bancroft Road, Mile End in 1911. He served with 1/11th London Regiment and the London Regiment 7th Battalion. He died on 23rd September 1918, in the No. 2 Military Hospital in Reading. He was buried in Grave R1502 on 28th September 1918.
Details of William Herbert Windebank’s life and family are available in our publication “Hidden Histories”
Private C. Wood Service number 18823 
Regiment Bedfordshire Regiment
Date of birth c.1892
Date of death 11th August 1916
Age at death 24 years
His Story
Charles Wood was born c. 1892 in Stepney. He married Norah King on 4 August 1913 at St John the Evangelist, Limehouse and they had two children Norah and Charles F. Charles enlisted in the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment at Stratford and embarked for France on 13th May 1915.The Battalion was present at the Somme offensive at Arras as well as at High Wood between 20th-25th July 1916 and Longueval from 27th-30th July 1916. Charles died at Devonport Military Hospital on 11 August 1916 and was buried in the cemetery, Grave R133, on 19 August (his surname is shown as Woods in the burial register).
Details of Charles Wood’s life and family are available in our publication “Hidden Histories”
Lance Corporal H. Wright Service number 205389 
Regiment Middlesex Regiment
Date of birth 30th March 1898
Date of death 12th April 1918
Age at death 20 years
His Story
Herbert, one of eight children of Charles and Agnes Wright, was born in 1898, St George in the East. Very few details of Herbert’s war service exist, described as 5ft 6in tall with blue eyes and light brown hair, he attested in February 1915 and was called up immediately to join the London Regiment Royal Fusiliers. Herbert died 12th April 1918, in the South Eastern Hospital in Greenwich aged 20 years and was buried in grave R1467, on 18th April 1918.
Details of Herbert Wright’s life and family are available in our publication “Hidden Histories”
Private J. Wright Service number 5563293 
Regiment Wiltshire Regiment
Date of birth 18th June 1902
Date of death 18th October 1920
Age at death 19 years
His Story
Born in Haggerston in 1902 to Robert and Fanny Wright, James served as a Lance Corporal in the Middlesex Regiment, 33 Works Battalion and died at Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, Westminster on 28th October 1920 aged 19 years. His death certificate states that his service number was 5563298 and that he was a Private in the 1st Wiltshire Regiment of Portobello Barracks, Dublin. James was buried in Grave P1403, on 28th October 1920
Details of James Wright’s life and family are available in our publication “Hidden Histories”
Private G.H. Yeo Service number G/92434 
Regiment Royal Fusiliers
Date of birth 17th October 1897
Date of death 24th November 1918
Age at death 21 years
His Story
George Henry, the eldest child of Henry and Ellen Yeo, was born in 1897. Serving in the 9th London Regiment as a Private from July 1917 to February 1918 before he transferred 18th Kings Royal Rifles Corps between July-August 1918 and then to the 3rd London Regiment. He died in the Temporary Military Hospital, Gosforth, Northumberland on 24 November 1918 and was buried in Grave R1542 on 4th December 1918.
Details of George Henry Yeo’s life and family are available in our publication “Hidden Histories”
Able Seaman Alexander Yewman Service number J/21237 
Service Royal Navy
Date of birth 5th August 1898
Date of death 17th September 1918
Age at death 21 years
His Story
Alexander Yewman, born in Bethnal Green in 1897 to George and Emma Yewman. Alexander joined the Royal Navy and can be found on HMS Ganges on 22nd November 1912 aged 15 as a Boy II. He then served on HMS Victory Ibefore going to sea, on HMS Fearless on which he would become an Ordinary Sailor on his 18th birthday. He served on several ships before being transferred to HMS Glatton on 31st August 1918, his last ship. Alexander died of injuries on 17th September 1918 at the Military Hospital Dover the day after the ship exploded. He was buried in Grave R1489 on 26th September 1918.
Details of Alexander Yewman’s life and family are available in our publication “Hidden Histories”