WOOLWICH POLYTECHNIC: DEAD OF THE GREAT WAR

ADAMS, Ralph Ewart

Student of the Secondary School, 1906-1910 (RWP 1919, p.1). Second son of Mr & Mrs Edwin Adams of 17 Greenvale Road, Eltham (KIKM August 4th 1916; WPR), although recorded as ‘Son of Mrs L.J. Adams of Greenvale Road, Eltham, London’ by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. He was born on August 10th 1895 and his father was a clerk in the War Office. He joined the Woolwich Polytechnic Day School on September 11th 1906, leaving after 11 terms on April 15th, 1910, to himself become a clerk. His class report for the session 1909-1910 indicates that he was not a natural scholar; in the language of the day his tutors have marked his conduct as ‘often unsatisfactory’ or even ‘very unsatisfactory indeed’, and he was detained behind school on up to 23 times. His position in a class of 30 was middling, but the notes of his masters indicates that his work was ‘careless and irregular’ or ‘unsatisfactory’ (WPR).

300816, Rifleman, 1/5th Battalion, County of London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade). (WPM Jan 1916, p.3; SD, vol. 76). Formerly 1325, Rifleman, 5th London Regiment (MIC). He enlisted in London, first entering the war zone in France on September 23rd 1915, and was killed in action, July 1st 1916 (SD vol. 76; MIC). Rifleman Adams was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal (‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’; MIC). The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail reported in a three line notice that ‘Rifleman Ralph E. Adams ...has been officially reported as missing since July 1st’ on August 4th 1916 under the headings ‘War Casualties. Some local heroes’.

Rifleman Adams has no known grave, having been posted missing, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme in France. He is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.

The London Rifle Brigade was in action as part of the 56th Division (169th Brigade) attack at Gommecourt, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The London Rifle Brigade attacked at the south of the Salient, opposing ‘Feu’ trench. The first two lines were taken, but by evening, they had to withdraw, suffering heavy casualties. Several graves of unidentified London Rifle Brigade soldiers killed on July 1st 1916 exist in Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery, Foncquevilliers.

ALLAN, Matthew Harley

Student of the Polytechnic. In September 1909 he enrolled on evening classes, and continued his studies until the outbreak of war (WPM Jan 1916, p.7). He was a resident of Silvertown in East London (SD, vol. 76). Records of his attendance of the Woolwich Polytechnic shows that he was enrolled on course ‘M2’, and was an apprentice draughtsman for N. Tate & Sons, and gave his address as ‘Laxfield’, Lew Road, Abbey Wood. Classes taken where Practical Maths, Engineering Drawing and Mechanical Engineering; he achieved marks between 85 and 90% and was ranked first or second in his class for these subjects. Clearly gifted, he also gained prizes for his endeavours, particularly for Mechanical Engineering, during the Session 1911-1912, gaining a Polytechnic Prize worth 10/- (WPR). His name is variably spelt as Allan, Matthew H. (listed this way in the WPM, WPR and MIC), or Allen Matthew. H. (on the Polytechnic Plaque, in the CWGC and in the WWM). The spelling as given in the Polytechnic records is taken as the correct one.

3077, Corporal, ‘A’ Company, 14th Battalion, County of London Regiment (London Scottish), (WPM Jan 1916, p.3; SD, vol. 76). Promoted from private, he first entered the battlezone in France on March 18th 1915, and died of wounds in France on September 28th, 1915 (WPM Jan 1916, p.7; MIC). Corporal Allen was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal (‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’; MIC). His death was reported in the first issue of the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (Jan 1916). His brief obituary recorded that his platoon commander wrote: ‘He was very keen and sure, a fine NCO; and on September 25th, his management of his men, his coolness, and above all, his cheering wit, were wonderful’.

Corporal Allan is buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, near Bethune, France, in Plot I, Row C, Grave 43. This cemetery was used by the British for burials from June 1915 to August 1917, and contains may that died in the September battles for Loos, with many badges of Scottish infantry regiments present. The cemetery has the grave of a Major General of Artillery and his Major, killed in 1917. Overall the cemetery has a very sombre air, with many graves packed closely together between the family tombs of the French locals. His grave marker bears no personal epitaph from his family, and in August 1997 was deeply weathered and in a relatively poor state. Corporal Allen is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour, where he is recorded as ‘Allen, H.M’.

The London Scottish attacked at Loos on September 25th 1915, as part of the 47th Division.

ATKINS, James

Student of the evening classes of the Polytechnic from September 1912 to April 1914. Records of the Woolwich Polytechnic show that he was a wireman for the Woolwich Arsenal, and that he lived at 46 Benares Road, Plumstead. His age was given as 37; he was enrolled on ‘W2’ in the Mechanical Engineering Department, with courses taken in Electrical Engineering and Electrical Wiring (WPR).

Able Seaman, HMS. Hogue. Died 22nd Sept, 1914 (WPM Jan 1916, p.3 & 7). His death was reported in the first issue of the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (Jan 1916) which stated that he was ‘drowned whilst serving as an Able Seaman on HMS Hogue’.

Able Seaman Atkins has no known grave, having died at sea, but is commemorated on the Royal Naval Memorial, Great Lines, Chatham, as: ‘Atkins, J. Able Seaman’. This impressive memorial on the high ground to the south of Chatham dockyard is of simple design but is a fitting memorial to all seamen who have no known grave. Able Seaman Atkins is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.

On September 22nd 1914 the British cruisers HMS Hogue, HMS Aboukir and HMS Cressy, all of 12 000 tons displacement, were torpedoed in the North Sea, 20 miles off the Dutch coast, south of the Dogger Bank, by the German U-boat commander Lt Otto Weddigen. The Hogue was torpedoed going to the aid of the Aboukir, and was hit twice before exploding. Both the Hogue and the Cressy were easy targets because they were trying to save the lives of the men on the Aboukir, and were stationary, with engines stopped. Over 60 officers and 1300 men were lost in this action (LCC, p. 135).

BAILEY, Vincent William

Student of the evening classes from September, 1913. Born in Camberwell, Surrey, and resident of East Dulwich (SD, vol. 58). Son of William Joseph and Eliza Bailey of ‘Ardmay’, 11, Townley Rd, East Dulwich, London (CWGC). He was employed as a telephone engineer by Siemens, and prior to joining the Polytechnic he attended Alleyus College. He was enrolled on two courses of practical mathematics, electricity and magnetics, and telephony. However, his attendance was relatively low, achieving just over 50% of the potential attendance hours, with correspondingly low class and homework marks for the year 1913 (WPR).

9818, Private, ‘C’ Company, 5th Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment) (WPM Jan 1916, p.3; SD, vol. 58; CWGC). He enlisted at Battersea, London, and first arrived in the Aegean on June 30th 1915, and was killed in action on August 10th 1915, aged 19 (SD, vol. 58; MIC). Private Bailey was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal (‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’; MIC). His death was reported in the first issue of the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (Jan 1916) which recorded that: ‘Vincent W. Bailey who was serving with H.M. forces in the Dardanelles, and who was officially reported ‘ Missing’ on August 10th 1915’ (WPM Jan 1916, p.7).

Private Bailey has no known grave, having been posted missing, and is commemorated on the British Memorial to the Missing of the Gallipoli Campaign at Cape Helles, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey, Panel 156-158. This memorial records over 20,000 British servicemen who lost their lives in the Gallipoli Campaign, but who have no known grave. It is impressive and less often visited than the memorials close to Anzac Cove where Private Bailey was killed. The Helles Memorial solemnly overlooks the Dardanelles. Private Bailey is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour, where he is listed as ‘Bailey, W.V.’.

The 5th Wiltshires were involved in the Battle for Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 10 August 1915, when they attacked Chunuk Bair. This attack was a disaster; the Wiltshires being mown down by the Turkish defenders on top of the ridge.

BILLS, Richard James

Member of the Football section, Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club (KIKM, Sept 28 1917). Student, listed in the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine Prize Distribution Programme for the Session 1895-1896, as having received an Institute Certificate in shorthand.

Gunner, 325th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died September 17th 1917 (CWGC) also recorded as September 16th, 1917 (WWM). His death was reported in the Woolwich Polytechnic A.C. Notes in the Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail for September 28th 1917, as having made ‘the great sacrifice on the Western Front’. Richard Bills is absent from the Roll of Honour and Roll of Active Service of the Polytechnic, published in the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine for May 1921. He is also not listed under the Royal Regiment of Artillery (RHA, RFA or RGA) volumes of Soldiers Died in the Great War. His name was omitted from the original memorial plaque.

Gunner Bills is buried at Ramscapelle Road Military Cemetery, St Georges, near Nieuport, Begium, Plot I, Row BA, Grave 25. This cemetery was created after the Armistice from isolated graves and small cemeteries in the vicinity. He is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.

BIRD, Henry Charles

Student, and member of the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club. Son of Robert Charles and M. Bird of 66 Samuel Street, Woolwich, London (CWGC). He entered the polytechnic as a pupil of the Secondary School in 1902 (RWP 1919, p.1). In 1906 he entered the Arsenal as a trade lad (engineering apprentice) and, after passing through the four years course, continued as an evening student until his enlistment of the outbreak of the war (WPM Jan 1916, p.7; WPR). His record cards for the ages of 14-16 (sessions 1906-07, 1907-08; 1908-09) show that he was bright; he excelled in geometry, mathematics, mechanics of solids and freehand and engineering drawing, commonly achieving second or first class marks, and gaining Institute prizes, such as a Grade 1, 2nd Class Pass in Structural Engineering for the Session 1911-1912. Incongruously, however, he also managed to regularly fail in classes in magnetism and electricity.

Deal/1280 (S), Sapper, Royal Marine Engineers, Royal Naval Division (CWGC). Elsewhere reported as Bluejacket, Royal Naval Division (WPM Jan 1916, p.4), or alternatively Sapper, Royal Engineers (WMM Roll of Honour). He died of typhoid, on July 5th, 1915, aged 23 (WPM Jan 1916, p.7; CWGC). His death was reported in the first issue of the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (Jan 1916) which stated that: ‘at the Dardanelles, died in hospital of Enteric’. In the May 1916 issue of the Magazine, it was noted that: ‘Speaking of members who had served or were serving at the front, Mr McCoy [Secretary of the Athletic Club] regretted the death of H. Bird...’ (WPM May 1916, p. 22). His name was recorded on the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club Memorial Tablet in the ‘Den’ (WPM Jan 1921, p.39).

Sapper Bird’s active service career was briefly followed in the Woolwich Polytechnic A.C. Notes column of the Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail. In the issue for March 5th 1915 it was noted that: ‘The clubs best wishes are extended to Harry Bird, who left England with the Naval Brigade under sealed orders on Monday last’. In that for July 2nd 1915 it was reported that: ‘Harry Bird is at present lying seriously ill with enteric at the Dardanelles.’. Finally, his death was noted in the column for July 16th: ‘It is with profound regret that we have to record the death from enteric at Malta of Harry Bird, one of the club’s most esteemed members.’ This final piece noted that he was formerly on the Drawing Office Staff of the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Woolwich Arsenal, and joined the Royal Naval Division, Engineers, shortly after the outbreak of the war. He was a member of the YMCA, and played football for them. In the column for January 14th 1916 the editor commented: ‘It is interesting to note that of all the club fellows who have served their country during this crisis that only three casualties have so far been recorded, one being fatal, Harry Bird, who died of enteric at the Peninsula’, which seemed to tempt fate somewhat.

Sapper Bird is buried at Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery, in Grave Prot. 257. Malta was one of the destinations for the evacuation of sick and wounded from Gallipoli. He is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.

BLACKWELL, Gerald Davis

Student and member of the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club. He was the eldest son of John and Eliza Emily Blackwell, and brother of John Davis Blackwell (aged 17 in 1917), all of whom lived at ‘The Gables’, Granville Avenue, West Hartlepool (CWGC; OR). However, he was born on October 9th, 1893 at Waldegrave road, Brighton, Sussex (CWGC; OR). His Polytechnic record sheet shows that, previously privately educated, he attended as a student for at least the sessions 1912-13 and 1913-14, and was enrolled on a practical mathematics course for which he gained 86% in homework marks. He was 19 when registered in 1913-14, and was working as an Engineering Draughtsman for Fraser & Chalmers Ltd of Erith. His address, probably local ‘digs’ was given as c/o Mrs Marshall, Tower Hill, Belvedere (WPR).

Lieutenant, 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, attached 47th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) (WPM Oct 1917, p.13; OD; CWGC; MIC). Also listed as Second Lieutenant, Northumberland Fusiliers by the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (WPM Jan 1916, p.4). Killed in action at the Battle of Messines on June 7th, 1917, aged 23 (CWGC). Lieutenant Blackwell was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal (‘Mutt and Jeff’). Interestingly, his Medal Index Card states: ‘No record of Mention in Despatches’, although it is recorded in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission register that he had been ‘Entered in the records of the Irish Division for gallant conduct and devotion to duty’. This form of gallantry award was internal to the 16th (Irish) Division, and was a kind of ‘mention in despatches’ signed by the Major-General commanding. It is likely that Lieutenant Blackwell was serving with the Machine Gun Corps at the time of this award.

Lieutenant Blackwell’s records survive in the Public Records Office. He originally joined the army on August 28th, 1914 with the rank of Sapper in the 65th Field Company, Royal Engineers. He applied for a commission in the Engineers or Infantry on February 12th 1915 while his unit was based in Curragh, Ireland. His application was approved on April 20th 1915—for the infantry, a reference dating from March 31st noting that his work had been satisfactory, and that he was gentlemanly, but that he had no special qualifications to be an engineer officer. He was initially posted to the 15th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, commencing training on the 27th April with the 18th South Lancashire Infantry Brigade at Tunbridge Wells. On May 16th 1915 he was attached to the 2/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers for ‘duty and training’. He must then have proceeded to the Western Front. He received promotion in 1916, being gazetted Lieutenant on November 1st, and was granted at least one period of ‘10 days leave’, from November 17th-27th 1916. He attended a course at the Machine Gun School in Camiers from December 26th 1916 to January 14th 1917, and must have been attached to the 47th Company of the Machine Gun Corps from this date, being killed in action on June 7th, 1917.

Gerald Blackwell’s death was noted in two lines in the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (October 1917) as Killed in Action - June 7th, 1917. (WPM Oct 1917, p.13). His name was recorded on the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club Memorial Tablet in the ‘Den’ (WPM Jan 1921, p.39).

Lieutenant Blackwell is buried at La Laiterie Military Cemetery, Kemmel, Belgium, in Plot II, Row AA, Grave 18. This cemetery was constructed near a dairy farm on the Kemmel-Ypres road, by a railway halt, and was used by the British from November 1914 to October 1918. According to his records in the PRO, this was his original burial site. La Laiterie cemetery is still situated on the main road from Ypres into Kemmel, and is unusual because it has graves arranged into regimental plots. Lieutenant Blackwell’s grave marker bears the cap badge of the Northumberland Fusiliers, but notes that he was of the Northumberland Fusiliers and the Machine Gun Corps. It is situated amongst other graves of his regiment which bear the date ‘7th June 1917’. His grave bears the personal epitaph from his family:

June 7th was the opening day of the Battle of Messines. It is possible that Lt Black

BOAK, Horace Percy

Staff, Junior clerk in the general office, April 1915-December 1916. Came to the Polytechnic from Clark’s College (WPM Dec 1918, p.17). Born in Hammersmith (SD vol. 36). Son of Percy and Frances Boak, of 81, Tantallon Road, Balham, London (CWGC).

26881, Private, 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment (WWM; SD vol. 36; CWGC). He is listed in the PRO (on the Medal Index Cards), with the same regimental number, but as a private in the 13th Battalion of the East Surreys. He is also alternatively listed as Corporal in the same regiment by the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (WPM Dec 1918, p. 17), but this is not supported by the other documentary evidence. He enlisted at Woolwich, and was killed in action on October 20th 1918, aged 19 (SD, vol. 36; CWGC). Private Boak was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal (‘Mutt and Jeff’). His death was reported in the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine for December 1918: Corporal Horace P. Boak...fell in action, in France, on 20th October 1918’ (WPM Dec 1918, p.17).

Private Boak is buried in Bethencourt Communal Cemetery, west of Le Cateau, France, in Row C, Grave 19. Burials in this cemetery are casualties of the Battle of Le Cateau in August-September 1914, and of the Advance to Victory in October 1918. He is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.

BOON, Charles

Student of the Art School, 1911-1916. He was enrolled as a full-time Day student of the School of Art and was clearly a gifted student, as he regularly gained prizes and scholarships for his work. For example, for the Session 1911-1912 he achieved a Polytechnic Prize, worth 7s 6d; for 1913-1914 he gained a L.C.C. Evening Exhibition in Art to the value of £3 per session with free tuition at Woolwich (reported in the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine for January 1916), and in 1914-1915 he won a National Competition in Art Book Prize to the value of £1 awarded by the Board of Education (WPR) and a Sessional Course Certificate (WPM May 1916). Charles Boon was born in Plumstead on August 24th 1897 (SD vol. 2; WPR), and was the son of Charles John and Marion Annie Boon, of 39, Plum Lane, Plumstead, London (CWGC).

146229, Bombardier, 403rd Battery, 220th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He enlisted at Woolwich, and died of wounds in Mesopotamia on 26th October 1918, aged 21 (SD vol. 2; CWGC).

Bombardier Boon has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial to the Mesopotamian Campaign, Shatt-al-Arab, Iraq, Panel 3 and 60. This memorial records over 40 000 Commonwealth dead from the campaign. He is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.
 
 
 
 

BROWN, James Alexander Charles

Student of the Secondary School, 1909-1913 (WPM Oct. 1917, p. 12; RWP 1919, p.1). He was born in Charlton, and was a resident in Eltham (SD vol. 57). Son of James Alexander, a carpenter, and Lilian Annie Brown, of 42, Earlshall Road, Eltham, London (CWGC; WPR). His date of birth was January 21st 1898, and he first entered the Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary School, from L.C.C. ‘Gordon School, Eltham, on September 14th, 1909, finally leaving on April 11th 1913. His record sheet for the year 1909-10 shows that he improved through the year; initially gaining remarks such as inattentive or fair for his first two terms, but becoming good and very good in the last term of the year (WPR).

R/11756, Rifleman, 21st Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (WMM; SD vol. 57). He enlisted at Cockspur Street, Middlesex, joining the King’s Royal Rifles in April 1915, and proceeded to France in July of that year (WPM Oct 1917, p.12-13; SD vol. 57). Killed in Action, September 20th 1917, aged 19 (CWGC; SD vol. 57), although this date was recorded as September 19th by the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (WPM, Oct 1917, p.12-13). His death was recorded in the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine for October 1917 (p. 12-13) which noted: ‘We have received the sad intelligence that Rifleman J.A. Charles Brown was killed in action....He was invalided to England after an attack of trench fever contracted in July, 1916, and returned to France in August 1917.’ His officer, Second-Lieutenant Carter wrote to his mother to explain that he: ‘died in a preliminary encounter with the enemy before the great advance of September 20. As far as I can tell he was killed by a sniper’s bullet and died instantly without pain.’ His friend, Rifleman Beaumont, wrote: ‘I was a chum of your son and he asked me if anything should happen to him, would I write and let you know, and I am very sorry to say that he was killed on Wednesday, September 19th, while we were out reconnoitring....On this fatal morning our company was I support trenches. Four of us....were picked out as a reconnoitring patrol. We went over the top to find out all we could about the enemy. We had not gone far before a German sniper spotted us, but we stuck to our work. We got it hot from those German snipers, and you cannot fight a hidden enemy. We were within 50 yards of our trench when your son was shot....A bullet at the same time went through my right thigh...’ (WPM Oct 1917, p.12-13). A short notice of his death was published under the title “War Casualties’ in the Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail for October 19th, 1917.

Rifleman Brown is buried in Oxford Road Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium, in Plot III, Row A, Grave 2. This cemetery was used by units fighting in this area from August 1917 to April 1918, and plots II, III and IV were made by the concentration of graves from the areas to the east and southeast of Ypres. It is a pretty cemetery, surrounded now by suburban houses. His grave bears the personal epitaph:

Rifleman Brown is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.

The Third Battle of Ypres was fought from September 6th to October 3rd, 1917. It was composed of a number of complementary actions, one of which was the Battle of the Menin Road, was launched on 20th September on an eight-mile front straddling the Ypres-Menin Road. The 21st KRRC formed part of the 41st Division (124th Brigade) attack south of the Menin Road near Unknown Copse on this day.

BUCK, Arthur

Student of the Polytechnic from 1909-1914, gaining an Institute Bronze Medal, and in 1913 winning a Whitworth Exhibition (WPM Dec 1918, p.17). Son of Joseph A. and Mary Ann Buck, of 48, Avenue Road, Erith, Kent (CWGC). His student’s record sheet for the session 1913-14 shows that he was employed as an Engineer’s Apprentice at the Royal Arsenal, and that he had previously attended Erith Secondary School. His current address was given as 10 Church Road, Erith. Arthur Buck was a bright scholar; he was enrolled on course ‘M4’ which involved studies in pure maths, applied mechanics, and mechanical engineering, and he achieved first place in all of these, and average homework marks of 85-95%. He was awarded a Arsenal Trade Lad’s Prize (20/-) for the Session 1911-1912, and a Polytechnic Prize worth 20/- and a certificate during session 1913-14 (WPR).

Lieutenant (Temporary), Royal Engineers, attached 67th Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery (CWGC; OD). He was initially recorded as Corporal, Royal Naval Divisional Engineers in the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine for January 1916 (WPM Jan 1916, p.4), and later Lieutenant, Royal Engineers (WPM Dec 1918, p.17; OD). His Medal Index Card gives his initial service number as 223/RNDE. He was killed in action in France, September 9th 1918, aged 25 (CWGC). Lieutenant Buck was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal (‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’; MIC). His death was reported in the December 1918 issue of the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine, which outlined his military record: ‘during the war he first served with the R.N. Division in Gallipoli, and was afterwards transferred to the R.E. as Lieutenant. He then served with the New Zealand Brigade in France, and for the last 12 months had been O.C. Signals, 67th Brigade, RGA.‘ (WPM Dec 1918, p.17).

Lieutenant Buck is buried in Fosse No.10 Communal Cemetery Extension, Sains-en-Gohelle, France, in Plot III, Row D, Grave 19. This cemetery was used by the British from March 1916. It is forms a small, well-tended enclave of British—mostly Canadian—graves in a communal cemetery and adjacent to a French military cemetery. His grave bears the personal epitaph:

BURTON, Charles Edward

Student of the Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary School, 1909-1914 (WPM Jan 1916, p.1). Second son of Arthur R. Burton, whose occupation was given in the Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary School records as a ‘carman’, and Alice Burton, of 9, Cambridge Place, Plumstead (CWGC; WPR; KIKM Dec 28, 1917). Charles Burton was born on October 4th 1897, and was educated at Fox Hill L.C.C. School, Woolwich before entering the Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary School on September 14th, 1909. He was granted exemption from fees by the L.C.C., and left the Polytechnic on January 23rd, 1914, when he ‘entered Mr Thomas’ office, Borough Treasurer, Woolwich’ (WPR). His record card for the year 1909-10 shows that he was a competent scholar, with ‘satisfactory’ and ‘very satisfactory’ conduct and work (WPR). He belonged to St Margaret’s Church Social Club and was an active member of both the cricket and football sections, and he worked for the Woolwich Borough Council in the Borough Treasurer’s Department as a junior clerk in the Electricity Stores Accounts Branch at 44, Powis Street (KIKM Dec 28, 1917).

81304, Private, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) (CWGC). Died October 4th 1917, aged 20 (CWGC). The Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine reported that: ‘he joined up in May, 1915, in the Army Ordnance Corps, but was transferred to the Machine-Gun Corps, early in 1917, and went to France for the second time on 13th February 1917’ and that ‘he had died of wounds received 28th April 1917, on his 20th birthday, October, 4th 1917, at the 4th Norton General Hospital, Lincoln’ (WPM Oct. 1917, p.13).

The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail for December 28th, 1917 reported Private Burton’s death under the title: ‘Died on his Birthday. Machine Gunner Charles Edward Burton’. It added further information on the military service of Charles Burton: ‘He enlisted in the Army Ordnance Corps in May 1915, was sent to France in the following October, and for some time was stationed at Marseilles, being attached to the Indian Expeditionary Force. He was called home in October 1916, and transferred to the Lincoln Regiment. After a course of training he qualified as a first class machine gunner, and for the second time was sent to France in February, 1917. He was seriously wounded at Arras on 28th April, and had the misfortune to lie in the open for about 24 hours before being picked up. He was brought home to hospital in Lincoln, where for five months he bore intense suffering most patiently, and died on his birthday, 4th October 1917, aged 20 years.’

Private Burton is buried in Woolwich (Plumstead) Cemetery, London, in Grave K.1235. This cemetery contains 105 scattered war graves. He is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.

CAVEY, Sidney J.

Student of the Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary School, entering the school in September 1897-1899 (WPM, Jan 1916, p.7; RWP 1919, p.1). The Eighth Annual Prize Distribution Programme for the session 1898-99 records that Sidney Cavey was awarded a Third Class, Society of Arts, Book-keeping prize. He was a member of ‘an old Plumstead family’, and son of Mr W.J. Cavey, native of Plumstead (CWGC). He moved to Sydney, Australia to be a farmer, after an initial move, with his father, to Huntingdonshire (KIKM, Friday Nov 12th, 1915).

357, Corporal, 13th Battalion, Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force (WPM Jan 1916, p.4; CWGC). Died of ‘sickness’ on October 11th 1915 (CWGC). His death was reported in the first issue of the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (Jan 1916) which recorded that he: ‘died of wounds in hospital at West Mudros’ (WPM Jan 1916, p.7). He was 31. The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail published an obituary and photograph on November 5th 1915, under the title ‘Died whilst serving’. The newspaper piece finished with the line ‘He gave it all up to fight for the old country’.

Corporal Cavey is buried in Portianos Military Cemetery, Mudros Bay, Imbros, Greece, in Plot V, Row B, Grave 106.

Mudros Bay, on the Greek island of Imros, was the base of operations for the Gallipoli campaign, and Corporal Cavey was obviously a participant in this campaign. Gallipoli was evacuated on December 20th 1915.

CHALMERS, John Cyril, M.M.

Member of the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club; ‘an enthusiastic member of the hockey section’, of which he was the secretary (KIKM Oct. 27 1916;WPM Jan 1917, p. 5). He was educated at L.C.C. Shoreditch Institute, and had been a choir boy with All Saints Church, Herbert Road, Plumstead (KIKM Oct. 27 1916). He worked as a teacher, employed by the London County Council (LCC, Appendix, p.141). Eldest son of John Joseph and Mary Alice Chalmers, of ‘The Oaks’, 127A, Eglinton Road, Plumstead, London (KIKM Oct. 27 1916; CWGC).

Second Lieutenant (Temporary), 20th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, (1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish) (LCC p.53; OD; CWGC; OR). Alternatively listed as 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers by the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (WPM Jan 1917, p.5). His Medal Index Card indicates that he was originally in the ranks of the Cameron Highlanders, regimental number 2050, originally as a Private, but subsequently as an acting Company Serjeant Major. He first entered France, presumably with the Cameron Highlanders on December 19th, 1915 (MIC). He was commissioned on September 9th, 1916, and was killed in action on October 15th 1916, aged 24 (WPM Jan 1917, p.5; CWGC; MIC; OR), although his date of death is recorded as October 16th 1916 by the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour. Second Lieutenant Chalmers was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in France while he was Serjeant, acting Company Serjeant Major, in the 1/4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders, and this was published in the London Gazette of October 27th 1916 (Registered paper 68/121/57). He was also awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal (‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’; MIC).

The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail printed a letter written by John Chalmers, while serving with the 4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders to his mother and father on April 2nd 1915, under the title: ‘Letter from the Front. Plumstead Man with the Camerons’. It told of his experiences close to the front, and of the relative comfort of his billets before relating his first experiences of the front line trenches: ‘The trench we were in was reckoned to be the best along the whole line. These trenches are not let into the ground, but are sand-bag works thrown up behind old trenches. There are three ‘dug-outs’ for the men to sleep in during the day (there is to be no sleeping during the night). The first night and the following day passed with very little worth comment. The following night (Monday night) we sent out a fatigue party to bring water, coke, etc. They couldn’t have got out 50 yards when a shell burst in front of them. This continued practically the whole way to headquarters, where they were making for. The next day the British returned the shelling of the previous night. The shelling in both cases passed right over our trench.’

Second Lieutenant Chalmer’s records survive in the Public Records Office. He attested as a private in the 4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders in London on September 9th 1914. He was 22 years of age, and stood at 5 feet 8^1/₂ inches, with normal vision and good development. His attestation forms show that he served in the UK until February 18th 1915, when he was transferred to the BEF the next day. His records show a rapid rise through the ranks in the Camerons: acting Lance Corporal on May 18th 1915; acting corporal, October 3rd 1915; acting Lance Serjeant on November 10th 1915; acting Serjeant on November 13th 1915, confirmed in that rank exactly a month later; acting CSM on May 24th 1916. Finally, he was appointed as Temporary 2nd Lieutenant on probation and posted to the 20th Northumberland Fusiliers on September 19th 1916. His records also preserve his charge sheet; three ‘crimes’ which must have been typical of many. The first was absence from Church Parade in Bedford on November 22nd 1914, for which he was ordered three days CB with the loss of two days pay. The other two are during his service as a Lance Corporal in France: ‘failure to be in possession of smoke helmet’ on July 22nd 1915, for which he ad to pay 2/6 for the loss; and failing to be in possession of field dressing, for which he had to forfeit one days pay. His death was notified on army form B2096, as killed in action in France on October 15th 1916, and a copy of the telegram sent to his parents on October 20th reads “Deeply regret to inform you 2Lt J.C. Chalmers 20th Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action 16 October the Army Council express their sympathy”.

His records also preserve a poignant exchange of letters from his family to the War Office. His father wrote in January 1915 offering his revolver and prismatic compass, “these are of great sentimental value to his parents, but knowing what the needs of our country just now must be for such things, I must offer these to you”. The letter also requests his son’s Military Medal awarded while serving as acting CSM in the 4th Camerons. The office of the Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores wrote back accepting Mr Chalmer’s offer on January 31st, but no letter was forthcoming in regard to the medal, prompting Mr Chalmers to enquire again in April 1917. The War Office finally replied in April, and put the medal in the hands of the Officer in Charge of Infantry Records, Perth.

Second Lieutenant Chalmers was to be the fifth member of the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club to be killed. His death was recorded in the Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail for October 27th, 1916, under a column headed: ‘Toll of War’. It noted: ‘The havoc of war has called home Second Lieut. J.C. Chalmers....The gallant young officer, who was only 24 years of age, was killed whilst patrolling on Sunday October 15th. He joined the 4th Cameron Highlanders in September 1914, and was drafted to the British Expeditionary Force in February 1915. He was in the actions from Neuve Chapelle to Loos, and rose to Company-Sergeant-Major. He received his commission in September last.’ It reported that: ‘Beautiful letters have been received by his bereaved parents from his Colonel and also the Captain who went out with a stretcher party and brought him in’ and that a telegram had been received from the King and Queen.

His death was also reported in the January 1917 issue of the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine, in the Woolwich Polytechnic A. C. Notes column: ‘Deepest sympathy is felt among club members with the friends and relatives of J.C. Chalmers, whose promising career came to such an abrupt end in his country’s service on October 15....The public announcement of his death was the first intimation received that he had joined the Colours.’ (WPM Jan 1917, p.5). Name recorded on the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club Memorial Tablet in the ‘Den’ (WPM Jan 1921, p.39). Finally, his death was outlined in the London County Council’s Record of Service of its employees which was published in 1922, under the title General fighting during the latter half of 1916. It was noted that: ‘Lieut. [sic] J.C. Chalmers, M.M. (20th Northd. Fus., Educ.) was killed, probably near Armentières, on 16th October.’ (LCC, p.53). A brief record of service is given in the appendix to the same volume: Chalmers, John Cyril (1914-1916); M.M.; Sec.-Lieutenant, Northumberland Fusiliers; France 1 year 9 months; Killed in action, 7th October, 1916.’ (LCC, Appendix, p. 141).

Second Lieutenant Chalmers is buried in Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension Cemetery, north of Armentieres, France, in Plot II, Row A, Grave 31. This is a quiet cemetery close to the communal church. It was captured by the Germans in the offensive of April 1918, and it was used to bury German dead, still there. Second Lieutenant Chalmer’s grave is well marked and bears the private inscription:

Second Lieutenant Chalmers is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.

CHAPPEL, Arthur

Student of the Woolwich Polytechnic, having been previously educated at Wood Street School (day) and Mulgrave Place (evening) (WPR). He was born on June 4th, 1898, and lived at 74 Woodland Terrace, Charlton. He was an improver, fitter and turner with Messrs Vickers Ltd, Erith. However, his students record sheet for the session 1916-17 seems to indicate non-attendance, and was crossed through, which may conceivably have been due to enlistment.

Rifleman, S/26031, 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own), where he is listed as Arthur Chapple (SD; MIC; CWGC). The records listed in the Soldiers Died in the Great War indicate that Arthur Chapple was born in Shoreditch and enlisted in Hoxton, are he was formerly Rifleman R/29624 Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Rifleman Chapple was killed in action in France on May 3rd 1917 (SD; MIC; CWGC).

The balance of probabilities is that Arthur Chappel and Arthur Chapple are the same men. The only Arthur Chappel recorded on the Medal Index Cards with this exact spelling is Arthur Chappel, 5032(?) and later 20169, Private Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who is not listed as having been killed in the Great War. The only other Arthur Chappel in the same records is Chappel, Arthur W., Private 11998, 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade, Killed in action at Loos, September 25th 1915, but the date seems to rule him out. Interestingly this person is not listed in the appropriate volume of the Soldiers Died in the Great War.

Arthur Chapple is has no known grave and is commemorated upon the Arras Memorial to the missing (CWGC),

CLOVER, William Charles

Member of the Polytechnic since 1913; probably as a member of the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club. Son of Jane Clover, of 127, Upper North Street, Poplar, London, and the late Harry Clover (CWGC). The Polytechnic Plaque simply lists him as Clover, W.

L/17240, Private, 2/2nd Battalion County of London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) (CWGC; MIC). Formerly T/23519, Driver, 15th Division, Army Service Corps (WPM Jan 1916, p.4; MIC). The Commonwealth War Graves Commission register apparently has him wrongly listed as Clover, Walter Charles. Private Clover entered France on August 10th 1914, and he died October 29th 1917, aged 28 (CWGC; MIC). Private Clover was awarded the 1914 (‘Mons’) Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal (‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’) (MIC). The Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine for October 1917 recorded that he had; ‘joined H.M Forces in August 1914. Twice home in hospital, and on his return to France, after recovery from trench fever, was severely wounded on 29th October, 1917, and taken to hospital, when the same evening a bomb was dropped on the hospital and he and two others and a nurse were killed’ (WPM Oct 1917, p.3). His name was recorded on the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club Memorial Tablet in the ‘Den’ (WPM Jan 1921, p.39; listed as W. Glover).

The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail printed the gist of a letter from W. Clover to the Polytechnic Athletic Club on June 11th 1915, in its regular Woolwich Polytechnic A.C. Notes column, noting that he and others were ‘in the best of health and spirits despite the hot time they have had lately’. In the same column for February 4th 1916, it was noted that two parcels had been ‘returned from the front addressed to W. Clover’.

Private Clover is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Westvleteren, Belgium, in Plot X, Row A, Grave 7. ‘Dozinghem’ was a nickname given by the troops, after the style of local names, to a military hospital near Poperinge; other nearby hospitals were similarly named ‘Mendinghem’ and ‘Bandagehem’. This would seem to tally with the information that Private Clover was killed whilst in hospital, and although he was buried with several other soldiers from other units who also died on October 29th, there was sign of the grave of any nurses in this cemetery. Dozinghem is situated in a forest clearing close to the Abbey of St. Sixtus. It is a damp and brooding place with the graves of British soldiers from many units who died in 1940. Private Clover’s grave bears the simple inscription:

The 2/2nd Battalion London Regiment formed part of the 58th Division (173rd Brigade) during the Third Battle of Ypres. This battalion was involved in a major battle near Poelcapelle on October 26th 1917 when they captured the blockhouses at Cameron House, but were eventually driven back.

COLCUTT, Thomas Mills

Student of the Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary School, 1907-1912 (WPM Dec 1918, p.18; RWP 1919, p.1). He was the eldest son of Thomas Henry Patrick, a clerk, and Sophia Edith Colcutt, of 102 Kinveachy Gardens, Old Charlton, London (formerly of 71 Heathwood Gardens, Charlton, having moved in September 1911; WPR). The Woolwich Polytechnic Day Schools Record of Service (1919) notes a Charles Colcutt who was a student between 1913-14, and who served as a Sergeant with the Royal Sussex Regiment. It is conceivable that he was a younger brother of Thomas Colcutt. Thomas Colcutt was born on August 5th, 1896, and his elementary education was completed at the L.C.C. Wood Street School, Woolwich. He joined the Polytechnic School on September 12th, 1907, leaving the school on March 19th, 1912. His record card for the year 1911-12, his final year, shows a highly variable performance, with limited academic achievement in his first term, although there was clearly a distinct and notable improvement in his final term. After leaving the Polytechnic Secondary School he was a junior in Smith & Listers Wholesale Millinery, Cannon Street, London E.C. (WPR), before joining a shipping office, W.E. Keville & Co of 68, Cheapside, W.C., until the outbreak of war (KIKM, 11 Oct, 1918; CWGC; OR).

Second Lieutenant (Temporary), 8th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment (WPM Dec 1918, p.18; OD; MIC). Killed in action, September 9th 1918, aged 22 (CWGC; OD). He originally enlisted as 1137, Sapper, Royal Engineers (Electrical Engineers), belonging to the 3rd London Field Company, 47th Division (WPM Jan 1916, p.4 & p.34; MIC), before gaining a commission in the Gloucestershire Regiment (WPM Dec 1918, p.18; MIC). Second Lieutenant Colcutt was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His entry in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Register notes that Second Lieutenant Colcutt was ‘Mentioned in Despatches’; but the only record in the Public Record Office seems to suggest that it was another Colcutt: E.H. Colcutt, Temporary Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, announced in the London Gazette on December 11th 1917.

Second Lieutenant Colcutt’s records survive in the Public Records Office. He originally enlisted in the Royal Engineers on March 9th 1914—five months before the outbreak of hostilities, and at the age of 17 years and 7 months—on Territorial Force engagement for a period of 4 years. Initially, he served as 1137, then 562320, Sapper, London Electrical Engineers, attached to 1/1st Hants Army Troop Company, RE. His medical record from this time indicates he was of good health, standing to a height of 5 feet 10 ^1/₂ inches. His service record shows that he had two periods of home service in the RE, from March 19th 1914 to August 23rd 1915, and from February 6th 1917 to June 26th 1917; and one long interval overseas with the BEF., from August 24th 1915 to February 5th, 1917. He applied for a commission in the London Regiment on January 20th, 1917, and was recommended for service as a subaltern on January 23rd, 1917. He joined the 19th Officer Cadet Battalion at Purbright on March 15th 1917, and was finally Gazetted as a Second Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment on July 14th, 1917—not with the London Regiment as he had hoped.

On returning to the Western Front, Second Lieutenant Colcutt was wounded in Belgium on September 20th, 1917 during the Battle for the Menin Road Ridge, one of the constituent engagements of the Third Battle of Ypres. The 8th Glosters belonged to the 57th Brigade (IX Corps, 19th Division) and attacked Wood Farm and Belgian Wood, near Hill 60, Zillebeke. The Glosters were involved in a bayonet charge to clear the wood on this day, and it is conceivable that Thomas Colcutt was wounded during this action. His records in the PRO preserve a copy of the telegram to his parents informing them that he was admitted to hospital on September 21st: ‘with gun shot wound right leg slight’. It was a ‘blighty wound’, a flesh wound on the inner thigh of the right leg, and he returned home to the 5th Northern General Hospital in Leicester on September 23rd, 1917. The results of a Medical Board on October 10th 1917 were that he was pronounced fit, but recommended for at least three weeks leave, which was duly taken from October 11th to November 1st, 1917. A note to his parents indicated in fact that he was discharged from hospital to duty finally on April 17th, 1918. Sadly, his records preserve a copy of a second telegram recording his death which sent to his parents on September 14th, 1918. It noted: ‘Deeply regret 2Lt T.M. Colcutt, Glos. Regt Killed in action September 10th. Army Council expresses sympathy’. A note to Mr Colcutt from the Graves Registration Service dated October 23d 1918 records that Thomas Colcutt was buried in Locon New Military Cemetery, North East of Bethune.

The Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine noted his death in its December 1918 issue: ‘Second-Lieut. T.M. Colcutt, 8th Gloucestershire Regiment, fell in action, in France, on 10th September.’ (WPM Dec 1918, p.18), this date is consistent with official records, but is strangely at variance with that held by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and noted in Officers Died in the Great War. The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail also reported his death, in a piece accompanied by a photograph of him in the uniform of a subaltern in the Gloucestershire Regiment on October 11th 1918. In it was reported that his Major wrote of him that: ‘no one could possibly have had a finer record of service and work than he possessed since he joined the battalion in August of last year..’. His adjutant Captain Ritchings described him as: ‘a brave and noble officer’.

Thomas Colcutt visited the Secondary School, in the Spring Term of 1916-1917 (WPM May 1917, p.16), and a letter from him was published in the first issue of the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine in January 1916. From ‘Somewhere in France’, it was addressed and dated: ‘3rd London Field Company, RE, 47th Division, December 19th, 1915 (WPM Jan 1916, p.34). It started by thanking the ‘old school’ for sending out a Christmas pudding—the same issue carries a list of the destinations of donations from a box in the main entrance to the Polytechnic, 19/6 having been spent on puddings—and went on to describe his work with the RE: ‘I came out here on searchlight work, but as it was a wash-out we have been put into a Field Company. Our work consists of trenching, wiring and any other work in the trenches. Wiring is our worst job as it is between the German and English lines....The first night I went wiring I was not feeling at all comfortable but as soon as you get to work you forget all about the Germans. The rotten part of it is that they don’t forget you and when the starlights go up and they spot you they put a few whizz-bangs over just to liven you up. Luckily for us we saw the flash of the gun and were all flat on the ground when the shell burst, but it caught some of the Infantry, wounded twelve and killed one. The Infantry have an awful time in the trenches.’ He mentioned that ‘Before the big attack our Artillery were firing four days—it was a continual roar of shells.’ and that ‘We have been issued with waders and fur coats and look more like Teddy Bears than soldiers’. The May 1916 issue of the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine carried a letter from Cpl. A. Page, 1st Royal Warwickshire Regiment (a frequent correspondent to other issues) which mentioned Colcutt’s own letter: ‘I was interested in T. Calcutt’s [sic] letter because be mentions about wiring. We do our own, and I have been out twice this week on this awkward task.’ (WPM May 1916, p. 27).

Second Lieutenant Colcutt is now buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, near Bethune, France, in Plot VIII, Row C, Grave 8. in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery was developed in 1914, but was enlarged after the Armistice by the concentration of smaller cemeteries in the area, which must have included the former Locon Cemetery, which originally contained his grave. The cemetery is a roadside one and includes a number of graves of Indian soldiers killed in 1914. Second Lieutenant Colcutt’s grave is in good condition and bears the following private epitaph:

Second Lieutenant Colcutt is also commemorated in the Borough of Greenwich War Memorial Roll of Honour 1914-1918 (as Colcutt, T.M., RE).

CRIPPS, Richard Henry

Student of the Woolwich Polytechnic during at least the session 1912-13. He was born in Woolwich, the only son of Richard and Edith Cripps, and lived in Plumstead, at 17 Minual Street (SD vol. 75; CWGC; WPR; KIKM Oct. 6 1916). At the age of 18, while enrolled at the Polytechnic, he worked as a cable inspector for the Western Electric Company. He was previously educated at the Poplar School of Engineering, and was enrolled upon Practical Mathematics and Electrical Engineering courses at the Polytechnic, for which he received 57% and 24% for his homework, respectively (WPR). He was a member of the cricket and football clubs of St Paul’s, Hector Street, Plumstead, and he was known to his friends as ‘Dickie’ (KIKM Oct. 6 1916).

231, Gunner, 1st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Motors) (SD vol. 75; CWGC; MIC). According to Soldiers Died in the Great War, he was formerly 13689, Private, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. He enlisted in Woolwich, on September 4th 1914, first arriving in France on December 23rd 1914, and was killed in action at Divion on September 25th 1916, aged 22 (WWM; SD vol. 75; CWGC). Gunner Cripps was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal (‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’). His 1915 star was awarded for service within the Machine Gun Corps (MIC).

The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail recorded his death under the column header ‘Killed in Action’ on October 6th, 1916. It noted that he died while on ‘active service in France’. He had been one of the first to enlist, having joined the D.C.L.I. on September 4th, 1914, later transferring into the Shropshire Light Infantry and then volunteering for the Motor Machine Gun Service. He left for France in this service after a course in gunnery at Hythe, and arrived there on Christmas Eve, 1914. Apart from two short leaves, Gunner Cripps put in twenty continuous months of service at the Front, and was a veteran of the engagements in 1915 at the ‘brickstacks’ (at Cuinchy), Neuve Chapelle, Festubert, Richebourg and Loos. He had been in action prior to his death. According to the piece, he had been: ‘offered a commission, which he declined, preferring to remain with his battery and the ‘boys’’. His commanding officer wrote that he: ‘did his work well and was a splendid soldier’. The piece finished with words for his parents: ‘By his death his parents have lost their only and well-loved son’.

Gunner Cripps is buried in Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension, Bruay, near Bethune, France, in Row B, Grave 18. He is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.
 
 
 
 

DALLIMORE, Victor George

Student of the Woolwich Polytechnic from 1904-1910. Son of William John and Hannah Dallimore, of 169, Herbert Road, Plumstead, London (CWGC; also reported as 27, Vambury Road, Plumstead in the Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail). Born at Prinstead, Sussex (SD vol. 79). Educated at Bloomfield Road High Grade School and the Polytechnic. During his time with the Polytechnic he was enrolled upon various engineering and practical mathematical courses. He achieved well, receiving recognition of Institute Prizes in Practical Mathematics, Wiremans Work and Electrical Engineering, and achieving a L.C.C. Exhibition to the Polytechnic (WPR). At the age of 15 he joined Siemens, and for his last few years had worked in the Cable Estimating Department as an Estimating Clerk. He lived initially at 82 Nithdale Road, Plumstead, and then 14, Isla Road, Plumstead. He was unmarried and a local Scoutmaster, of the 8th Woolwich (St. Margaret’s) Troop, as well as a Sunday School Teacher at St. Margarets, Plumstead, and a temperance worker (KIKM, August 11th 1916).

58379, Private, 142nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. Enlisted in May 1915 at Woolwich, and was killed (with five others) by shellfire while tending wounded on July 24th 1916, at the age of 29. His death was reported in the Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail in two pieces published on August 11th, and in a third, with a photograph. published on August 18th, 1916. The first of the articles, written by Wilfred J. Parker of the Woolwich Boy Scouts Association on August 11th was published in the ‘Roll of Honour’, with the subtitle ‘The passing of a scout’. It was glowing with praise, and reported that: ‘Victor Dallimore...” “has gone home.” On July 24th he went, as he lived, doing his duty. Vic, as he was known to his intimates, had a very high sense of duty....His courtesy, humility, frankness, love of the brotherhood and above all his sense of duty endeared him to every lad with whom he came in contact.’ It went on to record that he had volunteered his scout troop for war service—acting as messengers—and were housed in twelve tents on Woolwich Common, with over 130 scouts. He: ‘enlisted in the RAMC so that he may give yet more for others. His tenderness and love of all men made him of service to his unfortunate comrades wounded or shattered on the battlefield....A shell found both him and his comrades whilst doing his duty endeavouring to bear a wounded soldier to a place of succour.’ The second article published on August 11th under the heading ‘Killed in action’ reported that: ‘In a letter from his Sergeant-Major. Private Dallimore was described as ‘a good soldier, painstaking, obedient and well liked by all ranks’’. The final article, published on August 14th reported that there was to be a memorial service in his memory on August 27th 1916.

Victor Dallimore’s brother, Sergeant-Major T.L. Dallimore of the Royal Field Artillery, was awarded the D.C.M. The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail recorded the occasion on October 6th 1916 in a column entitled: ‘The D.C.M. Plumstead Sergeant’s Bravery’. One of three brothers, including Victor, Sergeant-Major Dallimore went to France in 1914 with the Indian contingent, and was mentioned in dispatches on three separate occasions, in August 1915, March 1916 and July 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. The award of the D.C.M was reportedly for ‘extinguishing a fire in an ammunition wagon. Tragedy was also to strike Sergeant-Major Dallimore; the Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail recorded his death in action on July 22nd 1917 in a long obituary with accompanying photograph, published on August 3rd, 1917.

Private Dallimore has a special memorial (no. 8) in Bernafay Wood British Cemetery, Montauban, France. This records that he was known to be originally buried in the cemetery, but that subsequent fighting over the same ground led to the loss of the original grave. The cemetery is situated close to the road and in the open; the regenerated Bernafay Wood is situated on the other side of the road. There are several special memorials, several of them bearing the cap badge of the RAMC., indicating casualties associated with the operation of the dressing station. Private Dallimore’s grave bears the personal inscription:

Private Dallimore is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.

Bernafay Wood was taken by the 9th (Scottish) Division on July 3rd-4th 1916, and the surrounding area was attacked on July 22nd-23rd, 1916. A dressing station was quickly established by the British in July, and remained there for most of July. The wood was lost on March 25th 1918, during the great German offensive, and it was recaptured by the 18th Division on August 27th 1918

DAVIS, William John

Student of the Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary School 1910-1914, who showed ‘quite unusual promise’ (WPM Dec 1918, p. 18). He also attended the Polytechnic itself, for at least the session 1914-15, and the Invicta Road School prior to joining the Polytechnic Day School (WPR). He was born in Shoreham, Kent, on May 13th, 1897, and was reportedly a resident of Eltham (SD vol. 57), although his Polytechnic record card gives his address as 117 Shooters Hill Road, Blackheath. He was an active worker in the Boy Scouts (WPM Dec 1918, p.18).

A/205479, Rifleman, 13th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (WPM Dec 1918, p.18; SD vol. 57). Also recorded, incorrectly, as Rifleman, 13th Rifle Brigade on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour. He enlisted at Woolwich, and died of wounds in France on October 12th 1918 (SD vol. 57; CWGC). His death was recorded in the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine for December 1918, which recorded that: Rifleman William J. Davis, K.R.R. died on 12th October, 1918 after a long illness in France, as a result of wounds received on 25th August (WPM Dec 1918, p.18).

Rifleman Davis is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France, in Plot/Row/Grave S. II. V. IB. St Sever Cemetery and its extension were located near to the hospital centre, base supply depot and General Headquarters of the 3rd Echelon. He is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.

DENTON, Arthur

Student of the Woolwich Polytechnic, 1902-07. An obituary was published in the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (Oct 1917, p.12). He was the second son of Captain Walter and Mrs Emily Denton (nee Farley) of 109 Heathwood Gardens, Charlton, and husband of Nellie Winifred Denton of 26 Westmount Road, Eltham, London (listed as 16 The Broadway, Eltham, and then 84 Maryon Rd, Charlton in his records). He was born on March 13th, 1887 at 18 Christchurch Rd, Milton in Gravesend (OR). He was married on April 1914, and had a son, Arthur John, born in 1915 (KIKM July 12, 1917; CWGC; OR). His father-in-law was Major John Thomas Ricketts of the Royal Field Artillery, who was later to take his widow and son over to Canada, to be with her brothers in Saskatchewan (OR). The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail reported that: ‘the deceased, who was educated at the Woolwich Polytechnic, was a good all round sportsman’ and that ‘while a cadet at Oxford he was specially selected to play for New College Rugger XV’. He was an electrical engineer, having held various posts within Siemens, and having worked, in 1909 as assistant to the manager of the Bexley Urban District Tramways. He finally left the Cable Department of Siemens: ‘in April, 1916 when he joined the colours’. His Polytechnic Record Card shows initially that he was a mechanic with Johnson & Phillips while enrolled on his courses of engineering and mathematics. He achieved well in these courses, and the Eleventh Prize Distribution programme showed that he gained a Polytechnic Prize for the session 1902-03 for ‘Drawing in light and shade from cast’.

Second Lieutenant, 20th Battalion, County of London Regiment (Blackheath and Woolwich), attached 2nd Battalion, County of London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers). Formerly 6131, Rifleman, 3/16th County of London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles), he entered France on August 24th, 1916, and was commissioned into the 20th Battalion on January 24th, 1917 (MIC). He was killed in action on June 16th 1917, aged 30 (OD; CWGC). Second Lieutenant Denton was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal (‘Mutt and Jeff’) (MIC).

Second Lieutenant Denton’s records survive in the Public Record Office. Arthur Denton attested as a private on January 1st 1916. He was 28, and stood 5 feet 11^1/₄ inches. He was posted as rifleman to the 3/16th Queens Westminster Rifles on March 30th 1916, and made his formal agreement as a Territorial to serve overseas in the QWR on July 28th 1916. He was transferred to the 1/16th Battalion on August 24th, the day that he left England for France. His application for a commission was made on July 27th 1916, his application being signed by the Principal of the Polytechnic, Mr Hogg. He was transferred to England on September 23rd to join the Cadet School, and to attend a Divisional Bombing Course, and was finally discharged to a commission in the 20th Battalion London Regiment on January 1st 1917. Correspondence fron his widow in his file note that he was killed in action on June 16th 1917 at Bullecourt. She notes that he served with the 20th Battalion for three weeks, although had been with the 2/2nd Battalion for three months prior to his death.

The Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine for October 1917 reported under the title ‘Death of Lieutenant Arthur Denton’ that: ‘News has been received of the death of Lieut. Arthur Denton (son of the Superintendent of the Free Ferry) which occurred in the grey of the dawn whilst gallantly leading his platoon to take a German trench’ (WPM Oct 1917, p.12). The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail noted—in an obituary published with a photograph of the clean-cut officer on July 13th, 1917—that he had left Siemens to join the Queen’s Westminsters, and that ‘he was a keen, smart officer, much respected by his superiors and subordinates. During his service in France he has often led his men out on night expeditions, and on several nights, he has personally worked hard for hours with a few of his men at repairing communication wires’. A poem accompanied the piece:

Second Lieutenant Denton has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing, France, in Bay 9/10. This memorial is impressive and is close to the ancient city walls of Arras. Second Lieutenant Denton is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour, and the Roll of Honour and Book of Remembrance of the Twentieth Battalions, The London Regiment.

FARMER, F. [Frank]

Member of the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club (KIKM Jan 11th, 1918).

Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Killed in a flying accident at Lydd in January 1918. His death was reported in the Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail for January 11th, 1918, under the Woolwich Polytechnic A.C. Notes column. Here he was described as a ‘picturesque harrier’, having ‘run many races under the club’s nomination’, noting that ‘the world of sport loses another exponent’. However, Lieutenant Farmer is neither listed in the Roll of Honour nor the Roll of Active Service of the Polytechnic, published in the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine for May 1921. His name was omitted from the original Polytechnic Memorial Plaque

There is no record of Lieutenant Farmer in Officers Died in the Great War, but the index to the Officers records in the Public Record Office starkly notes: Farmer, Frank, Lieutenant, RFC. Dead’. The Medal Index Cards in the PRO also note a 2nd Aircraftsman Frank Farmer RFC, who died of wounds on September 17th 1917, but it is unlikely that this is the same man.

The Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine for January 1921 recorded the erection of a Memorial Tablet in the ‘Den’ to the fallen of the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club. However, according to the list published, Lieutenant Farmer was omitted from it. Lieutenant Farmer is neither listed on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour nor the Greenwich War Memorial Roll of Honour.

FRIER, Gordon Drummond

Staff, joined the junior staff of the Engineering Department as a lad in 1912 (WPM Oct 1916, p. 4). Younger son of John Drummond and Elizabeth Frier of 36 Viewland Road, Plumstead, London (KIKM June 2nd 1916; CWGC).

2651, Private, 1/20th Battalion, County of London Regiment (Blackheath and Woolwich) (WPM Jan 1916, p.3 & 33; SD vol. 76; CWGC). He enlisted at Blackheath, and was killed in action, aged 19, on the May 21st 1916, during a bombing attack near Souchez (WPM Oct 1916, p.4-5; CWGC). The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail carried two short pieces. The first, under the heading ‘Plumstead soldiers deaths. Killed in action’, was published on June 2nd 1916, and stated that: he ‘was killed in action in France during a bombing attack on May 21st’. The second, short, piece was published in the June 9th edition under the heading ‘The toll of war’, and reported that ‘his parents received a letter from his Lieutenant who said that ‘he was to be recommended for the D.C.M had he lived’. He had been in France since March 1915, and had spent the greater part of the time in the ‘grenadier platoon’ (KIKM June 9th 1916).

The Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine for October 1916 carried a piece on the death of Gordon Frier. It reported that: ‘It is with regret that we have to record the death of Gordon Drummond Frier, who was killed in action near Souchez on May 21st 1916. Gordon joined the staff of the Engineering Department as a lad, four years ago, and showed great promise of a successful career. On the outbreak of war he joined the 20th Battalion, London Regiment, and after a period of training was sent to France, early in 1915.’ It went on to discuss the action in which he was killed: ‘A bombing attack was arranged against a portion of trench held by Germans in the neighbourhood of Souchez, and [he]...immediately volunteered to be leading bayonet man. He carried out his work with great gallantry until he was hit by a piece of one of the enemy’s bombs, and was killed instantaneously. Had he lived he would have been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal.’. One of his friends wrote: ‘We cannot yet grip the fact that when everything is at its worst, and the danger greatest, our comrade’s merry laugh will not be heard. When the attack developed Gordon passed me in the trench. There was time for but a grip, and somehow I felt that there was more in that grip than could be said.’.

A letter from him was published in the first issue of the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine in January 1916. From ‘Somewhere in France’, it was addressed and dated: ‘TRENCHES, January 5th, 1916 (WPM Jan 1916, p.33). His letter details his life in the trenches in winter. ‘Owing to our battalion being in the trenches, I have had the greatest difficulty in answering any correspondence....for a further obstruction, I was sent to hospital with frost-bite, but have now completely recovered.’ He described activities at Christmas, 1915. ‘Our Christmas out here was one that will remain in my memory for some time to come’. ‘On Christmas Eve our engineers exploded a mine, and no sooner was it up than our artillery started a fearful bombardment of the German trenches, and of course the German batteries replied.’ ‘Christmas morning our battalion moved to the frontline where all our bombers were needed to hold the saps, of which there were several on our front. The particular place I was in was an old communicating trench that led to the German lines, and our barricade was about twelve yards from the German one.’ ‘Early next morning....we were standing around our fire making some tea, when we felt the ground shake and saw about a hundred yards away a big column of earth thrown into the air, and new at once that the Germans had exploded a mine under our trench; we all rushed back to our barricade with bombs, expecting a repetition of the last mine, but to our astonishment not a shot was fired. That evening we found the Germans had occupied the mine crater, so a bombing party was arranged and we bombed them out and successfully barricaded. After that, we thought our troubles were over, but at the same time the next morning they exploded another mine in our lines....That evening we were relieved and went back about two miles....but the next day we had to go up and do another twenty-four hours in the line, and during that twenty-four hours the Germans exploded about three mines at once and attacked, whereupon the most terrific bombardment commenced on both sides. How we ever came through this Christmas is a marvel to me...’.

Private Frier has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing, France, in Bay 9/10. This memorial is impressive and is close to the ancient city walls of Arras. Private Frier is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour, and the Roll of Honour and Book of Remembrance of the Twentieth Battalions, The London Regiment.

The 1/20th County of London Regiment formed part of the 47th Division, which relieved the 25th Division on the Vimy Ridge near Souchez, in Artois in May 1916. The 25th Division had occupied several mine craters blown by the British on the evening of May 15th. On May 21st, while the 47th Division were coming into the line, the Germans heavily bombarded the position and launched an attack which took the craters and part of the British trench system; it was not thought worthwhile to counter-attack. Many soldiers of the 1/20th battalion and others of the 47th Division lie buried in Cabaret Rouge Military Cemetery, near Souchez, bearing the 21st May on their headstones, including some bearing headstones of an unknown soldier. Many others are probably commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing.

GARDINER, Archibald Laird

Student of the Junior Technical School 1914-1916 (WPM Jan 1916, p.7; RWP 1919, p.4). Only son of John and Katie E.F. Gardiner of 177, Greenvale Road, Eltham, and grandson of Mr A.R. Anderson, late chief draughtsman in the Royal Carriage Department, Royal Arsenal (KIKM Nov. 19, 1915; CWGC). He entered the polytechnic as a pupil of the Junior Technical School in January, 1914, and upon completion of the course and obtaining an appointment in the Arsenal, he joined the Evening Classes (WPM Jan 1916, p.4 & 7). The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail (Nov. 19th, 1915) recorded that he ‘was born in Calcutta, had been educated at Ancona Road School, and had won a trade scholarship at the Engineering School, Woolwich Polytechnic. He was also at the Hackney Institute, and on November last had entered the Arsenal as an apprentice’. He had been a keen scout, having been ‘patrol leader of the 1st Royal Eltham Scouts’. His family was wholly involved in war work; his aunt, a nurse, his sister in the Army Pay Corps, and his father ‘engaged, day after day, in the production of munitions for the men at the front’ (KIKM Nov. 19, 1915). His record cards for his two years spent at the Woolwich Polytechnic Engineering Trades School were not auspicious. His course entailed tuition in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering and Workshop Practice. His achievements were variable, and his cards were simply marked ‘left in 1915’.

5027, Private, ‘C’ Company, 8th Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Kent Regiment). Enlisted 3rd March, 1915 at Woolwich (SD vol. 7). Killed in action on November 5th 1915, aged 17 (WWM, SD, vol. 7; CWGC). Date of death given as November 9th, 1915 by the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (WPM Jan 1916, p.7). His death was reported in the first issue of the Woolwich Polytechnic Magazine (Jan 1916), and in two pieces in the Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail on Friday November 19th and Friday November 26th 1915. In the November 19th piece, under the title: ‘Killed by a sniper. Eltham boy killed in action’, it was reported that: ‘He was only 17, but he died for his country. That is the fine, heroic example set by Private Archibald Laird Gardiner...who was instantaneously killed by a sniper’s bullet on November 5th.’ The piece published on November 26th, under the title ‘Eltham boy killed by sniper’, reported the bare details, and published a picture of the youthful Private Gardiner in uniform.

Private Gardiner is buried in Spoilbank Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium, in Plot I, Row J, Grave 17. Burials were made continuously in this cemetery from February 1915 to May 1918. It gained its name from the earthworks of spoil dug in the construction of the Ypres-Commines Canal. It is a very peaceful and calm cemetery, and contains many soldiers of the Royal West Kents and The Queen’s who were killed in late October and early November, 1915. Private Gardiner’s grave bears a personal inscription from his family:

Private Gardiner is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.

GROVES, Reginald Edward

Student of the Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary School, for at least the year 1907-08 (WPR), although he is not listed in the Woolwich Polytechnic Day Schools Record of Service. He was the son of Robert Challinor Groves and Mary J.P. Groves of 51, Plumstead Common Road, Plumstead, London (CWGC). His report card for 1907-08 shows a satisfactory, if inauspicious, academic performance.

Second Lieutenant (Temporary), 20th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action April 9th, 1918, aged 25 (WWM; OD; CWGC). The Public Record Office records Reginald E. Groves in its Medal Index Cards as having been: 182413 Private, 20th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, and then, later, Second Lieutenant (regiment unspecified), noting an entry into France and Flanders on October 30th, 1917.

Second Lieutenant Groves has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing, France, on Panel 8. This memorial, a great circle of stone guarded by two British lions, is one of the most impressive on the Western Front. Second Lieutenant Groves is also commemorated on the Woolwich Hospital War Memorial Roll of Honour.

The 20th Middlesex were introduced in the opening day of the Battle of the Lys, April 9-12 1918 during the great German offensive, as part of the 21st Brigade (40th Division).
 
 

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