Isles. Arthur. Service number

Transcription

1 I Version 08 Updated 1 st November 2015 Isles Arthur Service number At attestation on the 26 th February 1916 described as an 18 year old single man working as a grocer. Next of kin is his father, Samuel, and he lives in the family home at 9 Holdsworth Buildings, Eccles Hill, Bradford in Yorkshire. Mobilised on the 30 th May 1916 to the Durham Light Infantry but transferred on the 1 st September from training battalion to the RGA. Qualified at Hipswell camp as 1 st class signaller and telephonist on 3 rd January Posted to 293 siege battery from A siege depot with a number of other men on the 17 th January. Joins 293 at Ewshott camp. Remained with 293 for the duration of the war. Admitted to 20 General hospital, Italy, between 18 th November and 28 th November 1918 with influenza. Returned home from Italy on the 17 th January 1919 and demobilised on the 16 th February 1919 from Clipstone camp. Awarded on the 23 rd December a pension of 5 shillings and six pence for a 20% disability caused by malaria. British victory and war medals issued on the 18 th November 1921 by which time his address was 20 Westfield Terrace, Undercliffe, Bradford.

2 J Jenkinson Frederick William Service number No service records survive Jones William James Service number Partially burnt records survive. Born At mobilisation on the 30 th October 1916 described as a single man aged 28 years and 11 months; 5 feet 7 inches; chest 35 inches with a 2 inch expansion; working as a journalist and living at 12 South Street, Birmingham. N.O.K given as his father, David Jones, of Swansea, Glamorgan, Wales. Posted as gunner to 293 on 21 st December Attached for observer course at Hipswell camp, Catterick on the 12 th February 1917 and did not return to 293. Subsequently to BEF on the 27 th July 1917 and served with 288 siege battery from 11 th August At demobilisation serving as gunner with

3 30 siege battery. Acknowledged receipt of BW and V medals on the 19 th November K Kaye Wilfred Service number Pension records survive Born in Huddersfield around March Enlisted on the 10 th December 1915 and described as almost 30 years of age, living at 37 Dewhurst Road in Fartown and working as a furniture salesman for the Huddersfield Industrial Society. A member of the Amalgamated Union of Cooperative employees. Mobilised on the 9 th October 1916 and posted to Clipstone Camp on the 10 th. Posted as gunner to 21 company at Leith on the 30 th October and to 293 siege battery on the 29 th November, making him an original member of the battery. To BEF with 293 on the 30 th March Promoted to acting bombardier on the 19 th July 1917 the day after bombardier John Shiels died of wounds amidst the preparatory bombardment for third Ypres. Later made up to lance bombardier. Suffered deafness in his right ear as a consequence of gun fire for which he was later awarded a pension of 5 shillings and six pence.

4 To Italy with 293 and qualified as a gun layer. Promoted to acting corporal on the 18 th November 1918 and to acting sergeant on the 25 th February 1919 when he was posted to 315 siege battery. Kennelly John Service number 9541 Renumbered as Battery Sergeant Major Born 1882 in Killorglin, Co. Kerry. Attested into RGA 1901 at the age of 19 years. Previous occupation a clerk. Married at Edinburgh, Leith to Euphemia on the 7 th November Three children, John Edward born ; Bridget Hannah born and George Charles born Family established in Leith suggesting he was part of the 21 company RGA. No records of war service but RGA attestation records state he was awarded DCM Discharged after 21 years service on the at Dover, pension for life of 47 shillings, rank at discharge was BSM and character excellent. At some point renumbered as Family home given as 16 Hamilton Crescent, Leith.

5 M MacDonald Roderick Service number service records survive Maddock Samuel Service number No service records survive but service number suggests he was an original member of the battery.

6 McPhearson William Alexander Service number On the 29 th March 1917 an enthusiastic eighteen year old William McPherson attested for military service and was immediately mobilised. He was a bank apprentice from Ardersier in Inverness living at 67 High street, unmarried and listing his father, James, as his next of kin. Medical examination on the 31 st January 1917 at Fort George had shown him to be 5 feet 6 inches with a 32 inch chest and of A1 physical condition. On the 31 st March 1917 he was posted to number 3 depot RGA at Plymouth and then to 412 siege battery at Prees Heath on the 17 th April He stayed with 412 completing training at Lydd from the 29 th June, then Hilsea from 24 th July before embarking for France on the 13 th August. He was one of the men posted to 293 siege battery on the 23 rd August A day after the 293 rd went to rest camp on the 10 th September 1917 it was noted that McPherson was not yet 19 years of age and as such too young to serve overseas. Major Snowdon immediately sent him back to the UK where he joined 29 company RGA at Portsmouth. He went on to serve with 512 siege battery at Lydd and was part of the left section which was then incorporated into 32 siege battery on the 12 th June He did not go over seas again until after the armistice when he was posted to 62 siege battery in cologne. He left the army in September On the 21 st February 1921 he wrote requesting his British war and victory medals and stated that he was now serving in the 2 nd Surmah Valley Light

7 Horse in India. His medals were sent on the 27 th November and received on the 17 th December Service records survive Manderson William Service number Signaller/telephonist Attested in Glasgow on the 10 th December 1915, a 21 year old single man born in 1894, working as a time keeper and living at 51 Robert Street, Govan. Religion Church of England and next of kin listed as his mother living at the same address. Mobilised to number 3 depot RGA (Citadel, Plymouth) on the 3 rd November Posted gunner to 45 coy RGA on the 22 nd November 1916 after being fully approved to serve in the artillery on the 10 th of November. Attached to signal school on the 13 th January 1917 where on 10 th March he was charged with overstaying a period of leave by two days and fined two days pay. On the 17 th April he passed as a first class signaller and telephonist. Posted to A siege depot and subsequently to 412 siege battery at Prees Heath on the 27 th June. Then with 412 to Lydd on the 24 th July and Hilsea on the 6 th August. Left with 412 for the BEF from Southampton on the 14 th August and disembarked Le Havre on the 15 th. Posted to 293 siege battery on the 23 rd August and remained with 293 for the duration. 16 th February 1918 sent to XI Corps signal school rejoining 293 on the 9 th March. Subsequently attached HQ 94 brigade on the 11 th May and rejoined battery on the 18 th May. Sent to GHQ wireless course on the 12 th July and

8 rejoined battery 9 th August. Further attachment to HQ 94 brigade on the 16 th August rejoining battery on the 4 th October. Granted 14 days UK leave on the 29 th November 1918 and rejoined on the 21 st December. Left Italy as part of GHQ 3 rd Echelon on the 31 st January(?) 1919 and subsequently demobilised. Manly Christopher Service number Battery Quarter Master Sergeant Military Medal Born 13 th May 1895, St. Marys Southampton, Hampshire census places him living at 3 Grove Street, Southampton. Father was William a marine engineer born in Bristol Mother was Alice born in Southampton Three elder brothers, Henry, Robert and Albert. One elder sister, Amelia census places him at the same address, aged 15 and described as a part time scholar. Service number suggests enlistment in Hampshire (Southampton) RGA Territorial Force at end of 1913 or early in st Hampshire Volunteers comprised of 2, 5 and 7 companies were responsible for southern coast defences and head quartered at St. Mary s road in Southampton. No service records survive. Supplement to the London Gazette - 29 th March records the award of the MM whilst serving in Italy with 293 siege battery. The date of this

9 suggests the award is not for a specific event but more for good service to the battery Ronald Skirth in his published account of life with 293 states that around May 1918 the BQMS fell sick and was sent away. We assumed he had contracted typhoid because we were all ordered on an inoculation parade shortly after (page 152). There is, however, no formal record to back up this statement. Married during 1 st quarter 1920 to Elsie Goodridge at Fareham in Hampshire. Died at the age of 90 during third quarter Merritt John James Service number No service records survive but service number suggests he was an original member of the battery. Merry James Walter Service number No service records survive. Pension records survive.

10 Born in Leicester 22 nd January 1891, father George, mother Louisa, nee Newman. Left school aged 13 and worked as a chemist s assistant and lived at 15 Dane Avenue. Married Alice Maud on the 10 th September 1911 at St. Mathew s church in Leicester. One son, Alan, born 4 th April Described as 27 years of age on enlisting, 5 feet 8 inches in height, 140 pounds in weight and with a chest measurement of 37 inches. Mobilised and posted to Clipstone camp on the 10 th October Posted to 21 company in Leith on the 28 th October and to 293 siege battery on the 8 th November making him an original member of the battery. To BEF with 293 on the 30 th March On the 27 th July 1917 he fell whilst carrying a shell and fractured the right tibia. This was during an intense period of activity by the battery who were involved in the preliminary bombardment prior to third Ypres. He was evacuated to the UK from 22 General hospital in France. Had a stay of 87 days in hospital with a further 43 days convalescence in Yeovil. Never rejoined 293. Mitchell Charles Henry Service number Bombardier No service records survive but service number suggests he was an original member of the battery. The London Gazette dated Friday 3 rd January 1919 cites him as mentioned in despatches by Lord Cavan for service in Italy. Consequently it may be inferred that his whole military service was with 293.

11 Mitchell Joseph L 2 nd Lieutenant Posted to 293 on the 7 th November 1917 as third Ypres was coming to a close and the battery was soon to move to rest camp before leaving for northern Italy. Mollart James Service number Born August Address at attestation 43 Park Street, Low (New) London, Nottingham. A 23 year old porter married to Annie (Hughes) on 4 th December 1916 in Nottingham. Attested in Nottingham on the 10 th December 1915 and subsequently mobilised on the 1 st of August Posted gunner to number 4 depot on the 1 st September and then posted gunner to 20 company RGA from which he was on the 9 th November posted gunner to 293 at Leith. This makes him an original member of the battery who should be on the Ewshott photograph. With the 293 rd he embarked at Southampton for the BEF and saw action at Messines and into third Ypres. On the 11 th October 1917 he was killed in action, buried alive and asphyxiated following enemy shelling of battery. Service records survive

12 Morley frederick Service number Acting bombardier No records survive but he is identified as a member of 293 on a casualty list contained within the records for 690 William James Ticehursrt. List states that Morley was injured on the 21 st June Morris Harold Service number Born in Bolton, Lancashire, on the 4 th April At enlistment on the 29 th March 1917 he was described as a single man of almost 33 years working as a clerk and living at 17 Thistle Street in Paisley. He was 5 feet 8 inches in height with a chest measurement of 37 inches, blue eyes, no distinguishing features and a pre-existing medical complaint of haemorrhoids. Next of kin was his father, Thomas. Had previous military experience in the 6th Volunteer Battalion, Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. On the 31 st March 1917 he was posted to number 3 depot RGA at Plymouth and then to 412 siege battery at Prees Heath on the 17 th April He stayed with 412 completing training at Lydd from the 29 th June, then Hilsea from 24 th July before embarking for France on the 13 th August. He was one of the men posted to 293 siege battery on the 23 rd August At the close of third Ypres he was admitted to hospital in Le Havre for treatment of haemorrhoids, discharged to RGA base on the 16 th February 1918 and rejoined 293 in Italy by 23 rd February. Granted leave to the UK on

13 the 24 th November 1918 rejoining the battery on the 21 st December and remaining in Italy until leaving with the final cadre on 6 th April Subsequently to Y battery at Winchester up to demobilisation on the 20 th September Shortly after this he emigrated to South Africa. War office regarded him as untraceable for war medals until he wrote on the 14 th May 1924 to provide a new address 31 Belle Vue Estate, Cape Town and to claim British Victory and War medals. Service records survive Morton Henry Service number At attestation on the 24 th June 1916, a 39 year old married grocer living at 645 Fulham Road in Fulham. Married to Elizabeth (? Deans) on the 4 th June Six children: Beatrice Mable : Edward : Lily : James Leonard :?? Mary : Henry Mobilised 31 st March 1917 to Rugeley and subsequently to 412 siege battery at Prees Heath. To BEF on 17 th August 1917 and one of a detachment of men from 412 siege battery to 291 siege battery on the 23 rd August 1917 when made up to 6 guns in preparation for third Ypres. Sustained gun shot wound to head mild and admitted to 26 general hospital, Etaples on the 14 th November Remained with 293 and into Italy. Wounded on the 1 st August 1918 at Asiago, one of 8 men wounded that month in 94 brigade. Returned to the battery on

14 the 17 th August. Demobilisation in February Subsequently awarded pension for 19% disability due to damaged right knee attributable to war service. Service records survive Murray also Matheison George Albert Colclough Service number 8792 Battery Sergeant Major Born in Dublin in December 1881 the son of James and Margaret Matheison he took the assumed name of Murray when, in 1901, he joined the RGA, his attestation papers show that he claimed to have been born outside London at Walworth. He is stated as being a single man of almost twenty and working as a horse keeper. His medical examination describes him as being 5 feet 6.5 inches in height weighing 148lbs and a chest measurement of 37 inches. His complexion was fresh, eyes were hazel and hair was brown. He had a rose tattoo above his right wrist and black letters tattooed above the left wrist, there was also some kind of mark on his forehead. Religion was Presbyterian. He was passed as physically fit and accepted into the RGA on the 28 th September On the 10 th October 1901 he was posted as gunner to 40 company in Dover. On the 1 st of January 1902 he was reassigned as gunner with 5 company stationed at Europa point in Gibraltar. He was promoted within 5 company to lance bombardier on 26 th August 1902 and again on the 4 th April 1904 to bombardier. On the 29 th March 1904 he requested to extend his military service to 8 years with the colours and as he was a soldier of good conduct this was approved. On the 20 th September company were at Fort

15 Ricasoli on Malta where he was again promoted to corporal and again extended his military service, to twelve years, on the 28 th September. On the 11 th June 1909 he was the subject of a court of enquiry ordered by the General Officer Commanding the artillery brigade in Malta. The panel was convened to look into injuries sustained by Murray. He offered a statement that whilst on duty in the magazine he slipped, fell and injured his ankle, he was ordered to report sick and attended Cottonera hospital where the medical officer diagnosed a fractured right ankle. The medical certificate commented that this was a serious injury that could affect his future efficiency as a soldier and that Murray claimed to have been on duty at the time. A witness, Bombardier Gandy confirmed the story and interestingly stated that Murray had been sober at the time. The panel found that Murray had been injured on duty, was not at fault and there was a full remission of hospital stoppages from his pay. He was posted to 21 company at Leith on 9 th October 1909 and promoted to sergeant with 21 company on the 1 st May 1912 and, on July 30 th, he again extended his service to 21 years. On the 6 th September he was posted to Malta as sergeant with 102 company. On the 5 th November 1916 in the first week of the 293 rd siege battery being formed he was promoted to Battery Sergeant Major and posted to join them at Leith. During their stay at Ewshott camp he married Alice Hunter on the 23 rd December 1916 at Lambeth Registry office. He embarked for the BEF with 293 on the 30 th March 1916 and served with them through France, Belgium and Italy. He was posted home After the war he continued to serve as BSM with the 14 th Essex and Suffolk fire command based at Languard. He and his wife lived in Holland Road, Felixstowe and it was there on the evening of the 12 th July 1919 that he

16 murdered her and then shot himself with a service revolver stolen from a Lieutenant Aitken. The inquest into the deaths was reported in the Singleton Argus (New South Wales) on Saturday 4 th October 1919 Drama of Jealousy - Soldier Kills Wife. Jealousy of his wife, whom he suspected of an intrigue with an Australian officer was stated at a Felixstowe inquest (England) to be the motive of the tragedy in which Sergeant-Major Matheson shot dead his wife and afterwards committed suicide. According to the evidence, Mathieson fired five shots at his wife from a six chambered revolver, and had killed himself with the last cartridge. In a letter to his father he asked for forgiveness for his rash act, to which he said his wife's behavior had driven him. He added that, he realized it was "a cowardly action," and that it took a certain amount of resolution to do it. He had made a will, leaving all his property to his brother. ' "I value my honor as a soldier above all things," he wrote. Letters were also found addressed to the wife from a member of the Australian forces and an American soldier, containing terms of endearment. Referring to the writers of these letters, Matheson wrote: I trust these two gentlemen will go back to their own country and try to live a good life, instead of making a hell upon earth for poor fellows like me." The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder and felo de se. By this time his family had moved to Bakewell in Derbyshire and a war office memo notes on the 16 th January 1920 that any property should be despatched to his father at Haddon House. His father wrote to the RGA depot at Woolwich dockyard on the 15 th February 1920 asking for his sons medals. His brother wrote, claiming to be next of kin, on the 25 th March 1920

17 demanding to know what has become of his personal belongings, back pay and property and determined to get what is mine threatens to take this matter higher if he is not satisfied. Service records survive