The Shrosbrees

Transcription

1 The Shrosbrees

2 The List of Shrosbrees who served in the First world War This booklet was composed to commemorate the end the end of the first world war and the contribution and sacrifices the Shrosbrees made to the war. Fortunately the Shrosbree seem to have got off quite lightly,with sadly only three deaths recorded. That there were some seriously wounded is also recorded in the awarding the silver Badge to those who were invalided out,but this does not allow for those wounded and returned to service. On a brighter note we also see some extreme bravery with the award of a Distinguished Conduct Medal,which is second only to the Victoria Cross. And a Military Medal which was new decoration devised in There also some Mentioned in Dispatches as recorded in the London Gazette One of the difficulties in identifying all of the Shrosbree is that most are only listed by Initials.Whilst there are several candidates, positive identity is further hampered by the incomplete records,due to their destruction during the Blitz [the burnt records ] and the simple recording in the Medals list and pensions records. The 1921 Census records will not be released in 2021 and the 1935 census records were also destroyed and there were no Census during the war but there was a ration book census in 1939 which is the only way we can see who survived the great war. 38

3 Fname Sname Regt Serv No Rank: Dates Column1 R Shrosbree Army Service Corps Albert E Shrosbree Army Service Corps M/ Private Edward T Shrosbree Army Service Corps M2/ Private William A Shrosbree Essex Regiment Sergeant S V Shrosbree Essex Yeomanry Regiment Private Robert J Shrosbree London Regiment 5767 Corporal George Shrosbree London Regiment 502 Private Acting Sergeant R J Shrosbree London Regiment Private Acting Lance Corporal Harold Shrosbree London Regiment 2803 Private Acting Sergeant James A Shrosbree London Regiment 1971 Private Henry Shrosbree Manchester Regiment 6068 Private George Shrosbree Middlesex Regiment G/51640 Private George Shrosbree Rifle Brigade S/8608 Private Charles Shrosbree Royal Army Medical Corps 3848 Private Harold W Shrosbree Royal Army Medical Corps 1849 Private George L Shrosbree Royal Berkshire Regiment 7304 Private Joseph Shrosbree Royal Defence Corps 4516 Private Charles Shrosbree Royal Field Artillery 766 Rank:Sergeant H J Shrosbree Royal Field Artillery RFRA 709 Gunner Herbert H Shrosbree Royal Field Artillery 930 Driver George A Shrosbree Royal Scots Fusiliers Private Walter T Shrosbree Royal West Kent Regiment L/8061 Private Walter Shrosbree R.F.C Sergeant Mechanic Ernest Shrosbree The Queen's Regiment T-4843 Sergeant R.J.A Shrosbree British Army Charles William Shrosbree Imperial Yeomanry Trooper 1902 M J Shrosbree South African Infantry 9019 Private 1917 F.J. Shrosbree Clerk 2nd Class 1918 G.G. Shrosbree Royal Air Force Air Mechanic 3rd Class 1918 George G Shrosbree F Air Mechanic 2nd Class 1918 John E W Shrosbree HMS Malaya J Able Seaman

4 Walter was born 14 May 1887 in Kentish Town, Middlesex,London. He was the middle son of Thomas & Kate [nee Rowe] Shrosbree. On Walter is seen on the School Register with his brothers Charles and George, they had previously attended St Michael's National School. 40

5 Walter Joined the army when he was just 18. After completing his basic training he was posted to India to join his Regiment the 2 nd Batt.The Royal West Kents.Walter was stationed in Peshawar,which is on the Khyber pass. Whilst there he served in the officers mess. In 1913 The Royal West Kents were recalled from India to take up duties in Ireland,this was during the Troubles and not a pleasant prospect. Fortunately Walters term of enlistment was coming to an end and at his request he was discharged to the reserves on the 27 February Walter married Ada Acton a few weeks later on the 10 April Within the year he was recalled for duty as a section A reservist, having been mobilised on the 14 August. He was in France and was engaged in the bitter fighting at Mons by the 23 rd Aug 1914 Having been through a most harrowing and trying time at the front line at the forefront of some of the most ferocious fighting. The Aisne, Neuve Chapelle, La Basee and Ypres. Marching and counter marching,digging slit trenches and under constant bombardment, by the end of 1914 the ranks of the Royal West Kents had been like other Regiments much reduced in numbers. 1st Royal West Kent's, by the 20th Nov 1914 had been reduced to 329 men, commanded by two new Subaltern's and two sergeant majors Pte L Walter Shrosbree was one of those 329 men who survived 41

6 The Queens Own Royal West Kents 42

7 Pte Walter Thomas Shrosbree British Expeditionary forces Walter attested to the Northumberland Fusiliers at Gravesend, Kent on the 30 May 1905, aged 18 yrs. for the 2nd Batt, Royal West Kent s. Enlisted No L private.. for an 8 years limited Service engagement, he completed 7 yrs 274 days service of which he was abroad 6 yrs 154 days with the colours, in Peshwar. India. Serving with ' Exemplary conduct' ( 2 yrs officers Mess). Upon his arrival home, he disembarked at Gosport Hants. He was transferred to the reserves ' Section " A" 27 February 1913 ' Section A Reserve For men who had completed their service in the regular army and who undertook to rejoin, if required, in an emergency that did not require general mobilisation. A man could serve no more than two years in Section A. Pay was 7 shillings a week in addition to the reservists earnings as a civilian. He had to attend twelve training days per year. A year later he was ' Recalled and returned to the 1st Battalion who were in Dublin. The order to Mobilise came on the 4 th August 1914 and they embarked for France Aug 1914 Landing at Havre 15 th August 1914 and were ' Engaged on the 23rd August 1914' Walter served on the western front at the Somme and Ypres. Walter was An "Old Contemptible" Walter was transferred back to the U.K in 1915 for a medical operation.[appendicitis} Restored from a fragment The R.W.K c 1905 Milton Barracks Gravesend 43

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9 Walter age 25 Ada age This undated picture is presumably a wedding Photo. 10 April 1913 Walters long service with St Johns ambulance 45

10 Official No Walter Thomas Shrosbree 1883 Transfd A/Serg Tans, RAF /Sgt Mech Promoted Ch Mechanic Man Service * 3 R,F.C Retained under M.1 sec 1916 R.A.F Ada Elizabeth Shrosbree 41 Augustine road, Gravesend Walters R.A.F Papers. This Certificate tells us: 13075??? Amb Train 4th Gen Hosp Versailles 25/2/ varisc 847A to sick Convoy 24/2/15 Netley W Slt Netely exsl Transferred to Eng by Amb Flotilla 25/4/ Appendecitis Netley Appendicitis Transfer to RAF Reserve Discharged Walters R.F.C -R.A.F service record tells us how and why he managed to come back to England in His record shows he had acute appendicitis and was put on an ambulance train to Versailles and then onto the ambulance flotilla back to England to Southampton. For men disembarking at Southampton, the most serious cases were transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley the Southampton War Hospital, the latter soon earning the reputation of being one of the busiest and 'heaviest' hospitals in the country. 46

11 Walter Stayed in the U.K after his operation and was posted to Hythe in Kent where he took a course in marksmanship. He was rated Distinguished. In January 1916 he transferred to the Royal flying Corps,Armament School in Uxbridge where he was listed as Drill Instructor Jan He was listed Musketeer Instructor Jan And a Gunnery Instructor 8 th February 1918 His certificate of Employment during the war states No Chief Mechanic Shrosbree Walter Thomas. Armaments School Uxbridge Gunnery Instructor Copies of Walters Cert of Employment 47

12 In the meantime Walters parents Thomas and Kate had departed for Chile, taking daughter Lydia and son Earnest with them. Thomas is listed as a Farmer They left for Valparaiso on board the Oravia in It must have been very unsettling as Valparaiso had been struck by a large earthquake around this time. It not certain when Thomas and Kate returned to England but they did not stay long as 1919 was the year Ernest married. 48

13 The 1906 Valparaíso earthquake hit Valparaíso, Chile, on August 16 at 19:55 local time. Its epicenter was offshore from the Valparaíso Region, and its intensity was estimated at magnitude 8.2 MW. Much of Valparaíso was destroyed; there was severe damage in central Chile from Illapel to Talca. The earthquake was felt from Tacna, Peru to Puerto Montt. Reports said the earthquake lasted Valparaíso 1906 four minutes. A tsunami was also generated. The earthquake killed a reported 3,886 people. Oravia 49

14 Walters elder brother George Lawrence, was also a career Soldier. In 1911 he was on leave and living with his brother Charles he had joined the Royal Berkshire Regt No 7304 Act Sergeant, He answered the call to arms and was killed 26 June aged 29. Recently married in 1912 he left a Widow Pheobe aged 25 and 2 Children Doris age 1 and newborn George. George Died 26 June 1915 K.I.A age 29 He is buried in Vielles-Chapelle new military Cemetery Robert J Shrosbree was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal no: A/Lcpl The London Regiment was awarded the D.C.M For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He and his machine-gun team rushed their gun into action about a hundred and fifty yards from the enemy trenches to support the advance of another part of the line. When the N.C.O. in charge and all the remaining members of the team had become casualties he carried on with the firing of his gun under close and accurate fire from the enemy, thus materially assisting the advance of the rest of the line. His courage and devotion to duty were most marked; London Gazette March 1918 A Cousin, George Alfred,is listed in the 1911 census as a soldier, Another career soldier he had enlisted in the Royal Scots Fusiliers No He was aged 22 when he was killed at Mons at 1914 An early casualty of the war Robert died 1 Nov He is buried in Menin Gate Ypres Grave Ref II.A.17 50

15 One of Walters cousins, another George enlisted in the 7th Battalion London Regt 22/11/1915 and was discharged at Winchester (on account of wounds received in action) 1/12/1917 age 37 years and 9 months. Desc. Single, 5'4' tall Eyes; Hazel. Occupation; Outside Porter. Home Address 4 Stanley House, 203 Kingsland Rd London. He served in France at Delville Wood 15/9/1916 and the Somme. The entry reads. Wounded in left side by shrapnel lodged in? of the 4th Lumbar Vertebra which? in left? was was invalid out 9 March 1917 leaving a focal? fistula which has since (unable to decipher line) left groin was incised. general health fairly good, Healed wound on left side of chest, small unhealed wound left groin open wound on on left side leading to discharging Focal Fistula N.O.K. Mother Charlotte Shrosbree 6 Stanley House Kingsland Road London Silver War Badge No B Ref X1306/2 Paragraph 392 King's Regulations (xvi) No longer physically fit for war service. Also decorated was William Alfred Shrosbree He was awarded the Military Medal No: Sgnt Essex Regiment Conferment of the medal was announced in the London Gazette and W A Shrosbree earned the right to add the letters M.M. to his name. Gazette Issue Page M.M. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the Field of the under mentioned Non-Commissioned Officers and Men. Reg No Sergeant. Essex Regiment The Miltary Medal. The military decoration was awarded to W A Shrosbree for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire or for individual or associated acts of bravery which were insufficient to merit the Distinguished Conduct Medal The Military Medal was established during the First World War by King George V on March 25th, 1916, Wounded in action William was discharged 10 Sept 1916 he was awarded the silver badge 51

16 H.M.S Malaya Crew c1915 John Ernest was the son William Alfred he joined the Navy and he served on HMS Malaya. A new Destroyer HMS Malaya was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship built for the Royal Navy during the early 1910 s. Shortly after commissioning in 1915, she participated in the Battle of Jutland [1916] as part of the Grand Fleet. She was hit 7 times during that conflict. 52

17 Relation : Initials : First name : Walter Thomas Surname Shrosbree DOB : 1884 Age : Parents : Town : Details : Service No : Regiment : Thomas & Kate [Acton] L-8061 Rank : Cpl Medals : Royal West Kents Theatre : Citations: Died : CWGC : Walter with some Old contemptible s Chums 53

18 Relation : Initials : G L Brother First name : George Lawrence Surname Shrosbree DOB : Parents : Town : Details : Service No : Regiment : Theatre : Citations: Died : CWGC : 25/10/1885 Age : 29 Thomas & Kate [Acton] 7304 Rank : Private Medals : Royal Berkshire 26/06/1915 Vielles-Chapelle new military Cemetery 1st btn Royal Berkshire Regiment. the unit arrived at Rouen 13/8/1914 The 1st btn was part of the 6th Bde. 2nd Div. George Lawrence died Saturday 26th June

19 Relation : Cousin Initials : First name : George Surname Shrosbree DOB : Age : Parents : Town : Details : Service No : Regiment : Theatre : Citations: Died : CWGC : James & Charlotte [Cannon] 502 Rank : Act Sergeant Medals : London Rgt 01/12/1915 Silver Badge Silver War Badge No B Ref X1306/2 Paragraph 392 King's Regulations (xvi) No longer physically fit for war service. From British Army Kew August 2005 MJD George Shrosbree Enlisted in the 7th Battalion 22/11/1915 and discharged Winchester (on account of wounds received in action) 1/12/1917 age 37 years and 9 months. Single, 5'4' tall Eyes; Hazel Occupation; Outside Porter. Home Address 4 Stanley House 203 Kingsland Rd London. Served in France Delville Wood 15/9/1916 and the Somme The entry reads. Wounded in left side by shrapnel lodged in? of the 4th Lumbar Vertebra which? in left? was was invalid out 9 March 1917 leaving a focal? fistula which has since (unable to decipher line) left groin was incised. general health fairly good, Healed wound on left side of chest, small unhealed wound left groin open wound on on left side leading to discharging Focal Fistula N.O.K. Mother Charlotte Shrosbree 6 Stanley House Kingsland Road London 55

20 Relation : Initials : G A 2 nd Cousin First name : George Alfred Surname Shrosbree DOB : Age : 22 Parents : Town : Details : Service No : Regiment : Theatre : Citations: Died : CWGC : George & Susannah [Reynolds] Rank : Private Medals : 2nd Batt Royal Scots Fussliers 01/11/1914 Grave Ref II.A.17 Menin Gate Ypres Ypres Town Cemetery, Menin Gate, Belgium A career soldier he joined the army c1911 and was just 22 when he died fighting on the Somme at Ypres 56

21 Relation : Initials : 2 nd Cousin First name : John Frederick Surname Shrosbree DOB : Age : 23 Parents : Town : Details : George & Susannah [Reynolds] Service No : Regiment : Theatre : Citations: Died : CWGC : Rank : Cpl Medals : Army Pay Corps George Alfred's Younger Brother Army # Corporal Army Pay Corps-Royal Fusileers Home Address: 62 Elmore St. Islington Wife: Annie Elizabeth Sanford Hoxton 1/7/1917 Enlisted 7/11/1917 (age 23) Height: 5'5" Eyes: Blue Moved to Hounslow 7/12/1918 Drafted to Wimerouss? France 7/12/1918. Command Pay Office? June 1918 Then? 1/12/1920 Granted Special Rate of Pay 3/6d 57

22 Relation : Initials : First name : Harry Charles Surname Shrosbree DOB : 1882 Age : 36 Parents : Town : Details : John Earnest & Jessie Service No : Regiment : Theatre : Citations: Died : CWGC : Grenadier Guards Rank : Medals : 58

23 Relation : Initials : 2nd cousin First name : Joseph Arthur Surname Shrosbree DOB : Parents : Town : Details : Service No : Regiment : Theatre : Citations: Died : CWGC : 1890 Age : 54 Robert James & Elizabeth 4516 Rank : Private Medals : Silver Badge th Btn Royal Defence Corps 05/10/1917 P. 392 xvi. King's Regulation Sick. Para 2 (d) Army Order II dated 10/08/

24 Relation : Initials : 2 nd Cousin First name : Robert J.A Surname Shrosbree DOB : Age : 38 Parents : Town : Details : Robert James & Jessie [Balcombe}] Service No : Regiment : Theatre : Citations: Died : CWGC : Rank : Act L/Cpl Medals : Distinguished Conduct Medal London Regmt 04/ Page 2748 : SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 4 MARCH Pte.(A./L./Cpl.)R.J:Shrosbree, Lond.R~.(Sutton). For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He and his machinegun team rushed Their gun into action about a hundred and fifty yards from the enemy trenches to support the advance of another part of the line. When the N.C.O. in charge and all the remaining members of the team had become casualties he carried on with the firing of his gun under close and accurate fire from the enemy,thus materially assisting the advance of the rest of the line. His courage and devotion to duty were most marked 60

25 Relation : Initials : 2 nd Cousin First name : Gertude Marie Surname Shrosbree DOB : Age : 28 Parents : Town : Details : Robert James & Jessie [Balcombe}] Service No : 6930 Rank : Medals : Regiment : Theatre : Citations: Died : CWGC : British Women's Royal Air Force Service Records Robert J.A s Sister British Women's Royal Air Force Service Records

26 Relation : Initials : 2 nd Cousin First name : William Alfred * Surname Shrosbree DOB : Age : 44 Parents : John Earnest & Anna [Johnson] Town : Details : Service No : Regiment : Theatre : Citations: Died : CWGC : Rank : Sgnt Medals : M.M Essex Regmt 10 Sept 1916 Military Discharge 28/04/1919 Military Medal Silver Badge Silver War Badge No B Ref X1306/2 Paragraph 392 King's Regulations (xvi) No longer physically fit for war service. The Military Medal was established during the First World War by King George V on March 25th, 1916, Conferment of the medal was announced in the London Gazette and W A Shrosbree earned the right to add the letters M.M. to his name. Gazette Issue Page M.M. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the Field of the undermentioned Non-Commissioned Officers and Men. Reg No Sergeant. Essex Regiment The Miltary Medal. The military decoration was awarded to W A Shrosbree for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire or for individual or associated acts of bravery which were insufficient to merit the Distinguished Conduct Medal. 62

27 Relation : Initials : 2 nd Cousin First name : John Ernest Surname Shrosbree DOB : 03 May 1899 Age : 16 Parents : Town : Details : William & Jessie [Sims] * Service No : Regiment : Theatre : Citations: Died : CWGC : J39487 Royal Navy Rank : Able Seaman Medals : William Alfred & Jessie [Sims] Son * Seamen's records, Records of the Admiralty, Naval Forces, Royal Marines, Coastguard, and related bodies Series Admiralty: Registers of Seamen's Services Piece Name Shrosbree, John Ernest William Official Number: J39487 Place of Birth: Saint Pancras, London 03 May 1899 ADM 188/725 63

28 Relation : Initials : 2nd cousin First name : Jessie Beatrice Surname Shrosbree DOB : 1880 Age : 34 Parents : Town : Details : Service No : Regiment : Theatre : Citations: Died : CWGC : John James & Jessie [Skinner] Stoke Newington Rank : clerical Medals : British Red Cross Society volunteers 1st South: Gen: Mil:Hos Birmingham Commended st South: Gen: Mil:Hos Birmingham st South : Gen: Mil: Hos: Birmingham 64

29 Payday for the 15th London Regiment c

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32 Peter Masters Armchair History Llanaelhaearn Gwynedd LL54 5AE