Pershore Men

Worcestershire | Pershore Men Served in the Great War | 1914-18

Pershore Men Served in the Great War 1914-1918

Sources To Do The listing

NOTE: (2002) This project is still in its early stages Malcolm’s further research became the basis for “Pershore Men of the Great War 1914 -1918”  Paperback – 19 Nov 2014 by Trudy Burge (Editor)

A listing, with whatever biographical data I can glean, of the men of
Pershore who served in the Great War; both those who died, and those that
returned home again. This includes a couple of men who were not from or
living in Pershore; but I’ve included them because there is a memorial to
them on their parents’ or grandparents’ grave.

The list currently contains over 500 names. I’m certain there are a number
of duplicates, but at this point I don’t have enough information to eliminate
these, and there will be names missing that should be in this list. When I’ve
done a lot more research, I’ll make a print version (including photographs) available, but it’s too early for that yet.

If you have additional information on these men, or know of an omission, or
other information sources for me to search, please let me know.

Compiled from the following sources:

[AB] Pershore Abbey War Memorial(listing those who died)

[AL] listed in Pershore Almanac, 1915 edition i.e a list of those who were in service around Dec 1914 or so.

[AV19] Absent Voters list for spring 1919

[EJXXXXXX] Evesham Journal Roll of Service – those listed as in service on a particular date
[EJD16] Evesham Journal, 8 Jan 1916 – Listing of the dead for the previous year

Gravestones in Pershore Cemetery

Reports in the Evesham Journal; these are usually referenced in the entry in
question.

A couple of entries in the Sherwood Foresters Roll of Honour
and the Somerset Memorial

Mark Rogers’ book on the Worcester Grammar School Memorial
pointed me to a Pershore man not on the Abbey memorial…

Most of those that died have had supplementary information added from their
entry in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register

If someone is mentioned as being listed on another memorial, I probably have that memorial available on-line.

To Do

Sources I haven’t yet looked at:

Newspapers: More Evesham Journal reports, Berrow’s Worcester Journal, Tewkesbury Register.

There is supposed to be a memorial to former pupils of Pershore School – formerly at the school in Defford Road, now in the Working Men’s Club, though I’ve not seen it.

Suggestions of further sources to try would be welcome….

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The List

Sergt.-Major Walter Adams Royal Artillery [AL]
(tobacconist, High street, according to 1914 directory)

George Ryland Addis Lived in Bridge Street [AV18]

Private 19172 Walter Francis Aldington Kitchener’s Army, then 10th Battn. Worcestershire Regiment: see the letter home written by Charles Twigg. Lived in No Gains [EJ140926][AL][AV18][AV19]

3273 James Amos Royal Navy. Lived Church Row [AV19]

Sergt. Alfred Amphlett 8th Worcesters [AL] Lived in Head Street.

Gnr. 120759 Timothy George Amphlett R.G.A. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19]

Gnr. 23442 William Ernest Amphlett R.F.A. Lived in New Road [AV18][AV19]

Sgt. 24023 Arthur Charles Andrews 52 Bat. Hants. Lived in High Street [AV18][AV19]

Private 240111 Charles Frederick Andrews 1/8th Battalion Worcesters. 9th October 1917. Buried at Dochy Farm New British Cemetery, Zonnebeke. West-Vlanderaan, Belgium. [EJ140926][AL][AB] EJ listing says Territorials.

2nd. Lieut. Charles Leslie Andrews 7th Worcesters. Lived in Newlands [AV18][AV19]

Cpl. 240307 Frank Andrews 2/8th Worcs. Regt. Lived in Head Street [EJ141003][AL][AV18][AV19] Ref. AL lists him as a private in Kitchener’s army.

Private George Andrews Territorials/8th Worcesters Lived in Head Street [EJ140926][AL][AV18]

Trooper 3025 James O. Andrews Q.O.W.H. Worcestershire Regiment. 29 April 1916 aged 23. Son of James and Eliza Andrews of Head Street. Listed in the Evesham Journal 20 May 1916, as having died of wounds. NB. That source listed his initials as O.J. [AB]

Sergt. John Sidney Andrews R.A.F. Lived in Newlands [AV18][AV19]

Private 3425 Reginald Frank Andrews 1st/8th Worcester regiment (Q.O.W.H) Enlisted at Worcester (living in Tewkesbury at the time) according to [Soldiers Died] Served France and Flanders, killed in action 20th July 1916. Buried at Bapaume Post Military Cemetery, Albert, Somme [AL][AB]

Albert Annis Lived in Newlands [AV18]

Arthur Percival Annis He was born and bred in
Pershore and lived in Birmingham Rd. Fortunately, he was one of the lucky ones
who returned home and went on to live until the grand old age of 92.

Private 36180 Edward Annis 327 Co. R.D.C. Lived in Ganderton’s Row [AV19]

James Annis Church Row [AV18]

James Annis Priest Lane [AV18]

Private 43703 James S. Annis 10th Battn. Lincolnshire Regiment. 28 April 1917 age 23. Son of Charles and Miriam Annis of Pensham. Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France [AL][EJ140926][AB]Note that refs [AL][EJ140926] list him as a corporal in the 8th Worcesters.

Evesham Journal 4 June 1917 – “COUSINS KILLED. A letter from a Pershore man, Lance-Corpl. John Gould, Royal Engineers, announced the death in a recent action of two cousins, Pte. James Annis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Annis, of Pensham, and Sapper Edward John Marshall, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Marshall, of the Newlands, Pershore, both of the Lincolns. The sad news has since been officially confirmed, and thus two more names are added to Pershore’s Roll of Honour. Pte. Annis was 23 years of age, and his cousin 24. Both joined up under the group system, and were transferred from the Worcesters to the Lincolns. Both families have the sympathies of the Townspeople in their sad loss. In a letter to Mrs. Annis, the lieutenant of the company says her son was a good soldier, who did his duty fearlessly, faithfully, and well. Sapper Marshall’s brother Philip, who was badly gassed in action last January, is now a substitute working on the land at Evesham.”

Private L. Annis National Reserve (Railway Guard) [AL]

Pte. 3705 Leonard Annis 8th Worcs. Lived at 1, Church row [AV18][AV19]

Private 653978 William James Annis A.E. Co. Labour Corps [AV18][AV19]

Private 30280 William James Annis 11th Worcesters. Lived in Little Priest Lane [AV18][AV19]

Private 2430 James Archer 6th Battn. Welsh Regiment. 16 March 1916 age 20. Buried Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. [AB][AL] Reference AL lists him in Kitchener’s Army.

Evesham Journal, April 1 1916: “Pte. James Archer, of the Welsh Regt., son of Mr and Mrs Archer, of the Newlands, Pershore, died in hospital on March 16 from shell wounds. The chaplain of the Regiment communicated the sad news to the family, and a chum of deceased states in a letter:- ‘we were resting in a village about four miles from the trenches, when the enemy sent in a few shells unexpectedly. Jim was hit just as he was fetching his dinner’ Pte. Archer was a native of Pershore, and prior to the war was a miner in Wales. He joined the Army in September 1914 and had been at the front for a year without leave”

Private 5487 William Askew 2nd/20th Bn. London Regiment. 15 August 1916 age 17. Son of Alfred Rigby Askew and Elizabeth Askew of Pershore. Buried Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, Pas de Calais, France. [AB]

Evesham Journal, 9th September 1916: “PERSHORE LAD KILLED. News has been received from the War Office that Pte William Askew, son of Mr and Mrs. A.R. Askew, late of Pershore, has been killed in action on August 15 last. The deceased lad was a native of Pershore, was well known and respected in his native town. He was till quite recently a scholar of the Baptist Sunday School. He left Pershore in July 1914, for Birmingham and was employed at the British Insulated and Helsby Cable Co. in Livery-Street, until the time of his enlistment in the R.A.M.C. He joined at the age of 16. He transferred to the 20th County of London Regiment in May 1916. Was sent to France at the end of June. He with several others was blown up by a trench mine. His captain, writing to parents, spoke of the lad’s pluck, and of the great attachment that existed between them. We shall publish a photo of Pte Askew next week.”

Dr. Hugh Lowrie Askham Royal Army Medical Corps, according to the Evesham Journal 29 July 1916, which mentions that he’d been a member of the Pershore hockey club. Lived in Bridge street. An Evesham Journal story (28 April 1917) about his partner, Dr. H.B. Emerson (see that entry) mentions that he had returned home after a year’s hard work in France

Evesham Journal 16th February 1918 has a report of his wedding, and a photo of him and his bride in the following issue.

Private 3149 John Bagnall Q.O.W.H.(Worcester Yeomanry) died on April 23rd 1916 age 23. Son of Clara Thorneycroft (formerly Bagnall) of 34 Cannock Road, Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, and the late Edward Bagnall. (This is the only Bagnall of the QOWH in the CWGC database) Jerusalem Memorial, Israel [AL][AB]

Evesham Journal, 25 June 1915:– FROM MISSION HALL TO KHAKI. One of the latest recruits from Pershore, which town has done so wel in the shedding of civilan fress for the khaki uniform, is Captain John Bagnell, of the Church Army Mission, who has joined the Worcestershire Yeomanry. The captain will preach his farewell sesion at the Mission Hall, Pershore, next Sunday evening, and then will immediately leave to commence his military training. His loss will be severely felt by a host of friends who have been associated with him in the work of the mission, of which he took charge nearly two years ago. While the Captain’s decision has occasioned much surprise — his gentle demeanour seeming quite incompatible with the choice of a military life — his intimate friends knew how deeply he was convinced of the justice of our country’s participation in this war. Whether or not it falls to Capatin Bagnell’s lot to ever again take up religious work in Pershore, he will be long remembered for the good he tried to do.

Evesham Journal, 26th August 1916:– THE YEOMANRY. Welcome news has been received of the safety of many officers and men of the Worcestershire Yeomanry, who in the first instance were supposed to have been killed in the surprise engagement with the Turks at Katia on Easter Sunday, but the prolonged silence as to the fate of Capt. Bagnell, formerly of Pershore, is regarded by his many friends with the gravest apprehension. Capt. Bagnell was a Church Army Worker in connection with the Church of England, and the influence of his earnest, self-denying labours in the district will long remain. With his delicate physique and pale and thoughtful cast of countenance, it is impossible to say that Captain Bagnell had the appearence of a fighting man, but he was dominated with the thought that for England this was a righteous conflict, and saw clearly involved the great principles of liberty and right, when he resigned his work at Pershore for the stern duty of war.

Private John Baker 8th Worcesters [AL][EJ140926]

Lieut. John H. Baker Evesham Journal, Feb. 2 1918 mentions that Mr. John Griffin Baker of Bridge Street was ill; his son Lieut. John H Baker is now home on leave from France

Dvr. 86773 Cyril Ball 116 Batty., R.F.A. Lived in Newlands. [AV18][AV19]

Charles Ballinger Lived in Church Street [AV18]

Pte. 240803 Harry Ballinger 9th Worcs. Lived in Church Street[AV18][AV19]

Private Henry Ballinger 8th (Res) Worcs. Regt. – had served in S. Africa [EJ141003][AL]

41735 John Wicketts Ballinger C.Q.M.S. King’s Liverpools. Lived in Whitcroft [AV18][AV19]

Cpt. 29553 Ralph Ballinger 4th Battn. Surrey Regt. Lived at Whitcroft [AV18][AV19]

L-Cpl 231785 Walter Ballinger R.E. Lived at Whitcroft [AV18][AV19]

Private William Ballinger 8th Worcesters. Lived at Church Street [AL][AV18]

Driver 831055 John Barber “C” Btn. 241st Bde. Royal Field Artillery 21st July 1919 age 34. Husband of Annie Alice Barber of 7 Bearcroft Cottage Pershore. Serving in Italy in early 1918 – see Harold Barber report below. CWGC grave in Pershore cemetery [AV18][AB] His original service number was 3067, new number 831055. Originally posted to the Battery Ammunition Column (this was based pre war in Malvern).
Transferred from BAC to 2nd Section Divisional Ammunition Column 15/5/16.
Date of transfer to C/241 (Redditch battery) not known.

Harold Barber Worcesters. Lived in Priest lane [AV18]

Evesham Journal, 27 April 1918 – PERSHORE MAN A PRISONER. Mrs. Harold Barber, of Priest-lane, Pershore, has received news that her husband, Pte. H. Barber, of the Worcesters, was recently severely wounded and is now in Hospital at Leicester. Pte. Barber was gassed in in July, and only returned to France three weeks ago. Prior to joining up he worked at the Pershore Post Office as rural postman. He has two other brothers with the colours, Driver J. Barber, now in Italy, and Pte. V.C. Barber in France.

157792 Henry William Barber 2nd Batt. M.G.C. Lived in Church Street [AV18][AV19]

Private Victor C. Barber 8th Worcesters. Was in France in April 1918. see Harold Barber entry above. [AL]

Private 203746 William Robert Barber “B” Coy. 1st/7th Bn. Worcestershire Regt. Son of William and Rhoda Barber, killed in action Aug 16th 1917 aged 32 years. Memorial on his parent’s grave, Pershore cemetery. Served F. and F. Listed on Tyne Cot memorial [AB]

Evesham Journal 15 September 1917 – “Mr. W. Barber, of Priest-lane, has received a letter from Capt. Percy Carter (who now lies badly wounded) that his son, Pte. William Barber, was killed on the 16th ult. After assuring the bereaved parents of his deep sympathy, the captain states that Will was reported missing after a night attack, but his body was discovered some time afterwards. He gave his life while gallantly doing his duty. Pte. Barber had been out in France eighteen months, during which time he was twice wounded and gassed. Before joining the colours, he worked as a painter and decorator for Mr. A. Salisbury, of Evesham. He was engaged to be married.”

Private Edward Barnard National Reserve (Railway Guard) [AL] Church Street.

Alfred Barnes Lived in Newlands [AV18]

Private 12310 Oliver Henry Barnes 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment Gallipoli 6 August 1915 age 23. Brother of Mrs. Clara Davies of 14 Council Cottages, Pinvin. ref. EJD16 lists him as a Pinvin man: he is also listed on Pinvin War memorial. Born Pinvin; enlisted at Worcester (living at Pinvin when he enlisted, according to [Soldiers Died]. Listed on Hellas Memorial, Turkey [EJD16][AB]

Private Ernest Batty 8th Worcesters [AL]

Bombardier 305020 George Batty Royal Artillery. Lived in No Gains [AL][AV18][AV19]

Private 35337 Frank William Baylis(s) 9th Worcesters. Lived in Broad Street [AV18][AV19] In August 1917 was serving in India: before the war had been with Messrs. Phillips and Sons of Pershore – see his brother Harry’s entry below. AV18 spells his name with two `s’s.

Gerald Baylis Gloucester Cycle Corps, discharged as medically unfit not long before August 1917 – see his brother Harry’s entry below.

Rifleman R/4194 Harry/Henry Baylis King’s Royal Rifles. Lived in Broad Street [AL][AV18][AV19]

Evesham Journal 4 August 1917 – “PERSHORE MAN MISSING. Mrs. Bayliss, of the National telephone Office Pershore, has received information from the War Office that her son Harry, of the King’s Royal Rifles, is missing. It is a terribly anxious time for her, as he was in the awful Flanders battle of July 10, at which the King’s Royal rifles and Northamptons won impersihable fame for their valour and fidelity against impossible odds. Rifleman Harry Bayliss has been two years in France and has been through many big fights. When on short sick leave about a year ago, he brought home a Hun helmet, which is now in his mother’s possession. Prior to the war, Harry was at the Union Club, Trafalgar-square, London. Mrs. Baylis has another son, Frank, in India with the colours. Formerly he was with Messrs. Phillis and Sons, Pershore. A third son, Gerald, of the Gloucester Cycle Corps, has been recently discharged as medically unfit.

Evesham Journal 22 September 1917 – `A PRISONER IN GERMANY. To her great relief Mrs. Baylis, of the Telephone Office, Pershore, has received news of her son, Rifleman Harry Baylis, of the King's Royal rifles, who was reported by the War Office as missing since the sharp engagement at Nieuport on July 10, when his battalion, with the Northamptoms. fought heroically against an overwhelming number of the enemy and suffered severe losses. Harry has sent two postcards to his mother, the first dated July 13, apprising her of his captivity, and the second the 14th of August, telling her he was all right, but would likesomething to eat’ sent on. Both cards were received this week, the last dated coming to hand first. Many Pershore people will share in Mrs. Baylis’s pleasure that her worst fears have proved unfounded.” (rest of item continued under Arthur Hall)

Private Alfred Beard 8th (Home Service) Batt. Worcs. Regt. Lived in Newlands [EJ141024][AL][AV18]

64245 Harry J. Beard 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own) Died of wounds, 24 September 1918. Son of Mr. H.Beard of the Newlands. Buried Trefcon British Cemetery, Canlain court, Aisne, France [AB]

204073 Harry James Beard 52nd West Yorks. Lived in Church Street [AV18][AV19]

Private Henry Beard National Reserve (Railway Guard) Lived at Newlands [AL][AV18]

Pte. 227750 Thomas Beard Labour Batt. Lived at Plough Lane [AV18][AV19] Probably the Pte. T. Beard attending at Harry Smith’s funeral in early 1918.

Lance Corporal 9280 William Beard 2nd Battalion Worcester Regiment. Born in Pershore, enlisted at Worcester (living at Henley-in-Arden, Warks. at the time) Served France and Flanders. Killed in action 26th September 1915

Pte. Thomas Bell 2nd Worcesters Listed in 1915 Pershore Almanac as Wounded and taken Prisoner of War. Lived in Plough Lane [AL][AV18]

550007 William George Bell 6th Worcesters. Lived in Newlands [AV18][AV19]

Lieut-Col. C.H. Bennett, D.S.O. 3rd Batt. P.S.U., Brigade [AL] Mabor House, Bridge Street.

Hubert Berry Pensham [AV18]

Sideney Berry Pensham [AV18]

Pte. 38603 Frederick Thomas Bick 9th 9th Loyal Nh. Lancashires. Lived in Binholme [AV18][AV19]

Lance-Corporal 7371 Harry Bick 15th King’s Hussars. Lived in Binholme [AL][AV18][AV19] Was a private in AL listing.

Private 240500 Joseph William Surman Bick 18th Worcs. Lived in Binholme [AV18][AV19]

Private William Bick 8th Worcesters [AL]

Private 25772 Arthur James Bickerstaff A Squadron, R.R.E. Lived in Bridge Street [Av18][AV19]

Sergeant 3914 Arthur Biddulph 4th Battalion Worcester Regiment; Born in Birmingham, enlisted in Birmingham, according to [Soldiers Killed]. Killed 4th June 1915, Gallipoli. [AL][EJD16][AB] (ref AL says he was in 5th Battalion, all other sources say 4th)

Evesham Journal, 31 July 1915 – `PERSHORE MAN KILLED. Sergt. Arthur Biddulph, a representative as worthy as any of the gallant 4th Worcesters, was killed in the 4th of June when fighting in the Gallipoli Peninsula. Mrs. Biddulph, of Pershore, who now lives with her mother, Mrs. Jones of Priest-lane, recived the official intimation of his death on Tuesday. She had heard previously from the authorities that he was missing, and had entertained little hope of ever seeing him again since receiving the verbal message from another Pershore soldier, who came back wounded from the Dardanelles at the beginning of the month, that he himself saw the Sergt. struck down by a bullet. This soldier, Pte. William Reeves, but 20 years of age, was sent out after four months' training, and received his baptism of fire in the very fight in which Sergt. Biddulph was killed. It happened in the afternoon of that June day; they had taken four trenches from the Turks, and were about to rush the fifth, and the sergeant came to him, put his hand on his shoulder, and said,Keep close to me, lad, you’ll be all right’
It was in that rush he saw the sergeant receive his death wound. I dare not turn back to see if I could help him' said Pte. Reeves.The orders were strict that no man was to do this, as the Service Corps were following up to do this work. I rushed on, and soon after was shot myself through the thigh.’ The sergeant, Pte Reeves added, was as cool as a cucumber all through, which had a wonderful steadying effect on new recruits like himself, of whom there were many in the regiment. It was with the greatest reluctance that the boy soldier brought this sad news home to the widowed wife, but he thought it was his duty to say what he actually saw, One feels all the more admiration for the brave sergeant on hearing of how he tried to cheer up his young companion. He was an experienced soldier; had served over his time – 22 years – and had been right through the South African campaign. He was a tall, fine-looking soldier, quiet, reserved, wonderfully efficient in all his military duties, well liked by the men, and valued by his superior officers. He was at Croome training with his regiment when war broke out, and was at once despatched to Plymouth, where he worked almost night and day drilling and instructing troops. He went to several other places doing similar work, and about Christmas was quite run down in health. Instead of going into hospital he came home, and while in Pershore saw Dr. Emerson, who told him he needed rest. He was too good a soldier, however, to take rest while such a war was going on, and in a few days he returned to his duties. For a short time he was at Norton Barracks drilling recruits there, and on occasions when at Pershore he gave intruction to the Volunteer Training Corps in Swedish drill, and there is not a member of that body who was not favourably impressed by his quiet efficiency and soldierlike qualities. Sergt. Biddulph leaves a wife and three children, one of whom was born in India.

A MILITARY FAMILY. On a representative of the Journal' calling on Mrs. Biddulph to gain some particulars of the sergeant and request the loan of his photograph, he was surprised to learn the extent of the family's interest in the war. The walls of the cottage are covered with portraits of soldiers. Her father,Ensor’ Jones, who has been thirty years connected with the Army, is now acting as reservist in Banbury; her brother, Sergt. Jack Jones, was badly wounded in the fight at Neuve Chapelle – he is a Worcester man and has five brothers now serving in the trenches, and two on garrison duty; her sister’s fiancee, Pte. Lionel Thomas, a young South African, was killed at Neuve Chapell, and the daily lament of her youngest brother, Albert Jones, who is a lance-corporal in the Pershore Boys’ Brigade, is that he is too young to enlist. While justly proud of the record of their family, there is much sorrow in this little home in Pershore over those who will never return and a great unceasing anxiety for the safety of the others. Sergt. Biddulph’s age was 38. A portrait of the sergeant appears on Page 10”

Private 3329 Oliver Birt 2nd/8th Battalion. Worcestershire Regiment. Served in France and Flanders. Died of wounds 4th Dec 1918 age 36 [AL][EJ141024][AB] ref.[AL] lists him in Kitchener’s Army

Private 035716 Emmanuel Blackwell A.O.C. Lived in High Street [AV18][AV19] High Street (Plough Inn)

Trooper T. Blizzard Worcester Yeomen – listed as missing in Evesham Journal, 20 May 1916

Arthur Blizzard Worcestershire Yeomanry – A letter home from R.C. Edwards (see below) and printed in the Evesham Journal 29th December 1917 mantions that Arthur Blizzard was amongst the men captured by the Turks on Easter Sunday 1916 and still a prisoner in Dec 1917.
Pershore heritage centre has a 1915 group photo of the Pershore Troop (No. 3 `D’ company) that includes him.

Arnold Irving Henry William Bloxham Operator, Wireless Staff, Marconi Company. Lived in Bridge Street [AV18][AV19]

Trooper Alfred James Boswell Worcester Yeomen – listed as Missing in Evesham Journal, 20 May 1916; evidently still alive for his listing in ref. [AV18]

George Bourn Lived in Priest Lane [AV18]

44007 Charles William Stanley Boulter Berkshire Regiment. Lived at Allesborough Cottages [AV18][AV19]

15386 Harry Victor Boulter 1st Worcesters. Lived at Allesborough Cottages [AV19]

14964 George Bourne Royal Marines. Lived in Priest Lane [AV19]

Trooper/Private 325531 Arthur C. Bozzard Q.O.W.H. Worcestershire Regiment (Worcestershire Yeomanry). 23 April 1916. Evesham Journal 20 May 1915 lists him as missing, believed killed. See Arthur Kings’ death notice below for a mention that Arthur Bozzard had been an employee of Messrs. Phillips and Sons, High Street. Jerusalem Memorial, Israel [AB]

George William Bozzard Lived in High Street [AV18]

Rifleman 57871 Alfred Brant 2nd/8th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own). 27 July 1918. Son of Edward and Annie Brant. Soisson Memorial, Aisne, France. Lived in Priest Lane [AV18][AB]

Private Edward Brant Kitchener’s Army [AL]

41119 Ernest Brant Royal Irish Rifles. Lived in Newlands. [Av19]

Private Ernest Brant 8th Hussars. Lived in Newlands [AL][AV18]

G. Brant Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

Private 23583 John Brant Lived in Newlands. [AL][AV18][AV19]
Ref. AL lists him in Kitchener’s Army, [AV19] has him in the 11 Hants.

Arthur Brewer Lived at The Abbey [AV18]

Private 18884 William Bridgewater 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Born Mislon, Shropshire, enlisted at Tenbury, Living in Pershore at time of enlistment. Served France and Flanders. Killed in action 4 March 1917. Buried Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel-le-grand, Somme. [Soldiers Died][AB]

Evesham Journal, 12 May 1917 – “ANOTHER PERSHORE MAN KILLED. Pte. William Bridgewater, of Pershore, who was a sniper in the Worcester Regt.\, has, it is officially reported, been killed in France. It is but a little more than a year since he married Miss Lily Turvey, of Pershore, who is now left a widow with one child. In a letter of sympathy to Mrs. Bridgewater, Pte. G. Hall, of an E. Lancashire Regt. who was a pal of the deceased, gives a few brief particulars of his death. It appears he was, with four others, in a deep dug out when a large shell dropped close to the entrance, injuring and burying them all. Two managed after a most exhaustive effort to dig their way out and crawled to where Hall was stationed. They said the other two were dead, and Hall writes that he went personally to ascertain if it was correct. It took a long time, he says, to dig down, as the Germans were shelling the ammunition dump just at the back of the trench the unfortunate man was in charge of. He found both were dead, evidently killed by the shock of the explosion. One was Pte. Bridgewater, and the writer forwarded photographs which he found on him. His pocket book and identification disc were handed to the platoon officer. Much symathy is felt with Mrs. Bridgewater in her bereavement”

Private 9671 Albert R. Brookes 2nd. Battalion Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Killed October 21st 1914. Son of Mrs. Susan Cosnett of the Newlands. He was the first Pershore man to be killed in the War. He was 19 years old and had served four years in the army. Listed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial [AB][AL][EJD16] NB ref. EJD16 spells his name as Brooks
Evesham Journal 20 February 1915:– HOW PRIVATE BROOKS DIED. Since the death of Pte. A.R. Brooks, of Pershore, whose portrait we published in the Journal,'' together with the sympathetic and eulogistic remarks of Colonel Davies, the commander of his regiment (the Oxford \& Bucks Light Infantry) his mother has received several accounts from his comrades of the fierce conflict in which he received his death wound. One of the latest of these comes from Lance-Corpl. H.J. Hastings, who has just received the great honour by being awarded the D.C. Medal for an act of exceptional bravery -- sticking to the defence of a pass when all his near comrades had fallen, and putting no less than twenty-three Germans out of action. The exciting incident has received a good deal of attention in the general press. Lance-Corpl Hastings thus writes to the mother of poor Arthur Brooks:--I am afraid I cannot tell you very much, at least, of the attack. Even thhough one may succeed in keeping very cool at the critical moment, one’s impresions and thoughts form a strange jumble afterwards. However, I will do my best. At about 11 a.m. on the morning of the 21st October we advanced to attack a German position. Our A' Company was in reserve toC’ Company, ad therefore was about 300 yards behind the firing line. We forced our way in rushes for about half a mile, losing a man here and there, but sustained no serious losses. Then we came to several hedges, which had to be broken through. I have some recollection of your son here with the rest, breaking gaps with our rifle butts and bayonets, then I was through, and gradually the company massed behind another hedge which the Germans raked with rifle fire. Here our losses began to get heavy. I with one or two others were bandaging the wounded and we came across your son. He was shot through the head, but still alive. We bnadaged him up and then had to leave him for others. Shortly afterwards we advanced to reinforce the firing line and I was amongst the first to go. Next I heard that he was dead and had been buried by a Sergeant Jeffries, of this Company. This sergeant was killed two weeks later. Arthur was a nice young fellow, rather reserved with the majority of the Company, but fairly popular. My chief impression of him now is of a curly black beard he had grown while on the retirement and readvance, although so young (Pte. Brooks was but 19 years of age). Thank you for your kind letter. I quite agree it seems a cruel and horrible thing that so many of us are killing and being killed in a quarrel we did not begin, and of which we have but little knowledge.”

William Peake Brown Lived in Newlands [AV18]

Dr Gordon Browning Royal Navy, according to Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 which says he’d been a member of Pershore’s hockey club.

Private 22796 Arthur Buckle
4th Battalion. Worcestershire Regiment. Born in Pershore, enlisted in Birmingham, where he was living at that time [Soldiers Died] Died of wounds in Britain, on the 29th of October 1916, aged 33.
Husband of Florence Elizabeth Buckle, of Bull Entry, Newlands.
Son of the late Mr and Mrs Buckle of Pershore, “has seen a lot of fighting in more than one theatre of war” – Evesham Journal 27th May 1916. Buried at Nunhead (All Saints) Cemetery, London [AB]

Private G.C. Buckle 8th/9th Worcesters. Son of the late Mr and Mrs Buckle of Pershore.
Evesham Journal, 27 May 1916 – ` ALL GOOD BOYS IN THE WORCESTERS'' Pte. G.C. Buckle, who has been wounded and is at present on a hospital ship, writing to his sister, Mrs. Green, of 12, Bourne's-place, saysJust a few lines to let you know that I am going on well now. My wound is healing up, and I have very little pain so that I think I shall soon be able to get up and about again. I was wounded on the 5th of April, 1916 when in the attack. We were to take three lines, but of course we were so eager to get them out, that we all pressed forward and cleared the Turks out of their possession, and got them on the run. I got hit when I was getting into the fourth trench.

I daresay you will like to know whether I got the box of fags, I got them just before I went into action. I had only one and then put the rest in my haversack, and when I got hit I had to leave everything behind me. I had not had a smoke for three days, so I could have stopped and had a good smoke. I clung to your photos of you and the children, but lost everything else. I have been sent to India now so I do not know when I shall get back to dear old England. I am going all over the world, am I not? Our General saw me when I was coming down to the dressing station, and he cheered me up a bit, and put his hand on my shoulder and said, we were all good boys in the Worcesters, and we had done very well. He is very proud of his lads and we of him, for he is a good old sort. My chum told me there was a letter for me about three minutes before we had to go into action, but there was not time to get it.
It’s hard lines when one gets one’s letters so near as that and then can’t have them. I have still got the bullet in my throat, but shall have it out very soon now, I hope” ‘

Sergeant J. Buckle
Motor Transport Army Service Corps. Son of the late Mr and Mrs. Buckle of Pershore, had enlisted at the beginning of the war – Evesham Journal 27th May 1916.

Evesham Journal, 15 May 1915:– THANKS TO EVESHAM LADIES.
Pte. J. Buckle, of the M.T.A.S.C., Meerut Divisional Train, Indian Expeditionary Force, writing to his sister, Mrs. G. Green, of Borthwick-terrace, Evesham, thanks her for her letter and glorious parcel which he had just received and also one from the kind ladies you asked to help us out here, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Bell. Thanking them and you again and again for al you have done while we have been out here. I am sure it has all been most thankfully received. I have been feeling very queer lately, but am much beetter now, thank Good. We have been through something this winter. It has been hell upon earth out here. I have been all over the country since I wrote to you lst. I was very sorry to hear the sad news of my brother, Will, being wounded, as I was with him only a day or two before he was hurt. I hope he will soon recover, but I think as he has received four bullets poor chap; he is one of the lucky ones to escape with that, but his time was not come, was it? He might have been killed and I too, for look at the months we have been out here. Give him my love when you write to him at Netley and tell him I will write. I shall be glad when it's all over, I tell you, if only for a good rest. Fancy Easter has come and gone and we did not know out here till we received our Easter cards and greetings from home. I have not seen G. Clifton, Dennick or W. Coombes during the last few days, but they are here somewhere.'' AT NEUVE CHAPPELLE. In a letter written on April 28, Pte. Buckle tels his sister that he is getting better and thanks her for her latters and paper. He proceeds:--As you say it is dreadful to read the papers, but it is more dreadful to be here. You say you are pleased I was not in the Hill 60 affair, but we happened to be in the same village, Neuve Chapelle. That was horrible. At the same time we had to force the Germans out from Hill 60. I am glad to hear poor Will is getting better. Since I started writing this letter i have more news to tell you. I and my car have been 3&half: hours under most terrific German shell fire at Ypres. The place is all ablaze; a most shocking sight. I never saw such a sight and hope I never shall again. I am pleased to say I got my car away in safety.

I was with my car watching the shells bursting about twenty to fifty yards away when one shell came right into the house only two yards where I and my car and oficers were. You may guess it was a very hot shop to be in. The shells were bursting everywhere so we did not know where to go for safety.”

Lance Corporal William Buckle 1st Worcesters. Son of the late Mr and Mrs Buckle of Pershore. Had fought in the South African War. Had recently been discharged owing to wounds received at Neuve Chappell. – Evesham Journal 27 May 1916.

Alfred Burnham Lived in Bridge Street [AV18]

Sapper 552593 Arthur Burton Royal Engineers. Lived Rose Cottage, New Road [AV18][AV19]

Sapper 23532 Frank Martin Stone Butt Royal Engineers. Lived High Street [AV18][AV19]

J. Caldrick Territorials [EJ140926]

Major James Bertram Falkner Cartland
6th Worcestershire Regiment. Was a Captain at the outbreak of war, and is listed as such in the Almanac and Evesham Journal reference. Lived for a while at
Almerie cottage at the top of Newlands. Mentioned in Dispatches 22nd June 1915, 5th May 1916, when he was a Captain; 18 December 1917 when he was a Lt.-Col.\
There is a memorial to him in the churchyard of Tewkesbury Abbey; two of his sons (died in WW II), and his wife Mary are also listed on the memorial.
He is listed on the Ashchurch (Glos.) war memorial, and the Roll of Honour in Worcester Cathedral. Served in France and Flanders. Killed 27th May 1918

Evesham Journal, 8 June 1918:– MAJOR CARTLAND KILLED. We regret to announce the death of Major J.B.F. Cartland. Mrs. Cartland received the news late on Wednesday evening that Major Cartland had been killed in action on May 27, in the battle of the Aisne. For many years, Major and Mrs. Cartland resided at Amerie Court, Pershore. Major Cartland was widely known in political circles. He was secretary of the Pershore Primrose league Habitation, and also provincial secretary of the Primrose League for five counties, including Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. He was also private secretary to the member for south Worcestershire, Liu.-Com. B. Eyres Monsell, R.N., M.P. On the outbreak of war, being in the General Reserve, he was attached to the 5th Batt. Worcesters at Tregantle. He went out to France in November, 1914, as A.P.M. on the Staff of the 8th Division under General Davies (now Lieut. Gen. Sir Francis Davies, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., Military Secretary) He held that post for eleven months, returning to England on sick leave, after which he went to Leaford as Garrison Adjutant for eight months. In Novemer 1916, he went out again to France as Instructor at the G.H.Q. School at St. Omer. That school was done away with in March 1917, and he was attached to the 10th. Batt. Worcesters. He went all through the Messines battles with that battalion, returning to England sick in August, and was in hospital over a month. He went out again to France in November 1917, to the 3rd Batt. 25th Division, and was all the winter on the Cambrai front. In March of this year he got orders to join another battalion as second in command, and he remained with that battalion till he met his death on May 27. He was the only son of the late Mr. James Cartland, of Bectis Lodge, Edgbaston. He was born in May, 1876. He was educated at Eastbourne and Charter House, and in 1900 married Mary Hamilton, fourth daughter of the late Col. Scobell, of the Down House, Redmarley, Gloucester, and leaves one daughter and two sons, besides his widow, to mourn his loss.

Evesham Journal September 28 1918:– MAJOR J.B.F. CARTLAND KILLED. Major J.B.F. Cartland, Worcestershire Regiment, previously reported killed May 27, then reported missing, is now reported to have been killed by shell fire on that date. The Act. Capt. Pratt, now a prisoner in Germany, has written to his wife telling her Major Cartland was killed at his side by a shell.

[EJ141024][AL][AB]; See also {\it Ronald Cartland, by Barbara Cartland, Collins 1942, a biography of one of his sons, it also includes information about his residence in Pershore.

Charles Catlin Son of Mr. \& Mrs. F. Catlin of Pensham, was serving in Royal Navy in June 1917 (see entry below for his brother Fred Catlin)

Private 14051 Edgar John Catlin 2nd. Coldstream Guards. Lived in Pensham [AV18][AV19] Son of Mr. \& Mrs. F. Catlin of Pensham. Was serving in France in June 1917 [see following entry for brother Fred]

Private Fred Catlin Worcestershire Regiment (listed as being in Kitchener’s Army in [EJ140926])

Evesham Journal 4 June 1917 – “WOUNDED IN SALONIKA. Mr. and Mrs. F. Catlin, of Pensham, has been informed officially that their son, Pte. Fred Catlin, of the Worcesters, is wounded and is in the British Red Cross Hospital at Salonika. Pte. F. Catlin has been in the army some two years, and has fought against both the Germans in France and the Turks in Mesopotamia. Mr. and Mrs. Catlin have tow other sons in the service, Edgar, now in the Coldstream Guards in France, and Charles, in the Royal Navy, a typical British Tar, who has been in more than one scrap with German ships.”

Private 246327 Lees Challenor 609 Ag. Co. Labour Corps. Lived at Manor Cottages [AV18][AV19]

Private Albert Champken 8th Worcesters [AL]
Evesham Journal 12 June 1915:– PERSHORE MAN WOUNDED. Mrs. A. Champken, of Priest-lane, Pershore, has received notification that her husband, Pte. A. Champken was wounded on May 30. The wound is in the left shoulder, and he has been sent in to the base hospital. He is serving with the 8th Worcesters.

Private Henry Champken 8th (Home Service) Batt. Worcs. Regt. [AL][EJ141024] N.B:- EJ reference spells his name as “Champkins”

Private H/325722 Jim Champken Worcester Yeomanry. Lived at Talbot Inn [AV18][AV19]

Private William Champken 8th Hussars [AL]

Pte. 30291 Francis A. Charlwood 9th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Died Mesopotamia 15 December 1916. Basrah Memorial, Iraq [AB]
Evesham Journal, 30 Dec 1916 (continued from the Nicholas Joseph Mann report) – “Official news has just come through that another Pershore man and a popular young fellow, Pte Francis Charlwood, of the New-road, has been killed. He leaves a widow (who is in a Birmingham munition factory at present) and two children. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Charlwood, of London Bank, Pershore”

Sapper WR/257025 Harry Charlwood Royal Engineers 23rd October 1918 CWGC grave in Pershore cemetery [AB]

Rifleman 4905 Harry James Checketts. 21st Battn. London Regt. (First Surrey Rifles) grandson of James and Sarah Twigg: killed in action Nov 4th 1916 aged 27 years. Son of Harry and Mary Checketts of Evesham. Buried Brandhoek Military Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium. Strictly speaking, not a Pershore man, but included here as he is named on James and Sarah’s grave in Pershore Cemetery. He is listed on the Evesham Abbey Park war memorial.

Corporal 1514 William Frank Checketts 1st/8th Worcestershire Regiment. Son of Mr and Mrs. H. Checketts of Head St. Pershore. [EJ140926][AL] NB. Ref AL listed him as a private; he was a Corporal in the Territorials, and saw action until 1916; he was released for important war work but later recalled into the royal Berkshire Regt. ( Private 43100) until the end of the war. One source says the 1st, [AV18][AV19] say it was the 5th Royal Berkshire. Lived in Head Street HIs health broken y his experiences, he died 3rd July 1920 age 25. Buried in Pershore Cemetery 14th July 1920.[EJ140926][AL] [AV18][AV19][AB]

C. Chubb Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

James Clarke Lived in Head Street [AV18]

Private 10213 John Clarke 2nd Batn. Worcestershire Regiment. Killed in action 10 March 1915 [AB] spells him as Clark [EJD16] spells him as “John Clerke”. Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Evesham Journal 27 March 1915 – “ANOTHER PERSHORE SOLDIER KILLED. Private J. Clarke, of the 1st Worcesters, was killed in action on March 10. He was a native of Pershore, and the youngest of a family of twelve. He joined the Army nine years ago, prior to which he worked for the late Mr. Thomas Kings, of the Chestnuts. He was re-called from Egypt on the outbreak of war, and went straight into action. He took part in several hot engagements, and was invalided home about christmas suffering with frost-bitten feet, a complaint which has affected many of the Worcesters, who have been called upon to bear their full share of the hardship of battling in the trenches. After a month’s furlough, he returned again to France, on the 1st. inst., and nine days later was killed by a bullet. He was 38 years of age.”

Private Frederick Clarke 8th Worcesters [AL][EJ140926]

Sergeant 202901 Frederick John Clarke R. Warwicks. Lived in Victoria Terrace [AV18][AV19]

Lance-Corporal Ralph Edward Clarke Lived in Head Street [AV18] Was apparently one of the bearers at Harry Smith’s funeral, early 1918: his rank was lsite there as Lance-corpl.

Private George Clifton King’s Royal Rifles [AL]
Evesham Journal 31 July 1915 – `PERSHORE MAN HOME. Pte. George Clifton, one of the several soldier sons of Mr. Samuel Clifton, of The Newlands, has just returned to the front after six days' furlough. His home-coming was opportune, though rather sad, for his father is very old and lies seriously ill. Pte. G. Clifton is a splendid type of the BritishTommy’; he seems built just the right way for hard campaigning. He was a reservist in the Royal Rifles and went all through the Boer War without a scratch. He went out with the first Expeditionary Force, and says he shall never forget the wonderful welcome given the Army by the people of France – especially the ladies. His regiment, he says, came off remarkably light in the great retreat from Mons, but have had its full share of death and glory in the subsequent battles of the Aisne, Marne, Soissons and Cateau. He has as yet come through safely, but says that no less than seven times comrades fighting each side of him have been killed, and once he had a marvellous escape only three weeks ago. He brought a wounded pal from the firing line to the dressing station, laid him on the ground and covered him with a coat till the doctor could attend to him. He then went to fetch him some water. He was not more than three minutes away, but when he came back he was shocked to see that a shell had dropped right on the poor fellow and nothing was there but a few shreds of clothing and a hole in the ground. He says he has helped to dig out several `Jack Johnsons’ and it takes five men to lift the exploded shell. Speaking of Mons – and it still remains the outstanding fight of the war – he says his regiment, except, perhaps, the officers, were positively not aware that the actual turning movement had taken place, and that it was the German who were retreating until one man noticed that the sun one morning was shining on their right, instead of on their left as before. Soldiers actually cried for joy on learning the truth. Just at that time he says they were hedged about with spies, and relates one instance of the penalty suffered by two of them. An old man, who affected a very simple manner, and his son, had followed their regiment for weeks selling cakes and sweetmeats. they were popular with the men. But they asked so many questions as to the movements of the troops that the suspicions of an officer who overheard the boy one morning were aroused and they were closely watched. Proof was soon forthcoming of their traitorous conduct, and he, Pte. Clifton, was one of the squad that had to carry out the death sentence. As hard a soldier as he is, Pte. Clifton could not speak of the awful losses his gallant Royal Rifles have suffered without a trace of feeling. The battalion went out thirty over strength and on the last roll call just before he left only 40 of the rank and file and one officer – the old Colonel – were left to respond. They have lost, he says, over 200 officers and 3,000 casualties rank and file. His trench, he says, is only 22 yards from the German trench, and the feeling that it might at any time be blown up is not comfortable. A change is noticeable among the Germans, he biggest proof being in the ever-increasing number that steal away when the slightest opportunity occur and surrender. The Saxons are the best liked, the Prussians, Bavarians, and Wurtemburgers keep up their old hatred. He had no idea when the war would be over; they in the trenches knew really very little. Any big event happening in any other theatre of the war was posted up in the trenches.”

Private Thomas Clifton King’s Royal Rifles [AL]

Private William Clifton Army Service Corps [AL]

Capt. Neville Eden Cobbold 159 Labour Coy. Lived in High Street [AV18][AV19]

Private 39717 Albert Austin Coldicott 4th Batt. Worcestershire Regiment. (formerly 2693 Worcester Yeomanry) Died of wounds 28 October 1916, aged 19. Served F. and F. Son of Alfred and Jane Coldicott of Broad Street. Buried Longueval Road Cemetery, Somme [AL][AB]

Evesham Journal 25th November 1916 – `PTE. COLDICOTT KILLED. Pte. Albert Coldicott, orCherub’ as he was always called in Pershore, was recently killed in action on the battlefield in France, and the townspeople generally refer to the event in terms of the deepest regret. He was only a lad of 19, and was as popular in the town as his father Bussy' Coldicott, which is saying a good deal. His nickname ofCherub’ did not perhaps express his personality just as faithfully as Nuttall’s Dictionary does the precise meaning of the word; nevertheless it was quite a good one, and contained, as Pershore nicknames usually do, quite a subtle humour. He was nice looking, with an unalterable merry countenance, and an infectious cheerful spirit. Therein lay the source of his popularity. He was as full of mischief as an egg is full of meat. He was the most juvenile member of the Working Men’s Club, and if at times his exuberant vitality led him to dance, instead of play, on the billiard tables, the elders could not look on that countenance and chide such conduct as of course it ought to be chided. And now he is dead, his roguish pranks and audacious sayings are everywhere recalled in affectionate memory, and with many a sigh that he will never in this life be seen or heard again. Two years ago, when he was 17 years of age, he joined the Worcestershire Yeomanry as bugler, and as he persistently expressed his desire for more active service – quite in keeping with his character – he was eventually transferred to the Worcesters. He had only been out in France seven weeks before he met his death. But he saw a good deal of fighting in that time, and wrote and told his mother how he put his first German hors de combat. Major Blew, the commander, in a letter to the parents, bears out exactly that estimate of his character which this little report has endeavoured to imply.

Major Blew says: — `It is a sad letter I have to write you to express my deep sympathy for you in the sad loss of your boy, who was my cheery little trumpeter for so long during the weary months of training. I heard from his sergeant, who wrote and told me of his death, and how he fought and died acting up to the highest traditions that have made the name of the Worcester lads so famous. I knew he was the right stuff, and you have every reason to be proud of him. I should like you to know the esteem your lad was held in by his mates and officers, and that you and your family are not alone in your grief. I shall never have another trumpeter like him’ A good deal of sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Coldicott in the loss of their youngest boy. It is only a year ago since their third son, Alfred, also of the Worcesters, died in Parkhurst Hospital, Isle of Wight. Another son, Harry, of the Royal Field Artillery, is at the front, while the eldest son, Will, who formerly was butler to Bishop Gore, is working in a munition factory.

Private 1405 Alfred Coldicott 4th Battn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment 6 March 1915 age 19. son of Alfred and Jane Coldicott of Broad Street. Buried at Parkhurst Military Cemetery, Hampshire [AB]

Evesham Journal 13 March 1915 – “DEATH OF A PERSHORE SOLDIER. We regret to record the death of Pte. Alfred Caldicott, the third son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Caldicott, of Broad Street, Pershore, which occurred on Saturday last at Cowes, Isle of Wight. Pte. Coldicott, who was twenty years of age, joined the Army some years ago, but left the service on account of heart trouble. On the outbreak of war, however, he rejoined his old regiment, the 4th Warwicks, and was stationed with them at Warwick until his regiment was moved to the Isle of Wight. The first intimation the bereaved parents received that their son was ill was by wire on Saturday, and Mrs. Caldicott at once took train to Cowes. She was, however. too late to see her son alive. the funeral took place at Cowes on Tuesday afternoon. Pte. Caldicott’s early death is greatly deplored by his many friends, while deep sympathy is expressed for his parents and relatives. Pte. Caldicott’s younger brother is a bugler in the 1st Reserves Worcestershire Yeomanry, and is at present stationed at Worcester.”

George Henry Coldicott Lived in Broad Street [AV18]

Harry Coldicott Royal Field Artillery: listed in his brother Albert’s obituary (See above) as serving at the front in November 1916.

Private William Coldicott Warwicks, died in training, some time before Jan 1916. Source: [EJD16], though this ref spells his name as Caldicott

Lance Corporal 23562 Thomas G. Coldrick 7th Battn. Gloucestershire Regiment. 18th Dec 1916. Husband of Ellen Costins (formerly Coldrick) of 13 Park Head Road, Dudley. Native of London. Amara War cemetery, Iraq. [AL][AB] AL says he was a Private in 8th Worcesters, but see below.

Evesham Journal 6 January 1917 (contd. from the George Haynes entry)

• “Lance-Corpl. Thomas Coldrick, of High Street, has been officially reported to have died of wounds in Mesopotamia. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Coldrick. The late Lance.-Corpl., who was 28 years old, joined two years ago as a Territorial, but in a few months was discharged as medically unfit. A short time afterwards, howver, he joined up with the Gloucesters, and went through the Gallipoli campaign. He contracted trench fever here, and had six month in hospital in India. It was only recently he was sent out to Mesopotamia. Previous to the war Lance-Corpl. Coldrick was employed at the Atlas Iron Works, Pershore, and before that he was ostler at the Royal Three Tuns Hotel.”

A. Cole Territorials [EJ140926]

Private 242600 Charles Cole 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire regiment. Born Pershore, enlisted at Pershore. Served France and Flanders, killed in action 5th April 1917. [Soldiers Died] Not listed on Abbey memorial.

B. Collins Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

B. Collins Territorials [EJ140926]

Private Charles Collins Mounted Infantry [AL]

Lance Corpl. 2073 E.G. Collins Worcester Yeomanry – listed as missing in Evesham Journal May 20 1916

Trooper Ernest Collins Worcs. Yeomanry [AL]

Private 20739 Frank Collins 9th Worcesters. Lived at Pershore Fields [AV18][AV19]

Private 019255 George Collins A.O.C. Lived in Newlands. [AV18][AV19]

George John Collins Lived in Newlands [AV18][AV19]

Private Herbert Collins 6th Worcesters [AL]

Gunner 87121 Samuel Richard Collins Royal Garrison Artillery. Lived in Lunn’s Yard. [AV18][AV19] Evesham Journal 16 June 1917 – “Mrs. Collins, of High-street, has heard that her husband, Pte. Sam Collins, has been shot in the left arm. He has two other brothers in the service.”

Corporal Thomas Collins National Reserve (Railway Guard) [AL]

2nd Lieut. William Peter Conly 200 N.T. Squad R.F.C. Lived at Coventry Terrace [AV18][AV19]

Private Edward Thomas Conn 8th Worcesters [EJ140926][AL] Son of Edward and Ellen Conn of 1 Victoria Terrace. Was wounded by January 1917 – see the following entry for his brother Harold.

Private 15585 Harold Victor Conn 1st Battn. Royal Fusiliers. Killed 29th December 1916 aged 19. Son of Edward and Ellen Conn of 1 Victoria Terrace, Pershore. Buried Bethune Town Cemetery, France. (this was the location of the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station at that time) [AB]

Evesham Journal 13 January 1917 – “ANOTHER PERSHORE LAD’S DEATH. Another Pershore lad, Pte. Harold V. Conn of the Royal Fusiliers has fallen in the fight. His parents, Mr and Mrs. Edward Conn, of Victoria-terrace, Pershore, received the authoritative report this week that he was wounded in action, and died at the casualty clearing station, France. The matron of the hospital wrote expressing her sympathy, and stated that the surgeon did all he could to save his life, but the case appeared hopeless from the first. He died without regaining consciousness, and was buried with military honours in the cemetery, a little cross marking his last resting place. This happened on December 29. A fortnight before Mr. and Mrs Conn heard from him, and he then said he was going into a rest camp, and should probably be home for his Christmas dinner. Pte. Harold Conn had seen two years of the war, and yet was only 19. He was a strapping 6ft. tall young fellow, and though he had been through some of the hottest of the fighting he always wrote the most cheerful letters home. Prior to the war he was a gardener in the employ of Mrs Gauntlett, Ash Villa, and afterwards for Mr W.T. Chapman. Mr Conn’s Eldest son, Pte. Edward Thomas Conn, of the Worcesters, is also lying wounded in a hospital in Hertfordshire”

Sapper 569987 George Cook Royal Engineers. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19]

Staff-Sergeant Major James John Cooke. 17th Lancers, 8th Reserve Cavalry Regt. Lived in High Street [AL][AV18][AV19] AV19 says 1st reserve.

Lieut. A.J. Coombe Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 says that this man was wounded, and had been a member of Pershore’s hockey club.

Private 13381 Benjamin Coombe 12th Hants. Lived in Head Street. (AL listed him as a Kitchener’s Army recruit) [AL][AV18][AV19]

Private Charles H. Coombe 8th (Res) Worcs. Regt. [EJ141003][AL]

Driver T4/065600 Charles William Coombe Army Service Corps. Lived in Bachelor’s Entry [AV18][AV19]

Private John Coombe King’s Royal Rifles. Listed as wounded in 1915 Pershore Almanac. Lived in Newlands [AL][AV18]

Private Ronald Coombe Inns of Court [AL]

Lieut. Ronald Coombe Evesham Journal 22 July 1916 – “Pershore casualties. Many Pershore officers and men are taking part in the great offensive in France, and each list of casualties published is scanned with grave concern. The past week has been a black one, and the deepest sympathy of the people go out towards those who are sorrowing for the death or disablement of those dear to them. News has been received that Lieut. Cecil H. Lushington is wounded and missing, and Lieut. Ronald Coombe is wounded in hospital. The former was a prominent fruit grower of this district, and the latter was also in the same line of business, being a pupil of Mr. E.P. Whiteley. The Pershore wounded also include Lieut. Robert Lees, son of Mrs Lees, Broad Street, and Corpl. Douglas Hook, son of Sergt. Richard Hook, recruiting officer for Pershore”

Private William Coombe 8th Worcesters [AL]

William Coombe Lived in Melen’s Row [AV18]

R.E. Coombes Public School Corps [EJ140926]

W. Coombes Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

W. Coombes Territorials – had served in S. Africa [EJ140926]

Gunner 851134 John William Cooper 2/1 Notts. Bty., R.F.A. Lived in Newlands. [AV18][AV19]

John Henry Cornelius (`Harry’) Farrier Sergeant A Squadron Worcester Yeomanry. Served in Mediterranean (great expeditionary force) disembarked at Alexandria, Egypt 24 April 1915. Lived at Knight’s Buildings [AL][EJ140926][AV18]

171763 Thomas George Cornelius A.S.C. Lived in High Street [AV18][AV19] Was he the Sapper T. Cornelius of the Royal Engineers, brother in law of Thomas Pugh, who attended Thomas’ funeral March 1917?

Private Alfred J. Cosnett South Wales Borderers [AL]

Private Charles Cosnett 8th Worcesters/Reservist [EJ141003][AL]

Trooper 16632 Charles William Cosnett Worcs. Yeomanry. Lived in Knight’s Buildings. [AL][AV18][AV19]

Edward Thomas Cosnett Lived in High Street [AV18]

Private 30254 George Cosnett 2/4 Dorsets. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19]

Private 55034 George Henry Cosnett 1st/5th battn. Somerset Light Infantry. Died 18th November 1918. Buried Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Listed on Somerset Light Infantry roll of honour [AB]

Private 70421 Henry W. Cosnett 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment. Killed 28 May 1918. Buried at Marfaux British Cemetery, Marne, France [AB]

Private Herbert Cosnett Kitchener’s Army [AL]

Private 36162 John Henry Cosnett 1st Battalion Welsh Regiment/South Wales Borderers. Killed 27th May 1915. Buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France [EJD16][AL][AB]

Evesham Journal, February 13 1915 [continues on from the notice of Thomas Herbert Cosnett’s death] :– A BROTHER WOUNDED. Private John Henry Cosnett, another son of the family, has just come home invalided. He belongs to the South Wales Borderers, and his regiment took part with the troops of Japan in the battles which deprived the Germasn of the important island of Tsing-tau. Here he was twice wounded, in the shoulder and foot., the latter wound necessitating his coming home. He brought home the portrait of his regiment taken in Japanese uniform, which the British soldiers all had to wear to prevent the enemy ??????ng them out, for here again it was against the English that the fircest hatred was concentrated. Private Cosnett speaks enthusiastically of the fighting powers of the Japs, and said our men got on wonderfully well with them. Mr. and Mrs. Cosnett have five more sons serving under the colours, and their eighth son, George, recently offered himself, but was certified medically unfit.

Private Joseph Cosnett 8th Worcesters/reserves [EJ141003][AL]

Private Joseph Edward Cosnett Army Service Corps. Lived in Knight’s Buildings [AL][AV18]

Private Levi Cosnett 8th Worcesters – had served in S. Africa Lived in Meredith’s Row [EJ141003][AL][AV18]

Private 208894 Sydney/Sidney Cosnett 8th Worcesters. Lived in Knight’s Buildings [AL][AV18][AV19]

Private 8467 Thomas Herbert Cosnett 2nd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment. Died of wounds 19th January 1915. Buried Bethune Town Cemetery France. – Bethune was location of 33rd casualty Clearing Station at that time [AL][AB][Soldiers Died] EJD16 lists him among those who died in 1915, but lists his regiment as South Wales Borderers, evidently confusing him with his brother John Henry, also killed that year.

Evesahm Journal, 13 Feb. 1915:– PERSHORE SOLDIER’S DEATH. Private Herbert Thomas Cosnett, one of the seven soldier sons of Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Cosnett, of Church-street, Perhsore, died on the 29th ult. from wounds received while in action the previous day, The Colonel of the D'' Company 2nd Worcesters wrote acquainting the parents with the sad circumstance, and Lord Kitchener's black-edged letter has also been received by them expressing thetrue sympathy of his Majesty and the Queen in their sorrow.” Another letter, also much treasured by Mr. and Mrs. Cosnett, came from Private William Sharpe, of the same regiment, who evidently saw the last of their son. He wrote: Poeer Bob was a devoted friend of mine ever since we came to France. A bullet hit him while in action: he died the next day, and was buried with military honours in the town cemetery at Bethune. I must say no one could have shiown a briver spirit than Bob; he set an example to all. My comrades and I very much miss him, and greatly sympathise with you in your bereavement.'' Private Bob Cosnett was the second son of his parents, and had seen twelve years in the army. He served throughout the Boer War, and though taking part in several engagements he was lucky enough then to come through scathless. He went to France with the Expeditionary Force, and therefore took his share in those fierce early engagements, than which there has been nothing since more crediatble to the glory of British arms. He wrote mant letters home, in which he was alaways optimistic that he should get through all right, a prediction unfulfilled. Like thousands moreTommies” he was intensely proud of Princess Mary’s gift of a pipe and box of tobacco with which was a charming little card wishing the soldiers a Happy Christmas and a Victorious New Year. These gifts he sent home to his father, with the injunction to keep them safe, a request wich, needless to say, will now be regarded with greater significance than ever.

W. Cosnett DISCHARGED. Medically unfit or over age [AL]

Private 16632 Walter Cosnett Lived in Knight’s Buildings. Kitchener’s Army [AL][EJ140926]; 11th Worcs. [AV18][AV19]

Private William Cosnett National Reserve (Railway Guard) [AL]

Private 101546 John Charles Cowley 627 Ag. Co. Labour Corps. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19]

Private Leonard Cowley 8th (Res.) Worcs, Regt. [AL][EJ141003]

Private William Cowley Kitchener’s Army [AL]
In Evesham Journal 28 April 1917, an article entitled `Pershore Officers’ quotes some of a letter home by Will Cowley of the Worcesters, about the death of William Price. See that entry for the text.

Gunner 845701 James William Cowper R.F.A. Lived at Coventry Terrace [AV18][AV19]

Charles Crooke Son of Sergt. Samuel Crooke; called up in 1918 aged 18 years.

Sergt. Samuel Crooke National Reserve (Railway Guard) [AL]
Stationed in Ireland in 1918: see the entry below for his son William

Gunner 831438 William Charles Samuel Crooke B'' bty. 306 Bde. Royal Field Artillery. 23 May 1918 age 25. Husband of Elizabeth Mary Crooke of the Paddock, Pershore. Pernes British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France [AB] spells his name asCrook”

Evesham Journal, 1 June 1918:– PERSHORE SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS. Gunner William Charles Crooke, R.F.A., the eldst son of Sergt. and Mrs. S. Crooke, of Bridge-street, Pershore, died in the Canadian Clearing Station, France, on May 23 from his severe wounds received in action a few days before. In the first letter to his wife (who lives at the Paddock, Pershore) the Chaplain (The Rev. J.R. Tibbot) said; Wil wishes me to say he isn't hurt very much, but I must warn you that his condition is serious''. Later the Chaplain wrote in sympathetic terms announcing his death, his burial in the British Cemetery, and giving the number of the grave. He added that his severe injuries were shell wounds in the lower part of the abdomen, that he rapidly weakened, and when the end came his mind was not clear, as he left no messages for home. Many letters of sympathy has been received both by Mrs. Crooke and the parents. A comrade (Gunner E.J. Chapman) wroteWill was the most popular chap in his battery. He was always in good spirits and his ready wit and keen sense of humour saved the situation on several occasions. I can’t express to you how much we shall all miss him”. Gunner Will Crooke had been more than two years in France, and though in several big battles escaped injury till he received the grave wounds that ended his career. He came home on a short furlough in February last, and was then married to Miss Bennett, of White Ladies Aston, for whom much sympathy is felt. The parents too, who feel their loss acutely, are deeply sympathised with. Sergt. S. Crooke is now stationed in Ireland. Their youngest son died in a convalescent home a few months ago, and this month their second son Charles, just 18, was called up. Mr. Crooke’s mother died last July, and Mrs. Crooke’s mother shortly before.

Evesham Journal 6 July 1918 :– HOW GUNNER W.C. CROOKE DIED. In a letter to Mrs. W. Crooke of Pershore, Major Penny, commanding `A’ Battery of the R.F.A., says:- “It is with great sorrow I write you with reference to the sad death of your husband, Gunner W.C. Crooke. He was hit by a shell on his way to the observation post and died in hospital on the same day. He had been a member of this battery for three years, over two of which he haad served under me in France, always carrying out his duties faithfully and well. Hard working, with a contempt for any danger, and always cheerful, he was very popular with officers and men, and will be greatly missed by all.”

163438 John Cross R.A.F. Lived in Church Street [AV18][AV19]

G. Curtis DISCHARGED. Medically unfit or over age [AL]

Private 39226 Albert William Thomas Dancocks 1st Battn. Royal Berkshire Regiment. Killed 30th November 1917 age 22. Son of Sarah Dancocks, High Street, and the late Thomas Dancocks. Cambrai Memorial, Loverval, Nord, France [EJ140926][AL][AB] EJ and AL references list him in Kitchener’s Army.
Evesham Journal 20 May 1916 listed him amongst the Worcestershire Regiment wounded, as Private 18102 Albert W.T. Dancocks – he changed regiment, hence the contradictory listings. See the following newspaper extracts:

Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 —“Mr. and Mrs. T. Dancocks of High-street have received official information that their eldest son, Pte. Albert W.T. Dancocks of the Worcesters, has again been wounded. He is in hospital in France. Pte. Dancocks, who is but 21 years of age, has been in the trenches sixteen months and has been thrice wounded. It is said he was the first to join Kitchener’s Army in Pershore. The Father, Mr. Thomas Dancocks, is an old soldier.”

Evesham Journal 23rd December 1916 — “PERSHORE MAN WOUNDED. Pte. Albert Dancocks, of the Worcesters, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Dancocks, of High-street, is officially reported wounded, and this makes the third time. He has now been wounded in four places by shrapnel, and lies in a serious condition in Cambridge Hospital. Pte. Dancocks was the first recruit from Pershore under Lord Kitchener’s first call for men”

Evesham Journal 24th March 1917 — `FROM A PERSHORE BOY. We have received an interesting letter from Pte. A. Dancocks, of the Royal Berks, who tells us that he is a Pershore boy. He says he is a reader of theJournal,’ and has learnt through this paper of many of his comrades being killed or wounded, and he wishes to express his deepest sympathy with all his Evesham and Pershore friends, whose sons or husbands have fallen in the great war. As to his adventures, he says he joined the Army on August 31, 1914, and after doing six month’ training at Plymouth he went to France at the end of March 1915, and joined the Worcesters, of which regiment he will always be proud. He served for three months around Ypres, and was not sorry when he went elsewhere. His next place was Ploeg-Street, near Messines, which he describes as a picture palace compared with Ypres. Then he went back for a rest to a village named Penin, and after his rest went up to Vimy Ridge, `and oh, it was Vimy, too. You could not walk along withoutthe ground shaking beneath you, it was so much under-mined. The first night we had it was quiet. On the second night up went a mine and we lost a platoon.’

WOUNDED. He goes on: `It was at Vimy where I received my first wound, being hit by a German sniper in the right knee and the finger of the left hand while we were holding a crater. I had done fifteen months without a scratch. I was glad to get away from the trenches for a little while, if only to have a rest. I did not get home that time, but rejoined my battalion. After another rest, we went down to the Somme. After a long march we got to a wood just behind Thiepval for four days; then up to the trenches at Thiepval, and I can say it was warm too. After a few days there we went down to Albert, upon a field up above the town, and stayed there for a night, and then up into a charge at La Boiselle. At the taking of La Boiselle I got wounded for the second time, this time in the right shoulder. I was glad to get away for a time and was sent down to the base at Rouen. I did not like being down at the base, so as soon as I was able I volunteered for the front again, but instead of going back to my old regiment I was sent to the Royal Berks. I was very sorry to leave the good old Worcesters, but never mind, I may get back there some day.

HIS THIRD WOUND.
`It was then we went up to Delvill Wood, Known as Devil’s Wood, but we did not stay there long. We went back to some village for a rest, and after that we went to a place called Couin just behind the firing line. Then we did a bit of trench work for about three weeks, and afterwards went back to train for a charge which we had to do. We did the training and went up to the trenches at Beaumont Hamel. It was in this attack, on November 14, that I got wounded for the third time, this time being hit in the left side and left hand. Thus it was this time I got home, and I was very glad to get there for a rest and to see the people at home. I have been to Evesham, and found it quite quiet to what it was before the war’

Evesham Journal 19th January 1918 – `PERSHORE MAN KILLED. On the 28th ult. Mr and Mrs. T. Dancocks of High-street Pershore, were offically informed from the Warwick Record Office that their son, Pte. Albert W.T. Dancocks, of the Royal Berkshire Regt. was posted as missing on the 30th of November. They had previously received the news from a letter which Pte. George Smith sent to his mother at Pershore, but their anxious enquiries have now elicited the grave information of his death. This news was sent by Sergt. Stcvy, of the Berkshires. In his letter to the parents, he saysAs No. 7 Platoon Commander, I have had your letter asking information respecting your son handed to me, I have made the fullest inquiries possible, and learn from several men that he was killed while going back to the dressing station wounded. I am very sorry to have to tell you this news, but I think it much better to anyone to hear the worst at once. I was in charge of the platoon at the time he was wounded and the sergeant himself was killed. I’ve had inquiries from other people about him, and will write them also. I hate writing such bad news, and offer you my deepest sympathy.’ It is said that Private Dancocks was the frst in Pershore to join Kitchener’s Army. After seven month training, he went with the 3rd Worcesters to France, where he went through some of the biggest battles and was twice wounded through the head, back and thigh. Pte. Albert Dancocks, who was but 23 years old, was the son of an ex-soldier who has done 28 years with the colours, but who, as he himself says, did not see so much fighting during the whole course of that time as his son experienced in a couple of minutes. Before the war, Pte. Dancocks worked at the Atlas works. A younger brother (Harold) is a bandsman in the 6th Worcesters. Pte. Dancocks once wrote an interesting letter to the `Journal’ describing his experiences.”

Evesham Journal 15 June 1918:– PERSHORE MAN’S DEATH. A communication from the Record Office, Warwick, confirms the reports sent by comrades of Pte. A.W.T. Dancocks, of the Royal Berkshire Regt., son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Dancocks, High0street, Pershore, that he was killed in action last November. Pte. Dancocks was one of the first to join up, and went through scores of engagements, being wounded several times.

Harold A Dancocks 6th Worcesters; was a bandsman around January 1918 (see above). Born 1900, he survived the war: died in 1962, buried at Pershore Cemetery.

Private 2246 Hubert George Daniels 51st Grad. Bn. Devons. Lived in Worcester Street [AV18][AV19]

John Francis Darbyshire Lived in the High Street. [AV18]

Private 236158 Frank Davis Lived in Bridge Street. [AV18][AV19] Listed in Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 as having been a member of Pershore hockey club.

Private J.E.V. Davis 2nd Worcesters [AL]

Col.-Sergt.-Inst. J. Davis 8th Worcesters – had served in S. Africa [AL][EJ140926]

Rifleman 51269 Percy Edward Davis 15th Royal Irish Rifles. Lived in Broad Street [AV18][AV19] Listed by Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 as having been a member of Pershore Hockey Club

Lieut. George Deakin, M.C R.E. Lived at the Hall. [AV18][AV19]

Evesham Journal 22 September 1917:– “2nd Lieut. George Deakin, R.E., son of Mr. W.R. Deakin, of Pershore, has been awarded the Military Cross. When in charge of buried cable communications he displayed the greatest energy and courage in supervising the work of leading in cables, frequently under heavy shell fire from the enemy’s guns, and in remaining behind after digging parties had been withdrawn owing to hostile fire, in order to conceal all traces of the cable from the enemy. His fearless personal reconnaisances and fine example of determination to complete his work on all occasions greatly inspired his men and kept communications open during the operations.”

Evesham Journal, 13 April 1918:– LIEUT. GEORGE DEAKIN, M.C. WOUNDED. Lieut. George Deakin. the son of Mr. W.H. Deakin, J.P. and Mrs. Deakin, of The HAll, Pershore, and Bradford Place, Wigan, received a gun shot wound in the left thigh on Sunday March 24. He is now lying at the American Red Cross Hospiatal for Officers at Lancaster Gate, London, W. The wounded officer received his education at New College, Harrogate, and Cheltenham Grammar School. He was school captain at Cheltenham. He was also captain of the football team, and held the Vassar-Smith Spots Challenge Cup, succeeding his brother, the late Lieut. Robert Hartley Deakin (Indian Army) attached R.F.C. who was killed in action on July 22 1917. Five of Mrs Deakin’s sons have entered the Army, all as voluntary soldiers, four having received commissions into the regular Army. Two graduated from Woolwich, and two from Sandhurst. The youngest son, Stanley, was commissioned into the Indian Army in September last at the age of 19, and is now serving in India.

(see also the entry for William George Deakin, below)

Subaltern James Stanley Deakin 84th Punjabis (Indian Army). Lived at The Hall. Commissioned into Indian Army in September 1917, aged 19. [AV18][AV19]

Lieutenant Robert Hartley Deakin 10th JATS. I.A and 45th Sqdn., Royal Flying Corps. Son of William Robert and Mary Jane Deakin of Norton Hall, Worcester. Gazetted to Indian Army from Sandhurst. Scholar of Cheltenham Grammar School. Captain of his house. Undergraduate at Jesus College Oxford. Died 22nd July 1917 age 22. No known grave – Listed on Arras Flying Services Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. [AB]

Captain William George Deakin R.F.A. according to Absent Voter list, but see below. Lived at the Hall. [AV18][AV19]

Evesham Journal, 1 June 1918:– BROTHER OFFICERS DECORATED. Capt. Wiliam G. Deakin, Royal Horse Artillery, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Deakin, of The Hall, Pershore, has been awarded the Military Cross for distinguished conduct and devotion to duty in the field. The officer has served in France continuously since he was commisioned in the artillery from the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, in November 1915. His brother, Lieut. George Deakin, M.C., R.E., who was wounded in the operations of March, has been awarded a bar to the Military Cross. He won the Miliatry Cross in June 1917.

Private 15347 Charley Denley 3rd Battalion Worcester Regiment. Born Pershore; enlisted at Worcester, living at Kidderminster at time of enlistment. Died 18 April 1915 [Soldiers Died]

Corporal Alfred Dennick National Reserve (Railway Guard) [AL]

Private John Dennick Royal Artillery [AL]

Private Thomas Dennick. King’s Royal Rifles [AL]

Charles Frankland Dent Lived at Morland House, Bridge Street [AV18]

Private 12833 Evan Joseph Dolphin Kings’ Shropshire Light Infantry. Lived in No Gains [AL][Av18][AV19] AL lists him as a Kitchener’s Army volunteer.

F. Dolphin Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

Corporal 28620 Frederick James Dolphin Royal Engineers. Lived in No Gains [AL][AV18][AV19] AL lists him as a Private.

Private Henry Dolphin National Reserve (Railway Guard) [AL]

Private 91889 James Hayward Dolphin 154 Lab. Cps. Lived in Bridge Street. [AV18][AV19]

192886 Lawrence James Dolphin 3rd A.M. Dorsets. Lived in Head Street [AV19]

50582 Walter J. Dolphin 2nd Battn. Royal Berkshire Regiment. 11 Aug 1918 age 19. Son of John and Alice Dolphin of 3 Church Row, Pershore. Niederzwehren Cemetery, Germany [AB]

831023 Victor John Dolphin R.F.A. Lived in No Gains. [AV18][AV19]

Charles Frederick Dowler Lived in Church Street [AV18]

Lieutenant Arthur Dowty. South Staffordshire regiment [AL]
The 1915 Almanac also mentions that he left Pershore for active service on October 1st 1915, having secured a commission as Second Lieutenant in the 9th Division South Staffordshire Regiment.

Berrows Worcester Journal 3 October 1915 – PERSHORE OFFICERS DEPARTURE, Mr. H.G. Dowty, fifth son of the late Mr. W. Dowty, chemist, Pershore, who has obtained the position of second lieutenant in the Staffordshire Regiment, left on Monday to join his regiment at Lichfield. He is an old Worcester Grammar School boy. On completion of his schooling, he went in for chemistry. Later he had a desire to join the Army, and eventiually entered the Army Medical Corps in December 1911. He remained there until June 1913, when, on the death of his father, he left to come home and assist in the business. He was also at one time an assistant to Mr. C.H. Steward of Worcester.
During the time he has been back in Pershore, he has become very popular, and has closely associated himself with the local Boy Scout movement, acting as instructor for the past nine months. At the outbreak of the war, he volunteered for any branch in the Army, and signed on into Army Reserve. Congratulations and good wishes will go out to him and his family.

Sergeant 33656 John Andrew Dufty 82 Co. R.G.A. Lived at 3 Church Row. [AV18][AV19]

Private 39736 Herbert Henry Dufty 4th Battn. Worcestershire Regiment. (formerly 2870 Worcs. Yeomanry) Killed in Action France, Nov 26 1916 aged 22 years. Son of June Ellen and Frederick Herbert Dufty – memorial on their grave, Pershore cemetery [AB]

Evesham Journal, 30 June 1917 includes him in a list of those on the Pershore Post Office Roll of Honour.

Private William Dufty Coldstream Guards [AL]

59667 William Dufty Royal Fusiliers. Lived Little Priest Lane [AV18][AV19]

Lance Corpl. 16952 William James Dufty D.C.M. 1st Battn. Grenadier Guards. 17 October 1915. Loos memorial, Somme. Mentioned in Evesham Journal 19 Feb 1916 (see the Arthur Kings entry) [AB]

Sergeant 290954 Joseph Henry Dyer 17th Glosters Lived in “Dwelling-House” [AV18][AV19]

Private Charles Edgington Kitchener’s Army [AL]

W. Edginton Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

E.J. Edwards Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

Ernest Edwards Lived in Priest Lane [AV18]

Private Ernest Edwards Royal Artillery [AL]

Lance-Corporal R.C. Edwards Worcs. Yeomanry [EJ140926][AL] EJ140926 lists him as a Trooper. [AL] also includes him as one of those who volunteered for service at the front on August 24th 1914. Pershore heritage centre has a photograph of him in uniform, on horseback; also in a group photo (1915) of Pershore troop No. 3 `D’ squadron, and a group photo taken in Egypt.
He owned a drapers shop: there is an advertisment in the 1915 Pershore almanac mentioning that the shop is still open.
There is a passing mention in Evesham Journal April 7 1917 about Mr. Peter Hanson, who is managing the drapery business at Pershore for Trooper R.C. Edwards, now a prisoner of the Turks.

Evesham Journal 29 December 1917 – IN THE HANDS OF THE TURKS. From a letter recently received by Mr. Peter Hanson of Pershore, it would appear that Sergt. R.C. Edwards, of the Worcestershire Yeomanry, is in good health, and not very much cast down at his captivity by the Turks. On the very day war was declared against Germany, Sergeant Edwards turned over his business to Mr. Peter Hanson (fromwhom he purchased it) and joined up. He passed the riding school examination the first day, and after a few month’ training was sent out. He was fortunate to emerge unscathed from the Gallipoli campaign, and was afterwards taken prisoner on Easter Sunday, 1916 with other Pershore men, including Sergt. Sid Parkes, Arthur Blizzard, Maurice Sanders etc.; Jack Grundy being killed. In his letter Sergt. Edwards says with relish he learns that another big batch of parcels has arrived at Angora. He goes on: `I expect you wonder what we do with our time. At present we are working on a railway line right out in the country. We get one day off in seven to mend and do our washing. I have a grand job to-day,being what we call sive-gar, that is water carrier for the working party. If it were beer or cider I expect I should have a far busier time. Sid Parkes and Arthur Blizzard send their best wishes to theMayor’ (Mr. Hanson). Parky has become quite an expert with a pick-axe, and Arthur is a marvel on a shovel. We are all in the pink, and being fond of work (? ?) make the best of things. The weather here is lovely in the daytime, but the nights begin to get cold. Last year we had good weather over Christmas, Please remember me to everybody…”

Corporal 240491 Walter Edwards 1st/8th Battn. Worcester Regiment, killed in France 5th October 1918, aged 34. Buried in Beaurevoir British cemetery, Aisne C.29 (CWGC) Son of William and Mary A Edwards. Memorial on his sister Emily Maria’s grave, Pershore cemetery: that source says he died 14th October 1918 aged 34. Married to Rose. Lived Worcester Street, Pershore [AL][AV18][AB] Ref. AL lists him as a private in 1914

Guy Leigh Elkington Lived at Amerie Court [AV18]

Dr. Herbert Bree Emerson Army Service Medical Corps. Lived at Pershore House [AV18]

Evesham Journal, 28 April 1917 – “DR. EMERSON’S ESCAPE. Dr. H.B. Emerson joined the Army Service Medical Corps in the first month of this year, following his junior partner, Dr. A.L. Askham, who after a year’s hard work in France has resumed his practice at home. Now that it has been officially reported that the hospital ship, Gloucester Castle, was torpedoed without warning in mid-Channel on the night of March 30-31, we are at liberty to state that Dr. Emerson was performing his duties on that ship, and had a memorable experience. The doctor was one of the many saved by a destroyer, which was within signalling distance, and we are glad to say he is none the worse for his exciting adventure. After a few days at home he has returned to resume his duties.” (rest of story continued under the Frank Anstie entry)

Nurse Mary Emerton – Evesham Journal 2 Nov 1917 “LOCAL NURSES HONOURED. Miss Mary Emerton, older daughter of Mrs. Emerton, of Pershore has just been awarded the War Office red stripes for service and efficiency as a V.A.D. nurse. She is at present stationed at the Garrison Military Hospital, Harwich, where she has been for the past 18 months.”

Joseph Evans Lived in Newlands [AV18]

Private Thomas Evans Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry [AL]

Alfred John Fagg Lived 2 Church Road [AV18]

A. Farmer Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

66866 Arthur Farr Royal Army Medical Corps. Lived in No Gains. [AV18][AV19]

Corporal Sidney Faulkner Worcs. Yeomanry [AL][EJ140926]
Included in a 1915 group photo of the Pershore Troop (no. 3 `D’ company); photo in Pershore Heritage centre.

Private 4627 William Fearnside H.A.C. Lived Bridge Street. [AV19]

2nd. Lieut. Sidney Fitzroy D. Fell 12th Battn. attd. 3rd. Bn. Worcestershire Regiment. Died 10th July 1916. Thiepval memorial, Somme, France.
Berrows Journal, and the evesham Journal for 6th February 1915 have reports of Lieut. Fell’s wedding, at which time he was in the Royal Fusiliers (Public Schools Battalion).

Evesham Journal, 22 July 1916 – “News has been received officially that Lieut. S.F. Fell was killed in the recent fighting. He was a son of the late Mr. R. S. Fell, of Fellcourt, County Cork. He had lived at a suburb of Hereford before he came to Worcestershire seven or eight years ago. He lived for a time at Pershore, where he was a member of the Abbey choir and of the C.E.M.S. Later he came to Worcester, and he was articled to Mr. Arrowsmith Maund, but the outbreak of war cut short his legal studies. He was a member of the Cathedral Voluntary Choir, and was associated with the St. John’s Scouts. When war broke out, his patriotism first found expression in organising the Public School Boys’ Corps, with whom he left the city. He was afterwards given a commission in a Worcestershire Battalion. He was employed for a long time in a training camp in Devonshire, and crossed to the front only a month ago. In January, 1915, he married Miss Dowty, daughter of the late Mr. W.W. Dowty, chemist, Pershore, and sister to Mr W.W. Dowty, photographer, Pershore”

There is a memorial window to the Cathedral choir in Worcester Cathedral, and Sidney Fell is listed there. Ref. [AB] lists him under the Royal Fusiliers.

Private Sidney G. Fell Royal Warwicks [AL]

Private Alfred Ferris 8th Worcesters. Lived at London Bank [EJ141024][AL][AV18]

Arthur Nillson Field R.N.V.R. Lived at Southern House [AV18][AV19]

Private R.G. Field Evesham Journal, 4 May 1918:– FORMER PERSHORE MAN WOUNDED. Pte. R.G. Field, late of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, now of Sherwood Foresters, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Field, of 21, Water Orton Road, Sunnyside, Oxford, late of Pershore, was wounded on April 17, for the second time, and is now in the 2nd Australian General Hospital, France.

Evesham Journal October 26 1918:– PERSHORE MAN GASSED. Pte. R.G. Field, of the Oxford and Bucks. Light Infantry, attached to the King’s Shropshire Light INfantry, was gassed on October 4, and is now in 2nd Stationary Hospital, France, but is now going on well. He was wounded twice previously – in July and April this year. He is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Field, 21 Wate Eaton-road, Sunnymeade, Oxfprd, late of Pershore.

Private 9295 Harry Fletcher 1st Worcestershire Regiment – Harry/Henry was born in Birmingham, enlisted at Worcester, living in Pershore at that time. Killed in action 13 March 1915, buried Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France [EJD16][AB][Soldiers Died]

Private 20365 Robert Footman 12th Battalion Worcestershire regiment. Born Dudley, Worcs. Included here because he was living in and enlisted at Pershore. Died in the UK 9th June 1915 [Soldiers Died]

108748 Edward Ford Sec 21, R.E. Lived in High Street [AV18][AV19]

Private W. Ford 8th Worcesters [AL]

Private Frank Foster Oxford and Bucks. Regt. [EJ150417]

Private 8956 Alfred E. Fulcher 2nd Battn. King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 17 February 1917. Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta [AB]

Evesham Journal, 4 June 1917 – “DIED ON HIS WAY BACK.” Mrs. Fulcher, of the Newlands, Pershore, has received notice that her husband, Lance-Corpl. A.E. Fulcher, of the Shropshire Light Infantry, died on board the vessel which was taking him back to join his regiment at Salonika. Lance-Corpl. Fulcher, who was 28 years of age, had been twice wounded in action in France, He had served 9 years with the same regiment. Only two months ago he married the daughter of Mr. G. Brant, of Pershore, and much sympathy is felt for her.”

Private 7278 Henry James Harry Garrett 3rd Battn. Worcestershire Regiment. Killed in action 1st June 1916 age 36. Son of Emma Pugh. Born at Peopleton, enlisted at and living in Pershore. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, Pas de Calais [AB][Soldiers Died]

Private Harry Garrett 2nd Worcesters [AL]

Sergeant 11737 Frederick George 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Born Pershore, living in Pershore, enlisted at Worcester. Served in France and Flanders, killed in action 18 February 1915. Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, Pas de Calais [AL][EJD16][AB][Soldiers Died] Note that the EJ liting says 2nd Worcesters, all other sources say 1st.

Evesham Journal, 27 February 1915:– A PERSHORE SERGEANT KILLED. Pte. J.E. Stanton of the 1st Worcesters writes us from France as follows under date February 20th:- `I am writing you these few lines to thank you for the two copies of theEvesham Journal’ which you have been kind enough to send out to me each week, and which I have received quite safely. I may say I hand them on to T. James, E. Smart and R. Knight, who are Evesham chaps in the company, also to E. Hughes of Pershore. I am sorry to say that the sergeant over our platoon was killed on the 18th last. He was Sergt. F. George, and came from Pershore, and he was very much liked by both the men and officers, and he is one who will be greatly missed. We have been having a lot of wet weather out here lately, which of course makes the trenches in a very bad state, but yesterday and today have been tow grand days, and we are now beginning to look forward to better weather. Again thanking you for the good old `Journals’ which I may say we always look forward to”

Evesham Journal 6 March 1915:– PERSHORE SOLDIER’S DEATH. Pte. J.E. Stanton’s letter from France sent to the Journal'' and publlished last week, was the first information Pershore people had of the fate of Sergt. Fred George of the 1st Worcesters. Since then the official intimation of his death has been forwarded and the deepest regret is generally felt at the loss of another gallant Pershore lad. THe deceased was the younger of the two sons of Mr. Edmund George, of Pershore and a handsomer boy or finer looking soldier hass never donned khaki. Though but 21 years of age, he had served several years in the service and was stationed in Egypt when war was declared. In his school days, which seem but yesterday, and for a short time afterwards when he was residing at home he took the keenest interest in Pershore hockey, and was no mean exponent of the game. His pleasant mannners, good looks, and sportsmanlike attributes made him a great favourite with all, and none will give a sadder or kindlier thought to his memory than his old colleagues, the members of Pershore Hockey Club. HOCKEY PLAYERS IN KHAKI. It will not be irrelaevant to enumerate here the name sof other Pershore hoockeyites in whom the love of contest and conquest has shown itself on so many a pleasant mead in various parts of the county, who when the sterner call of their country's need came answered readily and willingly:-- Mesrs. C.H.Lushington, C.E.Slater, W.H.Taylor, H.Mumford, A.Gray, J.Staynor, R.Wagstaff, J.Lord, H.Sharpe, F.Wood, J.Knight, L.Hook, D.Hook, C.W.Hellier, Hiram Moulson and possibly one or two mmore, whose names cannot be recalled at this moment. And a large percentage of the remainder of the members of the Club chafing under the disagreeable truth of that unfortunate phraseToo old at 40” applicable alike to military as well as industrial interests, have sought what peace of mind they can get by joining the local Voluntary Training Corps.

Gunner 106924 Albert Mark Giles 42nd. Bty. 2nd Bn. Royal Field Artillery. Died 21st March 1918. Listed on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France [AB] note that AB lists his name as Mark A. Giles.

Evesham Journal 18 May 1918: PERSHORE MAN KILLED. Mr. Edwin Giles, of Head-street, has received official intimation that his son, Gnr. Mark Giles, R.F.A., has been killed in France. in a very sympathetic letter to the parents, Major Nicholls said that a stray shell fell among the heroes, and Mark was killed instantaneously. The Major added that Mark had served his battery faithfully and well. and he could not adequately express the deep regret he felt at his loss. Gnr. Giles was 25 years of age, and prior to the war worked for the National Railway Company. Mr Giles has three other sons with the colours, Alfred in the Grenadier Guards, Fred in the Gloucesters (Italy), and Lance-Corpl. Arthur Giles, now in Italy.

Alfred Giles Serving in the Grenadier Guards in 1918; see Albert Mark entry above.

Lance Corpl. 240731 Edward Arthur Giles 1/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment Died 27th November 1918. [AL][AB] Serving in Italy in mid-1918 (see Albert Mark Giles entry above). Son of Edwin and Sophia Giles; married to Mary Beatrice Giles, of 2, Deerhurst Terrace, Pinvin. Also listed on Pinvin War Memorial; buried in Pinvin churchyard.

Private 240482 Frederick John Giles Gloucester Territorials/Gloucesters. Lived in Head Street. Was Serving in Italy in 1918 (see Albert Mark Giles entry above) [AL][AV18][AV19]

Private H325515 Herbert James Giles Worcs. Yeomanry. Lived in Church Row [AV18][AV19]

Private 20476 Cyril Benton Glover 2/8th Battalion Worcs. Regt.
Born Pershore, grandson of Ann Glover, of Seaford Grange Cottage, Pershore. enlisted Pershore. Served France and Flanders, died 12th February 1917, aged 19. Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. [Soldiers Died] Not listed on the Abbey Memorial.

17865 Arthur Jervis Goddard Enlisted as Private in Public School Corps, by 1919 was in the R.A.F. Lived at The Bank. [AL][EJ140926][Al][AV18][AV19]

Berrows Journal, 30 Jan. 1915 has an article “COMMISSIONS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL BOYS”, that mentions Arthur Jervis Goddard is the son of Mr. A.C. Goddard, manager of the Capital and Counties’ bank, Pershore. He was appointed temporary 2nd lieutenant of Infantry, regular Forces. The last 4 months training had been at Ashtead (Surrey) with the Worcester contingent of the Universities and Public School Old Boys’ Force, being the 21st (Servic) Battallion Royal Fusiliers.

Lieutenant Frederick Charles Goddard 114 Mahrattas. Lived at The Bank [AV18][AV19]

Private 17427 James Godfrey 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Born Pershore, enlisted at Worcester (living at Pershore) Served France \& Flanders, killed in Action 23 April 1917. [Soldiers Died].
Not listed on Pershore Abbey War memorial. Listed on Arras War memorial, Pas de Calais, France, (i.e. no known grave): CWGC has no family information listed.

L-cpl. 140328 John Gould R.E. Lived at 11 Broad Street. [AV18][AV19]

Private 130696 Walter James Gould M.G.C. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19]

A. Gray Public School Corps [EJ140926]

Lieutenant Audley Grey. Oxfordshire Light Infantry [AL]

Private Wilfred Gray Public Schools Corps [AL][EJ140926]

Sapper 148178 Arthur Frederick Greenhous Royal Engineers. Lived in High Street. In Wireless section, was in France in 1918. See following entry, [AV18][AV19]

Charles Henry Greenhous Lived in High Street [AV18]

Evesham Journal 27 April 1918 – PERSHORE MAN A PRISONER. About the middle of last month, Mrs. P. Greenhous, of High-street Pershore,received news that her youngest son, Charlie, of the Wilts. Regt. was missing. The information came from the chaplain to the regiment, and naturally the uncertainty of their boy’s fate has caused the parents a good deal of anxiety. This however, has been partly removed by the receipt of a postcard from him on Wednesday morning, stating that during the recent fighting, when the British were on the defensive, he had been wounded in the left arm and was made a prisoner and taken to Germany. Mr. Greenhous’s eldest son Arthur is an engineer in the Wireless section, and is now serving in France. No message has been received from him for several weeks.

???? Grinnell The following extract is the coonclusion of the item for Private F. Soley: there is, as yet, insufficient information as to which member of the family it refers to:
Eveashma Journal, 2 January 1915, TWO PERSHORE MEn IN 1ST WORCESTERS (contd):-
Pte. Grinnell, also of the Worcesters, a reserve, who was called up at the outbreak of the war, is invalided home suffering from frostbite, but he is getting well again, and hoped to be back at headquarters in a few days.

Private 240736 Albert Grinnell 8th (Res.) Worcestershire Regiment. Son of Charles Grinnell, Head Street [EJ141003][AL][AV18][AV19] Evesham Journal 15 September 1917 says he was lying wounded in hospital at that time.

Charles Grinnell Worcesters, training in England in March 1917; see G. Grinnell entry.

Charles Grinnell Worcesters – father of Charles, George, and `Jack’ and James – joined Worcesters but was discharged on account of his age. See G. Grinnall entry.

Charles James Grinnell 6 Bearcroft Cottage [AV18][AV19]

Sergt. Charles Leach Grinnall 8th Worcesters [EJ140926][AL] EJ140926 says he was in Teritorials. Evesham Journal 15 September 1917 says he was now in England.

Sergt. G. Grinnell Worcester Regiment

Evesham Journal, 31 March 1917:- PERSHORE SOLDIER’S DISTINCTION. [some preamble omitted] Sergt. G. Grinnell of the Worcesters, who previously resided at Broad-Street, Pershore, and is a son of Mr. Charles Grinnell, now living at Birmingham, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery and devotion to duty during a raid upon the German trenches near Clery on the night of February 27-28. 1917. Sergt. Grinnell had three brothers, all in the Worcestershire regiment. The eldest, Jack, was killed in action on June 16 1915. A younger brother, Jim, is now serving in Egypt, while the third, Charlie, is training in England. His father also joined the Worcesters, but was discharged on account of his age”

Evesham Journal, 11 May 1918:- PERSHORE MAN’S DECORATION. Sergt. George Grinnell, a Pershore man, whose home is now in Birmingham, visited the town recently while on furlough, and received the congratulation of many friends on his progress in the army. He won the D.C.M. for gallantry in action on the Somme in 1916, and is now at a cadet school at Bath working on for a commission. An older brother, Jack Grinnell, of the Worcesters, who lived at Pensham, where he was overseer of Mr Blyth’s plantation, was killed nearly three years ago, and another brother is with the colours.

Private George Grinnell Territorials [EJ140926][AL] EJ140926 says he was in Territorials

George Grinnell Lived in Head Street [AV18]

Private George Grinnall, 5th Worcesters [AL]

Private James Grinnall 2nd Worcesters [AL] Serving in Egypt in March 1917 – see his elder brother G. Grinnell’s entry.

Private John Grinnall 6th Worcesters [AL]

Private 8033 John Grinnell 3rd Battn. Worcestershire Regiment France and Flanders. Killed in action 16 June 1915 [EJD16][AB][Soldiers Died] – he is the `Jack’ Grinnell mentioned in the entry for Sergt. G. Grinnell mentioned above. EJD16 list him in the 2nd Worcesters. Worcestershire regiment memorial book lists his date of death as 1916. Lived in Pensham, overseer of Mr. Blyth’s plantaton, according to 11 May 1918 article in EJ (see entry for George Grinnel above)

Evesham Journal 26 June 1915:– PERSHORE MAN DIES OF WOUNDS. On Thursday Mrs. Grinnell, of Pensham, Pershore, received the news of the death of her husband, Private Jack Grinnell, of the 5th Batt. 3rd. Worcesters. The sad intelligence came on a postcard as follows:– “Dear Mrs. Grinnell, – it is with deep regret and pain I write to tell you that your husband, Jack Grinnell, has died from teh effects of wounds received in battle. Cheer up, and do not let this worry you to much. He died an honourable death, fighting for his children and yourself. I am his chum, Pte. ernest Kingham, and thank God I have so far managed to come through it al right. Though no official information has been received, Mrs. Grinnell is obliged to accept it as being only too true. She had been accustomed to send her husband a parcel every week, and he when writing home frequently mentioned how much this same chum enjoyed a share of the things she sent. Pte. Grinnell was twenty-eigt years of age, and leaves two small children, one three years old and the other twelve months. He was a special reservist, and was called up and sent to France on the outbreak of war. Wounded in the hand, and with frost-bitten feet, he was declared unfit for service, and came home in December last. He was called up and sent out again before the year was out. Formerly Pte. Grinnell managed the garden plantationss of Mr. Blythe at Pensham.

Private 15662 Joseph Grinnell 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, died 13 October 1915. No known grave: Listed on Loos memorial [AL][AB] AL listed him as being in Kitchener’s Army

Private 240280 William Grinnell 8th Worcesters)
[EJ140926][AL][AB][Soldiers Died] ref. EJ140926 says Grinnell, AL says Grinnall. AB lists him as George W. Grinnell. Born Barrow-in-furness, Living in Pershore when he enlisted there. Served in France and Flanders, killed in action 26th August 1917.

Evesham Journal 15 September 1917 – `PERSHORE CASUALTIES. Three more well known Pershore lads have lately made the great sacrifice. All were Williams, and belonged to the fighting Worcesters. Pte. William Grinnall fell on the 26th August. Lieut. J.R. Willis, in a letter of sympathy to his wife, who lives in Pershore, says he was killed instantaneously by a shell while outside his dugout. The lieutenant adds,He was a company signaller, and consequently is a great loss to us. It is only the best men who are picked to be trained as signallers’ Pte. Grinnall was mobilised at the very beginning of the war, and had seen and experienced the horrors of much bitter fighting. Three more brothers, who are the sons of Mr. Charles Grinnall, Head-street, are with the colours, namely, Sergt. C.L. Grinnall, who has been at the front and is now in England; Pte. George, now home from France; and Pte. Albert, who now lies wounded in hospital. Pte. Grinnall leaves a wife and one child.”

Private 325441 John Francis Grundy Q.O.W.H. (Worcester Yeo.) died 23rd April 1916 age 22. Son of John Francis and Florence Louise Grundy, of High Street. See Arthur Kings death notice below for mention that `Jack’ Grundy had been employed at Messrs. Phillips and Sons of High Street. No known grave. Jerusalem memorial, Israel. Mentioned in R.C. Edwards’ letter in the Evesham Journal 29 December 1917 that he’d been killed around Easter Sunday 1916, in the same action that had resulted in R.C. Edwards’ capture by the Turks. [AL][AB]

Thomas Guest Pershore’s postmaster – Evesham Journal 23 Oct 1915 reported that he had signed up and joined the Royal Engineers. Lived at Post Office House [AV18][AV19]

Gunner Arthur Hall Royal Artillery [AB]
Evesham Journal, 22 September 1917 (contd. from Harry Baylis entry) – “While one mother gets news that brings comfort, another gets tidings that cause poignant sorrow. Mrs. Hall, of Priest-lane, who, too, is widow, has had official intimation that her son, Arthur, a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery, has been killed in France. Less than two months ago Arthur was home on leave, and was married to Miss Colley, who used to be manageress of the International Stores, Pershore, and who holds the same position for the firm in her native home of Leominster. The aged mother and the young widow have the deepest sympathy of all who know them. Gunner Hall, who was a fine strapping young fellow, was attached to Pershore Post Office before joining the colours. He was a valued member of Pershore Abbey choir, and in his service last Sunday, the Vicar made reference to him. He was also a member of Pershore Amateur Dramatic Society.

Corporal 12418 Ernest Hall 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Son of the late Thomas and Sarah Ann Hall. Killed in action Gallipoli, 6th August 1915, listed on the Helles Memorial, Turkey [AB]

F. Hall Territorials [EJ140926]

E. Hall 3rd Worcesters [AL]

Sydney John Hall Evesham Journal, 18 May 1918:- PERSHORE MAN A PRISONER. Mr. Thomas Hall, of Sparkhill, Birmingham, and for many years a prominent resident of Pershore, has received information that his son, Sydney John Hall, is a prisoner of war in Germany. He was manager for Messrs. Hall, Lark and Perry, drapers, of Blackpool, Lancs. before joining the Army

Walter Thomas Hall Lived in High Street [AV18]

Private Walter Hall 8th Worcesters [AL]

Private William Hall 3rd Worcesters -Listed as wounded in 1915 Pershore Almanac [AL]

Private 2446 George Maysey Hammond 47th Bn. Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force. Died 7th June 1917. Listed on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West Vlaandern, Belgium [AB]

Evesham Journal 2nd September 1916:-
`A WOUNDED ANZA – Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Hammond, of High Street, Pershore, has receieved intimation that their only son, Sergt. Maysey Hammond, of the Australian Infantry Forces, has again been wounded and is in a base hospital in France. Sergt. Hammond was previously wounded at the Gallipoli Peninsula. Many residents in Pershore, besides his parents, will be gratified if he is fortunate enough to recover from his injuries and come home safe fron the conflict. Sergt. Hammond is a young man of much promise, who, with sheer hard study and determination, fitted himself for good positions in the Civil Service. He lived for six years in North-west Australia, and when the war broke out was employed in an administrative department in Broome. He joined the Australian Infantry a little more than two years ago and went through the horrors of Gallipoli, where, as before mentioned he was wounded. His last letter from France states “I received a dose of shrapnel in my left leg on the glorious night when the battalion went over the top. The doctors have extracted the stuff, but goodness knows when I will commence crawling about again. I do so want to get back to the good old 28th insted of lying so helpless here. We had a hell of a time. There is only 30 of us left, so perhaps a fellow must count himself extremely lucky to come out with only a leg wound. All our officers are gone, and I’m rather anxious to know what they propose doing with the small remainder of the company” ‘

Evesham Journal 23 September 1916: `AN ANZAC'S PROMOTION. Mr George Meysey Hammond, only son of Mr and Mrs G.R. Hammond, of High Street, Pershore, has been promoted from the rank of sergeant to that of second lieutenantfor services in the Field’. Lieut. Hammond, who belongs to the Australian Infantry Forces, is at present lying wounded in hospital in France, having received his injuries during the recent offensive. He was previously wounded at the Gallipoli Peninsula. Lieut. Hammond went to Australia in 1911, and passing fifth out of a huge number of candidates for the Commonwealth Public Service (Post Office branch) was appointed to a post at Broome, N.W. He joined the Army in March 1915, and has been on active service ever since. His many friends at Pershore will be glad to hear of his promotion.”

Evesham Journal, 26 May 1916 (extract from a longer item):– “The same distinction [Military Cross] was gained by Lieut. Maysey Hammond, of High Street. He has the homour of being the first Australian to be given a commission from the ranks.”

Evesham Journal, 28 April 1917, extract of article titled `Pershore Officers’:– “Lieut. Meysey Hammond, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Hammond, of High-street, is at home, still incapacitated by his several wounds. His promotion immediately followed his receiving the D.C.M. for gallantry in the field, all Pershore people wish him a sure and speedy recovery. We regret to report his father is seriously ill.”

Note: Memorial on Mary Ann Hammond’s grave in Pershore cemetery says “ALSO of Capt. G. Meysey Hammond M.C. M.M. 28th Batt. A.I.F. who died of wounds June 14 1918” This is definitely the same person: so there is some problem of the duiscrepancy with his date of death on the CWGC database.

Trooper/Lance Corporal F.M. Hancock 2nd. (or 1st) Q.O. Worcestershire Hussars (Worcester Yeomanry) died of illness June 25 1915. Buried Broughton (St. Mary) Churchyard, Flintshire, United Kingdom [EJD16]

Evesham Journal, 10 July 1915 – “AN ERROR. we made a mistake last week in referring to Lance-Corporal F.M. Hancock of the Worcestershire Yeomanry, who died of meningitis at Cirencester. He was not the foreman porter but the chief clerk of the goods department at Pershore Great Western Station”

George H. Hands Devonshire regiment (R.A.S.C.) [AB]

Frank R. Harbord Royal Artillery [AB]

189995 Frank William Harris(s) R.A.F. Lived at violet Villa [AV18][AV19] AV19 spells his name with one `s’.

189188 Albert William Hartland R.A.F. Lived in No Gains [AV18][AV19]

R.C. Hartwell Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

Private 46916 Rawson Hartwell Worcesters. Lived in Priest Lane. [AV18][AV19]

Private William Hawker 8th Worcesters [AL][EJ140926]

Rev. Hawkes-Field Army chaplain, according to Evesham Journal 29 July 1916, which says he’d been a member of Pershore’s hockey club.

Private Ernest Haynes Kitchener’s Army [AL]

Lance Corporal 17103 Ernest Walter Haynes 11 Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Son of Sarah Haynes of Three Springs road, Killed in Action, Salonica, 25th April 1917. Memorial on Sarah’s grave, Pershore cemetery [AB][Soldiers Died] says the 24th.
Evesham Journal 16 June 1917 – “Corpl. Ernest William Haynes, of the Worcesters, son of Mrs. S. Haynes, of Three Springs-road, Pershore, is reported missing. He was probably in the same fight as the late Sergt. Need.” (note the discrepancy in names)

Lance Corporal 4034 William George Haynes (or George W.) 1/8th Worcestershire Regiment [AB][AL] Died of wounds 15th December 1916. Enlisted at Worcester, though was still living in Pershore at time of enlistment in Worcester. [AL][AB][Soldiers Died]

Evesham Journal, 6 January 1917 – “MORE PERSHORE MEN KILLED. Two more names have been added to Pershore’s Roll of Honour. Mrs Haynes, of the Newlands, has been officially informed that her husband, Lance-Corpl. George Haynes, of the Worcesters, has been killed in France. A letter from Capt. Gist speaks of him as a ‘splendid type of soldier, an excellent leader of men, and one who will be greatly missed by all the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of his company.’
Lance-Corporal Haynes was certainly a popular young fellow in Pershore, and many will grieve that they will never see him in this life again. He was one of the best exponents of soccer football the town has produced, which is saying a good deal considering the name Pershore has had for the sporting spirit for a great number of years. He invariably played centre or left half, and was a strong, fearless tackler, and clean kicker. He belonged to a good many clubs in the district as well as Pershore, for he seemed to find delight in playing occasionally against his old colleagues. Lance-Corpl. Haynes benefited considerably under the wills of two Pershore uncles, and at the time of his death held reversionary interest in a great deal of property, land, and tenements. He leaves a widow and four children.” (the rest of the article is continued under Thomas Coldrick)

G. Haynes Kitchener’s Army – probably the G. Haynes listed above. Need to check parish registers etc. to be certain [EJ140926]

Frederick Heacock Lived in Priest Lane [AV18][AV19]

86775 Norman Thomas Healey R.F.A. Lived in High Street [AV18][AV19]

Private Albert Heeks Kitchener’s Army [AL]

Private 240138 Frank Heeks 1/8th Worcesters [AL][AV18][AV19]

Evesham Journal April 1 1916: “Pte. Frank Heeks, of Pershore, attached to the Worcestershire Regiment, was, a chum of his writes,wounded in action on March 14. The letter further states he was shot by a German sniper. Pte. Heeks was home on a short furlough recently. He is a son of Mr and Mrs N. Heeks of the Newlands, Pershore”

44955 Oliver Heeks 8th Berks. Lived in Newlands. [AV18][AV19]

Trooper George Frederick Hemming Worcs. Yeomanry. Lived in Newlands [AL][AV18]

Private/Trooper James Hemming 8th Worcesters [AL] Yeomanry [EJ140926]

Pershore heritage centre has a 1915 group photo of the Yeomanry’s Pershore troop (no. 3 D' company) that includesJack Hemming’

L-Cpl. 240015 William James Hemming 8th Worcesters. Lived in Newlands [AV18][AV19]

Private 240015 Alfred John Henderson R.E. (Signals) Lived in High Street [AV18][AV19]

Private James Hewlett 8th Worcesters. Lived in Allesboro’ cottages [AL][AV18]

S. Hewlett DISCHARGED. Medically unfit or over age [AL]

Thomas Hewlett Royal Navy [AL]

William Hewlett Royal Navy. Lived in Church Street [AL][AV18]

F. Hicks Territorials [EJ140926]

A. Higgins 8th (Home Service) Batt. Worcs. Regt. [EJ141024]

Private 260517 George Henry Higgins, 12th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment. Only son of Sarah Ann and George Higgins, killed in France Nov 17 1917 age 23. Memorial on Sarah and George’s grave, Pershore cemetery. CWGC says 7 November – check grave. Not listed on Abbey Memorial? Listed on Tyne Cot memorial

Albert `sailor’ Hirons Lived at 96 Newlands; Worcester regiment army no. 18940; Wounded in the war but survived, came home and married Florence Turvey. Bert was also in the Pershore fire brigade. [AL] lists him in Kitcheners Army.

Joseph Hitchcocks Royal Navy [AL]

21323 William H. Hitchings 3rd Bn. Grenadier Guards, Died 8th February 1917. Buried Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, Somme. [AB]

Private Edward Hodgkins National Reserve (Railway Guard) [AL]

Cpt 203458 Edward Hodgkins London Rifle Brigade. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19]

Trooper Tom Holder Hussars.

Evesham Journal May 4 1918 – WOUNDED THREE TIMES. Mr. John Holder, of Holloway, Pershore, has received bad news concerning his only son, Trooper Tom Holder of the Hussars. He was in action in France the day before Good Friday, and received three wounds, one of which necessitated the amputation of the right arm. He is now in a hospital at Bristol. Trooper Holder had been in France for nearly two years, and had seen a good deal of heavy fighting. He was home on leave last December

Corporal Douglas Hook Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Son of Sergt. Richard Hook, recruiting officer for Pershore – in a list of wounded men in Evesham Journal 22 July 1916. See the Ronald Coombes entry for the full article. Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 says he’d been a member of Pershore hockey club[AL][AB] AL says he was a Private in the 8th Worcesters – these were the Territorials, but he was actually in Warwicks Territorials.

Evesham Journal 24 February, 1917 —“CORPL. HOOK KILLED. Scarcely a week pases but what additional names have to be added to Pershore’s Roll of Honour, which now numbers 54. The latest is Corpl. Douglas Hook, who it is officially announced to the parents, has succumbed to wounds received in action on the 4th inst. He died on the 13th at No. 5 Casualty Clearing Station, France, at the age of 22 years. Corpl’ Douglas Hook, who was the youngest son of Sergt.-Major Richard Hook, of Pershore, was one of the smartest of the many that Pershore has sent out. He belonged to the Signal Section of the Royal Warwickshire Territorial Regiment, mobilised in August 1914. After experiencing 20 months’ hard fighting in France, he was wounded on July 1, 1916, in one of the battles on the Somme. He was in the General Hospital at Oxford for four months, having received serious shrapnel wounds in the side and arm. He returned to France at the end of the year. His death will be genuinely lamented throughout the district, for he was widely known and very popular. He possessed in a full measure the sporting spirit characteristic of the family. He played football, hockey, cricket, while as a runner he had many successes. He won the Boy Scouts’ race for three successive years at Pershore Flower Show. He was an old Choir boy of Pershore Abbey. Hubert, the eldest son of Sergt.-Major Hook, is still serving in the trenches, and Louis, who went through the Gallipoli campaign as a sergeant in the Worcestershire Yeomanry, is now at home.

Lance-Corporal Hubert Hook Worcester Regiment [EJ141024][AL] AL says he was in 3rd Worcesters, EJ140124 says 6th Batt. Worcs. Regt. Eldest son of Sergt.-Major Hook of Pershore. Evesham journal item about the death of his brother Douglas mentions that Hubert was still serving in the trenches as of February 1917.

Sergeant Richard Lewis Hook Worcs. Yeomanry [AL][EJ140926] Son of Sergt.-Major Richard Hook of Pershore. Had been a member of Pershore Hockey club, according to Evesham Journal 29 July 1916; Evesham Journal item about the death of his brother Douglas mentions that he “went through the Gallipoli campaign as a sergeant in the Worcestershire Yeomanry, is now at home”

Evesham Journal, 10 February 1917, reporting on Pershore Rural tribunal —“Richard Lewis Hook (29), single, a time-expired sergeant in the Worcestershire Yeomanry, who went through the Gallipoli campaign, made his second application for conditional exemption, He had been granted a certificate till January. Applicant said he was the son of Richard Hook, Recruiting Sergeant for Pershore District, whose military duties did not allow him to look after his business as a coachbuilder. The application was supported by Mr. Hook, who said his son was in sole charge of the business and was doing a considerable amount of work for agriculturalists. Louis Hook told the Tribunal he was employed four evenings of the week giving musketry instructions to members of the V.T.C. at Pershore, Elmley, and Cropthorne — Conditional exemption”

Sergt. R. Hook DISCHARGED. Medically unfit or over age [AL]
This is most likely Sergt.-Major Richard Hook, who was the Recruiting Sergeant for Pershore district by 1917, and three of whose sons are listed above.

Bdr. 26456 George Henry Hooper R.G.A. Lived Pershore Fields [AV18][AV19]

Lance-Corporal 18291 Gabriel Hopkins 11th Somerset Light Infantry. Lived in Bridge Street. [AV18][AV19]
Evesham Journal October 5 1918: SHOT BY A SNIPER. Pte. Gabriel Hopkins, son of Mrs. J. Hopkins, of Bridge-street Pershore, was shot through the thigh by a sniper, and is now in hospital at Clapton-on-Sea. Everybody hopes he will have a speedy recovery. Pte. Hopkins is a good sportsman. He played International Hockey, and was a valued meber of the local team. He is also a fine footballer and cricketer.

William Horton Town Guard [AL]

Private 265100 Walter Howard Howell 7th Somersets. Lived in Bridge Street. [AV18][AV19]

Private M2/176724 John Edwin Howes A.S.C. Lived at 3 Priest Lane [AV18][AV19]

John Joseph Howse Lived at Knight’s Buildings [AV18]

Private Martin Howse 6th Worcesters. Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 – Mrs. J. Howse of Knight's-terrace, Pershore, has been informed that her son, Pte. Martin Howse of the Worcesters, is wounded and in hospital. He is but a lad, 19 next week, and has been wounded twice, the first time at the Dardanelles, and now in the recent offensive move in France. His father is in the Royal Engineers'' [AL] Ref AL spells his nameHowse”

Evesham Journal, 21 September 1918:– NEWS AT LAST. In reply to persitent enquiries, Mrs. J. Howes, of Knight’s Buildings, Pershore, (whose husband is in the army), learnt from a letter sent last August by the officer commanding the 77th Field Ambulance in France, that her son, Pte. Martin Howes, of the 3rd Worcesters, was admitted to a main dressing station on the 27th of May, suffering from gunshot wounds in the left knee and foot. At the time there were very severe military operations in progress, and owing to the situation becoming acute, this dressing station had to be hurriedly abandoned. It was only possible to evacuate to the casualty clearing station a small percentage of the cases there before it fell into the hands of the enemy. If, therefore'', the letter stated,his name has not been reported as passing through a medical unit on the lines of communication, it is feared he is one of those captured by the enemy.” All doubt has now passed, as Mrs. Howes has received a postcard, bearing the formidable name of a German town, that her son is in captivity, and the German censor graciously permits the prisoner to add the ubiquitous English word, “Cheerio”. Pte. Martin Howes, known among his Pershore friends as Sonny Howes, has been wounded four time, the first occasion being when hr was out with the Mediterranean Force. He was then only 18 years old. He has had hard and exciting exxperiences during his 3½ years’ service.

R. Howes Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

Major Arthur Cyril Hudson 2nd Batt. 7th Royal Fusiliers (? CWGC says 3rd Bn. attd. 11th Service Bn.)- died of wounds received at the Battle of the Somme 2nd Oct 1916, aged 37. Son of Lieut. Colonel and Mrs. A.H. Hudson of Wick. Husband of Irene C. Hudson of Endon Hall, Pershore – listed on Wick War Memorial, also a memorial in Wick church to Aubrey and Arthur [AB]

Evesham Journal 7 October 1916: `DEATH OF MAJOR ARTHUR HUDSON. An official telegram to Wick House on Saturday morning announced that Major Arthur Hudson had been seriously wounded and was in hospital at Boulogne. A second telegram in the evening of the same day at Endon Hall, reported the wordsseriously wounded’ and authorised Mrs. Hudson, the major’s wife, to go to France. Too late for the last train that night, Mrs. Hudson commenced her journey by the earliest on Sunday morning, but the major had passed away before she reached France. He died that day and the sad announcement was officially made to Colonel Hudson early on Monday morning. Major Arthur C. Hudson, of the Royal Fusiliers, was the second son of Col. and Mrs. Hudson, and a son-in-law of the Rev. H. and Mrs. Clifford, of Endon Hall, Wick. He married Miss Irene C. Clifford, their eldest daughter, at Evesham, about eight years ago. the hearts of all classes of people in Pershore go out in sympathy to the members of both families, who are now suffering this deep personal sorrow, for the young widow and her child, and especially for Col. and Mrs. Hudson, who now mourn the loss of two out of the three of their soldier sons. Their younger son, Lieut. Aubrey Hudson, of the Worcester Regiment, was killed in the battle of the Aisne, September 20, 1914.

Major Warren Hudson, also of the Worcesters, is at Salonika. The late Major Arthur Hudson served through the South African War, getting the Queen’s medal and clasp. He joined the Royal Fusiliers in 1902 as second lieutenant. When war broke out in 1914 he was home on leave with his regiment from India. He was wounded at Loos in 1915, when taking part in a successful bombing raid on the enemy’s lines. He had been in the Somme fighting since July, and it was here he received his death wounds. He was thirty-six years of age. His father, Colonel Hudson, is Regimental Commandant of the Worcestershire Volunteer Movement, and his father-in-law, the Rev. H. Clifford, is commandant of the Pershore and District platoons.”

Lieut. Aubrey Wells Hudson 5th, Attd. 2nd. Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Killed in action at the Battle of the Aisne, 20th September 1914. Aged 31, son of Lieut. Colonel and Mrs. A.H. Hudson of Wick House. Had previously served for several years in the Cape Mounted Rifles in South Africa.

Photograph printed in the 1915 Pershore Almanac. Listed on Wick War Memorial, also a memorial in Wick church to Aubrey and Arthur. La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France.

Lt.-Com. Charles Edward Hudson R.N.R. Lived in Abbey Place [AV18][AV19]

Major William Warren Hudson 11th Worcesters. Son of Lieut. Col. and Mrs. A.H. Hudson of Wick House. Serving in Salonika in October 1916.
Listed on the Wick Roll of Honour where he is listed as a Lt. Col.

Private 9035 Edward James Hughes 1st Bn. Worcestershire Regiment. Born in Flint, enlisted at Pershore, was living in Worcester. Served France and Flanders, killed in action 13 March 1915. No known grave. Listed on the Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France [EJD16][AB][Soldiers Died]
(Mentioned in a February 1915 letter about the death of Sergt. F. George).

Private Edward Hughes 6th Worcesters [AL]

W. Hughes Reservist [EJ140926]

Lieut. Christopher Munro Humphries 3rd S. Highlanders. Lived in Bridge Street [AV18][AV19]

Ernest William Hunt Lived in No Gains [AV18]

Private 27767 Philip Hunt 1st/7th Battn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Reported missing 8th October, 1917 aged 37 – memorial on George Hunt’s grave, Pershore cemetery. Listed on Tyne Cot Memorial. [AB]

Major Walter John Hunt Lived in Worcester Street. refs. [AL][EJ140926][AV18][AV19] [AL] lists him as Captain in 8th Worcesters (Territorials); several years later, [AV19] has him as a Major att. 36th Northumberland Fus.

Thomas Albert Hutton [EJ140926][AL][AV18][AV19] AL lists him as a Private in the Public Schools Corps. Infantry. AV19 lists him as a captain. Lived in High Street.

Evesham Journal 20 May 1916:– “Lieut. B. Hutton in Hospital. Mrs. Hutton of High Street, Pershore, has received a telegram from the War Office this week telling her that her husband, Lieut. Bert Hutton, has been sent to a hospital at Karachi, India, suffering from dysentery. Lieut. Hutton was with the relief force under General Gorringe, in Mesopotamia, and it was here he contracted the illness” EJ 29th July 1916 mentions that Bert Hutton had been a member of Pershore’s Hockey club.

Evesham Journal, 14 October 1916:– “COMMISSION FOR PERSHORE MAN. Mr Bert Hutton, the well known operatic singer, of Pershore. who is now in hospital in Bomabar, has been promoted 2nd Lieut. and is attached to the Worcesters. He went through the Gallipoli campaign”

Evesham Journal, 21 October 1916:– “PERSHORE OFFICERS. Our reference to Lieut Bert Hutton, formerly of Pershore, was incorrect. He has recenntly been promoted to 1st Lieutenant, having obtained his commission from the Public School Corps in May 1915, he has seen a lot of fighting in Gallipoli, and in connection with the relief force in Mesopotamia. He is at present in in Hospital in Bombay.”
(remainder of story continued under Frank J. Nicholas)

Evesham Journal, 28 April 1917:– “CAPT. B. HUTTON SERIOUSLY WOUNDED. Mrs. Hutton, of High-street, Pershore, has received official information that her husband, Capt. Bert Hutton, of the Worcesters, was seriously wounded in the recent fighting in Mesopotamia. This is the first intimation that Mrs. Hutton received that her husband had been promoted to the rank of Captain. Capt. Hutton joined the service in the early months of the war, and has seen much fighting with the Turks.”

Evesham Journal 26 May 1917:– “PERSHORE AT THE FRONT” A short time ago Mrs. Hutton, of High Street Pershore, received official information that her husband Capt. A. Hutton, had been seriously wounded in Mesopotamia, and was in hospital at Baghdad. She called for further particulars, and last week received a further communication from the War Office that Capt. Hutton was progressing favourably. Many Pershore people will share in the relief which this later message gives.” (remainder continued under Robert Lees)

Evesham Journal 23 March 1918 – “CAPT. BERT HUTTON MENTIONED. Capt. A.B. Hutton was mantioned in the despatches by Sir Stanley Mande, published last week, for gallant and distinguished service in Mesopotamia, and Pershore people generally are proud of the honpur he has won for himself. Before the war Capt. Hutton was foreman over one of the departments at the Atlas Works. He is a fine bass singer, and his ability in amateur opera was recognised and appreciated in Pershore, Evesham, Worcester and Droitwich, at each of which places he at various times assisted the local societies. Capt. Hutton joined the University O.T.C. in September 1914, obtained his commission in May 1915, and went to Gallipoli September 1915, and was in both evacuations – Suval Bay and Hellas Point. He went to Mesopotamia and was in the Kut relief fighting, and also the Tigris Campaign. He assisted in the capture of Baghdad, and was seriously wounded 50 miles beyond that city. He is now on important military work at Belgaum, India.”

A.T. Hyde 15342 Worcestershire Regiment. Listed among the wounded Evesham Journal 20 May 1916

20727 Arthur James Ireland 4th Worcesters. Lived at 3, Knight’s Buildings. [AV18][AV19] Appears to have been listed twice in AV19 for some reason (nos. 4567, 4735)

Private Charles Izard 15th Hussars [AL]
Evesham Journal 9 June 1917 – “PERSHORE MAN’S EXCITING EXPERIENCE. In a lettter to his wife, Pte. Charles Izard, of Pershore, who is attached to the Royal Bucks. tells how he is in hospital in Marseilles with fever, and recounts an exciting experience he had on the 4th of May, when the ship he was on was torpedoed and went down. He and others were picked up by a Japanese destroyer, but many were drowned. They were stranded in Italy for a week, and then were sent by train to Marseilles. Pte. Izard had been some years in the army. Prior to the outbreak of war he was groom to General Hunter at Farnham.”

Frederick Izard Lived in High Street [AV18]

Private Percy Izard Kitchener’s Army [AL][EJ140926]

Albert T. Jones Devonshire Regiment [AB]

57927 Albert Jones 2/8 Worcesters. Lived in Binholme. Youngest son of `Ensor’ Jones. Evesham Journal 31 July 1915 mentions in passing that he was a lance-corporal in the Pershore Boys’ Brigade, and at that time was too young to enlist. See the account of Sergt. Biddulph. [AV18][AV19]

Private 23386 George Jones 2nd Battalion Worcester Regiment.
Born Pershore, enlisted at Worcester. Served France and Flanders, killed in action 21st May 1917. No known grave: Listed on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. [Soldiers Died]

Pte. Henry Ensor' Jones </b> Town Guard [AL] Evesham Journal 27 March 1915, Continued from Sergeant Henry Jones entry: ``His father, Pte. Henry Jones, known everywhere in the Pershore district asEnsor’ Jones, is at present doing duty guarding railway bridges. He went through the South African Campaign, and belonged to the National Reserve. He can play, and play cleverly, almost every musical instrument there is, and his entertaining proclivities are so appreciated where he is billeted that the officers have recently presented him with an English concertina, Pte. Jones was groundsman for Pershore Hockey Club.”

Private Henry Jones Royal Warwicks [AL]

Sergeant Henry Jones 1st Worcesters. Evesham Journal, 27 March 1915:– `PERSHORE SERGEANT WOUNDED. Sergt. Henry Jones, of the 1st. Worcesters, who has been wrongly reported as killed in some papers, is lying badly wounded in Hampstead-road Temperance Hospital, London, but is progressing favourably towards recovery. He was Invalided home from the front last week with three bullet wounds in the right arm. While taking part in an engagement two months ago he was shot in the hand, but the wound was not sufficiently serious to necessitate his coming home. Sergt. Jones joined the Army before he was out of his teens, and was quickly promoted to the rank of sergeant.'' (rest of article refers to his father,Ensor’ Jones, and is listed under his heading)

Sergeant Jack Jones Evesham Journal, 31 July 1915, in a report on the death of Arthur Biddulph (see above) mentions that Mrs Jones’ brother, Sergt. Jack Jones, “was badly wounded in the fight at Neuve Chapelle – he is a Worcester man and has five brothers now serving in the trenches, and two on garrison duty” – since Mrs Biddulph was the daughter of ‘Ensor’ Jones, these brothers must fit the Pershore men category….

Private John Jones 1st Worcesters [AL]

Gunner Norman Jones Royal Field Artillery [AL]

A. Keen Lance-Sergt. Yeomanry [EJ140926]
A 1915 group photo of the Yeomanry’s Pershore troop (no. 3 `D’ squadron) has a “Lt. Cay. Keen” which may be him; photo in the Pershore Heritage centre.

John Freeman Kettell Lived in Priest Lane [AV18]

Private William Keyte Kitchener’s Army [AL]

Lance Corporal 18015 Arthur R Kings 1st Battn. Grenadier Guards. Died 21st Nov 1916, buried at Carnoy Military Cemetery, Somme, France.

Evesham Journal 19 Feb 1916: “CHAMPION BOXER. Since the war started, four Pershore lads were in that fine Regiment, the Grenadier Guards, namely Lance-Corporal W.J. Dufty who won the D.C.M. for bomb throwing in Flanders, and who, soon after the distinction was conferred upon him was killed while giving a further exhibition of British pluck and tenacity; Pte. Percy Smith, who never over got the terrible wound in the head he received during a fierce engagement, and died in a London Hospital; Pte. W. Kings, who though he was in the first Expeditionary Force to France, and has taken part in several of the hottest fights, has so far escaped without a scratch, and his brother Pte. Arthur Kings who was put out of action at the battle of Loos with a bullet through his arm. While in France, Pte. Arthur Kings won the boxing championship of his regiment, and received 50 francs. He has been to Pershore lately on a brief furlough, and was far more communicative and excitable about his boxing episode than with his adventures in fighting the Huns. Visiting his old haunt, the Working Men’s Club, Pte. Arthur persistently endeavoured to get members to engage him in a little honourable contention with the gloves. But each and all promptly refused, which is not to be wondered at seeing the challenger stands 6ft 3 in high, turns the scale at 13 stone, is as fit as the proverbial fiddle, and possesses a fist fashioned after the similitude of a leg of mutton. He has now returned to the fighting line in France”

Evesham Journal 9 December 1916 — “PERSHORE MAN KILLED. Mr and Mrs Joseph Kings, of the Gas Walk, High Street, Pershore, has received official intimation that their son, Lance-Corpl. Arthur Kings, of the Grenadier Guards, has been killed in action. The news first came to the parents through the Chaplain of the regiment, Rev. Leslie Palmer, who in a very sympathetic letter stated the Lance Corpl. was brought to the dressing station unconscious, and that he remained in that condition until he died shortly afterwards. Arthur Kings was as popular in the army as he was out of it, and at Pershore had a host of friends; he will be greatly missed. In stature he was a veritable giant, standing 6ft 3in in his socks, and was proportionately built. He was good at sporting games, had an excellant record for running with the Birchfield Harriers, and was a winner of many local competitions. He won a name for the art of boxing, and just after he was sent to France he carried off the prize of 25 francs as champion of the heavy-weight competition promoted by the officers. He joined the army in Sptember 1914 and exactly a year later was wounded at Loos. For about a year he received hospital and convalescent treatment. He was 22 years of age. He was formerly in service at Messrs. Phillips and Sons of High Street, who entertained a high regrd for him for his steadiness, reliability and courtesy. Messrs. Phillips, it may be stated, have had seven of their original staff join the colours, three of whom have died for their country, the other two being troopers Jack Grundy and Arthur Bozard of the Worcestershire Yeomanry” – the rest of the article is continued under William Kings, below.

[EJ140926][AL][AB] Ref. AL lists him as a private, EJ lists him in Kitchener’s Army.

23515 Henry Kings 4th Worcesters. Lived in Ganderton’s Row [Av18][AV19]

Private William Kings Grenadier Guards – Evesham Journal 19 Feb 1916 recounts that though he was in the first expeditionary force to France, and has taken part in some of the hottest fights, has so far escaped wthout a scratch'' Brother of Arthur W. Kings Evsahm Journal 9 Dec 1916 (contd. from Arthur Kings above) ---William, the elder brother of the late Lance-Corpl. Kings, was also in the Grenadier Guards, and after 22 months’ hard and continuous service on the French and Belgian fronts has just been discharged as a time-expired man and for medical reasons. He was a reservist and was a member of the Birmingham City Police when war broke out. He has now rejoined the force. William, though also of exceptionally fine physique, was not so tall as his brother. On June 12 1915. the date of the Lance Corporal’s 21st birthday, the brothers met for the first time as soldiers at a village called Festerburgh, Northern France.”

Cpl. 16887 George Kirby 9th Gloucesters. Lived in High Street [AV18][AV19]

Trooper John Alfred Knight Worcs. Yeomanry. Lived at White Horse Hotel [EJ140926][AL][AV18]
Pershore Heritage centre has a 1915 group photo of Pershore Troop (No. 3 D' company) that includesJack Knight’

William James Knight Lived in High Street [AV18]

Private 27869 Arthur John Langford 3rd. Battn. Worcester Regiment. Enlisted at Evesham. Died Oct 9th 1916. [Soldiers Died][AB]
.
Evesham Journal Nov 4th 1916 – “PTE. A. LANGFORD KILLED. Pte. Arthur Langford, of the Worcesters, who was killed on October 9 by the bursting of a shell in the trenches, was a Pershore man and the youngest son of the late Mr. John Langford, who for a quarter of a century was foreman at the Atlas Iron Works. Pte. Langford, who leaves a widow and one child, lived at Paxford, where, before he joined the Army he was manager for Messrs. Jas. Slatter \& Co., cider merchants. The deceased young soldier, who was only 24 years of age, joined up in April last and three months later was sent out He was in the notable fight on August 24 when the gallant Worcesters routed the much-vaunted Prussian Guard. Here it was that he saw a Pershore comrade, Pte. Leonard Preece, lying dangerously wounded with a shattered thigh and rendered him timely aid. Mrs. Langford, at Paxford, has received a most kind and sympathetic letter from Lieut. Davis, who said he personally felt the loss of Pte. Langford very keenly, as he was a good soldier and a pattern to his comrades. The Chaplain (the Rev. G.M. Evans) also wrote, saying he buried him in the little cemetery behind the lines, and that a handsome wooden cross marks his last resting place. the grave, he adds, will always be carefully looked after. The late Pte. Langford’s mother, for whom much sympathy is generally felt, resides in the High-street, Pershore.” Listed on the Thiepval memorial, Somme, France. Arthur Langford is also listed on the war memorial for Paxford, Glos.

Frederick William Latham Head Street [AV18]

Private William Lathan 8th Worcesters [AL]

William Edward Latham Lived in Head Street [AV18]

Charles James Leach Lived at Bearcroft [AV18]

Private Alexander Yates Lees (or Alick) 8th Worcesters/Territorials Lived in Bridge Street [AL][EJ140926][AV18]

Private Andrew Lees 8th Worcesters/Territorials. Lived in Bridge Street [EJ140926][AL][AV18]

Andrew Yates Lees died 10th June 1925 “as a result of war service” aged 25 years. Buried in Pershore cemetery. Likely to be the same person as Private Andrew Lees above.

Lieut. Robert Cowan Lees R.F.A. Son of Mrs. Lees, Bridge Street, in a list of the wounded published in Evesham Journal 22 July 1916 (See Ronald Coombes entry for full article) Had been a member of Pershore’s hockey club, according to a mention in the Evesham Journal 29 July 1916
Listed in [AV18][AV19].

Evesham Journal 26 May 1917 – “PERSHORE AT THE FRONT. (continued from the Albert Hutton item) – Lieut. Robert Lees, of the R.F.A., son of Mrs. Lees of Bridge-street, has been wounded a second time, and is now in hospital at Reading. The gallant deeds of the Pershore men at the same action brings honour to the town to which they are connected. In one month, three officers gained distinction for their bravery” – (see entries for Capt. Watson, Lieut. Meysey Hammond, Sergt. Grinnell)

Francis William Lewis High Street [AV18]

Pte. Wm. Lewis 5th Worcesters. Listed as Prisoner of War in 1915 Pershore Almanac [AL]

Sergt.-Major 17161 William H. Lewis Royal Warwickshire regiment, died on Tuesday, 19th June 1917. Age 31. Buried at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. CWGC database decribes him as the husband of Edith Ethel Worton Lewis, of 15, Rectory St., Wordsley, Stourbridge, Worcs. He is apparently not listed on any Pershore area memorial, but see the following extract from Evesham Journal, 30 June 1917: The Roll of Honour of Pershore Post office, which consists of the names of Corporal H. Wedgebury (missing, believed killed), Corpl. C. Twigg, Pte. H. Dufty, and Pte. Percy Smith, now includes that of Company-Sergt.\-Major William Lewis, of the Royal Warwicks. Mrs. Lewis, who resides in Plough-lane, received a letter from the War Office on Tuesday Week, intimating her husband was seriously ill in hospital at Cairo, and the following day came a wire announcing his death. Much sympathy is felt for the widow, who is left with one child. Sergt. Major Lewis before the war was rural postman from Pershore to Peopleton. Formerly he was stationed at Eckington. He was a good type of the non-commissioned officer, being a reservist in the Royal Warwicks, he mobilised on the 4th August 1914, and had the honour of being a unit in Gen. French'scontemptible little army” which checked the onward rush of the Prussian hosts towards the gates of Paris, and made possible the winning of the war for the Allies. He was in the historic battle of the Marne, where he fought and bled, and after convalescence he again took his place in the fighting line, and went through many more battle. He was subsequently sent to Egypt.”

Francis William Lewis R.A.F. Lived in High Street. [AV19] Appears to be listed twice in AV19, refs. 5362 and 5370

Private Jack Long Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]; 8th Worcesters [AL]

Hubert Long Lived at Cemetery cottages [AV18]

Private 34100 Cyril Henry Ludlow 13th Gren. Guards. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19]

Private George Ludlow 8th Worcesters. Lived in Head Street [EJ141003][AL][AV18]

Lieutenant Cecil Henry Gosset Lushington “A” coy. 10th Battn. Worcestershire Regiment. Died 3rd July 1916 age 31. Son of Major and Mrs. Arthur James Lushington of the Park, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent. Husband of Evelyn Marian Lushington. Commemorated on Thiepval memorial, Somme, France. [AB][AL] Note that ref. AL lists him as 6th Worcesters.

Evesham Journal 22 July 1916 has an article about him and Ronald Coombes: at that time he was listed as wounded and missing. See Ronald Coombes listing for the full article. The Journal, 29 July lists him as wounded, and that he’d been a member of Pershore’s hockey club.

Evesham Journal 5th August 1916 – `LIEUT. C.H. LUSHINGTON. Lieut. C.H.G. Lushington, of the Worcestershire Regiment, who was officially reported to bewounded and missing on July 3 1916′ has now been officially reported to have been killed in action. He was 31 years of age, and was educated at Winton House, Winchester, and at Haileybury College. He had been growing fruit at Pershore for some years, and on the outbreak of war he at once applied for a commission in the Worcestershire Regiment, and was gazetted to a 2nd lieutenancy in September 1914. He proceeded with his regiment in July 1915 to France, where the battalion saw much service in the trenches at —— after suffering very heavy losses in officers and men. During this attack, though wounded in both legs, Lieut. Lushington declined assistance, and he appears to have been lost sight of at the time. From an unofficial source, however, it is reported that he was subsequently seen to be hit again, and received a fatal wound, to which he succumbed in a few minutes. In referring to his death, one of the officers under whom he served, wrote `He was a splendid officer, and his men always loved him, and would have followed him anywhere. He had the very highest form of courage; he realised danger, but never shirked it.’ He was a good cricketer, a free and forcing bat, and made several high scores for the Gentlemen of Worcestershire. He was also a good hockey and lawn tennis player. He was the younger son of Major and Mrs. A.J. Lushington, of Bampton House Oxfordshire, and married, in February, 1915, Evelyn M., only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Hirst, of Oathurst, Bampton, Oxon.”

Captain Lionel Frederick Machin K.O.S.B. Lived in Stanhope House. [AV18][AV19] NB. [EJ140926] and [AL] list him as a private in (Sandhurst) Public School Corps.

Second-Lieut. Norman Frederick Machin D.S.M Coldstream Guards. Lived in Stanhope House. His name appears twice in ref. AV19: no. 4743 lists him as a Lieutenant, 4572 lists him as a Captain. [AV18][AV19]

Evesham Journal, 25 November 1916 – “PERSHORE MAN’S GALLANTRY. Second-Lieut. Norman F. Machin, of the Coldstream Guards, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for Gallantry in the field. He led and rallied his men under heavy barrage fire, until he fell wounded. Prior to joining the colours Lieut. Machin was a market gardener at Pershore, and was a pupil with Mr. E.P. Whiteley, hon. secretary of the Pershore Fruit Growers’ Association. He is a nephew of Miss Sainsbury, Stanhope House, where he resided.

Private J. Mann Kitchener’s Army [AL]

Private Joseph Mann 5th Worcesters [AL]

2nd. Lieutenant Kenneth Mann 4th Suffolks. Killed at some time before before January 1916 [EJD16]

Private 9543 Nicholas Joseph Mann 9th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment Killed 15 Dec 1916, aged 38, in Mesopotamia. Son of Clr. Serjt. Nicholas G.A. Mann (Tewkesbury Volunteers, 2nd V.B.G.R.) and the late Sarah Ann Mann of Gander Lane, Church Street, Tewkesbury. Listed on the Basrah memorial, Iraq. Listed on the Tewkesbury War Memorials. Had served in S. Africa [AB][EJ140926] EJ ref. lists him in Kitchener’s Army.

Evesham Journal 30 December 1916 – “PERSHORE CASUALTIES. Mrs. Mann, of the Newlands, Pershore, received the sad news from the War Office on Boxing Day, the anniversary of her wedding day, that her husband, Pte. Nicholas Joseph Mann, had been killed in Mesopotamia, Pte. Mann belonged to the Worcesters and was 38 years of age. His wife had not seen him since just before he sailed for the Dardanelles, a year and six months ago. He was badly wounded in Gallipoli and was four months in hospital, Mrs. Mann is left with three children. Pte. Mann’s younger brother, Sergt. Victor Mann, was killed in France last August, and another brother, Lance-Corpl. Frank Mann, after having been four times wounded, is again back in the trenches. The father, Nicholas George Augustus Mann, is an Irishman and a good patriot. He lives at Tewkesbury, and though 75 years of age, belongs to the V.T.C. It should be stated that Pte. Mann was a Volunteer in the South African War, for which he has medals and clasps, and he also volunteered in the early days of the present war. Prior to this he was an agent of the Pearl Insurance Company at Pershore” (the rest of this article continued under Francis Charlwood)

Evesham Journal 6 January 1917 – “TEWKESBURIANS KILLED. Pte. Nicholas J. Mann, of the Warwicks, was killed in action on December 13. Deceased was the eldest son of Col. Sergt. and Mrs. Mann of Tewkesbury, and leaves a widow and three small children, who reside at Pershore, to mourn his loss. He was one of the first batch of Tewkesbury Volunteers to serve in the South African War, and was well known in Tewkesbury, where he was for some years in the employ of Messrs. Hayward and Sons before removing to Pershore. This is the second son his parents have lost in this war.”

Private Arthur Manton 8th Worcesters [AL][EJ141003]

Private Joseph Manton Kitchener’s Army [AL]

J. Manton Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

Private Joseph Manton 8th Worcesters [AL]

Private Charles Marshall National Reserve (Railway Guard). [AL] Discharged from army around June 1918 after 3$1 \over 2$ years service.

Gunner 183338 Charles Marshall “D” Bty., 306th Bde., Royal Field Artillery. Died on 7 May 1918 age 21, buried Gonnehem British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Son of Charles and Ellen Marshall of Lower Newlands [AV18][AB]

Evesham Journal, 1 June 1918:– PERSHORE CASUALTIES. Each week sees additions made to the Pershore Roll of Honour, now a formidable list. Signaller C. Marshall R.F.A. eldest son of Pte. and Mrs. C. Marshall, of the Newlands, was killed in France on May 7. He was 21 years of age and unmarried. Before enlistment he resided with Mr. and Mrs. W. Guest, bakers of Rounds Green, Oldbury, by whom he was employed, and who held him, as their letters show, in great esteem. Every member of the Rounds Green staff have written in sympathy to the parents. Before working there, he was with Messrs. P.J. Prothero \& Co.\, Pershore. The circumstances of his death were related in a letter from Lieut. E. Millward, who writes :- “He had not been long in my section, but had proved to be an efficient and cheerful worker, and one of our best telephonists. It may be some consolation to you to know he suffered no pain, being killed by a shell which dropped on our cook’s fire. His best friend, Gunner Barker was killed, at the same time, and both are buried side by side in a cemetery close by. Our own padre took the service, all of us being present. The father, Mr Charles Marshall, was this week discharged from the army after 3$\frac{1{2$ years service.
Another son, Will, is serving in the front line

Private 43693 Edward John Marshall 10th Batt. Lincolnshire Regiment. Son of John and Rose Ellen Marshall of Top Newland, Pershore. Died 28th April 1917 aged 23. No known grave. Listed on Arras Memorial, France [AB]
Joined up under the group system, and was transferred from the Worcesters to the Lincolns. Evesham Journal, 3 June 1917, says he was 24 at death. See the entry for James Annis.

Private Philip Marshall 8th Worcesters/reservist [AL][EJ140926] Son of John and Rose Ellen Marshall of top Newland, Pershore. Badly gassed in action, Jnuary 1917, and by June 1917 was then a substitute working on the land at Evesham (source: Evesham Journal 4 June 1917 – see the James Annis entry)

42919 William Marshall London Regiment. Lived in Newlands. Son of Charles and Ellen Marshall of Lower Newlands. Serving in front line in 1918, according to his brother Chalres death notice. [AV18][AV19]

Gunner 162869 Walter Martin 146th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery. Son of David and E.M. Martin of Pershore, husband of Christina E. Martin of 18 Hill Avenue, Worcester. Died 20 December 1917 age 34. Buried St Albans Cemetery, Hertfordshire Ex-pupil of Worcester Grammar school, listed on the school’s memorial N.B. Had moved out of Pershore, not listed on Pershore Abbey memorial.

Evesham Journal 19 January 1918 – GUNNER WALTER MARTIN’S DEATH. The death of Gunner Walter Martin, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, brings sorrow to many people in the Pershore district, who knew him well and esteemed him highly. Prior to May last, when he joined the colours, he was a clerk in the Old Bank of Worcester, and his young widow and child live at 18 Hill-avenue Worcester. Mr. Martin was sent to France in less than five months’ training, and in a hot engagemant in which he was unrelieved with the guns for a considerable time, he caught a chill, and various complications supervened, which terminated his life at St. Alban’s Red Cross Hospital. He was the eldest son of Mr. David Martin of Cheltenham, formerly of the firm of Messr. Fearnside and Martin, printers, of Pershore. A memorial service was held at the Primitive Methodist Chapel at Drakes Broughton, at which place of worship he succeeded his father as organist, his gratuitous services being greatly valued by the members. For some years, he and his wife were members of Pershore Amateur Operatic Society, and Mr. Martin took the title role in a most successful production ofthe “Mikado”. For some time, too, he acted as hon. secretary of the society. Deceased was 34 years of age. Another brother is in the Army.

Private S/355531 Franz Alfred Charles Mason A.S.C. Lived at Knotty Elms [AV18][AV19]
Evesham Journal 30 June 1917 – “PERSHORE AND THE WAR. Mr. Charles Mason (the organist at the Abbey Church) has been called up, and is attached to the Army Service Corps. His successor is Miss Pritchard, of Oxford…. ”
There are more details about Pershore men, listed under William Lewis.

2nd. Lieutenant Kenneth Ralph Mason. 4th Bn., Suffolk Regiment. Died 21st June 1915 age 27. Son of George Calver Mason and Loetitia Maria Mason of Ipswich. Buried St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L’avoue, Pas de Calais, France. Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 mentions that Lieut. Kenneth Mason (killed in France) had been a member of Pershore hockey club. [AL][EJD16][AB]

Evesham Journal June 26 1915:– PERSHORE LIEUTENANT KILLED. Nes was received in Pershore yesterday (Friday) morning that Lieut. Kenneth Mason had been killed in action. Lieut. Mason was formerly a pupil of Mr. E.P. Whiteley, and a year ago purchased from the exorss. of Mrs. Grewcock the gardens at Gigbridge, Pershore.

Lance Corporal 203377 Arthur Mayo 2/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Enlisted at Pershore. Died 3rd December 1917; buried in Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, Nord, France. [AB][Soldiers Died]

Evesham Journal 4th January 1918 – “ANOTHER PERSHORE SOLDIER KILLED. One of the latest Pershore men who is reported to have made the great sacrifice is Corpl. Arthur Mayo (Jackie Mayo he was always called by his chums, and he had many who valued his friendship) Capt. Williams, who commands his company, in a letter of sympathy to Mrs. Mayo, who lives at the Old Turnpike House in Bridge-street, said the corporal was a most reliable soldier and an expert with the Lewis gun. He was with a few men on outpost duty when a shell exploded on the edge of his position, causing wounds from which he died shortly afterwards. The captain added that he would be much missed by the company.

Corpl. Mayo was attached to the staff at Pershore Post Office, and three of his colleagues have been killed before him, while one is a prisoner of war. Corpl. Mayo was home on furlough a short time since, and met his death within a week of his return. He was good at most kinds of sports, and excelled in football.

Pte. M/3410195 James McCormick jun. M.T.A.S.C. Lived in Bridge Street. [AV18][AV19]

John Victor McCormick Lived in Bridge Street [AV18]

Lieut. McIntosh
Evesham Journal 28 April 1917, extract of article titled `Pershore Officers’: “It is officially stated that Lieut. McIntosh has been wounded and is in hospital in Oxford. A year ago last February Lieut McIntosh married Miss Wallis, daughter of Mr. George Wallis, builder, of High-street, Pershore.”

Sh.-smith 2444 R. Meadows Worcester Yeomanry – listed as missing in Evesham Journal 20 May 1916

Albert Mence Lived at No Gains [AV18]

Private Edward Middleton 8th Worcesters [AL]

Frederick John Middleton Lived in Newlands [AV18]

Private 60546 William Middleton S. Staffs. Lived in Knotty Elms [AV18][AV19]

Lieut. Col. John Francis James B. Miller Indian Staff Corps, died 7th January 1917 of pneumonia. Aged 72 at the time, worked as a recruiting officer. Buried in Pershore Cemetery. Evesham Journal 13th January 1917 has a photograph of him, a quite detailed biography, and a detailed account of the funeral service. Lived at Amerie court. Ref AB says he was in Royal Engineers [AB]

Lance-Corporal Charles Milward Worcs. Yeomanry [EJ140926][AL] EJ140926 lists him as a Trooper. Pershore Heritage centre has a photo of him
on horseback, dated as 1915, at King’s Lynn; also in a 1915 group photo of the Pershore Troop, No. 3 `D’ company.

Charles Thomas Milward Lived in Broad Street [AV18]

?? Mitchell 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade.

Berrows Journal 30 Jan 1915: “PERSHORE MAN’S EXPERIENCE. Mrs. Mitchell of Southern House, Broad Street Pershore, has heard from her son, who went out with the first expeditionary force and is now serving with the 3rd batallion Rifle Brigade. Speaking of the hardships experienced, he says that at the time of writing they were having a nice day after a long spell of bad weather. Since being out at the seat of war he has not had his clothes off or even a chance to get a wash. They cannot even wash anything, as there is no chance to dry yhem. He is suffering from rheumatism owing to the wet and mud. The men are being supplied with 2oz. of tobacco per week, but they cannot get any cigarettes.

Private Christopher Moore 10th Hussars Lived in Head Street [AL][AV18]

102324 Walter Moore R.F.A. Lived at Drill Hall [AV18][AV19]

Private 28688 Harold G. Moseley 2nd. Bn. Hampshire Regiment. Son of Thomas and Lucy Moseley, of Chipping Campden. Native of Pershore – Enlisted at Chipping Campden. Died 5th September 1918 age 19. Buried Longueness (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France [AB]

Evesham Journal, 21 September 1918:– PERSHORE SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS. Deep sympathy is felt with Mr. and Mrs. T. Mosley and family, High-street, Pershore, in the loss of another son, Pte. Harold Moseley, of the Hampshire Regt., who is reported officially of having died of wounds received in action in France. He was 19 years of age. Previous to joining the colours in June 1917, he assisted his father in the boat trade. He went to france in the early part of April this year. His brother Leonard also died of wounds four months ago.

Private 13181 Leonard T. Moseley 2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment (Abbey Memorial says 12th Hampshire). Son of Thomas and Lucy Moseley, of Chipping Campden. Native of Pershore – Enlisted at Chipping Campden. Died 6th May 1918 age 22. Buried Ebblinghem Military Cemetery, Nord, France. (this cemetery was apparently used by the 2nd and 15th Casualty Clearing Stations) [EJ141003][AL][AB] EJ listing had him in Kitchener’s Army

Evesham Journal, 25 May 1918:– PERSHORE SOLDIER KILLED. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. Thomas Moseley, of High-street, Pershore, an esteemed tradesman of Pershore, and Mrs. Moseley, in the death of their second son, Pte. Leonard Moseley, killed in action. At the outbreak of war, Leonard was one of the first to offer himself for the Army, but was initially rejected. Determined, however, to enlist if possible, he underwent an operation, and in September, 1914, was accepted. He was transferred from the Worcesters, and went with a Hampshire Regt. to France in September 1915, and in December the same year proceeded to Salonika. He was invalided home in October 1916, with dysentery and malaria and was in hospiatl several months before going to France again in August 1917. He had just recovered from trench-fever when he met at the base his younger brother Harold, who had just arrived from England. Being devoted to his brother, Leonard asked to give up his post as a headquarter signaller, to be with him, and the request was granted. They went up the line and managed to keep together. They had only been up the line four hours when Leonard was hit by a shell and died shortly afterwards on May 6. He was 22 years of age. Percy, Mr. Mosleeye’s eldest son, was discharged from training in 1916. The late Leonard Moseley was formerly employed at the Atlas Works Pershore, and the Midland station, at Bath.

Private 86441 Arthur Moulson 50th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Inf.) Son of Frank W. and Mary J. Moulson of Pershore. Died 1st November 1918 Buried Niederzwehren Cemetery, Germany (POWs were buried here) [AB]

Evesham Journal, 21 September 1918:– ANOTHER PERSHORE PRISONER. After several weeks of suspense, Mr. F.W. Moulson, sanitary inspector to the Rural District Council, has received a card from his youngest son Arthur, who is in a machine gun corps attached to a Northern Regiment, stating he was a prisoner in Germany. It is about ten months ago since Mr. and Mrs. Moulson received the news that their second son, Hiram, a fine lad, exceedingly popular in local sporting circles had been killed in Palestine. Their eldest son, James, is also in the army abroad.

Evesham Journal, 28 December 1918:– DEATH OF A PERSHORE PRISONER. The death of Pte. Arthur Moulson, at a hospital at Darmstadt, Germany, where he was a prisoner of war, makes the second son of Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Moulson, of Pershore, have lost in the war. Hiram, a corporal in the Sussex Yeomanry, was killed in action in Palestine just a year ago. James, the eldest son, in the Wireless Section of the Royal Engineers, is now in Belgium. The late Pte. Arthur Moulson, who was 28 years of age, was in the 50th Batt. of the Machine Gun Corps. He was taken prisoner on May 27 at Crayonne, on the Chemin des Dames. His first postcard from Germany reported “sound and well”, but in a lter one from hospital he said his leg was getting better. Very little information came from him, and a fellow prisoner at the same camp, who has safely arrived at his home in the North of England, has written in reply to Mr. Moulson that Arthur at first was put to work behind the lines, and such men were never allowed to write letters home. The parents feel their bereavement acutely. They have in their sorrow th deep sympathy of the townspeople. A few years back Pte. Arthur Moulson worked for the firm of Messrs. Prothero and co. grocers, Pershore, which place he left to take to a business left him at Bradford by an aunt, and it was from here he joined the colours.

Corporal 32027 Hiram Wilfrid Moulson 16th. (Sussex Yeomanry) Bn., Royal Sussex Regiment. Son of Frank W. and Mary J. Moulson of 130 Paley Rd. Bradford Yorks. Native of Saltaire, Yorks. (but compare with Arthur Moulson entry above) Killed in action, 6 Nov 1917 age 30. Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel [AB]

Evesham Journal 19 January 1918 – THE LATE CORPL. MOULSON. Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Moulson of Glenhurst, Bridge-street, Pershore, has received a letter from Lieut. A. Fletcher, relative to the death of their son, corporal Hiram Moulson who was killed, as already reported, during recent successful fighting in Palestine. The lieutenant writes “Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss you have sustained in the death of your son. We are just back from the fighting, having a little rest, and I am taking the first oportunity of writing. Capt. Kekewich, his company commander, was unfortunately killed in the same battle, but we have earned a name which can never die, so perhaps this may be a little comfort to you in your sorrow. Your son’s death is a tremendous loss to us all. Both on and off parade he was always so cheerful, a quality which accounts for so much when campaigning. I have now to re-organise the company, and my task is a great one with so many of the best lads gone, but we must hope that it wil all end soon, and that the lives of these brave men will not have been sacrificed in vain”

Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 says Hiram Moulson had been a member of Pershore Hockey Club.

His photograph was printed in the Journal on the 8 December 1917 (though the caption gave his name as Corpl. D. Moulson)

James Moulson Wireless section, Royal engineers. Eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Moulson. Serving in the army abroad in September 1918; known to be in Belgium in Dcember 1918. (see Arthur Moulson entry above)

Private Charles Mumford Kitchener’s Army [AL]

Private 255305 Frederick Mumford 2/6 Sussex. Lived at Head Street. [AV18][AV19]

Private H. Mumford Kitchener’s Army [AL]

H. Mumford Brabant’s Horse – had served in S. Africa [EJ140926]

Temp.-Lieut. Hugh Mumford Worcester regiment. Lived at Three Springs [AV18] Pershore Almanac 1915 says he was amongst those who’d volunteered for service at the front on the 24th August 1914.

Evesham Journal 22nd January 1916: “Temp.-Lieut. Hugh Mumford of the Army Service Corps is transferred to be Temp.-Lieut. of the Second Reserves Worcestershire Regiment, dated January 1st 1916”

Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 says he’d been a member of Pershore’s hockey club.

Evesham Journal 16 June 1917 – “Capt. Hugh Mumford, who is now attached to the worcesters at Salonika, is reported wounded and in hospital.”

Private Walter Mumford 8th Worcesters/Reservist [EJ140926][AL]

Private 522130 Walter Mumford 627 Ag. Co. Labour Corps. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19] A Private W. Mumford was one of the bearers at the funerla of Harry Smith in early 1918.

Private 45123 William Mumford 4th Bn. Worcestershire Regiment. Enlisted at Worcester. Killed in action 30 November 1917. Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord, France [AB]

Harry Need Royal Engineers. Son of W. Need the Abbey’s Verger. See John Need entry following.

Sergeant 17105 John Need 11th Batt. Worcestershire Regiment. Son of William Thomas and Hannah Need of Priest Lane. Killed Macedonia – part of Salonika force 24/4/17. (NB. Worcestershire Regimental History says 25/5/17) No known grave: listed on Doiran memorial, Greece (Listed in Territorials in EJ140926) [AB] Private in Kitchener’s Army according to refs. [AL][EJ140926]

Evesham Journal 16 June 1917 – “The Roll of Honour which is attached to the door of the old Abbey Church gets larger and larger, and now assumes considerable proportions. Mr. W. Need, the verger at the Abbey, knows the names on that Roll of Honour almost by heart, and now he has the sorrow of reading thereon the name of his own son, Sergt. Jack Need, of the Worcesters, who has fallen a victim to the bullets of the Bulgarians. Writing his mother only in April last Sergt. Need, who had then been wounded, said he had been up on the high mountains of Salonika for sixteen months, and was only carried down to go into hospital. He rejoined his company in their incessant vigil again in May, and the War Office now reports him as killed. Great sympathy is felt for the parents, who have two other sons in the service, their eldest Harry, Royal Engineers, and Tom, who has been two years in France, and has been wounded, only slightly fortunately, no less than five times. These three lads were valued choristers at the Abbey Church, where their father has been a faithful servant many years.”

Sergeant Thomas Need 8th Worcesters Lived in Priest Lane [AL][AV18] Son of W. Need, the Abbey’s verger. See John Need above.

Private 515014 William Charles Neil 1/14 Lond. R. Lived at Lloyds Bank. [AV18][AV19]

Andrew Henry Newell Lived at `Binholme’ [AV18]

Private Henry Newell Royal Warwicks [AL]

147714 Harry Newman R.A.F. Lived in Newlands. [AV18][AV19]

Trooper W.L. Newport Worcs. Yeomanry [AL]

Lieut. Frank James Nicholas According to Evesham Journal, 29 July 1916, had been member of Pershore Hockey club: had joined the O.T.C. Lincoln’s inn, had recently been gazetted as Lieut. in the 11th Gloucesters, and has taken a platoon out to France. AV19 says he was in the 3rd Gloucesters. Lived in Bridge Street [AV18][AV19]

Evesham Journal, 21 October 1916 (contd. from Albert Hutton record): “Mr A.J. Nicholas, youngest son of Mr and Mrs Frank Nicholas, of Bridge-street, Pershore, has been promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He is attached to the Gloucesters, and has been for some weeks in the fighting line. Lieutenant Nicholas is the well-known County hockey player”

[note that the Journal appears to have got one of his initials wrong -everything else is a good match]

Evesham Journal September 29th 1917 – “LIEUT. FRANK NICHOLAS WOUNDED. Mr. F. Nicholas of Messrs. Nicholas Bros. bulders and contractors, Pershore, received a wire from the War Office this week informing him that his son, Lieut. Frank J. Nicholas, Gloucester Regt., was admitted into the stationary hospital at Boulogne seriously ill with gunshot wounds in the right thigh. Better news arrived the following morning from the wounded officer himself, who said the bullet had been extracted, and he was going on very comfortably. Lieut. Nicholas, who before joining the Inn of Court O.T.C. in 1915, was in the Land Valuation Office at Worcester, went to France in June 1916, and has experienced a good deal of warfare. In February this year he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. he is well known in the county as a first-class hockey player. He played three successive seasons for Worcestershire, and was a most prolific scorer for his own local team at Pershore, where he played centre forward. Whether it was hockey, socker {\it [sic], cricket, tennis, or any other game, he always excelled, and was generally regarded as a good, all-round sportsman.”

141567 John James Nicholas 63 Div., M.T. Co. A.S.C. Lived in Bridge Street [AV18][AV19]

H. Nicholas DISCHARGED. Medically unfit or over age [AL]

Harry George Nicholas Lived at Defford Road [AV18]

234709 Walter Henry Nicholas A.S.C. Lived in Bridge Street [AV18][AV19]

Walter Henry Nott Lived in Union House [AV18]

Private PLY/2325 Arthur Douglas Nutting Royal Marine Light Infantry. Died 6th April 1918. No known grave. Listed on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France. [AB] Also listed on the Drakes Broughton war memorial.

Evesham Journal May 4 1918 – ANOTHER PERSHORE MAN’S DEATH. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. Charles Nutting of Pershore Fields, who has received official information that his second son, Douglas, of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, was killed in action recently. He was, before the war, employed at the Atlas Works, and was very popular. Mr. Nutting’s elder and only other son was one of the first Expeditionary Force, and he was taken a prisoner during the retreat from Mons, but is believed to have been one of the latest batch released in exchange and interned in Holland.

Pioneer 316505 David Joseph Rouse Nutting R.E. Lived in Broad Street [AV18][AV19]

Frank Nutting Lived at Pershore Fields [AV18]
Probably the elder brother of Arthur Douglas Nutting; see above.

Sapper 19098 William James Overd Royal Engineers. Lived in Newlands [EJ141017][AL][AV18][AV19]

Corporal 12827 Edward G. Palfrey 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. [AL][AB] AL lists him as wounded, and as a private — see following newspaper story. Eldest son of Charles and Emily Palfrey. He had been promoted to corporal by the time of his death, April 5 1918, aged 29. Buried at Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery extension, Somme, France. This is a cemetery used mostly by Casualty Clearing Stations, so it appears he was wounded again, this time fatally. He was awarded the Military Medal.

Berrows Journal, 14 November 1914:– PERSHORE SOLDIER WOUNDED. THE BUTCHERY AMONG GERMANS. Private E. Palfrey, a native of Pershore, is home invalided. He is a reservist in the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. He was serving in the Metropolitan Police Force at the outbreak of war, and he was called to join his regiment. He went out with the first batch of the Expeditionary Force, and consequently saw a great deal of the fierce early fighting.

In giving a description of the engagements in which he took part prior to being wounded, he says: “Mons was the place where I got my baptism of fire. For the first two or three hours I did not know where to look or what to think about the whole affair. After that I got hardened and accustomed to the circumstances. We fought our way up a hill, on the top of which were Germans. It was awful to see the dead and wounded roll down this hill after being shot. Bullets seemed to come about us like rain. In spite of this, our commander (under Col. Carry) came out top. Later we retired to Landrecies.

From there we went back to within about four miles of Paris, which was the turning point of the war. None of us ever thought we should stop the Germans getting into Paris, but by real grit and determination we sent the beggars flying back. From there we advanced, and eventually got to the rivers. We entrenched there and held the position for five days. The trenches were filled with water up to our knees, but we had to stick it. We then made a couple of bayonet charges, but in spite of this we had to retire. Although we again peppered them, we lost about 200. After this we advanced to Soissons on the 14th September, which day I got knocked over. The Major sent two others and me to try to find the position of the outposts of the Germans. In going off, we ran up against an officer of the Connaught Rangers, who said he had sent three patrols to locate the enemy, but neither had returned. This, of course, did not look very encouraging. We advanced to about 100 yards of the sky-line when we ran up against a patrol of Uhlans, who opened fire. We then advanced and opened fire on them. They retired and we got to the top of the hill and there saw about 5000 Germans advancing. We went back to the main body, and a reinforcement was sent for, as there was only about 180 of us to face them. We retired to a position to wait for them, and wait for reinforcements to arrive. We held on this position about two hours, and were eventually reinforced by two battalions. After about five hours hard fighting they put into operation the white flag business — which our men do not now regard. when our men advanced to make them prisoners, they opened fire on us with their big guns, causing the remnants of what was left of us to retire. They kept up a rapid fire. It was here I got wounded and several of us lay between the two fires for nearly 56 hours, not daring to move for fear of being hit again. I kept fainting, and then rousing up only to faint again. Once, on waking up, I found a couple of dead Germans laying across me. I managed to extricate myself from them. While I lay there some of the Germans watched their opportunity to crawl out and took what bit of food I had upon me. Eventually we were picked up and placed in a farm shed, where we remained two dyas. The wounded Germans also were brought in with us. It was here that they told me how they abominated the idea of war, but were forced into it. After two days the ambulance came along and we were taken away from the shed. The Germans were not removed until last, and after we were got some distance away, we saw smoke and flames issuing from the farm that we had just left. Then we learned that the Germans had shelled the farm, setting fire to it and thus burned alive their own wounded. The day before we reached Landrecies we saw an aeroplane flying over. We were ordered to lie low, so that he could not come down to try and find our positions. He came down to about 25 yards, when we were ordered to open rapid fire on him. We absolutely riddled the machine, and the airman and his mate came down with dozens of bullets in them”

After being wounded, Private Palfrey was eventually conveyed about 350 miles in cattle trucks down country, and put into the General Hospital for a week, after which he was sent to England. His three wounds were from a shrapnel shell, one piece of which entered his thigh, another entered his back, and another lodged under the shoulder. The last piece is still unremoved, but he is to undergo another operation in the near future.

Corporal 2721 Sid G. Parkes Worcester Yeomanry. Listed as missing in Evesham Journal 20 May 1916; a letter home from R.C. Edwards printed in the 29th December Evesham Journal (see his entry) reveals that Parkes was amongst the men captured by the Turks on Easter Sunday 1916, and was still a prisoner in late 1917. (N.B. the letter lists him as a sergeant) Peshore heritage centre has a 1915 group photo of Pershore Troop (No. 3 `D’ company) that includes him, also a group photo in Egypt.

Flt.-Sgt. 10792 Cecil James Partridge No 50 A.T.S. Lived in Mill House. [AV18][AV19]

Harry Calvin Luther Phillips Lived at Defford Road [AV18]

49792 Henry John Phillips 1st Northamptons 48th of Foot. Lived in New Road [AV18][AV19]

Private 85662 Herbert Phillips 70th Co. M.G.C. Lived in High Street. [AV18][AV19]

2nd-Lieutenant Tom Phillips Royal Engineers
Evesham Journal 28 April 1917, extract of article titled `Pershore Officers’:
“Mr. Tom Phillips, youngest son of Mr. George Phillips, of Pershore, has been gazetted 2nd Lieutenant, and attached to the Royal Engineers. He joined the army a month ago and was private in the Royal Artillery.”

Private 243061 John Pugh Plimmer King’s Liverpools, 424th Army Ag. Coy. Lived in Broad Street [AV18][AV19]

Private Alfred Porter Royal Army Medical Corps. Listed as Prisoner of War in 1915 Pershore Almanac. Lived in Church Row [AL][AV18]

Evesham Journal 20 March 1915 – PERSHORE POSTMAN PRISONER. Reservist Alfred Porter, of the Newlands, Pershore, who went to the front in the early stages of the war attached to the Army Medical Corps, has been a prisoner for some months in Sennelgar, Germany. His wife has received several postcards from him, and in a recent one it sems significant that German Censorship should allow him, after stating he is doing very well, to ask for “anything in the eating line, cheese, butter, bacon, bread, tea, coffee, cocoa, in fact nothing would coome amiss.” Prior to the war, Pte. Porter was a rural postaman attached to Pershore Post Office and went round the Cropthorne district. He is a native of Badsey, near Evesham.

Evesham Journal 10 July 1915 – HOME FROM GERMANY. Private Alfred Porter, of the Royal Army Service Corps, who has been ten months a prisoner in Germany, came home to Pershore this week. He returned with the recent batch of exchanged prisoners. The wire' announcing his arrival in England came from King George's Hospital, London, and his wife was concerned at this, thinking he was wounded, which, however, he had not stated in his many letters to her from Germany. But Private Porter says they only went there to have a bath, some refreshments, and a new rig-out. The Germans were not concerned in returning them clean and tidy; they had relieved them of everything that was of any value, and sent them back with ill-fitting and most atrocious garments. What surprises him most now he has come back is the strength of Kitchener's new army and the appearance of it. He had no idea recruiting was going so strong in England, and after paying a hurried visit to Aldershot says he has never seen finer looking soldiers in his life. He has brought back as a relic a piece of German black bread, and most unappetising looking stuff it is. This bread with boiled swedes and horse beans was what they chiefly lived on out there, and he says he is bound to confess, although he never seemed to have enough to eat, that he never felt better in his life. The aroma of the boiled pork, which the German soldiers used to have served out to them with similar vegetable, so watered the palates of our poor chaps, he said, that it was positively maddening. One day, a BritishTommy’ succeeded in purloining a piece, but before he had completely devoured it he was caught and as a punishment was tied to a tree for several hours. Pte. Porter was caught with 130 of his comrades while burying the dead at Mons on the Tuesday following the great retreat. They were stripped of everything that night on Mons station, and were served with wretched clothing. It took thirty-two hours to reach their destination at Sennelager. They were conveyed in cattle trucks, and en route were much jeered at and insulted by the German populace of the towns and villages through which they passed. Asked if this was the case on returning, Pte. Porter said No' the people were very quiet and subdued, and did not interfere with them at all. There were 15,000 prisoners at Sennelager - English, Canadians, Indians, Belgians, and French. They had to work hard every day cultivating rough tracts of land. He says their potato crop was fearfully devastated by a sharp frost in early June, and caused great depression among the farmers. They had a paper every day called theContinental Times’ printed in England. This used to give them the hump' for it always made out the Germans were winning everywhere. All the Germans too, were absolutely confident of winning the war. Several of the German soldiers at Sennelager had lived in England, and there was a great contrast between their friendliness and thesortiness’ of the others. He says he is thankful to get home, but wouldn’t have missed the experience for anything. He returns to duty again on the 17th, and hopes to go to the Dardanelles. Mrs. Porter’s brother, Pte. R. Rudge, of the 2nd Worcesters, has been missing since a fierce engagement in France some six weeks ago. His home is at Wadborough
(The last part refers to Private 8321 Reginald Rudge, 2nd Battn. Worcestershire Regiment, killed 16th May 1916: no known grave, listed on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. He’s from Pirton, listed on the Pirton war memorial)

H. Porter Reservist [EJ140926] Typo for A. Porter?

Private John Pratt 8th Worcesters (Reservist). LIved in New Road. [140926][AL][AV18]

Lance Corporal 28667 Francis George Preece D.C.M. Gloucestershire Regiment. Enlisted at Chipping Campden. (was manager of Chipping Campden gasworks) Married Ada M. Rolls of Naunton Beauchamp on 6 February 1907. Died March 22nd 1918 age 32. Pozieres memorial, Somme, France. There is a memorial to him on William Rolls’ grave at Naunton Beauchamp (William was Ada’s brother?). NB Pershore Abbey War memorial erroneously lists middle initial as “J” [AB]

Evesham Journal 2 February 1918 – CHRISTMAS AT THE FRONT. Corpl. F.G. Preece of the H.Q. Bombers, Glos. Regt. writing form Somewhere in Belgium'' on January 24 says:-I have had great pleasure of reading your paper out here in the front line trenches, and I can assure you it is a treat to get the `Evesham Journal’ and see how things are going on at home. We had a very good time out here at Christmas. We happened to be out of the trenches, so we all settled down for a good time. We partook of all the usual Christmas pudding, beer, turkey, meat etc. On Boxing Day there was a Brigade Cross Country Race. THe ground was covered with snow, and of course not being very far from the line the ground was very rough, but I managed to get through the lot. Nearly 200 started, I got home with ease, being presented with a medal and winning a silver bugle from my battalion. I used to do a good deal of running in peace time round Worcestershire and Essex. My father is manager of the Pershore Gas Works, and before joining the army I was manager at Chipping Campden Gas Works, so I thought some of my friends would like to hear of my win out here at Christmas. It is a great deal different to running in England. I am pleased to say all my mates in my battalion are all going strong. We have a jolly good colonel; he is very good to us, and we are willing to do anything for him, and all the other officers are very good. We have some very rough times, but we get through them all right. We don’t mean to let the Germans have their own way. I for one should be glad to see it all over, especially after leaving a wife and five children, but I would sooner fight on than give in to the Germans. Everything is done to make us as comfortable as possible. We get well fed so we cannot grumble a lot.”

Eveahm Journal 20 April 1918:- CAMPDEN GAS MANAGER KILLED. Official news has been received of the death of Lance-Corpl. F.G. Preece, D.C.M., of the Gloucestershire Regiment, on March 22. deceased joined the army June 1, 1916, and went out to France in December of the same year. He served as a bomber, and on February 22 of this year was awarded the D.C.M. for bravery on th field. Before joining the army, Lance-Corpl. Preece, who is the son of Mr. Preece, Manager of the Pershore Gas Works, was manager of the Campden Gas Works. He was 32 years of age, was of a genial disposition, and greatly liked by everyone with whom he came in contact. He leaves a wife and five young children. The following is a copy of the letter received from his commanding officer – “Dear Mrs. Preece. – I am sorry to have to inform you that your husband, No. 28667, Lance-Corpl. F.G. Preece, has died in hospital of wounds received in action. He was wounded by a shell, and succumbed a few days later, though we were able to send him off to hospital within half an hour of his being hit. He was a first-class soldier, and was liked and respected by all ranks. I am pleased to be able to forward you the official announcement of the award of the D.C.M. for his gallantry while serving with the – Gloucestershire Regt. Please accept our deep sympathy with you in your great loss.” A memorial service was held at Naunton Beauchamp Church on Sunday by the Rector (the Rev. T. Davis) We shall give a photograph of the deceased soldier next week. (NB. this wasn’t in the second edition, at least)

Evesham Journal 4 May 1918:- HOW THE LATE LANCE-CORPL. F.G. PREECE WON
THE D.C.M. In our issue of April 20 we reported that Lance-Corpl. F.G. Preece, of the Gloucester Regt., late gas manager at Campden, and son of Mr. Preece, manager of the Pershore Gas works, died in hospital on March 22 from wounds. Prior to his death, Lance-Corpl. Preece was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry, and the deed for which he was decorated is thus officially described in the “London Gazette” of Thursday:- When in charge of a party of bombers during araid, carrying some Bangalore torpedoes to cut the enemy wire, he joined the attacking party, and inserted a spare torpedo in a shelter full of the enemy and blew them up. His conduct was magnificent throughout.”

Frederick Preece Lived in High Street [AV18]

Private Leonard Dennis Preece Worcester Regiment. Evesham Journal, 28 October 1916: “PERSHORE MAN WOUNDED. Many in the Pershore District will learn with regret that Pte. Leonard Dennis Preece, of the Worcesters, who only joined the colours last April, is now lying dangerously wounded in a Norwich hospital. Pte Preece is the fourth son of Mr. J.W. Preece, manager for the Pershore Gas Company. Prior to joining the Army, he was clerk to Mr A.E. Baker. He joined the regiment on April 12; in July he went out to France and took part in the battles on the Somme, where he received his injuries in the action with the much-vaunted Prussian Guards. His right thigh was shattered with shrapnel. Pte A Langford, (another Pershore man who has since been killed) saw him in trouble and bound up his wound, and he then crawled into a shell hole and remained there until the ambulance came along some hours later. His father has been to see him and gives a grave report of his condition. Mr Preece has another son in the Army.”

Private 9649 Ernest Price 9th Battn. Worcestershire Regiment, born Holy Cross parish, Worcester. Died of wounds 21st January 1917, buried Amara War Cemetery. [AL][AB] (AL listed him in Kitchener’s Army)

Evesham Journal 10 February 1917 —“ANOTHER PERSHORE MAN KILLED. Mrs. Price, of Head-street, has received the official intimation that her husband, Pte. Ernest Price, of the Worcesters, has succumbed to wounds received in action in Mesopotamia. The widow, who is left with nine children, six of whom are dependent upon her, is deeply sympathised with in her distress. Pte. Price,, who was 41 years old, was one of those patriots who rushed to the colours in the early stages of the war. He went through the Gallipoli campaign, had been to Egypt and India, and had only recently gone out to Mesopotamia, His company officer was Lieut. Bert Hutton, of Pershore. It was the opinion of everyone who knew him that Pte. Price was a good type of soldier, strong, determined, and not too sensitive, and was probably as good and whole-hearted a fighter as he was an industrial worker at home. For 20 years he was with Messrs. Nicholas Bros., of Pershore, who speak of him as a good and reliable servant.”

Evesham Journal, 28 April 1917, extract of an article titled Pershore Officers': ``A letter from Mesopotamia from Pte. Will Cowley of the Worcesters, to his former employer, Mr. Frank Nicholas, tells how Pte. Ernest Price met his death.He was shot by a sniper in broad daylight.’ Poor old Ern,' says the writer,I do miss him terribly. we were always chums. We enlisted together, came out here together, and only said to each other we hoped we should come home together.’ The letter goes on to refer to the `smashing up’ the Turks are getting.”

Private 20558 William Henry Pring 9th Battn. Worcestershire Regiment. Killed in action 25th February 1917, Mesopotamia. Listed on Basra Memorial, Iraq [AB]
Evesham Journal 28 April 1917, extract of article titled `Pershore Officers’: Pte. Wm. Pring, of Pershore has been officially announced as having been killed in France. His wife, who was a Miss Cotterell of Birlingham, is left with one child.”
Note the discrepancy between his actual place of death, and the notice received.

Private 118771 Frederick Lenox Pritchard 8th Worcesters (terrials) in [AL], absent voters lists put him in Machine Gun Corps Lived in Bull Entry/Newlands [AV18][AV19]

Private John Pritchard 8th Worcesters [EJ141003][AL]

258047 John Pritchard Labour Coy. Lived in Newlands. [AV18][AV19]

Private 203840 Hubert Clendon Pugh 1/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment killed Italy, 15 June 1918. Third son of Alfred and Jane Pugh of Pershore. Lived in Head Street. Had been wounded around March 1917, recovering in Hospital in Edgbaston (see entry for his brother Thomas, below) Buried Magna Boschi British Cemetery, Italy. Memorial on brother Thomas’s gravestone in Pershore Cemetery [AV18][AV19][AB] Note that though he’d died in 1918, his name still appears in ref. AV19.

Evesham Journal 31 August 1918:– PERSHORE SOLDIER KILLED. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. Alfred Pugh, of Head-Street, who has received information that the second of his soldier sons has fallen in the war. Tom died in a London Hospital last year, and was brought home for burial, and Hubert, of the Worcesters, has been killed in Italy The officer, whose sergeant he was, lost his life in the same action. The commanding Officer, in a sympathetic letter to the father says:- It was the fine spirit in which your son and his comarades followed their officers and non-commisioned officers which led to the success of the engagement. I, as his commanfding officer, can say I have lost a brave man'' A kindly-written letter from the Chaplain says:-Hubert died gallantly in a noble cause, and his body lies buried in the military cemetery on the Asiago Plateau, the grave being marked. Before joining up, Pte. Pugh was gardener to Mr. H. Basil Harrison, of Manor House, whose tribute one of which the father may well feel proud, Hubert Pugh had many friends in the town who deeply mourn his loss.

Sapper 165006 Thomas J. Pugh Royal Engineers. Died 17 March 1917 age 32. Son of Alfred and Jane Pugh; husband of Annie E. Pugh of High Street Pershore. Born in Pershore. Buried in Pershore Cemetery; memorial to his brother Hubert also on the headstone. [AB]

Evesham Journal 21 March 1917 :– “PERSHORE SOLDIER’S DEATH. Great sympathy is felt for Mrs. Pugh, of High-Street, Pershore, in the death of her husband, Sapper Thomas Pugh, of the Royal Engineers, which occurrred at Willesden Hospital, London on Saturday. Deceased, who was 33 years of age, was the third son of Mr. Alfred Pugh, of the Newlands, and was worthy of the esteem in which he was generally regarded as that of a straightforward, manly young fellow. He was a good footballer, and filled the position as right back in the local team for many years. He was also, as may not be generally known, quite skilled in the art of gymnastics. he was a bricklayer by trade, and before joining the Royal Engineers in May last year worked for Messrs. Nicholas Bros., and also other local firms. His brother Hubert (the youngest son of Mr. A. Pugh) is now lying wounded in the General Hospital at Edgbaston. Mrs. T. Pugh is left with two young children. Her husband came scathless through several engagements, but the rigours of trench warfare gave him pneumonia, which was the ultimate cause of his death. Mrs. Pugh was in the hospital when he passed away. His body was brought to Pershore on Wednesday, and was taken to the home for the night. On Thursday, the Vicar (the Re. A. H. Philips conducted the burial service at the cemetery. The mourners were Mrs. T. Pugh (widow) Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Pugh (father and mother), Messrs. Fred Pugh and Arthur Pugh (brothers), Sapper T. Cornelius (Royal Engineers, brother-in-law) Floral tributes were sent by all members of the family, also Mr. and Mrs. G. Summers (a former employer), Mr. and Mrs. W. Winwood, Mr. and Mrs. Joynes, Mr. and Mrs. T. Cornelius, etc.

Private 63418 George Alfred Pulley, Junr. 6th Worcesters. Lived in Bachelor’s Entry [AV18][AV19]

William Quigley Lived at 5 Coventry Terrace [AV18]

Private George Redding 8th Worcesters. Recruited 1914, was 33 years old. Livedin Newlands. [EJ141003][AL]

Captain William Reid A.V.C. Lived in Bridge Street [AV18][AV19]

Private 19093 Charles J. Reeves 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt.) Died 6th October 1916. Listed on Sherwood Foresters Roll of Honour, and on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France [AB]

Private 27664 Robert Reeves 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment F. and F. 24th August 1916 Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuile, Somme, France [AB]

Private William Reeves [AL] lists him in Kitchener’s Army

Evesham Journal 31 July 1915 has an account of Sergt. Biddulph’s death, (see Biddulph entry) that lists William’s military career. Aged 20, he’d been sent out to the Dardanelles after four months training, and the first battle he was in was the one in which Sergt. Biddulph died (4th June 1915) William was shot in the thigh in that battle, and he returned home wounded at the beginnning of July 1915.

Captain W. Reid Army Veterinary Corps [AL] Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 says he’d been a member of Pershore’s hockey club.

Private Albert Richards Kitchener’s Army in [EJ140926], 6th Worcesters according to [AL]

A/Sgt 39067 Albert Edward Richards Army Service Corps. Lived in Bearcroft. Enlisted 3rd September 1914, working as a baker. Discharged 10 June 1916 from illness. [AV18][AV19] 15 March 1896-25th October 1957. Served in Gallipoli, and was in France in November 1917 (see his brother’s entry below)

Driver 59127 William James Percival Richards 9th Division Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery. Born 1895. Enlisted at Birmingham, arrived at France 11 May 1915 Killed 16 October 1917 at Vimy ridge, buried British military cemetery Vlamertinghe, Belgium. Awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War medal, Victory Medal. [AB]

Evesham Journal Nov 3rd 1917 —
“PERSHORE MAN KILLED. James Richards (Royal Field Artillery) eldest son of Mr. William Richards, builder and contractor of Pershore, has been killed in France. The Bereaved parents have received a very sympathetic letter from Cpt? Townshend, in which he said the young soldier was killed instantly by a German shell, and this would be keenly felt by all ranks of that section. Pte. Richards, who was 22 years of age, joined up in the early part of 1915, and had experienced hard fighting in France. He was one of the Pershore Company of Boy Scouts who attended the King’s Review in London a few years ago. His brother Albert Edward [see above] was in the Gallipoli campaign, and is now in France.
(Thanks to Dave Brusselen for information, including photos, on the above two Richards brothers)

Private T. Robbins Possibly a Pershore man? Brother in law of
H. Stanton [see below]; in June 1916 was in Netley Hospital after serving at the Dardanelles and Mesopotamia.

Sergeant Francis (Frank) Charles Roberts 8th Worcesters [AL] Son of Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Roberts of High Street. [AL] lists him as Lance-Corporal. Went to France with the Territorials at the end of March 1915. Sometime around mid-December 1915 he was injured in the left side with shrapnel wounds.

William Albert Roberts Reservist [EJ140926]; lived High street. Aged 21 when recruited in 1914.

326333 John Rock Q.O. Worcs. Hus. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19] (AV18 says 5 Coventry Terrrace?)

George Rogers Pershore court report, Evesham Journal 26 August 1916: – “A deserter – At the Police Court on Friday afternoon – before Mr W. Pearce – George Rogers, Batchelor’s Entry, was brought up in custody charged with being a deserter from the Army – P.C. Hartford proved the arrest, and defendant was remanded to await a military escort”

Corporal 325529 Thomas Lloyd Roper 1st/1st Q.O.W.H. (Worcestershire Yeo.) d. 9 September 1916 age 20. Son of Thomas and Fanny Roper of Huntley Villa, 31 Westcliffe Drive, Blackpool. (?? but he’s the only Roper in the QOWH for the entire war) [AB]

A. Rose Reservist [EJ140926]

Private 13974 Arthur Herbert Rose 6th Worcestershire Regiment – transferred to 157125, Labour Corps. died 12th May 1921 – CWGC grave in Pershore Cemetery. Lived in Ganderton’s Row. [AL][AV18][AV19] Was in Labour corps in AV19 list.

Private 240735 Ernest Rose 2/8th Worcesters. Lived in Melen’s row (or New Road) Aged 30 when recruited in 1914 [EJ141003][AL][AV18][AV19]

H.R. Rose Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

Private 203706 Leonard Rose 8th Worcesters. Lived in Broad Street (or New Road?) [EJ141003][AL][AV18][AV19] AV19 says he was in 1/7th Worcesters.

2 A/M 82983? Thomas Rose R.A.F. Lived in New Road [AV18][AV19] AV19 has identical service number to the following entry.

Private 82983? Thomas Rose junr. R.A.F. Lived in Melen’s Row, [AV18][AV19] AV19 has an identical service number to the previous entry.

William George Rose Lived in High Street [AV18]

Herbert Royal Royal Navy [EJ140926][AL]

G. Rudge Reservist [EJ140926]

Sidney William Rutter Lived in Priest Lane [AV18]

Private H. Russell Kitchener’s Army [AL]

Gunner William Russell
Evesham Journal 20 February 1915:– A TYPICAL TOMMY.'' Gunner William Russell, of the 65th Battery Royal Field Artillery Expeditionary Force, has visted his home at Priest-lane, Pershore, on a few days' leave, but left again on Tuesday for teh front. Gunner Russell is the very personification of that sort ofTommy Atkins” which this war has revealed, whose amazing sangfroid is the wonder of all nations. A chat with him irresistably recalled a picture in a recent issue of Punch'', where atommy” with the inevitable Woodbine in his mouth, and a Uhlan helmet under his arm, is strolling leisurely along a country lane in which is falling a perfect deluge of bursting shells, is accosted by a chum sitting on the road-side, who, his face wreathed in smiles, remarks hello Bill! A bit showery 'ere aint it?'' That Gunner Russell hasbeen through it” is seen by an ugly shrapnel wound over the left eye, and an arm which he occasionally has to grip until a twinge of pain passes by. And yet, with these reminders of past experiences, and with a certainty of more to come, for he is probably in the trenches by this, he has gone back with as light a heart, as cheerful a face, and as merry an eye as though he were going on a pleasure trip in jolly good company and plenty of cash to spend. Only once did he speak with any gravity: it will be rough on poor mother if I don’t come back,” he said, which showed he had true manly thoughts for all his indifferent aspects and smiling countenance. It was almost impossible to get him to talk at all about those histroic battles of Mons, Marne, Aisne, and La Bassee, in which he had taken part; the chief thing which occupied his mind was an intense desire to try those new big guns which he said the authorities had recently dispatched to France, and which he seemed convinced was infinitely superior to anything the Germans possessed. Asked for his impressions of the German soldiers, he said they were big, powerful fellows, all pale faced, and looking as if they would rather be anywhere but in the firing line. But one could not call them cowards; they stick at it when they are there. But,'' he added,they are cruel, beastly wretches, officers and men, or they could not have done the things they have.” Gunnner Russell did not give one much news, but he left an impression of a fine type of the British “Tommy,” and we home his mother will see him back. We should mention that he was three weeks in the hospital at Versailles, from wounds in shoulder and face.

Percy Sadler Lived in Church Street [AV18]

159673 Edwin Charles Sanders R.F.C. Lived in Priest Lane [AV18][AV19]

265768 Francis Samuel Saunders 3rd. A.M. R.A.F. Lived in Prospect Cottages [AV19]

20402 G. Saunders Worcestershire Regiment – reported as a casualty in Evesham Journal May 13 1916

Trooper 3190 Maurice Henry Saunders (or Sanders) Worcester Yeomanry – listed as missing in Evesham Journal, 20 May 1916. Mentioned in a letter home fom R.C. Edwards (see above) and printed in the Evesham Journal 29th December 1917 that mentions him amongst those captured by the Turks on Easter Sunday 1916, and still a prisoner in December 1917. Lived in Priest Lane [AV18][AB]

Trooper W.H. Saunders Worcester Yeomanry.

Evesham Journal July 8th 1916 – “Mrs. Saunders of Priest-lane, Pershore has had a letter from her son Trooper W.H. Saunders, in which he says that the prisoners are all being treated with the greatest kindness by the Turks and they are all in the best of spirits”

[[Is the W initial a typo (or reado) for M? Need to Check the original again]]

Lieut. J. Sharp Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 says he’d been a member of Pershore hockey club.

Captain Claude Shelmerdine Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 says this man had been a member of Pershore’s hockey club.

Lieut. Neil Shelmerdine According to Evesham Journal 29 July 1916, had been umpire for the Pershore Hockey Club.

Private William George Shepherd Kitchener’s Army [AL]
Aged 23 when recruited in 1914. Probably wound up in the same regiment/battalion as Charles Twigg – the 10th Battn. Worcestershire Regiment. By July 1916, he was apparently wounded and out
of action. See the letter home in the entry for Charles Twigg.

15631 William George Shepherd 4th Worcesters. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19] Possibly same man as previous entry?

Lieutenant C.E. Slater 4th Batt. Royal Warwicks Reserves [EJ140926][AL] [AL] also reports that he was one of those who’d volunteered for service at the front on August 24th 1914.
Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 says he’d been a member of Pershore hockey club

Private Albert Smith 6th Worcesters [AL]

Private 240204 Arthur (Artie) Sydney Smith 1/8th Worcesters. Lived in Victoria Terrace (or Priest lane) Aged 18 when recruited in 1914. [AL][AV18][AV19]

Private 27240 Arthur Thomas Smith 9th Worcesters. Lived Cemetery Lodge. [AV18][AV19]

A. Smith Reservist [EJ140926]

Private Charles William Smith Worcesters. Evesham Journal 4th May 1918
ANOTHER PERSHORE MAN A PRISONER. Pte. Charles William Smith, of the Worcesters, son of Mr. And Mrs. Edwin Smith, of the Cemetery House, Pershore, is a prisoner of war in Germany. About ten days ago the parents received a sympathetic letter from the Commanding Officer, stating that their son was in the firing line on March 25 and had not since been heard of. Mrs. Smith, having seen in the local papers that a list of prisoners was in the possession of Mrs. Wodehouse, Mr. Smith went to Worcester to inspect and found his son’s name and number thereon. On Wednesday a postcard was received from Charles, giving his camp address in Germany,and stating that he was all right and so far being well treated. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have another son with the colours in Mesopotamia.

F. Smith 8th (Home Service) Batt. Worcs. Regt. [EJ141024]

Private George Smith 8th Worcesters [EJ141003][AL]

George Smith Lived in High Street [AV18]

32874 George Frederick Smith 1st Royal Berks Inf. Lived in Bridge Street. [AV18][AV19]

Rev. Harry Smith

Evesham Journal, 2 Janiuary 1915:– REV. H. SMITH A PRISONER. A good many Pershore people would like to hear something definite concerning the Rev. Harry Smith, the eldest son of Mr. J.W. Smith of Pershore, his whereabouts, and how he is faring. It is not many months ago since he was in Pershore, and preached at the Abbey Church. He was then sent out as a delegate of the Universities’ Mission to Central Africa to Zanzibar, and as his father had not received the customary communication from im, he wrote to the secretary of the Mission, the Rev. Duncan Travers, at Westmister, and received the following relpy:– Dear Mr. smith. -- Your son is on the mainland and not in Zanzibar. Now the mainland is temporarily cut off and no letters or cables or anything can reach us. We heard that the staff were aked if they would like to move away from the Germans, and they said `No.' There is no danger, but it is of course awkward not being able to communicate. The Bishop is now back in Zanzibar, and he will no doubt do what he can to get in touch with the mainland party''.Non-combatants,” the letter proceeds to state, hardly with justification, are secure from molestation, and are sure to be left alone, we think. P.S. Your son wnt to MAgila for a holiday''. In a subsequent communication issued by the Bishop of Zanzibar on November 9, he says: --I seems all our people from Magila have been sent up to Arusha, the German Government station on a hill situate south-west from kilimanjaro. They are under a German guard.” So there seem little doubt but what the Rev. Harry Smith is a prisoner. We hope he will soon get released.

Evesham Journal, Nov. 4 1916:– PERSHORE CLERGYMAN’S RELEASE. The conquest of German East Africa has naturally resulted in the deliverance of many English Prisoners from the unsympathetic hands of the Huns, and among the number is the Rev. H. Smith, the eldest son of Mr. J.W. Smith, of Pershore. Mr. Smith has recently received the welcome news from the Bishop of Zanzibar, and he is now looking forward to the home-coming of his son, whose fate has been a source of anxiety to him ever since the opening days of the war. The Rev. Harry Smith was one of a large party of missionaries sent out to that portion of the Zanzibar diocese, which lies in German East Africa, or rather English East Africa, seeing that now the ownership has changed hands.
From a report issued by the Universities’ Mission to Central Africa dated May 31 this year, it appeared that the whole staff was put under arrest directly the war broke out. The harshest treatment, it states, was meted out to the members of the African staff, who were imprisoned in chains for three weeks, then put to hard manual labour of seven days a week, the hardships being so severe that many teachers died under them. The experiences of the European staff (which included the Rev. Smith) were not so hard as this, but were nevertheless very hard to endure. For ten weeks they were imprisoned in an hotel at Lindi, and they taken back to Masasi for three months, where they were allowed their freedom. On February 20, 1915, they were put under arrest, and had to walk over 400 miles to Morogoro (due west of Dares-Salaam) where they were lodged in a military prison. After five weeks they were taken to another prison, the name of which was censored. It was not until June 11, 1915, that an English mail came to the town where they were imprisoned, and they were allowed to send letters home. All the letters were read by the lieutenant of the prison, and only the briefest messages were allowed. It was then that Mr. Smith received a card from his son with the single line — `I am well,’ which, as welcome as it was, indicated also in a significant manner the despotism that prevailed in that far-off prison. Besides his family, many friends in Pershore will be glad to see the young clergymen again.

Driver 246209 Henry (Harry) Silas Smith Royal Horse Artillery 16th February 1918 aged 20. CWGC grave in Pershore cemetery. Son of John and Mary Ann Smith of Newlands. [AB]

Evesham Journal 23rd February 1918 – A SECOND SON KILLED. Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, of the Newlands, Pershore, whose eldest son, William, of the Worcesters, was killed in action last August, have now received the sorrowful news that their other soldier son, Gunner Harry Smith, of the Royal Horse Artillery, was killed by anti-aircraft guns in London on the 18th inst. The announcement was made by a telegram from the Colonel of the Regiment, and Inspector Pegg who received a message requesting him to see the bereaved parents and ask if they would care to attend the inquest at London on the 31st inst. Mr. and Mrs. Smith went up on Tuesday and returned on Thursday, bringing the body of their son with them for burial. The late Harry Smith, who had not attained his twentieth brthday, joined the Army exactly three years ago. After his training he was sent to Egypt, and then to Salonika. While on his way home from the latter place in July last his ship was torpedoed and he was rescued after being six hours in the water. He was a few weeks in hospital. After this he came home on a short furlough last August Bank holiday week. Since then to the time of his death he was with his regiment in London. Before the war he and his late brother Pte. William Smith were employees of Mr. E.P. Whiteley, market gardener, of Pershore. The townspeople deeply sympathise with the parents in their double bereavement.

Evesham journal, 2 March 1918:– PERSHORE SOLDIER KILLED IN AIR RAID. The body of Gunner Harry Silas Smith, of the Royal Horse Artillery, who was killed during an air raid on London recently, was brought by his parents to Pershore on Thursday and buried at the Cemetery, the Rev. L. rivers-Tippett conducting the service. The father (Mr. John Smith) attended the inquest at London, and learnt that his son was making his way towards his barracks while the raid was in progress, and has stopped a few minutes to make a purchase at a fruiterer’s shop, when a bomb fell on the premises burying him and a soldier companion beneath the debris. As stated last week, this is the second son Mr and Mrs Smith have lost, the eldest boy being killed in France six months ago. The parents have the sympathy of all in this painful bereavement. [list of those attending and floral tributes omitted here] The bearers were Pte. Jack Taylor, Lance corpl. Ralph Clark, Pte. W. Mumford, Pte. R.T. Smith

Private Hubert Smith Kitchener’s Army [AL]

James William Smith Junr. Lived in High Street [AV18]

John Critchley Smith Royal Naval Reserve [AB] Abbey memorial says RNR; CWGC record says Mercantile Marine. Was the second mate on SS. Mahratta. Died 4th January 1918, aged 30, Son of Arthur William and Minnie Smith of the Square, Pershore. Married to Kathleen Smith, Wyre Piddle. As a resident of Wyre, Critchley Smith’s name also appears on the Wyre Piddle memorials, and the memorial in Fladbury churchyard.
Buried in Port Said War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

Evesham Journal 16 February 1918 – DEATH OF 2nd OFFICER J. CRITCHLEY SMITH. Particulars have now reached England of the death on January 5 of Second Officer
J. Critchley Smith, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Smith, of Pershore. The agents of Messrs. Thos. \& Jno. Brocklebank write from Port Said:– “The Mahratta was leaving her berth with engines going ahead when the stern rope jammed. Before way could be taken off the ship’s rope parted and struck the second officer breaking both his legs and fracturing the base of his skull. The doctor of the Blue Funnel liner, Ning Chow, was promptly on the scene, and Dr. Wigham also sent for. Mtr. Smith was brought ashore as soon as possible, but died on the way to the hospital from injuries received. An inquiry was held at the Consulate the following day and he was buried that afternoon. The burial was attened by the officers and engineers of the Malakuta (another ship on which Mr. Smith had formerly served) and Mr. E.J. Williams represented us.”
Mr. Smith was born in Pershore on June 1 of the first Jubilee year and was educated at Hanley Castle School and King’s School, Worcester. He served his apprentice with Messrs. Elders and Ffyfes, and in his fifteen years of sea-faring life made many voyages to the West Indies, Costa Rica, New York, South America, Australia, and India. He obtained his captain’s ticket about three years ago and since the commencement of war had been engaged on transport service. He was very popular with his fellow officers and during his rare and brief holidays, his simple, unassuming manners and happy breezy disposition endeared him to very many in Pershore and Wyre. The greatest sympathy has been shewn to his young widow and to his parents and the other members of the family. We shall publish a photograph of Mr. Critchley Smith next week.

Private 16560 Percy William Smith. Reserve Bn. Grenadier Guards. Listed as wounded in 1915 Pershore Almanac. Died in hospital 1st June 1915 age 21.- Evesham Journal 19 Feb 1916 recounts he died of a head wound, in a London hospital (See Arthur Kings entry) Buried Brompton Cemetery, London. Son of Arthur and Mary Smith – born Pershore. Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 recounts that Percy Smith had been a member of Pershore’s hockey club. [AL][EJD16][AB]
Evesham Journal, 30 June 1917 includes him in a list of those on Pershore Post Office’s Roll of Honour.

Gunner 248980 William Arthur Smith R.G.A. Lived in High Street [AV19]

Private 240804 William John Smith (or John William Smith) “D” Company 8th (Res.) Worcesters [EJ141003][AL][AB] listed as John W. on Abbey Memorial. Died 27th August 1917 aged 23. Son of John and Mary Ann Smith of the Newlands. Listed on the Tyne Cot memorial.

Evesham Journal 15th September 1917, in an article on Pershore casualties – “The third soldier reported killed is Pte. Will Smith, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. j. Smith of the Newlands. He was a Territorial. Lieut. Willis, in his touching letter of sympathy, speaks well of him as a soldier.”

Pte. H/84105 Alfred Soles 13th Huss. Lived in Dweling-house [AV18][AV19]

Private 9811 Frank Soley 1st Worcesters. Lived in Priest Lane [AL][AV18][AV19]

Evesham Journal, 2 January 1915:– TWO PERSHORE MEN IN 1ST WORCESTERS. Privae f. Soley, of the 1st WOrcesters, is invalided home suffering from frostbite in the feet, which he got while in action at La Bassee. He had come over from Egypt, where the regiment had been stationed, and before proceeding to the front, spent a few days at his home in Pershore. He had been out in the fighting line several weeks. He said the Worcesters were in the trenches up to their knees in mud and water, for six nights and five days. fighting at close range, for teh enemy was only about twenty yards away. The enemy once made an attept to rush their position, but they failed. He thought the Worcesters lost about 150, but the German losses must have been enormous. They aptured about 300 to 400 Germans. He found his legs very sore, and thought he had rheumatism. They could not take their boots off, for they never knew when they might be attacked. The pain became so great that he at last had to take his boots off, and his feet and legs than started to swell up, and he could not get his boots on again. He had no idea what was the matter with him until he saw the doctor, and he ordered him to the base hospital. For a long time the men had mud frozen on to their boots and putties, and walked, as it were, in leggings.

[continued under

Private Fred Soley 15th Hussars [AL]

Private 2291 William Harris Somer Q.O. Worcestershire Hussars (Worcestershire Yeomanry) Died 24 July 1915 age 39. Son of John and Jane Somer. Buried Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He’s included in this listing because there is a memorial on his parent’s grave in Pershore Cemetery, which mentions that his father, John Somer, came from Wadborough. Not listed on the Abbey Memorial. Evesham Journal Roll of Honour 26/9/1914 listed him as Trooper Somer serving in the Yeomanry, under the heading of Pershore (Newtown, Worcester)[EJD16]

Evesham Journal, 31 July 1915 – “TROOPER W.H. SOMER DROWNED. Ex-Sergt.-Major Somer, Newtown-road, Worcester, has received news that his brother, Trooper William H. Somer, of the Worcestershire Yeomanry, has been drowned near Alexandria, when crossing a river with horses, Trooper Somer was a son of the late Mr. John Somer of Wadborough, near Pershore. He was an excellent horseman and a successful rider at point-to-point meetings in Worcestershire. A telegram has been received from the Commanding Officer of the Worcestershire Yeomanry stating that the death of Trooper W.H. Somer was due to heart failure whilst bathing.”

Private 53028 Arthur Sidney Spalding 1st Somerset Light infantry. Lived at Coventry Terrace [AV19]

2nd.-Lieut. Charles William Spiers East Surreys. Lived in Broad Street [AV18][AV19]
Evesham Journal 16 March 1918: “PERSHORE OFFICERS. Second Lieut. Charles Spiers (son of Mr. Joseph Spiers of Broad Street, Pershore) was gazetted on February 19. He received his training with the Coldstream Guards, and has now joined his regiment, the East Surreys”. (rest of article is about G. Stevenson of Wick Post Office)

Evesham Journal October 5 1918: PERSHORE OFFICER WOUNDED. Lieut. Charles Spiers, of Pershore, is lying in hospital at Rouen, France, wounded in three places — the face, arms and leg — caused by a shell bursting. This has been officiallly reported to the parentd, Mr. and Mrs. J. Spiers, of Broad-street. Lieut. Spiers was gazetted to an East Surrey Regiment in January last, and though he had been to France on several occasions he only went into the front line in August last. Before joining up, he was at Messrs. Prothero and Co., grocers, of Broad-street.

210923 Joseph Spiers R.E. (Wireless). Lived in Worcester Streeet [AV18][AV19]

Private 241568 Harry Stanton 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment F. and F. killed 24 April 1917 Thiepval Memorial, Somme [AB] (number may have been 241563?)

Evesham Journal 16 June 1917 – “PERSHORE MAN MISSING. Mrs. Coombs, of the Newlands, Pershore, has received information that her brother, Pte. H. Stanton, of the Worcesters, is missing. Before joining the army twelve months ago, Pte. Stanton was in the employ of Mr. J. Smith, builder, Pershore. His brother-in-law, Pte. T. Robbins is at present in Netley Hospital, after serving at the Dardanelles and Mesopotamia.”

Evesham Journal 9 February 1918 – “MISSING, NOW REPORTED KILLED. Mrs. J. Robbins, of the Newlands, Pershore, has now received information that her brother, Pte. Harry Stanton, who was reported missing on April 24 1917, was killed on or about that date. Before joining he Army, Pte. Stanton worked for Mr. J. Smith, builder, Pershore, and was very much liked by all who knew him. The late Pte. Stanton has a brother and two brothers-in-law serving. We shall give a photo of Pte. Stanton next week.

106666 Clifford Summers M.G.C. Lived Ganderton’s row [AV18][AV19]

Gilbert Summers Lived in Ganderton’s Row [AV18]

Thomas Charles Summerton Lived at Bearcroft [AV18]

Private 5806 Charles P. Surman 1st Batt. Gloucestershire Regiment. Killed 25 November 1915. Listed on Loos Memorial [AB][EJD16] NB. EJD16 says he was in 2nd Worcesters

Private Percy Surman 6th Worcesters [AL]

P. Surman Reservist [EJ140926]

228571 William Robert Tarrant A.S.C. Lived at Victoria Hotel [AV18][AV19]

Arthur William Taylor Lived at High Street [AV18]

Private 32571 James Benjamin Taylor A.V.C. Lived in Dwelling-house [AV18][AV19]

Private John Taylor 8th Worcesters / Reservist. Lived at New Road [EJ140926][AL][AV18] Probably the Jack Taylor attending Harry Smiths funeral in early 1918.

Private William Taylor Kitchener’s Army [AL]

L. Cpl. 240805 William Alfred Taylor “B” coy. 1st/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. served France and Flanders. Died 9th October 1917, age 25. Son of George and Annie Taylor of New Road. Reservist in EJ listing. Listed on Tyne Cot Memorial [EJ141003][AB]

Captain William H. Taylor Evesham Journal 29 July 1916 says this man had been a member of Pershore’s hockey club.

Private Alfred Teague 8th Worcesters [AL]

Alfred William Teague Lived in Newlands [AV18]

George William Teague Lived in Newlands [AV18]

W. Teague 8th (Home Service) Batt. Worcs. Regt. [EJ141024]

Private 35996 James Ferdinand Teale Garr. Bn. East Yorks. [AV18][AV19]

Frank Thomas Church Street [AV18]

Private Henry Thomas. Army Service Corps [AL]

Lance Corpl. 24159 Henry Thomas Royal Engineers. Lived in Broad Street [AV18][AV19]

P.C. Thompson [EJ140926] listed him as a Reservist, ref [AL] a couple of months later listed him as 3rd Worcesters – wounded. [AL] in its review of the year past, says he’d rejoined the Worcestershire Regiment as a Reservist, and it was reported on 7th October 1914 that he was lying dangerously wounded in a French hospital.

Berrows Journal 10th Oct. 1914 – PERSHORE POLICEMAN WOUNDED. Police Constable Thompson. who was stationed at Pershore for 18 months was a reservist in the Worcestershire Regiment. and he rejoined his regiment at the beginning of the war. We are sorry to hear that he is in hospital in France dangerously wounded. On Sptember 1st he wrote from France to Supt. Hill of Evesham, saying: I am getting on all right, enjoying the best of health, and am in the highest of spirits. We have not as yet faced our opponents, but hope to shortly, just to show them what sort of material they have to contend with.

Berrows Journal, 31 October 1914 – PERSHORE P.C.’s EXPERIENCES. P.C. Thompson, who is now lying in hospital at Versailles, was called up on the outbreak of war, being a reservist in the 3rd Worcesters. In writing to a friend at Pershore he describes his wounds. One he had through the arm, which is now healing up nicely. The wound on his leg, it was at first thought, would prove fatal, but'', he says,after careful treatment by the doctors I am now going on fairly well, and can get about a little on crutches. A shrapnel shell entered his leg just below the knee, and penetrated up the leg to the top part of the thigh. The doctors are doing all they can to pull me through. When it came to the operation, they wished me to have chloroform, but I would not. I stood it fairly well, but afterward wished I had had chloroform. They got a piece of shrapnel out of my leg weighing 3oz. and I am keeping that as a little souvenir” He goes on to say that he was wounded on the 19th September. In speaking of the War, he says Our Allied Armies are holding the enemy well in check, while the Russians are playing great havoc with the Germans, and seem to be carrying everything before them. The losses of the Germans must be simply awful'' Speaking of the life in hospital, he says:We live like fighting cocks, getting four good meals a day, starting with ham and eggs for breakfast, porridge, and all that one’s appetite can fancy”

Horace Roughton Tillman Lived in Bridge Street [AV18]

Lance Corporal 9751 Ralph Tinson 4th Batt. Worcestershire Regiment F. and F. died 16th December 1917. Buried at Ribecourt British Cemetery, Nord, France. CWGC says he was in the 10th Battn, [Soldiers Died] and Worcester regiment memorial book say the 4th [AB]

Evesham Journal 2nd February 1918 – “ANOTHER PERSHORE SOLDIER KILLED. We regret to announce the death of another Pershore soldier in Corpl. R. Tinson, of the Worcesters, who was killed in action on the 16th of December 1917. He served with his regiment in India for seven years, and was on the Reserve two years. When the present war broke out he was recalled to his regiment, but had to undergo an operation in Birmingham Hospital. He was in the battles of Loos, La Basee, Neuve Chapelle, Ypres, and on the Somme. Deceased was a brave and gallant soldier, liked by his officers and company, who will sadly miss him. Deep sympathy is felt for his mother, Mrs. W. Turvey, of Broad-street, Pershore”

W. Cecil Towers Lived in Bridge Street [AV18]

3986 Albert Charles Townend 1st South Staffords. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19]

Private 29961 Charles Arthur Townend 1/7 Worcs. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19]

Private H.A. Townend 6th Dragoons [AL]

Private 10363 John William Townend 7th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment. Died 9th August 1915. Commemorated on the Hellas Memorial (Gallipoli) [AB]

Private W. Townend Kitchener’s Army [AL]

Private Albert Trapp 8th Worcesters [AL]

015557 Alfred Tuck No. 1 Ord. Mobile Heavy Workshops. Lived in Priest Lane [AV18][AV19]

Private 54/093348 Charles Turvey junr. 16th Field Batty., A.S.C. Lived in Newlands. [AV18][AV19]

Henry Samuel Turvey Lived in Bridge Street [AV18]

Cpt 30071 Robert Turvey Royal Warks. Lived in High Street [AV18][AV19]

Private W. Turvey 8th Worcesters [EJ141003][AL]

240730 William Turvey junr. 9th Worcesters Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19]

Serjeant 19173 Charles Edmund Twigg 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment died of wounds 23 July 1916 age 22. Son of Charles and Florence Twigg of Pershore. Born Wednesbury, Staffs., enlisted at Pershore. Buried in Warlay-Badlon Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France [EJ140926][AL][AB] Refs. EJ140926, AL lists him as a Private in Kitchener’s Army

Evesham Journal, 12th August 1916 – `Sergt. Charles Twigg, of Pershore killed. Mr C Twigg, auctioneer, of the Pershore Central Market, has received official notice that his eldest son, Sergt. Charles Twigg, of the Worcesters, was killed in action on Sunday July 23. Sergt Twigg, who was but 22 years of age, had a host of friends in the Pershore district, who sincerely mourn his loss. Sergt. Twigg had been a long time in hospital, having been wounded and gassed in a previous engagement. He had been in some very fine engagements since the July offensive started. On the 3rd July he sent his father a letter saying that Will Shepherd had been wounded, and that Walter Aldington was now the only chap he knew in his company. Sergt. Twigg joined up in September, 1914; Previous to that he was employed at Pershore Post Office. He was a tall, nice looking lad, and looked every inch a soldier. He and his brother Leonard, who is also in the Army, were two of the best footballers in the district, and played for the Pershore Rovers, of which club Charles was one time captain. We shall insert his portrait in theJournal’ next issue.

Evesham Journal, 30 June 1917 mentions him in a list of those on the Pershore Post Office Roll of Honour (though it describes him as Corporal C. Twigg)

Private 21285 Horace Henry/Henry Twigg – 1st Battalion Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry) Baptised at Pershore Holy Cross on 22 January 1896, the son of William and Ann Twigg of the Newlands. Died 15 July 1916. Soldiers Died in the Great War says he came from Pershore, but enlisted at Bristol. Died of wounds: theatre of war: `home’ Buried in Bristol (Greenbank Cemetery, Glos., ref. Green E.365) Not listed on Abbey memorial; listed in the Somerset regiment memorial book as coming from Pershore.

Gunner 81517 Leonard Twigg 70th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery 25th April 1918 age 21. Third son of the late Charles and Florence C. Twigg of Pershore. Buried Kelin-Vierstraat British Cemetery, Kemmel Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium [AB]

Evesham Journal, 11 May 1918:– PERSHORE SOLDIER’S DEATH. There is a deep feeling of regert throughout Pershore at the death of Gunner Leonard Twigg, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, the second of the two handsome lads of Mr. Chas. Twigg of Head-street, who has fallen in the war. The eldest son, Charles, of the Worcesters, died from wounds received in action two years ago. From the letters received by Mr. Twigg, from the Major of the battery, Lieut. J.E. Stone, Battery Sergt.-Major R.L. Stone, and numerous comrades of the rank and file, it appears that Leonard was regarded as a very smart soldier, life popular with all, in death mourned by all. He was a signaller, and was out with other telephonists, including Lieut. Stone, on a reconnoitring expedition, when he was struck in the left side by a shell splinter and died instantaneously. Before joining up two years ago deceased worked at Pershore Post Office. Like his late brother Charles, deceased was a good sportsman, and was an idol in local football circles. It is a most painful bereavement for the father and sisters (the mother died two years ago) and great sympathy is felt for them.

Private George Tye Coldstream Guards. Returned home 19 September 1914; first man to arrive back home; wounded by shrapnel in his foot at the battle of Mons. Lived in Head Street. (Pershore almanac 1915)

Berrows Worcester Journal, 19th September 1914:– PERSHORE MAN’S STORY. An interesting narrative has been given to our Pershore correspondent by a Private of the Coldstream Guards, who is invalided home with a shrapnel wound in the foot. Speaking about the battle of Mons, he said the Guards had been marching for about 19 hours on the Saturday. They took up a position on the Saturday evening, acting as a reserve for the firing line. The fighting continued at dawn on the Sunday morning. The 5th brigade had a fall back, and retired through the Guards’ trenches. Shrapnel fire from the enemy became so hot that they had to clear out. They retired from Mons, fighting their way to Landrecies, where they billeted in the village. After a short rest, an alarm was sounded, and they had to turn out. They had been surprised by the enemy in the dark. It was in this surprise engagement that this Guardsman, who had taken part in two engagements previously, was bowled over. It was seen that the enemy was in vastly superior numbers That was the only thing they had got in their favour'', said the soldier,For they have got no fight in them. The bayonet is the thing they `gib’ at. I am glad to say some of the Black Country go at them with the bayonet, and they were only too pleased to do so. After that engagement we left about 800 or 900 in the village. The pluck of the officers was splendid”.

“CHRISTMAS DINNER IN BERLIN.” It made one’s heart bleed to see the French and Belgian peasants hurrying along the roads seeking shelter anywhere and leaving behind homes, perhaps in flames, or demolished in other ways. I was sent home to Netley Hospital, where I spent 14 days. I came to Pershore on Friday last [11th September?] on a 14 days’ furlough, as my wife is staying here. I shall soon be well again, and I hope then to be sent back to the fighting line, where i hope to pay with interest for the wound I got. I look back on what has taken place as a hideous nightmare, but I want to get back again, and have only got one wish now, that I may have my Christmas dinner served out to me in Berlin” In conclusion, he paid high tribute to the great kindness shown to the British troops by the Frenchmen, who always appear to have a plentiful supply of tobacco.

William Bradforth Walker Lived at The Chestnuts [AV18]

Private 29220 Charles Walters Oxford and Bucks. Light Infantry. Lived in Head Street [AV18][AV19]

Private 236191 Alfred Ward 1st/1st Bn. Herefordshire regiment d. 13th November 1920 age 31. Son of William and Annie Ward; husband of Blanch Ward of Church Street. Born in Pershore. CWGC grave in Pershore Cemetery. [AV18][AV19]

Captain Watson Evesham Journal 26 May 1917 – “..so well remembered in Pershore for his services in connection with the Territorial Forces, has been awarded the Military Cross”

Corporal H. Wedgebury Listed in Evesham Journal, 30 June 1917 amongst those on the Pershore Post Office Roll of honour, described as missing, believed killed.

Private Fred Wells. 8th Hussars [AL]

Pte. H/325543 Reginald White 1/1/ Wor. Y. Lived in Bridge Street [AV18][AV19]

101709 Charles Christopher Wilks 16th Sqd. M.G.C. Lived in High Street [AV18][AV19]

Trooper Christopher C. Wilks Worcs. Yeomanry [AL]

Percy Wilks 2nd City of Birmingham Battalion [AL]

52750 Percival John Wilks 9th Manchesters. lived in High street [AV18][AV19]

193161 Leonard Bayfield Willcox Royal Garrison Artillery. Lived at Bachelor’s Entry [AV18][AV19]

Corpl. 485382 Bertram William Jameson Williams Labour Cps. Lived in York Cottages [AV18][AV19]

M/334851 Leonard Williams A.S.C., M.T. Lived in Little Priest Lane [AV18][AV19]

Pte. 93467 Walter Thomas Williams Duke of Cornwall’s L.I. Lived in York Cottages [AV18][AV19]

Ralph Willis Lived in High Street [AV18]

Thomas Henry Frederick Willis Lived in High Street [AV18]

Corporal Edward Winwood Kitchener’s Army. Lived in Priest Lane [AL][AV18]

Private 202003 William Charles Winwood 8th Battalion Tank Corps. Killed in action at Cambrai Dec 1st 1917 aged 21. Son of William Henry and Agnes Winwood. Memorial on his parents’ grave, Pershore cemetery. Listed on Cambrai Memorial as one of those with no known grave [EJ140926][AL][AB] The first two references list him as a Kitchener’s army recruit

Evesham Journal June 12 1915:– A PERSHORE MAN’S WHIT MONDAY. A very iinteresting letter has been received from Gunner W. Winwood, of the 3rd. Batt. Motor Machine Guns, and son of Mr. W. Winwood, fruiterer, Bridge-street, Pershore. He says: `I was just picturing the people enjoying themselves on Whit Monday, while we were wondering when we were going to get bowled over, but our luck was in, for we did not even get a casualty. It was my turn on the gun that day, and there was me laying under my bike and gun waiting for them to drop one on me. But, thank God, it did not come off. The chap that was feeding the gun for me has been sent back to England with a nervous breakdown, So you can tell what it was like. That was in the morning. Then the enemy was not satisfied at that, they started sending shells over with the poisonous gases, and they dropped one right by the side of us, and then I did not remember any more until next morning when I found I was in a dressing station, where the doctor and two of our men had been giving me different kinds of medicine. The doctor said if I had been left another five minutes I should have been agoner.’ He also said I had a splendid constitution to have stood what I did. I shall never forget that Whit-Monday as long as I live. We are having beautiful weather. We are not wearing our shirts. We are stripped to the skin from morning until night. That was the 42nd. day in the fighting line wothout a rest.”

Evesham Journal, 1 June 1918:– PERSHORE MAN PRESUMED KILLED. After six months’ suspense, Mr. and Mrs. Winwood, of Bridge-street, have received an offical letter from the War Office that it must be presumed that their son, Gunner William Charles Winwood, of the Tank Corps, at first reported missing, is killed. Gunner Winwood joined in September 1914, and was wounded in France the following June. He then sent home his battered cigarette case, which he was carrying in his breast pocket, and to which he attributed the saving of his life. After convalescence he was sent to Grantham, and was there employed for many months as dispatch rider. He was killed in the big fight of last December. An only child, a fine lad, his death is a hard trial for the father and mother. Sympathising letters have been sent by large numbers of residents, to whom they return grateful thanks.

Private 13164 Ernest Witts 10th Hants. Lived at Tiddesley Wood [AV18][AV19]

G. Witts Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

94650 Harry Witts 158 Labour Coy. Lived at Tiddesley Wood [AV18][AV19]

Private 13184 James Andrew `Jack’ Witts 12th Hants. Lived at Tiddesley Wood [AV18][AV19] Listed twice in AV19, refs. 5371 and 4768

Private John Witts Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926][AL]

Squadron Sergeant-Major Frank Wood Worcs. Yeomanry. Evesham Journal 27th February 1915 has coverage of the wedding of Warrant Officer Frank Wood of Pershore. [AL][EJ140926] Sergt. Major Wood had been a member of Pershore hockey club, according to Evesham Journal 29 July 1916

W. Wood Reservist [EJ140926]

Private William Wood Royal Field Artillery [AL]

William Wood Lived at Knight’s Buildings [AV18]

William Frank Bomford Wood Lived in Little Priest Lane [AV18]

Private Arthur Workman 5th Lancers [AL]

Private Henry Workman Kitchener’s Army [AL]

Private 4/97366 Henry Workman 627 Ag. co. Labour Corps [AV19]

John James Workman Lived in High Street [AV18]

Lance-Corporal 17886 John Workman 11th Worcs. Lived in Priest Lane [AV19]

Private Joseph Workman Kitchener’s Army [AL]

190113 William James Workman Royal Engineers. Lived in The Ryde [AV18][AV19]

Corporal M/323277 Alfred Charles Wright A.S.C. Lived in Newlands ([AV18]) or Priest Lane ([AV19])

Pte. 94659 Arthur Wright 158 Lab. Coy. Lived in No Gains [AV18][AV19]

Private Archibald Young 8th Worcesters [AL]

Private Fred Young 8th Worcesters [AL]

Frederick Archibald Young Lived at Bachelor’s Entry [AV18]

G. Young Kitchener’s Army [EJ140926]

44218 George Arthur Victor Young Cavalry Reserves. Lived at Knight’s Buildings [AV18][AV19]

Private John Young. Kitchener’s Army [AL]

Gunner 17800 John Henry Young R.G.A. Lived at 22 High Street [AV18][AV19]

27146 Walter Young Dorsets. Lived at Bachelor’s Entry [AV18][AV19]

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Last modified 25 July 2002