(1912-13), Private TR/10/25922, 31st (Training Reserve) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City Of London Regiment). Died in the United Kingdom Friday 6 April 1917, in Kent. Aged 18. Born 17 December 1898, baptised 2 April 1899 in Biggleswade. Son of Albert John and Frances Barcock, of High St., Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 12, and the 1901 census, aged 2, born Sharnbrook, Beds, resident with his parents in High Street, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. Buried in DOVER (ST. JAMES'S) CEMETERY, Kent. Plot L. Row H. Grave 12. See also Sharnbrook

Extract from National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford & Northampton

BARCOCK, H.W., Pte, 31st Training Reserve Bn..
He joined in March 1917, and underwent a period of training at Dover. After only four weeks' service with the Colours, he unfortunately died on April 6th, 1917, of spotted fever, contracted whilst in the Army. "Thinking that remembrance, though unspoke, may reach him where he sleeps."
High Street, Sharnbrook.		Z1172.

(1894-1903), Lieutenant, 101st Indian Grenadiers, Indian Army. Killed in action Wednesday 4 November 1914, in Tanzania. Born 10 January 1886, baptised 3 February 1886 in Port Blair, Bengal. Son of Octavius Henry and Florence Theodoria Brookes. In the 1901 census he was aged 15, born London, resident with his parents, Octavius H and Florence F Brookes, at 37, Chancer Road, Bedford Eastern Ward St Paul, Bedford. Buried in TANGA MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Tanzania.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 2, Page 41:

BROOKES, HENRY RICHARD, Capt., 101st Grenadiers, I.A., yst. s. of Octavius Henry Brookes, of Chaucer Road, Bedford ; and gdson. of the late Col. William Brookes, Gordon Highlanders ; b. Port Blair, Andamans, 10 January 1886 ; educ. Bedford ; gazetted 2nd Lieut. Bedfordshire Regt., from the Militia, 29 November 1905 : transferred to the Indian Army in 1907 ; was promoted Lieut. 29 February 1908, and Capt. in March, 1915, antedated 29 November 1914 ; served with the Indian Expeditionary Force in German East Africa ; was reported wounded and missing after the fighting at Tanga 4 November 1914, and is now assumed to have been killed in action on that date.

Extract from Bond Of Sacrifice: Officers Died In The Great War 1914-1916, Volume 1, Page 104:

CAPTAIN HENRY RICHARD BROOKES, 101st GRENADIERS, INDIAN ARMY, was born at Port Blair, Andamans, on 10th January, 1886, and was the youngest son of Octavius Henry Brookes, of Chaucer Road, Bedford, and a grandson of the late Colonel William Brookes, Gordon Highlanders, formerly the 75th Stirlingshire Regiment.

Captain Brookes was educated at Bedford and entered the Bedfordshire Regiment from the Militia in 1905, being transferred two years later to the Indian Army and becoming Lieutenant in 1908. His promotion to Captain, dating from 29th November, 1914, was not gazetted until March, 1915. He was a member of the Sports Club, Bangalore.

In the Great War Captain Brookes was serving in German East Africa when he met his death. After the unsuccessful attack upon Tanga on the 4th November, 1914, he was reported missing, and, as no definite news has been received since, his parents have been reluctantly bound to assume that he was killed on that day and buried by the Germans.

The landing and attack were carried out under great difficulties, after giving notice of the intention to bombard what was believed to be an open and undefended town. Owing to the dense bush it was almost impossible to use artillery, and when the advance began, our troops came under a heavy fire from rifles and machine guns.

The 101st Grenadiers, making a fine effort to fill a gap in the firing line due to the difficulty of advancing in line through the dense bush came under exceedingly heavy cross fire of rifles and machine guns, and were unable to advance, but tenaciously held their own. Darkness coming on brought the action to a conclusion, after which our troops withdrew unmolested to an entrenched position a quarter-of-a-mile in the rear. In view of the extreme difficulty of the country in the vicinity of Tanga it was judged inadvisable to attempt a second attack without adequate reinforcements. Orders for embarkation were accordingly issued, and this was carried out without any interference on the part of the enemy.

(1882-89), Major, 1st Battalion (15th Foot), The East Yorkshire Regiment. Son of the late Henry Campion, of Bletsoe Castle, near Bedford; born 9th August 1871, Dean Bedfordshire. Educated at Bedford Modern School. Gazetted Second Lieutenant, East Yorkshire Regiment from the Militia, 122th December 1894, promoted to Lieutenant 1st April 1897, Captain 10th May 1900 and Major 16th April 1913. Served in South African (Boer War) 1900-2 with the Mounted Infantry where he was slightly wounded. Took part in operations in the Tansvaal in mAy and June, 1900, including actions neat Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11th and 12th June) : Operation Wittebergen (1st to 29th July), Bothaville and Caledon River (27th to 29th Nov): operations in Transvaal, west of Pretoria, including action at Frederickstad : was in command of the 5th Battalion, Mounted Infantry from February to March 1902 : took part in the operations in Orange River Colony and Cape Colony 30th November 1900 to March 1901 : operations in Orange River Colony March to September 1901 and October 1901 to April 1902, and those in Cape Colony September to October 1901 and April to 31st May 1902 (mentioned in Desptaches [London Gazette 10th September 1901 and 29th July 1902] : brevet of Major : Queen's Medal with four clasps and King's Medal with two clasps); subsequently served in Burma, India, and with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders : was wounded 20th September 1914 but returned to the front, and was subsequently killed in action near Lille, Wednesday 28th October 1914. Aged 43. A commerative plaque is to be found inside on the wall of St Mary's Church, Bletsoe. A wooden battlefield grave marker bearing Walter Campion's name is now in Bletsoe Church. Buried in RATION FARM MILITARY CEMETERY, LA CHAPELLE-D'ARMENTIERES, Nord, France. Special Memorial near Plot VI. Row M. [Soldiers Died in the Great War CD lists him as William Ernest CAMPION]. See also Bletsoe

(1892-1902), Capatin & Battalion Major, Royal Engineers attached Commanding, 8th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died of wounds Sunday 11 March 1917. Aged 32. Born 16 September 1884, baptised 17 October 1884 in Jamalpur, St Mary, Bengal. Son of the late William Hackett Chase and Priscilla Jane Chase; husband of Gladys Maude Chase (nee Waller), married 28 March 1910 in Delhi, Bengal. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O), 3 times Mentioned in Despatches. In the 1901 census he was a Student Boarder, aged 16, born India, resident Waldeck Avenue, Bedford. Buried in AVELUY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Plot/Row/Section L. Grave 1. See also Eastbourne

Extract from The V.C. and D.S.O. Book - Distinguished Service Order 1916-1923:

CHASE, A. A. (D.S.O. L.G. 14.1.16) ; b. 16.9.84; 3rd s. of late W. H. Chase and P. J. Chase ; educ. Modern School, Bedford, and R.M.A., Woolwich ; m. 1910, Gladys M., d. of Crichton Wailer; one d. ; one s. ; ent. R.E. 29.7.04 ; Lt. 23.3.07 ; Capt. 30.10.14 ; Bt. Major at Thiepval ; Lt.-Col. O.C. R. Sussex Pioneers ; Despatches three times. He fell " mortally wounded by a shell at Irles about 5 p.m. on the 10th March, 1917, when carrying out a reconnaissance with Col. Henderson, R.E. Henderson was killed on the spot, and Chase succumbed the same evening, shortly after reaching hospital, and so died a hero of heroes. He was buried on the 11th in the military cemetery at Aveluy, a small village two miles from Albert" (extract from letter of Brig.-Gen. Richard P. Lee, R.E.). The funeral service was conducted by the Chaplain to the Forces—the 8th Royal Sussex Pioneers—the Rev. R. Douglas Canadine, who wrote that he had laid to rest a " very gallant soldier and gentleman." The Commander of the Division with which Col. Chase was associated, Sir IvorMaxse, also wrote : " I used to look upon Chase as the very best type of British officer in every respect. He was a real leader of men as well as a thoughtful and most capable Staff officer. . . . He possessed that quality which endeared him to all true soldiers, and did much for the division to which he was attached." Col. Chase was recommended for decoration by Col. Evans, and his grandfather, curiously, was decorated by Queen Isabella of Spain on the recommendation of an officer also named Evans.

(1908-14), Assistant Motor Engineer, H.M.S. "Sunhill", Mercantile Marine Reserve. Died Tuesday 26 November 1918. Born 15 August 1896. In the 1911 census he was aged 14, at school, born Hinwick, Bedfordshire, son of Andrew and Sarah Christie, resident Park Lane, Blunham, Sandy. Buried in BEDFORD CEMETERY, Foster Hill Road, Bedford. Plot/Row/Section E/3. Grave 17. See also Blunham

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1919:

CHRISTIE Wilfred Sydney of Blunham near Sandy Bedfordshire engineer H.M.S. Egmont died 26 November 1918 at the Royal Naval Hospital Portsmouth Administration London 5 April to Andrew Mackie Christie chauffeur. Effects £536 17s. 3d.

(Modern Languages, 1915-16), Private 4839, 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Died 27 October 1916, in 4th Northern General Hospital, Lincoln. Aged 32. Son of John and Elizabeth Crane, of Stoke Newington, London; husband of Irene Crane (nee Parker), of "Ruthven," Monkham's Drive, Woodford, Essex, married 1916. M.A. (Cantab.). In the 1911 census he was aged 26, unmarried, born Stoke Newington, Middlesex, an Assistant Master (Teacher) in Lansdown, Bath. In the 1891 census he is aged 11, a scholar, born London, Middlesex, resident with his parents in Osterley Road, Stoke Newington, Hackney, London. In 1896 he attended Grocers' Company School, Hackney, Middlesex. Buried in 30 October 1916 in LINCOLN (NEWPORT) CEMETERY, Lincolnshire. Plot/Row/Section D. Grave 123.

Extract from Bedford Modern School Eagle Magazine Dec 1916:

(1895-1902), Second Lieutenant, 6th Battalion (Territorial), South Staffordshire Regiment. Killed in action Wednesday 13 October 1915, in Pas de Calais, France. Born 1 October 1886 in Bedford. Son of Thomas and Mary E Dann. In the 1891 census he was aged 4, born Bedfordshire, resident with his parents in Sidney Street, Bedford. In the 1911 census he was aged 24, a boarder, born bedford, Coal Gas Engineer and Draughtsman, resident 1 and 2 Church Street, Lower Gornal near Dudley, Sedgley, Staffordshire. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 73 to 76.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1916:

DANN Tom Vincent of I Church-street Lower Gornal Staffordshire second lieutenant 6th battalion 8th Staffordshire regiment T.F. died 13 October 1915 in France or Belgium in action Administration London 27 January to Ethel Eliza Dann widow. Effects £390 12s. 6d.

(1899-1902), Private 72296, 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Died of gas shell poisoning Sunday 18 August 1918, in France. Aged 30. Born 2 November 1887, and enlisted, Bedford. Son of John William and Annie Elizabeth Darrington, of 21, St. Mary's Street, Bedford; husband of Alice Gladys Darrington, of 17, Ashburnham Rd., Bedford. Educated Ampthill Road Boys' School, Bedford (1894). Formerly 121185, Royal Flying Corps. He enlisted 23 October 1915 in the Royal Flying Corps, he was resident 21 St. Mary's Street, Bedford, aged 27 years 11 months, a Caterer, unmarried. He married Alice Gladys Baker in Bedford 15 January 1916, they had one daughter. Compulsorily transferred to 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters 24 September 1917. Height 5 feet 75/10 inches, weight 154 lbs, chest 37 inches. In the 1901 census he was aged 13, born Bedford, at school, resident with his parents as 21, St Marys Street, Bedford. In the 1911 census he was aged 23, unmarried, born Bedford, a Grocer's Assistant, resident with his parents at 21 St Mary's Street, Bedford. Buried in MONT HUON MILITARY CEMETERY, LE TREPORT, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot VII. Row B. Grave 1B. See also Bedford Bunyan Meeting House War Memorial

(1912-16), Second Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Killed as a result of an aeroplane accident 3rd January 1918. Born 18 June 1899. Resident 2 Cutcliffe Grove, Bedford. In the 1911 census he was aged 11, born Hampstead, London, son of Ethel H Denham, resident 7 Spenser Road, Bedford. Admitted to Bedford Modern School 1912. Attested 25 October 1916, aged 18 years 6 months (his casualty form states 17 years 4 months), occupation listed as Miscellaneous Aviator, 3rd Class Air Mechanic 85254, Royal Flying Corps. Height 5 feet 7¾ inches, chest 37 inches, discharged 12 December 1917 at South Franborough, appointed temporary commissioned Second Lieutenant, on General List for duty with the R.F.C. Buried in BEDFORD CEMETERY, Foster Hill Road, Bedford. Plot F. Row 5. Grave 79. See also Bedford St Peter's and Bedford Cemetery

Extract from Probate Calendars of England & Wales 1858-1959 - 1918:

DENHAM William Malcolm of 3 Carcliffe (sic - Cutcliffe) Grove Bedford second-lieutenant R.F.C. died 3 January 1918 at Waddington Lincolnshire Administration London 24 August to Frederick Denham merchant. Effects £128 3s. 6d.

(1911-16), Second Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards. Died Saturday 8 March 1919, in Harrold, Bedfordshire. Aged 20. Born 9 September 1898, baptised 6 Nov 1898 at Grendon, Northamptonshire. Attended Harrold National/Lower School, Harrold Beds 1903-1906. Son of Charles Frederick and Frances Louisa Dinsley (nee Gifkins), of Harrold, Sharnbrook. IN the 1901 census he was aged 2, born Grendon, Northamptonshire, resident with his parents, Charles Fred and Frances Louisa Dinsley, at School House, The Green, Harrold, Bedfordshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 12, at school, resident with his parents in High Street, Harrold, Bedfordshire. Buried in HARROLD (ST. PETER AND ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD, Bedfordshire. See also Harrold War Memorial

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 5, Page 52:

DINSLEY, FRANCIS HUGILL, 2nd Lieut., 2nd Battu. Coldstream Guards, only s. of Charles Frederick Dinsley, of Harrold, Sharnbrook, co. Bedford, by his wife, Frances L., dau. of the late J. H. Gifkins ; and gdson. of the late Rev. James Dinsley, of Chorley, and nephew of the Rev. E. V. Dinsley, of Lostock Hall, co. Lancaster ; b. Grendon, co. Northampton, 9 September 1898 ; educ. Bedford Modern School ; enlisted in the Household Battn. in May, 1917 ; received a commission, and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. 4th Coldstream Guards in June, 1918 ; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 23 November following, and with the Army of Occupation in Germany from 24 December of the same year, being transferred to the 2nd Battn., and died almost immediately upon his return to England at No. 3 London General Military Hospital, Wandsworth, S.W., 8 March, 1919, of pneumonia, contracted while on active service. Buried in Harrold Churchyard, Sharnbrook. His Commanding Officer (4th Battn.) wrote : " Everything he did he did with all his might, and was so wonderfully keen. He did a great deal for the comfort and amusement of the men, and was greatly liked and respected by them." Unm.

(1889-92), Major Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) Commanding 12/13th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Killed in action Thursday 4 October 1917, at Ypres. Aged 39. Born 20 August 1878 in St. Thomas, West Indies. Son of Stephen and Annie Hamilton Dix; husband of Ida Mary Dix (nee Turpin), of The Court House, Padstow, Cornwall, married 1909 in Laois, Ireland. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.)[London Gazette 29074 18 February 1915]. Height 5 feet 11 inches, unmarried at time of enlistment. Served in the South African War from 27 July 1901 to 30 October 1902. In the 1881 census he was aged 2, born West Indies, resident with his widowed mother at 30, Gayton Road, Hampstead, London. In the 1891 census he was aged 12, a scholar, resident with his widowed mother in Milton Road, Bedford. IN the Irish census of 2 April 1911 he was aged 33, resident with his wife Ida Mabel and son Lewis at Maryborough, Part of, Green Lane, Maryborough Urban, Queen's Co., Ireland. Buried in TYNE COT CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XLVI. Row B. Grave 1.

Extract from Probate Calendars of England & Wales 1858-1959 - 1918:

DIX Stephen Hamilton of 11 Hartington-place Eastbourne captain 2nd battalion Leinster regiment died 4 October 1917 in France or Belgium Administration (with Will) London 7 December to Ida Mabel Dix widow.
Effects £104 18s. 6d.

(1907-10), Private 205335, 1st/1st Battalion, Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars. Died of wounds Saturday 10 November 1917, in Israel & Palestine. Aged 20. Born 13 December 1896. Enlisted Newport Pagnell. Son of John Thomas and Blanche Isabel Dover, of Milton Keynes, Newport Pagnell, Bucks. In the 1901 census he was aged 4, born Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, resident with his parents in Milton Keynes, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. Buried in BEERSHEBA WAR CEMETERY, Israel and Palestine (including Gaza). Section A. Grave 32. See also Milton Keynes

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 3, Page 81:

DOVER, JOHN PERCY NEWTON, Trooper, No. 205335, Royal Bucks Hussars, only s. of John Dover, of Milton Keynes, Newport Pagnell, by his wife, Blanche, dau. of the late Charles Newton ; b. Milton Keynes, Newport Pagnell, co. Bucks, 13 December 1896 ; educ. Elston School, Bedford ; was a Signalman : joined the Royal Bucks Hussars 21 September 1914 ; served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Egypt and Palestine from 1 September 1915, and died at Beersheba 10 November 1917, from wounds received in action near Ascalon. Buried in the Military Cemetery, Beersheba; unm.

(1889-93), Major, 2nd Battalion, 4th Gurkha Rifles, attached to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army. Killed in action Saturday 14 November 1914, in Pas de Calais, France. Aged 39. Born 10 September 1875 in Bengal, India, baptised 21 Oct 1875 in Simla, Bengal, India. Son of the late Gen. Henry R. Drummond (Royal Engineers) and Annetta Mcpherson Drummond, of Abernchill, Comrie, Perthshire. Retired from the service at his majority in 1913 and was King's Messenger in 1914 before the Great War. Buried in BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row A. Grave 12.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 3, Page 86:

DRUMMOND, ERIC GREY, Major, late 4th Gurkha Rifles, attached 3rd Gurkha Rifles, 4th s. of the late Major-General Henry Drummond, R.E. (Bengal), by his wife, Annette Macpherson, dau. of Capt. Charles Henry Gascoyne Boisragon, and gdson. of the late Col. John Drummond, of Strageath, Abernchill and Balquhandy, Perthshire, C.B. ; b. Simla, India, 10 September 1875 ; educ. Bedford and Sandhurst (passing in and out with honours); gazetted 2nd Lieut. Somerset L.I., 28 September 1895 ; served on the N.W. Frontier of India, 1897-8, during the operations in the Mohmand country ; took part in the engagement near Shabkadr, 9 August 1897 (severely wounded ; medal with clasp) ; gazetted Lieut. Indian Staff Corps, 16 November 1898, and posted to the 4th Gurkhas, 1 April, 1900 ; promoted Capt. 28 September 1908, and Major, 28 September 1913 ; was A.D.C. on the Staff of the Lieut.-Governor of the Punjab, 6 March, 1902-7 ; to the General Officer Commanding Quetta Division, and (18 October 1907) to the Governor of Bombay ; retired 13 November 1913, and was appointed a King's Foreign Service Messenger in 1914. At the outbreak of war was at Constantinople with despatches from the Foreign Office. He had some difficulty in returning to England with despatches from the British Ambassador at Constantinople owing to the activities of the Goeben, but managed to do so and arrived in England via Alexandria and Port Said. He immediately offered his services and was appointed se the 60th Rifles. After serving at Sheerness crossed to France on 8 November 1914 ; and was ordered to join the 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles then in the trenches near Bethune. He only reached his new refit. on 13 November, and was killed the same night; unm. The Rev. Ronald Irving wrote : " Your brother, Major Drummond, arrived here on Thursday last (12 November) and stayed the night in the same mess as I am. On Friday I had to go out to the Brigade Headquarters in which the 2/3 Gurkhas are, so I took him out in a car at 3 p.m. . . . and he went into the trenches that evening. At 9 p.m. the regt., with the' Garhwals.' had to make an attack on the German trenches. Things did not go too well, and the Major, who was the CO., volunteered to lead the men out of the trench, and he had only gone a few yards when he was killed outright from a bullet wound. His body was recovered and I took it yesterday to Bethune Cemetery for interment." Major Drummond was thus only six days in France, and a little over six hours in the trenches when he was killed while gallantly leading his men.

Extract from Bond Of Sacrifice: Officers Died In The Great War 1914-1916, Volume 1, Page 171:

MAJOR ERIC GREY DRUMMOND, LATE 4th (attd. 3rd) GURKHA RIFLES, who was killed in action on the 14th November, 1914, was the fourth son of the late Major-General Henry Drummond, and a grandson of Colonel John Drummond, of Strageath, Perthshire.

He was born on the 10th September, 1875, and was educated at Bedford College, joining the Prince Albert's (Somerset Light Infantry) in September, 1895. In November, 1898, he was transferred to the Indian Army as Lieutenant, and was promoted Captain in 1904. He saw active service on the north-western frontier of India, in the Mohmand Campaign, 1897-98, including the engagement near Shabkadr on the 9th August, 1897, where he was severely wounded. For that campaign he received the medal with clasp. He retired in November, 1913, and was appointed a King's Foreign Messenger, but on the outbreak of war with Germany rejoined the Army, being attached for duty to the 5th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps as Major.

For active service he was attached to the 3rd Gurkha Rifles, which regiment he joined in the trenches on the 13th November, 1914. The same evening, after one attack by our troops had failed, he was standing by the Commanding Officer, who had kept him near him owing to his being new to the trenches. Major Drummond volunteered to lead a second attack, and permission being granted he fell mortally wounded while gallantly leading his men.

He was a member of the Caledonian Club, St. James's Square, and was unmarried.

(1870-75), Colonel, Assistant Quarter Master General to Centre Division of Union of South Africa Forces. Active Citizen Force. Died of wounds 18-5-15, age 56, motor trolley collided with a train at Knibis, near Gibeon, German South West Africa, on 17-5-15. Third son (born 17-6-1859 at Chatteris) of the late Charles Farrar MD, of Chatteris, and Mrs Helen Farrar, of Bedford. An engineer, he went to South Africa in 1879 and lived in the Transvaal. Founder and chairman of East Rand Proprietary Mines Ltd. Took part in Jameson Raid of 1895 and sentenced to death for treason by the Afrikaners, but remitted on payment of £25,000 fine. Awarded DSO (London Gazette 19-4-01) for services during Boer War. Knighted in 1902. MP for Georgetown in the first parliament of Union of South Africa in 1910-11. Created Baronet on 2-2-11. Married Ella Mabel Waylen on 3-6-1893, had six daughters. Bedford Farm Cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa. See also Chatteris, Cambridgeshire

Extract from Marquis de Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, Volume 1, Part 1, Page 129, the following:

FARRAR, Sir George Herbert 1st Bart D.S.O. Colonel and assistant Q.M General - Central Force, Union Defence Forces, late Hon. Col South African Light Horse. Son of the late Charles Farrar, of Chatteris, co Cambridge, M.D., by his wife Helen, (The Crescent Lodge, Bedford), sister of Sir Frederick Howard and dau of John Howard. Born Chatteris 17-6-1859, educated Bedford Modern School and on leaving there entered the engineering business of his Uncle Sir Frederick Howard going in 1879 to South Africa to the Port Elizabeth and East London branches. Eight years later he and his brothers established themsleves at Johannesburg, where in a few years he became one of the leading men in the mining industry of the Witwatersrand. His cheif enterprise was the formation of the East Rand Proprietary Mines, of which he was chairman from its inception to the day of his death. He was for some time a member of the Legislative assembly of the Transvaal and Leadre of the opposition. For his share in the Jameson raid he was tried for treason and sentenced to death, but the sentence was remitted on payment of a fine of £25000.

When the South African war broke out he raised two Regiments of South African Horse, and was appointed Major, Kaffrarian Rifles, 1-12-1900 and served in this campaign as major on the staff of the Colonial Division 1899-1900. He took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, including the defence of Wepener, operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, aug to sep 1900, operations in the Orange River Colony 1900 including actions at Wittebergen 1-29 July) and in Cape Colony, south of the Orange River. His services were mentioned in despatches ( London Gazette 16th April 1901 ) and he was awarded the Queens medal with 4 clasps and the D.S.O (1900).

After the conclusion of peace in 1902 he took an active part in the work of re-organisation, and when responsible government was granted to the Transvaal, he was unanimously elected leader of the progressive party in the house of assembly, in opposition to the inistry of General Botha. In 1903 he was elected president of the Witwatersrand Chamber of mines, and took a leading part in the negotiations which led up to formation of The Union of South Africa.

He had been knighted in 1902 and on 2-2-1911 was created a Baronet for his services on this occasion.He was M.P. for Georgetown in the first parliament of the Union of South Africa 1910-11 but in dec 1911 business demands in connection with the east rand co compelled him to retire from political work in order to devote his whole energies to the re-organisation of that enterprise.

When the European war broke out he was in England on a visit and was about to join General Sir Hubert Hamiltons staff with the army in Belgium, but the day before he was to have left he was ordered by the authorities to South Africa. On arrival he was appointed to General McKenzies Force with the rank of Colonel and was despatched to German South West Africa as Assistant Q.M-General.

Proceeding to Luderitz Bay in advance of the main force he was engaged in the organisation of the base camp, and subsequently had charge of the restoration of the railway and of providing the water supply to the force, an operation of primary importance in that country.

On 19th May 1915, he was returning from a tour of inspection when the motor trolley in which he was travelling collided with a construction train at Kuibis, near Gidson, German South West Africa, and Sir George succumbed to his injuries early next morning.

Sir George Farrar was one of the best known men in South Africa to whose advancement he had, by legislative work, by attention to mining process, and to practical sympathy with agricultural, powerfully contributed.

He married at Johannesburg 2-6-1893, Ella Mabel ( Chicheley Hall, Newport Pagnell,Bucks & Bedford Farm, near Johannesburg, Transvaal), dau of the late Charles William Waylen, I.M.S. and had six daus, Helen Mabel b 2-10-1894, Muriel Frances b 6-4-1896, Gwendeline b 14-7-1897, Georgina Marjorie b 17-8-1901, Kathleen Elizabeth b 9-5-1907 and Ella Marguerite b 28-4-1911.

(1905-12), Lance Corporal 3885, "C" Company, 1st/15th Battalion, London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles). Killed in action Wednesday 15th September 1915 in France & Flanders. Age 22. Enlisted London, resident Bedford. Son of George and Mary Grantham, of 127, Marlborough Rd., Bedford. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 13 C. See also Bedford All Saints

Extract from the Bedfordshire Times and Independent 6 October 1916:

The death in action on the Western front is reported of Lance-corpl. George Henry Grantham, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Grantham, of Marlborough road, Bedford. A promising career at the Modern School ended in his being awarded a Leaving Exhibition, with which he went to a London College. Thence he passed into the Actuarial Department of the National Health Insurance Commission, being placed eleventh in a competitive examination with 400 entrants. While serving in theis Department, he gained the distinction, at the early aged of 21, of Associateship of the Institute of Actuaries. The examination over, he at once "joined up," and on December 2nd, 1915, crossed to France with a draft of the London Regiment (the Civil Service Service Rifles). When the "Great Push" cause he saw considerable fighting, but escaped unhurt until September 15th. 1916, when he met an instantaneous death. At school the boys admired him as a "sticker," and a straight forward fellow, while the Headmaster and Staff looked upon him as one sure to make a name for himself, and do honour to the school. He was quiet and unassuming, but a lad of great strength of character. From his Commanding Officer and from his comrades at the front, Mr. and Mrs. Grantham have received letters bearing witness to the esteem in which he was held by those who have been with him daily during his ten months in France, his comrades mentioning that "he was alwaysbrave, cheerful and a gentleman."

(1905-08), Private 764320, 1st/28th Battalion (Artists' Rifles), London Regiment. Killed in action Tuesday 30 October 1917, at Ypres. Aged 25. Born 17 February 1893 in Stevington, resident Wembley Hill, enlisted Shoreditch.  Son of Robert Thomas and Amelia Hammond, of The Bedford Arms Hotel, Woburn, Bedfordshire. In the 1901 census he was aged 8, born Stevington, resident with his father in Cranes Inn, 3, Turvey, Bedford, Bedfordshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 18, a Clerk at the Stock Exchnage, unmarried, resident with his parents at Swan Hotel, Woburn Sands. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 153. See also Woburn

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1918:

HAMMOND Lionel Gooderham of the Bedford Arms Hotel Woburn Bedfordshire died 3o October 1917 in Belgium Administration (with Will) London 8 August to Amelia Hammond (wife of Robert Thomas Hammond). Effects £473 6s. 2d.

(1908-13), Rifleman 555592, 16th (County of London) Battalion (Queen's Westminster Rifles), London Regiment posted to 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Died of gas poisoning Tuesday 10 September 1918, in Pas de Calais, France. Aged 22. Born 28 June 1896 in Bedford, enlisted Bedford. Son of John and Mary A Hart, of 77, Howbury St., Bedford. In the 1901 census he was aged 4, born bedford, resident with his parents at 77, Howbury Street, Bedford. Buried in TERLINCTHUN BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row D. Grave 31.

Extract from National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford & Northampton

HART, S. A., Rifleman, 16th London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles).
He joined in April 1917, and underwent a short period of training prior to his being drafted to France, where he saw much heavy fighting at Arras, Ypres, Loos, Beaumont-Hamel and Cambrai. He was badly gassed in action and unfortunately died of gas-poisoning on September 10th, 1918, at Boulogne. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory medals. "His life for his Country, his soul to God."
77, Howbury Street, Bedford.		Z2777 /A.

(1901-03), Major, 19th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Irish Regiment. Killed in action over enemy lines Sunday 29 April 1917, in France. Aged 26. Born 9 February 1891 in Devonshire. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) and 3 times Mentioned in Despatches. Passed out from Royal Military College 1910, became Lieutenant 1911. Graduated Central Flying School, Uoparon 13 September 1913. In the 1911 census he was aged 20, born Teignmouth, Devon, England, serving with the Infantry (2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment) in the Channel Islands. Buried in ROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX, Pas de Calais, France. Special memorial 7.

Extract from The V.C. and D.S.O. Book - Distinguished Service Order 1916-1923:

HARVEY-KELLY, HUBERT DUNSTERVILLE, Lieut., was born 9 February 1891. He joined the Royal Irish Regt. 5 October 1910 ; became Lieutenant 23 October 1912, and Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps Reserve, 14 August 1913. He served in the European War from 1914 to 1918. He was mentioned in Despatches, and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 18 February 1915] " Hubert Dunsterville Harvey-Kelly, Lieut., Royal Irish Regt., Royal Flying Corps." He became Captain 23 May, 1915 ; Squadron Commander, Royal Flying Corps, and Temporary Major 30 January 1916. His D.S.O. was awarded " for services in connection with operations in the field."

(1897-1900), Captain, "A" Company, 8th Battalion, Prince Albert's (Somerset Light Infantry). Killed in action Saturday 1 July 1916, on the Somme. Aged 27. Son of Sir Harry Hatt and Lady Hatt, of Sunnycroft, Bloomfield Park, Bath. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.)[London Gazette 4 November 1915]. In the 1911 census he was aged 22, born Oxford, a Fruitgrower Foreman, boarding at Backside,s Whitford, Axminster, Devon. His death appeared in the Sussex, Eastbourne Gazette Newspaper Notices 1916. Buried in GORDON DUMP CEMETERY, OVILLERS-LA BOISSELLE, Somme, France. Plot II. Row M. Grave 4. See also Bath

Extract from London Gazette 4 November 1915, page 10890:

Temporary Lieutenant Arthur Beach Hatt, 8th Battalion, Prince Albert's (Somerset Light Infantry).

Extract from Sussex, Eastbourne Gazette Newspaper Notices 12 July 1916:

CAPTAIN ARTHUR BEACH HATT
___

Extract from Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 15 July 1916:

THE MAYOR'S SON
____

CAPTAIN ARTHUR HATT KILLED
____

FELL IN ACTION ON JULY 2nd.
____

… the article continues but has not been transcribed further

(1912-13), Captain, 4th (Denbighshire) Battalion (Territorial), Royal Welsh Fusiliers attached to 1st/5th Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Killed in action Friday 30 November 1917, in Nord, France. Aged 21. Born 17 October 1896 in Brockley, Kent. Son of Annie Howe, of 33, Goldington Rd., Bedford, and the late Frank Howe. In the 1911 census he was aged 14, born Brockley, a school boy, resident with his parents, Frank and Annie Lock Howe, at Kewstoke, Beaconsfield Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire. No known grave. Commemorated on CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL, Nord, France. Panel 5.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 4, Page 88, the following:

HOWE, CLAUDE ARTHUR, Capt. and Adjutant, The Royal Welsh Fusiliers, attd. 1/5th (Territorial) Battn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regt., yr. and only surv. s. and child of the late Frank Howe, General Secretary National Council of Y.M.C.A., by his wife, Annie (33, Goldington Road, Bedford), dau. of the late Alfred Corby ; and brother to Sapper C. Howe (q.v.) ; b. Brockley, co. Kent, 17 Oct. 1896 ; educ. St. Albans Grammar School, and Leeds University, where he matriculated at the age of 16 ; joined the Artists' Rifles 1. Jan. 1916 ; gazetted 2nd Lieut. The Royal Welsh Fusiliers the following July; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Oct. of the same year, being attached the Loyal North Lancashire Regt. ; was reported missing and wounded at Gloucester Road, Epehy, 30 Nov. 1917, and is now assumed to have been killed in action on that date. His Commanding Officer wrote : " He was a very promising young officer and a great favourite of mine . . . and was a most popular officer." Unm.

(1907-11), Sapper 72347, 7th Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers. Died at 24th Casulaty Clearing Station, Italy, Wednesday 18 December 1918. Aged 24. Born 4 December 1894 and baptised 24 February 1895 in Bedford. Son of Frederick George and Rose Kemp, of 57, Foster Hill Rd., Bedford. In the 1901 census he was aged 6, born Bedford, resident with his parents at 17, Hartington Street, Bedford. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, born Bedford, at school, resident with his parents at 88 Salisbury Street, Bedford. Buried in MONTECCHIO PRECALCINO COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Italy. Plot 10. Row C. Grave 9. See also Bedford St Peters and Bedford St Paul's

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1919:

KEMP Frederick Sydney Albert of 88 Salisbury-street Bedford sapper No. 72347 Royal Engineers died 18 December 1918 at 24th C.C.S. Italy Administration Northampton 12 December to Frederick George Kemp bootmaker.
Effects £154 19s. 2d.

(1893-95), Lieutenant Colonel, 1st/7th Battalion (Territorial), Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Died of wounds Monday 23 September 1918. Aged 40. Born 10 April 1878. Eldest son of James Knox, J.P., of The Chase, Nuneaton; husband of Dorothy Marian Knox (nee Iles), of Hinckley Road, Nuneaton, married 1904 at Nuneaton; older brother of Andrew Ronald Knox (above). Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) and Bar. In the 1881 census he was aged 3, born Nuneaton, resident with his parents, James and Florence Elizabeth Knox, at 6, Attleborough Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire. In the 1891 census he was aged 12, resident with his parents, James and Florence Elizabeth Knox, at Roseleigh, Hinckley Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 32, born Nuneaton, a Brick And Tile Manufacturer, resident with his wife Dorothy Marioan and their daughter and two sons, at Castlemere Hinckley Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Buried in GRANEZZA BRITISH CEMETERY, Italy. Plot 1. Row E. Grave 9.

Extract from The V.C. and D.S.O. Book - Distinguished Service Order 1916-1923:

KNOX, J. M. (D.S.O. L.G. 1.1.17) (Bar, L.G. 24.9.18); b. 10.4.78 ; s. of James and Elizabeth Knox ; the eldest of nine brothers, six of whom served in the European War. One brother was killed in action, and another, Lt. K. Knox, R.E., was the first Nuneaton man to win the Victoria Cross. He m. D. M., d. of Dr. Isles, of Watford ; educ. Nuneaton Grammar School ; Bedford Modern School ; ent. 1/7th R. War. R. (Vol.), 4.11.99 ; Lt. 1900 ; Capt., 1904 ; Major, 1914 ; served S. African War, 1902 ; Queen's Medal, 5 clasps ; Europ. War ; Despatches five times ; Bt. Lt.-Col. 1.1.18 ; served first in France, and was killed in action in Italy in Sept. 1918.

(1907-10), Private 5283, 2nd Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company (Infantry). Died of Acute Appendicitis 9 November 1917. Aged 23. Born 16 July 1894. Resident Luton, enlisted Armoury House, London. Unmarried. Son of George and Annie Laura Lake, of 4, Union Street, Luton. Admitted to Bedford Modern School September 1907. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, born Wanstead, Essex, an Apprentice to Carpenter, son of George and Laurie Lake, resident 4, Union Street, Luton. Attested 17 November 1915 at Armoury House, Finsbury, London, resident 4, Union Street, Luton, son of George Lake, aged 24 years 5 months, height 5 feet 10 inches, chest 34 inches. Posted and embodied 17 November 1915, embarked Southampton 1 October 1916, disemabrked at Havre 3 October 1916, proceeded to Front 4 October 1916. Buried in HAZEBROUCK COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Nord, France. Plot III. Row F. Grave 35. See also Luton

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 4, Page 102, the following:

LAKE, OSMOND, Private, No. 5283, 2nd Battn. The Honourable Artillery Company (T.F.), eldest s. of George Lake, of Luton, Corn Merchant, by his wife, Annie Laurie ; b. Wanstead, co. Essex, 16 July, 1894 ; educ. Skinner's School, Tunbridge Wells, and Modern School, Bedford ; entered his father's business in Jan. 1912 ; joined the Honourable Artillery Company in Nov. 1915 ; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Oct. 1918, and died at No. 15 Casualty Clearing Station 9 Nov. 1917, of acute peritonitis, contracted while on active service. Buried in the Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery ; unm.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1918:

LAKE Osmond of 4 Union-street Luton Bedfordshire private H.A.C. died 9 November 1917 in France Administration London 9 July to George Lake corn merchant.
Effects £226 4s. 2d.

(1907-10), Second Lieutenant, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds Sunday 29 September 1918, in France. Aged 22. Born 16 December 1895, baptised 10 May 1896 in St. Paul Kensington. Son of Thomas and Beechie Laughton, of 16, Lansdowne Rd., Bedford. In the 1901 census he was aged 5, born South kensington, London, resident with his mother, Beechie Laughton, at 5, St. Mark's Grove, South kensington. In the 1911 census he was a boarder, aged 15, an Auctioneer's Apprentice, born South Kensington, London, resident 67 Pembroke Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire. Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France. Section S. Plot V. Row D. Grave 5.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1919:

LAUGHTON Joseph Thornton of 27 Chaucer-road Bedford second-lieutenant 1st battalion Bedfordshire regiment died 29 September 1918 at Rouen France Administration Northampton 26 May to Beechie Laughton widow. Effects £137 19s. 5d.

(1883-92), Major, 9th (County of London) Battalion (Queen Victoria's Rifles), London Regiment. Killed in action Wednesday 21 April 1915 in France & Flanders. Aged 41. Born 3 September 1874. Son of Alfred and Rosa Matilda Lees, of Bedford. In the 1891 census he was aged 16, born Bedfordshire, a scholar, resident with his parents in St. Peters Street, Bedford. In the 1901 census he was aged 26, born Bedford, 1st Class Clerk Civil Sgt Commissioners, resident with his parents iat 55, Goldington Road, Bedford. In the 1911 census he was aged 36, unmarried, a Class 1 Clerk, resident 23 Oakwood Court, Kensington W, London. No kinown grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 54. See also Bedford St Peters and Elstow Church

Extract from The Bond of Sacrifice Volume 2 January to June 1915

MAJOR THOMAS PRIOR LEES, 1/9th (COUNTY OF LONDON) BATTN. THE LONDON REGIMENT, (QUEEN VICTORIA'S RIFLES) (T.F.), younger son of the late Alfred Lees and Mrs. Lees, of Bedford, was born on the 3rd September, 1874, at the Old Priory, Bedford.

He was educated at Bedford Modern School, under the Rev. R. B. Poole, P.D. He was head of the school, and proceeded to Clare College, Cambridge, where he was eighth Senior Optime, and took the degree of M.A. He then entered the Civil Service, and on mobilisation he was Assistant Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Burlington Gardens, London. He was fond of tennis, rowing, and music, and studied naval and military history. He joined the Victoria and St. George's Rifles in March, 1889, becoming Lieutenant in September, 1900; Captain in March, 1905 ; and Major in August, 1913; and passed the Army examinations for Field rank. He landed in France with his battalion (now the Queen Victoria's Rifles) in November, 1914, proceeding straight to the trenches, in which he remained, with the usual rest periods, all through the winter. On the night of the 20th-21st April the enemy took the trenches on the top of Hill 60. Major Lees organised and led a night assault with rather more than 100 of his men, afterwards reinforced to 150, drove the Germans out, found he was the senior officer left alive on the hill, and proceeded to conduct the defence. For some hours the enemy made repeated attempts to drive our men out by heavy artillery and machine-gune (sic) fire, bombing and infantry attacks, which were all repulsed. Between 4 and 5 a.m. on the 21st the situation became critical. He left his trench and crossed under a heavy fire to the trenches held by the Bedfordshire Regiment, which the Germans were assaulting, and he was shot through the head and heart while giving orders to hold on, only ten yards from the enemy. He fell into the arms of a Sergeant of the Bedfords and never spoke again. Lieutenant-Colonel R. B. Shipley, C.M.G., writes: “He died like a hero, having retaken and made good a position of primary importance which the enemy were on the point of reoccupying. His last gallant charge was as he would have wished it—to the assistance of his county Regiment., the Bedford Regiment. The last words I heard him speak as he led his company off into the trenches were: Now, remember, if anyone is wounded, the others must carry-on—not stop with him. If I am hit, go on I ' It was his initiative and courageous behaviour that has enabled us to hold on to the position. I cannot even attempt to tell you what a stupendous loss this is to the Regiment and myself, but we must console ourselves by remembering and trying to emulate your brother's unswerving devotion to duty and the unflinching gallantry shown by him in all times of stress. His life so earnestly devoted to others will live in our memories for all time."

On the advanced detachment of the Queen Victoria's Rifles being relieved after this action they were found to have lost over seventy-five per cent, of their number killed mid wounded.

Memorial in Elstow Church reads:

TO
THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF
THOMAS PRIOR LEES
MAJOR – QUEEN VICTORIA RIFLES.
SON OF ALFRED AND ROSA LEES.
FELL ON HILL 60 NEAR YPRES
APRIL 21ST, 1915, AGED 41
IMMOTA FIDES

(1886-91), [Listed as Herbert Charles LEGGE on SDGW and Army Service Records] Sapper 185189, 79th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Killed in action 1 December 1917 in France & Flanders. Aged 40. Born 21 Mar 1877, and enlisted, Bedford. Husband of Gertrude L. Legge, of 1, Foster Hill Rd., Bedford. In the 1891 census he was aged 14, born bedford, a scholar, resident with his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Legge, in Harpur Street, Bedford.In the 1901 census he was aged 24, a Carpenter & Joiner, resident with his wife, Gertrude, at 39, Bickerton Road, Islington, London. In the 1911 census he was aged 34, married to Gertrude with one daughter, born Bedford, a House Joiner, resident 24, Foster Hill Road, Bedford. Enlisted 1916, aged 39 years 5 months, resident at 1 Foster Hill Road, Bedford, a Carpenter & Joiner, served in the South African War (1899-1902), married Gertrude Lousa Rowles in Bedford 4 June 1900, height 5 feet 6½ inches, chest 39 inches, went to France 19 April 1917. Buried in BLEUET FARM CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot II. Row B. Grave 24. See also Bedford St Peters.

(1902-03), Captain, 6th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. Killed in action, while leading a bayonet charge up the slopes of Sari Bair Monday 9 August 1915, in Turkey. Aged 28. Born 11 July 1887. Son of Charles and Emily Lutyens, of Great Amwell, Ware, Herts. Born at Hascombe, Surrey. In the 1911 census he was aged 23, born Haswick, Surrey, a Lt East Lancashire Regiment, unmarried, resident with is parents, at The Grove, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire. Buried in NEW ZEALAND NO.2 OUTPOST CEMETERY, Turkey (including at Gallipoli. . Section I. Grave 1.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 2, Page 207, the following:

LUTYENS, CHARLES GRAEME, Capt., 2nd (59th Foot), attd. 6th (Service), Battn. The East Lancashire Begat., eldest s. of Charles Lutyens, of Great Amwell, co. Herts, by his wife, Emily, dau. of John Bard, of Annandale, New York ; and gdson. of Capt. Charles Henry Augustus Lutyens, of Thursley, 20th Regt. ; b. Thursley, Godalming. co. Surrey, 11 July, 1887 ; educ. Bedford ; gazetted 2nd Lieut. East Lancashire Regt. from the Militia, 20 June, 1908 ; promoted Lieut. 21 Sept. 1911. and Capt. 8 Nov. 1914 ; joined the 2nd Battn. at Mhow, India, 29 April, 1911, and went with them to South Africa ; was home on leave when war broke out in Aug. 1914, and was detained in England to train the 6th Battn., with which he went to Gallipoli 13 June, 1915, and was killed in action, while leading a bayonet charge up the slopes of Sari Bair, 9 Aug. following. Buried on the beach at Anzac ; unm.

(1903-08), Second Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 22 May 1915, in Belgium. Aged 22. Born 23 November 1892 in Melbourne, Australia. Son of John Hamilton Marshall, of Lenox Ave, Melbourne, Australia and Blanche Marshall of 73 Muswell Hill London; brother of John Marshall (below). Embarked for France with Artists Rifles in 1914. Employed in Royal Mail Shipping Offices, London. In the 1901 census he was aged 8, born Walworth, Surrey, resident with his parents, Richard George and Eliza Jane Marshall, at 25, Searles Road, St George the Martyr Southwark, St Saviour Southwark, London. No known grave. Commemorated on PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL, Hainaut, Belgium. Panel 5 and 6.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 1, Page 247, the following:

MARSHALL, AUGUSTUS DE LA PERE, 2nd Lieut., 2nd Battn. East Lancashire livid., 2nd s. of the late John Harcourt Hamilton Marshall, by his wife, Blanche Isabella (73, Muswell Road, Muswell Hill, N.), dau. Augustus De la Pere Robinson, of Cloughkeating Castle, co. Tipperary ; b. Melbourne, Australia, 23 Nov. 1892; educ. Seapoint School, Cape Town, and Bedford Modern School. He joined the 28th London Territorials (Artists' Rifles), 16 April, 1912, and on the outbreak of war volunteered for foreign service, and went to France, 26 Oct. 1914. He was given a commission as 2nd Lieut., and was posted to the 2nd East Lancashires, 27 March, 1915. He was killed in action during the attack on Aubers Ridge, near Fromelles, 9 May, 1915 ; and was buried in "Cameron Lane," off the La Bassée Road, near Neuve Chapelle ; unm. He was a keen cricketer and hockey player. He won his Second Cricket XI when at Bedford, was Capt. of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Cricket Club, and Vice-Capt. of the Bowes Park Hockey Club.

(1888-94), Major, 62nd Punjabis, Indian Army. Killed in action Thursday 16 November 1916, in Egypt. Aged 37. Born 8 July 1879. Son of the late Donald William and Hermione May McPherson; husband of Sybil Lilian Winifred McPherson (nee Webb), of 14, Elsworthy Rd., Hampstead, London, married Hampstead 1909. Mentioned in Despatches. Buried in SUEZ WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Section A. Grave 66.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1917:

MCPHERSON Donald William of 25 Elsworthy-road South Hampstead Middlesex major H.M. Indian Army died 16 November 1916 at Abu Garrad Sinai in Egypt Administration (with Will) London 4 April to Sybil Lilian Winifred Mcpherson widow. Effects £708 13s. 4d.

(1891-93), Captain, 1st Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Died of wounds Wednesday 30 December 1914, in Nord, France. Aged 35. Born 11 December 1879. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Fenton Miles; husband of Nora Passy (formerly Miles)(nee Vane-Stow), of 69, Philbeach Gardens, Earls Court, London, married 19 November 1907 in Trimulgherry, Madras, India. Educated at Bedford Modern School and Marlborough College. Height 6 feet 3/8 inches, married. Spoke Urdu, Persian and French. In the 1881 census he was aged 1, born Shirehampton, Gloucestershire, resident The Priory, Westbury upon Trym, Barton Regis, Gloucestershire. Buried in ESTAIRES COMMUNAL CEMETERY AND EXTENSION, Nord, France. Plot I. Row D. Grave 3.

Extract from The Bond of Sacrifice Volume 1 September to December 1914

CAPTAIN ROBERT PATRICK MILES, 2nd BATTN. THE KING'S (SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY), was born at The Lawn, Shirehampton, Gloucestershire, on the 11th December, 1879, the son of Robert Fenton Miles, of The Old Bank (Union of London and Smith's), Bristol. He was related to Sir H. R. Miles, Bart., of Leigh Court, and was a godson of the late General Sir Patrick Macdougall, at one time Commander-in-Chief in Canada.
Captain Miles was educated at Marlborough, where he gained some athletic distinction, and joined the Yorkshire Light Infantry in August, 1899, becoming Lieutenant in January, 1901. He served in the South African War, being present at operations in the Orange Free State and at Paardeberg ; actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Houtnek (Thoba Mountain). Vet and Zand Rivers ; in the Orange River Colony, Cape Colony, and the Transvaal. He received the Queen's medal with four clasps and the King's medal with two clasps. He also had the medal for King George's Durbar in India. In October, 1907, he was appointed Superintendent of Gymnasia for the Southern Army, India, in which country he served for ten years.
He was a good all-round athlete, and very interested in Army boxing, he was also fond of big-game shooting, in which he was indulging while on leave in British East Africa when the war broke out.
On his return he was attached to the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, as the 1st Battalion (to which he had been transferred) of his own regiment had already gone to the front. He was shot in the trenches on the 30th December, 1914, and was buried at Estaires.

Picture courtesy & copyright BMS

(1892-98), Lieutenant Colonel, 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action in the Battle of Passchendale on Tuesday, 31 July 1917 charging an enemy machine-gun post. Aged 35. Born 29 June 1882, baptised 28 July 1882 in Northampton. Son of Oliver L. and Elizabeth Anne Mobbs, of Northampton. Former England International Rugby Football player. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). In the 1891 census he was aged 8, born Northamptonshire, a scholar, resident with his parents at The Avenue, St Giles, Northampton, Northamptonshire. In the 1901 census he was aged 18, born Northamptonshire, an Accountant (Chartered), resident with his mother at Dartmouth Road, Olney, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. In the 1911 census he was unmarried, aged 29, born Northampton, a Manager of a Motor Garage, resident with his widowed father in Dartmouth Road, Olney, Buckinghamshire. Commemorated on Yres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 43 and 45.

Life size (three-quarter) posthumous portrait by Barbara Chamier, originally unveiled 1925 Location: Corridor adjacent to School Entrance Foyer.

In Northampton there is a memorial to Edgar Mobbs as he played his rugby there.

Extract from The V.C. and D.S.O. Book - Distinguished Service Order 1916-1923:

MOBBS, E. R. (D.S.O. L.G. 1.1.17) ; s. of Oliver Mobbs, of Northampton ; educ. Bedford Modern School. He received permission to raise a company, and so great was his popularity in Northampton, where for six years he had been Captain of the Rugby Football Club, that in a fortnight he got together 250 men, most of them trained athletes. Joining as a Private, he became Captain before the training period was ended, and in May, 1917, was gazetted Lt.-Col. of his battalion. The battalion had its baptism of fire at Loos in 1915, and when Col. Parkin, who was in command, was killed, Capt. Mobbs took charge in a very difficult and trying position. He was wounded in the fighting on the Somme in 1916. He was fatally wounded on 31.7.17, having first completed his 35th year. "Such was his heroic devotion to duty that evenwhen so seriously wounded that he had only ten minutes to live he wrote out map references of the position of the guns which were checking any advance." Col. Mobbs was a great football player. He appeared in all the international matches 1908-9. In 1909-10 he played against Ireland, and was Captain of the England Fifteen which defeated France in Paris. He was a Member of the Committee of English Rugby Union.

From 'The Millennium Eagle' published by BMS.

"It has been ninety years since Edgar Mobbs played rugby for England. At school he was regarded as the greatest sportsman BMS ever produced and was a hero to every man and boy who played, and loved the game, of rugby football. He had a natural aptitude for the game, to which he added great technical skill. Since he could run 100 yards in a little over 10 seconds, it was not surprising that he became a wing three-quarter of genius.

In 1904 he was invited to play at Northampton and only a year later he was made captain. He played for the East Midlands and the Barbarians before being awarded an England cap against Wales in 1909. The new cap was said to be majestic and full of a will to win: his legendary status was born. In 1909 he captained his country against the touring Australians.

Mobbs was a charismatic leader and at the outbreak of the First World War he personally raised a company of volunteers of the Northampton Regiment, known as 'Mobbs Own'. He was killed in the battle of Passchendale, charging an enemy machine-gun post. Today there stands a memorial to him in Northampton bearing the words '...By subscriptions of admirers the world over, to the memory of a great and gallant soldier and sportsman, Lieutenant-Colonel E R Hobbs.' His name is also commemorated in the annual Mobbs Memorial Match between the East Midlands and the Barbarians."

[Many variations of all names transcribed in archive documents] (1913-14), Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion attached to 1st Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed in action Friday 28 June 1918, in Nord, France. Aged 20. Born 29 April 1898. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.) [London Gazette 1 January 1918]. Embarked France 28 August 1916. In the 1911 census he was aged 12, at school with his three brothers, born Bengal, India, resident with his aunt at 2 Burnaby Road, Bedford. Buried in THIENNES BRITISH CEMETERY, Nord, France. Row D. Grave 1.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1923:

GYBBON-MONYPENNY Phillips Burney Sterndale of 5/74 Kensington-gardens Square Middlesex died 28 June 1918 in France Administration London 12 October to Herbert d'Arblay Gybbon-Monypenny teaplanter. Effects £161 17s. 3d.

(1905-07), Captain, 5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Killed in action Monday 27 May 1918. Aged 28. Born 18 February 1891. Son of Frances North, of 5, Goldington Avenue, Bedford. and the late Harry North. No known grave. Commemorated on SOISSONS MEMORIAL, Aisne, France. In the 1901 cenus he was aged 10, born Kimberley, South Africa, living with his aunt at Ash Grove, Woodhouse Christchurch, Yorkshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 20, born Cape Colony, a Civil Engineering Student, boarding at The Scale, Barden Via Bolton Abbey, Skipton, Yorkshire. The records exist for him as a Civil Engineer Records, 15001-15200 (1916 April - 1917 April) specifically 10 November 1916 when he is listed as living at 2 Chillingham Road N, Heaton, Newcastle-On-Tyne. See also Bedford St Paul's

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1919:

NORTH Neville Marriott of 5 Goldington-avenue Bedford captain 5th Northumberland Fusiliers died 27 May 1918 in France killed in action Administration (limited) Northampton 15 November to Frances North (wife of Harry North) attorney of the said Harry North.
Effects £661 15s.11d.

(1895-96), Private 33035, 5th Battalion [CWGC] or 6th Battalion [SDGW], Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Killed in action Monday 9 October 1916, in Pas de Calais, France. Born 28 June 1879 and baptised 23 July 1879 in Newport Pagnell, enlisted Aylesbury, resident Newport Pagnell. Son of John and Elizabeth Annie Odell, of High St., Newport Pagnell, Bucks. Awarded the Military Medal (M.M.). In the 1881 census he was aged 1, born Newport Pagnell, resident with his parents at 14, St John Street, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. In the 1891 census he was aged 11, resident with his parents in High Street, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 31, born Newport Pagnell, an Ironmongers Assistant, resident with his parents at 13 High Street, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. Buried in BANCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row K. Grave 5. See also Newport Pagnell

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1917:

ODELL Percy John of Blair House Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire corporal in H.M. Army died between 6 and 9 October 1916 in France on active service Probate London 1 February to John Odell and Reginald Thomas Odell ironmongers. Effects £701 0s. 1d.

(1902-10), Private G/49, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died in United Kingdom Sunday 30 May 1915. Born Bedford, enlisted Horsham. Son of William and Annie Owen of Bedford. Buried in BEDFORD CEMETERY, Foster Hill Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire. Plot/Row/Section/Area K/3. Grave 170.

[Note: There are several Thomas Owen in Bedford at that time and is has been dififcult to determine any further details for this man]

(1908-13), Second Lieutenant, 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action Friday 7 July 1916, on the Somme. Aged 19. Born 3 February 1897, baptised 17 April 1897 at St. James, Nottingham. Son of George and Alice Mary Parr, of Cliff House, The Park, Nottingham; brother of Edgar (below). In 1901 he was aged 4, resident with his parents at Cliff House, Lenton Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A. See also Notts. Amateur C.C. Memorial

EXtract from Nottingham Evening Post - Saturday 15 July 1916:

MISSING.

Second-Lieutenant D. F. Parr.

Mr. George Parr, of Cliff House, Lenton-road, The Park, has received information that his youngest son, Second-Lieutenant Dennis Fillingham Parr, of the Sherwood Foresters, has been missing since July 7th. Educated at Bedford Modern School, and subsequently articled to a solicitor, he volunteered for service when 17 years of age, and received a commission in the Sherwoods in August, 1914. He proceeded to the front about two months ago.

(1903-05), Captain, 6th Battalion attached to 12th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Killed in action Friday 28 December 1917, in Belgium. Born 9 January 1891. Son of James Adkins Paul, of 30 Avenue Du Bel Air, Colombes, Seine, France. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 115 to 119 and 162A and 163A.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1918:

PAUL Edgar Newton of 129 Rue Victor Hugo Colombes Seine France died 28 December 1917 in Flanders Administration London 31 August to James Adkins Paul shipping agent. Effects £192 9s. 5d.

(1907-10), Private 5807, 3rd/4th Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Born 23 April 1895 in Newport Pagnell, Bucks, enlisted Bletchley, Bucks, resident Newport Pagnell, Bucks. Died Friday 28 April 1916, in Sherington, Buckinghamshire. Aged 21. Son of Richard and Kate Pettit, of The Walnuts, Newport Pagnell. In the 1901 census he was aged 5, born Newport Pagnell, resident with his parents at 5, High Street, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. Buried in the south-west part of SHERINGTON (ST. LAUD) CHURCHYARD, Buckinghamshire. See also Newport Pagnell

(1893-00), Captain, Royal Air Force and Essex Yeomanry. Died in Hermitage R.A.F. Hospital, Hastings Tuesday 29 October 1918. Aged 36. Born Hastings, Sussex. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Rose; husband of Winifred Mitchell Ellis (formerly Rose)(nee Mitchell), of Bedford House, Chiswick, London, married 1913 in St. George, Hanover Square, London. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.), "2nd Lt. Algernon Winter Rose, Yeo. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He maintained communication by despatch riders when his signalling equipment had been destroyed by shell fire. Although wounded he worked continuously, showing great courage and determination." [London Gazette 18 June 1917] In the 1911 census he is aged 28, born Cambridge, an Architect, unmarried, visiting at Millfields House, South Weald, Essex. Address on Service record was 25 Montpelier Square, Knightsbridge, London S.W.7. Buried in QUENDON CHURCHYARD, Essex.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1919:

ROSE Algernon Winter of 54 Bedford-gardens Kensington Middlesex died 29 October 1918 at Hermitage R.A.F. Hospital Hastings Probate London 2 April to Winifred Hadley Rose widow. Effects £5679 2s. 10d.

(1908-09), Captain, 1st Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action Tuesday 14 March 1916, in Belgium. Aged 21. Born 19 March 1894 in LOndon, baptised 17 Juned 1894 at Tufnell Park St George, Islington. Son of Arthur and Annie Saunders, of 10, Regent's Park Rd., Gloucester Gate, London. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.). In the 1901 census he was aged 7, born Islington, Middlesex, resident with his parents at 4, Huddleston Road, Islington, London. In the 1911 census he was aged 17, born Islington, London, a Clerk, resident with his parents at 10 Regent's Park Road, St Pancras, London. Passed his Royal Aero Club Certificate 16 April 1915 in a Maurice Farman Biplane at Military School, Shoreham. Buried in LA CLYTTE MILITARY CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I. Row A. Grave 17.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1916:

SAUNDERS Reginald Arthur of 10 Regents Park-road Middlesex captain attached Royal Flying Corps died 14 March 1916 in France on active service Administration London 28 June to Arthur Saunders assistant town clerk. Effects £210 6s. 4d.

(1902-06), Captain, 5th Battalion (London Rifle Brigade) The London Regiment (Territorial Force). Wounded while leading his company in an attack on Leuze Wood near Combles on 10 September 1916 and died in the Field Ambulance on the following day, Sunday 11 September 1916. Aged 25. Second son of William George Sedgwick, of Byfield, a draper, by his second wife Jane, daughter of William Thompson, of Eydon ; and brother to Private H Sedgwick (q.c.) (below); born Byfield, Northants, 26th October 1891. In 1901 he was aged 9, born Byfield, Northamptonshire, resident with his parents, William G and Jane Sedgwick, in Main Street, Byfield, Daventry, Northamptonshire. Buried in LA NEUVILLE BRITISH CEMETERY, CORBIE, Somme, France. Plot II. Row D. Grave 7.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 2, Page 271, the following:

SEDGWICK, ARTHUR EDWARD, Capt., 5th Battn. (London Rifle Brigade) The London Regt. (T.F.), 2nd s. of William George Sedgwick, of Byfield, Draper, by his wife, Jane, dau. of William Thompson, of Eydon ; and brother to Private H. Sedgwick (q.v.); b. Byfield, co. Northampton, 26 Oct. 1891 ; educ. Bedford Modern School, and was afterwards employed as a Warehouseman with Messrs. Cook, Son et Co., St. Paul's Churchyard ; joined the London Rifle Brigade in 1910 ; volunteered for foreign service on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914 ; obtained a commission as 2nd Lieut. 26 Feb. 1915 ; was promoted Lieut. 1 Feb. 1916, and Capt. Aug. following ; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Nov. 1914 ; spent most of the winter of 1914-15 at Ploegsteert ; was wounded and gassed 2 May, 1915, while the regiment was holding trenches at Ypres, where they had relieved the Canadians after the first gas attack by the Germans ; went back to France in Aug. 1916, and was again wounded while leading his company in an attack on Leuze Wood near Combles on 10 Sept. 1916, and died in the Field Ambulance on the following day, Sunday. Buried at Corbie. His Colonel wrote : " Since he came to us in the 3rd Battn. he has been quite invaluable, and I got to know and appreciate his qualities more fully. He was a born soldier, and, beside that, a most charming comrade ; one does not often come across men like him. I have to mourn the loss of a very gallant friend," and his Major : " We all miss him terribly ; he was a most gallant and excellent officer, and I always knew that any duty or order entrusted to him would be carried out. He had a most charming personality and was universally popular with everyone." A brother officer also wrote : " After dark the night he was wounded, I was in my trench when I heard his familiar voice call my name, and I found him lying on a stretcher.• He knew that he would not live, but his thoughts were not for himself at all, but only for the regiment and for those of us still left unharmed." He was a first-class cricketer and tennis player, being captain of the first tennis team at Messrs. Cook, Son & Co., and took part in the march to Brighton made by a company selected from the L.R.B. in the summer of 1914, when they broke the record for that distance, formerly held by the London Scottish ; unm.

(1907-1909), Private 15584, 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action Monday 27 September 1915, Pas de Calais. Born 4 March 1895 in Byfield, Northants, enlisted Northampton. Son of William George Sedgwick, of Byfield, a draper, by his second wife Jane, daughter of William Thompson, of Eydon ; and brother to Captain A. E. Sedgwick (q.c.) (above). In 1901 he was aged 6, born Byfield, Northamptonshire, resident with his parents, William G and Jane Sedgwick, in Main Street, Byfield, Daventry, Northamptonshire. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 91 to 93.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 2, Page 271, the following:

SEDGWICK, HAROLD, Private, No. 15584, D Company, 7th (Service) Battn. The Northamptonshire Regt., 4th s. of William George Sedgwick, of Byfield, Draper, by his wife, Jane, dau. of William Thompson, of Eydon ; and brother to Capt. A. E. Sedgwick (q.v.); b. Byfield, co. Northampton, 4 March, 1895 ; educ. Bedford Modern School, and Alderman Newton's, Leicester, where he passed the Senior Oxford Examination, and was one of the head boys, being captain of the cricket XI. ; was employed in the Counting House at Messrs. Hitchcock, Williams R Co., St. Paul's Churchyard, for about a year, then obtained a berth in the Northampton branch of Messrs. Lloyd's Bank ; joined the 7th Northants in Sept. 1914, to which Battn. the 200 men recruited by E. R. Mobbs, the County Footballer, were attached as D Company, ; went to France in Aug. 1915 ; was reported wounded and missing after the fighting at Loos 27 Sept. following, and is now assumed to have been killed in action on that date. His Captain wrote : " I am sorry to say that your son is missing. I think a lot of 16 Platoon got cut off by the Germans, and I expect taken prisoners. I hope he is safe. He was such a good fellow in every way." Unm.

(1897-99), Born 16 December 1883, birth registered in Bedford 1st Quarter 1884. Son of Thomas Wareing and Clara Smith of Stevington; his father was a farmer. In the 1891 census he was aged 7, a schoolboy, born Bedfordshire, resident with his parents at Farm House and Buildings, Silver Street, Stevington. possibly Sapper, Royal Engineers. Died 31 January 1915, Pas de Calais. Buried in Le Touret Military Cemetery. Needs further invstigation

(1899-08), Lieutenant, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Tuesday 13 October 1914, Pas de Calais. Aged 23. Born 29 November 1891 in Bedford. Son of Mrs. Florence Stafford, of Bedford, and the late Charles Calvert Stafford. In the 1911 census he was aged 19, born Bedford, an Auctioneer Pupil, resident with his parents, Charles Calvert and Florence Stafford, at 11, Bushmead Avenue, Bedford. In the 1901 census he was aged 9, born bedford, resident with his parents at 83, St Johns Street, Bedford. No known grave. Commemorated on LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France.

Extract from Bond of Sacrifice: Officers Died in the Great War 1914-1916:

2nd LIEUTENANT C. C. STAFFORD, RESERVE OF OFFICERS, att. 2nd BATTN, BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT, was killed in action on the 13th October, 1914. He joined the Reserve of Officers in September, 1913.

(1906-09), Captain, 1st/6th (Morayshire) Battalion (Territorial), Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's). Killed in action Monday 9 April 1917, in Pas de Calais, France. Aged 25. Born 14 Feb 1892 in Weston Underwood. Son of William Stephen and Marjory Stewart, of Weston Underwood, Olney, Bucks; brother of Weston (below). In the 1901 census he was aged 9, born Weston Underwood, Buckinghamshire, resident with his parents in High Street, Weston Underwood, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 19, born Weston Underwood, a Farmer's Son Working On Farm, resident with his sister, Elsbeth, at Peasants Nest, Weston Underwood, Buckinghamshire. Buried in MAROEUIL BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. Row D. Grave 12. See also Weston Underwood

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 3, Page 263, the following:

STEWART, GERALD, 2nd Lieut. (Temp. Capt.), 1/6th (Territorial) Battn. The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's). 3rd s. of William Stephen Stewart, of Weston Underwood, by his wife, Marjory, dam of William Robertson ; b. Weston Underwood, Co. Buckingham, 14 Feb. 1892 ; educ. Bedford Modern School: was engaged In farming ; joined the Bedfordshire Yeomanry 9 Sept,. 1914 ; obtained a commission, and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. Seaforth Highlanders 20 March, 1915; promoted Temp. Capt. 15 Nov. 1916; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 1 July, 1916, and was killed in action at the Battle of Arras 9 April, 1917. Buried in the British Military Cemetery, Maroeuil, near Arras. His Commanding Officer, lieut.-Col. MacDonald, wrote " Lieut. Stewart was in command of his company in the battle, and right well did he lead and inspire his men. Wherever there was a dangerous situation be faced, he was there setting a fine example to his men. He showed all the finest qualities of a British officer, and we in the battalion all are proud of him." Unm.

(1905-07), Captain, 1st/4th (Ross Highland) Battalion (Territorial) attached to 1st/6th (Morayshire) Battalion (Territorial), Seaforth Highlanders. Died of wounds in German hands Wednesday 27 March 1918. Aged 24. Born 27 May 1893 in Weston Underwood. Son of William Stephen and Marjory Stewart, of Weston Underwood; brother of Gerald (above). In the 1901 census he was aged 7, born Weston Underwood, Buckinghamshire, resident with his parents in High Street, Weston Underwood, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 17, born Weston Underwood, a Farmer's Son Working On Farm, resident with his parents at The Grange Farm, Weston, Weston Underwood, Buckinghamshire. Buried in BEAULENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY, LIGNY-THILLOY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row D. Grave 7. See also Weston Underwood

(1887-89), Captain, 1st Battalion, Duke Of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Killed in action Tuesday 27 October 1914, in Pas de Calais, France. Aged 39. Son of Col. William Stoddart (Madras Stafl Corps); husband of Marguerite Fanny Stoddart (nee Williams), of 35, Queen's Gardens, Ealing, London, married 1905 in the Brentford Registration District. Also served with the Wiltshire Regt. in China during the Boxer Rising. Awarded Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. In the 1911 census he was aged 39 [note age difference at death], born Stoehill, Suffolk, Captain in the Army (Regulars), married to Marguerite Fanny Stoddart, resident 44 Coleshill Terrace, Llanelly (sic), South Wales. [No BMS record available] No known grave. Commemorated onLE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 33 and 34.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 4, Page 199, the following:

STODDART, FREDERICK WILLIAM, Capt., 1st Battn. (62nd Foot) The Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regt.), eldest s. of the late Colonel W. Stoddart, of Bedford, Madras Staff Corps ; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, and was killed in action near Neuve Chapelle 27 Oct. 1914.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1916:

STODDART Frederick William of 5 Staff Colony Hut Tidworth Hampshire died 27 October 1914 in action abroad Administration (with Will) London 5 December to Marguerite Fanny Stoddart widow.
Effects 138 5s. 5d.

(1895-96), Sapper 154494 , Royal Engineers. Born in Ampthill 25 January 1879. Son of Henry Richard James Swaffield, head of the well-known Ampthill auctioneers Swaffield & Co.; his brother Richard Nash Swaffield attended Bedford Modern School 1895-1897. After a year of active service he was discharged on 29 March 1918 as medically unfit for duty. he spent time in the County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, and was diagnosed with “general paralysis of insane”. Previously served in the West Yorkshire Regiment and saw action in Africa 1891/1900. His death notice in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph (no local announcement?) notes he died after a long illness resulting from shell shock. His death was registered in Biggleswade which includes Arlesey probably dying in the 3 Counties Asylum. Buried 16 September 1917 in BEDFORD CEMETERY, Foster Hill Road, Bedford. See also Ampthill St Andrew

Served in the South African War 1899-1902. This letter was sent while he served in South Africa, dated 14th Febreuary 1901, it is rather poignant. Hugh is asking his parents views on his trying to get passed medically fit to go out to fight in South Africa. '...I did not rush into it like a bull or with my eyes shut either I seriously thought the matter over before I wrote to mother on the first occasion. To start with you know that I've always been as keen as mustard on this sort of thing...I heard the captain of our Battalion say the other night to the Captain of my company when they were discussing me that I being in an Architects office was the very man they wanted...I had a talk for hours with Turnell...he said it was not his place to say I was not to go...We...went down to headquater last evening to drill & had a huge crowd cheering & making a din for about 11/2 hours, as far as I know at present we shall go to Chatham in about a week...We have not sworn in yet as we have to undergo another medical examination...I had a letter from Ben Harrison this morning who has been out there about 14 months & he seems to be having a grand time although of course rough. Young Iack who is living with me is going to try & get passed into the Yeomany either tomorrow or Saturday...I feel as happy as a kid with a new toy & if I get a decent letter from Father in his own hand writing I shall be doubly so...shall stick to work as long as possible. We are going to have a lot of drill at nights this next week & some rifle shooting on some of the afternoons'

(1908-09), Private 851, 1st/1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Yeomanry. Killed in action Saturday 12 February 1916. Aged 21. Born 19 May 1894, and resident, Clifton, enlisted Biggleswade. Son of Francis Albert and Eleanor Annie Taylor, of Clifton; husband of Winifred Taylor, of Bakery, Clifton. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, born Clifton, a Baker Working At Home, resident with his parents in Central Street, Clifton, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. Buried in VERMELLES BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row M. Grave 9. Also commemorated on Clifton War Memorial and Bedfordshire Yeomanry War Memorial

Extract from National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section V - Luton

TAYLOR, A. A., Trooper, Bedfordshire Lancers.
He was mobilised from the Army Reserve in August 1914, and in the following June embarked for France. He was eagaged with his unit on important duties in various sectors and fought in the Battles of Loos, St. Eloi and other operations. He was killed in action in the vicinity of Loos on February 12th, 1916, and was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.
Home Farm, Clifton, Shefford.		Z3028/B.

(1887), Master, "Westminster" (London), Mercantile Marine (Royal Naval Reserve Retired). Killed at sea Thursday 14 December 1916, when his ship was sunk by an enemy submarine. Aged 43. Born 23 April 1873 in Wells-Next-the-Sea, baptised 29 May 1973 at Wells Next the Sea, son of Frederick Eyres and Nancy Violet Taylor. His last address was listed as Roseband, South Woodford, Essex. Was originally a Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve 27 March 1903, then Lieutenant 8 April 1909. In the 1891 census he was aged 17, born Norfolk, a Sailor Merchant Service, resident with his widowed mother in The Grove, Bedford. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL, London.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1917:

TAYLOR Lancelot Frederick of Ivyholm Buckingham-road South Woodford Essex lieutenant R.N.R. died 14 December 1916 at sea Probate London 27 April to Charles William Waters and John Baptist Nino esquires.
Effects £2749 9s. 6d.

(1910-13), Lieutenant, 41st Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action Tuesday 23 April 1918, in Pas de Calais, France. Aged 23. Born 3 November 1895 in Moscow, Russia. Son of Charles John and Olga Trapp, of Bushmead, St. Neots, Hunts. In the 1911 census he was aged 15, a Russian Resident, a Boarder at Bedford Modern School, boarding at 97, Ashburnham Road, Bedford. Buried in ANZIN-ST. AUBIN BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row C. Grave 1.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1918:

TRAPP Andrew of Bushmead Eaton Socon Bedfordshire lieutenant R.F.A. died 23 April 1918 in France Administration Northampton 2 August to Charles John Trapp gentleman. Effects £192 13s. 9d.

(1895-1900), Captain, 8th (Isle of Wight Rifles) Battalion attached to 14th (Service) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Born 9 February 1884, baptised 27 March 1884 in Mold, Flintshire. Died of wounds Friday 3 August 1917, at Ypres. Aged 33. Son of George Edward and Harriett Trevor-Roper, of Mold, Flintshire; husband of Gertrude Alice Trevor Roper, of Plas Teg, Mold, Flintshire. His son Richard Dacre Trevor-Roper, DFC., DFM. fell in the 1939-1945 War. Buried in DUHALLOW A.D.S. CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I. Row A. Grave 30.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 4, Page 172, the following:

TREVOR-ROPER, CHARLES CADWALADR, of Plas Teg, FlintShire, Capt., 8th (Territorial), attd. 14th (Service), Battn. The Hampshire Regt., elder s. of the late George Edward Trevor-Roper, of Rhual Isa, Mold, by his wife, Harriette (Donnlngton Square, Newbury), dau. of Richard Trevor-Roper ; and brother to Private Geoffrey Trevor-Roper (q.v.); b. Mold, co. Flint, 9 Feb. 1884. in 1901 he succeeded to the Plas Teg Estate on the death of his uncle, Colonel Charles James Trevor-Roper ; educ. Bedford, and at Clare College, Cambridge ; was a Student at the Academy of Dramatic Art in Gower Street; played in London under H. B. Irving, with whose company he went on tour to Australia in 1911. He was formerly a Lieut. in the Royal Welch Fusiliers ; gazetted Capt. 14 Dec. 1914 ; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Sept. 1916, and died at an advanced dressing station 3 Aug. 1917, from wounds received in action at Ypres on the previous day. Buried in the Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery, Ypres. His Commanding Officer wrote : " He had done his duty nobly in the attack for three days under most trying conditions. He was popular with the whole brigade, and loved by the men and officers of his company." He m. at Enfield, London, 8 April, 1913, Gertrude Alice (6, Templeton Place, London, S.W.), dau. of William George Clabby, Indian Latour Corps, formerly Assistant Inspector-General, Bombay District Police, and had three children : Richard Dacre, b. 19 May, 1915 Elizabeth Alice, b. 7 Jan. 1914, and Anne, b. 10 Sept. 1916.

(1903-06), Second Lieutenant, 3rd/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action Sunday 3 September 1916, on the Somme. Born 3 May 1890 in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. Employee of London and River Plate Bank, Buenos Aires, left September 1915. At the time of his birth his father James C Walker was a Hotel Keeper at Bedford Arms Hotel, Woburn. In the 1901 census he was aged 10, born Newport, Pagnell, resident with his parents, James C and Mary A Walker, at 86, High Street, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 20, born Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, a Clerk, resident with his brother and sister at Great White End Farm, Latimer, Buckinghamshire. Buried in KNIGHTSBRIDGE CEMETERY, MESNIL-MARTINSART, Somme, France. Row A. Grave 17.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1916:

WALKER John Croxton of the Holt Aspley Guise Bedfordshire second lieutenant H.M. Army died 3 September 1916 in France Probate London 14 November to Frederick Walker and Joseph Hill farmers. Effects £147 8s. 6d.

(1900-06), Second Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion attached to 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds Friday 30 October 1914, on the Somme. Aged 22. Born 1 March 1892 in Dilrugahm, Upper Assam, Bengal, India, and baptised 31 May 1892, in Assam, Bengal, India. Son of Richard Beaumont and Margaret Julia Walker. Buried in BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row A. Grave 22.

Extract from Bond of Sacrifice: Officers Died in the Great War 1914-1916, Volume 1, page 470-471:

2nd LIEUTENANT WALTER ARTHUR BEAUMONT WALKER, ARMY SERVICE CORPS, attd. 2nd BATTN. THE BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT, son of Richard Beaumont Walker, Ranchi, Chota Nagpur, India, was born at Dilrugahm, Upper Assam, on the 24th March, 1892.

He was educated at Bedford Grammar School, where he got his colours for the 2nd Rugby XV, and also played in many matches for the First XV. He was keen on all outdoor sports, and latterly belonged to the Rosslyn Park Football Club.

He joined the 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment as 2nd Lieutenant in 1912, obtaining his step in May, 1914, and on the outbreak of war was attached for active service to the 2nd Battalion, taking part with it in the retirement from Mons and the subsequent battles of the Marne, the Aisne, and La Basset. While defending a trench at the latter place on the 25th October, 1914, he was struck in the abdomen by a rifle bullet, and died from his wound on the 30th at Havre.

2nd Lieutenant Walker used to say his motto was " Blood and Iron," which he appeared to live up to. He was never known to grumble at hardships or pain. When he was lying wounded on a stretcher in a communication trench for several hours during the fighting he constantly spoke cheerfully to the supports and reserves who had to pass him on their way to the fire trench.

In the " London Gazette " of the 13th October, 1914, Lieutenant Walker was appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the A.S.C. to date from 14th August, 1914, but continued to serve with his original regiment until his death.

(1891-92), Captain, 12th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action Monday 28 June 1915, at Gallipoli. Born 19 July 1876 and baptised at Chittagong, Christ Church, Bengal, son of Walter and Florence Geraldine Warden. Husband of May Josephine Warden (nee Hood), married in Kingston Registration District 1907. In the 1891 census he was aged 14, born India, boarder, schoolboy, at Bedford County School, Kemspton, Bedford. In the 1911 census he was aged 34, married, born St Lawrence Intra, Clacutta, India, a Colonial Civil service Political Captain s/R & C, resident with his parents and wife at 4 Brockenhurst Road, Ramsgate, Kent. In 1900 he was a Captain with the Gold Coast Regiment, listed in Hart's as Essex Regiment. Buried in TWELVE TREE COPSE CEMETERY, Turkey (including Gallipoli). Plot I. Row D. Grave 10. See also Elstow, Bedford County School

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1915:

WARDEN Edmund Oscar of Navano Gold Coast West Africa died 28 June 1915 at the Gallipoli Peninsula Turkey Probate London 2 October to May Josephine Warden widow. Effects £1123 14s. 2d.

(1896-1903), Second Lieutenant, 6th (City of London) Battalion (Rifles), London Regiment. Killed in action Sunday 9 May 1915, in Pas de Calais, France. Aged 27. Born 21 February 1888 at Mount Pleasant, Redditch, Worcestershire, and baptised 30 May 1888 at St. Stephen, Redditch, Worcester. Son of Sarah Webb, of 1, Chobham Rd., Ottershaw, Chertsey, Surrey, and the late William Webb. A Civil Servant. In the 1891 census he was aged 3, born Mount Pleasant, Redditch, Worcestershire, resident with his widowed mother, at Headley, Ipsley, Warwickshire. In the 1901 census he was aged 13, a scholar, born Redditch, Worcestershire, resident with his widowed mother at 206, Foster Hill Road, Bedford. In the 1911 census he was aged 23, a Civil Servant, born Reddicth, Worcestershire, resident with his widowed mother at 329 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey. Buried in BROWN'S ROAD MILITARY CEMETERY, FESTUBERT, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row A. Grave 10.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1915:

WEBB John Timms of 329 Ewell-road Surbiton Surrey second lieutenant 6th battalion London regiment died 9 May 1915 in France Administration (with Will) London 1 September to Lilian Mary Thompson (wife of Henry Frank Thompson). Effects £827 11s.

(1886-91), Major, 7th Hariana Lancers, Indian Army. Killed in action Tuesday 13 April 1915. Aged 42. Born 31 January 1873 in India. Husband of Nellie Maud Massy Wheeler, of 5, Gwydyr Mansions, Hove, Sussex, married 27 March 1900 at St Thomas, St Marylebone, Westminster, Middlesex. . Awarded the Victoria Cross (V.C.). In the 1891 census he is aged 18, born India, resident with his parents, George and Margaret A Wheeler, in Linden Road, Bedford his father was a Major General in the Bengal Staff Corps). He is listed in the British Army Lists, 1902 and 1912. Buried in BASRA WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Plot III. Row C. Grave 22.

The BMS citation reads: "On 12 April 1915 at Shaiba, Mesopotamia, Major Wheeler took out his squadron in an attempt to capture a flag which was the centre-point of a group of the enemy who were firing on one of our picquets. He advanced, attacked the enemy's infantry with the lance, and then retired while the enemy swarmed out of hidden ground, and formed an excellent target for the Royal Artillery guns. On 13 April Major Wheeler led his squadron to the attack of the North Mound. He was seen far ahead of his men, riding straight for the enemy's standards but was killed in the attack. Awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his valour in Mesopotamia in 1915."

An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 29281, dated 31st August 1915, records the following:

'For most conspicuous bravery at Shaiba, Mesopotamia. On the 12th April, 1915, Major Wheeler asked permission to take out his Squadron and attempt to capture a flag, which was the centre point of a group of the enemy who were firing on one of our picquets. He advanced and attacked the enemy's infantry with the Lance, doing considerable execution among them. He then retired while the enemy swarmed out of hidden ground and formed an excellent target to our Royal Horse Artillery guns. On the 13th April, 1915, Major Wheeler led his Squadron to the attack of the "North Mound". He was seen far ahead of his men riding single-handed straight for the enemy's standards. This gallant Officer was killed on the Mound.'

See the Wikipedia Reference site for more details and picture.

There is a life size (three quarter) posthumous portrait by Barbara Chamier, originally unveiled 1925 at the Bedford Modern School, location is as for Lt Col Mobbs. NOTE: Bedford School also had a Major G Wheeler VC, who survived (no relation to the OBM Wheeler).

Picture courtesy & copyright BMS
The Second World War Memorial (1948), with portrait of
Major Wheeler VC. This picture was taken in 1953 and
forms part of the BMS Archives.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1915:

WHEELER George Godfrey Massy lately stationed at Poona in India a major 7th Hariana Lancers (Indian Cavalry) died 13 April 1915 near Shaiba in Mesopotamia Probate London 22 May to Nellie Maud Wheeler widow.
Effects £1630 10s.

(1900-08), Second Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action Thursday 10 June 1915, at Ypres. Aged 22. Born 23 June 1892. Son of the late Herbert Bolten Windsor and of Eleanor Wynne Windsor, of 28, Windsor Rd., Palmers Green, London; younger brother of Mark Gillham Windsor (below). Formerly Corporal 951, London Regiment. In the 1901 census he was aged 8, born High Barnet, Hertfordshire, resident with his widowed mother at 212, Foster Hill Road, Bedford. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 21.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 4, Page 241, the following:

WINDSOR, LESLIE ST. LAWRENCE, 2nd Lieut., 2nd Battn. (12th Foot) The Suffolk Regt., s. of the late Herbert Bolton Windsor, of the Stock Exchange, by his wife, Eleanor Wynne, dau. of the late John Bendle, of Ryde, Isle of Wight; b. High Barnet, co. Hertford, 23 Jan. 1892; educ. Bedford Modern School; was an Insurance Clerk; joined the Artists' Rifles in 1910 ; was called up on mobilization 4 Aug. 1914; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 2nd Battn. The Suffolk Regt. in Jan. 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, and was killed in action at Ypres 10 June, 1915, while taking over charge of a machine gun. Buried in a garden on the Ypres— Menin Road; unm.