John Herbert Davies

Tags

Coldstream Guards, Italy, John Davies, Mander Brothers, Victoria Road, Wednesfield, Wightwick Manor

John was born in Wolverhampton on 19 November 1911. In 1939, he was living in the home of Arthur Dodd at 85 Victoria Road in Wednesfield, and working as a motor despatch Transport Clerk for Manders Paints and Printing Inks company. In 1940, he married Elsie Florence Jenks in Wolverhampton, and the couple had a son, John M., in 1943.

John enlisted in the 3rd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards (service number 2662556). Unfortunately he was killed in action during the First Battle of Monte Cassino on 22 January 1944. He is buried in Minturno War Cemetery in Italy and is remembered on the memorial for Mander Brothers at Wightwick Manor.

***********

The research for this blog post was completed by remote virtual volunteer, Doug Lewis.

Walter Raymond Cope

Tags

First World War, France, Penn Fields, South Staffordshire Regiment, St Philip's Church, Upper Penn, Walter Cope, Wellesley Place

Walter was born in Wolverhampton in 1894, the son of Walter and Mary Louisa Cope, and was baptised at St Philip’s Church in Penn Fields on 11 March 1894. In 1901 they were living at 2 Wellesley Place in Upper Penn, along with Walter’s siblings Ethel M., Bertram H., Doris V., and Ida M. They were at the same address in 1911 and Walter was working as an assistant warehouseman.

Walter became a Private in the 1st Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (service number 2874). Unfortunately he was killed in action on 17 October 1915. The value of his effects was £108 8s. 6d. He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery in France and is remembered on the St Philip’s war memorial.

***********

The research for this blog post was completed by remote volunteer researcher Jacky de Escofet.

Horace Ernest Bracey

Tags

Bagnall Street, Gurkha Rifles, Horace BRacey, India, Second World War, Stourbridge

The son of William Thomas and Sarah Ann Bracey, Horace was born in Stourbridge in 1910, and the fmaily were living in Wollaston a year later. By 1921, the family were living in 35 Bagnall Street, Wolverhampton, with Horace’s siblings Annie May, Winifred, Edgar and Eric Vincent. In 1935, Horace married Eileen M. Davies in Wolverhampton.

Horace enlisted with the 7th Gurkha Rifles as a Lieutenant (service number EC/16150). Unfortunately, he died in India on 16 May 1946. He is buried in the Delhi War Cemetery.

*************

The research for this blog post was conducted by remote virtual volunteer, Jacky de Escofet.

John Ash

Tags

Bank Street, Crescent Row, First World War, France, Heath Town, John ASh, Red Cross Street School, South Staffordshire Regiment, St Paul's Church

John was born in Wolverhampton on 15 January 1893, the son of Henry and Mary Ann Ash. He was baptised at St Paul’s Church on 5 February 1893. From 1900 onwards, he attended Red Cross Street School. In 1901 they were living at 2 Crescent Row, Wolverhampton, with John’s siblings Matilda, Henry, Arthur and Clara. They were at 6 Bank Street in Heath Town by 1911, with additional siblings Charles and Elizabeth. John was working as an iron tank rivetter.

John enlisted in the 1st/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (service number 2766). Unfortunately he was killed in action on 13 October 1915. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial in France, as well as on the Heath Park Roll of Honour.

**********

The research for this blog post was carried out by remote virtual volunteer, Jacky de Escofet.

Eric Robinson

Tags

Dudley, Eric Robinson, HMS Curacoa, Royal Navy, Second World War, Spring Road

The son of Thomas and Esther Robinson, Eric was born on 12 May 1923 in Dudley. By 1939, the family were living at 3 Spring Road, Wolverhampton, and Eric was working as a welder.

Eric enlisted in the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Telegraphist (service number C/SSX 35111) and served on the HMS Curacoa. Unfortunately, on 2 October 1942, the Curacoa collided with the RMS Queen Mary due both Captains believing the other would take evasive action. The Queen Mary was able to carry on, but the Curacoa lost a large portion of its crew, including Eric Robinson. Eric is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial as well as on the Manor School Memorial in Wolverhampton, which he presumably attended.

**************

The research for this blog post was carried out by remote virtual volunteer, Ann Eales.

Norman Pountney

Tags

First World War, France, Norman Pountney, Raby Street, St John's Church, St John's Square, Welsh Guards

The son of Henry James and Ann Pountney, Norman was born on 11 November 1893, and was baptised in St John’s Church in Wolverhampton on 4 February 1894. Norman’s mother died in 1898, so by 1901 he was living with his widowed father and siblings Frederick, Ernest, Henry J., Gertrude A. and Arthur J. at 28 St John’s Square. They had moved to 113 Raby Street by 1911 and Norman was working as an apprentice tailor.

Norman enlisted as a Guardsman in the 1st Battalion of the Welsh Guards (service number 3471). Unfortunately he was killed in action on 15 May 1918. He is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery in France.

**********

The research for this blog post was carried out by remote virtual volunteer, Jacky de Escofet.

Ralph Stephenson Means

Tags

Beechwood Avenue, Egypt, Newcastle on Tyne, Ralph Means, Royal Tank Regiment, Second World War, Wednesfield

The son of Ralph and Selina Means, Ralph was born in on 8 July 1916 in Newcastle-on-Tyne. By 1939, the family were living in Wolverhampton, at 1 Beechwood Avenue, in Wednesfield, along with Ralph’s siblings, Irene and Alice. Ralph was working as a milk roundsman.

Ralph enlisted as a trooper with the 5th Royal Tank Regiment (service number 7908910). He was wounded in action on 9 December 1941. He was taken as a prisoner, but died as a prisoner of war on 12 December 1941. He is remembered at the Alamein Memorial in Egypt, as well as on the Wednesfield Roll of Honour.

*****************

The research for this blog post was completed by remote virtual volunteer, Doug Lewis.

William Lynch

Tags

Arthur Street, Brunswick Street, Cheshire Regiment, First World War, France, St Mary & St John's Catholic Church, William Lynch

The son of Owen and Mary Hawley Lynch, William was born in Wolverhampton on 15 July 1877, and baptised in St Mary and John’s Roman Catholic Church on 5 August 1877. They were living at 11 Brunswick Street, Wolverhampton in 1881, together with William’s half-siblings James, Michal and Kate Burke, and siblings Rosehannah, Beatrice, and John Lynch. They were at the same address in 1891. By 1911, he was living with his sister Rose (now married to John Rowan) at 29 Arthur Street, Wolverhampton, and was working as a labourer.

William enlisted in the 2nd Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment (service number 6046) and rose to become an Acting Sergeant. He was killed in action on 3 October 1915 in France and Flanders. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial in France.

*********

The research for this blog post was carried out by remote virtual volunteer Jacky de Escofet.

John Alfred Harris

Tags

Bilston, Brierley Hill, Italy, John Harris, Oxford Street, Royal Tank Regiment, Second World War, Ship and Rainbow Inn

The son of John and Elizabeth Harris, John as born in Brierley Hill in 1919. By 1921 they were living at 42 (the Ship and Rainbow Inn), Oxford Street, Bilston, with John’s siblings Maurice William and Olive Ellen. Elizabeth Harris unfortunately died in 1931. By 1939, John Alfred was still living with his father at the Ship and Rainbow Inn, and was working as a plumber for a housing estate. In 1942, John married Ouida Humpage in Bilston.

John enlisted with the A Squadron of the 44th Royal Tank Regiment as a Trooper (service number 7946066). Unfortunately he was killed in action on 6 November 1943. He is buried in the Sangro River War Cemetery in Italy.

************

The research for this blog was carried out by remote virtual volunteer, Doug Lewis.

Eric Fletcher Tomes Grosvenor

Tags

Australia, Australian Pioneers, Dudley Road, Eric Grosvenor, First World War, France

Eric was born in Wolverhampton in 1897, the son of William Edwin and Leonora Grosvenor. In 1901 they were living at 354 Dudley Road, Wolverhampton. At some point after this, before 1911, the family emigrated to Australia.

In August 1915, Eric enlisted in the 5th Battalion of the Australian Pioneers (service number 1876), when he was living in Adelaide. Unfortunately died of heart failure on 23 March 1917 while on military service in France. It was stated by his Commanding Officer that he was “keen at his work and very popular with his fellow men”. His papers include witness statement concerning the circumstances surrounding his death, which occurred after the Germans evacuated:

Grosvenor went looking for some souvenirs at lunch time and was found later in one of the deep dug-outs ill. I went down and found the lad nearly dead. We got him up and started rubbing him, and under the Col’s direction kept on for two hours. Then a doctor came, but he was dead.

He was found alongside a jar of rum, and this was blamed for his death, as some suspected it was poisoned. However, some of the other soldiers had also drunk from it with no ill effects. He was initially buried on the day he died, but was exhumed the next day so that a post mortem could be carried out. This found that he died of valvular disease with hypertrophy of the left cardia. He was buried in the Bernafay Wood British Cemetery in Montauban in France.

**********
The research for this blog post was carried out by remote virtual volunteer, Jacky de Escofet.