James Oliver Burgess

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Bushbury, Drayton Street, James Burgess, Lime Street

James was born in Wolverhampton in 1888, the son of James and Sarah Ann Burgess. In 1901, they were living at 23 Drayton Street, Wolverhampton, along with James’s sister, Sarah Louisa. His mother died in 1908, so by 1911, James was living with his widowed father at 108 Lime Street, Wolverhampton. His sister, Sarah, had married Charles Richard Tunney, and the couple and their two children were also living at the same address. James was a driller working for a motor works.

James married Ada Rock in 1915 and they had a daughter, Marie L., later the same year. James’s name is listed on the Bushbury Roll of Honour, so he did serve during the First World War, and survived, but I have been unable to confirm details of his military service.

James died in Wolverhampton in 1965.

William Henry (Harry) Bryan

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Agricultural Hall, AJS, Blackpool, Burleigh Road, Caddicks, Drayton Street, France, Haywards, Merridale Street, Royal Army Medical Corps, South Staffordshire Regiment, St Paul's School, William Bryan, Wolverhampton Council

William was born on 21 October 1877, the son of Henry and Harriet Bryan. HIs father was the caretaker at St Paul’s Schools in Merridale Street, and William first worked as an errand boy at a chemist’s shop. He married Alice Gertrude Evans in Wolverhampton in 1899, and they had a daughter, Ada Dorothy, in 1900. In 1901, the couple and Ada were living at 40 Drayton Street, Wolverhampton, when William’s trade was listed as house agent. William worked as an assistant at Caddicks builders, where he learnt carpentry skills. Unfortunately, Ada died in 1904. They had a son, Frank Edgar, born in 1909. By 1911, they were living in Blackpool, where William was a joiner for Blackpool Corporation Tramways. They were boarding the in home of Ellen Lowe at 128 Central Drive. Unfortunately, Frank also died, in 1913. After 1911, they had another son, Harry, but I have not been able to confirm further details.

In 1915, William enlisted with the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Lance Corporal, and was attached to the 2nd/6th South Staffordshire Regiment. He served most of the war in France, putting his carpentry skills to good use. He survived the war and was back home in 1919.

After the war, William continued to work as a carpenter, including working on the Wolverhampton Agricultural Hall. He joined Haywards, who made sidecars for AJS motorcyles, and later worked as a joiner and coach builder for Wolverhampton Corporation on the trams and buses. By 1939, he lived at 111 Burleigh Road, Wolverhampton, along with his wife. He died at the age of 88 in 1964.

 

Albert Terry

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Albert Terry, Belgium, Drayton Street, Little Pountney Street, Royal Field Artillery, St John's Church, Yorkshire Hussars

Albert was born in Wolverhampton in 1883, the son of Richard and Emma Terry. In 1901 they were living at 42 1/2 Drayton Street, Wolverhampton, along with Albert’s siblings William, Harriet, Joseph, Henry and Jessie, and his nephew William and niece Laura. Albert was listed as a furnaceman for an iron enamellers at a Lithographic works. He married Susan Faulkner in 1905 and they had five children – Albert (1908), Harriet (1905), Joseph H. (1911), Alice M. (1914) and Gladys M. (1917). By 1911 the couple were living at 13 Little Pountney Street, Wolverhampton, with their two eldest children. Albert was a cycle polisher at a cycle works.

Albert enlisted initially with the Royal Field Artillery (number 185073), and then later joined the 6th Battalion of the Yorkshire Hussars (Alexandra, Princes of Wales’ Own) (service number 41795). He was killed in action on 10 October 1917. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium, and may be the A. Terry who appears on the St John’s Church War memorial.

William Clark

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Battle of Cambrai, Blakenhall, Drayton Street, France, Grenadier Guards, Hall Street, St Chad and St Mark's Church, Thompson Avenue, William Clark

William was born in Wolverhampton in around 1895, the son of George and Agnes Clark. They were living at 43 Drayton Street, Wolverhampton, in 1901. By 1911, they had moved to 67 Hall Street, Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, and William had gained a brother (Albert Edward) and sister (Nellie). By this date, William was a labourer in the iron trade.

William enlisted as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards (number 25342). William was involved in the Battle of Cambrai, and was killed in action on 1 December 1917. He is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial in France, as well as on the roll of honour of St Chad and St Mark’s Church. By the date of his death, his parents were living at 1 House, 23 Block, Thompson Avenue, Wolverhampton.

The Clulow brothers

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Army Service Corps, Arthur Clulow, Birmingham, Brown Street, Cockshutts Lane, Drayton Street, Express & Star, Henry Clulow, James Clulow, Johnson Street, Joseph Clulow, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, Royal Field Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Royal Navy, Silver War Badge, Somerset Light Infantry, South Staffordshire Regiment, Stafford Road, Tettenhall, Thomas Clulow, Waterworks Road

On 29 December 1915, the Express & Star showed this photograph of the five sons of Mrs Clulow, of 8 Cockshutts Lane, Wolverhampton, who were all serving with the Colours.

• Gunner Thomas Clulow (35) had enlisted in February 1915 in the Royal Garrison Artillery
• Armourer Joseph Clulow (32) had already spent 12 years in the Navy and rejoined in July 1915
• Arthur Clulow (29) had joined the Mechanical Transport in August 1915
• Gunner James Clulow (28) had joined the Royal Field Artillery on the outbreak of war
• Private Henry Clulow (22) had been a reserve of the 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment, and was called up at the start of the war. He had spent time in the trenches and was wounded.

These were the sons of Joseph and Mary Ann Clulow, who, in 1881, were living at 11 Waterworks Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, with daughters Una, Ann and Kate, and son Thomas (born in Tettenhall in 1878).

Thomas married Rose Lissaman in Birmingham in 1900, and by 1901 they were living at 23 Ascot Road, Northfield, together with their son, Thomas. Thomas senior was a Cycle fork filer. The couple were at 241 Upper Dawlish Road, Bournbrook, by 1911, together with an additional two sons, Ernest and Arthur. Thomas was now a Cycle Fitter.

Thomas enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery on 20 March 1915 (number 314417). He was discharged on 14 December 1918, and issued with a Silver War Badge (number B109379). He died in Birmingham in 1942 at the age of 64.

In 1901, the rest of the family were living at 46 Johnson Street, Tettenhall, including sons Joseph (born 27 September 1882), Arthur (born 18 November 1884), William, Frederick, George and Harry (born 1896), and daughter Jane. James Clulow (born 1887), however, was staying with his uncle, also James Clulow, at 10 Cockshutts Lane, Wolverhampton. He was an errand boy.

Joseph enlisted in the Royal Navy on 4 July 1901, serving until the 21 February 1919. There is a Joseph H. Clulow who marries Jessie A. Price in Wolverhampton in 1924, and this may be him. This couple had a daughter, Joan, in 1926.

On the 1911 census, Arthur was living at 5 Drayton Street, Wolverhampton, with “Mabel Clulow”, who was listed as his wife. The form stated that they had married less than a year ago. However, he did not marry Mabel Sproson until 4 September 1915, at Wolverhampton Registry Office. Nine days later, on 13 September 1915, Arthur signed up with the Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport) (number 120273). He gave his address as 10 Stafford Road, Wolverhampton, and his trade as blacksmith. His son, Arthur Reginald, was born on 17 May 1917. Arthur died in Wolverhampton in 1977.

James (now “James Skidmore Clulow”) married the Canadian Frances Pitt in Wolverhampton in 1910. In 1911 they were at 57 Brown Street, Wolverhampton, and James was a Coach Finisher in the Motor Car Trade. I have not been able to confirm details of James’s military service. He died in Wolverhampton in 1965 at the age of 77.

Henry, or Harry, was still living with his widowed mother now at 8 Cockshutts Lane, alongside his remaining brothers William, Frederick and George, and sister Jane. He was a turner in the lock and bolt trade. On 26 June 1912, he enlisted with the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 38062). He was mobilised on 5 August 1914, and served with various Regiments, including the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment and the Somerset Light Infantry. Apart from frost bite in January 1915 and pulmonary tuberculosis in February 1918, he served throughout the war relatively unscathed. He was discharged on 16 May 1918 as being “permanently unfit”. He married Mary Perry in Wolverhampton in 1920, and the couple had four children – Mary, Edna M., Harry and Eileen E. – between 1920 and 1936. Harry died in Coventry in 1947.

 

The Hughes brothers

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Alfred Hughes, Charles, Drayton Street, Express & Star, France, Lime Street, Royal Field Artillery, Russell Street, South Staffordshire Regiment, Thomas Hughes, Willenhall, William Hughes

An article in the Express & Star which appeared on 4 October 1915 stated proudly that Mrs Hughes, of 4 Lime Street, Wolverhampton, had four sons serving with the colours:

• Gunner William Hughes, who had belonged to the Old Volunteers and later the Territorials, before joining the Royal Field Artillery.
• Sergeant Charles Hughes, who had also belonged to the Old Volunteers and later the Territorials, before joining the 1/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment
• Corporal A. Hughes, who joined the Territorials a month before the outbreak of war, and was with the 2/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment
• Private T. Hughes who enlisted immediately war was declared in the 1/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment

This was the family of Joseph and Sarah Hughes. In 1891 and in 1901, they were living at 3 Russell Street, Wolverhampton, with children Lavinia, Joseph H. V., James, Mary, Ruth, William (born 1883), Charles (born 1884), Alfred (born 1888), Florence M., Edith, Thomas (born around 1897) and Albert. By 1901, William was a Glass plate worker, Charles was a brass dresser and Alfred was an Art Japanner. Thomas was only 4 years old in 1901.

Charles married Emily Squire in 1906, and they had at least three children – Elsie May, Charles Reginald and Arthur. By 1911 they were living at 2 Drayton Street, Wolverhampton, and Charles was a metal pattern maker at a brass foundry. A widowed Sarah Hughes appears at 4 Lime Street, Wolverhampton, in 1911, together with her remaining children still living at home – James, Tom and Albert Edward. By this date, Tom has become a Tailor’s Presser. I have not been able to confirm details of William and Alfred from the 1911 census.

I have also been unable to confirm William’s or Alfred’s military service details. Information on the other two brothers:

• Charles enlisted at Willenhall with the 1/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 790), first as a Corporal and then as a Sergeant. He served in France from 5 March 1915, but was killed in action on 13 October 1915. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, as well as on the memorial of St Chad and St Mark’s Church.
• Thomas enlisted at Wolverhampton with the 1/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (first number 2301, and then 240286), rising to the rank of Sergeant. He served in France from 5 March 1915, but he died of wounds on 4 May 1918 in France, and is commemorated at the Etaples Military Cemetery. As is brother appears on there, he is also likely to be the “T. Hughes” listed on the memorial of St Chad and St Mark’s Church. An “A. Hughes” also appears on this memorial, so it is possible that at least three of the brothers did not survive the war.

 

Edward Henry Hughes

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Belgium, Blakenhall, Drayton Street, Edward Hughes, Grove Street, prisoner of war, South Staffordshire Regiment

Edward was born in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton in 1887, the son of Evan and Ellen Hughes. In 1891, they were at 61 Drayton Street, Wolverhampton, alongside Edward’s brothers Evan, Isaac and John, and sisters Jane Ellen, Hannah and Ethel. The family was at 45 Grove Street in 1901, with additional siblings Alice, Oliver and Eva.

In October 1907, Edward joined the army, so on the 1911 census he appears with the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment. By the outbreak of war, he had transferred to the 1st Battalion, and disembarked on 4 October 1914. He was taken a prisoner of war, (although I have been unable to confirm this via the prisoner of war records) but died at Douai on 26 January 1915. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

Daniel Smith Ltd

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Birmingham, Coventry, Daniel Smith Ltd, Drayton Street, Electric Construction Company, Ken Gadd, Raglan Street, Royal Aircraft Establishment, Sopwith, Vickers, Victoria Hotel, volunteers

Tool Making Shop, Daniel Smith (Wolverhampton) Ltd.

With many of the companies we have featured so far on this blog, details of the effect of the War on business is sketchy speculation at best. In the case of Daniel Smith Ltd, we hold two business/works diaries kept by an employee, a Mr Ken Gadd, for the critical years 1914 and 1918.

Daniel Smith Ltd, set up in 1880 to make metal working machines, was also responsible for the invention of his famous gap rolling mill, which revolutionised the production of tools and led to a vastly increased output. During the First World War they produced for machines for aeroplane construction by the Sopwith group.  Previously at Raglan Street, the Company later relocated to Castle House in Drayton Street. In 1985, due to falling orders, they were bought out by the Rega Holdings industrial group who changed the company name to ‘Equator’.

The diary, although it contains few specific references to the War, contains hints of the effect it is having, mostly with regards to employees being called up to serve.  For example, on 31 January 1918, “Trevitt, Wood & White [are] trying to get into the Royal Navy. Give them note of recommendation.” Two of the men have to sign to confirm that they will complete their term of apprenticeship on their return. There are also other observations, such as the fact on 4 January 1918 that the New Zealand expeditionary forces were at the Victoria Hotel in Wolverhampton.

There are some mentions of orders relating to the War, such as the following on 17 January 1918:

‘Phone from Sopwith Aviation. Wants 3 sets of clutch plates for old type of machine – R.A.F. – 3 sets of metal gear cluthes for new machine

There are various references to orders for equipment from a number of important firms, including Vickers, ECC and the Royal Aircraft Establishment to meet their military requirements. However, on occasion there are reports of incidents overseas, such as the fall of Brussels on 20 August 1914, and the Germans admitting defeat on 9 November 1918. Some incidents are closer to home, such as, on 13 April 1918, “Air Raid reported last night B’ham & Coventry.” Finally, on 11 November at 11.05 am, it is remarked that peace has been declared; “All hands cease work at noon. Works closed.”

All in all, there are virtually no references to the war, but the firm is clearly involved in war-time production and orders. In itself it is an interesting workshop diary giving day-to-day happenings (including the daily weather), arrivals and departures at the office, references to different employees and customers, letters received and occasional personal references. If nothing else, it gives us a window into what life was like at a busy firm such as this one during the war era.

This blog posting has been possible thanks to the transcription of one of our volunteers, Margaret George.