John Edward Worton

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Bilston, John Worton, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, Priestfield, Ward Street, Ypres

John was born in Wolverhampton in 1891, the son of Mary S. or Polly and Edward Worton. In 1901, they were living at 35 Ward Street, Bilston, Priestfield, along with John’s sisters Harriet, Louisa, Lily, Clara and Dorothy M.

In August 1914, John enlisted in the “B” Company or the 7th Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps (number A/3504). He was killed in action on 30 July 1915. He is commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

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William Thomas Guy

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Bilston, Bilston Road, France, Priestfield, Sherwood Foresters, William Guy, Wolverhampton Street

William was born in Wolverhampton in 1883, the son of Isabella and William Guy. In 1901, he was living with his widowed father and brothers Joseph H. and Percy at 96 Wolverhampton Street, Bilston. In 1911, he married Jane Edwards in Wolverhampton, and the couple were living with her parents and siblings at 351 Bilston Road, Wolverhampton. William was working as a filler in the mine at a colliery. The couple had three children – William T. (1912), Elizabeth J. (1914) and William G. (1917)

William enlisted in the 15th Battalion of the Notts and Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment (number 24475). He was killed in action on 17 July 1916. He is buried in the London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval, France, and is remembered on the Bilston Town Hall Ward and the Bilston Priestfield Rolls of Honour.

Albert Pound

Tags

Albert Pound, Army Service Corps, Bilston, Dudley, Egypt, Hall Park Street, Northamptonshire Regiment, Priestfield, Sedgley

The son of Mary and James E. Pound, Albert was born in Dudley in 1895. In 1901, they were living in Sedgley, and had moved to 17 Hall Park Street, Bilston, by 1911. They lived there with Albert’s siblings Maria, John, Amy and Thomas. The 15-year-old Albert was working for a baker.

Albert enlisted as a Corporal in the Army Service Corps (number S4/109500), before transferring to the Northamptonshire Regiment (service number 48233). He first served in Egypt from June 1915. On 11 December 1918, he died in the General Hospital in Cairo. He is buried at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, and is listed on the roll of honour for Bilston Priestfield.

The Ellis Brothers

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America, Battle of Loos, Bernard Ellis, Bilston, Leonard Ellis, Midland Counties Express, Priestfield, Royal Field Artillery, Silver War Badge, South Staffordshire Regiment, Stow Heath Lane, William Ellis, Wolverhampton Road

This photograph appeared in the Midland Counties Express on 6 November 1915, the three sons of Mr and Mrs Ellis of 8 Wolverhampton Road, Priestfield:

• Leonard, aged 31, of the 1st/6th South Staffordshires, had been wounded in France
• William, aged 22, of the Royal Field Artillery, was in France
• Bernard, aged 19, of the 2nd/6th South Staffordshires, was in training in this country

These were the sons of Joseph and Sarah Jane Ellis, who were living at 22 Stow Heath Lane, Priestfield, in 1911, along with their sisters, Nellie and Lizzie.

Leonard was born in Bilston in 1884. He was a holloware Worker for a Tin Department in 1911. Leonard served with the South Staffordshire Regiment (service number 2392 and later 36507). He was discharged on 1 July 1917, as he was no longer physically fit for War Service, as a result of the wounds mentioned in the newspaper article, which he received on 13 October 1915 at Loos. He was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 199345) on 13 June 1917. I have not been able to confirm further details of his life.

William was born in about 1893. Like his brother, he was a holloware Worker for a Tin Department in 1911. However, I have not been able to confirm details of his military service or his later life.

Bernard was born in Wolverhampton on 27 October 1896. I have not been able to confirm details of his military service, but he survived the war and married a lady called Isabella. After the war, Bernard emigrated to America, and died on 6 January 1962 in Gary, Indiana.

 

George Clifford

Tags

Bilston, Dudley, Ettingshall, Express & Star, George Clifford, George Street, John Street, Priestfield, South Staffordshire Regiment

George was born in Bilston in 1890, the son of Samuel and Ann Clifford. They were living at 36 John Street, Bilston, in 1901, with George’s siblings Richard, William, Annie and John S. George had a daughter, Maud Ethel, in Wolverhampton in 1909, and he married Sarah Reynolds (the mother of his child) in Dudley in 1910. By 1911, George and his wife and daughter were boarding at the home of Thomas Fullard, at 51 George Street, Ettingshall, Priestfield. They had a further two children before the war broke out – Annie S. (1912) and George S. T. (1914).

George enlisted with the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 16354), serving first as a Private and later as a Corporal. His name was listed in the Express & Star on 10 February 1917 as having been wounded, but he appears to have recovered from his wounds and survived the war. The couple went on to have five more children – Stephen (1920), Norman H. (1921), Albert E. (1923), Beryl I. (1925), and Ronald V. (1930). George died in Bilston in 1937.

Charles Hickman

Tags

Balkans, Bilston, Charles Hickman, Midland Counties Express, Priestfield, South Staffordshire Regiment, Wolverhampton Street

Charles was born in Bilston in 1887, the son of William and Catherine. In 1901 they were living at Court 15, House 19 Wolverhampton Street, Bilston, together with Charles’s brothers Alfred and George, and sister Emma.. He married Isabell[a] Shones or Shores (both entries appear in the GRO index) in Wolverhampton in 1907, and they had four children, Queenie Isabel, Catherine Doris, Emily M. and one other.  In 1911 they were living at 39 House 15 Court Wolverhampton Street, Bilston, and Charles was a boatman.

On 8 August 1914, he enlisted in the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 10618). He first served in the Balkans from 21 July 1915. He was killed in action in November 1916 “while giving help to a wounded comrade”. The date of his death is unclear, as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and “Soldiers Died in the Great War” have his death as 13 November, his Medal Roll Index card gives it as 15 November, the Army Register of Soldier’s Effects has it as 18 November, and the Midland Counties Express dated 6 January 1917 gives it as 21 November 1916. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, as well as on that for Bilston Priestfield (his address in the newspaper article is given as 8 Fleece Street, Priestfield)

Edwin Farley

Tags

Dardanelles, Dudley, Dudley Road, Edwin Farley, India, Midland Counties Express, Priestfield, South Africa, Walsall, Worcestershire Regiment

Edwin was born in Walsall in 1879, the son of John and Margaret Farley. By 1891, they were living at 86 Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, along with Edwin’s siblings George, John, Eliza, Margaret, Bedina, Charley and Joseph.

On 1 January 1900, he enlisted with the 4th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment (number 5672), giving his trade as “packer”. He saw active service in South Africa, and was promoted to Corporal. However, there were some issues. In 1903, he appeared before a Court Martial, accused of “Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.” It appeared that, on 8 August 1903 at about 10.30pm, he had been drinking beer and creating a disturbance in the Medical Detention Tent at Bloomfontein. He had also neglected to obey regimental orders. He was found guilty, and reduced to the ranks. He reached the termination of his engagement on 31 December 1909.

When war was declared, he was called up to his regiment again. On 28 April 1915, he was killed in action on the Dardanelles. This was mentioned in the Midland Counties Express on 10 July 1915, along with the information that his brother, Charlie, had been serving in India, and that two further brothers, Joseph and Bernard, were in France. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, as well as on the Dudley War Memorial, and the Priestfield Roll of Honour.

Herbert Frost

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Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), Derbyshire, France, Herbert Frost, Millfields, Priestfield, South Staffordshire Regiment, Spring Vale Drive

Herbert was born in Derbyshire in 1898, the son of Henry and Kate Frost. By 1911 he was living at 3 Spring Vale Drive, Millfields, Wolverhampton, with his parents, and siblings Lizzie, Annie, Hilda and Ernest.

Herbert originally enlisted in the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 2156), before transferring to the 2nd Battalion of the Cameronian (Scottish Rifles), number 235395. He was killed in action in France on 3 October 1918. He is commemorated at the Sucrerie Cemetery, Ablain-St. Nazaire, as well as the Bilston Priestfield Roll of Honour.

Albert Daniel Hazeldine

Tags

Albert Hazeldine, Bilston, Ettingshall, Ettingshall Wesleyan School, Northumberland Fusiliers, Priestfield, T. Holcroft and Sons Ltd

Albert Daniel Hazeldine was born in Wolverhampton in 1896 and lived with his family in Ettingshall. He was educated at the Ettingshall Wesleyan School and was a member of the Boys’ Brigade. He later worked at Messrs T. Holcroft and Sons Ltd, Ettingshall Foundry.

Albert enlisted in the 12th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers (number 17105). According to a report in the Express & Star dated 25 November 1916, he was initially reported as wounded and missing. It was later reported that he had, in fact, been killed, on 13 July 1916. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial, as well as on the Bilston Priestfield Roll of Honour. He appeared in the Midland Counties Express on 25 November 1916.

Update on Arthur Davies

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Arthur Davies, Bertha Lester, Bilston, Bone Mill Lane, Constance Edith, Dragoon Guards, Dublin, Herbert Street, Ireland, Littles Lane, Priestfield, South Staffordshire Regiment, St Leonard's Church

Arthur Davies

This information has been prepared by one of our volunteers, Ann Eales. I am delighted to say that we were also contacted recently by Arthur’s great-grandson, John Welch, who has provided some of the additional detail as well as the photographs. He tells us the family does not know much about Arthur, but they do know that he was married to Bertha Isabel Lester (born 25th March 1887, in Brickkiln Street Wolverhampton) in Dublin, that he left 2 children, Norah Maud, John’s grandmother, born at 18 Littles Lane in January 1907, and Constance Edith his great aunt, born at 116 Lower Stafford St in February 1913. Arthur’s middle name was Thomas and the family think his Father was a Thomas too. As well as the memorial at Ypres, he is also commemorated on the Bilston Priestfield memorial.

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ARMY RECORDS

Arthur Davies’ army records survive, quite badly burned. We learn from them that he was in the army well before the outbreak of WW1. He was a reserve in the 3rd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, when he enlisted in the Dragoons, a cavalry regiment, at Wolverhampton on 19th August 1902. The Army Form detailing his medical examination at Lichfield on 20th August 1902, shows that he was born in the Parish of St Leonards, Bilston, that he was 18 yrs 8 months of age, height was 5 ft 5 inches, he had a fresh complexion, light blue eyes, light brown hair, and he weighed just 125 pounds [8 stone 13 lbs]. His religion was Church of England. Under Trade, “Labourer” is shown, and we also discover that he had been vaccinated in infancy – and had now been re-vaccinated. He had a distinguishing mark – a Tattoo on his right forearm.

Arthur Davies and Bertha

There is an Army Form in the record re his marriage showing that he married Bertha Lester, who was born in Wolverhampton, on 27th August 1905 at the Anglican Church of St Paul’s, Dublin, with the Rev James Haythornthwaite officiating, while he was serving in the Dragoons.

Arthur Davies on horseback, possibly at Aldershot

He was admitted to hospital at Curragh Troop Station on 5th December 1909 for 6 days with a wound to his little finger, suffered while exercising a horse. This was said to be “trivial, unlikely to affect his future efficiency as a soldier”. He left hospital on 10th December 1902. The comment “Remission of whole hospital stoppages approved” appears on his records. [While they were in hospital, soldiers had stoppages ie deductions from their pay, apparently to discourage malingering.] He was admitted to hospital at Curragh again on 9th February 1903, with Mild Rheum, and treated with salicyclates. He also spent 5 days in hospital at Hounslow with a wound from 30th November 1909 to 4th December 1909.

On 18th August 1910 when he transferred from of the Dragoons, to the Army Reserve, he is recorded as employed in the ? [indecipherable] shop for 4 months and it appears to say “cook for the squadron for 2 years.”

Arthur with other soldiers and horses – Arthur second from right

His re-engagement papers were completed at the South Staffordshire depot at Lichfield 23rd March 1914, when the Army Form states “current engagement, Army Reserve, expires 18th August, 1914 Address 18 Bone Mill Lane Wolverhampton. His measurements were recorded as Height 5 foot 6½ inches, chest 36, waist 34, helmet 21½, and boots, 8.

A hand written note dated 4th September 1914 reads: “Decision please Shall allowance be made for the 3 children mentioned Date of Marriage 27-8-05” and the instruction given is “Girl Allowance.”

There is also a letter from Mrs Davies on the record, very black round the edges, as follows (the date is not visible on the letter):

 …having…allowance office this morning I find that you have made a mistake in my allowance for my children you will find that I have 4 children …. as I have twin boys aged one month as well as two Girls one is 1 year and 6 months the other is 7 years hoping you will put the matter write for me and oblige. Mrs Davies My husband address Pte A Davies 4946 Inniskilling Dragoons

An Army Form dated 26th September 1914 requests Marriage Certificate and Certified copies of Children’s Birth Certificates. A handwritten note is added to this printed form saying “It is important that these are sent as Separation Allowance may be withheld”. The same Army Form also records “Certificates returned 30th September 1914.”

Unfortunately, not long after Mrs Davies sent this letter, her twin sons died. On 31st August 1914, Arthur Henry age 1 month died, and on 15th September 1914 Norman Leonard age 1 month died. Both deaths were at 18 Bone Mill Lane, with premature birth as the cause of death. Father’s occupation is shown as Private 6th Inniskilling Dragoons [Electrical Works labourer], and the deaths were registered by their mother on 2nd and 15th September 1914. Copies of the Registrations of their deaths are in the record.

A scene from Wolverhampton (Arthur not present) Bertha and her first Daughter Norah front far right. We do not know who the other people are or exact location

Davies himself was reported missing in October 1914. An Army Form of 5th July 1915 states that “from 28th June 1915 Arthur Davies reported missing a pension for Mrs Bertha Davies wife and 2 children of 18/6 a week.” It was not until 14 February 1916 that it was reported in the Express & Star that his widow had received official notice of his death, on 31 October 1914. There is a request for the widow’s address on 18th November 1919 “in order that I may complete A.F. W.5031 for issue of a memorial plaque and scroll,” and on 7th June 1920 there is a Pension Form re widow’s remarriage 12th September 1917 and noting the change of address to 47 Herbert Street Wolverhampton.

Medal Card

This records that he went into combat on 6th October 1914, was reported missing on 30th October 1914, and that

Mrs B Davies applies for her late husband’s medals 11th April 1927. Widow remarried Address 8 Cambridge Barracks Married Quarters, Portsmouth.

Other records

De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour provides us with some further details about Arthur. He was the eldest son of Thomas Davies (a time keeper) and Susan Ann Davies. He was born in Bilston on 29 December 1884, and educated in Wolverhampton. He served in Egypt and Ireland, and went to France on 3 October 1914. He was reported wounded and missing after the fighting at Ypres on 29 October 1914.

Arthur and Bertha’s marriage certificate gives details of their fathers’ professions – “Soldier” in Arthur’s case, and “Lock Smith” for Bertha. Bertha’s father was Leonard Lester. At the time of their marriage, Arthur was living at Marlborough Barracks, with Bertha living at 6 Parkgate Street in Dublin.

In the 1891 census, Arthur is living at Ewins Street, Wolverhampton in 1891, together with his parents Thomas and Susan A. (the latter was born in Ireland so may link in to the marriage in Dublin), sister Sarah A. and brother Walter H. By the 1901 census, there is an Arthur Davies living with his grandmother Eliza Davies at 88 Wolverhampton Street, Bilston. As there was a Thomas Davies of about the right age whose death is registered in March 1899, it is possible that Arthur stayed with his grandmother to finish his schooling locally. Attempts to find Arthur’s baptism in the Bilston parish registers have so far been unsuccessful.

Arthur, Bertha and Norah

At the time of the 1911 Census Arthur, at the age of 25, was living at 30 Bone Mill Lane with his wife Bertha, born in Wolverhampton, and daughter Norah also born in Wolverhampton, age 4. The couple are shown to have had 3 children, only one of whom survives. Arthur is a Labourer and works for the Corporation.