War and Contracts: Effect upon deal in Pigs at Wolverhampton

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Benjamin Smith, contracts, Frederick Mason, Howard Smith, pigs, Raby Street, Steelhouse Lane, Wolverhampton County Court

The Express & Star on 16 October 1914 reported on a court case held at the Wolverhampton County Court that day, before his Honour Judge Howard Smith. This was the case of a pig dealer, Benjamin Smith, of Raby Street, Wolverhampton, who wanted to recover £16 5s. from pork butcher Frederick Mason, of Steelhouse Lane.

On 2 August 1914, Smith had agreed to let Mason have 16 pigs at a cost of 11s. per score. However, war had been declared the following Wednesday, and the price of pigs went up to 13s. per score. Smith offered Mason £5 to release him from his bargain, but Mason refused, so 14 pigs (weighing 162 score 5lbs) were delivered, at a total cost of £105 9s. 9d, at 13s. per score. However, Mason had only paid £89 4s. 9d. He also made a counter claim against Smith, claiming that two pigs were not delivered.

The judge found in favour of Mason, whose counter-claim was then withdrawn.

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George Neale

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Cleveland Road, Express & Star, George Neale, Great Western Railway, Handsworth, Raby Street, South Staffordshire Regiment

The Express & Star on 4 June 1915 showed this photograph of Private George Neale, of the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment, who had been killed in action. The article included the information that he had worked on the Great Western Railway, lived at 17 Cleveland Road, Wolverhampton, and had served for seven years in the Army.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission confirms he died on 27 October 1914, and his regiment number was 8008. He is commemorated at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal index card includes his disembarkation date as 12 August 1914, and the Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects lists his next of kin as his mother Sarah, and brothers William and Alfred. He appeared with his family at Wallville Road, Handsworth, in the 1891 census, and at 91 Raby Street, Wolverhampton in 1901. By this date his mother had remarried and was now a Mullaney. If anybody has any additional information, we would love to hear it!

Alfred Edward Ireland

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Alfred Ireland, Army Service Corps, Brunswick Street, Express & Star, Raby Street, Sunbeam

Alfred Edward Ireland was born on 1 January 1887, the son of Charles Richard and Sarah Ann Ireland. In 1901, the family were at 1c Brunswick Street, together with Alfred’s brother Albert Andrew and John Thomas, and his sisters Ada Florence, Elsie Maude and Gerty May. At the age of 14, he was a cycle trade turner. In 1909 he married Elsie Gertrude Meredith, and they had at least one child, Alfred, born in 1912. He got a job as a charge hand at the Sunbeam Works.

As early as 10 August 1914, he enlisted in one of the Mechanical Transport Companies of the Army Service Corps (number CMT/2199). This meant that he was able to use his technical skills at the front, and by 1918 was in charge of a repair shop employing 80 artificers. He became one of the youngest soldiers to receive the meritorious medal for distinguished conduct in the field, and was also awarded the Military Medal. By this date his family were living in Raby Street, and the story of his distinguished achievements was featured in the Express & Star.

The couple had a further child, Audrey, in 1928. Alfred died in 1971 at the age of 84.

 

William Bernard Gibney

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Fellows Moreton and Clayton, Raby Street, Royal Fusiliers, William Gibney

William Bernard Gibney was born in Wolverhampton in 1895, the son of William and Mary Gibney, of 40 Raby Street. William became a cashier at Fellows, Moreton and Clayton in Wolverhampton.

On 9 June 1915, William Gibney volunteered for service with the 8th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (number 8124). By November he had left for the front. His family initially received information that he had been wounded and was missing, but it was later confirmed that he was killed in action on 7 July 1916. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial.

A small article complete with photograph appears as part of the Midland Counties Express’s “Pictorial Roll of Honour” on 18 November 1916. Much of the information in this post has come from that source.

H. Rollinson

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Distinguished Conduct Medal, Freebmd, Harry Rollason, London Gazette, Raby Street, South Staffordshire Regiment

The citation in the London Gazette on 17 April 1918 about the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to Sergeant H. Rollinson reads as follows:

7876 Sjt. H. Rollinson, S. Staffs. R. (Bilston, Staffs.).

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty and consistent good work during a very long period. He has taken part in many engagements and has always set a splendid example of courage and energy.

Harry Rollason (as he is listed on Freebmd) was born in 1896. In the 1901 census he is living with his parents, Harry and Eliza, and brother Horace at 39 Raby Street. There is a Harry Rollason who married a Kate Mountford in 1914, but this may have been his father remarrying, as it seems that his mother, Eliza Rollason, died in 1905.

The differing spellings of his name make it difficult to track this man down. His medal does not appear to have been mentioned in the local newspapers. Any further information would be gratefully received!