Elijah Warilow

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Battle of the Marne, Dale Street, Distinguished Conduct Medal, Elijah Warrilow, Express & Star, France, Herbert Street, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Midland Counties Express, Royal Engineers, Royal Fusiliers, South Staffordshire Regiment, St Mary's Church

Elijah was born in Wolverhampton in 1886, the son of George Warrilow. On 16 November 1908 he married Elizabeth Cheshire at St Mary’s Church, Wolverhampton, and they had two children, Albert Edward and Selina Florence. In 1911, they were living with Elizabeth’s parents and family at 68 Herbert Street, Wolverhampton. Elijah was a tinsmith for a hollowware manufacturer. Unfortunately, both children died later that year. The couple went on to have a further two children, Elizabeth Alexandra in 1915 and Florence Lorraine in 1918.

On 24 June 1904 he enlisted in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (number 8314), by which date he was already serving in the 3rd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment. On 24 June 1908, he was transferred to the Reserves.

On the outbreak of war, he was mobilised and posted to France. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 18 October 1914. He transferred to the Royal Engineers (number 276054) in 1917.

On 2 January 1915, he is featured in the Midland Counties Express, where the article states that his bravery means that he has been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, as well as for a French decoration. By this date, his address is given as 51 Dale Street, Wolverhampton. The Express & Star of 6 April 1915 tells how he was presented with the Distinguished Conduct Medal by Brigadier-General Nugent at Hull.

Warilow had gone into action with his company at Le Cateau and only nine men were left. Warilow picked up a wounded man and carried him to safety, then returned, under fire to rescue a wounded sergeant of the Royal Fusiliers. Despite himself being wounded by shrapnel, he continued to do his duty, rescuing three other wounded men under fire at the Battle of the Marne, before being wounded again at La Bassee and invalided home. On the 8 April 1915, he was featured in the Express & Star again.

He was discharged on 26 March 1919, suffering from rheumatism, French fever and nephritis. He died in Wolverhampton in 1959.

Walter Rowland Harris

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Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Engineers, South Staffordshire Golf Club, St Peter's Church, Vicarage Road, Walter Harris

Walter was born in Wolverhampton in 1893, the son of Benjamin and Sarah Harris. In 1901 they were living at 88 Vicarage Road, together with Walter’s brothers Oscar Percival, Victor N., Ernest Archibald, and Bernard Howard and sister Florence Evelyn The family were living at the same address in 1911, although Walter’s middle name now appears to be Nelson. Walter was a labourer for a varnish manufacturer.

Walter enlisted in the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 9723), and then the Royal Engineers (number WR40935 and then 247127, first entering the War on 18 December 1914. He died in a Temporary Hospital in Newport on 19 January 1915, and is buried at Wolverhampton Borough Cemetery. By the time of his death, he appears to have been with the Royal Army Medical Corps (number 1968). He also appears on the RAMC memorial in St Peter’s Church

Frederick Cheese

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Ashland Street, Frederick Cheese, Great Brickkiln Street, Royal Engineers, South Wales Borderers, St John's Church

Frederick was born in Wolverhampton in 1890, the son of John James and Elizabeth Cheese. In 1901 they were at 25 Ashland Street, and in 1911 at 205 Great Brickkiln Street, Wolverhampton, together with Frederick’s sister Nellie and brother Ernest. Frederick was a bricklayer. In 1914, Frederick married Nellie Weaver, and the couple had a son, Frederick N., in 1916. Unfortunately, Nellie died in the same quarter, March 1916, so it is possible she died in childbirth.

Frederick enlisted with the Royal Engineers (number 187793) and then with the 11th Battalion of the South Wales Borders (number 44380), rising to the rank of Lance Corporal. He was killed in action on 31 Jul 1917, and is commemorated at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. He is presumably the “F. Cheese” listed on the St John’s Church War Memorial.

Thomas Lichfield Johnson

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Alma Street, Chepstow, Royal Engineers, Thomas Johnson

Thomas was born in Wolverhampton in 1886, the son of Henry Allan and Emma Johnson. In 1891 he was living with his parents at 110 Alma Street, along with siblings William H. Edith M. and Elsie S.

On 11 December 1915, he enlisted as a Sapper with the Royal Engineers (Transport Branch) (service number WR/343659). His trade was given as carter. His next of kin was his father, Allan Johnson. He was not, however, mobilised, until 16 March 1918, and he does not appear to have served overseas. He was admitted to the military hospital in Chepstow on 28 November 1918 with superficial burns to his face and right hands, but he was discharged on 7 December with “no permanent ill effects”. There is a note in his service record about an accident that occurred, as follows:

2 Jan 1919. Court of enquiry held at the time of the accident Sapper Johnson was on duty and court found the accident was due to negligence on his part.

However, there is no further information about the nature of the accident, although this may be the cause of the burns mentioned above. Thomas was discharged on 5 February 1919.

There is a Thomas L. Johnson marrying a Lillie C. Gilroy in Wolverhampton in 1929, and this is presumably the same man. Thomas died in Wolverhampton in 1939.

Harold Charles Anslow

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Coleman Street, Egypt, Harold Anslow, railways, Royal Engineers, Stafford Road

Harold was born in Wolverhampton on 14 March 1893, the son of Charles and Helena Louisa Anslow. In 1901 they were living at 193 Coleman Street, Wolverhampton. They were at the same address in 1911 and Harold had become a locomotive engine cleaner. They were joined by Harold’s sisters, Dorothy Louise, Winifred Sarah, Muriel and Gwendoline, and brothers Bernard Creswell and Kenneth James. Harold married Amy Church in Wolverhampton in 1915, and they had twin daughters, Edna and Winifred, later the same year.

The Railway Employment Records on Ancestry give more details about his work. He started on 22 June 1909 as an Engine Cleaner at Stafford Road works, before becoming a 3rd Class fireman on 7 November 1911. There were a number of incidents during his period of work, including a bruised back, a burned eyelid, and causing his engine to have a slight collision with another engine “through not keeping a proper look out.” On 20 February 1915 there is a note that he “Left without notice”.

Harold enlisted with the 98th Light Railway Train Crew Company of the Royal Engineers (service number 283166). He died on 31 December 1917 (a note in the Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects indicates that he drowned in the Mediterranean) and is remembered at the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt.

John Albert Field

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Birmingham, France, John Field, Queen Square, Royal Engineers

John Field was born in Birmingham in 1895. By 1911, he was living with his grandmother, Susan Lane, at Stafford Chambers, off Queen Square, Wolverhampton. His mother Jessie and sister Nora were also living there. John was an assistant electrical store keeper.

John enlisted in the Royal Engineers and became a Lance Corporal (number 40361). He first served in France from 31 May 1912.On 7 May 1917 he was listed as wounded in the Express & Star, but he does not appear to have died from his wounds. I have not been able to confirm any additional details on this man.

Joseph Alfred Green

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Bushbury, Bushbury Lane, Joseph Green, Leicester Terrace, London and North Western Railway, Railway Cottages, Royal Engineers, Royal Field Artillery, Staffordshire Battery

The son of John and Florence Green, Joseph was born in Wolverhampton in 1893. In 1901 Joseph was living with his parents at 30 Bushbury Lane , alongside his brother John and sister Florence. In 1911 they were living at 8 Leicester Terrace, Bushbury Lane, and Joseph had a further four siblings, Sarah, Frank, James Harold, and Ada Ethel By this date Joseph had become a fitters labourer on the railways.
At the age of 19, Joseph enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery on 17 June 1912. His address was given as 11 Railway Cottages, Bushbury and his military papers confirm he was working for London and North Western Railway. He served with the fourth Battalion of the Staffordshire Battery, and his service number was 944. On 23 April 1913, Joseph signed a statement stating that he would agree to serve in the future if necessary. He was recalled the army, rising to the rank of Corporal in the Railway Operating Division of the Royal Engineers (service numbers 150459 and 198516). On 30 August 1916 he was tested in the workshops of the Railway Operating Division and proved himself to be a skilled engine driver.

He was awarded the 1914-18 Star, and was demobilised on 18 December 1918. Joseph died in 1980 at the age of 93.

THE CLINTON BROTHERS

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Arthur Clinton, Egypt, France, George Clinton, Harry Clinton, Lower Street, Malta, Royal Engineers, Royal Horse Artillery, Shropshire, South Africa, Tettenhall

Betty McCann, a volunteer at Wolverhampton City Archives, has carried out research on these men.

There were 5 Clinton brothers and a sister Edith: their parents were Joseph, a Butcher born in Worfield Shropshire, and Emma née Perry, who was born in Claverley, Shropshire. The 1901 Census records the family living at Lower Street in Tettenhall when William the oldest child was19 years of age, Arthur J was 17,  Edith was 15, Joseph H 13, George 11 and Harry 6 years of age.

ARTHUR JOHN CLINTON, born in 1884, the second son of Joseph and Emma, lived most of his life at No. 19 Lower Street, Tettenhall, until he enlisted in the army on 17^th September 1907 aged 23 years as a driver in the Royal Horse Artillery, Regimental Number 48067. On 7^th December of that year he was posted to serve at Templemore.  Arthur served in France in 1916 and with the BEF in various locations. In 1918 he was admitted to hospital in Edinburgh with an ankle injury, the result of being kicked by a horse whist in action. He was discharged from the army 18^th May 1918.  His army records are very difficult to read, but we learn that he survived the war and returned home to Tettenhall without incurring any further injuries. Arthur was married in 1918 to Ada Sandells and they had three children, Florence L, Kathleen and Eileen M.

GEORGE CLINTON was born in 1889, enlisted in the Army on 6^th January 1915, and was appointed to serve in the Royal Engineers, Reg. No. 59647. During his army service he served in Egypt and France, and was wounded and admitted to hospital on 26^th November 1916 and again in 1917. He also suffered from Trench Fever and Influenza during his service but he recovered from all his illnesses and survived the war.  George married Annie Mylott in 1922 and they had a daughter, Kathleen in 1926.

HARRY CLINTON was born 23rd March 1895 and enlisted in the army on 20^th December 1916 into the Royal Engineers, 66 Field Coy. Reg. No. 59666. He served in South Africa and Malta and during this time he contracted Malaria . Before enlisting Harry was employed as a Tinplate Worker and after enlisting in the army he was tested on his ability in this work and passed as being “Proficient.” He had been given a very good recommendation by his previous employers Messrs. J.Jones  who described him as a skilled worker, and because of this he was passed as proficient and his pay was upgraded.

No military records were traced for the two other brothers. William, we do know, married Lizzie Heath in 1905 and they had three children, William Heath, Eileen Edith and Jennie, and lived at 9 The Holloway, Compton. The birth of Joseph Henry Clinton was registered at Wolverhampton in the 4th Quarter of 1887. His death at the age of 82 was registered at Bromsgrove in the 4th Quarter of 1969, when his birth date was shown as 20 September 1887.

Dennis Leary

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Dennis Leary, Express & Star, Grimstone Street, Lincolnshire Regiment, Royal Engineers, South Staffordshire Regiment

Dennis Leary was born in Wolverhampton in 1888, the son of Dennis and Mary Leary. In 1901 they were living at 20 Grimstone Street, together with Dennis’s brother John and sister Sarah, and a boarder, John Taylor.

Dennis enlisted in the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 9219), later transferring to the Lincolnshire Regiment (number 43321) and finally to the Royal Engineers (number WR/300327). Whilst in the Lincolnshire Regiment he was wounded, which was reported in the Express & Star on 29 May 1917. However, he survived the war, and married Edith M. Hill in 1918. The couple had five children – Dennis, Blanche, James, Elizabeth and Sheila – between 1920 and 1928. I have not been able to find a record of Dennis’s death.

George Edward Botwood

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Ash Street, Express & Star, France, George Botwood, Royal Engineers

George Botwood was born in Wolverhampton in 1890, the son of Ernest and Ann Maria Botwood. In 1901 they were living at 9 Ash Street, together with George’s brothers Ernest, Horace, Walter and William.

George enlisted in the 64th Field Company of the Royal Engineers (number 41467) and attained the rank of Sapper. Unfortunately, he was wounded and died from his wounds on 29 December 1917. His name was listed in the Express & Star on 29 January 1918, and he is commemorated at the Tincourt New British Cemetery in France.