Author Archive: WW1 Photos

Curtler F G O Lt 2nd Worcestershire Regiment

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Curtler F G O Lt 2nd Worcestershire Regiment

Curtler F G O Lt 2nd Worcestershire Regiment

LIEUTENANT F. G. O. CURTLER

2n BATTALION THE WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT

FREDERICK GWATKIN OLDHAM CURTLER was the only son of Frederick Lewis and Nannie Gwatkin Curtler, of Bevere House, Worcester. He entered the School in 1907, and left in 1909. He obtained a Commission in the Special Reserve in 1912, and went with the First Expeditionary Force to France at the beginning of the War. He was present at the Retreat from Mons and in the Battles of the Marne and of the Aisne, and in the first Battle near Ypres. He was killed in action near the village of St. Julien, on October 21st, 1914. Age 21.

A man of his Company describing the action in which he fell wrote of

him in the following terms:-“I cannot see any mention in the papers of one very brave young Officer, my Platoon Commander. We were ordered to advance across some open country in face of the enemy’s guns. We kept on, losing many of our comrades, until within range of the German rifles, when we were ordered to dig ourselves in. I dug head-cover for myself and Mr. Curtler, as he was running from place to place with orders, and in doing this he was shot. We have lost one of our best Officers and a true British soldier.”

Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1

Cumming L B Lt 1st Black Watch

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Cumming L B Lt 1st Black Watch

Cumming L B Lt 1st Black Watch

LIEUTENANT L. R. CUMMING

1st BATTALION THE BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLANDERS)

LEWIS ROBERTSON CUMMING was the eldest son of John Fleetwood Cumming, J.P., of Aberlour, Strathspey, by his marriage with Beatrice Gordon Bryson Kynoch.

He came to the School in 1906, and left in 1910. He entered the R.M.C., Sandhurst, in 1911, and was gazetted to his Regiment in 1912, and promoted Lieutenant in May, 1914.

He went to the Front with the First Expeditionary Force in August, 1914, and fought in the Retreat from Mons and the Battles of the Marne and the Aisne. He was Scout Officer of the Regiment, and at the Battle of the Aisne his duties were with the Colonel at Headquarters. Things were not going too well, and many casualties caused the Colonel to go forward. Lieutenant Cumming collected a few men and went with a supply of ammunition to the firing line. He succeeded in getting this distributed, but was killed immediately afterwards, on September 14th, 1914. Age 22.

His Major wrote:-“We have lost a very promising and gallant comrade, who had done splendid service to the Regiment in the very trying time we have had since Mons.”

Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1

Cruickshank A H P Captain Indian Army

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Cruickshank A H P Captain Indian Army

Cruickshank A H P Captain Indian Army

CAPTAIN A. H. P. CRUICKSHANK

32nd SIKH PIONEERS INDIAN ARMY

ARTHUR HENRY PRINSEP CRUICKSHANK was the second son of Alexander Walmesley Cruickshank, C.S.I., I.C.S., and Fanny Nina, daughter of Clarmont J. Daniell (O.R., 1850), I.C.S.

He entered the School in 1898, passed into the R.M.A., Woolwich, in 1901, and, receiving a Commission in the Royal Garrison Artillery, was posted to the Cape in 1903. He exchanged in 1904 into the Indian Army and was gazetted in October, 1905, to the 32nd Sikh Pioneers. In 1907 he made a journey from Bandar Abbas to Shiraz, an account of which appeared in the “Geographical Journal” of February, 1908. He was promoted Captain in 1912.

On November 23rd, 1914, he was wounded at Givenchy, whilst attached to the 34th Sikhs. On April 27th, 1915, he was again wounded near Ypres, and died the next day. Age 31.

He married, in July, 1914, Helena Marsden, eldest daughter of William C. Herring, of Wraysbury House, Bucks.

Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1

Crawley-Boevy E M Captain 1st Royal Sussex Regiment

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Crawley-Boevy E M Captain 1st Royal Sussex Regiment

CAPTAIN E. M. CRAWLEY-BOEVEY

Ist BATTALION THE ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT

EDWARD MARTIN CRAWLEY-BOEVEY was the second son of Sir Thomas Crawley-Boevey, Bart., of Flaxley Abbey, Newnham, Gloucestershire. He entered the School in 1887, left in 1892, entered the R.M.C., Sandhurst, in 1894, was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1895, promoted Lieutenant in 1897, and Captain in 1902.

He served in the South African War, taking part in the actions at Houtnek, Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, Wittenburg, and Ladybrand, was mentioned in Despatches, and received the Queen’s Medal with four Clasps, and the King’s Medal with two. As a Lieutenant he was sent with one hundred men from the Cape to represent the Regiment at King Edward’s Coronation. When the War broke out, he was at the Depôt at Chichester, after having served several years with the 1st Battalion in India.

He was a skilful company leader, a noted marksman, an excellent draughtsman, and was greatly esteemed by all ranks, especially by the men of his own Company. The complete confidence he inspired in his sub- ordinates may be shown by a sentence taken from a letter written by one of his junior brother Officers: “I can truly say, without any flattery, that I would have followed him to Hell.”

He was killed in the trenches, near Bailleul, on December 24th, 1914 being at the time attached to the 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, to which Regiment he had taken out a draft in November. Age 41.

He married, in 1905, Winifred, youngest daughter of Colonel Sartorius, C.B., of Thorwald, Godalming, Surrey, and left one son.

Combe S B Lt North Irish Horse

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Combe S B Lt North Irish Horse

Combe S B Lt North Irish Horse

LIEUTENANT S. B. COMBE

NORTH IRISH HORSE

SAMUEL BARBOUR COMBE was the third son of Abram Combe (O.R., 1866-69), J.P., of Donaghcloney House, County Down, and Emilie Caroline his wife.

He entered the School in 1894, and left in 1897 to complete his education in France. He was Master of the County Down Staghounds for seven years, till his death. In 1911 he joined the North Irish Horse, and in 1914 was appointed local Intelligence Officer for the Counties of Antrim and Down, but relinquished these duties shortly after the outbreak of War in order to accompany his Regiment to the Front, with which he took part in the retreat and subsequent advance of August and September, 1914.

On September 30th, while on outpost duty with his troop, before the German position on the Aisne, he received an order to ascertain whether the Germans were still holding Condé-sur-Aisne in force. He undertook this task alone, fully appreciating, as an expert scout officer, its hazardous nature. He succeeded in advancing across the plain to the south-west of Condé to within a short distance of Condé bridge, although this area was swept by artillery and rifle fire from the German position on the higher land on the other side of the river, and presented little cover. As he did not return patrols were sent out later to search for him, but these patrols were fired on from Condé and were forced to return. He was officially reported missing on October 2nd.

In December certain information reached his relatives, through neutral channels, from a German Officer who himself has since been killed, to the effect that Lieut. Combe had been shot by the Germans while approaching this position. This German Officer paid a high tribute to the British Officer’s courage, and intimated that the Germans had buried him at Condé Castle, which stands several miles inside the German position. In recognition of his bravery the enemy accorded him a formal burial and held a service over his grave, on which they placed a cross with the dead Officer’s name and Regiment, and the words “Pro Patria” upon it. He was killed on September 30th, 1914. Age 35.

Lieut. Combe married, in 1902, Mary Teresa, second daughter of Colonel Thomas Waring, D., sometime M.P. for County Down, of Waringstown, Co. Down, and left two sons.

Clarke W H 2nd Lt 3rd Worcestershire Regiment

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Clarke W H 2nd Lt 3rd Worcestershire Regiment

SECOND LIEUTENANT W. H. CLARKE

3RD BATTALION THE WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT

WILLIAM HAMILTON CLARKE was the second son of Lieut.-Col. Sir Edward H. St. Lawrence Clarke, Bart., of Rossmore, Co. Cork, Ireland, whose elder son had also been killed in the War.

He entered the School in 1906. He was Head of the School House in 1911, in the XV from 1910 to the Spring term of 1912, when he was Captain, and in the XI in 1912. He was one of the Racquet Pair in 1911 and 1912, and helped to win the Public Schools’ Championship for Rugby in 1911. He entered Queen’s College, Oxford, in October, 1912, and on the declaration of War joined the 5th Special Reserve Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment and went out to join the 3rd Battalion at the end of December, 1914.

He was killed at Spanbroek Molen, near Kemmel, in Flanders, on March 12th, 1915. Two Companies were ordered to assault a section of German trenches and were exposed to very heavy front and flank fire. All the Officers of “A Company, to which he belonged, were killed. He reached the trench with about 40 men, but was killed as he arrived.

Age 22.

The assault was described by Col. Stuart, Commanding the Battalion, as magnificently carried out.

Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1

CLARKE, WILLIAM HAMILTON, 2nd Lieut., 5th, attd. 3rd Battn. The Worcestershire Regt., yr. s. of Lieut.-Col. Sir Edward Henry St. Lawrence Clarke, of Rossmore, co . Cork, 4th Bart., Commanding 12th (Service) Battn: The Worcestershire Regt., by his wife, Susan Douglas, dau. of Charles Langton, of Barkhill, Aigburth, Liverpool ; and brother to Lieut. John Edward Langton Clarke (q.v.) b. Henwick, near Worcester, 25 Dec. 1892 ; educ. Hamilton House, Bath ; Rugby, and Queen’s College, Oxford ; was gazetted 2nd Lieut. 5th Worcestershire Regt. 5 Aug. 1914 ; went to France at the end of Dec., when he was attached to the 3rd Battn., and was killed in action at Spanbrock Molen, near Kemmel, 12 March, 1915. Buried at Kemmel. While at Rugby he was head of the School House in 1911 and 1912 ; in the XV. from 1910 to the spring term of 1912, when he was captain ; in the XI. in 1912, being also one of the Racquet Pair in 1911 and 1912, and helping to win the Public Schools Championship for Rugby in 1911 ; unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 2

Christie W C Major 1st Royal Warwickshire Regiment

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Christie W C Major 1st Royal Warwickshre Regiment

MAJOR W. C. CHRISTIE

1st BATTALION THE ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT

WILLIAM CHARLES CHRISTIE was the elder son of John Robert Christie, Shipowner, of Llandaff, and of Margaret, daughter of Nicholas Strong, of Greenock.

He entered the School in 1887, and won the “Crick” twice, in 1890 and 1891, and had his Football Cap in 1891. He passed into the R.M.C., Sandhurst, in 1891, and passed out with honours. He was promoted Captain in 1900, and Major in 1902.

He served in the Soudan Expedition of 1898, and was present at the Battles of the Atbara and Omdurman. He was mentioned in Despatches, and was awarded the Queen’s Medal, the Khedive’s Medal with two Clasps, and the Order of the Medjidieh, 4th Class.

He served in the South African War (1899-1902), and was present in the actions at Vet River, Zand River, Diamond Hill, and Belfast. He was again mentioned in Despatches, and was appointed Brevet-Major, being at that time the youngest Major in the Army, and was awarded the Queen’s Medal with five Clasps, and the King’s Medal with two Clasps. In 1912 he was appointed Adjutant to the Officers’ Training Corps of both Birmingham and Bristol Universities, and of the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, but rejoined his Regiment immediately on the out- break of War, and went to the Front with the 1st Army Corps, in August,1914.

He was in the Retreat from Mons, and the Battles of the Marne and of the Aisne, and was twice mentioned in Despatches. He was killed in action while leading an attack on the village of Meteren, near Bailleul, on October 13th, 1914. Age 41.

The Major commanding his Regiment wrote:-

“Charles Christie was the bravest soldier in the British Army, and his loss to us is simply irreparable. He died leading his men in one of the best achievements of the British Army.”

A brother Officer said :-

“A more gallant Officer and gentleman never breathed. My Company and his made our attack on a village up one side of a road, with another Company across the road. We were advanced guard to the Brigade. We got the position we wanted chiefly owing to Christie’s gallantry. He was as cheery as possible, always giving us the lead. I heard one of the men remark, ‘He’s a daring man. I hope we don’t lose him.””

Another Officer wrote:-

“He was a most gallant Officer, a man who had absolutely no sense of fear. Under fire he was exactly the same as he was in the ordinary routine of Regimental life. He stood out, in his brave way, as a model to Officers and men serving under him. He could never have done anything small or petty, and in his Regiment everyone loved him, and his influence was felt in all ranks.”

Another Officer wrote:-

“There is one thought which consoles me a great deal, and that is the sincere conviction that the influence which Charles Christie exerted insensibly on his fellow men, remains a living force in the world. His example of simple-minded Quixotism influenced all with whom he was brought into contact and that influence is immortal: it will leaven, in its own degree, all succeeding generations of Englishmen. This is my firm belief. There is not an Officer or man in his Regiment, there is not a Cadet in his Training Corps, who is not a better man for the direct influence that emanated from him. There are no two opinions about this. He was loved and admired by everyone who had the privilege of his acquaintance.”

A friend who had known Major Christie all his life tells the following

anecdote:-

“I was serving as a trooper in the South African War when I chanced to be engaged, with some Mounted Infantry under Major Christie’s command, in a little skirmish. Hearing one of the M.I. ‘Tommies” grumbling at having to hold an uncomfortable position, I asked the grumbler, a typical Birmingham lad, what he was ‘grousing’ about, and received the following reply: ‘It’s this Christie. We are always in the thick of it with him, and the worst of it is, there’s not one of us as wouldn’t go to ‘ell with him willingly.’ No soldier could ask for a more spontaneous or genuine tribute to his capabilities.”

He married in 1909, Florence Violet, daughter of William Vernon Biden, of Lillington Manor, Leamington, and left one infant son.

Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1

Chaworth-Musters P G Lt 1st Kings Royal Rifle Corps

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Chaworth-Musters P G Lt 1st Kings Royal Rifle Corps

Chaworth-Musters P G Lt 1st Kings Royal Rifle Corps

LIEUTENANT P. G. CHAWORTH-MUSTERS

Ist BATTALION THE KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS

PATRICIUS GEORGE CHAWORTH-MUSTERS was the eldest son of John Patricius Chaworth-Musters, of Annesley Park, and Wiverton Hall, Nottinghamshire.

He entered the School in 1902, passed on to the R.M.C., Sandhurst, in 1906, and was gazetted to the 1st Battalion 60th Rifles, serving with them, first at Cairo, and subsequently at home. On August 12th, 1914, he went with them to the front, and was wounded on September 1st, during the Retreat from Mons, by shrapnel, near Villers Cotterets, but recovered and rejoined his Battalion later in the autumn. He was again wounded, in January, 1915, this time mortally. He died in No. 1 Clearing Hospital on January 12th, and was buried the next day in the cemetery at Béthune, where a cross marks his grave. Age 27.

The Officer Commanding wrote:-

“I cannot tell you how brave and splendid he had been all through. He had done wonders in making a good Company out of new and nearly raw material: he was popular with us all and beloved by his men.”

He was greatly beloved and admired by his fellow Officers and men for his splendid courage, and in the hospital where he died everyone said that it was the bravest passing they had ever seen.

Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1

Cawley J S Major 20th Hussars

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Cawley J S Major 20th Hussars

Cawley J S Major 20th Hussars

MAJOR J. S. CAWLEY

20th HUSSARS

JOHN STEPHEN CAWLEY was the third son of Sir Frederick Cawley, Bart., M.P., of Berrington Hall, Leominster.

He entered the School in 1894, and passed on to the R.M.C., Sandhurst, in 1897, where he was in the Football XV and the Shooting VIII. He joined the 20th Hussars at Mhow, India, in 1898, was promoted Lieutenant in 1900, and obtained his troop in 1906. He served in the South African War from 1901, being present at operations in Orange River Colony and Cape Colony, and for his services received the Queen’s Medal with four Clasps. Subsequently he qualified as Second Class Interpreter in French, and served in Egypt, where he became Adjutant of his Regiment.

Major Cawley played for his Regiment at Polo when they won the Inter- regimental Cup in India (Meerut) in 1901, the Clements Polo Cup in South Africa (Pretoria) in 1903, and the Inter-regimental Cup (Hurlingham) in 1906 and 1907. He won the Officers’ Riding and Jumping Prize at the Royal Military Tournament in 1905.

He passed through the Staff College and became Instructor at the Cavalry School at Netheravon in 1911, and in 1912 was appointed General Staff Officer at the War Office. In 1913 he was appointed Brigade-Major of the 1st Cavalry Brigade at Aldershot, and accompanied it to France at the beginning of the War.

He was killed in action at Nery, in the Retreat from Mons, on September 1st, 1914. Age 34. He was mentioned in Despatches of Oct. 8th, 1914. A brother Officer gave the following account of his death:-

“Our Brigade was attacked soon after dawn by a force double our num- ber-a Cavalry Division with twelve guns. Owing to a thick mist they managed to get within 600 yards of us; 350 horses of the Bays stampeded, and their men went after them, and the ‘L’ Battery, R.H.A., was cut to pieces. The occasion was one which called for personal example, and Major Cawley, by permission of the General, went to help to restore order and get the broken remnants into their places. The situation being met, and everyone being in his place, he joined the advanced line, and was almost immediately killed by a piece of shell. The splendid manner in which he met his death in deliberately facing the awful fire in order to help, when he really need not have done so, is only what his whole life has told us to expect.”

His elder brother, Captain H. T. Cawley (O.R.), was killed in action at the Dardanelles on September 23rd, 1915.

Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1

CAWLEY, JOHN STEPHEN, Major, 20th Hussars, and Brigade-Major, 1st Cavalry Brigade, 3rd s. of Sir Frederick Cawley, 1st Bart., M.P. ; b. Crumpsall, co. Lancaster, 27 Oct. 1879 ; educ. Lockers Park, Rugby and Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and obtained his commission in the 20th Hussars, 3 Aug. 1898, joining them at Mhow, India. He became Lieut. 8 Jan. 1900, and obtained his troop, 12 Oct. 1906. He served in the South African War, going to the Cape in 1901 ; was signalling officer to General Lowe’s Column, being present at the operations in the Orange Free State and Cape Colony, for which he received the Queen’s medal with four clasps. He subsequently served in Egypt, and was Adjutant of his regt. 7 Nov. 1903 to 6 May, 1907: and after passing through the Staff College, he became instructor at the Cavalry School at Netheravon, 8 Aug. 1910, and the following year (12 Aug. 1911) was appointed General Staff Officer at the War Office, an appointment he held till 15 April, 1913. On 16 April, 1913, he was made Brigade Major of the 1st Cavalry Brigade at Aldershot, and on the outbreak of war accompanied it to France. He was killed in action at Nery during the retreat from Mons, 1 Sept. 1914 ; was buried there ; unm. A brother officer gave the following account of his death : ” Our brigade was attacked soon after dawn at Nery by a force double our number—a cavalry division with 12 guns. Owing to thick mist they managed to get within 600 yards of us ; 350 horses of the ‘ Bays ‘ stampeded and their men went after them, and the L Battery was cut to pieces. The occasion was one which called for personal example, and Major Cawley, by permission of the General, went to help to restore order and get the i broken remnants in their places. The situation being met and every one being in his place, he joined the advance line and was almost immediately killed by a piece of shell. The splendid manner in which he met his death in deliberately facing the awful fire to help others where he really need not have done so, is only what his whole life has led us to expect.” And a well-known cavalry officer, in a letter to ” The Times,” said : ” We had billeted in a village, and when day broke there was a thick mist. Our patrol came back saying that a German force was close by. My regt. got the warning first, and we had time to get our men into position behind some thick walls ; but the Artillery and the ‘ Bays,’ who had picketed their horses in the open, were too late and were caught by a terrific fire. All the officers of the battery were killed or wounded, and the ‘ Bays’ had nine casualties amongst their officers. They were very hard pressed, and Cawley, who was in the village, ran out into the open to try and collect some men and take them up into support. Just then a shell burst, and he was hit in the head. He was unconscious from the moment he was hit, and died in about a quarter of an hour.” General Briggs, commanding the Brigade, wrote of him : ” He has been a true friend and always a conscientious staff officer to me for nearly two years, and it is needless to say how much I feel his death. He proved himself to be a real fighter in war, and was always cool and collected.” Major Cawley was a good all round sportsman. He was in the Rugby football team and shooting eight at Sandhurst, and in the hockey team, and was whip to the Drag at the Staff College ; played for his regt. at polo when they von the Inter-Regimental Cup in India (Meerut), 1901 ; the Clements Polo Cup in South Africa (Pretoria), 1903 ; and the Inter-Regimental Cup (Hurlingham), 1906 and 1907. He won the Officers’ Riding and Jumping prize at the Royal Military Tournament in 1905, and was well known with the North Hereford and Whaddon Chase Hunts.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Calrow W R L 2nd Lt 1st Loyal North Lancs Regiment

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Calrow W R L 2nd Lt 1st Loyal North Lancs Regiment

SECOND LIEUTENANT W. R. L. CALROW

Ist BATTALION THE LOYAL NORTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT

WILLIAM ROBERT LAUNCELOT CALROW was the only son of Gerald Walton and Mabel Selina Calrow, of Boerne, Texas, U.S.A., and grandson of Robert Francis Calrow (O.R., 1839). He entered the School in 1909, passed on to the R.M.C., Sandhurst, in 1912, and was gazetted to his Regiment in October, 1913. He went to the Front with the First Expeditionary Force in August, 1914, and fought in the Battles of Mons, the Marne, and the Aisne. He was killed by high explosive shell, near Vendresse, on the Aisne, on October 7th, 1914. Age 19.

His Captain wrote:- “The day he died we had a particularly nasty time in the trenches. Calrow behaved perfectly splendidly, and one of the men remarked on it to me, saying, ‘Young Mr. Calrow is a hero if ever there was one.’

Another Officer said :- “Calrow was a great loss to us and we all felt it very much. He was a thoroughly reliable Officer, perfectly cool under fire, and always as brave as you make them.”