BONE, ALBERT EDWARD, Capt., 242nd Army Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, s. of William Thomas Bone, of 215, Boleyn Road, Forest Gate, S.E., Builder, by his wife, Caroline (-); b. Camberwell, London, S.E., 9 Aug. 1882; educ. Board School there; enlisted in the R.F.A. 7 Feb. 1900; served in South Africa and India, also with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 18 Aug. 1914, taking part in the retreat from Mons, and in many other engagements; received a commission (for services in the field), and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. R.F.A. 10 Aug. 1915; promoted Lieut. 1 July, 1917, and Capt. 12 April, 1918, and died at No. 20 General Hospital, Camiers, 3 Nov. following, of pneumonia following influenza, contracted while on active service. Buried in Etaples Cemetery. His Commanding Officer wrote: “I am more grieved than I can say over the sad news of the death of your husband. He was Captain of my own battery, and was a splendid man in every way, and his death leaves a gap which I do not know how to fill.” He m. at Stowe Nine Churches, 27 Dec. 1902, Harriett Elizabeth, dau. of Alfred Oliver, and had two daus. Dorothy Rose, b. 22 July, 1904, and Maisie Olive, b. 14 June, 1912.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

BLAND, ALFRED ERIC, Gunner, No. 837020, Headquarters Staff S.M., 241st Brigade, 48th Division, Royal Field Artillery, 3rd s. of the late Charles Thomás Bland, by his wife, Margaret Harman (79, Ryland Road, Edgbaston), dau, of the late Edward Skinner, of Edgbaston, Birmingham; and brother to Private P. C. Bland (q.v.); b. Edgbaston, Birmingham, co. Warwick, 23 July, 1894; educ. St. George’s School; was in the employ of the Deritend Stamping Company, Birmingham; volunteered three times for active service, but was rejected as medically unfit (twice); was eventually accepted, and enlisted in the R.F.A. 2 Oct. 1916; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 30 March, 1917; subsequently proceeded to Italy, where he was employed as Clerk on the Headquarters Staff S.M., 241st Brigade, 48th Division R.F.A., and died at Montecchie, Precalcino, Italy, 15 Nov. 1918, of influenza, contracted while on service. Buried in Montecchie, Precalcino, Italy. His Commanding Officer wrote: “The work was very responsible, and it was owing to his working so hard and keeping up when he should have given in, that caused him to take the disease. He was loved by all officers and men.”

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Blake C E N Major MC Royal Field Artillery

BLAKE, CHARLES EDWIN NORMAN, M.C., Major, Royal Field Artillery, уг. 8. of Charles Blake, of Kingswood, Beckenham, Sheffield Steel Manufacturer, by his wife, Elizabeth, dau. of William Cundy, of Newry, co. Down; b. Camberwell, London, S.E., 4 April, 1886; educ. Cranleigh School, where he was a Cadet in the School Corps; having left school, joined the Artists’ Rifles Territorials in 1906, and served five years with that regiment; retired in 1913, but at once, on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914, rejoined his old corps, and volunteered for active service in its Transport Section, serving with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Oct. 1914; obtained a commission in the Special Reserve, and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. R.F.A. 20 Aug, 1915, being promoted Lieut. May, 1917, Capt. Sept. 1917, and Major 18 June, 1918; during his four years in France he saw much fighting, and was killed in action near Soissons 30 July, 1918, when in command of his battery. Buried at Chazelle. His Commanding Officer, Col. G. B. Daubeny, wrote: “He was instantaneously killed by a shell, together with two other officers in the battery, which he has commanded with gallantry and distinction. In him I lose a good officer and a personal friend. He was one of the most popular officers in the brigade, all ranks of which will greatly feel his death.” He was awarded the Military Cross [London Gazette, 1 Jan. 1918], for an act of conspicuous bravery; unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

BIRNIE, GERALD, Lieut., 46th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, yst. s. of Henry Birnie, of Brackendene, Weybridge, by his wife, Edith Maude (-); b. Lucknow, India, 3 Dec. 1898; educ. Cheltenham College, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; gazetted 2nd Lieut. R.F.A. 23 Feb. 1917; promoted Lieut. the following Oct.; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 21 Dec., and died at Rouen 4 Nov. 1918, of wounds received in action near Cambrai 29 Oct. previously. Buried at Rouen; unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Bird H P Gnr 171701 Royal Field Artillery

BIRD, HORATIO PARKYNS, Gunner, No. 171701, 84th Army Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, yst. s. of John Gomm Bird, of Wavertree, Liverpool, by his wife, Sarah Frances, dau. of John Whitley, of Frodsham, co. Chester; b. Liverpool, 3 Aug. 1897; educ. at the Liverpool Institute, where he was a member of the O.T.C.; was an Apprentice with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board (Principal Examiner’s Department); enlisted 23 Sept. 1916; trained at Bettisfield, co. Salop, and afterwards served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 26 Feb., 1917; took part in the engagements at Arras, Messines, Ypres and nd St. Julien, where he was killed in action 1 Oct. following. Buried in Admiral Road Cemetery, Ypres. His Commanding Officer wrote: “He was one of the best in the battery, and his absence is regretted by all in the battery, and a comrade: “Your son was a brave and fearless soldier.” Unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

BERRY, THOMAS, D.C.M., Sergt., No. 3305, Royal Field Artillery, s. of William Berry, of 62, Evelyn Street, Liverpool, by his wife, Margaret, dau. of John Tunstall; and brother to Gunner R. Berry (q.v.); b. Liverpool, co. Lancaster, 3 Oct. 1890; educ. All Souls’ R.C. School there; volunteered for active service, and enlisted in the R.F.A. in March, 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the following Nov., and was killed in action at Vimy Ridge, 28 March, 1917. Buried in the Military Cemetery, near Mont St. Eloi. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallant and distinguished conduct in the field. His Commanding Officer wrote: “He was most popular both with officers and men, and will be greatly missed by all.” Unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Rait-Kerr W C Captain DSO Royal Field Artillery

CAPTAIN W. C. RAIT-KERR, D.S.O.

57TH BATTERY ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY

WILLIAM CHARLES RAIT-KERR was the eldest of four soldier sons of Sylvester and Mary Rait-Kerr, of Rathmoyle, Edenderry, King’s County, Ireland, and grandson of Major-General Hutchinson, R.E., C.B., who was for many years Government Inspector of Railways under the Board of Trade.

He entered the School in 1900, and passed on to the R.M.A., Woolwich, in 1905. He was promoted Lieutenant in 1910, and Captain in November, 1914, a week before he was killed.

He went to the Front at the beginning of the War, in August, 1914, with the First Division, under Sir Douglas Haig, and served with his Battery in the Retreat from Mons, and in the Battles of the Marne and of the Aisne.

At Veldhoek, four miles east of Ypres, his Battery having gone to the rear to rest and refit, he was in charge of a gun, placed in a forward position for a special purpose. He had handed over his duties to his relief and was making his way back from his observation post when he was shot through the head by a sniper, on November 10th, 1914. Age 28.

He was mentioned in Despatches of January 14th, 1915, having been awarded the D.S.O. on December 2nd, 1914. The Official record of this was as follows:-

Lieut. William Charles Rait-Kerr, R.F.A.

“Gallant conduct in bringing up a gun to within 250 yards of the enemy in a wood, and blowing down a house in which the enemy were working a machine gun.”

The Officer Commanding the 43rd Brigade R.F.A. wrote:-

“He was a brave and excellent officer, quite the best Subaltern in the Brigade, and was beloved by every officer and man.”

And his Captain said:-

“I had the greatest admiration for Charlie. He was one of the best and soundest subalterns in the Regiment, and had enormous grit and pluck. He had done very good work throughout the War.”

Copy of Brigadier-General’s message on the Field, November 8th, 1914, enclosing French Colonel’s thanks:-

Please forward to Rait-Kerr.

“Brigadier congratulates Captain Rait-Kerr on enclosed. A combination of his howitzer with a Section of 18-prs. working together might drive the Germans further back still.”

(Enclosure.)

Renseignements.

La maison à l’est de la Chapelle du carrefour a été atteinte. Les Allemands en sont partis et ont également abandonné les tranchées situées à l’est de cette maison.

Les Zouaves, très reconnaissants des services rendus hier et aujourd’hui par l’habilité des artilleurs anglais.

Le Lieut.-Colonel.

His second brother, Captain S. C. Rait-Kerr (O.R.), R.F.A., was killed on May 13th, 1915.

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

Rait-Kerr W C Captain DSO Royal Field Artillery

RAIT-KERR, WILLIAM CHARLES, D.S.O., Capt., 57th Howitzer Battery, R.F.A. eldest s. of Sylvester Rait-Kerr, of Rathmoyle, Edenderry, King’s co. Ireland, by his wife, Mary, dau. of the late Major-General Charles Scrope Hutchinson, C.B., R.E.; b. Rathmoyle, afsd. 6 Aug. 1886; educ. Arnold House, Llandulas, Rugby School, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; gazetted 2nd Lieut. R.F.A. 23 July, 1907; and promoted Lieut. 23 July, 1910, and Capt. 30 Oct., 1914; went to France 16 Aug. 1914, with the 1st Division, commanded by Sir Douglas Haig, as Lieut. in 57th Howitzer Battery, 43rd Brigade, R.F.A.; took part in the Battle of, and retreat from, Mons, the Battles of the Marne and the Aisne, and the 1st Battle of Ypres, and was killed in action at Veldhoek, near Ypres, 10 Nov. following, whilst in charge of an advanced gun 250 yards from the enemy, being shot through the head by a German sniper. The rest of his battery had gone to the rear to rest and refit, having been out since the beginning of the war. Buried at Veldhoek, beside the gun “he had commanded so well”; unm.

He was awarded the D.S.O. “For gallant conduct in bringing up a gun to within 250 yards of
the enemy in a wood, and blowing down a house in which the enemy were working a machine-gun” [London Gazette, 1 Dec. 1914]; and was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 Jan. 1915. His Colonel wrote: “He was in charge of a gun which had for some days been placed in a forward position for a special purpose, to destroy some houses from which some German snipers were causing heavy losses in our trenches. He had been doing splendid work, which had been specially noticed by the General, and only the day before his death the Commander of the French troops on our left had sent a letter of thanks for one particularly useful lot of shooting which he had put in and destroyed some German trenches in front of them. He was a brave and excellent officer and man. He had just appeared in the Gazette as Capt. and was so delighted that I had been able to get him posted to one of my batteries.” Another officer wrote: “He was up in the infantry trenches with one gun close behind, in communication by telephone with him. He was there about a fortnight, and in that time did very fine work, knocking houses down with Germans and machine-guns in them, and various other jobs. He was highly praised by all the people up there, and by the General in command of the Infantry Brigade. He had a very rough time from both shell and rifle fire, but had done great execution in spite of it.” His brother, Capt. S. C. Rait-Kerr, was killed in action 13 May, 1915.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Bennet C H Lt Royal Field Artillery

BENNET, CHARLES HOSKEN, Lieut., Royal Field Artillery, yr. a. of Col.. Ferdinando Wallis Bennet, of Fairlea, Northam, North Devon, R.E. (retired), by his wife. Evelyn Mary, dau. of the late Major-General H. S. Palmer, B.E.; 6. Belfast, 6 July, 1898; edne. Mariborough College, and the Royal Military Academy. Woolwich was gazetted 2nd Lieut. R.F.A. In Oct, 1915, being promoted Lieut. 1 July, 1917; served with the Expeditionary Force In France and Flanders from the following Aug., and died at his home in North Devon 25 Feb, 1919, from pneumonia contracted. while on active service in France. Buried at Northam, North Devon. His Major wrote: “I feel I have lost a valued friend, from whom I always received the most loyal support and assistance. I always found him keen and enthusiastic in his work, cool, and gallant in action, and he was regarded throughout the Divisional Artillery as a most capable, level-headed and thorough young officer. You may have heard of his very fine performance in the retreat from Kemmel last spring, for which he was recommended for a decoration. The circumstances were as follows: On the morning of 25 April, when the enemy made a determined attack on Kemmel, Lieut. C. H. Bennet was in command of a forward section at Slege Farm, and received orders to keep up a steady rate of fire on Verbrandenmolen. He kept his section in action, although subjected to a heavy concentration of gas and high explosive. moved about his section encouraging his men and supervising the removal of the wounded to a place of safety. Although telephonic and visual communication had failed, he was able to get much valuable information back to his battery. When his ammunition was expended, and the enemy had reached a line 400 yards from the position, 2nd Licnt. Escott brought up two teams through a heavy barrage, and these two officers then withdrew their guns, bringing them safely back to the main battery position, together with the wounded. His magnificent bravery and devotion to duty were an inspiring example to his men, and his unselfish courage at a critical time enabled him to complete the task allotted to his section before he was compelled to withdraw.” Unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

BAKER, WILLIAM ARTHUR, Gunner, No. 59566, 9th Battery. 41st Brigade, R.F.A., yst. s. of the late Ralph Baker, by his wife, Mary Elizabeth, dau. of the late William Petley; b. Sturry, co. Kent, 11 April, 1889; educ. London; enlisted in Sept. 1909: served for three years in India; on the outbreak of the European War was stationed at Piershill Barracks, Edinburgh; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Aug. 1914, and was killed in action 20 July, 1918. Buried in the British Cemetery, north-west of Albert He m. at Edinburgh, 9 Nov. 1915, Jemima (3. Haw-thorne Bank, Belford Road, Edinburgh), dau. of James Wood; s.p.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

BAKER, GEORGE, Driver, No. 83665, 50th Battery, 34th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, only 8. of George Baker, of 79, Aston Lane, Perry Barr, Birmingham. by his wife, Lavinia Jane, dan. of George Peters, of Birmingham, Jeweller: b. Birmingham, co. Warwick, 3 Oct. 1890; educ. George Dixon’s Secondary School there (Scholar), and Birmingham School of Art (Scholar): was a Confidential Clerk at the Hamstead Colliery; enlisted in the R.F.A. 25 April, 1916; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 23 June, 1917, and was killed in action at Bachant 7 Nov. 1918. Buried behind the lines. His Commanding Officer wrote: “His loss is very deeply felt in the battery by both officers and men. Your son died gallantly doing his duty, under most trying conditions.” Unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5