Adamson G Sergt 265504 6th Seaforth Highlanders

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ADAMSON, GEORGE, Sergt., 1/6th (Territorial) Battn. Seaforth Highlanders (Rossshire Buffs, The Duke of Albany’s), eldest s. of George Adamson, of Fortingall, co. Perth: b. Fortingall, Aberfeldy, co. Perth, 9 July, 1891; educ. there; joined the Seaforth Highlanders soon after the outbreak of war, 9 Sept. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 3 May, 1915, and was killed in action by a sniper while attacking at Rheims 23 July, 1918. Buried in Bois de l’Aulnay British Cemetery, Tonchery-sur-Vesle, near Marfaux, south-west of Rheims. His Commanding Officer wrote that he was one of his best men then holding the rank of Sergt. He m. at the Parish Church, Kempton, 3 June, 1915, Kathleen Mary, eldest dau. of George Ensor, and had two daus.: Margaret Mary, b. 11 July, 1916, and Georgina Ann, b. (posthumous) 2 Feb.1919.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Adamson G E Lt MC 7th Middlesex Regiment

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ADAMSON, GILBERT EDGAR, M.C., Lieut., 7th (Territorial) Battn. The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regt.), yr. s. of John William Adamson, of 44, Whitehall Park, Highgate, N., Professor of Education, University of London, by his wife, Amanda, dau. of the late William Knapman; b. London, 28 Dec. 1894; educ. City of London School, and Merton College, Oxford; received a commission, and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. The Middlesex Regt. 5 March, 1915, and promoted Lieut. in April, 1916; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from July to Aug. 1915, also from Oct. 1917, and was killed in action before Croisilles 24 Aug. 1918. Buried in Bellacourt Military Cemetery, Rivière, near Arras. His Commanding Officer wrote: He fell .. while most gallantly leading his men over an area swept by artillery and machine-gun fire.” He was awarded the Military Cross [London Gazette, 16 Sept. 1918]. “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a night raid on hostile trenches. He led his party with the greatest personal courage and precision, and his splendid example and fine leadership contributed largely to the success of the raid.” Unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Adams W Pte 41638 2nd King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

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ADAMS, WILLIAM, Private, No. (-), (-) Battn. The King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry), eldest s. of William Adams, Gardener on the Brethy Wood Estate, by his wife, Rosa; b. Milton, co. Derby, 4 Feb. 1883; educ. near Milton; was a Bricklayer; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Feb. 1917, and died at No. 1 Dressing Station 4 April following, from wounds received in action.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Adams T E A Pte 16489 13th Royal Fusiliers

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ADAMS, THOMAS EDWARD ALBERT, Private, No. 16489, 13th (Service Battn. The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt.), eldest s. of Thomas Edward Adams, of 40, Overstone Road, Hammersmith, W., by his wife, Kate; b. Lambeth, S.W.; educ. Fulham Palace Road, S.W.; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Jan. 1916, and was killed in action at the Battle of Arras 9 April, 1917, by the bursting of a shell. Buried at Monchy; unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Lees G O Captain 13th Canadian Infantry

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Lees G O Captain 13th Canadian Infantry

CAPTAIN G, O. LEES

ROYAL HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA, 15TH BATTALION CANADIAN CONTINGENT

GERALD OSCAR LEEs was the fourth and youngest son of William Lees, Jr., County of Stafford, and of Rosa his wife, of Tettenhall, near Wolverhampton.

He entered the School in 1892, and left in 1894, and, subsequently, went out to Canada and engaged in business in Montreal.

Soon after his arrival in the Dominion he joined the Royal Highlanders of Canada, a Militia Regiment allied with the “Black Watch,” and served with them until a few years later, when, on being admitted to partnership in the firm with which he had been previously connected, his business engagements made it necessary for him to move to Ottawa.

When the War broke out he immediately volunteered to serve in his old Regiment again, and came over with the First Canadian Contingent. An old friend in Canada, on hearing of his death, wrote, “I tried to keep him here, but the call of duty was too strong.”

He was a well-known golfer, first as a member of the South Staffordshire Golf Club, and in more recent years as a member of the Montreal and Ottawa Golf Clubs. He was twice in the final for the Canadian Championship. He was also one of four representatives of Canada selected to play against the United States of America, but the claims of business at that time prevented him from accepting the distinction.

He was widely known throughout the Dominion, and had a large circle of friends. The Colonel, who commanded the regiment during the time that Captain Lees was with it in Montreal, telegraphed to his father: “We are all more grieved than we can say to hear of the loss of your son, and cherish with great pride and affection the memory of our association with so fine a soldier and gentleman.” A brother Officer who was near him when he fell wrote: “He was a perfect hero, and by his cheerfulness. helped to keep the men in good spirits, in spite of the terrible time we were having from German howitzers,”

He was killed in action, by shell, on April 24th, 1915, at Langemarck, near Ypres, on the occasion when the Germans first used asphyxiating gases, and when the Canadian Division’s “gallantry and determination undoubtedly saved the situation.” Age 37.

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

Leechman C B Lt 3rd Hussars

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Leechman C B Lt 3rd Hussars

LIEUTENANT C. B. LEECHMAN

3RD (KING’S OWN) HUSSARS

COLIN BARCLAY LEECHMAN was the younger son of George Barclay and Mary Leechman, of Colombo, Ceylon, and of Campden House Court, London.

He entered the School in 1902, left in 1906, and entered Exeter College, Oxford, where he joined the O.T.C. of the University. He took his degree in 1911, and then received a Commission, as a University candidate, in the 3rd Hussars, and went with his Regiment to France at the beginning of the War, in August, 1914.

He was reported missing on the night of September 23rd, of that year, and it was only after six months that information was received from friendly Germans that he had been found, by one of their Sergeants, shot in the neutral ground between the English and the German lines.

The circumstances of his death are uncertain. It was his duty to keep connection between our own and the next French trenches. He had stated that he was going to conduct a French Officer back to his lines, but nobody saw this man. He left his men and horses in a safe place and went alone towards the French trenches. It is doubtful whether he was shot by a spy in disguise, or whether he mistook his way in the dark and was killed by a sniper. Age 26.

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

 

Leechman C B Lt 3rd Hussars

Source : The Illustrated London News 29th May 1915

King R N Captain 1st Lincolnshire Regiment

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King R N Captain 1st Lincolnshire Regiment

CAPTAIN R. N. KING

IST BATTALION THE LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT

ROBERT NEAL KING was the only son of Robert King, of Moulton, Lincolnshire.

He entered the School in 1890. He obtained his first Commission in the 2nd Battalion in 1896 and was promoted Captain in 1904.

He served in the Nile Expedition of 1898, was present at the Battle of Atbara, and received the British Medal and the Egyptian Medal with Clasp. He served with the Mounted Infantry in the South African War in 1902, and took part in the operations in the Transvaal, Cape Colony and the Orange River Colony, and received the Queen’s Medal with four Clasps.

He retired in 1911 and joined the Reserve of Officers, but was called up on Mobilisation, in August, 1914, went to France in September, and was reported killed in action at Wytschaete, near Ypres, on November Ist, 1914. Age 38.

He married, in 1910, Klara, second daughter of Robert Shand Kynoch-Shand, of Hillside, Kincardineshire, and of the Linn, Keith, Banffshire, and had two sons.

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

KING, ROBERT NEAL, Capt., 1st Battn. Lincolnshire Regt., only s. of the late Robert King, M.D., F.R.C.P., London, by his wife, Esther, dau, of Thomas Case; b. in London, 14 Sept. 1874; edue. Rugby; gazetted 2nd Lieut., 1st Lincolns, from Militia, 6 June, 1896; promoted Lieut. 31 July, 1899, and Capt. 19 Nov. 1904; served in the Nile Expedition, 1898, and was present at the Battle of the Atbara (medal; Egyptian medal with ciasp); in the South African War, 1902, where he was employed with Mounted Infantry in operations in the Transvaal and Cape Colony, April and May, 1902, and in the Orange River Colony, Jan. to March, 1902 (Queen’s medal with four clasps); and from 24 Dec. to 31 Dec. 1901, was on special service. He retired 21 June, 1911, and was placed in the Reserve of Officers, but re-joined his regt. on the outbreak of war; left for France, Sept. 1914, and was reported killed in action at. Wystchaete, 1 Nov. following. Capt. King m. at St. George’s, Hanover Square, London, 19 Dec. 1910, Klara Alice Fanny, 2nd dau. of Robert Shand Kynoch Shand, of Hillside, co. Kincardine, and the Linn Keith, co. Banff, and had two sons: Robert McKerrell, b. 24 Nov. 1911, died 3 Nov. 1914; and Philip Marshall, b. 23 March, 1914.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Kelly H H Captain Royal Engineers

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Kelly H H Captain Royal Engineers

CAPTAIN H. H. KELLY

ROYAL ENGINEERS

HARRY HOLDSWORTH KELLY was the fourth and youngest son of Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Holdsworth Kelly, Royal Marine Artillery, of Montrose House, Southsea, and of Elizabeth Eleanor, daughter of John Collum, of Bellune, County Fermanagh, Ireland.

He entered the School with a Modern Language Scholarship in 1894, was Head of his House in his last Term and passed sixth into the R.M.A., Woolwich, in 1896. At Woolwich he was Under-Officer, was in the first XV, and won the Boxing Medal in 1898. He received his Commission in 1899 and was promoted Captain in 1908.

He played in the Hampshire County Football Team in 1899 and won the Army and Navy Heavy-weight Boxing Championship, at Aldershot, in 1901.

From 1903 to 1913 he served with the Egyptian Army. He was Resident Engineer for the construction of the town and harbour of Port Sudan, and received the 4th Class Osmanieh, for services in connection with this. He was Inspector of Roads and Communications for the Sudan, 1908-13. He served as a member of the Lado Enclave Commission in 1911. He was appointed by the Sudan Government as Commissioner for the Sudan-Uganda Boundary Commission in 1913 and was responsible for the Reconnaissance to the Borna Plateau in the same year.

He took part in the operations in the Atwot Region, Sudan, in 1910, receiving the Sudan Medal, and in the operations against the Beir and Anuak tribes in South Eastern Sudan as Intelligence Officer in 1912, adding a Clasp to the Sudan Medal and receiving the 3rd Class Medjidieh.

He was awarded the 3rd Class Osmanich in 1913, for which he was qualified, at so early an age, only by his local rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

He carried out explorations in Abyssinia in 1907, 1911, and in 1913, and was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

He went to the Front at the beginning of the War, with the 38th Field Company R.E., and while engaged in superintending the erection of wire entanglements between ours and the enemy’s trenches, he was shot by a sniper on the night of October 24th, 1914. Age 34.

The Sirdar of Egypt, and his brother Officers testified to the gallantry of this distinguished soldier:—

“It was not only total absence of fear, but absolutely sound judgment and capacity for carrying a thing through, and readiness to take responsibility, which made him a marked man.”

“He was so big and cheery, never depressed however tired and hard-worked he might be, and did his duty gallantly. Although exposed daily and nightly to possibly greater risks than others, he was always willing and helpful and a pattern to all.”

“He was greatly loved and admired by his comrades. Had he lived he would have gone far-very far indeed.”

A brother Officer, who was wounded, wrote in the following terms:-

“It was a great blow to me to read of Kelly having been killed in action, just after I had written a letter thanking him for being so kind to me after I was hit. He came down some miles to see me in the trenches, under heavy fire, saw me into the dressing station, and did not leave me until just before I left in the ambulance wagon. The dressing station was under fire and was struck by a shell just before I was got away. He was a fine man, 6 ft. 6 in. in his socks, beautifully built, popular and known everywhere, and I was very proud of his friendship.”

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

KELLY, HARRY HOLDSWORTH, Capt., R.E., yst. s. of Lieut. Col. Henry Holdsworth Kelly, R.M.A. (ret.), of Montrose House, South-sea, by his wife, Elizabeth Eleanor, dau. of John Collum, of Bellevere, co. Fermanagh; b. Staff Officers’ House, Eastney Barracks, Portsmouth, 24 Aug. 1880; educ. Rugby and R.M.A., Woolwich (Feb. 1897-99); gazetted 2nd Lieut. R.E. 8 March, 1899; promoted Lieut. 25 July, 1901, and Capt. 8 March, 1908; served with the Egyptian Army, 1903-13; was Resident Engineer for the construction of the lown and Harbour of Port Sudan, 1904-08, and received the 4th Class Osmanich for services in connection with this, 28 June, 1908; was Inspector of Roads and Communications for the Sudan, 18 Nov., 1908, serving as a member of the Lado Enclave Commission in 1911: Commissioner for the Sudan Government in the Sudan-Uganda Boundary Commission, 1913, and was responsible for the Reconnaissance to the Boma Plateau, carried out in the same year; took part in the operations in the Atwot Region, Sudan, in 1910 (Sudan medal), was Intelligence Officer in the operations against the Beir and Anuak tribes in South Eastern Sudan (clasp to Sudan medal and 3rd Class Mediidieh) 1912; decorated with the 3rd Class Osmanich, 1913; re-absorbed into the British Establishment, Nov. 1913.

He served with the 38th Field Coy. R.E. in France, and was killed in action at Bois Grenier, near Armentières, 24 Oct. 1914, while superintending wire ontanglement work between the British and German trenches; buried at Bois Grenier; uam. His Commanding Officer, Major F. M. Browne, wrote: “Не was killed early this morning while on duty in the trenches. He was struck by two bullets, one in the head and one in the back, and I feel sure that death was instantaneous and painless. We were enabled to recover his body, which was to-day buried simply by the chaplain in the presence of all the Coy. His grave lies by the roadside near a pretty country town and we are at present crecting a cross and railings to enclose it. I need hardly tell you what a great loss your son’s death is to me, both as a friend and an officer. He was invaluable to me in every way and the country has lost in him a most valuable officer”; and writing home from a Colchester Hospital, Lieut. Arthur Evans, Royal Engineers (of Carnarvon), paid a tribute to the bravery and kindness shown by Capt. Kelly. who commanded his coy., in attending to him when he was wounded, four days before Capt. Kelly himself was killed. The letter states: “It was a great blow to me to read of Kelly having been killed in action just after I had written him a letter thanking him for being so decent to me after I was hit. He came down to me some miles from Coy, headquarters to the trenches, which must have been under heavy fire, saw me into the dressing station, and did not leave me until just before I left in the ambulance wagon. The dressing station was under fire, and was struck by a shell just before I got away. He was a fine man, 6 ft. 6 in. In his socks, beautifully built, popular and known everywhere, and I was very proud of his friendship.” Capt. Kelly won the Army and Navy Heavyweight Boxing Championship in 1901. He carried out explorations in Abyssinia in 1907, 1911 and 1913.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Johnston E J F Captain 1st Royal Scots

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Johnston E J F Captain 1st Royal Scots

CAPTAIN E. J. F. JOHNSTON

IST BATTALION THE ROYAL SCOTS (LOTHIAN REGIMENT)

EDWARD JOHN FARQUHARSON JOHNSTON was the elder son of E. F. Johnston, Ship Owner, London, and Mary his wife.

He entered the School in 1896, and left in 1899. He joined the Royal Scots from the Militia, in 1901, and was Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, 1906 to 1909, and of the 3rd Battalion, 1911 to 1914. He was promoted Captain in 1909. He served in the South African War and received the two Medals with five Clasps. He was killed in action in Flanders on April 12th, 1915. Age 32.

He was mentioned in Despatches of May 31st, 1915.

Lt. Col. David Callender, C.M.G., Commanding his Battalion, wrote:-“He was so dependable, so lovable, so absolutely certain always to do the right thing. He never spared himself at his work in the trenches or out. He seemed to have no fear, and would walk about from one trench to another all night long. He was far and away the best, and best loved Officer I have met.”

A brother Officer and the Chaplain of the 81st Infantry Brigade wrote:-

“An example of what an Officer should be, loved and respected by every man in the Regiment, and we know that, had he been spared, he was destined to rise to great heights in his profession.”

“His life has not been lived and given in vain, for the qualities and virtues that made him the man he was, will live and bear rich fruit in the lives and characters of those who knew and loved him. Could you have stood with us to-day, as we laid him to rest, and heard the sobbing of his men and brother Officers, it would have told you how much of all that is best and noblest in man your husband stood for.”

A Corporal and a Sergeant wrote:-

“His loss is felt in every sense of the word, as the men put complete trust and confidence in him. At night, instead of sleeping, he would crawl along to the men at the listening posts between the German lines to see how they were getting on. He used to pray with his men every night in the trenches, and give them all the comfort he could.”

“The bravest man I ever knew was my Captain, Captain Johnston. The men worshipped him, and would have followed him anywhere. Always after being in action they would ask if the Captain was safe, and they said that God took care of him. He was so brave, they had come to believe that nothing could happen to him.”

He married in October, 1907, Vivien Hope Mignon Bayley.

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

Royal Scots Officers 1st Battalion

Source : The Royal Scots 1914-1918 By E Wing

Higginbotham C E Major 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment

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Higginbotham C E Major 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment

MAJOR C. E. HIGGINBOTHAM

2ND BATTALION THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE REGIMENT

CHARLES ERNEST HIGGINBOTHAM was the second son of Charles Titus and Agnes Higginbotham, of Craigmaddie, Milngavic, N.Β.

He entered the School in 1880, and left in 1884, in which year he was in the XI.

He proceeded through Sandhurst to the Army, obtaining his Commission in the Northamptonshire Regiment in February, 1887, his Company in 1899, and his Majority in 1907. He had a Staff appointment at Devonport during the Boer War, but served subsequently in South Africa with his Regiment, 1903-07. From 1909-13 he was on the Staff at Aldershot as Inspector of Gymnasia, and did a great deal to encourage all sport in the Army among Officers and men. He captained the Aldershot Officers’ Cricket X1 for several years, taking it over in 1911.

He was killed at Neuve Chapelle, on March 10th, 1915, but no details were received as all those who were with him were also killed. Age 48.

His Commanding Officer wrote from France:-

“Had he alone survived I should be content for the future of the Regiment. He was everything to me during this War, as a soldier.”

Another Officer at Aldershot said:-

“He was a sportsman in the highest sense of the word, always cheerful, kindly and considerate, beloved by his brother Officers and by all the men who came under him. He was an ideal type of British Officer.”

He married in January, 1891, Florence H. Hopkins, who died in January, 1907. In 1909 he married Lucy Frances Gray Round, who died March 5th, 1915, five days before he was killed.

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