First World War Soldiers Photos
World War One Soldier's Photos, Obituaries And Short Service Records
ALDER, J. (Machine Room, wash-house). Enlisted on 8 Nov. 1917. Served in England in the 92nd Res. Bn. Hants Regt. to Mar. 1918, and in France in the 22nd London Regt. from Apr. 1918 to Apr. 1919, and then in the 13th Middlesex Regt. to 14 Oct. 1919. At Albert, 1 May; Combles, 1-2 Sept. Montaucourt, 17 Oct.; Lille, 6 Nov. 1918.
Source : War Record Of The Oxford University Press
Vicat H J Lt 1st West Kent Regiment
Source : The Army And Navy Illustrated
Vicat H J Lt 1st Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment
VICAT, HORATIO JOHN, Lieut., 1st Battn. Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regt., eldest surviving s. of the late Horatio Nelson Vicat, of Sevenoaks, by his wife, Miriam Frances Kate (East Lodge, Sevenoaks), dau. of Henry Augustus Prevost Holland, of Quebec, Canada (grandson of Capt. Samuel Holland, R.A., A.D.C. to General at the capture of Quebec, and afterwards Surveyor General of Quebec and Director of Surveys in British North Americal) b. Melbourne, P. Quebec, Canada, 24 June, 1885; educ. Cheltenham College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. Royal West Kents, 25 Jan. 1905, and promoted Lieut. 26 May, 1908; was seconded for service with the West African Frontier Force (Gold Coast Regt.), from Nov. 1910 to Oct. 1912; went to France with the Expeditionary Force, 21. Aug. 1914, and was killed in action near Missy, during the Battle of the Aisne, 13 Sept. 1914. He was in command of his company when they were forming advanced guard to the Brigade and he was leading his men down to make good a bridge-head which was held by the enemy when they opened fire with a machine-gun. and he was killed instantly. Buried 300 yards East-South-East of Missy Bridge on the south side of the river; unm.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1
Verge A Captain Australian Army Medical Corps Attd 6th Australian Light Horse
VERGE, ARTHUR, Capt., A.A.M.C., attd. 6th Light Horse, Australian Imperial Force, 2nd s. of Austral Verge, of Kempsey, Macleay River, New South Wales, Grazier, by his wife, Matilda Jane, dau. of Henry Flavelle, of Hamilton Terrace, London; b. Kempsey, 12 Feb. 1880; educ. The King’s School, Parramatta, where he was Burton Exhibitioner in 1898, and St. Paul’s College within Sydney University, where he graduated M.B., Ch.M., in 1905; was for two years (1905-6) resident medical officer at Sydney Hospital; then proceeded to England, where he attended the leading London hospital skin departments, and took courses in Bacteriology and Vaccine Therapy. After a post graduate course at Edinburgh University he qualified F.R.C.S. there in 1908, and then visited Paris, Vienna, Prague and Berlin, and attended the skin clinics and took courses in the treatment of skin diseases under Sabarand, Brocq, Thebierge, Albaran (Paris), Finger, Rail, Oppenheim,Cape Sammer (Vienna), Blaschko, Josephs and Wasserman (Berlin). Returning to Edinburgh, he was appointed Clinical Assistant to the Skin Department for three months, and later non-resident house physician for one year (1909-10), at the Royal Infirmary, and while holding these positions had charge of the X-Ray department, and the radium treatment under Dr. Cranston Low. He took a six months’ course in Vaccine Therapy and Bacteriology of the Skin at the Royal College of Physicians, and in 1910 published in the “British Medical Journal” (31 Dec.) an article on “The Treatment and Diagnosis of Lupu Vulgaris by Tuberculin Ointment.” He then returned to Australia and practised as a skin specialist in Sydney, and in 1911 obtained the position of Hon. Assistant Physician for Diseases of the Skin at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital there. On the outbreak of war he volunteered for Imperial service, and was given a commission as Capt. A.A.M.C., 2 Oct. 1914 ; left Sydney as medical officer to the 6th Light Horse with the second reinforcements, and died in No. 17 General Hospital, Alexandria, 8 Sept. 1915, of dysentery contracted while on active service with his regt. at Anzac Cove; unm.
He represented both King’s School and St. Paul’s College in cricket, football, tennis and rowing. He played with the University Union Football Team, and was full-back for three seasons. He played full-back for New South Wales against Queensland in 1902 and 1904, and while in the old country played rugger with Blackheath and other Rugby clubs. Dr. Verge was also a capital all-round cricketer, and at one time was the most successful bowler at the University. He played in two matches against Melbourne University, scoring 10 and 2, and taking two for 22 and six for 20 in 1903; and scoring 4 and 5, and taking four for 70 and three for 69 in 1904. His yr. brother, Dr. C. A. Verge, is now with No. 32 General Hospital, Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1
VEREKER, ROBERT HUMPHREY MEDLICOTT, 2nd Lieut., 2nd Grenadier Guards, 2nd s. of George Medlicott Vereker, of Sharpitor, near Salcombe, South Devon, J.P. for co. Galway, Freeman of the City of Dublin, late Capt. Kildare Militia, by his wife, Frances Gore, eldest dau. of Robert Manders, of Landscape, Dundrum, co. Dublin, and grandson of the Hon. John Prendergast Vereker (3rd son of John Prendergast, 3rd Viscount Gort); b. Dublin, 15 Oct. 1894; educ. Cheam, Osborne Naval College and Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. to 2nd Grenadier Guards, 17 Sept. 1913, and joined his battn. the following month at the Tower of London; went to France with the Expeditionary Force, Aug. 1914, and was killed in action during the desperate night battle at Landrecies, on the 25th of the same month. Buried at Landrecies; unm.
The Rev. Benjamin G. O. Rorke, Chaplain to the Forces, wrote: “You have probably already heard that your brave son met his death in action on the 25th inst. while trying to draw Corpl. Bacchus of his regt. out of the range of the German fire. Corpl. Bacchus, who was wounded, is now convalescent, and, if spared, can tell you all about it. He showed me the exact spot at Landrecies, on the town side of the railway level-crossing, on the left of the road. It was a brave man’s death. There were in his pocket a silver flask from his mother and his own ‘Onoto’ diary. I gave them into the custody of the medical officer, Major Fry (brother of C. B. Fry), to take charge of for you. He was buried in the next grave to Lord Hawarden and the Hon. Windsor Clive on the one side, and eight men of the Coldstream Guards on the other, and on the same occasion we erected a rough wooden cross inscribing the names. The following day the wife of the ‘Garde Cimetière’, brought me a wooden cross of a more substantial kind, and I left instructions for the names to be painted on it; it was her own thought and her own tribute. Mme. Bocquet, The Pharmacie, Grande Rue, Landrecies (a very kind lady), undertook to see this done. I have heard from the regt. how much he is missed. He died like a brave man. This will be a great consolation to you.” The house and grounds at Sharpitor were lent to the Red Cross Society for the duration of the war by Mr. and Mrs. George Vereker in memory of their son.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1
Venning E G Captain 1st Suffolk Regiment
Source : The Sphere 4th Sep 1915
Venning E G Captain 1st Suffolk Regiment
VENNING, EDWIN GERALD Capt., 3rd, attd. 1st, Battn. The Suffolk Regt., yst. s. of the late Rev. Edwin James Venning, Chaplain in Cassel, Germany, by his wife, Amy, dau. of William Lawrence; b. Southsea, 7 June, 1883; educ. St. Edmund’s, Canterbury, and afterwards took up acting. From about 1911, he travelled in the provinces with touring companies, playing important parts, and when war broke out in Aug. 1914, he was acting at Brighton. He at once volunteered, and enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regt. in Sept. and was subsequently gazetted Lieut. 3rd Suffolks, 1 Jan. 1915, and promoted Capt. 9 June, 1915; went to the Front, 3 May, 1915, and was killed in action at Ypres, 6 Aug. following; unm. Buried in Locre Churchyard. Sergt. Major Utting, in writing to his sister, said: “Your brother, Capt. Venning, was my company officer, and he has treated myself and the men of my company in such a manner that he has gained a respect that will last as long as there is a man of the present B Coy. alive.”
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1
Vavasour L O Lt 2nd North Staffs Regiment
VAVASOUR, LIONEL ORMISTON, Lieut., 2nd Battn. North Staffordshire Regt., 2nd S. of Albert Carter Vavasour, M.A., J.P., of Weston Manor, Otley, co. York, by his wife, Eliza, dau. of C. H. Dawson, J.P., Weston Hall; b. Killwick Hall, Beverley, 29 Aug. 1889; educ. Rugby; gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the North Staffordshire Regt. 28 May, 1910, from the Special Reserve, and promoted Lieut. 28 Dec. 1913; went to India with his regt. in 1912, and died at Gharial, 24 July, 1915, while on active service; unm. Lieut. Vavasour was a keen sportsman, a clever cricketer, and while at school won several silver cups, especially for the eight miles’ race. In the regt. he found cricket and football “going to pieces,” but soon established a revival of keen interest, and regularly made his century with his team. He was the crack shot of his regt., and sent many trophies home to witness to his prowess with the rifle, including the heads of three urial and three chinkara from Kashmir, which was said there. to be the biggest bag an officer had ever secured.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1
Jones-Vaughan E N Captain Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Source : The Sphere 28th Nov 1914
Jones-Vaughan E N Captain 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers
JONES-VAUGHAN, EVAN NANNEY, Capt., 2nd Battn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, yr. S. of Major-Gen. Hugh Thomas Jones-Vaughan, of Llwydyn, Carnarvonshire, C.B., Col.-in-Chief of the Loyal North Lancashire Regt. (who served through the Indian Mutiny), by his wife, Eva, dau. of the late Rev. Evan C. Owen, of Hengwrtucha, Merionethshire, and Aberhirriaeth Hall, T.L., J.P.; b. Llwydyn, 5 Sept. 1885; educ. Wellington and Sandurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 22 Feb. 1905; and promoted Lieut. 4 Dec. 1909, and Capt. 19 April, 1913; left for France, 10 Aug. 1914; and was killed in action not far from the village of Vertouquet, near Armentières, 26 Oct. following, by the explosion of a shell (but reports differ), which also killed two Lieuts., a Sergt. and two men of his battn. Buried 600 metres from the spot where he fell; unm. His commanding officer wrote: “I have lost a most gallant and capable officer and a very dear companion.”
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1
Vassalli A J Cpl 2nd King Edward’s Horse
VASSALLI, ALFRED JEROME, Corpl., No. 305, 2nd King Edward’s Horse, s. of John Vassalli, of Scarborough, Jet Ornament Manufacturer, by his wife, Hannah, dau. of William Hardy; b. Whitby, co. York, 27 Aug. 1881 ; educ. Scarborough; was an officer in the Merchant Service, and wastraining with the Naval Reserve when the South African War broke out; volunteered, went with the naval guns to the Relief of Ladysmith, and took part in the operations in the Transvaal and Orange Free State and Natal (Queen’s medal with five bars), and was for some time despatch rider for Gen. Bethune, in whose cavalry regt. he afterwards served. He was a Naval Reservist, and on the outbreak of war was called up, but failed to pass the medical examination, and, being anxious to serve his country, joined the 2nd King Edward’s Horse, and was promoted Corpl. His health, however, broke down, and he died in King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor, 1 Oct. 1914, from pneumonia contracted while in camp at Slough. He was a Rural District Councillor at Drigg, Cumberland.
He m. at Scarborough 3 Sept. 1902, Anne Pembroke (Derwent House, Drigg, Holmrook, Cumberland), dau. of Frederick Reynolds, of the Inland Revenue Department, and had three children: Frederick John, b. 10 Nov. 1911; Annie Reynolds, b. 1 Feb. 1904; and Jessie Irene, b. 30 Dec. 1905.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1
Vanrenen A S Lt Col 5th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
VANRENEN, ARTHUR SAUNDERS, Lieut. Col., 5th (Service) Battn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, eldest surviving s. of the late Gen Donald Campbell Vanrenen, Indian Army, by his wife, Julia (9, Lansdowne Place, Cheltenham), dau. of the late J. S. Sullivan, Bengal Medical Service; b. Meerut, India, 14 Dec. 62; educ. Cheltenham; entered the Militia in 1879; was gazetted Lieut. from it, to the Lincolnshire Regt., 12 May, 1883; and promoted Capt. 23 Dec. 1893 ; served with Malay States Guides, 19 Nov. 1897-1908, being acting Commandant from 1905. He retired from the Lincolnshire Regt. on 3 Jan. 1903, but on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914 offered his services, and was gazetted Major, 7th Battn. of that regt., 23 Sept. following, and Lieut.-Col. commanding 5th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 3 March, 1915; went to the Dardanelles, 10 July, 1915, and was killed in action at Kapanya Dagh, 15 Aug. 1915, after the landing at Suvla Bay. He was buried on the hill where the battle took place. He m. at Bruges, Belgium, 28 Oct. 1897, Louisa Frances (Holmhurst, Bideford), dau. of Edwin Empson Isemonger, Colonial Treasurer of the Straits Settlements, and had two children: Esmé Mildred, b. 2 Aug. 1898; and Joyce Marguerite, b. 12 May, 1903.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1
Vallentin J F Captain VC 1st South Staffordshire Regiment
CAPTAIN JOHN FRANKS VALLENTIN VC
1ST BATTALION SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT
A man whose motto through life was “Thorough”, Captain John Franks Vallentin, of the first Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment won the VC at Villebeke on November 7th 1914, by the heroic deed which cost him his life.
the only son of the late Mr Grimble Vallentin and Mrs Grimble Vallentin of 33, Prince of Wales Mansions S.W. Captain Vallentin was born on May the 14th 1882. Educated at the great school which has been the Alma Mater of so many of our soldier heroes, Wellington College, he passed into the army through the Militia, with which he was embodied for nearly three years, and joined the Royal Garrison Regiment on July 29th 1903, serving with it until June 7th 1905, when he became Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. He was promoted Lieutenant two years later and gained company on June 12 1909. From 1901 to 1902 he served with the Militia in the Boer war taking part in the operations in Orange River Colony from April to December 1901, and in the operations in the Transvaal from that time until May 1902. The future VC then greatly distinguished himself, and was awarded the Queen’s Medal, with five clasps.
Captain J. F. Vallentin was the best polo player in his Regiment, captaining his team, and it was due to his energy and efforts that Pietermaritzburg, while his Regiment was stationed there, became a centre for polo in South Africa. He was a specialist in musketry, and, as Lieutenant-Colonel R. M. Ovens, C.M.G., the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, said of him, “a first-rate all-round man at his work.”
The manner in which this gallant Officer met his heroic death is eloquently described by Colonel Ovens, in the following letter :-
“Captain Vallentin’s splendid heroism, unfaltering courage and determination have been justly rewarded with the Victoria Cross, the highest and noblest reward to be won in His Majesty’s Army. To his family and to his Regiment it will ever be a source of intense gratification that this keen and able young Officer should have had his name recorded in England’s famous roll of heroes. We, his brother Officers, who knew him well, know that his heart’s desire was to do his best for his dear old Regiment, and in peace and war alike he worked his hardest and gave of his best for the service he was so devoted to and wrapped up in. His motto was ‘Thorough’ and his abilities were most marked.
He was a warm-hearted, generous-minded young Officer, for whom I felt the greatest regard and affection. He was wounded and in hospital at Ypres on November 6th last, and hearing the Regiment were making an attack that night, he came out of hospital and took command. He was again wounded whilst leading his men forward, but notwithstanding his two wounds he again advanced and was instantaneously killed by five or six shots. But, whilst regretting that he is lost to us in this world, we shall ever love to dwell upon the glorious fighting done by him at Ypres against the Prussian Guards, whereby he has earned immortal fame and added fresh honours to the South Staffordshire Regiment.
I feel certain that our brave and devoted Staffordshire soldiers who are so magnificently keeping up Staffordshire’s great name will feel strengthened and encouraged by Captain Vallentin’s noble example.”
Captain Vallentin’s grandfather, the late Colonel Finnis, 11th Bengal Native Infantry, was the first victim of the Indian Mutiny, being killed at Meerut, May 10th, 1857.
Source : The British Roll Of Honour Vol 1
Vallentin J F Captain VC 1st South Staffordshire Regiment
Vallentin J F Captain VC 1st South Staffordshire Regiment
VALLENTIN, JOHN FRANKS, V.C., Capt., 1st Battn. South Staffordshire Regt., only s. of the late Grimble Vallentin, of The Manor House, Walthamstow, by his wife, Lucy (33, Prince of Wales Mansions, S.W.), dau. of Col. John Finnis, 11th Bengal Native Infantry Regt. (killed at Meerut, 10 May, 1857, the first victim of the Mutiny); b. in London, 14 May, 1882; educ. Wellington College; served in the South African War, 1901-2, with the Sussex Militia, taking part in the operations in Orange River Colony, April to Dec. 1901, and in the Transvaal from that time until May, 1902 (Queen’s medal with five clasps); gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the Royal Garrison Regt., 29 July, 1903; trans- ferred to 1st South Staffords, 7 June, 1905, and promoted Lieut. 7 Sept. 1907, and Capt. 12 June, 1909. He went to France, 5 Oct. 1914, and was wounded on 31 Oct. at Ypres, and taken to hospital, where he was detained. On 2 Nov., on hearing Major Loder Symonds had been killed, he insisted on coming out of hospital to take command of what was left of the regt., the Col. having been seriously wounded on 31 Oct. He was killed in action at Zillebeke, 7 Nov. following; unm.
The regt. on this occasion, with the remains of the Queen’s Regt.. captured six machine guns, and recaptured the trenches which had previously been lost by the French. The machine guns captured on this occasion were destroyed and buried. He was awarded the V.C. posthumously “for conspicuous bravery on 7 Nov., at Zillebeke, when leading the attack against the Prussian Guard under a very heavy fire, he was struck down, and on rising to continue the attack, was immediately killed. The capture of the enemy’s trenches which followed was in a good measure due to the confidence which the men had in their captain, arising from his many previous acts of great bravery and ability.” Lieut.-Col. Ovens, C.M. G., commanding 1st South Staffords, wrote: Capt. Vallentin’s splendid heroism and unfaltering courage and determination have been justly rewarded with the Victoria Cross. He was Captain of our Polo Club, and the best player in the regt. He was a specialist in musketry, and a first-rate all-round man. At manœuvres and in the field General Officers have commented on the excellence of his work. The Chief Engineer of the 7th Division told me Capt. Vallentin’s scheme of defence and his trenches were the best he had seen. He was wounded and in hospital at Ypres on 6 Nov, 1914, and hearing the regt. was making an attack that night, he came out of hospital and took command. He was again wounded whilst leading his men forward, and was instantly killed. His is a great loss to his splendid old regt., and is deeply regretted by all who knew him.”
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1