Men of the Isle of Dogs Killed in Action During WWI (Update: New Grave Photos)

This article was first published in July 2019. During its preparation, I learned a lot about the extent of the fighting and the number of casualties during a short period of time, and in a small area of Northern France and Southern Belgium. Not long afterwards I decided to visit the area, to take photos of graves and memorials to supplement this article, and to see if I could learn some more about the War.

With just two available days, it was impossible to visit all the sites where Islanders are buried or commemorated in the area (and also, I wanted to visit some other sites, not just cemeteries). I was not comfortable with the idea of arriving at a cemetery, rushing to a gravestone, taking a photo, and then driving off to the next cemetery. That seemed disrespectful, somehow, reducing the visit to a mechanical gathering of images instead of taking the time to appreciate the significance and atmosphere of the place.

And so, much preparation went into creating a route that would cover as much as possible without racing from site to site. The planned route for Saturday morning, for example, looked as follows:

Saturday Morning, Northern France. A. Australian National Memorial, B. Heilly Station Cemetery, C. Becourt Military Cemetery, D. Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, E. Pozieres British Cemetery, F. Thiepval Memorial, G. Martinsart British Cemetery, H. Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, I. Sheffield Memorial Park, J. Hebuterne Military Cemetery.

A lot of sites for one morning, appearing at first sight to contradict my intention to not rush from place to place. However, the short distances between the sites meant mostly only a few minutes travel between them; the drive from the Australian National Monument to Heilly Station Cemetery, for example, took 15 minutes. Other preparation included looking up the grave numbers and marking on a cemetery plan where the graves were that I wanted to visit.

The route map above gives an impression of just how many WWI cemeteries and memorials there are in the area, and my map shows only the sites I wanted to visit – there are of course far more. If you go to the website of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and search for WWI cemetery or memorial locations in France*, there are 1,669 results! And that’s just Commonwealth graveyards; there are also graveyards belonging to the French, Americans, Germans and other nationalities.

* https://www.cwgc.org/find/find-cemeteries-and-memorials/results?country=France&firstwar=true

I have to mention I was very impressed by how well maintained the graveyards and memorials are by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. I particularly like the decision made in the past to not make larger or more ornate gravestones, nor give prominence to names on memorials, for those with a higher rank. The gravestones are all of the same design and size – in death there is no distinction due to rank.

As mentioned, the main reason for visiting the area was to take more photos of the graves of casualties from the Isle of Dogs. But, I returned home so overwhelmed and affected by the scale of everything: the number of casualties, tens of thousands killed in minutes, the number of graveyards, rows and rows of gravestones, memorials round every corner, whole towns flattened, villages and geographical features wiped off the map, hundreds of thousands of bodies that were never found – that I knew for sure that I wanted to do something else with the stories of the Islanders. I just haven’t yet worked out what.

In the mean time, I didn’t want to sit on the photos, so I have added a lot of them to this article. Today being Remembrance Sunday I thought it worth publishing an update.

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Original Article, With Updates….

Around 6 million men were mobilised to serve in the British Army during WWI; the majority were born in Britain, but a significant number were from other countries around the British Empire.

700,000 of the combatants from the British Isles were killed during the conflict. The 1911 Census reported the population of the country at 53 million, approximately 26 million of whom were men. That works out at about 1 in 37 of the male population killed in action, the vast majority of whom were young men (the average age of those who died was in the mid-twenties). In 1918, there was barely a street in Britain that hadn’t lost at least one of its young, male residents – and of course this sad fact applied equally to the Isle of Dogs.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has endeavoured to record all known casualties during World Wars I and II (see https://www.cwgc.org/), reporting not only military details such as names, ranks, regiments and service numbers, but also the date and place of death and where the soldier was buried or in which memorial he is commemorated.

Additional notes tell of the next of kin of the deceased, who they were and where they lived. It is this information which allows us to form a more personal picture of those who died, and the families they left behind.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The CWGC records should not be assumed to be a complete and accurate list of Islanders killed in action during WWI.

For one thing, the details of the next of kin were gathered sometime after the war, in the early 1920s. The CWGC sent forms to known next of kin according to service records, asking them to supply up-to-date information, including current address. This might not have been the address of the family during the war, and some next of kin could not be located, or didn’t reply.

Also, I have come across tens of records and photos – in the Island History Trust Collection for example – belonging to casualties who are not even mentioned in the CWGC records (or, if they are mentioned, there is not enough information to identify them as Islanders). This article is not complete, in other words – I’d be more than happy to include information about others if you are missing someone.

With those provisos in mind, I am in this article attempting to say more about those who were killed. Who were the people and families behind the records, in the context of the Isle of Dogs in the 1910s?

It would take a book to cover everyone, so most attention is paid to one street – Stebondale Street – which I considered to be representative of other Island streets at the time. Casualties from other areas are covered in less detail in the final section of the article.

Stebondale Street

At the outbreak of WWI, Islanders were not well off, but work was plentiful and there was little poverty – compared to the rest of the East End in any event. Stebondale Street was a typical Cubitt Town street, lined with terraced housing built in the mid-1800s. In 1914 the street extended from Manchester Road in the south to Manchester Road in the east (left to right in this 1929 photo).

https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW026710

The street also had two chapels and a number of commercial businesses (virtually all the photos in this section are from the Island History Trust Collection – see http://www.islandhistory.co.uk/ for more information.)

Henry Koch, 1 Stebondale Street

No. 1. Henry Koch, Grocer
No. 3. Henry Smith, Greengrocer
No. 5. Sarah Fothergill, Oil Shop
No. 7. Henry Miller, Fishmonger
No. 26. William Inkpen, Plumber
No. 28. Arthur Juan, Confectioner

1912. Juan’s, 28 Stebondale Street

No. 56. Mary Ann Kidd, Baker
No. 57. Charles May, Chandler’s Shop

May’s. 57 Stebondale Street.

No. 58. John Bedford, Bootmaker
No. 59. Albert Leonard, Boot Repairer
No. 70. George Dickman, Cycle Maker
No. 72. Joseph Bowers, Chandler’s Shop
No. 88. Joe Leeds, Greengrocer

Joe Leeds, 88 Stebondale Street

No. 89. John Burgess, Chandler’s Shop
No. 90. Ernest May, Greengrocer
No. 95. Virtue Dawson, Chandler’s Shop
No. 97. Elizabeth Roberts, Chandler’s Shop
No. 99. George Sempers, Builder’s Arms Public House

1900s. Builder’s Arms pub, 99 Stebondale Street.

No. 101. Herbert William, Hairdresser
No. 108. William Porter, Chandler’s Shop
No. 112. Abraham Fothergill, Chandler’s Shop
No. 144. Elizabeth McCartney, Oil Shop
No. 144A. William Boyns Robert, Hairdresser

1910s. McCartney’s, 144 Stebondale Street

When WWI started, the government called for volunteers and, by January 1915, more than 1 million joined the armed forces voluntarily. Traditionally, British public opinion has always been against conscription. However, because more men were needed (it wasn’t ‘over by Christmas’ after all), conscription was introduced in January 1916. Conscription applied initially to single men aged 18-41, but this was later extended to include married and older men.

Many residents of Stebondale Street also volunteered for service, and proudly posed for family photos.

Three Chadwick brothers. Originally from Greenwich, they lived at 55 Stebondale Street.

1918. The Price family, of Stebondale Street, Isle of Dogs. John Lawrence Price (b. 1862); John Price (b.c1898), William (Will) Price (b.1901), and in front Jim Price (b.1908). John Lawrence kept a shop in Stebondale Street which was in the Marine Stores; later his son kept it on as a tobacconist and confectioner. Will Price worked at Cargo Fleet, Westferry Road. Photo: Ada Price

Charles Needham (right) was born in Rotherhithe and moved to the Isle of Dogs after his marriage to Caroline Batchelor, living at 83 Stebondale Street. He served with the Essex Regiment throughout WWI.

Stebondale Street was a regular Island street.

A street which saw 14 of its sons, husbands, fathers or brothers killed during WWI.

Approximately one death per ten families.

Addresses of WWI casualties (or their next of kin) according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Click for full-sized version.

Many of the men must have known each other in civilian life. They lived close to each other in a close knit community, most were baptised in Christ Church and went to Cubitt Town School. Their families worked in the same firms. Most also died and are commemorated close to each other in a small area of Northern France.

Herbert Munden, 9 Stebondale Street

Herbert Munden was born in late 1898 to Charles and Rose Munden, who lived at 13 Pier Street. The 1911 Census shows that Herbert had three brothers and three sisters at the time. Herbert, his two younger brothers and one sister were still at school (Cubitt Town School in Saunders Ness Road – then named Wharf Road), his dad and oldest brother were dock workers, while his two older sisters were sack menders (a rotten job which exploited in particular young women, more girls really).

By the outbreak of WWI, the Mundens lived at 9 Stebondale Street, and Herbert’s father had recently died. Herbert was too young to fight in 1914, but in Nov 1916, at the age of 17, he joined the 5th/6th Battalion of the Royal Scots. His enrolment papers described his profession as ‘biscuit maker’.

Due to his age, he can’t have been conscripted, but must have volunteered. In all likelihood he started as a part-time or territorial soldier, and it was only when he reached 18 that he would be allowed to fight. In February 1918, Herbert was transferred to the front line, shipping from Folkestone to Boulogne.

On 5th March, he ‘joined field’ as it was described in his military papers, being one of the many thousands who were reinforcing the British front lines in the north of France in anticipation of a large German attack. As part of their ‘Operation Michael’, the Germans launched an attack towards Amiens on April 4th, and Herbert was killed. He was 19. He’d been in France for two months, and at the front line for less than a month.

Herbert Munden is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Bienvillers Military Cemetery

George Frederick Humphrey, 11 Stebondale Street

The Humphreys lived at 11 Stebondale Street, next door to the Mundens. Frederick (a worker in a dry dock) and Ada Humphrey had five children, the oldest of whom, George, was born in 1896. After attending Cubitt Town School, George became a ‘District Messenger’ (aka Telegram Boy).

George joined the army in January 1915, but it would be 1917 before he was shipped to France, by then a member of the Machine Gun Corps. His military medical records conclude with an entry on 25th July 1918: ‘Adm GSW Abdomen’ an abbreviated version of  ‘Admitted with gunshot wound to abdomen’. He died later that day.

Machine Gun Corps members at Vimy Ridge.

George Humphrey is buried in the British section of Verberie French National Cemetery.

Verberie French National Cemetery

William Alfred Love, 52 Stebondale Street

William Love was born in 1891, and was baptised in Christ Church. His baptism record shows that the family lived in Billson Street at the time, and that the profession of his father was ‘Woodmarker & Measurer’.

By 1911, mother Helen was a widow, and the family had moved around the corner to 52 Stebondale Street. The census of that year states that Helen was a forewoman in a varnish works. Daughter Dora (17) was a labeller in probably the same varnish works, daughter Grace (15) was a clerk in a jam factory, and the three youngest daughters – Jessie (11), Rosie (9) and Annie (7) – were all still at school. The only male in the household, William, was then 19 and was a tin plate worker in a paint works.

When WWI broke out, the Loves were living at 52 Stebondale Street. William signed up for the newly-formed 17th Battalion of the London Regiment, a territorial unit that was better known as the Poplar and Stepney Rifles. The battalion was trained at St. Albans and on 19th March 1915 they proceeded to Le Havre.

Men of the Poplar and Stepney Rifles, October 1916

William Love was killed on 29th October 1915, aged 24, and is buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Philosphe British Cemetery. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Frederick Rechab Clews, 58 Stebondale Street

In 1911, the Clews family were living at 5 Pier Street. Father, Samuel (a carpenter and joiner), mother, Hannah, and son Frederick (an electric crane driver), aged 18, were all born in Staffordshire. Frederick’s siblings – Dorothy, William, Reginald, Daisy, Samuel Jr and Ellen – were all born on the Isle of Dogs and were still at school.

On the outbreak of WWI, Frederick enlisted in Woolwich and became a driver in the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery, D Battery, 6nd Brigade. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot and the men proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on 1st June 1915.

They quickly saw action, including at the Battle of Loos (September 1915) and at the Hohenzollern Redoubt (September to October 1915), two British Army actions which were tactical and strategic failures and which led to heavy loss of life. During this short period – 117 officers and 3237 men of Frederick Clew’s division were killed or wounded, including Frederick himself who was killed on 11th October 1915.

Battle of Loos

Action at the Hohenzollern Redoubt

The 1916 Index of Wills and Administrations reveals that his effects were left to his father, Samuel. According to this index, the Clews were still living in Pier Street in 1916. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists Frederick Clews as of ’58 Stebondale Street, son of Mr. S.J. Clews, of 58 Stebondale Street, Cubitt Town, London’. The family must have moved home around the time of his death.

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1916

Frederick Clews was buried at the Philisophe British Cemetery in Mazingarbe.

George James Turner, 65 Stebondale Street

The Turner family lived at 65 Stebondale Street, close to its corner with Newcastle Street (now named Glengarnock Avenue). In the 1911 Census, the oldest son of the household, George Turner, is described as ‘one of the unemployed’. Father John worked at a paint factory at Storer’s Wharf, which would have been Wilkinson, Heywood & Clark, later the works of Pinchin Johnson & Co Ltd, Storer’s Wharf

Wilkinson, Heywood & Clark, Storer’s Wharf, 1920s

Despite the docks, and the connection of the Isle of Dogs with ships and shipbuilding, few Islanders went to sea. Islanders built ships, repaired ships, loaded and unloaded ships, but actually sailing on one was a different story altogether. An exception was George Turner – he joined the Royal Navy and became a stoker on HMS Formidable.

HMS Formidable

On 1st January 1915, while on Channel patrol off Portland Bill  H.M.S. Formidable was struck by a torpedo fired from a German submarine and began to list. 45 minutes later she was struck by a second torpedo. In the darkness and worsening weather conditions, it was difficult to get men and boats over the side. Two of the squadron’s light cruisers came alongside and managed to pick up some men, but in the end only 233 of the ship’s compliment of 547 men survived.

George Turner was among the dead; his mother, Hannah, was informed of his death on 5th January. He is commemorated at the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Chatham Memorial Register

Chatham Naval Memorial

Thomas J. Ballard, 71 Stebondale Street

Thomas Ballard was in his late 40s when WWI broke out, and was a labourer in a dry dock. He was married, and he and wife Fanny had six children: William (20), Thomas (18), Edwin (16), Harry (14), Fanny (12) and Jessie (9). The family lived at various times at both 54 and 71 Stebondale Street.

It is not clear if he volunteered or was conscripted, but in 1917 he was private in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. By this time he had turned 50 and probably, due to his age, he was not on the front line but was assigned to a ‘Home’ depot.

In October 1917 he was admitted to Parkhurst Military Hospital where he died on the 19th of that month. Was it an accident? Was he sick? There are no records of the cause of death that I could find, but I suspect it was the former as Thomas is listed as a WWI ‘casualty’ by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. He is named on the kerb wall of the WWI memorial at East London Cemetery in Plaistow.

War Memorial, East London Cemetery

Henry George Walker, 113 Stebondale Street

Henry George Walker was the son of Henry and Annie Walker of 113 Stebondale Street. According to the 1911 census, the household was made up of:

• Henry Walker (43), Labourer Chemical Works
• Annie Walker (43)
• Annie Walker (21), Sack Maker
• Joseph Walker (19), General Labourer
• William Walker (17), Plumber’s Labourer
• Henry Walker (14), Van Boy
• George Walker (12), Ellen Walker (10), Charles Walker (8), Thomas Walker (6), Albert Walker (4), all still at school

Henry Jr. turned 18 in 1916, and enlisted in the army. Conscription had been introduced by this time, but he may also have volunteered. He became a private in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment.

It was his misfortune to be immediately engaged in the Battle of the Somme. This battle was intended to hasten a victory for the Allies and was the largest battle of the First World War on the Western Front. More than three million men fought in the battle and one million were wounded or killed, making it one of the bloodiest battles in human history. The main battle raged from July to November 1916, and Henry was killed at its start (he died on 1st July).

Henry Walker’s body was never found, he was ‘missing, presumed dead’, along with more than 72,000 other men whose bodies were never found and are named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Thiepval Memorial

Frederick Edward Cooter, 137 Stebondale Street

Frederick Cooter (b1898) was the oldest of four children born to Leo (general labourer at a wharf) and Emily of 137 Stebondale Street. His siblings were Ada, Harry and Arthur.

Frederick joined the 1st Battalion of Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) of Infantry in March 1914, a few months before the outbreak of war. His service papers recorded his trade as ‘Dock Labourer’. His Battalion was mobilised and landed in France in August 1914, when Frederick was still only 17, and he did not join them at the front line until 26th November 1915.

During the Battle of Bazentin Ridge (14th to 17th July 1916) which was part of the Battle of the Somme, Frederick Cooter was reported – on 15th July – as “Missing, Death Presumed”.

The Battle of Bazentin Ridge

Frederick Cooter is remembered in the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 5 D and 6 D).

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Joseph William Jeffery, 163 Stebondale Street

Joseph was born in 1877 to Joseph and Jane Jeffery of 44 Glengall Road, and was in his late 30s when WWI broke out. Possibly due to his age, he was posted to a Fortress Company of the Royal Engineers.

Glengall Road, 1910s

At the start of the war, there were 11 Fortress Companies at home and 15 overseas, all on coastal defence duties. Some were entirely for Electric Light (that is, searchlight) duty; others also had Works responsibilities. On mobilisation, men of the Territorial RE took over the home stations, releasing men for duty with the British Expeditionary Force – although not all regulars were withdrawn right away but were released gradually, their places being filled by men who were unfit for overseas service. Territorial troops also moved out to take over some of the overseas stations.

Joseph Jeffery died on 21st May 1919. Despite his death occurring well after the end of war, he is listed as a WWI ‘casualty’ by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and is named on the kerb wall of the WWI memorial at East London Cemetery in Plaistow.

Alfred Arthur Horsley, 167 Stebondale Street

Alfred was born in 1891, the first child of Arthur and Catherine Horsley of 2 Gaverick Street. 10 years later Alfred had four younger siblings, and the family had moved to nearby Claude Street.

Claude Street (post-WWI)

He married in 1913, and in 1915 Arthur and wife Kate were expecting a baby. When daughter Kate was baptised in Christ Church on 31st October 1915, Alfred’s profession was given as ‘Soldier’ on the baptism certificate.

Arthur was a Lance Corporal in the 11th Battalion of the Essex Regiment, and on 25th April 1917 he was killed in action. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorial text states that he was the “Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Horsley, of 167, Stebondale St., Cubitt Town, Isle of Dogs; husband of A. A. Naylor (formerly Horsley), of 340, Manchester Rd., Cubitt Town, Isle of Dogs, London.” It appears that Alice had remarried by the time the CWGC prepared memorial texts directly after the war.

Arthur Horsley is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Bethune Town Cemetery. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Robert Cone Gosling, 173 Stebondale Street

Robert Cone Gosling was born on 7th August 1899 to Spencer Cone (a general labourer) and Louisa Gosling of 361 Grosvenor Buildings in Poplar. When he was three or four years’ old, the Goslings moved onto the Island, to 323 Manchester Road. A few years later they moved to 173 Stebondale Street.

Robert was about 15 when WWI broke out, but two years later he was a private in the 7th Battalion of the Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).

Robert Cone Gosling

His battalion was involved in The Second Battle of Bapaume which started on 21st August 1918, and on the 23rd he was killed.

Bapaume after its capture by British and New Zealand troops on 30th August 1918.

Robert Cone Gosling is buried at the Becourt Military Cemetery.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Becourt Military Cemetery. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Richard Justice, 185 Stebondale Street

Richard Justice was born in September 1889 and lived at 185 Stebondale Street. After leaving Cubitt Town school he was a general labourer for a while before joining the Royal Navy on 13th March 1908 (he signed up for 12 years).

According to his naval records (extract below), his “Wounds, Scars or Marks” included a number of tattoos:

• 2 hands with glasses & ‘friendship’
• 5 dots left arm
• Anchor back of left hand
• 5 dots right arm

Naval Records, Richard Justice

The records also show that he served on many different ships, the last of which was the destroyer HMS Recruit (launched in 1896).

HMS Recruit

With the outbreak of WWI, Recruit’s duties included anti-submarine and counter mining patrols. On 1st May 1915 Recruit was patrolling with sister ship Brazen in the Thames Estuary, when she was struck by a single torpedo fired by a German submarine. Recruit broke in two and sank quickly with the loss of 39 men. 4 officers and 22 crewmen were rescued.

Petty Officer Stoker Justice’s body was never recovered and he is commemorated at the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Alfred Cottage, 185 Stebondale Street

Alfred Cottage, born 6th November 1893, was one of a large family, who in 1901 lived at 241 Galbraith Street:

• Father: Isaac (52), Boilermaker
• Mother: Sarah (42)
• Children: Isaac Jr (22), George (18), Charles (16), Sarah (11), Henry (9), Alfred (7), May (4), Eliza (1), Albert (1)

After father Isaac died, the family fell upon hard times, and Alfred spent some time at the Poplar Training School and also on the training ship, Exmouth.

Poplar Training School was a school and home in Brentwood for Poor Law children from Poplar, administered by the governors of Poplar Workhouse. Other records suggest his mother was a ‘resident’ of Poplar Workhouse at the time.

HMS Exmouth was loaned by the Admiralty for use as a training ship for poor boys. The cadets were often from families that had been placed in workhouses. (Exmouth House in Cahir Street is named after the ship).

Training Ship Exmouth

Alfred was admitted to the Exmouth on 22nd July 1908 when he was about 14 years’ old, and was discharged on 11th January 1910. His discharge notes indicated that he found work on the SS Oravia, an ocean-going liner based in Liverpool, “as DB [Deck Boy?] for £1 per month”.

The Oravia hit rocks off the Falkland Islands on 12th November 1912 while sailing from Liverpool to Callao in Peru (the ship regularly stopped over at Port Stanley). The crew and passengers were evacuated with the assistance of local boats, and there were no casualties, but the Oravia sank a few days later. It is unknown if Alfred Cottage was sailing with the ship at the time.

The Oravia shortly before sinking.

During WWI Alfred became a Private in the 1st/4th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. Between 9th and 24th October, he was involved in the British Fourth Army’s effort to push elements of two German armies back from the Hindenburg support line, During this action, known as the ‘Pursuit to the Selle’, Alfred Cottage was killed (on 11th October 1918, just a month before the end of the war). He was buried at York Cemetery, Haspres.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission records describe Alfred as the ‘son of Mrs. S.E. Cottage of 185 Stebondale Street’. After the war his mother was a lodger of the Justice family, whose son was also killed in action (see above).

York Cemetery Haspres

George James Lloyd, 197 Stebondale Street

George Lloyd was born in 1895 to James (dock labourer) and Sarah Anne Lloyd of 197 Stebondale Street. According to the 1911 census, George was a ‘soap maker’, which means he probably worked for Sapon Soaps in Wharf Road (later Saunders Ness Road), whose wharf was later occupied by Luralda’s.

During WWI George was a private in the 1st/20th Battalion of the London Regiment, and was killed on 21st May 1916 in The Battle for Vimy Ridge.

Vimy Ridge

De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour contains biographies of over 26,000 casualties of WWI and includes an entry for George.

George James Lloyd is commemorated at the Arras Memorial.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Arras Memorial. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Arras Memorial. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Arras Memorial. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

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Casualties Across the Whole Island

Stebondale Street was no exception; families across the whole Island suffered as many losses. In the following maps – covering different areas of the Island, black flags indicate the homes of WWI casualties (or the homes of their next of kin).

It is certainly the case that more men were killed than those represented by a flag on the maps – and named in the following lists. Information provided by next of kin to the CWGC did not always say where they lived. In some cases the residence is given as just Millwall or Cubitt Town, and in some cases it is not given at all. And, as already mentioned, the addresses of the next kin were collected two or three years after the war, by which time some had moved home.

Cubitt Town South

Addresses of WWI military casualties (or their next of kin), south Cubitt Town. It’s an 1890 map, and the houses of casualties resident in East Ferry Road hadn’t been built yet.

CWGC has the following information for casualties related to these addresses. Each entry shows name, rank, unit,  date of death, age (if known), place of burial or commemoration, and additional notes. The list is sorted by street name (and Stebondale Street is included for the sake of completeness). Interesting, relevant photos are also included.

Gordon, William Clark / Serjeant / Royal Fusiliers, 13th Bn. / 14-Nov-1916 / 34 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of James Burnett Gordon and Isabella Clark Gordon, 3 Barque St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Hipkins, Walter / Lance Corporal / Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 13th Coy. / 20-Jun-1917 / 21 / Roclincourt Military Cemetery, France / Son of Thomas and Jemima Hipkins, 11 Barque St.

Philpott, Samuel Reginald / Rifleman / Royal Irish Rifles, 1st Bn. / 02-Oct-1918 / 19 / Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium / Son of Mrs. Annie Littleton Philpott, 7 Billson St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Tyne Cot Memorial. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Tyne Cot Memorial. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Membry, Samuel George / Private / Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 188th Coy. / 26-Feb-1918 / 19 / East London Cemetery, Plaistow / Son of Alice Frances Membry, 1 Brig St., and the late William C. Membry.

Beattie, Kenneth Parish / Gunner / Royal Field Artillery, B Bty. 291st Bde. / 29-Jun-1917 / 24 / Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France / Son of William Parish Beattie, 7 College View.

Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension

Barber, V / Lance Corporal / Suffolk Regiment, 9th Bn. / 20-Nov-1917 / 25 / Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, France / Son of Janet E. Barber, 4 Douglas St.

Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery

Maskell, Joseph Harry / Private / Guards Machine Gun Regiment, 2nd Bn. / 18-Sep-1918 / 28 / Chapelle British Cemetery, Holnon, France / Son of Joseph and Amelia Maskell, 1 Charteris Terrace (now 224 East Ferry Rd.).

Chapelle British Cemetery, Holnon

Dimelow, Edwin / Private / Highland Light Infantry, 18th (Glasgow Yeomanry) Bn. / 26-Mar-1918 / 31 / Pozieres Memorial, France / Son of Mrs. Frances Dimelow, 60 Mornington Rd., Wanstead; husband of Margaret Dimelow, 9 Charteris Terrace, East Ferry Road.

Index of Wills and Administration

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Pozieres Memorial and Cemetery. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Pozieres Memorial and Cemetery. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Cole, William Charles / Private / London Regiment (London Irish Rifles), 18th Bn. / 31-Aug-1918 / 19 / Sailly-Saillisel British Cemetery, France / Son of Lily Louisa Cole, 10 Charteris Terrace, East Ferry Road.

Sailly-Saillisel British Cemetery

Knight, Albert Alfred / Rifleman / London Regiment, 1st/17th Bn. / 01-Oct-1916 / 37 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Brother of Mr. G. W. Knight, 200 East Ferry Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Maher, John Edward / Private / The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment), 1st Bn. / 25-Sep-1915 / 32 / Loos Memorial, France / Son of the late John Edward and Catherine Maher; husband of Heneretta Jessie Maher, 1 Johnson St.

Loos Memorial

Soper, S / Private / Royal Berkshire Regiment, 1st Bn. / 15-Nov-1916 / 27 / Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, France / Brother of Albert Soper, 4 Johnson St.

Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery

Hall, William / Private / Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), 11th Bn. / 15-Sep-1916 / 34 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, 44 Manchester Rd.; husband of L. E. Hall, 14 Manchester Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Powell, W / Private / London Regiment, 2nd/22nd Bn. / 31-Oct-1917 / 23 / Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel and Palestine / Son of Mrs. Powell, 18 Manchester Rd.

Beersheba War Cemetery

Hall, C / Private / Gloucestershire Regiment, 7th Bn. / 03-Feb-1917 / 35 / Amara War Cemetery, Iraq / Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, 44 Manchester Rd.

Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. The cemetery is at this moment seriously dilapidated, damaged during the conflicts of recent decades. The Commonwealth War Graves Commision has stated it will restore the cemetery when conditions allow it.

Gordon, John Gray / Private / Royal Fusiliers, 2nd Bn. / Circa 11-Apr-1918 / 38 / Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium / Son of James and Isabella Gordon; husband of Jeannie Gordon, 20 Manchester Rd.

Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium

Hall, George Frank / Rifleman / King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 10th Bn. / 30-Nov-1917 / 24 / Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France / Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Hall, 44 Manchester Rd.

Cambrai Memorial

Kentish, Harry / Private / London Regiment, 20th Bn. / 05-Apr-1918 / 22 / Martinsart British Cemetery, France / Son of Mrs. S. E. Kentish, 71 Manchester Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Hubbard, Robert Danzy / Private / London Regiment, 1st/13th Kensington Bn. / 08-Oct-1916 / 26 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of Henry and Susannah Hubbard, 75 Manchester Rd.

75 Manchester Rd and higher, 1910s

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Tombs, Henry Ernest / Serjeant / Honourable Artillery Company, 1st Bn. / 23-Apr-1917 / 27 / Arras Memorial, France / Son of Mr. and Mrs. Tombs, 76 Manchester Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Wombell, James Horace / Private / London Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own Civil Service Rifles), A Coy. / 07-Oct-1916 / 21 / Warlencourt British Cemetery, France / Son of James and Amelia Wombell, 105 Manchester Rd.

Warlencourt British Cemetery

Phillips, Frank / Sapper / Australian Engineers, 4th Field Coy. / 13-Dec-1916 / 45 / Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe, France / Son of Henry Phillips and the late Emma Phillips; husband of Florence E. Phillips, 141 Manchester Rd. Native of Mells, Frome, Somerset.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Heilly Station Cemetery. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Coombe, Arthur Walter Heywood / Lance Corporal / Royal Engineers, 26th Field Coy. / 28-May-1918 / 23 / Loos Memorial, France / Son of Charles William Coombe, 156 Trafalgar Rd., East Greenwich; husband of Grace Coombe, 190 Manchester Rd.

Kay, Daniel Thomas / Rifleman / Rifle Brigade, 12th Bn. / 05-Dec-1918 / 21 / Vevey (St. Martin’s) Cemetery, Switzerland / Son of Mrs. Ellen Catherine Kay, 174 Manchester Rd.

Vevey (St. Martin’s) Cemetery, Switzerland

Gordon, George / Able Seaman / Royal Navy, H.M.S. Natal. / 30-Dec-1915 / 21 / Chatham Naval Memorial / Son of Bessie May Dawson (formerly Gordon), 178 Manchester Rd.

HMS Natal. 421 people including sailors, women and children were killed when the ship’s ammunition store exploded in the Cromarty Firth. Natal’s captain was hosting a film show for officers, their wives and a local family at the time.

Watkins, William Ernest / Company Serjeant Major / The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment), 6th Bn. / 16-Oct-1918 / 38 / East London Cemetery, Plaistow / Husband of Marie G. Watkins, 200 Manchester Rd.

Hopkins, George Richard / Stoker 1st Class / Royal Navy, H.M.S. Ettrick. / 07-Jul-1917 / 24 / Chatham Naval Memorial / Husband of F. M. Hopkins, 202 Manchester Rd.

Downs, John Edward / Private / Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), 8th Bn. / 18-Jan-1916 / 32 / Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France / Husband of Emily Alice Downs, 235 Manchester Rd.

Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France

Bridge, Frank Arthur / Private / Devonshire Regiment, 2nd Bn. / 05-Sep-1917 / 18 / Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France / Son of William and Elizabeth Bridge, 239 Manchester Rd.

Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck

Oliver, Thomas / Private / Middlesex Regiment, 3rd Bn. / 27-Sep-1915 / 20 / Loos Memorial, France / Son of Fredrick and Eliza Oliver, 285 Manchester Rd.

The Oliver Family. Thomas Oliver is sitting between his parents in the front row.

Skeels, Reuben / Private / East Surrey Regiment, 12th Bn. / 21-Feb-1917 / 21 / Dickebusch New Military Cemetery / Son of Mrs. Jessie Maud Griffiths, 10 Newcastle St.

Reuben Skeels

Griffiths, William John Henry / Private / Lancashire Fusiliers, 18th Bn. / 20-Oct-1918 / 19 / Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium / Son of Mrs. Jessie Maud Griffiths, 10 Newcastle St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Braithwaite, Arthur / Private / Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), 1st Bn. / 28-Oct-1914 / 29 / Le Touret Memorial, France / Brother of Maud Russell, 14 Newcastle St.

Le Touret Memorial

Lounton, Walter / Bugler / Somerset Light Infantry, 8th Bn. / 25-Aug-1916 / 21 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of Mr. G. T. Lounton, 28 Newcastle St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Ryan, Martin Patrick / Private / Royal Fusiliers, 13th Bn. / 14-Nov-1916 /  / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Ryan, 33 Newcastle St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Brown, Bertie Joseph / Rifleman / King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 18th Bn. / 22-Aug-1917 / 21 / Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, France / Son of Henry and Clara Brown, 8 Parsonage St.

Godewaersvelde British Cemetery

Coats, George / Serjeant / Army Veterinary Corps, Depot / 11-Aug-1916 / 42 / Greenwich Cemetery / Only son of Elizabeth Coats, Dorchester, and the late Thomas Coats; husband of Maria Maud Coats, 1 Seyssel St.

Godewaersvelde British Cemetery

Letton, David Robert / First Engineer / Mercantile Marine, S.S. Gravina (Liverpool) / 07-Feb-1917 / 70 / Tower Hill Memorial / Husband of Elisabeth Meriton Letton, 9 Seyssel St. Born at Deptford, London.

Tower Hill Memorial

Elliott, John Frederick / Private / London Regiment, D Coy. 20th Bn. / 10-Jun-1915 / 18 / Fosse J Military Cemetery (Quality Street), Mazingarbe, France / Son of Frederick James and Ann Elizabeth Elliott, 13 Seyssel St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Fosse J Military Cemetery

Bruce, William Ernest / Sapper / Royal Engineers, 154th Field Coy. / 11-Sep-1916 / 26 / Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-Au-Bois, France / Son of Walter and Harriet Bruce; husband of Susan Grace Bruce, 18 Seyssel St.

Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-Au-Bois

Ryan, Arthur / Private / Suffolk Regiment, 7th Bn. / 30-Oct-1915 / 20 / Loos Memorial, France / Son of James and Jane Ryan, 2 Ship St.

McGeehan, Francis / Private / London Regiment, 1st/20th Bn. / 16-Jul-1916 / 18 / Arras Memorial, France / Son of Frank and Harriett Louise McGeehan, 10 Ship St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Williams, George William / Private / Royal Berkshire Regiment, 1st Bn. / 15-May-1915 / 22 / Le Touret Memorial, France / Son of W. J. G. and Alice Martha Williams, 14 Ship St.

Parsons, William Joseph / Rifleman / London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles), 1st/9th Bn. / 09-Aug-1918 / 36 / Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France / Husband of Martha Emily Parsons, 32 Ship St.

William Joseph Parsons, shipwright, and Alex Wallis, both of No. 32 Ship Street, at work barge-breaking for Turner’s Shore off Ferry Street (Island History Trust)

Vis-En-Artois Memorial

Cubitt Town North

Addresses of WWI military casualties (or their next of kin), north Cubitt Town.

MacFaull, RL / Private, Middlesex Regiment, 3rd Bn.  / 12-Sep-1915 /  32 / R.E. Farm Cemetery, Belgium / Son of Robert MacFaull, Glasgow; husband of Norah MacFaull, 35 Chipka St.

R.E. Farm Cemetery, Belgium

Anderson, Henry John / Rifleman / King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 4th Bn. / 22-Mar-1920 / 20 / Belgaum Government Cemetery, India / Son of George and Mary Ann Anderson, 39 Chipka St.

Harris, Robert Alfred Edward / Rifleman / Rifle Brigade, 10th Bn. / 19-Feb-1917 / 27 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of the late Robert and Jane Harris; husband of May Rose Harris, 5 Cold Harbour

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Nunns, Henry / Serjeant / King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 9th Bn. / 16-Oct-1917 / 19 / Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium / Son of Mrs. Emma Smith, 8A Davis St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Hooge Crater. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Bean, Alfred James / Rifleman / King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 11th Bn. / 01-Dec-1917 / 30 / Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France / Brother of Mr. J. H. Bean, 2 East Ferry Rd.

Wood, James Edward George / Rifleman / Rifle Brigade, 8th Bn. / 02-Dec-1917 / 20 / Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium / Son of Mrs. Jane Wood, 7 East Ferry Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Hitchins, Horace Arthur / Rifleman / London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade), 1st/5th Bn. / 15-Apr-1918 / 19 / Arras Memorial, France / Son of James William and Jessie Hitchins, 53 East Ferry Rd.

Horace Arthur Hitchins

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Madigan, Thomas / Master / Mercantile Marine, S.S. Joshua Nicholson. / 18-Mar-1917 / 50 / Tower Hill Memorial / Husband of Josephine Madigan, 83 East Ferry Rd.

Madigan, Thomas Fernando / Sailor / Mercantile Marine, S.S. Joshua Nicholson. / 18-Mar-1917 / 19 / Tower Hill Memorial / Son of Josephine Madigan, 83 East Ferry Rd., and the late Thomas Madigan. Born at Liverpool.

SS Joshua Nicholson. Torpedoed by U-70.

Wilson, Frank Thomas / Able Seaman / Royal Navy, H.M.S. Vindictive. / 10-May-1918 / 23 / Noordwijk General Cemetery, Netherlands / Son of William Henry and P. Wilson, 117 East Ferry Rd.

Noordwijk General Cemetery, Netherlands

Rose, W / Private / King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 2nd 5th Bn. / 28-Mar-1918 / 25 / Gommecourt British Cemetery No.2, Hebuterne, France / Husband of Mrs. A. E. Rose, 117 East Ferry Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Hisee, Charles Edward / Private / The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), C Coy. 1st Bn. / 30-Mar-1917 / 20 / Loos Memorial, France / Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Hisee, 44 Galbraith St.

Fricker, Albert Edward / Private / Hampshire Regiment, 1st Bn. / 24-Oct-1918 / 23 / Monchaux Communal Cemetery, France / Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Fricker, 49 Galbraith St.

Monchaux Communal Cemetery

Moore, Arthur Alfred / Private / Royal Fusiliers, 9th Bn. / 30-Nov-1917 / 24 / Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France / Husband of Mary L. Moore, 70 Galbraith St.

Gibson, Harold Young / Lance Corporal / Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), 1st Bn. / 09-Sep-1914 / 26 / Mons (Bergen) Communal Cemetery, Belgium / Son of Mr. J. Gibson, 6 Glengall Rd.

Mons (Bergen) Communal Cemetery

Hart, James / Private / Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), G Coy. 6th Bn. / 17-Jul-1917 / 19 / Arras Memorial, France / Brother of Thomas Hart, 26 Glengall Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Taylor, Thomas Edward / Driver / Royal Field Artillery, C Bty. 95th Bde. / 15-Oct-1917 / 33 / The Huts Cemetery, Belgium / Son of John and Annie Taylor; husband of Edith Lilian Taylor, 38 Glengall Rd.

The Huts Cemetery

Hircock, Peter William / Private / Essex Regiment, 4th Bn. / 27-Mar-1917 / 19 / Jerusalem Memorial, Israel and Palestine / Son of William Culy Hircock, and Hannah Amelia Hircock, 44 Glengall Rd.

Jerusalem Memorial

Haite, William Nicholas / Rifleman / Rifle Brigade, 1st Bn. / 04-Nov-1914 / 22 / Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium / Son of Mrs. Mary Eliza Haite, 73 Glengall Rd.

Gwyther, Stanley Victor / Rifleman / London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade), B Coy. 1st/5th Bn. / 01-Jul-1916 / 19 / Hebuterne Military Cemetery, France, France / Son of William and Elizabeth Gwyther, 4 Judkin St.

Hebuterne Cemetery

Smith, John William / Mess Room Steward / Mercantile Marine, S.S. Joshua Nicholson. / 18-Mar-1917 / 17 / Tower Hill Memorial / Son of Emily E. M. Smith, 5 Launch St. Born at Plumstead, London.

Stevens, Frederick George / Private / South Staffordshire Regiment, 4th Bn. / 21-Apr-1918 / 24 / Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension, Belgium / Son of Andrew Alfred and Emily Louisa Stevens, 298 Manchester Rd.

Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension

Rickman, SJ / Corporal / London Regiment, 1st/22nd Bn. / 06-Jun-1917 / / Woods Cemetery, Belgium / Son of Mr. H. C. Rickman, 348 Manchester Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Woods Cemetery

Worsley, TJ / Private / London Regiment, 20th Bn. / 24-Dec-1916 / 19 / Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), Belgium / Son of Edward and Mary Worsley, 324 Manchester Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm)

Worsley, EP / Private / Lincolnshire Regiment, D Coy. 7th Bn. / 30-May-1916 / 28 / Leytonstone (St. Patrick’s) Roman Catholic Cemetery / Son of Eduard and Mary Worsley, 324 Manchester Rd.

Leytonstone (St. Patrick’s) Roman Catholic Cemetery

Dongworth, JT / Private / Royal Welsh Fusiliers, D Coy. 15th Bn. / 21-Dec-1915 / 22 / Merville Communal Cemetery, France / Son of James Thomas Dongworth, 392 Manchester Rd.

366-396 (R to L) Manchester Road

Merville Communal Cemetery

Baggs, William John / Private / East Surrey Regiment, 1st Bn. / 04-Oct-1917 / 20 / Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium / Son of William John and Martha Baggs, 398 Manchester Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Leeds, JW / Serjeant / London Regiment, 2nd/20th Bn. / 27-Sep-1918 / / Grand Ravine British Cemetery, Havrincourt, France / Husband of Mrs. F. M. Leeds, 591 Manchester Rd.

Grand Ravine British Cemetery

Perry, Harry Richard / Rifleman / London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles), 2nd/11th Bn. / 23-May-1917 / 22 / Arras Memorial, France / Son of Mrs. Rosa Selina Perry, 1 Marshfield St.

Owen, Alec / Rifleman / London Regiment (The Rangers), 1st/12th Bn. / 08-May-1915 / 21 / Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium / Son of Mr. W. J. R. J. and Mrs. E. E. Owen, 13 Marshfield St.

Menin Gate. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Menin Gate. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Williams, Ernest Stott / Gunner / Royal Field Artillery, C Bty. 96th Bde. / 20-Dec-1915 / 36 / Longuenesse (St. Omer) S, Franceouvenir Cemetery / Son of Emanuel and Lucy Williams, 14 Marshfield St.; husband of Emily Amelia Williams, 25 Chipka St.

Longuenesse (St. Omer) S, Franceouvenir Cemetery

Honess, Albert Edward / Second Lieutenant / Middlesex Regiment, 21st Bn. / 09-Apr-1918 / 21 / Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium / Son of Mrs. Honess, 34 Plevna St.

Campbell, CH / Private / Essex Regiment, 9th Bn. / 12-Apr-1917 / / Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France / Son of Mr. W. Campbell, 37 Plevna St.

Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun

Whitear, Thomas Henry / Serjeant / London Regiment, 17th Bn. / 23-May-1915 / 23 / Woburn Abbey Cemetery, Cuinchy, France / Son of W. and Elizabeth Whitear, 39 Plevna St.

Woburn Abbey Cemetery, Cuinchy, France

Morgan, Alexander / Rifleman / Rifle Brigade, 3rd Bn. / 10-Mar-1916 / 17 / Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France / Son of Richard and Eliza Morgan, 26 Samuda St.

Webb, William George / Lance Corporal / Rifle Brigade, A Coy. 1st Bn. / 05-Jan-1921 / 34 / East London Cemetery, Plaistow / Son of William and Sarah Ann Webb, 3 Charles Terrace, Stewart St.

Charlton, JW / Private / Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 9th Coy. / 09-Apr-1917 / / Beaurains, France Road Cemetery, Beaurains, France / Son of Mr. N. Charlton, 7 Charles Terrace, Stewart Street.

Beaurains, France Road Cemetery

Holman, William James / Private / The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment), 2nd Bn. / 01-Jul-1916 / 23 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of Mrs. Caroline Gibson, 20 Stewart St.

Thomas, John Charles / Private / Middlesex Regiment, 1st Bn. / 15-Jul-1916 / 21 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of Mrs. Caroline Gibson, 20 Stewart St.

Keat, Abraham / Private / The King’s (Liverpool Regiment), 2nd Bn. / 21-Oct-1915 / 30 / Delhi Memorial (India Gate), India / Son of William Keat, 28 Stewart St. (Buried Subhan Khwar Cem. No. I. 4.).

India Gate

Covely, Joseph / Driver / Royal Field Artillery, Y 25th T.M. Bty. / 23-Jul-1918 / 25 / Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France / Husband of Roseatta Lilian Covely (nee Warren), 54 Stewart St.

Terlincthun British Cemetery

Law, Edmund / Driver / Royal Field Artillery, 97th Bty. / 16-Apr-1915 / 19 / Helles Memorial, Turkey / Son of Mr. and Mrs. Law, 92 Stewart St.

Helles Memorial

Baker, Alfred Charles / Corporal / Rifle Brigade, 8th Bn. / 15-Oct-1917 / 26 / Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium / Son of Mr. W. T. and Mrs. E. R. Baker, 5 Strattondale St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Oakley, R / Lance Bombardier / Royal Field Artillery, D Bty. 94th Bde. / 21-Mar-1918 / 22 / Ste. Emilie Valley Cemetery, Villers-Faucon, France / Son of Mrs. Sarah A. Oakley, 30 Strattondale St.

Ste. Emilie Valley Cemetery, Villers-Faucon

Morris, John / Private / Durham Light Infantry, 10th Bn. / 15-Oct-1917 / 19 / Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium / Son of Robert and Sarah Morris, 63 Strattondale St.

Morris Family, 1902. John William Morris is sitting on his father’s lap, centre front.

Mrs Sarah Jane Morris, wearing a brooch with the photo of a soldier, and a black sateen mourning blouse, made out of the lining of a man’s overcoat (probably belonging to her son, John William) (Island History Trust)

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

North Millwall

Addresses of WWI military casualties (or their next of kin), north Millwall.

Brown, William James / Private / Hampshire Regiment, 2nd Bn. / 13-Aug-1915 / 20 / Helles Memorial, Turkey / Son of Mr. and Mrs. Brown, 4 Alpha Rd.

Tyler, WJ / Rifleman / King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 7th Bn. / 13-Apr-1917 / 29 / Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, France / Son of Louisa Annie Tyler, 5 Alpha Rd.; husband of Emily Springett (formerly Tyler), 144 Turner’s Rd., Burdett Rd., Bow.

Mead, Percival / Private / London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), 2nd/1st Bn. / 16-Jun-1917 / 23 / Arras Memorial, France /  Son of Mr. and Mrs. Mead, 6 Alpha Rd.

Warner, Charles William / Serjeant / Northumberland Fusiliers, 26th (Tyneside Irish) Bn. / 03-Sep-1917 / 32 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of John and Emily Warner, 60 Clarence St., Gravesend, Kent; husband of Elizabeth Yelland (formerly Warner), 7 Alpha Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Tonge, George / Rifleman / London Regiment, 17th Bn. / 15-Sep-1916 / 20 / Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, France / Son of George and Louisa Tonge, 30 Alpha Rd.

Caterpillar Valley Cemetery

Bensley, James Thomas / Rifleman / London Regiment, 1st/17th Bn. / 01-Oct-1916 / 17 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of James Charles and Eliza Elizabeth Bensley, 69 Alpha Rd.

67-83 Alpha Rd, c1910

McPherson, John David / Lance Corporal / Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 51st Bn. / Circa 09-Apr-1918 / 24 / Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium / Son of John and Annie McPherson; husband of Jane Mary McPherson, 69 Alpha Rd.

Clements, Robert Owen / Able Seaman / Royal Navy, H.M.S. Agamemnon / 07-Sep-1918 / 22 / East Mudros Military Cemetery, Greece / Son of Mr. R. J. and Mrs. A. E. Clements, 113 Alpha Rd. Born at Barrow Green, Sittingbourne, Kent.

East Mudros Military Cemetery

Gillham, John William / Rifleman / West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own), 1st/8th Bn. / 15-Nov-1917 / 28 / Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium / Son of William Gillham, 115 Alpha Rd., and the late Emma Gillham; husband of Thirsa Steel (formerly Gillham), 29 Manilla St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Scatliffe, Harold / Lance Corporal / London Regiment, 17th Bn. / 29-Oct-1915 / 19 / Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos, France / Son of Henry Foster Scatliffe and Esther Scatliffe, 10 Byng St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Dud Corner Cemetery

Dud Corner Cemetery. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

French, William Alfred / Stoker 1st Class / Royal Navy, H.M.S. Vanguard. / 09-Jul-1917 / 24 / Chatham Naval Memorial / Son of Sarah Elizabeth French, 6 Cuba St.

Fisher, John / Lance Corporal / Worcestershire Regiment, 9th Bn. / 20-Apr-1916 / 20 / Basra Memorial, Iraq / Son of Daniel and Margaret Fisher, 14 Cuba St.

Basra Memorial

Marlborough, George Robert / Deck Hand / Mercantile Marine, Steam Trawler T.W. Mould / 01-Dec-1918 / 45 / Tower Hill Memorial / Born at Gorleston. Father, Mr. R. Marlborough, 8 Havannah St.

Gaskin, RW / Acting Bombardier / Royal Field Artillery, 156th Bde. / 24-Jul-1916 / 29 / Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe, France / Son of Robert Charles and Clara Gaskin of 35 Havannah St.; husband of Annie Gaskin of Poplar.

Robert Gaskin

The Gaskins were a well known family who owned a shoe/boot shop at 79 Westferry Road.

1910. Robert Charles Gaskin and Son. Presumably the ‘son’ was the R.W. Gaskin who died in Northern France.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Ellis, George William / Private / Essex Regiment, 9th Bn. / 14-Apr-1916 / 27 / Vermelles British Cemetery, France / Son of William Thomas and Alice Mary Ellis, 36 Havannah St.

Vermelles British Cemetery

Andrews, James Albert / Rifleman / Hampshire Regiment, 1st/8th Bn. / 19-Apr-1917 / 20 / Jerusalem Memorial, Israel and Palestine / Son of Mary Ann Andrews, 38 Havannah St., and the late James Thomas Andrews.

Simmonds, Arthur Fisher / Rifleman / Royal Irish Rifles, 1st Bn. / 31-Jul-1917 / 26 / Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium / Only son of Arthur and Mary Ann Simmonds, 42 Havannah St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Burton, Thomas James / Private / Royal Sussex Regiment, 2nd Bn. / 30-Oct-1914 / 19 / Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium / Son of Thomas and Julia Ann Burton, 22 Janet St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Martin, Robert Percy / Able Seaman / Royal Navy,  / 05-Jun-1916 / 18 / Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery / Son of Mrs. Alice Martin, 1 Malabar St.

Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery

Powell, FAH / Lance Corporal / Essex Regiment, 10th Bn. / 12-Aug-1917 / 25 / Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium / Husband of Louisa C. Powell, 39 Malabar St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Fullagar, William Thomas / Leading Stoker / Royal Navy, H.M.S. Lilac. / 18-Aug-1915 / 29 / Chatham Naval Memorial / Son of William Thomas and Eliza Fullagar, 52 Malabar St. Native of Sittingbourne, Kent.

Malabar Street, 1906

Swaden, Charles George / Driver / Royal Field Artillery,  / 19-Dec-1918 / 23 / Janval Cemetery, Dieppe, France / Son of Mark and Amelia Jane Swaden, 8 Manilla St.

Janval Cemetery

Attewell, Robert Frederick / Private / The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 6th Bn. / 13-Oct-1915 / 18 / Loos Memorial, France / Son of James and Susan Attewell, 32 Manilla St.

Attewell, Henry / Private / Essex Regiment, 9th Bn. / 13-Aug-1916 /  / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of James Thomas and Susan Attewell, 32 Manilla Street

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Prater, Alexander / Rifleman / Rifle Brigade, 2nd Bn. / 25-Aug-1916 / 24 / Loos Memorial, France / Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Prater, 45 Manilla St.

Sharp, George Arthur / Private / Norfolk Regiment, 7th Bn. / 24-Aug-1918 / 18 / Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France / Son of Alfred and Minnie Susan Sharp, 53 Manilla St.

Evans, John Henry / Private / Royal Fusiliers, 2nd Bn. / 16-Sep-1916 / 20 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of John Henry Evans and M. Evans, 10 Maria St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Tregidgo, FNW / Rifleman / King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 20th Bn. / 04-May-1917 / 20 / Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt, France / Son of Nicholas and Ellen Tregidgo, 11 Maria St.

Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery

Bruce, S / Private / Royal Army Medical Corps,  / 06-Mar-1915 / 20 / City Of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery / Son of Harry and Clara Bruce, 18 Mellish St.

City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery

Chambers, Arthur Edward / Lance Corporal / Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, 6th Bn. / 18-Aug-1916 / 25 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, 92 Mellish St.; husband of E. E. Gilbertson (formerly Chambers), 40 Mellish St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Hogberg, William / Donkeyman / Mercantile Marine, S.S. Joshua Nicholson / 18-Mar-1917 / 58 / Tower Hill Memorial / Son of the late Olaf and Anna Hogberg; husband of Julia Augusta Hogberg, 84 Mellish St. Born in Sweden.

Humphrey, Thomas Albert / Staff Serjeant / Army Service Corps,  / 03-Jun-1916 / 47 / City Of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery / Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Son of John and Maria Humphrey; husband of Catherine Jane Humphrey, 98 Mellish St. Born in Kent.

Mellish Street, 1910s

Prout, William John / Private / Royal Marine Light Infantry, H.M.S. Swiftsure. / 29-Mar-1917 / 20 / Chatham Naval Memorial / Son of Thomas William and Isabella Prout, 86 Mellish St.

Connell, Frank / Lance Serjeant / King’s Own Scottish Borderers, 1st Bn. / 13-Aug-1915 / 32 / Helles Memorial, Turkey / Son of John Connell; husband of Annie Elizabeth Connell, 4 Montague Place (behind original City Arms).

Pope, William Henry / Private / North Staffordshire Regiment, 5th Bn. / 07-Jul-1917 / 19 / East London Cemetery, Plaistow / Son of Thomas Smerdon Pope and Rose Pope, 9 Strafford St.

Aldrick, Fred Johnson / Private / London Regiment, 1st/20th Bn. / 21-May-1916 / 18 / Arras Memorial, France / Son of Frances Ann Aldrick, 23 Strafford St., and the late Frederick Ernest Aldrick.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Kemp, Albert Alexander Percy / Private / Norfolk Regiment, 7th Bn. / 13-Oct-1915 / 20 / Loos Memorial, France / Son of Alfred George and Louisa Kemp, 36 Strafford St.

Hunter, Alfred / Private / Australian Infantry, A.I.F., 1st Bn. / 29-Mar-1915 / 26 / Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt / Son of James Edmund and Sarah Ann Hunter, 39 Strafford St.

Cairo War Memorial Cemetery

Devine, Albert Edward William / Corporal / Army Veterinary Corps,  / 17-Jun-1915 / 22 / Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France / Son of William and Ellen Devine. of 28 Tooke St.

Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension

Bevan, WR / Private / Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 68th Coy. / 21-Sep-1917 / 21 / Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium / Husband of Elizabeth Major (formerly Bevan), 139 West Ferry Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Hooge Crater. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Overgage, George Edwin / Lance Corporal / South African Infantry, 2nd Regt. / 08-Oct-1918 / 28 / Beaurevoir Communal Cemetery British Extension, France / Son of George Edward and Mary Ann Overgage, “Moulsford,” 12 Alumhurst Rd., Westbourne, Bournmouth, husband of Agnes Crouch (formerly Overgage), 141 West Ferry Rd. Born in London.

Beaurevoir Communal Cemetery British Extension

Hardington, George / Rifleman / King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 2nd Bn. / 10-Jul-1917 / 29 / Nieuport Memorial, Belgium / Son of James and Irene Hardington; husband of Margaret Hardington, 239 West Ferry Rd.

Nieuport Memorial

South Millwall

Addresses of WWI military casualties (or their next of kin), south Millwall.

Mee, Thomas Ernest / Gunner / Royal Field Artillery, 61st Bde. attd. 66th Bde. / 03-Aug-1917 / 19 / Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq / (Served as MEAD). Son of T. G. and Ada Mee, 1A British St.

Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery

Mee, George William / Private / Essex Regiment, 1st/6th Bn. / 23-Oct-1915 / 20 / Embarkation Pier Cemetery, Turkey / Served as MEAD. Son of Thomas George and Ada Mee, 1A British St.

Embarkation Pier Cemetery

Godley, Ernest Arthur / Lance Corporal / Norfolk Regiment, 7th Bn. / 13-Apr-1918 / 25 / Etaples Military Cemetery, France / Son of Arthur and Julia Godley, 15 British St.

Etaples Military Cemetery

O’Brien, James / Private / Royal Irish Fusiliers, 1st Bn. / 12-Oct-1916 / 21 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of Alice O’Brien, 44 Cahir St., and the late Michael O’Brien.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Cook, Cornelius / Lance Corporal / Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 247th Coy. / 10-Jan-1918 / 24 / Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium / Son of Mrs. Rebecca Jane Cook, 8 Chapel House St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Giles, SG / Driver / Royal Field Artillery, C Bty. 62nd Bde. / 18-Sep-1918 / 29 / Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, France / Son of Mrs. Martha Giles, 5 Crews St.

Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension

Blackabee, Charles Henry / Private / The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment), C Coy. 7th Bn. / 02-Jul-1916 / 20 / Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France / Son of John and Sarah Ann Blackabee, 22A, Claude St.

Daours Communal Cemetery Extension

Gear, George William / Gunner / Royal Garrison Artillery, 234th Siege Bty. / 19-Feb-1918 / 22 / East London Cemetery, Plaistow / Son of Mrs. E. Gear, 12 Crews St.

Sharp, H / Driver / Royal Field Artillery, 20th Reserve Bty. / 02-Feb-1915 / 23 / Greenwich Cemetery / Son of Henry and Alice Sharp; husband of Mary Ann Tully (formerly Sharp), 20 Crews St.

Newland, William John Eagle / Petty Officer / Royal Navy, H.M.S. Lord Nelson. / 04-Mar-1915 / 39 / Chatham Naval Memorial / Brother of Mrs. A. Broom, 4 Deptford Ferry Rd.

Statton, Henry Edward / Lance Corporal / London Regiment (Post Office Rifles), 8th Bn. / 03-Mar-1919 / 29 / Janval Cemetery, Dieppe, France / Husband of Sarah Ann Statton, 8 Deptford Ferry Rd.

Marshall, Henry William Arthur / Private / London Regiment, 20th Bn. / 15-Oct-1916 / 19 / East London Cemetery, Plaistow / Son of John and Mary Marshall, 2 Devonshire Terrace

Fry, John James / Private / Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 39th Bn. / 22-Mar-1918 / 24 / Pozieres Memorial, France / Son of George and Agnes Fry, 3 Elizabeth Cottages

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Davey, Walter / Private / London Regiment, 1st/20th Bn. / 01-Oct-1916 / 20 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of Harry and Mary Jane Davey, 21 Gaverick St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Trainer, Henry Francis Thomas / Private / Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), 1st Bn. / 10-Apr-1917 / 21 / Arras Memorial, France / Son of Henry Frederick Alexander Trainer and Mary Catherine Trainer, 9 Ingelheim Cottages.

Ingelheim Place

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Coates, James John / Private / Royal Fusiliers, 32nd Bn. / 04-Oct-1916 / 27 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of Hannah Maria Coates, 3 Ingelheim Place, and the late Francis William Coates; husband of Rose Maud Coates, 27 Ferry St.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Bell, Henry / Corporal / Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), 8th Bn. / 15-Oct-1918 / 25 / Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension, France / Husband of Louisa Beatrice Bell, 10 Ingelheim Cottages

Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension

Cline, Christopher / Rifleman / Rifle Brigade, D Coy. 8th Bn. / 10-Jul-1915 / 19 / St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France / Son of Frank and Clara Cline, 2 Laura Cottages

St. Sever Cemetery

Deacon, FT / Private / The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 1st Bn. / 15-Sep-1916 / 40 / Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, France / Husband of Elizabeth Deacon, 8 Macquarie Way

Guillemont Road Cemetery

Chilvers, Walter James / Rifleman / Rifle Brigade, 10th Bn. / 17-Dec-1916 / 23 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of Mr. F. W. and Mrs. M. J. Chilvers, 4 Silver Terrace.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Mott, Charles Robert / Private / Royal Marine Light Infantry, Chatham Bn. R.N. Div / 01-May-1915 / 19 / Chatham Naval Memorial / Son of William and Hannah Mott, 148 West Ferry Rd.

Aldis, F / Stoker 1st Class / Royal Navy, H.M.S. Cressy / 04-Oct-1914 / 23 / Leytonstone (St. Patrick’s) Roman Catholic Cemetery / Son of Frank and E. Aldis, 166 West Ferry Rd.

Cartwright, Alfred / Private / Gloucestershire Regiment, 8th Bn. / 23-Oct-1918 / 19 / Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny, France / Son of Polly Cartwright, 172 West Ferry Rd., and the late Charles Cartwright.

Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny

Avis, William / Private / Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), 6th Bn. / 03-Jul-1916 / 21 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of John Avis, 176 West Ferry Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Cogdell, Arthur Sidney / Private / Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), C Coy. 7th Bn. / 01-Jul-1916 / 18 / Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, France / Son of Henry and Mary Frances Cogdell, 184 West Ferry Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Dantzig Alley British Cemetery. Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Cogdell, William / Private / Hampshire Regiment, 2nd Bn. / 13-Aug-1915 / 20 / Helles Memorial, Turkey / Son of Mary F. Cogdell, 184 West Ferry Rd. and the late Henry Cogdell.

Unsworth, JW / Private / Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 60th Bn. / 29-Apr-1920 / 26 / Plumstead Cemetery / Husband of Mrs. Unsworth, 216 West Ferry Rd.

Westferry Road

Plumstead Cemetery

Bontempi, Primus Jacobus / Fireman / Mercantile Marine, S.S. Sea Serpent (London) / 23-Mar-1916 / 33 / Tower Hill Memorial / (Served as LEWIS). Son of Pietro Bontempi, 228 West Ferry Rd., and the late Maria Bontempi.

Woodley, William / Private / Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), 8th Bn. / 26-Sep-1915 / 20 / Loos Memorial, France / Son of William and Louisa Woodley, 243 West Ferry Rd.

Cox, Henry Robert / Corporal / King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 11th Bn. / 18-Sep-1917 / 26 / Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium / Husband of Matilda R. Cox, 263 West Ferry Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Woodward, Albert / Corporal / Royal Garrison Artillery, 120th Siege Bty. / 21-Mar-1918 / 32 / Pozieres Memorial, France / Son of William and Jessie Woodward; husband of Emily Louise Woodward, 290 West Ferry Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Geach, Charles John / Sergeant / Australian Infantry, A.I.F., 41st Bn. / 02-Jul-1917 / 22 / Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France / Son of Jeanie Weir Geach, 339 West Ferry Rd., and the late Charles Henry Geach.

Peake, Arthur Phillip / Gunner / Australian Field Artillery, 3rd A.F.A. Bde. / 25-Sep-1917 / 26 / Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium / Son of George Chester Peake and Sarah Agnes Peake, 373 West Ferry Rd.

Photo: Mick Lemmerman

Clark, George Malcolm / Private / Essex Regiment, D Coy. 10th Bn. / 20-Jul-1916 / 23 / Thiepval Memorial, France / Son of George R. and Mary Clark, 435 West Ferry Rd.