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Name:
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Aked George
British Lieutenant 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment 19 19 april 1895 5 march 1915 Only son of George Aked and Sarah of Mapperley Park , Nottingham Single Educated at Nottingham High School, where he served in the O.T.C. for two and a half years, and was one of the High School Contingent reviewed by the King at Windsor in 1911. He received an appointment in the Nottingham and Notts Bank at Shepshed , near Loughborough in 1911 and 1912. Calvaire Essex Military Cemetery Plot I , Row H , Stone 7 |
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Military footsteps
26 october 1912 30 august 1914 February 1915 5 march 1915 |
He was given a commission when a company of the 5th Leicesters was formed at Shepshed Promoted Lieutenant; He was the only resident officer at Shepshed and had sole charge of the training of the company. At the outbreak of War the Battalion was in camp and had various duties in England , including night guard near Enfield. Proceeded with his Battalion to France and were immediately sent to the Front. After a few hours in the line close to Le Bizet , George Aked was killed by a stray bullet . Lieutenant -Colonel Jones , in command wrote as follows; ' We have lost in him an officer of much promise. He had developed very rapidly since he joined us . He was extraordinarily conscientious in his work and everything his duty called him to do he did faithfully, thoroughly and well" The War Diary for the 5th March 1915 records. Location : Armentieres. 'At 2.00am barn occupied by 2 platoons A Coy shelled by enemy. Two incendiary shells fell on extension of building damaging the brickwork only. At 9.00am the barn again shelled. No damage except to building. 1 officer and 12 men from B and D Coy’s to HQ’s 12th Brigade for instruction in grenade throwing. Remainder of B Coy to third line trenches for digging instruction. At 1.00pm D Coy paraded and marched via Le Bizet to third line trenches where they received instructions in hand digging and revetting. D Coy left half, heavily shelled by the enemy. At 5.15pm A and C Coy’s paraded and marched to first line trenches. A Coy attached to the King's Own Scottish Borderers. C Coy to the Essex Regiment for instruction in trench routine. B Coy relieved D Coy in third line trenches. On the 6th March 1915 at 10.30am a report was received from the Essex regiment orderly room of two casualties, 1 officer and 1 man killed in C Coy' |
Nottingham High School
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Allsopp W.J.
Welsh Company Quartermaster Sergeant 2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment 39 17 march 1915 Husband of Mabel Ellen Allsopp, of Commercial St., Pontnewydd, Newport, Monmouthshire Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery Plot I , Row K , Stone 2 |
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Armsby Herbert
British Private 7th Bn. Suffolk Regiment 20 24 may 1894,Ely 19 july 1915 Son of Frederick and Sarah Armsby , Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire Single He left on 4th September 1908 and found work as an errand boy for the Dingles’ grocery store Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery Plot II , Row B , Stone 2 |
Schooling
Educated at the Ely National School (i.e. the church school)
The following year, 1902, heentered Needhams School on Back Hill, Ely.
Needhams was a fee paying school for boys only, and there were approximately one hundred pupils at a time, of whom about a quarter would have received free places.
The free places were offered to the seven or eight top pupils at each of the local primary schools.
Was admitted on 24th May 1902 as a “free boy” with the annual intake of eight boys from his school
Was well known in Ely and East Cambridgeshire as one of the “Ely Dandies” Concert Party and his fellow soldiers later commented: “ (he) always had a kind and cheerful disposition, and when on the march he was generally the first to commence a song”.
The Dandies held popular concert parties throughout the area in all kinds of venues, but in particular in the pavilion at Ely after tennis parties.
They were especially known for popular ragtime songs and comedy sketches.
At Christmas time in 1912, for example, they gave a concert for the inmates of the workhouse which was described as “...most enjoyable, creating, as it did, much hearty laughter.
One inmate of long standing remarked “That’s a capper master; we haven’t had a Christmas like this before.”
A fortnight later they were performing to a rather different audience, the Linton Branch of the Eastern Branch of the Women’s Conservative Association where Bert’s two solo spots were singing “Masks and Faces” and “Any Rags”.
Once War commenced the Dandies turned their talents to raising money for the War Fund with a successful social and dance in Trinity Parish Rooms on Boxing Day 1914.
Bert was also an amateur sportsman, and in 1913 was secretary of the Ely Invicta Athletics
Educated at the Ely National School (i.e. the church school)
The following year, 1902, heentered Needhams School on Back Hill, Ely.
Needhams was a fee paying school for boys only, and there were approximately one hundred pupils at a time, of whom about a quarter would have received free places.
The free places were offered to the seven or eight top pupils at each of the local primary schools.
Was admitted on 24th May 1902 as a “free boy” with the annual intake of eight boys from his school
Was well known in Ely and East Cambridgeshire as one of the “Ely Dandies” Concert Party and his fellow soldiers later commented: “ (he) always had a kind and cheerful disposition, and when on the march he was generally the first to commence a song”.
The Dandies held popular concert parties throughout the area in all kinds of venues, but in particular in the pavilion at Ely after tennis parties.
They were especially known for popular ragtime songs and comedy sketches.
At Christmas time in 1912, for example, they gave a concert for the inmates of the workhouse which was described as “...most enjoyable, creating, as it did, much hearty laughter.
One inmate of long standing remarked “That’s a capper master; we haven’t had a Christmas like this before.”
A fortnight later they were performing to a rather different audience, the Linton Branch of the Eastern Branch of the Women’s Conservative Association where Bert’s two solo spots were singing “Masks and Faces” and “Any Rags”.
Once War commenced the Dandies turned their talents to raising money for the War Fund with a successful social and dance in Trinity Parish Rooms on Boxing Day 1914.
Bert was also an amateur sportsman, and in 1913 was secretary of the Ely Invicta Athletics
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Military footsteps
30 may 1915 23 june 1915 19 july 1915 |
At the outbreak of the War he enlisted at Ely into the Suffolk Regiment and was placed in the 7th Battalion which formed up at Bury St Edmunds. After the completion of their training at Shorncliffe Camp in Kent and Aldershot, Bert and his Battalion crossed the Channel and landed at Boulogne in France Went into the line for the first time at Ploegsteert Wood Killed in action Was a scout and had been sent out to one of the listening posts midway between the British and German lines, where he had been shot just twenty yards short of the trenches. He was assisted back to the British trenches by another of the scouts but died a few minutes afterwards of his injuries. Bert’s officer Lieutenant Bamkin (see this page) was also shot when he attended to Bert’s injuries, and the two soldiers were buried side by side. A letter was soon received from Bert’s close friend Scout Orbell who wrote to Bert’s sister Mabel: “Well, as you know, Bert was a Scout and our work has been very hard and dangerous all the way along. On several occasions we went to within a very few yards of the German trenches whilst out scouting, it was very dangerous work, and we went out at one of the worst places on the line. We crawled out in the long grass, with the bullets hitting the top of the grass all the way, and to within about 20 yards of their trenches; then they opened fire on us and poor old Bert, next to me, called out. Of course I knew he had been hit, and the last words he said to me were “I’ve been hit, Kid!” I passed it on to our brave officer , who immediately turned back to help me with Bert’s wounds, and just as we were leaning over Bert to see where he was hit, our brave officer was shot too. This left us three, myself, Pte F. Davies and Pte H. Searle, to get the two in. Bert was splendid to the finish, and even tried to crawl back himself to help us, but of course that was too much for him; so we arranged to get them in between us. My job was more with the officer , so it was the other two who got Bert back , although I was with him when he was shot, and helped to carry him when we got into the trench. I can safely say Bert was a hero, and a brother you can be proud of. He was a good chum, especially of mine, and I was always about with him whilst in training in England, so you can imagine how I miss him. I was present at his funeral the next day. He was buried with every respect, and we collected some beautiful flowers to put on his grave.” |
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Bamkin Harold Picton
British Second Lieutenant 7th Bn. Suffolk Regiment 19 10 november 1895 19 july 1915 Son of Ernest Picton Bamkin and Lilian Margaret Bamkin, of Thornton Hall, Milford Haven, South Wales. Single Educated at Dulwich College, 1907- 1914 * He was in the 2nd XV and Shooting VIII 1913-1914 Entered at Jesus College. Oxford * He was awarded an open Classical Exhibition at Jesus College , Oxford but when war broke out Joined the Inns of Court OTC Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery Plot II , Row B , Stone 3 |
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Military footsteps
September 1914 30 may 1915 19 july 1915 |
Obtained a temporary commission in the 7th Suffolks soon afterwards being appointed Scout Officer He left Shorncliffe for France Killed in action while assisting one of his scouts who had been mortally wounded (see Armsby Herbert this page) |
Dulwich College
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Jesus College , Oxford
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MC
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Binsteed Gerald Charles
British Major 2nd Bn. Essex Regiment 29 7 august 1885 , Cairo 8 april 1915 Son of Maj. C. H. F. Binsteed (1st Madras Lancers) and Consuelo Binsteed, of Hanover Court, Hanover Square, London. Single Educated at Wellington and R.M.C. Sandhurst At Wellington he represented his school at Bisley and was winner of the mile race, and at Sandhurst took the Sword of Honour and passed out first. Career soldier Military Cross , Mentioned in despatches Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery Plot I , Row L , Stone 1 
Mentioned in despatches
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Military footsteps
20 may 1905 6 march 1910 May 1914 15 november 1914 18 march 1915 8 april 1915 |
Gazetted Second Lieutenant to the Essex Regiment Promoted Lieutenant Served with the Mounted Infantry at Longmoor and Malta, and was Scouting Intelligence Officer at the Curragh. He was an able linguist, and passed as an interpreter in French, Russian and Chinese and was a member of the Geographical Society and Asiatic Society, and a contributor to the China Year Book "The Far Eastern Review" He was appointed for Special Employment at the War Office, but after the outbreak of War, went to the Front with his Regiment. Promoted Captain Gazetted Major Killed in action at Le Gheer. He greatly distinguished himself by his gallantry in the field, and was twice mentioned in Field Marshall Sir John French's Despatches ( London Gazette 4 and 10 december 1914), and was one of the first officers to receive the Military Cross ( London Gazette 1 january 1915). |
Wellington College
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R.M.C. Sandhurst
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Cole Raymond Henry
Welsh Private 2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment 19 23 november 1914 Son of Ebenezer and Mary Ann Cole, of 12, Woodland St., Cwmbran, Monmouthshire Calvaire Essex Military Cemetery Plot I , Row C , Stone 4 |
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Johnson Robert Harold Jervis
British Second Lieutenant 2nd Bn. Essex Regiment 21 29 november 1893 13 march 1915 Son of Robert Baines Johnson and Florence Johnson, of The Hope House, Little Burstead, Billericay, Essex Single Before coming to Winchester College (1907-12) was with Mr. L.T. Thring at Brighton He played in 2nd XI cricket in his last Half. In 1913 he went to St. John’s College, Oxford, intending to pass in due course into the Regular Army. Calvaire Essex Military Cemetery Plot I , Row J , Stone 9 |
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Military footsteps
January 1915 13 march 1915 |
When war broke out he was posted to the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion Essex Regiment Went to France to join the 2nd Battalion He was shot by a sniper near Ploegsteert |
Winchester College
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St. John's College , Oxford
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Knight Arthur George
British Lieutenant 9th Bn. Royal Fusiliers 25 San Francisco , California , USA 29 june 1915 Son of Edward Martin Knight and Emily B. Knight, of 70, The Lawn, Shepherds Bush Green, London. Educated at Dulwich College Calvaire Essex Military Cemetery Plot I , Row O , Stone 1 |
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Palfrey Ernest
Welsh Private 2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment 21 25 december 1914 while returning from a burial party on a front where a truce had been agreed and fraternization was in progress Son of Charles and Ann Palfrey, of Ael-Y-Bryn, Ffrwd Rd., Abersychan, Monmouthshire Calvaire Essex Military Cemetery Plot I , Row A , Stone 9 |
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Paton John Edward
Welsh Second Lieutenant 2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment 19 6 september 1895 31 december 1914 Son of John and Susan Paton, of Waun Wern, Pontypool, Mon. Single Edward came to the Winchester College (1909-14) from Copthorne School and was a member of the Bisley VIII in 1913 and 1914. He was a Sergeant in the OTC. He passed the entrance examination for Pembroke College, Oxford in the spring of 1914 Mentioned in despatches Calvaire Essex Military Cemetery Plot I , Row B , Stone 12 
M.I.D.
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Military footsteps
November 1914 31 december 1914 |
War broke out just after he left the school and he obtained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the territorial 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment. He left for France and was eventually sent to Bailleul. The 2nd Monmouths were involved in the famous Christmas Day Truce of 1914 although the Germans shot two men from the battalion after they had taken them cigarettes and tobacco. Paton was wounded in the trenches at Le Bizet on the morning of Thursday 31st December, and died the same afternoon. He was the first officer of the battalion to be killed in the war and was mentioned in Despatches in January 1915. |
Copthorne School
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Winchester College |
Pembroke College , Oxford
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Pillman Robert Laurence
British Captain 10th Bn. Royal West Kent Regiment 23 9 july 1916 Son of Joseph Charles and Mary Anna Pillman, of The Cottage, Footscray Lane, Sidcup, Kent. Single He was in Rugby School from 1907 to 1911, and was in the XIV and the XXII in 1910. Played Rugby Football for the XV at Rugby School, for Blackheath for several seasons and gained his International cap for England against France in 1914. Won the Gold Medal of the London Solicitor's Golfing Society After leaving Rugby he was articled to Meesrs. White and Leonard, Solicitors, Ludgate Circus, and at the outbreak of War he had passed the Intermediate Law Examinations of London University and the Law Society Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery Plot IV , Row D , Stone 10 |
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Military footsteps
July 1915 October 1915 1916 May 1916 9 july 1916 |
At the outbreak of War he enlisted in the 10th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, and received a Commission in the 10th Royal West Kent Regiment . Promoted Lieutenant Promoted Captain He left for the Front and volunteered for special duty in leading the bombing raids, and was supported by about fifty volunteers of all ranks who had great confidence in him as a leader and a soldier. He was hit on the parapet, near Armentieres, whilst bringing back his men from a raid late at night and died from his wounds after a few hours Letters from his brother Officers show that his Company Officers had every faith in him as a leader and perfect soldier, and speak of his noble example he set by volunteering at once for any dangerous undertaking, such as the raid in which he fell, while his cheery, open-hearted nature endeared him to all, and was invaluable at the Front. In a previous raid one of his men, a Private, was gassed in the German trench, and Captain Pillman carried him on his back over 300 yards of "No Mans Land" to the British trenches. The Company Quartermaster-Sergeant wrote:- "Captain Pillman was a fine Officer and a very gallant gentleman, and will not be easily replaced." |
Rugby College
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Queen's medal with 5 clasps
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Rose Arthur Hugh Percy
British Captain 3rd Bn. attached 2nd Bn. Essex Regiment 42 13 december 1871 , India 23 november 1914 Son of Major General James Rose ,( late ADC to H.M. Queen Victoria) Husband of Lilian Rose , The Cottage , Sonning-on-Thames , Berkshire Career soldier Calvaire Essex Military Cemetery Plot I , Row C , Stone 1 
King's medal with 2 clasps
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Military footsteps
April 1900 1906 1912 23 november 1914 |
Joined the 1st Bn. Essex Regiment from the Militia Participated in the South African Campaign - Operations at Orange Free State including the actions on the Vet and Zand Rivers ,Transvaal and Cape Colony. - Actions near Johannesburg , at Pretoria, including the action at Frederickstad He received the Queen's medal with 5 clasps and the King's medal with 2 clasps After the Boer War he served with his battalion in India, returning to England in 1906 to take up the Adjutancy of the 4th Battalion, being transferred , on its disbandment, to the 5th Battalion. Retired from the active list and joined the 3rd Battalion ( Special Reserve) from he went to the 2nd Battalion. Killed in action at Le Bizet He was a member of the junior Naval and Military Club,Ranelagh and Hurlingham |
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Tippins John
British Corporal and Acting Sergeant 2nd Bn. Essex Regiment 27 10 march 1887 , Winsford , co. Somerset 26 november 1914 Son of Luke R. and Rose A. Tippins, of Mistley, Essex. Single Educated at Norman School , Mistley and privately. Calvaire Essex Military Cemetery Plot I , Row C , Stone 6 |
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Military footsteps
Pre War 18 september 1914 26 november 1914 |
Served first in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion. Essex Regiment, then the 5th Bn. Essex as machine gun Sergeant and finally in the 8th Bn. Essex as Motor Cycle Sergeant. Joined the 2nd Bn. Essex Regiment as a Private in order to get at once to the Front, and was appointed Corporal , left for France the next day. Killed in action at a farm near Armentieres , France , having been appointed Acting Sergeant in charge of a machine gun an few days previously. 'On the night he fell, he had gone himself to get water for the Maxim in his charge, as it was a dangerous job in daylight and was killed on his return.' Captain Binstead (since killed) wrote : 'He had already gained for himself a reputation as a daring sniper and splendid shot, which had spread far beyond his own Regiment, and which had he not been shot would , I feel sure, have obtained for him a coveted distinction.' He was one of the finest rifle shots in the UK. He qualified for the final stage of the Ling's Prize Competition at Bisley in 1908-1911 and in 1913. He won the Wimbledon Cup,1910, the Association Cup in 1909,the Aggregate Service Rifle Championship in 1911, and took first place in the second stage of the Albert Competition the same year. He shot in the Elcho, Mackinnon and Challenge Trophy teams, and was one of the Empire Team chosen to go out to Australia ,whose departure was prevented by the outbreak of war. |
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Watts James Roberts
British Private 1st/2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment 18 4 october 1896 , King's Pyon , co. Hereford 12 march 1915 Son of Aldwyn and Sarah Watts, of 18, Belgrave Terrace, Griffiths Town, Newport, Mon. Single Educated at Griffithstown Council School Employed at Panteg Steel Works Calvaire Essex Military Cemetery Plot I , Row J, Stone 1 |
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Military footsteps
8 september 1914 november 1914 12 march 1915 |
Enlisted after the outbreak of War. Proceeded with his Regiment to France Killed in action at Le Bizet. Colonel Cuthbertson commanding the 2nd Monmouthshires wrote : 'Your son was killed in the 12th of this month and a more gallant soldier never lived. He's buried in a soldiers' cemetery not very far from our trenches where he met his death, and a careful record of his place of burial is being kept. A small cross with his name has been put up to his memory.' And one of his comrades wrote : ' We all found him a jolly and good-hearted lad, and a very brave soldier. He feared nothing, but always thought of his duty to his country, of which he carried out to the last.' |
Panteg Steel Works on the left and
Panteg and Griffithstown Railway Station (on right)
Panteg and Griffithstown Railway Station (on right)
