Walter Haw : 47th (London) Division RFA.

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
Victory Medal.
1242 Dvr. W. C. Haw, Royal Field Artillery.

Walter Charles Haw, a 17 year old van guard with the London and North Western Railway, residing at 10 Maclise Road, Hammersmith, joined the Territorial Force on 18th February 1913, enlisting in the 7th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. His Service Papers describe him as 5' 5" in height with blue eyes, brown hair, good vision and good physical development. The Territorial Force was originally intended for home defence but, following the outbreak of the First World War, the men were given the option of signing Army Form E624, by which a man subjected himself to "liability to serve in any place outside the United Kingdom in the event of National emergency." Walter signed the form on 8th September 1914.

The 7th London Brigade RFA consisted of three four-gun batteries - the 18th, 19th and 20th County of London Batteries, together with the 7th London Brigade Ammunition Column. Walter served in the 19th Battery, which, like the others, was armed with 15-Pounder B.L. guns. The Brigade became part of the 47th (London) Division and landed in France on 18th March 1915. At the beginning of May, Walter was in trouble with military authority; having fallen asleep whilst on stable picket duty, he was awarded 28 days Field Punishment No:1, and for most of the month would have spent two hours a day tied to a gun wheel. During this period, the 7th London Brigade RFA played their part in the Battles of Festubert and Givenchy. Later, in September, they contributed to the four day bombardment that preceded the Battle of Loos. In November, the Batteries were rearmed with 18-Pounder guns. They remained in the Loos Salient through the winter.

Walter Haw served with the 19th Battery until March 1916, when he was admitted to hospital with suspected enteric and subsequently sent back to England. He was discharged from the army on 16th June 1916, having served a total of 3 years and 120 days, and was awarded a pension of 4/8 a week and a Silver War Badge (List TP/61). His Discharge Papers describe his military character as "good" and include the comment "as far as can be judged from records is a steady man and can be recommended for employment in civil life." His intended place of residence was his mother's house at 2 Girdlers Road, Hammersmith. In 1917, he married Emma Barrett. Sadly, Walter Haw died the following year and one is led to conclude that the illnesses he contracted while on active service must have been a contributory factor.
In February 1920, Walter's mother wrote to the Artillery Record Office at Woolwich enquiring about her son's medals: "In respect of my son Walter Charles Haw no. 1242 Driver RFA who was invalided home from France unfit for further service & died in St Lukes Bayswater on the 4th July 1918 will you kindly forward me the medals that is due to him. I think he told me that there were three or four as he was in seven engagements out there."
In August, she wrote again: "Dear sir, I see by the press that the 1914-15 Star is ready for distribution and several have already received them so should feel greatly obliged if you will kindly forward my late dear sons on to me."
Walter Haw's widow remarried in 1921. Walter does not appear in the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, perhaps because he died after being discharged from the army, but it is likely that he is just as much a casualty of the Great War as anyone who died in uniform. His full medal entitlement is the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and a Silver War Badge, the whereabouts of the first and the last being unknown.

With The 2nd Lincolns In South Africa.

Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps "Cape Colony" & "Paardeberg".
King's South Africa Medal with clasps "South Africa 1901" & "South Africa 1902".
1816 Pte. T. Slatter, Lincolnshire Regiment.

Thomas Slatter appears on the 1881 Census as a 15 year old packer in a mustard mill, the son of Isaac Slatter, a leather embosser, and his wife Charlotte of 3 King Edward Street, Bridewell, London. Thomas had an older sister but was the oldest of the family's three sons. On 1st March 1887, he joined the Lincolnshire Regiment, enlisting for seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. Already serving in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers Volunteers, Thomas must have decided that the army life was for him. His Attestation Papers give his occupation as a groom and describe him as being just over 5' 4" in height, weighing 119lbs and having blueish-grey eyes, dark brown hair and a medium complexion. He also had scars on the back of his head, right hip and right shin.
Thomas joined the 1st Battalion of the Regiment at Lincoln on 4th March 1887 but his army career doesn't seem to have got off to a very auspicious start; he went absent and, once apprehended, was in confinement and then imprisoned by the Commanding Officer for some weeks. Once released, Thomas went absent again and suffered a subsequent 17 days imprisonment. A month after his release, he was sent overseas to join the 2nd Battalion, serving over four years in the East Indies and a further two years in the Straits Settlements (Singapore). Foreign service seems to have suited Thomas better and he was awarded his first Good Conduct Pay on 18th February 1890, his second Good Conduct Pay following three years later. Returning to England in 1895, Thomas was transferred to the Army Reserve, his seven years of service having been completed.
On the outbreak of war with the Boers, Thomas Slatter was recalled to the Colours and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment, which sailed for South Africa on the "Goorkha" on 4th January 1900. Arriving at the Cape about the 25th, the Battalion joined the 14th Brigade and later, on 18th February, took part in the Battle of Paardeberg. Thomas served with the 2nd Lincolns in South Africa till August 1902, thus earning entitlement not just to the Queen's but also to the King's South Africa Medal. Following his return to England, he was discharged from the army on 28th February 1903.

Raymond Nolan: An Officer In The Black Watch.

1914 Star. Lieutenant R. P. D. Nolan, Royal Highlanders.

Raymond Philip Drummond Nolan, the eldest son of Mr Philip Nolan of the Indian Civil Service, was born on 1st July 1883 in India. As a boy of 12, he accompanied his father on a tiger shoot and succeeded in killing a full-grown tiger with his miniature rifle, a unique exploit that was recorded in several well-known works on Indian big game shooting. Raymond was educated at Beaumont, Stoneyhurst (the 1901 Census records him as a 17 year old boarder there) and New College, Oxford, where he got his double half-blue, and was called to the Bar, Inner Temple, in 1908. He joined the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) in May 1907, and in April 1910 was promoted to Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion. In 1912, he succeeded his uncle, Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Nolan, MP, in the Balinderry Estate in County Galway and, on 27th November the following year, married Kathleen O'Connor, the eldest daughter of Mr C. A. O'Connor, Master of the Rolls in Ireland. A son was born to them on 7th September 1914.

Just 10 days after the birth of his son, Raymond left for France, where he joined the 1st Black Watch. The Battalion had spent September fighting on the Marne and had lost eight officers and 48 other ranks, either killed in action or died of wounds. In the middle of October, they moved up to the Ypres Salient. In the next two weeks, seven more officers and 100 other ranks were killed attempting to advance or repel the frequent German attacks.

On November 2nd, the Germans attacked down the Menin road towards Ypres. The 1st Black Watch was called upon to halt the enemy advance. It was here that Lieutenant Nolan gave his life for his country. To quote from the Regimental History: "On the 2nd the British line on the Menin road was again broken. The Battalion played a very considerable part in restoring the line by a brilliant counter-attack, in which A Company under Captain V. M. Fortune, B Company under Lieutenant J. L. Rennie and C Company under Captain H. Amery took part. These companies, which thus stopped the forward German movement on the Menin road and helped to fill the gap, were only 120 strong and were reduced to 75 in the course of the attack. Lieutenant Nolan was killed, Captain Amery so severely wounded that he died some months afterwards, and Lieutenant Rennie was also wounded." (Captain Amery was a long-serving officer who had served in Egypt from 1901 to 1911. He was fluent in Arabic, Persian and German and in 1906 had been appointed Assistant Director of Intelligence at Cairo. He died back in England and is buried in Kensal Green All Souls' Cemetery.) A letter written by one of Raymond Nolan's brother officers is quoted in the Stoneyhurst War Record: "Two companies of the Black Watch were ordered to counter-attack as the Germans had broken through on the right of the Brigade, and had apparently occupied some houses in the village of Veldhoek, about three miles east of Ypres. The attack was eventually made by two platoons of 'A' Company and 'C' Company.

"They got within about 150 yards of the houses, but could get no further owing to machine gun and rifle fire. The German advance was, however, also stopped. In trying to make a further advance, the Captain of 'C' Company - Capt. Amery - was hit in three places, and Lieut. Nolan in five places, by machine gun fire. He was killed instantaneously. After dark he was brought in and buried near the Dressing Station, which was a farm on the road running N. and S. just west of the village of Veldhoek, and the spot is marked with a cross with his name upon it. "His loss was deeply regretted by all of us, as he had proved himself a capable leader, and we were all very fond of him."

In the ensuing years, the ravages of war succeeded in obliterating the location of Lieutenant Nolan's grave and he is now commemorated on the Menin Gate, his name alongside those of so many of his fellow officers and men who died fighting in the Ypres Salient.

Cpl. John Marchant, 1st Middlesex Regiment.

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
L-6609 Cpl. J. Marchant, Middlesex Regiment.

John Marchant was born in the parish of Old Ford, London around the year 1882. At the age of 18, he was working as a labourer but, deciding that the army life would be more to his liking, attested for the Middlesex Regiment at Stratford on 19th October 1900, enlisting for three years with the Colours and nine years in the Reserve. His Service Papers describe him as just over 5' 6" tall, weighing 117lbs and with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes, brown hair and a scar on his right knee. He is recorded on the 1901 Census as a 19 year old private with the 4th Middlesex Regiment.

From March to September 1902, he served with the 3rd Battalion in St Helena and afterwards proceeded to South Africa, where he was granted his first Good Conduct Pay and appointed Lance Corporal. In June 1904, John returned to the UK and shortly after was transferred to the Army Reserve. In December of the same year, he rejoined the Colours in order to complete eight years service and in January 1905 was posted to the 1st Battalion in India. Here he was granted his second Good Conduct Pay and obtained a certificate in butchery. In November 1908, he returned to the UK and once more was transferred to the Reserve.

On the 18th July 1914, John Marchant married Kate Harvey but had little time to enjoy wedded bliss. Following the outbreak of the First World War, John was recalled from the Reserve and went to France with the 1st Middlesex on 11th August 1914. The Battalion took part in the Battles of Mons and Le Cateau and the subsequent retreat, and later saw action on the Aisne and the Marne. John stayed on the Western Front till returning to England in January 1915. Back in France in December, he rejoined the 1st Battalion and was promoted to Corporal in February 1916. At the beginning of the year, the 1st Middlesex had been engaged in routine trench warfare in the area of Cuinchy and had had a fairly uneventful time. March was enlivened by a number of bombing raids on the enemy trenches.

On 19th March, John Marchant was wounded in the eye and four days later was evacuated to England. He spent the rest of the war on home service and was eventually discharged on 23rd March 1919. In the years after the war, he worked as a pointsman at the Bow Depot of the London County Council Tramways Department.



John Marchant wearing Corporal's Stripes and an unidentified medal ribbon - possibly for the Queen's South Africa Medal. He also has the crossed rifles of a Marksman on his left sleeve.





Read more about the exploits of the 1st Middlesex in the Great War here.

Long Service In The Civil Service Rifles.

1914 - 15 Trio.
George V Territorial Efficiency Medal.
737 Cpl. F. Plaster, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Frank Plaster, the son of Robert Plaster, a draper and clothier, and his wife Caroline, was born on 2nd September 1888. The family are recorded on the 1891 Census as living at 36-37 King Street, Twickenham, and Frank appears on the 1901 Census as a 12 year old scholar at Christ's Hospital School in Hertford. Frank's father had died at the age of 48 in 1891 and his mother passed away, aged 56, in 1905. In 1906 he was a 17 year old, again living in Twickenham, and working as a boy clerk in the Post Office Savings Bank. On 6th February that year he joined the 12th Middlesex (Prince Of Wales' Own) Volunteer Corps. In 1907, the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act was passed, whereby the Volunteers and Militia were incorporated into the newly-created Territorial Force. The 12th Middlesex now became the 15th (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment (Prince Of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles). Frank joined the new formation on 10th April 1908. One of the obligations placed on men in the Territorial Force was attendance at the annual training camp, usually held for two weeks during August. Frank attended camps at Salisbury Plain in 1908 and 1909, Minster Camp in 1910, Dover in 1911, Firth Hill in 1912 and Abergavenney in 1913.

Following the outbreak of war, the 15th Londons left for France on 17th March 1915, the members of the original battalion henceforth being entitled to call themselves "17th of March men", which became the "highest of distinctions in the Regiment." Frank Plaster, serving in 'B' Company, had by this time achieved promotion to Corporal and would serve with the Battalion for the next 15 months. The Londons saw action at Festubert in May 1915 and 'B' Company in particular played an active part in the Battle of Loos in September, as described in an earlier post.

On 21st May 1916, a gloriously sunny Sunday, the Battalion was in reserve at Camblain L'Abbe when a German attack was launched on Vimy Ridge. The Londons were ordered forward and a counter-attack hastily organised. Captain Farquhar with 'B' Company was in position by 1.30am and was ordered to counter attack at 2.00am. His men were organised into two waves and began the advance up the slopes of Vimy Ridge, unsupported by artillery or machine guns. In the darkness, having had no time for proper reconnaissance or liaison and advancing over unfamiliar ground, the attack had little chance of success. The men were met with a murderous fire from artillery, trench mortars, machine guns and rifles and few survived unwounded. The Germans, having captured the British front line trenches earlier in the evening, had fortified them with barbed wire and the few British troops that reached this far were unable to get any further. The men of 'B' Company, realising their position was hopeless, took cover in shell holes to await developments and the attack petered out.
This incident on Vimy Ridge was a relatively minor operation but had far-reaching consequences for the 15th Londons, particularly for 'B' Company, who lost many of their long-serving members. In the words of the Regimental History: "Hitherto the Battalion had succeeded in preserving more or less its original identity, but here, in the short space of twenty-four hours, practically all that was left of the original 'B' Company had been swept away. " Frank Plaster was perhaps one of the lucky ones; he was wounded by a shell during the attack and on 7th June was back in England. He was discharged from the army on 30th March 1918 and lived to the ripe old age of 90, dying in 1979.

With The 1/2nd Londons On The Somme.

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
Victory Medal.
4892 Pte. H. Blyth, 2nd London Regiment.

Henry Blyth was born in 1896, the son of George Blyth, a greengrocer. Henry's mother must have died soon after his birth as his father is recorded on the 1901 Census as a widower, living at 40 St Leonard's Street, Bromley, with his six children: Emily (21), Albert (16), Fred (12), Edith (11), Ernest (9) and Henry (4).
Soon after the First World War broke out, Henry, now aged 18, found work as a warehouseman at Kearley & Tonge's warehouse in Durward Street, Whitechapel. Consisting of 130,000 square feet, this warehouse was one of the largest in the UK. The company was involved in the importing of tea and other provisions. The manufacture of cakes, biscuits, jams and sweets was also carried on at the Durward Street premises. Incidentally, over 20 years earlier, Durward Street, then known as Bucks Row, had achieved a certain notoriety when the body of Mary Ann Nicholls, Jack the Ripper's first victim, had been discovered there on 31st August 1888.
After nine months of working for Kearley & Tonge and two days after his 19th birthday, Henry Blyth enlisted in the army, joining the 2nd City of London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), on 11th August 1915. His Service Papers describe him as being just over 5' 8" in height, with grey eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion. His period of training lasted five months and, at the end of January 1916, he sailed from Southampton on the "SS King Edward", disembarking at Rouen on 2nd February, and joining his unit in the field some three weeks later. The 1/2nd Londons had recently become part of the newly-formed 56th (London) Division and were enjoying a period of training away from the rigours and hardships of front line service. Soon, however, they would be called upon to play their part in the Battle of the Somme.

At 7.00am on the 1st July 1916, the Battle of the Somme began as British troops climbed out of their trenches and began to advance across No Man's Land. The 2nd Londons were in positions opposite the Gommecourt Salient at the northern end of the battlefield. In reserve during the morning, the Battalion was called upon to go forward at 2.00pm, advancing through a heavy barrage and meeting murderous machine gun fire from Gommecourt Park. By the end of the day, they had sustained over 200 casualties. In the words of the Regimental History: "At Gommecourt the 1/2nd Londons failed, but failed gloriously in circumstances that cannot but reflect on the highest credit on the Regiment."
A spell in reserve followed but the Battalion was soon back in action. They were in support for the 169th Brigade's attack in the vicinity of Leuze Wood on September 9th, but 'A' Company suffered heavy casualties the following day when their bombing attack on Loop Trench was repulsed. A week later, on September 15th, another advance was planned along part of the Somme front line. This attack was particularly notable as being the first time that tanks were used in battle. Three tanks had been allotted to the 56th Division and one of these was to cooperate with the 2nd Londons in their second attempt to capture Loop Trench. This time the objectives were taken and, despite desperate German counter-attacks, held and consolidated.

During this attack, Henry Blyth was wounded in the right arm, the bullet passing through his forearm and fracturing the bone. He was taken to the 48th Casualty Clearing Station and then to the 5th General Hospital. On 18th September, he was evacuated to England, where he spent four months in the South African Hospital at Richmond. On 18th September 1917, Henry was discharged from the army as "being no longer physically fit for war service". He had served a total of 2 years and 39 days. His intended place of residence was given as 7 Priory Road, Barking Road, East Ham, London.

Herbert Graves: A Signaller In The 1st Lincolns.

1914 - 15 Trio. 9746 Pte. H. Graves, 1st Lincolnshire Regiment.

Herbert Graves was born in 1896 in Welbourn, Lincolnshire, one of the seven children born to Charles Graves and his wife, Louisa . Charles died shortly after Herbert's birth and his mother remarried. The 1901 Census records Herbert as a 5 year old living with his family at 16 Hartsholme Cottages, Boultham, Lincolnshire. At some point the family moved to Lincoln, taking up residence at 31 Kingsley Street. Herbert was educated at St Faith's School and was later employed as a welder in the Ruston Works. In October 1913, Herbert joined the Lincolnshire Regiment and on the outbreak of the First World War was with the 1st Battalion in Portsmouth. The 1st Lincolns left for France on 13th August 1914, part of the original British Expeditionary Force, and were in action 10 days later at the Battle of Mons. However, Herbert was not with them; still only 17 years of age, his departure to France was delayed until June 1915. Having been previously trained in signalling and telephone work, once in France, Herbert joined the battalion signallers and did useful work at the front. On one occasion he was recommended for the Military Medal for "having, at great risk, laid telephone wires and opened very vital communications." But, given the choice of the medal or promotion, he chose the latter - probably it was the 3d extra a day paid to Lance Corporals that influenced his decision. Following his promotion, Herbert went to signalling school and gained his certificate in September 1917, rejoining his battalion soon after and taking part in the latter stages of the 3rd Battle of Ypres, more commonly called Passchendaele. From 6th October till 10th November, the Lincolns had "a most unenviable time." Days in the water-logged front line trenches in Polygon Wood alternated with time in reserve, furnishing working parties for digging purposes. The danger from shell-fire was constant and casualties were a daily occurrence. Herbert Graves was severely wounded on 9th November 1917 and died the same day at the 10th Casualty Clearing Station. One newspaper report at the time stated: "A sister from the hospital writes that he was suffering from very severe wounds when taken there, and never recovered sufficiently to speak." Herbert Graves was just 21 years old. He is remembered with honour at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Herbert Graves (seated on the left) photographed with his pal, Francis Frederick "Verdy" Coatsworth, who served with the 7th Lincolns and who died of wounds on 14th October 1917. A good conduct chevron and signaller's insignia can be seen on Herbert's left sleeve. "Verdy" has a similar good conduct chevron and a wound stripe.

From Lhasa to Mons with the Royal Fusiliers.

Tibet Medal 1903 - 04 with clasp for "Gyantse".
7225 Pte. A. Dyke, 1st Royal Fusiliers.

Albert Dyke, an 18 year old carman serving with the 3rd Royal Fusiliers Militia, enlisted for full time army service with the Royal Fusiliers on 17th March 1899, agreeing to serve seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. On enlistment he was almost 5' 5" tall, weighed 116lbs and had a fresh complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. Initially posted to the 2nd Battalion in May 1899, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion in March 1901. Army life seems to have suited Albert and gave him the opportunity to see foreign lands. He served in Burma from March 1901 and was awarded his 1st Good Conduct Pay in April. The following November, he passed his 3rd Class Certificate of Education. In 1904, Albert extended his service to eight years and received his 2nd Good Conduct Badge.

At this time, the Fusiliers were called upon to provide a contingent to reinforce Colonel Younghusband's mission to Tibet, which had been held up by Tibetan resistance at the fort of Gyantse. From a battalion strength of around 1,200, a total of 425 of the healthiest and fittest men (those best able to withstand the rigours of high altitudes) were chosen to go, including Albert Dyke.

Albert returned to England in late 1910 and in December 1912 was discharged from the army. However, just three months later, he re-enlisted for four more years and, on the outbreak of the First World War, went to France on 13th August 1914 with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. Ten days later, this Battalion distinguished itself at Mons, where they had fierce fighting at Nimy Bridge and Lieutenant Dease and Private Godley won the first Victoria Crosses of the Great War. Read the details here: The 4th Royal Fusiliers at Nimy.

Albert Dyke was wounded by shrapnel in the upper arm on 26th October 1914 and, after a spell in the 4th Stationary Hospital at Boulogne, invalided back to England in November. He served a second time in France from November 1915 till May 1916, firstly with the Dock Police at Le Havre and then on the Lines of Communication. His wound had resulted in a loss of power in his right hand rendering him unsuitable for front-line service. In April 1916, he developed bronchitis, which developed into phthisis and, on 1st June 1916, he was discharged from the army as "permanently unfit for service". On discharge, his military character was described as "very good" and he was characterised as "trustworthy and sober". His intended place of residence was given as his mother's house at 2A Cadbury Road, Bermondsey, London. Albert Dyke died on 1st October 1916 at the age of 34.

Sjt. Albert Harmes, 2nd Royal Sussex.

1914 Trio.
8746 Sjt. A. Harmes, 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment.

Born in 1890, in the parish of St Martin's, Brighton, Albert Harmes, a 17 year old serving in the 3rd Royal Sussex Militia, decided that full-time soldiering was the life for him and, with his parents' consent, attested for the Royal Sussex Regiment on 21st June 1907, agreeing to serve seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. His Service Papers describe him as being just over 5' 5" in height, weighing 122lbs and with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and light brown hair. An interesting entry on his Regimental Conduct Sheet for 15th April 1908 mentions that he was "improperly dressed in town about 8pm" and "loitering with females". In 1910, he married a woman called Margaret and passed his 3rd Class Certificate of Education. The following year, he qualified in cold shoeing. In March 1912, Albert was appointed Lance Corporal and, in the following June, was allowed to transfer to the Army Reserve; his papers stating that he had been employed as a regimental butcher and cold-shoer whilst in the army, but was now hoping to become a postman. His intended place of residence was given as 38 Beach Road, Eastbourne. He had also grown 3" in height during his years as a soldier.

On the outbreak of the First World War, Albert was recalled from the Reserve and went to France with the 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment on 12th August 1914, one of the original members of the British Expeditionary Force, affectionately known as the "Old Contemptibles". He would have taken part in the Retreat from Mons and, in the later fighting on the Aisne, suffered a gun shot wound to the arm on 15th September 1914. He returned to England on 4th October to recover from his wound. The Harmes family was now living at 23 Desmond Road, Eastbourne and on 15th October 1915 was struck by personal tragedy when Albert's four year old son, Thomas Albert, died from a combination of measles, acute laryngitis and pneumonia.

Albert returned to his old battalion on the Western Front in November 1915 and served right through till October 1918. He must have been a capable soldier as promotion now followed in a steady progression - 29/1/1916 appointed Lance Corporal, 26/2/1916 appointed Acting Corporal, 13/9/1916 appointed Acting Sergeant, 31/8/1917 promoted Corporal, 31/5/1918 promoted Sergeant. Despite this, there were still a few entries on his Regimental Conduct Sheet and one gets the impression that he was perhaps quite an easy-going NCO. On 6th August 1916, he was reprimanded for neglect of duty in "allowing men to smoke in the ranks" and on 13th June 1918, he was severely reprimanded for disobedience of Trench Routine orders "in not having equipment on whilst in reserve trench" and for neglect of duty "in failing to see that his platoon carried out the above order."

On 23rd October 1918 during the Battle of the Selle, Albert was wounded a second time, receiving a gun shot wound to the thigh, and was evacuated back to England. He received a disability pension of 6/6 a week, was awarded a Silver War Badge (No: B270832) and was finally discharged from the army in March 1919. In 1938, he applied to join the Eastbourne branch of the Old Contemptibles Association. Albert Harmes died in 1945 at the age of 54.

A Boer War Veteran & "Old Contemptible".

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
L-5553 Pte. T. F. Mewes, Middlesex Regiment.

Thomas Francis Mewes, a labourer born in Staines, Middlesex, attested for the Middlesex Regiment at the age of 18 years 4 months on 18th October 1898, enlisting for seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. On enlistment, his Service Papers described him as 5' 4" in height, with hazel eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion and with scars on both knees and on the back of his right hand. In February 1899, Thomas was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment and went to South Africa with them in December of the same year. The exploits of the "Die-Hards" in the South African War can be read here: The Middlesex Regiment in South Africa.

From South Africa, Thomas was sent to join the 1st Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, which had been in India since 1898, and it was to be just over four years before he saw England again. His conduct seems to have improved in India; he was granted his 1st Good Conduct Pay on 7th November 1903, 1st Class Service Pay on 1st April 1904 and his 2nd Good Conduct Pay on 7th November 1905.

Thomas was not immune to the various illnesses and injuries that afflicted the Victorian soldier. In South Africa he had suffered from bronchitis and in India he had the ague and a serious contusion of the knee, as a result of which he was fitted with a knee cap in 1905. Thomas was transferred to the Army Reserve in November 1906 but in October 1910 was re-engaged for a further four years service.On 17th August 1914, less than two weeks after the outbreak of the First World War, Thomas went to France with the 1st Battalion, thus earning entitlement to the 1914 "Mons" Star and the proud title of "Old Contemptible". He served on the Western Front until 14th August 1915, during which time the 1st Middlesex had more than their share of hard fighting. Read the details here: The 1st Middlesex on the Western Front.

Thomas Mewes was discharged from the army in October 1915 due to osteo-arthritis of the knee; his old injury causing recurring problems. He died in Bridgend in 1937 at the age of 57.