Assistant Baker On A Troopship.

Mercantile Marine War Medal.
Edgar C. Slater.

Edgar Charles Slater was born in Dalston, Hackney, on 28th August 1898. He was the fourth child of Arthur George Slater and his wife, Sarah Ann. The couple are recorded on the 1901 Census as living at 10 Backway in the parish of Waltham Holy Cross, Waltham Abbey, Epping, with their children Ada Maude (9 yrs), Lily Amelia (7 yrs), May Matilda (5 yrs) and Edgar Charles (2 yrs).

Edgar's father was a baker, who had most probably learned baking from his own father, another Arthur, while growing up in Hounslow and Plaistow. Edgar would become the third generation of the family to take up baking as a trade.

At some point during the First World War, Edgar joined the Merchant Navy and served on the troopship SS Saxon. This ship had been requisitioned in 1917 for use as a transport in the Mediterranean, plying between Alexandria and Marseilles, but in 1918 was employed in the Atlantic, carrying American troops to Europe. From May through to October 1918, the SS Saxon crossed the Atlantic five times, sailing from either Plymouth, Liverpool or Glasgow to New York. Edgar Slater worked as an Assistant Baker on the ship, one of four men working under the direction of 1st Baker, John Bulstrode.
For his service in the Merchant Navy, Edgar Charles Slater received the British War Medal and the Mercantile Marine War Medal. This latter medal was awarded by the Board of Trade to members of the Merchant Navy who had undertaken one or more voyages through a war or danger zone. The reverse of the medal shows a steamship in an angry sea with a sailing ship and a sinking submarine in the background, the whole enclosed by a laurel wreath. The medal was cast in bronze and approximately 133,000 were issued, making it one of the rarer First World War medals.

An Immediate Award Of The MM.

GV Military Medal.
530274 Cpl. - L.Sjt. P. J. Kelly, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Patrick Joseph Kelly was born in Belfast, the son of Sarah Kelly of 67 Ballygomartin Road, Belfast. By 1914, Patrick was living in London at 28 Elgin Avenue, Maida Hill, and was employed by the Civil Service Commissioners. He joined the 15th (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles) at Somerset House on 8th April 1914. He was 18 years and 2 months old and his Attestation Papers describe him as being 5' 11" tall and of good physical development.

Following the outbreak of the First World War, the 15th Londons prepared for active service. The 1/15th Battalion crossed over to France on 17th March 1915. Patrick Kelly, however, found himself transferred to "C" Company of the 2/15th Battalion, where he served in No: 10 Platoon. On 24th March, he signed Army Form E.624, stating his willingness "to serve in any place outside the United Kingdom in the event of National emergency." Obviously a capable man, he was appointed Lance Corporal (unpaid), then promoted Corporal (paid) by the time the 2/15th arrived in France on 23rd June 1916. He would stay with the Battalion for the next two years, serving on the Western Front (23/06/16 - 21/11/16), Salonica (22/11/16 - 19/06/17), Egypt and Palestine (20/06/17 - 17/06/18) and back to France on 28th June 1918.
In August 1918, the 2/15th Londons were in positions opposite the Dranoutre Ridge. On the night of 21st/22nd August, the 2/14th Londons attacked the ridge and the following night the 2/15th Londons took over the newly-captured line, which was no more than a series of shell holes, and withstood a determined counter-attack. In the words of the Regimental History: "Under continual heavy artillery, trench mortar, and machine-gun fire, we helped to consolidate the new front line. Fighting patrols were pushed forward and great courage was displayed by members of the 2/15th, particularly Sergeant P. J. Kelly's patrol, "C" Company, at Locrehof Farm."
More details of the events are to be found in the account given by Captain Wills, quoted in "The Civil Service Rifles in the Great War" by Jill Knight. A second counter-attack was expected at any moment and Wills hastily organized a wiring party to strengthen their precarious position. "The men worked like Trojans and Kelly worked like three men. We all tore our hands on the wire but nobody minded." Patrick Kelly and his officer then prepared to wire in front of a near-by slag heap. Captain Wills' account continues: "Corporal Kelly and I approached the slag heap from the rear carrying a roll of barbed wire on a stake between us. Both of us had on wiring gloves ... As we approached ... a couple of men came round the left-hand side of the heap. I thought they were part of my wiring party and shouted at them asking what the hell they were doing. A second later a German stick bomb burst some few yards away and I realised that they were Boche. I am afraid I lost my head, tried to tear off my wiring gloves and get to my revolver. Not so Kelly, the Ulsterman, who kept his head and did not try to get off his gloves, but took out a Mills bomb, pulled the pin out with his teeth and threw it. The bomb exploded and got them both."

As Wills afterwards discovered, Patrick Kelly's quick thinking and decisive action had put two German machine-gunners, complete with gun, out of action and saved both their lives. For this Corporal Kelly was awarded an immediate MM. The two Germans had been part of the next counter-attack but, once again, the Civil Service Rifles held their position.
In early September, the Battalion was out of the line, enjoying a period of "rest", supplying working parties for road building and other tasks. On the 12th, a parade was held and Patrick Kelly and others who had been decorated for the Dranoutre operations were presented with ribbons by the Corps Commander.

In the last stages of the war, Patrick suffered a gun shot wound to the wrist, resulting in a degree of disablement of 40%. He was discharged from the army on 11th February 1919 and granted a pension of 12 shillings a week for 26 weeks. Apart from his Military Medal, he would also receive the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge and the King's Certificate for his service with the 15th London Regiment.

Pte. Clifford Whiting, 2nd Rifle Brigade.

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
Victory Medal.
3568 Pte. C. H. Whiting, Rifle Brigade.

Clifford Henry Whiting was born in Haggerston, Middlesex, 1886, the second child of George, a groom / bus driver and Hannah Whiting. The 1891 Census records the couple as living at 183 Stewarts Road, Battersea, and lists their children as Claude (9 yrs), Clifford (4 yrs) and Annie Mabel (2yrs). By the time of the 1901 Census, two more daughters, Ethel and Elsie, had been born and Clifford, now aged 14, was employed as a print compositor's apprentice.
On 4th December 1909, Clifford enlisted in the Rifle Brigade at Kingston on Thames, signing up for seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. His Attestation Papers describe him as 23 years and 4 months old, just over 5' 5" tall, weighing 128lbs and with good physical development, a fresh complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. If one reason for joining the army was to see something of the world, he wasn't to be disappointed; in November 1911, Clifford was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade in India and would serve almost three years in that country.

On the outbreak of war in 1914, the 2nd Battalion was at Kuldana, a hill station in the Murree Hills. On 20th September, they sailed from Bombay for the UK on the SS Somali, arriving at Liverpool on 22nd October. The Battalion became part of the 25th Brigade, 8th Division, and on 5th October moved to Southampton to embark on the SS Victorian for the short voyage to France. Having arrived at Le Havre on 7th, the men were in the trenches a week later and had their first casualty, 1699 A-Cpl Walter Percy Green, on the 16th. November was particularly cold and conditions in the trenches were miserable; the men's wet boots froze to their feet and 44 men were sent to a field ambulance, suffering from frostbite. In December, there was heavy rain and mud. The casualty figures for 1914 were 4 officers and 18 other ranks killed or died of wounds, 3 officers and 23 other ranks wounded and 224 men sick.

On 9th May 1915, the 2nd Rifle Brigade took part in the Battle of Fromelles, attacking towards the German trenches at Rouges Bancs. The artillery bombardment started at 5.00am, a number of shells falling short and causing severe casualties in the advanced sap where "B" and "D" Companies of the Battalion were waiting to lead the advance. Nevertheless, at 5.40am, they crossed No Man's Land, took their objectives swiftly and began the task of consolidating the captured positions. The problem that soon became apparent was that they were entirely alone, the battalions to either side of them having been annihilated by machine gun fire as they left their trenches. As most of the attacking waves failed to get beyond their own parapet and supporting troops began moving forward from behind, the trenches became hopelessly congested and the advance came to a standstill. In their exposed advanced position, the 2nd Rifle Brigade men continued to consolidate but were subjected to withering fire from both flanks and the rear. Casualties mounted throughout the day and, at around 2.00am, after the men had been fighting since the previous morning, they had to face a German counter-attack. By 3.00am, it was all over; after fierce hand-to-hand fighting, the position was lost. A few men escaped and made their way back to the old British lines, about 50 were captured, about 30 were wounded and picked up by the enemy the next day, and the remainder were dead. At some point in the fighting, Clifford Whiting had been wounded in the right arm by shrapnel. It was a coveted "Blighty" wound and on 17th May he was back in England to recuperate.

By October, Clifford had recovered sufficiently to be posted back to his Battalion in France. On 25th June 1916, the 2nd Rifle Brigade were in trenches opposite Orvillers on the Somme. As part of the preparations for the forthcoming attack, the 2nd Battalion was called upon to carry out a raid on the enemy trenches. The enterprise was well-planned and skilfully executed. After a preliminary discharge of gas and bombardment of the position, two officers and 50 men, armed with knobkerries, daggers, fixed swords, bombs and revolvers, rushed the enemy line, successfully destroying the German wire with "Bangalore torpedoes and, once in the trench, proceeded to kill the garrison either in hand-to-hand fighting or by bombing the dug-outs. In the words of the Rifle Brigade history: "They had been instructed not to bring back more than three prisoners. They brought back one, of the 180th Wurtemberg Regiment - but they left a shambles behind them. A hurried investigation with torches when the fight was over, showed the trench and dug-outs to be choked with dead and wounded - estimated at the least at fifty. The casualties of the raiders, all of which were brought back, were one killed and ten wounded."

Sadly, one of the wounded was Clifford Whiting. He was evacuated to the 92nd Field Ambulance and died there on 26th June 1916. He was buried in Warloy-Baillon Cemetery, five miles west of Albert, and his few personal possessions - 1 identity disc, 1 case with letters, 1 pipe, 1 lighter, 1 pencil and a 1d coin - were returned to his father in London. He was 29 years old and had served in the ranks for five and a half years.

A Catalogue Of Misdemeanours.

India Medal 1895 - 1902 with clasp "Relief of Chitral 1895".
3073 Pte. A. O'Hara, King's Own Scottish Borderers.

Alexander O'Hara, a Roman Catholic Irishman, attested for the King's Own Scottish Borderers on 15th December 1888, agreeing to serve for seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. He was already serving in the 4th (Volunteer) Battalion of the Scottish Rifles. His Attestation Papers give his trade as "labourer" and describe him as 18 years and 2 months old, just over 5' 5" tall, weighing 128lbs and with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.
Two days after enlisting, Alexander went absent and was apprehended by the civil power in Glasgow on 20th January 1889, dressed in plain clothes. Returned to the Depot at Berwick, he was tried on 5th February on the charge of "deserting her Majesty's service", found guilty, and sentenced to 21 days imprisonment with hard labour. This was only the start of a long series of conflicts with military authority. On 8th August 1889, Alexander was deprived of 5 days' pay and confined to barracks fo 16 days after being found guilty of absenting himself from 31st July until brought back under escort a week later.

In January 1891, Alexander was transferred to the 1st Battalion of the KOSB at Raglan Barracks in Devonport. Here he succeeded in getting more entries in the Regimental Defaulter Book: 2nd April 1891 - Not obeying an order & having an untidy berth - 14 days confined to barracks; 6th April 1891 - Absent from answering his name at 8.00pm (when a defaulter till 11.30pm) - 96 hours imprisonment with hard labour; 7th April 1891 - Attempting to smuggle tobacco into prison & inattention in the ranks - 24 hours punishment diet. 8th April 1891 - Not complying with an order & having his cell irregular - 24 hours bread and water and deprived of bedding.
Less than two weeks later on 19th April, Pte O'Hara was arrested by the civil power and convicted the following day at the Petty Sessions Court of three charges of wilful damage. This time he got one month in H.M. Prison Plymouth, 14 days of which were with hard labour. Once released it was only a few months before he was again up before the CO on various charges: 31st August 1891 - Absent from gymnasium at 2.00pm, returned to barracks at 8.00am 1/9/91 improperly dressed - deprived 1 days pay and 14 days confined to barracks; 2nd September 1891 - Having a rusty rifle & taking Pte Edwards' rifle on parade - 14 days confined to barracks.
On 11th November, Alexander O'Hara left Devonport to start over five years foreign service with the 2nd Battalion KOSB at Rawalpindi in India. Army life abroad seems to have suited him better; on 2nd September 1893, for example, he was granted his 1st Good Conduct Pay. In 1895, Pte O'Hara earned the India Medal with clasp "Relief of Chitral 1895" as the 2nd Battalion KOSB were part of the relief column under Lieutenant General Sir R. C. Low GCB, which fought its way north via the Malakand Pass to the besieged garrison at Chitral. Interestingly, the clasps "Defence of Chitral 1895" and "Relief of Chitral 1895" were issued without lugs as it was not envisioned at the time that the India Medal would be awarded with other clasps for further campaigns. In September, Pte O'Hara was awarded his 2nd Good Conduct Pay but this was forfeited almost immediately when he was absent from tattoo on 29th September 1895. He seems to have slipped back into his old ways, getting 8 days CB for breaking out of hospital whilst a patient and being found in the Rawalpindi bazaar after tattoo improperly dressed in November 1895, and getting a further 10 days CB for leaving his guard without permission in February 1896.

On 14th January 1897, Alexander arrived back in the UK and was transferred to the 1st Class Army Reserve a week later. On 28th April the following year, he married Ellen Murray at the Sacred Heart Chapel in Glasgow. His address at this time was 21 Abercromby Street and he was working as a labourer. But such a state of affairs could not last long; following the outbreak of the Boer war, Alexander was recalled from the Reserve in October 1899 and rejoined the KOSB Depot on 18th December 1899.
Posted to the 1st Battalion, he sailed with them on the Braemar Castle, arriving at the Cape around 26th January. In February, the 1st KOSB fought in the Battle of Paardeberg and various other engagements up to the surrender of Cronje on the 27th. On 29th of March, the Battalion were in action at Karee Siding, clearing some hills held by the Boers north of Bloemfontein. Here the KOSB lost 1 officer and 14 men killed, and had 3 officers and 42 men wounded, one of whom was Pte O'Hara, who was wounded severely. For his service in the Boer War, Pte O'Hara received the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for "Cape Colony" and "Paardeberg".
In July 1900, Alexander was on his way home. His discharge from the army came on 4th February 1902. He had served a total of 13 years.

With Most Magnificent Courage.

GV Distinguished Conduct Medal.
5822 Pte. P. C. Blazeby, 2nd Rifle Brigade.

Percy Charles Blazeby was born in Ilford and his birth registered in the last quarter of 1898, but he does not seem to be recorded on the 1901 Census. His army service number would suggest that he enlisted for the army as a career soldier after the outbreak of the First World War. He certainly didn't go to France before 1916 as he is not entitled to the 1914 or 1914-15 Star; presumably he would have been under age until after his 18th birthday in late 1916.
In 1917, Percy was on the Western Front serving in the 2nd Rifle Brigade, a regular battalion which was part of the 8th Division. On July 31st, the 3rd Battle of Ypres began when nine divisions of the Fifth Army attacked east and north east of Ypres. The 2nd Rifle Brigade took part in the 8th Division's attack on the Westhoek Ridge, advancing soon after 10.00am but being unable to keep up with the artillery barrage and suffering heavy casualties from machine-gun and rifle fire on the forward slopes of the ridge. At 1.00pm, the Battalion were holding a defensive line 700 yards in length and orders were later received to consolidate the position.

From 5.00pm till dark, the enemy made repeated efforts to push forward. According to the account published in The Rifle Brigade Chronicle 1919, "The enemy kept all our posts under very heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, and any movement of runners, etc., was attended by great danger." The Rifle Brigade History states: "From 5.00pm onwards the enemy continually threatened the position of the Battalion on the south of the railway. All available S.A.A. was sent up." It seems most likely that it was here that Percy Blazeby's gallantry was recognized by the award of the DCM. The announcement of the award first appeared in the London Gazette on 22nd October 1917 and the full citation on 26th January 1918.

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when acting as Battalion runner. He carried many messages to advanced positions under the most dangerous conditions, continually volunteering for another run when all the other runners were either killed or wounded. When a hostile counter-attack was attempted he went back through heavy machine-gun and sniping fire and succeeded in bringing up ammunition which was urgently required. Throughout the day he behaved with most magnificent courage."

The 2nd Rifle Brigade took part in another attack in the same area on 16th - 17th August, when their task was to mop up after the two attacking battalions. Following this there was a period of training in Kortepyp Camp before a return to brigade support near Ploegsteert Wood on 11th September. On the 19th, the Battalion moved into the line in the St. Yves - Warneton sector and here, on 23rd, the enemy made an unsuccessful attempt to raid the Battalion's position. According to the Regimental History, no Germans managed to enter the British trenches but casualties were inflicted on both sides. Percy Charles Blazeby is recorded as having been killed in action on this day. He is remembered with honour in Prowse Point Military Cemetery.

A Tragic Accident In The Trenches.

British War Medal 1914 - 20. 

9640 Pte. F. L. Rudall, Middlesex Regiment.

The birth of Frank Leonard Rudall was registered in Keynsham in early 1897. He was the son of Charles and Laura Rudall, who are recorded on the 1901 Census as living at 11 Mendora Road, Fulham, with their children Arthur Charles (8), Iva Laura (6), Leonard Frank (sic) (4) and George Henry (11 mths). By the time of the First World War, the family had moved to 3a Holt Villas, Embankment, Putney, and another daughter, Gladys Winifred, had been born. Frank Rudall joined the army in November 1915 and after a period of training was sent to France, where he joined the 1/7th Middlesex Regiment on 6th November 1916. The Battalion had been on the Western Front since March 1915 and had fought throughout the Somme Battles as part of the 56th (1st London) Division. Frank would have been one of the many replacements needed to bring the unit back up to strength following several costly attacks in the later stages of the Somme fighting.

In the winter of 1916/17, the Division was in the Neuve Chapelle sector, supposedly a "quiet" area, where the task of absorbing new drafts could be undertaken more easily. According to the 56th Division History, November was a quiet month, but cold and wet, and patrolling in No Man's Land was difficult due to the water-logged ground. On 30th November, the 1/7th Middlesex were raided by the enemy but successfully drove off the attackers. However, just after 7.00am on the morning of 12th December, a fatal accident was about to take place. Sergeant Hutson was preparing to inspect the rifles of his platoon in Elgin Post. In his statement to the subsequent court of enquiry, he said, "I was just going to inspect the rifle of No.9640 Pte Rudall F. L., and was turning the corner of the trench, when I heard the report of a rifle slightly to my left rear. The bullet whizzed past me and hit Pte Rudall. As soon as I heard the shot I looked to see where it had come from, and saw No.2812 Pte Wingfield A. H. standing with his rifle in his hand and pointing in the direction of the deceased. I then went to help Pte Rudall and found his tunic about the stomach covered with blood, but did not look at the wound. I then went on with my inspection, after giving orders that Pte Wingfield should be put under arrest, as I thought he had fired the shot." A second witness, Lance Corporal Albert Merry, stated "At about 7.05am on 12th January 1917, I was examining the rifles of the guard in Elgin Post, of which I was in charge. This was being done in accordance with an order issued by my Company Commander to the effect that "all rifles must be examined by a non-commissioned officer before being cleaned." On examining the rifle of No.2812 Pte Wingfield, I found a live cartridge in the breech and saw him eject it. Pte Wingfield then took out his magazine, still leaving the bolt open. He then removed the bolt. I am certain there was then no round in the rifle. After cleaning his rifle, I saw him replace first his magazine, which was loaded, and then the bolt. He then proceeded to close the bolt, at the same time pressing down the cartridges in the magazine with his left thumb. As he did this he slipped on a broken duck board and in falling let go of his rifle with his left hand. The rifle fired and the bullet hit Pte Rudall, who was standing at the other end of the traverse. Pte Wingfield dropped his rifle, the fall knocking the magazine out of the rifle. I immediately ran to fetch the stretcher bearers. I allowed Pte Wingfield to replace his magazine when loaded because he was actually on sentry duty at the time. At the time of the accident Sgt Hutson, Pte Rudall, Pte Wingfield and myself were the only men in the traverse."

Private Rudall's body was examined by Captain B. T. Edge, the RAMC Medical Officer, who found a wound in Rudall's right wrist and another in his abdomen corresponding to those caused by a rifle bullet. In his opinion, death was caused by shock and haemorrhage as a result of the abdominal wound, and death probably followed within a few minutes of receiving the wound. The following day, 13th January, a court of enquiry was arranged by Lieutenant Colonel E. F. King, where the witnesses quoted above gave their evidence and it was decided that Private Rudall's death had been "due to negligence." On 19th January, Private Alfred Wingfield was tried by Court Martial and found guilty of "negligently discharging a rifle and causing the death of a comrade." He was sentenced to three months Field Punishment No. 1. Frank Rudall, just 19 years old, was laid to rest in Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery at La Gorgue.

An "Old Contemptible" In The Dukes.

1914 Trio.
6558 Pte. J. Corker, 2nd Duke Of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment.

John Corker was born in 1883, the oldest son of John Corker, a coal porter, and his wife Elizabeth. According to the 1891 Census, the couple were living at 71 Campbell Road, Islington, and had four children: John (7), Elizabeth (6), Sarah (4) and Robert (9 mths). In June 1900, at the age of 17, John enlisted in the Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. The idea of full-time soldiering must have appealed to him because just over five months later, on 28th November , he enlisted in the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, agreeing to serve for seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. His Attestation Papers describe him as 18 years and 2 months old, just over 5' 4" tall, weighing 116lbs and with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair.

However, Private Corker's military career did not progress smoothly; on 9th December, just a few days after joining the Depot at Halifax, he deserted and, if the dates in his Service Record can be trusted, didn't appear again until December 1902. Posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment, which was returning to India at this time, John Corker was tried by Court Martial and found guilty of "deserting his Majesty's service and losing by neglect equipment and clothing." He was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment with hard labour and all his previous service was forfeited.
John stayed in India with the 2nd Battalion and, in December 1904, he was again in trouble with military authority, this time being guilty of "disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer" and "an act to the prejudice of good order and military discipline", for which he was sentenced to 35 days imprisonment.

In September 1905, orders were received that the 2nd Battalion was to proceed home to England, leaving 500 men behind to be posted to the 1st Battalion, which was sailing out to replace them. The Regimental History mentions the fact that "the 1st and 2nd Battalions passed each other in the Indian Ocean, the one going out to, the other returning from, India." John Corker was one of the men left behind and transferred to the 1st Battalion on its arrival at the hill station of Lebong. Life here followed the dull routine of garrison duty with little excitement beyond what was found on the football pitch. Over the next few years however, the 1st Duke of Wellington's Regiment built up a reputation for prowess on the sports field, winning the "Calcutta" Cup, the premier Rugby-football trophy in India, every year from 1906 till 1913.

In June 1906, John Corker chose to extend his service to complete nine years with the Colours. In January 1907, he was appointed Drummer although he reverted to Private at his own request in 1911. In the same year, the Battalion was in Delhi, taking part in the Coronation Durbar held in the King Emperor's honour in December. A total of 6 officers and 112 other ranks received the Delhi Durbar Medal, but John Corker was not one of them. In February 1912, having completed the agreed term, he returned to England and was transferred to the Class 'B' Army Reserve. His previous misdemeanours behind him, his character on discharge was described as "exemplary" and it was noted that there had been no case of drunkenness in all his period of service. In addition, he was in possession of two Good Conduct Badges and a 2nd Class Musketry Certificate. His intended place of residence was given as 43 Pembroke Road, New Southgate, London, and his preferred employment was with the Great Western Railway Police.

In August 1914, following the outbreak of the First World War, John Corker was recalled from the Reserve and sent to join the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment in France, arriving there on 27th August. The Battalion had taken part in the Battle of Mons and was now retreating in the face of the German advance. John must have joined up with the Battalion at some point and taken part in the fighting on the Aisne, but in January 1915 he was back in England for health reasons. Returning to France in May 1915, he would serve with the Battalion as a Drummer for the rest of the war. The 2nd Dukes were engaged in the Somme Battles in the summer of 1916, at Fampoux in April / May 1917, at Passchendaele in late 1917 and the Final Advance in 1918. John Corker, having survived numerous engagements, finally returned to England in January 1919, was transferred to the Class 'Z' Reserve on 13th February, and was discharged on 31st March 1920.

Taken Prisoner At Bullecourt, May 1917.

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
Victory Medal.
Silver War Badge No: B186507
4337 Pte. J.Marshall, West Yorkshire Regiment.

John Marshall was born in 1890, the seventh child of Charles Marshall, an engineer's machinist, and his wife Mary. The couple appear on the 1891 Census, where their address is given as 24 Albert Terrace, Gainsborough, and their children are listed as William (11), Albert (10), Maria (8), Alice (6), Charles (4), Lilly (2) and John (5 mths). By the time if the 1901 Census, the family had moved to 4 Trent Street, Gainsborough, and John, by now 10 years old, had three younger siblings: Elizabeth (8), Walter (6) and Frank (2).
John Marshall appears to have been still living at home when the First World War broke out in August 1914. He enlisted for the duration of the war on 10th December 1915 and in March of the following year was posted to the 2/5th West Yorkshire Regiment, a Territorial Force battalion that had been formed at York in September 1914.
The 2/5th West Yorks were sent to France in 1917, arriving at Le Havre on 5th January, as part of the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. The Division was involved in the attacks on Bullecourt in April and May 1917. You can read about them here. In the second Battle of Bullecourt, which began on 3rd May 1917, John Marshall was taken prisoner and would remain in captivity for the remainder of the war. On his return to England in January 1919, he was categorised as "no longer physically fit for war service" and discharged from the army on 2nd April. He was suffering from defective vision and neurasthenia caused by his war service and was awarded a Silver War Badge and a disability pension, which he would continue to receive until December 1920. John's younger brother, Frank, had also joined the army and sadly had been killed in action, at the age of 20, on 15th June 1918 serving in 'C' Company of the 8th Yorkshire Regiment.

Torpedoed On Board HMS Majestic.

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
Edward VII Naval Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.
PLY-4902 Pte. G. H. Haydon, R.M.L.I.

George Henry Haydon was born on 29th May 1871 in Alphington, near Exeter, and is recorded on the 1881 Census as a 9 year old scholar, the second son of Samuel Haydon, a labourer in an iron foundry, and his wife Lucy. George enlisted in the Royal Marines on 29th June 1889. His Service Papers give his occupation as "labourer" and describe him as having a fair complexion, light brown hair, blue eyes and a tattoo of an anchor on his arm. After initial training at the Recruit Depot, George was allocated to the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marines and passed a course in first aid to the injured in June 1890. He served on HMS Indus and later on HMS Belleisle, the coastguard ship at Kingstown, Ireland. George Haydon is listed as a member of this ship's crew on the 1891 Census.

George's career continued with him successfully passing his musketry and sea gunnery drills every three years and with periods of service on HMS Edgar, HMS Defiance (1899 - 1902), the newly-commissioned HMS Swiftsure (1904 - 1905) and HMS Talbot (1907 - 1910). You can read more about Swiftsure and Talbot here. On 13th March 1910, having completed 21 years service, he received his Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. The following June, he transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve.

Recalled on the outbreak of the First World War, George Haydon, now aged 43, joined the crew of HMS Majestic on 24th August 1914. Assigned to the Channel Fleet, Majestic covered the passage of British troops to France in September 1914. The following month she helped escort the first Canadian troop convoy to Europe. In 1915, HMS Majestic was involved in the Dardanelles campaign and saw much action; firstly while bombarding Turkish positions in the initial attempt to force the Narrows by naval power alone and later while supporting the allied troop landings on the Gallipoli peninsular. On 27th May 1915, three months after arriving in the Dardanelles, HMS Majestic was sunk by a single torpedo from the German submarine U-21, commanded by Commander Otto Hersing. The ship capsized in just nine minutes but fortunately fewer than 50 of the crew lost their lives. George Haydon survived the sinking of the Majestic but his Long Service Medal was lost when the ship went down. An interesting note on his Service Papers states that this medal was "replaced at public expense - original lost in HMS Majestic". There is more information about HMS Majestic together with many photos of the ship and the wreck here and here.

George Haydon served for the rest of the war on HMS Egmont, and was discharged from the Royal Fleet Reserve as medically unfit for further service on 11th September 1920.

Wounded At Messines, POW At Bourlon Wood.

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
Victory Medal.
4779 Pte. W. C. C. Doughton, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

William Charles Cornelius Doughton was born in January 1888 and is recorded on the 1901 Census as the oldest of four children born to Henry and Francis Doughton, residing at 1 Queen's Terrace, Marylebone. By 1914, the family had moved to 5 Belgrave Gardens, Abbey Road, and William was working for Victor Jay & Company, a hat manufacturer located at 34 & 36 Southwark Bridge Road.

On 23rd November 1915, William attested for the Territorial Force, enlisting for the duration of the war in the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles) at Somerset House. His Attestation Papers describe him as 27 years and 10 months old, 5' 9" tall but with only "fair" physical development. Despite this, he was passed fit for service and signed Army Form E624, stating his willingness to serve overseas. For basic training, William was posted to the 3/15th Londons, the home service battalion stationed at Hazeley Down, where he was appointed paid Lance Corporal on 15th February 1916 and promoted to Corporal five months later. In April 1916, he married Marguerite Giles at St Paul's church in Clapham.

On 19th December 1916, William was sent to France, joining the 1/15th London Regiment on 30th December and reverting to the rank of Private. The Battalion had sustained heavy casualties in the later stages of the Battle of the Somme, firstly on 15th September at High Wood and then on 7th October at the Butte de Warlencourt, and William would have been one of many fresh reinforcements brought in to bring the Battalion up to strength. In early 1917, the 1/15th Londons were in the Ypres Salient contending with enemy activity and freezing winter conditions. In mid-January, the Germans, attired in white garments, took advantage of the snow covering No Man's Land and carried out a successful raid on the British trenches.

In June, the Battalion was engaged in the Battle of Messines Ridge and it was here that William Doughton was wounded in the shoulder, but not seriously enough to merit his being evacuated to England. After four months out of the line at Le Treport and Le Havre, William was able to rejoin his unit in late October.

From 28th November till 6th December, the 1/15th London Regiment were in action in the vicinity of Bourlon Wood. On the 6th, the Battalion was subjected to a strong German attack and forced to withdraw from the village of Graincourt. Following a day of confused fighting, some of the Battalion found themselves surrounded by the enemy and, as darkness fell, attempted to slip through the lines and rejoin their comrades. Unfortunately, they ran into a large enemy force and were taken prisoner. William Doughton was one of those reported missing and later confirmed as a POW. He would spend the next year in captivity, only being repatriated to England in December 1918.

After serving for over three years, William was discharged from the army on 13th February 1919, his intended place of residence being given as 588 Wandsworth Road. He was lucky in one respect; his old employer, Victor Jay, was willing to offer him a position as a buyer and stock controller. His medals were issued to him in August 1921.