From Private To Colour Sergeant.

British War Medal 1914 - 1920.
Victory Medal.
1998 A. C. Sjt. S. L. Clements, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Sidney Leopold Clements was born in Forest Gate, Essex, and is listed on the 1901 Census as a 16 year old clerk, living with his father Stephen, a 55 year old stationer, and his siblings, Ethel (18), Olive (14) and Stafford (13). The family home was an 8 room dwelling at 39 Windsor Road, Forest Gate. The 1911 Census records Sidney as still living at home with his father. Interestingly, his occupation is given as registrar to the North Western Uruguay Railway Company.

On the day following the outbreak of the Great War, Sidney Clements presented himself at Somerset House in order to enlist in the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles). His attestation papers note that he had previously served as a territorial soldier with the same Regiment. The papers describe him as 5' 9" tall and of good physical development.

On the 17th of March 1915, the 1/15th Londons landed in France and, as a member of the original Battalion, Sidney Clements became one of the "17th of March Men", henceforth the proudest title bestowed on the men of the Civil Service Rifles. Sidney served on the Western Front until late November 1915, when he was admitted to the 1st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples. He was suffering from jaundice.

On the 7th February 1916, Sidney Clements rejoined the 1/15th Battalion and now began his rapid rise through the ranks. He was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 3rd March and paid Lance Corporal a week later. He was promoted to Corporal on 6th April, appointed Lance Sergeant on 25th July and promoted to Sergeant on 4th September.

There followed another spell in hospital, this time in England at the Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington. Sidney was suffering from leg ulcers and although they rapidly improved with treatment, he had to stay in hospital for two months. Discharged from hospital on 25th November 1916, Sidney joined the 15th London Regiment's Depot and stayed in England until being posted back to the 1/15th Battalion on 17th July 1917.

On 22nd September, he was appointed Acting Colour Sergeant. Apart from two weeks' leave to England in early September 1918, Sidney would serve the rest of the war on the Western Front with the 1/15th Londons. He was appointed Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant on 9th January 1919, and finally sent back to England to be demobbed a month later. He was discharged from the army on 12th March 1919. On the 2nd July 1921, Sidney Clements received the two medals shown here. 

 

When the history of the Civil Service Rifles came to be written after the war, Captain P. Davenport, M.C., who chronicled the deeds of the 1/15th Battalion, acknowledged his indebtedness to several gentlemen, including S. L. Clements, who had helped in the preparation of the work. Sadly, as recorded in the National Probate Calendar of England and Wales, Sidney Leopold Clements of Barcombe, St Brannock's Road, Ilfracombe, Devonshire died on 22nd December 1933 at the Devon Mental Hospital, Exminster, Devonshire. His effects, valued at £434 2s 4d, were left to his widow, Clarissa Isobel Clements.

Wounded At The Butte De Warlencourt.

Victory Medal.
4756 Pte. E. L. Sackett, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Edward Leslie Sackett, the son of Edward and Rose Ellen Sackett, was born on 29th May 1896 in Blackheath, London. A daughter, Gladys Winifred, was born to the couple the following year. By the time of the 1901 Census, the family were living at 179 Horncastle Road, Skirbeck, Boston, Lincolnshire, where Edward's father was working as a tailor's cutter. Ten years later, as recorded on the 1911 Census, the family, now consisting of Edward (36), Rose (36), Edward (14), Gladys (13) and their third child, Sidney Charles Norman (8), were living at 93 Victoria Road, Charlton. In June 1912, young Edward joined the Post Office as a boy clerk, and achieved advancement to assistant clerk in December 1913 and clerk in May 1915.

Like many young men of his generation, Edward joined the army, enlisting in the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles) at Somerset House on 22nd November 1915. His Attestation Papers state his age as 19 years 6 months and record that he had blue eyes, a pale complexion, dark brown hair, "fair" physical development and that he was 5' 7" tall. On enlistment, Edward had signed Army Form E.624, agreeing "to serve in any place outside the United Kingdom." On 5th May 1916, he sailed from Southampton to Havre on his way to join the 1/15th Londons on the Western Front.

Edward joined the Battalion on 29th May, shortly after their involvement in some minor operations on the Vimy Ridge in which the Battalion, particularly 'B' Company suffered heavily. In late summer 1916, the 1/15th Londons moved to the Somme, taking part in two costly attacks, firstly at High Wood on 15th September and then at the Butte De Warlencourt on 7th October. In the words of the Regimental History "The losses on the 7th of October amounted to five officers, 344 other ranks, and although numerically they are not quite so great as at High Wood, it should be remembered that on this occasion the Battalion was not more than 500 strong at the outset." It was in this latter attack that Edward Sackett suffered a serious head wound causing a fracture of the skull. He spent ten days in hospital in France and was then evacuated back to England.

On his return, Edward was initially attached to the 15th London Regiment Depot but on 11th July 1917, he was transferred to the 616th (HS) Employment Company of the Labour Corps. He appeared before a medical board on 12th September 1917 and according to the report made at that time "On date mentioned he was wounded by a piece of HE shell which caused fracture and depression of skull (L. Frontal bone), was taken to No 2 General Hospital at Havre where he remained 10 days where a trepanning operation was performed and some pieces of bone removed. He was then taken to the Royal City of Dublin Hospital where he remained 9 weeks. An operation was done there to remove a small piece of metal from behind left ear. He was then discharged hospital and returned to this unit." The report continued "There is still a considerable depression at the site of the fracture. L. Frontal region. He is quite unfit for any exertion and gets quite giddy. No signs of paralysis and no history of it. Sight and hearing both good."

Edward Sackett was discharged from the army as "being no longer physically fit for war service" on 1st December 1917, having served for 2 years and 10 days. His Discharge Papers describe him as a "reliable and well conducted man." Three years after being wounded on the Somme, he was still suffering from headaches and giddiness, was categorised as having a 40% disability and was incapable of sustained work. Despite this, in 1923 he married Ethel Loten and lived to a ripe old age, finally passing away at the age of 94 in Southampton in February 1991.

An Electrical Engineer in the Civil Service Rifles.

Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps "Cape Colony", "Orange Free State", "Transvaal", "South Africa 1901" & "South Africa 1902".
8015 Sapr. J. E. Collins, Electrical Engineers, Royal Engineers.

British War Medal 1914 - 1920.
Victory Medal with MID Emblem.
530738 A.W.O. Cl 2. J. E. Collins, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

James Edghill Collins was born in the parish of St Stephen's in London in late 1880 and baptised on 7th December of that year. He was the second son of James Edghill Collins, a manufacturer of gold lace, and his wife Fanny, who had married in 1873 and were living at 9 Bloomfield Road, Shepherd's Bush. By the time of the 1891 Census, the family had moved to 130 Lime Villas, Hampstead, and consisted of ten members: James (44), Fanny (40), Mabel (15), Margarite (14), Largent (11), James (10), Dora (8), Reginald Hugh (5), Guy (2) and baby Gladys St John. Also living with the family were a resident governess, a cook and a nurse.
James Edghill Collins enlisted in the London Electrical Engineers R.E. (Volunteers) in 1899. Two years previously, Queen Victoria had approved the formation of this new unit, whose duties included the operation of searchlights to help defend major ports. Following the outbreak of war with the Boers in South Africa, James joined the regular Electrical Engineers R.E. on 7th February 1901. His Attestation Papers describe him as having a dark complexion, hazel eyes and dark hair. He was 5' 9" tall, weighed 136lbs and had a slight scar on the outside of his right hand. His religion was given as Church of England, his trade as Electrical Engineer and his next-of-kin was his mother, Fannie Collins, living at 12 Quex Road, Kilburn.

James Edghill Collins served as a sapper with the Royal Engineers ("B" Company Electrical Engineers) in South Africa from 25th March 1901 until 15th May 1902, earning entitlement to the Queen's South Africa Medal with five clasps. He was paid a £5 "South African War" gratuity in November 1902 and continued to serve in the Volunteers till 1908, by which time he had been promoted to Sergeant.

On 22nd July 1908, James, now aged 27, married Phyllis Ethel Martin in the parish church of Kennington, his parents, brother Largent and sister Margarite acting as witnesses. A daughter, named Phyllis Ethel after her mother, was born to the couple in 1910. The 1911 Census records the family as living at 14 Wiltshire Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey. James was now working as a Service Observation Officer for the National Telephone Company. A second child, Jack Edghill, was born in June 1914.
 

In August 1914, the Collins family were living at 14 Gilpin Avenue, East Sheen. Four weeks after the outbreak of the Great War, James presented himself at Somerset House and enlisted in the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles). At the age of 33, he was probably a bit older than most of the recruits but his previous military experience must have stood him in good stead as on 19th September he was promoted to Sergeant. In February 1916, he signed Army Form E.624, agreeing "to serve in any place outside the United Kingdom." Promotion to Company Quartermaster Sergeant followed on 20th March 1916.

 

James was sent to the Western Front to join the 1/15th Battalion of the Civil Service Rifles on 4th March 1917, reverting to the rank of Sergeant and initially he seems to have spent some time attached to the 7th Royal Irish Rifles. In due course, he rejoined the 1/15th and further promotion followed, first to Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant in November 1917 and then to Acting Warrant Officer (Class II). He was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of 7th April 1918. On 2nd January 1919, James Collins was on his way home to England, and was finally discharged from the army at the 15th London Regiment Depot on 30th January 1919.

Interestingly, Reginald Hugh Collins also worked as an electrician and served in the Great War as a sapper with the 14th Divisional Signals Company, Royal Engineers, earning entitlement to a British War Medal and Victory Medal pair like his brother, James.

BQM Sergeant Archibald Blythe Macvean MID.

George V Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.
50 Sjt. A. B. Macvean, 2nd West Riding Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

Archibald Blythe Macvean was born in 1881, the second son of James and Ethel Macvean. The 1891 Census records the family living at 33 Manningham Lane, Bradford. At this time the household consisted of eight members: James, (37), Ethel (25), Herbert (10), Archibald (9), Helen (7), Florence (2), James' father - also called James (76) and Sarah Poole, a general servant and domestic. Ten years later, the family were living at 5 Devonshire Terrace, Bradford. A third daughter, Elsie, had been born six years earlier and Archibald, now aged 19, was working as an apprentice tailor, following the same line of work as his father and grandfather before him.

 At some point Archibald had enlisted in the 2nd West Riding of Yorkshire Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers and, when this unit was incorporated in the newly formed Territorial Force in April 1908, he was the 50th man to re-enlist as evidenced by his new regimental number. The annual two weeks training took place at various camps around the country over the next few years, including Bare Camp (1908 & 1911), Redcar (1909), Okehampton (1910) and Salisbury Plain (1912). The photo below shows Sergeant Archibald Macvean and was most probably taken at one of these annual camps.

By the time of the 1911 census, Archibald had moved to Leeds and was living at 45 Grange View, Chapeltown, with his wife Marie Isabel, who he had married in June 1909. He was employed as a mantle manufacturer and was prosperous enough to employ other workers. On 15th April 1912, Archibald became a father when his first daughter, Jean Marie, was born.

 Archibald was still serving in the Territorials when war broke out in August 1914. The 2nd West Riding  Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, became part of the 49th (West Riding) Division and moved to France in early April 1915. One month later, the Division took part in the Battle of Aubers Ridge. Later on 19th December 1915, the Division was engaged in the defence against one of the first phosgene gas attacks at Wieltje, near Ypres.

Interestingly, Archibald Macvean was mentioned in Field Marshall Sir John French's Dispatch of 30th November 1915 for "gallant and distinguished services in the field." Having been promoted to Battery Quartermaster Sergeant, Archibald would serve on the Western Front untill April 1916, at which time, under the terms of his engagement, he was eligible to be discharged from the army. He had served for over 16 years in the Volunteer and the Territorial Forces.

Archibald Blythe Macvean died at the age of 69 on 18th March 1951 and is buried in the Scholemoor Cemetery in Bradford.

I would like to express my gratitude to Mr & Mrs Wilson for sending me copies of and allowing me to use the two photos of BQMS Macvean.

Colour Sergeant Cook, The Civil Service Rifles.

Edward VII Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.
389 C. Sjt. W. Cook, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

The Territorial Force came into being on 1st April 1908, following the reforms of the Secretary of State for War, Richard Haldane. The Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 combined the old volunteer, militia and yeomanry units into new formations. The 12th Middlesex Civil Service Rifle Volunteers, discarding their old grey uniforms in favour of khaki, became the newly-formed 15th (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment. Men who had been serving in the former were required to attest for the new formation throughout April 1908. Colour Sergeant Cook's service number would indicate that he was the 389th man to attest. In the Regimental Orders for July 1908, he is listed as the highest ranking NCO in No. 6 Company. He is included in the Battalion's list of marksmen in 1908, with a score of 148 points, an achievement surpassed by only 17 other men in the Battalion. He was also entitled to wear four "Efficiency Stars".

 The Regimental Orders for February 1909 list the 21 men awarded the Volunteer Long Service Medal and 31 men awarded the newly-instituted Territorial Force Efficiency Medal. Colour Sergeant Cook was one of the latter. This medal was granted to all men who completed 12 years' service with a minimum of twelve trainings, past service in the Volunteers being admissible, provided that the whole period of service was continuous. At 5.45pm on 10th May 1909, the Battalion paraded at Somerset House for the presentation of these medals by Major-General V. J. Dawson, C.V.O., Commanding 2nd London Division.

A Kew Gardener In The Queen's Westminsters.

British War Medal 1914 - 1920.
Victory Medal.
George VI  Special Constabulary Long Service Medal.
3526 A. Cpl. M. Vardy, 16th London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles).

Maurice Vardy was born in 1892 in  the parish of Norton in Ecclesall Bierlow, one of the six 'townships' making up the old Parish of Sheffield. He was the second of eight children born to John Vardy, a  gardener, and his wife, Ellen. The 1911 Census records the family as residing at Brompton Road, Northallerton, and Maurice is described as an 18 year old gardener, clearly following in his father's footsteps. The outbreak of the First World War found him as a student at Kew Gardens in London. Like many others at Kew, he enlisted in the ranks of the 16th London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles) and saw overseas service with the 2/16th Battalion in France and Palestine. Returning to Kew after the war, he would stay there till 1920 until finding employment with the Colonial Service.

In March 1920, Maurice Vardy and his wife travelled to Grenada, where Maurice's father had a government post. Here he worked as the Assistant Superintendent of Agriculture. In 1921, Maurice was transferred to the Gold Coast, where he took up the post of Supervisor of Fruit & Vegetable Farms. Later he worked in Sierra Leone as the head of the Fruit Experimental Station at Newton, near Freetown. In 1932, his wife's ill health necessitated a return to the United Kingdom, where he set up a market garden which he ran until he retired at the age of 70. Maurice Vardy passed away at the age of 86, his death being registered at Darlington, Yorkshire in 1978.