The Last Survivor of the K.13 Disaster.

 British War Medal 1914 - 1920.
J.44055 J. Swift. Tel. R.N.

Joseph Swift, the son of George and Fannie Swift, was born on 15th March 1899 at Dalziel, Motherwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland. The nine members of the family - George (42), Fannie (36), John (20), Hannah (18), Elizabeth (16), Mary Ann (14), George Ernest (7), Charlotte (4) and Joseph (2) -  are recorded on the 1901 Census as living at 76 Brandon Street, Motherwell. George Swift was listed on the 1891 Census as a widower and living at 14 Warson Street, Hamilton, Dalziel, with five of his children.  George Ernest, Charlotte and Joseph were the children of his second marriage to Fannie.

In April 1904, the parents and their seven younger children took a 2nd class cabin on the S.S. Laurentian,  which was embarking on a voyage to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and New York. The family were contracted to land at the former port with their final destination being New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.

At some point, Joseph must have returned to the United Kingdom because in September 1915 he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class. His Service Record describes him as having black hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. His occupation is given as a clerk. His initial service was at H.M.S. Ganges, a shore base and boys' training establishment. Then, in July 1916, he joined H.M.S. Maidstone, which had led the 8th Submarine Flotilla to its war station at Harwich in the 1914 mobilisation and remained the principal depot ship for the offensive submarine force at Harwich for the duration of the war. In September 1916, Joseph, now rated as a Boy Telegraphist, transferred to H.M.S. Dolphin, another submarine depot ship.

On 29th January 1917, at Gareloch in the west of Scotland, Submarine K13, which had been built by the Fairfield Company at their Govan shipyard, was ready to undergo her final sea trials before being formally taken into the Royal Navy. This fatal day was to see Britain's worst submarine disaster with 32 men losing their lives and a 57 hour struggle to rescue the survivors.

 Submarine K13 would normally have had a complement of 6 officers and 55 ratings but on this day, there were 80 men on board. These included 53 Royal Navy men, the youngest of whom was 17-year-old Boy Telegraphist Joseph Swift. The others were 14 employees from the Fairfield engine and shipyard depots, 5 Admiralty officials, 5 sub-contractors, a River Clyde pilot and Commander Francis Herbert Goodhart DSO and Engineering Officer Lieutenant Leslie Rideal, both of whom were from the crew of Submarine K14 and were aboard as observers.

As the submarine's sea trials began and the vessel slipped beneath the waters of the Gareloch, water began flooding into the engine room. This was due to the engine room ventilators not being fully closed. Lieutenant Commander Godfrey Herbert gave orders to close the watertight doors and blow the ballast tanks in an attempt to return to the surface but the vessel continued to sink, coming to rest on the bed of the Gareloch. The rear section was completely flooded and over 30 men were drowned there. Anyone who wants to read the details of this tragedy and how the 44 men who managed to survive the next 57 hours were finally rescued can find a full account here and here. 

After this nightmarish experience, Joseph Swift could be forgiven had he never wanted to see the inside of another submarine but in March 1917, he was back with H.M.S. Maidstone and later served in Submarine E41. This was another "unlucky" vessel and in August 1916 had been involved in a collision and subsequent sinking in which 16 crew members had died. Joseph stayed with E41 until 1919 and was invalided from the service the following year, having been issued with a Silver War Badge.

Submarine K13 was raised on 15th March 1917, refurbished and taken into the service as Submarine K22. Never again would the Admiralty give a submarine the "unlucky" number 13.

In later life, Joseph Swift never forgot his shipmates who had died in Submarine K13 and the local Motherwell paper often reported on his annual pilgrimage to the Gareloch on the anniversary of the tragedy. By the mid 1970s, only two survivors were still alive and on 11th February 1977, the Motherwell Times reported that: Ill health prevented Mr Joseph Swift, Anderson Street, from journeying to a cemetery on the banks of the River Clyde at Gareloch last week to pay silent tribute to the memory of 32 men who were drowned 60 years ago as the result of a submarine disaster.

The following year, on 14th July 1978, the Motherwell Times reported as follows:

Submarine Survivor Dies

The last survivor of the ill-fated submarine K-13, which sank in 50 feet of water in 1917, has died. Motherwell man, Joe Swift, who was a boy telegraphist aboard the vessel, died on Thursday morning, aged 78.

Until recently, Mr Swift, who lived in McClurg Court, had undertaken a yearly pilgrimage to Gareloch, to visit the graves of his colleagues. Mr Swift was a member of Motherwell United Services Club and was a civil servant for 47 years. He served in Motherwell Tax Office.

 

Frederick Pyne MM, Royal Garrison Artillery.

GV Military Medal. 1914-15 Trio.
35986 Gnr. F. J. Pyne, Royal Garrison Artillery.

Frederick John Pyne was born in Stoke Damerel, an inner suburb of Plymouth, Devon, on 30th September 1892. He was the son of John Pyne, an instructor in the Royal Navy Reserve, and his wife Catherine. The six members of the family, John (39), Catherine (32), Margaret Catherine (10), Frederick John (8), Arthur Patrick (4) and John Daniel (1) are listed on the 1901 Census as living at 2 Fairview, Hamworthy, Dorset.

Although his two younger brothers would eventually follow in their father's footsteps and join the Royal Navy, Frederick Pyne chose the army, attesting for the Royal Artillery at Dorchester on 18th August 1911. He was 18 years 9 months old and had been working as a shop assistant.

 

Following the outbreak of the First World War, Gunner Frederick Pyne served on the Western Front with the Royal Garrison Artillery from 15th September 1915. His Service Records have not survived so details of the next three years are lacking but he must have been an efficient soldier. He was named in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of 9th April 1917 as "deserving of special mention", this appearing in the London Gazette of 18th May 1917. A later Gazette entry on 11th February 1919 recorded his award of the Military Medal for "bravery in the field" while serving with the 35th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

On 20th August 1918, Frederick married Elizabeth Ann Todd and the 1921 Census records him as living with his in-laws' family at 50 Osborne Avenue, South Shields and working as a labourer in the Middle Docks. On the 4th October 1923, the couple's son, Norman Pyne, was born. The 1939 Register lists the Pyne family as living at 18 Pine Avenue, Cleadon, South Shields and notes that Frederick was an electric crane driver in the dry docks and a member of the Auxiliary Fire Service, which suggests that he may also have been awarded the WW2 Defence Medal.

Of Frederick's two brothers who had joined the Royal Navy, Chief Petty Officer Arthur Patrick Pyne was killed in action at the age of 43 when his ship, H.M.S. Foylebank, was attacked and sunk by Junkers JU87 "Stuka" dive bombers on 4th July 1940 while Chief Petty Officer Telegraphist John Daniel Pyne died in 1945.

When Frederick John Pyne eventually retired, an interesting article appeared in a local paper.

After 40 years of "driving" the Middle Dock and Engineering Co's 30-ton travelling crane, Mr. Frederick John Pyne of Pine Avenue, Cleadon, has retired. "It has been an interesting life, being able to see all the river traffic and meeting all the sea-going folk," he told me. He was born in Bournemouth (sic), but after all this time he could certainly qualify to be a South Shields man by adoption.

One of his most vivid memories is a piece of quick thinking during the summer of 1956. His crane was working on the steamer Cochrane with the whaler Southern Harvester alongside. The 30-ton jib began to "run away." After switching off the electricity, Mr. Pyne threw a thick floor mat into the gear wheels. The wheels chewed up 14 inches of it, but eventually the jib stopped falling and the danger of a nasty and costly accident was avoided. Later it was found that the brake band had broken.

Excitement is nothing new to Fred Pyne. He was a regular soldier when the 1914 war broke out. For three and a half years he served as a signaller with the Royal Artillery in France and Belgium. He was commended five times for gallantry, won the Military Medal and was mentioned in despatches.

To mark his retirement and to show their appreciation, his workmates have presented him with a silver watch.

Frederick Pyne died in 1971, his death being registered at South Shields in the third quarter of that year.

A Marksman & Mess Waiter in the 2nd Lincolns.

Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps "Cape Colony", "Paardeberg" & "Johannesburg".
2179 Pte. H. Penson, Lincolnshire Regiment.

Henry Penson, the fourth child of agricultural labourer Cornelius Penson and his wife Ann, was born in the hamlet of Mavis Enderby near Spilsby in Lincolnshire in 1868. The couple had married at the Register Office in Spilsby, on 26th September 1864 and already had three daughters. According to the 1871 Census, Cornelius and Ann (both aged 29) were living in Mavis Enderby and now had five children: Mary (8), Eliza (6), Milly (4), Henry (2) and Francis or Fanny (11 months). By the time of the 1881 Census, the family had moved to nearby Raithby, the older girls were working as domestic servants in different households and five children were still living at home: Henry (12), Frances (11), Emma (9), Betsy (6) and William (3). Charles, the couple's 9th child, would be born in 1883.

Some time later, Henry Penson found employment as a groom with Charles Faulkner of Burgh. At Louth on 18th December 1884, he attested for service in the Militia with the 3rd Lincolns. His Attestation Papers describe him as 17 years old, just over 5' 4" tall, with a fresh complexion, light blue eyes and brown hair. His religion is stated as Church of England.

Henry must have found service in the Militia to his liking as four years later, on 23rd May 1888 at Louth, he attested for regular service with the Lincolnshire Regiment, agreeing to serve for at least seven years in the army followed by five years in the 1st Class Army Reserve. Two days later, he joined the Regiment at the Depot in Lincoln. According to his Attestation Papers, he was now 20 years 9 months old, just over 5' 8" tall, weighed 112lbs and had a cicatrix of a wound on the inner part of his left ankle. Henry spent 40 days at the Depot and then joined the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, from 2nd July to 19th November 1888. On 20th November, he joined the 2nd Battalion and embarked on the troopship Euphrates for the voyage to India.

Henry would serve in India for the next four years. On 23rd May 1890, he received his first Good Conduct Pay. In 1892, the 2nd Battalion was stationed in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and the results of the annual musketry course held on 2nd August named B Company as "the best shooting company in the battalion." 17 members of the Company were categorized as marksmen, including Henry Penson.

At the end of October 1892, the 2nd Battalion moved to the Straits Settlements. Henry Penson was granted his second Good Conduct Pay on 23rd May 1894 and in March 1895, he was on his way back to England. On 23rd May 1895, having completed seven years of service, Henry was transferred to the Army Reserve. He was now 27 years 9 months old and his papers describe him as "steady, sober & thoroughly trustworthy", his conduct had been "exemplary" and he had been employed as a "mess waiter in officers' mess for 18 months".

On 9th April 1898, Henry married Elizabeth Lees, a woman from the parish of Stand, Whitefield, on the outskirts of Manchester. The birth of their first daughter Doris was registered in the first quarter of 1899. Following the outbreak of the South African War, Henry Penson was recalled for army service under Special Army Order of 16th December 1899. He rejoined the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment and on 4th January 1900 sailed on the troopship Goorkha arriving at Cape Colony on 25th January. Henry's second daughter Beatrice Alice was born on 16th August 1900 while he was still in South Africa. Being abroad on active service, Henry does not appear on the 1901 Census but his wife and two children are recorded as living in Whitefield. For his service in the Boer War, Henry was awarded the medal and clasps pictured here. He was finally discharged from the army on 22nd May 1901.

By the time of the 1911 Census, Henry and Elizabeth had been married for 12 years and were residing at 9 Higher Lane, Besses o' the Barn, a suburb of Bury. Henry was working as an asylum attendant at the Prestwich County Asylum while Elizabeth was employed as a cotton weaver. Interestingly, Henry's younger brother Charles was an attendant at the same asylum. In addition to their two children, Elizabeth's widowed mother Ann and younger sister Isabella were also listed on the family's Census entry.

Henry Penson does not appear to have served in the First World War but his brother Charles served in France and Flanders with the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment from 13th August 1914. He was reported as wounded and missing on 19th September 1914, possibly as a prisoner of war, and regarded as having died on 1st November 1914. He was 31 years old and is commemorated on the Menin Gate.

Henry Penson appears on the 1921 Census together with his wife and younger daughter Beatrice Alice. Now aged 52 years 10 months, he was still living at the same address and still employed at the Prestwich County Asylum. He died at the age of 54, his death being registered at Bury in the third quarter of 1923. His widow and younger daughter are recorded on the 1939 Register as residing at 9 Norfolk Avenue, Whitefield.

A Broken Engagement and a Tragic Suicide.

 

Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

PO 12825 Pte. Ferdinand Schepens, R.M.L.I.

Ferdinand Schepens, the third child of Constant and Adelaide Schepens, was born on 13th May 1885 at Carrington, near Nottingham. His parents had previously lived in Battersea, London, where they worked as cigar makers and where their first two children had been born. The 1891 Census records the family consisting of Constant (43 years, born in Antwerp, Belgium), Adelaide (36 years), Coletta Mayo (10 years), William Leopold (9 years) and Ferdinand (5 years) as living at Radford, near Nottingham. By the time of the 1901 Census, the family had moved to 10 Midland Cottages, Bridgford, just south of Nottingham, and two more children, Alma (6 years) and Florence (1 year) had been born.

Ferdinand Schepens enlisted with the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 9th January 1903 at Nottingham. His Service Record describes him as almost 5' 6" tall with a fresh complexion, brown hair and grey eyes. His religion is recorded as Church of England and his trade as confectioner. Over the next seven years, he served with the Portsmouth Division and on a number of different ships, including HMS Fire Queen, HMS Foresight, HMS Egmont, HMS Implacable and HMS Renown. When the next Census was taken on Sunday 2nd April 1911, Ferdinand was on board HMS Duke of Edinburgh, a First Class Armoured Cruiser at Gibraltar. From 1911 to 1913, he saw further service with HMS Cormorant and HMS Bulwark.

In October 1913, Ferdinand joined the crew of HMS Amethyst, a Third Class Protected Cruiser, and he was still with this ship when he received news that his father had died early in 1914 and when the ship later took part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight on 28th August 1914. From July 1916 till the end of the war, he served with the Queen Elizabeth Class Battleship HMS Barham. In 1918, he was awarded the Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal pictured here.

In August 1920, Ferdinand was still with HMS Barham and it was now that his life came to a sad and tragic end. The story was written up in the Nottingham Evening Post on 21st August 1920 as follows:

Nottm. Marine's Suicide.

Cuts His Throat Aboard H.M.S. Barham.

Tragedy of Disappointed Love.

A tragic occurrence on H.M.S. Barham, at present in H.M. Dockyard at Portsmouth, was investigated at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon by the Borough Coroner. Deceased was Ferdinand Schepens, 35, a private in the R.M.L.I., and the evidence pointed to the fact that he took his own life, probably in consequence of disappointment in a love affair.

On the 4th inst. he proceeded on 14 days' leave to his home in Nottingham and, from the evidence of his brother, William Leopold Schepens, of Loughborough, it appears that, contrary to his usual bright and cheerful nature, deceased seemed quiet and melancholy during his holiday. Also he took more to drink than usual, and his general demeanour caused anxiety to his mother and other members of the family. Deceased had been engaged to a young lady living in Castlegate, Nottingham, but the engagement was broken off, and the woman, it seemed, was about to be married to someone else. Deceased knew this and undoubtedly he had a great regard for her.

Deceased returned to his ship on the 18th inst., and Gunner J. G. Spinner, R.M.A., stated that on the morning of that day he saw deceased in the flats where the marines' lockers are on the Barham. Later deceased went aft, and hearing a thud, witness proceeded to the spot and found deceased lying on the deck with his throat cut, and a razor lying near his feet.

Private G. J. S. Rickwood, who, with Privates A. Dixon and Henry J. Brinkman, was called to the spot, reported the matter to the sick bay, and Surgeon-Commander Durston attended.

The doctor stated that life was just passing away when he saw deceased. There was a severe wound across the throat, the jugular vein and windpipe having been severed. Evidently deceased must have made two cuts, and it was a most determined act.

"Suicide whilst of unsound mind" was the verdict. Mr. G. M. Johnson (Messrs. Hobbs and Brutton) attended on behalf of the Admiralty.

Ferdinand Schepens is remembered with honour in Nottingham Southern Cemetery, commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. In addition to the Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, he is also entitled to a 1914-15 Star Trio but the whereabouts of these medals are not known.

Long Service in the Royal Marine Light Infantry.

 

Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

PO 1893 Sergt. Herbert Williams, R.M.L.I.

Herbert Williams, the son of Thomas and Jane, was born on 4th April and baptised in the Holy Trinity Church, Eccleshall, Staffordshire on 22nd April 1855. The 1861 Census records the family as resident in Wootton near Eccleshall, gives Thomas' occupation as farm labourer, and lists three children: Meshach (8 years), Herbert (6 years) and Merab (2 years). By the time of the 1871 Census, Thomas, now aged 59, had moved to Elford Heath, Horsley, where he was a farmer of 16 acres, but Herbert, now 15 years old, was a domestic servant at a farm at Mill Meece, a few miles north of Eccleshall, and it was here that he met 14 year old Annie Lowe, also working as a domestic servant, who would become his future wife.

  

On 4th August 1877, Herbert Williams joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry at Hull. His Service Papers describe him as just over 5' 7" tall with sandy hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion and his religion is stated as Church of England. Herbert spent the first year of his naval service at the Royal Marine Recruit Depot at Walmer before being posted to the Portsmouth Division, where he made steady progress in his career. He passed for Corporal on 30th October 1879 and was subsequently promoted on 11th May of the following year while serving at HMS Vernon, a Royal Navy shore base which had been established in 1876 as the Navy's torpedo school.

On 17th October 1882, Herbert married Annie Lowe, his old sweetheart, in Eccleshall, his home town. Herbert's progress through the ranks took another step with his promotion to Sergeant on 1st January 1883. During the following years, his conduct was characterised as "exemplary" or "very good"and he served with the Portsmouth Division, the Command Depot and various ships, including HMS Hector, HMS Northampton and HMS Asia. On 14th February 1888, Herbert received his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, which appears to be his sole entitlement.

The 1891 Census records Herbert, now a Royal Marine Colour Sergeant, and Annie residing at 13 Trafalgar Square, Alverstoke, Hants, together with their three children: Merab Annie (7 years), Albert Hector (5 years) and Ida May (1 year). On 6th August 1898, Herbert was discharged from the Royal Marines after 20 years of service and the Williams family appear to have returned to Staffordshire.

The 1901 Census records the family living at Albany House, Bushbury, near Wolverhampton. Herbert now aged 45 was working as a clerk, while his eldest daughter Merab was a 17 year old pupil teacher and his son Albert was a messenger for a drawing office. By the time of the 1911 Census, Herbert and Annie were living at Walmer Villa, 130 Gorsebrook Road, Wolverhampton. Unlike previous censuses, the 1911 Census included the additional information that the marriage had lasted 28 years and had resulted in five children, three of whom were still alive. Herbert, now aged 55, was working as a coal dealer. Some time after this, Annie Williams died and the 1921 Census lists Herbert as a 66-year-old widower and retired coal dealer and still living at the same address. His 31-year-old daughter Ida May, single and employed as an elementary school teacher at St Andrew's Girls School, Wolverhampton, was still living at home.

I have not been able to ascertain the exact year of Herbert Williams' death but he does not seem to be recorded on the 1939 Register so presumably he died some time before this.

For Skilful & Fearless Working of a Machine Gun.

King's South Africa Medal with clasps "South Africa 1901" & "South Africa 1902".
George V Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.
4665 C. Sjt. A. E. Saw, Royal Fusiliers.

 

Arthur Edward Saw, the son of Frederick, a bricklayer, and Louisa Saw, was born on 30th May 1874 and baptised on 28th June of the same year in the parish of Uxbridge Moor. The family appear on the 1881 Census and are recorded as living at 14 Culvert Lane, Hillingdon, Uxbridge Moor. Six-year-old Arthur had three younger sisters: Annie (4 yrs), Caroline (3 yrs) and Lucy (10 mths).

By the time of the 1891 Census, the Saw family had moved to 28 Waterloo Road, Hillingdon, and two more daughters had been born: Jane (8 yrs) and Alice (1 yr). Arthur, now aged 16, is recorded as working as a gardener and domestic servant.

Two years later, on 1st June 1893, Arthur enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers at the depot in Hounslow, initially agreeing to serve 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve. His Attestation Papers give some basic details. His physical development was described as fair; he was 19 years old, 5' 6" tall, weighed 133lbs and had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He gave his occupation as florist and his religion as C of E.

Arthur was allocated service number 4665 and, on 15th August 1893, posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. There now began a period of home service during which Arthur made steady progress in his army career. He was soon appointed Lance Corporal (1st January 1894), qualified for promotion to rank of Corporal (21st June 1894), was awarded his 1st Good Conduct Pay (1st June 1895), was promoted to Corporal (1st August 1895), was appointed Lance Sergeant (7th January 1898) and was promoted to Sergeant (13th April 1898). During this time, he obtained his 3rd Class Certificate of Education (14th November 1893), 2nd Class Certificate (6th May 1895) and 1st Class Certificate (16th September 1895) and also passed classes of instruction in 2nd Class Gymnastics (31st December 1897), Musketry (14th June 1898), and Rudiments of Fencing (30th June 1898) and completed a further Musketry Course at Hythe (30th June 1898).

 

Following the outbreak of war with the Boers, the 2nd Royal Fusiliers embarked for South Africa in October 1899 and arrived at the Cape around 18th November. They were present at the Battle of Colenso on 15th December 1899 but were not heavily engaged. Sergeant Arthur Saw got his only entry on his Regimental Conduct Sheet when he was severely reprimanded for "neglecting to call the Sergt. Major when in charge of the regt guard" at Chieveley Camp on 18th January 1900.

 

 

On 17th March 1901, G Company of the 2nd Royal Fusiliers, together with the Fusilier machine gun detachment and some signallers remained with the column at Steynsburgh under the command of Lieut.-Col. Crabbe of the Grenadier Guards. On 20th May, the column was attacked by 600 Boers, the situation being saved by the section of the 85th Field Battery, and the Fusilier machine gun detachment under Sergt. A. Saw, who was mentioned in despatches for his services that day. 5796 Pte. A. Martyn was killed, whilst holding the mules in the open, 300 yards from the enemy's position. The officer commanding 2nd Royal Fusiliers received a letter from Lieut.-Col. Crabbe in which he expressed his high appreciation of the services rendered by the Royal Fusiliers' machine gun detachment in the action at Dwarshoek, on 20th May. It was magnificently handled, and supported the guns most efficiently, covering them while limbering up. Col. Crabbe further stated that he had forwarded Sergt. Saw's name to headquarters, and hoped he would get the Medal for Distinguished Conduct.

Arthur did not receive the DCM but he was mentioned in Army Orders and Lord Kitchener's Despatches of 28th July 1901 as follows: "Sergeant A. Saw, Royal Fusiliers, at Dwarshoek, Cape Colony, on 20th May 1901, for skilful and fearless working of machine gun within 1,000 yards of enemy."

On 24th February 1902, Arthur Saw was promoted to the rank of Colour Sergeant. On 31st March, at Steynsburg in Cape Colony and having served 8 years 9 months, he signed Army Form B.221 stating that he was “desirous of extending his period of Army Service to complete 12 years’ service with the colours.” In October 1902, after three years’ service in South Africa, Arthur was on his way back to England, where he would spend the next two years. On 24th August 1904, he signed Army Form B.136, re-engaging to complete 21years’ Army Service. On 5th October, he married Anna Westacott in St George's Church, Aldershot.

In November 1904, the 2nd Royal Fusiliers, together with Arthur and his new wife, were on their way to India. The Battalion was first stationed in Darjeeling and later moved to Secunderabad (Hyderabad), arriving there in November 1905. It was here that Arthur and Anna’s two daughters, Marjorie Lilian and Kathleen Dorothy were born on 26th January 1908 and 8th March 1909 respectively. The 1911 Census records the four family members at Pachmarhi Depot, a hill station in the central Indian province of Madhya Pradesh. Arthur was now 36 years old and the Census notes that he was a gymnastic and fencing instructor. Also in 1911, he was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with gratuity. 

At some point the Battalion had moved to Jubbulpore, where Arthur’s health began to suffer. On 12th January 1911, he applied for his discharge, stating that he was “desirous of returning to England in an early transport.” He had two spells in hospital: 19 days in February 1911 and 15 days in January 1912. His medical records mention a history of fever, debility, feeling out of sorts, loss of appetite and being unfit for duties.

Arthur Saw arrived back in England in March 1912 and on 31st March he was “discharged to pension at own request after 18 years service” at Gosport. His conduct and character were described as exemplary and a note in his file states that he was “a very good clerk. has been colour sgt for 10 yrs. a sober, reliable, hard working man. very well educated.” His intended place of residence was Kensington Park Road, Brislington, Bristol.

 

 

When war broke out in August 1914, Arthur Saw again came forward to serve his country. On 3rd September 1914, he attested as a Private in the Royal Fusiliers and was given service number 746. He was now aged 40, working as a bookkeeper, 5’ 7” tall and weighed 154lbs. The next day, he joined the 9th Battalion and was immediately advanced to his old rank of Colour Sergeant. Sadly, at this point, things started to go wrong for him. On three occasions, he was reprimanded by his commanding officer, Lieut.-Col. J. C. Robertson, firstly on 12th October for not complying with an order the previous day and leaving camp without permission, secondly for being drunk in camp at 11.45am on 17th October and finally for gross neglect of duty as president of the Sergeants’ Mess.  A note in the Service Papers by the Battalion’s Medical Officer states, “There is a history of sunstroke in India. The man admits to recently having had more drink than he ought to have done. From his C.O.’s report it appears that he has been mentally incapable of carrying on his work since enlistment. It is doubtful to which of these factors his unfitness is mostly due. He was an old soldier of 21 years service. I now consider him unfit.” Consequently, Arthur Saw was discharged “as not likely to become an efficient soldier” on 28th November 1914 after serving just 87 days. 

However, the story does not end here. Following his unsuccessful stint in his old Regiment, Arthur later appears to have joined the Gloucestershire Regiment and been promoted to Company Quarter Master Sergeant. An entry in the London Gazette on 3rd July 1916 states that Coy. Qrmr. Serjt. Arthur Edward Saw from the Gloucestershire Regiment had joined the Royal Berkshire Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) on 30th June 1916. Arthur was sent to the Western Front on 7th November 1916 and joined the 2/4th Berkshires.

 

On 22nd August 1917, the 2/4th Berkshires supplied 13 platoons to take part in an attack on enemy defences south east of St. Julien. Their job was to deal with numerous strong points in the area to be attacked as other troops continued the advance. 2nd Lieutenant Arthur Saw’s Platoon was to act as left flank guard for the 2/4th Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. It is most likely that it was during this action that Arthur suffered a gunshot wound to his right arm that necessitated 66 days treatment in hospital. At the end of December 1917, Arthur was promoted to Lieutenant and attached to the 51st Northumberland Fusiliers.

Arthur Saw appears on the 1921 Census as a 47-year-old clerk (Grade III) in the Ministry of Pensions. He was living at 43 Wick Road, Brislington with his wife, Anna, and two daughters Marjorie and Kathleen. He died on 10th November 1933 at the General Hospital in Bristol. He was 59 years old and left effects valued at £716 7s. 2d. His death was briefly reported in the Western Daily News the following day.

 

Interestingly, in 1983 Arthur Saw's KSA Medal was purchased for £15 from the Liverpool Coin & Medal Co. by a gentleman called Roy W. Rushbrook, who subsequently wrote up Arthur's story and had it published in the OMRS Journal Vol 38 Number 4 (245) Winter 1999. The KSA came up for sale again in a Spink Medal Auction in November 2011, when it hammered for an impressive £210. In April 2015, I was able to buy Saw's KSA from author and medal collector Roy Dutton and thus reunite it with Saw's LSGC Medal, which was already in my collection. The whereabouts of Arthur Saw’s QSA Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal are unknown.