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.

An Artillery Sergeant in Dunsterforce.

1914 - 15 Trio.

1604 S. Sjt. H. H. Cooper, Royal Artillery.

Hubert Hopton Cooper was born on 11th January 1896 and was the second child of Hubert Edward Cooper, a cabinet maker, and his wife, Rose Louisa. The family were resident at 14 Eridge Road, Thornton Heath,Croydon, but by the time of the 1901 Census they had moved to 45 Westbourne Villas, Aldington, Hove. Ten years later, the 1911 Census records the family as having moved again and they were now living at "Carisbrook", Portland Road, Hove, and 15-year-old Hubert was working as a motor body maker for a local carriage and motor body builder.

On 14th September 1914, following the outbreak of the Great War, young Hubert attested for the Territorial Force at Brighton, agreeing to serve for four years in the United Kingdom with the 1st Home Counties Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. His apparent age was 18 years and 7 months, his vision fair and his physical development normal. He gave his address as 70 Fonthill Road, Hove. Soon afterwards, he signed Army Form E.642 by which he agreed "to serve in any place outside the United Kingdom in the event of National emergency." This probably happened much sooner than Hubert or his family expected as on 29th October 1914, he sailed for India.

Hubert stayed some months in India, during which time he was attached to the 2nd Wireless Signal Squadron, Royal Engineers, which was later sent to join the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force. He must have been a capable soldier as promotion through the ranks soon followed with him being appointed Acting Lance Corporal (1/8/16), Acting 2nd Corporal (1/9/16) and Acting Mechanist Staff Sergeant (27/3/18). In early April 1918, Hubert was posted for special service with the Wireless Troop. His last letter to his parents was dated 4th April and gave his address as: "Pack Wireless Unit, Dunsterville Force" and added that they were shortly "moving to an unknown destination."

Under the command of General Lionel Charles Dunsterville, who was the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's "Stalky", Dunsterforce had a peak strength of about 1,000 men, including about 350 Australian, New Zealand, British and Canadian officers and NCOs, who were drawn from the Western and Mesopotamian fronts. The emphasis was on men of "strong character, and adventurous spirit, especially good stamina, capable of organising, training and eventually leading, irregular troops." They were tasked with organising local units in northern Iran (Persia) and southern Caucasus, to replace the Tsarist armies that had fought the Ottoman armies in Armenia. They were also to occupy the Baku oil fields, to deny oil and the local cotton crop to the Germans and Ottomans. Dunsterforce fought in the Battle of Baku from 26 August to 14 September 1918 and was disbanded a few days later, the troops, including the 2nd Wireless Signal Squadron, coming under the command of Noperforce (North Persia Force) in northern Iran. The picture below shows a British NCO of Dunsterforce drilling Persian soldiers.

Not having heard from their son for about six months, in October 1918 Hubert's parents wrote a letter to the army in an attempt to get some news of him. "Dear Sir", it ran, "I would be glad if you would give me any information concerning my son. We have not heard from him since April last 1918." The army made subsequent enquiries but it was not until the middle of May 1919 that Hubert Hopton Cooper was on his way back to England. He was finally discharged from the army on 4th August 1919. After the war, Hubert became the manager of a motor garage in his hometown of Hove.

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.

Frank Buttress: 190th Siege Battery RGA.

British War Medal 1914 - 1920.
Victory Medal.
Memorial Plaque.
61686 Gnr. F. D. Buttress, Royal Garrison Artillery.

William Harding Buttress married Annie Olivia Dunnicliff in 1891. Their first child, Ada Olivia, was born in 1894. Three years later, Frank Dunnicliff Buttress, their only son, was born in Aston, Birmingham. According to the 1901 Census, the family resided at 5 Fentham Road, Handsworth and William, now 36 years old, was employed as a Jeweller's traveller. Sadly, William died in 1905, leaving Annie to bring up the two children on her own and, at some point in the next few years, the family moved to 41 Crompton Road, Handsworth.

On 30th October 1915, Frank, now aged 19 and employed as a clerk, enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery and, after basic training, embarked at Southampton on 17th May 1916 for overseas service, initially with the 106th Siege Battery. During his time on the Western Front he suffered from impetigo and spent several spells in hospital, firstly in July - August 1916 and then from mid November 1916 till early 1917, when he spent time at the 16th General Hospital at Le Treport. On 9th January 1917, Frank was sent back to duty but was soon in hospital again, this time at the 1st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples, suffering from ICT (inflamed connective tissue) of the right hand. On 28th February, he was sent back to England on board the hospital ship "SS Brighton" and, in April, he was posted to the Siege Artillery Depot at Stowlangtoft in Suffolk.

On 25th June 1917, Frank again proceeded overseas and served for a while with the 126th Siege Battery. Early in 1918, he was again hospitalised at the 1st Southern General Hospital in Stourbridge, this time with ICT of the legs. On 6th May, he had recovered enough to be returned to France, joining the 190th Siege Battery on 21st May.

Two months later, on 29th July 1918, Frank Dunnicliff Buttress was killed in action. He was just 21 years old. He was buried in plot II C 5 in Hagle Dump Cemetery 7.5 km west of Ypres. Interestingly, in plot II B 6, lie the remains of 56943 Gunner Albert John Edmunds, also of the 190th Siege Battery, who was killed on the same day as Frank.

A few months later, some of Frank's personal possessions - letters, photos, three wallets, a book of poems, a cigarette case, a match-box and various cards - were returned to his mother in Handsworth. In September 1921, Annie Buttress wrote to the Royal Garrison Artillery Records Office in Dover enquiring about Frank's medals, which she had not yet received. In December, she acknowledged receipt of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Annie Buttress died at the age of 77 in Birmingham in 1939. Frank's sister, Ada, lived till the age of 81, dying in Malvern in 1976.

Sjt. John Kemp - A Ladysmith Defender.

Edward VII Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.
68596 Sjt. J. W. Kemp, RFA.

John William Kemp, a 19 year old farm servant, enlisted as a gunner in the Royal Artillery at Grimsby on 29th August 1888, agreeing to serve seven years with the Colours and a further five years in the First Class Army Reserve. His Attestation Papers describe him as having a fair complexion, grey / hazel eyes and red hair. The first ten years of his army service were to be in the UK. He received his first Good Conduct Pay on 29th August 1890 and gained steady promotion to Bombardier (29/01/93), Corporal (1/04/95) and Sergeant (11/09/97). In 1893, John had married Edith Minnie Collier in Newcastle and in December 1894 he had extended his service to complete 12 years with the Colours. In 1896 his wife was brought on the establishment.

In February 1899, John Kemp sailed for India and his first experience of foreign service. Serving with the 53rd Battery RFA, he would stay in India less than a year before being sent to South Africa with the Battery in September 1899. John Kemp stayed in South Africa almost two years and earned his entitlement to a Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for "Defence of Ladysmith", "Laing's Nek" and "Belfast". The 53rd Battery was present in Ladysmith throughout the siege and saw much fighting. According to "British Regiments in South Africa": On the night of 7th December they took part in a reconnaissance which Sir George White said was well carried out. On 6th January, during the great attack, the battery excelled its previous efforts. "These guns, most ably handled, came into action on Klip River Flats, ... and inflicted very heavy losses on the enemy." On the day of the relief the 53rd and 67th were sent out to harass the retreating enemy, but the horses were too far gone.

John Kemp returned to England in August 1901 and in October of that year re-engaged at Woolwich to complete 21 years service. His subsequent service was with the 42nd and 34th Batteries RFA and later with the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade. In 1907, he qualified as Brigade Instructor of Musketry and in October of the same year was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with a gratuity of £5.

On 9th May 1914, Battery Sergeant Major Kemp was discharged from the army at Hull. He was 45 years and 6 months in age and had served for over 25 years. His Discharge Papers describe his character as "exemplary" and add the comment that "he is thoroughly honest, sober and trustworthy and is a very hard-working, capable and reliable man, his battery books have always been exceedingly well-kept and he has good knowledge of keeping accounts."

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.