Soldier Record

My grandfather was born in Bristol. His family moved to Hammersmith in about 1876. He married in 1888. He served for 20 years in the Volunteers. In 1898 he was a member of the 3rd London RV. He was awarded the Long Service Medal, but this was stolen by a looter when my aunt was bombed out in WW2. If it ever comes to light I would love to have it. He was still a member of the Volunteers when they were renamed the Territorial Army.

Mobilised in 1914, he went to France with his Regiment. In 1915 he was a CSM in 12th Battn. Royal Fusiliers. He was killed at Bernefay Wood on 21 August 1916. His name is mentioned in his Battalion's War Diaries for that date. He has no known grave. His name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was father to four daughters and seven sons, five of whom also served in the Great War. One, Thomas Ebenezer, was killed in action three weeks after his father, at High Wood, also on the Somme. Another uncle of mine was gassed and wounded in that conflict.