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James Percy Salmon Rawlings
Private 27058 3rd Bn Durham light Infantry/ Labour Corps 166129
James Rawlings was born in 1875 in Hartlepool the son of James and Eliza Jane Rawlings. His father was from Cornwall and his mother was from Hartlepool.
In 1881 James was living with his parents, 4 siblings and 4 servants and in the census return for that year his father was described as “surgeon and GP for Hartlepool. Surgeon Major for Durham Artilliery Militia”. James senior had qualified in London.
Swainby Cricket team 1906 – Percy Rawlings far right , second row.
In 1891 James Percy Salmon Rawlings would appear to have been a pupil at Durham Grammar School, Crossgates, Durham city, where his name is recorded as "Percy J S Rawlings" from Hartlepool. In the census of 1901 Percy was living alone in York Road, Hartlepool, and was a solicitor. By 1911 he had married and was living with his wife Hannah in High Street Swainby. James was listed as a solicitor and his wife was a “beer house licence holder”. The photo above (shown thanks to Robin Cook of Swainby Local History Society) shows James as a member of the village cricket team.
James volunteered to serve in the Great War, and attested at Stokesley on 15th May 1915 at which time he was 38 years and 1 month old. He gave his address as Hughenden, Great Broughton. His documentation tells us that he was 5’ 9” tall with a 38” chest. His next of kin was recorded as his wife, Hannah, whom he had married on 7th May 1906 at Whorlton. Hannah (formerly Jordan) was a widow when they married.
Private Rawlings was posted to the DLI on 19th May 1915 and was transferred to the Machine Gun Company on 30th November 1915. In June 1917, having passed the age of 40, he was posted to 497th H.S. Employment Company (Labour Corps) and he was demobbed on 20th February 1919 to his address in Great Broughton.
On discharge he was suffering from “nervous debility” which was classed as attributable to war service. The degree of disability was 50% and he was awarded a weekly pension of 13/9d to be reviewed in a year. This did not prevent him becoming active in local affairs. He served as Swainby's representative on the Stokesley Rural Council and became a County Councillor too. However, not long afterwards James Rawlings died (November 1921). The newspaper cutting shown below, taken from The Yorkshire Post of November 8th 1921 pays tribute to his character and service.
Probate was granted to his widow, Hannah.
William Frederick (Fred) Reed
Pte 20119 Yorkshire Regiment/58365 Yorks and Lancs Regiment
William Frederick (Fred) was born in 1895 (twin brother to Florence) in Great Broughton, the son of Richard Reed, woodman, and his wife Tamar. In 1901 Fred and his family were living in Great Broughton next to the Bay Horse. Fred was still living with his parents - and 7 siblings - in Great Broughton in 1911.
Fred attested in Stokesley as William Frederick Reed on 27th January 1915 aged 19 years and 11 months. He was described as 5’ 6” tall with a 35½“ chest and weighed 129lbs. He was listed as being of fair physical development. He was still living in Great Broughton and was a grocer’s assistant. His next of kin was his father Richard. Fred was posted to 12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Teesside Pioneers) on 17th February 1915 and was posted to several training camps in England before being sent to France on 1st June 1916, ready for the Somme Offensive. In March 1917 he was granted proficiency pay grade II. He had 2 periods of leave; the first from 29/6/1917 – 9/7/1917 and the second from 17/2/1918 – 3/3/1918. This second period was very fortuitous, as it was precisely at that time that the Germans launched their final offensive, advancing several miles and inflicting heavy casualties on the Allied Forces. Fred came back to join the desperate defence efforts which gradually slowed and eventually turned the German advance. Private Reed was transferred to the 2/4 Battalion of the Yorks and Lancs Regiment as the Allied advance gained pace in September 1918 and was given a new regimental number. However, like many on both sides of the conflict, Fred caught the deadly influenza in 1918 but unlike so many less fortunate, after being hospitalised in Etaples he was to make a full recovery.
He was discharged on 9th January 1919 and received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
William Frederick Reed married Hannah Smith Clark in 1920. Although born in Co Durham Hannah was living in Great Broughton in 1911, when her occupation was telegraph messenger! Fred Reed died in 1972.
His niece, Ada married Fred Stearman whose 4 uncles, the Exelby brothers of Stokesley all served in the Great War and survived.
Our thanks go to Pat Stearman, Fred's great-niece, for this information
John Gray Rice
John Gray Rice was born in Stockton in 1882, the son of John Rice, a boilermaker, and his wife Mary - both of whom were from Scotland. In 1891 john was living with his parents and 2 older siblings in George Street Thornaby. In 1901 he was still living with his parents (and one older brother) in Ernest Street Stockton. At that time John was a hairdresser’s assistant.
John married Ethel Watson in Hartlepool in 1910, but in 1911 they were living in the High Street, Stokesley with their new born baby. John was listed as a hairdresser/tobacconist. The couple had 2 more children in Stokesley, Olive and Ethel; and another daughter, Dorothy, was born in Hartlepool in 1922.
The 1918 Absent Voters list tells us that John was serving with the 2/7 West Yorkshire Regiment as Private 57456, and his residence in normal times was still Stokesley High Street. John had volunteered for service, enlisting on 21st November 1915 and his medal record shows that he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Private Rice did not see the war through, being discharged on 27th August 1918 in accordance with King’s Regulations 392 xvi (no longer physically fit). He received the Silver War Badge, which was awarded to men who had seen service at home or overseas and who had been honourably discharged as a result of injury or illness. As Private Rice's service records have not survived, we can sy further only that the award of the Victory Medal proves his service overseas. As with all the men we have researched, we would be delighted to hear further details of Private Rice's military career.
We can say, however, that John moved away from Stokesley after the war. He lived until 1958, when he passed away in West Hartlepool.
Alfred Herbert Richardson
Henry Charles Richardson
Isaac Geoge Richardson
John Wilfred Richardson
Pte 60513 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment
John Wilfred Richardson was the younger brother of Robert Ernest Richardson (see above on this site). As stated above the family in 1911 were living in Red House Farm, Broughton although the entire family (apart from the youngest child) had originated in Bransdale.
Unfortunately John Wilfred’s army records do not appear to have survived. However there are two mentions of him, one of which suggests that he went by the name Wilfred.
Both “Soldiers Died in Great War” and the CWGC inform us that John Wilfred Richardson born in Bransdale was Private 60513 in the 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment and that he died of his wounds on 18th October 1918. He apparently enlisted in Stokesley and he received the British and Victory medals. There is no mention of a 14/15 Star and so it is unlikely that he went abroad before 1916.
Wilfred is buried in Roisel Communal Cemetery which is 11 km east of Peronne. Roisel itself was occupied by British troops from April 1917 until it was evacuated in March 1918 following a heavy attack in the final German offensive. It was retaken as the Allied forces advanced in September 1918. It may have been therefore that John Wilfred Richardson was injured in the retaking of the town. He is commemorated on the Broughton and Kirby memorial.
Robert Ernest Richardson
Pte 60514 Yorkshire Regiment
Robert Richardson was born in 1895 in Bransdale, the son of George William Richardson and his wife Annie. In 1901 the family were still in Bransdale where Robert's father, George, was a farmer. In the 1911 census however, we find Robert living with his parents and 5 siblings at Red House Farm Little Broughton. His father was now a farm bailiff and Robert was working on the farm.
Robert attested in Stokesley in December 1915. He was still living at Red House Farm and he gave his occupation as farm labourer (shepherd). His age was 20 years and 3 months and he was 5’ 5” tall with a 34 ½ “chest.
His next of kin was first given as his father but his docuents were later altered following his marriage to Zoe Dunning on 9th August 1917. Her address was given as Aberdeen Cottage Great Broughton. They had a son, George Francis in September 1917.
Robert's records suggest that he remained in England until late in the war as he was examined in May 1918 to see if he was fit for foreign service. At that time he was described as 22 years and 8 months old, 5’ 5” , weighing 118 lbs, 34 ½ “ chest, brown hair, fair complexion and grey eyes. He was a farm horseman and of good physical development. He was vaccinated in May and June 1918. His service counted from 23/5/1918 but in fact he did not embark from Folkestone for Boulogne until 30/9/1918. He was posted to the 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment on 30/9/1918. Private Richardson joined F Base Etaples on 1/10/18 prior to being placed in “the field” on 8/10/18. At this time the German army was in full retreat, and the armistice came a month or so later. However, Private Richardson's unit was attached to the 25th Division, which attacked and forced the crossing of the Sambre-Oise Canal at Landrecies, a noteable success. Landrecies was taken along with hundreds of German prisoners and the advance continues a further 12 miles the following day across difficult terrain. The 25th Division was then relieved by the 66th Division on the night of 7th October.
Robert was demobbed on 12/3/1919 to Aberdeen Cottage. He received the British War Medal and Victory Medal. He and his wife had another son, Wilfred in 1924.
Robert lived until 1973. He had by then lost his wife Zoe, who died in 1970.
James William Ridge
NOTE: James was the brother of John Thomas Ridge and the father in law of Benjamin Robson Rowland also featured on this site.
James William Ridge was born in Stokesley in 1888, the son of John Ridge and his wife Elizabeth. In 1891 James was living with his parents and 4 siblings in Oakland Terrace, Stokesley. By1901 he had left home and was living at Bense Bridge Farm where he was working as a “yard boy”. James' mother Elizabeth died in 1909 and in the census of 1911 James was back living with his father, who was 66 but still working as a postman. James himself was a house painter.
Later in 1911, James married Gwendoline Guthrie, and between 1912 and 1923 they had 5 children: John, James, Violet, Olive and Jean.
We have found no service records for James, but the Absent Voters list of 1918 lists him as living in Brewery Yard Stokesley, and gives his rank, unit and number as Private 41355 of the 17th Worcestershire Regiment. which was a service battalion formed in May 1918, serving on the Western Front. Private Ridge's medal records show that he was previously Private 32121 in the Norfolk Regiment. Private Ridge was awarded British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
James returned to Stokesley after the war and lived to 1934. At the time of his death (registered in Middlesbrough) on 13th November of that year, he was living at West Terrace, Stokesley. Administration of his estate was granted to his widow, Gwendoline.
Thomas Henry Robinson
Alfred Routledge
We send our thanks to Mike Griffiths for alerting us to the service of this soldier, who was a younger brother of Frank Routledge (See below)
Alfred Routledge was born in 1899, the son of Thomas Routledge and his wife Jane. The details of this family (he was their youngest son) can be found in the account below of his brother Frank. The 1901 census records him as 2 years old and living in Carlton village with his father (aged 66 years) and 8 brothers and sisters. He was still at home aged 12 in 1911, though only 2 brothers and a sister remained with their parents.
When war broke out in 1914, Alfred was only 15: however, we know that Alfred served for a time in the territorial army (regimental number 82405) before joining the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Conscription was introduced at the beginning of 1917, so after that date young men were called up to join the regular army when they reached the age of 18. The online Middlesbrough Roll of Honour tells us that Alfred enlisted in Middlesbrough, where his family were then resident in Gladstone Street. The young Private Routledge would have remained in England for the next year undergoing training, as soldiers had to be 19 years old before they could be sent abroad. .
Further details of Alfred's service are hard to find, but sadly he appears on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission list of the Fallen as Lance Corporal Routledge A, 38902 KOYLI, 20 years old. The CWGC records that he died on 18th July 1918 at the Military Hospital at Pontefract.
This entry raises a number of questions. In every other record, Alfred is listed as Private 38902 KOYLI, so it is possible that he was "acting unpaid" at the time of his death. We cannot be sure either about what exactly caused Alfred's death. We can find no mention of foreign service even though he was certainly of the required age, and the CWGC citation makes no mention of wounds received. In the list of UK soldiers' effects, Alfred is listed as a member of the "Depot Battalion", and the KOYLI barracks were in Pontefract. This seems to reflect the record of his medal awards, which states that Alfred's theatre of war was 'Home'.
However, Alfred was awarded both the British Army Medal and the Victory Medal, and these were generally awarded only to those who saw active service, It is therefore at least possible, though uncertain, that Alfred was wounded in the final months of the war, returned to England for treatment and then died in hospital at Pontefract. After his passing, the War Office paid a total of over £12 to his mother in 1918 and 1919 and a further 15s 9d to his brother Harry.
Alfred Routledge was one of relatively few casualties of the Great War to be laid at rest in his own country. He lies in the graveyard of Carlton Parish Church, his final resting place marked by a War Grave headstone.
Ernest Routledge
Ernest was the son of Thomas Routledge and his wife Jane and the brother of Alfred Routledge (above) and Frank Routledge (below), and details of his family are included in the account of Frank's service.
Ernest was born in 1895 and lived with his parents in Carlton. Unusually, no occupation is recorded for Ernest in 1911 although he was 15 years old and would be expected to be in employment. When war came, however, Ernest was quick to volunteer , enlisting on 23rd October 1914 into the Yorkshire Regiment as Private 15331 Routledge E. His military records show he was a gardener; at enlistment aged 19 years and 2 months Ernest was 5'6'' tall and weighed just over 128lbs, with a 35'' chest brown eyes, a dark complexion and dark hair. His physical development was described as 'fair'.
For reasons not wholly clear to us, however, Ernest was to serve less than five weeks in the army. On 25th November 1914 he was discharged with a 'good character' but as 'unlikely to become an efficient soldier'.
This type of discharge was often indicates a medical condition such as a heart defect, breathing problems or even such things as poor teeth (unable to consume the kind of rations soldiers were given to eat) or foot problems (making it difficult to march or to stand for long periods). A young man who volunteered so readily must have been extremely disappointed at this decision, but with hindsight we may look back and think Ernest was lucky. His younger brother Alfred did not survive his war service.
Frank Routledge
Frank Routledge was born in 1883 in Carlton, the son of Thomas Routledge, agricultural labourer from Nunthorpe, and his second wife Jane, nee Coatsworth, of Great Ayton. Frank had at least 17 siblings (from the two marriages). 1
Thomas married Jane, then only 17 years old, in 1879. Their first child, George was born in 1880. Five more sons were born in quick succession - Fred in 1882, Frank in 1883, Harry in 1885 and Herbert in 1888 and Arthur in 1889.
In 1891 Frank was living in Carlton with his parents and his 6 siblings, but by the census of 1901 he was living in Barnsley and working as a groom. However, Frank was back in the locality by 1911 and working as a coachman at Crathorne Hall stables. (By this time, his father Thomas was aged 76 and working as a labourer on the roads! Thomas had also fathered 5 more children, recording in the 1911 census that he and Jane had been married for 31 years and had 10 surviving children, whilst two others had died).
Early in 1914, Frank married Maud Mary Grainge in Stokesley, and they had at least 3 children: Joyce, Rhoda and Frank. We know that Frank served in the war from the Absent Voters list of 1918, which lists him as resident in Silver Street, and as Driver 155529 of the Royal Field Artillery. However, from his medal records we learn that Driver Routledge was previously in the Army Veterinary Corps, where he had been Private SE155676, probably denoting that he was originally concerned with the welfare of horses.
Driver Routledge was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Frank Routledge lived until 1966, in which year his death was registered in the Middlesbrough district.
1. We have traced Thomas Routledge's birth back to Crathorne where he was born on 12th January 1835. Census returns show that Thomas worked on the land and also in the collieries at Chilton in County Durham where in 1861, Thomas was living with his first wife Elizabeth, nee Thompson, and their 3 month old daughter in 1861. By 1871, the couple had six children, and two more followed before Elizabeth's untimely death at only 37 years of age in 1876 in Stokesley district.
Benjamin Robson Rowland
Benjamin Robson Rowland was born in 1893 in Nunthorpe, the son of Thomas Rowland, farmer and his wife Hannah (nee Robson) and in 1901 he was living with his parents at Mill Rigg Farm, Stokesley, together with his 2 younger sisters.
In 1911 Benjamin was living at Quarry Hill Farm with his uncle and aunt, William and Frances Chapman. They also had another nephew living with them as well as 2 servants. Benjamin was working as a horseman for his uncle.
The 1918 Absent Voters List shows that Benjamin's home address was then in South Side Stokesley, and that he was serving as Private 46584 in the Lancashire Fusiliers. However, his medal records indicate that he was previously Driver T4/040897 with the Royal Army Service Corps. The same records also state that he was first sent abroad in 1915 into “Theatre of War 3”. This was in fact Egypt, and this posting shows us that Benjamin must have volunteered early in the war.
We have it on the authority of Charles Hall, the Stokesley historian (himself a veteran - for whom see several references on this site) that Benjamin Rowland was wounded and spent time in the VAD Hopital at Stokesley Manor. Unfortunately, we cannot trace Private Rowland's service records so as to expand on this local information. We can say, nevertheless, that Private Rowland was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Benjamin married Margaret A Grundy in York in 1918 and they had 3 children, all of whom were born in Stokesley: Robert (1918), Albert J ( born in 1920 & died the same year) and Arthur Vincent (1922). Sadly, perhaps, also in 1922, Benjamin divorced his wife on grounds of “misconduct”. (Both Margaret and Arthur seem later to have moved to Essex).
Benjamin married again in 1943. His second wife was Elsie Ridge the daughter of John Thomas Ridge (see above) and they appear subsequently to have lived in the area.
Benjamin died in 1977 in the East Cleveland district.
Robert Edward Rudd
John Henry Douglas Schultz
Pte 243009 2nd Bn Yorkshire Regiment
John Henry Douglas Schultz was born in Liverpool in 1878 the son of John Edward Shultz, mariner and his wife Mary. His father was from Denmark and his mother was from Scotland.
At the time of the census in 1881 John's father must have been away at sea as his mother was listed as head of the household, a mariner’s wife. John also had a baby bother. In 1891 John was living with his parents in Hartington street, Thornaby. His father was then described as a labourer in the dockyard. The family were still in Thornaby in 1901. John’s father listed as “foreign subject” was then a dockyard labourer and chargehand. John himself was a grocer’s assistant. By 1911 John had been married to Henrietta (nee Graham) for 6 years and had a son Graham who was 5 years old. They were living in Thornaby and John was still a grocer’s assistant.
John Henry Schultz attested on 24th November 1915 in Stokesley. He stated that he had previously served for 15 months with the VB West Yorkshire Volunteers. At the time of his attestation he was 37 years and 2 months old and was living at Montrose House, Stokesley and was a “Grocer Manager”. He was 5’ 5” and had a 36” chest. His next of kin was his wife, and he had 2 children, John Fergus Graham Shultz born 1905 in Redcar and Gwendoline Douglas Shultz born 1913 in Thornaby.
Private Schultz was mobilised in September 1916 and seems to have spent some time with his battalion at Scarborough.
He was sent to France on 5th June 1918 and went to F Base (Etaples) with 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. 7 days later he was posted to 2nd Battalon Yorkshire Regiment where he was given a new regimental number. He was demobilised 2nd April 1919 to Montrose House, Stokesley.
John Schultz received the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Henrietta lived until 1956 and John outlived her for 9 years, dying in 1965
Fred Scott
Pte 16121 19 Battalion Yorkshire Regiment; Pte 30221 KOYLI; Pte 30413 Labour Company; Pte 39478 Lincolnshire Regiment
Fred Scott was born in 1877 in Stokesley the son of Henry Scott, butcher from Ingleby Arncliffe and Elizabeth, his wife, from
Berwick. In 1881 Fred was living with his parents, 5 older siblings and 1 younger brother in West End, Stokesley. The family appear to have remained in West End but by 1901 only Fred was living with his parents. His father was still a butcher and Fred was a Butcher’s assistant. By 1911 Fred and his parents were re-joined in the family home by Fred's brother Ernest who was a blacksmith.
When Fred attested on 11th November 1914 he was 37 years and 11 months old, 5’ 9 ½” tall with 36” chest and weighed 151 lbs. He was a butcher’s assistant and stated that he had previously joined the Northumberland Fusiliers but had bought himself out after 4 days. His next of kin was his father.
Private Scott was posted to the 19th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment on 25th November 1914 and transferred to the 3rd Battalion on 27th March 1915. In March 1915 the doctor declared Fred declared unfit and recommended that he should be discharged as such on account of “old pleuralistic adhesions”. However, he was posted instead to 1st Garrison Battalion and was sent to India on 24th December 1915.
In June 1916 Fred was in hospital in Alexandria suffering from “debility”. Apparently recovered, he was then posted to KOYLI on 30th August 1916. In February 1917 he was transferred back to the Yorkshire Regiment and then almost immediately transferred again - this time to the Lincolnshire Regiment (March 1917). He went from Folkestone to Boulogne on 31st March 1917 and into the field where he was wounded and admitted to hospital having been gassed in July 1917. Fred was transferred to the Labour Corps and we next hear of him when in the following year he was granted leave to UK on 13th July – 27th July 1918.
In September 1918 he was injured again when he accidentally lacerated his big toe. This injury was reported and Fred made a statement “ …. Dump today (17/9/1918) while moving and restacking small arms ammunition a box at the top of the stack slipped from my hands as I was reaching it down and fell on my right foot cutting the skin and bruising the big toe.”
At this juncture, the tide of war was flowing decisively in favour of the Allies and the German Army was in full retreat. Private Scott who was now 41 years old was transferred to Home Estate Infantry Depot Richmond for agricultural work in October 1918. The fighting was to cease within a month.
Private Fred Scott was demobilised on 3rd March 1919 to West End House, Stokesley. His character was described as “very good”
Fred was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
He died in 1936 aged 59.
Ernest Shepherd
Pte 7376 Northumberland Fusiliers; Pte 35700 Ox and Bucks Light Infantry
Ernest Shepherd was born in Stokesley in 1883. In 1891 he was living in Stokesley with his grandfather Joseph Shepherd who was a plumber.
Ernest first joined the army special reserves in December 1900, initially for 3 years, when he attested to join the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was 18 years and 2 months old and a plumber by trade. He was 5’ 5” tall, weighed 121lbs and had a chest measurement of 34” (full expansion). He had brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.
He obviously stayed longer than his 3 years as there is amongst his records a request dated 1910 for leave to reside in USA. The request was granted and Ernest Shepherd sailed in the “Haverford” on 4th January, 1911. Ernest later asked if this leave could be extended and was told he could apply for an extension but that he would lose his reserve pay. Ernest replied that he intended to return to Britain in October 1911, and indeed we next hear of him in Liverpool in 1912 when he did extend his service - for a further 4 years.
At that time his description was : 5’ 8”, chest 37 (full expansion), waist 33”, size of helmet 21½ and boots size and magnitude 7/4. He received “notice to join” the army for permanent service from the reserves and received 3 shillings as advance pay. His next of kin was given as his aunt, Mrs Shepherd of 119 Trevillion Terrace, West Hartlepool.
Private Shepherd embarked for France on 9th November 1914, and remained there until April 1915. This was when the Germans attacked at Ypres and it sees Ernest may have been amonst the casualties as he was back in Emgland from April until he returned to France on 10th August 1915. He was posted to the Mediterranean in October 1915 until September 1916 and we then find him at home again until July 1917 (possibly injured). At this time, Ernest married Elizabeth Raywood who lived in Birkenhead, and his records were amanded to show his wife as next of kin. Ernest returned to France and the war in July 1917.
His 'transfer to reserve' sheet, dated 27th January 1919, shows that he was then Pte 35700 of the 11th Garrison Battalion and records that he had served overseas and that his specialist military qualifications were – Pioneer, Chevrons – 1 red, 3 blue, wound stripes nil.
In 1921 Ernest was living in Birkenhead and wrote a letter to the army pointing out that he had received his 1914 Star (medal), which he was entitled to for service when with the Northumberland Fusiliers but had not received any others. He understood there was also a bar to which he might be entitled.
He went on to say “ I was transferred to the 11th Garr Battalion Oxford and Bucks the back end of 1917 from the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and I was serving with Ox and Bucks when I was demobilised that is why I am writing to you in regards the above as I have applied at the post office for a form in regards the decorations and I have been told that they have been withdrawn and that I should apply to my record office so I am not sure if I had to send to York Record Offices or to yours so by replying to my letter you will oblige me very much.”
Ernest did receive his British War Medal and Victory Medal and the 1914 Bar, alalthough he did later query whether or not he should have a rosette for his bar!
Also in Ernest Shepherds records is a letter written to the army from Newcastle on Tyne in 1922 by a man named Brooks, who wrote to ask for Ernest’s address but the army would only pass the letter on as policy was not to give out addresses.
Ernest and his wife appear not to have returned to the Stokesley area…
Thomas Ernest Shepherd
Francis William Sherwood
1770 Northern Cyclist Battalion (13th); Sgt 78595 4th Battalion MGC (Heavy) and Tank Corps
Francis William Sherwood was born in Bilsdale in 1894 the son of Henry Sherwood, a licensed victualler, and his wife Jane (nee Brotton). (Henry was born in Rievaulx but his wife and 2 older children, including Francis were born in Bilsdale). In the census returns of 1901 and 1911 Francis was living with his parents and siblings at the Three Tuns Inn, Stokesley.
In 1911 Francis was recorded as a clerk. He enlisted in Newcastle in March 1915 into the Cyclist Corps. He was 21 years and 8 months old, 5’ 7” with a 35 “ chest. He had good vision and was of good physical development. His father was recorded as his next of kin.
Francis Sherwood was appointed to the Motor Cycle Battalion and promoted to Lance Corporal (unpaid) in July 1915. This became a paid post in September 1915. In December 1916 he was transferred to the Machine Gun Company as Lance Corporal where he was placed in “H” (i.e. Heavy Battalion) and paid as Acting Corporal. On 21st August 1917 he embarked at Southampton for Havre. In December 1917 he was wounded in action. He received a gunshot wound to the face and was hospitalised, rejoining his unit on 31st January 1918. At some point he also served with the “Tanks” H Battalion (Tank Corps), and was promoted to Sergeant in February 1918. He was sent home to the UK on 27th September 1918 and then posted to the Tanks 23rd Battalion in October 1918. However, with the armistice in November, it seems that he did not return to the Front.
His service was summarised as:
Home – 15/3/15 – 20/8/17
France – 21/8/17 – 27/9/18
Home – 28/9/18 – 31/3/20
His record card also states that there is no record of him ever committing an offence against regulations. This was quite a distinction at a time when wearing the wrong boots was an offence!
Francis Sherwood was demobilised in March 1920, when his civilian address was given as the Golden Lion, Stokesley. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Francis may not have married but it is likely that his sisters did and that Gladys married Wilfred Brown in 1921 and that Muriel Irene married Frederick Anderson and moved to Scarborough,
B Smith
Fred Smith
Pte 27006 AVC; 662880 Labour Corps
Fred Smith was born in Great Broughton in 1888 the son of Robert Smith a huckster/hawker and his wife Hannah (nee Cornforrth). In 1891 and 1901 Fred was living with his parents and 5 older siblings in Great Broughton, but by 1911 his father had died. Fred's mother was described in 1911 as an egg, butter and poultry dealer. She was living with Fred and 3 of her other children in Great Broughton.
Fred married Mary Glover on 12th October 1914 apparently in the Wesleyan Church, Stokesley, and later that year they had a son, Herbert. Their daughter, Ivy, was born in October 1915.
Fred Smith attested on 10th December 1915 in Middlesbrough. He was placed in the Army Veterinary Corps reserves. His medical examination on 1st August 1916 shows that he was 5’ 7” tall, weighed 133lbs, had a 36” chest and was said to be of good physical development. His next of kin was his wife, Mary.
Fred's military documents record a change of the address for payment of Fred’s pay to his wife, showing that Mary moved to Wath, Ripon although the family soon came back back to Great Broughton. Perhaps Mary moved to Ripon to be nearer to her husband in 1918 as other documents reveal that Fred was mobilised on 18th April 1917 to the AVC Depot at Woolwich where he received pay as a Horse Keeper. He spent 2 months in hospital suffering from tonsillitis and possibly diphtheria. After this he was posted to the AVC 505th Agricultural Company on 24th July 1918. In October 1918 he was compulsorily transferred to the Labour Corps 505th Agricultural Company, Yorkshire Regiment in Richmond.
In January 1919, with the war having been over for two months, Fred asked for leave to be discharged so that he could return home to look after his business which required his personal attention – this was as a dealer in eggs, butter, poultry, rabbit and potatoes. He had obviously taken over the family business.
From another document in Fred's record it appears that his war medal may have been incorrectly sent to Mr F Adams of North Road, Stokesley as there is correspondence in his folder suggesting Mr Adams is returning an item righfully belonging to No 662880 Fred Smith. The address for forwarding was given as Fred Smith, Cleveland Cottage, Great Broughton.
Henry Smith
The following information was provided to us by Eric Smith, Harry's descendant. Thanks, Eric, for all your your efforts.
Henry Smith, always known as Harry, was born on Levenside adjacent to what has since become the Millennium Bridge to his parents William and Mary , What is now a single house was at that time two cottages with a joiners shop at one end (his father was a cabinet maker) and a vitriol plant at the other. Later the family moved to College Square.
He was a scholar at the Preston Grammar School and earned his pocket money by carrying buckets of water three times a day from the pump in College Square (Piped water did not come to Stokesley until 1929 ) Leaving school at 15 he was apprenticed as a tailor to Farrow and Kitching, but after serving his time went to work as a tailor in York where he was offered a five shillings (25p) per week higher wage.
Harry served in the Great War. ln common with many others he seldom talked about it and we know little about his army service except that there is a record of him embarking for France on 2nd September 1915. He was in the Royal Army Medical Corps and from 1915 to 1918 he was based ln Salonica in Greece.
After the war he returned to Stokesley and worked as a tailor for Farrow and Kitching. Their tailors workshop which employed three tailors was a wooden building behind what is now Santander Bank and which was later to become the studio for Alec Wright, the local artist.
In 1932 Harry married Amelia (known as Pop). the daughter of Joshua (Joe) Dawson, landlord of the Queens Head from 1917 to 1938. They lived in Leven Wynd at a rent of three shillings per week (15p) for two years before moving to the High Street, where they occupied what was originally the towns first Post Office. In 1938 they were among the first to move into Allen Grove, Stokesley’s first Council Houses: rent and rates totalled eight shillings and four pence (42p) per week, but they had the luxury of a bathroom, a facility enjoyed by less than 1% of the townspeople at that time.
Also in 1938 Harry set up on his own account, with a Tailoring and Draper’s shop on the High Street next door to Charlie Clarkson’s the barbers, subsequently demolished and replaced by housing. The war years were to see the final demise of the country tailor and Harry ended his working career as a Clerk at Dorman Long the Middlesbrough steelworks.
Prior to his later years when he suffered failing health, Harry was an active participant in the life of the town - keen on sports as a player, especially cricket and bowls - he was for some years the Secretary of Stokesley Sports Club.
Harry was also a founder member of the Stokesley Branch of the British Legion, established in 1921. ln his role as Secretary he helped a number of ex-servicemen to get the War Pensions to which they were entitled. and contributed to the organisation of the Book of Remembrance in the Parish Church.
Always interested in music, Harry Smith played in the Stokesley Brass Band, and he was a founder member and Secretary of the Stokesley Boot Fund which provided boots for disadvantaged children. (ln the 1930s a pair of boots cost just under E1) The fund was finally wound up in 1950 with the remaining money distributed to the four Sunday Schools in the town.
Harry was also a freemason, and a founder member (and later Master) of the Cleveland Centenary Lodge founded in t947. Harry and his family were regular worshippers at the parish church, where he was a sidesman and member of the Parochial Church Council
Finally, readers may find it interesting to reflect on some of the changes that took place in the town during his lifetime:
In 1908 when he was l8 and old enough to go into pubs, he had the choice of13; now there are 5
He saw electricity replace gas in 1929, and a mains sewerage system operating from 1932 (previously everything went into the river). He saw the closure of the Preston Grammar School (19i8), the Railway Station (1954j, the Water Mill (1955) and the Cattle Market (1960).
Eric Smith
John Smith
Robert Alfred Smith
Robert Smith was born on 11th February 1888 at New Brotton near Skelton. He was the son of James Smith of Eston (ironstone miner) and Margaret Ann Atkinson (nee Jefferson) from Skelton. In 1891, the family was living in Newton, Guisborough, where the Census tells us that Robert had an older brother and sister and a younger sister. James later changed his employment and became an ironworks labourer, and in 1901 the family was at Craggs Street in St John's ward, Middlesbrough. Robert and his older brother John were also ironworks labourers, and the house contained a total of ten people of whom three were boarders.
At the age of 24, on 2nd March 1910, Robert enlisted in the Territorial Army for a four year period. Robert was 5'83/4" tall and his chest measurement was 39". His vision and physical development were recorded as 'good'. Robert told the enlistment officer that he had previously been in the 1st Yorkshire Volunteer Battalion, but had resigned. Robert completed his annual training each year and re-engaged for a further two years on 28th February, 1914.
ON 5th August, 1914, the day after war was declared on Germany, Robert was 'embodied' into the 4th Volunteer Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment as Private 1072 Smith, (later changed to 4381364). On 12th April, 1915, he was transferred to 2nd/4th Yorkshire Regiment and on 29th May transferred to the 24th (Provisional) Battalion. On 17th January, 1916, he was posted back to 4th Yorkshire Regiment and on the same day posted to Stewarts LLoyds Ltd, Clydeside Tube Works in Glasgow. On 13th November, 1916, he was discharged on 'termination of engagement', with a glowing character reference: "exemplary sober and trustworthy"
His 'military history' record lists his mother and elder sister, both living in Seamer, as next of kin along with his brother John who was a resident of Stokesley.
Robert re-enlisted into 4th Yorkshire Regiment for 1 year on 9th June 1920 when he gave his address as West End Stokesley and his occupation as miner. His medical report at that time gives his weight as 146 lbs, and his chest measurement as 35". He had a fair complexion, light brown hair, blue eyes and he was recorded as an Anglican. He was again discharged on completion of his term of engagement on 8th June 1921.
Robert had married Ann Elizabeth Taggart in Stokesley in 1917. They raised a family of six children, of whom four were girls: Annie Margaret (Meggie, born 1918), Emily (1919), Nellie (1920), James Thomas Richardson Smith (1921 - who was killed in action on 11th June 1944 in the Normandy Campaign), Mary H (known as Hetty, 1924), Olive (1928) and Robert Alistair (1937).
Robert Alfred Smith died in Stokesley in 1972
Sydney Smith
Wheeler 148104 RFA; Wheeler/Gnr 225683 RFA/RGA
Sydney Smith was born in 1882, probably in Draycott, the son of Samuel Smith, a farmer and his wife Jane. In 1891 Sydney was living with his parents and 5 siblings at Derwent House, Draycott, but ten years later in 1901 he was living in Great Broughton where he was an apprentice joiner to Arthur Bainbridge. By the time of the 1911 census he had moved to Helmsley where he was a fully qualified joiner (house joiner).
Sydney was married in June 1912 in 'Kirby cum Broughton'. His wife Sarah Lilian Nicholson was born in 1883 in Great Broughton and so it is probable that they met when he was living there and working as an apprentice.
Sydney Smith enlisted on 11th December 1915 at the age of 33 years and 5 months. His records state that his address was Manor House, Great Broughton, Stokesley and confirm that he was a joiner. He remained in the army reserve until he was mobilised in May 1916. He was approved fit to serve on 11th July 1916 at Woolwich, where he had presumably been in training. At that point he was 33 years and 10 months old, 5’ 5” tall with a 39” chest. His next of kin was his wife Sarah Lilian (nee Nicholson) whose address was given as Manor House, Stokesley.
On 19th July 1916, Sydney passed the army's test to qualify as “wheeler” and therefore became entitled to be paid as “skilled”. He was posted as Wheeler to No 4 Depot RFA on 30th May 1916 and transferred to the 56 Reserve Battery RFA in July 1916 with the rank of Wheeler. In September 1916 he was posted to 177 Heavy Battery RGA where he stayed until he was posted to 4 Reserve Battery RGA in July 1917. Wheeler Smith's career continued with yet another move on 29th January 1918, when he found himself posted to the RGA Base Depot in India . In April 1918 he was then posted to Roorkee as Wheeler/Gunner. Roorkee was the headquarters of the Bengal Engineer Group, and also housed two artillery units.
Research to date has not uncovered the reason for this posting, but it lasted less than 6 months as in September 1918 Wheeler/Gunner Smith was posted to the Discharge Centre, Ripon from where he was discharged on 14th December 1918 as “surplus to military requirements”.
On discharge he seems to have been sent to work (or perhaps he chose to work) at Swan and Hunter’s shipyard in Walker on Tyne as a ship builder Grade III. At this time he was described as having a disability of less than 20% which was expected to improve over 12 months. Again, researches to date have not been able to account for this move, but Sydney did eventually return to Broughton and to his wife.
Sydney and Sarah Smith do not appear to have had any children. Sarah died in 1958 and administration was granted to her husband, Sydney, retired joiner. Sydney Smith of The Manor House Great Broughton died on 29th April 1966 at Ruston Hospital, Northallerton. Probate was granted in October to Fred Merrington Smith, a retired engineer, and Fred Platts, a chartered accountant
William Smith
Pte 32003 16th Yorkshire Regiment; Pioneer 248504 and WR/23569 (Road Engineers) Royal Engineers.
William Smith was born in Carlton in 1877, the son of George Smith, a labourer form Broughton and his wife Elizabeth. In 1881 William was with his parents and 6 siblings in Carlton, as he was in 1891 though with 4 siblings.
The army records tell us that William was married in 1900 in Stokesley to Edith Emily Carter. His children were listed as Thomas Carter Smith born 12th January 1901
and Joseph Sowler Smith born 6th June 1906.
The census of 1901 confirms that William was then a drayman living in Brewery Yard, Stokesley with his wife Edith and small son. He was still in Stokesley in 1911, when he was living on North Road with his wife and 2 children. He was working as a farm labourer.
William Smith attested on 11th December 1915 aged 38 years and 5 months. He was a roadman by occupation. He was sent to France in 1916 with the 16th (Labour) Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. In March 1917 he was sent to the advanced field transport depot with the No 22 Labour Company but was transferred as a Pioneer to the Royal Engineers (318) Road Construction in June 1917.
In the records, William Smith was described as of “very good character”.
Watson Smith
Watson Smith was born in Carlton in 1881, the son of George Smith, an agricultural labourer from Ingleby Greenhow, and his wife Elizabeth (nee Watson) from Hawnby. In the census of 1891 Watson was listed as living with his parents and 4 siblings in Carlton, but ten years later in 1901 he had left home for employment. He was then living in Queen Street Hartlepool as a boarder and was working as an engine works labourer.
In 1907 Watson Smith married Clara Taylor in Hartlepool, and in 1911 they were living in Stephenson Street, Hartlepool with their 2 young children; George and Cecil. Watson had become a machinist in a marine engineers shop.
On 19th June 1912 in West Hartlepool, Watson attested for 4 years service with the Northumbrian Territorial Force. He was then 30 years old and still a machinist living in Hartlepool. Somewhat strangely, Watson's medical record at that time has him aged only 25 years! He was 5’ 8”, with a 37½ “ chest, size 9 boots, good vision and very good physical development.
Gill’s Yard
Watson Smith was embodied for war service on 5th August 1914 and was sent to France on 18th April 1915 as a Gunner 1165 3/3 Northumbrian Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. When in 1916 his original 4 years service were completed, Gunner Smith was retained under Service Order No 5 and given a ”bounty” of £15. He was in England from February 1916 and whilst at Ripon Camp asked for a transfer to the 2/3 West Riding Brigade RFA and was granted this request in May 1916. He had been “specifically asked for by the Officer commanding the Second Line, 3rd West Riding Brigade.” Presumably this brigade had need of men with Watson's skills. He was sent back to France in January 1917.
Watson and Clara’s third son, Watson junior, was born on 24th June 1917. In December 1917 Watson was posted to Salonika as a Driver where he remained until December 1918, when he finally returned to the UK.
In 1918, Driver Smith features on the Absent Voters List as resident in Gill's Yard, Stokesley.
Watson Smith was discharged in July 1919 when he was with the 36th Reserve Battery RFA to Cleveland Cottage, High Street Stokesley. He was suffering from Malaria which was classed as giving him 20% disability for which he was awarded 5.6d per week for a year plus an extra 3/2d for his children. His Theatre of War or Command at that time was “Scottish”!
Watson Smith (listed as "Driver 761484 RFA, formerly Driver T2979 RFA*) was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He also received the Silver War Badge.
A fourth son, John, was born to the Smiths in 1920 in Stokesley. Sadly, John was killed on 14th August 1941 aged 21 years. He was Sgt 931770 in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Apparently the plane he was travelling on from Canada crashed. No body was ever found and John is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, “the son of Watson and Clara Smith of Stokesley”.
Watson Smith senior lived until 1954, when he died in the Middlesbrough district.
W H Smith
Pte 30357 22nd DLI; Pte 604911 WCLC Labour Corps
William H Smith was born in Stokesley in 1893, the son of William Smith a joiner and his wife Mary. In 1901 he was living with his parents and 4 siblings on south side, Stokesley. In 1911 he was a butcher, still living with his parents and 4 siblings on College Square.
He enlisted from the army reserve on 10th December 1915 in Darlington. He stated that he was a butcher and his next of kin was his father in College Square, Stokesley.
On examination in Sunderland on 4th February 1916 he was 21 years and 6 days old. He was 5’ 3½“ tall and weighed 120lbs with a chest measurement of 34”. He was described as having “fair” physical development. He was sent to France with the DLI on 10th June 1916 where he remained until 12th March 1917, when he was admitted to the 2nd Western General Hospital, Chester for 53 days with a shrapnel wound to his left forearm. He was in France again from June 1917 until December 1919. However on his return to the Front in June 1917 he was transferred to the Labour Corps. In July 1918 he was with the 94th PoW Company and in September with the 232nd PoW Company.
His Statement as to Disability in 1919 tells us more about the injuries he suffered, as well as supplying other information:
• that he was in France from 16th June 1916 until February 1917. He returned to France in June 1917 until November 1919 when he returned to the UK again. He had received a gunshot wound to his left forearm as a result of enemy action in 1917 and he had first been treated in hospital at Rouen.
• Prior to joining the army he had been working as a butcher for Mr Clayton of 2 Bradford Street Darlington
• The doctor also reported that William had six wounds caused by shrapnel in the inner and extension surfaces of his left arm. The wounds were healed and there was no impairment. The patient (William) complained of weakness in the arm. The degree of disability was classed as less than 20%.
William was discharged from the army in January 1920. He was awarded extra pension for 52 weeks.
There are no entries on his regimental conduct sheet and he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Records suggest that he may have married Violet Fawcett in Stokesley in 1930.
William Stapleton
J Steedman
Richard Steedon (Steeden)
Richard Steedon was born in Buckinghamshire in 1886, and was recorded as Richard William Steeden. In 1891 he was living in Buckingham with his widowed mother, Elizabeth, and 6 siblings.
In 1909 he married Ann Fawcett in Stokesley and in 1911 the couple were living in West End with their young son Thomas Richard.
Richard enlisted on 24th August 1914 for 3 years with the colours. He was 28 years and 1 month old and was 5’ 6”, 140lbs with a chest measurement of 37 ½ “. His pulse was 76 p.m. and he was of good physical development. His place of birth was recorded as Tingewick, Bucks.
Richard Steedon disembarked at Havre on 13th May 1915, as Driver 90139 Royal Field Artillery, 9th Divisional Ammunition Column (DAC), 9th (Scottish) Division The 9th DAC had trained in Scotland, Salisbury and Borden before leaving the UK as part of the 9th (Scottish) Division, arriving in France in time to take part in the Battle of Loos. DACs had the dangerous role of delivering ammunition to the front line, and ensuring that troops were fully supplied with the munitions that they needed. DACs also had to collect the valuable empty brass cartridge cases and any unused ammunition after an artillery unit had moved on. They were obviously exposed to great danger as they moved ammunition forward to Brigade dumps or to men fighting in the front line. The Officers and men of the DACs could be called on to supply any unit during an action, and they could also be called upon to replace casualties in the units they were supplying. It is almost impossible therefore to trace what any particular soldier might have done in any given action.
In May 1916 Richard was granted a week’s leave with rations to England. However from July 1916 the Somme offensive was launched, and the 9th Division was involved in the Battles of Albert, Bazentin, Delville Wood, and Le Transloy. There is no record of which battles Richard was actually involved in.
In March 1917 Driver Steedon was transferred to the advanced transport depot for duty with the road construction units, and in July 1917 he was compulsorily transferred to the Royal Engineers as Pioneer 306636 for “the benefit of the Service”. He was granted 18 days leave to UK in September 1917.
In April 1918 Pioneer Steedman was transferred as Private 554988 to 505th Agric Coy, Labour Corps, in Richmond, Yorkshire. This is how he appears on the 1918 Absent Voters List, when his residence was South Side, Stokesley He was finally sent to the dispersal unit at Ripon for discharge in March 1919. His discharge address was Levenside, Stokesley.
His descriptive return form states that he was a farm worker and that he was married. His parents were George and Elizabeth. His date and place of birth was 16th July 1885 in Stokesley! His eyes were blue. He had served for 4 years and 233 days. His military character was “very good”. In fact there were “no entries” on his conduct sheet.
Richard Steedon submitted a disability claim on 10th March 1919 at Richmond. This stated that he had served in France and Belgium between 12th May 1915 and February 1918 with both the RFA and RE. He was gassed in France and attended the 16th General Hospital in France, the military hospital in Tidworth and the VAD hospital in Marlborough. He named two approved societies – the National Health Society and the N.M. General Workers Union. He was a farm worker and his last civilian employer was the Council, Stokesley. The doctor examining him said he could find “no physical signs” of disability.
His award sheet for disability pension tells us that he claimed to have suffered from gas poisoning, and that he had chest trouble and dysentery. It was however decided that none of this was attributable to the present war and therefore no award was made. The form records his marriage to Ann Fawcett and the birth of 2 children: Thomas (September 1909) and Eva (August 1913). Eva married Herbert Barker in 1938. Herbert was possibly the son of Alonza Barker of Kirkby. They had a son, Bryce in 1945.
Richard Steedon may have received no disability pension, but he was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Richard lived until 1955, when he died in the Cleveland district.
Herbert Mark Stockdale
J Stockdale
Sister M P Storey
This name appears on the Kirkby and Broughton Roll of Honour
Maria Phoebe Storey's birth is registered in Stokesley district in the December quarter of 1871. She had 2 sisters, Henrietta and Sarah.
Her father, John Storey, came from Darlington and in 1881 he was a blacksmith and was running the Black Horse Inn in Great Broughton. Her mother Mary (nee Watson) was born in Stokesley. By 1891, John had died, and Mary, a widow, was herself a licensed victualler in Broughton (possibly still at the Black Horse, but no Inns seem to be named on this census).
By 1911 Maria had completed her training as a nurse and was working in the North Riding Infirmary, Middlesbrough, as a “charge nurse”. She later became a Sister and was part of Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Corps. In 1917 she was awarded the Royal Red Cross 2nd Class in recognition of “valuable service with the Armies in the Field”. This award was listed in the London Gazette 4th June 1917. Maria was presented with the award by the King at Buckingham Palace on 3rd December 1919.
Despite the title, the order has no connection with the Red Cross Movement. The Royal Red Cross was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1883 and was the first example of a British military order solely for women. It can be given to members of the nursing services, irrespective of rank. It can also be given to anyone, British or foreign, who has been recommended for special devotion or competency while engaged on nursing or hospital duties with the navy, army or air force.
Royal Red Cross, second class, was instituted during the Great War of 1914-1918. Those who received this ward are called ‘associates’ and can use the letters ‘ARRC’ after their names. The badge is almost the same but in silver instead of gold.
Maria died on 13th October 1937 at North Riding Infirmary. In her will she left her estate to her two sisters, both of whom were married.
John William Swales
Reginald Anthony Swales
Reginald Anthony Swales was born in 1883 in Stokesley District. He was the younger brother of William Edward Swales (see below).
There is an extant attestation paper for Reginald dated 7th October, 1904 at which time he joined the Yorkshire Regiment, taking the oath in Middlesbrough.
Reginald said he was 22 years and two months old and a butcher by trade. He was unmarried and a resident of his father's house in Broughton. Reginald confirmed that he had previously served with 3rd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, and was still serving in the militia. From other records we know that Reginald was awarded the South Africa medal with 3 clasps for service in the campaign against the Boers, (1899-1901).
His initial medical record shows him as 5'6" tall, weighing 134 lbs with a chest measurement of 37". Six months later, after a gymnastics course he had gained 6lbs in weight and 3" in chest measurement! He had blue eyes, a fair complexion and brown hair, and was listed as a 'Wesleyan'. His distinguishing marks were a white scar on his left eye and had a missing tooth. His next of kin were given as his father Edward Swales of Broughton, his older brothers Arthur of (Middlesbrough), William (Raglan Hotel Middlesbrough).
He was posted to 1st Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment in January 1905 as Private 7869. In July 1909, he was transferred to the RAMC as Private 3524.
Reginald married Frances Bentall on 25th May 1912 in York, and they had a son, Reginald Edward, on 2nd December of the same year. Further children were born to marriage, all in York: Eric (1920), Eilleen (1922), Doris (1924) and Doreen (1928).
On 5th August 1914 he was mobilised in Dublin and posted the same day to the 13th Field Ambulance. On 26th March 1916, he was appointed Acting Lance Corporal with pay. He was wounded in action on 6th October 1917 but returned to his duties on the same day. On 1st December, 1917 he was sent to Italy where he remained to 2nd April 1918. From 3rd April 1918 to 14th August he was with the BEF in France. He was then sent back to England. He was demobilised to Gasworks House, Monkgate, York on 13th July 1918 as a reservist. He remained in the reserve till he was discharged 3rd March 1920, at which time he had served 17 years with the colours. His character was described as 'very good'.
In addition to the South Africa medal, Reginald was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette, 1916) and the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Reginald was awarded a pension of 9 shillings and 3 pence halfpenny a week for his service in the RAMC. He died of cancer on 14th November, 1952, his home adress being Walmgate, York.
Thomas Edward Swales
William Edward Swales
William Edward Swales was born in 1873 in Stokesley. His father was Edward Swales, a butcher by trade, who came from Carlton. His mother, Mary J Leng, was from Stockton, and the couple had married in Stockton district in 1868.
In 1881 they were living at West End, Stokesley, and William was the middle child of seven in the family. Ten years later in 1991 we find them in Holme, Broughton, and William's father is listed as a pig dealer and cattle. William now had six younger siblings, five born since the previous census, and William himself himself at 17 was a 'labourer in the Works'.
William joined the 3rd Yorkshire Reserve Battalion on 7th November, 1891 at Richmond as Private 3488 of the Yorkshire Regiment. On his attestation William claimed to have previously served with the same unit, and gave his trade as butcher. He gave a number of people as next of kin, including his father Edward, his mother Polly and a number of siblings (4 younger brothers, one older brother, Arthur, who was serving with the 5th Lancers in India, and seven sisters!)
His medical records show his height as 5'4", his weight as 122lbs and his chest measurement as 35". He had a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. William spent the next eight years in Britain, but he obviously served in various parts of the kingdom as he married Mary Dodds at St Michael's Church Edinburgh on 29th January 1896.
From 24th November 1899 to 2nd March 1901, William was away on active service in the Boer War in Africa. He returned home on 3rd March 1901 where he remained until 6th November 1903 when he was discharged having served a total of 12 years with the colours. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with 6 clasps including those for the Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, and Diamond Hill.
On 31st August 1914, William joined the Special Reserves at Stockton. His attestation form is extant, and interestingly, he did not answer the question as to whether he was married. His medical records show he was then 140 lbs in weight and that his hair was 'iron-grey'. He had 3 scars, which we might be tempted to guess were results of his long years of service. He was 35 years 341 days old and a foundry labourer, and claimed previous service with the 19th Yorkshires. William joined his unit (7th Yorkshire Regiment) on 20th October, 1914 at Wareham. On 20th May, 1915 he was posted to the 3rd Reserve Battalion, and transferred to the 1st Battalion on 6th October 1915. From 24th December 1915 to 22nd July 1916, William was in India. William was invalided on 14th May, 1916 and posted to the Royal Defence Corps in January 1918, before being transferred to Reserve on 22nd February 1919.
William Swales died on 20th November, 1946 in Staincliff County Hospital, Dewsbury of carcinoma of the larynx. He was still a member of the Royal Defence Corps and was in receipt of a pension of 12 shillings a week.
Zachariah Swales
Pte 15308 9th Yorkshire Regiment
Research into this name reveals not one but two Zachariah Swales born 2 years apart (1887 and 1889). They appear to be cousins but only one of them is recorded as born in Stokesley although both lived in Guisborough. I have chosen to concentrate on the Zachariah of Stokesley birth!- Valerie Burton, Researcher.
This Zachariah Swales was born in 1889 in Stokesley, the son of Richard Swales, a hawker from Stockton and Elizabeth his wife from Stokesley. In 1891 the young Zachariah was living in Guisborough with his parents and 7 siblings. The family seems to have been well-travelled as the oldest 3 children were born in Coxhoe, the 4th in Guisborough, the 5th and 6th in Coxhoe, the 7th in Stokesley and the 8th in Guisborough!
In 1901 Zachariah, aged 12, was living in Helmsley with his sister Mary, where both of them were working as farm servants. By 1911 however Zachariah was back in Guisborough, this time living with his brother James and was working as a bricklayer’s labourer.
On 27th May 1911, Zachariah was married to Fanny Calvert. Their first child, Richard, was born in 1912 and a second, Isabella, in 1915.
By that time, Zachariah Swales was in the army. He attested on 20th October 1914 in Middlesbrough at which time he was 24 years of age and working as an ironstone miner. His records confirm that he was born in Stokesley and that he was married. He was posted to 9th Yorkshire Regiment on 7th November 1914. At that time he was 5’ 4” tall, weighed 124lbs with a 36” chest and he was described as of good physical development. He had a contraction of a finger on his left hand. He had black hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion.
Private Swales was sent to France on 26th August 1915 and appears to have been wounded late in the same year. He was sent to England as "Class W".
(Class W Reserve and its Territorial Force equivalent Class W(T) had been introduced in June 1916 by Army Order 203/16. This class was created ‘for all those soldiers whose services are deemed to be more valuable to the country in civil rather than military employment’. Men in these classes were to receive no emoluments from army funds and were not to wear uniform. They were liable at any time to be recalled to the colours. From the time a man was transferred to Class W, until being recalled to the Colours, he was not subject to military discipline - information derived from Roots Chat)
Zachariah was sent home to work in munitions and was posted to Depot on 12th March 1917. From there however he was sent to work in Sparwood Mines Guisborough (Sir B Samuelson Co Ltd). Zachariah’s home address was given as 8 Cleveland Street, Guisborough.
He was discharged on 21st January 1919 and in view of his early service under the colours he was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Zachariah and his family lived on in Guisborough, where records list a further 9 children born to a Swales/Calvert marriage in Guisborough in the years up to 1930! Zachariah died in North Ormesby hospital on 14th April 1938. His address was then 2 Lime Road, Guisborough. Administration was granted to his widow Fanny in July of that year.