Born in 1882 at Beech Hill, Berkshire, son of Joseph (Gardener-Domestic Servant) and Sarah Wheeler. 1891: He was a Scholar living with his parents and 6 siblings at Priory Lodge, Beech Hill. His parents later lived in nearby Mortimer. 1911: He had become a Jobbing Gardener at a Nursery, living at 71 Park Side by Chingford Lane Woodford Green, with his wife Sarah Elizabeth Wheeler who he married in 1908. With them was their one year old daughter Daisy Alice; another child had not survived.
His service number appears to have been issued in 1901, which may explain his absence from home and the Census. So probably with a reserve commitment, he arrived in France on 29th November 1914 and so qualified for the 1914/1915 star. He was Killed in Action during the Battle of Festubert. This was a second stage of the failed attack on Aubers Ridge, which had been deferred from 14th May due to the wet conditions. The Berkshires were moved into position opposite Richebourg l’Avoue during 15th May, taking wounded during the day from German shelling. At 23.15 the first men crept out of the trenches, advancing in the first wave towards the German lines at 23.30 and into heavy machine gun and rifle fire. They achieved their objectives of seizing the first two German trenches and then consolidated those positions. The cost was high with 53 dead, 293 wounded and 77 missing.
He is also remembered on the St Mary’s Church Memorial at Mortimer Berkshire.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Principal Sources:
Ancestry.com