Born in Hackney on 16th October 1887, son of Samuel William (Umbrella Silk Manufacturer) and Alice Kate Brown. 1891: With his family at 65 Southborough Road, Hackney. 1901: A Scholar with his family at 28 Maynell Gardens, Hackney. 1911: An Insurance Clerk with his family at “”Maynell”, 30 Queens Avenue, Woodford Green.
Unfortunately Ronald suffered from an underlying anxiety condition which in 1914 was exacerbated by the ending of a friendship. On 17th October 1914 he joined the Army and was allocate to the Pay Corps. He was discharged on 5th November 1914 after 18 days service, (10 of which were in hospital). Declared unfit for further service due to a breakdown, he returned to the family home at Woodford. It was then suggested he may benefit from a complete change, so on 19th December 1914 he left London the SS “Ballarat” for Sydney Australia where an Aunt lived.
His health did improve, and he took work as a Registrar. To his credit he then volunteered again on 23rd July 1915, being posted to the Australian Army Medical Corps. On 14th October 1915 he left for Egypt in HMAT “Port Lincoln” to reinforce No.2 Australian General Hospital. But one day out from Sydney his nervous condition seriously reasserted itself and he was hospitalised on board, as a suicide risk, being admitted to 2 AGH as a patient on 21st November 1915. Inevitably he was returned to Australia on the HT “Wandilla”, struck off strength on 6th January 1916 and discharged from care on 21st November 1916. He then lived with his Aunt at “Elim” Addison Road, Manley, Sydney and worked as a Clerk for the Federal Tax Office.
When he felt able, he came forward yet again for military service. This time he was allocated to Australian Army Pay Corps from 1st March 1917, which was more in keeping with his recent occupation. He was given the rank of Corporal on appointment.
Sadly he later became seriously unwell, and at 13.45 on 31st January 1918 he died at the Garrison Hospital Victoria Barracks Sydney from Lymphatic Leukemia.
His Father had moved to 27 Valentine Road, Ilford by 1915, and his son’s memorial plaque and scroll were sent there in 1923. His sisters were reported to be still residing in Woodford at the time of his death. He was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Manley on 2nd February 1918.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
Australian Army Service Record