WW1  Pershore

Private Charles J REEVES

Service No 19093

Age: 21

Sherwood Foresters 11th Battalion

Died of wounds on 6th October 1916 at Flanders, France

Listed on Sherwood Foresters Roll of Honour and on

The Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

Born in Pershore in 1895. 

Lived at 14 Howard Road, Mansfield, Notts. Enlisted at Mansfield.

Occupation given as Co-operative Stable Boy in 1911. 

Nephew of Harry & Emma Smith of same address.

Private Robert REEVES

Service No 27664

Age: 35

Worcestershire Regiment 3rd Battalion

Killed in action at Flanders France on 24th August 1916

Commemorated at Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuile, Somme, France

Son of Elizabeth Reeves in Priest Lane, Pershore

William James P RICHARDS

Service No 59127

Age: 22

9th Div. Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery

Killed at Flanders France on 16th October 1917

Commemorated at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery

Son of John & Annie Richards of Bearcroft, Pershore

Evesham Journal Nov 3rd 1917 -- ``PERSHORE MAN KILLED.

James Richards (Royal Field Artillery) eldest son of Mr. William Richards, builder and contractor of Pershore, has been killed in France. The Bereaved parents have received a very sympathetic letter from Cpt? Townshend, in which he said the young soldier was killed instantly by a German shell, and this would be keenly felt by all ranks of that section. Pte. Richards, who was 22 years of age, joined up in the early part of 1915, and had experienced hard fighting in France. He was one of the Pershore Company of Boy Scouts who attended the King's Review in London a few years ago. His brother Albert Edward [see above] was in the Gallipoli campaign, and is now in France. (Thanks to Dave Brusselen for information, including photos, on the above two Richards brothers)

With acknowledgements and grateful thanks to Newsquest Evesham Journal

Corporal Thomas L ROPER

Service No 325529

Age: 20

1st/1st Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars (Worcester

Yeomanry) Died on 31st July 1916 at Angora . Prisoner of War.

Born Knightwick, resident Blackpool, enlisted Worcester

Buried in Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq, Angora

Memorial 141

Appears on: Worcester Cathedral Worcestershire Hussars,

Pershore Abbey

Thomas & Fanny Roper of Huntly Villas, 31 Westcliffe Drive,

Blackpool Brother of Mrs Harris of Pinvin. Worked at Fish Shop.

T.L. Roper 1st/1st Worcester Yeomanry, 1st Draft, embarked at Devonport 23rd October 1915 for service with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, disembarked at Mudros 6th November 1915, disembarked at Alexandria, Egypt on 30th November 1915.

Trooper Maurice H Saunders

Service No 3190

Age: 27

Worcester Yeomanry

Died on 14th November 1918 in Turkey.

Son of Henry & Caroline Priest Lane, Pershore

Second Mate John Critchley SMITH

Mercantile Marine S.S. "Mahratta."

Age: 30

Died on 4th January 1918

Buried in Port Said War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt, Grave D. 1. 

Appears on:Worcester Kings School WW1 Memorial

Worcester Cathedral Cloister Windows Kings School

Wyre Piddle War Memorial, Pershore Abbey, Fladbury St John the Baptist Church 

                                           under Wyre casualties with the additional information: 1918

Son of Arthur William and Minnie Smith, of The Square, Pershore; Husband of Kathleen Smith, of Wyre, Pershore, Worcestershire

Sec. Lieut., R. N. R.Born, June 1, 1887. Killed, January 4, 1918.J. C. Smith was the eldest son of Mr. A W. Smith, of Pershore. He entered the School as a day boy from the Royal Grammar School in January, 1899, and left early in April, 1902, after 3 years only of School life. He always desired a sailor's life, and after serving his apprenticeship he rapidly rose in the Mercantile Marine. In his 15 years of seafaring life he made made voyages to the West Indies, Costa Rica, New York, S. America and India. He obtained his Captains ticket three years since, and was recently married. Since the outbreak of war he has been engaged in the transport service, and was very popular with his fellow-officers. He was marvellously successful with his navigation, and had brought his boat safely through the Mediterranean at the end of last year, when he was killed by an accident at Port Said. He was one of those whom the Merchant Service can ill spare.W. H. C.Source for additional information: The Vigornian, March 1918, No.91, Vol. IX(Second Officer) R.N.B. Eldest son of Arthur William Smith. Killed by an accident on Board his ship at Port Said January 4th 1918. Had his Captain's ticket 5 years - too young to be made a Captain.A photograph of Second Officer J. Critchley Smith of Pershore can be found in Berrow's Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday, available at Worcestershire Archives.

Evesham Journal 16 February 1918 - DEATH OF 2nd OFFICER J. CRITCHLEY SMITH.

Particulars have now reached England of the death on January 5 of Second Officer J. Critchley Smith, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Smith, of Pershore. The agents of Messrs. Thos. & Jno. Brocklebank write from Port Said:-- ``The Mahratta was leaving her berth with engines going ahead when the stern rope jammed. Before way could be taken off the ship's rope parted and struck the second officer breaking both his legs and fracturing the base of his skull. The doctor of the Blue Funnel liner, Ning Chow, was promptly on the scene, and Dr. Wigham also sent for. Mr. Smith was brought ashore as soon as possible, but died on the way to the hospital from injuries received.

An inquiry was held at the Consulate the following day and he was buried that afternoon. The burial was attended by the officers and engineers of the Malakuta (another ship on which Mr. Smith had formerly served) and Mr. E.J. Williams represented us.'' Mr. Smith was born in Pershore on June 1 of the first Jubilee year and was educated at Hanley Castle School and King's School, Worcester. He served his apprentice with Messrs. Elders and Fyffes, and in his fifteen years of sea-faring life made many voyages to the West Indies, Costa Rica, New York, South America, Australia, and India. He obtained his captain's ticket about three years ago and since the commencement of war had been engaged on transport service. He was very popular with his fellow officers and during his rare and brief holidays, his simple, unassuming manners and happy breezy disposition endeared him to very many in Pershore and Wyre. The greatest sympathy has been shown to his young widow and to his parents and the other members of the family. We shall publish a photograph of Mr. Critchley Smith next week.

With acknowledgements and grateful thanks to Newsquest Evesham Journal 

Driver Henry (Harry) Silas Smith

Service No 246209

Age: 20

Royal Horse Artillery

Died on 16th February 1918 

Buried in Pershore Cemetery

Son of John & Mary Ann Smith of Newlands, Pershore

Evesham Journal 23rd February 1918 - A SECOND SON KILLED

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, of the Newlands, Pershore, whose eldest son, William, of the Worcesters, was killed in action last August, have now received the sorrowful news that their other soldier son, Gunner Harry Smith, of the Royal Horse Artillery, was killed by anti-aircraft guns in London on the 18th inst. The announcement was made by a telegram from the Colonel of the Regiment, and Inspector Pegg who received a message requesting him to see the bereaved parents and ask if they would care to attend the inquest at London on the 31st inst. Mr. and Mrs. Smith went up on Tuesday and returned on Thursday, bringing the body of their son with them for burial. The late Harry Smith, who had not attained his twentieth birthday, joined the Army exactly three years ago. After his training he was sent to Egypt, and then to Salonika. While on his way home from the latter place in July last his ship was torpedoed and he was rescued after being six hours in the water. He was a few weeks in hospital. After this he came home on a short furlough last August Bank holiday week. Since then to the time of his death he was with his regiment in London. Before the war he and his late brother Pte. William Smith were employees of Mr. E.P. Whiteley, market gardener, of Pershore. The townspeople deeply sympathise with the parents in their double bereavement.

Evesham journal, 2 March 1918:-- PERSHORE SOLDIER KILLED IN AIR RAID.

The body of Gunner Harry Silas Smith, of the Royal Horse Artillery, who was killed during an air raid on London recently, was brought by his parents to Pershore on Thursday and buried at the Cemetery, the Rev. L. rivers-Tippett conducting the service. The father (Mr. John Smith) attended the inquest at London, and learnt that his son was making his way towards his barracks while the raid was in progress, and has stopped a few minutes to make a purchase at a fruiterer's shop, when a bomb fell on the premises burying him and a soldier companion beneath the debris. As stated last week, this is the second son Mr and Mrs Smith have lost, the eldest boy being killed in France six months ago. The parents have the sympathy of all in this painful bereavement. [list of those attending and floral tributes omitted here] The bearers were Pte. Jack Taylor, Lance corpl. Ralph Clark, Pte. W. Mumford, Pte. R.T. Smith

With acknowledgements and grateful thanks to Newsquest Evesham Journal 

Private William John Smith  (or John William Smith)

Service No 240804

Age: 23

``D'' Company 8th (Res.) Worcesters

Killed in action at Flanders, France on 27th August 1917 

Listed as John W. on Abbey Memorial.

Listed on the Tyne Cot memorial

Son of John and Mary Ann Smith of the Newlands

Evesham Journal 15th September 1917 

in an article on Pershore casualties - ``The third soldier reported killed is Pte. Will Smith, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith of the Newlands. He was a Territorial. Lieut. Willis, in his touching letter of sympathy, speaks well of him as a soldier.''

With acknowledgements and grateful thanks to Newsquest Evesham Journal

Private Percy W Smith

Service No 16560

Age: 21

Grenadier Guards Reserve Bn.

Died on 1st June 1915 of head wounds in London Hospital

Buried at Brompton Cemetery, London

Son of Arthur & Mary Smith of Ganderton Row, Pershore

Evesham Journal 29th July 1916 recounts that Percy Smith had been a member of the Pershore Hockey Club

Evesham Journal 14th November 1914 - PERSHORE POSTMAN'S EXPERIENCES

Private Percy Smith of Pershore now lies wounded in the West Field Military Hospital at Aberdeen, Scotland from which place he has written to his parents telling them of the trying experiences through which he has passed. Private Percy Smith was but nineteen years of age when he joined the Grenadier Guards some sixteen months ago. He was a postman at Pershore and was also groundsman for the town Hockey Club. He writes "I have had a most trying time since I left England, the worst being after we landed at a place called Zeebruges in Belgium but I must not grumble for many of my pals will never write or see old England again. Out of my lot of 200 which went out, only 65 returned uninjured. I've got a bullet wound in the top of the head. It is very painful at times and gives me terrible headaches. At time the room where I am lying seems fairly dancing but thank God I am getting much better. I really thought my time had come. I waited three hours for death, for as I lay there the devils kept shelling us but at last somebody dragged me into a ditch and later on, by all accounts, they fetched me on a stretcher and took me into a barn where I lay expecting every minute to see the place blown away by shelling. The firing got too hot and the wounded had to be again removed.  They took me away in a cart and all the way we were constantly being shelled. I really cannot account for being here for six of my pals have gone. Old Bill Kings seems to have been lucky. He and I were together all the time until I got bowled over. I tell you Mother, I could almost write a book on the close shaves I have had from death, but I don't feel up to writing; I go so giddy at times. Many say it isn't war - it's murder with the guns used nowadays. It's nothing to see a house blown clean away. The scenes are indescribable; beautiful houses and whole towns and villages on fire. I've seen some of our chaps cry at things done by the Uhlans and it makes me feel glad that I have been able to pull a few of them over. I suppose I shall be at it again in a short time. I think my rheumatics have quite gone, or I should bound to have felt them lately for we had to lie three nights and two days in the open trenches drenched to the skin and the cold was terrible.  To warm us up we used to walk twenty miles a day. I've heard of folks walking in their sleep but fancy a battalion asleep. I'm sure I must have done and scores of fellows have said the same. When ten minutes rest was called it took more than ten minutes to wake us up.  I must close for I am feeling quite dazed but I must tell you the folks at this hospital are grand and generous. A lot of visitors come and bring us things, cigarettes especially. 

Private Harry STANTON

Service No 241798

Age: 20

Worcestershire Regiment 1/8th Battalion

Killed in action at Flanders, France on 24th April 1917

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme

Son of Richard & Katherine Stanton of Newlands, Pershore

Evesham Journal 16 June 1917 - ``PERSHORE MAN MISSING.

Mrs. Coombs, of the Newlands, Pershore, has received information that her brother, Pte. H. Stanton, of the Worcesters, is missing. Before joining the army twelve months ago, Pte. Stanton was in the employ of Mr. J. Smith, builder, Pershore. His brother-in-law, Pte. T. Robbins is at present in Netley Hospital, after serving at the Dardanelles and Mesopotamia.'' 

Evesham Journal 9 February 1918 - ``MISSING, NOW REPORTED KILLED. 

Mrs. J. Robbins, of the Newlands, Pershore, has now received information that her brother, Pte. Harry Stanton, who was reported missing on April 24 1917, was killed on or about that date. Before joining the Army, Pte. Stanton worked for Mr. J. Smith, builder, Pershore, and was very much liked by all who knew him. The late Pte. Stanton has a brother and two brothers-in-law serving. We shall give a photo of Pte. Stanton next week.

With acknowledgements and grateful thanks to Newsquest Evesham Journal 

Charles Stewart STEVENSON                       Not on Pershore Roll of Honour

Service No: 7807

Age 31

Killed in action 31st October 1914

Buried in Ration Farm Military Cemetery, La Chapelle-D'Armentieres, France, Grave VII. A. 20. 

Appears on: Wick St Mary's Church with the information: Sgt Pershore C of E School now in Pershore Working Men's Club

Son of Mr & Mrs T H Stevenson of Wick Post Office, Nr Pershore.

Evesham Journal – 5th December 1914 DEATH OF SERGEANT CHARLES STEVENSON

Sergeant Charles Stevenson, fourth son of Mr & Mrs T H Stevenson of Wick Post Office, near Pershore was recently killed in action. The sad intelligence was tersely transmitted to the parents from the War Office accompanied by Lord Kitchener’s black edged letter expressing the sympathy of the King and Queen. The place where he met his death was not stated.

Sergeant Stevenson, who was in the 2nd Essex Regiment, 12th Infantry 5th Division commonly known as “Pompadours” had come unscathed through several of the hottest engagements of this great war. His last letter to his Mother, received not so many days before the news came of his death, said “We are billeted in a small village after the worst day we had since we came out. Luckily, very luckily, I have again escaped being hit. Nearly all my platoon got killed or wounded in the last fight. I only have 16 men left out of 45. My officer got killed. The Germans tried to break through but we stopped ‘em.” The tone of the whole letter was in contrast to previous ones in which he wrote light-heartedly and jokingly. This was written just following a fierce struggle to which he alluded and it was evident he was depressed by the loss of so many of his comrades.

From the second despatch of General Sir John French it is clear that the regiment in which Charlie Stevenson was sergeant was engaged in that memorable fight at the wood of Compaigne in the retreat from Mons where the famous Prussian Guards, the pride of the German Army, were shattered and decimated in their vain attempts to overpower the “thin red line” of the British Infantry.

Sergeant Stevenson is the second representative of the little village of Wick who has died while fighting for his country. The first, as need hardly be recalled, for his death occasioned such sadness as will take a long lapse of time to modify, was Lieutenant Aubrey Hudson who fell in one of the very first skirmishes of the war on French territory. Sergeant Stevenson, who was just 31 years of age, had served nine years as a soldier in this same regiment, the 22nd Essex. He was a fine type of soldier; he looked it, he loved the life, was thoroughly suited to it and was destined, we believe, to make a success of it. He was widely known and popular in the neighbourhood of his home. In his youth, he was apprenticed for five years in the ironmongery business of the late Mr C H Field of Pershore. He went from Pershore to Ingatestone in Essex to an ironmongery firm there and it was while her that he enlisted.

Much sympathy is felt for the parents in the loss they are now feeling most acutely. Three other sons of Mr & Mrs Stevenson are serving their country – Glennis Stevenson, who at the outbreak of war left a good position at Rempston Hall near Loughborough and is already a Lance-Corporal in the Sherwood Foresters; Thomas Stevenson who is a Petty Officer on board his Majesty’s ship Argonaut (he has been 12 years in the Navy) and James Stevenson in Canada who immediately allied himself to the Canadian Volunteer forces. Another son, George who served in the Berkshire Yeomanry through the Boer war and has four clasps, is only deterred from joining the Army by Doctor’s orders. The Father, Mr T H Stevenson of Wick had a most adventurous life abroad. He is an ex-Sergeant of the Artillery, has been a transport officer in the Malay States in the Chinese Revenue Service and served for many years under the Indian Government as a qualified sanitary inspector, also holding the responsible post of Superintendency of Conservancy. He was a transport officer in the Malay States during the Pabrang Rebellion. He and Mrs Stevenson lived for some time in China.

Private Charles Percival SURMAN

Service No 5806

Age: 42

Gloucestershire Regiment 1st Battalion

Killed in action at Flanders, France on 25th November 1916

Listed on Loos Memorial

Born at Fairview, Cheltenham in 1874.

Married in Pershore in 1908.

Husband of Annie Surman of Newlands, Pershore

Lance Corporal William Alfred TAYLOR

Service No 240805

Age: 25

Worcestershire Regiment 1/8th Battalion “B” Coy

Killed at Flanders, France on 9th October 1917 

Listed on Tyne Cot Memorial

Son of George & Annie Taylor of New Road, Pershore

Lance Corporal Ralph H TINSON

Service No 9751

Age: 29

Worcestershire Regiment

Killed at Flanders, France on 16th December 1917.

Buried at Ribecourt British Cemetery, Nord, France

Son of Mrs W Turvey of Broad Street, Pershore

Evesham Journal 2nd February 1918 - ``ANOTHER PERSHORE SOLDIER KILLED.

We regret to announce the death of another Pershore soldier in Corpl. R. Tinson, of the Worcesters, who was killed in action on the 16th of December 1917. He served with his regiment in India for seven years, and was on the Reserve two years.

When the present war broke out he was recalled to his regiment, but had to undergo an operation in Birmingham Hospital. He was in the battles of Loos, La Basee, Neuve Chapelle, Ypres, and on the Somme. Deceased was a brave and gallant soldier, liked by his officers and company, who will sadly miss him. Deep sympathy is felt for his mother, Mrs. W. Turvey, of Broad-street, Pershore''

Private John William TOWNEND

Service No 10363

Age: 30

South Staffordshire Regiment 7th Battalion

Killed in action on 9th August 1915 at Gallipoli

Commemorated on the Hellas Memorial

Son of Henry & Elizabeth Townend of Pensham

Serjeant Charles Edmund TWIGG

Service No 19173

Age: 22

10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Died on 23rd July 1916 at Flanders, France.

Buried in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension,

France, Grave V. C. 26.

Went out September 14th 1914. 

Appears on:

Pershore Abbey

Worcester Post Office Wainwright Road

Son of Charles and Florence Twigg of Head Street, Pershore

Brother of Leonard

Evesham Journal 13th August 1916 – SERGT. CHARLES TWIGG OF PERSHORE IS KILLED

Mr C Twigg, Auctioneer, of the Pershore Central Market has received official notice that his eldest son, Sergt. Charles Twigg of the Worcesters was killed in action on Sunday 2rd July. Sergt. Twigg, who was but 22 years of age, had a host of friends in the Pershore district who sincerely mourn his loss.

Sergt. Twigg had been a long time in hospital having been wounded and gassed in a previous engagement. He had been in some very fine engagements since the July offensive started. On 3rd July he sent his Father a letter saying that Will Shepherd had been wounded and that Walter Aldington was now the only chap he knew in his company. Sergt. Twigg joined up in September 1914. Previous to that he was employed at Pershore Post Office. He was a tall, nice looking lad and looked every inch a soldier. He and his Brother Leonard, who is also in the army, were two of the best footballers in the district and played for the Pershore Rovers, of which club Charles was one time Captain.”

With acknowledgements and grateful thanks to Newsquest Evesham Journal

Gunner Leonard TWIGG

Service No 81517

Age: 21

Royal Garrison Artillery 70th Siege Bty.

Killed in action at Flanders France on 25th April 1918

Buried at Kelin-Vierstraat British Cemetery, Kemmel Heuvelland,

West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Third son of Charles & Florence Twigg of Head St, Pershore

Evesham Journal, 11 May 1918:-- PERSHORE SOLDIER'S DEATH. There is a deep feeling of regert throughout Pershore at the death of Gunner Leonard Twigg, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, the second of the two handsome lads of Mr. Chas. Twigg of Head-street, who has fallen in the war. The eldest son, Charles, of the Worcesters, died from wounds received in action two years ago. From the letters received by Mr. Twigg, from the Major of the battery, Lieut. J.E. Stone, Battery Sergt.-Major R.L. Stone, and numerous comrades of the rank and file, it appears that Leonard was regarded as a very smart soldier, life popular with all, in death mourned by all. He was a signaller, and was out with other telephonists, including Lieut. Stone, on a reconnoitring expedition, when he was struck in the left side by a shell splinter and died instantaneously. Before joining up two years ago deceased worked at Pershore Post Office. Like his late brother Charles, deceased was a good sportsman, and was an idol in local football circles. It is a most painful bereavement for the father and sisters (the mother died two years ago) and great sympathy is felt for them

With acknowledgements and grateful thanks to Newsquest Evesham Journal