Faces identified in regimental photo discovered in junk shop
AFirst World War photo found in a junk shop may well include Harry Wells, a soldier who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Harry served with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment and died aged 27 at the Battle of Loos on September 25, 1915, having shown ‘the most conspicuous bravery’ and given a ‘magnificent display of courage and determination’.
Bev Pook, who came forward following our appeal for information, believes Harry can be seen in the front row of the photograph found by Anthony Ray in a junk shop in Rye.
Anthony said: “There’s something so sad about seeing the trappings of someone’s life cut adrift from their family. What I would love is to give it to someone who might recognise one of the faces.”
Bev’s great uncle, George W Short, served with Harry and also lost his life in the battle on September 25, 1915.
Bev said: “My great uncle, along with something like 30 others from Southwick, joined the Royal Sussex Regiment in the first week of September 1914.
“He landed in France on January 4, 1915. The 2nd Battalion were already in France and had suffered very heavy losses. The shortage of replacements meant my great uncle was sent over very early in his training.
“He joined the 2nd Battalion on January 13, 1915, and they immediately moved into the frontline near Cuinchy.
“Harry Wells, had served before with the Royal Sussex Regiment prior to World War One. He returned as a reservist at the outbreak and immediately crossed the Channel with the British Expeditionary Force.
“During the losses at Aubers Ridge, he was promoted to sergeant and my great uncle would have fought at his side. I have a letter from George which he wrote to his mum three days after Aubers Ridge on May 9, 1915.
“On September 25, 1915, George, along with the 2nd Battalion and Sgt Harry Wells, took part in the Battle of Loos. Both lost their lives on that day and this is where Harry won his VC.
“The assault was under very heavy machine gun fire and all the officers had either been killed or unable to continue. Harry rallied the battalion to advance three times and almost made the German wire, where he was killed.
“I like to think that George was with him on those rallying calls. George was killed and buried by a place called The Lone Tree. It was quite a well-known position on that battlefield, it was marked on all the maps at the time.”
Bev believes there are two people in the photo that bear resemblance to Harry Wells but after a close look, remains convinced he is the man sat cross-legged on the ground, second right in the front row.
Anthony sent a copy of fh the photograph to Sussex Newspapers in the hopes of tracing family members, so he could pass it on to someone connected with one of the people pictured. He believes it was taken in Aldershot, where the battalion was in training prior to going overseas.
Anthony said: “It is probably quite early in the war, judging by their caps. Also, it suggest 1914-15, as the officer’s ranks are on his sleeves, not his epaulettes.
“Th “They were a regular lb battalion li b based d at Woking and went to France in August 1914. Their forage caps, and the ‘old and bold’ age of many of them, also suggest they were the transport platoon, rather than a rifle platoon.”
Emma Matthews also came forward, following our article online.
She said: “My mum thinks, like myself, one of the gents in the back row may be my great grandad Jesse Cox. We are currently doing our family tree so this is greatly interesting.”