Killed in action
Captain Gerald Lewis was the great-great-uncle of Toby Farmiloe. He went to France as a 2nd Lieutenant in 11th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment on June 1. He served in the front line at Ypres until September and was then at Loos and Festubert, taking part in the Battle of Loos in September and October 1915. From May to June, he was pulled back for training ready for the Somme. He fought there from the first day and was killed in action six days later at Ovillers, aged 20. He is buried at Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery.
Private Percy Potter was the great uncle of Rosemary Southon. He was the ninth of 10 children, with four serving in the war. Two were killed. He enlisted under age in 1915 with the Royal West Kents, but on arrival in France in the spring of 1916 was transferred to 58th Machine Gun Company. He arrived at the Somme on June 30 and was killed in action at La Boisselle three days later. He had just turned 18. He is buried at Méaulte Military Cemetery.
Private Albert Potter, another of Rosemary Southon’s great-uncles and older brother to Percy above, enlisted in 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, on December 31, 1915 and arrived in France in mid-February. He fought at the Somme from July until September when he was killed in action at High Wood on September 9. He is buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery at Longueval.
Private William Mark Keates was the greatgrandfather of Lynne Couperthwaite. He enlisted in 22nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers on November 16, 1915. He served in the frontline in France variously near Festubert, Loos and Vimy Ridge. He arrived at the Somme on July 20 and was reported missing in action, presumed killed, on August 26. His name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Captain Douglas Bell, MC and Bar, was the great-uncle of Ian Waters. He enlisted on August 24, 1914 as a Trooper in 1st Imperial Light Horse in South Africa. He was demobilised from them on August 13, 1915, after the defeat of the pro-German Boers. In June 1916, he joined the Royal Flying Corps,the forerunner of the RAF, and was posted to France. He arrived at the Somme in March 1918. He was credited with 20 victories, but May 27, was himself shot down in Thiepval/Ovillers area and was reported missing presumed killed. He is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.