Honouring our fallen at war memorial
N ext month the nation pays tribute to the fallen who gave their lives in the two world wars and other conflicts.
This year is especially poignant as it marks the centenary of the end of the First World War. A range of events have been organised locally to mark the Armistice commemoration.
The Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre has gathered information on the 841 people listed on the Oliver’s Mount war memorial for its current exhibition to mark the centenary.
Mark Vesey, of the centre, said: “We have digitised details such as their name, age, date killed and home address. This information can be sorted to show the youngest and oldest ones killed along with street address groupings etc. Reading through the 841 names and their details reminds us of the shocking toll that Scarborough families paid in World War One.”
The youngest person commemorated on the memorial – excluding those killed in the 1914 Bombardment – is that of Walter Morley, aged 15, a deckhand on the steam trawler Strathord which hit a German mine in February 1920.
The Strathord was one of three Scarborough trawlers sunk by mines, left from the war, in that year. Walter, the nephew of skipper Samuel Normandale, went on board at the last minute as a replacement.
The war memorial lists three 16-year-olds and six 17-year-olds who perished in the war.
Mark said: “Our thanks go to the Friends of Dean Road & Manor Road Cemetery for much of the information and photographs. More information can be seen on their website.”
The following are just a few of the heritage centre’s case studies of people listed on the war memorial; they are chosen at random. BARKER, Thomas Christopher Born: 1879. Died: 4/8/1917 Regiment: 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment Rank: Private ThomaswasborninWhitby,sonofChristopherandMariaDixonBarkerwholater moved to 129 North Marine Road, Scarborough. Thomas was employed as an architect and surveyor, while his father, mother and two sisters all helped in the family business running a lodging house. Thomas was the Conservative Councillor for the North Ward of Scarborough, having been elected in 1912, and his Commonwealth War Grave bears the legend “Scarborough Councillor”.
He joined the Yorkshire Regiment in March 1915 and went to France in July 1916. He was wounded in September but not being of robust physique felt the rigours of active service badly, and had two periods of sick leave. Councillor Barker died on 4th August 1917 aged 38 and the newspaper report of his death states that he was accidentally killed. At the time of his death the battalion were in the line between Gavrelle and the chemical works at Roeux close to Greenland Hill. BIRDSALL, Geoffrey Born: 1899. Died: 17th June 1918 age 19 Place of death: France Regiment: 28th Batallion London Regiment (Artists Rifles)
Rank: Private
Medals: Victory Medal and British Medal Son of Edgar James & Lilly Birdsall nee Clarkson they lived at 54 West Street. Edgar had a long association with the South Cliff Congregational Church in Ramshill Road. Edgar was a well-known solicitor in Scarborough, practising at Bank Chambers, 2 Huntriss Row. Lilly Birdsall became a Justice of the Peace. Geoffrey Birdsall was educated at Bootham School York from the age of 11 remaining there until 1917 when he enlisted at Scarborough into the Territorial Force 28th Battalion of the London Regiment (Artists Rifles). He enlisted to trainasanofficerbutwasattachedtothe 63rdRoyalNavalDivisionbeforehecould finish his training. Injured on the 16th of June 1918 in an enemy artillery bombardment he was evacuated to the 4th casualty clearing station located near to the Somme village of Pernois where he died on 17th June 1918. He was buried at Pernois British Cemetery Halloy-LesPernois Section 2 Row B Grave 10. BRADLEY, Alexander George Harold Born: 13/7/1894. Died: 18/5/1915 Place of death: Huddersfield Regiment: 5th Yorks (Territorials) Rank: Private
Private Bradley was the son of George and Selina Howe Bradley who at the time of his death were living at 5 Royal Avenue, Scarborough. He arrived in France on 18/4/15 and was wounded in the thigh by shrapnel. On 18/4/15 he died at Carisbrooke Nursing Home in Huddersfield. Private Bradley was wounded in the first battle fought by his battalion at Ypres. He was buried with full military honours with hundreds of people in attendance, his coffin draped with Union Flag drawn on a bier with an escort of bearers from the Battalion. Hussars from the Northern Cavalry Depot on Burniston Road fired a volley over his grave. Buglers played the Last Post. CALVERT, Francis Born: 1896. Died: 19.9.1917 Regiment: King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 2/4th Battalion (Territorial) Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Medals: Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919 – “Died of Wounds” Francis was born in Scarborough in 1896, living at 12 Norwood Street with grandparents Francis and Hannah. In 1911 his parents, Francis Brigham Calvert (Bank Cashier) and Mabel lived at 25 Nansen Street, Scarborough.His siblings, were Mary, Jessie & George. Francis initially enlisted in the Yorkshire Regiment but on gaining his commission was attached to the K.O.Y.L.I. His captain wrotetohisparents“Underthemosttrying circumstances he did his work in a quiet, cool manner, which made all his men like him. Early on the morning of the 19th, about 2am, he was on duty in the trench when a shell dropped on the parapet and a piece of shrapnel struck him on the head. He was sent down to the field hospital immediately, but never recovered consciousness. It is one consolation his end was absolutely painless”. He was 21 years old. HICK, Alexander Coverdale Born: 12/09/1893. Died: 23/04/1918 Regiment: Royal Navy
Rank: Leading seaman
Medals: Victory& British war medals Alex was born and registered in Scarborough in 1893. He was the first son of James Coverdale (a tailor ) and his wife Mary. The census of 1901 shows the family living in Barwick Street and Alex the eldest of three sons was 7 years old. He attended Gladstone Road School and is commemorated on the war memorial in the school. By the census of 1911 Alex was already in the navy and was counted by them. The form reads. “List of Officers and crew and Royal Marines on board at midnight of Sunday April 11th - A.C.Hick, Boy 2nd class Royal Navy. Age last birthday17.ThelocationwasgivenasTendring near Harwich. Alex’s naval record dated 22/09/1911 tells us he was 5ft 6 ins tall with a 34 inch chest. He had brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. His previous occupation was listed as a Florist and Seedsman. The ships he trained and served on included: Ganges II, Pembroke, Vanguard and Blenheim. His conduct throughout was described as being verygoodandhisabilityassatisfactory.A note lower down reads “Died of wounds sustained during operations on Belgium coast. He was on the Iphigenia, at the timeanex-minelayer,exoldsecondclass cruiser, which was sunk as a blockship at Zeebrugge on 23/04/1918. He died two days later of wounds received. HORSMAN, Samuel Beecher Born: 1888. Died: 7/8/1917 Regiment: King’s Royal Rifle Corps Rank: Sergeant
Samuel was the son of Enos and Sarah Horsman of The Garlands, Seamer Road, Scarborough. His father had been the manager of the Brick and Tile Company. Samuel was a keen sportsman and played as a forward for Scarborough Football Club, was a keen cricketer, and was a respected member of the teaching profession, being employed as an assistant master at the Falsgrave Council School.
He was described as a man of retiring disposition but a teacher of considerable promise.
He was commended by his officer for holding the line in the face of heavy attacks and was recommended for a commission. In the spring of 1917 he was sent home with “trench fever” and after returning took part in the Messiness victory. However, on 10/8/1917 the Scarborough Mercury reported that he hadbeenwoundedandwasdangerously ill. On the 17th the same newspaper reported that he had died on 7th August 1917 aged 30, having never regained consciousness. His brother Enos Horsman also served during the war and the two had met up at the Front. Enos had the dubious honour of having been reported killed only to have the officials “regret their error”. The Mercury hoped that he would live through the war and be able to read his own obituary notice. JAQUES, Henry Purcell Born: 1884. Died: 1/1/1915 Regiment: Royal Navy Ships HMS Formidable
Rank: Petty Officer First Class Henry was born in Scarborough, the son of a fish salesman, George. His mother was Mary. He joined the navy as a boy 2nd class on a wage of 6d per day and rose through the ranks to petty officer 1st class by 7/3/1911. In the 1911 census he was on board the ship “Newcastle” in Hong Kong. He was described as 5 4 tall, with brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. Henry joined the Formidable on 14/1/1914. The battleship was mined or torpedoed and sunk with the loss of around 150 lives. His body was never found. MARSAY, Joseph Harrison Born: 1885. Died: 26/7/17 Regiment: Yorkshire Regiment Rank: Private
Joseph was born in Scarborough, son of Matthew and Mary Jane. He attended Friarage Board School, leaving at the age of 13 and working as a labourer. He married Frances Ellen Ward. They lived at 8 Providence Place, Scarborough and had four sons. Frances died 31/1/1917 aged 30. Joseph was killed in action at Ypres. The Scarborough Mercury reported “Killed by a sniper”. News has been received that Private Joseph Marsay, Yorkshire Regiment, has been killed at the front. Aged 32, he was the son-inlaw of Mr John Ward, furniture remover, 22 St Thomas Street, with whom he had worked before the war and prior to joining the army. He lost his wife in January last, and there are four children. Two brothers of Private Marsay are serving, one in the Coldstream Guards and the other in the 4th Yorkshire Regiment. A letter conveying the news, from a comrade, says that Private Marsay was “one of our very best chums. He was killed yesterday (26th July) in action. He was killed when nearly back to our trenches, by a sniper. He did not suffer, for he died immediately” McBEAN, John Robert Born: 1888. Died: 14/10/1918 Place of death: France Regiment: 9th battalion Yorkshire Regiment
Rank: Lance Corporal
Born in Scarborough, the eldest son of Thomas Henry and Mary Elizabeth, of 41 Melrose Street. He married Wilhelmina Alice and fathered three children. The family lived at 38 St Mary’s Walk, Scarborough. He fought on the Somme and was a stretcher bearer during the Battle ofMessiness,wherehewasawardedthe Military Medal.
The Scarborough Mercury reported on 26/10/1917 “Scarborough footballer awarded the Military Medal – Carried wounded in under heavy shellfire – Private John Robert McBean, Yorkshire Regiment, 38 St Mary’s Walk, has been awarded the Military Medal. The official note regarding the incident for which the distinction was awarded is as follows – The stretcher bearer displayed exceptional bravery in attending to wounded and carrying them in under heavy shellfire, regardless of his personal safety – The date attached is October 18th but as a result of bravery in July Private McBean came under notice. He is well known in local football circles, having as-
sisted Wednesday and Saturday league clubs. He has been 13 months in France” On 10/10/1918 he was wounded by rifle fire and evacuated to a military hospital, where he died. His brother Harry was also killed in action and they are remembered on the same family headstone. MOORING, Lawrence Born: 1888. Died: 31/7/1917
Place of death: Belgium Regiment: Kings Liverpool Regiment Rank: Sergeant
Lawrence was born in Scarborough, son of William, a gardener in Dean Road and Manor Road Cemetery, and Hannah, of 39 Prospect Road. At the age of 14 Lawrence left Gladstone Road School to become an errand boy. He enlisted in the army in 1907 and served in India. In 1905 he took part in the East Africa campaign and after contracting dysentery he returned to Britain where he had a non combatant role. He returned to active service in 1917 when he was posted to Ypres. The Scarborough Mercury reported on 7/9/1917:- “After six weeks in France – Official notification has been received at Cemetery Cottage, Manor Road, that Sergeant L. Mooring, King’s Liverpool Regiment, was killed in action in France recently. Sergeant Mooring, who was in the regular army serving in India at the time of the outbreak of war, was afterwards sent to East Africa, where he served in the campaign. Returning to England, he was detailed for home service on account of his health, but by his own persistency he was accepted for service in France, where as stated he has given his life for his country. Deceased was the son of Mr. W. Mooring, who has been for over forty years engaged at the Scarborough Cemetery” REED, Edward Ruston Born: 14/05/1894. Died: 31/05/1916 Place of death: Killed in action against German fleet in the North Sea (Battle of Jutland)
Regiment: Royal Navy ship HMS Invincible
Rank: Able seaman
Medals: Victory and British war medal Edward was born in Scarborough on the 14/05/1894 the second son of William and Mary Jane Reed. He was baptised into the Anglican faith at St Mary’s Church on June the 13th 1894. The family lived at 44, Hoxton Road.
At the age of 18 he enlisted in Portsmouth. His papers tell us his previous occupation was as a “grocer’s messenger “. The date of his enlistment was the 14/05/1912 and he signed on for 12 years. We also know he was 18 years old, five foot six and a half inches tall (growing to five foot eight and a half ) his chest was 34 inches, his hair and eyes were dark his complexion ruddy and he had no wounds or scars. Among other ships he served on Ganges, Donegal, Jupiter and Invincible. He died on the 31/05/1916 and his papers state he was killed in action and was paid a war premium. Edward was serving on Invincible when it was sunk during the battle of Jutland. The ship blew up, the flames engulfing the entire vessel which sank rapidly giving little time for escape. Out of a crew of 1,031 only 6 survived. Edward is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, panel 13, also on Oliver’s Mount War Memorial and the family grave in Dean Road Cemetery ref EB 16 ROBINSON, Ernest David Born: 1897. Died: 8/4/1917
Place of death: Germany Regiment: 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment
Ernest was born in Scarborough, the eldest of two sons of William and Eliza of 2 Vine Street. He attended Friarage School. His father, a butcher, enlisted in the Army Service Corps and served as a butcher, surviving the war. Ernest was an apprentice Linotype worker at the Scarborough Evening News. He enlisted in Scarborough in 1916. His mother was first informed that he was wounded, then that he was killed, and then by the British Red Cross, that he had died in Germany. It is believed that he died of wounds whilst a prisoner of war. His grave inscription states: No loved one stood beside him to hear his last farewell. No words of comfort could he have from those who loved him well. Till we meet again. TAYLOR, Edith Elizabeth Born: 1869. Died: 6/6/1917 Regiment: Voluntary Aid Detachment Rank: VAD Nurse
Edith was born in Scarborough, daughter of the late Dr John W and Elizabeth H Taylor of 32 Prince of Wales Terrace. She was described as an enthusiastic VAD worker. She was taken ill on 31/5/1917 on the way to the military hospital for night duty, pleurisy set in and septic pneumonia and she died at 1.00 am on Tuesday 5th June 1917, aged 47.
She took a great interest in many local works and was for many years connected with the Sunday School teachers at St Martin’s. She was keenly interested in the Brabazan work at the workhouse and served on the Ladies Hospital Committee, but was most closely devoted to nursing duties at the military hospital. Her funeral service was held at St Martin’s with full military honours.