Hello. Welcome to the February edition, the first of the New Year. We have an article from Steve who has promised regular updates on the progress Nancy and he are making, and the interesting stories they uncover. We have news from Pam on research she is undertaking for Sedbergh School, which lead on to the South African War Graves Project. She also gives an update on Dunham Massey and WWI commemoration. We have an article from Keith on information he has unearthed about the background to an unusual inclusion of a female name on a local war memorial here in North Wales.
Trevor
The Programme for 2014, so far
1st February Martin Hornby The Victor comic and the Great War
5th March Peter Hart Bloody April (we think!)
10th May Tony Davies Tabley boys who never came back
7th June Bryn Hammond El Alamein – a First World War Battle?
5th July Liza Sentence The American First Nation in the Great War
2nd August TBC
6th September Nigel Crompton To be advised
Rememberance Day ceremony at a CWGC cemetery – but where is it? See the last page.
The Crutchley Brothers
Steve and Nancy Binks
On Saturday 11th January, Nancy and I undertook several cemetery visits as part of our “Some Kind Hand” pilgrimage. Our visits included De Cusine Ravine British Cemetery. Access is by means of a track about 300 metres from where I could safely park the car.
The cemetery derived its name from the French occupation of the valley by a field kitchen: Les Cuisine Ravine (but the cemetery is spelled “Cusine”). Burials commenced here in February 1916 by units of the 37th Division, followed by units of the 46th (North Midland) Division in August 1916. It was a front line burial ground that covered the Ransart sector, located several kilometres further east.
Although there is no cemetery register, I already knew that there was a pair of brothers buried in the cemetery: J. and W. Critchley of the 1/6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Information on the CWGC website and their headstones indicated that they died on the same day, 26th September 1916.
Research process
On our return and over the subsequent days I wrote up my cemetery notes, researched any soldiers’ graves that I had photographed and labelled them. My first priority was to give the brothers their full name (as opposed to an initial). A check on the CWGC database met with disappointment. Not only was there no Christian names, there was no next of kin information either!
Next stop was to check the details on SDITGW (Soldiers Who Died In The Great War). This confirmed their names as 1603 Private William Critchley and 1815 Private John Critchley. Both were born and enlisted in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. No further information was forthcoming.
Following my tried and trusted process, I next checked details against records held on “Ancestry.Com”, firstly checking the soldiers Medal Index Cards (MIC). This confirmed their names and they embarked to France (with the division) on the 4th March 1915. No service records could be found which is not unusual, but I could not find any census records either!
The Long Long Trail and the Great War Forum was my next stop. They have a list of brothers that died on the same day, most with additional information. I was surprised not to find John and William listed! I then decided to enter the brothers’ name in to the Forum search engine and see if anybody else had been looking for information. Sure enough there was a post from “Gikkalan”. Although it was from 2006 (and had had no replies), it challenged the name “Critchley” and suggested the true family name to be Crutchley. As a matter of course, I sent “Gikkalan” a personal message to see if they held any further information than that which was divulged on their post.
Before returning to Ancestry.Com with a new search name, I took another wild card chance and entered the brothers’ name in to Google. Bingo! “Crutchley, Uttoxeter Lost Generation” popped up. The website contains the information that “Gikkalan” had posted and much background information, courtesy letters and details published in the Uttoxeter Advertiser, of the period. These details are reproduced below. A further check on Ancestry did locate the brothers’ details – as Crutchley – on the 1911 census, but still no service records.
William Henry (born 1893) and John Clement (born 1896) were the eldest of four brothers of Clement and Frances Crutchley of 32 Smithfield Road, Uttoxeter. They also had four older sisters, three of whom were married.
At the time of the 1911 census, both William (aged 18) and John (aged 15) worked at the Leighton Ironworks as foundry labourers. They were painters. Both boys were well known local footballers. John was a member of the Uttoxeter Territorial Club.
Military Service
Their early service numbers and embarkation for France with the division on the 4th March 1915 indicates early recruitment in to the British Army. SDITGW states that both William and John enlisted at Uttoxeter, in to the 1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, a Territorial battalion of the North Midland Division. They were both members of B Company.
On the 13th October 1915, during the later stages of the battle of Loos, both brothers were wounded during the 46th (North Midland) Divisions attack to regain the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Part of a letter from Private Yates was published in the local newspaper:
“I am a native of the Potteries, and got mixed up with several lads from Uttoxeter who were wounded after the great charge they made. I noticed one or two footballers who used to play for the Territorials Football Club. I saw poor Stubbs, J. Ince, Dan Hayes, Clem and Jack Crutchley (brothers), W. Holmes, Sergt. Hodson, Sergt. Shirley, Sergt. Kelly, Bert Richardson (who got killed), and a referee I know well by sight, I think his name is Price. He had got his hand bandaged up, and was helping a wounded comrade, as cheerful as could be.
Sergeant Kenny and Sergeant Henshall also were wounded. There was a goalkeeper named Bloor (I think his father was a store-dealer). Poor old Uttoxeter lads they did the charge well, and paid the penalty. I have lost all my comrades from Goldenhill . . . I picked up the Uttoxeter Advertiser on the field of battle, and I thought you would like to know.”
Both brothers convalesced in “Blighty” before returning to their unit at the front.
In the summer of 1916, John wrote home saying that he and William had come through the Somme offensive – the diversionary attack at Gommecourt. The Uttoxeter Advertiser printed part of his letter:
“I suppose you have heard about Harry Hodgkinson and young Greatorex, of the Hockley, and poor old Ike Bloor being killed and missing! There is one or two more. I was very lucky. I got buried with a shell, and I thought my time had come until the fellows dug me out. A shell dropped the other side of the trench and it threw dirt all over me. I was altogether buried”.
William also wrote:
“We had to stop in a shell-hole till it was dark and we could get back to our trenches. We were right against their wire, but we didn’t know it. We were in the shell-hole for 15 hours before we could get back.”
In August 1916 after Gommecourt, the division moved a few miles north to a “quiet” sector south west of Arras, with the front line sector close to the village of Ransart. On the evening of the 26th September both John and William were involved in a night raid which cost them both their lives. William was shot through the heart and died instantaneously, John was shot in the stomach but died later at the dressing station.
Their parents were firstly informed of the death of their sons by Private Harrison who was on leave. Eventually letters arrived home from both the battalion’s commanding officer and chaplain:
“I am sorry to give you the bad news that both your sons, J. and W. Crutchley, were killed in a raid on the night of September 26. It will, I am afraid, be a sad blow to you. I was up in the trenches with them on the night they were killed and had a short service at which both your boys attended just before they went out. They died gallantly in doing particularly difficult and dangerous work, and you are to be congratulated on being the father of two such splendid men. One, J. Crutchley, was killed at once, out in No Man’s Land, being shot by a machine gun straight through the heart; the other, William, I helped to carry out of the trenches to the dressing-station. Poor lad, he was wounded in the stomach, and was in much pain, which he bore with heroic patience. He died after I left him.
I buried them side-by-side in one grave yesterday afternoon. The grave is in a pretty little cemetery just behind the line, and the graves are carefully looked after. Their comrades all attended the funeral, and on all sides you could hear and see the grief they felt at the loss of two fine men and good comrades.
It would be impertinence on my part to attempt to console you for such a loss. The knowledge that your two sons did a man’s work out here, and died a true man’s death, and that their spirits are with God, will be your chief comfort.
I pass their grave every day as I ride up to the trenches, and if you would like to send out some small token of remembrance to put on it I would gladly fix it there for you. I am applying to the Graves Registration Commission to send you a photograph of the grave as soon as possible. I wish there were more I could do.
Your son William called out for me while I was in the dressing-station, and I sat with him for some time and it seemed to comfort him. He and all his comrades were great friends of mine, and I feel that I have lost a good pal and am sorry. Please let me know if there is anything further I can do. God bless you.”
Chaplain G. A. Studdert Kennedy, 28th September, 1916 (a.k.a “Woodbine Willie”)
The commanding officer wrote, part of which was quoted in the local newspaper:
“They had lost their lives while engaged in one of those gallant enterprises which are continually happening on the British Front. Your two sons belonged to a chosen body of men composed of the best and bravest soldiers in the battalion to which it is considered an honour to belong….Please accept my most sincere sympathy for the loss of your two gallant sons, whose job it was to take risks above the ordinary, and who went to their death cheerfully and willingly. They were good soldiers”
Private A. Merrick also wrote a letter to express the sympathy of their comrades; again an extract of his letter was published in the Uttoxeter Advertiser:
“All the boys send their deepest sympathy and regret your loss, for Jack and Bill were well liked wherever they went, and I am sure they will not only be missed by you, but by all who know them”.
Their parents chose to mark the first and second anniversary of their sons’ deaths with memorial notices in the Uttoxeter Advertiser:
CRUTCHLEY. In Loving Memory of Private W.H. Crutchley, of the North Staffords who was killed in action on September 26, 1916, aged 22; and also his brother, Private J. C. Crutchley, who died of wounds on September 26, 1916, aged 20 (sons of Mr. And Mrs. F. Crutchley, 4, Chapel Gardens, Uttoxeter).
Sleep on dear sons and take your rest,
For God takes those He loves the best.
On earth there’s strife, in heaven there’s rest
Those miss them most who loved them best.
I mourn for you, dear sons,
No eyes can see me weep,
But many a silent tear I shed
While others are asleep
From their sorrowing Mother, Father, Brother and Sisters.
CRUTCHLEY. In Ever Loving Memory of Private W.H. Crutchley, also his brother, Private J. C. Crutchley, the beloved sons of Mr. And Mrs. Crutchley, 4, Chapel Gardens, Uttoxeter, who were killed in action on September 26, 1916.
Do not grieve, my dearest parents,
When your sons are no more:
God will bless you for your kindness
When we meet on Canaan’s shore.
Farewell mother, dearest mother,
We only go a while before;
Farewell father, sisters and brother
Till we meet to part no more.
Dry your eyes my weeping mother,
See the crowns your sons have won;
Try to say, amid your sorrow,
God knows best, Thy will be done.
Fondly remembered by Father, Mother, Sisters and Brother Frank.
The brothers, John and William are buried together in grave C6 & C7. There is no personal inscription on either of the graves.
Private John (“Clem” or “Jack”) Crutchley Private William (“Bill”) Crutchley
Their grave(s) at De Cusine Ravine
Gwersyllt War Memorial
Keith Walker
Whilst I was attending a meeting of Broughton District History Group, an interesting story emerged. One woman is named on a war memorial, and her name is Amy Curtis. The memorial is Gwersyllt War Memorial.
The Gwersyllt War Memorial was unveiled in 1923. It was designed by the sculptor Joseph Hermon Cawthra, 1886-1971. He was born in Baildon, Yorkshire.
Among the 85 names to the First World War soldiers, there is only one woman, Amy Curtis. This posed a number of questions. Who was Amy Curtis, in which unit did she serve, and why is her name on the memorial? The questions were posed to a number of people. Here are some of the answers.
Amy Curtis was born Amy Chamberlain in 1888 in Wolverhampton to Charles and Emily Chamberlain. She was the 4th of 8 children. The family moved to Railway House, Gwersyllt. Her father’s occupation was stated as “railway coal inspector”. In 1909, Amy married James Curtis in Manchester. They had one daughter Lilly Emily, in 1910. They lived at 17 Llandaff Street, Queen’s Park, Manchester. James’s occupation was a “gas boiler attendant”. Amy’s husband seems to have been in the army as a private in the Royal Irish Regiment, serial number 8616. He originated from Dublin.
In August 1914, he re-joined the Royal Field Artillery as Bombardier James Curtis serial number 37435. His brigade was posted to France, but his service records have not survived. However, but we do know he was awarded the 1914 Star, Victory Medal and the British War Medal. He died of his wounds on 13th December, 1917 and is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium. His grave reference V1 BB 5.
After the death of James Curtis, Amy is believed to have returned from Manchester to her family home at Gwersyllt. She then went to work as a V.A.D. (Voluntary Aid Detachment) at Wallasey.
Wallasey Town Hall Military Hospital was at that time part of the First Western General Hospital. The First Western General Hospital was made up of 15 buildings in and around Liverpool and each building was classed as a ward. When you see Wallasey Town Hall today, you can only start to grasp the scale of the medical operations during the First World War. Amy worked at Wallasey for 6 months when she was taken ill with pneumonia and sadly died on the 6th November 1918. She would have been 31 years old. She was buried at Gwersyllt Church yard, but as yet her grave has not been found.
The funeral on the 12th November 1918 was conducted by the Rev. Ed Hughes. It had a bearer party from Wrexham Barracks together with the Matron and a party of V.A.D.s from the First Western General Hospital.
Further research is ongoing to identify Amy’s grave, what happened to her child and her husband’s military actions. But, at least we now know who Amy Curtis was and why she is the only woman mentioned on the memorial.
References and acknowledgements
Broughton District History Group
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Joy Thomas, Wrexham Museum
Phil Coops, World War 1 researcher
Useful Websites
http://www.broughton-history.co.uk
Sedbergh School, and Dunham Massey
Pam Hall
Sedbergh School
I am assisting the archivist at Sedbergh School in finding the graves of their WW1 casualties and in trying to find one (who is not on the CWGC website). I came across the information in the next paragraph on the South Africa War Graves Project website. There is an ongoing project in “stages”.
The website gives the following information. “Stage Four is the continuation of seeking to gain “war grave” status for nearly 1500 men and women of both WW1 and WW2 that were “missed” off official rolls. We have had some success with this and nearly 50 men and women have achieved war grave status due to our research. The bulk of those missed are over 1000 South Africa native labourers who either died in the East African campaign or upon their return to South Africa, mostly of disease contracted on active service. These are labelled as being in an “unknown cemetery”. These casualties were not excluded due to racism, as they are identified in the official South African Roll of Honour. After WWI, when rolls were created for the then Imperial War Graves Commission they were missed because the Records Officer who was preparing the rolls of war dead died of Spanish influenza. He had submitted rolls for every unit, but almost 98% of South Africans (native and white) serving with the Military Labour Bureau were missed, as were a large number of men serving with the South African Mounted Rifles. There was at least one man missing in Belgium, and four in France.
Again, we assume that after his death nobody took on the job (that was almost finished) and the work was shelved, only to be found by one of our volunteer team during a visit to South African archives. We are completing his work nearly 95 years after he began it.”
Dunham Massey
The National Trust are commemorating the First World War by re-creating the Stamford Military Hospital that was situated at Dunham Massey, the National Trust property near Altrincham. Dunham Massey was transformed into an auxiliary hospital from 1917 to 1919, during which time 281 men passed through its doors, not one soldier dying there. The head nurse was Sister Catherine Bennett. The Countess of Stamford offered Dunham Massey to the Red Cross and helped to nurse the wounded, with her daughter Lady Jane. Sister Bennett kept a detailed log for Lord Stamford of all the soldiers passing through the hospital, their ailments, which included TB, and their treatment. Lady Jane, who was a teenager at the time, kept a personal scrapbook, which includes the names of the soldiers being treated. Lady Jane gave two interviews to the Trust in the 1980s about her WWI memories at Dunham Massey. This included her vivid memories, some 70 years after it had happened, of helping out at an operation to remove a bullet from a soldier’s brain.
There is also information on the National Trust website, some of which is laid out below:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey/history/
“In 1917 the saloon was turned into a ward with 25 beds for ill and injured ‘other ranks’ soldiers – the Stamford Military Hospital was for Tommies, not officers. In the saloon we’ll tell the story of some of the soldiers, their injuries and illnesses and how their conditions were treated almost 100 years ago.
The large space in the great hall became the soldiers’ recreation room, where they spent time out of bed, had their meals, played games and listened to music. Photographs also show the soldiers out of doors in the inner courtyard and garden, benefiting from the ‘fresh air cure’ whatever the temperature! You’ll find out about how the soldiers spent their time during convalescence, and perhaps enjoy a game of cards yourself.
The billiard room was the nurses’ station, and here you’ll find out about the group of women who cared for the soldiers. The social changes brought about by the First World War impacted on the Grey family of Dunham Massey – Lady Jane became a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse aged 17 and helped in the hospital. You’ll discover an aspect of her story at the bottom of the grand staircase, the area that was used as the operating theatre.
Family life went on at Dunham but would never be the same again. Head upstairs to find out about Lady Stamford’s role as the commandant of the hospital. A prolific letter writer, much of what we know of the hospital comes from her correspondence with her family, soldiers and soldiers’ families.”
Photograph at CWGC cemetery
The answer to the photograph on the first page is that these are a Romanian army honour guard and the cemetery is Bucharest CWGC cemetery. The casualties are almost all WWII with only one WWI wartime grave there – Indian Army Lance Naik Maniraj Gurung of 4th Gurkha Rifles (though he is actually believed to be buried in Bucharest German Protestant Cemetery but the grave has been lost). There are also seven post-11 November 1918 graves.
Endpiece
At Christmas, I received an email from an old friend in the United States, Dave. I must have said something about my interest in WWI as he told me that his great uncle had been killed in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Well, I offered to “find” his great uncle on the ABMC site, which I was able to do once I knew the surname. Sergeant Francis E Garland was regular army soldier from Illinois, was in the 11th Infantry Regiment, died on 12th September 1918 and is buried at St Mihiel ABMC cemetery, Thiaucourt.
Sergeant Garland would have had relations on the German side, as my friend Dave tells me that grandma came from Germany to the US in 1902 leaving behind half-brothers, some of whom are in the family photos as Oncle Frans and Oncle Fritz, or whatever, complete with pickelhaube. Dave said he wouldn’t put me to the test of finding the German relations as well!
Trevor Adams trevormcmadams@gmail.com