GTAR Projects: War memorial research

I spent part of Summer 2014 tracing details of some of the forces personnel named on war memorials in Bracebridge, Bracebridge Heath, and Lincoln St Andrew's parish, Lincoln UK. Various people have studied the memorials in the past, and the information compiled gives some background as to the casualty, their military record and their family. In preparation for 2014 commemorations of WWI, Lincs County Council has had a project coordinating volunteers researching memorials across the county, and producing a comprehensive database of the named individuals.
 
Bracebridge Heath war memorial (G. Tann)

In a separate exercise, Ward Councillors in part of Lincoln wished to find details for names which remained obscure, partly with the aim of informing local school children about where the army, navy and airforce casualties had lived in their locality. I agreed to help track down information for as many as possible of about 40 names which seemed to have eluded researchers.
 
This type of research is becoming ever-easier as the various genealogical, historic newspapers and military-related websites upload more and more information - I had access to the 1911 England Census online, which was not available when another researcher was working in 2006.
 
Using my experience of finding relevant needles of information from within the international online haystack, I started by discovering that some of the names had already been successfully researched but the results had not been fully integrated. Other names (mostly soldiers from both World Wars) could be linked by amalgamating records posted by the War Graves Commission with genealogical resources. This left a smaller group of much more difficult individuals where detective work demonstrated that either the memorial name differed from other accessible records for that individual, or that the local connection was indirect and had not been identified before.
 
I'm still trying to solve 6 names - some I think I have explained but the facts to demonstrate that I've linked the correct people remain absent. I still hope to resolve these.
 
 This work has been fascinating and I would be delighted to consider commissions to research names from elsewhere. Please email Geoff.tann@gmail.com with your enquiry.


 
Mem Mem name/initial & suggested correction Mem surname & suggested correction War Service No. Date of death Military sources Other sources & comments 1881 1891 1901 1911 Already Noted
B H Alcock Bracebridge ROH
St A Harry / Harry Bailey Bailey / Westoby I 10488 09/08/1915 DIGW: Harry Bailey Westoby, born Sheffield, enlisted Lincoln. L Cpl Lincs Regt 6th Batt. KIA Balkans; Helles memorial Gallipoli, panel 44-46. Burial place unknown.   WWI Medal Rolls Cards: Henry B. Westoby (Henry) Lincs Regt 10488. L Cpl; Private. 15 star medal in Balkans; later Victory and British medals. Presumed dead 18/7/1915.  BMD: Harry Bailey Westoby, birth registered Lincoln 1886.  Harry, born c. 1887 Lincoln, resident 7 Thesiger Street, Lincoln. Stepson of Herbert & Sarah Bailey (born Sheffield). Harry's surname is unclear but a step-daughter is recorded as a Westoby.  Harry Bailey, born c.1887, Lincs., resident 47 St Andrew's Street, Lincoln. Single, Locomotive fireman. Son of Herbert (engine driver) & Sarah.  St Andrew's memorial website, citing Lincoln Memory Book: Harry Bailey, 104 Ripon Street, 10483 [transcription error] 6th Battn Lincs Regt; KIA 9/8/1915. Enlisted 4/8/1914. L Cpl. 
B Sidney Brown I 21/07/1917 FAG & CWGC: Captain Sidney Frederick Brown, pilot, 21st Sqdn Royal Flying Corps. Son of Frederick & Florence, resident Sandfield House, Cross o' Cliff Hill. Buried XLV B 4 Tyne Cot cemetery, Zonnebeke, west Flanders. Memorial 11167042. Sidney Frederick Brown, born c. 1897, Bracebridge. Resident Cross o' Cliff Hill, Canwick. Single. Son of Frederick (director of companies) & Florence.  Christ's Hospital School website. 
B F J J  Champion II 138801 27/11/1944 CWGC Photo Project: Frederick John Joseph Champion. Flt Lt (W.Op/Air Gnr) 161 Sqdn RAF (source Tim Struyf). Awarded DFM. Son of Charles Frederick & Edith; husband of Freda Champion, resident Bracebridge Heath. Grave in Brussels Town cemetery, Evere Vlaans-Brabant.  Marriages: Married Freda Webber 1942, Lincoln.    Numerous website mentions of service achievements with photos and more details. 
Bracebridge Heath William  Cowley I G/66522 27/10/1918 DIGW: William Henry Cowley, born Gainsborough, resident Lincoln. Enlisted Lincoln, L Cpl London Regt 10th Batt G/66522; 14th TR Batt 6/13722.  Died of wounds. Greenfield-Musgrave family tree: William Henry Cowley, born Sept 1897 Gainsborough, died 27/10/1918. 1901 census - resident Nocton. G/66522  L Corp 10th Batt Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt) died of wounds. Buried Vi  D Terlnethun British cemetery, Wimile, Pas de Calais. Son of Harry Walter and Harriet, resident 7 Old Boultham. Notes that listed in CWGC as Cowly. 
B James Alfred Fisher I 8231 22/11/1915 DIGW: Alfred Fisher, enlisted Lincoln, Private Lincs Regt 1st Batt. Died of wounds F/F.  Forces War Records: Alfred Fisher, born Bracebridge, resident Bracebridge. Private 8231.  No certain link; could possibly be CWGC George Alfred Fisher 2782 resident Lincoln, died 13/10/1915.  James Alfred Fisher, born c.1890 Grantham, resident 31 Ellison Street Bracebridge. Single, general labourer. Son of William (boiler worker) & Alice. 
St A P / F Ford I 33412 / 165845 24/06/1918 No certain link.  Lincoln ROH & St Andrews memorial website record a Frank James Ford, born Lincoln c. 1898, son of James & Louisa, resident at 42 St Andrew's Street. Corporal 33412 11th Batt Lancs Fusiliers, formerly 165845 Royal Field Artillery. Buried Poznan Old Garrison cemetery, Poland. Plot I Row B, Gr4. 
B C W Fowler Bracebridge ROH
B Sidney / Arthur Sidney Head I 3292 13/10/1915 DIGW: Arthur Sidney Head, KIA F/F. Enlisted Luton, L Cpl Lincs Regt 4th Batt. FAG: grave at Dept de Pas de Calais.  Brother of Walter Head Sidney Head, born Bracebridge, resident Manse Cottage.  Arthur Sidney Head, born c 1886. Resident The Manse Cott, Bracebridge. Single, painter.  B Roll
B Walter / Walter Joseph Head I 268178 20/09/1917 DIGW: Walter Joseph Head, born Bracebridge, KIA F/F. Enlisted Wallasey, Cheshire Private Cheshire Regt 1st 6th Batt. BMD: Walter Joseph Head registered birth Lincoln, late 1878.  Resident Brickyard Cotts, Bracebridge. Son of Joseph (domestic gardener) & Caroline. Brother of Arthur Sidney Head.  Walter Joseph Head, (jobbing domestic gardener) resident 37 Grange Ave, Liscard, Cheshire. Married to May Adelaide; 3 sons. 
B Percy / T.P.P. Herring [not Herrick as Bracebridge ROH] I 130828 23/12/1918 CWGC: TPP Herring, 23, born c.1895. Cemetery: Alexandria (Hadra) war memorial cemetery, Egypt.   Forces War Records: As CWGC. Adds Private, Machine Gun Corps. Records parents as W & E Herring, Worsley House, Bracebridge.  Thomas P. P. Herring Percy Herring, born c. 1896. Single. Son of William (florist & market gardener) & Emma. Resident at Fernleigh Villa, High Street, Bracebridge.  Bracebridge database.
B Nelson  / Charles Henry Nelson Hilton I 372704 16/06/1917 DIGW: Charles Henry Nelson Hilton, born Sheffield, resident Lincoln, KIA F/F. Enlisted Lincoln, rifleman, London Regt 8th (City of London) Batt (PO Rifles).  CWGC: Arras memorial, Fauborg-D'Amiens cemetery, Arras. FAG Buried Dept du Pas de Calais Nord.  Nelson Hilton born 1890, Sheffield. Resident 13 Victoria Street, Eastbourne Terr, Bracebridge. Single. Correspondence clerk at National Telephone Service. Son of John Hilton (fishmonger) & Elizabeth. B Roll
B William  Johnson I 19102 23/05/1917 CWGC: William Harrison Johnson, 38, born c.1879. Duisans British cemetery, Etrun. Father: Thomas, mother Margaret. DIGW: William Harrison Johnson, Private. Enlisted Coventry. Lincs Regt 7th Batt. Died of wounds France/Flanders. Born Lincoln, resident Washingborough.  FAG: Grave Dept du Pasde Cal Lincs Chron 9/6/1917: reported notification to Mrs M Johnson 10 Russell Street, Bracebridge of death at 41st Casualty Clearing Station of Private William H Johnson Lincs Regt on 23/5/[1917] from shrapnel wounds. Mother had previously received hospital letter from son and from chaplain.  Enlisted 10/1915. Employed in Coventry but had previously worked for Ruston Proctor & Co Lincoln. Had been wounded and treated for knee injury at Winereux& Boulogne.  Notts Evening Post 18/6/1917 listed WH Johnson 19102 died of wounds.  William Harrison Johnson, 3 Sheppons Bridge, Little Bargate, Lincoln. Son of Margaret Johnson, laundress. 
B F Patrick I 12844 26/12/1917 DIGW: Frederick Patrick, born Bracebridge, resident Market Harborough, Leics. Enlisted North Carlton, Notts., Private Lincs Regt 7th Batt. KIA F/F .  FAG: Grave - Dept du Pas de Calais.  CWGC: Arras memorial.  Fredrick [sic] Patrick 16, born c. 1895 Bracebridge Heath, resident Rumbles Cott., Bracebridge Heath. Single. General labourer - iron. Son of John (widower, retired joiner).  
Lincoln Central Stn Percy William  Sanders I 266970; 23419; 248054; WR/266970 16/05/1920 Lincoln RoH cites Lincoln Book of Memory. Percy W Sanders, born c.1889 Osmaston, Derby, son of Joseph (brass finisher) & Ann.  Percy William Sanders, lodger at 28 Gaunt Street, Lincoln. Single. Goods porter on railway.  Linc Roll
B C Simmonds I 48283, formerly TR/5/110487 22/08/1918 http://www.ww1-yorkshires.org.uk/html-files/bracebridge-heath.htm: Charles Alfred Simmonds 48282  5th Batt Yorkshire Regt (Yorks Hussars/ Alexandra Princess of Wales' Own), formerly TR/5/110487 87th TR Batt. Born Chigwell, enlisted Lincoln, resident Bracebridge Heath, buried Glageon Communal cemetery extn.  Charles Simmonds, 1yr old grandson of Frances Simmonds (charwoman) resident at Drury Street, Metheringham. Born Chigwell, Essex.  Charles Simmonds, 11yr old son of Alfred & Florence, resident Blankney Barff, Lincs. 
B Edward Smith I 33671 30/05/1917 CWGC: Edward Smith, Gunner Royal Field Artillery, A Bty, 52nd Bgde. Grave 111 B 196 Bailleul communal cemetery extn Nord. Son of Mary and late Noah Smith, 20 Boundary Street, Bracebridge.   Edward Chapman Smith, 6. Resident St Botolph's, Boultham, Lincoln. Son of Noah Smith (foundryman) and Mary Smith. Edward Smith. Son of Mary Smith (widow) laundress. Resident 20 Boundary Street, Bracebridge. Laundry errand boy Edward Smith born c. 1886, Lincoln. Resident Bracebridge; servant to John Panton; attendant in asylum. Single.
B John Walmsley  / Waumsley I LAO Misc Dep 126: 1955 letter to correct spelling to Waumsley.  B Roll
B Arthur Welberry I 23858 01/07/1916 DIGW: born Middlesbrough, enlisted Wath on Dearne. Corpl York & Lancaster Regt 8th Service Batt. KIA F/F.  FAG: Grave Corpl A Welbery, Dept de la Somme Picardie. Arthur Welberry, born c. 1899, Middlesbrough. Visitor at 187 High Street, Bracebridge (William Turtle, housekeeper Emma Welberry). 
St A C. / Cecil Worman / Borman I 202085 31/07/2017 DIGW: Cecil Borman, born Bracebridge,enlisted Lincoln. Private, Lincs Regt 8th Batt, died F/F . Cecil Borman 3, resident 5 Manby Street, Bracebridge. Son of Frederick John and Mary Ann. Brother of Herbert John William. St Andrew's website suggests Cyril Borman, 120 Ripon Street, citing Lincoln Memory Book. 
B P Barnsdale II 4807430 12/03/1944 Army ROH: Charles Barnsdale (initials C.P.), born & resident Lincoln.  Lance Cpl Infantry, W Yorks Regt (Prince of Wales' Own). Burma.  FAG: Rangoon, Yangon, Burma. Private Charles Percy Barnsdale, died 12/3/1944.  BMD: Birth registered early 1913.
B H G  Barnwell II 265949 06/06/1943 CWGC: Herbert Grahame Barnwell. 2nd Lt Royal Electical & Mech Engs 33 Tank Brigade Workshops. Bracebridge All Saints churchyard. Son of Stephen Donald & Alice Margaret; husband of Marjorie Barnwell, resident Bracebridge Heath.  Passenger Lists: born 1913. Aged 7 departed Bahia Blanca, Argentina for London on Huronian, passenger no. 137450. Returned to Argentina 15/9/1920 from Liverpool. 
Bracebridge Heath R A Bean II 1015591 31/12/1945 CWGC: Ronald Arthur Bean, Cpl RAF Volunteer Reserve. Cemetery: Kiel war cemetery 6 B 16. Son of Hastewell Foster  & Laura, husband of Margaret Kathleen Bean, Chaldon, Surrey.  Flight Magazine: 29/8/1946, p231 listed as Cpl R.A. Bean A/C1 RAF, Died on Active Service Marriages: Ronald A Bean, spouse Fletcher, registered early 1943, Surrey.  Hastewell Bean (father) resident 73 Maple Street Bracebridge, blacksmith's apprentice.
Bracebridge Heath W Cottingham II P/J 108473 25/11/1941 CWGC: Wilfred Cottingham, born c. 1900, son of George & Easter [Esther] Ann. Buried at Naval Memorial Cemetery, Portsmouth Part III.  FAG: Able Seaman.  Wilfred Cottingham (6 months) son of George (gas stoker) and Esther A. Born Bracebridge, resident 24 Francis Street. 7 siblings in 1911. 
K T Daley II 4866452 24/04/1943 CWGC Photo Project: Thomas Kenneth Daley, son of Wilfred Powell and Bessie (resident Bracebridge Heath). Private 6th Batt York & Lancaster Regt. Cemetery: Medjez-El-Bab war cemetery, Tunisia. Wilfred Daley (father) resident at 80 St Andrew's Street, Lincoln. 
Bracebridge Heath E [not H as on database] Horton II 14409718 22/01/1945 Army ROH: Edward L Horton, Gunner, Royal Artillery. Born Lincoln, resident Lincoln.  BMD: Edward L Horton, birth registered mid 1924. Mother's surname Crane. Marriages: Andrew Leslie Horton (father) born 1898 married Constance H Crane late 1920, Lincoln.  
B George Robinson II C/JX 224533 12/03/1943 CWGC: Son of Mr & Mrs G.H. Robinson of Lincoln. Served on Lighning. Cemetery: Naval memorials in UK - Chatham Vi 69, 3.  Lincoln Book of Memory: Able Seaman, Royal Navy. LAO Misc Dep 126: George Robinson, resident 14 Boundary Street, Bracebridge. Navy gunner.   Enlisted 14/10/1940. Mother Mrs F. Robinson.    1957 Kelly's Directory: George Henry Robinson (?father) 14 Boundary Street. 
B R A  / Desmond Swain II 7691395 12/06/1943 CWGC: Desmond Swain, son of George & Gladys Jane (resident Bracebridge Heath) and husband of Edna Louise.  L Cpl Corps of Military Police, 78th Divisional Provost Coy. Buried at grave IV C 18 Bone war cemetery, Annaba, Algeria.   http://www.corpsofmilitarypolice.org/soldier/4477/ : D. Swain, L Cpl born & resided Lincs. Killed in accident Guelma Coy in Assembly area; Unit War Diary WO 170/176.  No identified record of Spr rank. Great Gonerby war memorial: Desmond Swain. 
B F /W.F. Wright II C/LX 21627 06/12/1944 Forces War Records: William F. Wright, son of John Thomas & Charlotte, husband of Jenny Wright (resident Menai Bridge, Anglesey). Petty Officer Steward.  Lincoln Memory Book: William Frederick Wright, Petty Officer, Royal Navy, died Dec. 1944.   LAO Misc Dep 126: William Frederick Wright, resident 13 Boundary Street, Royal Navy Petty Officer, died Dec. 1944, aged 28. Information provided by Mrs E. Wright.   1957 Kelly's Directory: John Thomas Wright (father) resident at 13 Boundary Street. 
B Thomas Bowman I
B Jack Foster I
B Harry  Johnson I
Bracebridge Heath J Norton I Bracebridge ROH
Bracebridge Heath C H  /G H  Peacock I
B William Steadman I
St A T H  / George Henry / or perhaps Herbert Ward I 13/10/1915 CWGC: George Henry Ward, son of Mrs Lucy Ward, 25 Webb Street, Lincoln. Aged 20 at death. Lincs Regt, 1st/4th Batt. Loos memorial, panel 31-34.  The Lincoln RoH website lists several Wards, the two with an H initial being either Bertie Thomas Ward, 31777 [33 Gaunt Street], or George Henry Ward, 3421 [25 Webb Street], both Private, Lincs Regt. Neither is named as such on the St Andrew's memorial. The Memory Book states that * enlisted Sept 1914, and was Private Lincs Regt 2nd/4th Batt., died 13/10/15, aged 21. Derby Daily Tel 15/9/1917 records 19040 T.H. Ward Lincs Regt died of wounds, but gives a Derby residence.  Entry for 25 Webb Street, Lincoln has been badly transcribed on Ancestry.com. The occupants should read surname Ward (not Mard), head William Ward, coal porter. Wife Lucy. Various children including Herbert (17) and Henry (16), both iron foundry workers, both born at Boultham.