Heroes Every One

'''The Cradley War Memorial records the grim total of no less than one hundred and seventeen young men of Cradley who died in the First World War. Terry Evans has painstakingly researched the story of each and every man.'''

The men named on the Cradley War Memorial

who died in World War One

researched and written by Terry Evans

Glad to know the boys of Cradley have turned out very well

--- Private Jimmy Southall, 2nd Worcesters, from a letter

printed in the County Express October 2nd 1915.

'''The following one hundred and seventeen men gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country, families and friends, and should be remembered for more than just a name on a memorial. The following is a small attempt at just that. The brief biographies of the fallen are in alphabetical order.'''

Lawson Attwood

Private, 16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 34697

Killed instantly on November 11th 1917, when a shell burst in the trench where he was. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial at Zonnebecke, Belgium, on Panel 23 to 28 and 163A.

George Bagley

Private, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 24003

He was one of six men from Cradley to be killed in action on April 23rd 1917 around Arras at the Second Battle of the Scarpe. He is commemorated on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial at Pas de Calais, France, having no known grave.

Albert Henry Barnsley

Corporal, 4th Cavalry Division Signal Squadron, Royal Engineers

Regimental Number : 69032

Buried in Plot II. Row D Grave 8 of the Etretat Churchyard Extension, Seine-Maritime, France after dying on May 12th 1918 from meningitis which supervened after an accident in which he had suffered a fractured skull.

Walter James Belcher

Private, 2nd/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 201965

Killed in action on August 29th 1917, aged 23 years, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, on Panels 75 to 77. He had just survived a gruelling stint in the trenches when, a shell hit the shelter he was in, and he was killed instantaneously.

Arthur Billingham

Private, 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment

Regimental Number : 203215 (formerly with the South Staffordshire Regiment)

Killed by a sniper during the Battle of Amiens on August 8th 1918, he is buried in Mont-Bernanchon British Cemetery at Gonneham, Pas de Calais, France. He had been in the Army since he was 16 years old and was aged 20 years at the time of his death.

Arthur Billingham

Electrical Artificer 4th Class, Royal Navy

Number M/6174

One of the entire crew of 857 men who perished when the armoured cruiser HMS Black Prince was sunk at the Battle of Jutland. He is commemorated on Panel 20 of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Joseph Billingham

Private, 1st/5th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 9788

Brierley Hill born, he lived with his wife at 33, Park Lane, Netherend, Cradley. He died from wounds, sustained when a shell burst above the trench he was in, on July 31st 1915 and is buried in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Zillebeke, Ypres, Belgium in Plot I. Row C Grave 2.

Bert Woodhouse Bills

Private, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 202496

Son of David and Sarah Bills of Banner's Lane, Cradley, he was Cradley born and bred and had enlisted at Stourbridge. He has no known grave after being killed in action on October 9th 1917. He is commemorated on Panel 75 to 77 on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebecke, Belgium.

Caleb Bills

Private, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 21941

He was born and lived in Cradley, and enlisted at Dudley. He died on Saturday, December 18th 1915 from pneumonia and is buried in Row B. Grave 6 in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

Edwin Bloomer

Private, 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 30453

Derby born and had enlisted at Old Hill, he was the son of Albert and Mary Bloomer of Little Hill, Cradley. He was killed in action on October 22nd 1916 and he is buried in Plot VII. Row C. Grave 9 of the Bancourt British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

Joseph Boxley

Private, 2nd/7th Battalion Hampshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 204244

He died on Sunday, February 9th 1919 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery, Iraq in Plot XII. Row K. Grave 11.

John Thomas Bridgewater

Private, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 12432

A resident of Quarry Bank, although Cradley born he enlisted at Stourbridge and had survived the Gallipoli Campaign. He has no known grave after being killed in action on December 10th 1916 and is commemorated on Pier and Face 5A and 6A of the Thiepval Memorial.

George Brookes

Private, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 38272

Born in Quarry Bank, he lived in Cradley Heath and enlisted at Cradley. He died of wounds on Saturday, August 18th 1917 and is buried in the Dozingham Military Cemetery, Westvleteren, Poperinge, Belgium. He lies in Plot IV. Row B. Grave 7.

Henry Brookes

Private, 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 15682

Cradley Heath born he was the son of Albert and Rebecca Brookes of Two Gates, Cradley. He was killed in action on September 26th 1917 and is commemorated on Panel 75 to 77 on the Tyne Cot Memorial, having no known grave.

Bert Burgess

Lance Corporal, 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 9105

A native of Cradley where he attended the Cradley National School, he had enlisted at Worcester and was seriously wounded in action at Gallipoli. He was killed by shellfire on the Ancre Heights and is buried in the Pozieres British Cemetery, Orvillers-La Boisselle, Somme, France. He lies in Plot III. Row T. Grave 1.

Thomas Burgess

Private, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number :15721

Lived at Lyde Green, Cradley where he was born, he enlisted at Dudley. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on Tuesday, November 23rd 1915 and is buried at Plot II. Row C. Grave 3. at Azmak Cemetery, Suvla, Turkey.

Alfred James Butterworth

Private, 1st/5th South Staffordshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 191

He enlisted at Old Hill, lived at Cradley Heath and was born in Cradley where he attended Colley Lane School. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France on Panel 73 to 76, having no known grave after being killed in action on Wednesday, October 13th 1915, just four months after he had arrived in France on June 24th 1915.

William Byng

Private, "C" Company, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 12427

Born and lived in Cradley he was the son of Albert and Katherine Byng of High Street, Cradley, he enlisted at Dudley. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 104 to 113 on the Helles Memorial, Turkey. He was killed in action on Saturday, May 15th 1915 in the Commonwealth War Graves records but in Stacke's The Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War Roll of Honour, the date for his death is given as May 7th.

See also The Cradleys at Gallipoli on this site

William Carradine

2nd Flight Lieutenant, "B" Squadron, Central Flying School, Royal Air Force

Number 5348

Joined the Worcestershire Regiment in 1914 he then transferred to the R.A.F. in 1915.He was killed in a flying accident on July 30th 1918 at Upavon, Wiltshire and was buried in St. Peter's Churchyard, Cradley on August 3rd 1918. His grave is at Plot B. Number 42.

Solomon Cartwright

Private, 2nd/4th (City of Bristol) Battalion, Territorial, Gloucestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 235086

Formerly with South Staffordshire Regiment (regimental number : 203028)

Son of Mr and Mrs. James Cartwright of 4, Barrs Road, Cradley Heath, and formerly of Drews Holloway, Cradley, he was born in Cradley Heath but went to school at Colley Lane School and enlisted at Old Hill in January 1917. He was killed in action on Monday, August 27th 1917 after just three months in France and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial on panel 72 to 75.

Horace Case

Private, 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 44215

Formerly with the Hampshire Regiment, Regimental Number 45761

The son of Philip and Lily Case of 5, Talbot Street, Cradley, he enlisted at Stourbridge on June 30th 1917. He had worked as a clerk in the chain and anchor department of Messrs. N. Hingley and Sons and was an old scholar of the Wesleyan Sunday School. He died of wounds on Monday, April 29th 1918 and is buried at Plot VII. Row G. Grave I. at the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, Pas de Calais, France.

Ernest Clarke

Private, 2nd/4th Battalion Hampshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 42270

Born in Quarry Bank, he lived in Cradley and enlisted at Stourbridge. Killed in action on Friday, September 13th 1918, he has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 6 of the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

James Henry Clarke

Lance Corporal, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 16391

Born and lived in Cradley, he enlisted at Worcester. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on Friday, August 6th 1915, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.

Percy Cole

Serjeant, 5th Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 6137

He died on Saturday, April 12th 1919 at the Northern General Hospital, Andrew Laird, Newcastle Upon Tyne from acute pneumonia. He was interred at St. Luke's, Cradley Heath on April 19th 1919.

He had been in action with the 1st Worcesters in France from August 16th 1916 until he was wounded on Mach 4th 1917 and evacuated back to England on March 7th 1917 suffering from gunshot wounds to his thigh and back. He recovered and joined the 5th Worcesters on April 24th 1917.

Henry Cook

Private, 1st/5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 200774

Born and bred in Cradley, a single man, he lived with his parents at 33, Park Lane, Netherend and had worked as a chainmaker for Mr. Holloway of Lye. He enlisted at Old Hill and was one of the "Gallant Eighty", the first volunteers from the Rowley Parish.

He was probably one of the last few remaining of the "Gallant Eighty" when he was killed in action, aged 28 years, on Sunday, September 29th 1918. He is buried in Plot VI. Row F. Grave 6 in the Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Aisne, France.

George Edward Corfield

Unable at the present time to conclusively identify this man.

Frederick Clifford Cooper

Private, 100th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Inf)

Number 132476

The son of Caleb and Leah Cooper of Alma Street, Cradley. He was born and lived in Cradley and enlisted at Stourbridge in late 1917. Before joining the army, he was involved in the newspaper trade at his father's shop at Overend, Cradley. He was formerly Private, 35569 of the Wiltshire Regiment before transferring to the Machine Gun Corp. He died of wounds in a field hospital on Sunday, September 29th 1918. A chaplain in France wrote to his father at the beginning of October stating that he had buried his son who had died as a result of shell wounds. He is buried at Plot I. Row K. Grave 9 in the Roisel Communal Cemetery, Somme, France and was 19 years old. His name is also on the Roll of Honour of the Machine Gun Corps in the church of St. Wulframs at Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Joseph Crampton

Private, 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 34598

The son of Thomas and Emily Crampton of Two Gates, Cradley. Born in Cradley, he enlisted at Stourbridge. He died of wounds at St. Luke's Hospital, Bradford on Saturday, June 2nd 1917, and is buried in the Netherend Unitarian Chapelyard. He was 22 years old.

Joseph Davies

Private, 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 13498

He was born and lived in Cradley and enlisted at Wolverhampton. Killed in action on Tuesday, May 29th 1917, he is commemorated on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, having no known grave.

William Alfred Davies

Private, 1st/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 201776

He was born in Rowley Regis and enlisted at Dudley in early 1916. He is buried at Plot II. Row D. Grave 13 at the Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3, Vlamertinghe, Ypres, Belgium after dying of wounds on Friday August 17th 1917. He was 27 years old, married with two children and had lived with his wife, Fanny at Long Row, High Town, Cradley.

Frederick Dukes

Lance Corporal, 14th Battalion Hampshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 26678 (formerly with the South Staffordshire Regiment)

Cradley born, he had enlisted with the 1st/5th South Staffords at Brierley Hill but was transferred to the Hampshire Regiment On July 31st 1917, at the age of 21 years he was killed in action and was subsequently buried in the Track "X" Cemetery at Ypres in Row E. Grave 27.

Harry Dunn

Lance Corporal, 7th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 15103

Husband of Annie Dunn, he lived in Cradley Heath, having been born in Dudley and enlisting in Wolverhampton. He was killed on Monday, August 9th 1915 in action in Gallipoli, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial on panel 134 to 136.

Thomas Eden

Sapper, 257th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers

Number 144918

Son of Thomas and Mary Eden of Halesowen, he lived at 49, Windmill Hill, Cradley with his wife Elsie. He was born in Halesowen and enlisted at Birmingham. On Monday, April 9th 1917 he was killed in action, aged 29 and is buried at Plot III. Row A. Grave 16 in the Rue-Du-Bacquerot No. 1 Military Cemetery, Laventie, Pas de Calais, France.

Alfred Edmonds

Private, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards.

Regimental Number : 16665

He died of wounds on Saturday, March 2nd 1918 and is buried at Brown's Copse Cemetery, Rouex, Pas de Calais, France in Plot IV. Row C Grave Number 43.

Official notification of his death was received by his parents and announced as follows in the County Express in their April 27th edition :

Mr. and Mrs. T. Edmonds, Windmill Hill, Cradley, have received official intimation that their son, Pte. Alfred Edmonds 16665 (officially registered as Edwards) of the Coldstream Guards, had died in a field ambulance from wounds received in action. He was the youngest son, just turned 19 years of age, and had been in France nearly two years.

Born and bred in Cradley he had enlisted at Birmingham. As can be seen from the above newspaper article he was registered as Edwards in the Regiment In the entry recorded in the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1918, Part 2 : The Royal Field Artillery, he is also named Edwards. However, the Commonwealth War Graves in their records use his correct name of Edmonds.

Bert Ferraby

Private, 9th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 19141

Born and lived in Halesowen, he enlisted at Worcester and was the husband of Clara May Ferraby of Featherstone Square, Featherstone, Pontefract. Bert Ferraby's wife was living with the parents of Thomas Burgess at Lyde Green. She heard from a comrade of her husband, who lived at Halesowen and had written home to say that her husband had been shot through the head by a sniper as he delivered a message to an officer.

He was killed on Monday, November 22nd 1915 and is buried in Plot II. Row D. Grave 18 in Azmak Cemetery, Suvla, Turkey. He is one of only two soldiers from Cradley to have a known grave in Gallipoli.

Benjamin Fowkes

Private, 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 18764

Son of Richard and Mary Ann Fowkes of 24 High Town, Cradley, he was born in Cradley and lived at Long Row, High Town, Cradley. He had enlisted at Worcester, arrived in France on July 19th 1915 and died on Sunday, December 5th 1915 at the age of 28. He was buried in the St. Venant Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France at Plot II. Row B. Grave 4.

Charles William Fowkes

Stoker 1st Class, H.M.S. Conflict

Number K/12738

Born in Brierley Hill on January 27th 1892, he lived at 76, Lodge Forge, Cradley and was the son of Richard and Annie Fowkes. He died on Friday, November 29th 1918 of pneumonia at Haslar Royal Hospital, Gosport, Hampshire and was buried on December 5th 1918 in St. Peter's Churchyard, Cradley. He was 27 years old.

William Henry Fowkes

Private, 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 8839

Born and lived in Cradley, he enlisted at Stourbridge. He was killed in action on March 26th 1915 and he is buried at Plot XIII. Row E. Grave 10 at the Voormezeele Enclosure No. 3, Ypres, Belgium.

James Ernest Foxall

Private, 10th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 7996

Son of William and Hannah Foxall of 17, Netherend, Cradley. He was born in Hanley, Staffordshire, lived in Cradley Heath and enlisted at Birmingham. He has no known grave, being killed in action on Monday, July 3rd 1916, aged 20 years. He is remembered on Pier and Face 9A 9B and 10B on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing at Somme, France, the Colley Lane Primary School and Halesowen Rural District Rolls.

Edwin Grazier

Private, 9th Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 18873

He was born and lived at Cradley and enlisted at Worcester. The following account of his death is from the October 9th 1915 edition of the County Express:

Pte. E. Grazier, of 41, Anvil Yard, Cradley has died from pneumonia contracted in Gallipoli. He was a reservist, and joined the Stourbridge Company of National Reservists last August, volunteering into the regulars afterwards. A few weeks ago he was in a terrible charge and sent the news of several Cradley men who appeared in the casualty lists. Since then he contracted the disease which has now proved fatal. A letter from a sister at the Citadel Hospital, Cairo, stated that he arrived very ill. It continued: - "I am afraid it is very poor comfort to say we did all we could for him. I found the enclosed money in his belongings, and thought you would like to have them. - With Deepest Sympathy, Yours, A. MacLeod (sister)".

Edwin Grazier died on Saturday, September 11th 1915 and is buried at Row D. Grave 100 in Cairo War Cemetery, Egypt.

Charles Dennis Green

Private, Royal Fusiliers; later to 2nd/2nd Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)

Regimental Number : 83248

The son of George and Sarah Green of 24, Banners Lane, Cradley. He was born in Halesowen, lived in Cradley and enlisted at Stourbridge when he was 18 years old. He was formerly with the Devonshire Regiment, number 70250. He was killed in action on Thursday, August 8th 1918, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France on Panel 3.

Tom Green

Private, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 20199

He lived in Cradley at 61, Butcher's Lane, having been born in Cradley Heath. He enlisted at Stourbridge and has no known grave. He was killed in action on Friday, August 6th 1915 at Gallipoli. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey on Panel 104 to 113.

William Henry Harris

Private, 3 Company 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards

Regimental Number : 27916

The son of Sarah Harris of 32 Bricklin Street, Quarry Bank and husband of Emily Harris of 25, High Street, Cradley, he was born in Cradley in 1882. He attested in December 1915 and was mobilised in November 1916. His occupation on enlistment was given as that of a druggist.

He was posted missing on November 30th 1917, a fact printed in the January 19th edition of the County Express, along with a request for any information of him to be passed on to his wife. However, it was not until October 18th 1918 that the following was reported by the same newspaper:

Mrs Harris, 25 High Street, Cradley, has received from the Army Council intimation that her husband, Pte. W. H. Harris, Grenadier Guards, reported missing December 1st 1917, is now officially reported to have died on that date.

He is commemorated on Panel 2 of the Cambrai Memorial at Louveral, Nord, France and the date of his death is given as December 1st 1917.

Vernon Harris

Unable at the present time to conclusively identify this man.

Joseph Harrison

Lance Corporal, "C" Company, 8th Battalion Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Pioneers

Regimental Number : 15742

A native of Cradley, having been born and bred there, he enlisted at Worcester. He was the son of Joseph and Maria Harrison, and was married to Annie. They lived at 3, Little Hill, Cradley.

Joe Harrison died on Monday, October 28th, 1918 and is buried in the Doiran Military Cemetery, Greece in Plot VI. Row H. Grave 22. He had been in Salonika for three years and three months when he died from malaria and pneumonia.

William Hay

Private, 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 5460

William Hay died on October 15th 1914 from wounds received in action around Richbourg St. Vaast, Flanders, he was 34 years old. His body lies in the Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. He was a married man living in Old Hill after being born and bred in Cradley.

John Edward Enoch Head

Private, 1st/4th Battalion King's Own Shropshire Light Infantry

Regimental Number : 200738

Born in Cradley, he resided in Shifnal, Shropshire and enlisted at Shrewsbury. He was killed in action on Wednesday, October 31st 1917 and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, and West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, on Panel 112 to 113.

Alfred Heath

Private, 3rd Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 7947

He died from wounds received in the same action as William Hay received his wounds. He was however evacuated back to England and died at the Connaught Hospital, Aldershot, on November 23rd 1914, aged 26 years. He was given a military funeral at Halesowen and is interred in Halesowen Cemetery, where his grave can still be easily found today.

Daniel Heath

Private, 9th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 18898

Husband of Lily Heath of Butchers Lane, Cradley. He was born in Cradley and enlisted at Worcester.

In a letter by Edwin Grazier to his wife, it stated that Dan Heath and two other Cradley soldiers had been killed in an action to take a well in Gallipoli on August 11th 1915. The following week the following report was in the County Express :

On Saturday Mrs. D. Heath, 1, Butchers' Lane, Cradley, received official notice from the War Office that her husband, Pte. D. Heath, of the 9th Worcesters had been killed in the Dardanelles. News reached Cradley last week in a letter that he had fallen in an attack on a well and Saturday brought the sad confirmation. Pte. Heath joined the 9th Worcesters last October, and is we are informed, the first Cradley man in Kitchener's Army to lose his life. He leaves a widow and three children.

Although Private Grazier in his letter gives the date as August 11th, the War Graves Commission gives the date of him being reported missing as August 10th 1915. This would coincide with the attack on the 9th Worcesters below Hill "Q" at the Battle of Sari Bair.

He is commemorated on panel 104 to 113 on the Helles Memorial to the missing in Turkey. He was aged 31 years.

Philip Heath

Private, 1st/5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)

Regimental Number : 57426

He died of wounds on Armistice Day, Monday, November11th 1918. He is buried in Plot S. Row III. Grave T.19 in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. He was born in Cradley Heath and enlisted at Wolverhampton.

Under the heading "Cradley Organist Dies of Wounds", his obituary was printed in the County Express on November 23rd 1918. It read :

The news has reached Cradley that Pte. P. Heath, of the West Yorks, died on Monday week in a French hospital, from wounds received in action. The deceased soldier, whose home was in Talbot Street, and who leaves a widow but no children, voluntarily enlisted about two years ago, and had been in France over twelve months. He saw a great deal of the very severe fighting which took place on the front to which he was drafted, and as shown by extracts from letters which we printed from time to time had some marvellous escapes. He had acted as deputy organist to his father (Mr. William Heath, Intended Street) at the Wesleyan Church for some time before joining the colours, and had earned a high reputation as a skilful player, and most attentive to his duties. He was of an engaging temperament and endeared himself to many, so that his loss will be widely and deeply felt, particularly by the Wesleyan Church, with which he had had a lifelong association.

William Heath

Private, 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 13511

Old Hill born, he lived in Cradley at 131, Spring Lane and was a Regular soldier with the 4th Worcesters before being attached to the 3rd Worcesters. He was single and aged 23 years when he was reported missing on June 16th 1915.He is commemorated on Panel 34 of the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres. His brother Alfred is also named on the memorial.

Frederick Hill

Private, 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 8226

The son of Frederick and Emma Hill of Lyde Green, Cradley, he was born and bred in Cradley and had enlisted at Dudley. He is buried in Plot XXV. Row A. Grave Number 18 at the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, Pas fde Calais, France after being killed in action on May 16th 1915.

Bert Homer

Gunner, 261st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

Regimental Number : 117011

The son of William and Jane Homer of Cradley and the husband of Agnes Homer of Clyde Street, Old Hill. He was born in Cradley and enlisted at Stourbridge.

Bert Homer died of wounds on Saturday, May 12th 1917 at the age of 23 years. He is buried in the Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais, France at Plot III. Row M. Grave 61.

John Homer

Lance Corporal, 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 12442

He was born and lived in Cradley, enlisting at Stourbridge. He is buried at the Cairo War Cemetery, Egypt, after dying on October 31st 1915 from dysentery. His grave is number 171 in Plot D.

Walter Henry Homer

Unable at the present time to conclusively identify this man.

William Homer

Lance Corporal, 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 201250

He was killed in action on Wednesday, September 25th 1918 and is buried in Plot IV. Row H. Grave 3 in the Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue, Pas de Calais, France.

An ex-scholar of Cradley National School, he lived in Quarry Bank and had enlisted at Kidderminster.

John Hughes

Private, 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 27724

Husband of Sarah Hughes of Colley Gate and son of Isaiah Hughes. He was born in Cradley Heath, lived in Cradley and enlisted at Stourbridge.

Killed in action on Monday, April 23rd 1917 he is buried at Plot C. Grave 29 in the St. Leger British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. His name also appears on the Colley Lane Primary School and Halesowen Rural District Rolls.

Alfred Jackson

Private, 6th Battalion Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Regimental Number : 12789

The son of Mr. T. and Mrs. S. Jackson of 11, Maple Tree Lane, Cradley he was Old Hill born and lived in Cradley Heath. He was killed in action on September 3rd 1916 and he has no known grave. He is commemorated on Pier and Face 10Bof the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

James Sydney Jones

Serjeant, 16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 177

The fourth son of Mr. James Jones of Netherend, Cradley, he was born and lived in Cradley Heath, and enlisted at Birmingham. He was killed in action on Thursday, May 10th 1917, has no known grave and is commemorated on Bay 3, Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France and the Halesowen Rural District Roll of Honour.

Walter Jones

Able Seaman, Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Number R/5909

Born on May 28th 1892, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jones of Banner Street, Overend, Cradley and the husband of Sarah Jenny Jones of Brithdir, Glamorgan. He lived at Overend, Cradley with his wife and one child and had been a painter for Messrs. Viner and Sons prior to his enlistment on August 4th 1917.

He died of wounds, aged 25 years, on March 30th 1918 at the Number 20 General Hospital, Dannes Camiers, he is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France in Plot XXX111 Row B. Grave 17.

Albert Kirton

Private, 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 19084

Born and lived in Cradley, he enlisted at Worcester. He was killed in action on Monday, July 3rd 1916 and has no known grave. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing at Somme, France on Pier and Face 5A and 6C and on the Halesowen Rural District Roll.

Joseph Kirton

Private, "A" Company, 9th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 13820

Son of John and Sarah Kirton of New Street, Cradley. He enlisted in Worcester and was born and bred in Cradley. He was a member of the Halesowen Territorials and had been in action in the Dardanelles where he had contracted a severe attack of dysentery.

Joseph Kirton died at sea, being on board the Hired Transport Cameronia torpedoed and sunk by the U-boat U33, 150 miles east of Malta on Sunday, April 15th 1917.The Cameronia was enroute from Marseille to Egypt with 2,630 troops, reinforcements for Mesopotamia. It was stated that none of the lifeboats had been allotted to the troops and that they had received no lifeboat drill, which caused much confusion as the ship sank. Reports to the number lost vary between 129 and 210 and Joe Kirton is one of 127 soldiers lost on the Cameronia who are named on the Chatby Memorial, Egypt.

John Knowles

Private, 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 27716

Cradley born and schooled at Colley Lane Schools, he lived in Colley Orchard, Cradley and had enlisted at Stourbridge. He was killed in action on Thursday, September 20th 1917. He is named on the Fusilier Wood Memorial in the Duhallow Advanced Dressing Station Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.

William Edwin Knowles

Private, 14th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 35307

Son of William and Jane Knowles of 12, Alma Street, Colley Gate, Cradley, he was born and lived in Cradley where he went to Colley Lane School. He was an employee of Neal's Tea Stores before he enlisted at Stourbridge on February 16th 1916.

He was killed at midnight on Wednesday, May 29th 1918 when a bomb hit the place he was asleep in from a German aircraft. A brief report of his death in the County Express of September 21st 1918 states that he was interred at the Cemetery Morbecque, south west of Hazebrouck on May 31st 1918.

William Edwin Knowles is buried in the Thiennes British Cemetery, Morbecque, Nord, France at Row A. Grave 15.

Percy Leonard

Rifleman, 2nd Battalion 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade

Regimental Number : 29037

He is buried in the Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France in Plot II. Row O. Grave 1A. He died on Monday, July 16th 1917 at a military hospital from a combination of shell shock and enteric fever.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Leonard of Two Gates, Cradley and ex-pupil of Colley Lane School, he had emigrated to New Zealand two years before the outbreak of war. He enlisted there and came back to England in December 1916

Charles Dennis Green

Private, Royal Fusiliers later to 2nd/2nd Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)

Regimental Number : 83248

The son of George and Sarah Green of 24, Banners Lane, Cradley. He was born in Halesowen, lived in Cradley and enlisted at Stourbridge when he was 18 years old. He was formerly with the Devonshire Regiment, number 70250. He was killed in action on Thursday, August 8th 1918, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France on Panel 3.

Joseph Mantle

Private, 1st/6th Battalion Manchester Regiment

Regimental Number : 400663

He was formerly with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (regimental number : 51223)

Cradley born, he lived at 2, Connops Lane, Lye and had enlisted at Manchester on June 26th 1916. At the time of enlistment, he was employed in the gas department of the Manchester Corporation. A native of Colley Gate, Cradley he was an ex-pupil of Colley Lane School and a keen worker at the United Methodist Church. He was also a Sunday school teacher at the same church and a president of the Band of Hope. On his transference to Manchester he became a popular speaker at P. S. A's and was a prominent member of Manchester G. D. of the Sons of Temperance Friendly Society.

He went to France in January 1918, where he died of wounds on Tuesday, July 23rd 1918 and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine- Maritime, France. His body lies in Grave number J. 26 in Row III in Plot Q.

Harry Morton

Private, 9th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 18893

Son of James Edward and Sarah Morton and husband of Amelia, he was born and lived in Cradley. He enlisted in Worcester and was killed in action in Gallipoli on August 10th 1915. Like many killed in this campaign he has no known grave, and is commemorated on Panel 104 to 113 on the Helles Memorial. He was aged 35 years.

Albert Phillips Oliver

Private, 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 27294

Born and lived in Cradley, he enlisted at Birmingham. He was killed in action on Saturday, August 5th 1916 and has no known grave. He is commemorated on Panel 64 and 65 on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France and on the Halesowen Rural District Roll.

Ernest Page

Private, 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 11573

He is named on Panel 34 of the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres. He was involved in the Battle of Langemarck on October 21st 1914, where he was reported missing, believed killed. He was Brierley Hill born but lived in Cradley.

Sidney Parry

Private, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 30222

Born in Quarry Bank, he lived in Cradley Heath and had enlisted in Stourbridge. He was killed in action on Monday, April 23rd 1917 and has no known grave. He is commemorated on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial to the missing at Pas de Calais, France.

Joseph Josiah Parsons

Private, 8th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 44733

Born and bred in Cradley, he enlisted at Worcester. He is buried in Bernafay Wood British Cemetery, Somme, France in Row M. Grave 51.He is commemorated on the Colley Lane Primary School Roll of Honour.

He had formerly been with two other regiments, the 1st Devon Regiment (Regimental Number : 70321) and the 2nd/2nd London Regiment (regimental number: 83319).

He was killed in action on August 27th 1918 (although the CWGC give the date as September 3rd 1918). At the time of his death, the battalion was part of the brigade given the task of clearing Trones Wood, east of Montauban. The action took place between August 24th-28th and although successful, resulted in heavy casualties. The 8th Royal Berkshires had 82 killed, 229 wounded and 18 missing.

Reuben Parsons

Driver, 55th Divisional Train, Army Service Corps

Number T/26060

Born and enlisted at Halesowen, he lived in Cradley. He died of wounds on Wednesday, April 10th 1918 and is buried at Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. His grave lies in Plot IV. Row B. Grave Number 7. He is commemorated on the Halesowen Rural District and the Colley Lane Primary School Rolls.

Tidal Parsons

Private, 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 9646

Killed in action at the Battle of Spanbroek Mill on March 12th 1915, aged 30 years, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial on Panel 34.He was born in Cradley but lived in Lye with his wife Mary at Cross Street.

Joseph Pearce

Private, 'C' Company, 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 17966

Joe Pearce was born on March 11th 1893 at Lumbans Bank, off High Street, Cradley. He lived with his parents Charles and Louisa Pearce (nee Partridge) at 103, Spring (Furlong) Lane. He was the fifth child of eleven and went to school at the Cradley National School.

In the early hours of May 10th 1915, he was wounded with shrapnel when a shell burst near to him. He was bandaged in one of the dug outs and then started out with the other wounded men for the dressing station about 800 yards from the trenches. They were under continuous rifle and shell fire and had to make detours as they crawled along the ground, eventually reaching the dressing station in an exhausted condition.

He had a piece of shell embedded in his leg and was taken on May 11th to the Rawal Pindi, British General Hospital at Wimereaux, near Boulogne and then evacuated on the hospital ship St. David on May 12th to England. There is no reference to which hospital he was in from May 12th - June 11th but his service papers show that he was posted to the Depot on May 12th 1915. He was admitted to the City of London Military Hospital on June 12th, where he underwent an operation on a shrapnel wound to his right thigh. He was discharged from hospital on August 12th 1915 and on September 9th, he joined the 5th Battalion based at Fort Tregantle. Obviously, the after effects of his wound troubled Joe.

A report by a medical board on May 31st 1916 stated that he had two six inch long scars over his right hip joint and had a marked limitation of movement of the joint. This led to him being discharged at Warwick on June 22nd 1916 as no longer physically fit for war service. He was awarded a pension (Chelsea Number 4143.) and a Silver War Badge and subsequently became a steel borer by trade.

Joe Pearce died on November 10th 1918, aged 25 years, at his parents' home at 103 Spring Lane. The death certificate, made out by H. Ashley Belbin, certified the cause of death as phthisis pulmonalis and influenza

William Pearshouse

Private, 'D' Company, 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)

Regimental Number : 15341

Cradley born, he lived at Pitt Lane, Netherend and enlisted at Birmingham. He was killed in action on Monday, August 9th 1915 in Gallipoli and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial on Panel 47 to 51.

Joseph Plant

Gunner, 2nd/1st Warwick Battery, Royal Horse Artillery

Regimental Number : 565

The husband of Elizabeth Plant of Park Lane, Cradley, he died on Friday, May 21st 1915, aged 31 years. He is buried in Netherend Unitarian Chapelyard, Cradley. He was a member of the Territorial Force and had enlisted at Leamington He was born in Cradley

At 3.15 a.m. on May 21st 1915 the decapitated body of Joe Plant was found by a G.W.R. guardsman on the side of the railway near Homer Hill Wharf, Maypole Hill, Cradley.

The inquest into his death was held at the Maypole Inn, Cradley. The coroner described the case as distressing and the jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while temporarily insane."

It says much for firstly, the Halesowen Rural Council of the time that they should add his name to their memorial and Cradley Parish Council later, for Joe Plant was as much a casualty of the war as any other named on the memorial.

Ishmael Rawlins

Private, 9th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 18889

Born and lived in Cradley, he had enlisted at Worcester. He was killed in action on Tuesday, August 10th 1915 in Gallipoli, has no known grave and is commemorated along with other men from Cradley on Panel 104 to 113 on the Helles Memorial, Turkey. He was aged 43 years.

Thomas Raybould

Private, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 21266

Son of George and Helen Raybould of New Street, Quarry Bank. Lived with his wife Leah at New Street, Cradley. He was born in Quarry Bank and had enlisted at Stourbridge.

He has no known grave after being killed in action on Monday, April 23rd 1917 at the age of 24 years. He is commemorated on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial at Pas de Calais, France, on the Halesowen Rural District and Quarry Bank Rolls.

Walter Reece

Private, 1st/6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 59684

He died on Monday, December 8th 1919 was interred in St. Peter's Churchyard, Cradley on December 13th 1919. He had lived with his parents at 17, Foredraft Street, Cradley.

On October 26th 1918 the County Express reported that on October 10th 1918 he had been wounded for the third time whilst acting as a despatch runner for his battalion. He was subsequently evacuated from France and at the time of the article was in the 1st Southern General Hospital, King's Heath, Birmingham.

On December the 20th 1919, the same newspaper printed an account of his funeral in which it briefly reported that he had died after a long illness and was aged 21 years (the Burial Register for St. Peter's records his age as 20 years.)

David Reynolds

Private, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 20087

Husband of Harriet Reynolds of 62, High Street, Cradley. He was born and lived in Cradley and had enlisted at Worcester.

He is yet another Cradley man to fall at Gallipoli. He was killed in action on Friday, August 6th 1915 and is remembered on Panel 104 to 113 on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.

Walter Robinson

Private, "D" Company, 8th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 15576

Son of Henry and Selina Robinson of Mill Street, Cradley. He was Cradley born and bred and had been a chainmaker for Messrs. Mason Brothers before his enlistment at Brierley Hill He was sent to France on July 14th 1915 where he died of wounds on Wednesday, October 27th 1915 and lies in Plot I. Row B. Grave 36 in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium.

George Frederick Roper

Private, 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Regimental Number : 47115

Formerly with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (regimental Number : 40711)

Born and lived in Colley Gate, Cradley, he enlisted at Stourbridge. He was killed in action on Tuesday, October 15th 1918 and is buried in the Harlebeke New British Cemetery, Harlebecke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. His body lies in Plot V. Row A. Grave Number 7. The part of the cemetery where he lies was made after the Armistice by concentrating graves from the surrounding battlefields of 1918.

Horace Edgar Roper

Rifleman, 3rd Battalion 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade

Number 52888

Named on the memorial as Horace Edward Roper and named as H. F. Roper on the Commonwealth War Graves web site, he signed himself Horace Edgar Roper on his Attestation Sheet when he enlisted on March 7th 1917.

Born on March 24th 1890 at Cradley, he was the son of Caleb and Henrietta Roper of Colman Hill Farm, Cradley. He had been educated at Cradley Church of England School and had been a colliery engine driver before leaving Cradley to take up farming in New Zealand in 1913.

He died of scarlet fever and pneumonia on Wednesday, January 30th 1918 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France in Plot XXXI Row F. Grave 8.

Harry Russell

Private, 16 Platoon, "D" Company, 7th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

Regimental number 40649

Formerly with the South Staffordshire Regiment (regimental number : 5955)

The son of Mrs. Hannah Russell of Leicester and husband of E. Hilda Russell of 24, Hopkins Street, Burnt Tree, Tipton he was born in Worcester and enlisted at Dudley. Reported missing on Friday, November 30th 1917, he has no known grave and he is commemorated on Panel 4 of the Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, Nord, France.

His photograph appeared in the January 12th 1918 edition of the County Express with a request for any information on him to be passed on to Sergeant Wright at Cradley Police Station.

Joseph Henry Savage

Private, 11th Battalion South Wales Borderers

Regimental Number : 33273

Son of Mrs. Selina Kirton of High Town, Cradley. He was born in Stafford and lived in Cradley. He enlisted at Abertillery, no doubt to be in the same regiment as his brother, Sergt. William Henry Savage.

He has no known grave after being killed in action on Tuesday, July 31st 1917, aged 19 years. He is commemorated on Panel 22 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial at Ypres, Belgium and on the Halesowen Rural District Roll.

William Henry Savage

Serjeant, 4th Battalion South Wales Borderers

Regimental Number : 12563

Son of Mrs. Selina Savage of High Town, Cradley He was born in Stourbridge and had lived in Cradley before moving to Cardiff to work. He enlisted on September 30th 1914 at Newport, Monmouthshire.

On Friday, August 20th Sergeant Savage's company had come out of the trenches for a rest and spent that night in dugouts in a gully. On Saturday night they went into a charge, after which he was reported missing, believed killed.

He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey on Panel 80 to 84 and 219 and 220.

Isaac Scott

Guardsman, 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards

Regimental Number : 20082

Born in Brierley Hill in 1895, he enlisted at Dudley on October 29th 1914. His trade on enlistment was given as a boilermaker. He went to France with the 3rd Battalion on March 21st 1915.

He died from wounds on Wednesday, June 21st 1916 and is buried in Plot 8 Row B Grave 5 in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

George Sidaway

Lance Corporal, 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 13511

He lived at 30, High Street, Cradley and was a Regular soldier, having enlisted about four months prior to the commencement of war. He died from wounds on June 18th 1915, received two days earlier when a shell burst above him in a communication trench. His grave must have been subsequently "lost" as he is commemorated on The Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, on Panel 34. He was 19 years old.

Stafford Sidaway

Corporal, 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 19756

An ex pupil of Colley Lane School, he was Cradley born and bred. The son of Stafford and Amy Sidaway of Lyde Green he was killed in action on September 3rd 1916 and is buried in Plot V. Row H. Grave 2 in Lonsdale Cemetery, Authile, Somme, France.

Wilfred Ernest Smith

Private, 5th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 42910

He enlisted at Warwick and was born and lived in Cradley, being educated at Colley Lane School. The son of Enoch and Sophia Smith of Ladysmith Road, Cradley, he was killed in action on Wednesday, September 25th 1918, aged 26 years. He is buried at Plot II. Row G. Grave 5 in the Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery at Epehy Somme, France. Plots I and II contain the graves of the men who were killed in September 1918 during the battle for the village of Epehy.

James Southall

Private, 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 8113

Born in Rowley Regis, he lived in Cradley, where he went to Colley Lane School, and had enlisted at Dudley. On Wednesday, August 23rd 1916 he was killed in action and is buried in Lonsdale Cemetery, Authile, Somme, France. His body lies in Plot VI. Row. A Grave 3.

Joseph Stanley

Private, 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 13330

The date of Joe Stanley's death is a bit of an enigma, with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission giving the date as December 25th 1914, the History of the Worcestershire Regiment Roll of Honour giving it as December 26th 1914. He is commemorated on Panel 34 of the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

James Stevens

Private, 9th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 20528

Born in Cradley about 1887, he was the son of Levi and Eliza Stevens and he lived at 29, Mill Street, Cradley with his wife and four children. He enlisted at Stourbridge in December 1914 along with the Tromans brothers, Ben and Harry.

He died at Alexandria on Saturday, October 30th 1915 and is buried in the Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt in Row B. Grave 125.

The November 20th 1915 edition of the County Express printed a photograph of him and a brief statement saying that he died of dysentery, contracted after only nine weeks in the Dardenelles.

Fred Tate

Private, 1st/8th Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 2573

He was born and lived in Cradley where he was a well-known member of the Conservative Club and had enlisted at Stourbridge at the outbreak of war. He was originally with the 1st/ 7th Worcesters and was one of the first 300 volunteers to make up the battalion strength for foreign service. He arrived in France on March 31st 1915 and was in action at Plugstaate Wood, after which they then moved into the Arras area, narrowly missing the Battle of Loos. He was killed in action on Monday, 21st August 1916, has no known grave and is named on Pier and Face 5A and 6C of the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

Harry Taylor

Driver, "C" Battery, 55th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

Number : 65149

He was the son of Joseph and Eliza Taylor of 28, Attwood Street, Lye and lived with his wife Sarah at 48, Park Lane, Netherend, Cradley and had enlisted at Stourbridge

He died on Friday, April 13th 1917, aged 35 years and is commemorated on Panel 3 and 60 of the Basra Memorial, Iraq. The Basra Memorial bears the names of more than 40,500 members of the Commonwealth forces who lost their lives in the campaign in Mesopotamia between Autumn 1914 and August 1921, who have no known grave.

John Edward Taylor

Private, 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 19929

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Taylor of 42, Windmill Lane, Two Gates, Cradley and husband of Mary Ann Taylor. He was born and lived in Cradley and had enlisted at Worcester. He died on Monday, October 28th 1918, aged 28 years, and is buried in the Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany in Plot XIV. Row G. Grave 24

John William Taylor

Driver, "D" Battery, 44th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

Regimental Number : 269668

The son of William and Charlotte Taylor of 138, Two Gates, Cradley, he lived in Cradley and had enlisted at Stourbridge. He died of wounds on Saturday, November 2nd 1918 aged 20 years. He is buried in Plot V. Row K. Grave 9 in the Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension, Tournai, Hainaut, Belgium

Joseph Taylor

Private, 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

Regimental Number : 38907

Formerly Number 8/6730 in the Territorial Reserve Battalion

Born and lived in Cradley, the son of Mr. D. Taylor of 42, Windmill Lane, Two Gates, Cradley, he enlisted at Stourbridge. He is buried in Plot IV Row A Grave 18 in the Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, Nord, France. He was killed in action on September 29th 1918 at the Battle of the Canal du Nord, aged 19 years.

Andrew Albert Thomas

Private, 2nd/5th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 9703

He died at home in High Street, Cradley on November 10th 1914 of pneumonia, aged 22 years and he is interred in the Cradley Free Church Burial Ground.

Frederick Charles Timbrell

Private, 10th Veterinary Evacuation Station, Army Veterinary Corps

Number 32398

He was the husband of Mrs. G. A. Timbrell of Park Row, Cradley. He is buried in the Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany in Plot XII. Row C. Grave 7

In June 1919 the 10th Veterinary Evacuation Station was in Bonn, Germany. It's War Diary notes that Fred Timbrell was admitted to a Field Ambulance there on June 21st. He was subsequently moved to 29th Casualty Clearing Station, where he died on Saturday, July 5th 1919.

Joseph Tranter

Private, 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers

Regimental Number : 7886

Killed in action, aged 29 years, at Vendresse, in the Battle of the Aisne, on September 26th 1914, he has no known grave and he is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jourre Memorial, Seine-et- Marne, France.

Charles Tristram

Private, 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 29594

Born at Quarry Bank, he lived at Cradley and enlisted at Stourbridge. He died of wounds on Saturday, August 19th 1916 and is buried in Plot II. Row E. Grave 11 in the Forceville Communal Cemetery and Extension, Somme, France.

Benjamin Tromans

Private, 4th Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 20028

Cradley Heath born, he lived with his wife Mary in Mill Street, Cradley. He enlisted with his brother John Henry (Harry) at Stourbridge in December 1914. He was wounded in Gallipoli and was evacuated back to England.

On January 20th 1916, he was taken ill and despite two operations, he died on April 19th 1916. His body was returned home and he was interred at St. Luke's, Cradley Heath on April 22nd 1916 with full military honours.

George Tromans

Private, 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 39854

He was born and lived in Cradley and enlisted at Old Hill. He died of wounds on Monday July 23rd 1917.He is buried in Plot II. Row A. Grave 20 in the Locre Hospice Cemetery, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

John Henry Tromans

Private, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 20082

The husband of Maggie Tromans (nee Stevens, sister of James who is named on the memorial) of Mill Street, Cradley, he was born in Cradley in 1872. His parents were John Tromans and Maria (nee Butler) who had lived in Queen Street, Cradley Heath before moving to Mill Street. He had enlisted at Stourbridge in December 1914 along with his brother Benjamin and brother in law James Stevens. He was killed in action on Friday, August 6th 1915 and as no known grave. He is commemorated on Panel 104 to 113 of the Helles Memorial. At the time of his death he left seven children

Wilfred Tromans

Corporal, "B" Battery, 241st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

Number 831312

Named on the memorial only as Wilfred Tromans, he is in the Commonwealth War Graves records as J. W. Tromans and in Soldiers Died as Joseph Wilfred Tromans.

He is buried in Plot II. Row F. Grave number 20 of the Mendingham Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium, after dying from wounds on Monday, July 23rd 1917.

John Joseph Tyler

Sergeant, 3rd Battalion (Birmingham City) Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 97

Died from dysentery on August 27th 1916 and was interred with full military honours in St. Peter's Churchyard, Cradley on August 31st 1916.

See also The Funeral of Sgt. Tyler on this site

Benjamin Unitt

Private, 9th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 15057

Born in Cradley Heath, he lived at Overend, Cradley and had enlisted at Brierley Hill on October 20th 1914. He died of wounds on Sunday, October 14th 1917 and is buried in Plot II. Row M. Grave 21 in the Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.

Herbert Wallace

Private, 9th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 18877

Born and lived in Cradley, enlisted in Worcester. Another Cradley soldier to be killed in action in Gallipoli. He was killed on Thursday, August 12th 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial on Panel 104 to 113, having no known grave.

Herbert Percy Wallens

Lance Corporal, Army Service Corps

Number M2/193609

His name is miss-spelt as Wallins on the Memorial, but in the February 4th 1928 edition of the County Express which reports the official unveiling of the memorial on January 28th 1928 it gives his name as Wallens. He was born and enlisted in Stourbridge, where he also lived with his wife and two children, after a few years living in Colley Gate, Cradley.

He was killed in action on Wednesday, October 2nd 1918 and is buried in Plot I Row E. Grave 20 in the Bourlon Wood Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

Benjamin Weaver

Unable at the present time to conclusively identify this man.

Harry Weaver

Private, 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 8887

Born in Cradley Heath and lived in Cradley. He enlisted at Stourbridge and was killed in action on Friday, March 12th 1915. He is buried in Plot II. Row F. Grave 36 of the Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Mesen, Belgium.

Born in Cradley Heath and lived in Cradley. He enlisted at Stourbridge and was killed in action on Friday, March 12th 1915. He is buried in Plot II. Row F. Grave 36 of the Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Mesen, Belgium.

John White

Private, 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 16405

Born and lived in Cradley, he enlisted at Dudley. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Belgium, having no known grave. He was killed in action on Wednesday, April 17th 1918 during the Battle of Bailleul.

William Whitfield

Private, 16th Battalion Welsh Regiment

Regimental Number : 55540

Formerly with the Worcestershire Regiment (regimental number : 46143)

He had enlisted at Oldbury and lived at Cradley. Killed in action on Friday, August 3rd 1917, he has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial at Ypres, Belgium on Panel 37.

Alfred Willetts

Serjeant, 4th Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 11479

He was born in Cradley, lived in Colley Gate and enlisted at Worcester. He had joined the army about six years before war broke out and like his father, Mr. James Willetts was a staunch supporter of Two Gates Ragged School.

On Monday, April 23rd 1917 he was killed in action and is commemorated on the memorial to the missing at Arras, Pas de Calais, France at Bay 6.

George Willetts

Private, 14th Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Regimental Number : 24787

Son of James and Mary Willetts of 58, Banner Street, Overend, Cradley, he was born at Colley Gate, Cradley and enlisted at Stourbridge. He was killed in action on September 29th 1918 and is buried in the Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, Nord, France. He lies in Plot IV. Row C. Grave 13.

Henry Woodhouse

Private, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

Regimental Number : 23357

Son of Samuel and Alice Woodhouse of 11, New Street, Cradley Heath. He was born in Cradley Heath, lived at Cradley and enlisted at Old Hill. Killed in action on Monday, April 23rd 1917 he is commemorated on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial to the missing at Pas de Calais, France.

'''This essay is © Copyright Terry Evans 2002.

Terry Evans has generously granted Cradley Links

permission to reproduce his work on this page.'''