Montague Hague Lemmon died of wounds on this day in 1915
Montague Hague Lemmon was born on 23 June 1887 in Chichester. His father was John Lemmon, a lodging house keeper; his mother Martha Elizabeth née Hague. He had two older brothers - Reginald John and Alfred William.
In 1896, his father died. A year later, his mother remarried to Arthur William Wyatt, an auctioneer.
In 1901, the family was living at Elm House, a boarding house on Tower Street in Chichester, run by Montague's mother. In addition to the family, there were 3 boarders and a servant.
Montague was educated at The Prebendal School, opposite the cathedral in Chichester. A quote by Neville Ollerenshaw, author of a history of the school:
"The Prebendal School is one of the oldest in Britain. It may have existed as long as the Cathedral with which it has always been associated. It may … date back nearer to St Wilfrid's time, in the seventh century."
Montague's mother died in 1907.
In 1911, age 23, he was an Insurance Clerk in London, working for the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company. He was living at a boarding house in Gloucester Road in Finsbury Park.
Before the war, Montague had been in the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters). He volunteered at the outbreak of war and joined the Honourable Arillery Company (HAC) in August 1914. After training at the HAC HQ and Aveley Park, he went to France on SS Westmeath with the 1st Battalion on 18 September 1914 arriving at St Nazaire on the 20th.
The Battalion remained at Le Mans until the end of October then moved to the Ypres area on 06 November 1914. For the next 6 months, they were in action at various locations around the Salient.
On 4 June 1915, the Battalion was at rest near Vlamertinghe prior to going into trenches near Hooge the following day.
The Battalion War Diary for 5 June 1915 reads:
"Arrived at about 7pm and relieved 3rd Dragoon Guards in Hooge Sector. Soon after arriving, and while men were getting into billets, the Ramparts were shelled - a usual occurrence in the afternoon. Several shells fell near the billets and one into house where the stretcher bearers were. Private Pilgrim, P (B. Coy) killed, and wounded Private Lemmon, MH (B Coy), Private Hame, AW (C Coy) and L/Cpl Charles, LP. First 3 names were stretcher bearers and the first Casualties among this section".
There is an added note below Montague's name "died 8/6/15".
Montague had received shrapnel in his back and shoulder and he died on 8 June 1915 at No.8 Casualty Clearing Station in Bailleul. He is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension.
After his death, his personal effects - a bunch of keys, a cigarette case, a purse, a knife and some letters - were sent to his two older brothers.
1001 Private Montague Hague Lemmon 1st (Service) Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company (T.F.)