Theodore Ionides died of wounds on this day in 1916

Theodore was born in Hyde Park, London on 9 April 1897. He was the son of Alexander Constantine Ionides and his wife Calliope Michael (formerly Zarifi) and they lived at 34 Porchester Terrace, Hyde Park, London.

His father was a merchant, engineer, stockbroker and the company director of Ralli Bothers of Manchester. (Emphasizing Britishness, their advertising stated ‘family over 100 years in England’.)

Theodore was educated at Stonehouse and Radley College where he was a Corporal in the Officers Training Corps.

Working as a clerk on the outbreak of war, Theodore was commissioned in 1915 in the 3rd Battalion Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

He went to the Western Front in May 1916, joining the 2nd Battalion on 5 June and was attached to ‘D’ Company. He was wounded at Beaumont Hamel on 13 November 1916 in the Battle of the Ancre, which was the last action of the 1916 Somme campaign. Attacking in mist, the battalion took all its objectives, but sustained 248 casualties. He died three days later at the Advanced Operating Centre, Authie. A purse in his effects contained ‘a charm’, which had sadly brought him no luck.

Theodore was buried in Couin British Cemetery, Doullens, France.

2nd Lt Theodore Ionides 2nd Bttn, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry