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11 August 1918 : Lieut. Alfred Edward Gaby VC

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The seventh child of parents Alfred and Alicia Gaby. Alfred went to school in Scottsdale and after school worked on the family farm. He then spent some time in southern Tasmania. While working on his father's farm he had joined the militia and served for three years with the 12th Infantry Battalion (Launceston Regiment). Two elder brothers had …

CANCELLED 8 April : 'Amateur Soldiering Tradition in Britain and the Empire 1899 to 1945' with Professor Gary Sheffield

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Gary Sheffield, Honorary President of The Western Front Association will be speaking at this event on the amateur soldier in the British Arm over five decades: through the South African War, First and Second World Wars. The organisers say that places will be strictly limited with an entry cost of £8 payable on the door. Please email the organiser…

17 February 1915 : Cpl Charles Percival Paine

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His parents were Charles and Emma Paine. He was educated in Dulwich and joined the 22nd Middlesex Volunteers 1894. He attained the rank of Sergeant. He served in the South African War, 1899-1900. He married Harriet Jane of Shepherd’s Bush, London 17 September 1901. They had four children: Francis, Charles, Geoffrey and Evelyn. He joined he…

28 February 1915 : Pte Robert Robertson

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Parents Robert Robertson (tobacco spinner) and Annie (née Patton). At the 1891 Census living with his family on Buckingham Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Sisters Margaret and Ann (21 & 18) were working as a tobacco spinner and cigar maker. Older Brother David (15) was working as a marble polisher. Robert (8) and older sister Jessie (11) were at …

5 March 1915 : Major George Pope Newstead

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His parents were James (General Practitioner) and Louisa Anne (née Pope). He was their only child at the time. They lived at James Newstead, Ashby Manor, Horncastle, Lincolnshire. Age 15, according to the 1891 Census, George lived at with his parents, his sister Louisa (age 12) and four servants. He was educated at Rugby School (1889-94) wh…

7 March 1916 : Major Carlos B Lumsden

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His parents were Hugh G Lumsden of Auchindoir and Clova, JP and Maria Magdalena (née Gordon) of Aberdeen. Carolos was educated at Beaumonth College, Old Windsor and Stonyhurst College, Blackburn. He studied Philosophy and was a keen member of Stonyhurst's Philosophy Debating Club. He subsequently became a Barrister, being called to the bar 19…

7 January 1917 : A/Sgt William Hoggard

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William's parents were William (a farm labourer) and Susannah (née Newlove) land they lived at 172 Ryecroft Street, Crowthorn, Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire. William was the last of the Hoggard children. His older siblings were Henry, Jane and Fanny. Their mother died in 1892 when William was only three years old. The family lived at 172, Rycro…

Everard Wyrall (1878-1932): Military Historian

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Last April [2021] I was asked to supervise a Wolverhampton University MA dissertation on 1/7th Northumberland Fusiliers. The battalion was in 50th (Northumbrian) Division TF, so before doing anything else I consulted my copy of the divisional history by Everard Wyrall. And then something happened that might have happened at any point in the past fo…