Roll of Honour O-Z
Roll of Honour
Palmer, John Private 64014
6th Inf. Labour Company Durham Light Infantry
John was born in 1881 in Heath Town son of Edward and Ann Palmer, of 14, Milton Rd., Heath Town. He had two sisters, Annie who was three years older and Mary Ann who was four years younger.
The 1911 census records John living with his parents and being employed as a gardener.
John died 15th June 1917 aged 36.
Grave Reference IV. D. 14.
LAPUGNOY MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France.
Pardoe, George Thomas Lance Corporal 9765
7th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment.
George was born in 1892 in Wolverhampton son of Henry and Elizabeth Pardoe. He had two older brothers William and Harry and four younger sisters Alice, Edith, Priscilla, and Lily.
The 1911 census records George as being employed as a locksmith, the same as his father and brothers.
George married Amelia Stonier in 1914 and they had two sons George born in 1915 and William in 1916.
George died of an illness 25 July 1917. In his ‘soldiers’ effects’ he left Amelia £13 10 shillings.
Grave Reference IV. C. 68.
LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY, Pas De Calais, France.
Payne, William Henry Private 19782
1st Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment.
The 1901 census records William as being employed as a sheet metal worker. William married Florence Porter in 1900, they had four children, Florence, Harold, Oliver, and Frances May. William did not get to meet Frances as she was born three months after his death. William’s pension record records the family living Back of 26 Woden Road Heath Town.
William was killed in action 12th May 1917.
Bay 6.
ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France.
Perkins, John Henry Sapper 491976
32nd Light Railway Operating Coy Royal Engineers
John was born 10th February 1898 in Wombourne, son of Samuel and Ada Perkins.
John was the oldest of six children, his siblings being Elsie, Gertrude, Samuel, Emily, and Frank. At the time of the 1911 census the family were living at No 4 Beckbury, Shifnal, Shropshire. John’s pension record indicates that by January 1918 his mother had died, and his father was living at 1 Canal side Heath Town.
At the age of sixteen John worked for the Great Western Railway, working from 16th February 1914 to 5th June 1914. His short railway experience would indicate the reason for his military role.
John died of accidental injuries 15th July 1917 aged 19.
Grave Reference I. K. 11.
BUCQUOY ROAD CEMETERY, FICHEUX, Pas de Calais, France.
Perry, Charles Brown Private 41940
7th Bn. Norfolk Regiment
Charles was born 3rd February 1900 in Wolverhampton son of Charles and Annie Perry, of 134, Bushbury Rd., Heath Town. Charles had two younger sisters Annie and Hilda.
John was conscripted into the Army 25th February 1918, prior to joining he was employed as a fitter. He joined the 51st Bn. Training Reserve Notts & Derby.
John was posted to France 2nd August 1918 and joined his regiment 31st August. Just 18 days later possibly in his first action John was reported as being wounded and missing.
Not until 4th February 1919 after a lot of correspondence from his mother pleading to be told of his whereabouts was she told that he was wounded and missing and not until 29th May 1919 was she formally told he had been killed in action 29th May 1919.
Panel 4.
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France.
Perry, William Private 6668
Coldstream Guards
William Perry was born 10th of March 1881 in Heath Town, son of Thomas and Mary Jane Perry. He had an older sister Fanny, two older brothers Thomas and Charles, three younger brothers James, Fred and Archibald and a younger sister Ellen. He attended St Andrews Church of England School, and in 1905 enlisted in to the army, serving three years with the Colours and six with the Reserve. At some point he married Jane Darling and was employed as a foreman tinsmith.
He was mobilized 4th August 1914 and went straight to France days later.
William died of wounds 10th November 1914 received during the first battle of Ypres aged 33.
Grave Reference I. M. 66.
POPERINGHE OLD MILITARY CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Phillips, George Matthew Private 58797
1st/5th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
George was born in 1900 in Dudley son of William and Martha Phillips of 63 Prosser Street Park Village. George had an older brother William an older sister Amy and a younger brother Spencer. His father William was employed as French polisher in furnishing.
George died of a disease (not recorded) 13th April 1919 aged 18.
Grave Reference XIV. A. 13.
TERLINCTHUN BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE, Pas de Calais, France.
Picknell, Richard Sapper 273215
24th Misc. Trades Coy. Royal Engineers
Richard was born in 1886 in Great Bridge, Bilston son of Charles and Esther Picknall. He had an older brother Charles and five younger siblings Florence, Sidney, Henry, Edith, and Nellie.
Richard married May Grafton in 1910 they had two children Mary Ann and Sidney and lived at 6 Church Street Heath Town. The 1911 census records Richard being employed as ‘bolt header’.
Richard died 22nd October 1918 of bronchi pneumonia contracted while on active service.
Grave Reference LXVI. K. 3.
ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France.
Poole, Edwin Private 10045
7th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
Edwin was born in about 1886 in Wolverhampton.
He was killed in action at Gallipoli 9th August 1915 aged 29.
Panel 135 to 137.
HELLES MEMORIAL Gallipoli, Turkey.
Potter, John Lance/Corporal 5943
2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
John was born in Heath Town and enlisted at Wolverhampton.
Died of wounds 30th July 1916.
Grave Reference Plot 1. Row H. Grave 15.
CORBIE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France.
Powell, Thomas Lance Corporal 18577
1st Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers
Thomas was born in 1897 in Wolverhampton, son of Benjamin and Georgina Powell. He had two older siblings John and Hanna and a younger sister Ada.
The 1911 census records that the family were living at 6 Dean St, Heath Town and Thomas was employed as an errand boy for a butcher.
Thomas died of wounds 28th September 1918.
Grave Reference V.H.8
HOOGE CRATER CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Price, Frederick Charles Private 3638
1st/6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
Frederick was born in 1887 in Wolverhampton Christened 13th March 1889. Son of Thomas and Alma Price of 130 Cannock Road Park Village heath Town. He had four older siblings William, Samuel, Violet and John and three younger siblings Joseph, Ernest, and Rosalind.
The 1911 census records the family living at 45 Woden Road, Heath Town, and Frederick employed as a brass turner at a brass foundry.
Fredrick was killed in action 13th October 1915 aged 28.
Panel 73 to 76.
LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France.
Price J.*
Price, Thomas Private 240763
2nd/6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
Thomas was born in 1888 in Wolverhampton son of Joseph and Harriet Rowley of 4 Cross St, Moseley Village. Thomas was the oldest of nine children, his siblings were Margaret, Mary, John, Alfred, Emmanuel, Enoch, Eunice, and Samuel.
The 1911 census records that he was employed as a general labourer.
Thomas died of wounds 30th November 1917.
Grave Reference II. A. 28.
ORIVAL WOOD CEMETERY, FLESQUIERES, Nord, France.
Purcell, Thomas Private 24059
2nd Bn. South Wales Borderers
Born in Wolverhampton, enlisted at Newport Monmouthshire.
Killed in action 11th April 1918.
Panel 5
PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL, Hainaut, Belgium.
Rabone, James Thomas Private 40166
7th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
James was born in 1877 in Wolverhampton, the son of James and Margaret Rabone. They were living at 38 Heath Street, Heath Town, Wolverhampton, in 1901, along with Thomas’s siblings Florence, William, Mary, Lucy and Martha. Thomas was working as a maltster. He married Agnes Welch in Wolverhampton in 1902, and by 1911 they were living at 20 Heath Street with their three children – Florence, Thomas, and Agnes.
James died of his wounds 25th May 1918 aged 41.
Grave Reference III. D. 40.
PHILOSOPHE BRITISH CEMETERY, MAZINGARBE, Pas de Calais, France.
Ralph, Matthew John Private 39919
10th Bn. Worcestershire Regiment formerly South Staffordshire Regiment (service number 3618),
Matthew was born in 1884 in Wolverhampton, the son of Thomas and Mary Ann Ralph. His father died in 1887, and his mother remarried a Henry Hilton in 1889. By 1901, Matthew was living with his mother and stepfather at 19 Stevens Gate, Wolverhampton, along with his sister, Eliza, stepbrothers William, Samuel and John Hilton, and stepsister Lily Hilton. Matthew was a railing painter. He married Bertha Harrison in 1906, and the couple and their two sons Matthew and Ernest were living with her parents at 241 Wolverhampton Road, Heath Town, by 1911. Matthew was now a cast iron labourer. The couple had another son, Percy, in 1913.
Matthew was killed in action 31st October 1916.
Grave Reference XIII. G. 7.
SERRE ROAD CEMETERY NO.2, Somme, France.
Randle, Percy Enos Corporal 292849
Inland Waterways & Docks Royal Engineers
Percy was born 24th November 1888 in Wolverhampton, the son of Enos and Mary Ann Cartwright). In 1901, they were living at 281 (Oscott Cottage) Prestwood Road, Heath Town Wolverhampton, along with Percy’s sisters Isabella and Gertrude . They were at the same address in 1911, but Percy was the only child still living with his parents. He was working as an engineers clerk. Percy married Kate Eveline Trewhitt in Durham on 26th August 1915.
On 4 August 1917, Percy enlisted in the Royal Engineers at Glasgow (service number 310371, later 292849). By then, his address was given as care of Collins, 115 Renfield Street, Glasgow, and his trade was music hall agent. Collins was Scotland’s first successful Variety Agency. In Percy’s attestation record he is recorded as being 5’ 7” tall, he was given the medical classification of C which is “free from serious organic diseases, able to stand service in garrisons at home” and the subcategory C1 “able to march 5 miles, see to shoot with glasses, and hear well.”
His wife Kate was living at 9 Fordland Place, Hylton Road Sunderland. By 5th December 1917 he had been promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and two days later to Corporal. Percy did not serve overseas, as he contracted tuberculosis. On 1st April 1918, he was discharged as being no longer physically fit for war service, and he died at 107 Hill Street, Garnethill, Glasgow on 19th June 1918. There medical report concluded that his tuberculosis was attributable to ordinary military service.
Percy was not remembered on the CWGC Roll of Honour, I submitted this information and a copy of his death certificate to the CWGC hoping that they would add his name as his cause of death was attributed to his military service.
The CWGC accepted my submission 4th February 2021, and added Percy's name to the United Kingdom Book of Remembrance.
His burial place is unknown at present.
9th Lancers (Queen’s Royal)
William was born in 1895 in Heath Town son of John and Mary Reynolds, the 1911 census records that they were living at 42 Prestwood Road, Heath Town, along with siblings John, Ethel, Winnie, and Sidney. William was employed as a warehouseman.
William was a regular soldier joining the Army in 1912, he died of wounds (gas poisoning) 26th May 1915.
Grave Reference II. B. 14.
HAZEBROUCK COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Nord, France.
Reynolds, William Private
1st Bn. Grenadier Guards
William was born in 1889 in Wolverhampton, the son of Joseph and Mary Reynolds. In 1901, they were living at 244 Prestwood Road, Heath Town, together with William’s siblings Agnes, Joseph, Andrew, John, Mary, and Abraham and Thomas
The following information is taken from the Express &Star newspaper - when he was old enough, he was employed at the Culwell Works, Heath Town.
He had previously served in the Army and when war broke out, he being a reservist was recalled to the Colours in August 1914. He was wounded in his left hip and taken prisoner at St Quentin on 31 August 1914.
Unfortunately, whilst a prisoner of war, he was taken ill with a fever, and died on 15 October 1915 aged 26.
Grave Reference XI. E. 21.
COLOGNE SOUTHERN CEMETERY, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
Ricketts, Godfrey Whitehead Private 2861
6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
Godfrey was born in 1895 in Wolverhampton, the son of Edward and Alice Ricketts. In the 1911 census, they along with Godfrey’s siblings Edward, Nora and Phyliss were living at 154 Wednesfield Road. Godfrey was employed as a junior pump manufacturer clerk at a pump manufacturer works.
The Express & Star newspaper reported that Godfrey enlisted into the South Staffordshire Regiment on 5 September 1914. and prior to his enlistment he was employed as a clerk by Mr F. J. J. Gibbons of Church Lane, Wolverhampton.
An article in the Express & Star dated 22 April 1915 “A Non-Manual: Dies from Wounds Received While Trench Digging”, reports that Godfrey had been out with a digging party at night and was “hit by a chance shot in the shoulder, the bullet penetrating his body and coming out on the other side.” He died from his wounds the next morning 14th April 1915 aged 19.
In his ‘soldiers’ effects’ he left his father £3 10 shillings and a penny.
Grave Reference I. F. 8.
ST. QUENTIN CABARET MILITARY CEMETERY, Hainaut, Belgium.
Roberts, Arthur Private 49124
1/6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment.
Arthur was born in 1896 in Heath Town, son of Sarah Ann and William Roberts. The 1911 census records that they were living at Rear, 12 Church Street, Heath Town with Arthur’s older brothers James and Isaac and younger sister Nellie. Arthur was employed as a Labourer at a trunk manufacturer works.
Arthur died (of illness not recorded) in the Military Hospital Rouen 26th October 1918.
Grave Reference: S. II. T. 24.
ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France.
Roberts E H
Roberts I
Robinson T
Rooke Leonard George Hector Gunner 284674
165th Bty. 26th Bde. Royal Field Artillery.
Born at Heath Town. Son of Robert Frederick and Eliza Rooke, of 174 Wednesfield Rd, Wolverhampton.
Died of phthisis 2 June, 1920 age 19.
Grave Reference: NG. 15. 26
Heath Town (Holy Trinity) Churchyard.
Rowley W T
Russell A
Ryder Joseph Pte S/21560 8th Btn Seaforth Highlanders KIA 2/8/17.
Sadler Charles F*
Scott William Howard Pte 50289 “C” Coy 9th Btn Essex Rgt KIA 13/10/18
Son of the late Dr. and of Mrs. Irwin Scott, of 18, Denmark Villas, Hove, Sussex. Came over from California, 1915. Accepted O.T.C., failed from heart trouble. Worked at munitions till March 1918, joined as private, although exempted.
Speed Bert Pte 3946 2/6th Btn South Staffordshire Rgt Died ( Ireland) 29/4/16
Spencer A*
Smith A
Smith J
Smith William Gunner 201942 504th Bty Royal Field Artillery Died (Home) 11/11/17.
Southan Peter Guardsman 13767 2nd Btn Grenadier Guards KIA 12/10/15
Stonier William Pte R4/063980 2nd Base Remount Depot Army Service Corps Died 20/7/18.
Summerhill John Joseph Pte 11643 1st South Staffordshire Rgt DOW 30/5/16.
TATTON, Joseph Mark Private 10309
Honourable Artillery Company.
Born in Birmingham, enlisted at Armoury House, resident in Wolverhampton.
Son of Councillor S. Tatton, J.P., and Mrs. M. E. Tatton, of 54, Milton Rd., Heath Town.
Killed in Action 9 October 1917.
BUTTES NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, POLYGON WOOD.
Taylor J
Terry H
Thompson J
Tomlinson F
Tomlinson F
Tonks E
Tonks R
Tunley H G
Tyler J
Warrender H
Watkins W
Watts J
Watts S
Watts S
Wenlock, Frank Driver 77247
“B” Battery 56th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
Born and enlisted in Heath Town, son of Harry and Mary Wenlock.
Died of illness 21 February 1917.
Panel 3 and 60.
BASRA MEMORIAL IRAQ.
His father Harry died of wounds in France and his cousin Joseph Blakemore (commemorated on this memorial) died of illness at home.
Wenlock Harry Russelbury DCM 2nd CPL 79705
170th Tunnelling Coy Royal Engineers
Harry was born in 1873 at Wheaton Aston the son of William and Mary Wenlock (nee Brew). He was married to Emma Theresa Blakemore.
Before the war he served with 2nd Bn South Staffordshire Regiment and rose to the rank of Sergeant, he was a military reservist when war broke out. He worked as a mine overseer at a Ginny pit in Deans Road though he still returned to Wheaton Aston to help with the harvests.
Due to his mining experience he volunteered at the age of 41and joined the 170th Tunnelling Company.
He won his DCM for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the night of 21-22 August 1915 at Cuinchy when he sank a shaft knowing the enemy were working within a few feet of him and 12 men had already lost their lives in the same mine.
Harry died of his wounds 21 May 1916 after receiving his wounds in action a few days earlier.
Grave Reference I. M 26.
NOUEX-LES MINES COMMUNAL CEMETERY.
His son Frank (see above) died of Illness serving while serving in Mesopotamia, and his nephew Joseph Blakemore (commemorated on this memorial) also died at home of illness.
Wenlock William Private 8455 1st Bn South Staffordshire Regiment
Born at Stafford son of William and Harriet Wenlock nephew of Harry Russelbury Wenlock, resident in Heath Town. The 1911 census records William as a 22 year old soldier serving with 1st Battalion, South Staffs Regiment in Gibraltar. William was Killed in Action 30 October 1914 .
Panel 35 and 37. YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL.
Westwood W
Whitehouse H
Wildig Arthur John Pte 19016 1st Btn Northumberland Fusiliers KIA 14/7/16
Wildig Harry Richard Pte 21287 9th Btn Lancshire Fusiliers KIA (Gallipoli) 7/8/15.
Wilks J
Willetts C
Williams H
Williams E
Willner John Captain 1/6th Btn South Staffordshire Rgt KIA 7/4/18
Winter Horace Driver 101370 “B” Bty 163rd Bde Royal Field Artillery KIA 26/7/16
Wooldridge, John Private 5284
2nd Bn Scots Guards
Son of Thomas H. Wooldridge of 33 Lord St Wolverhampton
Killed in Action 18 December 1914 aged 34
Panel 1 PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Yarranton Arthur Pte 36189 7th Btn South Staffordshire Rgt KIA 21/11/17.
Yates Harold Vincent L/Cpl 2911 20th Hussars KIA 30/10/14
