Great War Lives Lost

We died 100 years ago in the War to end all War
June 11, 2018

Wednesday 12 June 1918 We Lost 321

At a railhead in France several trucks loaded with heavy ammunition catch fire causing an explosion.  Several men are wounded and some lay underneath the burning trucks.  Private James Dunn (Coldstream Guards) at once rushes forward and carries two of the wounded men to a shelter trench close by where he renders first aid.  He then returns to the assistance of other wounded men when a second explosion takes place.  Notwithstanding this and also the very grave danger of further explosions he continues to assist the wounded and help to rescue those who are lying under the burning trucks. For his actions he will be awarded the Albert Medal.

At first light the Cossacks start for the bridge at Menjil anticipating a hard fight. Martinsydes flying over the enemy positions discover that the enemy has failed to occupy a key ridge commanding their lines. The Cossacks quickly take the ridge and site their artillery. The enemy then retreat and the bridge is secured.

Today’s losses include:

  • A man whose uncle was killed in 1916 as the commanding officer of his battalion
  • A man whose brother was killed in May 1916

 Today’s highlighted casualties include:

  • Second Lieutenant Humphrey Gilbert Machell (Border Regiment) is killed in action at age 30. He is the nephew of Colonel (Commanding) P W Machell, who was killed in action in 1916.
  • Private R Bolland (Welsh Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 20. His brother was killed in May 1916.
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June 10, 2018

Tuesday 11 June 1918 We Lost 388

Patrols by the Royal Air Force destroy six enemy aircraft, one by Captain William Henry Hubbard.

Cossacks supporting the Dunsterforce depart the British forward positions in Qazvin, Iran with elements of the 14th Hussars.

Today’s losses include:

  • A General
  • A man whose brother died as a civilian at the front
  • The son of a member of the clergy

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

  • Brigadier General Wellesley Lyndock Henry Paget CB CMG MVO (Royal Artillery) dies at home at age 60.
  • Lieutenant William Robie Bowick (Royal Air Force) is killed in a flying accident at home at age 20. His younger brother died at the front as a civilian one-month prior.
  • Private Arthur Shannon Wilson (West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 18. He is the son of the Reverend Charels Usher Wilson Vicar of Sutterton.
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June 10, 2018

Monday 10 June 1918 We Lost 485

William Edward Parsons

An explosion occurs on board H.M. Motor Launch 64. Immediately after the explosion Commodore ‘Sir’ James Startin KCB Royal Naval Reserve proceeds alongside ML 64, the engine-room of which is still burning fiercely. On learning that Chief Motor Mechanic Herbert Mann (RNVR) is below, he springs down the hatch without the slightest hesitation, and succeeds in recovering the body practically unaided. In view of the fact that the bulkhead between the engine-room and the forward tanks had been blown down by the force of the explosion, and that the fire is blazing upon the side and on the top of the forward tanks, which are composed of exceedingly thin metal and are consequently liable to burst at any moment, the action of Commodore Startin in entering the engine-room before the fire is subdued shows the utmost possible gallantry and disregard of personal safety. Had the engineer not been past human aid he would undoubtedly have owed his life entirely to the courage and promptitude of Commodore Startin who will be awarded the Albert Medal for his actions.

Petty Officer William Sunley (HMS Low Tyne) is one of three killed when his ship is torpedoed by UB-34.  He dies at age 27 and has two brothers who will also lose their lives in the Great War. Seaman Roderick MacKenzie (SS Borg Royal Naval Reserve) is killed when his ship is torpedoed by UB-103. He is one of twenty-four casualties and dies at age 19. He has two brothers who will also be killed in the war.

 Today’s losses include:

  • A 13-victory ace
  • The 5th Earl of Rosse
  • Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

  • Major William Edward Parsons (Irish Guards) the 5th Earl of Rosse dies suddenly at Birr Castle, Ireland at age 44.
  • Thirteen victory ace Captain John Gerald Manuel DSC (Royal Air Force) is killed at age 25 in a collision with Second Lieutenant Francis Coupe Dodd who is also killed at age 22.
  • Corporal Lionel Roy Lukin (Australian Infantry) is killed. His brother was killed in August 1915.
  • Private William Wallace Boustead (Border Regiment) dies at home at age 30. His brother was killed in April 1917.
  • Private John Frances Bray (Northumberland Fusiliers) dies at home at age 18. His brother was killed in action in August 1915.
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June 8, 2018

Sunday 9 June 1918 We Lost 412

Walter Alexander Tyrrell

The collier SS Moidart is sunk by UC-77 while on a voyage from Barry to Rouen with a cargo of coal.  The crew of 15 is lost.

Today’s losses include:

  • A 17-victory ace
  • Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War
  • The son of an Alderman and Justice of the Peace
  • Multiple sons of members of the clergy

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

  • Captain Walter Alexander Tyrrell MC (Royal Air Force) is killed in action at age 19 when he is hit by enemy machine gun fire from the trenches. He is a seventeen victory ace.  His brother will be killed in less than two weeks and they are sons of Alderman John Tyrrell JP.
  • Lieutenant Edward Stillingfleet Sedley Taylor (North Staffordshire Regiment) dies of consumption brought on by exposure in the firing line. He is the son of Reverend John Gleig Taylor Canon of Hereford Cathedral.
  • Lieutenant Eric Walter Greswell (Cheshire Regiment attached Royal Air Force) is killed at age 22. He is the son of the Reverend Walter Greswell.
  • Second Lieutenant Reginald Arthur Baring (Royal Air Force) is killed at age 19. His two brothers have been killed previously in the Great War and they are sons of the Reverend Francis Henry Baring Rector of Eggesford.
  • Second Lieutenant Edward Tyrrell Bruce (Machine Gun Corps) age 34 is killed in action two weeks after his brother suffered the same fate.
  • Private Harry Victor Barnard (Royal Fusiliers) is killed at age 19. He is the last of three brothers who will lose their lives in the Great War.
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June 7, 2018

Saturday 8 June 1918 We Lost 506

Edwin John Leat

During an intense bombardment Corporal Joseph Thomas Kaeble MM (Quebec Regiment) remains at the parapet with his Lewis gun shouldered ready for action, the field of fire being very short. As soon as the barrage lifts from the front line, about fifty of the enemy advances towards his post. By this time the whole of his section except one has become casualties. Corporal Kaeble jumps over the parapet, and holding his Lewis gun at the hip, empties one magazine after another into the advancing enemy, and although wounded several times by fragments of shells and bombs, he continues to fire and entirely blocks the enemy by his determined stand. Finally, firing all the time, he falls backwards into the trench mortally wounded. While lying on his back in the trench he fires his last cartridges over the parapet at the retreating Germans, and before losing consciousness shouts to the wounded about him: “Keep it up, boys; do not let them get through! We must stop them” The complete repulse of the enemy attack at this point is due to the remarkable personal bravery and self-sacrifice of this gallant non-commissioned officer, who will die of his wounds tomorrow.

Lieutenant Robert Reginald Richardson and his observer Lieutenant Hurst sight a U boat on the surface at 56.43 north 42 west.  The U-boats periscope is still visible when they reach it and they drop two 230-pound bombs, which reportedly bring up oil and bubbles.

HMS Zennia and an American destroyer rescue the survivors of the Cunard liner Ausonia which was sunk last month some six hundred twenty miles west of Fastnet.  Forty-four crew members of the liner have been lost and the survivors have sailed some nine hundred miles in five lifeboats. Captain R Capper of the Ausonia will be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions.

Mrs. Catherine Stamp of Gloucester loses both her 50-year old husband Thomas and 16-year old son Richard when the merchant ship SS Olwen is sunk. Thomas was the Master of the ship, while his son served as the cook.

Today’s losses include:

  • A father and son killed together
  • A battalion commander
  • Multiple families that lose two and three sons in the Great War
  • A man whose son will be killed in May 1940
  • The son of a member of the clergy
  • A first class cricketer for Somerset
  • The son of Viscount D’Arcy

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

  • Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Chipchase Roberts (commanding 14th Gloucestershire Regiment) is killed at age 42. His son will be killed at Dunkirk in May 1940 and his brother was killed in October 1915.
  • Captain William Fraser Hale (Canadian Army Medical Corps) is killed in action at age 40. He is the son of the Reverend Joseph Hale.
  • Second Lieutenant Edwin John Leat (Dorsetshire Regiment) is killed at age 33. He is a first class cricket player for Somerset.
  • Second Lieutenant Samuel Hollis Alfred D’Arcy DSO (Royal Air Force) is accidentally killed flying at home at age 19. He is the son of the Viscount D’Arcy.
  • Private Herbert Scott (Australian Infantry) is killed in action at age 33. His two brothers have been killed previously in the Great War.
  • Private Charles Sallabanks (Machine Gun Corps) is killed at age 19. His brother was killed in April 1916.
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June 6, 2018

Friday 7 June 1918 We Lost 364

Today’s losses include:

  • The Assistance Native Commissioner for Northern Rhodesia
  • The son of the 7th Viscount Falmouth
  • A family that will lose two sons in the Great War
  • A man whose nephew will be killed in August 1944
  • A man whose won will be killed in the Royal Air Force in August 1944
  • The son of a member of the clergy
  • A Military Chaplain

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

  • Major John Edouard Marsden Bromley DSO (Royal Field Artillery) is killed in action at age 36. He had been the Assistant Native Commissioner for Northern Rhodesia.
  • Major ‘The Honorable’ George Edward Boscawen DSO (Royal Field Artillery) dies of wounds received in action 27th May at age 29. He is the son of the 7th Viscount Falmouth and his younger brother was killed in action in 1914.  They will have a nephew, a son of the 8th Viscount killed in action in France with the Coldstream Guards in May 1940.
  • Captain James Hardie Brown MC (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) is killed at age 32. His son will be killed in the Royal Air Force in August 1944.
  • Second Lieutenant Harold Arthur Livingston Raynor (Rifle Brigade) is killed at age 19. He is the son of the Reverend Arthur Guy Sanders Raynor Vicar of Steventon.
  • Chaplain (attached Royal Garrison Artillery) Joseph Dobson Burns dies of wounds while visiting an advanced dressing station when it is struck by an enemy shell. He dies at age 29.
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June 5, 2018

Thursday 6 June 1918 We Lost 571

An air raid on their Dunkirk aerodrome causes the death of Major James Arthur Royal Air Force) who dies of wounds at age 29. He is the nephew of Lord Glanarthur and grandson of the late ‘Sir’ James Coates.

 Today’s losses include:

  • Two families that will lose two sons in the Great War

 Today’s highlighted casualties include:

  • Captain John de Camorne Paynter DSC (Royal Air Force) is killed at age 20. He is a 10-victory ace.
  • Second Lieutenant Percy William “Peter” Hubbard MM (Lancashire Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 37. He had been the Captain of the cricket and rugby clubs at Westminster Bank and a member of the Belsize Clubs.
  • Private Peter Murphy (Black Watch) is killed in action. His daughter will be born after his death.
  • Private Cecil Richard Reed (Lancashire Fusiliers) dies of wounds at age 18. His brother also fell.
  • Private Fred Wrench (Cheshire Regiment) is killed. He is the third brother who is killed in the Great War.
  • Private Herbert George Haynes (Lancashire Fusiliers) is killed at age 37. His brother was killed in November 1916.
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June 4, 2018

Wednesday 5 June 1918 We Lost 383

HMS Snaefell

Today’s losses include:

  • Two families that will lose two sons in the Great War

 Today’s highlighted casualties include:

  •  Second Lieutenant Herbert Walker Summerson (North Lancashire Regiment) dies of wounds received in action at age 28.
  • Private William Coxon (North Stafforshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 31. His brother was killed in September 1915.
  • Fireman John Woof (armed boarding Steamer HMS Snaefell) is killed at age 26 when his ship is sunk by a submarine. His brother will be killed in September of this year.
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June 3, 2018

Tuesday 4 June 1918 We Lost 370

John Ernest Vivian Rathbone (middle & below)

At 02:30 the 10th Lancashire Fusiliers position in Beaumont Trench near the village Beaumont Hamel is subjected to a heavy artillery barrage under the cover of which the Germans launch a trench raid.  Eventually the attackers are driven off.

A group of five flying boats from Felixstowe and Yarmouth set off in the afternoon to investage wireless activity possibly coming from enemy airships. One is forced to land with a broken feed pipe and about this time the patrol is attacked by a small group of enemy airplanes.  These are driven off by a Curtiss H12 which is forced down in Dutch waters and the crew interned.

 Today’s losses include:

  • A Victoria Cross winner
  • A General
  • The son of the 3rd Earl Cawdor
  • The brother of the actor Basil Rathbone
  • An Australian Rules footballer
  • The great grandson of a sailor at the Battle of Trafalgar
  • Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

  • Brigadier General Frederick William Lumsden VC DSO CB (General Officer Commanding 14th Brigade 32nd Division) is killed in action at Blairvill, near Arras, when he is shot through the head at age 41. Lumsden was born into a military family in Frizabad, India on 14th December 1872. At a young age he returned to Britain and attended Bristol Grammar School until he joined the Royal Marine Artillery as a junior officer. Serving in the Marine Service until 1907 he entered the Staff College in 1910. He then became the second staff officer at Singapore, not returning home until called home for war service in the months leading up to the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. Between 3rd April and 4th April 1917 at Francilly, France, Major Lumsden undertook to bring in six captured enemy field-guns which had been left in dug-in positions 300 yards in front of the British troops. The enemy is keeping these guns under very heavy fire. Major Lumsden led four artillery teams and a party of infantry through the hostile barrage, and despite casualties they eventually got all the guns away. He himself made three journeys to the guns and then stayed there directing operations until the last gun had been taken back. This is the action for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
  • Lieutenant Colonel Eric Octavius Campbell DSO (Seaforth Highlanders) dies of cerebral hemorrhage at home while undergoing treatment for an illness contracted on active service at age 32. He is the son of the 3rd Earl Cawdor.
  • Captain Claude Frank Lethbridge Templer (Gloucestershire Regiment) is killed in action at age 22. He was on a raid to any enemy trench in December 1914 when he was captured. He made thirteen attempts at escape before finally succeeding and after returning to England received a private audience with His Majesty the King. He is now killed while returning from a successful raid on another enemy trench.
  • Captain John Ernest Vivian Rathbone (Dorsetshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 20. He is the brother of the actor Basil Rathbone.
  • Lieutenant Leslie John Primrose (Australian Flying Corps) is accidentally killed at age 28. He is a former Australian rules footballer who played with University.
  • Lieutenant Brian Wilton Meadway (Northamptonshire Regiment attached Royal Air Force) is accidentally killed at home while flying at age 22. His great grandfather George Wilton was on board HMS Agamemnon at the Battle of Trafalgar.
  • Private John W Cartmell (Lancaster Regiment) is killed at age 33. His brother was killed on Christmas Eve 1915.
  • Private Ronald Adamson (Lincolnshire Regiment) is killed at age 18. His brother died on service in Baghdad in October 1917.
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June 2, 2018

Monday 3 June 1918 We Lost 427

Herbert Musgrave

Major Arthur W Keen takes command of 40th squadron.

 Today’s losses include:

  • The son of the Governor of South Australia
  • A man whose son will be born after his death
  • Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

  • Major Herbert Musgrave DSO (attached Staff II Royal Engineers), son of the late ‘Sir’ Anthony Musgrave GCMG, the Governor of South Australia is killed while on a patrol behind German lines by a rifle grenade at age 42. He was one of the first 11 pilots in the Royal Flying Corps in 1912 having served in the South Africa War from 1899-1902.  His son will be born after his death.
  • Captain William Fielding McIsaac (Canadian Army Medical Corps) dies of wounds received 19th May at age 24. He is the son of the Honorable C F McIsaac.
  • Corporal Ernest Cecil Foss (Australian Infantry) is killed at age 33. He is the last of three brothers who are killed in the Great War.
  • Private Albert Edward Carpenter (Labour Corps) dies as a prisoner of war at age 32. His brother was killed in March 1917.
  • Private George Enoch James (Gloucestershire Regiment) dies on service at home at age 24. His brother was killed ten weeks ago.
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