Company Serjeant Major  B/461227.

Royal Army Service Corps (Canteens)

Leonard Edwards was born in 1893 in Kingsley, the son of Abraham (a Bronze Wire drawer) and Sarah Lizzie Edwards, of Economic Cottage, Hazels Cross Road, Kingsley, the second of their five children.  (1901 Census).  As a teenager Leonard was employed locally as an Accounts Clerk.  (1911 Census).

Leonard Edwards enlisted in the British Army on 9th June 1915, aged 22 years, initially joining the Royal Field Artillery, Service No. 240721 as a Driver.    Later, on a date as yet unknown, Leonard was transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps (Canteens).  Service No: B/461227.  (This may indicate that he sustained an injury which necessitated his transfer to a non front line role).  During his military service Leonard attained the rank of Company Sergeant Major.

Leonard Edwards was discharged from the Army on 14th February 1919 shortly after the end of the war.  (Army Medical Records).

Leonard Edwards died on 16th September 1920, aged 27yrs, some 20 months after leaving the Army.  His death was due to 1.  Excision of suppurating cysts of the neck, and 2.  Cellulitis – Septicemia. (Death Certificate).  Leonard Edwards is buried in St Werburgh’s Churchyard, Kingsley.  His grave is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as a ‘War grave’.  (CWGC website).  

Leonard Edwards left an estate valued at £85 – 19s – 17d which was passed to his father Abraham still living at Economic Cottage, Hazles Cross Roads, Kingsley.  (Probate records).

For reasons unknown Leonard Edwards name does not appear on the memorial within St Werburghs Church nor on the memorial on Dovedale Road. As a consequence from the second Remembrance Day in 1920 up until 2014 his name was not remembered nor read out as one of those who died as a result of his service in the war. That changed in November 2014 when his name was read out in St Werburgh’s Church and at the memorial.

Footnote 1.  Given that the grave of Leonard Edwards is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as a ‘War grave’, it is presumed that at least one of the conditions which led to his death was attributed to his war service.

Footnote 2.  Leonard Edwards was the uncle of Sheila Pegg, (nee Fenton), now living in Church Terrace, Kingsley.  As far as we can establish Shelia Pegg is the last known local surviving relative of Leonard Edwards.

Private S/12225.  Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).  9th Battalion

Records relating to his death in the war  indicate that he was born in 1884 being 32 years at the time he died. However our research indicates that he was born in April 1894 , the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Mary  Bevans (nee Price) of The Wharf, Froghall, Staffs.

In 1891 from the census of that year we have one Elizabeth Mary Price aged 22 born in Shropshire working as a servant at Woodland View Froghall. Elizabeth Price and Thomas Bevan married in the Cheadle area (quite possibly St Werburgh’s Church) in the summer  of 1891.

In 1901 the family comprised of George aged 6 years and his sister Sarah Elizabeth Bevans aged 3. They were living with Elizabeth’s parents at Norton Farm in Condover, Shropshire with Thomas’s occupation being given as a shepherd. (1901 Census)

By 1911 the family are back in Froghall living at the Wharf with a third child, a son named John Thomas who was five. George Price Bevans is a labourer on the North Staffordshire Railway and his father a wagoner with the same company. (1911 Census)

There is no known record of George marrying. At some point he joined the army enlisting in Stoke on Trent and was posted to the Black Watch Regiment.

However we know from his medal award that he saw service in the theatre  of operations after 1915 as he was not awarded the 1914-15 Star which was awarded to those who served in the theatre of operations during those years.

We do not know at what point in 1916 that George was sent to France but by September 1916 he was on the Somme with his battalion which was in reserve at Albert roughly between Arras and Amiens. However by the 6th September they were as the war diary phrases it in the ‘firing line’ relieving the Camerons.

The 9th Battalion The Black Watch and another four battalions of the regiment were involved in the battle that dominated 1916 – the Battle of the Somme. (www.theblackwatch.co.uk)

Their position on the front line was between High Wood and Bazentin Le Petit and was described as very difficult to hold. On 7th September they were shelled by the Germans which seriously wounded one officer and killed one other rank and wounded three others.

On the following day the battalion were under machine gun fire and shelling which caused some casualties. However at 6.30pm that day two companies attacked the German trenches killing 70 and capturing 30 along  with two machine guns and capturing the trench. After initially consolidating their gain, due to the Gloucestershire Regiment on their flank falling back  the Black Watch came under a strong enemy attack which forced them to withdraw.

Casualties were one officer missing believed wounded, 2 officers wounded with 24 other ranks killed, 14 missing and 59 wounded.

The following day, whilst still at the front seems to have passed with little incident despite shelling and machine gun fire other than a further attack by a unit to the battalion’s flank that was described as causing serious casualties to the enemy.

The unit was then withdrawn from the front line on 10th September with the diary recording casualties as 6 officers and 119 other ranks (killed, missing, or wounded) . The war diary records in the coming weeks that 5 soldiers were awarded the Military Medal and one the Distinguished Conduct Medal  for their bravery on 8th September. Given the action on that day was by two companies of less than 500 men these awards indicate the nature of the fighting on that day.

George Price Bevans was one of those to lose his life  on 8th September 1916. Whilst it is assumed he died taking part in the attack on the enemy trenches the precise nature of his death is not known but his body was never recovered. He is  commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial for the 72,000 men who lost their lives during the Battle of Somme and have no known grave. As well as being commemorated on the memorials in Kingsley. George Bevans is also commemorated on Foxt’s War Memorial as George T Bevans.

George was also featured in a book written by John Crosby called Path of Duty featuring the men of Foxt and Ipstones who died in the war. As often happened men appeared on more memorial. The relevant extract from John’s book can be found HERE (Requires rotating to view) The project team are extremely grateful to John for his assistance in research and encouragement throughout our research.

Footnote 1.  On 1 July 1916, supported by a French attack to the south, thirteen divisions of Commonwealth forces launched an offensive on a line from north of Gommecourt to Maricourt. Despite a preliminary bombardment lasting seven days, the German defences were barely touched and the attack met unexpectedly fierce resistance. Losses were catastrophic and with only minimal advances on the southern flank, the initial attack was a failure. In the following weeks, huge resources of manpower and equipment were deployed in an attempt to exploit the modest successes of the first day. However, the German Army resisted tenaciously and repeated attacks and counter attacks meant a major battle for every village, copse and farmhouse gained. At the end of September, Thiepval was finally captured. The village had been an original objective of 1 July. Attacks north and east continued throughout October and into November in increasingly difficult weather conditions. The Battle of the Somme finally ended on 18 November with the onset of winter.The battle was one of the largest of World War I, in which more than 1,000,000 men were wounded or killed. (Wikipedia).

In the spring of 1917, the German forces fell back to their newly prepared defences, the Hindenburg Line, and there were no further significant engagements in the Somme sector until the Germans mounted their major offensive in March 1918.  

Footnote 2.  The Thiepval Memorial commemorates 72,000 officers and men from Britain and South Africa who lost their lives during the Battle of the Somme and have no known grave.  Four men from Kingsley Parish are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial; Charles Allen (died 12th August 1916), Isaac Hammond (died 31st August 1916), George Price Bevans (died 8th September 1916) and Arthur Keene (died 12th October 1916).  A fifth man Thomas Clowes (died 19th October 1916) also lost his life in the battle and is buried nearby in a military cemetery at Arras.

Footnote 3. An infantry battalion in this era comprised some 1000 soldiers of which 30 were  officers when at full strength. Each company had around 225 soldiers including officers. However it was not uncommon for a battalion to have a fighting strength of 200 and on 8th September 1916 its unlikely that the two company attack would have been with 500 men. (http://www.1914-1918.net)

Footnote 4 A typical battalion spent perhaps only 5-10 days in a year in intensive action; they would also spend 60-100 days in front-line trench activities without being in action, with the rest of the time being in reserve or at rest, both of which entailed continual effort on fatigues or training.(http://www.1914-1918.net)

Lieutenant Colonel.  Warwickshire Yeomanry

Rowland John Beech was born in the period October – December 1853 (Births Index) in Brandon, Nr Coventry, Warwickshire, the son of James (born Shawe Hall, Kingsley) and Emily Beech, being the second of their five children.  In 1861 the family were living at Brandon Lodge, Brandon, Warwickshire, supported by 17 members of household staff. (1861 Census).  By 1871 Rowland’s father James was no longer with the family and may well have died. (1871 Census).

In 1881 Rowland Beech was a Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry.  At the time of the census he was one of at least 25 men of a similar rank at the ‘School of Musketry’, Hythe, Kent, possibly undergoing some form of military training. (1881 Census).

Around 1886 Rowland, (aged 32 yrs) married Adelaide Frederica Cure, and returned to live at Brandon House, Warwickshire, where Rowland is described as ‘Living on his own means’.  The couple had four children, Christabel, Irene, Rowland Auriol and Douglas.  (1891 Census).

In 1911 the family remained living at Brandon House, Warwickshire, at which stage Rowland (aged 57 yrs) was described as being a Lieutenant Colonel in the Warwickshire Yeomanry.  He was also a Justice of the Peace in the Counties of Warwickshire and Staffordshire.   (1911 Census).

On 21st February 1915 Rowland Beech’s oldest son Rowland Auriol James (Jim), a Lieutenant in the 16th (The Queens) Lancers, was killed whilst on active service on the Western Front in northern France.  More Detail Here

Rowland Beech was posted to France on 22nd February 1917 and saw active service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Warwickshire Yeomanry and 2nd Lifeguard Regiment. It would seem that the death of his son promoted him at the age of 63 to re-join the army.

Army Record – as an officer Rowland’s record was stored elsewhere and not subject to loss / damage in the ‘Blitz’ and is stored at the National Archives. The project will be visiting the National Archives in Kew this autumn to continue their research.

Rowland Beech died on 30th August 1919, aged 65 yrs, almost 10 months after the end of the war.  At that time he was recorded as having the following addresses:

– Brandon Hall, Nr Coventry, Warwickshire.

– The Shawe, Kingsley, Staffordshire.

– 71 Cadogan Square, Chelsea, Middlesex

– 7 Turlingham Gardens, Folkestone, Kent.

Probate records indicate he left an estate valued at £206,931 15s 8d.  (Probate Records).  This was a very significant estate roughly worth £8 million by 2014 values.  (This Money website)

His death certificate has been obtained and records his death as the result of anterior scelerocis, cerebral softening and cardiac failures. None of these would appear directly attributable to his war service but given that his death occurred shortly after the war he was classed as a casualty of war.

Rowland was buried in the family crypt within St Werburgh’s Church and there is also a tablet erected on the wall of the church near to one erected in the memory of his son.

His burial and that of two other men (Leonard Edwards and George William Hood) are commemorated on to Commonwealth War Graves Commission site and the church yard is acknowledged as a CWWG site.

Rowland John Beech pictured second left in France 1917

A further picture of R J Beech – note that he is wearing a blank armband which signifies the loss of his son.

Private 7716.  North Staffordshire Regiment.  (1st Battalion)

Isaac Hammond was born in 1889 in Kingsley the son of William and Maria Hammond, the youngest of their four children.  In 1891 William (Father) was employed as a Coal Miner, the four children were John (15yrs), Susan (9yrs), Sarah (5yrs) and Isaac (2 yrs).  (1891 Census).

In 1901 the family were still living in Kingsley Green, at that stage only Sarah (15yrs) and Isaac (12yrs) remained living at home.  Sarah was employed locally at a Tape Factory as a Pin Winder.  (1901 Census).

In 1910 or early 1911 Isaac Hammond married Bertha who was 4 years younger.

In 1911 Isaac (23yrs) and Bertha Hammond (19yrs) were living with his older brother John, John’s wife Edith and their five children in a terraced house at 3 Oak Street, Cheadle, Staffs. The census indicates Isaac and Bertha had been married for 6 months.  (1911 Census).

On a date as yet to be established Isaac Hammond joined the Army, Service No. 7716 and was posted to the North Staffordshire Regiment (1st Battalion). He entered France in May 1915  (Ancestry Records and Medal Card). His service number is within 200 of Charles Allen who was killed in early August 1916. This would suggest that like Charles he was a territorial soldier before the war – his medal car reveals he was a Lance Corporal at some stage perhaps as  an acting rank. This is further confirmed by the fact that he is on the 1914 nominal role for the regiment at the outbreak of the war.

The 1st Battalion, North Staffs Regiment were involved in the Battle of the Somme, (1st July – 18th November 1916).  (Wikipedia).  

Isaac Hammond died on 31st August 1916.  (Army Medal Card – St Werburghs Plaque).  However the Commonwealth War Grave Commission has his date of death as 21st August 1916 – as does the Staffordshire Regiment Museum. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

North Staffs Regiment (1st Battalion) War Diary has been obtained and shows that the battalion were in action in the latter part of the month of August. In the period of 21st to 22nd August the battalion relieved the 8th Queens (Royal West Surrey Regt.) They were subject to shelling and suffered some casualties as a result.

The main action appears to have taken place on 31st August when the battalion were  attacked having moved into the Devlville Wood area. In preparation an advanced party visited and described the trenches as in poor condition and communications non existent. Visits by junior  officers were made as well over the coming days and it seems that the men spent some time in barracks which were described as inadequate but giving shelter from the rain and cold.

30th August 1916 saw the battalion relieving 9th Rifle Brigade as they moved into Delville Wood. Almost immediately they were subject to heavy shelling and the South Staffordshire Regiment to their left were attacked. The North Staffs had sent a Lewis gun and some bombs (grenades) to assist them but they retreated through the North Staffs lines. It seems that only desperate and brave fighting prevented the Germans getting through and the attack was halted albeit a section of trench had been lost to the Germans.

Of the battalions 16 company officers 2 were killed, one was wounded and missing and three were wounded during this attack. Of the other ranks it is unclear how many were killed for certain from the diary. There is no entry relating to this but from the officers messages  at least 26 were killed, 45 wounded and 6 were recorded as ‘buried’ suggesting an explosion had caused the collapse of a trench or similar. The fighting on this day was clearly very tough and a letter was sent from the Divisional General to congratulate the soldiers for their efforts.

Footnote 1:  The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the the British and French armies against the German Empire. It took place between 1 July and 18 November 1916 on both sides of the River Somme in France. The battle was one of the largest of World War I, in which more than 1,000,000 men were wounded or killed.  (Wikipedia).

Footnote 2:  The Thiepval Memorial commemorates 72,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers that fell during the Battle of the Somme between July and November 1916 and who have no known grave.  (Wikipedia).  Four men from Kingsley Parish are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial; Charles Allen (died 12th August 1916), Isaac Hammond (died 31st August 1916), George Price Bevans (died 8th September 1916) and Arthur Keene (died 12th October 1916).  A fifth man Thomas Clowes (died 19th October 1916) also lost his life in the battle and is buried nearby in a military cemetery at Arras.