Great War Graves at All Saints, Gresford
Wayne Cronin-Wojdat
Great War Graves at All Saints, Gresford
Published September 2011 by Historical Gems, Copyright ©2011
Historical Gems, 25 Claypit Lane, Gresford, Wrexham, Wales, LL12 8PB, United Kingdom.
Website: www.historicalgems.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage
retrieval system without permission from Historical Gems.
The right of Wayne Cronin-Wojdat to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by
him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Contents:
Introduction
Quartermaster Sergeant 13079 William Barratt, MM, MSM, Canadian Infantry
Rifleman 107640 Thomas Beech Barton, The King’s Liverpool Regiment
Private 8576 Walter James Field, Lancashire Fusiliers
Captain Charles Eustace Fishbourne, Royal Engineers
Ordinary Seaman Z/6158 Reginald Eyton Griffiths, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Captain Arthur Henry Leslie Soames, MC, Légion d'Honneur, King’s Own Hussars & Royal Flying
Corp.
Introduction
During the Great War it was the policy of the British Government not to repatriate servicemen who
died on active service overseas, instead they were buried near to where they died. The only
exceptions to this policy are a very small number of private repatriations prior to 1915 by families
who could afford the expense. The main reason why some servicemen are buried in local churchyards
are that they have died whilst in Britain. The causes of these servicemen’s deaths tend to be from
illness, disease, wounds, injuries and accidents.
Six servicemen who died whilst on active service during the Great War are buried in the churchyard at
All Saints, Gresford. This report has been produced in remembrance of the sacrifice that was made by
each of these servicemen, and the grief that must have been suffered by their families.
Quartermaster Sergeant 13079 William Barratt, MM, MSM
William Barratt was born on the 21st February 1890 in Wrexham, Wales 1. The 1891 Wales Census
return further narrows down his place of birth as being Gwersyllt, Wrexham, Denbighshire. At the
time of the 1891 Census, William was one year old, and was residing in Gwersyllt with his father,
John Barratt, a general labourer, and his mother Elizabeth Barratt. Also residing in the household
were his siblings, Mary Barratt, Robert J. Barratt, and Sarah J. Barratt 2.
By 1901 the family had moved into the Mount Pleasant Inn, Croeshowell, Llay, Wrexham, as
William’s father had become the publican. Residing at the address was William, his parents, John and
Elizabeth Barratt, and his sisters, Mary and Edith Barratt 3.
By 1914 William Barratt was in Canada. The story as to why he emigrated to Canada is unclear. It
appears that prior to the outbreak of the Great War he was employed as a clerk. Furthermore, at some
point, possibly at the outbreak of the war, he joined the “Fort Garry Horse”1.
The Fort Garry Horse was a regiment organised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The regiment was
originally named the 34th Regiment of Cavalry, and the name Fort Garry Horse was added to the
Regiments name in 1913. The Regiment was mobilised for the war on August 5 th 1914 and moved to
Valcartier, Quebec on August 30th 19144. On the 30th August the regiment was informed that the
cavalry would not be required for the war effort and they would be transferred to the newly organised
6th Canadian Infantry Battalion5.
William Barratt appears to be amongst those men who transferred from the Fort Garry Horse to the
Canadian Infantry after 30th August 1914. He signed his Attestation Papers for the Canadian OverSeas Expedition on 21st September 1914, in Valcartier. His regiment is recorded as 5 th Battalion, and
his regimental number as 13079. The Attestation Papers provide a great deal of personal information
about William Barratt. He gave his religion as being Church of England. He is described as being
5’8’’ tall, and as having a fair complexion, grey eyes, and auburn hair. His chest girth when fully
expanded was 35’’ with a range of expansion of 3½’’. He had distinguishing marks that included a
sear above his buttock and a brown mole on his left flank. The medical officer declared him as being
fit for the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force. William’s next-of-kin is John Barratt,
presumably his father, who he states is living at 26, Newtown, Gresford, Wrexham, Wales 1.
A list of Officers and Men serving in the first Canadian contingent of the British Expeditionary Force,
1914 shows that William Barratt was serving in D Company, 5th Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade6.
The Second Supplement to the London Gazette published on 10th October 1916 made the following
announcement,
“War Office, 11th October 1916,
His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field
to the under mentioned:-“
13079 Private W. Barratt, Infantry, of the Canadian contingent, is one of those people mentioned in
the announcement 7.
William Barratt was further decorated on the 28 th July 1917 when he received a Bar to his Military
Medal8 & 9. [See note 1]
William Barratt died on the 22nd October 1918 from pneumonia whilst on home leave10 .
The death of William Barratt was covered by The Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News dated
Saturday 26th October 1918. The article reads,
“Death of Sergt.-Major W.Barratt
It is with regret we record the death of Sergt. Major W. Barratt, second son of Mr & Mrs J. Barratt,
Lake Villa, Gresford who succumbed to an attack of pneumonia while on home leave on Monday.
Sergt. Major Barratt, who was 28 years of age, belonged to a Canadian Division, being one of the
earliest to join the colours in Canada upon the outbreak of the war. About 18 months ago he was
awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field receiving later the bar in addition10”
On Friday 25th October 1918 he was buried in the churchyard at All Saints, Gresford, Wrexham, in a
service performed by Rev. R. J. Barker Owen. He was recorded in the burial register as living at Lake
Cottages, Gresford11 . His parents John and Elizabeth Barratt were recorded as living at 9, Lake View,
Gresford12.
The funeral was also covered in detail by The Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News in the
edition dated Saturday 2 November 1918. The article reads,
“The interment of the late Sergt. Major W. Barratt, who died from an attack of pneumonia whilst at
home on leave, took place at Gresford Church on Friday, in the presence of a large gathering of
sympathisers. The cortege was preceded by the R.W.F band, under Bandmaster Clancy, which played
the “Death March” in “Saul” on route to the church. The coffin bearing, the Union Jack, and the late
soldiers hat and belt, borne by four Royal Welsh Fusiliers was met at the church by the Rev. R.J.
Barker Owen who conducted the burial service. Funeral music was played by the organist (Mr E.J
Cunnah F.R.C.O). At the conclusion of the service at the grave, a firing party fired three volleys and
the Last Post was sounded13”.
His gravestone reads,
“13079 QMR SERJT
W Barratt MM MSM
2ND Canadian Inf. Bde. H.Q.
22ND October 1918 Age 28
Thy will be done”14
William Barratt’s nationality has also been recorded as Canadian by The Commonwealth War Graves
Commission12
William Barratt was posthumously decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his
valuable service rendered with the armies in France and Flanders, on the 18 th January 191915/ 16.
Rifleman 107640 Thomas Beech Barton
Thomas Beech Barton was born in 1900 in Wrexham, Denbighshire. At the time of the 1901 census
Thomas Beech Barton was residing in Grove Park, Wrexham. He was residing at the address with his
father Thomas Barton (Snr), a colliery worker, and his mother, Kate Barton. Also resident at the
address was his Aunt Ada Jones and two domestic servants1.
Thomas Beech Barton was enlisted as a Rifleman with the 5 th Battalion, The King’s (Liverpool
Regiment) 2
Thomas Beech Barton died on the 20th June 1918 at the Park Hall Military Hospital, Selattyn,
Oswestry, England2/3/4. The cause of his death was bronchial pneumonia3.
On Monday 24th June 1918 Thomas Beech Barton was buried in the churchyard at All Saints,
Gresford, Wrexham in a service performed by the Vicar of Hoseley. His address was recorded as
Burton Lodge, Gresford5.
On Saturday 29th June 1918 the death and funeral of Thomas Beech Barton was covered in The
Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News. The article reads,
“Wrexham Soldier’s Death at Oswestry –
The death took place at Park Hall Military Hospital, Oswestry of Pte. Barton Jnr. King’s (Liverpool)
Regiment, son of Mr T. Beech Barton, now of Eaton Lodge,
Gresford, late of Congleton, and formally of Plasynllwyn, Wrexham.
Pte. Barton died from bronchial pneumonia. The funeral took place
at Gresford Church on Monday. When living at Wrexham Pte.
Barton’s father was well known as managing director of the
Brynmalley Colliery Co. Ltd. and as head of the firm of Barton &
Co. Coal Merchants, and as a member of Wrexham Council3.
His grave is marked by a family gravestone, it reads,
“In loving memory of our only son
Thomas Beech Barton late Pte 5th King’s L’pool Regt
Who died at the Military Hospital, Oswestry
June 20th 1918
Aged 18½ years2”
At the time of his death Thomas Beech Barton’s estate was worth £471 16s. 6d, which was left to his
father, Thomas Beech Barton, Coal Merchant4.
Private 8576 Walter James Field
The birth of Walter James Field was registered in Aston, Warwickshire, which now falls under the
city of Birmingham, in 18821/2/3. He enlisted into the army on 11th September 19144, and served with
the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers2. He died on 8th July 19162, from wounds soon after being
invalid home from France5. His death was formally registered in South Stoneham, Hampshire6.
On the Thursday 13th July 1916, Walter James Field was buried in the churchyard at All Saints,
Gresford, Wrexham in a service performed by Rev. R.J. Barker Owen. The burial register records his
address as Llay Chain, Llay, Gresford3.
On Saturday 22nd July 1916 the death and funeral of Walter James Field was covered in The
Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News. The article reads,
“Military Funeral at Gresford
Private James Field (Lancashire Fusiliers) invalid home from France suffering from wounds
succumbed shortly after arrival in this country. Deceased who is 34 years of age was formally
employed in the Llay Main Collieries. He leaves a widow and one child. The internment took place at
Gresford church on Thursday week with military honours. The coffin, borne upon a funeral car which
was preceded by a detachment of Welsh Fusiliers carrying arms reversed, together with the band
playing funeral selections en route. The mourners included many of the deceased’s late fellow
workmen. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. R.J. Barker Owen and the Rev. Harcourt
Williams. Three volleys were fired over the grave, and the sounding of the ‘Last Post’ brought an
impressive service to a close.5”
Walter James Field was buried near to the south of the church tower, in the churchyard of All Saints,
Gresford7. A search of the churchyard during the summer of 2011 failed to locate a gravestone.
As a result of his military service he was awarded the Victory medal, the British Medal, and the 1914
Star Medal4.
Captain Charles Eustace Fishbourne
Charles Eustace Fishbourne was born on the 15th January 1885 in Llandyssill, Montgomery, Wales.
He was the son of Reverend Edward Alexander Fishbourne and Harriet
Fishbourne. He was educated at St. George’s, Windsor, and Malvern
College1.
He was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Engineers on the 21st
December 1904. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 23rd June 1907. His
military service saw him completing survey work in Uganda and later with
the London Traffic Commission. He retired from the military on the 4 th
January 1913 and became the Assistant General Manager at the London
General Omnibus Company1.
Captain Fishbourne1
At the outbreak of the Great War he re-joined the army and served with the
9th Field Company, Royal Engineers. He went to the front on 21st August 19141
On the 18th November 1914 he was wounded at Ploegsteert Wood1. Known as “Plugstreet” by those
who served in the Great War, Ploegsteert is in Flanders and about eight miles south of the infamous
Ypres battlefields. As a result of his wounds he was invalided home1.
In 1915 he was promoted to the rank of Captain2. He was appointed the Adjutant of the Royal
Engineers Reserves at Chatham 1.Due to his service he was mentioned in Field Marshal Sir French’s
Despatch of 14 January 19153.
On 10th June 1915 he died at Field House, Ledborough Lane, Beaconsfield,
Buckinghamshire4/5. The cause of his death was “spotted fever” that he
contracted at Chatham1/6. Spotted Fever is an old name for meningococcal
meningitis
On Saturday 12th June 1915, Charles Eustace Fishbourne was buried in the
churchyard at All Saints, Gresford, Wrexham, in a service conducted by
Archdeacon Fletcher5. The reason for this is that at the time of his death,
his father, Reverend Edward Alexander Fishbourne was the Vicar at All
Saints, Gresford6. During this funeral service he was accorded full
Captain Fishbourne's grave
military honours6.
(on the right)
Records show that Charles Eustace Fishbourne was awarded the Victory
medal, British Medal, 1914 Star, and that he was mentioned in despatches in 1915 8.
Charles Eustace Fishbourne left a wife, Mary Elizabeth Fishbourne, and two sons, Patrick Alexander
Fishbourne, born 10th February 1913, aged 1 on the death of his father, and Charles Michael Eustace
Fishbourne, born 2nd November 1915, after his father’s death. His family were residing at 89,
Overstrand Mansions, Battersea, London at the time of his death1
Charles left a will and an estate of £6330 4s 5d4.
Ordinary Seaman Mersey Z/6158 Reginald Eyton Griffiths
Reginald Eyton Griffiths was born on the 15th September 1900 in Liverpool, England1. On the 7th
October he was baptised at St Chrysostom, Liverpool2. At the time of the 1901 census he was living
in Chester Road, Gresford, Wrexham, with his father, Alfred Griffiths, a house decorator, and his
mother, Florence Griffiths3.
On the 5th September 1918 Reginald Eyton Griffiths was enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer
Reserve. At the time of his enlistment he gave his occupation as a colliery clerk. His height is given
as 5’6½’’, and his eye colour as being blue. His active service commenced on the 16th September
1918, just one day after his eighteenth birthday. On the 5th October 1918, a mere month after he had
enlisted, he died of pneumonia at Croydon Hospital1.
At the time of Reginald Eyton Griffith’s death, his mother, Florence Griffiths was living at The
Warren, Gresford. His father was already deceased4.
On 9th October 1918, Reginald Eyton Griffiths was buried in the churchyard of All Saints, Gresford,
Wrexham in a service conducted by Rev. J.E. Williams5
On Saturday 12th October 1918, the death and funeral of Reginald Eyton Griffiths was covered in The
Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News. The article read,
“Death of Mr Reg’na’d E Griffiths, Gresford.
The death has occurred of Mr Reginald Griffiths, only son of Mrs Griffiths and the late A.C. Griffiths,
of Gresford. The deceased, who was a clerk at the Gresford Colliery, joined the Royal Navy a few
weeks ago, being in training at the Crystal Palace, where he contracted a chill, which developed into
pneumonia, ending fatally on Friday last on the eve of his 18 th birthday. The body was brought to
Gresford for interment in the parish churchyard. The burial service was conducted by the Vicar and
Curate. Mr E.J. Cunnah F.R.C.O presided at the organ, the service being choral, and was largely
attended. Four members of the choir bore the body to the resting place. Regie Griffiths, as he was
popularly known, was held in high esteem, being a member of the church choir, and assistant
scoutmaster. Last year he was awarded the silver medal for the
best scout in the Gresford unit6.”
His gravestone reads,
“R.E. Griffiths
Ord. Seaman MZ/6158
Royal Naval Vol. Reserve
5th October 1918 Age 18
Thou O Lord
Art in the midst of them7”
Captain Arthur Henry Leslie Soames, MC, Légion d'Honneur
Arthur Henry Leslie Soames was born on the 20th May 1887 in Wrexham1. He was the son of
Frederick William Soames and Julia Mary Soames. At the time of the 1891 census the family was
residing at Llwyn Onn Hall, Wrexham2. Frederick William Soames was the owner of the Soames
brewery located in Wrexham town centre.
Arthur Henry Leslie Soames was already serving with the 3rd King’s Own
Hussars prior to Great War. His service records give little information
about his movements. On the 26th November 1912 flying a Vickers
monoplane, at the Vickers School, Brooklands, Surrey, he achieved his
flying certificate1. Brookland flying school was established in 1910 and
was one of the first flying schools in England, making him one of Great
Britain’s early aviators.
On the 13th August 1914 Arthur Henry Leslie Soames joined the British
Expeditionary Force and embarked to the Western Front 3. His date of
embarkation made him amongst the first aviators to serve on the Western
Captain Soames1
th
front. His services led to him being mention in despatches on the 19
October 1914. On the 1st January 1915 he was awarded the Military Cross4/5. The Military Cross was
awarded to him in recognition of his services in aerial reconnaissance and was presented to him by the
King5. He was also recognised for his actions by the French and was being awarded the French
Légion d'Honneur5/6.
In February 1915 he returned to England to undertake work as an instructor at the Central Flying
School. On the 3rd March 1915 he was promoted to the rank of temporary Captain. This rank was
designated to him for the period of his posting as a Squadron Leader engaged in instruction at the
Central Flying School4.
On the 7th July 1915, Arthur Henry Leslie Soames was the officer in charge of the experimental
section at the Central Flying School. He was involved in an
experiment with a new type of bomb in woods near to the
Netheravon Hospital, Wiltshire, England6. A report into the
inquest states,
“It was stated in evidence that he was fatally injured while testing
a high explosive bomb by means of a fuse. It appeared that the
Captain was behind a tree between 90 to 100 yards from the spot
where the bomb exploded, but he was struck by a piece of the
projectile, and died shortly afterwards5.”
The inquest returned a verdict of ‘Accidental Death’5/6. The
report also recorded that a colleague, Major Boase was also
injured during the incident6.
On Saturday 10th July 1915, Arthur Henry Leslie Soames was
buried in the churchyard at All Saints, Gresford, Wrexham, in a
service performed by Rev. Daniel Davies, Vicar of Wrexham7.
The death of Arthur Henry Leslie Soames was acknowledged by the King in a letter dated 10th July
1915 that was sent to Captain Paine, the Commandant of the Central Flying School, Upavon. The
letter read,
“Dear Mr Paine,
The King is greatly distressed to hear of the death of Captain Soames through an incident, and I am
commanded to convey to you the expression of His Majesty’s sympathy in the loss of a gallant
comrade and experienced flier.
His Majesty well remembers Captain Soames having decorated him some time ago with the Military
Cross and also having seen him give an exhibition on bomb throwing on the occasion of his visit to
Upavon.
The King would like to know further details of the incident by which Captain Soames lost his life 8.”
Arthur Henry Leslie Soames left an estate valued at £282 8s 7d was administered by his father,
Frederick William Soames of Bryn Estyn, Wrexham9.
The Great War had devastating consequences for the Soames family. As well as the death of Arthur
Henry Leslie Soames, the family also had to cope with the death of his brother William Noel Soames.
Lieutenant William Noel Soames of the Cheshire Yeomanry died on the 19 th May 1916 in Egypt10/11.
Another brother, Captain Julian Alfred Soames, of the Royal Welch Fusiliers was seriously injured
and had to have a leg amputated12. Additionally, on the 20th October 1914, Edith, Arthur Henry Leslie
Soames sister, lost her husband, Captain William Miles Kington, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers who
was killed in Tonnebeke, Belgium13.
Arthur Henry Leslie Soames father Frederick William Soames had a brother, Harold Soames14.
Harold Soames and his wife Katherine Mary Soames (nee Hill) had a daughter, Olave StClair
Soames15, who was Arthur Henry Leslie Soames cousin. On the 30th October 1912 Olave StClair
married Lord Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement16.
Sources for Quartermaster Sergeant 13079 William Barratt, MM, MSM
1. Library & Archives Canada, Attestation Paper for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force
for William Barratt regimental number 13079, Reference 150, Accession 1992-93, Box 467 – 47,
Library & Archives Canada. [Online] September 21, 1914.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042119.01e.php?&id_nbr=26443&interval=20&&PHPSESSID=pd461vcckdi2t0cfi1uvh49r73.
2. Public Record Office, Census Returns of England and Wales 1891, Class RG12, Piece 4617, Folio
32, Page 27, Kew, London
3. Public Record Office, Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901, Class RG13, Piece: 5222,
Folio 108, Page.7, Kew, London
4. The Fort Garry Horse Museum & Archive, Unit History – Overview, The Fort Garry Horse,
[Online]
http://www.fortgarryhorse.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=71.
5. The Fort Garry Horse Museum & Archive, 1914 - War, Mobilization, The Fort Garry Horse,
[Online]
http://www.fortgarryhorse.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=72.
6. Pay and Record Office, Canadian Contingent, List of the officers and men serving in the First
Canadian Contingent of the British Expeditionary Force, 1914, Great Britain Pay and Record Office,
His Majesty’s Printers, London, 1915, [Online]
http://www.archive.org/stream/listofofficersme00greauoft#page/66/mode/2up
7. The London Gazette, The Second Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday, the 10th of
October, 1916, Issue 29780, Page 9838, The London Gazette, [Online]
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29780/supplements/9838.
8. The London Gazette, The London Gazette of Friday 27th July 1917, Issue 30209, Page 7770, The
London Gazette, [Online]
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30209/supplements/7770.
9. Veteran Affairs Canada, Quartermaster Sergeant William Barratt, Veteran Affairs Canada,
[Online]
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/Detail&casualty=671242.
10. The Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News, Saturday 26th October 1918, Wrexham
Museum & Archives, Wrexham
11. Gresford Burials 1887 – 1944, Entry for William Barratt 25 October 1918, number 914, page
115, Gresford Parish Registers volume 29 (microfilm), Reference PD/34/1/563, Wrexham Museum &
Archives, Wrexham.
12. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Commonwealth War Graves Debt of Honour entry
for W Barratt, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, [Online]
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=671242
13. The Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News, Saturday 2nd November 1918, Wrexham
Museum & Archives, Wrexham
14. William Barratt's Gravestone, Churchyard, All Saints, Gresford, Wales.
15. The London Gazette, The Supplement to the London Gazette of 17th January 1919, Issue 1016,
Page 1016, The London Gazette, [Online]
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31132/supplements/1016.
16. Army Medal Office, Sgt (A/ Q.M.S) 13079 William Barratt M.M. WW1 Medal Index Cards,
Western Front Association.
Notes:
[1] The entry in the London Gazette is for the name 629076 Pte (L. /C.) J. W. Barratt, Inf. However,
information obtained from Veteran Affairs Canada suggests that this entry relates to William Barratt
Sources for Rifleman 107640 Thomas Beech Barton
1. Public Record Office, Census Returns of England and Wales 1901, Class RG13, Piece 5224, Folio
35, Page 12, Kew, England
2. Thomas Beech Barton’s Gravestone, Churchyard, All Saints, Gresford, Wrexham
3. The Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News, Saturday 29th June 1918, Wrexham Museum
& Archives, Wrexham
4. Principal Probate Registry, Entry for Thomas Beech Barton, Probate date 22nd October 1919,
Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the
High Court of Justice in England, London, England
5. Gresford Burials 1887 – 1944, Entry for Thomas Barton 24th June 1918, number 904, page 113,
Gresford Parish Registers volume 29 (microfilm), Reference PD/34/1/563, Wrexham Museum &
Archives, Wrexham.
Sources for Private 8576 Walter James Field
1. General Registrar’s Office, England and Wales Birth Indexes, Entry for Walter James Field, OctNov-Dec 1882, Aston District, Volume 6d, Page 307, London, England.
2. Ancestry.co.uk, Entry for Walter James Field, UK Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919
[online subscription service]
3. Gresford Burials 1887 – 1944, Entry for Walter James Field, 13th July 1916, number 856, page
107, Gresford Parish Registers volume 29 (microfilm), Reference PD/34/1/563, Wrexham Museum &
Archives, Wrexham.
4. Army Medal Office, Pte 8576 Walter J Field, WW1 Medal Index, Western Front Association.
5. The Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News, Saturday 22nd July 1916, Wrexham Museum
& Archives, Wrexham
6. General Registrar’s Office, England and Wales Death Indexes, Entry for Walter J. Field, Jul-AugSep 1916, South Stoneham District, Volume 2c, Page 87, London, England
7. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Commonwealth War Graves Debt of Honour entry
for Pte 8576 W J Field, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, [Online]
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=671244
Sources for Captain Charles Eustace Fishbourne
1. Ancestry.co.uk, Entry for Fishbourne, Charles Eustace UK, De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 19141929, [Online Subscription Service]
2. The London Gazette, Index to the London Gazette, Vol.1 1915, page 81
3. The London Gazette, Supplement to the London Gazette 17th February 1915, Issue 29072, Page
1656 [Online]
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29072/supplements/1656
4. Principal Probate Registry, Entry for Charles Eustace Fishbourne, Probate date 11th December
1915, Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries
of the High Court of Justice in England, London, England
5. Gresford Burials 1887 – 1944, Entry for Charles Eustace Fishbourne 12th June 1915, number 823,
page 103, Gresford Parish Registers volume 29 (microfilm), Reference PD/34/1/563, Wrexham
Museum & Archives, Wrexham.
6. The Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News, Saturday 12th June 1915, Wrexham Museum
& Archives, Wrexham
7.. The Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News, Saturday 19th June 1915, Wrexham Museum
& Archives, Wrexham
8. Army Medal Office, Charles Eustace Fishbourne, WW1 Medal Index, Western Front Association
Sources for Ordinary Seaman Mersey Z/6158 Reginald Eyton Griffiths
1. The Public Record Office, Service record for Reginald Eyton Griffiths, Service Number: Z/6158,
RNVR Division: Mersey, Date September 1918, Catalogue reference, ADM 337/61, Dept.: Records
of the Admiralty, Naval Forces, Royal Marines, Coastguard, and related bodies, Series Admiralty:
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve: Records of Service, First World War, Piece, Z6001-Z6313, Kew,
London
2. Liverpool Record Office, Liverpool Registers, 283 CHY/2/3
3. The Public Record Office, Census Returns for England and Wales 1901, Class RG13, Piece 5215,
Folio 102, page 3, Kew, London.
4.. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Commonwealth War Graves Debt of Honour entry
for Reginald Eyton Griffiths, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, [Online]
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=671246
5.. Gresford Burials 1887 – 1944, Entry for Reginald Eyton Griffiths, number 912, page 114,
Gresford Parish Registers volume 29 (microfilm), Reference PD/34/1/563, Wrexham Museum &
Archives, Wrexham.
6. The Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News, Saturday 12th October 1918, Wrexham
Museum & Archives, Wrexham
7. Reginald Eyton Griffith’s gravestone, churchyard, All Saints, Gresford
Sources for Captain Arthur Henry Leslie Soames, MC, Légion d'Honneur
1. Royal Aero Club, Entry for Arthur Henry Leslie Soames, Royal Aero Club Index Cards and
Photographs, Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, England
2. Public Record Office, Census returns of England and Wales, 1891, Class RG12, Piece 4614, Folio
5, Page 5, Kew, England
3. Army Medal Office, Captain Arthur Henry Leslie Soames, WW1 Medal Index Cards, Western
Front Association.
4. Public Record Office, Service record for Arthur Henry Leslie Soames, Catalogue Reference
AIR/76/475, Image Reference: 406, Kew, London.
5. The Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News, Saturday 10th July 1915, Wrexham Museum
& Archives, Wrexham
6. The Royal Aero Club, Flight: The Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom, 16th July 1915, p.517
7. Gresford Burials 1887 – 1944, Entry for Arthur Henry Leslie Soames, number 827, page 104,
Gresford Parish Registers volume 29 (microfilm), Reference PD/34/1/563, Wrexham Museum &
Archives, Wrexham
8. The Wrexham Advertiser and North Wales News, Saturday 17th July 1915, Wrexham Museum
& Archives, Wrexham
9. Principal Probate Registry, Entry for Arthur Henry Leslie Soames, Probate date 11th May 1917,
Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the
High Court of Justice in England, London, England
10. Army Medal Office, Entry for William Noel Soames, WW1 Medal Index Cards, Western Front
Association.
11. Principal Probate Registry, Entry for William Noel Soames, Probate date 22nd November 1917,
Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the
High Court of Justice in England, London, England
12. Williams, William Alister, The Encyclopaedia of Wrexham, Bridge Books, 2001
13. Principal Probate Registry, Entry for William Miles Kington, Probate date 19th February 1915,
Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the
High Court of Justice in England, London, England
14. Public Record Office, Census Returns of England and Wales 1881, Class RG11, Piece 3430,
Folio 96, Page 15, Kew, London
15. Public Record Office, Census Returns of England and Wales 1891, Class RG12, Piece 2761,
Folio 129, Page 12, Kew, London
16. St Peter’s Parish, Parkstone, Dorset Marriage Register, Entry for Olave StClair Soames and
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 30th October 1912, Page 99, Number 197, Dorset Parish
Registers, Dorset County Council Reference PE/PAR (SP)