Arthur Hagger – died in France 27th March 1918 Buried in the Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-bretonneux, France. Commemorated on Clock Tower War memorial, Coalville, Leicestershire. Northumberland Fusiliers, rank Private, Service No. 267297. Born 1897 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire the son of Arthur Hagger and Agnes Priscilla (nee Sharp). [Click to continue…]

Harold joined the London Regiment in 1910 and served with them until 1916 after which he moved to the RFC (later the RAF). On 27 December 1916 Harold's plane was shot down by the infamous 'Red Baron' (Manfred von Richthofen, pictured above) although he was fortunately unhurt in the incident. Harold's service file is filled with incidents causing him [Click to continue…]

Charles Ernest Dorling was born in 1892 in Earlsfield, Surrey, the eldest son of Robert Charles Dorling (born 1869 Great Ashfield, Suffolk) and Mary Ann nee Spears.  He is part of the Bacton branch of the Dorling family. Charles's first service date was 11 Mar 1910 & his first ship was Victory II.  In 1911, age 19, Charles was a Stoker 2nd [Click to continue…]

Fred Hagger - Died 29 Mar 1917, France & Flanders, Private 16th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.  Service No 57855.  Buried Mesnil-St Nicaise Churchyard, France.  Enlisted Bedford 15 Jan 1915.  Awarded Victory and British War medals.  He is also commerated on the war memorials at Old Fletton and Hitchin in Hertfordshire. The 16th Bat were mobilised [Click to continue…]

Claude served in France during WW1 and also, in 1919, the Russian Revolution where he was shot and consequently had his left leg amputated. After the war he became a clerk in the civil service. Two of his daughters still have his army notebook which is full of snippets about his day to day life during wartime and the reference he makes to his injuries [Click to continue…]