Bertie Pinnuck Posted 22 April 2014 by Philip TaylorBertie Pinnuck was the fourth of nine children born to William Frederick and Clara Pinnuck. William, a labourer, died in 1909 aged 36. When war was declared in 1914, many men rushed to volunteer. However, as the casualty toll rose, the British Armed Services began to run out of men and so conscription was introduced in 1916. Bertie became eligible [Click to continue…]
Alfred George Drake Posted 14 November 2014 by Departed MemberAlfred George Drake (1894-1915), a Corporal in the 8th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. An extract from The London Gazette 21 Jan 1916 records 'For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 23 Nov 1915 near La Brique, France. He was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitring towards the German lines. [Click to continue…]
Francis Pook Posted 10 February 2014 by Margaret SpillerFrancis was born in the 3rd October 1889 in Saskatchewan, Canada. His father, George Samuel Pook, had emigrated from England sometime after 1871 and had joined the North West Mounted Police; he married Francis' mother, Alice Jane, in Canada and they had five children, of whom Francis was the eldest. Francis father died in 1911 and his mother remarried [Click to continue…]
John Rivers Greathead Posted 28 November 2013 by Jan CooperJohn Rivers Greathead was born on 1 August 1895. He was the son of Dr John Baldwin Smithson Greathead M.B.Edin.,M.R.C.S., London and Ellen Annie Bubb. He was educated in 1914 in Christs College, Cambridge and was a medical student. He was Second Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade he joined in the summer of 1916 with commission. He died on [Click to continue…]
John James Armitage Posted 5 May 2014 by Philip TaylorWilliam (b 1841 in Leeds) and Kate (b 1847 in Pimlico, Middlesex) Armitage had five sons and one daughter. John James was the fourth son, born on 8 May 1881 in Colchester. William served as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery between 1861 and 1883. He was stationed at Colchester when John was born. John was baptised in the Garrison Church at Shorncliffe [Click to continue…]