War Memorials - Surnames R
Index
Click on the name to jump to the relevant entryRANDALL, A.F
RANDALL, Sydney W
RASEY, Albert Edward (New 08/03/2009)
RASEY, Bertie (New 09/03/2009)
RASEY, Frederick (New 08/03/2009)
RATCLIFF, Leonard Harold
RATCLIFFE, Harold Frederick
REEDS, W.B.
REGAN, Thomas (New 13/09/2009)
REYNARD, Henry Corner (Revised 05/12/2008)
ROBINSON, Henry,
RODDA, J (New 01/03/2010)
ROOTE, William Arthur
ROUNCE, E.R
ROWLAND, Frank
RUSSELL, William
RUTLEY, R. T (Revised 22/02/2010)
If you are looking for someone whose name starts with a different letter please try:
Content
RANDALL A.F.
Died N/K, aged N/KPending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
(Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
RANDALL Sydney W, Lance Corporal.
2nd Bn, (City of London) Royal Fusiliers.Died of wounds 14 November 1915, aged N/K
Pending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
2nd Bn, (City of London) Royal Fusiliers. Died of wounds at Gallipoli on 14 November 1915. (Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
RASEY Albert Edward, Private. G/4958.
2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment.Died of Wounds 20 June 1918, aged 29.
Albert Edward Rasey was born in 1889 (GRO reference: Jun 1889 Epsom 2a 23) to Thomas and Emily Rasey (nee Norman). He was one of three brothers to die in the Great War. For further family information see the entry for Frederick Rasey.
Albert aged 24, married Ellen E Bloomfield in Reigate in 1913. They had two daughters, Margaret who was born in the December quarter 1913 in Reigate and Ellen, who was born in the March quarter 1918 in Epsom.
Albert lived in Croydon when he attested into the 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, a Regular Army Battalion, part of the 2nd Brigade 1st Division. At the time of Albert's death the Battalion were holding the front line in the Hohenzollern Sector having previously been in billets in Noeux-Les-Mines. The following is an extract from the war diary for 12 to 20 June 1918:
12th to 20th. A very peaceful tour during which time it became apparent that the suspected enemy attack would not develop on our front. Owing to one of our cylinder discharges which had taken place the night before we went in, there was a quantity of gas in our front line for a day or two owing to leaky cylinders. These were eventually removed.
There was the usual patrolling activity on our part, but it was hindered by the nature of No Mans Land which was full of huge old mine craters. The enemy fired gas projectors on the Division on our right.
The term 'A very peaceful tour' must have been judged very much on the standards of the day as the Soldiers Died CD tells us that during this period 4 men were killed in action and 2 died of wounds.
Albert died of wounds on 20 June and is buried in Pernes British cemetery. Burials commenced at Pernes in April 1918, started by the 1st and 4th Canadian Casualty Clearing Stations (CCS). Later, the 6th, 22nd and 13th CCS were based here. CCS were part of the medical evacuation chain that eventually took the worst wounded men, with a chance of survival, back to Blighty (England). Albert's wounds were so severe that he was evacuated no further than the CCS at Pernes. We will probably never know how he received his wounds, was it a shell or a sniper, or perhaps our own gas from the leaky cylinders?
Albert received the 1915 star, British War medal and the Victory medal.
EP CC
RASEY Bertie, Rifleman. A/205384.
8th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps.Died of Wounds 29 March 1918, aged 19.
Bertie Rasey was born on 26 January 1899 (GRO reference: Mar 1899 Epsom 2a 28) to Thomas and Emily Rasey (nee Norman). Bertie was baptised at Christ Church, Epsom on 6 March 1899. He was one of three brothers to die in the Great War. For further family information see the entry for Frederick Rasey.
Bertie attested at Epsom on 1 January 1917 and initially joined the 22nd Training Battalion KRRC, and given the service No 10/6938. He later transferred to the 8th Battalion KRRC and was given a new service No A/205384. He gave his age as 18 years and 3 months, and was measured at 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighed 106 lbs, and had a chest measurement of 33 inches with an expansion of 3 inches. He was a cowman and lived at 35 Woodlands Road, Epsom. His medical grade was A4. This grading was given to men who would be fit enough to fight overseas once they had reached 19, at that time the minimum legal age to fight overseas.
Bertie died of wounds on 29 March 1918 and is buried in Guise (La Desolation) French National Cemetery, Flavigny-Le-Petit. This part of France was in German occupation until it was liberated by the French Army on 4 November 1918, a few days before the armistice on 11 November.
The 8th Battalion KRRC suffered very badly in the German spring offensive that started on 21 March. Known as the Kaiserschlacht or operation Michael, it was the last desperate bid by the Germans to win the war before the Americans arrived in force. Between 21 March and 29 March, 63 men from the 8th KRRC lost their lives and many more were taken prisoner. The Battalion was so badly mauled that it was disbanded in August 1918, the few survivors being sent to other units.
It is impossible to know exactly happened to Bertie but it is likely that he was wounded and taken prisoner but died from his wounds whilst being transported to a prisoner of war camp. At the time Guise (La Desolation) French National Cemetery, Flavigny-Le-Petit was well behind the German lines.
Bertie was awarded the British War medal and the Victory medal.
EP CC
RASEY Frederick, Private. 30161.
3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment.Died 8 July 1916, aged 29.
Frederick's headstone in Epsom Cemetery
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2009
Frederick Rasey was born on 18 February 1887 (GRO reference: Mar 1887 Epsom 2a 20) to Thomas and Emily Rasey (nee Norman). He was baptised on 12 February 1888 in Christ Church, Epsom whilst living at Castle Cottages, Epsom Common. He was one of three brothers to die in the Great War.
Frederick's parents Thomas and Emily were married on 19 August 1883 in Emily's parish church, St Mary's, Ewell, and produced thirteen children:
Thomas George born June quarter 1884, died September quarter 1884 aged 0.
Alfred James born September quarter 1885.
Frederick born 18 February 1887, died 8 July 1916 aged 29.
Albert Edward born June quarter 1889, died of wounds 20 June 1918 aged 29.
George born June quarter 1891 (shown as William aged 5 weeks in the 1901 census).
William Charles born 19 April 1893. Served in the East Surrey Regiment and Labour Corps.
Ethel Maud born 8 January 1895.
Ernest born 28 April 1896, died June quarter 1896 aged 0.
Ellen born 16 July 1897, died spring 1898 aged 0.
Bertie born 26 January 1899, died of wounds 29 March 1918 aged 19.
Edith born 14 June 1901, died June quarter 1902 aged 0.
James born 28 December 1903.
Edward born 21 January 1905, died September quarter 1905 aged 0.
In the 1891 census the family lived on The Common, Epsom. Frederick's father Thomas is shown as a 31 year old carter from Wiltshire, and his mother Emily as 28 and coming from Ewell. No birth records for Thomas and Emily have been found.
In the 1901 census the family lived in Woodlands Road, Epsom next to Bristow Cottages. Thomas is shown as a 35 year old bricklayer's labourer, and Emily as only 32. The oldest surviving son, 15 year old Alfred was working as a carter's boy, whilst Frederick was a 14 year old cowboy working with cattle.
Frederick aged 27, married Florence Bloomfield in Epsom in the March quarter of 1914. They had one son named Frederick HA in the December quarter of 1914.
Frederick attested in Epsom on 2 December 1915 and became Private 30161 in the 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. He gave his age as 29, and was measured at 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighed 117 lbs, and had a chest measurement of 35 inches with an expansion of 2 inches. He was a green grocer and lived at 26 Woodlands Road, Epsom.
The 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment was a training unit based at Felixstowe, for duty with the Harwich Garrison. After only 8 months duty, all in the UK Frederick died in Cliff Military Hospital Felixstowe. He was buried in plot A 437, Epsom Cemetery on 15 July 1916.
As Frederick remained in the UK no medals were awarded.
His widow Florence remarried in 1919 in Epsom to Harry Mist.
EP CC
RATCLIFF Leonard Harold, Private
6th Bn, Lincolnshire Regt.Killed in Action 9 August 1915 aged 19
Pending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
6th Bn, Lincolnshire Regt. Killed at Gallipoli on 9 August 1915. Listed on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. Aged 19 years. Son of Alfred and Louisa Ratcliffe, Epsom. (Listed on the Ashley Road, Epsom and the St. Martin's, Epsom Memorials).
RATCLIFFE Harold Frederick, Gunner. 64223
142nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery.Died 20 October 1918, aged 25
Harold's headstone in Epsom cemetery
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2008
Harold Frederick was born on 13 June 1894 (GRO reference: Sep 1894 Epsom 2a 17), and baptised at Christ Church on 22 July 1894. Although he was registered as Harold Frederick, it seems he preferred to use Frederick or Fred. His parents William and Frances Ratcliffe (nee Mallows) were married in 1881 (GRO reference: Dec 1881 Epsom 2a 19). The entry, however shows William as Ratcliff, without an 'e' on the end, and he has James as a middle name.
In the 1891 census, before Harold was born, the family lived in Harriss Cottages, Epsom Common. He had three siblings, Bertha aged 7, Florence aged 4 and William aged 3. Frederick's father was a 30 year old bricklayer's labourer, and his mother was a 30 year old laundress. Frances Mallows, laundress, aged 59, widowed mother in law, and Frederick Mallows, agricultural labourer, aged 20, brother in law, both lived with them in Harriss Cottage. A sister, Frances Louisa Annie born in 1882, died aged 2 in 1884. Also another brother, Charles Mallows died aged 22 months in February 1891.
In the 1901 census the family were still living in Harriss Cottages, and Frederick had another 3 siblings, Jessie aged 8, Gladys aged 5 and Albert aged 1. Mother in law Francis now aged 69 and still working as a laundress, and brother in law Frederick, a laundryman, were both still living with them in Harriss Cottages. The laundry work is shown as taking place at home. Another brother, Walter Stanley was born on 6 June 1902.
Frederick aged 21, attested at Kingston on 1 November 1915, joining the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was tall for those days at 6 feet 1 inch. He weighed 162 lbs, and had a chest measurement of 37 ½ inches with an expansion of 2 ½ inches. He was a horse keeper and lived in Bramble walk.
Frederick died of pneumonia on 20 October 1918 in the Horton war hospital, and is buried in plot 391 of Epsom cemetery. The following appeared in the Epsom Advertiser dated 25 October 1918:-
BROTHER AND SISTER BURIED TOGETHER.- Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. W. Ratcliffe, 22, Bramble Walk, Epsom common, who have lost a son and daughter, who were yesterday (Thursday) buried in the same grave at the cemetery. The son, Harold Frederick Ratcliffe, aged 24, was a soldier who came home on 14 days leave on the 11th. He was unwell on arriving, and becoming worse he was removed to the Horton War Hospital, where he died on Friday from pneumonia. At the time of his death one of his sisters, Jessie, aged 25, was lying seriously ill from pneumonia and pleurisy, and she died on Monday.
The grave marker in Epsom cemetery bears 3 names, Harold Frederick Ratcliffe died 20 October 1918 aged 24, Jessie Ratcliffe aged 25 died 21 October 1918 and Bertha Ellen (Nellie) died 25 October 1918 aged 35. So it appears three siblings died within a few days of each other. According to cemetery records, Harold and Jessie are buried there but Bertha Ellen (Nellie) is not. There is a record of the marriage of a Bertha Ratcliffe (GRO reference: Sep 1904 Epsom 2a 40), and a Francis Cornelius Day is recorded as marrying under the same reference. There is also a record of the death of a Nellie Day aged 35 (GRO: reference Dec 1918 35 Conway 11b 952). This I believe to be Frederick's sister.
EP CC
REEDS W.B.
Died N/K, aged N/KPending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
(Listed on the Ewell Old Boys Memorial).
REGAN Thomas, Private. R/359234.
Army Service Corps (Remount Depot).Died from injuries sustained accidentally 9 August 1917, aged 40.
Thomas's headstone in Netley Military Cemetery
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2009
Thomas Regan was born in Ireland. The 'Soldiers Died' CD states he was born in Davistown, but a family history web site states that he was born in Courtnacuddy. The two villages are quite close together. The family history web site gives his date of birth as 1 October 1875. However, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission give his age as 40 when he died on 9 August 1917. If this is correct, then his birth year would have been 1877. Whatever year he was born in, his parents were Laurance and Mary Bridget Regan (nee Cartny).
I have been unable to find any definitive entries for Thomas in either the 1891 or the 1901 censuses. From family history web sites it seems that Thomas had a brother Patrick born in Courtnacuddy, Ireland on 17 March 1878. He died on 18 November 1960.
There is a marriage recorded between Thomas Regan and Edith Sellers (GRO reference: Sep 1907 Mansfield 7b 233). Note: The name is spelt Sellars and Sellers in later GRO birth entries for their children.
There are four likely birth entries for their children:
Lawrence (Laurence in the 1911 census) Charles born on 23 February 1909 (GRO reference: Mar 1909 Sevenoaks 2a 806). Died 5 June 1977 in Epsom.
Thomas born 6 September 1910 (GRO reference: Sep 1910 Sevenoaks 2a 811). Died 1941.
Kathleen A(gnes), (Sellars) born 13 March 1912 (GRO reference:Jun 1912 Epsom 2a 52). Died Jan 1987.
Bernard G(eorge), (Sellers) born 8 July 1914 (GRO reference: Sep 1914 Epsom 2a 61).
In the 1911 census the family was living at 'The Bungalow, Crockham Hill, Edenbridge, Kent. Thomas is shown as a 33 year old coachman, married to 35 year old Edith from Newhall, Derbyshire. At the time their two children were, Laurence Charles aged 2 and Thomas aged 7 months.
The Surrey Recruitment Register CD tells us that Thomas attested on 6 December 1915 in Epsom. He gave his age as 40 years. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 126lbs, had a chest measurement of 34 inches with an expansion of 3 inches. His medical grade was B2. (This meant that he was free from any disease, was able to walk 5 miles, and see and hear sufficiently for ordinary purposes, but was not fit for active front line service). He worked as a groom, and lived at Vicarage Cottage, Downside, Epsom.
Thomas was employed in the remount service of the Army Service Corps at Southampton, loading horses onto ships ready for embarkation to battle zones. On 7 August 1917 a horse that he was loading onto a ship, reared up and kicked his head. He was taken to the nearby Netley military hospital but died two days later on 9 August 1917 from a fractured skull, concussion, and compression of the brain. He was buried two days later at Netley Military Cemetery in plot R.C. 905.
Although Thomas served in the Army and did his 'bit' for the war effort, because he did not serve overseas he was not entitled to receive any medals. His next of kin though, would have been entitled to receive his death plaque and scroll.
The Ashley Road War Memorial that now bears the name 'Regan T.', was unveiled on 11 November 1923, but at the unveiling the name was missing. In a council minute dated 14 February 1924 it is noted that Mrs. Regan had written to ask the council if her husband's name could be added to the memorial. The request must have been accepted, as his name appears on the middle panel, albeit out of alphabetical sequence.
REYNARD Henry Corner, 2nd Lieutenant.
South Staffordshire RegimentKilled in Action 25 September 1915, aged 31
Second Lieutenant Reynard's inscription on the Loos Memorial
Copyright Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert 2007
Henry Corner Reynard was born in 1885 (GRO reference: Sep 1885 Guildford 2a 75) to Joseph Louis Adolphe and Rosaline Reynard (nee Corner) who had married in 1869 ( GRO reference: Sep 1869 Croydon 2a 261).
In the 1891 census they lived at 105½ High Street, Guilford, where Henry's father, Joseph, was a 'Cook confectioner', employer. His mother, Rosaline, was also a cook. Three of Henry's siblings are shown: Annie Corner, born 1877 (GRO reference: Jun 1877 Leeds 9b 619), Josephine Corner, born 1887 (GRO reference: Sep 1887 Guildford 2a 80) and Herbert Corner, born 1890 (GRO reference: Dec 1890 Guildford 2a 77).
Looking at the census entries in 1881, 1891 and 1901 Henry had four other siblings: Lavinia Corner born 1872 (GRO reference: Jun 1874 Lambeth 1d 539), Emilie Corner, born 1874 (GRO reference: Jun 1874 Lambeth 1d 537), James Corner, born 1875 (GRO reference: Sep 1875 Lambeth 1a 534) and Baron Corner born 1879 in Dundalk, Ireland.
In 1901 Henry was a pupil at Seabrook Lodge boarding School in Hythe. He went on to train as an architect and when war broke out he was working for J A Tregelles, 7 Bishopsgate, London EC.
He enlisted 1 April 1908 (attestation papers dated 23 June 1908), as a corporal No 368 20th Middlesex Artists Rifles, a territorial unit. This is also shown as 28th County of London Artists Rifles as a Corporal. He signed up for a year and continued to re-enlist annually until 1914. He attended annual training camps at Salisbury, Munster, Dover, Aldershot and Abergavenny(1913). He was appointed L Corporal 16 March 1909.
His war service reckoned from 5 Aug 1914. He embarked for France at Southampton 26 October 1914. He served with the British expeditionary Force from 26 October 1914 -14 August 1915. His ability and experience indicated that he was officer material. He reverted to Private on 8 July 1915 at his own request and on 14 Aug 1915 applied for a commission as 2nd Lieutenant. The Medal roll shows him as Reynard, HE. Corporal 368 London Regiment and 2nd Lieutenant Staffordshire Reg.
On 25 September 1915, the first day of the battle of Loos, Henry was killed in action, being one of 16 officers from the South Staffordshire regiment to die that day, along with 126 other ranks from the 1st Battalion. There was some confusion over the exact nature of his death, and his mother received conflicting information. On 2 Oct 1915 she was informed that he had been reported missing. A second telegram on 5 October informed her that he had been wounded but he was not missing. She wrote to the War Office stating that she was anxiously waiting news as to what had happened. On 30 October 1915 she received a telegram confirming his death. He was 30.
The War Office sought witness statements to confirm the circumstances of his death, and there are two letters on his file from witnesses of his possible fate but even these are conflicting, illustrating the difficulty of keeping accounts of casualties in the mayhem of battle.
- 6 Aug 1916 "He was my platoon officer XIV. I saw him shot through both knees on the parapet of the German first line trenches. He was unable to move. We went on and he was left behind. We did not retire back and the ground on which we left him is still in our possession. We have never heard of him since." L Cpl Eggington 9304 D. Lewis Gun School, Etaples.
- "I well remember seeing an officer of our platoon XII killed at Loos. He was a very dark man and I think his name was Reynard. He led his platoon in the charge but was shot in the stomach very soon after we started. I saw him drop. He gave a groan and then stretched right out. I was sure he died immediately. We had to charge on and left him lying there." Private Heath 8949 Etaples 13 Aug 1916
As his next of kin, his mother Mrs Rosaline Reynard, who by 1915 was a widow and living at Holly Bank, 290 Chessington Road, West Ewell, received his military effects. These were valued at £44 12s 6d. His father Joseph Reynard died in 1895 aged 53 (GRO reference: Sep 1895 Guildford 2a 53). A plaque and scroll acknowledging his sacrifice were sent to her. His letters of administration state that he was a bachelor with a widowed mother. His small personal effects were despatched by OC 2nd Grenadier Guards but did not arrive and could not been traced although full enquiries had been made.
Mr Glyn reported to the Ewell Parish Council that he had heard of two other deaths since the last meeting, including one of Mrs Reynard's sons, Henry had been reported killed. He proposed a letter of sympathy be sent. At the meeting in January 1916 it was reported that. Mrs. Reynard and her family had written thanking the Council for its expression of sympathy with them in the loss they had sustained by the death of Lieut H. C. Reynard.
Henry is also named on the memorial in Holy Trinity Church, Guildford
Image courtesy of Ian Nicholls © 2008
He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Panel 103 to 105, the All Saints Memorial, West Ewell and in Holy Trinity Church, Guildford High Street.
Holly Bank in 2007
Copyright image courtesy of Liz Manterfield
The CWGC states he was the 'Son of Rosaline Reynard, of The Cottage, 5 Smitham Downs Road, Purley & the late Joseph Louis Adolphe Reynard'. Since Mrs Reynard was living at HollyBank in 1913 it is likely that she moved to Purley afterwards.
ROBINSON Henry, Private. G/33929.
8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment.Died of Wounds (POW) 31 October 1918, aged 27.
Henry Robinson was born in 1891 (GRO reference: Dec 1891 Epsom 2a 23) to James and Georgina A. Robinson. (I have been unable to find the birth or marriage records of Henry's parents).
In the 1901 census the family lived at 16, Adelphi Road, Epsom. Henry's father was a 38 year old carpenter working for a builder. His mother was 40, and he had two sisters, Elizabeth aged 12 and Annie May aged 2.
The Surrey recruitment register shows Henry attesting at Kingston on 16 January 1917 into the artillery. (Some time after recruitment he must have transferred from the artillery to the East Surrey regiment). Henry was 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighed 139 lbs, and had a chest measurement of 36 inches with an expansion of 3 inches. He worked as a manager, his medical grade was B1, and he lived at Adelphi Road, Epsom.
Henry's entry in the St Martin's church Roll of Honour states that he died whilst a prisoner of war and is buried at the cemetery at Gouvy. Burials at Gouvy were concentrated into Heverlee War Cemetery after the war. Very few records of prisoners of war exist, and none has been found for Henry. It is therefore impossible to know when he was taken prisoner and in what circumstances. Soldiers died CD states he died of wounds, but even this information helps little as he might have succumbed to his wounds within a few days or possibly months of them being inflicted.
The CWGC states that Henry was the son of James and Annie Robinson of 16, Adelphi Road, Epsom, and that he is buried in plot XI A 2 Heverlee War Cemetery (http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=55000&mode=1).
RODDA James, Lance Corporal. 6788.
6th Battalion King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment).Killed in Action 9 April 1916, aged 32.
James Rodda was born about 1884 in Haverigg, Cumberland. The birth of a James Rhoda can be found in Free BMD (GRO reference: Jun 1884 Bootle 10b 692). This might be our man, having had his surname recorded incorrectly. The CWGC states that he was the son of William and Emma Rodda of Haverigg, Millom, Cumberland. William Rodda and Emma Blackwell married in 1875 in the Bootle district. However amongst James' 'burnt' service papers his father is shown as Thomas Jenkins.
James's maternal grandmother was Margaret Blackwell, nee Jenkin. Records indicate that Margaret had been previously married in 1849 to a John Mollard. There is a death record of a John Mollard later that year.
In the 1851 census Margaret appears not only as a pauper but also as the head of the household, married (but with no husband) with three children; John aged 6, David aged 4 and Elizabeth Mollard aged 3. As the eldest son John was born in 1845 it maybe that the children were in fact Margaret's stepchildren. Margaret married Richard Blackwell in 1851 and appears with her stepchildren on the 1861 census along with Emma, James's mother and her siblings. Birth records indicate that Emma may have been baptised Emma Jenkin Blackwell.
Thomas Jenkin, the man that James recorded as his father, may have been a relative from his grandmother's family.
James had three older siblings, Elizabeth Ann who was born in 1877, Margaret who was born in 1878 and William Henry who was born in 1882.
The 1881 census has a 23 year old Emma Rodda as the head of the family, and the rank of profession 'Miners wife' has been struck through. She was born in St Just, Cornwall, but was living in Main Street, Millom, Cumberland. With her were her 2 daughters, Elizabeth Ann aged 4 and Margaret aged 1. I have not found a definite entry for James' father, but there is an entry for a 26 year old William Rodda, ironstone miner, born St Just, Cornwall, living as a boarder at 10, Railway Terrace, Brotton, Yorkshire. He is however shown as unmarried so probably not the right man.
The 1891 census has an 8 year old James Rodda born in Millom, Cumberland, living in the Bootle Union workhouse, as were his three older siblings, Elizabeth Ann aged 14, Margaret aged 13, and William Henry aged 9. I have been unable to find mother Emma or father William.
In the 1901 census James was a 17 year old farm labourer working for William Crondson at 'Greenslade', West Broughton, Lancaster. James's sister Elizabeth was working for the Prest family in "Heathfield", Crescent Road, Cheam, Surrey, sister Margaret was working as a housemaid in Lancashire,` and brother William as an agricultural labourer in their hometown of Millom.
After the 1901 census had been taken it would seem that Margaret and William moved south to the Epsom district to be with their sister.
James's sister Elizabeth Ann Rodda married Frank Randall in the Epsom registration district in1904. Four years later on the 22 July 1908, Margaret married Alfred Gendle, a dairyman, in Christ Church Epsom. Records show her address as 26 Lower Court Rd, Epsom, and that Alfred's father was deceased. Later that year, on 26 December1908, William Henry Rodda married Agnes Rose Paxton in Christ Church Epsom. He gave his address as 1, Paradise Cottage, Church Street, Epsom, and Agnes's as Long Grove Asylum Epsom.
Interestingly both Margaret and William gave as their father as being "William Rodda, a carpenter", and neither of them referred to him as being deceased.
James attested on 24 April 1901 at Lancaster, giving his age as 18 years and 1 month and his occupation as farm labourer. He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighed 131 lbs, and had a chest measurement of 35 inches with an expansion of 1½ inches. He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair, and numerous brown moles over his left groin. His religion was C of E.
James probably liked Army life, but did not always get on well with authority; He was held in the 'Guard Room' from 20 January 1903 to 5 February 1903, awaiting trial by Court Marshal for 'using insubordinate language to his superior officer'. For his crime he was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment with hard labour.
He went to India on 17 September 1903 with the 1st Battalion, and remained there for over 5 years. It seems that his Court Marshal offence did not turn him against the Army because the following year he signed up for another 5 years with the colours, and on 14 November 1905 he was granted an increase of service pay to class 1 at 16p per day. After all his siblings had married, James returned to England on 7 January 1909, and on 8 April he transferred to the reserve. However, on 28 March 1913 he rejoined the Army for a further period of 4 years.
On 13 June 1915 he joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) to fight in Gallipoli, where he sustained a gun shot wound to his neck and left thumb, and was hospitalised in Malta on 13 August 1915. When recovered he rejoined his unit, travelling on H.M.T. 'Franconia', and landing at Alexandria on 19 October 1915. He was later (date obliterated) sent to Busra (a city now in Syria), and was reported missing on 9 April 1916 whilst fighting the Turks. His remains were never recovered and he is commemorated on the Basra memorial to the missing.
James was awarded the 1915 - 1915 Star, British War medal and the Victory medal.
His sister, Mrs Randall, 6 East Street, Epsom is named on his service papers as his next of kin, the names of his father, Thomas Jenkin, and brother William Henry Rodda having been struck out. Brother William Henry, attested in Epsom on 31 August 1916, and lived at 7 Rosebery Terrace.
EP
ROOTE William Arthur, Lance Sargent. S/6323
8th Battalion Queens Royal West SurreysKilled in Action 21st March 1918, aged 21
William Arthur Roote was born in Bedfont in 1897 (GRO reference: Dec 1897 Staines 3a 15) to Alfred Joseph and Annie Roote (nee Woodward). (Only shown as W or William on memorials.)
In the 1891 census William's father Alfred J Roote is shown as an unmarried farmer living in the parish of Harmondsworth, with his nephew George Harry Roote staying with him. Alfred Joseph Roote married Annie Matilda Woodward in 1891 (GRO reference: Sep 1891 Brentford 3a 165).
I have been unable to find them in the 1901 census, although his uncle 37 year old Edgar Roote, publican, born in Hounslow, is living in Kingston Road, near Mill Lane (Wheatsheaf?).
William had two brothers, Frederick Joseph (GRO reference: Sep 1895 Staines 3a 21) and Edgar George (GRO reference: Mar 1905 Brentford 3a 83).
From William's 'burnt' service papers in the National Archive, William was a pre war territorial soldier with the 8 Battalion Middlesex Regiment. However, on 8 December 1913 he signed on as a regular for 6 years into the 8 Battalion The Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment). He gave his age as 18 years, but if he was born in 1897 as his GRO reference suggests, he would only have been 16. He was 5 feet 5 ¾ inches tall, weighed 109 lbs, and had a chest measurement of 33 inches with an expansion of 4 inches. His trade or calling was as a casual labourer, and his religion was C of E.
His military career was a varied one. On 6 June 1914 for being absent from rifle inspection and being improperly dressed on parade he was awarded 3 days confined to Barracks (CB) by Captain Barton. Then on 10 April 1915, for 'when on active service, absenting himself from 9.30pm to 8.30am (11 hours)', he was ordered to forfeit 1 days pay by Lieutenant Colonel Shaw. At some stage he qualified as a bomber.
On 17 July 1916 he was wounded in action, receiving a gunshot wound to the shoulder, and was transferred to England on 19 July. From 27 July to 7 September 1916 he was convalescent at Woodcote Park, Epsom.
He embarked from England on 10 December 1916, and arrived at Etaples on 11 December, joining his Battalion the 8 Queens on 19 December. By 20 February 1917 he had been promoted to L/Cpl unpaid, and then on 7 September 1917 he was promoted to corporal.
The Supplement to the London Gazette dated 18 October 1917 notifies us that William has been awarded the Military Medal (MM). Unfortunately it makes no mention of the deed that it was awarded for.
During the night of 20/21st March 1918 the 8th Battalion Queens (Royal West Surreys) were holding ground at Le Verguier. The whole countryside was being drenched with gas and shattered by high explosive. The long expected all out German offensive, 'The Kaiser's Battle', the last desperate gamble to win before the Americans arrived in force, was about to begin. On the 21st, as dawn broke and under the cover of a thick mist the German assault began.
On 21st March 1918 forty eight men from the 8th West Surrey's lost their lives including William killed in action. He is commemorated on the Pozières Memorial Panel 14 & 15. The CWGC states he was the 'Son of Alfred Joseph Roote, of North Looe Farm, Reigate Road, Ewell, Surrey and the late Annie Roote'.
On 21 October 1919 A. Roote wrote to the War Office stating 'I should be pleased to have a 1914 star for my late dear son L/Sgt William Arthur Roote No. 6323 8 Bn The Queens Royal West Surreys.'
A letter dated 6 December 1919 was sent from the War Office to Mrs Roote at 1, Thorndon Villas, Hampton Road, Hanworth, asking her for details of William's living relatives.
ROUNCE ER.
Died N/K, aged N/KPending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
(Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
ROWLAND Frank, Sergeant.
Royal Garrison Artillery.Killed in Action 17 November 1917, aged N/K
Pending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in France or Flanders on 17 November 1917. (Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
RUSSELL William, Private.
2/4th Bn, Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regt.Killed in Action 9 August 1915, aged N/K
Pending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
2/4th Bn, Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regt. Killed at Gallipoli 9 August 1915. (Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
RUTLEY Harold Theodore, Air Mechanic 2nd Class. 56945.
15th Squadron Royal Air Force.Killed in Action 2 November 1918, aged 20.
Harold Theodore Rutley was born on 3 August 1898 (GRO reference: Sep 1898 Epsom 2a 23), the second child to James and Rose Rutley, nee Hooker. Harold's older sister Gladys Rose had been born in 1896. Harold was baptised on 9 October 1898 in St Andrews parish church Enfield.
In 1901 the family lived at 41 Middle Lane Epsom with Harold's maternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth Hooker, and his 17 year old aunt Maud Romola Hooker who was a dressmaker. His father James' occupation was that of a house painter. Following later that year was the birth of another son, Horace James.
In the 1911 census the family lived at 44 Lower Court Road Epsom. James was still working as a house painter while his daughter Gladys worked as a dressmaker.
The following appeared in the Epsom Advertiser dated 22 November 1918:
KILLED IN FRANCE.-Second Air Mechanic Harold Theodore Rutley, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Rutley, 89, Hook Road, was killed in action in France on the 3rd. Second A.M. Rutley, who was 20 years of age, was a clerk at the Horton War Hospital at the time he joined the Army, and was a member of the choir of St. Barnabas.
Harold does not appear in the LCC 'Record of War Servivce'.
EP
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