|
|
||
 This is a page from the war diary of the Canadian Expeditionary force, as you can see it is dated 1915. There are lots of pages and very interesting reading they are. I will only publish one but they are available on line to read. Image courtesy of Ancestry (via Joan Jemson).  I know these are not English papers but they are for an Englishman joining the 27th battalion expeditionary force of the Canadian army. He went on to serve in France during World War I. Image courtesy of Ancestry (via Joan Jemson).  A little bit of humour even though her son is far away. Lance as named on the card was Howard Wilson’s grandfather; he served and survived World War I. Image courtesy of Howard Wilson.  A World War I postcard; the sentries are cetainly dressed for cold weather! The gloves on the soldier on the right look rather large and I think they are motor cycle goggles pushed up onto his hat, what do you think? Image courtesy of Howard Wilson.  You can see the soldier sending this World War I postcard has said too much so it has been blacked out by security before being posted. All mail was censored; to prevent scaremongering and panic. Image courtesy of Howard Wilson.  Our image shows North Skelton railway signal box, beside the still existing double railway bridges being guarded by the East Yorkshire Regiment during the 1911 miner’s strike. They must have been expecting problems, perhaps they were more ”boisterous” in North Skelton. Image and information courtesy of Jeff Templeman.  Skelton man Corporal Robert Bannister of the 4th Battalion Green Howards, spent the whole of the Second World War in captivity, he is shown (centre of our image) between two Green Howards, left is E. W. Horner (Loftus) and on the right is Jock Pearson (from Lingdale). The photograph was taken in a prison camp in Poland or Germany, from where Robert sent home some brilliant greetings cards painted by himself. We have been passed this image by Bill Danby of Skelton (he having been told by Robert’s son Terry Bannister of Burnley). At first the Archive (and Bill Danby) had no name for the third man; however Tracy Park has advised us: ”The soldier on the right is Alan ‘jock’ Peirson from Lingdale – we also have this picture sent by my dad from his pow camp Stalag XXID (dated 05.04.42). The man on the left is E. W. Horner from Loftus.” Image and information kindly supplied by Bill Danby; also thanks to Tracy Park for the updates.  Abel Roberts was well known in the area when he had a fruiterer’s shop in North Road, Loftus as well as a market stall in the town and also travelled to customers in the district. He was one of many people who served in both World Wars. Abel fought at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and volunteered for duty in World War II, serving with the Green Howards at Dishforth and at Danby Beacon. Abel is seated in the photograph on the left. We asked if anyone could add to this story. David Lambert tells us: ”My dad’s great uncle was called Abel Roberts and on the 1911 census he is down as being a Fruiter! But the census states he resided in Middlesbrough, the family resemblance is as though my grandad was sitting there; in fact the photograph of my grandad in his World War II RAF uniform is nearly a perfect match! Abel Roberts would have been my grandads uncle; he was Arthur Lambert his mother was Martha Ann Roberts (Abel Roberts sister). I have looked for Abel Roberts in World War I and the only one I can find is this one ’ABEL ROBERTS SERVICE NUMBER 4436- THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENT’; it would be interesting to find a connection here are the other family members FROM THE 1891 CENSUS FATHER ABEL ROBERTS, MOTHER MARY ROBERTS, BROTHERS HENRY, WILLIAM, “”ABEL””, THOMAS, DAUGHTERS “”MARTHA ANN””, SUSANNAH”. David also adds: ”I can now confirm that this Abel Roberts is my great great uncle my dad confirmed today (31-03-2014) that the Roberts family had a Fruiters shop in Loftus; so it seems I am blood related to John Roberts who provided the image. I have a postcard from the Western Front; from Abel to Martha (his sister) dated around 1915 and signed Abel. I also have a postcard from Abel’s brother William and I have Samuel Pontypool’s dog tags, as well as Abel’s brothers and his medal roll certificate. He was in the Northumberland Fusiliers in World War I, I am really pleased I have put another part of my family history together and even more so I have found another family member who was in World War I, I am now researching William if there is any information it would be much appreciated.” Michele Taylor has told the Archive: ”My dad; Ernest Roberts is Abel and Mary Roberts only surviving son. He is the youngest of their nine children; my name is Michele Taylor was Roberts, I’m John Roberts cousin. I found this piece so intersecting I can’t wait to show my dad. PS my dad will be 87 this year.” Georgina Knox tells the Archive: “My Great Grandma was Abel’s daughter – she was called Mary Amelia Roberts – and I know they originally grew up in Middlesbrough before moving to Loftus. I think it was the Cannon Park area she once told me. She married into the Dadd family who also were fruit and vegetable merchants starting but in Guisborough.” Thanks to John Roberts (son of Jack Roberts) for the images and information. Also to David Lambert, Michele Taylor and Georgina Knox for the updates.  A fine body of men, much maligned during those war-time years, pose in full uniform for a formal photograph, now known to be taken in front of the garages on Kilton Lane, Carlin How. Names and a date would be much appreciated.  Mrs. Richards father, Second Lieutenant H. Grange, is second from the left on the back row. The back of the photograph is signed by Lieutenant Colonel Franklin and has all the names on it. It has been scanned and published to the post below. Eric Johnson told us: ’The young lady in the centre (Battalion Typist) Miss Doreen Noble later married Ron Thomas Steward of Loftus Club, later landlord of the Angel Inn of Loftus Market Place.’ Sheena Scott tells us: ’Lovely to see a photograph of my Gran when she was younger. I am Doreen’s granddaughter and am married to a Captain in 2YORKS (previously Green Howard’s) currently posted to Cyprus.’ Graham Suggett makes an appeal: “As we seem to be in a Home Guard mood, can I appeal for help, please? My Uncle Joseph (Joe) White was in the 13th North Riding Battalion (Loftus)] Home Guard. Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards and thanks to Eric Johnson and Sheena Scott for the updates; also to Graham Suggett for his appeal. |
||
Recent Comments