Able Seaman R/1293, Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died of wounds in 12th General Hospital, Rouen, France, 22nd November 1917; admitted to No. 12 General Hospital, Rouen, with gun shot wounds to buttocks 30th October 1917 which progressively became more serious. Born 9th July 1886 in Whitely Wiltshire. Husband of Sarah Alford, of Purlpitt Whitley, Melksham. With Army Reserve 11th December 1915, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve for Royal Naval Division 25th April 1917. Religious denomination Church of England. Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France. Section P. Plot III. Row P. Grave 10B. Also commemorated on Melksham War Memorial, Canon Square

Extract from Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser

Nelson Battalion had moved into the line for 24 hours and about twenty men were killed in Action or Died of Wounds during this short period. The RND were operating in an area of swamp on the left of the ridge running towards Passchendaele.

Pte J Alford was one of the men formerly employed at the Avon Rubber Works, Melksham, whose lives have been given in the service of their country in France. He was attached to the Royal Naval Division and was seriously wounded by a gun shot of October 29th. He was well known in Melksham where he was a prominent figure on the football field and was much respected by the many who knew him. He was a son of Mr Thomas Alford, resided at West Hill, Whitley and was about 30 years of age.

Much sympathy is felt for his family and friends, particularly the widow, who is left with a young child. Mrs Alford (nee Miss Hawkins, of Bowerhill) in addition to her husband has lost three brothers in the war and has three brothers now serving. About 40 of the men previously working for the Avon Rubber Company have sacrificed their lives since the outbreak of hostilities.

Mrs J Alford & Mr and Mrs T Alford & Family wish to return their heartfelt thanks to the many friends who have shown sympathy with them in the sad bereavement they have sustained through the death on active service of Private J Alford.

Extract from Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser - Saturday 1 December 1917, page 4:

Private John Alford, who was about 30 years of age, and lived at Whitley, had been employed by the works for some years, and was well known. He joined the Army in the early part of the present year and served with the Wilts Regt. in France, where he was wounded a few days ago, and died shortly after. He leaves a widow and a child.

Private 200315 (was originally 1733), 1st/4th Battalion (Territorial), Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Died of wounds in Mesopotamia 22nd November 1915. Aged 23. Born Bath Easton, Somerset, enlisted and resident Melksham. Son of Albert and Ellen Brittain, of 21, Church Lane, Forest, Melksham. No known grave. Commemorated on BASRA MEMORIAL, Iraq. Panel 30 and 64. Also commemorated on Melksham War Memorial, Canon Square and also on Plaque in the United Reform Church.

Extract from Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser:

Private Brittain was formerly employed at the Avon India Rubber Works and joined the Wilts Regt in the first few weeks of the war. He went to India in the latter part of 1914 and later volunteered for service at the Persian Gulf. His wounds were received whilst he was serving with the Dorset Regiment which composed part of the force that unsuccessfully strove to relieve the garrison at Kut-el-Amara. For many months his relatives had no further information beyond the fact that he was wounded. Much sympathy is felt with the bereaved parents.

Private 18919, 5th Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Killed in action in Mesopotamia 9th April 1916. Aged 19. Born Beanacre, enlisted Trowbridge, resident Melksham. Son of Mrs. Bertha Agnes Curnick, of The Common, Broughton Gifford, Melksham. No known grave. Commemorated on BASRA MEMORIAL, Iraq. Panel 30 and 64. Also commemorated on Melksham War Memorial, Canon Square

Extract from Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser - Saturday 1 December 1917, page 4:

Private George Curnick, of Beanacre, another former employee of the Company, joined the Forces in April last, at the age of 18, and after serving for a few months with the Willa Regt. in France, has been killed in action.

Extract from Battalion War Diary Sunday 9th April 1916

Advanced 4.20a.m. Direction lost on left owing to sniping and small marsh and Turkish starlights coming from disputed direction. Lost our bearings after machine gunfire. Confusion in darkness. Troops dug in about 650yds from enemy. All day and night lines strengthened by men coming in from front. Many wounded crawled in and many were collected. 18077 Pte. J.H. Nelson and 9842 Pte. W.G. Price displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in collecting wounded and evacuating them. They have been recommended for the DCM. Capt Robertson collected Battn. together as far as possible.
Casualties.
Killed:- Lt. Col R.C.B Throckmorton, 2/Lt J.E. Binns, Wounded 2/Lt. V.M.W.W. Vreidenbury, 2/Lt. C.C. Webb.
Missing:- Capt. J.W. Greany DSO, Capt L.W. Murphy, 2/Lt. D.E. Cruikshank afterwards reported wounded, 2/Lt. Gilborne, 2/Lt. H.S. Diggers.
Other ranks:- Killed 21 Wounded 161 Missing 37

Private 3127, 2nd/4th Battalion (Territorial), Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Killed in action in Mesopotamia 22nd November 1915. Aged 25. Born Melksham, enlisted Trowbridge, resident Bromham, Wiltshire. Son of Noah and Jane Gregory, of Sandridge Lane, Bromham, Chippenham. No known grave. Commemorated on BASRA MEMORIAL, Iraq. Panel 30 and 64. Also commemorated on Melksham War Memorial, Canon Square

Extract from the Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, Saturday 25 November 1916, page 10:

Private Jesse Gregory was the son of Mr and Mrs Noah Gregory and was 25 years of age. He volunteered in the early part of the war, and was drafted to India with the Wilts. He was among those who readily responded to the call for volunteers for the Persian Gulf and here he heroically laid down his life.

Corporal 204125, 6th Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Killed in action 24th January 1918. Aged 22. Born Six Hills, Leicestershire, enlisted Melksham. Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Hardy, of 8, Scotland Rd., Melksham, Wilts. Buried in FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH, Nord, France. Plot VII. Row D. Grave 12. Also commemorated on Melksham War Memorial, Canon Square and in Whitley Methodist Church.

Extract from Battalion War Diary Thursday 24th January 1918

3 Other ranks wounded and 4 Other ranks killed. Inter Company relief 'D' Coy relieving 'B' Coy and 'C' Coy relieving 'A' Coy.

Private 20441, 1st/4th Battalion (Territorial), Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Killed in action in Egypt 13th November 1917. Aged 25. Born Limpley Stoke, enlisted and resident Melksham. Son of Ronald and Alice Male, of Shurnhold, Melksham. No known grave. Commemorated on JERUSALEM MEMORIAL, Israel. Panel 44. Also commemorated on Melksham War Memorial, Canon Square

Extract from Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser - Saturday 1 December 1917, page 4:

MELKSHAM.
DESCENDANTS OF CRIMEAN VETERANS.
Five Soldier Brothers: Two Killed.

Official intimation has been received of the death in action on November 13th in Palestine of Private Roy Male, Wilts Regiment. Son of Mr and Mrs. Male, of Shurnhold. The deceased joined the Territorials in 1913 and went to India in October 1914. He was the fourth son, and one of five brothers serving in the war.

Previous to joining up he was in the employ of the Avon Rubber Co., he was also a member of “Spa” L.O.G.T. This the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Male to be killed in action, his brother Walter, also of the Wilts Territorials, being killed at Bagdad (sic), in March of this year.

Two brothers are still serving in the Royal Navy and one in the Royal Marine Light Infantry. The father is an old Volunteer and both grandfathers were Crimean veterans, one of them still living.

At the weekly meeting of the “Spa” Lodge on Tuesday evening a vote of sympathy and condolence was passed with the family of Bro. Male.

News has also been received of the death action two other employees of the Avon Robber Company.

Private John Alford, who was about 30 years of age, and lived at Whitley, had been employed by the works for some years, and was well known. He joined the Army in the early part of the present year and served with the Wilts Regt. in France, where he was wounded a few days ago, and died shortly after. He leaves a widow and a child.

Private George Curnick, of Beanacre, another former employee of the Company, joined the Forces in April last, at the age of 18, and after serving for a few months with the Willa Regt. in France, has been killed in action.

Much sympathy is felt with the bereaved families.

Private 202009, 1st/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Killed by bomb in Mesopotamia 31st March 1917. Member of the The Workers' Union, Melksham Branch. Buried in BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Plot X. Row H. Grave 1. Also commemorated on Melksham War Memorial, Canon Square

Extract from Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser

“Pte Walter Male who death occurred in Mesopotamia was only 21 years of age and single. He was a son of Mr Ronald Male of Shurnold and prior to the war was employed at the Avon India Rubber Works. Like thousands of others on the outbreak of hostilities he showed his patriotism by joining the Army, entering the Wiltshire regiment at Trowbridge in September 1914. Subsequently he proceeded to India and afterwards volunteered for service in the Persian Gulf. Recently he had been attached to the Hampshire Regiment. A letter received by his parents on Wednesday from the Commanding Officer states that he was killed by the accidental explosion of a shell in Mesopotamia on March 31st. Pte Walter Male showed himself a true scion of a good military and naval stock. His father, although never in the regular service, was for a number of years in the old Volunteer Force, and both his grandfathers were in the service for many years on his fathers side in the Royal Navy and on his mother’s in the Royal Marine Artillery. He leaves three brothers in the Service, on in the Royal marine Artillery, who has done duty at Delhi and Malta, one in the Royal Field Auxillary Forces, and one a stoker in the Royal Navy.”

Extract from Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser - Saturday 30 March 1918, page 4:

In and tender memory of Private Walter Lewin Male, 1/4 Hants Regiment, sixth and dearly loved son of Ronald and Alice Hale, of Sburnbold. Melksham. who was killed at Baghdad, on March 31,1917, aged 21.

God's Anger touched him, and be slept.

Ever remembered his sorrowing Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters. In ever loving memory of our dear brother.

Private 24520, 6th (Wiltshire Yeomanry) Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Died 28th September 1918. Aged 21. Born and resident Melksham, enlisted Trowbridge. Son of George and Sarah Park, of 30, Scotland Rd., Melksham. Buried in COLOGNE SOUTHERN CEMETERY, Koln (Cologne), Nordrhein-Westfal, Germany. Plot XIII. Row B. Grave 8. Also commemorated on Melksham War Memorial, Canon Square

Extract from Battalion War Diary

Narrative of OPERATIONS, 6TH Battn. Wiltshire Regt. at ST. ELOI, 29.9.18

At 2.30a.m 28th September, the battalion assembled in OLD FRENCH TRENCH VOORMEZEELE area disposed as follows for attack on German positions at St. Eloi.
FRONT LINE
'A' Coy. On left with 20th Battalion. Middlesex Regt. on their left.
'C' Coy on right with 14th Battalion. A & S.H. on right.
Along the line of the OLD FRENCH TRENCH. 02.a.40.60 to 0.32.d.00.85.
'B' Coy in support
'D' Coy in Reserve in VOORMEZEELE SWITCH TRENCH from road at 0.31.d.30.30. To 31.d.80.90.
Battalion Headquarters at 0.1.b.1.5
BARRAGE
At 2,30a.m a heavy barrage was opened along the front of the BELGIAN ARMY. At 5.25a.m. Barrage opened on the Battalion front, and the Battalion moved forward to the attack reaching their first objective at 6.20a.m., where a pause was made while the ground in front of and at final objective was searched by the barrage while Infantry were consolidating.
At. 7.21a.m the advance was resumed and the Battalion reached their final objective the line 0.2.d.45.00. EIKHOF FARM.
During the whole of these operations the battalion was under Artillery and Heavy Machine Gun fire and had numerous strong points to assault which they carried with determination killing and capturing 200 of the enemy, 2 guns, 15 machine guns, and 4 trench mortars and losing 1 Officer 7 Other Ranks killed and 45 Other Ranks wounded and missing.
This line was held till the evening of 29th September when the Battalion was withdrawn on 34th Division taking up positions along DAMSTRASSE.
G.F.E.. Rapson Lieut.Col.
Comdg 6/Wilts Regt.
30.9.18

Private 23661, 2nd Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Killed in action 18th October 1916. Born Trowbridge, enlisted and resident Melksham. Buried in WARLENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row D. Grave 14. Also commemorated on Melksham War Memorial, Canon Square and the Old Broughton Road Baptist Church Memorial

Extract from Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser

For many months past his parents and friends have been anxiously awaiting further news respecting Private Herbert Nelson Reynolds.

Private Reynolds was the only son of Mr and Mrs H Reynolds of Scotland Road, Melksham. He was formerly employed at the Avon India Rubber Works. He was called up in the early part of 1916 and sent to France in June of that year with the
Wiltshire regiment. He had been reported as missing since October 18th last and official information has now been received that he was killed but no details are given of the circumstances or even as to the date of his death.

Private Reynolds parents formerly resided in Trowbridge and several relatives are still living in the town.

Extract from War Diary Wednesday 18th October 1916

The artillery shelled heavily the enemy positions until 2.40am when the bombardment was intense. Previous to this hour C & D coys were formed up in waves, each company having two platoons in the first wave and two in the second wave. Both of these were in advance of the front line . A coy formed the third wave, lying behind the parados of our front line, and B coy were ready to move up from support line. At 3.40am the 21st Brigade attacked, the 2nd Wilts on the left, the 18th Kings L'pools in the centre and the 2nd Yorks on the right, with the 19th Manchester’s in support. Very little information forthcoming. Apparently C & D coys reached their objectives but failed to take them. 2/LT EW WARE wounded and missing, 2/LT SG HINE wounded; LT FN VERRAN and 2/LT DI LYALL missing, all of D company. 2/LT EB GARNETT missing, 2/LT IC TRENCH, VW VENABLES, AEL CRAVEN wounded, all of C coy. A coy advanced but were held up by wire and were eventually driven back. 2/LTS HT Newton and HL REEVES wounded. B coy advanced but lost direction and part of the coy under Capt VH CLAY crossed the SUNKEN ROAD and got into the first German lines. They bombed up a communication trench , but were driven back before a block could be made.

They again bombed up the trench but were again driven back on account with shortage in bombs. On being reinforced by the Cameron’s of the 26th Brigade 9th Division this trench was captured and a block made. The first line trench captured in conjunction with the 9th Division, of which we held a part, and was consolidated. Capt VH CLAY was killed during the consolidation, and 2/Lt JH THOMPSON was killed during the advance. 2/Lt EA CARRINGTON volunteered to seek information as regards the position of our companies some while after the attack started. He did not return and parties sent in search afterwards found no trace of him. 2/LT RL SCULLY who acted as liaison officer was buried by a shell and consequently had to be sent down suffering from the shock. Information did not arrive and it was understood that the attack had failed on the whole of the 21st Brigade front but that the 9th Division had gained all their objectives.

Our estimated casualty report read: 14 officers 350 other ranks. The remainder of the Battalion held the old British front line from the SUNKEN ROAD to the junction of TURKLANE and FRONTLINE. The trenches were by this time in an appalling state owing to the bad weather. The 19th Manchester Regt took over the front line from TURKLANE to the right.

Private 320417, Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry. Died 20th June 1918. Buried in south end of new part of MELKSHAM CHURCH CEMETERY, Melksham, Wiltshire. Also commemorated on Melksham War Memorial, Canon Square

Extract from Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser

Private Sydee passed away at the Cambridge Military Hospital Aldershot he was the fourth son of Mr W.S. Sydee of Beanacre Road Melksham. He was 25 years of age and was previously employed at the Avon Rubber Works. In September 1914 he joined the R.W.Y. and subsequently saw service in France for over a year, being attached to the 3rd Reserve Regiment of Hussars. While there he contracted pleurisy and in August 1917 was sent back to England, but although he made temporary improvement he was able to return home he never recovered. The body was conveyed to Melksham where the funeral was conducted with full military honours. Pte Sydee comes of a well known and highly respected family. Two brothers are now serving with the colours, one in India with the Wilts and one in the Canadian Flying Corps.

Private 10966, 1st Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Died of wounds 22nd June 1915. Aged 17. Born and resident Melksham, enlisted Devizes. Son of Frederick Charles and Mary Ann Williams, of 5, Market Place, Melksham. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 53. Also commemorated on Melksham War Memorial, Canon Square

Extract from Battalion War Diary Tuesday 22nd June 1915

Fine and hot. A Coy took up position in HOOGE trenches. 2 platoon in C1 and C trench from tunnel to ISLAND POST. B Coy in trenches N of ZOUVE Wood

to support A Coy. Bombardment took place 7.30 - 8p.m. At 8p.m. No 1 & 3 platoons attacked but were held up by Machine gun fire. The two officers leading attack were shot and the men returned to our fire trenches. The action was broken off. The German parapets appeared to be little damaged. Casualties. 2nd Lieut A N Mclean killed. 2nd Lieuts A C W Broadhurst and N L Carrington wounded. Other ranks, 24. About midnight the Battn was relieved and returned to billets near VLAMERTINGE.

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