Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery: Early Officers

Introduction

In September 1859, a circular letter was sent by Lord the secretary Lord Palmerston, the secretary of state for war, to the Lord Lieutenants of candidates to the effect that the government had expressed a decided preference for artillery rather than rifle Corps in maritime neighbourhoods. The Lord Lieutenant of Gloucester the (the Earl of Ducie) thereupon addressed a letter to the Mayor of Bristol, in answer to a requisition made to him by Mr Hirst and others, who had expressed of their willingness to enrol themselves in an Artillery Corps. Informing him that the formation of an artillery Corps with headquarters in Bristol would not only receive official sanction, but would be considered a valuable adjacent to the volunteer force already established.

Major Henry Bourchier Osborne Savile, then Major of the newly formed Rifle Corps, was selected by the Lords Lieutenant of Gloucestershire and Somerset to raise the Artillery Corps of these counties. The Major was made Major Commandant of the new Artillery Corps on 21 December 1859 and which which he commanded for fourteen years retiring in 1874 and then served the Corps as the Honorary Colonel.

On the 22 November 1859, the Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery (GVA) was formed, making it's headquarters at the Artillery Ground, Whiteladies Rd. Clifton, Bristol. The unit started with five batteries with a sixth added later. The GVA were tasked with the defence of the Bristol Channel and the ports of Bristol and Gloucester and were fully paid for and organised by the City of Bristol, it was not part of the War Office responsibilities. The motto of the GVA is 'Fidus et Audax', which is Latin, meaning 'Loyal and Audacious.'

The newly formed artillery corps on May 15., 1860, appointed had William McAdam from the Royal Artillery, as captain and adjutant and their surgeon as A.G. Power, late of S.A.S. [we are not certain what this was].

As well as the above officers each battery also had four Sergeants, four Corporals, three trumpeters, and 75 men.

In March 1880, the Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery had become the 1st Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers (Gloucester and Somerset).

The first administrative Brigade was consolidated into a single Corps with headquarters at Bristol, and designated the 1st Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteer Corps. The Corps consisted of 720 all ranks and distributed in nine batteries as follows:-

Batteries Nos. 1 to 6 at Clifton
Battery No. 7 at Newham
Battery No. 8 at Gloucester
Battery No. 9 at Clevedon

The Officers

Second Lieutenant George Samuel James Boyd M.R.C.S., L,R.C.P., L.S.A.,

He was born in Llanstadwell, Pembrokeshire on 7 January 1869;, the son of George Boyd late of the Royal Navy of Takapuna Auckland, New Zealand.

He was educated at private schools and at the London Hospital. The examining Board in England of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons reported that he had passed the first Board Examination of Materia Medica and Pharmacy in The Lancet of 22 April 1893.

He lived at 10, Adelaide Terrace, Portishead.

He was the late Surgeon Royal Navy Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen; Captain of the United Hospitals Rowing Club, 1893-95; and Honorary Treasurer of the Portishead Golf Club.

Resources

The Lancet - 22 April 1893

Charles Henry Cave

He was born at Clifton on 17 March 1861, the second son of Sir Charles Daniel Cave, Bart., J.P., D.L. His mother was Edith Harriet, the daughter of John Addington Symonds of Clifton. The family homes were at Cleve Hill, Gloucester, and Sidbury Manor, Devon. He was educated at Eton and New College, Oxford where he graduated with a B.A. in 1883.

He held a commission in the Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers from 1884 to 1897.

On 12 January 1892, he was married to Beatrice Julia, the third daughter of Sir Frederick Martin and Mary Christian Williams, at St. Paul's, Clifton. He was created a Baronet on 24 May 1896, and in 1898, he was living at Perran, Durdham Down, Bristol.

He was a banker and a member of the Bristol Old Bank. In 1899, he published "A History of Banking in Bristol from 1750 to 1899".

He represented Bristol Ward on the City Council from 1894. He was also Chairman of the Redland District Conservative Association, Treasurer of Bristol Working Men's Conservative Association, Treasurer of Bristol School of Art, Treasurer of Bristol Music Festival and President of the Dolphin Society.

The Cave family were landowners in Downend (parish of Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire) which is on the eastern outskirts of Bristol. There is a Cave Close and Cave Cottages in Downend. On the wall of these cottages, off the Badminton Road, Downend, is their emblem on a plaque.

Captain Herbert Coates

He was born in Bristol, the son of the son of William Coates Esq., of Clifton; Morthoe, North Devon; and Clevedon on 8 December 1857. He was educated at Bristol, and became a member of the firm of Clifton and Coates, solicitors, Bristol.

He lived at Walton Park, Clevedon and was Second Lieutenant in the Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery in 1888; First Lieutenant, 1889; Captain, November, 1897. He then commanded No. 11 Company at Weston-super-mare.

Honorary Major John Francis Ranald Daniel

He was born in Bristol the son of the son of David Davies, J.P., M.R.C.S. and educated locally and and at St. Thomas's Hospital, London.

Surgeon-Captain David Samuel Davies, M.D., Lond., D.P.H. Cantab., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.

He was born in Bristol the son of the son of David Davies, J.P., M.R.C.S. and educated locally and and at St. Thomas's Hospital, London.

He was Medical Officer of Health for Bristol. Between 1885 and 1886 he was Medical Inspector to H.M. Local Government Board on Cholera Survey and General Sanitary Survey of England. He succeeded his father as Medical Officer of Health for the City and Port of Bristol in 1886 and was Fellow and late President of the West of England and South Wales Branch Society of Medical Officers of Health.

Dr. D.S. Davies was Surgeon-Captain in the 1st Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery. He was Honorary Medical Officer for H.M. training ship "Formidable" and member of the British Medical Association member of Branch Council and Vice-President Public Health Section, 1894. He was Lecturer on Hygiene at University College (Medical School) and a member of the Bristol Medico-Chirurgical Society. In December 1897, Dr. Davies was presented, by the President of the Bristol Medico-Chirurgical Society, with an address signed by 181 local practitioners. This acknowledged his services to the public and the constant assistance he had given to the profession.

In 1898, his address was 60, Oakfield Road, Clifton.

Honorable-Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Edmund Harry Elton, Bart., C.C.

He was born in Clifton, Bristol on 3 May 1846, the son of Edmund William Elton, Esq. He was educated at Bradford College, Berks, and Jesus College, Cambridge.

He rowed in the Jesus College boat in 1865; won the "Larking" Challenge Sculls in 1864. He became High Sheriff for Somerset in 1895. He was the originator and designer of "Elton Ware" pottery from the Clevedon Elton Sunflower Pottery, which has been awarded nine gold and two silver medals, mostly at international exhibitions.

In 1868, he married his cousin Mary Agnes, second daughter of Sir Arthur Hallam Elton and produced two sons and three daughters: Ambrose born in 1869, Kathleen Agnes Rhoda, Winifred Lucy, Bernard Arthur, and Angela Mary.

He was commissioned as Captain on 24 September 1881, became Major on 19 August 1893, and later was Honorable-Lieutenant-Colonel 1st Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery, Clevedon.

He died on 17 July 1920.

Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Poole Lansdown, M.R.C.S., L.S.A.

He was born at St. James Barton, Bristol on 18 October 1833, the son of Joseph Goodall Lansdown, Esq., one of the first surgeons to the Bristol General Hospital, and who lived at Samber House, 19, Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol.

He was educated at Marlborough College, Guy's Hospital, London, and Paris. Surgeon to the Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery for thirty two years he retired with the rank of Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel, V. D.

His obituary in the British Medical Journal of 3 March 1917 read:

F. POOLE LANSDOWN died on Fcbrnary 12th, 1917, after a short illness, at Lydford, Devon, at the advanced ago of 83. He was the sccoud son of Mr. J. Goodall Lansdown, a well known surgeon in his day, and one of thc earliest surgeons to the Bristol General Hospital. Hw was one of the first batch of bow who entered that now famous school, Marlborough Coliege, on its opening term.

His medical education was received at the Bristol Medical School and Guy's Hospital; he obtained the diplomas of M.R.C.S. and L.S.A. in 1856. Shortlv afterwards he was appointed house surgeon to Bristol General Hospital and from time until the day of his death, a period of sixty years, was connected with its surgical staff. He became surgeon to hospital in May, 1861, and was for many years senior surgeon, retiring in April. 1893, when he was appointed consulting Surgeon. He was for a time lecturer on anatomy in the Bristol Medical School, and for nany years held the post of Surgeon to the General Post Office at Bristol aud scvcral posts under the Charity Trustees.

Mr. Lansdown was a past president of the Bath and Bristol Branch of the British Medical Association and also of Bristol Chirurlogical Society, the highest honours in the control of the local profession. These facts will serve to indicate the respect and esteem in which he was held by his professional brethren, among whom he had passed the active period of his life.

In early days Mr. Lansdown was an ardent volunteer, serving as surgeon to the Glouccster Volunteer Artillery, and reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

As a surgeon he was a calm, careful, and skilful operator, taking no unnecessary risks. His was a sound opinion in surgical cases, and he kept himself well abreast of thc surgery of the day. He saw the dawn of anaesthetics, antiseptics, and abdommal surgery, but retired too early from surgical work to be able to avail himself of more modern aids to surgical diagnosis. He was by nature modest and unassumiug, yet steadfast and firm of purpose; he was punctual and methodical in the performance of his many and varied duties; a good friend, a loyal, agreeable, and most helpful colleague, as thc writer of this notice can affirm after being associated with him professionally for nearly fifty years.

Francis Poole Lansdown, M.R.C.S., L.S.A.

The Bristol Medico-Chirurgical Journal of April 1917 obituary read:

It is with a deep sense of the loss sustained by the medical life of the city that we record the death of Mr. Francis Poole Lansdown, Consulting Surgeon to the Bristol General Hospital, which occurred on the 12th February, 1917, after a short illness, at the ripe age of 83.

The name of Lansdown appears far back in the city annals. In the Great Red Book of Bristol is a record of the sale by Thomas Lansdown, of Bristol, of a house in Maryleport Street, 1542. Again, Will. Lansdowne (sic), chirurgeon, was admitted to the freedom of the city, for that he was apprenticed to John Webb, 1699; and further, Thomas Lansdown, barber-chirurgeon, was admitted to the freedom of the city, apprenticed to John King, 1689. A paternal aunt of Mr. Lansdown, born in 1800, was presented, on her marriage to Mr. Richard Blogh in 1836, with a framed pictorial acrostic of considerable local interest, executed by Stephen Jenner, brother of Edward Jenner, with whom the Lansdowns of that date were intimate.

Francis Poole Lansdown was born in 1833 in St. James's Barton. Upon his marriage he lived for some time in Lower College Green, where he secured a large private practice amongst the cathedral dignitaries. He subsequently moved to Park Street, then a residential street, and thence to Whiteladies Road, which he left only to retire to his beautiful Devonshire home at Lydford on Dartmoor. He had always taken great interest in his garden at Clifton, and met with considerable success as an amateur fruit-grower, a pursuit which continued to afford nim pleasure and employment to the end.

The Lansdown family has been closely associated with the Bristol General Hospital since its opening in November, 1832. Some houses in Guinea Street first afforded a home to the institution, until the growing needs of the district led to the erection of the Hospital on the present site. One of the first surgeons to be appointed was Mr. Joseph Goodall Lansdown, who had for his surgical colleagues G. D. Fripp, Henry Brigstocke, and John Grant Wilson. He was re-elected from time to time, and finally resigned in April, 1861, after twenty-nine years' continuous service, to be succeeded by his son, Francis Poole Lansdown, who in his turn gave thirty-two years' faithful service to the Institution. Three years later his son, Robert Guthrie Poole Lansdown, was elected Hon. Surgeon to the Hospital, a post he still holds. The office of Surgeon to the Bristol General Hospital has thus been held by three successive generations of the Lansdown family, and as Mr. F. P. Lansdown was placed onthe honorary consulting staff of the Hospital on his retirement in 1893, there has been an uninterrupted period of more than eighty-five years during which the family has been officially connected with the Institution. The surgical family tree still blossoms, for a member of the fourth generation is now a student of Guy's Hospital, to carry on the tradition.

"As a surgeon," one of his colleagues writes, "he was a calm, carefui, and skilful operator, taking no unnecessary risks; his opinion in surgical cases was sound, and he kept himself well abreast of the surgery of the day." He held several public appointments, including the post of Surgeon to the Post Office and to the City School, which he retained until his retirement.

Mr. Lansdown found little time for sport, though horse exercise was always grateful to him when time permitted. As with many busy men who work in the crowded life of cities, when on holidays bent he found "society, where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar." As July came round each year he would take ship from Bristol or London Docks for a three weeks' cruise to Ireland or the coast of Scotland. Putting in perchance, at Plymouth, a walk on the Hoe and a bathe eere preparation for continuance of the voyage. Sometimes family accompanied him, and beguiled his footsteps to Killarney Lakes or Bantry Bay, but he usually kept closely to the ship's track, and was punctilious in returning home, for inscrutable reasons, always in time for the August Bank Holiday.

Mr. Lansdown took small interest in medical politics, and seldom attended the Annual Meetings of the Association, but he Was keenly interested in, and frequent attendant at, the meetings of the local medical societies, of which he was in turn President. He was also for many years a member of the Clifton Medical Reading Society, and contributed to the medical journals some valuable notes on the treatment of Aneurism.

Mr. Lansdown will be always remembered socially for his genial and friendly nature, and for the help and encouragement he was ever ready to extend to the younger members of the profession. What better memorial could one hope for than this, that the remembrance in many hearts of kindly deeds may serve to keep his memory green.

Resources

Bristol Medico-Chirurgical Journal - April 1917
Bristol Medico-Chirurgical Journal - April 1917
British Medical Journal - Vol. 1, No. 2931, 3 March 1917
British Medical Journal - Vol. 1, No. 2931, 3 March 1917

Second Lieutenant Alexander Ogilvy, B.A. , B.C., F.R.C.S.I.

He was born in Dublin on 18 November 1863, the son of Alexander Ogilvy Esq. of Dublin.

He was educated at Coleraine Academical Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Royal college of Surgeons, Ireland; and the universities of Vienna and Heidelberg.

In 1867, his father was a Justice of the Peace and married Frances (Fanny), formerly Barklie, nee Atkinson. They lived at Apsley Lodge, Rathgar, Co. Dublin. A brother, David, was born on 28 May 1872 also in Dublin. David went on to become Superintendent of Long Grove Mental Hospital (1912-1934)

Resources

David Ogilvy, M.D. (1872-1934) - Epsom & Ewell History Explorer

Colonel Frederick Cusac Ord CB VD TD DL

See Colonel F. C. Ord CB VD TD DL

First Lieutenant Ralph Ernest Platt

He was born in Gloucester in 1876, the son of James Platt Esq., J.P., a former Mayor of Gloucester. He was educated at Malvern College, and joined the Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery 1893, and promoted to First Lieutenant in 1897.

An an inspecting engineer by profession he travelled in China, Japan, and the U.S.A.

Colonel Henry Bourchier Osborne Savile

See Colonel H. B. O. Savile

Major Walter Carless Swayne, B.S. Lond., M.D., Ch.B. Bristol

He was born in Mathon, Worcestershire in 1862 to Robert Arthur and Grace Pyke Swayne who lived at The Dingles, Hobmore Lane, Aston. He was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham (1872 - 1878); University College, Bristol; and Guy's Hospital, London, gaining is M. D. at the University of London in 1864.

He lived at various houses around Bristol; Harwood House, Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol (3 April 1881); 1 Leicester Villas, Clifton, Bristol (31 March 1901); Mathon House, 56 St Pauls Rd, Clifton, Bristol (2 April 1911); 8, Leicester Place, St. Paul's Road, Clifton, and served since 1880 in the Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery. He was promoted to Sergeantin 1889; Second Lieutenant in 1893; and Lieutenant in 1894. He received the Volunteer Officers Decoration in 1907.

He married Louisa Margaret Heath on 28 March 1894.

In 1914 he volunteered as a Major as Draft Conducting Officer and later served in the 3/1 South Midland Brigade (Gloucester), Royal Field Artillery.

He was killed by his son-in-law, Richard Louis Wreford-Brown, at Sidonia, Sellack, near Ross-on-Wye on 14 August 1925.

From the article "Doctor Shot near Ross" from the Gloucester Citizen dated August 15, 1925:

DOCTOR SHOT NEAR ROSS

Tragedy at Country House

Son-in-Law Under Arrest

SAD ENDING TO A VISIT

The terrible news of a very tragic shooting fatality at the countryside residence known as Sidonia, in the parish of Sellack, came as a shock to the residents of Ross and the neibourhood on Friday. Sidonia is situated overlooking the eminence over looking Hackney and the river Wye, and is the home of Mt. and Mrs. Wreford-Brown, with their family.

The tragedy was enacted shortly after midnight. The facts at the time of writing are scanty, but it appears that Mr. Wreford-Brown, whose mind, it is stated, had been in a somewhat strange condition for some days, was in a bedroom. It is supposed that something occurred which attracted the attention of Dr. Walter Swayne, of Clifton, the father of Mrs. Wreford-Brown, who had only just arrived on a visit to Sidonia.

On the doctor going into the bedroom, it is alleged that Mr. Wreford-Brown turned a revolver on him and fired two shots into his body. As soon as possible, Supt. J. Broad, of Ross, was communicated with by telephone, and he, in company with Dr. Llewellyn B. Green, of Ross, journeyed to Sidonia, which is some miles distant, and on their arrival they found Dr. Swayne lying at the foot of the bed in a very serious condition. Mr. Wreford-Brown being in bed in the same room.

The wounds of Dr. Swayne were attended to, and Mr. Wreford-Brown was removed in custody. A revolver was found on the dressing table.

Later in the morning the prisoner, whose full name is Richard Louis Wreford-Brown, was brought before Mr. T. Matthews at an Occasional Court at Ross Police Station on a charge of attempted murder, and after formal evidence of arrest accused was remanded in custody for a week. He was removed to H.M. Prison at Gloucester.

Later in the day news was received that Dr. Swayne had succumbed to his injuries. During Friday evening further details of the tragedy were gleaned by the police, and the facts were reported to the District Coroner prior to the holding of the inquiry. We understand that Dr. Swayne only arrived at Sidonia early in the evening of the tragedy. In addition to Mrs. Wreford-Brown, there are two children.

Mr. Wreford-Brown, who, prior to going to reside at Sidonia, lived at Grendon Court, Upton Bishop, was a well-known and highly respected sportsman. He was a member and keen competitor in the open coursing meeting of the Herefordshire Coursing Club, while he also took a keen interest in sports generally.

Dr. Walter Carless Swayne was a Bachelor of Surgery of London University. He was a well-known obstetrician. Born n 1862, the eldest son of Mr. R. A. Swayne, of Tillington Court, Hereford, he was educated at King Edward School, Birmingham, University College, Bristol and Guy's Hospital. He was Professor of Obstetric and Director of Clinical Obstetrics at Bristol University from 1805. Apart from his professional interests, Dr. Swayne was prominent in the work of the Territorial Force. He was connected with the Bristol University contingent of the O.T.C., and at one time was Major commanding a battery of the Gloucestershire Field Artillery. During the war he was responsible, as the Officer Commanding, for the formation of the Third Line Gloucestershire Royal Field Artillery (T.F.), and as the occasion of a recruiting campaign throughout the county he visited Gloucester with a detachment in 1915. Later in the war he was in command of a New Zealand Field Artillery Battery on Salisbury Plain. He was a keen fisherman. Dr. Swayne married Miss Louisa Margaret Heath, daughter of the late Rev. R. F. Heath, and had one son and three daughters.

From the article "Sequel to Country House tragedy" from the Dundee Courier dated August 17, 1925:

SEQUEL TO COUNTRY HOUSE TRAGEDY

MAN'S STORY OF DESPERATE STRUGGLE

WILFUL MURDER VERDICT AT INQUEST

The story of the desperate struggle he had with his brother-in-law was related by Mr. R. C. Swayne at the inquest on Saturday at Sellack on the body of his father Dr. Walter Carless Swayne, the victim of the shooting tragedy at Sellack, near Ross-on-Wye.

Mr. Swayne, who lives at Clifton Park, Bristol, stated he went on a visit on Monday to the residence in Sellack of his siter, the wife of Mr. Richard Wreford-Brown, a retired army officer. As his siter's request deceased was sent for to see Mr. Wreford-Brown and arrived on Thursday. All spent the evening together, and, after dinner, the doctor and his son-in-law went for a walk, returning quite pleasantly. Both had been on fairly good terms.

Sound of Shots

About half-past one in the morning witness was roused by the sound of two shots and a scream from his sister, and going into Mr. and Mrs. Wreford-Brown's room he saw his brother-in-law flourishing a revolver and shouting "The room is full of gas; they are trying to gas me." There was no gas in the room. He fired two more shots, and witness crawled towards the door. Witness' sister go under the bed, and witness ran into his own room for a weapon of some sort. He seized a jug full of water, but Mr. Wreford-Brown had gone into Dr. Swayne's room.

Mr. Wreford-Brown, who was invalided from the army in 1919 suffering from gas poisoning, again shouted they were gassing him, and deceased told him he was talking nonsense and advised him to go back to bed. He, however, said he was "determined to get to the bottom of this." and called out, "Stand back a yard or I fire."

Witness heard no movement, and almost simultaneously his brother-in-law fired two shots, and witness heard his father fall to the floor. The room was in complete darkness as the witness entered. His father said he had been hit in the stomach, and witness groping for his brother-in-law, seized him and both fell.

Police Arrive

Witness described the desperate struggle that followed in which he ultimately succeeded in disarming his brother-in-law. His sister went for help and neighbours arrived. Police and a doctor also arrived, and the police took charge of Mr. Wreford-Brown. Witness' father died about 9.45 on Friday morning. Mr. Wreford-Brown was a very temperate man.

A police officer stated when he arrived at the home Dr. Swayne said to him his son-in-law had shot him. When witness spake to Mr. Wreford-Brown he said, "They were trying to poison me, I rold Dr. Swayne to step back a yard, and as he did not do so I fired to wound him, not to kill."

The coroner said Bristol had to deplore the loss of one of her chief citizens, while the medical world would be also deeply touched.

The jury returned a verdict of willful murder against Richard Louis Wreford-Brownm adding a rider that his state of mind should be inquired into when he came up for trial.

Mr. Wreford-Brown had been arrested charged with attempted murder and remanded after the occurrence, but before Dr. Swayne died.

Mr. Wreford-Brown was found guilty but insane, and detained at his Majesty's pleasure. He had been badly gassed at Cambrai, and further, as a legacy of his war service, suffered from a chronic recurring purulent otitis, and his mental condition was causing anxiety.

The funeral of Walter Carless Swayne
Photo: Western Daily Press, 18 August 1925

Resources

Insane ex-officer murdered father-in-law at Herefordshire country house - Hereford Times
Walter Carless Swayne M.D., B.S. Lond., M.D., Ch.B. Bristol - Semantic Scholar
We Remember Walter Carless Swayne - Imperial War Museums

Major Alfred Bond Trestrail MBE

Alfred Bond Trestrail was born at the 'Willows', Mitcham Common, Surrey on 5 February 1849. He was the second son of the Reverend Frederick Trestrail, and was educated at Mill Hill and Amersham Hall Schools. Trestrail later attended the Royal College Of Chemistry and the Royal School Of Mines.

Trestrail resided at 'Southdale', Albert Road, Clevedon, and was commissioned Lieutenant in the 1st Gloucestershire Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers (Clevedon Company), in March 1885. He advanced to Captain and took over command of No. 9 Battery on 27 November 1891. He commanded the Company from 1891 to 1905, when be retired.

The battery, which had been raised in 1860 by Sir Arthur Hallam Elton of Clevedon Court; the unit was also known as the 1st Somerset or Clevedon Artillery Volunteers. The battery, in 1886, stood second in the Brigade for skill-at-arms, the competition being held at Portishead Battery, for some years the Sergeants and Corporals held the 3rd and 4th Cups for carbine shooting at the annual brigade competitions.

They manned two 64 pounder guns mounted on Wain's Hill and from there used to shoot at a target moored in the bay. Their Drill Hall, built in 1863, was in Albert Road, only a few minutes walk from the Trestrail residence. Nearby was a carbine range.

In 1900, he was made Honorable Major and on the 12 September 1905 received the Volunteer Decoration. Trestrail retired as Honorary Major in September 1905. He took a prominent interest in municipal affairs. For over 20 years he was a member of the Urban District Council. He was made a JP in 1896, and sat regularly on the local Bench (frequently as presiding magistrate) until his illness. He was prominently identified with many local charitable and philanthropic institutions, notably the Clevedon, Kenn, Tickehham and Walton Dispensary, of which he had been Hon. Secretary and Treasurer for many years. He was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a member of the Geological Association, the Hon. Secretary of the Royal Society for the Prevention of ruelty to Animals (Clevedon District), a member of the Clevedon District Council, Vice President of the Westonsuper-Mare Division of the Liberal Association.

He also took a great interest in sport. He was a member of the Somerset County Football Association and served on the board of Appeal. He was a vice president of the local football and cricket clubs, a founder of the original golf club, a founder and vice president of the bowling club, and trustee of the Herbert Gardens. A keen Volunteer, he succeeded the late Sir Edmund H. Elton, Bart., as Captain of the Clevedon Company, Royal Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers, and put in over 20 years service. During the Great War, he commanded the V.A.D Red Cross Hospital, Oakland's, in Clevedon, and the Commandant of the Clevedon Ladies Voluntary Aid Detachment for which he was awarded with an Member of the British Empire for his services in 1919.

Alfred Bond Trestrail (seated) at the Red Cross Hospital

Alfred Bond Trestrail's medals: MBE and Volunteer Officers' Decoration.

Resources

Medals from the Rob Campbell Collection - YUDU
Military Chest - The Clevedonian, Winter 2010

Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Ernest Yates Trestrail B.A.

Alfred Ernest Yates Trestrail was born at Hallatrow Court, Hallatrow, Somerset, near Bristol, on 24 January 1876, the son of Major Alfred Bond Trestrail, and was educated at Amersham Hall, New College Eastbourne, and Christ's College, Cambridge.

A keen sportsman, he represented Somerset at cricket (captaining the County side 1896-1900), football - played for Clevedon since 1890 as well as Cambridge university; Crusaders F. C. and Bedminster F. C.; hockey, lawn tennis, and was a member of the all England hockey team which toured Germany before the war.

F. C. Trestrail was admitted to the roll of Solicitors in 1900, and practised in Clevedon. He served as a Captain with the 1st Gloucester Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers (Clevedon Company). On 1 April, 1908, Captain Alfred Ernest Yates Trestrail, from the 1st Gloucestershire Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers), to be Captain precedence as in the Volunteer Force.

He unsuccessfully stood for Parliament as a Liberal for Tiverton, Devon, in December 1910. Trestrail was appointed a District Councillor for Clevedon in April 1912.

Trestrail served during the Great War with the Cheshire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 2 June 1916. He had a distinguished career in the Army, his period of service extending over a quarter of a century.

When war broke out, he threw up his practice and took a commission in the 14th Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment. He proceeded to France and was both wounded and gassed on the Somme. He returned to France in 1918 and was serving with the 15th Battalion when he was awarded the D.S.O. for conspicuous gallantry and his leadership of his company in the attack on Summerbee Farm. It is of interest to record that after the attack, the N.C.O.s and men of his company wrote a letter to the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Harrison-Johnston, D.S.O., expressing their appreciation of the manner in which Major Trestrail had conducted the attack.

Alfred Ernest Yates Trestrail's medals: Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves, Coronation 1902, Territorial Decoration

His DSO citation read:

During the operations east of Terhand on the 14th October 1918, he led his men to the attack in a most determined way, and when hostile machine-gun fire was encountered from numerous strong points, he got his men to surround them and either killed or captured the occupants. His marked gallantry, cheeriness, and initiative were largely responsible for the objective being carried promptly.

Following the war, Trestrail joined a law firm in Huddersfield, lived in Kirkburton, and was the moving spirit behind the building of the Woodsome Hall Golf Club. He engaged his batman as a private servant, and one day was examining with his father and the servant, one of his war trophies - a captured German bomb. The servant pulled out the pin, thinking the bomb was harmless. A terrific explosion followed, in which the batman was killed, Major Trestrail wounded in the thigh and his father also slightly hurt. Major Trestrail subsequently pensioned the servant's widow.

In 1932, when the Regimental Council was formed, Major Trestrail became a member of the Council as one of the two representatives of the New Army Battalions, and was so serving at the time of his death.

Major Trestrail was the best type of Englishman, kind, fearless and a true sportsman - never deviating from what he thought to be right, and outspoken when the occasion demanded it.

Lieutenant-Colonel Trestrail died at "Far Dene", New Milton, Hampshire, on 5 February 1935.

Resources

Alfred Trestrail - Wikipedia
Medals from the Rob Campbell Collection relating to Clevedon, Somerset - YUDU
We Remember Alfred Ernest Yates Trestrail - Imperial War Museums

Surgeon Captain Alderman John Hancocke Wathen

He was born at Marloes Court, Pembrokeshire in 1844, the son of William Dean Wathen, Esq., M.R.C.S.

He was educated privately and at University College, London; physician and surgeon, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., L.S.A. He represented Clifton Ward on the Bristol City Council, 1893 - 96 and became Alderman in 1897 and was a member of the Health and other Committees.

Living at 16, York Place, Clifton, he was President of the Grateful Society, 1894 - 95:

His obituary in the Bristol Medico-Chirurgical Journal of December 1906, read:

We have to record the death, at the age of 61, of Mr. John Hancocke Wathen, one of the regular attendants at the meetings of the Bristol Medico-Chirurgical Society, and a man well known in professional and political circles in Bristol. His death took place at his residence, Sea Walls, Stoke Bishop, on October 5th, and was somewhat sudden. He had been in failing health for some two or three years, and took but little exercise; he had been conscious that he had a dilatation of the aorta, proved by an X-ray examination two years ago, and the immediate cause of his death was the bursting of this into the aesophagus.

Born at Marloes Court, Pembrokeshire, he received his early education at Fishguard, and afterwards was at school at Weston near Bath. Later on he studied at University College Hospital and the Royal Orthopædic Hospital, and became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1865. Two years later he took the degree of L.R.C.P. Edinburgh.

His first connection with Bristol was his election as Assistant House Surgeon at the General Hospital, and he was afterwards House Surgeon at the West London Hospital. In 1867 his father, who was one of the ornaments of the profession, an able country doctor, broke his leg, and the son was recalled to Fishguard and practised for thirteen years with eminent success.

Here he performed many operations of general surgery and midwifery, and father and son enjoyed the confidence and friendship of the whole countryside. With the object of rising in the profession and having a larger scope for his powers, he came to Clifton in 1880, and started in private practice, hoping to become attached to one of the public medical institutions. He entered into partnership with Dr. Steele, was partner with him for twelve years, and during this period was Medical Officer to the Clifton Wood Industrial School, when he especially turned his attention to skin diseases, and established a skin dispensary of his own in Park Row.

Resources

Bristol Medico-Chirurgical Journal - December 1906

Honorary Major Joseph Weston-Stevens

He was born on 25 July 1861. His father was William John Yates Stevens and his mother was Rebecca Hadrill Weston, sister to Sir Joseph Dodge Weston who was Mayor of Bristol four times when she acted as Mayoress for her brother who was not married at that time.

Joseph was educated at Clifton College and was a director of the Patent Nut & Bolt Co. Ltd.; the Bristol Wagon & Carriage Company; London, City, and Midland Bank; and of Girest, Keen, and Nettle. He was chairman of the Taff Vale Railway. He was president of the Anchor Society 1896/7. He was Bristol's High Sherif in 1902 and created a Knight Bachelor on 11 June 1913.

He was a Lieutenant in the Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery on 12 May 1883; Captain, March 1881; and was Honorary Major in June 1898.

He had a son, Joseph Arthur Ronald Weston-Stevens, who was born on 2 August 1892. He also had a daughter, Gwendoline Hannah Weston-Stevens

He and his wife owned a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, chassis number 2638, that was rebodied by Hooper of London in 1913 in their "Landaulette" style.

He was a Liberal in the Knowle West 1910 General Election, but lost to Conservative George Gibbs.

He died on 7 February 1917, and his remains were interred in the family vault at Arnos Vale Cemetery. See the page for Joseph Dodge Weston for a picture of the Weston Memorial at Arnos Vale Cemetery.

His widow, Victoria Alice Weston Stevens died on 19 April 1918. The Western Daily Press of 19 September 1918, reported that she left an estate of the value of £21,940 8s. She left her trustees £10,000 for board maintenance and education of deceased officers in his Majesty's Army killed in the great war, capital and interest to be available for such a purpose at any ladies' college or first class school.

He lived at Deerhurst Priory, 7 Downside Road, Clifton and later at Worcester Lodge, Clifton.

Deerhurst Priory

Resources

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage etc. of Great Britain and Ireland - Wikisource
High Sheriff of Bristol - Wikipedia
Hooper (coachbuilder) - Wikipedia
Hooper Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost - Coachbuild
Joseph Weston Stevens - Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust
Joseph Weston Stevens - Dave Napier
Bristol West (UK Parliament constituency) - Wikiwand
List of knights bachelor appointed in 1913 - Wikipedia
London Gazette - May 11, 1883
The South Wales Coal Annual for 1908 - GenUK

Major Mark Whitwill, Junior

He was born in Bristol in 1857, and educated at private schools and at Mill Hill School, London.

He was a shipowner, shipbroker, and philanthropist. He worked at Mark Whitwill & Son, Shipowners and Brokers and General Shipping Agents, a firm established by his father, Mark Whitwill (1826-1903), in Bristol in 1875, and was made partner in 1883. They were managers of Great Western Line of Steamers, Bristol & New York, and agents for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, the Allan Line of Steamers to Quebec, and the National Line of Steamers to New York.

He lived at Parkdale, Belgrave road, Clifton. In 1883, he married Emma Reece May (1860-). He died on 5 December, 1921, in Keynsham.

He holds the Long Service Medal for twenty years Volunteer Service, [V.D.] and the Jubilee Medal presented to officers in Charge of units on Jubilee Day , 22 June 1897.

The Western Daily Press of 6 December 1921 printed his obituary under the headline Death of Mr M. Whitwill: A Notable Man of Shipping

We regret to announce the death of Mr Mark Whitwill, who had been in a poor state of health for some time, and had been living at Downend.

Mr Mark Whitwell was the son of the well-remembered Mr Mark Whitwell, who for a long period was leading member of the shipping trade and one of the founders of the Childrens' Hospital. The son, after receiving his education at Mill Hill School, joined his father in business, and became as popular as he was well-known in the city. Like his father, he was associated with Highbury Chapel, and took an active interest in several local institutions, especially the Childrens' Hospital, and societies to promote the welfare of the boys. Besides being a member of the Local Marine Board, he served as President of Chamber of Commerce and the Commercial Rooms, and was a good friend of the Sailors' Home.

For many years Mr Whitwill acted as Consul for Belgium and Vice-Consul for Uruguay. During the war he rendered good service to the Belgian refugees and was decorated by the King of Belgium. He was chairman of the West of England and Bristol Channel Port and Transit Committee, and for his services in that position was made a Commander (Civil Division) of the Order of the British Empire. In early life he joined the Bristol Artillery Volunteers, and he served also in the Territorial Force, attaining to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, receiving the coverted award of V.D. for long service. He entered the City Council in June 1906, and was at once appointed to the Docks Committee, where his experience and sound judgement were highly valued. He was made a justice of the peace in 1912. He was a Conservative and a member of the Constitutional Club. His son, Mr Mark Whitwill, who is in the business, rendered special service in the war, and received distinguished awards, including the D.S.O. He also has a son named Mark, so that the name is continued to the fourth generation. Mr Whitwill was brother-in-law to Mr Holman Gregory, K.C., M.P. who married his sister.

Resources

Whitwill, Mark, 1857-1921 - McGill Library

Captain John Worth

He was born in Bristol on September 21st, 1859, the son of H. L. Worth, Esq., of Clifton.

Living at Warkwood, Lower Redland Road. Educated at Clifton college, he joined No 6 company. of the G.V.A., as a Gunner in November, 1880. He became a Bombardier in January, 1884; Sergeant in April 1886; Regiment Quartermaster Sergeant in December, 1886; Second Lieutenant in February 1888; Lieutenant in October 1888. He transferred to No, 4 Company in July, 1893.

He received King Edward VII's Silver Coronation Medal in September 1902, and awarded the Volunteer Officers Decoration on 15 November 1904.

Sources and Resources

Derek Driscoll's original pages

Contemporary Biographies 1890 (PDF, 7.03Mb)
Contemporary Biographies 1890
Contemporary Biographies 1890

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