Remembrance - Lest We Forget
The number men killed by enemy action, died of wounds and sickness in the Great War will never really be known or in so many cases where they lie, but we are fortunate to have a list of officers and men who fell of the 1st South Midland Bde/240 Brigade R.F.A. (T)
This information on these pages has come from the Book of Remembrance kept in the officers' mess of 266 Bty (GVA) RA (V) and research from local papers and other sources supplied by Mr. Andy Stevens
Some men were easier to find more information for than others. Where this has been possible it has been put on the WWI Obituaries page.
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow...
Sergeants Mess, Spring 1917
Back Row: Shapland (E-sub), Higgs (B-sub), Rivers (A-sub), Sherriff (F-sub), Baker (C-sub), Webber (D-sub), Fitter Sgt Betty
Front Row:Farrier Sgt. Burnett, BQMS Frost, BSM Blackman, Saddle Sgt. Loxton, Sgt. Savage (AVC)
D-sub, Belgium, 1917
Sgt. Baker, Lt. Fullerton, Sgt. Rivers, Sgt. Shapland, and Sgt Sherriff will be found listed below.
240 Bde RFA (T) list of known dead and Next of Kin
This list comes from a Google Sheet that is open for inspection. The names with no NOK information, may mean that the relatives did not want it recorded or the information was not available at the time the lists were compiled. The same thing may be found on local War Memorials where the relatives did not want to be reminded of the loss of a loved one every time they passed the memorial so they did not return the request for information of the dead.
All information must be checked with other sources, as this list is not guaranteed to be correct.
I have tried to make this nominal roll as accurate as possible, Unit records, local papers, the CWGC site and the SWDGW CD ROM v1.1, have all been researched but as with all things someone will no doubt prove me wrong.
All information in this Nominal Roll is a stating point for research and is not a definitive list, you must check all information contained within, with other sources at your disposal.
My thanks to Mr. Andy Stevens for his invaluable help in compiling this nominal roll.
Notes:
Four figure Regimental Numbers were in use from 1908, until the reorganization of the army in June 1916, when the designation of the unit was changed to the 240th Bde RFA [TF] and six fig numbers were allocated.
The block numbering, six figs Army numbers were allocated to the 240th South Midland Bde, was I believe from 825000 through to 826999.
When a unit suffered casualties and/or sickness in the ranks, replacements were then drafted in to make up the units establishment. These men were from the 2nd /3rd line units or were themselves returning from sick leave or hospital as you will see that some men with the 240th South Midland Bde block numbers were killed or D of W with other units, while some of the men serving with 240th Bde were from outside the local recruiting area, these were men posted in, some I believe before the re-naming and re-numbering of the unit in June 1916.
As the 240th Bde RFA were posted to Italy in late November 1917 as part of 48th Division whose men that were due leave were given leave, and the unit were told not to expect them back. [from the War diary] So when they returned to France they were sent to other units on the western front.
Sources: Commonwealth war graves Commission and the Soldiers Who Died In The Great War CD ROM Vo1.1
We would be very grateful for any further information on members of the 1st South Midland Bde RFA/ 240th Bde RFA [TF] from 1908-1919.
Graves of the Fallen
Most of these photos were taken by Dennis A. Corbett & Derek J. Driscoll
Bromfield, A. E. J.
Gunner, 2173
2nd/1st S.M. Bde RFA
Died: 26 May, 1915
Age: 17
Gravestone: St Mary's church, Henbury, Bristol (1284 S/west corner)
Son of William & Annie Bromfield, of Kingsweston, Shirehampton, Bristol.
Carter, Ernest
2nd Lieutenant
C Bty 240th Bde. RFA
Died: 15 June, 1918
Age: 31
Gravestone: Magnaboschi British Cemetery, Italy (Plot 1. Row B. Grave 6)
Son of William and Elizabeth Carter, of 23, District Road, Sudbury Town, Middlesex.
Coslett, T. W.
Driver, 825367
C Bty 240th Bde RFA
Died: 25 September, 1917
Age: 25
Gravestone: Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium (VIII. F.16)
Son of T. J. & Annie C. Coslett, of 16, Holmesdale Rd., Victoria Park, Bedminster, Bristol.
Dennis, H. J.
Gunner, 825358
B Bty 240th Bde RFA
Died: 10 January, 1919
Age: 31
Gravestone: Canford Cemetery, Bristol (F.760)
Son of Arthur & Sarah A. Dennis, of 52 Linden Rd, Westbury Park, Bristol.
Esling, W. F.
Gunner, 826113
61st Div Ammo Col RFA
Died: 12 September, 1917
Age:
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (V.F.II).
Fullerton, James Basil
Lieutenant
A Bty 240th Bde R.F.A.
Died: 9 August, 1917
Age: 32
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (VIII.D.10)
Gibbs, F. H
Driver, 825337
240th Bde R.F.A.
Died: 18 June, 1918
Age: 32
Gravestone: Magnaboschi British Cemetery, Italy (Plot 2 Row B. Grave 3)
Son of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Gibbs, of Horfield, Bristol.
Goodwin, W.
Sergeant, 840043
240th South Midland Bde. RFA
Died: 23 July, 1917
Age:
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (111.H.16).
Gudge, Arthur John
Gunner, 826151
C Bty 155th Bde. RFA
Died: 6 November, 1917
Age: 22 or 24
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (IX.D2)
Son of Albert and Sarah Gudge, of 27, Avon St, St Phillip's, Bristol.
Hobbs, William George
Sergeant, 825202
A Bty 240th Bde. RFA
Died: 17 September, 1917
Age: 22
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (V.G.1)
Son of William Sidney & Matilda Jane Hobbs, of Bristol.
Hooper, Bernard W. C.
Gunner, 840239
A Bty 240th Bde. RFA
Died: 31 August, 1917
Age: 22
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (1X.H.1)
Son of William H. & Emily A. Hooper, of "Bridestowe", 140, Jerningham Rd, Newcross, London.
The wooden cross is pre-1920.
Humphries, Charles
Driver, 825153
C Bty 155th Army Bde. RFA
Died: 12 November, 1917
Age:
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (XI.C.3).
Lilly, Percy P.
Gunner, 826302
48th Div. Ammo Col. RFA
Died: 24 August, 1917
Age:
Gravestone: Gwalia Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (I.H.9)
Son of T. R. & P. A. Lilly (nee Pickell) of Birmingham. Details very kindly supplied by his great niece.
Lock, W. J.
Gunner, 825413
B Bty 240th Bde. RFA
Died: 14 August, 1917
Age:
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (V.C.10)
Gunner Lock was born in Broughton Clifford.
Parry, R. George
Gunner, 825410
A Bty 240th Bde. RFA
Died: 15 September, 1917
Age: 27
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (V.G.2)
Son of Herbert C. Parry, of Portishead, Somerset.
Parsons, A. G.
Gunner, 825877
C Bty 155th Bde. RFA
Died: 15 September, 1917
Age: 21
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (XII.H.8)
Son of John William & Minnie Parsons, of 67, Sevier St., Ashley Vale, Bristol.
Parsons, W. A.
Driver, 825872
C Bty 155th Bde. RFA
Died: 15 September, 1917
Age:
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (XII.H.7).
Rivers, F. C.
Sergeant, 825183
A Bty 240th (Gloucester) Bde. RFA
Died: 21 August, 1917
Age:
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (VII.F.2). The photo of Sgt. Rivers was taken in the spring of 1917.
Robb, L. E.
Gunner, 845663
61st Div Ammo Col. RFA
Died: 6 September, 1917
Age: 23
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (IX.H.28)
Son of E. G. A and Alice E Robb. Born in Bristol and served from 4th August 1914.
Russell, Edward F.
Gunner, 826659
B Bty 298 Bde. RFA
Died: 24 October, 1917
Age: 25
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (XI.E.1)
Husband of Ellen Russell, of 8, Sydney Villa, Heeley Rd, Selly Oak, Birmingham.
Sherriff, Bernard Henry
Sergeant, 825064
240th Bde. RFA
Died: 28 September, 1917
Age: 25
Gravestone: Canford Cemetery, Bristol (C.26)
Husband of Dorothy, of 18 Abbotsford Rd, Redland, Bristol.
Smith, W. C.
Driver, 851335
B Bty 298 Bde. RFA
Died:
Age:
Gravestone:
Son of Mrs. L. Smith of 20, Belmont St, Stapleton Rd, Bristol.
Steeds, William
Gunner, 825392
B Bty 240th Bde. RFA
Died: 2 August, 1917
Age:
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (VII.B.23)
Todd DSO, Chester William
Major
A Bty 240th Bde. RFA
Died: 9 August, 1917
Age: 39
Gravestone: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium
Husband of Margaret Mary Todd, of 21, Downleaze, Stoke Bishop, Bristol
Walford, S.
Gunner, 825628
C Bty 240th Bde. RFA
Died: 15 June, 1918
Age: 25
Gravestone: Magnaboschi British Cemetery, Italy (Plot 3. Row G. Grave 4)
Son of Henry & Rose Walford, of Bridgewater, Somerset
Article by Lt Col H. Essex. Lewis that appeared in the Bristol Evening Post of Friday, 15 November, 1968:
As The Golden Jubilee week of the FIRST WORLD WAR ARMISTICE draws to a close, there remains one last question:
Was it all worth it?
Many of us who served in the Kaiser War still find it difficult to believe that half a century has passed since the Order - "hostilities will cease at 11.00 hours on November 11,1918." bought an end to the fighting on the Western Front and a sense of incredulous bewilderment to those in actual combat.
And now 50 years later we asked was it worth it?
Was it worth the expenditure of life, of treasure, of the many unknown sacrifices, the misery and sorrow which our generation suffered during those years and in some respects is suffering still?
As a Gunner who served through that war in Batteries which were involved in most of the major events on the Western Front I think that I can speak for my generation of our Army when I say that it never occurred to us to think in that way at all.
Do the doctors and nurses caught up in a cholera or some other fearful epidemic where their very ministrations have exposed them to infection and death ask "Was it worth it?", the onset of fire, flood pestilence or foe - affords no time for argument.
As each occurs it must be met, dealt with and if humanly possible, overcome. And as the men of the fighting services went to deal with their task they knew that the alternative were submission or defeat.
They saw then as we have seen again more recently. just what either would mean to their country, their homes and their people.
Slaughter
Their conditions of life, mud-locked, verminous and constant exposure to death in more than one unpleasant form, have been the subject of books by clever young men then unborn. They have written them off as fools driven like sheep to the slaughter by a High Command whose foolishness they are pleased to prefix by one of the words now in common use but one considered to be confined to the soldiery.
So almost every year these young men seem to return to their "Was it worth it" and we smile among ourselves and agree that we never gave it a thought. What we know and remember with pride is that with us an Order was an Order and not a basis for argument and that we carried out our Orders wherever they took us and groused as soldiers must have done since man first bore arms. those years taught us to know our fellow man for what he was and from the fire of that experience has emerged the gold of friendship.
Lt Col H. Essex-Lewis Nov 15, 1968.
Sources and Resources
Header image: Tyne Cot Military Cemetery (Pixabay) - Photo by Elsemargriet
Derek Driscoll's original pages
1st South Midland /240th Brigade RFA War Graves
240 Bde RFA [T] list of known dead (Other Ranks)
240 Bde RFA [T] list of known dead (Other Ranks - Next of Kin)
Graves of the Fallen
Lest we Forget
Obituaries
Officers Next Of Kin Deaths
Officers Of 240 Bde RFA [T] Deaths
Sources of information
War Graves
Was it all worth it?
Derek Driscoll's references
241 Brigade Royal Field Artillery
Book of remembrance held by 266 Bty, GVA, RA(V), Bristol
Mr. Andy Stevens
Royal Artillery Firepower Museum
Soldiers who died in the great war
The 48th (South Midland) Division in 1914-1918
The London Gazette
Other References
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Find a Grave
Imperial War Museums - A wealth of information espcially as more of the collactions are being put online
Naval & Military Press
Royal Artillery Association
Royal Artillery Museum
The Long Long Trail - Reference site about the British Army in the Great War
War Graves on the 1914-1918 Western Front
WWI Cemeteries
WWII Cemeteries