Persons listed:- Arthur - b.1891; Arthur - b.1894f; Ernest Charles - b.1920; Francis Emmanuel - b1887; George Edmund Lees - b.1910; George Henry - b.1890 ; James - b1893; John Edward - b 1881 ; Joshua - b.1898; Walter George - b.1874
These records deal with Fardon military history and through the
individual serviceman or woman's record they reveal the personal situations
that they found themselves in at the time. The British Army First World War
service records (Nat Archives catalogue reference Series WO 364) include those
of soldiers discharged on account of sickness or injuries sustained during
their service.
Documents relating to some six million soldiers who served in World War
I were retained after the war. During World War 2 the store in which they were
kept was hit by enemy bombing and some two-thirds of the records were
destroyed. The rest were badly damaged by fire and water, but were nevertheless
retained. During the 1990s with the help of funding from the Heritage Lottery
Fund the painstaking job was undertaken of trying to retrieve as much of the
information as possible from these documents. The result is the series of
so-called Burnt Documents, which are available for consultation on microfilm at
the National Archives at Kew.
Information, some of it very detailed, has so
far been found on four of the Gloucestershire Fardons. The summary of all this
appears in the narratives, the following is the detail .
Walter George - b.1874 (Chapter
14)
14 Aug 1915
Form headed Certificate of Trade Proficiency
(Army Service Corps)
(examination by a Civilian tradesman)
Summary:
Walter was examined in Cheltenham by H Locke & Sons, bakers and
confectioners, of Crescent Bakery in Cheltenham. He was certified as 'very
good' as a Table Hand (Baker)
16 Aug 1915
Attestation at Cheltenham into the A[rmy]
S[ervice] C[orps] as a baker, regimental number S4/125987
Address: 1 Gravel
Pits, London Road, Charlton Kings, Glos
Age: 41
Trade; Baker
Undated
Report on enlistment
Age: 41
height: 5ft 4
and five-eighths inches, chest 35½in, expansion 2½in
next of
kin: Sarah, wife, 1 Gravel Pits, London Road, Charlton Kings, Glos
marriage: to Sarah Bowles, spinster, 22/2/1898 at Temple Guiting
children: Walter Edward b26/5/1898, Eileen b2/12/1904, both at Naunton
Undated
inventory of the kit of 125937 Walter Fardon of 226
Company, who was transferred on 9 Feb 1916
Undated
Statement of the Services
Service reckons from
16/8/15 16/8/15
Joined ASC 'A' at Aldershot as a private
1/2/17 ASC
'A'. Discharged being no longer physically fit for war service, para 392 (xvi)
K[ing's] R[egulations], auth[orit]y ASC Depot
Summary of service:
Home:
16/8/15 - 19/3/16
Expeditionary Force France: 20/3/16-27/12/16
Home:
28/12/16-1/2/17
7 Jan 1917
A form sent to ASC Records, Woolwich, from CO 'A'
Coy ASC at Catterick (Scotton) Camp, Yorks. Much is too faint to read, but
medical disability shown as bronchitis.
Arthur - b.1894 (Chapter 18)
The
following is an amalgam of the information in a number of burnt documents,
particularly medical records and "statements of service". There is some
duplication, shown here where slightly different information is given on
different documents.
Service (regimental) numbers and rank were:
2584 on enlistment
256566 from 10th March 1917, part of the general renumbering in accordance
with ACI 2414 of 1916
644437 on transfer to the Labour Corps
He
remained a private throughout
Personal details on enlistment | ||
name | Arthur Fardon | |
age | 20 years 5 months | |
address | 9 Handell Street, Nottingham | |
trade | fishmonger | |
employer | J Burton, Smithy Row, Nottingham |
Military career | |||
Date | place | details | reported by |
15/9/14 | enlisted in Reserve Bn Notts and Derbys | 7th Bn | |
28/6/15 | transferred [to 1/7th Bn] | 1/7th | |
28/6/15 | Southampton | embarked | |
29/6/15 | Rouen | disembarked | |
8/9/15 | joined [unspecified] unit | ||
16/2/16 | field | to 139th Bde, M[achine] G[un] Co[rps] | OC Bn |
30/6/16 | field | sprained wrist | 3/46 FR |
1/7/16 | field | Acc'd sprain | 20 C[asualty] C[learing] S[tation] |
2/7/16 | Le Touquet | sprained wrist | 16 G[eneral] Ho[spital] |
4/7/16 | trans[fer] to England, H[ospital] S[hip] Oxfordshire | ||
15/9/16 | posted from 1/7th to Res Bn | 7th Bn | |
9/1/17 | in unknown hospital to 26/1/17, see below | ||
19/2/17 | Saltfleet | AWOL 9 days | |
6/3/17 | posted to Notts & Derbys | 1/7th | |
9/3/17 | Folkestone | embarked | 7th reserve |
9/3/17 | Boulogne | disembarked | |
10/3/17 | Calais | arr 14 Infantry base, allocated regtl no 265566 under ACI 2414/16 | |
31/3/17 | posted to 2/7th Sherwood Foresters | 14 JBD, also 2/7th | |
6/4/17 | field | joined unit, C Coy | OC unit |
22/9/17 | field | sick to hospital (see below) | OC unit |
22/9/17 | field | contus[ion] knee (L) | 2/1 NMFA |
22/9/17 | field | contus[ion] knee (R) | 142 FA |
28/9/17 | field | contus[ion] knee (R) acc | IN2 FA (or I iv FA) |
3/10/17 | Wimereux | contus[ion] knee (L) | 2 Aust[ralian], see below |
4./10/17 | "298..[unreadable] to Depot | ||
4/10/17 | TF Depot, 292 [unreadable] posted | ||
7/10/17 | Wimereux | inv[alided] to Eng[land] | 2 Aust[ralian], see below |
7/10/17 | Northampton | in hospital to 27/11/17, see below | |
27/11/17 | Blackpool | in hospital to 4/2/18, see below | |
4/2/18 | on leave | ||
23/2/18 | posted 5th Reserve bn Notts&Derby Regt, | OC C Co 5th | |
Occupational cards sent 2/3/18 | Reserve Bn | ||
14/3/18 | Ripon to 124P | ||
14/3/18 | 65 C[?de] Ripon | ||
14/3/18 | at No 2 Inf CD Ripon (until14/5/18) | ||
(24/5/18) | Saltfleet | Posted to 5th Reserve Bn | 2 I. C Depot, Ripon |
25/5/18 | 124P Res[erve] posted | 5 | |
4/9/18 | To Labour Corps 504 | ||
4/9/18 | L Corps [unreadable] Coy.. Transferred, posted | ||
7/9/18 | Saltfleet | trans[fer] to Labour Corps, posted to 504 HS Employment Coy | |
14/9/18 | Grimsby | posted to 506 HS Employment Coy | 506 |
23/12/18 | Clipstone | posted to 527 HS Employment Coy | 527 |
15/3/19 | posted to 525 HS Employment Coy | 525 | |
20/3/19 | Clipstone | transfer to Army Reserve, No 3 Dispersal Unit | |
30/3/19 | Clipstone | final medical examination | |
18/4/19 | discharge from the armed services |
Hospitals (UK) | ||||
Hospital | dates | period | problem | comment |
Scabies depot south | 9/1/17 - 26/1/17 | 18 days | scabies | |
Northants War Hospital, Duston | 7/10/17 - 27/11/17 | con lt knee | some damage to [unreadable] ligt. Transferred to Lancashire Hospital, Blackpool | |
C Division King's Lancs Mil Hospital Blackpool | 27/11/18 - 4/2/18 | 79 days | contusion lt knee causing synovitis | Physical training etc. 8 weeks massage treatment. Furlough 14/2/18. Thence Command Depot" for further treatment |
No 2 Inf CD Ripon | 14/3/18 - 16/5/18 | 63 days | - ditto - | Cat B2 TMB |
(On a medical form at the end of his service Arthur quoted the
hospitals, relating to his synovitis, as:
Australian Hospital, Boulogne
Northampton Military Hospital
Blackpool Military Hospital)
George Henry - b.1890 (chapter
12)
This information derives from a number of burnt documents. It shows his
mobilisation as an infantryman; transfer to the Royal Engineers; discharge with
a disability pension; pension granted to his widow after his early death.
Personal details on attestation (10th December 1915)
address:- | 9 Green Street, Oldbury | |
age:- | 25 years, 4 months | |
occupation:- | spring-maker | |
wife:- | Hannah Fardon | |
married:- | 2nd August 1915 | |
height:- | 5ft 9½in | |
chest:- | 38in |
Service record | ||
1/12/15 | attested | |
1/5/16 | mobilised | service at home till 16th September |
17/9/16 | with BEF (France) till 17/9/19 | |
24/9/16 | with 1/8 Bn Royal Warks Regt | |
15/5/17 | transfer to Royal Engineers | nr 503766, then WR282944, see footnote |
6/10/19 | discharge | to Class Z Army Reserve |
footnote: transfer to the Royal engineers in May 1917 was the
outcome of his success in an examination in spring-making, his civilian trade.
There is a post-discharge document entitled FIRST AWARD -SOLDIER relating
to what appears to be a 100% disability pension for George. The document is in
very poor condition, but the following can be distinguished:
100%
disability
discharge [?12]/10/19
date [?of pension] 31/12/19 to
12/10/20 [or 29]
address [?41] Hardware Street
After George's death in
early 1921 his widow was awarded a pension, as specified in a document entitled
FIRST AWARD WIDOW sent from the Ministry of Pensions (widows branch) to OIC
Records, R[oyal] E[ngineers], Chatham. Dated 1/4/21 or 20/4/21 it read:
Case No 11393 [some unreadable]. I am directed by the Minister of Pensions
to inform you that the above-named widow has been awarded the Pension above
noted. The Officer issuing Separation Allowance has been informed. The
certificates in support of the application have been returned to the Widow.
[signed] George Chrystal, Secretary.
The form read as follows: | ||
soldier's name: | Fardon, George Henry | |
regiment: | Royal Engineers | |
widow's name: | Fardon, George Hy [sic, in error] | |
address: | 19 Hardware Street, West Bromwich | |
soldier's rank: | [unreadable] | |
widow's birth (mo/yr): | 9/95 | |
nature of award: | WR/177250 | |
weekly rate: | widow 20 shillings | |
allowance for children: | [left blank] | |
number of children: | [item crossed through] | |
children's birthdates | [item crossed through] | |
gratuity amount: | [item crossed through] | |
warrant and article: | [item crossed through] | |
widow's marriage (mo/yr): | 8-15 | |
soldier's birth (mo/yr): | 1891 [sic] |
Joshua - b.1898 (Chapter 4)
Records
and correspondence from the "burnt documents", copies at the National Archives,
Kew. Mrs E Ackhurst is Joshua's mother (remarried), Ellen L Fardon and Mrs
Daisy Belfall (baptismal names Annie Emily) his sisters.
11th January 1915 |
|
occupation: | labourer |
age: | 19 [falsified - he was 16] |
address: | 11 Leslie Road, Custom House |
Undated (no earlier than November 1917, covering whole service)
Medical record
On recruitment: | height 5ft 4½ in, weight 123 lbs, chest 35in |
Birthplace | Silvertown, Essex |
examined | 11/1/15 at Canning Town |
declared age | 19 |
trade | labourer |
height | 5ft 4.5in |
weight | 123lb |
chest | 35in, expansion 3in |
physical development | good |
vaccination marks | 3 (left) |
when vaccinated | in infancy |
vision | R 6/6 L 6/6 |
enlisted | Canning Town 11/1/1915 |
joined | Royal West Kent Regt, regt number 5390 |
mom-effected by | death assumed on or after 30/11/1917 |
Undated [probably after his death, certainly no earlier than late 1917, but covering the whole service]][see also the undated Casualty Form below] | |
Statement
of Service Note: after 27th June 1916 the left hand of the page is progressively unreadable due to fire/water damage |
|
personal details:-: | age 19 [see footnote], height 5ft 4½ in, chest 35in |
next of kin:-: | next of kin, Elizabeth Ackhurst, mother, Leytonstone Infirmary, Essex |
service from:-: | 11th January 1915 |
joined:-: | Canning Town |
d[epot] | posted | private | 11th Jan 1915 |
9th [battalion] | posted | private | 16th Jan 1916 |
8th [battalion] | posted BEForce | private | ?? Oct 1915 |
d[epot] | posted | private | 20th Jun 1916 |
9th [battalion] | posted | private | 27th Jul 1916 |
... | app[ointment] | L/cpl | 14th Feb 1917 |
... | Lance stpr...C | private | 26th ??? 1917 |
... | posted | private | 18th Jul 1917 |
... | [po]sted | private | 19th July 1917 |
... | [post]ed | private | 5th August 1917 |
Footnotes:
1. Joshua has falsified his age.
Other sources, for example the letters of 11th and 16th
July 1916 [below], show that he was 16.
2. The
9th battalion was UK-based, involved in training and in supplying
drafts to overseas battalions
Undated form | |
Hospital: | [unreadable] |
Admitted | 21/6/16 |
discharged | 6/7/16 |
disease | myalgia |
number of days in | 15 |
Undated Casualty Form - Active Service
G/5390 Pte Joshua Fardon, Royal West Kent Regt. Enlisted:11/1/15. Terms of service: For War |
||||
from whom | record | place | date | remarks |
Records | PUO Adm 23GH | Etaples | 23/5/16 | H8938 |
OS ship | To HS Brighton | - | 20/6/16 | W3083 ex 23GH |
[Editor's comment: 23GH is 23 General Hospital at Etaples, one of the WW1 hospital set up to support the allied troops on the Western Front HS is Hospital Ship. Brighton shuttled between France and the UK during the war] |
11th July 1916 Letter to unknown [military address]
from Mrs Belfall [Joshua's sister], 27 Chaundler Road, Custom House, E
I am
writing on behalf of my mother who cannot write as she would like to know if it
is possible for you to keep my brother Joshua Fardon (5390) from going to the
Front any more as you will see by the enclosed certificate that he is only just
turned 18 last Friday week. We see by the papers that they are keeping all lads
back until they are19 and he has had a good turn for a boy that age. Me and my
mother and sisters would be very thankful and abliged [sic] if you could do
anythink [sic] in the matter. Kindly return the certificate in inclose [sic]
envelope.
[signed] Mrs Belfall
14th July 1916
Letter from Registry, No 10
District. Infantry Records Office
To OIC Records, R W Kent Regiment,
Hounslow
With reference to the attached application received from Mrs
Belfield [sic][see footnote], 27 Chaundler Road, Custom House, E, will you
kindly inform us as to the action to be taken in this case, and forward this
man's documents with your reply.
No G/5390 Pte J Fardon is due to join this
depot on the 17th inst at the expiration of his sick leave furlough,
and the birth certificate in his case gives date of birth as 30th
June 1898.
Footnote: This is a reaction to a request by Joshua's
sister Mrs Belfall that Joshua not be sent back to the front line in France
because he was under-age for such service.
14th July 1916 Letter from Infantry Records to Depot
RW Kent Regt Maidstone
Herewith documents of G/5390 Pte J Fardon as
requested. This [word or words unreadable] to be dealt with in accordance with
ACI No 1186 of 1916.
[unsigned]
[Editor's note on ACI 1186. This was an
Army Council Instruction issued in June 1916. It stipulated that those under
the age of 18 and serving in France could be reclaimed by their next of kin,
while those aged 18 would be sent to their base area and held there until they
were 19.]
Undated but clearly 1917 or 1918
Conduct sheets
(Summary)
Undated but probably mid-1917 Casualty Form - Active Service Joshua Fardon, enlisted 11/1/15 for duration of war. Joined 12/1/15 at Maidstone Occupation labourer Next of kin, mother, Elizabeth Ackhurst, Leytonstone Infirmary, Essex | |||
RW Kent | Posted | depot | 12/1/15 |
RW Kent | Posted | 9th Bn | 16/1/15 |
RW Kent | BEF | 8th Bn | 4/10/15 |
RW Kent | Posted | 9th Bn | 27/7/16 |
RW Kent | Posted | 3rd Bn | 1/9/16 |
RW Kent | Appt L/Cpl | 3rd Bn | 17/2/17 |
RW Kent | depr stripe by CO | 3rd Bn | 26-2-17 |
RW Kent | 120hr detention 3rd Bn | 7/3/17 | |
[some entries unreadable] | |||
RW Kent | Posted | [?] | 18/7/17 |
? | Embarked | 18/7/17 | |
[joined] B Coy | 9/8/17 | ||
6 Bn | appointed unpaid L/Cpl | 30/10/17 | |
6 Bn | appointed paid L/Cpl | 7/11/17 | |
Missing | 30/11/17 | ||
WO | death accepted for official purposes | 30/11/17 |
Undated but probably late 1917.
Company Conduct Sheet. B Coy 3rd West Kent 5390 J Fardon |
||
Fort Darland | 21/10/16 | 1. absent from parade |
2. breaking out of camp and remaining abroad until 12.15pm | ||
3. being in Star Lane improperly dressed | ||
Punishment 7 days CB | ||
Rochester | 24/11/16 | Not parading in marching order when ordered to do so |
Punishment 4 days CB | ||
Rochester | 2/12/16 | 1. absent from escort duty |
2. absent from roll-call parade at 7.30 until found in billets about 9.30am | ||
Punishment 7 days CB | ||
Rochester | 26/12/16 | overstaying his pass from 9.30pm to 7am 29th inst |
Puinshment7 days CB and 8 days loss of pay | ||
Rochester | 24/2/17 | neglect of duty while in charge of defaulters |
Punishment Depr[ivation] of lance stripe | ||
Rochester | 2/3/17 | absent from 9.30pm until 9pm 6th inst |
Punishment 120 hours detention | ||
Rochester | 28/3/17 | 1. absent from rollcall at 7am |
2. absent from the 8am parade | ||
Punishment 5 days CB | ||
Rochester | 7/7/17 | overstaying his pass from Tattoo until 9.30pm on the 9th inst |
Pumishment 5 days CB |
1917 unreadable date
memorandum (form 118A)
To
Officer in Charge, Infantry [rest unreadable]
From War Office, Imperial
Institute, South Kensington, London SW7
Would you please note that the
articles of personal property now in your possession or subsequently received
by you belonging to the late [unreadable] Joshua Fardon should be despatched to
Mrs E Ackhurst, 23 Custom Street, Custom House, [unreadable] Docks
Any
medals that are granted to the deceased that are now in your possession or that
hereafter may reach you should be disposed of to the same person.
[signed]
C Harris, Assistant Financial Secretary
13th March 1918
Letter to unknown from Ellen L
Fardon [Joshua's sister] writing from Holy Trinity Vicarage, Canning Town, E16
Would you kindly let me know if you have heard anything of Joshua Fardon,
No 5390, 6th battalion Royal West Kent, who was last heard of at the end of
November of last year. An early reply will greatly oblige his sister.
[signed] Ellen L Fardon
26th March 1919
Letter to Mrs E Ackhurst
[Joshua's mother], Leytonstone Infirmary, Essex
It is my painful duty to
inform you that no further news having been received relative to 5390
Lance-Corporal Joshua Fardon, 6 Royal West Kent Regiment, who has been missing
since 30th November 1917, the Army Council has been regretfully
constrained to conclude that he is dead and that his death took place on
30th November or since.
By His Majesty's command I am to forward
the enclosed message of sympathy from Their Gracious Majesties the King and
Queen. I am at the same time to express the regret of the Army Council at the
soldier's death in his country's service.
[Comment: The next item
probably relates to this, indicating that it was undeliverable. Leytonstone
Infirmary was a former address for Joshua's mother, see second undated letter
above, apparently used here in error]
1st April 1919
independent memo
[unreadable] Whipps X [unreadable]
Returned 1/4/19
No Trace
Workhouse Union Road, Leytonstone E11
[Comment: What was
Leytonstone Infirmary is now Whipps Cross Hospital in Whipps Cross Road, E11.
There is now no known Workhouse Union Road shown in the current AtoZ). This
probably relates to the letter of 26th March 1919, see above]
9th April 1919
Memo to the Regimental Paymaster at
Hounslow [No 2 Regimental Record Office] Will you please report on back of this
form the full Christian name, address and relationship of the person, if any,
drawing allotment of pay or separation allowance in respect of 5390, L/Cpl J
Fardon, 6th RW Kent.
[signed][unreadable] OIC Records.
[Editor's
comment: the back of the form is crossed through and the words No Allotment
written]
1st June 1919
Letter to military authorities from
Joshua's sister Daisy, at address 27 Chauntler Road, Custom House E16
Dear
Sirs,
I have just received a letter from the Records Office inquiring my
Mother's present address so as you can forward my Brother L/c J Fardon 5390 RWK
6th Batt official notification of his death. This is his mother's address: 23
Custom Street, Custom House, Victoria Docks E16. (I am his eldest sister). I am
writing on behalf of my Mother as she is not up to writing and I have done all
the correspondence since he has been reported missing. Trusting you will give
this every attention as this was his address when he enlisted in the army.
Yours truly,
Mrs Belfall
25th July 1919
Letter [To unreadable]
Ackhurst, 23 Custom Street, Custom House E16
In order that I may be able to
dispose of the plaque and scroll in commemoration of the soldier named overleaf
in accordance with the wishes of His Majesty the King, I have to request that
the requisite information regarding the soldier's relatives now living may be
furnished in the form overleaf in strict accordance with the instructions
printed thereon.
The declaration thereon should be signed in your own
handwriting and the form should be returned to me when certified by a Minister
or Magistrate.
[signed] [unreadable] Capt. Officer in Charge Records.
[overleaf, following Joshua's name, the form has been filled in by Joshua's
mother, Elizabeth Ackhurst, as follows]
widow | none | |
children | none | |
father | deceased | |
mother | Elizabeth Ackhurst | 23 Custom Street |
brothers - full blood | F E Fardon, 32
J J Fardon, 29 |
27 Chaundler Road
11 Leslie Road |
brothers - half blood | W Ackhurst, 16
A Ackhurst, 13 |
23 Custom House [sic]
ditto |
sisters - full blood | Daisy Belfall, 30
Ellen Fardon, 28 Rose Fardon, 26 |
27 [Chaundler Road]
ditto ditto |
sisters - half blood | Alice Ackhurst, 18
Carrie Ackhurst, 15 |
27 Chaundler Street
23 Custom Street |
[signed] E Ackhurst, mother, 23 Custom Street, Custom House
[countersigned] S G Tully, Clerk in Holy Orders, St Luke's Vicarage,
Victoria Docks. Dated 18th 29 July 1919
11th September 1919
From War Office London, memo
for OIC Infantry Records Hounslow.
Will you please note that any articles
of personal property now in your possession or subsequently received by you
belonging to the late 5390 M/c Joshua Fardon, Royal West Kent, should be
despatched to Mrs E Ackhurst, 23 Custom Street, Victoria Docks E.
Any
medals granted to the deceased that are now in your possession or that may
hereafter reach you should be disposed of to the same address.
Signed C
Harris, Assistant Financial Secretary
Unknown date. Filed at military on 10 September
1920
Letter To Mrs E Ackhurst, 23 Custom Street, Custom House E16
Madam,
The memorial scroll in respect of the [unreadable] 5390 L/Cpl
Fardon of Royal West Kent Regiment is forwarded herewith. Kindly acknowledge
receipt hereon
[signed] [unreadable] Margitts, Capt
for Lieut Colonel,
i/c No 2 Infantry Record Office
[at the foot of this is: Received Elizabeth
Ackhurst [signature} With many thanks]
12th June 1920
Letter to unknown from
Prudential Approved Societies of Holborn Bars, London.
Re Fardon Joshua,
5890, [6th] Royal West Kent
Dear Sir,
I shall be glad if you
will inform me whether the above was transferred to another regiment prior to
his death.
[unreadable signature]] Secretary
18th June 1920
Handwritten letter to the
Prudential Approved Societies
Dear Sir
Army deaths HG
L/C Joshua
Fardon (deceased), No 5390, 6th Royal West Kent
In reply to your letter of
14th inst I beg to inform you that the above-named soldier was not transferred
to another regiment prior to his death.
[not signed] [stamped] COL i/c
records
16th July 1921
Receipt from Mrs E Ackhurst
for Joshua's British War and Victory medals
undated
Receipt from Mrs E Ackhurst for Joshua's
1914-15 (sic) Star
The following is from various sources, other than the burnt documents: -
From the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
name:- | Fardon, Joshua | |
nationality:- | United Kingdom | |
rank:- | Lance Corporal | |
regiment/Service:- | Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) | |
unit:- | 6th Bn | |
date of death:- | 30/11/1917 | |
service number:- | G/5390 | |
casualty type:- | Commonwealth War Dead | |
grave/memorial reference:- | Panel 8 | |
memorial:- | Cambrai memorial, Louverval |
The circumstances of Joshua's death, and his memorial at
CAMBRAI
MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL France
(his body was not found)
The small
village of Louverval is on the north side of the N30, Bapaume to Cambrai road,
13 kilometres north-east of Bapaume and 16 kilometres south-west of Cambrai.
The Memorial stands on a terrace in Louverval Military Cemetery, which is
situated on the north side of the N30, south of Louverval village. CWGC
signposts on the N30 give advance warning of arrival at the cemetery. The
Cambrai Memorial was designed by H Chalton Bradshaw with sculpture by C S
Jagger.
The CAMBRAI MEMORIAL commemorates more than 7,000 servicemen of the
United Kingdom and South Africa who died in the Battle of Cambrai in November
and December 1917 and whose graves are not known. Sir Douglas Haig described
the object of the Cambrai operations as the gaining of a 'local success by a
sudden attack at a point where the enemy did not expect it' and to some extent
they succeeded. The proposed method of assault was new, with no preliminary
artillery bombardment. Instead, tanks would be used to break through the German
wire, with the infantry following under the cover of smoke barrages.
The
attack began early in the morning of 20 November 1917 and initial advances were
remarkable. However, by 22 November, a halt was called for rest and
reorganisation, allowing the Germans to reinforce. From 23 to 28 November, the
fighting was concentrated almost entirely around Bourlon Wood and by 29
November, it was clear that the Germans were ready for a major counter attack.
During the fierce fighting of the next five days, much of the ground
gained in the initial days of the attack was lost. For the Allies, the results
of the battle were ultimately disappointing but valuable lessons were learned
about new strategies and tactical approaches to fighting. The Germans had also
discovered that their fixed lines of defence, no matter how well prepared, were
vulnerable.
Arthur - b.1891 (Chapter 18)
There
are no known burnt documents extant relating to Arthur, but the casualty
details as recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission are as follows:
name:- | Fardon A | |
nationality:- | United Kingdom | |
rank:- | private | |
regiment:- | Royal Warwickshire Regiment | |
unit:- | 7th Bn | |
date of death:- | 14/7/1916 | |
service number:- | 2568 | |
casualty type:- | Commonwealth War Dead | |
grave/memorial reference:- | I. E. 16 | |
cemetery:- | Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boiselle |
The following is part of the War Diaries of the 1/7 Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, written shortly after the events described. It was kindly made available to me during a visit to the regimental museum in Warwick. It includes an account of the battalion's activity on the day that Arthur was killed
13th [July] BOUZINCOURT
Fine and warm.
At 1.30pm Battn moved by motor lorries to just outside Bouzincourt, from there
we moved in fighting order to ALBERT where we lay down in a field until
midnight having had orders that the Battn would attack N.E. of La Boisselle at
7.30 A.M.
14th [July] TRENCHES
Moved into position in trenches and were
heavily shelled going into La BOISSELLE. At 7.30 A.M. after artillery
preparation A & B Coys proceeded to assault. They reached their objective.
Many casualties were resulted chiefly from machine guns the following officers
being killed - 2nd Lt Bullock and the following attached officers of the 3rd
Dorset Regt. 2 Lt Baker 2nd Lt Farman. We held the trench for seven hours when
we had to evacuate it on account of the enemy's extremely heavy enfilade fire
both shell and machine guns. Lieut Colonel Knox who lead (sic) the attack and
who had shown the greatest bravery throughout was wounded later. Major Hanson
then took command of the Battn. Our casualties estimated at 150 of whom 68 were
reported killed.
BRITISH ARMY WW1 PENSIONS
The following information comes
from documents generated and held by the military authority charged with
deciding on the awarding pensions to soldiers who had served in World War 1
Francis Emmanuel Fardon - b1887 (Chapter 4)
The details below are an amalgamation from the following documents:
Attestation
[Personal details] On Enlistment
Discharge from
hospital (and Service)
Memo from Ministry of Pensions
Statement of
Service
Military History Sheet
Receipt of medals
Receipt of King's
Certificate
Military progress |
3rd September 1914 | attested at Canning Town, accepted into the Royal West Kent Regiment and posted to the regimental depot. Medical examinations show: born Custom House age: 27 years 5 months height 5ft 10½in, weight 132lb, chest 35in expansion 2in complexion sallow, hair and eyes brown religion CofE declared fit for army service and for service in the Royal West Kent Regt |
24 October 1914 | joined 9th [training] Bn |
25 August 1915 | posted to 7th Bn in BEF (France) |
18 November 1916 | wounded [no details] |
4 December 1916 | posted to "D" [epot] |
11 May 1917 | Discharged from Northamptonshire War Hospital as no longer physically fit for war service, having appeared before an army medical board "at this station". Home address 27 Chandler Road, Custom House. "No allowance being issued in respect of him" |
1 June 1917 | Discharged from the service, no longer physically fit
for war service under para 392 (xvi) of King's Regulations. Total service:
Home (Britain: 2/9/14-24/8/15 - 356 days BEF: 25/8/15-3/12/161yr - 101 days Home: 4/12/16-1/6/17 - 180 days TOTAL: - 2yr 272 days |
undated | (but later than 1 Jun 1917). Next of kin: Elizabeth Ackhurst, mother, West Ham Union Workhouse John James [Fardon} brother Leslie Road, Custom House |
8 August 1917 | Ministry of Pensions, Royal Hospital, Chelsea advises regiment that Francis would receive a pension of 27/6 [£1 7s 6d] [per week] for 26 weeks cond[itional] |
14 Aug 1919 | receipt for King's certificate with respect to military service, address 27 Chauntler Road |
.. Jun 1921 | receipt for British War and Victory medals and for "medal granted for service in the British Expeditionary Force [ie 1914 Star], address 27 Chauntler Road |
John Edward - b 1881 (chapter 18)
The information is from the following documents:
Award Sheet - First
Award, and another similar document of mid-July 1919
Casualty Form - Active
Service, not earlier than April 1919
Medical report undated but not earlier
than January 1919
Military progress |
24/6/16 | enlisted, age 36, religion Church of England |
25/1/18 | posted for duty, Norwich |
28/1/18 | finally approved |
11/2/18 | posted to Isleworth [site of ASC MT unit] |
17/4/18 | passed learner's test [on] Peerless [lorry] |
18/4/18 | granted 4th rate Corps pay |
1/5/18 | sailed Dover to Calais on ss Scotia. To base MT depot (northern Calais) |
19/5/18 | 11th Div Sig Coy RE (temp) |
20/1/19 | burned hand |
23/2/19 | invalided to England by HS Brighton |
10/4/19 | dis[missed? from] hospital, Thorpe Norwich |
Other details :
RASC regimental number: 352359
Qualification:
Army Service Corps lorry driver (Peerless)
Next of kin: wife: Mrs Annie
Fardon, 23 Grosvenor Road, Norwich
Civilian occupation: jewellery manager
Medical report states "while warming tea on a trench stove it was
accidentally knocked over and burnt the back of his hand".
Application for
an award (grant, disability pension?) rejected.
James - b1893 (chapter 6)
The information is from the following documents (all July 1919):
Casualty Form - Active Service
Medical report Prior to Discharge
Opinions of the Medical Board
Medical History
AWARD Sheet - First
Award
Military progress |
21/8/16 | attested |
31/8/16 | to Army Reserve, enlisted at Manchester |
17/10/16 | mobilised, RW Fus 3rd (Bn) Cheshire Regt, Babbington |
13/2/17 | embarked [at] Devenport |
3/3/17 | disembarked Alexandria, joined battalion in Alexandria |
3/10/17 | transferred to the Labour Corps, posted to 802 Area Employment Company (orderly 3rd echelon GHQ) |
4/12/17 | granted Class 1 pay |
27/2/19 | retained under RO55 of 1919 for military service in army of occupation,, entitled to full bonus rates from ½/19 under RO540/1919 |
1/6/19 | embarked at Alexandria per [ss] Ellenga. Leave UK struck off strength of EEF from date of embarkation |
24/7/19 | proceeded to WCDC Litherland, Oswestry. No longer physically fit for war service [under] para 392 (xvi) KR. Entitled to Silver [War] Badge. Signed by OC 535 HS Employment Coy |
28/7/19 | Discharged with [medical] classification B2 |
Military service (shown in years and days) |
home | 31/8/16 | 1 | |
home | 17/10/16-12/2/17 | 119 | |
EEF | 13/2/17-26/6/19 | 2 | 134 |
home | 27/6/19-28/7/19 | 82 |
To pension: 2 years 286 days
Reserve: 46 days
Personal details |
born :- | Cadishead, Manchester | |
age :- | 23 years 7 months | |
civilian trade :- | packer or soap maker [conflicting sources] | |
height/weight/chest :- | 5ft 5 1/2in, 122lb, 33 3/4in with 2 3/4in expansion | |
physical development/pulse :- | good, 72 | |
vision :- | 6/6 bpth eyes | |
rank :- | private | |
regimental number :- | 52553 [corps/regt not shown] 61783, transfer to Cheshire Regt 358515, Labour Corps |
|
next of kin :- | mother, Sophia Davies, 5 Green Lanes, Cadishead, Manchester |
From the final medical report of 29/7/1919 at Litherland Station,
endorsed by Labour Corps, Nottingham, 29/7/1919:
Disability. Occurred prior
to enlistment when, as a boy in 1901, he fell off a roof and fractured his arm.
" It was evidently a comminuted fracture" [in which the bone is splintered]
"and the union was bad. When extended the arm forms an angle of about 45
degrees. The condition renders the arm permanently weak. He is no further use
as a soldier". Recommendation: discharge as permanently unfit, under para 392
(xvi) of King's Regulations.
Total disability of 20% plus 1% for
V[aricose]V[eins]. There was 20% disability on entry to the army.
Award |
gratutity for varicose veins agg by 1% P | £25 0s 0d |
2 years Colors [sic] | £5 0s 0d |
[total] | £30 0s 0d |
WORLD WAR II
The following comes from the information held
by the British War Graves Commission
George Edmund Lees - b.1910, son of
Isabella Fardon (chapter 4)
George is shown in the records of the
Commonwealth War Graves Commission as follows:
name:- | LEES, George Edmund | |
nationality:- | United Kingdom | |
rank:- | Lance-Sergeant | |
regiment:- | Grenadier Guards | |
unit:- | 6th Bn | |
age:- | 34 | |
date of death:- | 30/1/1944 | |
service number:- | 2613094 | |
additional information:- | Son of William Bernard Lees and of Isabella Lees (nee Fardon); husband of Marjorie Lees (nee Howard) of Haddenham, Cambridgeshire | |
casualty type:- | Commonwealth War Dead | |
grave/memorial reference:- | IV, B, 24 | |
cemetery:- | Minturno War Cemetery |
Also mentioned on the Roll of Honour in the village of Haddenham,
Cambridgeshire:
George Edmund LEES :Lnc/Sgt. 6th Bt.
Grenadier Guards, d 30/1/1944, age 34, buried: Minturno War Cemetery, Italy.
Son of William Bernard Lees and of Isabella Lees (nee Fardon); husband of
Marjorie Lees (nee Howard), of Haddenham, Cambridgeshire.
Ernest Charles - b.1920
(chapter 18)
Ernest is shown in the records of the Commonwealth War
Graves Commission as follows:
This page was last Updated 21 February 2011