Back to the front - Death Valley

Solomon Wraight, my Great Uncle, was serving as a private with the Machine Gun Company of the 315th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army. After taking part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive he had been deployed in the defensive Troyon sector.

Solomon Wraight 315th Infantry USA

Solomon had emigrated to America in August 1915 and made a new home in Philadelphia, working as a carpenter and after joining the army in 1917 he had been in France since August 1918.

On the 28th October 1918 Solomon’s regiment received orders to move back up to the front in the Grand Montagne sector.

The Official History of the 315th Infantry United States Army describes the conditions for the troops.

The evening of the 28th we again started out and hiked to the Forges Woods. About 5pm October 29th we set out on a heart-breaking march, which lasted until after day break on the 30th, at which time we arrived in the Grande Montagne Sector, recently captured from the Boche.

In that sector, we relieved the 29th Division on the site known as Death Valley, and we were to see the name justified very shortly. The carts were unloaded and sent back to Brabant. The first Platoon was on the right of our sector, the Second Platoon in the center, and the Third on the left. 

We remained there until the 8th, simply holding on, while the enemy let us have everything he had in the way of shells and bullets. The great difficulty was in getting up rations, as everything had to be brought across Death Valley, and the Germans bombarded this place continuously and mercilessly. All this time it rained incessantly, and the mud was terrible.

The Spanish Flu on the home front

Mary Ann Elizabeth Hollins, my second cousin twice removed, was born in 1877 in Rugeley, Staffordshire. The second oldest child of William and Sarah Hollins (nee Wood). She had one older brother William (born 1875, Rugeley), one younger sister Harriet (born 1881, Rugeley) and three younger brothers Horace (born 1879, Rugeley), Charles (born 1884, Rugeley) and George (born 1886, Rugeley)

Her father William was the well-known local band master of the territorials for over 50 years and had worked at the Phoenix Tannery for the same length of time. The family home was on Queen Street, Rugeley and like most families in Rugeley had suffered losses during the War.

Her older brother William, had moved to Coventry and was working on munitions after being in the old volunteers. Horace had been killed in France in 1916 serving with the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Charles had been discharged before 1916 and George had just been awarded the Military Medal for bravery whilst serving in the Royal Engineers. Harriet’s husband, James Fisher had been killed during the attack on the Hohenzollern redoubt in Oct 1915, One the first men from Rugeley killed in action.

Mary married Frederick John Williscroft on the 11th April 1898 in Rugeley, their first child, also called Frederick John was born a year later in 1899. Mary and Frederick had six more children, Edith Mary (born 1901), Horace William (born 1902), Elsie Hannah (born 1906), Sarah Lillian (born 1909), Harriet (born 1912) and Leslie (born 1913)

Frederick worked as a labourer at the Stokes and Negus Phoenix Tannery along with Mary’s father. In 1911 Frederick and Mary were living next door to her parents
He had enlisted with the 6th North Staffordshire Regiment on the 30th July 1914. At 5ft 8 ½ inches and 35 years 10 months old.

Fred Williscroft

Frederick was discharged from the army on September 28th 1914 due to being medically unfit.

During the summer and autumn of 1918, the second wave of the Spanish flu pandemic swept across the world. It infected some 500 million people around the world and resulted in the deaths of 50 to 100 million (3-5% of the world’s population). Most influenza outbreaks disproportionately killed the young, elderly or people with existing underlying conditions. In contrast, the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic predominately killed previously healthy young adults.

Although under reported in Britain, Germany, France and the United States due to war time censorship and the need to maintain morale at the front, nowhere was safe. On the 11th October 1918 the Lichfield Mercury reported that

“An epidemic of influenza raging in Lichfield and all the schools, with the exception of the high school, have been closed”

Two weeks later on the 1st November 1918 the Lichfield Mercury reported

“The Lichfield mercury reported on the influenza epidemic that was causing acute anxiety in Lichfield. Worries about the epidemic caused many schools to be closed in the city and the outlying villages; so many cases had been reported that a lack of nursing staff soon became evident.

A number of reasons had been put forward to account for the rapid spread of the disease in Lichfield, which included overcrowding in homes, with medical staff soon realising that the disease spread more quickly in such circumstances and the rate of mortality was higher. The lack of milk “an essential food in all cases of illness”, was another problem faced by the medical authorities in the city and a number of people suggested the setting up of an invalid kitchen in Lichfield where nourishing foods could be obtained either free or at a nominal cost.”

It was during this period that Mary Williscroft, aged just 41, died from pneumonia after catching influenza during the Spanish flu epidemic. She left behind her husband Fred and their seven children.
Fred Williscroft re-married on 19th June 1919 to Florence Jane Gould (Nee Eccleshall) at St. Augustines Church, Rugeley. Florence’s husband Joseph Gould had passed away aged 29 in January / February 1919.

On Leave but 4,000 Miles from home

On the 12th October 1918, My Great Grand Uncle, Albert Benjamin Uden, who was serving as a Lance Corporal with the 4th Field Company, 2nd Canadian Engineers was granted 14 days leave.

Obviously unable to return the 4,250 odd miles to Toronto to see his wife Maud and two young sons, Albert and George, one wonders how he spent his leave, did he just stay in France or was he able to visit his parents in Dover.

Albert Benjamin Uden was born on the 17th October 1882 in Dover, Kent. He was the youngest child of Albert and Eliza Uden (nee Sowman). An older brother Charles Edward Uden had died in infancy in 1880, his older sister Alice Uden (My Great Grandmother) was born on the 21st February 1873 in Bridge, Canterbury

His father was a Potato merchant and the family grew up on Seven Star Street in Dover. Albert married Maude Torr, also from Dover, in 1905 in Paddington. Along with their newly born son Albert they emigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1907 sailing on the Empress of Britain.

A second son, George was born in 1910 in Ontario and in 1915 when Albert enlisted the family were living in Bellwoods Ave, Toronto.

Albert’s parents Albert (born 1846, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent) and Eliza Sowman (born 1845, Boxford, Suffolk) had met around 1870, whilst working as servants for the Rev. John Hamilton, Vicar of Lynsted, Kent where Albert was employed as a coachman and Eliza as a cook. 1911 Albert’s parents were living a 3 Star Street, Dover, Kent with Albert Snr working as a greengrocer.

Albert Uden (Snr)

Albert’s wife Maud was also from Dover, both her parents, David & Charlotte Torr had passed away (David in 1903 & Charlotte in 1896). It is unlikely that Maud's childhood memories of Dover would be recalled with much pleasure.

Her father was the Landlord at the Barley Mow Inn and in 1890 he was charged with being in possession of 14 pounds of smuggled tobacco, for which he was found guilty and fined £5 10s.

Barley Mow Inn, Dover (photo from John Gilham Collection)

On the 7th Sept 1889 the Thanet Advertiser reported that

Charlotte Torr, wife of David Torr, Landlord of the Barley Mow Public House, Commerical Quay, was summoned for beating and ill treating her daughter, Maud Torr – Mr V Knocker prosecuted – From the evidence it appeared that the child’s eyes were blackened through being struck by the mother. The mother in defence denied striking the child on one occasion, but acknowledged striking her some days after, for disobeying her. The bench fined the defendant £5 and 24s or in default one months imprisonment and ordered her to be bound over to keep the peace. 

And on the 29th August 1890 the Dover Express reported that

Police said that on 18th July this year, he was in Snargate Street, when his attention was called to a child named Maud Torr, about eight years of age, she was very wet and cold, it being a wet day. He took her to her fathers house, the Barley Mow Inn, and found the mother was in bed drunk and the father not sober. He told the father to give the child food but he said he had no food in the house and was going to give her port wine. The superintendent then took the child to a coffee shop, and got her proper food. He could not get any guarantee that the child would be properly treated, he sent her to a relation, who took charge of her for the night. Torr and his wife were summoned for neglecting the child and the case was adjorned for two or three months, for him to put the child where it would be properly treated. Police-constable Knott was called, and corroborated Superintendent Sander's evidence. Witness said he had been called to the house on two or three occasions when there was disturbances between Mr. Torr and his wife. Neither of them were sober when witness had gone to the house.

Police-constable Fogg deposed: On July 10th, in consequence of something I was told, I went to Strond Street, and saw a large crowd of people outside the “Barley Mow” public-house. Mrs. Torr was the worse for drink, and was standing near the door with her face covered with blood. I went into the house, and saw the landlord, who was also drunk. I have seen Mr. Torr the worse for drink on more than one occasion, and also his wife.

Mr. Torr said he did not see why he should have to leave his house through his wife misbehaving herself. He had been nearly twelve years there.

Unsuprisingly David Torr had his licence refused and he eventually he was forced to vacant the premises.

Albert Uden, had been serving in France with the 4th Field Company, 2nd Canadian Engineers, Canadian Expeditionary Force since 1915 and On the 26th June 1918 he was admitted to hospital.

Perhaps he manged to visit his sister Alice, who was living in Battersea, with her husband Solomon Wraight and their family.

The Wraight Family Circa 1910

Alice's oldest son Solomon had emigrated to America in 1915 and was now serving in the American Army in France. Solomon's brother, William was a mechanic with RAF.

Perhaps this was his only opportunity to visit family relatives, whom he probably hadn't seen for over 10 years, would he ever get another? Albert returned to his unit after his leave on the 26th October 1918.

References
Canadian Library & Archives
Dover Kent Archives
British Newspaper Archives

Back home from France

Private Frederick Sydney Hammon, my first cousin 3 times removed, was serving in the Machine Gun Corps and on the 10th October 1918, 100 years ago today, was discharged under Kings regulations paragraph 392 section XVI – No longer physically fit for war service.

Frederick Sydney Hammon, was born in 1884 in Southwark, London. He was the youngest child of John Frederick Hammon and Elizabeth Ann Hammon (Nee Bush). Frederick had five older brothers, Ernest (born 1863), Frederick William (born 1866 but died the same year), Arthur (born 1871), all of whom were born in Wimbledon, Alfred (born 1873 in St.Pancras) and Maurice (born 1879 Chelsea)

Like his father John, Frederick was a bricklayer by trade.

Frederick’s older brother Maurice was serving as a sergeant with the Royal Engineers and had arrived in France in November 1915.

Frederick had married Alice Beatrice Sage on Christmas Day 1906 in Camberwell, Surrey and had four children, John (born 1909), Esther (born 1911), Ronald (born 1914), Hilda (born 1915) all before Frederick left for France. Frederick though was back at home after being discharged from the army for the birth of his fifth child, William Mons Hammon (born 1918) all born in Camberwell.

It is interesting to note his new child's middle name and one wonders what experiences he went through in that area to give his son "Mons" as a middle name. Or maybe it was just to honour those who sacrificed so much at Mons. 

A moments peace - in reserve at Troyon

On the 8th October 1918, Private Solomon Wraight (my Great Uncle), was serving in the Machine Gun Company of the 315th Infantry United States Army. After taking part in the Meuse – Argonne offensive the 315th Infantry were being held in reserve,

Solomon Wraight

The Official History of the 315th Infantry describes the aftermath of the battle for the 315th.

They hiked to Lahaymeix arriving around 3pm on the 5th Oct where they had 5 days much needed rest, as the entire company was exhausted and showed the effects of the strain under which it had been.

On the 10th, we set out again and marched to Woimbey, where we were held in reserve in the Troyon sector. There we were very well fixed, as the billets were good, and the rations were the best we had had in France.

One wonders if Solomon had the chance to reflect on the letter he sent to his father back in January, a couple of months after joining up.

315th Infantry
79th Division
Camp Meade, Maryland, USA
Jan 30th 1918

My Dear Father
I have received your most welcome letter. I was glad to hear that you are still going along fine though I guess it must go pretty hard with you all sometimes, I am mighty anxious when I read of an air raid on old “Lunnon” I can tell you I am still going along the same pottering around with hammer & saw around barracks etc. and have to do a little drill.

It’s very dull down here in camp at times, we are stuck out in the wilds, 22 miles from Baltimore & 20 miles from Washington. I get leave about once a month to go to old Philadelphia, as I look on “Philly” as my “American home”.

I don’t whether I am going to be sent over or not, as they are very particular where they put mechanics. They take shipworkers out of the army and put them in shipyards I re-registered as a ship joiner, you have to put down ship joiner as the word joiner is not used like it is in England I have made good in the Regiment 

I get all the little fancy jobs to do. The joiners over in the old country would be getting good money now if it was peace time. Sometimes I get mad to think of the money I am losing while I am in the army. 20s/- a day was my average now its $1.20 a day for 24 hours at 5cts an hour, I don’t have no trouble keeping count on it. You still ride the old bike, my motorbike is still up in “Philly” believe me I miss it “some” that’s some price you give for shoes eh, we can get a good pair from $2.50 to $6.00 on average just they don’t beat the old country shoes.

We have some who can only speak a few words of English. It is funny to watch them drill in the ranks, they watch the man in front of them follow the leader style. Have you got any of the old joiners working for you. I don’t have to pay any dues into the union now still part of the army.

I sent a little present to mother. I hope that it has arrived safe. I am sending you a few photos with the films of the base camp so that you can make a few copies off. 

I close now with best luck and wishes to you all. Hoping that this nightmare of a war will come to a decision soon. As we are feeling the effects over here pretty bad too.

From your loving son

Charlie Wraight
Company C 315 Infantry USA

(Some words / sentences are missing due to copy and or are ineligible)

Letter Home

Solomon Wraight

Solomon Charles Wraight was born on the 22nd May 1895 in Lambeth, Surrey. He was the eldest son of Solomon (Solly) and Alice Wraight (Nee Uden) and had three sisters Alice (born 1897), Elsie (born 1903) and Ivy (born 10 Oct 1904) and three brothers William (AKA Bill born 1899), Arthur (Born 1907) and Frederick (Fred Born 1911).

Solomon and William were at school together in 1908 at the Gideon Road School, Wandsworth and by 1911 the family were living at 14 Eland Road, Lavender Hill, Battersea. Solomon Charles aged 15 was an apprentice Joiner. His father Solly being a Builders Joiner (Shop Foreman). Alice, William, Elsie and Ivy were all attending school. His younger sister Alice died in 1911 aged 14.

Solomon Charles Wraight, never used his first name and was most often called Toby. Just to confuse matters he signs the letter Charlie (his middle name).

It was probably unbelievable to him that eight months after writing the letter to his parents he would have participated in America’s largest battle of the First World War. Meanwhile back in his new home of Philadelphia the situation was equally as dire with the Spanish Flu epidemic sweeping the city

The mortality report for the first week of October showed 706 people died from the Spanish Influenza. The total of all deaths in Philadelphia for the corresponding week in 1918 was 1,191, which broke all previous records. Whilst Solomon was hiking to reserve positions in Troyon, 254 deaths from the grip and pneumonia have been reported in the last 24 hours. Physicians have reported 1,480 new cases of the flu in that same 24 hour period. It is estimated that there are currently 50,000 people in the city sick with the disease. For the 315th - "Philadelphia's Own" the news from back home would make grim reading.

References
The Official History of the 315th Regiment USA
Philadelphia WW1 years