Lest We Forget

It is impossible for me to imagine the suffering and sacrifices that my ancestors made during the First World War and like millions of others many of my ancestors made the ultimate sacrifice

Roll of Honour – Great War

1915

Harry Wilson – Died 8th February 1915 – Rugeley, Staffordshire
Private, Army Service Corps
Buried Rugeley Cemetery

John Joseph Graffham – Killed 28th July 1915 – France
Corporal, The Queens 2nd Battalion Royal West Surrey Regiment.
Buried Rue Des Berceaux, France

Alfred Charles Morris Bush – Killed 25th August 1915 – Gallipoli, Turkey
Regimental Sergeant Major, Royal Army Medical Corps

Buried Helles Memorial, Turkey

James Fisher – Killed 13th October 1915 – France
Private, 1/6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment 
Loos Memorial

Benjamin Hollins – Died of Wounds 12th November 1915 – Paignton, Devon
Lance Corporal, 1/6th battalion North Staffordshire Regiment
Armitage Churchyard









1916

Horace Hollins – Killed 30th April 1916 – France
Sergeant 10th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers
Lindhoek Chalet Military Cemetry

Albert Hollins – Killed 1st July 1916 – France
Sergeant, 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry
Theipval Memorial










Horace Wilson – Killed 1st July 1916 – France
Private, 1/6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment
Theipval Memorial

William Herbert Hollins – Killed 30th August 1916 – France
Lance Corporal, 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Theipval memorial










Herbert Vernon – Killed 12th September 1916 – France
Private, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Theipval memorial

1917

William Henry Cunningham – Killed 14th January 1917 – France
Private, 1st Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment
Philosophe British Cemetery

Horace Vernon – Killed 8th May 1917 – France
Corporal, 2/6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment
Theipval memorial

James Wilson – Killed 1st December 1917 – France
Lance Corporal 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards
Cabaret – Rouge British Cemetery

1918

William Lovegrove – Died 16th July 1918 – England
Sergeant 52nd Royal Warwicks
Sunninghill Churchyard

William Alfred Bush – Killed 12th August 1918 - France
Sergeant, Army Service Corps
Les Barques Military Cemetery, Calais, France

Alfred Sidney Searle – Killed 19th August 1918 – France
Private, 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers
Ploegsteert Memorial

Joseph Vernon – Killed 22nd August 1918
Private, RAMC / Kings Own Scottish Borderers.
Bois-Guillaume Cemetery, Rouen, France

We Will Remember Them

Meuse-Argonne : America's great offensive

The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was a major part of the final Allied offensive of the First World War. It was fought from September 26, 1918 until the Armistice on November 11th, a total of 47 days.

On the 26th August 1918, 100 years ago, Private Solomon Wraight (my Great Uncle) was serving overseas in the machine gun company of the 315th infantry regiment of the United States Army.

Private Solomon Wraight 315th Battalion

Solomon had been born in Lambeth, Surrey on the 22nd May 1895, the eldest child of Solomon and Alice Wraight (nee Uden). The family, originally from Kent moved to Wandsworth, Surrey in 1894/95 and by 1911 the Wraight family were living in Battersea, Middlesex with both Solomon and his father working as carpenters / joiners.

In August 1915, Solomon emigrated to the USA, and found employment as a carpenter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, eventually becoming a naturalised American citizen in May 1917 and enlisting in the United States Army in October 1917.

The Official History of the 315th Battalion tells the story

On the 23rd, orders were received that the attack would be made on September 26th and that 79th Division would form part of the attacking line as a shock division. The 313 & 314th Infantries, were to initiate the attack. The 315th and 316th were to act as a support. The 315th following the 314th at a distance of 1,000 meters, advancing with two battalions in line and one in support.

The bombardment

At eleven o’ clock on the night of September 25th a deep boom far behind heralded the beginning of the six Hour allied barrage. It was the most terrific bombardment ever delivered upon a front of similar extent. None, whose privilege it was to witness it, will ever forget the indescribable grandeur of the artillery barrage which preceded the great Meuse-Argonne offensive.

Over the top

At 5.30am on the morning of September 26th, the first waves of infantry swept forward, and the American Army, with nine divisions on a 25 Mile front, began the mighty offensive which ended only with the Armistice.

On the right of the camp Meade division was the 4th regular army division and on the left the 37th national guard division

The 315th infantry started its advance across no mans land when the last elements of the 314th had passed a thousand meters beyond the jumping off point. The 315th machine gun company supported the first battalion. Scarcely had the leading units of the regiment cleared their own wire. When they plunged into a dense smoke barrage which had been laid prior to the advance of the front line.

About 8 o’ clock, the put-put-put of the German machine guns could be heard in the mist ahead.
The objective of Malancourt was quickly mopped up despite the continuous fire of snipers and from the German trenches. By six o’clock that evening the first wave of the 315th Infantry had crawled up the hill slopes into the Hindenberg trench. During the day, the regiment had lost 3 officers and 9 men killed and 31 men wounded. A total of 61 German prisoners had been captured.

The advance was practically uninterrupted for the first day, the machine gun company stopped for the night just west of Malancourt having advanced about 5 kilos.

The advance continued on the 27th. In the afternoon word came that the Germans were counter attacking and the guns were mounted and everything put in readiness, but the Boche never came. It was here that we suffered our first casualties. Lt. Wallace was seriously wounded in both legs, being hit by shell fragments. The advance was continued until darkness and heavy shellfire rendered further progress impossible. We then dug in about a kilometre beyond Mountfaucon, where we spent a terrible night, under punishing fire of gas, shrapnel and high explosives.

The next day we again advanced, this time with the first battalion acting as an assaulting unit and assisted in the capture of Nantillois. We continued on to the Madeline Farm, where we were met by a terrific concentration of artillery fire, which no living thing could go through and were forced to retire a short distance to hill 274, where the infantry reorganised and pushed forward again under the support of our overhead fire, a fire as intense as we could make it. We dug in and spent the night of the 28th on hill 274 and on the 29th, with intense artillery fire still coming over, we reorganised and took up outpost positions along the road beyond Nantillois. It was here that Capt. Duncan was killed and Lt, Delany mortally wounded by a high explosive shell.

The morning of the 30th brought the news that we were to be relived by the 3rd Division. That afternoon we withdrew. We hiked until dark, spending the night in the open. On the morning of October 1st, we marched back to sector 304, where we occupied the old trenches for two days, during which time we got a few hot meals and removed our week-old beards.

315th Battalion Machine Gunners in action during Meuse - Argonne

The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the largest in United States military history, involving 1.2 million American soldiers. The battle cost 28,000 German lives, 26,277 American lives and an unknown number of French lives.

It was the largest and bloodiest operation of World War I for the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), which was commanded by General John Pershing.

U.S. losses were exacerbated by the inexperience of many of the troops and the tactics used during the early phases of the operation. Meuse-Argonne was the principal engagement of the AEF during World War I. For Solomon Wraight, who only swore the Oath of Allegiance just over a year before, it would have been a baptism of fire.

References

The Official History of the 315th Infantry USA.

Still joining up

On the 16th September 1918 Arthur William Bush, just four days after his eighteenth birthday enlisted in the 27th Transport Battalion of the Royal Army Service Corps.

Arthur William Bush, my first cousin three times removed, was born on the 12th September 1900 in Wimbledon, Surrey. He was the fourth child of Edwin Ernest and Ada Bush (Nee Searle). He had 3 older brothers Edwin Maurice (born 1893, Wimbledon), Alfred Ernest (born 1895, Wimbledon) and Frederick Charles (Born 1896, Wimbledon). He also had two younger brothers Albert James (Born 1903, Wimbledon) and George C (born 1908, Mitcham). He also had two younger brothers who died in infancy Horace Sydney (born & died 1904, Croydon) and John Joseph (born and died 1906, Wimbledon)

Arthur grew up in the family home at 8 Leyton Road, South Wimbledon. Ada, his mother passed away in 1910 aged just 38 years old, with Arthur only 10 years old and by 1911 the family (Arthur, his father Edwin and 3 brothers, Alfred, Albert and George were living in a one room dwelling at 41a Cowper Road, Wimbledon. However, his brother, Frederick was away from the family at the Holme Court Industrial School for Boys, Twickenham Rd, Isleworth, which was a certified truant industrial school.

Arthur’s brother Alfred Ernest Bush was serving as a Driver with the Royal Field Artillery and had recently married Ellen Scott. And Frederick was serving in the navy.

When Arthur enlisted, he was living at 26 Abbey Terrace, Abbey Road, Merton, Wimbledon, with his Aunt Harriet Searle. Previous to enlisting he was employed as a van guard / porter on the Railways. He was 4 ft 11 ¾ inches, weighing 102 lbs with brown hair and a fresh complexion, with a scar over his right eyebrow and his next of kin was listed as his Aunt Harriet Searle.

One can only assume that his father Edwin had also passed away before his enlistment and that Arthur had moved in with his closest relatives – his mothers brother Alfred and wife Harriet.

Arthur was posted to Brocton Camp, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire on the 20th September 1918
His Aunt – Harriet Searle had just received notification that her husband Alfred Sidney Searle, serving with the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers had been killed on the 19th August in Flanders, leaving her with three young daughters. One can only wonder at her emotions that day -still grieving for husband, her nephew who had been living with them since the death of Arthur’s father Edwin was now called up to fight.

A successful attack but a heavy cost

On the 19th August 1918, Private Alfred Sidney Searle, serving with the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers was killed in action

Alfred Sidney Searle was the brother in law of my Great Great Grand Uncle Edwin Ernest Bush who had married Alfred’s sister Ada Searle on the 10th September 1893 at Holy Trinity Church, Wimbledon.

Alfred was born in 1880 in Wimbledon, Surrey, one of eight children of John Joseph and Emma Jane Searle (nee Miles). Both his parents had passed away by the time Alfred was 17 and in 1901 he and two brothers Edward Horace and Thomas Ernest were living with his sisters (Ada) family in Leyton Road, Wimbledon.

Alfred married Harriet Rachel Harman in 1907 in Wandsworth, Surrey and had 3 daughters Minnie (born 1908), Queenie (born 1912) and Constance (born 1916). Before the War Alfred had worked as a house painter along with many of his cousins and was living with Harriet and his young family at 6 Abbey Terrace, Abbey Road, Merton

Following the success of the Battle of Amiens (8th – 12th August 1918), the allies launched a number of new offences to keep the pressure on the German forces whose moral was weakening after four long years of conflict.

The attacks by the British Army extended all the way along the line from the Somme up to Ypres in Belgium and on 18th August, they attacked and captured the Outtersteene Ridge near the town of Bailleul in northern France, close to the Belgian border. Although only 120 feet above sea level the Outtersteene Ridge afforded the enemy a good observation of the low lying country around it and its capture was deemed important. 27 Brigade of 9th Division  attacked behind a powerful artillery barrage and within an hour the ridge was in British hands. At 5pm on the following day, 19th August, the 12th Norfolk battalion of 94th Brigade, 31st Division, and the 2nd Royal Fusiliers of 86 Brigade, 29th Division continued the attack and in less than an hour and a half gained the further objectives of Lyndé Farm and The Trucks. They then went on to reach the Vieux Berquin-Outtersteene road
Alfred was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers and on the 19th August 1918, Alfred went over the top.

War Diary - 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers 19th August 1918

At 5.00 pm the battalion attacked (W Coy on the right, X Coy on the left, 2 platoons of Z Coy in support on the right) under a barrage and captured the line of trucks, LYNDE, ASSET and LESAGE FARMS, also assisting in the capture of LABIS FARM, which formed part of the objective of the 12th Norfolks, who attacked in conjunction with us on our right. The operation was completely successful and the line was established in front of the road running from F 13 A7,2 – F.6.C.6.G. 
We captured 111 prisoners, including 1 officer, 10 machine guns, and 2 trench mortars. In addition several casualties were inflicted on the enemy as he fled in confusion. No counter attack was delivered. Narrative attached Appendix No.

Our Casualties were :-

Killed 2/LT Whyte & 2/LT Brown and 16 other ranks
Wounded 2/LT Adams & 2/Lt Walton and 63 other ranks.

After dusk the remaining 2 platoons of Z Coy went into the line and CAPT. CLARKE took over command of the right sub-sector, the inter-company boundary being the cross-roads at F.13b.8.8.

It is during the main attack on the 19th August that Private Alfred Searle, aged 38, lost his life.

Private Alfred Sidney Searle has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ploesteert Memorial (Panel 3) along with 11 of his comrades who also died that day

Pte. Ernest Phillip Ray aged 18
Pte. William Sidney Rix aged 20
Pte. Charles Dawson aged 26
Pte. Alfred Wilcox
Pte. Samuel Charles Wing
Lance Corporal Albert Wood aged 19
Pte. Frank Herbert Rogers aged 18
Pte. Leonard Shelley
Lance Corporal William Ratcliff Mason aged 23
Corporal Reginald Hickox
Lance Corporal Charles Herbert Holliday

Ploegsteert Memorial is located in Hainaut, Belgium 12.5 Km south of Leper (Ypres)

Ploegsteert Memorial

Alfred left behind his widow Harriet whom he had married in 1907 and his three daughters, Minnie (aged 10), Queenie (aged 6) and Constance (aged 2).

August 1914 - August 1918 Four Years and Five Days in France

On the 12th August 1918 my Great Grand Uncle William Alfred Bush was killed in action.
Sergeant William Bush was serving with the 363 Motorised Transport Company of the Army Service Corps

William had been in France with the British Expeditionary Force since war broke out in August 1914 and had previously served in the Army Service Corps from 1905-08. Before joining the army in 1905 he had been employed as a boiler maker and in 1911 was a house painter as were a number of his cousins

William was born in Wimbledon in 1879, the second youngest child of the late William and Jane Bush (nee Napp). He had two older sisters Elizabeth Clara (born 1863, Wimbledon) and Jane (born 1871, Wimbledon), One older brother Albert Henry (born 1873, Wimbledon) and one younger brother James Charles (Born 1881, Wimbledon). He had 3 other siblings who all died in childhood (William John aged 2, Alice Cave aged 2 and Susan Mary aged 5).

William and the family, his wife Elizabeth and their four children, Lillie, William, Ivy and Dorothy were living at 6 Leyton Road, Wimbledon, having previously lived in Goodenough Street, Wimbledon. He had married Elizabeth Jane Pope at Wandsworth Register Office on the 24th July 1905. William and Elizabeth had four children Lillie (born 28th June 1908), William (born 17th March 1911), Ivy (born 24th September 1912) and Dorothy (born 6th April 1914). Their first child also called William died in infancy, Dorothy was only four months old when William was mobilised on the 6th August 1914.


William was 35 when he set of for World War One, 5 feet 4 1/4 inches tall, fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He had a small tattoo mark on the back of his right forearm and a 1/2 inch long linear scar above his right eyebrow.


The ASC MT Companies performed a number of functions and some like the 363 company were attached to the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) as Ammunition Columns / Parks. 363 Company, which was formed May 1915 was the Ammunition Column for 18th Brigade RGA. The 18th Brigade later came under V Corps Heavy Artillery.

The heavy guns and howitzers of the RGA, with attendant equipment and ammunition, needed motorised transport to haul them. The MT Companies called Ammunition Parks operated dumps, or stores, of ammunition, with the larger calibres of artillery shells required special mechanical handling equipment.

There is no doubt these ammunition parks would have been a prized target during any attack.

The Battle of Amiens was the opening phase of the Allied offensive which began on 8 August 1918, later known as the Hundred Days Offensive, that ultimately led to the end of the First World War. Allied forces advanced over 11 kilometres (7 mi) on the first day, one of the greatest advances of the war, with Henry Rawlinson's British Fourth Army playing the decisive role. The battle is also notable for its effects on both sides' morale and the large number of surrendering German forces. This led Erich Ludendorff to describe the first day of the battle as "the black day of the German Army". Amiens was one of the first major battles involving armoured warfare and marked the end of trench warfare on the Western Front; fighting becoming mobile once again until the armistice was signed on 11 November 1918.

On 21 March 1918, the German Army had launched Operation Michael, the first in a series of attacks planned to drive the Allies back along the length of the Western Front. With the collapse of  revolutionary-controlled Russia, the Germans were able to transfer hundreds of thousands of men to the Western Front, giving them a significant, if temporary, advantage in manpower and materiel.


By the end of the Marne-Rheims offensive (15-17 July), the German manpower advantage had been spent and their supplies and troops were exhausted. The Allied general, General Ferdinand Foch, ordered a counteroffensive which led to the Second Battle of the Marne, after which victory he was promoted to Marshal of France. The Germans, recognising their untenable position, withdrew from the Marne to the north. Foch now tried to move the Allies back onto the offensive.

The battle began in dense fog at 4:20 am on 8 August 1918

Total German losses were estimated to be 30,000 on 8 August. The Fourth Army's casualties, British, Australian and Canadian infantry, were approximately 8,800, exclusive of tank and air losses and those of their French allies.

The German General Erich Ludendorff described the first day of Amiens as the "Schwarzer Tag des deutschen Heeres" ("the black day of the German Army"), not because of the ground lost to the advancing Allies, but because the morale of the German troops had sunk to the point where large numbers of troops began to capitulate.

Whilst the Battle of Amiens was drawing to a successful close for the Allies, fighting continued along the Western Front and during the night of the 11th August and the early morning of the 12th the Base depot of the 353rd Company Army Service Corps was subjected to an enemy air raid. Sergeant William Alfred Bush who had served for 4 years and 5 days since the war began died of wounds to his skull from the bombing raid.

In his official war records it states - Died of bomb wounds skull received in action (enemy air raid) In the field, France

He is buried at the Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte in the Pas de Calais region of Northern France.

Les Baraques Military Cemetary Sangatte

Buried alongside him are six of his comrades from the 364 Mechanical Transport Company, Base Depot (N) who also died on the same day

Private          A Heath                   M39672         Age 35 Chepstow
Lance Corporal William Haddock Robinson   M2/082708         Age 39 Bristol
Corporal                  E Hamshar           M2/050271
Lance Corporal William George Edwin Woodward M2/079669 Age 55 Brixton
Private         George Fairbrother           DM2/224389 Age 27 Blackburn
Private         William Purves Miller   M2/266650         Age 25 Newcastle

Sergeant                William Alfred Bush   M/22781         Age 39 Wimbledon

He is also remembered on the War memorial in the All Saints Church in South Wimbledon

All Saints Church Wimbledon

The inscription reads “Remember before God the men of this parish who gave their lives in the Great wars”

One can only imagine the catastrophic tradegy and sense of loss for his wife Elizabeth, too have their 13 year marriage cut short and for William’s children Lillie aged 10, William aged 7, Ivy aged 5 and Dorothy aged 4


Sources
Commonwealth War Graves

All Saints Church, Wimbledon

A Doughboy overseas

On the 9th August 1918, 100 years ago today, Private Solomon Wraight (my Great Uncle) was serving overseas in the machine gun company of the 315th infantry regiment of the United States Army.

Solomon had been born in Lambeth, Surrey on the 22nd May 1895, the eldest child of Solomon and Alice Wraight (nee Uden). The family, originally from Kent moved to Wandsworth, Surrey in 1894/95 and by 1911 the Wraight family were living in Battersea, Middlesex with both Solomon and his father working as carpenters / joiners.

In August 1915, Solomon emigrated to the USA, and found employment as a carpenter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, eventually becoming a naturalised American citizen in May 1917 and enlisting in the United States Army in October 1917.

His younger brother William, also a carpenter by trade, had joined the Royal Navy Air Service in March 1917.

Solomon Wraight 

American troops, under the command of General Pershing, started to arrive in ever increasing numbers in France during the summer of 1918 offsetting the temporary numerical advantage the Germans held on the Western front since the collapse of Russia.

The official history of the 315th Infantry describes the arrival in Brest, France of the Regiment on the 18th July. It is likely that Solomon arrived in later waves, as not all the regiment arrived in France at the same time, however Solomon is likely to have had similar experiences.

“We marched through the back streets of Brest and out into the country about six kilometres, where we were ushered into a nice wet field and ordered to pitch tents. This was called a rest camp but all we did was carry water and rations for about a mile or so, and hustle field ranges, baggage etc.”

After 4 days they left the rest camp for the 10th training area.

“After three wonderful days and nights on the train, we were put off at a place called Vivey-Chalmessin. Nobody knew where we were, or what we were going, so we pitched tents in a neighbouring field, and it was here that we were introduced to Vin Rouge while waiting for somebody to give an order. The next morning we started for Chatoillenot, arriving after a hike of 18 kilometers, and there we were billeted. 

The next six weeks formed the most strenuous period in the history of the machine gun company, and the drill was long and tough.”

Sources
The Official History of the 315th Infantry USA.

Wimbledon Wartime Marriage

On the 4th August 1918 Alfred Ernest Bush (My first cousin three times removed) aged 23 married Ellen Elizabeth Rose Scott in Wimbledon, Surrey.

Alfred was the second oldest son of Edwin Ernest and Ada Bush (nee Searle). He was born in 1895 in Wimbledon, Surrey and in 1911 the family were living at 41a Cowper Road, Wimbledon. Alfred was working as an Errand boy, his mother Ada had passed away in 1910. His three younger brothers, Arthur (born 1900, Wimbledon), Albert (born 1903, Wimbledon) and George (born 1908, Mitcham) were all at school. Another younger brother Frederick (born 1896, Wimbledon) was attending Holme Court Industrial School for Boys, Twickenham Rd, Isleworth, which was a certified truant industrial school. His older brother Edwin Maurice Bush (born 1893, Wimbledon) also an errand boy in 1911 was lodging with the Turner family at 49 Cowper Road, Wimbledon.

In 1918, Alfred was serving as a Driver with the Royal Field Artillery whilst his brother Frederick, who had joined the Royal Navy in April 1915 and had been mainly serving on the vessels patrolling the Humber estuary, but had now transferred to HMS Latona on duty in the Mediterranean.

Alfred’s father Edwin Ernest Bush (passed away between 1911 and 1918) had served in the Royal Navy between 1884 and 1892 serving onboard many ships the last one being HMS Helca.

Alfred’s older brother Edwin had married Rosetta Turner in 1915

Ellen Elizabeth Rose Scott was born in 1893 at St. Saviours, Croyden, Surrey. The daughter of William Scott.

One can only assume the marriage took place during Alfred's leave from the front.

A letter from the King and a French General

On the 16th July 1918, Sergeant William Lovegrove, who was serving with the 52nd Royal Warwicks died of Pneumonia whilst at home. His death was reported in the Reading Mercury the following week.

Reading Mercury 27th July 1918

Sunninghill – Military funeral – Sergt. William Lovegrove 52nd Royal Warwicks, was buried with military honours at Sunninghill Churchyard on Saturday the coffin was carried on a motor aeroplane trailer and firing party was provided by the Royal Air Force, the band of the depot also being in attendance. The deceased was one of the eight solider sons of Mr & Mrs T. Lovegrove, and although he died while on home duty, he had been wounded in action on two more occasions. Three of his brother had been previously killed in action.

It was also reported in the Western Times that Mr & Mrs Thomas Lovegrove, of Kildare, Sunninghill had received a letter of congratulations from the King on their having eight sons in the army.

Sergeant William Charles Lovegrove died on the 16th July 1918, He was aged 30 and was the Son of Thomas and Marguerite Lovergrove, Sunninghill and the Husband of Ethel Lovegrove of St. Georges Cottages, Oriental Road, Berks.

William had married Ethel Emily Ellis in 1914 in Dorking, Surrey with their daughter Phyllis A R Lovegrove being born later that year. Their second child Joffre Douglas J Lovegrove was born in Windsor in 1916 and was obviously named after the French Commander in Chief - General Joseph Joffre. William and Ethel had a third child Trevor born in Portsmouth in 1917

Joffre Lovegrove would become the son in law of Annie and James Othen (My Great Grand Aunt / Uncle in law) when he married their daughter Edith Othen in 1938.

William’s brothers were
• Leslie Lovegrove (born 1881)
• Percy Dixon Lovegrove (born 1884)
• Preston Darry Gordon Lovegrove (Born 1885)
• Henry Lasam Herbert Lovegrove (born 1887)
• Horace Leonard Lovegrove (born 1896) died 22nd November 1915 (Basra Memorial)
• Francis George Lovegrove (born 1890)
• Samuel Ernest Lovegrove (born 1892) died 26th October 1917 (Tyne Cot Memorial)
• David Lovegrove(born 1896)
• Maurice Hestor Lovegrove(born 1897)

Another brother Roberts was born in 1900 and William also had a sister Hilda Dorothy born in 1896.

It has not as yet been possible through research to positively identify the seven other brothers mentioned in the letter from King George V. or the third brother mentioned in the paper as being killed in the War.

Battling Typhoid & Malaria on the North West Frontier

On the 8th July 1918, 100 years ago today, James Othen, who had married Annie Cobbold (my great grand aunt in law), was taken sick again and admitted to hospital.

James had travelled to India with the 1/4th Battalion Royal West Surrey Regiment in October 1916 arriving in Bombay in late December that year. The 1/4th Queen’s had moved to Tank to join the Waziristan Field Force in early 1917. However, the battalion was so stricken by illness that soon after its arrival it was withdrawn and dispatched to Dagshai and Jutogh in the Simla Hills to recover.

James was stationed in Dagshai and then moved with the rest of the battalion to Lahore in the spring of 1918. James had been hospitalised with Malaria in March 1918

On July 8th 1918 James Othen, was admitted to hospital in Amritsar, in the Punjab region of North West India suffering with what was initially recorded as P.U.O. (Pyrexia of Unknown origin), which is generally associated with high fever and raised body temperature, this however is later crossed out and replaced with an M – which given James previous hospital admission probably means a final diagnosis of malaria. He remained in hospital in Amritsar until the 14th August 1918 as part of the Enteric group of patients (Enteric meaning intestinal problems) when he was then transferred to the Enteric convalescence hospital until the 21st September 1918

Enteric (typhoid) fever is a systemic disease characterised by fever and abdominal pain caused by dissemination of Salmonella

Typhoid fever, also known simply as typhoid, is a bacterial infection due to Salmonella typhi that causes symptoms which may vary from mild to severe and usually begin six to thirty days after exposure.Often there is a gradual onset of a high fever over several days.Weakness, abdominal pain, constipation, and headaches also commonly occur.  Some people develop a skin rash with rose coloured spots and in severe cases there may be confusion.Without treatment, symptoms may last weeks or months.

The cause is the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, growing in the intestines and blood.Typhoid is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Risk factors include poor sanitation and poor hygiene.

James had originally enlisted with the 5th Reserve Battalion “The Queens” Royal West Surrey on the 5th October 1914 aged 34 years and 6 months and was 5 feet 5 3/4 inches. He was living at 71 Orchard Rise, Dorking, Surrey and was considered physically fit. James was employed as a bricklayer's labourer at that time.

The battle in India for the troops and for James Othen in particular seems to have been against the conditions and the diseases rather than enemy fire.

The Dragoons of Lapland

On the 3rd May 1918 Reginald James Elsey (who would become the husband of my great aunt in law) was serving on board HMS Cochrane as an Ordinary Signalman

Reginald James Elsey was born on the 8th May 1898 in Reigate, Surrey. He was the son of James and Charlotte Elsey (nee Buck). He had an older sister Winifred (born in 1896, also in Reigate). In 1901 the family were living in Burstow, Surrey.

Reginald had joined the Royal Navy as a boy on the 11th May 1915 and transferred to HMS Cochrane as a Signal Boy on the 17th January 1916 and then aged 18 became an Ordinary Signalman on board HMS Cochrane on the 8th May 1916 signing up for 12 years duty.

HMS Cochrane

Prior to joining the Navy Reginald worked as a Garden Boy and Poultry Feeder. He was five foot 4 ½ inches tall with brown eyes and a dark complexion. He had a scar on his forehead and upper lip.

HMS Cochrane and the rest of the 2nd cruiser squadron, were assigned to the Grand Fleet for most of the First World War. She took part in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May–1 June 1916, along with the cruisers Minotaur, Shannon and Hampshire under the command of Rear-Admiral Heath. However, the ship remained unengaged throughout the battle, and did not fire her guns at all during the engagement.

In November 1917 HMS Cochrane was transferred to the North America and West Indies station, but in early 1918 re-joined the 2nd Cruiser Squadron. HMS Cochrane was then sent to Russia as part of the allied intervention in the Russian Civil War arriving in Murmansk on the 7th March 1918 and the following day at 12 noon she fired a 21 Gun salute to the Russian Flag.

On the 3rd May 1918 HMS Cochrane, with Reginald Elsey on board, transported Soviet troops to Pechenga (also known as Petsamo in Finnish), on the border of Russia and Finland, to forestall an attempt by White Finns to seize the town during the Finnish Civil War.

The Finnish Civil War was a conflict for the control and leadership of Finland during the country's transition from a Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire to an independent state. The civil war was fought between the Reds, led by a section of the Social Democratic Party, and the Whites, conducted by the conservative based Senate. The paramilitary Red Guards were composed of industrial and agrarian workers, controlled the cities and industrial centres of southern Finland, whilst the paramilitary white Guards, composed of farmers, along with middle-class and upper-class social strata, controlled rural central and northern Finland.

World War I led to the collapse of the Russian Empire, which in turn had caused a power vacuum in Finland, and a subsequent struggle for dominance leading to militarisation and escalating crisis between the left-leaning labour movement and the conservatives. The Reds carried out an unsuccessful general offensive in February 1918, supplied with weapons by Soviet Russia. A counteroffensive by the Whites began in March, reinforced by German troops in April.

In May two battalions of white Finnish civilian volunteers, about 200 armed men, led by two doctors, the so called “Dragoons of Lapland” arrived in Petsamo

The British considered these Finnish expeditions as a threat, since they were worried that the Germans might arrive in the area after them and take it over for their own purposes.
So, on the 3rd of May HMS Cochrane brought troops to Petsamo (100 men of naval infantry, 40 sailors and 40 Russian Reds lead by Captain Brown). The Finnish Expeditions fought against them for three days and on the 6th of May HMS Cochrane brought further reinforcements (35 soldiers and five Lewis-machine guns plus sailors also landed 12-pound gun as additional support).

On the 10th of May the British captured Petsamo and succeeded repelling Finnish counter-attacks. After this the British replaced their troops with 200 Serb soldiers. The Finnish expeditions headed back to Finland. Finland and Britain exchanged diplomatic notes and Britain informed Finland that it didn't have anything against Finnish demands concerning Petsamo.

Reginald Elsey’s service record notes – “For service in Land Operations”, but does not specify if he took part in this engagement.

Following victory in the decisive engagements by the Whites and German forces, the Finnish Civil War ended officially on the 15th of May. Around 12,500 Red POW’s died of malnutrition and disease in camps and about 39,000 people, of whom 36,000 were Finns, perished in the conflict.

In the aftermath, the Finns passed from Russian governance to the German sphere of influence with a plan to establish a German-led Finnish monarchy. In the end this did not materialise due to the defeat of Germany in the Great War. Finland instead emerged as an independent, democratic republic, however The Civil War continued to divide the nation for decades.

Hospitalised with Malaria

On the 26^th March 1918, 100 years ago today, James Othen, who had married Annie Cobbold (my great grand aunt in law), was admitted to hospital in Lahore suffering from Malaria. James had travelled to India with the 1/4^th Battalion Royal West Surrey Regiment in October 1916 arriving in Bombay in late December that year.

The 1/4^th Queen’s moved to Tank to join the Waziristan Field Force in early 1917. However, the battalion was so stricken by illness that soon after its arrival it was withdrawn and despatched to Dagshai and Jutogh in the Simla Hills to recover.

James was stationed in Dagshai and then moved with the rest of the battalion to Lahore in the spring of 1918.

James, aged 42, was admitted to hospital suffering from Malaria on the 26^th March 1918 and after blood tests was given in total 300 grams of quinine over the next few days to treat the effects until his release on the 6^th April. Research suggests that around 1.5 Million soldiers from all sides fell victim to Malaria (Malaria Journal 2014) with between 0.2 and 5% of cases proving fatal.

At home his wife Annie was looking after their seven children. Rosey (aged 13), Mabel (11), Alfred (9), Florence (7), Charles (6), Sydney (3) and their youngest Daughter, Edith (1) who had been born between Oct and December 1916, just as her father was embarking for India

Meanwhile over 5,000 miles away in Reigate, Surrey James’ sister in law, May Rosetta Cobbold (nee Graffham) and her husband Alfred George Cobbold (My Great Grandfather in law) were going through both joyous and harrowing times.

Between April and June 1918 their eighth child Lily was born in Reigate and during the same period their youngest child James J Cobbold passed away aged 3. May was also looking after her six other children, Doris (aged 14), Maud (13), Alfred (11), William (9), George (7) and Ethel (5). [Alfred George Cobbold was most likely serving with the 1st Divisional Signal Company, Army Service Corps, but research is on-going to confirm this]

May’s brother Corporal John Joseph Graffham had been killed in July 1915 serving with the 2^nd Battalion The Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment.

Put that light out

On the 2nd December 1917 my Great Grand Aunt in law’s husband James Othen was severely reprimanded for not complying with an order from an NCO. He had failed to comply with was “turning the light low after being warned” for which he was confined to barracks for three days.

James had enlisted with the 5th Reserve Battalion “The Queens” Royal West Surrey on the 5thOctober 1914 aged 34 years and 6 months and was 5 feet 5 3/4 inches. He was living at 71 Orchard Rise, Dorking, Surrey and was considered physically fit. James was employed as a bricklayer's labourer at that time.

He had been stationed in England since enlisting but in October 1916 James embarked with the 1 / 4th Battalion Royal West Surreys from Devonport arriving in Bombay, India in 21st December 1916.

The Battalion were stationed at Mian Meer in 1916 when heavy garrison duties were compounded by the need to provide instructors for the training of India Defence Units raised at Lahore. In early 1917 a large force of Mahsuds began to raid convoys in South Waziristan and 1/4th Queen’s moved to Tank to join the Waziristan Field Force and take the field against them. Sadly, however, the battalion was so stricken by illness that soon after its arrival it was withdrawn and despatched to Dagshai and Jutogh in the Simla Hills to recover.

James was stationed at Dagshai

Dagshai Hill Barracks

Dagshai is one of the oldest cantonment towns in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is situated on top of a 5689 feet (1734 mtr) high hillock that stands sphinx-like astride the Kalka-Shimla Highway at a point about 11 km from Solan. And was well known for the harsh conditions of it’s military jail.

Put on a Charge

On the 6th November 1917 Charles Henry Bush (my first cousin three times removed), serving as a corporal with the Royal Army Medical Corps at New End Military Hospital, Hampstead was severely reprimanded by Lt. Colonel Reid for not complying with an order given by a warrant officer and for referring to his commanding officer in disrespectful language. The incident was reported by acting sergeant Major Briggs and by acting sergeant Brown.

Charles was born in Wimbledon in 1878, the son of Charles Henry Bush and Caroline Wigman, he was one of 5 children, he had an elder sister and brother Louisa and Alfred and younger siblings Nellie and William. His father Charles had died young at only 34 and his mother had re-married to William Clack, a scavenger with Wimbledon Borough Council, having a further 7 children. All living at 11 Ashbourne Terrace, Wimbledon, which had been the Bush family home before his father's death.

He married Edith Pearson on 12th June 1905 and had their first child, Charles Alfred exactly 1 year later. By 1911 Charles, Edith & Charles along with their 2nd son Herbert were living at 69 Pelham Road, Wimbledon, with Charles' occupation listed as a bill poster for a theatre. Herbert died a few months later just as their daughter Edith was born.

Charles was 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair and was 36 when the Great War started.

After serving in France during 1914, initially at No. 9 General Hospital in Nantes and then at Rouen, he was posted to New End Military Hospital in December 1914. Charles’ older brother Alfred had also served in the Royal Army Medical Corps and was attached to the 4th London Mounted Brigade but had been killed in Gallipoli in August 1915.

New End Military Hospital, Hampstead

Charles was Chief Clerk at the Hospital and he was regarded by his superior officers as a highly proficient. It was not however the first time he had been in trouble with his superior officers.

Charles Bush had served with the Royal Army Medical Corps alongside his older brother Alfred Charles Morris Bush during the Boer War in South Africa from 1901 – 1904 and during his service in South Africa was employed as the clerk to the office of the PMO Cape Colony,

Whilst stationed in Kimberley, Cape Colony in August 1902, he disobeyed company orders, leaving the camp improperly dressed. In February 1903, he again left the camp improperly dressed and also overstaying his pass – both time he was confined to barracks for seven days and on the second occasion he also lost one day’s pay.

However, his most serious offence occurred in December 1903, when he was charged with neglect of duty by leaving the door of the lunatic ward unlocked for which he was confined to barracks for ten days.

I would expect that ward would have been for soldiers suffering from what is now known as PTSD and in the First World War became known as shell shock.

One wonders if not complying with an order and disrespectful language went something like "well that's a stupid order and whoever gave it is a fool as well" which somehow sounds quite familiar.

Promoted to Corporal

On the 22^nd April 1917 William Alfred Bush, my Great Grand Uncle was promoted to acting Corporal in the 363 Motorised transport Company of the Army Service Corps.

William had been out with the British Expeditionary Force since war broke out in August 1914 and had previously served in the Army Service Corps from 1905-08. Before joining the army in 1905 he had been employed as a boiler maker and in 1911 was a house painter as were a number of his cousins

William was born in Wimbledon in 1879 and the family, his wife Elizabeth and their four children, Lillie, William, Ivy and Dorothy were living at 6 Leyton Road, Wimbledon., having previously lived in Goodenough Street, Wimbledon.

The ASC MT Companies performed a number of functions and some like the 363 company were attached to the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) as Ammunition Columns / Parks. 363 Company, which was formed May 1915 was the Ammunition Column for 18th Brigade RGA. The 18th Brigade later came under V Corps Heavy Artillery.

The heavy guns and howitzers of the RGA, with attendant equipment and ammunition, needed motorised transport to haul them. The MT Companies called Ammunition Parks operated dumps, or stores, of ammunition, with the larger calibres of artillery shells required special mechanical handling equipment.

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On a slow boat to India

James Othen married Annie Cobbold (my great grand aunt in law) in 1905 in Epsom, Surrey. They had four children Rosey (Born 1905), Mabel (1907), Alfred (born 1909) and Florence (born 1911) and in 1911 were living at 32 Folkland Hill, Dorking, with James working as a labourer.

James had been born in 1880 in Farnham, Surrey the youngest son of Charles and Elizabeth Othen. James had 4 older brothers and two older sisters. Annie Cobbold was the daughter of Alfred and Sarah Cobbold (nee Alston) and had been born in 1886 in Burnham, Essex. After marrying James the family lived in Great Bookham, Surrey where their first three children were born and then 1910/11 they moved to Dorking where Florence was born.

Annie had two older brothers Frederick (born 1874 in Braintree, Essex) and Alfred (born 1884 in Burnham, Essex). Alfred's brother in law John Joseph Graffham had been killed whilst serving in France with the 2nd Battalion The Royal West Surrey Regiment in July 1915

James had enlisted with the 5^th Reserve Battalion “The Queens” Royal West Surrey on the 5^th October 1914 aged 34 years and 6 months and was 5 feet 5 3/4 inches. He was living at 71 Orchard Rise, Dorking, Surrey and was considered physically fit. James was employed as a bricklayer's labourer at that time. 

He had been stationed in England since enlisting but on the 28^th October 1916 James, was at Devonport, embarking with the 1 / 4^th Battalion Royal West Surreys to India.

Paid three Shillings a day

On the 12^th January 1916 Corporal Charles Henry Bush, serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) was appointed Clerk. He was serving with 35th Company and was based at the New End Military Hospital in Hampsted.

New End Military Hospital

Charles had been born and grew up in Wimbledon, Surrey. He had served in South Africa and had been stationed at No. 9 General Hospital in Nantes during 1914, returning back to England at Christmas 1914. In July 1915 he had been promoted to Corporal and now with his new appointment he was being paid 3 Shillings a day.

As part of the application Charles was required to submit a letter to check hand writing and composition and in it he describes his experience as a clerk, a job he had done for over four years, including being a clerk in the office of the PMO Cape Colony and that he had been appointed as the chief clerk at the New End Military Hospital on the 25^th March 1915.

Hand writing test

His elder brother Alfred Charles Morris Bush, a Regimental Sergeant Major with the RAMC had been killed in Gallipoli in August 1915

From Painting to Fighting

As always new research uncover new facts and milestones which don't fit with the chronological order of this blog, but are nonetheless very valuable.

Victor Cyril Giles, who was my first cousin twice removed (the son of my Great Grand Aunt) arrived in France with the Army Service Corps on the 10^th April 1915.

Victor was born in 1896 in Wimbledon, Surrey to William and Elizabeth Clara Giles (Nee Bush), he was the 5^th of 9 children. He had 4 sisters; Caroline Elizabeth (born 1886), Lillie Jane (born 1888), Violet Emily (born 1899) and Ivy Elsie (born 1903) and 4 brothers; William (born 1886), Albert James (born 1893), Alfred Maurice (born 1902) and James Frederick (born 1902), all born in Wimbledon.

In 1911 the family were living in 77 Graham Road, Wimbledon. The father, William, was working as a house painter, both Victor (aged 14) and Albert (aged 17) were in domestic service. Elizabeth’s sister Jane Spice (nee Bush) was living at 57 Graham Road and her brother Albert Henry Bush (my Great Grandfather) was living at 120 Graham Road and his father in law, Joseph Lemon was living next door at 118 Graham Road.

Victor's uncle, William Alfred Bush had been out in France with the Army Service Corps since the start of the war. It is interesting to note William's occupation was the same as Victor's father - House Painter as was his 1st Cousin once removed William James Timothy Bush who was the brother of Charles Henry Bush and Alfred Charles Morris Bush who were both serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps.

One wonders if William Giles, William Alfred Bush and William J T Bush all worked together as house painters?

Life goes on

Whilst the war raged on across the globe, the natural cycle of life carried on in spite of the hardships at home.

Alfred George Cobbold (my Great grandfather in law) was celebrating the birth of another son between October and December 1915. 

James J Cobbold was born in Reigate, Surrey and was the seventh child of Alfred George and May Rosetta Cobbold (nee Graffham). Alfred was born in Burnham, Essex in 1884, he married his wife May Rosetta Graffham in 1902 in Reigate, Surrey. Their six other children were Doris May (Born 1904 Great Bookham), Maud Winifred (born 1905, Dorking), Alfred Peter (Born 1907 Great Bookham), William Fred (Born 1909, Reigate), George Edward (Born 1911, Reigate) and Ethel (Born 1913, Reigate).

In 1911 the family were living at 10 Irrigation Road, Earlswood, Reigate, with Alfred working as a Carter in the sewage works.

May’s brother JohnJoseph Graffham had been killed on the 28^th July 1915, whilst serving with the 2^nd Batallion, The Queens, Royal West Surrey Regiment.

Alfred’s brother, Frederick Cobbold had recently celebrated the birth of another son. On the 12^th October 1915 in Bromley, Herbert Leslie J Cobbold, the fifth child Frederick and Lily Cobbold (nee Penny) was born. 

Frederick was my Great Grand Uncle in law and was born in Braintree , Essex in 1874, he married his wife Lily Penny in 1900 in Epsom, Surrey. They had four other children Lily (born in 1903 in Leatherhead), Frederick (born in 1905 in Dorking), William Albert (born in 1907 in Little Bookham) and Elsie Edith (born in 1909 also in Little Bookham).

In 1911, Frederick Cobbold was working as a cowman on a farm.

As yet I’ve not been able to confirm if either Alfred or Frederick served in the military during the Great War.

Maurice Hammon arrives in France

On the 20th November 1915 Maurice Frederick Hammon arrived in France with the Royal Engineers.

Maurice, aged 36 in 1915, was my first cousin 3 times removed was born in Chlesea, London in 1879. The fifth son of six of John Frederick Hammon and Elizabeth Ann Hammon (Nee Bush).  His elder brothers were Ernest (born 1863), Frederick William (born 1866 but died the same year), Arthur (born 1871), all of whom were born in Wimbledon and Alfred (born 1873 in St.Pancras). His younger brother Frederick Sydney Hammon (born 1884 in Southwark).

In 1911 he was living at 55 Elliots Row, Southwark and he married Elizabeth Phypers in 1912 also in Southwark. Their daughter Elsie was born in Southwark in 1913 but had died towards the end of 1914. His father, John was a bricklayer by trade.

Gallipoli - Lest We Forget

The Battle of Scimitar Hill had taken place on the 21st August 1915 and in one day of fighting, the British suffered 5,300 casualties out of the 14,300 soldiers who participated. Even for Alfred Bush, Regimental Sergeant Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) attached to the 1/4th London Mounted Brigade, seasoned veteran who had served in the Army during the Boer War, it would have been a journey into hell.

The fierce fighting continued over the following days and the work for the RAMC was equally dangerous as the following abstracts from personal diaries highlight.

On the 23rd August Lieutenant George Davidson, 89th Field Ambulance, 29th Division, RAMC (who would have gone through similar experiences to Alfred Bush) commented in his diary.

"I ended my notes two days ago by remarking that we were all in good spirits over what seemed to us to be a victory. Soon after that some of us had to change our tune. Two officers were ordered up to Chocolate Hill, Towards the far end, as we neared the terrible hill, bullets were flying in hundreds- A few more hundred yards, at the double, took us to that absolute inferno, Hill 53. We got to the top through dead and dying men lined out everywhere. We at once looked up the A.D.M.S. who, along with the heads of the 29th Division, was in a deep and strongly protected dug-out. Now came the terrible and most unexpected news- Hill 72, which is separated from Hill 53 by a small dip, had been fought for all day and captured at immense cost, and was now about to be given up, it was impossible for us to hold it. "We are to give up Hill 72!" said the A.D.M.S., "And if the Turks make a night attack, as they always do after an engagement, we'll be pushed off this Hill (53) into the valley, and it is hard to say where it will end. In that case we want every stretcher-bearer we can lay our hands on to work with might and main to get the wounded back from the trenches, or they will fall into the hands of the Turks." 

This sounded terrible, but we had to face it, so we sent back for all our men who could be spared, and many regimental men had to help to carry the wounded back, which was a most difficult piece of work. In making communication trenches along which the wounded have to be carried from the firing trench, the carrying of stretchers is never considered. Traverses must be made certainly, and the narrower the trenches the better while fighting, but they should be made wide enough to let stretchers along, and the corners of the traverses should be rounded. As it was the stretchers could only be carried along the straight parts with the stretcher traverses "kicked in," and even then the backs of all the men's hands were peeled to the bone. Being- impossible to get round the corners the stretchers had to be raised above the top of the trench, and as a rule the bearers soon tired of doing this at every few yards, and got right over the parapets and carried in the open. We had a terrible night, and next morning as soon as the day began to break, although we were on the opposite side of the Hill from the enemy, they knew the range so thoroughly that they dropped their shells at the exact angle of the Hill, which was but a gentle slope, and raked it from top to bottom time after time. Those of us who escaped were lucky, but it was a bit trying to one's nerves.

The men of the 89th Field Ambulance behaved with admirable pluck, and worked hard, and up to evening we had eight men more or less badly wounded-one at least fatally, poor Adams. The 21st and 22nd were spent practically without food, and hardly a drop of water was to be had, and all suffered badly from thirst. 

For reference - poor Adams was Private Alexander Adams, 89th (1st/1st Highland) Field Ambulance aged 22.

As we came across the lake three more of our men were hit, bullets flying about for the first mile or so. To-day, after reaching our destination, and while in a shelter, a bullet hit another in the thigh, bringing our casualty list for this fight up to sixteen. All are agreed that it has been a very bloody affair, and the difficulty of seeing a way out of our present position has made all despondent, and a number of those in high positions are being torn to shreds. Our men are not grumbling, and look as if they could go through it again, but it was a very trying two days and nights. Fires broke out in the thick scrub almost at the very start of the battle, and after a few hours many acres were ablaze, and as it was largely from such places the men of both sides were firing many wounded were burned to death."

SOURCE: G. Davidson, The Incomparable 29th and the River Clyde (Aberdeen: James Gordon Bisset, 1920), pp.p167-170

On August 24th Captain Oskar Teichman, RAMC, Attached Worcestershire Yeomanry, 2nd Mounted Division – described the day:

"I obtained permission from the General for myself and orderly to walk over to Suvla " A " Beach, in order to fetch some warm clothes, as the nights were now cold. It was a distance of about 4 miles each way, by the route across the Salt Lake. We passed the position formerly held by the 32nd Field Ambulance, whose dugouts had been completely flattened out, and then followed the track over the lake, which was punctuated by dead mules. It had been found impossible to bury these animals, as the clay forming the bed of the lake was very hard and any party of men digging would have been immediately shelled. A tremendous thunderstorm suddenly came on, which made our progress across the lake very slow, as the dry clay became wet and slippery. In the evening an order was read out that we were to stand to arms every morning at 4.30 a.m., as that was apparently the usual time for a Turkish counter-attack."

SOURCE: Captain O. Teichman, "The Diary of a Yeomanry M.O. Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine and Italy" (T. Fisher Unwin Ltd London, 1921), p.36.

Regimental Sergeant Major, Alfred Charles Morris Bush died of his wounds on the 25th August 1915, it is not known if his fatal wounds were received during the battle of Scimitar Hill on the 21st or in the days following the attack. He his commemorated on the Helles memorial (Stone No 199)

Alfred Bush, aged 38, was the son of Caroline Bush, of 11, Ashbourne Terrace, Wimbledon, Surrey and the late Charles Bush and was the husband of Ellen Bush of 59, Palmerston Rd. Wimbledon. He had two young children Amy (aged 7) and George (aged 5)

The attack at Scimitar Hill on 21 August was the last attempt by the British to advance at Suvla. The front line remained between Green Hill and Scimitar Hill for the remainder of the Gallipoli campaign until the evacuation on 20 December. For Alfred Bush, my Great War Ancestor, Gallipoli became his final resting place.

Sources :
G. Davidson, The Incomparable 29th and the River Clyde (Aberdeen: James Gordon Bisset, 1920), pp.p167-170
Captain O. Teichman, "The Diary of a Yeomanry M.O. Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine and Italy" (T. Fisher Unwin Ltd London, 1921), p.36.
And with full acknowledgement of the excellent resources provided by the Gallipoli Association website.