cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian8tk2.2
title: My Dear Ralph: Letters from a family at war 1914-1918 (109)

description: This is a scanned copy of the book "My Dear Ralph: Letters from a family at war 1914-1918" (1994) by Diana M. Scarisbrick. The books contains extracts from letters  to and from members of Ms. Scarisbrick's mother's family during the First World War. Many of the letters were collected and edited by her uncle, Fr. Ralph Bains, S.J., to which many of the letters were addressed.

Scarsbrick, D. M. (1994) "My Dear Ralph: Letters of a family at war 1914-1918" London: Minerva Press.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiand284.2
title: Protection certificate and certificate of identity for Sid Jeeves

description: Protection certificate and certificate of identity for Sid Jeeves of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Part of a collection relating to Sid Jeeves.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandkdd.1
title: Letter from Reggie Bryant to Patience Huthwaite

description: Reggie's girlfriend Patience Huthwaite Jnr. was pregnant with our father (also Reginald) when he was posted with the Norfolk Regiment to Iraq to participate in the first battle of Kut, where he eventually went missing, presumed killed, on 22nd April 1916.
Reggie and Patience were not married and our father was eventually brought up in London for the first 14 years of his life by his maternal grandmother, Patience Huthwaite Snr. He was christened with his mother's surname of Huthwaite, although he was a Bryant.
Reggie Bryant came from a large family living in Diss, Norfolk.
He became a corporal in the Norfolk Regiment, but appears to have been trained at Colchester Barracks before being posted to Iraq.
His letters indicate a typical soldier's acceptance of his lot in life, and his enjoyment of a few 'jars of beer' with his mates. He even requests his girlfriend, Patience Huthwaite, in one letter, to meet him outside the barracks with a 'treacle tin of beer' as he was missing his pint.
The letters from Iraq to his mother are very poignant. They describe sitting by the Tigris looking across at the mountains in the distance. His last letter to his mother was written only two days before he went into action against the Turks at Kut, and was reported missing, presumed killed.
Patience Huthwaite eventually married Reggie's brother Clarence Bryant after the war, and therefore kept the name of Bryant going.

Editor's Comment:
Letter from Reggie Bryant to Pateince Huthwaite, sent while training with F Coy., 10th Bn. Norfolk Regiment at Reedhall Camp, Colchester, c. 1915.

Cpl. 14668 Reginald Bryant, 2nd Bn. Norfolk Regiment, missing in action 22nd April 1916, is commemorated on the Basra Memorial. Son of May Bryant, of 6, Waveney Rd., Diss, Norfolk, and the late John Bryant. One of six brothers who served. The 2nd Bn. served in Mesopotamia as part of the 6th (Poona) Division, Indian Army.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandntt.2
title: Reference for Sid Jeeves

description: Reference for Sergeant Sid Jeeves of the Royal Army Medical Corps by the officer in charge of the Bacterial and Hygiene Laboratory at Das es Salaam in Tanzania. Part of a collection relating to Sid Jeeves.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianffo.2
title: My Dear Ralph: Letters from a family at war 1914-1918 (111)

description: This is a scanned copy of the book "My Dear Ralph: Letters from a family at war 1914-1918" (1994) by Diana M. Scarisbrick. The books contains extracts from letters  to and from members of Ms. Scarisbrick's mother's family during the First World War. Many of the letters were collected and edited by her uncle, Fr. Ralph Bains, S.J., to which many of the letters were addressed.

Scarsbrick, D. M. (1994) "My Dear Ralph: Letters of a family at war 1914-1918" London: Minerva Press.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianjfpx.2
title: My Dear Ralph: Letters from a family at war 1914-1918 (108)

description: This is a scanned copy of the book "My Dear Ralph: Letters from a family at war 1914-1918" (1994) by Diana M. Scarisbrick. The books contains extracts from letters  to and from members of Ms. Scarisbrick's mother's family during the First World War. Many of the letters were collected and edited by her uncle, Fr. Ralph Bains, S.J., to which many of the letters were addressed.

Scarsbrick, D. M. (1994) "My Dear Ralph: Letters of a family at war 1914-1918" London: Minerva Press.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianjvtg.2
title: Extracts from RAMC daily orders relating to Sid Jeeves

description: Certified true copy of extracts from Royal Army Medical Corps daily orders detailing the promotions of (among others) Sid Jeeves. He was promoted to corporal on 21st November 1914, and then to acting sergeant a week later, with the promotion being confirmed on 30th August the following year. Part of a collection relating to Sid Jeeves.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianukt.1
title: Postcard of British Submarine attack on Zeebrugge Mole

description: Photograph of Zeebrugge harbour defences partially destroyed by British submarines.

Editor's Comment:
Photograph of the damage inflicted by HMS C3, commanded by Lt. R. D. Sandford, who lost his life and won the Victoria Cross in the action. Part of the diversionary attack on the Mole mounted during the Zeebrugge Raid, an amphibious assault on the port of Zeebrugge (Belgian coast). The action was intended to stop German submarines using the port as a base.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2o4z.1
title: Trench art coal scuttle made by James Fenn

description: Trench art coal scuttle made by James Fenn. He was village blacksmith at Bramfield, Suffolk, after the war.

Editor's Comment:
Trench art coal scuttle and shovel; body of scuttle made from 18 Pdr. shell case, with cap badge of Royal artiller affixed. 

Shoeing Smith 19360 James W. Fenn, Royal Field Artillery.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2pb5.2
title: Hampshire Regiment cap badge

description: Badge belonging to Frank Dowdeswell.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian6n9a.1
title: Letter from Gunner Alfred Beaumont R.F.A.

description: This letter was written by my grandfather to his mother as he was waiting to be sent to France.At the time his wife was also away from home, working in a munitions factory and their three children were being cared for by their grandmother.It is clear from the way in which he thanked her for all she had done for them that he was very aware that he might never see his family again.He did survive the war but his health was wrecked after being gassed and he died prematurely from the effects of his war service.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian6yrn.2
title: Artillery cap badge

description: Badge belonging to Frank Dowdeswell.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian6zx3.2
title: Mentioned in despatches certificate for Sid Jeeves

description: Certificate recording a mention of Sergeant S. Jeeves of the Royal Army Medical Corps in a despatch from Lieutenant General Sir J. L. van Deventer, KCB CMG, on 30th September 1918. The certificate is dated 1st March 1919. Part of a collection relating to Sid Jeeves.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian81rc.2
title: Middlesex Regiment cap badge

description: Badge belonged to Frank Dowdeswell.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian84nl.1
title: Memoirs in letter form of Horace Ronald Eddison

description: Memoires of Horace Eddison. Details his joining up in 1914, home service in hospitals in England, service in France from December 1916 (including the battle of Arras in 1917), and employment in the manufacturing of Soda water. He was demobilised in 1919.
Partly transcribed as an article 'Soda Water Merchant', in 'Stand To!: The Journal of the Western Front Association', No. 63 (January 2002), pp. 20-21. Article includes a photograph of Horace Eddison taken when a Pte. 

Sgt. 28341 Horace Ronald Eddison, 10th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian8i4d.2
title: Gloucestershire Regiment rear cap badge (1)

description: Badge belonging to Frank Dowdeswell.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian8s9u.1
title: Letter confirming Reggie Bryant Missing in Action.

description: Reggie's girlfriend Patience Huthwaite Jnr. was pregnant with our father (also Reginald) when he was posted with the Norfolk Regiment to Iraq to participate in the first battle of Kut, where he eventually went missing, presumed killed, on 22nd April 1916.
Reggie and Patience were not married and our father was eventually brought up in London for the first 14 years of his life by his maternal grandmother, Patience Huthwaite Snr. He was christened with his mother's surname of Huthwaite, although he was a Bryant.
Reggie Bryant came from a large family living in Diss, Norfolk.
He became a corporal in the Norfolk Regiment, but appears to have been trained at Colchester Barracks before being posted to Iraq.
His letters indicate a typical soldier's acceptance of his lot in life, and his enjoyment of a few 'jars of beer' with his mates. He even requests his girlfriend, Patience Huthwaite, in one letter, to meet him outside the barracks with a 'treacle tin of beer' as he was missing his pint.
The letters from Iraq to his mother are very poignant. They describe sitting by the Tigris looking across at the mountains in the distance. His last letter to his mother was written only two days before he went into action against the Turks at Kut, and was reported missing, presumed killed.
Patience Huthwaite eventually married Reggie's brother Clarence Bryant after the war, and therefore kept the name of Bryant going.

Editor's Comment:
Official letter sent as a reply to Patience Huthwaite's enquiry of 31st December 1916, concerning her sweetheart, Reggie Bryant, missing in action, 22nd April 1916. No further information had been received. 

Cpl. 14668 Reginald Bryant, 2nd Bn. Norfolk Regiment, missing in action 22nd April 1916, is commemorated on the Basra Memorial. Son of May Bryant, of 6, Waveney Rd., Diss, Norfolk, and the late John Bryant. One of six brothers who served. The 2nd Bn. served in Mesopotamia as part of the 6th (Poona) Division, Indian Army.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian8w36.2
title: Tunic buttons (2)

description: Buttons belonged to Frank Dowdeswell.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianbbm.2
title: Gloucestershire Regiment rear cap badge (2)

description: Badge belonging to Frank Dowdeswell.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiand8fw.1
title: Letter from Osborne Pigrome to his elder brother Ted

description: Letter from Osborne Pigrome to his brother Edward Pigrome. One of 42 written to the addressee from 18th June 1915 to 8th December 1918. Osborne served in France from 1917 until the end of 1918. Before and after the war, he was a regular weekend watercolour painter. According to family stories, Osborne never spoke about the Great War. He never married and lived quietly with two elder sisters and a niece. Born 4th February 1880, died 26th April 1963. 

Editor's Comment:
Pte. 2314 (later 301475) Osborne Pigrome, 2/5th (City of London) Bn. Territorial Force (London Rifle Brigade), later 28th (County of London) Bn. Territorial Force (Artists Rifles).
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandmlb.2
title: Badge: Comrades of the Great War

description: Badge belonging to Frank Dowdeswell.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandn2h.1
title: Photographs taken by George Henry Morton

description: Photographs taken by George Morton. Top left and right seem to be of a lighthouse ship; middle a group of Spanish aircraftsmen; bottom left a sailing boat, bottom right a pair of Spanish aircraftsmen. 

George Henry Herbert Morton has no medal card in the Nation Archives records, suggesting that he went overseas too late to qualify for the War or Victory Medals. He seems to have been attached to the staff of the British Air Attache in Madrid, Lt. Col. Sandy.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianj68u.2
title: Confirmation of promotion for Sid Jeeves

description: Typewritten certified true copy of confirmation of promotions. Part of a collection relating to Sid Jeeves of the Royal Army Medical Corps.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianj9li.2
title: Tunic buttons (1)

description: Buttons belonged to Frank Dowdeswell.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianjfe3.1
title: Postcard of James Hinchliffe on HMS Barham

description: James Hinchliffe (my grandfather) is standing in the centre of the photograph.  James was living near Huddersfield when he joined up on 10th November 1916 and served on the Victory before joining the Barham on 17th January 1917 (I have his service record if you require any further information).

After working out the exact date of the photograph I researched HMS Barham at the National Archives - when the photo was taken the ship was berthed at Scapa Flow B4 berth.

The post card is to his wife Annie (nee Bamforth) As the writing is in faint pencil - I have transcribed the postcard:

Dearest Wife,
I am sending you these few photos on an you will see by them what a smile we have got on.  The one on the right of me sat down, is the local lad who got married on leave.  My mess mate stood up on the left of me is also married.  You will see just behind us the fenders we put out on the ships side when another comes alongside.  That is to stop them damaging one another.  We were taken amidships.  They are not bad are they to say an amateur took them.  I have never been caught smiling before have I.  Don't forget to send our Allen and your John one.  I have changed one for  one of my chums photo.  Hoping you are in the best of health as I am at present so good night old girl and pleasant dreams.  Yours for ever.  James.  xxxxx

Editor's Comment:
J61701 James Hinchliffe, born Huddersfield, Yorkshire, 19th September 1895.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianjv2j.1
title: Photographs of George Henry Morton

description: Photographs of George Henry Morton. The top group is presumably the staff of the British Air Attache in Madrid, with attached Spanish aircraftsmen. The Royal Air Force Other Ranks wear the 1918 pattern unifrom. Seated middle is a Petty Officer of the Royal Navy. The middle photograph is of George Morton and Len King, both wearing the 1918 pattern Royal Air Force uniform, but with collar badges of the Royal Army Medical Corps.  

George Henry Herbert Morton has no medal card in the Nation Archives records, suggesting that he went overseas too late to qualify for the War or Victory Medals. He seems to have been attached to the staff of the British Air Attache in Madrid, Lt. Col. Sandy.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiany4p.1
title: Trench art plane made by James Fenn

description: Trench art fighter plane made by James Fenn. He was village blacksmith at Bramfield, Suffolk, after the war.

Editor's Comment:
Base made from cut down 18 Pdr. shell case, manufactured in August 1916. Plane stand and rear fusilage made from two  Lebel rounds (French small arms ammunition), rest of plane made from scrap brass. 

Shoeing Smith 19360 James W. Fenn, Royal Field Artillery.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2g3s.1
title: Photograph and Medal card of Isaac Oakley Leach

description: Name: LEACH 
Initials: I O 
Nationality: United Kingdom 
Rank: Private 
Regiment/Service: King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 
Unit Text: 1st/5th Bn. 
Age: 38 
Date of Death: 22/04/1918 
Service No: 36811 
Additional information: Husband of Eleanor Leach, of 56, Stourbridge Rd., Scotts Green, Dudley, Worcs. 
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead 
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. G. 11. 
Cemetery: VALENCIENNES (ST. ROCH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY 

Information from the CWGC website. With thanks.

Submitted by Isaac Oakley Leach's brother's VERY PROUD Great Grandaughter Linda Rudnicki.

Remembered always...
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2j3b.2
title: New Testament (3)

description: Pocket New Testament, name inscribed inside is Pte Frank George Dowdeswell, 13550 8th Gloucestershire Regiment. Pressed flowers were inserted between the pages.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2vbc.2
title: Embroidered card 'Love and best wishes from Sheerness' (2)

description: Sent by Frank Dowdeswell to his sister.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian6km1.1
title: Dinner menu from H.M. Hospital Ship S.S. "Galeka" (First Class)

description: Menu card from S.S. "Galeka" of the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Line. Requisitioned for the war effort and serving as a hospital ship, she was mined in the English Channel in late 1916.

Editor's Comment: 
The first Class dining room was presumably reserved for officers. To the reverse of the menu is a price list of wines, etc. 

First employed as a troopship for the Gallipoli campaign, landing the 6th and 7th Bns., Australian Imperial Force, at Anzac Cove on the morning of 25th April 1915.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian81r.1
title: Leonard Jackson 54993 Family Portraits
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian83s.2
title: New Testament (2)

description: Pocket New Testament, name inscribed inside is Pte Frank George Dowdeswell, 13550 8th Gloucestershire Regiment. Pressed flowers were inserted between the pages.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian85hm.2
title: Embroidered postcard 'To My Dear Mother' (1)

description: Sent by Frank Dowdeswell.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian8hmf.1
title: Newspaper cutting 'Kirstead Family Don the Khaki': photographs of six Taylor brothers, with related medal trio.

description: Newspaper cutting 'Kirstead Family Don Khaki', a captioned photograph montage of the six Taylor brothers in uniform, the sons of Mrs. M. A. Taylor and the late J. Taylor, of 42 Kirstead Ling, Norwich. Three of the brothers were killed in June - July 1916, and are remembered on the Kirstead Green War Memorial. Also attached is a medal trio, comprising the 1914-15 Star, War, and Victory medals, awarded to one of the brothers. 
As numbered in the photograph, the brothers are:

1. Pte. Walter Taylor, Royal Marine Light Infantry, serving aboard HMS Hindustan, part of the 3rd Battle Squadron, The Grand Fleet. During February to May, 1918, she was the depot ship for the Zeebrugge and Ostend raids. 

2. Pte. Sam Taylor, Army Service Corps.

3. Pte. Herbert taylor, 2nd Bn. Norfolk Regiment.

4. Pte. 3/7059 Ernest Edward Taylor, 7th Bn. Norfolk Regiment, attached 160th Coy., Royal Engineers. Killed in Action 21st June 1916, buried in Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais. 

5. Pte. 13326 George Alfred Taylor, 8th Bn. Norfolk Regiment, Killed in Action 19th July 1916, remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme. The 8th Bn. was part of the 18th (Eastern) Division, which took part in the Battle of Bazentin Ridge, the second phase of the Battle of the Somme, on 14th July 1916. 

6. Pte. 16836 Albert William Taylor, 1st Bn. Norfolk Regiment. Killed in Action 4th June 1916, buried in Faubourg d'Amiend Cemetery, Arras. The 1st Bn. was part of the 5th division, holding the line in front of Arras from March 1916 until the second phase of the Battle fo the Somme.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian8whx.1
title: Matchbox and contained letter from Sgt Major George Cavan to his family

description: George Cavan was a sergeant major in the Highland Light Infantry. He lived with his family, wife Jean and 3 daughters, in The Drill Hall in Carluke Scotland. While away at training camp the orders came through to dispatch to France. The train he was on with his troops went through his home station but did not stop there. He threw out onto the station a matchbox containing a note to his family. On one side was the name of his wife and on the other the message to the family. Someone picked up the matchbox and delivered it to the family. George was killed just a few days after arriving at the Front in France. He lies in an unmarked grave near Ypres. His name is on the memorial there.

Editor's Comment:
Company Serjeant Major 7988 George Cavan, 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Bn. Highland Light Infantry, Killed in Action 13th April 1918, is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial. The 9th Bn. formed part of the 33rd Division, heavily engaged on the 12th-15th April resisting the German 'Spring Offensive' of 1918, in what would become known as the battle of Hazebrouck (second phase of the Battle of the Lys).
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandim1.2
title: Envelope addressed to Frank Dowdeswell from E. Pritchard (1)

description: This is an envelope which was originally sent by Ethel Pritchard to her sweetheart Frank Dowdeswell, 7th Batt. Buffs Reg.t, B. E. Force, France - but which has been re-directed to numerous military hospitals in England, including Cheltenham where Ethel and Frank lived. The dates on the postmarks are from August-September 1918.

Ethel and Frank were the parents of Pam Hyett.

Part of a collection relating to the service of Frank (7th Buffs) and Bob (Army Service Corps) Dowdeswell, of Shaw Green, Prestbury, nr Cheltenham. Bob died in April 1917 after a lorry accident.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandlg2.1
title: Luncheon menu from H.M. Hospital Ship S.S. "Llandovery Castle" (First Class)

description: Menu card from S.S. "Llandovery Castle" of the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Line. Requisitioned for the war effort and serving as a hospital ship, she was torpedoed off southern Ireland on 27th June 1918 by U-86. After the crew abandoned ship, the submarine surfaced and ran down the lifeboats, firing on people in the water. One lifeboat crew of 24 survived out of 258 men and women onboard. 

Editor's Comment:
The first Class dining room was presumably reserved for officers. To the reverse of the menu is a price list of wines, etc. 

After the war, the commander of the Submarine Ober-Leutnant zur See Helmut Patzig was arraigned for war crimes at Leipzig by the British, but by the time the case came to court (23rd May 1921) had disappeared.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianjjfv.1
title: Christmas Card from Osborne Pigrome

description: Christmas Card from the Artists Rifles, with cap badge to front. Inside, a copy of a pen and ink sketch of a church and village scene by Osborne Pigrome. Before and after the war, he was a regular weekend watercolour painter. According to family stories, Osborne never spoke about the Great War. He never married and lived quietly with two elder sisters and a niece. Born 4th February 1880, died 26th April 1963. 

Pte. 2314 (later 301475) Osborne Pigrome, 2/5th (City of London) Bn. Territorial Force (London Rifle Brigade), later 28th (County of London) Bn. Territorial Force (Artists Rifles).