cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiand3a8.2
title: Telegrams and official letters re. Charles W. Carr - missing presumed dead during the Battle of Paschendale (3)

description: These telegrams and other official communications were sent to the family of Charles W. Carr when it was believed he was missing - presumed killed, and then when it was discovered he was in fact alive, but seriously wounded.

Charles Carr's son, Tony, has researched the battle in which his father was seriously wounded.

Sergeant Charles W. Carr, with D Company of the 2/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, attacked Pond Farm on 22 August 1917. They captured this heavily fortified German position - manned by 50 picked machine gunners and 5 guns - "but my father did not make it!" In fact the official history of the regiment records that two 2nd Lieuts. and 16 other ranks were killed (the officer commanding D Company Capt. S. Tubbs had been killed earlier that day), and another 2nd Lieut. "and 51 other ranks were wounded and one other missing" - the one missing was probably Tony Carr's father. The story passed down is that Charles witnessed his friends being killed next to him as they charged Pond Farm, and he was machine gunned in the legs. He was lain down in a shell hole with another British soldier and some Germans (wounded and/or prisoners). Charles' mate Sidney Brunt passed by and shouted that he would go and get some medics for Charlie and his comrade. In the meantime some other medics arrived and removed Charlie. Before Sidney and the stretcher-bearers returned another bomb landed in the shellhole and blew where Charlie had lain to smithereens. When Sidney did return he assumed his friend had been killed. When it was possible he sent a telegram to Charles' family explaining some of this, and the family did not receive word from Charles himself until the 27th August.

Part of large collection of photos and memoribilia relating to Serjeant 3091 (later 240965) Charles Woodward Carr, 2/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment - kept by Mrs Gill Porter and Mr Tony Carr of their father.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiand5gi.2
title: Rev.Dr. Duncan Strang (32)

description: Unpublished history Seaforth Highlanders. Battle of Mons to the Battle of the Aisne 1914

Compiled by Rev.Strang who had been a Major in the 9th Seaforth Highlanders
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandeou.2
title: Rev.Dr. Duncan Strang (25)

description: Unpublished history Seaforth Highlanders. Battle of Mons to the Battle of the Aisne 1914

Compiled by Rev.Strang who had been a Major in the 9th Seaforth Highlanders
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandjzo.2
title: Photograph of Albert William Croft.  2nd Suffolks (19)

description: Metal truncion.  Issued to Lewis gunners
Medal group
Allbert William Croft
Postcard home
Certificate of Education
Group.  Albert, very tall soldier 4th from left
Letter to mother
Wounded notification
POW Certificate (German)
POW notification
POW photo (Albert is to the right)
Photo of German camp guards (?)
POW card.  Red Cross
Letter from POW camp
Welcome Home programme and Menu
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandmv1.2
title: Letter from Walter Edward Pitcher (2)

description: Letter sent by Pte. Pitcher to his sister, Winifred Hilda Pitcher.
Pte. 325583 (9/7067) Walter Edward Pitcher, 1st/9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (transferred from the Norfolk Regiment), was killed in action aged 28 on 13th July 1917 and is buried in Wancourt Military Cemetery. Son of George H. and Mary A. Pitcher, of 12, Goldsmith St., Dereham Rd., Norwich.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandnsv.2
title: Report of poisonings by jellyfish (1)

description: Report about the medical treatment of a number of soldiers stung by jellyfish whilst swimming at Malo. Report probably written by my grandfather, Dr E Bertram Smith (who served with the Friends' Ambulance Unit, but was seconded to the Red Cross at the Queen Alexandra hospital, Malo-les-Bains, Dunkirk). This is a copy report in blue ink on flimsy paper, 2 pages.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandrqn.2
title: Telegrams and official letters re. Charles W. Carr - missing presumed dead during the Battle of Paschendale (5)

description: These telegrams and other official communications were sent to the family of Charles W. Carr when it was believed he was missing - presumed killed, and then when it was discovered he was in fact alive, but seriously wounded.

Charles Carr's son, Tony, has researched the battle in which his father was seriously wounded.

Sergeant Charles W. Carr, with D Company of the 2/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, attacked Pond Farm on 22 August 1917. They captured this heavily fortified German position - manned by 50 picked machine gunners and 5 guns - "but my father did not make it!" In fact the official history of the regiment records that two 2nd Lieuts. and 16 other ranks were killed (the officer commanding D Company Capt. S. Tubbs had been killed earlier that day), and another 2nd Lieut. "and 51 other ranks were wounded and one other missing" - the one missing was probably Tony Carr's father. The story passed down is that Charles witnessed his friends being killed next to him as they charged Pond Farm, and he was machine gunned in the legs. He was lain down in a shell hole with another British soldier and some Germans (wounded and/or prisoners). Charles' mate Sidney Brunt passed by and shouted that he would go and get some medics for Charlie and his comrade. In the meantime some other medics arrived and removed Charlie. Before Sidney and the stretcher-bearers returned another bomb landed in the shellhole and blew where Charlie had lain to smithereens. When Sidney did return he assumed his friend had been killed. When it was possible he sent a telegram to Charles' family explaining some of this, and the family did not receive word from Charles himself until the 27th August.

Part of large collection of photos and memoribilia relating to Serjeant 3091 (later 240965) Charles Woodward Carr, 2/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment - kept by Mrs Gill Porter and Mr Tony Carr of their father.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandva4.2
title: Photograph of Albert William Croft.  2nd Suffolks (20)

description: Metal truncion.  Issued to Lewis gunners
Medal group
Allbert William Croft
Postcard home
Certificate of Education
Group.  Albert, very tall soldier 4th from left
Letter to mother
Wounded notification
POW Certificate (German)
POW notification
POW photo (Albert is to the right)
Photo of German camp guards (?)
POW card.  Red Cross
Letter from POW camp
Welcome Home programme and Menu
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandxae.2
title: Letter from Walter Edward Pitcher (3)

description: Letter sent by Pte. Pitcher to his sister, Winifred Hilda Pitcher.
Pte. 325583 (9/7067) Walter Edward Pitcher, 1st/9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (transferred from the Norfolk Regiment), was killed in action aged 28 on 13th July 1917 and is buried in Wancourt Military Cemetery. Son of George H. and Mary A. Pitcher, of 12, Goldsmith St., Dereham Rd., Norwich.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiandxdh.2
title: Embroidery on post cards (11)

description: These are from my wife's aunt, who's father was in the trenches during the Great War.  We have no further details on him.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianiw5.2
title: Rev.Dr. Duncan Strang (29)

description: Unpublished history Seaforth Highlanders. Battle of Mons to the Battle of the Aisne 1914

Compiled by Rev.Strang who had been a Major in the 9th Seaforth Highlanders
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianj3au.2
title: Photograph of Albert William Croft.  2nd Suffolks (18)

description: Metal truncion.  Issued to Lewis gunners
Medal group
Allbert William Croft
Postcard home
Certificate of Education
Group.  Albert, very tall soldier 4th from left
Letter to mother
Wounded notification
POW Certificate (German)
POW notification
POW photo (Albert is to the right)
Photo of German camp guards (?)
POW card.  Red Cross
Letter from POW camp
Welcome Home programme and Menu
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianj6d4.2
title: The Allies Mug 1914 (2)

description: A china mug from 1914 showing the allied troops (Colonies, France, Britain, Belgium,  India, Russia, Servia and Japan) in their various uniforms.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianj8oa.2
title: Rev.Dr. Duncan Strang (27)

description: Unpublished history Seaforth Highlanders. Battle of Mons to the Battle of the Aisne 1914

Compiled by Rev.Strang who had been a Major in the 9th Seaforth Highlanders
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianj9v6.2
title: Letter from Walter Edward Pitcher (3)

description: Letter sent by Pte. Pitcher to his sister, Winifred Hilda Pitcher.
Pte. 325583 (9/7067) Walter Edward Pitcher, 1st/9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (transferred from the Norfolk Regiment), was killed in action aged 28 on 13th July 1917 and is buried in Wancourt Military Cemetery. Son of George H. and Mary A. Pitcher, of 12, Goldsmith St., Dereham Rd., Norwich.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianji5c.2
title: Letter from Walter Edward Pitcher (4)

description: Letter sent by Pte. Pitcher to his sister, Winifred Hilda Pitcher.
Pte. 325583 (9/7067) Walter Edward Pitcher, 1st/9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (transferred from the Norfolk Regiment), was killed in action aged 28 on 13th July 1917 and is buried in Wancourt Military Cemetery. Son of George H. and Mary A. Pitcher, of 12, Goldsmith St., Dereham Rd., Norwich.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianjidj.2
title: Jewellery box made by member of Royal Naval Division (1)

description: On 11th October 1914, 1,500 men of the First Royal Naval Brigade were interned at Groningen in neutral Holland, having determined that they would not be captured by the Germans.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianjrzk.2
title: Photograph of Albert William Croft.  2nd Suffolks (22)

description: Metal truncion.  Issued to Lewis gunners
Medal group
Allbert William Croft
Postcard home
Certificate of Education
Group.  Albert, very tall soldier 4th from left
Letter to mother
Wounded notification
POW Certificate (German)
POW notification
POW photo (Albert is to the right)
Photo of German camp guards (?)
POW card.  Red Cross
Letter from POW camp
Welcome Home programme and Menu
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianjvst.2
title: Report of poisonings by jellyfish (2)

description: Report about the medical treatment of a number of soldiers stung by jellyfish whilst swimming at Malo. Report probably written by my grandfather, Dr E Bertram Smith (who served with the Friends' Ambulance Unit, but was seconded to the Red Cross at the Queen Alexandra hospital, Malo-les-Bains, Dunkirk). This is a copy report in blue ink on flimsy paper, 2 pages.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianocj.2
title: Photograph of Albert William Croft.  2nd Suffolks (17)

description: Metal truncion.  Issued to Lewis gunners
Medal group
Allbert William Croft
Postcard home
Certificate of Education
Group.  Albert, very tall soldier 4th from left
Letter to mother
Wounded notification
POW Certificate (German)
POW notification
POW photo (Albert is to the right)
Photo of German camp guards (?)
POW card.  Red Cross
Letter from POW camp
Welcome Home programme and Menu
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianpy1.2
title: Photograph of Albert William Croft.  2nd Suffolks (23)

description: Metal truncion.  Issued to Lewis gunners
Medal group
Allbert William Croft
Postcard home
Certificate of Education
Group.  Albert, very tall soldier 4th from left
Letter to mother
Wounded notification
POW Certificate (German)
POW notification
POW photo (Albert is to the right)
Photo of German camp guards (?)
POW card.  Red Cross
Letter from POW camp
Welcome Home programme and Menu
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianr85i.2
title: Letter from Walter Edward Pitcher (5)

description: Letter sent by Pte. Pitcher to his sister, Winifred Hilda Pitcher.
Pte. 325583 (9/7067) Walter Edward Pitcher, 1st/9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (transferred from the Norfolk Regiment), was killed in action aged 28 on 13th July 1917 and is buried in Wancourt Military Cemetery. Son of George H. and Mary A. Pitcher, of 12, Goldsmith St., Dereham Rd., Norwich.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianskw.2
title: Jewellery box made by member of Royal Naval Division (2)

description: On 11th October 1914, 1,500 men of the First Royal Naval Brigade were interned at Groningen in neutral Holland, having determined that they would not be captured by the Germans.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiansqs.2
title: Letter to Mr G. Pitcher informing him of the death of his son, Walter Edward Pitcher (1)

description: Letter sent by 2/Lt. C. D. B. Cluff, 9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry, to Mr G. Pitcher, father of Pte. Walter Edward Pitcher, informing him of his son's death.
Pte. 325583 (9/7067) Walter Edward Pitcher, 1st/9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (transferred from the Norfolk Regiment), was killed in action aged 28 on 13th July 1917 and is buried in Wancourt Military Cemetery. Son of George H. and Mary A. Pitcher, of 12, Goldsmith St., Dereham Rd., Norwich.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleiantkg.2
title: Trench fighting pocket notebooks of Charles W. Carr (5)

description: Sample pages from two Trench Warfare and Bombing pocket notebooks completed by Charles W. Carr, one is actually marked L. Cpl CW Carr, so these are probably prior to becoming a Sergeant. The writing is very neat and illustrated with colour sketches and show how to instruct men in various skills. The trainer's comments are annotated in red ink. The pages copied include: Musketry; Rapid Loading; Rapid Fire; Trench fighting; Formation of grenade party [for raiding enemy trenches], and how to progress down a hostile trench; and the Mk I (Mills - Lemon) bomb. From other notes/certificates in the collection these courses were probably completed in France in 1916.

Part of large collection of photos and memoribilia relating to Serjeant 3091 (later 240965) Charles Woodward Carr, 2/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment - kept by Mrs Gill Porter and Mr Tony Carr of their father.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleianvx.2
title: Letter from Walter Edward Pitcher (1)

description: Letter sent by Pte. Pitcher to his sister, Winifred Hilda Pitcher.
Pte. 325583 (9/7067) Walter Edward Pitcher, 1st/9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (transferred from the Norfolk Regiment), was killed in action aged 28 on 13th July 1917 and is buried in Wancourt Military Cemetery. Son of George H. and Mary A. Pitcher, of 12, Goldsmith St., Dereham Rd., Norwich.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian1hx.2
title: Photograph of William Henry Dyson

description: This is My Husbands Grandfather William Henry Dyson Born 1896 Liverpool. He served in the Cheshire Regt. and Also A.S.C.

Editor's Comment:
Pte. Dyson here wears the cap badge of the Cheshire Regiment.

Pte. 29532 William Henry Dyson, Cheshire Regiment (later
Army Service Corps, service no. T/278160, which indicates involvement with transport).
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian28st.2
title: Photograph of C.S.M John Cummings.  10/11 btn H.L.I. (7)

description: John Cummings left the army in 1890,served in the South African Constabulary and then rejoined the British Army at the outbreak of war. Sadly as a Company Sgt. Major (11 Bt. HLI) he was killed on 18th June 1916


Letter to wife
John Cummings
Grave registration
Grave
Cpl.Cummings
Photo.  Officers and Sgt. 11th HLI.  John is possibly the Sgt. front row far left
Death report
Notification of cemetery
Post death notification of Mention in Despatches (MiD)
MiD certificate
Army discharge 1890
Football medal
Death penny
Medals and boxes
South African Constbulary.  Discharge 1901
HLI clasp
C.S.M. Crown (rank)
ID tags
Penknife
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2d9c.2
title: Photograph of C.S.M John Cummings.  10/11 btn H.L.I. (4)

description: John Cummings left the army in 1890,served in the South African Constabulary and then rejoined the British Army at the outbreak of war. Sadly as a Company Sgt. Major (11 Bt. HLI) he was killed on 18th June 1916


Letter to wife
John Cummings
Grave registration
Grave
Cpl.Cummings
Photo.  Officers and Sgt. 11th HLI.  John is possibly the Sgt. front row far left
Death report
Notification of cemetery
Post death notification of Mention in Despatches (MiD)
MiD certificate
Army discharge 1890
Football medal
Death penny
Medals and boxes
South African Constbulary.  Discharge 1901
HLI clasp
C.S.M. Crown (rank)
ID tags
Penknife
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2hk6.2
title: Rev.Dr. Duncan Strang (38)

description: Unpublished history Seaforth Highlanders. Battle of Mons to the Battle of the Aisne 1914

Compiled by Rev.Strang who had been a Major in the 9th Seaforth Highlanders
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2jcs.2
title: Nurse's autograph book

description: My Great Aunt, Hannah Allan (known as Nan) was born in 1886 and died in 1974. She never married and was a nurse for much of her life - I believe she was a Queen Alexandra nurse for at least part of her career. During the First World War, she was a nurse at the Military Hosptital in Leaf Square, Pendleton, Manchester. I believe this was located in a building taken over temporarily from the Salford Grammar School. In common with many other nurses, she collected material from her patients, which they wrote in an album in the ward. This included poems, tributes to the nurses, drawings and many accounts - some of them quite chilling - of the battles the soldiers had fought in. The entire contents of this album, which has remained in my family since the Great War, are included in the attachment. (Please ignore blank pages). Unfortunately, some of the contributions, especially those written in pencil, are somewhat faint but others are very clear. My Great Aunt occasionally used to talk about her experiences in the Military Hospital but, like many a Great Nephew, I didn't pay sufficient attention. However, I do recall her saying that, on one occasion, the medical staff had to evacuate the building during a German Zeppelin raid in the area. I also remember her saying, with some emphasis that the soldiers 'did swear' and this must have made a deep impression on a young, single woman in the early years of the last century. Great Aunt Nan was a character who had the knack of arousing much amusement, often unintentionally!
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2khg.2
title: Photograph of 2683 William Albert Wenham (2)

description: Photograph of 2683 William Albert Wenham, 1/5th Lincolnshire Regt. Wearing British Army Service Dress. No rank, regiment, or other insignia visible. Probably taken in France in 1916 but date and location uncertain. Sent home to family from Germany after he was captured.

William Albert Wenham was born 15 September 1890 in Hamilton Street, Grimsby, Lincs, son of Thomas (captain of a fishing smack) and Hannah. In the 1901 census the family was living in Rutland Street, Grimsby. William joined 1/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (a Territorial Force battalion). His service number 2683 suggests that he enlisted in September 1914. He played in goal for his company and battalion football teams. He arrived in France with his battalion on 1st March 1915, qualifying for the 1914-15 Star. On 13th December 1915 he married Lillian Pearson at St Aidan's church, Cleethorpes, while home on leave. On 6th December 1916 he went on a night patrol into No Man's Land with Lt. Robert Sandall and 14 other men. At about 9.30pm the patrol was attacked by a German patrol from 77th Reserve Infantry Regiment on the Hannescamps to Essarts road (most likely somewhere in 57D NE2 E.17). William was wounded in the leg and the right elbow (probably by a grenade - he is said to have had a piece of shrapnel in his arm for the rest of his life) and captured. He was held at Wahn PoW camp until 20th December and by 21st December had been moved to a hospital in Alexandrinenstrasse, Berlin. By February 1917 he had recovered and was sent to Cottbus Camp No I at Sielow where he remained until the end of the war. After TF renumbering in 1917 he was given the new number 240601 but continued to use his old 4 digit number in all his correspondence. During his time at Cottbus he was part of a concert party known as the Bing Bong Boys. A surviving program from the "Cottbus Empire" theatre also shows him performing a solo spot as a vocalist. He was finally disembodied on 16th March 1919.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2lvs.2
title: Letter (1)

description: A letter from Richard Martin to his sister Dolly.
Richard was killed at the Battle of Loos, 13 October 1915
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2mk4.2
title: Last letter from Winifred Hilda Pitcher to Walter Edward Pitcher (3)

description: Last letter from Winifred Pitcher (1900-1975) to her brother, Private Walter Pitcher (1888-1917). 
Pte. 325583 (9/7067) Walter Edward Pitcher, 1st/9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (transferred from the Norfolk Regiment), was killed in action aged 28 on 13th July 1917 and is buried in Wancourt Military Cemetery. Son of George H. and Mary A. Pitcher, of 12, Goldsmith St., Dereham Rd., Norwich.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2nqb.2
title: Letter to Mr G. Pitcher informing him of the death of his son, Walter Edward Pitcher (3)

description: Letter sent by 2/Lt. C. D. B. Cluff, 9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry, to Mr G. Pitcher, father of Pte. Walter Edward Pitcher, informing him of his son's death.
Pte. 325583 (9/7067) Walter Edward Pitcher, 1st/9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (transferred from the Norfolk Regiment), was killed in action aged 28 on 13th July 1917 and is buried in Wancourt Military Cemetery. Son of George H. and Mary A. Pitcher, of 12, Goldsmith St., Dereham Rd., Norwich.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2we5.2
title: Rev.Dr. Duncan Strang (42)

description: Unpublished history Seaforth Highlanders. Battle of Mons to the Battle of the Aisne 1914

Compiled by Rev.Strang who had been a Major in the 9th Seaforth Highlanders
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian2z44.2
title: Papers relating to Lillie Sarvent's application for a War Pension after the death of her husband in 1927 (1)

description: Papers appertaining to Lillie Sarvents' attempts to get a war pension. George was gassed in the first world war, and died in 1927. The Ministry of Pensions decided that his death was not connected to his service in the Great war.

During the First World War George was a Lance Bombardier (or Bombardier depending on which document you refer to) No. 120790, 244S. Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was gassed and admitted to Ward F3, No.12 General Hospital, Rouen on July 22, 1917. 

Some time after George died July 9, 1927 Lillie tried to get a war pension. As George was not in receipt of a disablement pension or allowance under the Royal Warrant at the time of his death Lillie was not eligible for the grant of a pension. The Ministry could not regard George's death as being connected with his service during the Great War.
George died aged 46 from 1a) Plurisy with effusion b) Pneumonicis. This was often attributed, by those who knew him, to being gassed in the war.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian6566.2
title: Last letter from Winifred Hilda Pitcher to Walter Edward Pitcher (1)

description: Last letter from Winifred Pitcher (1900-1975) to her brother, Private Walter Pitcher (1888-1917). 
Pte. 325583 (9/7067) Walter Edward Pitcher, 1st/9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (transferred from the Norfolk Regiment), was killed in action aged 28 on 13th July 1917 and is buried in Wancourt Military Cemetery. Son of George H. and Mary A. Pitcher, of 12, Goldsmith St., Dereham Rd., Norwich.
DOI: 10.5287/bodleian6fsi.2
title: Photograph of C.S.M John Cummings.  10/11 btn H.L.I. (1)

description: John Cummings left the army in 1890,served in the South African Constabulary and then rejoined the British Army at the outbreak of war. Sadly as a Company Sgt. Major (11 Bt. HLI) he was killed on 18th June 1916


Letter to wife
John Cummings
Grave registration
Grave
Cpl.Cummings
Photo.  Officers and Sgt. 11th HLI.  John is possibly the Sgt. front row far left
Death report
Notification of cemetery
Post death notification of Mention in Despatches (MiD)
MiD certificate
Army discharge 1890
Football medal
Death penny
Medals and boxes
South African Constbulary.  Discharge 1901
HLI clasp
C.S.M. Crown (rank)
ID tags
Penknife