38672 Pte Bertie Kemp, 4th Bn, North Staffs Regt

38672 Private Bertie Kemp of the 4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, was killed in action on the 29th Aprl 1918. He was 23 years old, the son of William B and Mary Beatrice Kemp of Somersal Hill, Doveridge, Derby. Bertie was living at Rocester, Staffordshire at the time of his enlistment. He enlisted at Uttoxeter.

Bertie Kemp is buried in Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery, one of 33 Commonwealth casualties resting there.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

40096 Harry Nixon, 1st Bn, South Staffs Regt

My namesake, 40096 Harry Nixon of the 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, was killed in action on the 5th January 1917. He was born in Longton, Staffordshire, was living in Hanley, Staffs, and enlisted at Stoke-on-Trent.

Harry had previously served with the North Staffordshire Regiment and sailed to France with them, arriving there on the 5th January 1915. His North Staffs army number - 7913 - suggests that he was either a regular soldier and still serving in the ranks, a recalled reservist (having enlisted in 1905 and now on the reserve) or a member of the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion, having enlisted in 1911 or 1912. 7913 also falls within the range of numbers issued to men joining the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion, but this number was allocated to another man in October 1913.

The 40096 South Staffordshire Regiment number looks to fall within a batch of numbers issued overseas but I do not currently have any idea when this number would have been issued.

Harry Nixon is buried in Beaumont-Hamel British Cemetery in France.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in The Great War

14617 L/Cpl Samuel Berrisford, 8th Bn, North Staffordshire Regt

14617 L/Cpl Samuel Berrisford of the 8th North Staffordshire Regiment was killed in action on 11th September 1915.

Samuel has surviving service papers in WO 363 at the National Archives, and the following information is largely taken from this source. These records can be accessed for free at The National Archives or by going to Ancestry or Findmypast. Click on the links to get to the relevant pages. I have published some on this post.

Samuel enlisted at Lichfield on 29th August 1914 giving his place of birth as Ipstones near Cheadle in Staffordshire. His age is noted as 20 years and four months which suggests that he had been born in April 1894. At the time of his enlistment he was working as a labourer.

Samuel stood five feet six and a half inches tall, had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. His religion is noted as Wesleyan. In the "distinctive marks" section of his attestation form is recorded, "oblique scar across knuckle of left thumb" which, if nothing else, suggests that new recruits in Leek, where he was examined, were pretty thoroughly checked over. A small mole on his left shoulder blade is also deemed worthy of note.

Samuel remained at the regimental depot until 28th November 1914 when he was posted to the 11th (Service) Battalion. He was appointed lance-corporal on 22nd January 1915 and would remain in England until 24th August that year. The following day, on arrival in France, he was immediately posted to the 8th (Service) Battalion.

Effects Form 118A dated 18th November 1915 from the War Office in London directs the Officer in Charge of Infantry Records at Lichfield to despatch any article of property belonging to the late L/Cpl Berrisford to Mr John Berrisford of Colestone Common, Ipstones. The following items were duly sent:

photos and letters
1 notebook
2 prayer books, 1 hymn book
1 disc, 2 pencils
1 cap badge, 1 comb
1 whistle, 1 lock of hair
1 handkerchief

Samuel is buried in Le Touret Military Cemetery; grave reference II.A.31. He had been in France for just 18 days.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC, WO 363)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The images on this page are Crown Copyright, The National Archives, Kew.