Ironbridge Gorge Community Archive

World War 1

William C.W. Phillips

George Williams

George F. Frost

James H. Yates

Arthur Sneyd

Joseph Jones

Wellington Journal 18th November 1921

Coalbrookdale High School – Marquis of Cambridge unveils War Memorial.

The Marquis of Cambridge visited the County High School for Boys, Coalbrookdale on Armistice Day to present the shields and medals won by the School Cadet Corps in the “Lucas Tooth” competition which is open to all cadets organisations in the County of Shropshire and to unveil the War Memorial to the Old Boys who fell in the Great War.

The unveiling of the War Memorial took place in the School Hall.  The address was given by the head (Mr. G. Fraser). 

The Marquise of Cambridge unveiled the war Memorial (executed by the Coalbrookdale Company) which consists of a bronze shield on a dark polished mahogany background. The lettering on the shield is raised and polished and reads – “These our school-fellows died for England”,  Then follows the names of the six who sacrificed their lives.

In the silence which followed the unveiling of the memorial the last post was sounded by Sergeant Major Lloyd.  Mr. Rawden Smith, on behalf of the Governors thanked the Marquis of Cambridge for the kindly interest he had shown.  The School Song was sung by the boys and the proceedings closed with the National Anthem.

The War memorial was removed from the school and was rededicated in Holy Trinity Church, Coalbrookdale on 27th September 1992.

 

George Frederick Frost.

315097 Air Mechanic 2nd class George Frost was the son of Frederick William and Emma Jane Frost (nee Thomas), Wellington, Shropshire.  The 1901 census records George living with his father at the Union Workhouse, Wellington, where Frederick was Master. 

Wellington Journal 3rd August 1918.

Official intimation was on Wednesday received by Mr. F.W. Frost, Holyhead road, Wellington, that his son George F. Frost had been killed in an aeroplane accident the previous day, he was 20 years old.  Fancying naval pursuits for the future, he joined the Royal Naval Air Service, in which he displayed pronounced ability and made excellent progress, being frequently entrusted with most important operations.  On the day of his death he, with a comrade (who was also fatally injured), was engaged on the East Coast in observation duties at a considerable altitude.  When from an inservatable cause, the machine crashed to the surface.  Deepest sympathy is felt for Mr. Frost (whose wife died several months ago) who for many years has been the esteemed Master at Wellington Union and more recently has acted as Quater-Master at the Military Hospital.

George is buried in Wellington Cemetery, Shropshire. ref. 1. 1110.

Wellington Journal 10th August 1918  records the funeral of George (a copy can be supplied).

An inquiry into the circumstances of the tragedy was held by South of England coroner on August 2nd.  Little evidence was forth coming as to the cause of the accident, practically the only witness being a corporal in the R.Es whose testimony was merely to the effect that he saw the machine of which deceased was an occupant ascend and when about 800 feet up commence to fall spinning like a top.  It crashed about half a mile away from where witness stood. Detailing the injuries sustained by deceased the doctor said that the young soldier did not recover consciousness prior to his death.  A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.

George died on 29th July 1918 at Marston Aerodrome, Ramsgate, and was buried with his mother Emma, who died 11th October 1916.

315097 2ND AIR MECHANIC

G FROST

ROYAL AIR FORCE

29th JULY 1918 AGE 20

ELDER SON OF THE LATE

F. W + E. J. FROST

OF WELLINGTON

Photographs by Sue.

Joseph Jones

F/13493 Air Mechanic 2nd class Joseph Jones was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Jones, The Lloyds, Ironbridge.  He was born on 25th March 1899, at The Lloyds, Ironbridge. At the time of the 1901 census the family were living with Elizabeth’s mother, Jane Humphries, at The Lloyds. The family consisted of: Jane age 56, a widow.  Her son Edward, 27,  and her two daughters Emma 20 and Agnes 17. Elizabeth age 23 and her husband Joseph Jones 25, and their children;  Joseph age 2 and 9 month old Henrietta, completed the household.

After attending Coalbrookdale High School, Joseph passed the examinations for Clerk to the Surveyor of Taxes, but he volunteered for the Royal Naval Air Service in 1916 instead. He became a boy wireless operator on H.M.S. President, he was transferred to H.M.S. Daedalus, a base for sea-planes, in June of that year.  He was promoted to second class Air Mechanic and in 1917 he re-joined his old ship, H.M.S. President, in Plymouth.  The sea-plane N1099 in which he was flying was reported missing on 9th August 1917, Joseph was 18 years old.

He is remembered on Chatham Naval Memorial.  ref. 25

The type of post card the boys could send home.

William C.W. Phillips

Bristol Z/3806 Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve Cyril William Phillips was the son of Mr Joseph and Mrs Kate Phillips, Hilcote, Madeley road, Ironbridge.  The family were recorded in the census of 1901 living at the White Horse, public house, Lincoln Hill, Ironbridge, with Cyril’s maternal grand-mother Jane Edwards, who was recorded as the head of the household.   Also living with their grand-mother were: Elizabeth and Alice Edwards.

Wellington Journal 17th February 1917.

Mrs J Phillips, Hilcote, Madeley road, Ironbridge, has received official notification from the Admiralty of the loss of her only son Cyril Phillips (21) signalman R.N.V.R. The gallant youth took a keen interest in sport and was very popular with his associates.  He was formerly in the office of the late borough surveyor Mr. G. Stevenson and almost up to the time of joining the service he was articled pupil, to Mr. George Riley engineer and surveyor to Wellington Council.

Cyril joined up in May 1916 and served on two ships before becoming a signalman on H.M.S. Gurka in early January 1917.

He was killed in action on H.M.S. Gurka on 8th February 1917, after the ship hit a mine off Dungeness.  The ship sank almost immediately, only five of her crew were saved. 

A memorial service was held at St Michaels church, Madeley, 17th February 1917.

Cyril is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, ref. 25.

Arthur Sneyed

138750 – Private Arthur Sneyd was the son of George and Edith Sneyed, 2 Carvers road, Broseley.  In 1901 the family were living in The Werps, Broseley, where George was employed as a bricklayer.  Arthur was one year old and his sister Ethel two, at this time.

Arthur joined The Manchester Regiment (60999) then transfered to “C” Coy. The Machine Gun Corps (Infantry).  He was killed on 4th November 1918, age 19.

Wellington Journal 3rd November 1923.

                 Lest we forget

SNEYED – In ever loving memory of our dear and only son , Arthur Sneyed, M.G.C. 2 Carvers road, Broseley, Shropshire; gave his life freely November 4th 1918.

  “Splendid you passed, the great surrender made, Into the light that never more shall fade;  All you had hoped for, all you had you gave.  To save mankind, yourself you scorned to save.”

Arthur is buried in Le Rejet – de – Beaulieu communal cemetery.  ref. C6.

Photograph donated by Neil Evans. www.shropshirewarmemorials.org.uk

George Williams.

44074 (formerly 2233) Signaller George Williams was the only son of Mr and Mrs George Williams of Dawley Bank. George started his education at Mallinslee National School, but later transferred to Langley Council School.  Eventually he gained a free scholarship at Coalbrookdale High School, where he came under the headmaster-ship of his uncle, Mr. W. E. Gough.  George stayed at Coalbrookdale School, for three years, until he gained a post as a clerk with G.H. York of Wellington.  George was a prominent member of Lawley Wesleyan Chapel before he joined the army in June 1917.  He was in two regiments; The South Wales Boarders and the 2/8th Battalion the Worcester Regiment.  George was sent to the front on 1st April 1918, and died from shell shock, when a shell fell on the signalling dug out, he was in, in France, on 8th August 1918, age 19.

Wellington Journal 17th August 1918, Dawley Bank.

Death from Shell Shock.

Intimation was received on Thursday morning of the death in France of signaller George Williams.  He was on duty at a signal station when a shell fell on the dugout, he was not hit but died instantly as a result of shock.  The Captain writes most appreciably of the service the deceased soldier rendered to his section.  At home he was universally popular and was a prominent member of the institutions connected with Lawley Bank Wesleyan Chapel.  Great sympathy is felt with Mrs. Williams whose husband died 14 years ago, in the loss of this her only son, who gave promise of a career out of the ordinary.

Wellinton Journal 24th August 1918.

This article repeats a lot of the information above, however it also quotes from a letter sent to his mother form Lance-Corporal Smart;

“It is with great regret I pen these few lines to tell you of the death of your son George.  He was killed instantaneously from the concussion of a shell which fell in the dug-out in which he was on duty.  I am sure it is a sad blow to you for he was a comrade liked by all, always willing to do anything and also a good soldier.  He came to the battalion in April, and was sent to the company of  which I am Corporal in charge.  I was not up the line at the time he was killed, as there were a certain number of signallers into the trenches. I received orders to get ready  with two more signallers to move up with rations at night for the trenches.  I then thought that something had happened, the three of us being called up, and on arriving at battalion headquarters I learnt the sad news.  It was with heavy heart I went into the trenches for I had taken a liking to him, and felt as if he had been a brother.  There were two other signallers with him on the day – one was wounded in the leg and arm and the other had a very bad attack of shell shock.  all the fellows left out of the line attended the funeral, with the drums and bugles.  The platoon officer wrote “I should like to tender my sincerest sympathy to you in your loss.  Your son was a good soldier, always bright and cheerful, and I feel his loss greatly.  I had a charge of the party at attending the funeral, and can assure you that everything was carried out well.” 

He lies in a little cemetery near his Colonel, who was buried the following day.

George is buried in Tannay British Cemetery, plot 5, row B, grave 10.

James. H. Yates

Bristol 3903-signalman James Yates was the son of Frederick and Kate Yates, of Much Wenlock.  In 1901 the family were living at the George Public House, Hospital Street, Much Wenlock.  Frederick, who was 40 years old was publican and a farmer, at that time.  He and his wife Kate Edith, 33, were born in Much Wenlock.  Three of their children, Marjorie age 10, George 8 and 6 year old Dorothy were all born in Sheinton, Shropshire.  Their two sons James age 3 and Donald 1 were born in Much Wenlock. Harry Yates age 31, Frederick’s brother and servant Annie Hall completed the household.

James became a signalman in the Royal Naval Reserve and joined H.M.S. Manly.  The ship was an Admiralty class destroyer, that served the Harwich Force 1914-1917. 

James died in The Lady Forester Hospital, Much Wenlock, 10th August 1918, age 21.

 The George Public House, Much Wenlock, Shropshire. 2009.

 Wellington Journal August 1918.

Much Wenlock Naval-Man’s Death.

Much sympathy has been expressed to Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Yates on the death of their second son signalman James H. Yates (R.N.V.R.  H.M.S. Manly) on Saturday at The Lady Forester Hospital, after 4 months illness, at the age of 21. Deceased joined the R.N.V.R. in May 1916, and after completing his training went to South America on H.M.S. Macedonia.  He afterwards served in the Dover Patrol Squadron, where he contracted the illness which has proved fatal.  He was much loved by everyone who knew him.  He had been a member of the church choir and also a bell ringer.  Prior to the internment in the cemetery on Tuesday, service was held in the Parish Church.  The coffin was covered with the “Union Jack” and choice flowers.  The farm workers acted as bearers from the deceased’s home to the church.

 Among those who attended were the deceased parents Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Yates.  Mrs More and Miss Yates sisters, Gunner Donald Yates and Mr E. Yates (brothers) Mr H. Yates and Mr. E Smith (uncles) Mrs. E Smith (aunt) soldiers on leave and a contingent of wounded soldiers from The Lady Forester Hospital, the bell ringers and a large number of friends and sympathisers were also present, including over 50 members of ?? “Albert” A.O.F.

The report of James funeral carries on to describe the hymns sung and the floral wreaths sent.  (A copy can be provided.)

 James is buried in Much Wenlock Cemetery, Bridgnorth road (not the church yard.) His grave is just off the path that takes you to the chapel.  His parents are buried in a plot to the back left of James’s grave, it can just been seen in this photograph.