Using data from census records, war graves and war memorials we can begin to discover the names of those from the historic boroughs of Finsbury and Islington who died at Gallipoli.
In December we remember the death of:
04/12/1915
Private John Clampitt
Gloucestershire Regiment – 7th Service Battalion
11/12/1915
Temporary Sub-Lieutenant Charles Bridgland
Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve – Drake Battalion
Heywood House, Camdon Road, London NW
Private John Gasson
London Regiment – 2nd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers)
Using data from census records, war graves and war memorials we can begin to discover the names of those from the historic boroughs of Finsbury and Islington who died at Gallipoli.
In November we remember the death of:
11/11/1915
Private Charles William Hathaway
London Regiment – 1st (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers)
81 Henshaw Street, Munton Road, New Kent Road, London
12/11/1915
Private Harry John Trew
London Regiment – 2nd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers)
14/11/1915
Private William John Thomas
Hampshire Regiment – 2nd Battalion
16/11/1915
Private Bertie Marsh
London Regiment – 2nd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers)
19/11/1915
Private Harry Andrews
Royal Army Service Corps – 27th Labour Company
7 Corporation Street, Islington, London
28/11/1915
Lance Corporal William Alfred Wright
London Regiment – 3rd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers)
39 Huddleston Road, Tufnell Park, London
29/11/1915
Private George Mitchell
Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment) – 5th Battalion
59 Halton Road, Canonbury, London
30/11/1915
Private Walter Frederick Hart
London Regiment – 2nd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers)
Private Alfred John Williamson
London Regiment – 3rd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers)
14, Platt Street, Pancras Road
Using data from census records, war graves and war memorials we can begin to discover the names of those from the historic boroughs of Finsbury and Islington who died at Gallipoli.
In October we remember the death of:
Finsbury Rifles
01/10/1915
Lance Corporal William George Kearns
5 Brewery Rd., Caledonian Rd
Aged 20
Rifleman William Bernard Savage
Son of William and Mary Savage, of 58 Margery Park Rd., Forest Gate, London
Aged 18
04/10/1915
Rifleman B. Eggleton
08/10/1915
Lance Corporal F.F. Lester
Son of T.J. Lester, of 38 Devonshire Avenue, Southsea, Portsmouth
Aged 26
31/10/1915
Rifleman H.J. Hunt
Other Regiments
03/10/1915
Private Frederick James Smith
Royal Fusiliers – 2nd Battalion
06/10/1915
Lance Serjeant Thomas Adams
Essex Regiment – 7th Battalion
12 Gaywood Road, Walthamstow, London
11/10/1915
Private Joseph Frederick Warwick
Gloucestershire Regiment – 7th (Service) Battalion
17/10/1915
Sapper Henry William Graham
Corps of Royal Engineers – 68th Field Company
18/10/1915
Private John Rogers
Lancashire Fusiliers – 1st Battalion
83 Bingfield Street, Caledonian Road, London
21/10/1915
Private Henry Thomas Lea
London Regiment – 2nd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers)
34 Giplin Grove, Upper Edmonton, London
In 2015/16 Islington Museum received funding from the Gallipoli Centenary Education Project to tell the stories of those men who travelled from Islington to Mudros to fight in the disastrous Gallipoli campaign.
Five local primaries, Ashmount, Copenhagen, Drayton Park, Newington Green and Tufnell Park, worked with musicians Jonathan Rees and Firat Derat to explore the campaign from a variety of cultural perspectives. Pupils investigated the Finsbury Rifles’ war diary, learning about their costly campaign and imagining what daily life would have been like for them at Gallipoli. They also looked at primary sources from both the Ottoman and Allied Forces to explore different experiences of the campaign and its aftermath.
Pupils learnt four songs about the Gallipoli campaign in both English and Turkish. They also recorded readings of key primary sources, to which they composed an emotive soundscape. This sound background was combined with archival images of the campaign and artwork created as part of separate project. The resulting video is a musical and artistic meditation on the realities of the Gallipoli campaign, its local links and its human cost. A unique resource to explore Islington’s First World War from a truly world perspective.
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In 2015 Islington Museum also worked with Richard Cloudesely Secondary School and Samuel Rhodes Secondary School to produce two printed banners exploring the Finsbury Rifles Campaign. Pupils used mark making techniques to create the peninsula. They then used archival images of the campaign to create stencils, which they screen printed on to the map.
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Finally on the 8th November 2015 four children from Tufnell Park Primary School joined the Gallipoli Association to take part in the Cenotaph march on Remembrance Sunday.
The four children – Amy, Charlie, Natalie and Ruby – said, ‘It was an opportunity to take part in an experience of a lifetime. It helped us realise and feel the importance of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.’
The children brought a wreath which joined the carpet of red beneath the Cenotaph. On the wreath were the words, ‘It is an honour to stand in the presence of our Lord, as we give thanks to the brave souls who sacrificed their lives to make our world a better place. May they rest in peace. Let the memory of Gallipoli live on through generations.’
Using data from census records, war graves and war memorials we can begin to discover the names of those from the historic boroughs of Finsbury and Islington who died at Gallipoli.
In September we remember the death of:
Finsbury Riffles
08/09/1915
Rifleman B. Miller
09/09/1915
Rifleman J.H.C. Davis
10/09/1915
Rifleman J. Mott
11/09/1915
Corporal Edgar Robert Dunn
Son of the late Serjt. Maj. G.H. and Mrs. E.E. Dunn of 23 Avenue Rd., Brentford Middx., Native of Reading
Aged 22
14/09/1915
Rifleman R. Eames
16/09/1915
Lance Corporal Maurice William Barstow
Perhaps lodging with brother Percy and his wife at 94 Bertram Rd., Hendon (1911 Census)
Aged 21
Clerk, Stock Exchange in the 1911 Census
17/09/1915
Rifleman F. Syring
Son of Mrs. Syring, of 68 Granville Rd., Wood Green, London
Aged 21
Other Regiments
01/09/1915
Serjeant W.J. Piggott
Corps of Royal Engineers – 11th LONDON DIY
74 Desborough Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire
05/09/1915
Private William Lovelock
London Regiment – 10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney)
24 Winchester Road, Lower Edmonton, London
06/09/1915
Private Edward Hyatt
South Wales Borderers – 2nd Battalion
09/09/1915
Private Sydney Coan
Royal Army Medical Corps – 1st/2nd Welsh Field Ambulance
11 Allensbank, Crescent Heath, Cardiff
21/09/1915
Private Bertram Maurice Rogers
Royal Fusiliers – 2nd Battalion
211 Glyn Road, Clapton
23/09/1915
Private Alfred Small
Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) – 6th Battalion
24/09/1915
Private Louis Lionel John Siegenberg
East Lancashire Regiment – 6th Battalion
72, Napier Street, Shepherdess Walk, Hoxton
25/19/1915
Private Reginald Shakery
Hampshire Regiment – 2nd Battalion
211 The Grove Hammersmith, London
26/09/1915
Private Robert Owen Buckle
London Regiment – 10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney)
29 Durrant Street, Hackney Road, London
28/09/1915
Private Ernest Thomas Day
Essex Regiment – 1st Battalion
10 Station Crescent, West Green, South Tottenham, London
Using data from census records, war graves and war memorials we can begin to discover the names of those Finsbury Rifles from the historic boroughs of Finsbury and Islington who died at Gallipoli.
The attacks on the Finsbury Rifles in August 1915 seem to have been particularly devastating for our local soldiers. We remember the deaths of:
Finsbury Rifles
15/08/1915
Sergeant William Richard Millichamp, 390 Essex Rd.
Aged c.27
Married to Ada, two children
Artificial flower painter in the 1911 Census
16/08/1915 Rifleman Ernest Lester
17/08/1915 Rifleman Alfred Daniel A.
Rifleman Ernest Howard Hancock, 35 Gainford St., Barnsbury
Aged 19
Unmarried, 9 siblings
Page boy at doctor’s in the 1911 Census
Rifleman James Harman, 34 Hanover St. (1911 Census)
Aged 21
Unmarried, 4 siblings
French polisher in the 1911 Census
18/08/1915
Rifleman John Barrier
Rifleman Frederick Brown
Sergeant Frederick Charles Chatterley, 114 Bethune Rd., Stoke Newington
48 Plimsoll Rd., Finsbury Park (1911 Census)
Aged 32
Married to Emily, 1 child
Insurance Agent in the 1911 Census
Sergeant Frederick William Efford, boarding with the Holmans at 311, Goswell Rd. (1911 Census)
Aged 22
Packer, tobacco factory in the 1911 Census
Rifleman John Henry Forey, 8 Church Street, Upper Street
Aged 18
Unmarried, 5 siblings
Printer’s machine hand in the 1911 Census
Rifleman Alfred Harlow, South Cottage, South Street, New North Rd.
Aged 19
Unmarried, 2 siblings
Box cutter in the 1911 Census
Lance Corporal Henry John Hewson, 10 Prospect Place, Barnsbury
Aged 21
Unmarried, 6 siblings
Pipe mounter in the 1911 Census
Rifleman James Henry Hollister, 21 Baron St., Clerkenwell
Aged 19
Unmarried, 5 siblings
Costermonger in the 1911 Census
Rifleman Walter Eric Jones, 106 Wynford Rd., Barnsbury
Aged 17
Unmarried, 1 sibling
Scholar in the 1911 Census
Rifleman Frank Ernest Merry, 147 Holmeleigh Rd., Stamford Hill
Aged 32
Unmarried, 4 siblings
Camera fitter in the 1911 Census
Rifleman William David Simmonds
Aged 39
Married to Rosina, 2 children
Colour etcher fitter in the 1911 Census
Lance Corporal Alfred Charles Wootton, 38 Warren St., Islington
Aged 20
Van guard, Railway Company in the 1911 Census
RiflemanHugh Fraser Hamilton, 29, Thornhill, Barnsbury
Aged 20
Son of Albert and Ellen
21/08/1915
Lieutenant J Maxwell
31/08/1915
Sergeant George Albert Barber
Rifleman Albert Edward Thomas Crocker
Rifleman J R Smith
Lance Corporal Ammon Willis Whitehead, 4 Ella Rd, Crouch Hill
Aged 29
Son of Amos P and Mary Willis. Married to Emily
Other Regiment’s
06/08/1915
Private Alfred Baker
Hampshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Private Herbert Binks, 4 Charlotte Terrace, Barnsbury
Essex Regiment, 1st Battalion
Private George Thomas Byran, 15 Windsor Terrace, City Rd
Hampshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Sergeant Percy Harold John Davey, 96 Grantham Rd, Manor Park
Essex Regiment, 1st Battalion
Private William Alfred Dineen, 18 Hyde Rd, Hoxton
Hampshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion
07/08/1915
Private John Henry Coles
Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers), 5th Battalion
Private Joseph Patrick Donovan,
Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Battalion
08/08/1915
Private William Bishop
Gloucestershire Regiment, 7th Service Battalion
Lance Corporal Albert Richard Cowell
Gloucestershire Regiment, 7th Service Battalion
09/08/1915
Lance Corporal A S Card
Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), 9th Battalion
Private Joseph Michael Coster, 55 Rahere Street, Goswell Rd
South Staffordshire Regiment, “D” Company, 7th Service Battalion
Private John Henry Cripps
Royal Munster Fusiliers, 6th Battalion
10/08/1915
Lance Corporal George Fred Burkett, 9 Charles Square, Hoxton
Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment), “C” Company, 5th Battalion
Driver William Dlght,
Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery
15/08/1915
Private George Annett Atkin Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 5th Battalion
Private Albert Charles Curtis
London Regiment, 10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney)
Private Ernest Daynes, 21 Kemp Street, Old Street, Finsbury
London Regiment,10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney)
16/08/1915
Private Albert Dunford, 49 Alsen Rd, Finsbury Park
Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers), 6th Battalion
21/08/1915
Private Arthur Frank Barrett, 15 Effingham Rd, Hornsey
London Regiment, 10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney)
Private Thomas Caffrey Alias Herbert Slap Aldhous, 2 Robinson’s Retreat, Retreat Place, Hackney
Border Regiment, “A” Company, 1st Battalion
Lance Sergeant Ernest Stanley Carroll, Ardrossan 22 Grovelands Rd Palmer’s Green
Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (incl Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps), Hertfordshire Yeomanry
Private Leslie George Dulieu
Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (incl Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps), 1st (County of London Yeomanry Middlesex Duke of Cambridge’s Hussars
26/08/1915
Private Francis Beard
Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 6th Battalion
29/08/1915
Private George William Clarke
Border Regiment, 1st Battalion
Reading the Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune helps us to understand how the war was reported at home in Finsbury and Islington. It makes harrowing reading as we discover how little of the Finsbury Rifles’ suffering in Gallipoli is reported at home.
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 5th August 1915
Parcels for soldiers
‘It should be noted that parcels for the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force should, in view of their transhipments and exposure to heat, be very carefully packed, as round as possible, and the outer covering should consist of strong linen, calico, or canvas, securely sewn up. Small parcels arrive in better condition than larger ones…’
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 12th August 1915
The WAR: The position in the Dardanelles
‘Depression, dissension, and anti-war feeling are prevalent in Turkey…’
Note: this is not accurate. There is no mention of the Finsbury Rifles landing at Suvla Bay. See the war diary entries for the 10th August 1915.
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 19th August 1915
‘At Suvla the troops on the left flank made a short advance on the afternoon of the 15th with a view to straightening out the line.
They moved forward under considerable gun and rifle fire and gained about 500 yards, capturing a Turkish trench and taking two officers and 20 other prisoners.’
Note: There is a strictly censored version of this disastrous campaign, which led to the sacking of Frederick Stopford as Divisional Commander. The attacks by the Rifles, among other regiments, were initially successful but what is not mentioned is the regiment’s inability to hold onto the gained ground, due to a lack of support, and their heavy losses in the retreat. See the war diary entries for August 15th 2015.
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 20th August 1915
News of the World-War in Brief
‘Another dispatch with regard to the operations in Gallipoli has been received. It is of an encouraging character….
The recent operations on the Gallipoli Peninsula (says an official bulletin) consisted of attacks on the enemy’s position along the southern and Anzac lines, and included a fresh landing in strong force at Suvla Bay.
There is evidence from prisoner’s statements that the Turks had been considerably reinforced with a view to heavy attacks, and that the Allies forestalled the enemy by about 24 hours.
Consequently the fighting was very severe, and on the both sides the casualties were very heavy.
The landing at Suvla Bay was well planned and carried out by the Navy, but in spite of the fact that the Turks developed their greatest strength in the ‘Anzac’ region, Allied troops from Suvla could not make very satisfactory progress before the enemy was able to move up considerable forces from his reserves and to bring further advance at this point to a standstill.
Within the past week the positions won have been consolidated at all points. The spirit of the troops is excellent.’
Note: This is the first extensive report of the landing at Suvla Bay. It seems written to keep up spirits at home, rather that report the realities of the campaign. I’m not convinced spirits would have been as excellent among the Rifles as was reported.
There is no specific mention of the huge casualties suffered by the Rifles on the 15th – 18th August 1015. It seems that the first families waiting at home would know about these losses would be the telegrams arriving from the War Office.
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 25th August 1915
‘Give us 500 men’: Remarkable Address by Islington Rector
Borough battalion ought to be at full strength
The paper publishes a speech by the Right Rev. Monseigner Groach calling for 500 more men to sign up to the Islington Battalion.
‘If there is any delay the recruitable men of Islington will be open to reproach. We are the premier borough of London; we have an enormous population; we refuse to be though less patriotic or less plucky than the men of other places in any part of the Kingdom, or indeed in any part of the Empire… Every man joining the Army brings victory nearer. ‘Just look at the mistakes that have been made; so-and-so should not have done such and such.’ If mistakes have been made, it is because mistakes must be made in all human things. The man who never made a mistake never made anything. Come and help others to remedy the mistakes. Criticism is cheap, and like most cheap things is often worthless. The biggest mistakes any man can make is to think he can neglect his duty with impunity.’
Note: The Rifles among other battalions would certainly need more recruits after their heavy losses at Gallipoli. Note the plea to patriotism, freedom and justice. Conscientious Objectors are dismissed and criticised, their objection considered invalid.
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 27th August 1915
The WAR: The Position in the Dardanelles
News of the World-War in Brief ‘The position in the Dardanelles is not quite so rosy as rumour would paint it, but nethertheless substantial progress is being made. The British move in the Dardanelles, which, had it completely succeeded, would have carried us at a stroke long way towards the realisation of our project, has been temporarily checked.’
Note: A small acknowledgement to the reality of the stalemate in Gallipoli.
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune
31st August 1915
Recruiting for Finsbury Rifles
Meeting at Islington Empire ‘A most successful meeting was held outside the Islington Empire on behalf of the recruiting of the Finsbury Rifles. The first battalion has won a glorious name in Gallipoli, but at the expense of heavy casualties. The 3/11th has to supply a number of men to take the place of the fallen heroes of Finsbury and Islington. They are now urgently in need of men to fill the ranks. The speakers included Corporal Burgess, Lance-Corporal Goddard, both of the Finsbury Rifles, and Sergeant Cash, D.S.M., of the Royal Fusiliers, who came home from France deaf, dumb and blind, but regained his faculties by accident. He also brought with him the famous six year old mascot of the 4/4th Royal Fusiliers, ‘Morny Cash,’ who delivered an excellent speech. This young lad has secured 95 recruits, and is the youngest sworn-in soldier in the British Army.’
Note: An acknowledgement of the huge casualties among the Rifles at Gallipoli but painted as a necessary sacrifice.
Friends of Islington Museum 