Western Front Association

Just received an email from the London Branch of the Western Front Association showing their speakers for 2013. I'm on for Sept 5th. Now I have to create a 45 minute presentation and find a way to pay for the trip. This is an exciting opportunity to promote my book, tell my grandfather's story and donate his documents to the Imperial War Museum.

While in London I want to visit the National Archives to perform a search of the 43rd Brigade's diary and to see if there are any documents on the 40th battery.

I'll also be united with my second cousins, which will be marvelous. Perhaps I'll meet a few others I've been in contact with through various website and blogs.

Could It Be Possible

Days past quickly and for many of them few things happen that are worth remembering. I've been working on another book and decided to return to my favorite website, "Great War Forum". For some reason I decided to post a request to all members to send me any information they might have regarding any relatives that may have served in the 43rd Brigade, 40th Battery in 1914.

Today I checked my post the the following information was added:


I have a few names of men in 40th Bty in 1914
Shoeing Smith George Henry Beardmore  49286    
Gunner Harry Bloor 70835    
Saddler Staff Serjeant Thomas J Boyton  19980    
Serjeant Percy Bramwell 33916
Driver William Brittain  73069    
Lieutenant  D J  Handford    
Driver George  Hillyard  73070    
Corporal George James  Hodge 42275
Gunner  Christopher Johnson 2725         
Gunner  Harry  Walsh 74411 

Then he added:
Having done a little checking 40th Bty was created in 1913 from what had been 148th Bty during the reorganization of Brigades and some of them can be identified in the 1911 census records of 148th Bty - then stationed at Woolwich - I can see that Boyton, Bramwell and Hodge [see above] were all serving in 148th Bty in spring 1911.... as was Driver William John Glew ...and Driver Frank William Taylor

Suddenly a thought struck me! Could William John Glew be Bobby Glue? Since my grandfather referred to Percy Bramwell as George, could he have used Bobby instead of Billy? Then what about the Driver, Frank William Taylor. Might this be Pudgie Taylor?

I replied to his post by giving him the particulars about the death of Bobby Glue and that he and Pudgie Taylor died in one of the battles of Ypres. I added that I believe it might have been the first battle of Ypres since my grandfather's letter stated that he lost his friends within the first few months of the war.

In my grandfather's journal he states the "Hodge" (his lube off-man) was killed. 

Wouldn't this be a find!!!