Remembrance Day
Remembrance day again and I have been investigating the WWI pension records now on http://www.ancestry.co.uk/. As well as the 'lions led by donkeys' who were killed in action, there were many brave men that joined up with the intention of serving their country only to die of the diseases they contracted.
My Granny Eliza Hotchkiss’ first marriage was to Richard John Bishop in 1913. Ten years earlier, he had joined the Shropshire Light Infantry at the age of 20. He was 5’ 4½” tall, had a 33” chest, fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair and was pronounced fit for military service on 14 Apr 1903.
For the first year or so he served at home, probably training, polishing his kit and no doubt square-bashing. On 28 Nov 1904, he was transferred to India for six months, where he spent some time in Fyzabad and attained a 3rd class certificate of education in Kasauli Hill Station. He also passed classes of instruction in stretcher drill.
In addition to the British Army stationed in India, Great Britain maintained a large locally recruited force, the Indian Army, made up of three armies brought together as a single army in the reforms which began in 1903. The 7th Bengal Cavalry were based in Fyzabad and presumably the contingent from the Shropshire Light Infantry was brought in to help with the reformation.
According to his army records, Richard appears to have been a bit of a rogue – he was docked some pay on a couple of occasions. With his consent, he was transferred to the Army reserve in Mar 1911. On 4 Nov 1911, he was ‘In Civil Custody, convicted and sentenced by the Civil Power to 3 months hard labour for a misdemeanour’.
Richard was posted several times with the Medical Expeditionary Force in France in 1914-1915 between intervals back home. By Nov 1915, he had been appointed an unpaid lieutenant corporal and by Dec 1915 he was being paid in that post. However on 17 Apr 1916 he was deprived of the Lieutenant stripe; in May he had suffered 3 days of haemoptysis (coughing up blood) and on 10 Jul 1916 he was pronounced no longer physically fit for war service. He died in 1917, leaving the care of his family in the capable hands of his cousin Samuel Cheshire.
My Granny Eliza Hotchkiss’ first marriage was to Richard John Bishop in 1913. Ten years earlier, he had joined the Shropshire Light Infantry at the age of 20. He was 5’ 4½” tall, had a 33” chest, fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair and was pronounced fit for military service on 14 Apr 1903.
For the first year or so he served at home, probably training, polishing his kit and no doubt square-bashing. On 28 Nov 1904, he was transferred to India for six months, where he spent some time in Fyzabad and attained a 3rd class certificate of education in Kasauli Hill Station. He also passed classes of instruction in stretcher drill.
In addition to the British Army stationed in India, Great Britain maintained a large locally recruited force, the Indian Army, made up of three armies brought together as a single army in the reforms which began in 1903. The 7th Bengal Cavalry were based in Fyzabad and presumably the contingent from the Shropshire Light Infantry was brought in to help with the reformation.
According to his army records, Richard appears to have been a bit of a rogue – he was docked some pay on a couple of occasions. With his consent, he was transferred to the Army reserve in Mar 1911. On 4 Nov 1911, he was ‘In Civil Custody, convicted and sentenced by the Civil Power to 3 months hard labour for a misdemeanour’.
Richard was posted several times with the Medical Expeditionary Force in France in 1914-1915 between intervals back home. By Nov 1915, he had been appointed an unpaid lieutenant corporal and by Dec 1915 he was being paid in that post. However on 17 Apr 1916 he was deprived of the Lieutenant stripe; in May he had suffered 3 days of haemoptysis (coughing up blood) and on 10 Jul 1916 he was pronounced no longer physically fit for war service. He died in 1917, leaving the care of his family in the capable hands of his cousin Samuel Cheshire.
posted by linda | 1:44 PM
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