Trinity Wesleyan Church Compton Rd

This Memorial is all that remains of Trinity Methodist Church Compton Road, that was demolished in 1976. As you can see it is now in front of a block of flats that replaced the chapel.

Compton Memorial

 

The memorial which was in the Church is now kept in the Wednesfield Royal British Legion Club Vicarage Road Wednesfield Wolverhampton.

Austin Frederick Hubert Second Lieutenant
1st Bn Essex Regiment.
Austin was born in April 1899 in Chelmsford, Essex the only child of Frederick North Austin and Nellie Austin. In 1911 the family were living at Springfields Villas 70 New Town road Bishop Stortford where he was educated. At some point the family moved back to Wolverhampton his father being born in Bilston and his mother Coseley. The family were living at 2275, Coleman St., Wolverhampton.
Austin continued his education at the Higher-Grade School, Wolverhampton. He enlisted in February 1915 and was Gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant.
Austin died of pneumonia in the First Rest Camp hospital Cherbourg 12th November 1918 aged 19.
He was buried 14 November 1918 B.3 Tourlaville Communal Cemetery and Extension, France.

Bannister Marmaduke Wellesley Bannister Lance Corporal 4460
20th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
Marmaduke was born 18th January 1889 in Netherton, Dudley the son of Thomas and Frances Bannister. At the time of his death his home address was 17 Clarke Road, Wolverhampton. He was employed as a bank clerk.
Killed in Action 25 May 1917.
Bay 3. Arras Memorial, France.

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bevon 4

Bevon, William Victor Lieutenant Royal Flying Corps
Orfordness Armament Experimental Station Suffolk.
The Experimental station was established on Orfordness April 1916 and became a centre for fundamental research and experimentation into aerial combat. Engineers, pilots and observers ran systematic trials across fighters, bombers and reconnaissance systems. They tested fuzes that timed detonations by altitude, tuned instruments for accurate observation and developed camouflage and clothing suited to the new three-dimensional battlefield. The station’s work fed directly into front-line tactics and equipment, accelerating innovations that shaped later aerial operations.
Victor was born in early 1893 in Wolverhampton the son of Samuel H. W. and Frances Mary Bevon. In 1901 they were living at 15, Haden Hill, Wolverhampton with William's younger siblings Amy, Herbert and Frances. William's father was employed as a school master. By 1911 the family were living at 43 Lea Rd., Wolverhampton and William was a student studying at home for a scholarship, his father was now a head teacher and employed a servant Elsie Beale.
William attended the Wolverhampton Higher Grade School, and Wolverhampton Municipal Science and Technical School in Garrick Street, where he was 'chief student' of his year. (Birmingham Daily Post 19/11/17). He went on to The University of Birmingham where he Graduated with a degree in Engineering in Summer 1916. Sir Oliver Lodge, Vice Chancellor and Principle, described him as, “A brilliant student, one of the best we have had.”
William died 17th November 1917 in Ipswich Military Hospital of heart faliure following an illness aged 25.
Grave reference: 11805 Wolverhampton Borough Cemetery.

Botwood Thomas Samuel Private 41851
A Company 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment.
Thomas was born in Wolverhampton on 11th September 1898 son of Samuel James and Sarah Botwood. He was baptised in St Mark’s Church on 1st October 1898. In 1901 the family were living at 12 Ash Street, Wolverhampton in 1901, along with Thomas’s younger sister, Lily. From 1904 onwards, Thomas attended St Mark’s Church of England Infants School in Wolverhampton and then from 1912 Bingley Junior School. They were at the same address in 1911, and Thomas had additional siblings Daisy and Harrold.
Died in the Casualty Clearing Station 11.10 am 20th September 1918 aged 20 of a gunshot wound to his chest which he received two days earlier. He was brought to the Casualty Clearing Station by 63rd Field Ambulance.
XIII.D.13. Grevillers British Cemetery, France.

Colley Isaiah Harold Private 2404
1st/3rd (North Midland) Field Amb Royal Army Medical Corps.
Isaiah was born in Wolverhampton in 1896, the son of Isaiah and Ada Emma Colley. He was baptised 13th December 1896 at St. Mark Church, Wolverhampton.
In 1901 Isaiah and his parents were living at 23 Middle Vauxhall, Tettenhall along with his older brother James and younger sister Florence. Isiah's mother died Jun 1909. By 1911 the family remained at the same address had Isiah had additional siblings Jack and Laura; Isiah was employed as a warehouse man.
Killed in Action 1st July 1916 initially he was reported missing, but his remains were found with his respirator marked with his initials I H C.
I.L.47. Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, France.

Colley James Reginald Private 421096
1st/3rd (North Midland) Field Amb Royal Army Medical Corps.
James was born in 1895 at 1 Court, Middle Vauxhall Wolverhampton, the son of Isaiah and Ada Emma Colley. He was baptised 28th April 1895 at St. Mark Church, Wolverhampton.
In 1901 James and his parents were living at 23 Middle Vauxhall, Tettenhall along with his young brother James and sister Florence. James's mother died Jun 1909. By 1911 the family remained at the same address had James had additional siblings Jack and Laura. By 1914 James was employed as a warehouse man at Mander Brothers Varnish Works.
Killed in Action 27th June 1917
XIX.D.16. Loos British Cemetery, France.

Evans Charles Lance Corporal No: 11848
8th Bn South Staffordshire Regiment
Died of Wounds 12/07/1916 Age: 27
Husband of Jane Evans, of 32, Derry St., Wolverhampton.
Grave/Memorial Reference:II.C.10.
DAOURS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

Frith Harold Private : 72308
2nd/4th Bn The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regt.)
Died 27/06/1919 Age: 19
Son of William Robert and Clara Frith, of
83, Raby St., Wolverhampton.
Grave  Reference:I.C.11
COLOGNE SOUTHERN CEMETERY
 
Hill Stephen Private 514328
1st/14th Bn London Regt (London Scottish)
Killed in Action 11/05/1917 Age:25
Son of George and Mary Ann Hill, of 82, Ash St., Wolverhampton.
Memorial Reference: Bay 10
ARRAS MEMORIAL

Hodson Edward

Jolliffe Hylton Rodney  Gunner 931411
Royal Field Artillery
Killed in Action 26/09/1917
Son of the Rev. E. and Mrs. Jolliffe of "Buena Vista" Dial Hill Clevedon,Somerset.
Memorial Reference: Panel 4 to 6 and 162
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Donald Middleton
Middleton Donald Private 300867
"C" Sqdn. Staffordshire Yeomanry
Killed in Action 25/11/1917 Age:20
Son of William and Lavinia E. Middleton, of 20, Newbridge St., Wolverhampton.
Memorial Reference: Panel 2
JERUSALEM MEMORIAL
The picture of Donald Middleton (right) was kindly sent to me by his great niece.
 
Neal Alfred Bengough Private 35198
8th Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Killed in Action 29/08/1917 Age:23
Son of Alfred and Ada Neal, of 92, Ash St., Wolverhampton.
Memorial Reference: Panel 108 to 111
TYNE COT MEMORIAL.
 
Price Thomas.

Reade Reginald William Lieutenant
9th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Reginald was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Gould Reade, Mornington Place, 57, Tettenhall Rd. The family owned Reade Bros, a firm of manufacturing chemists in Wolverhampton. Reginald was educated at Brighton College and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, graduating in 1914 with a B.A. (Cantab.). Instead of taking up a post as classics master at Glenalmond School he joined a territorial battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment as a private and, in January of 1915, was gazzeted second lieutenant in the 9th battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
He was badly wounded at Gallipoli in August of 1915 during the attack on the Sari Bair ridge and did not return to his unit until January of 1916. August of that year saw the 9th in Mespotamia fighting for the relief of Kut. On the evening of 10th August the Falahiyeh positions were attacked. In front of these trenches was an open stretch with no cover, swept by direct and enfiladed fire. It was here that Reginald Reade, now a temporary lieutenant, was killed.
A fellow officer described his death as follows, 'After a hard day's fighting we were ordered to carry out a night-attack against an entrenched position. We had to advance across 1300 yards of perfectly flat ground without cover of any kind, and under heavy rifle and machine gun fire. He was in command of a company and led his men most gallantly right up to the enemy's trench, which was taken by us. He was killed at the moment we entered the trench. He was killed instantly and was spared all suffering…We all loved him for his steadfast, cool courage and unruffled good fellowship at all times'.
Killed in Action between 4th April 1916 and 5th April 1916 aged 25.
XIII. L. 13. Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.

Shields Henry Wallace  Lance Corporal 2216
6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment Son of John Wallace Shields and Sarah Ann Shields, of 52 Douglas Rd, St Margaret’s, Twickenham. Born at Wolverhampton. Died of sickness. 12 January, 1918. Aged 20. Richmond Cemetery, Surrey. ZZ. 5918

Stirling Alan Rifleman A/204366
12th Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps
Died of Wounds 02/04/1918
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Grave Reference: Panel 61 to 64
 
Tildesley Harry Norman Rifleman 371281
8th Bn London Regt (Post Office Rifles)
Killed in Action 23/03/1918 Age:21
Son of Roger and Mary Tildesley, of 11, Laburnum St., St. Mark's Rd., Wolverhampton.
Grave Reference:B.3.
IWUY COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Weaver Richard Corporal 8084
2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
Richard was born 7th August 1890 in Wolverhampton, the third son of Abraham and Alice Weaver of 30 Cleveland Street Wolverhampton. In 1901 they were living at 97 Ash Street, together with Richard’s brothers John and William and sisters Alice, Dorothy, Maud and Nellie. He attended St John’s School and later worked for Messrs. James Gibbons of Church Lane.
Richard enlisted in the Army 4th September 1907, before he enlisted, he was employed as a ‘brass caster. Richard served for four years in South Africa and Gibraltar; he was due to leave the Army in September 1914. However, he travelled to France with the BEF and was involved in the retreat from Mons and the battles of Marne and Aisne. He was wounded at Ypres on 25th October 1914 and died of his wounds three days later. 28th October 1914 aged 25.
A2.18. Ypres Town Cemetery, Belgium

Webster Jesse Petty Officer 201748
H.M.S. Cressy Royal Navy
Jesse was born 5th February 1883 in Wolverhampton son of Job and Maria Webster. Jesse had four older siblings Frank, Job, Maria and Polley and a younger brother harry.
Jessie joined the Royal Navy 20th October 1898 as a boy saloir, his first ship being HMS Impregnable. Jessie was promoted to Petty officer 27th September 1909, before his death Jessie had completed 16 years' service.
On the morning of 22 September 1914, three elderly cruisers of the Royal Navy’s 7th Cruiser Squadron HMS Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue were patrolling the North Sea.
U-9, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Otto Weddigen, spotted the British ships and moved to attack. She fired one torpedo at 06:20 at Aboukir which struck her on the starboard side; her captain believed she had hit a mine and called her sister ships to assist.
As HMS Hogue approached, her captain, Wilmot Nicholson, realized that it had been a submarine attack and signalled Cressy to look for a periscope although his ship continued to close on Aboukir as her crew threw overboard anything that would float to aid the survivors in the water. Having stopped and lowered all her boats, Hogue was struck by two torpedoes around 06:55 and capsized about ten minutes after being torpedoed and sank.
Cressy attempted to ram the submarine but failed and resumed her rescue efforts until she too was torpedoed at 07:20. As the other two ships had done, HMS Cressy took on a heavy list and then capsized before sinking at 07:55. Several Dutch ships began rescuing survivors at 08:30 and were joined by British fishing trawlers.
From all three ships 837 men were rescued and 62 officers and 1,397 ratings lost, 560 of those lost were from HMS Cressy, sadly Jesse being one of them.
Jessie was killed in action 22nd September 1914 aged 31.
Memorial Reference:1. Chatham Naval Memorial.

Whitlock Stanley F.H. Private 28053
1st Bn Grenadier Guards
Killed in Action 12/10/1917 Age:28
Son of F.W. Whitlock, of 137, Tettenhall Rd., Wolverhampton; husband of Elsie L. Whitlock, of 21, Avondale Rd., Wolverhampton.
Memorial Reference:Panel 9
TYNE COT MEMORIAL