Upton Warren War Memorial

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Upton Warren In The Great War
Researched by Geoff Sullivan

Ohe Great War memorial at Upton Warren has eight names inscribed on the marble plaque inside St Michael's church. For a parish population which would be less than 150 males, this is a significantly higher number than average. I have attempted to trace and research these men, with some success, but there are still some mysteries....

The information given on this page is believed to be correct, if errors are noted I would be glad to correct them and also add any new information that may be available. I am especially interested in identifying the military service of Samuel Williams and also to get Thomas Prescott officially commemorated by The Commonwealth War Graves Commission. To do this I have to prove his death was caused by his army service. Please make contact using the email address at the bottom of this page. Thank you.

J. Bailey

According to Soldiers Died In The Great War, Joseph Edwin Bailey was born at Ashfield, Gloucestershire. He resided at Bromsgrove and enlisted in the 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment at Bromsgrove. What survives of his army records tell that he embarked on 26th August 1915 for Gallipoli with the reinforcements for the battalion which had suffered heavy lossed on 8th August 1915, after the main landing on 25th April. He survived the disasterous 9 month Gallipoli campaign and was later killed in action in France on 23rd April 1917. After the failed Gallipoli campaign was evacuated in December and January, the 4th battalion landed at Marseilles on 20th March 1916. Joseph has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France.

From The Bromsgrove Messenger:
PRIVATE J. BAILEY, Worcestershire Regiment, of Timberhonger.
Official information was received last week by Mrs. Reynolds, Battlefield Cottage, Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove, of the death of Private J. Bailey (late of Timberhonger). Previous to joining the colours, Private Bailey resided with Mrs. Reynolds, who then lived at Timberhonger, his parents having both died when he was young. He joined the forces on December 26^th 1914, and had seen nearly two years active service in France. He was reported missing last October and nothing had since been heard of him till last week, when the official news came to hand. Before joining the colours Private Bailey was employed by Mr. Gill, New House Farm, Upton Warren. He was 30 years of age.

H. Clark

Harry Clarke emigrated to Australian around 1908 at the age of 22. He worked on the Sydney tram system as a Tram Driver. He enlisted in The Australian Imperial Forces on 1st October 1915. He joined the 2nd Battalion on 2nd March 1916 and disembarked at Marseilles on 8th June 1916. On 19th August he was reported wounded and missing, presumed killed on 14th August 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Villers- Bretonneux Memorial, in France. Harry was the son of George and Ellen Clarke, of 'Poislands', Upton Warren, in 1901:

T. Prescott

Thomas Prescott does not appear to be commemorated by The Commonwealth War Graves Commission. He died on Armistice Day, 11th November 1918, of TB and heart failure at Bromsgrove (Union) Workhouse after discharge from the army.
In 1901, the family were living in North Bromsgrove:

From The Bromsgrove Messenger:
COOKSEY MAN'S DEATH FROM GAS POISONING
Driver Thomas Edward Prescott, discharged soldier of the Royal Field Artillery, son of Mr. Thomas Prescott, Upton Warren, Bromsgrove, died on November 11th last, after suffering from gas poisoning. He was discharged from hospital in the early part of this year, and returned to his sister, Mrs. Lunnon, of Sidemoor, and spent much of his time there and at Mrs. Corbett's of Aston Fields, and at his own home at Cooksey Green. Originally he was a sailor in the merchant service, and joined the army in August, 1914. He was a transport driver, and went to Egypt, where he was severly gassed. He lost his older brother Albert while serving in France, leaving a widow and two children.
Thomas is buried in Bromsgrove Cemetery, in an unmarked grave, with his mother (under the first tree, to the left of the cross)

Thomas's brother Albert was killed in action, on 4th May 1917, while serving with The Warwickshire Regiment. Albert is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. He was married to Beatrice. There is a marriage recorded at Coventry in March 1915 (Beatrice N. Rea) and this may be Albert and Beatrice's marriage.
Mrs Lunnon referred to above may be Isabella who may have married Herbert Lunnon in September 1911, recorded at Droitwich. The Lunnon family may possibly be from Himbleton.

J. W. Prichard Lieutenant John Walter Prichard served with The Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was killed in action on 18th September 1918. He was the son of John and Jane Prichard who lived at Village Farm, Upton Warren at the time of the 1901 census. The family of two daughters and five sons originate from Carmarthen. Some time later, they were living at Leigh, Worcester. John Walter is buried at Ste. Emilie Valley Cemetery, Villers-Faucon, Somme, France.

T. Williams S. Williams According to Soldiers Died In The Great War, Thomas Williams was born at Cleobury Mortimer, Salop and resided at Bromsgrove. He served with the 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, landing at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915. Thomas was killed in action on 12th July 1915 and is commemorated on The Helles Memorial on the Gallipoli peninsular.
In 1901, the family were living in the parish of Bentley Pauncefoot:

Samuel Williams Head age 36 born Kinley, Shropshire
Harriet Williams Wife age 36 born Cleobury Mortimer
Richard Williams son age 12 born Bayton, Worcestershire
Thomas F Williams age 6 born Cleobury Mortimer
Samuel Williams age 2 born Hadzor, Worcestershire
Marion E. Williams age 7 mths born Hadzor, Worcestershire

It has not yet been possible to identify Samuel's war service, it is presumed he served and died in the last two years of the war. In The Bromsgrove Messenger Roll of Honour, published in November 1914, it lists a T. Williams, Upton Warren 4th Worcestershire Regiment and R. Williams, Upton Warren 1st Worcestershire Regiment. Presumably Richard served and survived.
Outside the door of St Michael's church is the grave of Samuel Williams the father and his daughter Marion Ellen Williams.

Thomas Williams' name on the Worcestershire Regiment panel, Helles Memorial, Turkey

Francis H. Yates Arthur B.Yates Francis Herbert Yates enlisted together with his brother Arthur Bennion Yates in the 15th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. This was the 1st Birmingham Regiment raised by The Mayor of Birmingham in September 1914. The battalion Landed at Boulogne 21 November 1915. Francis was killed in action on 3rd September 1916 and is commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial. Arthur was killed in action on 9th May 1917 and is commemorated on The Arras Memorial.
In 1901, the Yates family were living at Black Brook Farm, Weeford, Staffordshire:

From The Bromsgrove Messenger, Saturday October 7 1916:
UPTON WARREN MAN KILLED
Mr F. H. Yates, eldest son of Mr. Francis H. Yates, of The Moors, Upton Warren, was killed in action on the 3^rd inst. While serving with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. The deceased was a nephew of Lady Holden, of Walsall, and a grandson of the late Mr. Frank H. Yates, who was for many years a member of Walsall Board of Guardians.
From The Bromsgrove Messenger,Saturday May 26, 1917:
UPTON WARREN MAN KILLED
Arthur Bennion Yates, Machine Gun Section, Royal Warwickshire Regt., youngest son of Mr. F. H. Yates, The Moors, Upton Warren, was killed in action on May 7
The family moved out of Moors Farm, probably by the early 1920s and were then living at Risingbridge House, Bromsgrove.

Links

Upton Warren's Community Website
Upton Warren Parish Council