Remembrance – Walter Sandall

Remembrance – Walter Sandall

by | Oct 24, 2018 | Remembrance

Today we remember Walter Sandall of Rippingale who died 100 years ago this day.

Born in 1893, Walter was one of nine children born to Edward John Sandall and his wife Mary Pridmore.

In 1911 Walter was working as a horseman on a farm in Scredington and was living with The Whotton family.

Before the war Walter had served with the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and had bought himself out of service.

He was living back in Rippingale when in October 1914 he re-joined the Army, this time with the Lincolnshire Yeomanry.

The Yeomanry were a cavalry unit who were based at the barracks at Lincoln and were essentially a forerunner of the Territorial Force before the war. The four squadrons of the Yeomanry were based in the Grimsby, Brigg, Lincoln and Stamford/Bourne and Men were recruited locally In the Bourne Area their patron was the Earl of Ancestor.
Several other local farmers joined the Lincolnshire Yeomanry including Leonard Miller, Everitt Cook, Edward Franks and George Jessop. In most cases the soldiers took their own horse from civilian life into service with them.

Walter carried out his training and home service, first at Oakley Barracks and then at Lowestoft and Sprowston. His training was not without incidents which had landed him in trouble with his seniors.

The 1st Lincolnshire Yeomanry Embarked in Southampton on 27th October 1915 for Salonika and war in the Dardanelles. During the voyage the destination was changed due to a threat by the Turks on the Suez Canal. After leaving Gibraltar the Mercian was attacked by U38 who out of torpedoes attacked with its guns. In the ensuing battle the Mercian returned fire with what little it had and U38 dived. Following putting into port at Oran, Algeria, to bury the dead and transfer the wounded to a military hospital, the Mercian went to Malta where it was fitted with a 3″ quick firing gun. From Malta the Mercian and the Yeomanry eventually disembarked in Alexandria on 21st November 1915

The Lincolnshire Yeomanry saw action across the middle east for the whole of the war, including Egypt, Palestine and also the battle of Gaza.

In February 1917 the Yeomanry was disbanded with most of the men becoming part of the Machine Gun Corps and Walter was transferred to the 18th Squadron of the Corps on 27th February 1917.

Walter Died on Pneumonia on 24th October 1918 and is buried in Beirut Military Cemetery.

In Memory of Private Walter Sandall, 95973, 18th Squadron Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) who died on 24 October 1918.
Remembered with Honour Beirut War Cemetery
Grave Ref: Bay 3 and 4

Walter was one of seven cousins from our villages who did not return home at the end of the war, a generation missing for their family.

Walter is also remembered on the Rippingale war memorial.

    

Photographs © War Graves Photographic Project and CWGC

Remembrance – Charlie Sharp

Remembrance – Charlie Sharp

by | Oct 20, 2018 | Remembrance

Today we remember Charlie Sharp of Rippingale who was killed in action 100 years ago this day in 1918.

Charles Sulman Sharp was born on 17th January 1889 in Witcham, Cambridgeshire, England to Sarah Maria Sharp also born in Witcham.

Charlie originally lived with his grandparents in Witcham but by 1911 had moved to Waverley near Stamford. At this time he was working as a wheelwright and living with the Dalton family as a boarder.

On 17th October 1917 Charlie married Rippingale woman, Maud Hill in Spalding.

Although his army records have not been found, Charles made the rank of Lance Corporal indicating that he may have served for a long period before his death in 1918.

Charlie Sharpe died during the final month of the Great War and the location of his grave would indicate that we would have been wounded somewhere in the Ypres Salient and then taken back to Duhallows Advanced dressing station on the outskirts of Ypres.

His wife Maud lost not only her Husband but also her two brothers, Arthur and George Hill during the war. She later remarked.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission remember Charlie Sharp with the following entry;

In Memory of Lance Corporal Charlie Sharp, 140972, 63rd Field Company, Royal Engineers who died on 20 October 1918 Age 29
Husband of M Cunnington (formerly Sharp) of 89 Station Road, Langley Mill, Derbyshire. Born Rippingale, Lincs.
Remembered with Honour, Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery.

Charlie is also remembered on the Rippingale memorial.

   

Remembrance – William Elfleet Close

by | Oct 9, 2018 | Remembrance

Today we pay our respects to Bourne Man, Private William Elfleet Close, 31105 5th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Died of accidental injuries 100 years ago on 9th October 1918, age 37.

Son of Thomas and Catherine Close of 3 Elm Terrace, North Road, Bourne, Lincolnshire.

Rouen St Sever Cemetery became the final resting place for over 11500 First World War soldiers, nurses and personnel that passed through the 15 hospitals stationed locally.

Rest in Peace