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Remembrance 2015

As we move towards Armistice Day 2015, in this week's post I look at some of the war dead of 1915 who feature in the Deceased Online database.

Image: iStock
This weekend sees Remembrance events and services across the country. Although we take this time to remember all those killed in conflict, many are using this opportunity to think of those who died 100 years ago in the first full year of the Great War. The UK Parliament will also be focusing on 1915 this year with its projection of falling poppies onto the Elizabeth Tower after dusk on Sunday.

The Kent Cycling Corps enduring the mud and cold of the Western Front
A few weeks ago we found the burial record of Private Claude Richmond (No. 1118), who died almost exactly 100 years ago on the 23rd September 1915. 22 year old Richmond, a gas engineer in civilian life, served with one of just nine battalions of the British Army Cyclist Corps. He was sent home after being injured while serving with the 1st Battalion Kent Cyclist Corps and died in hospital in Canterbury. Richmond was born in Erdington, Birmingham, but later lived in Brockley, South London. He was buried in Brockley Cemetery, where his memorial (pictured below) still stands. The top of the memorial reads, "Peace, Perfect Peace".

You can read more about the Cyclist Corps online at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Cyclist_Corps.

This monument (below) stands in Brompton Cemetery, Kensington, London in remembrance of Second Lieutentant James Virtue McEntire, who died on the 3rd August 1915, age 36. McEntire, who was born in Edinburgh, served with the 14th Battalion of the London Regiment and was a veteran of the South African Campaign where he served with Paget's Horse. His headstone was erected by his parents, James V. and Charlotte McEntire of 47 Inverna Court, Kensington.




I end this blog post with the burial record of Frederick Llewellyn Thomas, Stoker 1st Class RN, No K/3686, who died on this day (7 November) 1915. Thomas served aboard H. M. S. Victory and is buried with two other casualties of war at Brockley Cemetery, Lewisham in grave A/1854. Thomas is also remembered separately on a Screen Wall at the cemetery. The burial entry (shown below) describes him simply as "a Sailor".



As ever, we love to hear from you. We would like to know who you are remembering this weekend and what they mean to you. Let us know via the Comments Box below, or on our Facebook and Twitter pages.





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