royal engineers

Sapper Ernest Robinson

 

Sapper Ernest Robinson, 522390, 486th Field Company Royal Engineers, was killed in action in Egypt on March 27th, 1917. Born in 1896, he was an orphan living with step-parents Joseph and Sarah Bent at 54 Boyle Street, Luton.

Ernest had joined up two months after the outbreak of war and was wounded in the leg in training when a trench was blown up. Subsequently he came unscathed through the Gallipoli campaign before being drafted to Egypt with his unit.

Lieutenant Cyril Edward Franklin

 

Lieut Cyril Edward Franklin, East Anglian Royal Engineers, died on February 20th, 1917, from wounds sustained on the Somme. His widow Annie was reported to have received notification to that effect from the War Office the following day, although some records say "killed in action".

Cyril Franklin, who was just short of his 30th birthday, was the son of Edward and Elizabeth Franklin, of 57 Dale Road, Luton. Edward Franklin was an inspector with the Luton Borough Police, until he retired about two years previously and went to live in Stanbridge.

Sapper Fred Clark

 

Sapper Fred Clark, 78518, Royal Engineers, died in German East Africa on January 31st, 1917, from neuritis, attributed to the effects of climate. He was aged 33, married and had three young children.

Sapper Clark was expecting to return home to 152 Leagrave Road, Luton, from East Africa, where he had been serving under General Smuts.

He was formerly employed by engineer Mr Frank Moody, of Chapel Street, Luton, before joinging the East Anglian Royal Engineers on November 19th, 1914.

Sapper Clarence Sidney Ellerd How

 

Sapper Clarence Sidney Ellerd How, 146239, 82nd Field Company Royal Engineers, was killed in action on the Somme on November 18th, 1916. He was aged 24 and his home was at 37 Stockwood Crescent, Luton.

The youngest son of the late Mr William Albert How, he went to France in August 1915 and was slightly wounded on October 26th but continued to fight in the trenches.

Sapper Bert Tomlinson

 

Sapper Bert Tomlinson, 1749, East Anglian Royal Engineers, was killed in action on the Somme on November 14th, 1916. He was aged 32 and had enlisted in January 1915.

Sapper Tomlinson, a painter and house decorator employed by Mr Smith, of West Hill Road, was secretary of the Luton branch of the House and Shop Decorators' Union.

Sapper John Edward Godfrey

 

John Edward Godfrey, formerly Sapper 1611, 2nd East Anglian Division Royal Engineers, died on July 24th, 1916, nearly 18 months after being discharged as medically unfit for military service. Born in Caddington, he was aged 32.

He joined the Royal Engineers in December 1914 and was discharged the following February. He had suffered from heart trouble which developed into jaundice and he died after a long illness.

Corporal William Gurney

 

Cpl William Gurney, 97201, No 8 Depot Company, Royal Engineers, died in the Red Cross Hospital at Newark, Notts, from an acute internal condition. He was taken suddenly ill and died ten hours later.

He had served with the Guards in the South African campaign for which he was awarded two medals and eight bars. He rejoined the Colour at the outbreak of war and became attached to the Royal Engineers at Newark as an instructor.

Sapper Arthur Alec Frost

 

Sapper Arthur Alec (Aleck or Alick)* Frost, 1663, 1st (East Anglian) Field Company Royal Engineers, was killed in action on June 25th, 1915. He was aged 25.

Born in Luton in late 1889, the former secretary of Glendale Football Club, whose parents Frederick and Emeline** Lonsdale Frost lived at 82 Park Road West, Luton, enlisted in the Engineers in October 1914 and was drafted to the front around Easter 1915.

Sapper William Edwin Abrahams

 

Sapper William Edwin Abrahams, 1379, No 2 Section, 1/2nd Field Company, East Anglian Royal Engineers, died on September 2nd, 1915, from wounds sustained the previous day at Gallipoli. He had celebrated his 20th birthday on August 27th.

News of his death was sent to his remarried mother, Lilian Harrison at 6 Selbourne Road, Luton, in a letter dated September 2nd from Lieut G. M. Michaelis, commanding No 2 section.

Sapper Albert Walter Bunker

 

Saddler Albert Walter Bunker, 1779, 2/1st (East Anglian) Field Company, was killed in action in Gallipoli on August 21st*, 1915. He was aged 20.

The son of harness maker Albert Bunker and his wife Ella, he and an older brother (Charles Percy) and two younger sisters ( Edith and Ada) lived at 4 Bridge Street, Luton. At the time of the 1911 Census they were living at 7 Alma Street, Saddler Bunker being listed as Walter Albert, aged 15.

Sapper Nathaniel John Fowler

 

Sapper Nathaniel John Fowler, 1511, 1st/2nd (North Midland) Field Company, Royal Engineers, died on April 21st, 1915, from abdomens wounds received in action on April 18th. Aged 31 and a native of Harpenden, he lived at Leagrave and left a widow and two children.

Sapper Fowler was the son of the late Mr James Fowler, a bootmaker, of Wheathampstead Road, Harpenden, and his widow, and had three brothers living in Harpenden.

Sapper Fred Clark

Husband of Alice J. Clark, of 152, Leagrave Rd., Luton. Born at Dunmow, Essex.

LUTON SAPPER DIES IN AFRICA.

The expectations of Sapper Fred Clark that he would shortly return home from German East Africa, where he had been serving under General Smuts, have unhappily not materialised. He now lies under the soil of the captured territory, for his wife, who resides at 152, Leagrave Road, has been officially notified that her husband has died from neuritis, the effect of the climate.

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