WILLIAM BEMROSE 1885–1946
William with Elizabeth and daughter Violet
Photograph courtesy of family
Brother of Tom and cousin of Bertie and Percy, both of whom were killed
Born 5th December 1885 in Radcliffe on Trent
Married 5th June 1909 to Elizabeth Snowden while on reserve
Daughter Violet Elizabeth born 13th May 1910 in Birmingham, Vera born 1919 and Ronald born 1916
Died 1946
1891 Census
Age 5, living in Radcliffe on Trent with father Walter, general labourer, mother Elizabeth (née Hopewell), siblings Ada, Sarah Ann, Harry and Hannah. William’s uncle Thomas and family live next door.
1901 Census
Living with family at Royal Oak Yard, Radcliffe on Trent, father Walter 40, general labourer, mother Elizabeth 40, brothers Harry 17 and Tommy, sisters Hannah 11, Cissy 8, Ethel 5 and May 4.
1911 Census
Living at Stragglethorpe with wife Elizabeth and daughter Violet Elizabeth (born 1910). Occupation waggoner.
Military Service before 1914
Rank: Driver
Service Number: 38659
Military Unit: Royal Field Artillery
Attested in Nottingham and posted 19.8.1905
Height 5ft 6ins, weight 128lbs, dark brown hair, blue eyes and tattooed dots on forearm
Posted to 147th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Seaforth, Liverpool in 1905 and Aldershot in August 1908
Granted 1st G.C (good conduct) Badge 19.8.07.
March 1906: 5 days in Cambridge hospital with tonsillitis
June – July 1907: Abscess to neck, 23 days in Cambridge hospital
Military Service from 1914
Rank: Driver
Service Number: 38659
Military Unit: 1129th Battery, Royal Field Artillery (that is, the 29th battery of the 2nd Brigade). Medal Rolls Index Card gives his final brigade as 38. Both were regular army brigades.
Theatre of War: France and Flanders, date of entry 11.9.14
5.8.1914: Mobilised Athlone, 38th Brigade
11.9.14: France
17.12.1914: Home leave
18.12.14: Stomach problems and invalided to England by Hospital Ship Oxfordshire
1.9.15: Appointed Acting Bombardier
29.11.15: Promoted Corporal and posted 4 ’A’ Reserve Brigade
20.3.16: Appointed A/Sgt, 21st R Battery, Royal Field Artillery
May 1916: Scabies, many irritation lesions. Given linseed baths, naphthol and calamine lotion. Cured
22.10.16: Overstayed leave 3 days 23½ hrs from 22.10.16 to 26.10.16. Admonished, forfeited 5 days pay
10.1.17: Posted A/Sgt, ‘B’ Bty, Royal Field Artillery, 93rd Brigade
12.11.17: Injury to foot: Norfolk War Hospital X-ray. No fracture detected
21.11.17: Occupation group 27 Striker (bolt, nut). Occupation cards despatched
1.1.18: Absent without leave from 1.1.18 to 5.1.18 – found by Military Police in Norwich.
22.1.18: Reduced to Bombardier following District Court-Martial at Bacton for above offence. 84 days detention and forfeited 5 days pay
26.1.18: Absent without leave from 26.1.18 to 30.1.18
30.1.18: Found in Radcliffe by Civil Police: Sgt Beal, E.W., Sgt Woolley, J., Sgt Ramsay, Sgt Jason Carlin.
12.3.18: Reduced to rank of Driver following Court Martial for the above offence; 28 days detention, forfeited 5 days pay and posted to 2A Reserve Brigade, 7 Reserve Bty Preston 5.4.1918. Letter authorising this (not in records)
8.3.19: Posted to 6B dispersal area
6.4.19: Transferred to Army Reserve, Class Z (for demobilisation)
Medals Awarded: 1914 Star, British War and Victory. Good conduct badge
Military Personnel Address on 1918 Electoral Roll
Main Road, Royal Oak Yard, Radcliffe on Trent
1921 Census
Address: 8 Washington Terrace, Nottingham
Employment: Foreman timber worker, Pugh and Sons, Beeston Creosote Works.
Household: wife Elizabeth, daughters Violet and Vera and son Ronald
1939 Register
Address: Cavendish Road, Carlton
Employment: heavy labouring
Household: wife Elizabeth born 11.5.1885
Reasons for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour
Born and lived in Radcliffe on Trent