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Stanley Humphrey Tremelling

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Stanley Humphrey Tremelling
Stanley Humphrey Tremelling. Photo © Jean Murray

S. H. Tremelling
Service no. 3000
Private, London Regiment, 1st/24th Battalion
Enlisted in Kennington; lived in Brixton
Killed in action on 26 May 1915, aged about 22
CWGC: “Son of the late Mrs L. M. Tremelling.”
Remembered at Le Touret Memorial, France

Information from the censuses

Stanley Humphrey Tremelling, 18 in 1911, was a machine ruler working for a general printing firm. He lived with his 55-year-old widowed mother, Lucy Tremelling (nee Blundell) from Poplar and 30-year-old stepsister Hilda Tremelling (his dead father’s daughter), who was working as a dressmaker. The family lived in eight rooms at 1 Milkwood Road in Brixton.

In 1901 James Tremelling was a 53-year-old patten maker from Hayle, Cornwall and the family lived at 6 Gladstone Street in Southwark with James Tremelling’s brother Hampton, a French family of three and an American miner.

Oscar Albert Taylor

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Family group photographed in the garden of 41 Landor Road, Stockwell, where the family lived. Back row, left to right: Mabel, Oscar, Henry and Eric. Seated in front: Alf and Rose. Approximate date 1911. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Mackay)
Family group photographed in the garden of 41 Landor Road, Stockwell, where the family lived. Back row, left to right: Mabel, Oscar, Henry and Eric. Seated in front: Alf and Rose. Approximate date 1911. Photo courtesy of Sarah Mackay

O. A. Taylor
Service no 397794
Rifleman, London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles), 2nd/9th Battalion
Killed in action on 27 September 1917, aged about 28
Remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium

Information from the censuses

In 1911, Lambeth-born 22-year-old clerk Oscar Albert Taylor lived at 41 Landor Road, Stockwell with his parents, Albert WIliam Taylor, 52, a joiner from Hockering, Norfolk, and Rose Taylor, 47, from Hackney. There were four surviving children (of six): Mabel Maud Taylor, 26, a milliner; Eric William Taylor, 24, a joiner; Oscar; Henry Oswald Taylor, 18, a clerical assistant. Albert’s father William Taylor, 79, a widowed retired gamekeeper from Hockering, lived with the family as did Maud Mary Gladman, 29, a single shop assistant from Brighton. The household had six rooms, and the family had lived at that address since at least 1901.

Sarah Mackay has kindly shared her information about her great-uncle.

Oscar Albert Taylor, born 21 September 1889, was the third child of Rose and Albert (known as Alfred) Taylor. At the time of his birth, his sister Mabel Maud was four years old and his brother Eric William was two. A fourth child, Henry Oswald, was born in 1893. Oscar’s father signed his name ‘Alfred W. Taylor, Atheist and Socialist.’ He was a cabinetmaker who made musical instruments and grew dahlias in his spare time. Rose had been in domestic service before her marriage to Alf.
 
In the 1911 census, Oscar’s occupation is given as Clerk and Turf Accountant Worker. Henry was working as a clerk for London County Council, Eric was a joiner and building worker and Mabel was a milliner. Also living with the family was Alf’s father, William Taylor, a retired head gamekeeper. There was also a boarder, Maud Mary Gladman who was a shop assistant and drapery worker. Oscar joined up in 1914 and married his sweetheart, Ethel Andrews, while on leave in 1915, returning to duty with no time for a honeymoon. In 1911, Ethel was living at 129 Blackshaw Road, Tooting with her older sister, Emily (Em) and Emily’s husband, Ernest Hargreaves. Emily and Ernest had a daughter, Doris. Ethel worked as a shop assistant in a laundry. In the earlier 1901 census, although Ethel was not then living with her sister, the Hargreaves were living at 41 Landor Road with the Taylors which is presumably how the families got to know each other.
 
Postscript: Oscar’s sister Mabel died in the 1919 Spanish flu epidemic. Alf encouraged Oscar’s widow Ethel and Mabel’s widower Harry to marry, which they did in 1920. I remember as a child asking Granny (Ethel) what Oscar was like – her face lit up with a smile and she said ‘Oh, he was lovely’. By Sarah Mackay, daughter of Hilda Mackay nee Archer, born 1915 (Oscar’s niece and the daughter of Harry and Mabel), with grateful thanks to Rosalind Gold for her invaluable assistance

Albert Henry Shopland

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Albert Henry Shopland with his sister Edith Mary © Robin Shopland
Albert Henry Shopland with his sister Edith Mary © Robin Shopland

A. H. Shopland
Service no. 701250
Lance Sergeant, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment), 24th Battalion
Died of wounds on 16 August 1917, aged 24
Canadian; born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, enlisted in Ealing
CWGC: “Son of William Robert and of Jane Shopland (formerly Scott), of 10 Rozel Road, Clapham, London, England.”
Remembered at Vimy Memorial, France

Canadian Soldiers of World War 1914-1918

Albert Henry Shopland, 23, joined the war effort on 17 March 1916, when he attested at Winnipeg, Canada. He was at that time working as a farmer in Yarbo, Saschatchewan. Shopland was born on 19 August 1892 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and had lived as a child at 41a Goldsboro Road, near Wandsworth Road.

He stood 5 feet 11 inches tall, and had a fair complexion with blue eyes and dark brown hair. He stated that he had previously served with the Royal West Surrey Territorials. He was unmarried.

Information from Robin Shopland: There were two brothers William Robert Shopland (Bert’s father) and Albert Shopland (Bert’s uncle) who married two sisters Jane and Kate Scott, who came from an army family. Brother Albert and his wife Kate emigrated to work in Canada. Bert was named after his uncle and presumably later followed his uncle over there. His siblings were brother William who I believe was in India with the army, sisters Kathleen and Edith Mary, and his brother Frederick who was 12 at the outbreak of war. There may have also been another baby who died in infancy.

Information from the censuses

It is likely that Albert Shopland left England before 1911. He does not appear on the 1911 census return for the Shopland family at 41a Goldsboro Road (where the family had lived since at least 1901). Shopland’s father, William Robert Shopland, 49, was a coach body maker born at Bridgwater, Somerset; his mother, Jane Shopland, 45, was from Windsor, Berkshire. Kathleen Shopland, two years Albert’s junior, was 16 and, like him, born in Cheltenham. His younger siblings, Edith Mary Shopland, 14, and Frederick Thomas, 9, were born in London. William and Jane had eight babies born alive, three of whom died.

Frank William Edmund Russell

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F. W. E. Russell
Service no. 302875
Rifleman, London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade), “D” Coy. 1st/5th Battalion
Born in Southwark; enlisted in Lambeth; lived in Stockwell
Killed in action on 16 August 1917, aged 26
CWGC: “Son of Mr and Mrs F. Russell, of 89, London Rd., Southwark, London; husband of Katherine L. Russell, of 33 St Martin’s Rd., Stockwell, London.”
Remembered at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium

Information from the 1911 census and other sources

Frank Russell with his wife Katherine Louisa Kies

Commercial clerk Frank William Edmund Russell, 20, was the youngest child of Farnham-born Francis Russell, 49, the owner of a coffee shop at 89 London Road, Southwark, and Catherine Russell, 49, from Camberwell. He had two siblings, Catherine Annie Elizabeth Russell, 24, an assistant in the coffee shop, born in Walworth, and Emily Rosian Lucy Russell, 22, a milliner. The family lived in five rooms.

On 2 August 1915, at the Church of St Saviour with St Thomas in Southwark, Frank, aged 24 and working as a book-keeper, married 28-year-old typist Katherine Louisa Kies, of 34 Newcomen Street, Southwark, the daughter of Jacob Kies, German baker. She later gave her address as 33 St Martin’s Road, Stockwell. 

Frank’s family have preserved some postcards and letters from Frank. On 25 August 1916 Frank wrote to his sister’s fiancé Jack (John Thomas Moore) from the training camp at Havant in Hampshire:

I have just found out that I can get leave and will act as your best man, I hope your ankle is better than that you are able to use it. I am sorry Ern has to go under another operation, He seems to be having a rough time with his leg, I hope he will soon be better although I hardly think he will be able to go out again. A good thing too so long as he does not have any trouble in the future. I expect he will get off with a slight limp. 

A letter from Quartermaster Segeant Denny of ‘D’ Company to Katherine reads:

…I am reluctantly writing to inform you that your husband […] has been reported “MISSING” since Aug. 16 in an attack on the Prussian trenches East of Ypres. He may possibly gave gone down to a hospital through the dressing station of another battalion, in which case you shall be informed.

In the summer of 1929 Katherine married Albert A. Anderson. She died in Bromley, Kent in 1965.

With thanks to family members Andrew Tate and Stephanie Higgins.

Bernard Christopher Rance

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barneyrance2
Bernard Christopher Rance Photo © Clare Stone

B. C. Rance
Service no. L/11692
Gunner, Royal Field Artillery, 27th Bde.
Died on 26 March 1917, aged about 22
Born in Lambeth; enlisted at Camberwell
Remembered at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France

Brother of Charles F. Rance

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Information from the National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918

Four Rance brothers served in the Great War: Bernard, Charles, James and Richard. William Arthur Rance, whose connection to the Lambeth Rances is unclear, also served. Spring 1915 must have been a trying time for their parents, William and Sarah Rance, with two sons attesting in March, another in April and a fourth in May. Sadly, two years later, in March and June 1917, the youngest two, Bernard and Charles, had been killed.

RANCE, B.C., Gunner, R.F.A.
He volunteered in March 1915 and in the following December was drafted to the Western Front, where he did excellent work as a Gunner at Ypres, the Somme, the Ancre and Arras. He gave his life for the freedom of England in March 1917, and was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.
“A valiant soldier with undaunted heart he breasted Life’s last hill.”
155, Hartington Road, South Lambeth, S.W.8.

RANCE, C.F., Rifleman, 6th London Regiment (Rifles).
He volunteered in April 1915 and in the following September was drafted overseas. Whilst in France he fought in many engagements, including those on the Somme and at Arras. He gave his life for King and Country at Vimy Ridge on June 7th, 1917, and was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.
“He died the noblest death a man can die,
Fighting for God, and right, and liberty.”
155, Hartington Road, South Lambeth, S.W.8.

RANCE, J. W., Sergt., King’s Royal Rifle Corps.
He had previously served in the South African War and in May 1915 re-enlisted and was drafted to France in the following March. During his service on the Western Front he fought on the Somme and at Richebourg, Bapaume, Givenchy and in many other engagements until the cessation of hostilities. He was demobilised in March 1919, and holds the General Service and Victory Medals.
155, Hartington Road, South Lambeth, S.W.8.

James Rance joined the Army in 1900 and saw service in South Africa and India. In 1905 he was invalided back to England suffering from malaria and ague (rheumatism). He appeared on the 1911 census aged 33 and working as a barman in a hotel. At this time, he had been married to Elizabeth Rance for 5 years and they had one child: Edward James Rance, born about 1908 in Lambeth. The family lived at 40 Bolney Street, a few doors down from James’s parents and the other children at home. However, by 1915 he had moved to 11 Clyston Street, just off Wandsworth Road.

James’s second Army career, serving in the King’s Royal Rifles during World War One, must have been testing, as this army was largely volunteers and conscripts. When he joined up, in May 1915, he was already 36. He rose quickly to Lance Corporal, to Lance Serjeant, to Corporal, to Serjeant. However, on 13 March 1917 he was punished for “disobeying a lawful command given by his Superior Officer.” His sentence was to be reduced in rank to Corporal. In April he was transferred to the Middlesex Regiment, and then in June to the Labour Corps. His character was described on demobilisation as “very good”.

RANCE, R., Bombadier, R.F.A.
He volunteered in May 1915 and in the following December was sent to France. During his service overseas he was frequently in action, notably on the Somme, the Ancre, and at Ypres, Arras, Cambrai and Peronne. He was demobilised in March 1919, and holds the 1914-15 Star, and the General SErvice and Victory Medals.
3, Madrid Place, Dorset Road, South Lambeth, S.W.8.

RANCE, W. A., Private, 24th London Regiment (Queen’s) is also described in the National Roll – he has no connection with this Rance family.

Information from the 1911 census

In 1911 the family was still living at 16 Bolney Street. The household consisted of
William Rance, 53, a furniture porter, born in Westminster
Sarah Rance, 53, also born in Westminster
Their children:
Agnes Rance, 23. The census transcript gives her occupation as “Surrey bank iron”. It is unclear whether this is something to do with the Surrey Iron Railway, a narrow gauge railway which ran between Wandsworth and Croydon or whether she was an ironer.
Lizzie Rance, 20, a dress maker
Albert Rance, 18, van guard
Barnard Rance, 16, a van guard
Charlie Rance, 13
All the children were born in Lambeth – no birthplace is given for Charlie
In all, William and Sarah Rance had nine surviving children, of 18 born alive.

Information from the 1901 census
In 1901 Bernard Christopher Rance, then 6, lived with his family at 16 Bolney Street. His father, given as William H. Rance on this census, was then 43 and described as a furniture porter. Bernard was registered as “Barney”. The children were:
Richard Rance, 18, a furniture carman
Agnes Rance, 13
Elizabeth Rance, 10
Albert Rance, 8
Barney Rance, 6, remembered on Stockwell War Memorial
Charles Rance, 3, also remembered on Stockwell War Memorial

Information from the 1891 census
In 1891, the family was living at 12 Bolney Street. William is listed as a labourer, and their children were:
James Rance, 12
Richard Rance, 8
George Rance, 6
Emily Rance, 5
Agnes Rance, 3
Elizabeth Rance, 6 months

Information from the 1881 census
In 1881 William and Sarah Rance lived at 19 Green Street, Newington. William is listed as a bricklayer’s labourer and Sarah as a charwoman They had at that time two children:
James Rance, 2
Richard Rance, not yet 1
Richard Havannagh, a 24-year-old single bricklayer’s labourer from Peckham, boarded.

On 19 August 2009, Avril Heron, who is a great-niece of Bernard Christopher Rance and Charles F. Rance, contributed the following information:

“William and Sarah Rance also had a daughter called Emily. She shows on the 1891 census aged 5. She was my grandmother, my mother’s mother. On the 1901 census she is shown working as a domestic kitchenmaid for a 56-year-old widow lady, Sophia Gregory, at 23 Wilkinson Street, just around the corner from Bolney Street where the rest of the family were living.

“Emily was a feisty lady, very strong and independent. She married William Lowton (who lived with his family in Dorset Road) and they sailed to Canada where my mother was born in 1909. I have found the family on the passenger lists. William Lowton joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force and I have his service record. The story in the family was that he died of the Spanish flu after the war,  and my grandmother, my mother and her two brothers came back on their own. I have looked in Canada and England for a death certificate for William Lowton but so far have not found one. Grandma never married again and I have always felt that there was a mystery here.

“I have recently contacted a lady whose grandfather was Albert Rance, older brother to Bernard and Charles, and have even got a photo of him. I am not sure about his service career.

“Agnes and Elizabeth were both quite poorly and my grandma told me ‘Poor Aunty Elizabeth used to sit on the stairs and cry bitterly.’ Just yesterday I discovered that Agnes lived until 1966 and was married to a Frederick Earl and seemed to live in 155 Hartington Road where her parents lived. Her husband’s father seems to have lived there also. Lots more to find out…

“Richard Havannagh, who was on the 1881 census as boarding with the family, must have been a very good friend of the family as he was a witness to William and Sarah’s wedding. I have tried to track him down the years but with no luck.”

On 27 August 2009, another Rance family member, Clare Stone, contributed this information:
“My grandfather, Albert Rance, served from 4 July 1914 to 3 July 1934 and was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery Corps for 8 years, and Army Reserve B & D for 11 years. However, my cousin recalls that Grandad spoke to him about being in the Military Police and I do have a postcard of theHMS Balmoral Castle with reference to this written on the back so it could be true – I would need to investigate.

albert rance

“Albert definitely served in India (he loved curry) and Jamaica but not sure at this point where else.  He was awarded the British Medal but it cannot be traced.  My cousin recalls a story that on his last visit to Grandad in hospital before he died, as he approached his bed he called out ‘Get down – the fuzzy wuzzies are coming!’. This was a reference to some event to do with the war, albeit not very politically correct for this day and age!

“When he left the Army he did very simple jobs such as porter and laundry man at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Surrey.  He married Rose Kallendar and had 6 children, 2 of which died as infants.  I am not sure when he moved from London but he lived in Hallsowen Road, Carshalton all of his married life.  He died a widower on 1 September 1968 age 75 following a stroke.

Albert is in the second row second from the right (with the monkey). Date unknown

All photos © Clare Stone

Frederick Thomas George Pulsford

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Frederick Thomas George Pulsford
Frederick Thomas George Pulsford

F. T. G. Pulsford
Service no. 2338
Rifleman, London Regiment (The Rangers), 1st/12th Battalion
Died aged 17 on 21 April 1915
CWGC: “Son of Frederick Luke Pulsford and Blanche Bertha Pulsford, of 10, Tradescant Rd., Lambeth, London.”
Remembered at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium

De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-1918

PULSFORD, FREDERICK THOMAS GEORGE, Rifleman, No. 2338, 12 Battn. (The Rangers) The London Regt. (T.F.), only s. of Frederick Luke Pulsford, of 10, Tradescant Road, South Lambeth Road, S.W., by his wife Blanche Bertha, dau. of George Hawke; b. London, 26 June, 1897; educ. Westminster City School; volunteered and joined the Rangers after the outbreak of war, 8 Sept., 1914; went to France, 9 March, 1915. Buried at the back of the trenches there. 2nd Lieut. H. H. Bentley wrote: “On 21 April your son and his friend Elvin were in a dug-out at Zonnebeke tending to the pressing wants of a comrade who was dreadfully wounded. As they busied themselves with him, a German shrapnel fell into the dug-out and burst. The violence of the explosion and the deadly hail of shrapnel bullets annihilated all the occupants of the dug-out, and The Rangers lost two fine soldiers in the painless heroic deaths of your son and his friend Elvin. It gives me great pain to have to break this sad yet heroic news to you, because he was always a great friend of mine and one who always did the utmost of his duty.”

Information from the censuses

In 1911 Frederick Pulsford, 13, was living with his parents, Frederick Luke Pulsford, 40, a designer and heraldic engraver born in Brixton, and his wife Blanche B. Pulsford, 38, from Saltash, Cornwall at 10 Tradescant Road, South Lambeth where the family occupied five rooms. He an his sister, May I. Pulsford, 10, were born in Lambeth. Mary A. Pulsford (nee Blonner), 82, mother of Frederick senior, was from Leominster, Herefordshire, lived with the family. The family had lived at this address since at least 1901. The 1891 census shows the widowed Mary A. Pulsford as a “corndealer”; her son Thomas Pulsford, 23, is a carpenter; Frederick Pulsford, 24, is apprenticed to a heraldry engraver; Lewis J. Pulsford is a corndealer like his mother, and living in the house with his wife, Minnie J. Pulsford, 24, and son Jack Pulsford, 3. The family then lived at 62 Whitcomb Street, St Anne Soho, London. Mary’s deceased husband was a builder, born in Dulverton, Somerset.