Researchers are enlisting public help in their search to discover the personal stories of 15 soldiers commemorated on a First World War memorial at the offices of Lloyd’s Register in London.
The men’s names have been published online, together with details of their employment and military service, in the hope that more information can be brought to light.
Regimental military associations, heritage centres and ancestry groups have also been contacted as part of the project launched by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation Heritage & Education Centre (HEC.)
‘The severe loss of life during the First World War often means that the individual lives of those that fought are forgotten,’ the researchers say.
‘However, the team realise that our archived material, whilst offering a unique glimpse into the past, can only tell so much.’
Thousands of people, from 37 countries worldwide, have accessed the site since the centenary project launch on Armistice Day 2016, sending in letters, photographs and journals of the men.
Photos of the soldiers are particularly welcome, as the archive has none.
The 15 soldiers are named below. Their individual details can be found here. All worked for Lloyd’s Register of Shipping.
*John E Davis – Gunner, Royal Garrison Artillery
*Ernest Grainger – Private, 7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment
*William Greig – Private, 14th (County of London) Battalion – London Scottish
*William F Hutchison – Sergeant, 10th Battalion Essex Regiment
*Clifford J Macey – 2nd Lieutenant 28th County of London Regiment, Artists and 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment
*Archibald MacLean – 2nd Lieutenant, King’s Own Scottish Borderers
*Reginald J Prescott – 2nd Lieutenant, 18th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
*Joseph E Russell – 2nd Lieutenant, Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment
*James H Sandhall – 2nd Lieutenant/Captain, Royal Garrison Artillery
*Joseph C Smith – Honourable Artillery Company
*Charles T Squires – 2nd Lieutenant, 11th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment
*J Henry A Walker – Private, 7th Battalion, Essex Regiment
*Maurice G Wells – 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery & Royal Horse Artillery
*Leslie G West – 2nd Lieutenant, 5th Battalion, London Rifle Brigade
*Maurice G Boyer – Captain, 116th Heavy Artillery Regiment
Maurice Boyer, a recipient of the Croix de Guerre, died in October 1919 from injuries suffered in a gas attack in July 1917.
The nature of Lloyd’s Register’s work in the shipping industry meant many of its staff were required by the British Government to continue working in vital roles away from the front line. Even so, 111 members of staff served in the forces during the Great War.
All of the information gathered by the crowd sourcing project is shared online for free, and will be used to create a permanent portal commemorating the 15 soldiers who fell. Updates can be found on the Lloyd’s Register Foundation website.
Source: Lloyd’s Register Foundation Heritage & Education Centre
Images © Lloyd’s Register Foundation
Posted by: CN Editorial Team