Category Archives: Regiments

Albert Wing

Alfred Sutton School War Memorial, Army, Royal Berkshire Regiment, Somme

Albert Wing
Private 2580
“D” Company
1st/4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment

 

Wiing AG photo

Albert Wing was the only son of  William George and Mary Francis Wing, 92, Donnington Gardens. Reading.  He was 21 and joined up just after the outbreak of war.

 In a letter, later published in the paper in April or May 1915,  Albert gives some information about a “close shave”.  A place which had been used by his battalion the previous morning had been shelled and burnt down within half and hour of their leaving,  He comments:

  “I don’t think any of us met with any danger – only from shells when in the trenches, and when we are getting in and out.  We went with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and I think one or two casualties occurred to that lot.  I am still keeping fit and well.”

 We do not know the exact circumstances in which Albert Wing was injured but it is probable that it happened on 23rd July when “D” company were shelled and fired on after a successful attack on Pozieres in the morning.  He was in the machine gun section and he received gun shot wounds in his right leg and buttock.  Albert was evacuated to hospital in Rouen where he later died of his injuries.  A chaplain wrote to his parents telling them that he had been brave and cheerful when admitted to hospital but a relapse had set in, and he died unconscious and peacefully.  The ground of the Somme was very fertile, and threads from clothing forced into wounds could result in blood poisoning and gangrene. Minor injuries, which had they been treated aseptically and quickly,  often proved fatal.

 Albert Wing was buried in the St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, location A. 13. 45.  He died 29th July 1916 – aged 21. 

 

Prior to the war he first worked for the Reading Corporation Tramways Department and later for Sutton and Sons.  He was a good Cricketer, and was Captain of the Sutton’s second team and had won the Batting prize two years in succession.  Albert Wing was also a member of St. John’s Church.

George William East

Army, Registered War Grave, Royal Berkshire Regiment

George William East
Private 11503 “D” Coy.,
8th Royal Berkshire Regt.,

Division 42 

CIMG2130

 

George William East was the husband of Alice East of 20, New End, Hampstead.  He was a Londoner, born in Kentish Town but was stationed in Reading.  At the time of his death he was in the Maitland Military Hospital.  He died on the 25th February 1915. East had enlisted on September 3rd 1914 but did not go to France.  He died of disease aged 26.

 However, his was amongst the first of the military funerals and was  carried out with full honours.  A report was carried in the local press. 

 East had been  connected with the passenger dept at St. Pancras station (Midland Railway) and six fellow workers attended to pay tribute.  A large detachment of the 8th Berks. followed the funeral procession, being headed by a firing party and the Caversham and Reading Veterans Band who played the dead March in “Saul” and Chopin’s funeral march. A large crowd of people was attracted by the spectacle.  The coffin was covered with the Union Jack.  Three volleys were fired over the grave and the Last Post sounded.  The band played a hymn at the graveside and six comrades of the deceased acted as bearers.

George William East’s grave is a registered CWGC grave with a war pattern headstone.

William Franklin Bate

Army, Other Regiments, Registered War Grave, RFC / RAF

William Franklin Bate
2nd Lieutenant Royal Air Force

Division 75

 William Bate  was the son of Rev. J. D. and Mrs Bate.  He died on the 22nd February 1920 aged 41.  The inscription on the headstone states:

“After a long and painful illness bravely borne”. 

 William Bates grave is a registered CWGC grave with a personal headstone. 

William Bate attested in February 1916  and originally served with the Devonshire Regiment and in February 1917 worked for the Pay Corps. He transfered to the school of aeronautics at Reading in September 1917 and gained his commission in October 1917. His military record indicates that he was previously employed as a Photographer and the medical details showed that he had previously had a kidney operation, a carcenoma is recorded and it may be that he died from a reoccurance from this disease.