Ernest James Titcomb

Army, Commemorated name/s, Somme

Ernest James Titcomb
Rifleman 7868
1st/12th Battalion London Regiment (The Rangers)

 Division 7

Titcomb Ernest J photo

Ernest James Titcombe is remembered on the grave of his parents Charles and Letty Titcombe of 38, Newport Road, Reading.  The commemoration states that Ernest was killed in action (France).  The Berkshire Family History Society grave classification number is 7G6. 

The 1901 census indicates that the family were living at 34, Newport Road and Letty was a widow and head of the family. She supported herself by taking in washing. Ernest was then an errand boy, older brothers Harry and John respectively were joiner and cabinet maker and hairdressers assisstant. Younger brother and sister Arthur and Ethel were of an ageto be still at school. Living next door at 36, Newport Road was oldest son Albert Titcomb, a print compositor, and his wife Rosa.  In 1911, Ernest was bording and working in Guildford as a print machine minder, he was then aged 24.

 Family details from the CWGC states that he was married to Susan Ellen Titcom, of 8, Beck Road, Mare Street, Hackney, London.    They had married on the 21 November 1915 at St.Jude’s, Bethnal Green.

Ernest Titcomb has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 9 C.

At the time of his death on 7th October 1916 the Somme Battle was coming towards its end.  Ernest Titcomb was aged 29.

 

Hermon Tostevin & Fred Tostevin

Army, Navy, Registered War Grave, Royal Berkshire Regiment

Hermon Tostevin
Sergeant 7856 Depot,
Royal Berkshire Regiment

 War Plot Division 71 & 72

Tostevin H photo Tostevin F says S photo

Hermon Tostevin was the son of Annie and Charles Henry Tostevin, of 21 Elm Park Road, Reading.  He died on November 16th 1917 aged  32.  His name is recorded on the screen wall in the War Plot. The cause of death is not known nor full details of his military career. In 1901 Herman, then 16,  was an inmate at Kenniston Reform School, Thorndon, Suffolk. Ten years later, in 1911, he was serving with the 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment in India. His occupation is given as soldier and clerk.

 Fred Tostevin was the brother of Hermon. Fred served with the Devon Regiment. He was reported missing and later drowned on the HMS Arcadian on 15th April 1917, he was aged 24.  His name can be found on the Mikra Memorial  in Greece.

Fred Tostevin had work for Huntley Bourne and Stevens for ten years before the war.  The 1911 census indicates that an older brother Henry also worked at the tin factory and younger sister Winnifred worked at the Huntley and Palmer’s biscuit factory. (The caption refers to “S” Tostevin)

 In Memoriam in the Standard November 16th 1918 stated:

Loving sons, brothers kind,
Beautiful memories left behind.

In 1919:

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

From their loving Mother, brothers and sisters.