Private

In the British Army, a private (Pte) equates to both OR-1 and OR-2 on the NATO scale, although there is no difference in rank. Privates wear no insignia. Many regiments and corps use other distinctive and descriptive names instead of private, some of these ranks have been used for centuries, others are less than 100 years old.[2] In the contemporary British Armed Forces, the army rank of private is broadly equivalent to able seaman in the Royal Navy, aircraftman, leading aircraftman and senior aircraftman in the Royal Air Force, and marine (Mne) or bandsman, as appropriate equivalent rank in the Royal Marines. The term as a military rank seems to come from the Sixteenth Century when individuals had the privilege of enlisting or making private contracts to serve as private soldiers in military units.

Private Frederick Lawrence

Submitted by Deejaya on

 

Pte Frederick Lawrence, 3/6115, 1st Battalion, Beds Regt, was killed in action near Ypres on March 29th, 1915.

Born in Luton in 1889, he married Nellie Eliza Evans in 1906 and lived at 32 Duke Street, Luton. At the time of the 1911 Census he is described as a dye yard labourer with a son, Leslie aged three, and daughter Violet Maisie, aged six months. The family then lived at 22 Duke Street.

Nellie remarried after Frederick's death and continued to live at 32 Duke Street.

 

Private Horace Battams

Submitted by KarenC on

Horace Battams was born in Luton in 1895.

In 1911 he was 16 years old, working as a builder's labourer & living with his family at 51 Hartley Road, Luton. His father William was a straw plait bleacher. He was the eldest of 7 children. Arthur 12, Winifred 10 & 8 year old Percy were at school & Lilley 6, Willie 4, & 1 year old John were at home with their mother Agnes.

Private George Cuthbert Patten

Submitted by KarenC on

George Cuthbert Patten was born in Essex in 1895.

He came from a large family. He had 2 brothers, Archie Walter & William & 5 sisters, Marjorie, Ida Winifred, Isabel, Annie Maude & Gertrude.

In 1911 he is living with 3 of his siblings, his father Alfred, a publican & his mother Mary Elizabeth at Rads End, Eversholt, Woburn. George is 16 years old & working as a general labourer.

Private Samuel Snoxell

Submitted by KarenC on

Pte Samuel Snoxell was taken prisoner of war on 22 March 1918.

He was born in Luton in 1888 to William & Susan. He had 2 brothers, Thomas & Charles & 3 sisters, Emily, Elizabeth & Mary.

In 1911 he is living at 31 Chase Street with his widowed mother who is working as a servant & his sister Elizabeth who is a straw hat manufacturer. Samuel is working for E W Hart & Co Dye Works as a plait buncher.

It was reported in the Luton News on 2nd May 1918 that he had been captured by the Germans, but was quite well.

Private Walter Tottingham

Submitted by KarenC on

Walter Tottingham was born in 1867 in Luton.

His parents Isaac & Caroline were also born in Luton & were working in the straw hat trade as a blocker & a sewer. In 1871 Walter is 5 years old & living with his parents & 8 year old sister Sarah at 36 Spring Place.

In October 1891 Walter married Sarah Ann Day.

Private Thomas Richards

Submitted by Deejaya on

Pte Thomas Richards, 6684, 2nd Battalion, Beds Regt, was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle on March 12th, 1915. He was aged 33.

It was a double tragedy for his widow Emma (nee Worsley, born 1881), of 178 Park Street, Luton. Just days before she received the news about her husband, her only child (Stanley Charles Thomas), died on March 26th, aged just six months. The couple were married on October 4th, 1913.

Private Harold George Hill

Submitted by KarenC on

Harold was born in 1899 to coal merchant, Henry & his wife Rose Maria.

In the 1911 census he is living at 41 Edward Street, Luton with his parents & siblings. He has 3 sisters Rose Maria 26, 15 year old Maud, an apprentice dressmaker & Beatrice Elvira, 9 who is at school. He also has 5 brothers Harry 22 &  Frederick 20, working as coalmen, William 17 is a clerk, 9 year old Alfred Charles & 7 year old Stanley Albert are at school.

Private Frederick Rae

Submitted by KarenC on

Frederick Rae was born on 9th February 1879 in Luton to Charles & Sophia.

He married Sarah Oakley in January 1900 & in 1911 he is working as a straw hat blocker & living at 51 Duke Street, Luton with their 2 sons Frederick Thomas, 10 & Arthur Charles aged 7.

He died of wounds 2 October 1918 & is buried in the cemetery on Crawley Green Road, Luton

Private Walter Allen

Submitted by KarenC on

Walter Allen was born in 1869.

There is no service record for Walter, but the medal roll index tell us that he served in the Bedfordshire Regiment. He received the Silver War Badge in France on 27th April 1915 as well as the Victory, British & 15 Star medals.

He was later attached to 319th M.T. Coy. Royal Army Service Corps.

Private John Gazeley

Submitted by KarenC on

John Gazeley was born in Luton in 1875.

In 1891 he is 17 years old & is working as an errand boy. He is living at 17 Taylor Street with his family. His father Albert 48, & 21 year old brother Frederick are working as agricultural labourers. His mother Mary Ann, 38 is at home looking after his younger siblings, Ada 13, Sarah 11, Sophia 7, Joseph 4 & 2 year old Rosey.

Private Frederick James Young

Submitted by KarenC on

Frederick James Young was born about 1880 in Luton.

He was 5ft 5 inches tall, had a fair complexion, sandy coloured hair, blue eyes & a scar on his left eyebrow.

In September 1895 he joined the 1st Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). During his 12 years with the colours he served in India & in South Africa, taking part in the relief of Ladysmith in 1902 for which he received the South Africa Medal. In 1906 he spent time in hospital  recovering from  a heart problem, then was passed fit for service in February 1907.

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