BILNEY, EDWIN ARTHUR, Private, No. 2975, 4th Battn. Suffolk Regt. (T.F.), eldest s. of A. Bilney, of Brandeston, Suffolk; was a Gardener; volunteered for foreign service after the outbreak of war; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; died in the Clearing Hospital, 17 May, 1915, of wounds received in action, aged 22.

BILTON, JOSEPH, Private, No. 6030, 3rd Battn. Coldstream Guards, s. of Septimus Bilton, of 73, Arundel Street, Holderness Road, Hull, formerly of the N.E.R. Coy., by his wife, Mary, dau. of Samuel Seague, Naval Pensioner; b. Hull, 1 Nov. 1887; educ. Fish Street Council School there; enlisted in 1903 and served for eleven years, then became Labour Master at the York Workhouse and held this position when called up on the outbreak of war; killed in action at Soupir, 16 Sept. 1914; unm. His brother, Septimus, enlisted after the outbreak of war and is now (1916) on active service.

BINDLEY, HORACE, Private, No. 15594, 1st Battn. The Middlessex Regt., s. of William Bindley, of 104, Ber Street, Norwich; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; killed in action, 1 Sept. 1915.

BINGHAM, CHARLES HENRY, Private, No. 9057, 2nd Battn. East Kent Regt. (The Buffs), s. of Henry Bingham of 1, Park Road, Beaver, near Ashford; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; killed in action 14 Feb. 1915.

BINGHAM, CHARLES JEFFREY SLADE, Private, No. 20745, 10th Battn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, 3rd s. of the late Richard Charles William Bingham, of Bingham’s Melcombe, co. Dorset, J.P., Lieut.-Col., Dorsetshire Regt., by his wife, Georgina (28a, Barons Court Road, West Kensington), dau. of William Stuckey Wood, of Charlton Musgrove, Wincanton, late Capt. 7th Dragoon Guards, and grandson of Col. Charles Bingham, Royal Artillery Dep. Adj.-Gen.; b. Bingham’s Melcombe, co. Dorset, 12 Dec. 1893, and was educ. at Clifton College, from which he went to Canada in 1910, and at the outbreak of the war joined the 10th Battn. Canadian Expeditionary Force. While in camp at Valcartier he contracted cerebro-spinal meningitis and was landed at Plymouth on 15 Oct. 1914, in a very serious condition, and taken to the 4th Southern Military Hospital, where he died on 6 Jan. 1915; unm. Four of his brothers are now (1916) on active service, Richard Charles Otho with the Ceylon Engineers in Ceylon; John Richard, 2nd Lieut., R.F.C., late H.A.C.; Humphrey Richard, Lieut., R.F.A. (awarded the Military Cross, in Jan. 1915); and William Philip, 2nd Lieut., R.F.C., all with the Expeditionary Force in France.

BINGHAM, FRANK MILLER, Capt., 5th K.O.R. Lancaster Regt., 2nd s. of the late John Joseph Bingham, M.D., by his wife, Kate Laura, dau. of John Yardley Robinson; b. Alfreton, co. Derby, 17 Sept. 1874; educ. St. Peter’s, York, and obtained medical degree of M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. at St. Thomas’s Hospital, London. He joined the Territorials in 1909, being gazetted Lieut. 26 Nov. 1910, and was promoted Capt. 2 May, 1914. He took part in the fighting round Ypres in the early part of May, and had three days furlough to visit his wife and children, and was killed the day after returning to the Front while on reconnoitring work near Ypres, 22 May, 1915. He was buried in Sanctuary Wood. Capt. Bingham was a well-known practitioner in Lancaster, and formerly played cricket for Derbyshire County and Rugby football for Blackheath. He m. at St. Margaret’s, Westminster, 12 Dec. 1900, Ruth Morley (Lindow Cottage, Lancaster), dau. of Alfred Evans Fletcher, late Chief Inspector of Albrali Works, and had three children: Thomas Fletcher, b. 8 July, 1902; Joan Fletcher, b. 15 July, 1905; and Jill Fletcher, b. 22 April, 1911.

BINGLEY, JOHN WILLIAM, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., Ch. B. 9100), S.S. 105260, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 11 Sept. 1914.

BINSTEED, GERALD CHARLES, Major, 2nd Battn. “Pompadours” Essex Regt., only s. of the late Major Charles Henry Frederick Binsteed, 52nd Oxfordshire L.I. and 1st Madras Lancers, by his wife, Consuelo (Hanover Court, Hanover Square, W.), dau. of Gerald de Wilton, Surgeon-Major, Indian Medical Service; b. Cairo, 7 Aug. 1885; educ. Wellington College and Sandhurst; gazetted to the Essex Regt., 20 May, 1905, promoted Lieut., 6 March, 1910, and Capt., 15 Nov. 1914; served with the Mounted Infantry at Longmoor and Malta, and was Scouting Intelligence Officer at the Curragh. In May, 1914, he was appointed for Special Employment at the War Office, but after the outbreak of war, went to the Front with his Regt., was gazetted Major 18 March, and was killed in action at Le Gheer, 8 April, 1915; unm. Capt. Binsteed greatly distinguished himself by his gallantry in the field, and was twice mentioned in F.M. Sir John French’s Despatches [London Gazette, 4 and 10 Dec. 1914], and was one of the first officers to receive the Military Cross [London Gazette, 1 Jan. 1915]. At Wellington he represented his school at Bisley and was winner of the mile race, and at Sandhurst took the Sword of Honour and passed out first. He also won the Subalterns’ half mile at Malta and the Officers’ mile race in the All Ireland Military Athletic Meeting at the Curragh. Capt. Binsteed was an able linguist, and passed as an interpreter in French, Russian and Chinese, and was a member of the Geographical Society, China Society, and Asiatic Society, and a contributor to the China Year Book, “The Far Eastern Review,” etc.

BIRCH, ARTHUR, Leading Stoker, K. 9930, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in the action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

BIRCH, ARTHUR EDWARD, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 7353, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

BIRCH, WILLIAM JOSEPH, Private, R.M.L.I. (R.F.R., B. 1166), H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

BIRCH, WILLIAM ELRIC HAWTHORNE, 2nd Lieut., Duke of Cornwall’s L.I., 2nd s. of Richard Birch, of London Bank Chambers, Newcastle, New South Wales; b. Hawthorne, Victoria, Australia, 29 March, 1886; educ. Geelong, Australia; gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the Duke of Cornwall’s L.I., 18 Sept. 1914, and was killed in action at Hooge, 31 July, 1915. He had previously held a commission in the Australian Imperial Forces, and his commanding officer wrote: “He is a very great loss to the battn., as his knowledge of sketching and surveying were invaluable. He was always cheery and brave, and was an excellent leader of men.” Lieut. Birch m. at Aldershot, 1 May, 1915, Mabel (35, Braidwood Road, Catford, S.E.), 3rd dau. of John Lewis, of Catford, S.E.; s.p.

BIRCHALL, ARTHUR PERCIVAL DEARMAN, Lieut.-Col. Commanding 4th Battn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, and Capt. Royal Fusiliers, 2nd s. of the late J.... Dearman Birchall, of Bowden Hall, co. Gloucester, by his wife, Emily, dau. of John Towitt, of Harehills, Leeds; b. Bowden Hall, 7 March, 1877, and was educ. at Eton and Magdalen College, Oxford. He obtained a University Commission, being gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt.), 23 May, 1900, and was promoted Lieut. 11 April, 1902, Capt. 1 Oct. 1908, Major, and Lieut.-Col. 22 Sept. 1914. From 25 March, 1904, to 24 March, 1907, he was Adjutant of the Royal Fusiliers, and on 15 April, 1910, was seconded for service with the Royal Canadian Regiment, and later he was on the Instructional Staff, Western Canada. In Aug. 1914, he was invalided home from Canada, but recovered sufficiently to rejoin the 1st Canadian Contingent in Nov., and acted as Staff Capt. to the 1st Brigade. Always popular and a keen and most efficient officer he was appointed to the colonelcy of the 4th Canadians in February, and was killed in action in the attack on the Pilkem Ridge, near Ypres, 23 April, 1915; unm. Speaking of this action F.M. Sir John French said: “The Canadians had many casualties, but their gallantry and determination undoubtedly saved the situation. Their conduct has been magnificent throughout”; and the Official Report from the Canadian Record Officer at the Front was as follows: “The fighting continued without intermission all through the night, and to those who observed the indications that the attack was being pushed with ever-growing strength, it hardly seemed possible that the Canadians, fighting in positions so difficult to defend, and so little the subject of deliberate choice, could maintain their resistance for any long period. At 6 a.m. on Friday (April 23) it became apparent that the left was becoming more and more involved, and a powerful German attempt to outflank it developed rapidly. The consequences, if it had been broken or outflanked, need not be insisted upon. They were not merely local. It was therefore decided, formidable as the attempt undoubtedly was, to try and give relief by a counter-attack upon the first line of German trenches, now far, far advanced from those originally occupied by the French. This was carried out by the Ontario 1st and 4th Battns. of the 1st Brigade, under Brig.-Gen. Mercer, acting in combination with a British brigade. It is safe to say that the youngest private in the ranks, as he set his teeth for the advance, knew the task in front of him, and the youngest subaltern knew that all rested upon its success. It did not seem that any human being could live in the shower of shot and shell which began to play upon the advancing troops. They suffered terrible casualties. For a short time every other man seemed to fall, but the attack was pressed ever closer and closer. The 4th Canadian Battn. at one moment came under a particularly withering fire. For a moment—not more—it wavered. Its most gallant commanding officer, Lieut.-Col. Birchall, carrying, after an old fashion, a light cane, coolly and cheerfully rallied his men, and, at the very moment when his example had infected them, fell dead at the head of his battn. With a hoarse cry of anger they sprang forward (for, indeed, they loved him) as if to avenge his death. The astonishing attack which followed, pushed home in direct frontal fire made in broad daylight, by battns. whose names should live for ever in the memories of soldiers, was carried to the first line of German trenches. After a hand-to-hand struggle the last German who resisted was bayoneted, and the trench was won. The measure of this success may be taken when it is pointed out that this trench represented in the German advance the apex in the breach which the enemy had made in the original line of the Allies, and that it was 2½ miles south of that line. This charge, made by men who looked death indifferently in the face—for no man who took part in it could think that he was likely to live—saved, and that was much, the Canadian left. But it did more. Up to the point where the assailants conquered or died, it secured and maintained during the most critical moment of all the integrity of the Allied line. For the trench was not only taken, it was held thereafter against all comers, and in the teeth of every conceivable projectile, until the night of Sunday, the 25th, when all that remained of the war-broken, but victorious battns. was relieved by fresh troops.” Major R. Hayter, Brigade-Major, 1st Canadian Brigade wrote: “Your brother, Percy, fell on the 23rd, leading his battn. in the first Canadian counter-attack on the 23rd made by the French, British, and 1st and 4th Canadian battns., just east of the Ypres Canal. His battn. lost all its officers but four, and some 560 casualties other ranks, but they never wavered and got into the enemy’s line, saved the day, and prevented the enemy’s advance south along the east bank of the canal. We are still being desperately engaged, and I cannot write much, but I am sure you will be glad to hear that he has been recommended for the Victoria Cross. He was wounded, had his wound dressed, was wounded again, yet would go on, and fell, leading the charge which took the trenches.... I had a written message from him timed 4.20 p.m. acknowledging an order, and I hope some day to be able to give it to you. His loss has been the greatest blow the contingent could have had. Loved by all, and worshipped by his officers and men, we feel that it was his personal magnetism alone which kept his regt. together, and enabled them to hold what they had gained. All our deepest sympathies are with you and your family, but his end could not have been more glorious”; and the following tribute from an old friend appeared in “The Times” (29 April, 1915): “The claim to have been the most popular officer in the Army is a large one, and may be advanced in the name of many a candidate. But it is probable that all who in any true sense had made Birchall’s acquaintance will claim that no officer could have been more deeply, and probably none more widely, beloved and admired. At Eton, at Magdalen, and for fifteen years in the Army, he was for ever winning to himself friends by the simple but irresistible charm of his nature—by his manliness and sportsmanship, his humour and high spirits, his enthusiasm for his profession as in general for the better things of life. Joining the newly-formed 4th Battn. of the Royal Fusiliers during the South African War, as a university candidate, he became closely identified with its fortunes for some ten years; and he was largely responsible for raising it to the high level of the older battns. of that famous regt. Beloved alike by his brother officers and men, he was equally prominent as a leader in soldiering and in sport: in the field of manœuvre as in the football, the hockey, the hunting, but especially the cricket field he always played a fine sporting game. After ably fulfilling the second adjutancy of his battn., he received the singular distinction of being selected—one of two officers from the whole Army—to be attached to the Canadian Forces, according to a scheme for the mutual benefit of both services. In Canada, he inevitably won through to the same affectionate and admiring popularity as at home. His period of appointment was extended, he was appointed to the Staff, and was given an almost transcontinental district of supervision. The characteristic energy which he threw into this work in the unaccustomed climate caused a temporary breakdown in his health, and bitter was his grief, on returning to England, shortly before the outbreak of war, to find himself entirely forbidden on medical grounds to take for the present the share in active service for which he had keenly prepared and eminently fitted himself. To such advantage, however, did he make use of his time, even of sickness, that, in the intervals of being visited by a constant stream of devoted friends from two continents, he compiled the admirable little manual for the use of regimental officers in the present emergency training, which he entitled “Rapid Training of a Company for War” (Gale & Polden, Aldershot). This book rapidly attained a wide success, and was brought up to date in a second (and subsequent) edition, just as he himself, recently promoted Major, was appointed first a staff Captain in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and in immediate succession given command of the 4th Canadian Infantry a few days before it sailed for the front.” Col. Birchall resided at Saintbridge House, Gloucester. His brother, Capt. J. Dearman Birchall is (1916) serving with the Royal Gloucestershire’s Hussars Yeomanry.

BIRD, CUTHBERT, Private, No. 588, 13th Battn. Australian Imperial Force; volunteered on the outbreak of war; killed in action at the Dardanelles, 1 May, 1915.

BIRD, EDWARD, Private, No. 11984, 1st Battn. Coldstream Guards, s. of William Bird, of 14, Albert Terrace, Stafford; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders; was reported missing 25 Jan., 1915, and is now assumed to have been killed in action that day.

BIRD, EDWARD, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., Ch. B. 9529). S.S. 106902, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

BIRD, FRANCIS CLIFFORD, 2nd Lieut. 3rd Battn. King’s Shropshire L.I., elder s. of Francis Bird of Cotswold, Winchcombe, co. Gloucester, by his wife, Mary, dau. of the late Joseph Tibbits, of Warwick; b. Cotswold, Winchcombe, 21 June 1895; educ. King William’s College, Isle of Man, and Cheltenham College, where he was a member of the O.T.C. On the outbreak of war he volunteered, was gazetted 2nd Lieut., 15 Aug. 1914, went to the Front in Jan. and was killed in action near St. Eloi, 2 March, 1915. He was buried at Voorezelle; unm.

BIRD, FRANK EDWARD, Corpl., No. 476, C Squadron Essex Yeomanry, eldest s. of Frederick Bird, of Thorley, Herts, by his wife, Fanny Alberta, dau. of George, Fowler; b. Thorley, 25 March, 1893; educ. Hockerill Boys’ Practising Schools; joined Essex Yeomanry as a Trumpeter in Nov. 1909, and having completed his four years’ service, rejoined for a further period. He was killed in action, near Ypres, 13 May, 1915; unm. He was mentioned in Despatches for bravery and coolness under fire, and Capt. R. G. Proby, commanding the Stortford Troop, writing to his father, said: “He took part with the rest of the Stortford Troop in a very gallant attack on the German lines. The attack succeeded, but unfortunately our losses were heavy—he is among the number. I need hardly say how sorry I am to have to tell you this news. His death will be very greatly felt by the whole squadron, and especially by his friends in the Stortford Troop, with whom he was very popular. It will be some consolation to you to know how bravely he fell.”

BIRD, STEPHEN CARMEN, Private, No. 67193, B Coy., 25th Battn., 2nd Division, Canadian Expeditionary Force, s. of the late Stephen Bird, Lieut. 93rd Battn. (died 9 Dec. 1895), by his wife, Augusta (Amherst, Nova Scotia), dau. of William Bird; b. Mapleton, Nova Scotia, posthumous, 24 April, 1896; educ. Amherst High School; was employed in the Offices of Canada Car Co., Amherst; volunteered on the outbreak of war and joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 9 Nov. 1914; came over with the 2nd Contingent, 29 May, 1915; went to France, 15 Sept. and was killed in action there, 8 Oct. 1915, by the explosion of a mine; unm. A comrade wrote: “He was a friend at all times and under all circumstances, no one need wish a better friend, we all loved him and we all mourn his loss.” And another: “He had splendid courage, and when urged to fall back a little further a few minutes before the explosion occurred his reply was ‘I am staying right here.’” Private Bird was a keen athlete and a base-ball player.

BIRD, WILFRED STANLEY, M.A. Oxon, Lieut., 6th (Reserve), attached 2nd, Battn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, s. of the Rev. Henry George Bird, M.A., Rector of Newdigate, co. Surrey, by his wife, Henrietta Maria, dau. of William Greenham, of Hendford House, near Yeovil, J.P.; b. Yiewsley Vicarage, co. Middlesex, 28 Sept. 1883. He commenced his education at the Grange (Preparatory) School, Eastbourne, where he captained the cricket and football teams, and was an immense favourite with the masters and boys alike. He later proceeded to Malvern and entered the College at the time Canon Sidney James came to be Headmaster. There he represented his College in cricket, fives and football. His company also won the College Cup for military drill. In 1902 he was entered at New College, Oxford, and his early promise of being a leading sportsman was fully realised. He represented Oxford in cricket on three successive seasons, and was Captain of the Oxford side in 1906. He was a member of the Middlesex Team, though circumstances prevented him from playing in more than two or three matches during the season. He played for the Gentlemen against the Players, and was asked to represent England in South Africa and Australia. He was an extremely careful and good batsman, but specially excelled as a wicket keeper, and one of the best known captains in England said: “He is the best wicket keeper I ever saw.” After leaving Oxford, where he won for himself many friends, he became a master at Ludgrove. It was here that he spent the last eight years of his life. His record there is a fulfilment of the promise of his early days at Eastbourne and Malvern, and his keenness on everything to do with Ludgrove, and his willingness to put himself out for others, endeared him to masters and boys alike. He was immensely happy there and it was a terrific struggle to answer the call, but he never failed to recognise his duty. A member of the O.T.C., he was gazetted Lieut. to the 6th Battn. of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 29 Dec. 1914, and was afterwards attached to the 2nd Battn. at the Front. He was killed, 9 May, 1915, while gallantly leading his platoon near Richebourg St. Vaast; unm. His Major wrote of him: “Bird was gallantly leading his men when he was shot, and died instantly.” He adds: “Bird was a splendid fellow, and a very promising officer and very popular with officers and men alike. I am more than sorry to lose him.”

BIRRELL, GEORGE HENRY GORDON, 2nd Lieut., 9th (Dumbartonshire) Battn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (T.F.), eldest s. of Col. John Birrell, of Allander House, Milngavie, co. Dumbarton, late 9th Battn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and Army Service Corps (Highland Division), by his wife, Grace Marguerite, dau. of George William Masson Buish, of Salto, B.O.; b. Milngavie afsd., 2 Feb. 1893; educ. Loretto, gazetted to his father’s old regt., 3 Nov. 1914, and joined at the Front in Feb. 1915. On 10 May, 1915, during the second Battle of Ypres, the Battn., which formed part of the .. Brigade, received orders to take and hold a line of trenches near Hooge; this they did, but at considerable loss. Lieut. Birrell was killed during the advance, while gallantly leading his platoon under heavy shell fire. He was unm., and was buried in Zouave Wood, near Hooge.

BIRRELL, KENNETH, Private, No. 11106, 2nd Battn. The Royal Scots (Lothian Regt.), only s. of W. Birrell, by his wife, Alsie (10, Merchant Street, Edinburgh), dau. of (—) Reid; b. Stockbridge, Edinburgh, 15 Jan. 1895; educ. Glen Street Roman Catholic School there; enlisted 2 April, 1912, and was killed in action during the retreat from Mons, 26 Aug. 1914; unm.

BISHOP, ALBERT EDWARD, Signal Boy, J. 24353, H.M.S. Hawke; lost in action in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

BISHOP, CHARLES HENRY, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 3816), 187061, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in the action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

BISHOP, EDWIN MAURICE, Lieut., 3rd Battn. Dorsetshire Regt., attached King’s Own Yorkshire L.I., elder s. of Edwin Bishop, of Gosport and Swanwick, Sugar Merchant, by his wife, Janette (The Lawns, Swanwick, near Southampton), dau. of the late Knowles Richardson, of Littlehampton and Portsmouth; b. Gosport, 19 June, 1891; educ. Bradfield College; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 3rd Battn. Dorsetshire Regt., 21 June, 1912, and promoted Lieut. 1 May, 1913. On the outbreak of the European War, he left for the Front, 8 Sept. 1914, being attached to King’s Own Yorkshire L.I., and was killed in action at Illies, France, 18 Oct. 1914; unm. His Capt. wrote: “We started attacking yesterday morning at 6.20 a.m., and your son was leading his platoon with the firing line. I heard about mid-day that he had been killed; he was found by one of the other subalterns, and there is no doubt that he was killed instantaneously. We had all got very fond of him in D. Coy. We all feel his loss very deeply. Poor fellow! this was his ‘Baptism of Fire’; he was leading his platoon most gallantly when he was shot”; and Sergt. Beeching: “We started the attack and advanced under a very heavy fire from the enemy till we gained a ridge where we all laid down. Mr. Bishop then rose up on his hands and knees and was in the act of passing a message along the line when he was hit; the bullet had entered his forehead and had come out at the base of his skull”; and Sergt. Spooner spoke of him as: “One who during his short stay with us had won the greatest admiration and respect from his men.” His yr. brother, Private G. S. Bishop, A.S.C., died on active service, 10 April, 1915 (see his notice).

BISHOP, FREDERICK HENRY, Leading Seaman, 229715, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

BISHOP, GEORGE SPENCER, Private, No. 31591, 178 Coy Army Service Corps (Motor Transport), yr. and only surviving s. of Edwin Bishop, of Gosport and Swanwick, etc. (see previous notice); b. Swanwick, 17 Oct. 1892; educ. Bradfield College; learned motor engineering at Adams’ Engineering Works, Bedford; enlisted in the Army Service Corps (Motor Transport) in Dec. 1914, trained at Grove Park Barracks and afterwards at Reading, where he died of cerebro-spinal meningitis, after a week’s illness, 10 April, 1915. He was brought home and buried in Sarisbury Churchyard. A brass tablet to his memory was put up in the church by the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of his company. The Major stated that “He was a very smart soldier and much liked by all his Company.”

BISHOP, JAMES, A.B., 229797, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

BISHOP, WILLIAM, Leading Stoker (R.F.R., B. 10705), 300546, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

BISS, FREDERICK ERNEST, Private, No. 2733, 1/8th Battn. Middlesex Regt. (T.F.), s. of Frederick Biss, of 25, Werley Avenue, Dawes Road, Fulham, S.W., by his wife, Emma, dau. of Ernest Roylance; b. Shoreditch, 13 May, 1896; educ. Fulham Palace Road Board School; was a Labourer; joined the Territorials about 1911; volunteered for active service on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914; went to France, 9 March, 1915, and was killed in action in a trench at the Battle of Loos, 25 Sept. 1915; unm. He was buried at Wye Farm, near Loos, with others of his comrades.

BITTEN, FREDERICK, Officers’ Steward, 3rd Class, L. 4948, H.M.S. Hawke; lost in action in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

BLACK, CUTHBERT THOMAS, A.B., 224922, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

BLACK, FRANK HENRY, Capt., 4th. attached 1st. Battn. Royal Warwickshire Regt., elder s. of Francis Black, of Fairview, Great North Road, Finchley, R.B.A., A.R.C.A., Hon. Sec. of the Royal Society of British Artists, late Principal of the L.C.C. Camden School of Art, etc., by his wife, Annie Beatrice, dau. of the late John Smith, of the firm of John Smith, Ltd., 131, London Wall, and grandson of the late Horatio Black, of Nottingham; b. London, 1 Dec. 1887; educ. City of London School, and in Paris; joined the Artists’ Rifles as private in 1907, afterwards accepting a commission (20 Jan. 1912) which he resigned in June, 1914, owing to business pressure. On the outbreak of the war he volunteered, and there being no vacancy in his old Coy (A) of the Artists he accepted a commission in the 4th Battn. of the Royal Warwickshire Regt., 18 Aug. 1914. He was afterwards attached to the 1st Battn., being sent to it in France in Sept. After some weeks at the base, St. Nazaire, they went up to the firing line in Flanders, arriving on 26 Oct. He spent the whole winter in the trenches. He was promoted Lieut. 1 Nov. 1914, and Capt 1 Jan. 1915, and was killed in action at St. Julien, 25 April, 1915, during the 2nd Battle of Ypres; unm. His commanding officer, Col. A. J. Poole, wrote: “He was killed on 25 April gallantly leading his men against the German trenches. He was the greatest favourite with us all, and all our sympathy goes out to you in your sad bereavement. Personally, I feel I have lost a great friend, and one that I shall never be able to replace as one of my officers. Unfortunately, we have been unable to recover his body at present, but will make every endeavour to do so”; and Private H. Roberts, writing from hospital, said: “On Sunday, 25 April, about 4 a.m., Capt. Black gave the order to advance and take the lines of trenches in front of us. We had advanced the biggest part of the ground under heavy fire, when the Capt. was shot through the head. It was impossible for any of us to render him any aid, as death was instantaneous. I daresay you will have read that he was posted wounded and missing, but I am sorry to say he was killed, as I was only a few yards away from him when it happened. The reason the Capt. was posted missing was because he was so near the enemy’s trenches when he fell. Capt. Black was one of our most popular officers, and his death was deeply felt amongst the boys of the Coy. with whom he was a great favourite.” Capt. Black held the Challenge Cup for highest efficiency for one year, and gained a number of silver spoons for shooting, and was very popular with his Coy. He was a member of the School of Arms, and took a great interest in A Coy.’s camp at Datchet in 1912, 1913, and 1914, being one of the chief movers in the formation of that club.

BLACK, HENRY, Private, No. 10008, 1st Battn. Scots Guards; b. Mid Calder, Edinburgh; volunteered and enlisted 1 Sept. 1914, aged 25; reported missing after the fighting on 25 Jan. 1915.

BLACK, JAMES WILLIAM McKAY, Private, No. 2089, 1/5th Battn. Royal Scots, elder s. of John Black, of 15, Mertoun Place, Edinburgh, Blacksmith, by his wife, Christina, dau. of William McKay; b. Edinburgh, 15 Sept. 1883; educ. Gillespie’s School there; served his apprenticeship as an engineer in Edinburgh; on 18 Jan. 1909, was appointed an assistant in Edinburgh Weights and Measures Department; passed the Board of Trade Examination held in Glasgow on the 15–16 Nov. 1911; commenced his duties as an Inspector of Weights and Measures 16 Feb. 1912; appointed an officer under the Petroleum Acts, the Explosive Act and the Fabric Misdescription Act, 16 May, 1914; enlisted on the outbreak of the war, 29 Aug. 1914; and was reported killed in action in Gallipoli, 28 April, 1915; unm.

BLACK, ROBERT, L.-Corpl., No. 12109, 2nd Battn. Highland Light Infantry; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; reported wounded and missing 24 Oct. 1914, and now assumed to have been killed in action on that day.

BLACK, THOMAS, Private, No. 10674, 1st Battn. The Royal Scots, 2nd s. of the late Thomas Black, Calender Worker, and formerly a Private in the Black Watch, by his wife, Agnes (5, Ramsey Street, Dundee), dau. of Jack Fields; b. Dundee, 23 Sept. 1892; educ. Mitchel Street Public School there; was for some time employed as a rope spinner in Messrs. Halket & Adams’ Rope Works, Dundee, and enlisted in the Royal Scots, 7 June, 1910. He was drafted to the 1st Battn. in India, and on the outbreak of the European War came home with his regt. and was killed in action in France, 12 May, 1915; unm.

BLACK, WALTER CAIRNS, L.-Corpl., No. 2164, 14th Battn. (London Scottish) London Regt., s. of James Black, Bookbinder’s Manager; b. Edinburgh, 10 June, 1888; educ. Daniel Stewart’s College, Edinburgh; joined on mobilisation 4 Aug. 1914, was promoted L.-Corpl. for tending wounded under fire and general good conduct in the field, and was killed in action at Givenchy, 22 Dec. 1914; unm. Black was by profession a chemist and druggist, qualifying at Edinburgh, 1910; was for some time assistant to Mr. H. Dixon, of Russell Gardens, S.W., and later joined the staff of Messrs. Allen and Hanbury, of Lombard Street.

BLACK, WILLIAM, Private, No. 11521, 2nd Battn. Scots Guards, s. of James Black, of 12, Wilkies Lane, Dundee; b. Aberdeen; volunteered and enlisted 4 Oct. 1914, aged 19; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; reported missing, 18 May, 1915.

BLACK, WILLIAM, Sergt., No 11302, 2nd Battn. Highland L.I., 4th s. of Jeremiah Black, by his wife, Matilda, dau. of Joseph Lowry; b. Craigywarren, Ballymena, co. Antrim, Ireland, 28 Jan. 1890; educ. Craigywarren National School; enlisted in April, 1909, promoted Sergt., Nov. 1914, served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, and was killed in action on the Rossitier Road in the Village of Zonnebeke, five or six miles from Ypres, 14 Nov. 1914; unm.

BLACK, WILLIAM, Private, No. 22764, 11th Battn. The Royal Scots, 2nd s. of George Black, of Buckhaven, by his wife, Helen, dau. of Adam Addison; b. Howtown, co. Clackmannan; educ. Cowdenbeath, Fife; was a miner; enlisted 9 May, 1915, and was killed in action near St. Julien, 15 Oct. 1915, by the explosion of a mine under the trench where he was on sentry duty. He m. at Buckhaven, Fife, 1 Jan. 1908, Isabella Gordon (Randolph Street, Buckhaven), dau. of George Cargill, and had three children: George Gordon, b. 22 Feb. 1909; William, b. 26 March, 1915; and Mary Keddie, b. 6 Aug. 1911.

BLACKBURN, EDWARD, Private, No. 12548, 1st Battn. Coldstream Guards; b. York; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; killed in action at Richebourg, 12 March, 1915; m.

BLACKBURN, HORACE, Private, No. 8393, 2nd Battn. Scots Guards, s. of (—) Blackburn, of 5, Sheridan Street, Wakefield Road, Bradford; b. Bradford; enlisted 31 Aug. 1912, aged 21; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; reported wounded and missing, 20 Oct. 1914.

BLACKBURN, JOSEPH EDWARD, Leading Seaman, 226195, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

BLACKER, CECIL FRANCIS, Lieut., 2nd Battn. Connaught Rangers, yr. s. of Major Frederick Henry Blacker, late 4th Queen’s Own Hussars, by his wife, Anna, dau. of Sir Joseph Bazalgette, C.B.; b. ...; educ. May Place, Malvern Wells, and Wellington College, Berks (Purnell’s 1903–06); was at the R.M.C. 1908, entered the Army, Nov. 1909, gazetted Lieut. Jan. 1911, being 2nd in command of the Brigade Cyclist Corps when he went to the Front. He was severely wounded at the Battle of Mons, 23 Aug. 1914, and died at Netley Hospital, 6 Sept. following; he was buried at Maudins, Naas; unm.

BLACKER, GEORGE FREDERICK, 2nd Lieut., 3rd, attached “A” Coy. 2nd, Battn. Northamptonshire Regt., only s. of Arthur Edward Blacker, L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S., by his wife, Harriet Sophia Williams, dau. of the late Henry Robbins Dew, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Assistant Staff Surgeon to Lord Raglan in the Crimean War, and gdson. of the late George Frederick Blacker, of Midsomer Norton, M.R.C.S., L.S.A.; b. Bristol, 13 July, 1893; educ. Bristol Grammar School, was at the outbreak of war about to commence his medical studies, but at once applied for a commission and was gazetted to the Northamptons from the Bristol O.T.C., 28 Oct. 1914. He went to the Front, 30 March, and was killed in action at the Battle of Aubers Ridge, 9 May, 1915; unm. He was at first reported missing, but later his body was recovered and buried near an orchard about 300 yards south-west of the junction of Rue Petillon and the road from Sailly to Fromelles. The delay in recovering his body was due to the fact that the spot where he fell was in the open near the enemy’s lines, and was fiercely contested for many days. All the five officers in his company were killed on the same day, and most of the men were either killed or wounded by maxim gun fire in what his commanding officer described as: “a very gallant attempt to close with the enemy.” 2nd Lieut. G. F. Friendship, writing on behalf of the commanding officer to Dr. Blacker, said that: “Blacker with his Coy. took part in an attack we made on the German lines. As the Northamptons attacked, they were met by a perfect hail of bullets, machine and rifle fire. Nothing could live in it, and I am sorry to say, we lost a big number of men and officers. Your son acted most gallantly and was seen, before he was hit, shouting to his men to come on”; and Lieut. H. W. Carritt, one of the very few officers who came safely through that terrible charge, states that Lieut. Blacker led his platoon bravely, choosing the dangerous flank, and sending his sergt. to lead that which was less perilous. He died close to the enemy’s position in a brave attempt to lead his men over what proved practically insurmountable obstacles.”

BLACKER, WALTER, Shipwright, 1st Class, 345996, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in the action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

BLACKETT, WILLIAM STEWART BURDETT, of Arbigland, co. Dumfries, and Manton Grange, Oakham, co. Rutland, Capt., Leicestershire Yeomanry, late Grenadier Guards, eldest s. of the late Capt. Archibald Campbell Steuart Blackett, R.N., by his wife, Clara Blanche Harriet, eldest dau. of Lieut.-Col. Charles Sedley Burdett, Coldstream Guards, and nephew and heir of Christopher Edward Blackett, of Arbigland, J.P., Lieut.-Col. 26th and 93rd Regts. and Coldstream Guards [a cadet of the family of Blackett, of Wylam, co. Northumberland]; b. London, 24 Oct. 1873; educ. Wellington and Sandhurst; joined the 3rd Grenadier Guards 8 May, 1895, becoming Lieut. 12 Feb. 1898, and Capt. 1901. He served through the South African War, 1899–1902, in the 8th Division under General Rundle, was present at the Battle of Biddulphsberg, and received the Queen’s medal with two clasps and the King’s with two clasps. He retired in 1903, but on the outbreak of war joined the Leicestershire Yeomanry, and was gazetted 15 Aug. 1914. He went to France with the Expeditionary Force, was wounded in action near Ypres on 20 Nov. 1914, and died in a French hospital at Poperinghe 24 Nov. following, and was buried there. He m. at Staplestown Church, Carlow, 6 April, 1907, Kathleen Prudence Eirene (Arbigland, Dumfries), dau. of Beauchamp Frederick Bagenal, of Benekerry House, co. Carlow, D.L., and had a son, Christopher William Stewart Blackett, now of Arbigland, b. 27 April, 1908.

BLACKLAY, FRANCIS PETTICREW, Private, No. 21065, 16th Battn. (Canadian Scottish), Canadian Expeditionary Force, s. of James Blacklay, of 13, Marlborough Street, Londonderry, Managing Director of William Thompson & Co., Ltd., Londonderry; b. Londonderry, 5 May, 1893; educ. Foyle College there; and on leaving there went to Canada and entered the employ of the Canadian Bank of Commerce at Winnipeg, being later transferred to Longham and Delisle, Sask. This he left in April, 1915, to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was killed in action, 26 Oct. 1915, while on duty round a German battleplane which had fallen in the British lines, and was buried near Wulverghem; unm.

BLACKLEY, JOHN, L.-Corpl., No. 657, 3rd Battn. The Royal Scots, s. of the late William Blackley, Shiprigger, by his wife, Phyllis, dau. of Robert Muir, Gardener; b. Edinburgh, 5 April, 1887; educ. London Road National School there; enlisted about 1906, and was killed in action at Wolverehem, 11 Sept. 1914. He m. at Leith, 15 Feb. 1909, Mary Ellen, 4th dau. of Andrew Dalziell, and had two children: John, b. 9 June, 1913; and Anna, b. 12 Oct. 1911.

BLACKMAN, JOHN THOMAS, Private, No. 258, Princess Patricia’s L.I., Canadian Expeditionary Force, s. of the late John Blackman, Sergt., 33rd West Riding Regt., by his wife, Mary (5, Best Town, Cage Lane, Chatham), dau. of Patrick Lyons; b. Lucknow, India, 11 April, 1881; educated Chatham; enlisted in the Grenadier Guards, and after serving five years went to Canada, 4 April, 1910, and on the outbreak of war volunteered for Imperial service. He was killed in action at Hill 60, 4 May, 1915; unm.

BLACKMAN, THOMAS, Sapper, No. 1544, Royal Engineers, eldest s. of William James Blackman, of 86, Church Street, Ore, Painter; b. Hastings, co. Sussex, 23 Nov. 1873; was a Painter; enlisted, 13 Oct. 1914; went to the Front, 22 Dec. 1914, and was killed in action, 5 March, 1915. His Capt. wrote: “He was carrying out last night some dangerous work in front of our trenches and was hit by a stray bullet.” He m. 1st, at Ore, Hastings, Laura (died 12 July, 1910), dau. of William Holewell, labourer; and 2ndly, at the same place, 7 Oct. 1911, Philly Jane (60, Fairlight Road, Ore, Hastings), dau. of William Mepham, Naval Pensioner, and had three children by his 1st wife: Thomas William, b. 24 May, 1907; Rose, b. 2 July, 1908; and Laura, b. 20 Feb. 1910.

BLACKSTONE, WILLIAM, Seaman, R.N.R., 3700A, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

BLAKE, AUGUSTUS EDWARD, C.P.O. (R.F.R., A. 2043), 153991, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

BLAKE, HENRY, Private, No. 1835, 118th Battn. Middlesex Regt. (T.F.), 2nd s. of David Blake, of Grange View, Chalfont St. Peters, by his wife, Maria, dau. of James Butcher; b. Chalfont St. Peters, co. Bucks, 2 May, 1892; educ. National School there; joined the 8th Middlesex Territorials, Sept. 1912; mobilised 5 Aug. 1914, and volunteered for foreign service; served at Gibraltar, 3 Sept. 1914, to Feb. 1915, and with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, 8 March, to 26 April, 1915, on which date he was killed in action at Zonnebeke during the second Battle of Ypres; unm.

BLAKE, JOHN EDWARD, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 2641), 205973, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in the action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

BLAKE, LOUIS CHARLES, Private, No. 27168, B Coy., 15th Battn. (48th Highlanders) Canadian Expeditionary Force, s. of Harry George Blake, of 689, Ontario Street, Toronto, Canada, Gasfitter, by his wife, Louisa, dau. of Charles Henry Stiling, of Walworth; b. Camberwell, London, 22 Jan. 1888; went to Canada with his parents when one year old in 1889; educ. Sackville Street Public School, Toronto, and was a Fourth Book Scholar. He served with the 12th York Rangers from 7 June, 1904, to 18 May, 1912, when he obtained his discharge with an excellent character. He then served for a short time with the A.S.C., and joined the 48th Highlanders in 1913, and on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914, was one of the first to volunteer for service overseas. He left with the first contingent in Oct. 1914; trained on Salisbury Plain during the winter; went to the Front in Feb. 1915, and served continuously until 5 Dec. 1915, when he was killed in action at 10.5 p.m. at King Edward Terrace (Ration Farm), France, by a high explosive shell. He was buried there; unm. His brothers, Corpl. Edward Blake, 19th Battn., and Private Harry Blake, 74th Battn., are now (1916) on active service.

BLAIR, SIDNEY BARCLAY, 2nd Lieut., 3rd, attd. 2nd, Battn., Royal Warwickshire Regt., 3rd s. of John Blair, of Bidston House, Wigan, J.P., M.D., by his wife, Elizabeth, dau. of F.... Love, of The Priory, Grosmont, co. York; b. Wigan, 20 Aug. 1885; educ. Wigan and Warminster Grammar Schools, and Giggleswick School, where he won his colours and became a corpl. in the O.T.C. He matriculated at Liverpool University in 1913, and passed his first professional examination in medicine shortly after the outbreak of war. Volunteering, he was gazetted to the 3rd Battn. of the Warwickshire Regt., 19 Nov. 1914, and on going to France in March was transferred to 2nd Battn. He was killed in action at Festubert by a shell between the 1st and 2nd line German trenches, whilst leading his platoon, 16 May, 1915, and was buried at Le Touchet; unm. His colonel wrote: “He died gallantly leading his platoon attacking the Germans, 16 May.” His Adjutant: “I always found him so willing and always ready to be of service. His loss will be greatly felt in the regt.” His Capt.: “Your son belonged to my company, and he was killed between the 1st and 2nd line German trenches. His platoon was the first of the battn. to attack, and he led them most gallantly.”