George William Drake, the younger son of George Drake and Emily (formerly Jarvis) was born in 1897 at Great Warley, Essex, and was was the second of their two sons to die in this war. His parents were married 10 Oct 1891 at Little Burstead, Essex. His grandparents were John Drake and Sarah Ann Poulter, who were married 17 Oct 1858 at Bethnal Green [Click to continue…]

Charles Reuben EURIDGE was born in 1887 at Tottenham, Middlesex.  He was the fourth son of John William and Mary Jane EURIDGE née HARE. He had seven brothers and sisters: Charlotte Annie EURIDGE (1878-1936) William Harry EURIDGE  (16 Mar 1880- 25 Dec 1949) Thomas James EURIDGE  (1881-1882) Lizzie Louisa EURIDGE  (13 Jan 1883-1971) Flora [Click to continue…]

Alfred George Drake (1894-1915), a Corporal in the 8th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. An extract from The London Gazette 21 Jan 1916 records 'For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 23 Nov 1915 near La Brique, France. He was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitring towards the German lines. [Click to continue…]

William Charles Rayment was born at Mount Duneed in Victoria, Australia on 22nd January 1892, the fifth of seven children of 29-year-old James Rayment and his wife Harriett Frances Rayment née Ratten. His early life was not very easy, his mother having died when he was just five years old, but after leaving school he managed to get an apprenticeship [Click to continue…]