Bertie Pinnuck was the fourth of nine children born to William Frederick and Clara Pinnuck. William, a labourer, died in 1909 aged 36. When war was declared in 1914, many men rushed to volunteer. However, as the casualty toll rose, the British Armed Services began to run out of men and so conscription was introduced in 1916. Bertie became eligible [Click to continue…]

Charles Francis Roope was born on 24 December 1883 into a Roman Catholic family. After the birth of four older sisters, my grandmother Evelyn amongst them, he was no doubt more than welcome! He was followed a year later, by the arrival of a further sister, before the family was complete. His father Charles Henry Roope was a merchant banker in the [Click to continue…]

Albert Edward Drake was born in 1895 in Camberwell, London, the fourth son of Alfred Drake and Louisa Annie (formerly Johnson). Alfred and Louisa Annie married 24 Mar 1883 at Battle Bridge All Saints, London, and this Drake line is traced back to Morley, Norfolk. Albert was a Rifleman with the 12th Battalion the Royal Irish Rifles. He died 16 Aug [Click to continue…]