I’ve been looking into my family’s connection with the First World War for some time now and have discovered that my grandfather spent several months training in the Hadleigh area. He then left for Gallipoli, with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, later in 1915.
I have added two photos. The first has him marching through local streets with his battalion while the second shows him with fellow officers and the Rector of Hadleigh.
I would be interested to know if anyone can recognise the locations. I have never been to Hadleigh so have little knowledge of the town. Would I be correct in thinking that the Rectory is no longer standing? He gave his address as the Castle Hotel, which has also gone?
Many thanks for your help.
Comments about this page
Add your own comment
I have just found the ‘dog tag’ for my grandfather 2nd Lieutenant WJ Morris Garr Batt RWF. I think he enlisted about 1915 but was sent to Ireland rather than to WW1 service. He looks very like the man in the middle at the back of your photo.
Hi Pete, I hope you are still on this forum. I am a serving officer in the Royal Welsh and a Trustee of the RWF Museum in Caernarfon. If you have any more photos and would be prepared to share them with us to be included in our Archive it would be greatly appreciated. My Grandfather also served at Gallipoli and then Egypt, Palestine and finally the Western Front in the last 100 days. He served with the West Somerset Yeomanry.
Best wishes Nick
Hi Peter- I’ve found him listed in my grandpa’s old book on the RWF by H.Avray Tipping. He’s down as Lt JRM Jones joining 6th RWF 2/6/13. Have you joined the Great war Forum? some great RWF experts there.Chances are he was a Lt then a Capt rather than both ranks together. War Diary is available as a download from the NA.
Hi Will-Thanks for your reply, not sure if my earlier reply got through to you. I thought the picture of Lt Anson looked like my relative. His name was John Richard Mervyn Jones. The only details I have traced are that he was made R.W.F. Lt. on 18/6/1909, Lt. Capt. on 11/8/1915 and resigned commission 8/1/1921. Any help would be appreciated.
Hello Peter – Apologies for late reply. Officers in doorway are (from left to right) 2nd Lts Anson, Roberts and Green. I have a book with all RWF officers listed circa 1915. If you can give me his name I can see if he’s there. Have you traced his MIC etc?
My Relative was a Lieutenant Captain in the 1/6th (Carnarvonshire & Anglesey) Battalion, D Company. The Photo of your Grandfather and fellow officers with the Rector of Hadleigh, interests me. Do you know the names of the three officers at the back, standing in the doorway?
The Waggon and Horses pub stood on the east corner of New Road, facing south on the London Road. It was demolished in 2009.
Hi Pete – Thank you so much for answering my queries. It’s remarkable how you’ve been able to identify the location. I had a feeling that it must have changed substantially. From looking at google streetview, would the Waggon have been near the corner of New Road? – Many thanks again.
Will, the Castle Hotel is still there, it’s in the old Hadleigh High Street and now known as the Castle pub. The location of the photo of the battalion marching is the London Road, Hadleigh, looking towards Chapel Lane and Hadleigh common; which ironically would become the location in 1922 for the Hadleigh war memorial that stands there today.
PS: The photo looks most likely to have been shot from the upstairs of the Waggon and Horses pub which sadly is no more.
Add a comment about this page