Frank Langton Wilkinson is at the top right

A photograph of Philip Richards, approximately 5 years old, returned with the possessions of Trevor Richards (Bristol Z/171, Howe Battalion, RND) killed at the Battle of the Ancre, 13 November 1916. || The attached photograph is one of two possessions returned from AB Trevor Richards, b. 22/11/1895 from Penyrheol, Gorseinon, Wales, who was killed on the Somme on 13 November 1916 (Bristol Z/171, Howe Battalion, RND). It is a photograph of his younger brother, my grandfather Philip Richards, who would have been around 5 years old at the time. He is dressed in a sailor suit due to his older brother, Trevor, serving in the Royal Naval Division.

Casualty Search Results Letters and postcards to mother during the war Letter from Infantry Record Office, Lichfield informing of death Letter from British Red Cross Newspaper extract of John and brother Ernest Letter from War Office, Imperial Institute Letter from Minstry of Pensions Birth Certificate Pocket book with last letter to mother Various medals incl 2nd Sherwood Foresters badge Map of where Foresters were in action Photos of War Memorial at Swinefleet x3 Photographs of John x2 Commonwealth War Graves Commission letter Book of postcards: Lan Grande Guerre 1914-17; Arras Apres le Bombardement The Somme: Peter Barton page 308 shows the likely position of body Letter from Peter Barton to Kenneth Duesbery. Plaque sent to parents when deceased . || John Duesbery was from Swinefleet, Goole. His surname is spelt incorrectly as Dewsbury on the medals, and also sometimes in the official documents. He joined 2nd Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) as a machine gunner, in March 1915 (army number 18260). He fought and died in Battle of the Somme, in the attack near Guillemont, September 15, 1916, aged 25. A letter was sent to his mother on 22nd August 1917, saying that it was assumed he had been killed in action on September 15, 1916, or later. More official correspondence ensued, and finally a pocket book with his last letter to his mother was found on his body and returned to the family (some time after November 1917). It contained the last letter to his mother, written while lying mortally wounded in a shell hole at the Somme. The story has been used in Peter Barton's book, The Somme. John Duesbery has no known grave, and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. See also the entry for his brother Ernest (BL96) || || John Duesbery || Reproduction of map from The Somme page 308, by Peter Barton (book originally published 2006), showing location of John Duesbery's body. He was a private in the Notts & Derbyshire Regiment, and was reported missing on 15.9.1916. The original document was sent to his mother on 22nd August 1917, saying that no further news having been received, they concluded he was dead. || Map showing location of John Duesbery's body, from Barton's book, The Somme || Book || || Book || John Duesbery || Map showing location of John Duesbery's body, from Barton's book, The Somme || Reproduction of map from The Somme, page 309, by Peter Barton (book originally published 2006), showing location of John Duesbery's body. He was a private in the Notts & Derbyshire Regiment, and was reported missing on 15.9.1916. The original document was sent to his mother on 22nd August 1917, saying that no further news having been received, they concluded he was dead. || || Official document || John Duesbery || Sherwood Forester roll, with John Duesbery's date of death || || John Duesbery || Letter from British Red Cross re John Duesbery || Letter || Letter assuming that he had been killed in action, now that a year has passed without further news. || || John Duesbery || Memoir || Photos of war memorial at Swinefleet || || John Duesbery, Sherwood Foresters || Studio photograph of John Duesbery, Sherwood Foresters in uniform, probably early 1915. || Photograph || Studio photograph of John Duesbery, Sherwood Foresters || || Photograph || Studio photograph of John Duesbery, Sherwood Foresters || Studio photograph of John Duesbery, Sherwood Foresters, probably early 1915. || John Duesbery, Sherwood Foresters || || Map of where Foresters were in action || Map || Somme || || Letter || Letter to his mother telling him of enlistment, and written early 1915. He advises her to apply for an allowance that is payable to soldiers who don't have a father. || John Duesbery || Letter of 1915 from John Duesbery to his mother || || Letter || Letter of 25th June 1915 from John Duesbery to his mother || || Letter || Letter of 18 July 1916 from John Duesbery to his mother || John Duesbery || Trench Life || || Trench Life || Letter of 2nd Aug 1916 from John Duesbery to his mother || || Letter || Letter of 31st August from John Duesbery to his mother. I think it is best to tell you we are to make a Big Charge this next month about 10th Sept. ... so if you do not happen to hear from me you will know that there is something the matter || John Duesbery || Letter of 31st August 1916 from John Duesbery to his mother || Artillery || Trench Life || || Trench Life || Letter of 19th August 1916 from John Duesbery to his mother || Letter || John Duesbery || || Field Service post card of 23rd Aug 1916 || Trench Life || Postcard || || Letter of 3rd Sept 1916 from John Duesbery to his mother || Letter || John Duesbery || || Lichfield || Official document || Letter from Infantry Record Office, Lichfield, informing of death || John Duesbery || || Other || Newspaper cutting of John Duesbery's death || John Duesbery || || Includes the following information o amount due from Army funds to his estate; and he officer in charge of Infantry has been instructed to forward to you any person effects and he late soldier executed a valid military will udner which you are the sole legatee || Letter from War Office, Imperial Institute re John Duesbery's accounts and personal effects || John Duesbery || Official document || London || || Postcard || Deutsch || arras || Bombing of Arras || Book of postcards: Arras after the bombing || Book of postcards. Printed on cover: La Grande Guerre 1914-17. Serie 9. Arras Apres le Bombardement. Cartes postales detachables. On verso: Made by Levy, fils et Cie, Paris. || || Letter requesting copyright permissions for reproduction of portions of the archive for his book The Somme. This was published in 2006. || Letter from Peter Barton to Kenneth Duesbery re the John Duesbery archive || Bradford || || Email correspondence which includes pieces from the diary of Lieutenant Brandt, detailing events of 10 Sept || Email from Peter Barton to Kenneth Duesbery re diary of Lt. Brandt. || Letter || || Memorabilia || John Duesbery || Pocket book found on John Duesbery's body || || Letter || John Duesbery's last letter to his mother, written from the Somme || Somme || Trench Life || Artillery || John Duesbery's last letter from the Somme || Page from the pocket book found on John Duesbery's body. It is the last letter to his mother, written while lying mortally wounded in a shell hole at the Somme. It is deeply moving, showing great courage, patriotism and love for his mother and family. It is written in the same cheerful, direct style that he wrote all his letters, and it is remarkable that he managed to write it with such composure. || || Medal || John Duesbery || John Duesbery's medals