The 5 Brothers
My great uncle Francis S. Fordham went to Australia in 1912 as an accountant. At the outbreak of WW1 although a conscientious objecter he joined the Australian Imperial Forces and served on the Australian Hospital ships HMAT A67 Orsova and HMAT A63 Karoola. My grandfather Alfred H. Fordham joined the army. The Kings Royal Rifles and fought at the Somme and Paschendale and was awarded the M.C. D.C.M. My great uncles Ralph A. Fordham and Lionel E. Fordham joined the Royal Naval Division and served at Gallipoli and in France. My great uncle Eric J. Fordham joined the army the 1st Hertfordshire Regiment and died on the 8th October 1918 at the battle for Cambrai. As far as I can trace all five brothers were within a few miles of each other when Eric was killed.
CONTRIBUTOR
Graham Fordham
DATE
1914 - 1918
LANGUAGE
eng
ITEMS
1
INSTITUTION
Europeana 1914-1918
PROGRESS
METADATA
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5 brothers serving
1 Item
Newspaper clipping || The attached newspaper clipping shows my grandfather George Pinnick and his 4 brothers. The youngest was Alfred, stated age 19. However he lied about his age so he could become a soldier, unfortunately, he was killed in action. || || Newspaper clipping || Publication
The Meyer Brothers
6 Items
Letters and transcript of Frank's diary, both written during his time in POW Camp. Picture of Frank at POW camp. Photograph of the family. Photographs of Arthur's name listed on the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres. || I wish to relate the story of three brave Irish brothers, cousins of my grandfather, who fought in World War One. Their names were Ernest Samuel Meyer, born on 24th April 1886, Frank Spencer Meyer, born on 5th July 1887, and Arthur William Meyer, born on 11th August 1892. They were all born in Bray, Co. Wicklow and are listed on the 1901 Bray Census, but the family emmigrated to Winnipeg, Canada in 1909 seeking a better life, working in the grain industry. At the outbreak of war, both Arthur and Frank enlisted in the Winnipeg Rifles (Little Black Devils) and took the Oath of allegiance on 23rd September 1914. Their letters, date sequenced, came first from Canada then England (Salisbury Plain) then from France as they were crossing to the front, writing about meeting the locals. Arthur was reported missing in action on the 15th April and presumed dead on 25th April 1915 at the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He is listed on the memorial Menin Gate at Ypres, Belgium, and died a Corporal at just 22 years of age. Frank was captured (also at the 2nd Battle of Ypres) and taken a Prisoner of War (POW) on 23rd April 1915. From the family archives and from transcripts of his diary (transcribed by his daughter) we learned that Frank was moved around while a POW and ended up in a German work camp. Also, from the university archives in Winnipeg, we have photographs of Frank at the prison camp. He survived the war, married in September 1924 and died on 16th July, 1951. Ernest, who was married and had two sons, Alan and Gerhard (Gerry) born 1913 and 1914 respectively, enlisted and took the Oath of Allegiance on 23rd December 1915 (after Arthur’s death). He was also in the Winnipeg Rifles. He was involved in the Battle of Amiens, the last 100 days, and was killed instantly on 9th August 1918 during an advance where he faced intense enemy machine gun fire. He died in the village of Caix and is buried there in the Manitoba Cemetery. Private Ernest Meyer was 33 years old. || || Photograph || My cousin, Frank Meyer || Prisoners of War || Germany || || Prisoners of War || This is a letter that Frank wrote to his mother while at the Prisoner of War camp in Friedrichsfeld, Germany, describing the conditions of the camp and asking after his family. It shows the difficult conditions of the war and also how important his family was to him. || Frank Meyer's letter to his mother || Friedrichsfeld, Germany || || Menin Gate Memorial || Photograph || This is a photograph of Menin Gate and Arthur's name inscribed on the memorial wall honouring his service and death in the Battle of Amiens. || Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium || Remembrance || || The Meyer Family Photo || Photograph || Ontario, Canada || This is a photograph of the Meyer Brothers and their families taken in Ontario, Canada before the war. This is the only photographic evidence of the brothers together. || || Brief history of the Meyer Brothers || Prisoners of War || Remembrance || This document reveals information of Frank's experience in the POW camp and also mentions Arthur's story. This was presumably written by Frank's daughter when transcribing the diary that he wrote while he was there. || Frank and Alfred Meyer's experience at war || || Friedrichsfeld, Germany || The day-to-day life in a POW camp || This is an extract of Frank's diary from May 1916, his second year at a German POW camp, as transcribed by his daughter. These notes provide an insight into how day-to-day life was for him and his fellow soldiers. || Frank Meyer's POW camp diary || Diary || Prisoners of War
The Perrin Brothers
8 Items
Scrapbook containing various photographs, postcards, letters, certificates and clippings from newspapers relating to the Perrin brothers, their involvement in the war and their families || My story originates from an old family album that I found in storage. I don’t know who complied it, but it details the life of the Perrin Brothers Thomas, Arthur and Oliver, all of whom served in the First World War. It is of particular interest to me because of the possible family connection. The Perrins were a wealthy family who resided in Prince Edward Square, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. The eldest, Arthur, married Eva Annie Maud of Worthing, Essex before joining the Malay State Volunteer Forces. He survived the First World War but died in 1944 in Singapore when he was 2nd Lieutenant in the Kedah Special Force, and is now buried in Krangi War Cemetery. Before joining the British army, Thomas was a qualified accountant, as can be seen by his 1908 Examination Certificate, and also a very successful hockey player. He fought with the 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment and returned from the war with an injury he received at the Battle of the Somme. Unfortunately like his brother, he survived World War One but died on another service while in Egypt and is buried there. The youngest, Oliver Dacre Barrett-Lemon Perrin, served in the South African Field Artillery under the infamous General Smutts in the German East African Campaign. It is not known of what happened to him after this. Other people are featured in the album, including Victor who sent a postcard from Gibraltar, and a name which appears to be ‘Judo’ who sent a postcard from the Somme in 1916 and a letter from Cairo in January 1918. There are many newspaper cuttings and photos, including a family portrait and a photo of the injured Thomas. || || Dublin, Ireland || Details of Thomas' death || This document is listed under Dublin Casualties of WWI, and outlines the details of Thomas Perrin's death, including place of death and burial, where he served and when he died. || Thomas' death || Official document || || World War One Veterans list || Official document || A list of Ireland's veterans during the First World War, with details of the Perrin brothers written underneath || || List of deceased soldiers of the British Army || This is a list of those that died whilst serving with the British Army during the First World War and are buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Cemetery in Egypt. Thomas Frood Perrin is listed there. || Official document || || Photographs of the Frood family and friends || Some photos from the scrapbook, one of which is two of the Frood brothers in uniform. || Family Memories || Photograph || || English || Family Memories || These are more photos of the family with names written underneath, including a photo of Thomas in uniform in 1914. || Slovenčina || || Photograph || Family Memories || More photos from the scrapbook, nearly all of them are of soldiers and their units. || Photos of family members at war. || || Other || Newspaper clipping and photo about Thomas Frood's injury || A newspaper clipping about Thomas being on the Irish Roll of Honour, detailing his injury at the Somme. It also talks about his international success as a hockey player before the war, and also talks about his brother Oliver. || Dublin, Ireland || Family Memories || || More photos of the family, the members are unidentified. || Family Memories || Photos of the family || Photograph