Group Photographs and Biographies from the Herts Regiment

Below are a series of 7 great photos courtesy of Mark McKibbin from Australia, who's Great Grandfather was Henry George Killington, who started life in the Bedfordshire Regiment as a 14 year old 'Boy' and rose to become a Captain Quartermaster in a career spanning five decades. Henry's bio can be seen here

The first in the series appears to be from between 1908 and 1911 and was the front of a postcard, as was the case with all of the photos. A group of veteran Sergeants with more stripes, medals and trade badges between them than you are likely to see on any photos, probably all former Regular soldiers from the Bedfordshire Regiment! Henry is almost certain to be one of them, although which one is uncertain.

The second and third are un-named Hertfordshire Territorials, presumably at one of the annual Summer Camps. The similarities suggest they may be the same young man but the absence of Sergeant stripes and other such regalia appear to eliminate the chance of it being Henry Killington himself.

The following photos are varying groups of young Territorials, also presumably at one or more of the Summer Camp(s). Some faces look familiar both in general and also when compared to others in the series, but anyone able to identify any for certain, please say so!

Officers in October 1914, Bury St. Edmunds.

This photograph comes from the Royston Crowe, edition 20th November 1914. It shows the officers from the 1st/1st battalion and their senior officers and was taken at Bury St. Edmunds before they deployed to the Western Front. Basic ranks, surnames and some initials came with the photograph but any corrections or full names have been identified from my own files. Therefore, please contact me if any are incorrect.

Top row: Lieutenant Geoffrey Ernest WHITFIELD, Captain Aylmer G. CLARK DSO, MC, Captain Edgar Montague JONES, Lieutenant Phillip Lucas RANSOM, Lieutenant John Henry BEVAN MC, Lieutenant Harcourt John SNOWDEN, Lieutenant Wilberforce O. TIMES

Second row: Lieutenant Arthur J. DAISH, Lieutenant Bernard Jasper Nicholas GRIPPER, Captain Phillip Elton LONGMORE [eldest son of Sir Charles Longmore, C.O. of the 2nd/1st battalion], Captain A.C. [possibly Alexander Charles] BOYD, Captain Eric Charles Malcolm PHILLIPS, Lieutenant Vernon Hugh PALMER [who had recently been fined for driving without lights in Bury St. Edmunds!]

Third row: Lieutenant M. BROWN, Chaplain Reverend W. CROFTON, Major Henry Page CROFT CMG MP, Captain the Honourable N.C. GATHORNE-HARDY (Adjutant), Lieutenant Phillip DRAYSON, Captain Frank PAGE, DSO & Bar,

Bottom row: Lieutenant Thomas Richard BEVAN, Lieutenant Booker MILBURN DSO MC, Major Herbert BAKER, Major HAIG, Colonel Viscount Thomas Walter HAMPDEN CMG (in command of the Regiment), Brigadier General De WINTON, Captain Daniell [possibly John Claremont DANIEL OBE?], Major RUDYARD, Captain Lovel Francis SMEATHMAN MC.