The King’s Men: The Black Soldiers of the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment in the First World War and before

By John D Ellis

In their overview of Untold stories of Black Families in the First World War, the Liverpool Museum’s website states that early in the First World War

“…the Government put into place regulations to stop Black men enlisting into standard British Army units. However there is some evidence of Black men serving in these units, so it is possible that individual Recruiting Sergeants felt the regulations were open for ‘interpretation’.”^[1] http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/black-history-month/untold-stories-black-families-first-world-war

When examining the presence of soldiers in ‘The King’s (Liverpool) Regiment during this time, this appears to be correct. The website explores the service of Sir Herbert Gladstone McDavid, (whose grandfather was from Antigua). After enlisting in the 10^th (Scottish) Battalion of the regiment he was posted to the 6^th Battalion Cameron Highlanders, with whom he was serving when he became a Prisoner of War in France in 1917.

Hugh Crieghton Cupid, born at Bootle, Liverpool c.1898 similarly served in a Liverpool Scottish battalion of the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, and is depicted on the website resplendent in a British battle dress and highland kilt.^[2]www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/black-history-month/untold-stories-black-families-first-world-war Unfortunately, no records of his service have been identified – possibly because they were destroyed during the Second World War (as many records were) or because he served briefly at the end of hostilities and insufficient records were generated.

The website also identifies Private Frank Nelson of the regiment, who in 1915 was at the centre of a racist incident.

Not mentioned is Private Vincent Jady, a Liverpool born soldier ‘of colour’ who served briefly in the regiment in 1914.^[3]For Vincent Jady see https://www.historycalroots.com/private-vincent-jady-soldier-and-pugilist/

Finally, the website contains a photograph of an unnamed Black soldier posing with his comrades from the 5^th Territorial Battalion of the King’ Regiment.

It is not clear from the caption if the soldier is himself serving with the 5^th Battalion or is in another battalion and has simply posed with them. However, all six soldiers are wearing the collar tags of the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, so they are in the same regiment. The identity of the Black soldier remains unknown.

This article will explore the presence of soldiers ‘of colour’ in the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment during the First World War in order to supplement what is already known and perhaps to prompt further research. However, some points need clarification:

Firstly, soldiers of African and Asian origin have served in the regiments of the British Army for most of its history. Primarily, this was in ‘racially’ defined musical roles, but this practise had ended in the 1840s and thereafter they largely served as ordinary soldiers. Thus, their presence should not be seen as unusual and was definitely not limited to the ranks of colonial forces (which is in no way intended to denigrate those units). Secondly, that in the British Army of the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the descriptions “Black”, “of colour” and “coloured” (the latter only really coming into use toward the end of the nineteenth century) were used for both soldiers of African and Asian origin. It is only when a place of origin is noted in records, that it is possible to identify if an individual was of African or Asian origin.

The regiment: Raised in 1685 the 8^th (King’s Regiment) Foot were retitled the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment in 1881. It was retitled in 1923 as the King’s Regiment (Liverpool). In 1958 it merged with the Manchester Regiment to become the King’s Regiment (Liverpool and Manchester). In 2026 it is an antecedent of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (King’s, Lancashire and Border). For brevity, the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment will be referred to as ‘The King’s’.

Lastly, this article is about a Liverpool regiment and because of that credit must be given to the outstanding work of the late Dr. Ray Costello.

The King’s Men

The unique rank of Kingsman, instead of Private, was officially sanctioned in 1951, but had previously been in informal use by the regiment for over one hundred years. It was the rank used by The King’s Regiment (Liverpool and Manchester) and is still used today by The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (King’s, Lancashire and Border).^[4]The Regimental Handbook of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. © The Regimental Charity of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. Preston, 2007.

Private Samuel Windle, 1885-1887

The service in the King’s of Private Samuel Windle, (described as “a coloured man” in one civilian record), predates the First World War. In Dublin in 1887 from Freeman’s Journal, 17^th May 1887:

EXTRAORDINARY ROBBERY.

Yesterday in the Northern Division of the Police Court, Mr Keys, presiding, Peter Murphy aged 65 years, and Thomas Murphy, aged 26 years, residing in Coady’s cottage, West Road, were charged by Police Constable 75C with having assaulted and robbed Samuel Windle, a private in the Liverpool Regiment.

The prosecutor, who is a coloured man, deposed that on Saturday night he was walking down O’Connell Street on his way to Beggar’s Bush Barracks, when Peter Murphy (the elder prisoner), who was pushing a handcart, accosted him, and invited him to have a drink. Witness accepted, and in return “stood a treat”. They had several drinks, which resulted in the prisoner asking him to see him home. He consented, and after walking some distance there were joined by another man not in custody. This was about nine o’clock and becoming very tired he said he could walk no further. His companions seeing “his distress” left the handcart at his disposal and also their services. They at once consented to put him in the cart and pull him along (laughter).

The Clerk – Did you then get into the handcart?

No.

They all entered a house down the laneway, where they were joined by the younger prisoner and two females, one very old and the other young. He had no money on him, but all the same he became very nervous, greatly frightened, and expressed a strong desire to go away. However, the prisoners declined to permit him to leave and asked him to enter an inner room. He did so and immediately the light was extinguished, and the younger prisoner shouted, “take off your coat”. Witness at first hesitated, but the younger Murphy said that no one had seen him come in and added “and no one will see you go out, unless, sir, you do what we say”. Witness then proceeded to take off his coat and all his clothes, even to his boots and stockings and jersey; the prisoner then took these and his cap away and came back with another pair of trousers. He was forced to put these on, and they then ran him out of the house. He had not seen his clothes since.

Constable 75C said he was on duty in Amiens Street on Sunday morning, when the last witness came up to him in his bare feet and told him of the robbery. Windle did not know the name of the street in which he was robbed, but after some inquiries the constable formed an idea of the locality and took him there. Windle pointed out the house, 3 Coady’s Cottages, West Road, as the place where he had been robbed. Witness entered the house and questioned the prisoners, who were the only inmates of the cottage, and they denied all knowledge of the affair. The constable searched the place and found a pair of army boots, which Windle identified as his property.

Mr Keys – Did the prisoners attempt to give any explanation as to the boots?

Witness – No, your worship.

The prisoners were remanded for a week.

No.1128 Private Samuel Windle enlisted in the 1^st Battalion Liverpool Regiment on 31^st March 1885. He was discharged in Dublin on 5^th July 1887 being “incorrigible and worthless”. No other military record has yet been identified to help discover more about Samuel Windle or his service. In 1881 the King’s were officially linked with the city of Liverpool, and it is therefore likely that he came from either the city or its environs.

A search of the website findmypast.co.uk does indeed reveal a Samuel Windle (not a common name) with links to Liverpool: Born in Liverpool 3^rd January 1864 to Charles (a widower and brewer born in Carlton, Yorkshire c.1828) and Margaret Windle (nee’ Allen born in Ormskirk, Lancashire c.1826). Nothing in Samuel Windle’s immediate family background suggests either of his parents were of African or Asian origin, and whatever ‘degree’ of one or the other he was deemed to be by the King’s it was insufficient to prevent him enlisting, but sufficient that it was noted in Ireland in 1887. His discharge does not appear to be linked to his ethnicity, rather his lack of ability as a soldier. The circumstances of his assault and robbery, and his response to the incident would not have endeared him to either his superiors or his peers in the King’s.

Samuel Windle, born in Liverpool c.1864, if indeed he was the same man who served in the King’s between 1885 and 1887, returned to the city and lived an apparently blameless life, dying in 1941.^[5]Private Samuel Windle, 1885-1887. References: The National Archives (TNA) WO 121/252 and WO 121/257. Freeman’s Journal, 17 May 1887. africansinireland.com findmypast.co.uk

Private Frank Nelson, 1915

Jeffrey Green described how Frank Nelson, a Black private in the King’s Liverpool Regiment, was insulted and assaulted in the street (in Liverpool), in June 1915. His assailant was initially imprisoned for 4 weeks, reduced to a fine for drunkenness at a later date. Jeffrey Green notes that the late Ray Costello’s book Black Tommies. British Soldiers of African Descent in the First World War (Liverpool University Press, 2015) mentions Nelson and his assailant on pages 61-62.

Frank Nelson was born in Sinoe, Liberia c.1886. A ship’s fireman by occupation, in 1911 he was single and residing at 6 Gore Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. The address appears to have been a lodging house for merchant sailors. He enlisted in the 2^nd/5^th Battalion of the King’s on 28^th May 1915. He held the rank of private and was given the number 23508 (No.3508 was also noted). Aged 31 years and 11 months and 5/6” tall he declared that he had previously served in the Royal Navy. He was married to Mary Nelson and their residential address was 15 Beaufort Street, Liverpool. He marked, rather than signed his records, suggesting that he was illiterate. He was discharged on 19^th July 1915 under paragraph 392 (iii) of the King’s Regulations: “unlikely to become an efficient soldier”. No specific reason was noted. His fate remains unknown.^[6]Private Frank Nelson, 1915. References: jeffreygreen.co.uk/311-2/ 1911 Census for England and Wales. RG 14/22216/254//1314. findmypast.co.uk TNA WO 363. … Continue reading

Private Henry Bascombe, 1914 to 1916

Brief details about Henry Bascombe have previously appeared on the Caribbean Roll of Honour and on Jeffrey Green’s website.^[7]caribbeanrollofhonour-ww1-ww2.yolasite.com/army-ww1.php#B jeffreygreen.co.uk/122-african-descent-soldiers-in-british-regiments-in-1916/.

Henry Bascome was born at San Fernando, Trinidad in 1893. He was the son of Ernest and Eldiea (or Eldica) Bascombe (the latter being known by the surname Hurley).^[8]Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 18^th August 1915. findmypast.co.uk His name was given as ‘Richard Henry Bascombe’ according to the Caribbean Roll of Honour.^[9]caribbeanrollofhonour-ww1-ww2.yolasite.com However, in order to avoid complications this article will refer to him as ‘Henry Bascombe’, which is the name in military and civilian records. After leaving school he worked as a mechanic then as a sailor on board a steamship visiting America, France and other countries. Whilst the ship was in England the war broke out and he enlisted for service in 4^th Battalion of the King’s at Seaforth, Lancashire.^[10]Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 10 June 1915. Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 18 August 1915. findmypast.co.uk findmypast.co.uk Soldiers Died in the Great War database @ Naval and Military Press Ltd … Continue reading He held the rank of private and was given the number 12528.

The 4^th (formerly ‘Militia’ but then ‘Extra Reserve’) Battalion had mobilised at Seaforth in August 1914 and arrived in France in March 1915. They were attached to the Lahore Division of the Indian Army, with whom they were to serve for most of 1915. The 4^th’s first major action was at the Second Battle of Ypres (22^nd April to 25^th May 1915), a full-scale German offensive in which a new ‘secret weapon’ (chlorine gas) was used against the Allied forces with considerable affect, and which resulted in the capture of much ground by the Germans. Initially held in reserve, the 4^th counter-attacked in the St Julien area on 27^th April and then again on 1^st May. The fighting was intense, and the battalion suffered over 400 casualties (likely to be approximately half their strength).^[11]Mileham, P. “‘Difficulties be damned’ A History of the City Regiment of Manchester and Liverpool”. (Fleur De Lys Publishing, 2000). ©Regimental Council The King’s Regiment. Henry … Continue reading On 27^th April 1915 Private Henry Bascombe was serving in a platoon commanded by Second Lieutenant Robert Arthur Lloyd. From a later interview with Henry Bascombe:

They were in the charge at Neuve Chapelle after experiencing the gases. They were brought up to the relief of the Canadians. It was during the charge he was commended on the field of battle. When at St Julienne (St Julien), Lieutenant Lloyd, who gallantly refused to leave his men, succumbed to wounds, Private Bascombe went to the head of his platoon, and led them in an attack on a vantage point which the Germans held in a farmhouse. They captured the position, taking machine guns and a number of prisoners. The Gurkhas took charge of this whilst they went on advancing. Bascombe received a bullet wound, and at the same time his rifle was broken. He was in the act of picking up another rifle to continue the fight, when he was stuck in the back with a piece of shrapnel, which penetrated the bone, where it now is, it being considered too dangerous to cut out. Lieutenant Molley commended Bascombe on the battlefield for his initiative and bravery.^[12]Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, 19 June 1915. findmypast.co.uk

Lieutenant Lloyd died on 27^th April 1915. He was 20 years and the son of Walter E Lloyd of Linden House, Aigburth Drive, Liverpool. He is buried at White House Cemetery, St Jean-Les-Ypres.^[13]www.greatwarforum.org/topic/129569-2nd-lt-robert-arthur-lloyd-roll-of-honour-1914-15/ Lieutenant Molley cannot be identified. An attempt has been made to corroborate events: It has not been possible to identify a Battalion Diary for the 4^th King’s for the period that includes the Second Battle of Ypres (April to May 1915).^[14]www.maritimearchives.co.uk/kings-liverpool-war-diaries.html That said, if one could be found it appears that it would not be of much assistance. According to Wyrall, the historian of the King’s service during the First World War:

The story of this attack in the Battalion Diary of the 4^th King’s is not illuminating. It merely states that at 12 noon the battalion formed up for the attack and assaulted the German positions in support of ¼ Gurkha Rifles. The battalion suffered severely, losing Second-Lieut R.A. Lloyd killed, Capt. A.H. Colcart, Second-Lieuts. Jackson, Maltby, Briggs, Simmance, Reid, Mapplebeck and M.S. Conkey slightly wounded (fit for duty), Approximately 374 other ranks killed wounded and missing. The battalion moved into morning billets at dusk and remained there for the night.^[15]Wyrall, E. “The History of the King’s Regiment (Liverpool) 1914-1919, Vol.1 1914-1915”. (Edward Arnold & Co., 1928). page 123.

Following the battle, Henry Bascombe’s father contacted The Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 10^th June 1915:

The field of honour.

Young Bascombe wounded.

Mr Ernest Bascombe who is well known in this town is in receipt of a communication from the War Office notifying that his son, Private Henry Bascombe (No. 12582) of the 4^th Battalion The King’s Regiment (Liverpool), was wounded on April 29 in France and is now lying in a Red Cross Hospital in Yorkshire suffering gunshot wounds. The Army Council expressed sympathy and regret with Mr Bascombe on the injuries for his son. Henry Bascombe left San Fernando a few years ago, and after going to America, France and other countries he settled down in England. On the outbreak of the war he answered the call to serve King and Country by enlisting in the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment.^[16]Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 10 June 1915. findmypast.co.uk

Henry Bascombe had been evacuated to Britain and was recovering at Grove House Hospital, Harrogate where he came to the attention of the local press. From the Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, 17^th June 1915:

German “Souvenir” Carried About.

Amongst the several instances of wounded soldiers carrying German “souvenirs” inside them is that of Private Bascombe of the King’s Liverpools at the Grove House Hospital. Bascombe received a bullet wound at St Julienne, and at the same time his rifle was broken. He stooped to pick up another rifle to continue the fight, when a piece of shrapnel entered his back and lodged in the bone. The piece of shell has not been excised, as if thought to do so at present would weaken the bone. The wound has healed and the “souvenir” does not greatly trouble him. Bascombe, originally belonged to the West Indian Cavalry…”^[17]Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, 17 June 1915. findmypast.co.uk

The reference to “West Indian Cavalry” suggests he had pre-war service in one of the auxiliary cavalry units on Trinidad, (perhaps either the Trinidad Light Horse or the Trinidad Mounted Infantry).^[18]westindiacommittee.org/historyheritageculture/topics/caribbeansgreatwar/trinidad-and-tobago/ This experience would give them cause to overlook the ‘Colour Bar’.

The interview of 17^th June was expanded on. From the Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, 19^th June 1915:

Native soldier commended on the battlefield.

Private Bascombe of the 4^th King’s Liverpools is at Grove House Hospital with wounds received in the second battle of Ypres. Bascombe, who belongs to the West Indian Cavalry, being a native soldier, was transferred to the Liverpools. They were in the charge at Neuve Chapelle after experiencing the gases. They were brought up to the relief of the Canadians. It was during the charge he was commended on the field of battle. When at St Julienne, Lieutenant Lloyd, who gallantly refused to leave his men, succumbed to wounds, Private Bascombe went to the head of his platoon, and led them in an attack on a vantage point which the Germans held in a farmhouse. They captured the position, taking machine guns and a number of prisoners. The Gurkhas took charge of this whilst they went on advancing. Bascombe received a bullet wound, and at the same time his rifle was broken. He was in the act of picking up another rifle to continue the fight, when he was stuck in the back with a piece of shrapnel, which penetrated the bone, where it now is, it being considered too dangerous to cut out. Lieutenant Molley commended Bascombe on the battlefield for his initiative and bravery. The West Indian cavalryman is about and doing well, considering he is carrying the German shell souvenir in his back.^[19]Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, 19 June 1915. findmypast.co.uk

The fuller story is inaccurate about how Henry Bascombe came to be in the King’s, however the details of the battle appear to be correct. Particularly the use of gas by the Germans and the involvement of Canadians. Likewise, the conduct of Lieutenant Lloyd, was similarly praised elsewhere. His Colonel wrote:

“He fell whilst gallantly leading his men, which I assure you he did very well…. His death is a great loss to the battalion. He was very keen and full of pluck. He was very popular with the officers, and the men spoke most admiringly of his behaviour in action, and they are very good judges.” A fellow officer wrote:- …. “His magnificent courage in leading his men in the charge after being wounded was fully worthy of the V.C.^[20]www.greatwarforum.org/topic/129569-2nd-lt-robert-arthur-lloyd-roll-of-honour-1914-15/

Lieutenant Lloyd was not awarded a Victoria Cross. The lack of official recognition was not unusual. Henry Bascombe’s actions, his initiative, bravery and leadership following the death of Lieutenant Lloyd appear to have been beyond what might have been expected from an ordinary private soldier. Hence the earlier comment regarding a Lieutenant Molley having “commended Bascombe on the battlefield for his initiative and bravery”.^[21]Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, 19 June 1915. findmypast.co.uk The reference to a commendation for bravery occurs in other sources.

After treatment at Grove House Hospital, Henry Bascombe was posted to the 3^rd Battalion King’s, a training unit quartered at Pembroke Dock since early 1915.^[22]www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/kings-liverpool-regiment/ Two companies of the battalion were stationed at Cosheton Camp, where Henry Bascombe was employed as an orderly, which would have given him time to recuperate from his wounds.^[23]Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 11 October 1916. findmypast.co.uk   Cosheston Camp was a temporary “hutted” military army camp located southwest of Home Farm (‘Cosheton Home Farm’) … Continue reading

On Thursday 3^rd August 1916 Henry Bascombe was critically injured when the bicycle he was riding impacted with a lorry. From the Naval & Military Record and Royal Dockyards Gazette, 16^th August 1916:

An inquest was held at the Military Hospital, Pembroke Dock, last week, on Henry Boscombe (sic), a private in the King’s Liverpool Regt., who was severely injured in a collision with a motor lorry, and died in hospital as a result. The evidence showed that the lorry was pulled up at the roadside owing to a restive horse which was passing. Whilst it was stationary the driver heard a crash, and upon dismounting found deceased who had ridden up on a bicycle, lying in the road under the lorry. He had driven very fast down a hill towards the lorry and must have lost control of his machine. No blame was attached to the driver of the lorry or the horse. On the way to the hospital deceased said “Let my head down and let me die in peace.” He was operated upon in the hospital and lived for 36 hours afterwards. A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned. Deceased was 23 years of age, and a native of Trinidad, where his parents now reside. He came to England to enlist and had served at the front”.^[24]Naval & Military Record and Royal Dockyards Gazette, 16 August 1916. findmypast.co.uk

Henry Bascombe was treated at and died at Pembroke Dock Military Hospital.^[25]Pembroke Dock Military Hospital evolved into the South Pembrokeshire Hospital.

Details of his subsequent funeral, with full military honours, appeared in the Welshman, 18^th August 1916:

Funeral.- The funeral took place with full military honours on Wednesday last week at Pembroke Dock of Pte. Boscombe(sic), of the 3^rd King’s Liverpool Regt., who was killed in a cycling incident on the previous Saturday. Pte. Boscombe was a coloured man, who at the outbreak of war came from Port of Spain, Trinidad, to enlist. He was twice wounded and was mentioned in despatches for his gallantry in the field.^[26]Welshman, 18 August 1916. findmypast.co.uk

He was buried in Pembroke Dock Military Cemetery, 9^th August 1916.^[27]Pembrokeshire, Wales, Anglican Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1599-1995. ancestry.co.uk www.cwgc.org

In 1919 No.12528 Private Henry Bascombe, of the 4^th Battalion King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.^[29]TNA WO 329/810 and WO 372/2/28992. ancestry.co.uk His mother received a gratuity (of his credited pay) totalling £10/3s/3d.^[30]National Army Museum; Chelsea, London, England; Soldiers’ Effects Records, 1901-60; NAM Accession Number: 1991-02-333; Record Number Ranges: 329501-331000; Reference: 172. ancestry.co.uk

Further details regarding the accident appeared in a Trinidad newspaper, Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 18^th August and 11^th October 1915.^[31]Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, 17 June 1915. Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, 19 June 1915. findmypast.co.uk

The sentiments were those typically expressed, e.g. a gallant soldier, a fine comrade and a young man of exceptionally genial temperament. He had enlisted at the very start of the war, being patriotic and having “answered the Empire’s call”.

The accident was on a road near ‘Snowdrop Valley’. The flatbed lorry was travelling from Pembroke Docks. It stopped on a road near a bridge to let pass a horse and trap carrying vegetables to Pembroke Military Hospital. The driver of the horse and trap had already stopped because the horse was becoming “restive”. The lorry driver stopped to let them pass. The driver of the horse and trap saw a soldier on a bicycle travelling “very fast” down a hill towards him. (Which would have put the cyclist travelling in the direction of the rear of the flatbed lorry). The driver of the lorry heard a noise then got out and found the cyclist lying under the back of the stationary lorry. The driver of the horse and trap speculated that the cyclist had seen him and tried to avoid hitting the trap and instead hit the lorry, or that the brakes on the bike failed. (There was no mention at the inquest that the brakes on the bicycle were deficient). It was not the place of an inquest to hypothesise, however, that does not prevent this historian from doing so: The origin and direction of travel of both vehicles and the proximity of the accident to a bridge and a hill suggest it occurred near the bridge over ‘Cosheton Pill’ south of the main village of Cosheton going in the direction of Pembroke. If Henry Bascombe was travelling from Pembroke Docks (or the Military Hospital there) back towards Cosheton Camp then he would have been travelling northeast as he approached the bridge and may have had the sun in his eyes. The lorry was a flatbed and the rear would have had a low profile, particularly if it was empty, making it more difficult to see.

Henry Bascombe said “…bring me back to hospital” (confirming that he was returning from there to Cosheton Camp). He was taken to the hospital by the horse and trap. On arrival he was unconscious but regained consciousness with concussion. He appeared to be improving after six hours, but then the extent of his stomach injuries became apparent and he died 30 hours later.

There were two references to Henry Bascombe’s gallantry being officially recognised. One said that he had been mentioned in despatches (MID) and the other said it was “rumoured” he had been recommended for the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal). The account of his actions at the Second Battle of Ypres were never challenged, and his comrades who were there and other survivors of the action would have been quick to set the record straight. The two articles about his exploits that appeared in the Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale (in June 1915) would have been read by the other soldiers in Grove House Hospital and if the actions attributed to him by the articles had been embellishments or falsehoods (‘bloating’ in modern military parlance) then he would have lost credibility and the press would almost certainly have become aware.

No evidence has been found thus far that Private Henry Bascombe was mentioned in despatches. An examination of the UK, Citations of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-1920 has not revealed any reference to Henry Bascombe (or variations of his names).^[32]Ancestry.com. UK, Citations of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Walker, R. W., and Chris Buckland, … Continue reading Therefore, it appears that Private Henry Bascombe did not receive the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He may not even have been recommended for the decoration, but it is clear that people, both in Britain and Trinidad, believed he had been and this requires investigation.

Two officers are referenced as being with Henry Bascombe when he was at the Second Battle of Ypres: Lieutenants Lloyd and Molley. The former died and the latter cannot be identified. An officer would have to initiate the recommendation and would need to act as witness. Without knowing the identity of ‘Lieutenant Molley’ with certainty it is difficult ascertain if a recommendation was made, or at best it would have delayed an application. The Second Ypres was in April-May 1915 and Henry Bascombe died in August 1916. The Distinguished Conduct Medal could not be awarded posthumously (until 1979), which means that if the recommendation was still being processed when Henry Bascombe died it would have stopped at that point.

Private Henry Bascombe’s actions were clearly deserving of recognition. It might be tempting to dismiss the references to him being awarded a bravery decoration as wishful thinking by a grieving family and friends. However, in 1925 when the Commonwealth War Graves Commission were erecting gravestones in the Pembroke Dock Military Cemetery (and in doing so, carefully confirming identities, including names, ranks, numbers, regiments, decorations and dates of death), the letters “D.C.M” were typed after Henry Bascombe’s name. By whom (because it would not have been his family and friends), with whose authority and why? Who then decided they would be added and why not? It is likely that the answers to those questions lay somewhere in the archives of The War Office.

The abbreviation “D.C.M” is printed after the surname Bascombe.