Ancestors from WW1 & WW2

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month we shall remember.

These notes along with attached photos are in remembrance of my ancestors who participated in those wars and in one case lost his life.

Private: George William Short.

I have written many times about my great uncle George W Short, he served with 2nd Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment and gave his life at the Battle of Loos September 25th 1915. R.I.P George aged 18. My research of his life is extensive and can be seen on WWW.warhistoryonline.com. Then search G W Short

Petty Officer: Edward William Pook.

My Grandfather on my Dad’s side. He served in the Royal Navy from 1906 to 1922 ending his service as a Chief Petty Officer: His main duty during his service was as a Gun Layer and instructor. He was obviously a good shot as he was part of a Royal Navy rifle shooting team.

Lance Corporal: Frank Cyril Fayers.

My grandfather on my mother’s side: He joined the 11th Hussars early 1914 because he liked the uniform and was good with horses. At the start of WW1 he was in the regiments training grounds in Southern Ireland, he was re-attached to the 5th Hussars because the battalion was short of men sailing for France. Later in the war he was again transferred to the 4th Hussars and became some of the first soldiers forming the Machine Gun Corps. After the war he was returned to the 11th Hussars and continued to serve until 1921. He became the personal groom to the commanding Officers Polo ponies.

Able Seaman: Bernard Stanley Pook.

My uncle Bernard who was my Dad’s Elder brother: Bernard was trained on Submarine detection (ASDIC) serving on HMS Winchelsea whose duties covered Artic convoys. During one of these trips up through the artic he received a certificate for (wounds and hurts) in unusual circumstances. I have a copy of the certificate and the report shows that whilst on watch in freezing conditions his binoculars had frozen to his clothing. He attempted to free the binoculars, but when it parted company from his thick duffle coat it hit him in the face and he broke his jaw and lost two teeth.

May they all rest in peace….Lest we forget.