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Erdington postmen heroes remembered

Thanks Mike. Pity it doesn't take us any further on location.

Now found records for Henry James Holmes, he was decorated and was, I think, Acting Brigadier - if that's what the abbreviation stands for. He was killed in action. Grateful if anyone can decipher the info on the handwritten record.

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And a record for Ernest Cornelius Neal who was also decorated. Again grateful if anyone can decipher the info.

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Viv.
 
many thanks mike and viv.. i would have thought that the plaque would have once been on some sort of post office building but there again maybe not..what we can be certain of is that it belongs in erdington so now i need to find out if erdington would like it back lol...

can i just say a big thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread and given so much useful information...it really has been a great help but its not over just yet..:encouragement:
viv i think its bombardier not brigadier..

lyn
 
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Henry Holmes was acting Bombardier which I think is a equivalent to a corporal in the Artillery Regiments


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
thanks from me too colin..oh i do hope some rellies of these men turn up on the forum...i bet they would be thrilled to see the plaque...i know i would be...thanks again everyone..

lyn
 
The sub post office at Stockland Green is still there. It's just a little shop that sold toys as well as being the local post office
with a post box outside. The main sorting office in Erdington might well be where the plaque was originally. Hopefully, Lyn can find out.
 
jennyann said:
The sub post office at Stockland Green is still there. It's just a little shop that sold toys as well as being the local post office
with a post box outside. The main sorting office in Erdington might well be where the plaque was originally. Hopefully, Lyn can find out.
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thanks jenny i would also say that the plaque must have originally been either on the inside or outside of a much larger building than a sub post office.. i just cant imagine someone walking away with tucked under their arm...i cant pick it up thats for sure lol...cant really do much now until monday so onward and upwards then..

lyn
 
This is so interesting. I lived in Erdington at one time and also worked for the GPO. Imagine what it was like for these heroes to go to war, what a comparison to being a postman or any other trade, I guess. Anne
 
Now looked at Private Charles Bull's, RAMC military record, here's some more info. He enlisted in October 1915. His wife was Florence Jessie (nee Humphries), they had two children Charles James (1/2/11) and Arthur Edward (3/2/18). They lived in Fern Rd, Erdington.

He was discharged in Jan 1917 and admitted to the National Sanatorium in Benenden with lung problems. He died of TB in July, 1922. Viv.
 
And finally tracked down more info about Private Albert Edward Sharp, in addition to Ken's post #31. Managed to find his details on the Erdington Division Absent Voters List; address at #6 Coton Road and helpfully it gives a company number.

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Then found these

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So he transferred (or does it mean the Devonshire Regiment was transferred?) to an Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps. And he's buried in St. Barnabas Churchyard. There's a headstone, but the photo is copyright so can't post here. Viv.
 
Lyn, I am so glad your friend saved this memorial plaque and kept it safe for so many years and then thought to give it to you. I hope relatives of these brave men find their way to our forum and that you manage to get it back on display somewhere.
Have you contacted the Birmingham Mail?
 
pollypops said:
Lyn, I am so glad your friend saved this memorial plaque and kept it safe for so many years and then thought to give it to you. I hope relatives of these brave men find their way to our forum and that you manage to get it back on display somewhere.
Have you contacted the Birmingham Mail?
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hi pol...so am i glad that ken saved the plaque..he has moved house about 3 or 4 times and each time it went with him...and yes i am hoping that either carl chinn/evening mail will be writing an article about it but i want to have the full story and hopefully know what will happen to the plaque before anything goes to print...

lyn.
 
Alexander Leadbetter born Emscote Warks 1874 went to the Blue coat school Walsall son of James and Emily.
served in Staffs Regt enlisted 1892 served in India ,Epypt and the war in S Africa 1899-1902
married Mary Twiss in 1905, a postman living at 33 Edwards Road, Erdington.
Enlisted in Irish rifles 1915, killed by a shell in the Front line 28th june 1917 and buried there.
The chaplain said.

' He is buried on the ground he helped to take from the Germans so his great sacrifice has not been for nothing'
 
Thanks Maypolebaz. And some great info on Alex Leadbeater Alberta. Feel we're getting a good picture of these 7 brave men. So that we can keep a grip on all the info we've uncovered I'm pulling it all together into 7 mini biographies and I'll post it on here. Think it will be more useful to have it summarised for each soldier. Nothing fancy, just a a few facts about each soldier. Viv.
 
Vivienne14 said:
Nothing fancy,
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Actually. I was contemplating the opposite. A full biography, detailing the parents, occupations, siblings, abodes, children, etc - as much as we can glean from records available.

If there were to be a re-dedication ceremony, which I would hope there might be, then too much information is better than padding-out limited research.

I'd be quite happy to compose a 'bio' for Albert Edward Sharp. Perhaps others might wish to 'tackle' others named.

Just a suggestion.
 
a few headaches later
i found frank concannon he joined the army age 17 in 1901 under the name CANNON
his widow is elizabeth phobe CONCANNON who remarried a FORRESTER
frank and elizabeth had 3 children
FRANK THOMAS
DOROTHY MARGARET
LESLIE JOSEPH
ALL LIVING AT 114 SOUTH ROAD
franks father isTHOMAS
the strange thing is that my grandfather shortened his name (CONCANNON ) to CANNON when he married
josie
 
update on frank concannon
his widow and children emergated to new south wales when she remarried in 1917
josie
 
what lovely words from the chaplain for alex leadbeater alberta thank you...
viv and ken i think its a wonderful idea to put together a few bits of info about any of our 7 heroes...i shall look forward to reading them and maybe i can then print them off...i am already beginning to feel as though i knew these men even though i didnt...thanks again everyone you have all been just great...what a team...

lyn
 
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Just caught up with this fascinating thread. Well done Lyn and everyone for the information of these brave Yentonians.
In my mumble opinion the plaque should placed at Erdington sorting office.
erd sort 1969.jpg
 
Frothblower said:
Just caught up with this fascinating thread. Well done Lyn and everyone for the information of these brave Yentonians.
In my mumble opinion the plaque should placed at Erdington sorting office.
View attachment 91131
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thanks froth and if i have anything to do with it that is exactly where it will be going thanks for the pic nice one....battle plans start again tomorrow lol

lyn
 
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