mc

Major George Henry Anson lived at Catton Hall, Burton On Trent, Staffordshire. He first served overseas in Egypt, arriving there on the 30th November 1915. He was promoted to Captain on the 8th March 1916 and served his entire career with the Staffordshire Yeomanry.

It looks like George was a pre-war soldier - the London Gazette for 14th May 1912 lists the promotion of Second Lieutenant George H. Anson to Lieutenant in the Staffordshire (Queens Own Royal Regiment) Yeomany with effect from the 23rd April 1912.
www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28607/pages/3480/page.pdf

There is a medal index card for him at the National Archive
WO 372/1/100409
which charts his rise from Lieutenant to Captain to Major.

There doesn't appear to be an obvious candidate on the Commonweallth War Graves Commission database, so it is to be hoped he survived the war.

Extracts from the Battalion War Diary

26 October 1915
11 officers detailed to embark at Devonport, leaving next day of Hired Transort ‘Northland’. Lt-Col. H.A. Clowes, Major Viscount W. Lewisham, Captain R.A. Ratcliffe, Captain R. Vaughan-Williams, Lt G.H. Anson, Lt S.G. Loveridge, Lt R. Sidebottom, 2/Lts G.D. Paul, A.V. Negus, J. Radford-Norcop, A. Bromley Davenport. (This group moved via Mudros, and rejoined the regiment on 22 November). 11 men and 11 mules embarked Hired Transport ‘Victorian’, with the East Riding Yeomanry. The rest of the regiment marched to Norwich, where it entrained for Southampton. The regiment embarked the Hired Transport ‘Nessian’, and at 5.45pm next day sailed for Malta. The main body consisted of 16 officers, 501 other ranks, 512 horses and 39 mules.

Their subsequent involvement in the campaign in Palestine is documented here
www.1914-1918.net/staffsyeo.htm

There is only one George Henry Anson on the 1911 census - a 22 year old Law student, born Christchurch, New Zealand, who was recorded as a visitor at 46 Eaton Square, St George Hanover Square, London. I'm not sure how that squares with him being an officer in the Yeomanry a year later. Early appearances on the 1891 census links him to the Staffordshire area but otherwise no reason to believe he is the individual pictured here.

The Yeomanry was territorial component of the Home Defence forces. As a part time soldier George Anson would probably have joined to supplement his income and serve the Crown whilst practising Law. There is therefore no conflict between his military service and residence in London, as already identified above.//

Makes sense that he would be be part-time - I just had nothing to go on at that point to make anything more than a surmise of a possible link. My posting also crossed with Paul Johnson's , so wasn't aware of the Catton Hall connection.

Following that up, it looks like a Colonel George Henry Anson, MC, TD, of Catton Hall, Burton, was High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1941.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Sheriff_of_Derbyshire

There certainly seems to be a New Zealand connection - the Catton Hall page on the Internet has this in the history of the building:-

After Anne Beatrix's death in 1871, Catton was looked after briefly by her two surviving sons and then by a grand-daughter, Augusta Theresa, married to the Reverend Arthur Henry Anson who built the present Chapel. It was their son, Henry Anson-Horton, who inherited Catton at the end of the 19th century. He returned from serving in the Colonial Office with his wife, Katie, and their family, and lived at Catton until 1925 when their eldest son, George. the first son to inherit directly from his father for some 200 years, took over. George looked after Catton from 1925 until 1957. In 1956,having no son and due to ill-health, he sent for his nephew, David Neilson, who returned with his family from New Zealand to take on the estate.
www.catton-hall.com/uploads/Catton History.pdf
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catton_Hall

On the 1891 census the 2 year old George Henry, born Christchurch, New Zealand, was recorded at an unnamed building near St Giles Church in the civil parish of Marston Montgomery, near Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marston_Montgomery

Head of the household is Henry Anson, aged 37, who gives his occupation as Colonial Civil Service.. He was born Potter Hanworth, Lincolnshire. His wife, Katherine Clara, was then aged 35 and was originally from Trinidad in the West Indies.As well as George Henry, they have a daughter, Theresa Maud, (aged 4 and born Cavendish Square, London), and another son, Eustace Arthur, (aged 1 and born Catton, Derbyshire). Making up the household is a cook, a nurse, a nursemaid and a parlour maid.

George, Theresa and his parents don't appear to be on the 1901 census for England and Wales under the surname Anson. They don't appear on the census for Scotland either. His brother Eustace, then aged 11, and recorded as born Croxall, Staffordshire, was listed at a Boarding School, Tower House, Tower Hill, Dorking in Surrey. I must admit I was expecting to find George in a similar establishment.

However a search under the surname Horton, finds the family living at East Close, Christchurch, nr Southampton. Father Henry Anson Horton, (aged 47), is still recorded as a Colonial Civil Servant. Along with wife Katherine, there are three children and 10 servants. The three children are all new arrivals from the 1891 census:-
Maud F A..............aged 10...............born London
Joan.....................aged 6.................born Bonehill, Tamworth, Staffs
Nigel....................aged 3.................born Bonehill, Tamworth, Staffs

George's location as a visitor on the 1911 census has already been mentioned. His parents don't appear to be on the census under either name.

Younger brother Nigel was to fall in the Great War. His name appears on the Eaton Roll of Honour.
wakefieldfhs.org.uk/genealogyjunction/Eton/Eton%20School%...
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1640507/ANSON,%20N%20...

George Henry Anson was awarded his Military Cross in the New Year Honours of 1st January 1918. No Citation is available.

On 7 February 1919 he was an Acting Major serving at Headquarters Yeomanry Regiment. [London Gazette 28 July 1919].//

There is some information on a Maurice Brachi in the Supplements to the London Gazette:

17 Feb 1915, p. 1681: "Private Maurice Brachi, from the 28th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Artists' Rifles) to be Second Lieutenant. Dated 18th February, 1915."

18 October 1917, p. 10697: "ROYAL ENGINEERS. The undermentioned to be Lts., with precedence as from 1st June 1916. 1st July 1917: [...] 2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) M. Brachi, M.C."

17 December 1917, p. 13174: "ROYAL ENGINEERS. Lt. M. Brachi, M.C., is seconded. 12th Nov. 1917."

Also "Lt. Maurice BRACHI, M.C. (154354)." is mentioned as an Emergency Commission on 6 January 1941, p 127.

The CWDG database also mentions a Anthony St John Maurice Brachi, the "son of Maj. Maurice Brachi, M.C., Royal Artillery, and Elsie Muriel Brachi, of Maida Vale, London." The rank and regiment do not fit, but this could be his son. If so, he died on the 24 April 1943 and was buried in Massicault War Cemetery, Tunisia.

For the MC, see: The regimental roll of honour and war record of the Artists' Rifles (1/28th, 2/28th and 3/28th battalions, the London Regiment T. F.): Commissions, promotions, appointments and rewards for service in the field obtained by members of the corps since 4th August, 1914, 3rd ed. (London: Howlett & Son, 1922) , p. 61:

BRACHI, Lieut. Maurice ... 3/London Field Co., R.E.

VIMY RIDGE, 21st May, 1916. For conspicuous ability and good personal example and care in organising a combined R.E. and Infantry party to occupy advanced trenches under very heavy fire.

Available at: archive.org/details/regimentalrollof00highiala

On the 1891 census the 1 year old Maurice, born East Barnet, Hertfordshire, was recorded at Brook House, Southgate Road, East Barnet Hertfordshire. This was the household of his paternal grandfather, the widower Peter Brachi, a 69 year old Retired Tobacco Broker from Southwark, London. Also in the household are Maurice's parents, Peter Chas, (aged 35 and Tobacco Manufacturer from Hackney) and Clara Harriet, (aged 35 and from Bath, Somerset).

Their other children are:-
Ethel Clara........................aged 11................born Islington
Charles Clarence............aged 10.................born Islington
Vincent.............................aged 8...................born Islington
Frances...........................aged 7...................born Islington
Lancelot..........................aged 5...................born East Barnet
There are then 7 live in servants.

A company notice for Peter Brachi, Tobacco Broker can be seen in this edition of the London Gazette for the 3rd January 1865.
www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/22926/pages/18/page.pdf

On the 1901 census the family are recorded at 18 Frognal Lane, Hampstead, London. Head of the household is father Peter C, now recorded as living on own means. Still in the household are Ethel C, (21), Charles C, (20), Vincent (18) - all now shown as born Stoke Newington. The family has expanded to include Philip, (aged 9 and born East Barnet).

On the 1911 census the 21 year old Maurice, working as a Stockbrokers Clerk, was recorded living in his parents household at 80 West End Lane, Hampstead. Father Peter Charles is recorded as a retired Tobacco Manufacturer. Philip, (19), is still at home and now working as an Insurance Clerk.

The Medal Index card for Lieutenant Maurice Brachi, Royal Engineers is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/3/25081
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1...

Other possible Medal Index Cards for his siblings
C C Brachi (Charles Clarence) - Captain, Royal Lancaster Regiment \ Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
WO 372/24/6684
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D6...

Captain Charles Clarence Brachi, 8th Royal Lancaster Regiment.
(second card for the same individual?)
WO 372/3/25080
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1...

Private 1482 Philip Brachi, Honourable Artillery Company then Acting \ Major Royal Garison Artillery
WO 372/3/25082
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1...

But there is also a card for a Second Lieutenant P Brachi, Royal Garison Artillery, held under reference WO 372/24/6685
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D6...

The Army Records for Charles Clarence Brachi are held under reference WO 339/12867
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C1...
www.kingsownmuseum.plus.com/keithsb.htm
A picture of the officers of the battalion including Charles Clarence
www.kingsownmuseum.plus.com/gallerywwone019.htm

According to this family web-site, Elsie Brachi, nee Weston, had two brothers, both of whom served with the Canadian Armry.
www.mkheritage.co.uk/yghg/people/Weston1.html

Lieutenant Whitford Wells Weston has already been mentioned. His enlistment papers can be seen here.
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e...

www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e....

His brother was Douglas Colin Weston.
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e...

www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e...

Flight Lieutenant Brachi and Flying Officer McLeod of 239 Squadron were lost while flying Mosquito HJ935. They were engaged in a Serrate mission. Flying as night-fighters, the crews would join the bombers streams heading for Europe and then use specialist equipment to home in on the radar carried by the German interceptors sent up to stop the bombers. Unfortunately the specialist equipment made them slower and more prone to problems.
www.rafcommands.com/archive/13955.php
books.google.co.uk/books?id=gGKQbYgYbioC&pg=PA120&amp...

His medals were sold at auction in 1992. The lot consisted in part of "1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star and War Medal Groups, all Royal Air Force F/Lt. B. J. Brachi, with 'Air Crew Europe' bar, named condolence enclosure, entitlement slip, box of issue -- "Mr & Mrs L. Brachi" and details from 141 and 239 Squadron record books
www.christies.com/lotfinder/LotDetailsPrintable.aspx?intO...

A Dutch site has them crashing in the North Sea near Zouterlande.
www.defensie.nl/media/verliesregister_1944_tcm46-154755.pdf

BRACHI, BASIL JOHN
Rank:.............................Flight Lieutenant
Service No:..................109905
Date of Death:.............29/01/1944
Age:..............................22
Service:.......................Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 239 Sqdn.
Panel Reference.........Panel 201.
Memorial.....................RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. L. Brachi, of Torrington, Devon.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1530266/BRACHI,%20BAS...

possibly Ernest John Egerton Boys MC www.halhed.com/t4r/getperson.php?personID=I15926

There is a Medal Index Card held at the National Archive of an E J E Boys who rose from Second Lieutenant to Captain in the Royal Garrison Artillery. Reference number is WO 372/3/23500. discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1... The Halhed Com link above lists his birthplace as Bellary, Madras, India. Parents were Justin William and Bertha, (nee Stewart). His date of birth was the 11th February 1887 and he also went by the name of Jack Boys. Other family announcements from The Times Of India that appear to relate: The birth of a daughter to the wife of J W Boyes at Bellary on the 4th December 1885 was announced in the 10th December edition. search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/aps_detail.php?id=710633 May be a co-incidence, but the 1901 UK census for England and Wales has an E John E Boys, born India, who was recorded as a visitor at 57 Bromham Road, Bedford. There are two other visitors in the household - a 40 year old Bertha S,Boys, born Ceylon, and a 5 year old Ivy Sybil, born Bedford. Head of the household is a 55 year old Annie Cantrell, born Ireland. Annie is recorded as married. She has five children living with her, aged between 25 and 14 and all born Ceylon. While I couldn't find him again on the 1911 census, I could find Bertha (aged 50) and Ivy, (aged 15), now recorded as Visitors at a Guest House at 3 Cecil Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire. I've done a high-level search of the Irish census for 1911 but couldn't find Ernest there either. London Gazette announcements. 3rd June 1916: Award of the Military Cross to Temporary Captain Ernest John Egerton Boys www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29608/supplements/5571 (One of a long list with no specific citation given for the award) 6th September 1921; Temp. Maj E J E Boys M C relinquished his commission on completion of service and retains the rank of Major with effect 2nd July 1919. The Halhed page references that Ernest married a Janet Myfanwy Thoresby-Jones in 1917 and they had a son, Anthony Vernon ("Toby") Boys in 1922. In the London Gazette of the 26th June 1942 the name of a Private Anthony Vernon Boys appears in a long list of what I suspect are individuals being commissioned as officers from the ranks. www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35610/pages/2823/page.pdf (The Halhead site has this down as his appointment as a Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army). www.halhed.com/t4r/getperson.php?personID=I15925&tree... Sadly Anthony would die aged 37 in 1959. His father pre-deceased him, passing away in Dublin in 1953. If you have a subscription to Ancestry.com, you will be able to see at least two wartime pictures of Anthony - in one, a classic photographers headshot, he appears to have the two pips of a Lieutenant on his shoulders. A third picture was taken on his wedding day to a "Thea". (The Halhed site has him marrying a Dorothea Maud Cheese in the April to June 1950 quarter) In all three pictures there is a a noticeable family resemblance between father and son.

May his memory be a blessing.