Page 93 - WW1 - 1916

Redditch Local History Society Remembering Redditch Residents & WW1

th
The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger – Saturday 25
November 1916

Crabbs Cross Soldier Killed – Official Information has been received stating that
Private Horace Portman, son of Mr and Mrs Portman of Crabbs Cross, has been killed in
action. Private Portman was in the Worcestershire Regiment. Sergeant J. Carter, of the
deceased soldier’s platoon, in a letter to Mrs Portman, says that her son died a hero’s death
doing his duty to King’s and country, and for those he loved at home. He was a good soldier,
and was liked by all his comrades.
th
(On Ancestry site, Military records, Horace Hedley Portman, (30632), 10 Battalion,
nd
Worcestershire Regiment, born, resided and enlisted in Redditch, killed in action, 22
October 1916, Western European Theatre. Buried Thiepval Memorial, Picardie, France.)
Remembered on St Luke’s Headless Cross, Redditch.
On the 1911 census Horace Hedley Portman, aged 14, lived with his mother, Francis Elizabeth Portman in
Evesham Road, Crabbs Cross.

Hunt End Soldier Killed – Mrs A. Smith of Weaver’s Hill, Hunt End, near Redditch, has
been informed of the death of her son Private Harry Smith of the Worcestershire Regiment.
th
The unfortunate soldier was killed by a mine explosion on April 28 , 1916. He was 31 years
of age.

© RLHS 2014 Page: 93