Military History

Images and information content subject to copyright - please do not use or reproduce anything from this website without permission, (which isn't usually a problem), acknowledgement and link - email for more information.

Website created and updated by Alyson Jackson (launched 2002).

  The information here is compiled from my researches principally using

• The National Archives, Kew, London
• Soldiers Died in the Great War - The Naval and Military Press

The Ainsleys here researched are not necessarily from the Bilsdale Family.

Officers' Records

• Captain Alan Colpitts Ainsley MC
• Captain C. Ainsley
• Second Lieutenant Albert Edgar Ainsley
• Second Lieutenant Archie Robson Ainsley
• Second Lieutenant Clifford Ainsley
• Second Lieutenant Robert Cresswell Ainsley
• Second Lieutenant Samuel Walter Ainsley
• Staff Nurse Julia Ainsley

Other Ranks

Officers: details

Captain Alan Colpitts Ainsley MC

(PRO reference WO374/519)

Captain Alan Colpitts Ainsley Royal Army Medical Corps.

Born in 1890, the earliest date in his file is the 30th June 1915 when he was Gazetted Lieutenant, serving with the RAMC. He reported for duty with the 2/1st South Notts Hussars on the 19^th July 1915, and proceeded to join the 1/1st South Notts. Hussars overseas on the 27^th March 1916. He embarked the following day, first arriving in Egypt on the 8th April 1916, at Mustapha, and proceeding to join the 1/1 South Notts Hussars on the 20th, bound for Salonica on the Lake Michigan.

Over the next almost four years, he was attached to the 7th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, 1/1st Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, South Notts Hussars, 66th CCS, 74th CCS and the Desert Mounted Corps. HQ, joining the last of these on the 16^th June 1919. His home address at this time was "Greylands" West Hartlepool.

On the 8^th January 1917 he was recommended for promotion to Captain by the C-in-C British Salonika Force, Lieut. Gen. G.F.Milne C.B. D.S.O. and was promoted on the 19th.

On the 24^th June 1917 he embarked for Egypt and taken on the strength of the Egypt Expeditionary Force.

On the 28^th November, during fierce fighting at Beit Ur el Tahta, he sustained a shell wound to the nose but remained on duty. The South Notts Hussars War Diary states "During the day Capt. A.C.Ainsley R.A.M.C. was conspicuous for his attention to the wounded under heavy fire." For this he was awarded the Military Cross 14^th December 1917 (London Gazette 26-3-1918), mentioned in the South Notts Hussars War Diary on the 15^th December, 1917.

He returned to England, embarking at Alexandria on the 23^rd January 1920, arriving 5th February; he was demobilized the following day. Thereafter he appears to have been in a Territorial Force, for there is a letter in his file terminating his commission in the Territorial Force, effective from 30^th September 1921; he retained the rank of Captain.

Captain C. Ainsley

(PRO reference WO374/522)

Captain C. Ainsley 15th Bn. London Defence Regiment.

Very few details in file. Home address given as Trifilan, Purley, Surrey. He relinquished his commission on 12/07/1921.

2nd Lieutenant Albert Edgar Ainsley

(PRO reference WO374/520)

2nd Lieutenant Albert Edgar Ainsley Royal Garrison Artillery No. 176123

A copy of Albert Edgar Ainsley's birth certificate is included in his file so we know that he was born on the 7th March 1876 at Church Street, Whitby, to James and Isabel (née Stephens). His father was a jet worker - a very traditional occupation for Whitby.

He enlisted on the 24^th June 1916, expressing a preference for the Royal Garrison Artillery (he specifically did not want to serve in the Royal Navy!). At the time he was living with his wife Eva (née Botham) at "Ashville", Ruswarp Lane, Whitby, North Yorkshire and was a corn and flour merchant. He had previously served with the ERYRGA (Vols) and the N.R. Regt. Volunteers.

He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, reasonably fit, and had a tattoo on his left forearm, plus three vaccination marks from infancy. He also seems to have worn a partial set of dentures.

On enlistment he joined No. 4 Depot RGA and he was posted RGA Gunner on the 14^th August 1917. There is no record of any overseas postings.

On the 6^th November 1917 he applied for admission to an officer cadet unit with a view to appointment to a temporary commission. On the application form he states his and his father's occupation as the same, corn and flour merchant, though curiously he says that he himself is "retired". To the question whether he is able to ride he replies "Motor Cycle (not horse)". The form also details his marriage as having taken place on the 9^th October 1906 at Brunswick Wesleyan Church, Whitby, and that they have one son, Edwin Victor, born in 1912.

On the 8^th March 1918 he joined Durham RGA as a gunner. It is remarked in his file that he is "A bit [of] a rough diamond but should make a good reliable officer".

On the 18^th June 1918 he was hospitalized for four days with influenza, surviving the epidemic that killed so many.

On 5^th September 1918 he was commissioned Second Lieutenant and posted from 4th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment to the 18th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment. On the 18^th November 1918 (a week after the Armistice) he was reposted from 9th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment to the 18th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers.

He was demobilized on the 3^rd April 1919 and on the 19^th August of the following year he resigned, retaining the rank of Second Lieutenant, though he had been due for promotion on the 5^th March 1920. There is a note in his papers: "Has resigned. Not necessary to inform him that he will not be promoted unless he asks".

2nd Lieutenant Archie Robson Ainsley

(PRO reference WO374/521)

2nd Lieutenant Archie Robson Ainsley Royal Garrison Artillery No. 17682.

Archie Robson Ainsley was born on 9^th June 1895 at Swanmore near Bishops Waltham, Hants.

He joined up on the 19^th May, 1915 at Winchester at the age of 19 years and 11 months. At the time he was a solicitor's clerk living at 21 Lower Stockbridge Road, Winchester, Hants and was unmarried. He had not previously served with the military and was appointed to the Hampshire Regiment. His father, an estate overseer, was Edward Ainsley of Fir Cottage, Swanmore, Nr. Bishops Waltham, Hants.

Physically Archie was 5 feet 7¾ inches and had no distinctive marks but 3 vaccination marks from infancy. He was of good physical development and weighed 123 lbs.

Archie was appointed Paid Acting Lance Corporal on 22/01/16, Paid Lance Corporal 01/04/16, and Acting Corporal 09/05/16. On 19/07/16 he was nominated for a Commission and was granted a Temporary Commission in the RGA on 27/11/16.

Archie Robson Ainsley was Killed in Action 12/10/18.

2nd Lieutenant Clifford Ainsley

(PRO reference WO374/523)

2nd Lieutenant Clifford Ainsley 1/4th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry No. B203686 (previously R/20047).

Clifford was 25 years old when he enlisted on 20/01/1916 at Harrogate. 5 feet 8¼ inches tall with no distinctive marks but 3 vaccination marks from infancy. He weighed 137 lbs. On enlistment he was appointed to the King's Royal Rifles. His next of kin is listed as his mother, Annie Ainsley, living at Rose Cottage, Skipton Road, Harrogate. At the time of his enlistment he was variously described as a Shopkeeper, Grocer's Assistant or Manager's Assistant. He was single and living at home with his mother.

He was born in Leeds, Yorkshire on 08/05/1890, but his family must have moved to Harrogate quite early in his life as he was educated at Bilton Council School, New Park, Harrogate. In an army report the education standard was said to be "Poor (County Board School)".

Clifford was posted to the British Expeditionary Force in France on 26/07/16 while still with 21 KRR but was transferred to the 7th Rifle Brigade BEF on 18/10/16. On 30/12/16 he was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal, and on 11/01/17 paid Lance Corporal. He was promoted to Corporal 11/05/17. He had a special qualification as a Lewis Gunner when he applied for a commission on the 23rd March, 1918. He was appointed 2nd. Lt. on 15/05/18 and posted to 3rd Bn. KOYLI.

On 02/11/1918, at Valenciennes, he received what many might have regarded as a lucky injury - a machine gun bullet to the left buttock which, while serious, was not life/threatening. This meant that he was returned to England to the Officers War Hospital, Exeter. The war would be over before Clifford was once more fit for active service.

Clifford was demobilized on 09/04/19 and resigned his commission in April the following year, retaining the rank of 2nd Lt.

2nd Lieutenant Robert Cresswell Ainsley

(PRO reference WO339/138601)

2nd Lieutenant Robert Cresswell Ainsley 2/5th West Yorkshire Regiment No. 200840

Robert Cresswell Ainsley was born at Malton in Yorkshire on May 15th, 1895. His father was dead and had been a commercial traveller. Robert was brought up in County Durham - he attended St Patrick's School, Spennymoor. At the age of 19 he was a laundryman living at 22 Electric Avenue, Harrogate while his mother, Elizabeth, was living at 5 Euclid Avenue, New Park, Harrogate.

On November 5th, 1914 at Harrogate he enlisted for the duration of the war and was appointed to the 2/5th West Yorkshire Regiment.

Physically he was 5 ft 6½ in tall with good physical development and normal vision.

On 20/03/15 he was appointed Paid Lance Corporal and promoted to Corporal on 08/05/15. He was appointed Lance Sergeant on 18/12/15 and promoted Sergeant 13/04/16.

He applied for his commission on 03/11/17. He was a Signalling Sergeant at this time. His good moral character was attested to by a Mr O Wheater, owner of New Park Laundry, Harrogate who had known Robert nine years. His good standard of education was attested to by Father Saxon, Catholic Priest of St. Robert's Church, Harrogate.

On the 4th of February 1919 he was appointed Second Lieutenant.

His service abroad was in France from 5th January 1917 to 3rd February 1918. On the 5th of April 1917 he received a shell wound to his neck.

He completed his service 1st September 1921 and relinquished his commission retaining the rank of Second Lieutenant.

2nd Lieutenant Samuel Walter Ainsley

(PRO reference WO374/525)

2nd Lieutenant Samuel Walter Ainsley Northumberland Fusiliers No. 10795

Samuel Walter Ainsley was born on the 15th November, 1888 in Durham and was educated at Gateshead Higher Grade School.

On 4th September 1914 he enlisted for the duration of the war and was appointed to the 12th Northumberland Fusiliers. At this time he was living with his father, Samuel Troutbeck Ainsley, and sister, Gertrude, at 13 Holly Gardens, Gateshead. He was 5 ft 6 in tall with a fair complexion, dark brown hair and grey eyes and weighed 145lbs.

He was promoted Corporal on 17/09/14 and posted Lance Sergeant 04/10/15. On the 26th September 1916 he was promoted Sergeant and discharged to a commission on 05/02/1919. His total service at this point had been from 04/09/14 to 05/02/19, with two periods in France, 09/09/15 to 03/10/15 and 31/12/15 to 05/11/17, and one period in Italy: 06/11/17 to 29/04/18.

He suffered a gunshot wound to his abdomen on the 26th September 1915, for which he was sent home. He was admitted to the 1st Scot. Gen. Hospital Aberdeen on the 4th October. The wound was slightly septic but healed.

He had also been gassed in France on 29/08/17. He was not invalided home but rejoined his unit on 21/10/17.

He took leave from 27/10/18 to 05/11/17 but was recalled to rejoin his Battalion on the 31st October and was sent to Italy a week later.

It is interesting to note that Samuel's weight is measured at 160lbs in April 1918 - 15 llbs heavier than when he enlisted! Apparently many soldiers actually put on weight because the army diet was so much better than what they were used to.

Samuel relinquished his commission on completion of services 1st September 1921, retaining the rank of 2nd Lt.

Staff Nurse Julia Ainsley

(PRO reference WO399/9379)

Staff Nurse Julia Ainsley 4th London G.H.

Before Julia Ainsley was mobilized she was a private nurse "on the Co-op" at Victoria Home, Newcastle-on-Tyne. She was living at Carisbrook, Lyndhurst Avenue, Low Fell, Newcastle/on/Tyne. She was called up February 26, 1918 and posted to the 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill.

Most of the papers in Julia's file relate to the period when she left the service in 1923. She sent a letter (dated 23rd November 1922) resigning from TANS (Territorial Army Nursing Service) owing to her recent marriage - her married name was Wood. The resignation took effect from 18th January 1923 and she was requested to return her TFNS (Territorial Force Nursing Service) Badge as she had not completed four years War Service. She had some problem returning her badge, as she explained in a letter, dated 27th March 1923. Her address at this time appears to be 6 Dacre Park [London E13?]:

When leaving the 4th London I took all my uniform home to Newcastle-on-Tyne. I put my badge safely away but I'm not able to say exactly where I put it. As I am not in the position to spend £4 on going to Newcastle to look for the badge I would be glad if you could wait until I can find it.

A letter of 26th June 1923 from Matron/in/Chief TANS acknowledges receipt of the badge so Julia obviously found it, eventually.

Other Ranks: details

The following table contains information from Soldiers Died in the Great War and Pension records at TNA.: 

Christian Name(s)	Born	Enlisted	Residence	Number RANK	Cause Place Date of Death	ADDITIONAL TEXT / my notes	Regiment	Battalion
Alfred Douglas	Southwark, Surrey,	Camberwell, Surrey,	Peckham, Surrey,	S/30926 RIFLEMAN	Died of wounds France & Flanders 05/10/17		Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)	1st Battalion
Arthur	Swanscombe	Gravesend	Swanscombe	553440 RIFLEMAN	Killed in action France & Flanders 30/01/17	FORMERLY 4063, 2/5TH R.W. KENT REGT.	London Regiment	16th (County of London) Battalion (Queen's Westminster Rifles)
Donald	Leeds	Leeds		12341 PRIVATE	Killed in action France & Flanders 25/09/16	/ Donald was a great-grandson of Joseph and Ann Ainsley (WCA#10)	King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)	10th Battalion
Ernest		Leeds		268298 PRIVATE	Died of wounds Home 02/09/18		Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)	2/5th Battalion
George	Leeds	Bradford, Yorks		9338 PRIVATE	Killed in action France & Flanders 25/09/16		York and Lancaster Regiment	2nd Battalion
George	Durham City	Sunderland	Durham	T/254801 PRIVATE	Died France & Flanders 26/07/17		Royal Army Service Corps
George Hedley	Birtley, Durham	Houghton-le-Spring	Fatfield	73926 PRIVATE	Died of wounds France & Flanders 30/10/18		Durham Light Infantry	12th Battalion
Harry	Billsdale, Yorks	Stokesley	Darlington	T.S.4592 CPL.	Died Balkans 29/08/18	/ Harry was the youngest son of Stephen and Charity Ainsley (WCA#42)	Royal Army Service Corps
Harry is my great uncle. He enlisted on the 14th November 1914, a volunteer, into the Army Service Corps. He was 24 years and 1 month old  and unmarried, a shoeing smith. He was quite short at 5 ft 4½ in tall and weighed 125 lbs. His fully expanded chest measurement was 37 inches, so he was quite a stocky fellow. No distinguishing marks and only one vaccination mark from infancy. The original enlistment form cites his mother, Charity, of Ella Bridge, Bilsdale (his address on signing up) as next of kin. This has been crossed out and replaced with Mrs M Allison of 4 Chapel St, Middleton St George. Mrs Allison is his married sister Margaret. His mother Charity died in 1916. With his papers is a letter of commendation from his employer, Wm Dawson, Implement Maker and Agent, of Great Broughton: This is to certify that Harry Ainsley has been in my employ as Farrier for 8 years & is a good workman honest & obliging. He was promoted Farrier Cpl on the 19th April 1915 and was first posted abroad the same year, embarking Winifredia at Southampton on November the 11th, disembarking Salonika December 5th. Kirechkoi-Hortakoi military cemetary, 15km north east of Thessaloniki, where Harry is buried. He was first admitted to hospital in Salonica on the 30th August 1916 and on the 9th of September, on the hospital ship Formosa, he was sent to Malta, suffering from malaria. Thereafter he was admitted to hospital periodically suffering from malaria. He died at the 8th General Hospital Salonica on the 29th August 1918. His papers include a statement listing living relatives, completed by his brother Stephen on  the 1st December 1919, from his address in Hawnby, Helmsley York. Both their parents were dead but four sisters are listed: Mrs Moore aged 48 , of Middleton St., Darlington - this is Annie, married to Robert Carlton Moore Mrs. J. Wheldon aged 41 , of Hawnby, Helmsley, York - this is Emma married to Joseph Wheldon Mrs W hill aged 36, of 41 New 9th St, Black Halls Colliery, Castle Eden - this is Jane, married to William James Hill, my grandparents Mrs H Allison aged 33, of Rugby Villa Cottage, Middleton St George, Darlington - this is Margaret married to Herbert Allison When Harry died in Salonica a medical report was submitted: This man was admitted to 80th Gen Hosp 21/8/18 suffering from Malaria Rec. and Jaundice. He had four years Service & had been in BSF [British Salonica Force] 2 10/12. He  gave a history of 6 or 7 previous attacks of Malaria, the first being in 1916 when he was sent to Malta. On admission he was anaemic and debilitated, he had slight jaundice, and his spleen and liver were both enlarged. He stated that he had been kicked in the epigastrium by a mule 18 months ago and had suffered from occasional attacks of pain in that region ever since. Temperature remained normal and pulse full regular and slow, and the patient showed no symptoms of serious illness till 28/8/18 when he began to have some nausea & vomiting. Icterus [jaundice] was then very severe and on the evening of that day he became delirious and very restless. No malarial parasites were found in the blood. On 29/8/18 delirium increased and at times became maniacal. Liver ? became much diminished and the Consulting Physician diagnosed Icterus Gravis and gave a  hopeless prognosis. Coma supervened and patient died at 10.50 pm 29/8/18. Autopsy revealed degenerative changes in liver, and considerable malarial enlargement of spleen. The cause of death was Malaria Rec (25) and Degeneration of Liver (572), and the disease was contracted on Active Service in Macedonia.
Howard Leonard		Leeds	Leeds	267155 RIFLEMAN	Killed in action France & Flanders 13/10/17		Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)	10th Battalion
James		Gateshead, Durham		4768 PRIVATE	Killed in action France & Flanders 05/11/16		Durham Light Infantry	1/9th Battalion
James Brown		Middlesbrough	Middlesbrough	71758 GUNNER	Died Salonika 10/08/16		Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery
John	Hartlepool, Durham	Hamilton	Hartlepool	S/1689 PRIVATE	Killed in action France & Flanders 30/07/16		Gordon Highlanders	1st Battalion
Joseph	Silksworth, Sunderland	Wrexham	Darlington	13740 PRIVATE	Killed in action France & Flanders 03/01/16	/ Joe, great-grandson of Thomas Ainsley (WCA#11)	King's (Shropshire Light Infantry)	7th Battalion
Leonard Crombie		Littlegrove Barracks	New Southgate	281131 PRIVATE	Killed in action France & Flanders 09/09/16		London Regiment	4th (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers)
Richard Robert		Durham		6125 PRIVATE	Killed in action France & Flanders 05/11/16		Durham Light Infantry	1/6th Battalion
Samuel	Hartlepool, Co. Durham	West Hartlepool, Co. Durham		47825 SPR.	Killed in action France & Flanders 18/10/15	(9TH DIV. SIGNAL COY., R.E.).	Corps of Royal Engineers
Stephen	Stephen was my great uncle and brother of Harry, son of Stephen and Charity Ainsley (WCA#42). He signed up on the 9th November 1914 when he was 26 years and 7 months old. He was unmarried, a shoeing smith, and had been apprenticed to J Weldon of Hawnby, Helmsley, his apprenticeship expiring on 14th May 1907. On the 2nd of November 1915 he was appointed Acting Farrier Corporal and promoted Farrier Corporal on 22nd October 1917. On enlistment he was 5ft 4in tall, weighing 136 lbs and with an expanded chest of 37½ inches. He had a dark complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair and was a Wesleyan. He served overseas from the 8th of December 1914 to the 8th November 1918, probably France. He was admitted to hospital on the 21st December 1918 suffering from influenza. He survived, being discharged on the 8th January 1919 and demobilized 12th March 1919. The photograph on the left was very kindly sent by Margaret Lamb, grand-daughter of Emma and Joseph Wheldon to whom Stephen was apprenticed, and has been positively identified as Stephen by comparison with a newspaper cutting which published the same portrait.
Thomas	Coxhoe, Co. Durham	Deaf Hill, Co. Durham	Coxhoe	16906 PRIVATE	Died Home 04/05/15		East Yorkshire Regiment	3rd Battalion
William	South Shields	South Shields		21/261 PRIVATE	Killed in action France & Flanders 23/08/16		Durham Light Infantry	15th Battalion
William Dixon	Hartlepool	West Hartlepool		64725 PRIVATE	Died France & Flanders 21/04/18	FORMERLY 41060, WEST RIDING REGT.	Northumberland Fusiliers	23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish)

Images and information content subject to copyright - please do not use or reproduce anything from this website without permission, (which isn't usually a problem), acknowledgement and link - email for more information.

Website created and updated by Alyson Jackson (launched 2002).