Private 8714 Matthew Partridge

The photograph is of Matthew Enoch Partridge snr, who joined the Worcesters and served in Gallipoli before being discharged on 1st July 1916, and his son Matthew who was killed.

Killed in Action on Sunday, 26th September 1915, age 22.
Commemorated on Panel 64 and 65 of Loos Memorial, Pas De Calais, France.

2nd Bn., Worcestershire Regiment. 5th Brigade of 2nd Division.

Husband of Mrs Fanny Partridge of 34, Tipton Road, Tividale, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Dudley, Resident: Tividale.

First landed France & Flanders, 11th November 1914.
Medal entitlement: 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the St. Augustine's Memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1766366/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Matthew Enoch Partridge registered September quarter 1893 in Dudley.

1901 Census
5 Walker Street, Tipton, Staffs.
Matthew Enoch Partridge (26, Coal Miner, born Tipton), his wife Clara (30, born Dudley), and their children: Matthew E. (7, born Tipton), Sarah Jane (5, born Tipton), Edna (3, born Tipton), and Annie (under 10 months, born Tipton).

1911 Census
94 Bridge Road, Toll End, Tipton, Staffs.
Matthew Enoch Partridge (37, Coal Miner, born Tipton), his wife Clara (40, born Tipton), and their 6 surviving children (of 8): Matthew Enoch (17, Iron Worker - Catcher at Rolling Mills, born Tipton), Sarah Jane (15, born Tipton), Edna (13, born Tipton), William (10, born Tipton), Thomas (8, born Tipton) and Annie (3, born Tipton).

Married Fanny Brown March quarter 1913 at St Michael's Church, Tividale.
Daughter Clara E. Partridge born 25 Sept 1913.

Personal Data

The photograph is of Matthew Enoch Partridge senior, and his son Matthew who was killed. Matthew Partridge senior joined the Worcesters (Private 22288) and served in Gallipoli with the 4th Battalion Worcesters, before being discharged on 1st July 1916, due to rheumatism and neurasthenia. He received a pension of £1/5/0d (1 pound and 5 shillings) per week.

Matthew junior landed in France in November 1914 to join the 2nd Worcesters as a reinforcement after their severe losses during the First battle of Ypres. This would suggest that he was either a pre-war Reservist or Special Reservist with the Worcesters. Mattthew is on the Roll of Honour for Tividale Ward with address of 34 Tipton Road, Tividale, Staffs. .

After Matthew's death his outstanding Army pay and allowances amounted to £6/5/8d (6 pounds, 5 shillings and 8 pence); this was paid to his widow and sole legatee, Fanny, in January 1916. His War Gratuity amounted to £4/0/0d (4 pounds exactly), this was also paid to his widow in August 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Matthew enlisted in approximately August 1914. .

Matthew's widow, Mrs Fanny Partridge, was awarded a Widow's Pension of 15/0d (15 shillings exactly) per week for herself and her daughter, effective from 17th April 1916. Her address at this time was 34 Tipton Road, Tividale, Staffs. Fanny re-married in December quarter 1919 to Joseph Fisher. Her Widow's Pension would have ceased at this point,with compensation of approximately 1 year's payments being made; the pension element in respect of her daughter Clara would continue until her 16th birthday.

Action resulting in his death

On the 25th September 1915, the opening day of the Battle of Loos, the 2nd Worcesters had been in reserve for 2nd Division. 7th Division had taken 'The Quarries' and pushed on almost to Cite St Elie, it was thought that this would be taken if the 7th Division was reinforced. Overnight the reserve Battalions of 2nd and 7th Divisions were called forward to form a composite brigade, called "Carter's Force" after its commander, to provide this reinforcement.

Because of the communications difficulties, the distance to travel, and the ground conditions, it was 4.45 pm on the 26th before they were ready for action in front of 'The Quarries'. By then the situation had changed; the Germans had counter-attacked and recaptured 'The Quarries' overnight, and the objective was now for Carter's Force to take 'The Quarries' again rather than Cite St Elie.

After crossing the old German front line, the Worcesters advanced by rushes up-hill towards the German positions losing more men with each rush. They flung themselves to the ground at a part-dug trench 200 yards from the German position, and took what cover they could. It was here that the advance was called off, as even if 'The Quarries' had been captured there were insufficient bombs available to allow the Worcesters to hold off the inevitable German counter-attacks.

The 2nd Worcesters held this position under heavy bombardment and machine gun fire, especially during the day of the 29th, until they were relieved after midnight on 29th/30th September.

Matthew Partridge was killed sometime during the 2nd Worcesters advance on the 26th, one of 82 Other Ranks of the 2nd Worcesters killed on that day. Like the vast majority of the 82 Worcesters men, Matthew has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial at Dud Corner.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald October 23rd 1915
DEATH OF PRIVATE PARTRIDGE.
Information has been received on the Death in Action of Private Matthew Partridge of Dudley Road, Tividale. Deceased belonged to the 2nd Worcesters. Partridge, who was 22 years of age, had served for nearly fourteen months at the front (Editor: wrong 10 months). He leaves a widow and one child.