Basil Claude Bland
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Basil Claude was born in 1893 in Wollaton and was the son of William Henry an explosive storekeeper in a coal mine and Emily Bland née Davis of Wollaton, Nottingham. His father William was born in 1856 in Nottingham and his mother was born in 1862 in Wollaton; their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration district in 1879. They had a total of 9 children, however sadly one died in infancy prior to 1911. Their surviving children were: - George H b1880, Edith Emily b1882, Florence b1886, Albert b1888, Ethel Lily b1891, Basil Claude b1893, Wilfred Edgar b1896 and Henry Augustus b1898. All the children were born in Wollaton. In the 1911 census the family are living in Wollaton and are shown as William Henry 55 yrs head of the family an explosives store keeper in a coal mine, he is living with his wife Emily 49 yrs and their children, Edith Emily 29 yrs, Ethel Lily 20 yrs, Basil Claude 18 yrs a colliery clerk, Wilfred Edgar 15 yrs a student, and Henry Augustus 13 yrs a scholar.
Basil Claude Bland attested on 10th November 1914 at Nottingham. He gave his age as 21 yrs and 8 months, his address as Wollaton, his occupation as wood sawyer and his next of kin as his father William Henry Bland of Wollaton. He served with 56th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery, and joined them as a gunner at Newhaven on 12th November 1914. On 22nd February 1916 with the 56th siege battery he embarked at Southampton, arriving and disembarking at Boulogne on 26th February 1916. He was admitted to the 42nd Casualty clearing station in France on 7th April 1917, suffering from gun shot wounds to the thigh, leg and abdomen; he died of his wounds the same day. He is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension (grave ref l.K.38). He had served in the Army for a total of 2 years and 149 days. His brother, 83716 Gunner Harry Augustus Bland, Royal Garrison Artillery 220th Siege Bty, died 22 September 1917 age 20.
Extract from the 'Nottingham Evening Post,' dated 22nd September 1919: - “BLAND. – In loving remembrance of Harry Augustus and Basil Claude the dearly-loved sons of W. H. and E. Bland, Wollaton, died of wounds Sept. 22nd and April 7th, 1917, respectively. Fond memories keep our loved ones near us. – From mother, father, brothers, and sisters.” The personal inscription on the CWGC headstone reads, 'Faithful unto death'. Above extract courtesy of Jim Grundy and face book pages from Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
