Ada Lesser and brothers, Clifford and Stanley Radcliffe
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| Ada Lesser Danygraig Cemetery, Swansea |
Danygraig Cemetery, is the resting place of 91 First World War
burials, including Ada Lesser, the only woman.
Ada’s headstone was erected during nineties. Ada served with the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps.
The Woman’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) or otherwise known
as Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps (QMAAC) was established 9th
April 1918, after it formally instituted on 7th July 1917, by Lieutenant-General
Sir Nevil Macready, the adjutant-general whom appointed Dr. Mona Charles Watson
as its first collector. More than 57,000
women served during January 1917 to November 1918.
March 1917, fourteen cooks and waitresses of the WAAC were
for the first time sent to the battlefields in France. 1918, women medical personnel were sent to
the Front. The corps disbanded during
1921.
Ada was one of those ladies that volunteered, and she was a
worker. Sadly, early December 1918, Ada died at the Women’s Hospital,
Cholderton, Wiltshire. Influenza was recorded
as the cause of death.
Ada who was born 1878, at Nova Scotia. At the time of the 1881 Canadian Census, she
was residing at the district of Antigonish, with her mother Leila Radcliffe and
her Scottish/Irish grandparents, Malcolm and Mary Ann Currie. Leila who had been married to James Radcliffe
during 1877. This seems to raise a few
questions, as the Passengers List for 1876, lists Leila Radcliffe as arriving at
Ellis Island, on board Italy.
Moving forward to the 1891 British Census, James Radcliffe is residing at 6 Gam Street, with his wife, Leila and 5 children, this is not including Ada. James is listed as a Gas Purifier.
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| 1891 British Census 5th April 6 Gam Street, Swansea |
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| 1901 British Census 31st March 6 Lower Oxford Street, Swansea |
The final census, which is open the 1911, the family have moved
to 40 Oxford Street. James and Leila,
whose occupation is listed as Blacksmith Striker, are living with 4 children.
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| 1911 British Census 2nd April 40 Oxford Street, Swansea |
One of the children, Ivor J. Radcliffe, born 1890, enlisted,
on the 28th June 1907, with the 41st Foot (Welch Regiment).
Ada married during 1899, Arthur Charles Lesser.
At the time of the 1901, they were residing at The Barracks.
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| 1901 British Census 31st March The Barracks, Cardiff |
A decade later, 1911 Census.
Arthur and Ada are still residing at 20 Junction Terrace, Radyr, near Cardiff. Arthur’s occupation is listed at Timekeeper
for the Railways.
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| 1911 British Census 2nd April 20 Junction Terrace, Radys, near Cardiff |
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| Clifford George Radcliffe Army Registers of Solders |
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| Clifford Gorge Radcliffe Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France |
Ada’s brother Clifford Gorge Radcliffe, at the time of the
1911 Census, was listed as a Postman, having been appointed July 1910. At the
time of the First World War, initially enlisted with the Glamorgan Yeomanry, transferred
to the 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Reaching the rank of Serjeant, died of wounds
56th Field Ambulance, France 18th September 1918. Charles is buried at Peronne Communal Cemetery
Extension, Somme, France
In his will, he left £47 5s 6d to his wife, Lily Eliza, whom
he had married a few months earlier, of his death.
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| Stanley Henry Radcliffe Army Registers of Solders |
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| Stanley Henry Radcliffe La Clytte Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium |
Ada’s other brother, Stanley Henry, at the time of the 1911
Census, was listed as a Telegrapher Messenger.
At the time of the First World War, he enlisted with the Royal Horse
Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. He was
ranked as Driver. He died on the 18th
March 1918. Stanley is buried at La
Clytte Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
1918 for the Radcliffe family was an annus horribilis year.
Some great investigation there! Great story.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and educative
ReplyDeleteWell done