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. 



1891 British Census
5th April
6 Gam Street, Swansea

A decade later, 1901 Census, James Radcliffe is residing at 6 Lower Oxford Street, with his wife Leila, and 7 children. Ada is not listed in the family.

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.

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.

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.

1911 British Census
2nd April
20 Junction Terrace, Radys, near Cardiff

Clifford George Radcliffe
Army Registers of Solders

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.

Stanley Henry Radcliffe
Army Registers of Solders

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.