Name
Richard Henry Vine
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/10/1914
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
2957
Scots Guards
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VENDRESSE CHURCHYARD
Sp. Mem. 33.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Watford memorials
Pre War
Son of Richard and Louisa (nee WEIR) VINE.
His parents married 14 August 1862 at St George’s, East Stonehouse, Devon. Louisa died 1886 in South Molton, Devon, aged 47, and was buried 12 January 1886 at St Mary Magdalene, South Molton. Richard remarried 1888 in the South Molton district to Jane TRAPP. He died 20 December 1892 in Watford aged 55, and was buried 24 December at St Lawrence’s, Abbot’s Langley, Herts; Jane died 1913 in the Watford district aged 76.
Richard was born 23 June 1880 in South Molton, and baptised 21 July 1880 at St Mary Magdalene, South Molton. He attended South Molton National Boys’ School from 19 March 1888 to 23 July 1891; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 28 March 1892 to 5 January 1893. He resided in Watford.
On the 1881 Census, aged 9 months he lived in South Molton, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1891 Census, a scholar aged 10, he still lived in South Molton, with his father, step-mother and two siblings. On the 1901 Census, he is proving elusive. On the 1911 Census, a Private in the 1st Battalion Scots Guards aged 30, he was stationed at Kasrelnil Barracks, Cairo, Egypt.
Officially recorded as born in South Malton, Devon and was living in Watford when he enlisted in London.
Wartime Service
He originally attested in London 31 August 1899 for Short Service (7 years with the Colours, 5 years in the Reserves): a warehouseman aged 19, 6′ tall, C of E.; Private 2957 Scots Guards.
He served at Home until 24 February 1911, during which time he was appointed unpaid Lance-Corporal 29 August 1902; appointed paid Lance-Corporal 11 March 1903; extended his service to complete 12 years 4 July 1906; was promoted Corporal 9 September 1906; appointed Lance-Sergeant 12 July 1907; re-engaged to complete 21 years service 14 February 1911; then following an unfortunate run of discipline issues, was reduced to Private 22 February 1911.
He then served in Egypt from 25 February 1911 to 1 January 1913; Home again 2 January 1913 to 12 August 1914; finally France from 13 August 1914.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals, his qualifying date being 13 August 1914. He suffered a gun-shot wound to the head 30 September 1914, and died the following day at Vendresse; next-of-kin was his sister of Watford.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH online via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
