Name
Ralph Thomas Pointer
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/07/1916
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
14453
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2C.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Christ Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Frank/Francis and Mary Ann (nee GINGER) POINTER of Watford.
His parents married 20 August 1877 at All Saints, Leighton Buzzard, Beds. Mary died 1932 in Watford aged 74, and was buried 6 May in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Frank died 1936 in Watford aged 81, and was buried 1 October, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Ralph was born 6 June 1892 in Watford, and baptised 28 June 1896 at Christ Church, Watford. He attended first Callow Land Infants’ School, Watford; then Callowland Board School from 9 January 1899 to 1 June 1906. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 8 he lived in Watford, with his parents and six siblings. On the 1911 Census, a plumber’s mate aged 18, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 27 April 1915, and was killed in action whilst bivouacking in the former Pommiers Redoubt.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Ralph’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
There is a Death announcement for Ralph in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 30 September 1916.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
