Name
Richard Earl Sneath
1884
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/10/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
40933
Essex Regiment
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 98 to 99.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Berkhamsted Town Memorial, St Peter's Church Memorial, Berkhamsted
Pre War
Richard Earl Sneath was born in 1884 in Stevington, Bedfordshire, the son of John and Martha Sneath and one of eight children. He was baptised in 1884 in Stevington, Bedfordshire.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at School House, Stevington, Beds where his father was a certificated schoolmaster.
His father died in 1894 and was buried at Stevington churchyard. By 1901 Richard was living with his widowed mother and brother Evelyn at 19 Station Road, Berkhamsted. Richard was then working as a gardener (domestic).
He married Ada Jane Horne in 1908 and they had a daughter, Rita Earl born on 23 February 1918. His widow later lived at 6 Ravens Lane, Berkhamsted.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford and initially joined the Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 29910 and was later transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment.
He was killed in action at the Battle of Poelcapelle and death was presumed on or since 10 October 1917. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
His widow received a war gratuity of £5 10s but there was no pay owing. She received a pension of £1 0s 5d a week.
On the pension card a guardian, Miss Kate Horne, is named, living at 18 Station Road, Berkhamsted, presumably for the child Rita Earl.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
