Monthly Archives: April 2026

Norman Pountney

24 Friday Apr 2026

Posted by in Front Line, Men who served

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The son of Henry James and Ann Pountney, Norman was born on 11 November 1893, and was baptised in St John’s Church in Wolverhampton on 4 February 1894. Norman’s mother died in 1898, so by 1901 he was living with his widowed father and siblings Frederick, Ernest, Henry J., Gertrude A. and Arthur J. at 28 St John’s Square. They had moved to 113 Raby Street by 1911 and Norman was working as an apprentice tailor.

Norman enlisted as a Guardsman in the 1st Battalion of the Welsh Guards (service number 3471). Unfortunately he was killed in action on 15 May 1918. He is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery in France.

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The research for this blog post was carried out by remote virtual volunteer, Jacky de Escofet.

Ralph Stephenson Means

22 Wednesday Apr 2026

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The son of Ralph and Selina Means, Ralph was born in on 8 July 1916 in Newcastle-on-Tyne. By 1939, the family were living in Wolverhampton, at 1 Beechwood Avenue, in Wednesfield, along with Ralph’s siblings, Irene and Alice. Ralph was working as a milk roundsman.

Ralph enlisted as a trooper with the 5th Royal Tank Regiment (service number 7908910). He was wounded in action on 9 December 1941. He was taken as a prisoner, but died as a prisoner of war on 12 December 1941. He is remembered at the Alamein Memorial in Egypt, as well as on the Wednesfield Roll of Honour.

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The research for this blog post was completed by remote virtual volunteer, Doug Lewis.

William Lynch

14 Tuesday Apr 2026

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The son of Owen and Mary Hawley Lynch, William was born in Wolverhampton on 15 July 1877, and baptised in St Mary and John’s Roman Catholic Church on 5 August 1877. They were living at 11 Brunswick Street, Wolverhampton in 1881, together with William’s half-siblings James, Michal and Kate Burke, and siblings Rosehannah, Beatrice, and John Lynch. They were at the same address in 1891. By 1911, he was living with his sister Rose (now married to John Rowan) at 29 Arthur Street, Wolverhampton, and was working as a labourer.

William enlisted in the 2nd Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment (service number 6046) and rose to become an Acting Sergeant. He was killed in action on 3 October 1915 in France and Flanders. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial in France.

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The research for this blog post was carried out by remote virtual volunteer Jacky de Escofet.

John Alfred Harris

10 Friday Apr 2026

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The son of John and Elizabeth Harris, John as born in Brierley Hill in 1919. By 1921 they were living at 42 (the Ship and Rainbow Inn), Oxford Street, Bilston, with John’s siblings Maurice William and Olive Ellen. Elizabeth Harris unfortunately died in 1931. By 1939, John Alfred was still living with his father at the Ship and Rainbow Inn, and was working as a plumber for a housing estate. In 1942, John married Ouida Humpage in Bilston.

John enlisted with the A Squadron of the 44th Royal Tank Regiment as a Trooper (service number 7946066). Unfortunately he was killed in action on 6 November 1943. He is buried in the Sangro River War Cemetery in Italy.

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The research for this blog was carried out by remote virtual volunteer, Doug Lewis.

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