The Sphere – 23rd March 1918

The four men pictured above all lost their lives in 1918. Their portraits were published in The Sphere on the 23rd March 1918, two days after the Germans launched their offensive against British lines. Today, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of that offensive, it seems fitting to remember them.

Two brothers remembered

Lieutenant Arnold John St Legier Kerry died on the 14th February 1918. He was 25 years old and was serving with the 16th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, at the time of his death. The CWGC site notes that he was born in India and was the son of the Reverend John G Kerry and Annie Elizabeth Kerry. His brother, Reginald Arthur Kerry, was also killed during the Great War. His tomstone reflects this with the inscription, ALSO IN MEMORY OF / REX. A. KERRY / POZIERES JULY 21ST 1916 / AGED 27 YEARS / FOR ENGLAND’S HONOUR.  Reginald Kerry, serving as a lance-corporal with the Australian Machine Gun Corps, has this inscription on his headstone: TO HIS EVER DEAR MEMORY / IN THE HAND OF GOD / HE IS IN PEACE

Inscriptions for dead officers

Captain Arthur Raymond Marshall was 27 years old when he lost his life on the 2nd February 1918. He was serving with the 34th Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery at the time of his death and is buried in the St Sever Cemetery Rouen. Born in Mussoorie, India his father chose a Latin inscription to be rendered on his tombstone. It reads, NON NOCEBUNT / ET NON OCCIDENT / IN UNIVERSO / MONTE SANCTO MEO which, according to Google, translates as “They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain”.

Captain Wyvill Charles Spinola Uppleby of the 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was 35 years old when he died on the 9th February 1918. He was 35 years old, the son of Colonel J G and Louise Uppleby of Liverpool. His headstone inscription reads: ON WHOSE SOUL / SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY.

Captain William Walter Morrice of the 3rd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment died on the 30th December 1917. He was the son of John David and Jessie Fenton Morrice, of Monkton Farleigh Rectory, Bradford-on-Avon. He also has a Latin inscription on his headstone which reads, REQUIEM AETERNAM / DONAEI, DOMINE / ET LUX PERPETUA LUCEAT EI and translates as “Eternal rest, Lord, and may perpetual light shine”.

The Sphere is a tremendous resource for officer photos and I have added these portraits to each of the men’s names on this website. At the Going Down of the Sun, and in the Morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.