Old Ledbury - World War One in Ledbury - James MANSELL

Rear of postcard possibly photographers address - Risto Studios, 146 Ladypool Rd, Birmingham

The third one on the left standing looks like my grand father but never knew him smoke a pipe lol x...BSN

The cap badge looks like the Army Service Corps (ASC), they were responsible for transport (horse and mechanical) driving and maintenance. I suspect this is a workshop and they have been conducting servicing/repair to vehicles. They are Territorial soldiers - prior to 1914 the Territorials had no obligation to serve overseas; some men volunteered to and wore a badge on their right chest bearing the words 'IMPERIAL SERVICE'; several of these men are wearing that badge. There was an ASC Territorial unit in Herefordshire with its HQ at Weobley...AT

That might make sense my grand dad was a mechanic so Andy could be right x...BSN

My Grandmother was from Birmingham, so perhaps thats how they meet x...BSN

James Henry MANSELL and Dorothy E MANSELL ( Arnsby )

Unknown wedding, could these be the five MANSELL brothers...

Ledbury Guardian Newspaper 26-02-1915

LEDBURY MILITARY RECORD

Mr William MANSELL, estate carpenter to Lord BIDDULPH of Ledbury, has five sons whose photographs we give, serving their King and country. All have volunteered ---- the declaration of war. Mr and Mrs MANSELL , who reside at Wildhouse, Cottage , Ledbury, have only one son remaining. He is in the Telegraph Department at the Ledbury Post Office and is too young to serve. The brothers come of a military family, in their father was formerly in the ranks. He left the Army 2-. years ago and since which time he has been with Lord BIDDULPH. This regard of family patriotism was recently bought to the notice of the King, who sent a letter of acknowledgement recently published in the "Ledbury Guardian"

The photograph of Mr MANSELL, the father (formerly of the 61st regiment now the 2nd Gloucesters, was taken when he was occupying the position of warder in the military ---- , F----na, India in 1880.

The five sons are

LANCE CORPL James H MANSELL - ASC aged 24 in France.

PTE William J MANSELL - 48th Provisional Battalion aged 26.

PTE Stanley H MANSELL - 1st Herefordshire Regiment aged 17 at Oswestry.

RIFLEMAN Reginald G MANSELL - Kings Royal Rifles aged 22 in France.

PTE Albert T MANSELL - 1st Herefordshire Regiment aged20 Years at Oswestry.

Sources

1914 - 1919 Ledbury Guardian Newspaper - Herefordshire History

Photographs are credited to the owners

Comments are from members of the Old Ledbury Facebook Group

Cuttings from Ledbury Reporter Newspapers

Ledbury Reporter

The Reporter now has Archive photographs for the years 2005 - 2009 which you can view and order. Select a year then make sure Ledbury is the keyword entered before pressing GO. I have spent many an hour in the Ledbury Library looking through the old Reporters which are on microfiche. Support this great local paper.