Home Page

24727 Quartermaster Sergeant
ALBERT LUXON
Royal Engineers  

By  

Lieutenant Colonel Edward De Santis, MSCE, P.E., MInstRE
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers  

Figure 1. Crest of the Royal Engineers Submarine Miners.
(Image courtesy of Stuart Gase)  

1. INTRODUCTION

Unless otherwise noted, the details supplied in this narrative were extracted from the soldier’s service papers obtained from original documents housed in the National Archives at Kew, Richmond, Surrey.  The service papers were located in War Office files WO97/5372.  Additional family information was found in census returns for England from 1881 to 1911 and in Ancestry.com family trees and other documents found on the internet.  As will be described in the text there are some differences noted between family data posted in the family trees and census returns and data supplied by Luxon in his military service papers.  Attempts have been made to explain these differences. 

2. EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY INFORMATION

Early Life (1868 - 1890)

                Albert Luxon was born in November 1867 in the Parish of Portland, near the Town of Portland in the County of Dorsetshire.  It is probable that Luxon was born in the area of the Bill of Portland, a narrow promontory (or bill) at the southern end of the Isle of Portland, and the southernmost point of Dorsetshire. It is a peninsula of land located to the south of Weymouth and Wyke Regis.  The towns of Fortuneswell, Grove Easton, Weston and Southwell are all located on the Bill of Portland today. 

            Albert was baptized in the Parish of Portland on 8 December 1867.  The occupation of his father is shown as Prison Warden on Albert’s baptism certificate.[1]  From his military records it appears that Albert worked as a telegraphist in civil life, perhaps for the Post Office prior to joining the Army.

Family Information

            According to his Military History Sheet, Albert’s parents were William and Elizabeth Luxon.  This notation in his military record differs from information posted in family trees on Ancestry.com and on census returns.  The family trees and census show his father as William Luxon (1840-1925) and his mother as Selina Luxon, née Nettle (1939-1912).  Based on Albert’s will, dated 1952, he appears to have had two brothers; Charles Luxon (1862-?) and Joseph Luxon (1866-?).  His will also indicates that he had two sisters: Mary Luxon (1864-?) and Nellie Luxon (1876-1962).  In his will Albert Luxon bequeaths portions of his estate to his sister Nellie Luxon and to the children of two men, Charles and Joseph, whose surnames are not included in the document.  One can suppose that Charles and Joseph were his brothers and that they were deceased at the time that the will was prepared.  It seems logical that Albert would have left something to his nephews and nieces.  The existence of his sister Mary is known from a next of kin entry in his service papers (Military History Sheet).  Since Mary does not appear in his will, one can assume that she also predeceased Albert or that for some reason he chose not to include her in the will.

            A family tree (created by Kelli Johnson) shows William and Selina Luxon with the following children:

·         William John Luxon (1860-1921)

·         Charles Luxon (1862-?)

·         Mary Elizabeth Luxon (1864-?)

·         Joseph Luxon (1866-?)

·         Albert Luxon (1868-?)[2]

·         Thomas Henry Luxon (1870-?

·         Nellie Luxon (1876-1962)

·         Selina Ann Nettle Rosewarn Luxon (1877-?)

            The underlined names above correspond to the brothers and sisters referred to in Albert’s will.  William, Thomas and Selina Ann are not mentioned in his will or in his military records.  In addition, he indicated in his service papers that his mother’s name was Elizabeth and not Selina.  Perhaps his mother’s name was Elizabeth Selina or Selina Elizabeth and Albert remembered her as going by the name Elizabeth with family and friends.  This may well be the case for the discrepancy. 

            William Luxon and Selina Nettle were married in Tywardreath, Cornwall on 28 November 1858.  Beginning with the census of 1861 and 1871 Selina is listed as the mother of all the children shown above.  For some reason Albert is not shown in the 1881 Census of England.  He would have only been 14 year old at that time, yet he was not living with his parents on the date that the census was taken.

1871 Census of England

3. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

            Albert Luxon was living at 55 Tachbrook Street, Pimlico, London, SW when he decided to enlist in the Army.  Tachbrook Street still exists in London today in what is now Westminster, SW1.  The street is located a short distance to the east of Victoria Station and runs from Vauxhall Bridge Road southeast to the juncture of Lupus Street and Bessborough Street.

The following is a description of Albert Luxon at the time he enlisted in the Army in 1890:

NOTE: Albert Luxon failed to meet three of the minimum physical requirements for service in the Royal Engineers.  These minimum requirements were: Height, 5 feet 6 inches; Weight, 115 pounds; Normal chest measurement, 34 inches.  Strictly speaking he should not have been allowed to enlist to serve in the Royal Engineers, but someone turned a blind eye to these physical deficiencies.

4.  RECRUITMENT, ENLISTMENT AND TRAINING  

Recruitment

            At the time he was recruited for military service, Albert Luxon was serving in the 13^th (Queen’s) Volunteer Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC).  This battalion had its headquarters in James Street, Buckingham Gate, London, SW and was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel E.J. Lynch.[3]  Wellington Barracks are located just off Buckingham Gate to the north of Luxon’s home.  Attending drills with the unit must have been very convenient for him with the headquarters located so close to his home.

            Albert Luxon was recruited for service by Regimental Sergeant Major Edward Blanchflower, Royal Engineers.  He indicated on his attestation documents that at the time of his recruitment he was not an Apprentice, he had no criminal record, and he was unmarried. 

Figure 2.  Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the 13^th Volunteer
Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, c. 1895.
(Photograph courtesy of Wikiwand) 

Enlistment (1890)

            Luxon enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 21 March 1890 at Chatham, Kent.  His was a Short Service Enlistment of 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve.  On this date he took the “Oath of Attestation of the Recruit” before the Assistant Commandant of the School of Military Engineering at Chatham (S.M.E.), with RSM Blanchflower in attendance as a witness.

            The physical features listed on Luxon’s Army Form B. 265 were all noted by Captain W. G. Clements, the Surgeon on the Medical Staff at Chatham.  Captain Clements completed the “Certificate of Final Medical Examination” of Albert Luxon and pronounced him medically fit for service.  Following his medical examination, Luxon’s  “Certificate of Primary Military Examination” was completed by the Adjutant of the School of Military Engineering.  He was certified as fit for service in the Royal Engineers.  Next came the “Certification of Approving Field Officer.”  Luxon’s enlistment was duly approved and he was appointed to the rank of Sapper, Regimental Number 24727, by the Assistant Commandant, S.M.E.  This entire administrative procedure was all accomplished in one day.

Training at Chatham (1890 - 1893)
            Sapper Luxon was assigned to “F” (Depot) Company at Brompton Barracks, Chatham.  During the next three years he received his recruit and advanced skills training as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers.  His recruit training began with the basics that were required for each man to learn to be a soldier, although he may have received much of this type of training while serving in the Volunteer Battalion of the KRRC.  This training would have involved military customs, the wearing of his uniform and insignia, military discipline and the use, care and maintenance of his weapon, at that time probably the Lee Metford rifle, caliber .303.  Following a period of basic training, Foster then received the training necessary to make him an engineer soldier.  This involved such field engineering subjects as tunnelling, trench-building, bridging, and other skills necessary to support the infantry and artillery in the field. 

            Luxon immediately took advantage of the educational opportunities being afforded to soldiers at this time in the history of the British Army and was awarded a 3^rd   Class Certificate of Education on 26 June 1890, only three months from the date of his enlistment.  On 13 March 1891, less than a year from the date of his enlistment, he was awarded a 2^nd Class Certificate of Education.

            The 1891 Census of England, taken on 5 April of that year, shows Albert Luxon at Milton Barracks in Gravesend, Kent.[4]  He is shown as one of many “Soldiers” living in the barracks at that time.

            Sapper Luxon was mustered as a Telegraphist (Office) with a rating of “Skilled” on 24 August 1891.  His designation as a Telegraphist presumably was the result of his previous training and experience in this trade prior to entering the Army.  By the 5^th of October 1891 he was appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal.

            On the second anniversary of his enlistment, Lance Corporal Luxon was awarded Good Conduct Pay at the rate of 1 penny (1.d) per day.  He qualified as a “Skilled” Telegraphist (Office) on 25 August 1892 and as a “Skilled” Electrician on 23 December 1892.  On 1 March 1893 Luxon was promoted to the rank of 2^nd Corporal.

5.  POSTINGS, ASSIGNMENTS AND CAMPAIGN SERVICE

Service in India (1893 - 1898)

            2^nd Corporal Luxon’s tour of home service came to an end early in 1893.  In preparation for a long sea voyage to India he was made to take a swimming test.  He qualified as an ordinary swimmer and on 2 March 1893 he embarked for service in India.  Upon his arrival in India he was assigned to the Indian Submarine Mining Company under the command of Major Pelham George Von Donop, R.E.[5]  In addition to commanding the Submarine Mining Company in India, Major Von Donop was also the Inspector of Submarine Defences for the sub-continent.  Von Donop commanded the company until 1894 when he was replaced by Captain (later Major) Henry Edward Tyler, R.E.[6]

            The Indian Submarine Mining Company consisted of one Major, 4 subalterns, 74 non-commissioned officers and 140 native lascars.  The company operated out of the port cities of Calcutta, Bombay, Karachi and Rangoon.  The subalterns assigned to command the sections of the company in each of these port cities are listed in the table below.

 SUBALTERNS OF THE INDIAN SUBMARINE MINING COMPAY

1893 to 1898

             The Indian Submarine Mining Company provided shore based defences for the naval bases at the major port cities of India and, in the case of Rangoon, of Burma as well.  They were a specialist branch of the Royal Engineers and Indian Sappers and Miners whose mission was to lay and detonate underwater mines ranging in charge weight from 50 pounds to 600 pounds in the event of an enemy naval attack on the bases (see Annex A).

            Luxon’s service record is not specific with regard to which detachment of the company he was assigned.  The signatures of the officers certifying his service on the “Statement of Services” sheet contained in his papers are all illegible with the exception of the signature of 2^nd Lieutenant R. Walker who made an entry on the sheet just prior to Luxon’s departure from India.  According to Baker Brown,[17] an officer by the name of R. Walker joined the Royal Engineer Submarine Mining Service in 1897.  This officer is most likely 2^nd Lieutenant Reginald Walker who was commissioned on 25 January 1896.[18]  Unfortunately, Baker Brown gives no specific details of Lieutenant Walker’s service. 

            Luxon was appointed to the temporary rank of Corporal on 30 March 1894 and on  3 October 1895 he received an appointment to the temporary rank of Sergeant in the Indian Sappers and Miners.  These promotions were not permanent within the ranks of the Royal Engineers, but rather local promotions during his service with the Indian Army establishment.

            On 2 July 1896, while he was between the sixth and seventh years of his first period of limited engagement, Acting Sergeant Luxon extended to complete 12 years of service with the Colours.  By extending in this manner he elected to remain in the Regular Army for the remaining five years of his enlistment rather than be transferred to the Army Reserve in accordance with the conditions of his Short Service Enlistment.  On 23 July 1896 Luxon qualified as an Electrician with a rating of “Superior.”  He was promoted to the permanent rank of Corporal in the Royal Engineers on 1 September 1897.

Home Service (1898 - 1902)

            Early in 1898 Acting Sergeant Luxon received orders to return to England.  On 23 March 1898 he reverted in rank from Acting Sergeant in the Indian Sappers and Miners to his permanent rank of Corporal in the Royal Engineers in preparation for his return to the Home Establishment.  On the following day he departed India after serving there for a period of 5 years and 22 days.

            Upon his arrival in England, Corporal Luxon was assigned to “M” Company, R.E. Depot Battalion, at Chatham.  On 3 August 1898 he qualified as an Electrician (Submarine Miner) with a rating of “Superior.”  A little over a year later, on 12 December 1899, Luxon also qualified as an Ordinary Submarine Miner Signaller.

            On 15 March 1900, when he was just days short of completing his tenth year of active service, Luxon re-engaged to complete 21 years of service with the Colours.  On 1 May 1901 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  He was still serving with “M” Company at this time.

Service in Ceylon (1902 - 1906)

            Sergeant Luxon departed England for service in Ceylon on 1 October 1902.  Upon arrival at this new duty station he was posted to the Ceylon Submarine Mining Company at Trincomali (or Trincomalee), a seaport town on the east side of the island on the Bay of Bengal.  The town itself was located on the north side of the Bay of Trincomalee and was noted for its excellent natural harbour and the ruins of the Temple of a Thousand Columns.[19]  

            The Ceylon Submarine Mining Company was not a part of the Royal Engineers or the Indian Sappers and Miners.  It was considered to be a unit on the local establishment of Ceylon.  In fact, while assigned to this unit, Luxon’s regimental number was 7958.  This number was used in place of his regular number, 24727, while he was assigned for duty in Ceylon.  Luxon’s duties with this unit were much as they had been with the Indian Submarine Mining Company. 

            On 28 March 1904 he was awarded a 1st Class Certificate of Education.  On 1 April 1904 Luxon was granted service (proficiency) pay, Class I, at the rate of 7.d. per day.  For engineers this pay was authorized in seven classes.[20]  Luxon was authorized the highest class of this “special pay.”  It is not difficult to understand why he was considered worthy of this extra pay.  The following table summarizes his skill qualifications up to this point in his service:

             On 2 December 1905 Luxon was promoted to the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant on the Regular Establishment of the Royal Engineers.

Home Service (1906 -1911)

            Quartermaster Sergeant Luxon departed Ceylon on 1 February 1906 after serving a total of 3 years and 133 days on the island.  Upon his arrival in England he was assigned to “G” Company, R.E. Depot Battalion, at Chatham.  At this time the R.E. Depot was commanded by Colonel George Hamilton Sim, C.B., R.E.

            In March of 1908 Luxon completed 18 years of service with the Colours, thus making him eligible for the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.  Although he became eligible for the medal at this time, his service papers indicate that he was not authorized the medal or the 5-Pound gratuity associated with it until April of 1909 when his name was listed for the medal in Army Order 101 of that year.  His medal was probably presented to him by Colonel Frederick Rainsford-Hannay, R.E.[21] who was at that time the Officer Commanding, R.E. Depot.  Colonel Rainsford-Hannay was subsequently replaced as O.C., R.E. Depot by Colonel James Laird Irvine, C.B., R.E.  Colonel Irvine was commanding the Depot when Luxon completed his military service. 

Discharge (1911)

            Quartermaster Sergeant Luxon applied for discharge from the Army on 13 February 1911.  He was discharged on 20 March 1911 on the termination of his second period of limited engagement with his total service reckoned at 21 years exactly.  At the time of his discharge he was 43 years and 4 months of age.  He was described as being 5 feet 5 inches tall with an expanded chest measurement of 37 inches (an increase of 4-1/2 inches since his enlistment).  His complexion was still listed as pale despite his numerous years of service in India and Ceylon.  His hair coloring was still listed as brown and he had acquired no additional scars or distinctive marks since his enlistment.  His trade was listed on his discharge papers as electrician.

            Albert Luxon indicated that his intended place of residence upon discharge would be 50 Hydethorpe Road, Balham, London.  This address is located in the Wandsworth area in the County of London, south of the city.  Luxon’s parents lived at this address for many years while he was serving in the Army.  Early in his military career his parents were listed as his next of kin and living at this address on his “Military History Sheet.”  At some point during his service, probably after the death of his parents, his sister Mary was listed as his next of kin.[22]  Her address was given as 63 St. Audley Street, London.[23]  It appears that the property at 50 Hydethorpe Road must have remained in the Luxon family over the years and was still in their possession at the time of Albert’s discharge; hence, he was able to list it as his intended place of residence.

            Luxon’s discharge papers indicate that his conduct and character were “Exemplary” during his 21 years of military service.  He had committed no offenses during his entire period of service.  His special qualifications and ratings for employment in civil life were as Electrician (“Superior”), Office Telegraphist (“Skilled”) and Submarine Miner (“Very Superior”).  This latter qualification was achieved sometime after 1899.  One wonders what position in civilian life would require the services of a Submarine Miner?

            The table below provides a summary of his service.     

Home Service:            12 years and 210 days

Service Abroad:        8 year and 155 days

Total Service:             21 years

            Luxon saw no active service in any of the small wars that took place between 1890 and 1911.  Because of his specialized qualifications in submarine mining he was not assigned to any units of the Royal Engineers that took part in the conflicts on the North West Frontier of India or the Boer War in South Africa from 1899-1902.  For this reason he did not receive any campaign medals and was only awarded the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

______________________________________________________________

                The following sections are presented in tabular form to summarize Luxon’s   promotions, appointments, military training and qualifications and the medals that he was awarded during his time in the Army.  They are provided to give the reader easy access to these aspects of his military career.  The tables are followed by sections dealing with his marriage, personal information and post-service life.

__________________________________________________________________________

6.  PROMOTIONS

                Albert Luxon received the following promotions during his time in service:  

 7.  CONDUCT

Disciplinary Actions

            No record of any disciplinary actions was found in Quartermaster Sergeant Luxon’s military service records.  Upon discharge from the Army his conduct and character were listed as “Exemplary.”

Good Conduct Badges  

            Quartermaster Sergeant Luxon received the following Good Conduct Badges during his time in service:[24]

NOTE: Luxon entered the Army when the 1885 rules for awarding good conduct pay were in force.  Under these rules he would have received good conduct pay after 2, 6, 12 and18 years of total service.. 

8.  MEDALS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

            Quartermaster Sergeant Luxon completed 18 years of service on 20 March 1908 and became eligible for the award of the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Edward VII)  This medal was subsequently issued to him in April 1909 by Army Order 101 of that year.[25]  It was the only medal awarded to him during his military career.

            The medal is named to him on the rim in engraved capital letters as shown here:

24727 Q.M.SJT. A. LUXON R.E.

Figure 3.  QMS Luxon’s Army Service and Good Conduct Medal.
(Photograph from the author’s collection)

9. EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS  

a.      Education

Quartermaster Sergeant Luxon earned Certificate of Education as shown in the table below.[26] 

b. Qualifications  

NOTE: Upon discharge his special qualifications and ratings for employment in civil life were listed as Electrician (“Superior”), Office Telegraphist (“Skilled”) and Submarine Miner (“Very Superior).  

10.  MEDICAL INFORMATION  

No medical information is included in Albert Luxon’s military service records.  

11.     MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND PERSONAL INFORMATION

Parents

            As described in Section 2 of this narrative, Albert Luxon’s parents were William Luxon and Selina (Elizabeth?) Luxon.  William had been born about 1840 in St. Blazey, Cornwall and he worked most of his life as a prison warden.  William Luxon died in Surrey on 29 March 1925 at the age of 85.  His address at the time of his death was 50 Hydethorpe Road, Balham, Surrey.  He was buried in West Norwood, Lambeth, Greater London  The probate of his will took place in London on 11 May 1925.  His effects, amounting to £558-15s-4d (about $49,400 USD in 2022 currency) were left to Charles Luxon (clerk).  Charles was probably his eldest son.

            Selina (Elizabeth?) was born in October 1839 in Cornwall as Selina Nettle, the daughter of William Nettle (1800-1869) and Elizabeth Nettle, née Reid (1796-1862).  The mystery of Albert’s mother, as explained in Section 2 of this narrative, may never be explained.  The entries made by Albert in his Military History Sheet read as follows:

            Albert most definitely claims that his mother’s given name was Elizabeth.  Another interesting aspect of the name dilemma is that Selina’s mother’s name was Elizabeth, so it is quite possible that Selina’s middle name was Elizabeth and that she used that name with family.  Selina predeceased her husband and died on 11 June 1912 in London at the age of 72.  She also was buried in West Harwood, probably in the same grave as her husband.

Marriage

            Albert Luxon married Maud Emily Thornhill in Medway in 1918.[27]  It does not appear that they had any children of their own; however, Maud apparently had a number of relatives who were mentioned in Luxon’s will (see ANNEX C).

Siblings

            William John Luxon was born in 1860 in Redruth, Cornwall.  William appears to have been in the stationery business.  At some point he immigrated to the United States and died in Kalamazoo, Michigan on 4 March 1921.  His State of Michigan death certificate indicates that he was unmarried and that he was an unemployed envelope maker.

            Charles Luxon was born in Redruth, Cornwall in July 1862.  Charles is shown in Albert’s will to have had two children; Eric Luxon and Eveylen Bowler, née Luxon.  Eveylen and her husband had two children: Jennifer and Christopher.

            Mary Elizabeth Luxon was born in Redruth, Cornwall in January 1864.  She married one James William Arbin (1849-?) in St. Mary, Balham on 25 September 1907.  No additional information was found regarding her life.

            Joseph Luxon was born was born in Raunminor, Cornwall about 1866.  Charles is shown in Albert’s will to have had three children; Charles, May and Harry.

            Thomas Henry Luxon was born about 1870 on Isle of Portland, Dorsetshire.  No details of Thomas’ life were uncovered during this research. 

            Nellie Luxon was born on 1 December 1876 in Notting Hill, Middlesex.  It appears that she never married.  Nellie died at Torquay, Devonshire on 26 September 1962.

            Selina Ann Nettle Rosewarn Luxon was born about 1877.  She was baptized in London on 14 February 1877.  It appears that she never married.  Her date of death is unknown.                      ,

12.  POST SERVICE LIFE

                Albert Luxon went on to live for 41 years after his discharge from the Army  Nothing is known of his life after his discharge except that at some time before his death he went to live with his sister Nellie at 123 Warbro Road, Babbacombe, Torquay, Devonshire.  There is no town of Babbacombe shown on modern day maps of Devonshire; however, Luxon’s home was probably located on the shore of Babbacombe Bay just north of Torquay.

Figure 4.  123 Warbro Road, Torquay, Devonshire.
(Photograph courtesy of Google Earth)  

            Albert Luxon died on 18 March 1952 at Tredorne Nursing Home, Greenway Gardens, Torquay, Devonshire.[28]  He was 84 years of age.  His death certificate indicates that he died of hypostatic pneumonia and cerebral thrombosis.  His death was certified by George Holt Lloyd, M.R.C.S.[29] and was witnessed by A.G. Heron, a matron at the Tredorne Nursing Home.  It is of interest to note that on his death certificate Luxon is listed as a Major, Indian Army (Retired).  No evidence has been found in the Army Lists or elsewhere to indicate that he was a Major in the Indian Army.  It is more likely that one of his family members or a member of the nursing home staff made an error regarding his occupation when they reported his death.

            In addition to his official death certificate on file at the General Register Office (G.R.O.), a “Death Certificate of Pensioner” (Army Form O. 1707) was also issued by the Regimental Paymaster at Whitchurch, Hampshire on 19 May 1952.  This certificate indicates that Luxon was receiving £11-8s-3d per quarter as his Army pension.

            Albert Luxon’s will was presented for probate in London on 10 December 1952.  In the will his name is given as Albert Victor Luxon.  This is the first and only instance found of his use of the middle name Victor.  It does not appear on any of his military service papers or on his G.R.O. death certificate.  Additionally, the will indicates that he is a retired Quartermaster, R.E. (not Quartermaster Sergeant).  This is of interest because the rank of Quartermaster is that of an officer.  This could simply be an error on the part of the person who drew up the will.  On the other hand, when considered in light of the entry on his G.R.O. death certificate referring to him as a Major in the Indian Army, it opens up the possibility again of his having been commissioned at some time after his discharge from the Army as a QMS.  Again, no evidence could be found of his being commissioned.

            The G.R.O. index entry for Albert Luxon’s will indicates that his effects totaling £6,824-12s-3d (about $259,000 USD in 2022 currency) were bequeathed to his sister Nellie Luxon, spinster, and his brother Charles Luxon, a Record Assistant for the London County Council.  The will itself, however, leaves one half of his estate to his sister Nellie and the remaining half to be divided equally among his beneficiaries.  Personal bequests were given to a number of nieces and nephews as well as to members of a family named Thornhill who may have been personal friends or perhaps servants of Alfred Luxon. 

ANNEX A.

Typical Submarine Mines Used by the Royal Engineers  

Figure 5.  The 50-Pound Spherical Submarine Mine.
(Image from Baker Brown, 1910)  

Figure 6.  The 600-Pound Cylindrical Mine.
(Image from Baker Brown, 1910)

ANNEX B.

The Town of Portland, Dorsetshire  

            Further research into the place of Victor Luxon’s birth indicates that Portland in Dorsetshire does exist on modern-day maps.  The area known as Portland encompasses a number of towns, including Castletown, Fortuneswell, The Grove, Easton and Weston.  There is a Portland Port, a Portland Castle and a Portland Hospital in the area just north of the town of Fortuneswell.

ANNEX C.

Albert Luxon’s Wife and the Thornhill Family  

            An email received from Jacqueline Walker, who is researching her family tree, indicates that Luxon married Maud Emily Thornhill in Medway in 1918.  This would indicated that the Thornhills mentioned in Luxon’s will were relative of his wife.  The names contained in the will are:

J.G. Thornhill

Miss Kit Thornhill

Miss Edith Thornhill

Miss Nellie Thornhill

Mr. and Mrs Arthur Thornhill

Just what relationship these people had to Arthur Luxon’s wife is not known

REFERENCES

Books  

1.  AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.  AA Atlas of Great Britain.  Basingstoke, 1984.  

2.  BAEDEKER, K.  Great Britain:  Handbook for Travelers.  Karl Baedeker, Publisher, Leipzig, 1910.  

3.  BAKER BROWN, W.  History of Submarine Mining in the British Army.  The Royal Engineers Institute, Chatham, 1910.  

4.  BARTHOLOMEW, J.  Bartholomew’s Reference Atlas of Greater London.  John Bartholomew & Son, Ltd., Edinburgh, 1957.  

5.  CONOLLY, T.W.J.  Roll of Officers of The Corps of Royal Engineers from 1660 to 1898.  The Royal Engineers Institute, Chatham, 1898.  

6.  GRIERSON, J.M.  Scarlet Into Khaki:  The British Army on the Eve of the Boer War.  Greenhill Books, London, 1988.  

7.  HMSO.  The Monthly Army List, April 1890.  

8.  MERRIAM-WEBSTER.  Merriam-Webster’s Geographical Dictionary.  Merriam-Webster, Inc., Springfield, Mass., 1997.  

Documents  

1.  WO97/5372.  Soldier’s Papers.  Public Record Office, London.  File consisting of the following documents:  

·         Army Form B. 265.  Short Service Enlistment Papers.

·         Attestation

·         Certificate of Magistrate or Attesting Officer

·         Description of the Soldier on Enlistment

·         Certificate of Primary Medical Examination

·         Certificate of Final Medical Examination

·         Certificate of Primary Military Examination

·         Certificate of Approving Field Officer  

·         Army Form B. 268.  Proceeding on Discharge

·         Statement of Services

·         Military History Sheet  

·         Death Certificate of Pensioner  

2.  Certified Copy of an Entry of Death.  General Register Office, No. DXZ601710, dated the 23rd of December 1998.  

3.   Last Will of Albert Victor Luxon, dated Torquay, Devonshire, 15 March 1952.  

4.      Probate Calendar, 1925, p. 144 (William Luxon).

ENDNOTES