Herbert George GUMBLETON

In 1896, aged 15, he was employed in the Locomotive Department of the London and South Western railway. In 1898, he applied for admission to the Royal Artillery and commenced service on 21 Mar 1898 but was discharged on 14 May, the same year. He rejoined the army, apparently under the name of George WEST and served in the Boer War—he was in South Africa by March 1900. He fought in the engagement at Bakenlaagte on 30 Oct 1901, which made a great impression on him. In later years he called his houses 'Bakenlaagte'. He could not be found in the 1901 census and was probably in South Africa at the time. His medals include the Queen's South Africa Medal and the King's South Africa Medal.

On 25 Mar 1911 he was married to Christina Margaret GORDON at the Register Office, Guilford, Surrey. At the time he was a sergeant in the Royal Artillery and his address is given as The Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich. His wife's address is given as 55 Stoke Rd, Guildford. In the 1911 census, they were living at 36 Eglinton Road, Plumstead, Woolwich.

They had two children:

• Reginald Gordon WEST, born 29 Dec 1911 in the Alton registration district.
• Elrington George Gumbleton WEST, 12 Aug 1917, in Melrose, Scotland.

He was a serving soldier at the outbreak of World War I, but his regiment were posted to Jamaica, where he served throughout the war. His wife spent some time with him there, returning to England when she became pregnant. In 1915 he was promoted to the rank of Master Gunner (2nd class). After the war he returned to England in January 1919 and worked at Windsor Castle, managing the raising and lowering of the flag. He had moved to 26 Kings Road, Windsor by August 1922 and lived there for many years. In the early 1920s he worked on the construction of Wembley Stadium (opened in 1924) and cycled there daily from his home in Windsor.

He later worked for Bucklands estate agents in Windsor.

During World War II, he was a special constable.

He was a musician - he owned a piano and violin. He sang in the choir at Windsor Parish Church and was choirmaster and organist at Old Windsor. In Jamaica he played the organ in the local anglican church: Half Way Tree Church.

In the late 1940s he lived in St Andrew's Crescent, Windsor. In about 1953 he moved to Tunbridge Wells (where his son Reg had recently moved). He returned to Windsor and lived at 63 Upcroft. He had certainly moved there by the time of his 50th wedding anniversary in March 1961.

He died the 26 Aug 1961 at 63 Upcroft, Clewer, Berks. He was aged 80.