War Diaries - word help!! Sept to October 1916

Find below are images with words underlined, if you can read them please email me at - zeptrader@ntlworld.com

September 15th 1916



September 15th 1916 #2


October 3rd 1916


October 8th 1916 #1


October 8th 1916 #2


October 25th 1916 #1


October 25th 1916#2


October 31st 1916 #1 (the whole paragraph)


October 31st 1916 #2



More to come

The Great War - BBC TV 1964

January 1917 was one of the coldest winters in living memory. So far the French Army had lost 1,300,000 casualties, "nearly one life for every minute of the war" and was demoralised. General Robert Nivelle promised a breakthrough to win the war within 48 hours by a return to the offensive doctrines of 1914. British generals and French politicians doubted that the plan would work; while both the French Army and people were worn out from the war. Nivelle prepared a great offensive along the Chemin des Dames, even employing Senegalese and Russian troops.
The Germans also suffered from the winter cold. During the Somme battles of 1916 Ludendorff had ordered the building of a major defensive position up to thirty miles behind the German lines. In February 1917 the Germans fell back on this line, called the "Hindenburg Line" by the British, through fear of the coming French attack, leaving behind them a devastated area. British and French generals feared that the withdrawal would weaken the effect of the forthcoming attack, but Nivelle disagreed. First the British attacked on 9th April at Arras to set a hard shoulder for the French offensive, the Canadians capturing Vimy Ridge.
Then the French attacked on 16th April. The Germans knew the time of the attack to the hour, and counter-attacked at once. The French lost 90,000 men in the first day and altogether 180,000 over three weeks. The Germans lost about 160,000 including 40,000 prisoners and were pushed back a few miles. The real blow was to French expectations. Rumours in Paris exaggerated the French loss, while in fifty four French divisions men announced that they were prepared to hold their own trenches but would not attack again.
These mutinies continued into May and June. Nivelle was dismissed and replaced by General Philippe Pétain, who set about to re-establish morale. Pétain improved rest camps for the troops and increased the amount of leave; but he also made examples of some mutineers: 400 were condemned to death and at least fifty five - the official figure - shot. The French managed to keep these mutinies secret both from their allies and enemies, and all the time the line was held. But the French Army was incapable of further offensive effort - of all the Allies only the British were still capable of that. However, on 6th April the USA had declared war against Germany, providing fresh troops - "there was hope again".

The Question of Enlistment

I have had a reply from The Great War Forum with a possible dates for Jonathan's enlistment, but first I'd like to mention that during the early part of 1916 Parliament was discussing conscription for men as opposed to volunteering.
January or May 1916 is the date for that new law, The Military Service Act 1916 and stated this

Every British male subject who
- on 15 August 1915 was ordinarily resident in Great Britain and who had attained the age of 19 but was not yet 41 and
- on 2 November 1915 was unmarried or a widower without dependent children

To further read this new law go here - http://www.1914-1918.net/msa1916.html

So back to the reply from Andy Pay -

Looking at a few men with similar numbers that were in either the 7th, 8th or 9th RB, the closest one that I could find was only a couple of numbers after your relations we find that the attestment was early December 1915 (12/12/15) and then sent straight to the Army Reserve, mobilised in June 1916 and after training posted to the relevant battalion with quite a few of these being killed in action at the Battle of Arras in either April or May 1917.

Ok, so this is my very rough working out of dates - (please correct me)
Jonathan had his first child in 1913, then my Grandfather in early January 1916, going back 9 months would take us to early April 1915, he may of enlisted voluntarily in December 1915 and as above states then going to a training camp (see here for training - http://www.1914-1918.net/training.htm ) I wonder if the above reads after enlisting he was told to mobilise in June of 1916, which meant he had from December 12th 1915 till June 1916 at home. Come June 1916 the training continued for a few months (maybe 5 months?) untill he was sent to France.

A story doing the rounds in the family thinks he may of been in France for only 5 months. That would make it December 1916 in France, I guess he would of had training in France before being sent to the front, and skimming the diarys I see early 1917 the battalion are doing a lot of training.

Your thoughts?

The Great War Forum

A few days ago I posted of this very informative web site a question of how I can go about finding out the month/year of my Great Grandfathers enlistment, below is my original question -

One question I would like to ask here and after asking some family members is about his enlistment, the facts I do know are - Enlisted - Camberwell, SE LondonResident - Peckham, Fowler StreetFormerly - Kings Royal Rofle Corp (Brigade) R/26235Possible that he enlisted around November 1916, but not sure, this is information of his unit - 7th Battalion The Rifle Brigade (The Princes Consort Own)Serial Number - S/26127he was 29 when he died.

I got a first reply within hours from Andy Pay -

The 7th Rifle Brigade were in Support for the attack on the 3/5/17 but suffered from shell-fire. Find attached page 3117 from the Rifle Brigade medal rolls, if you would like the full size page let me know and I will send it to you. As you can see he served only in the 7th.

He has sent me a photo of this card via email and shows Jonathan Rowe listed. I posted back a great big thanks to him for this document that I didnt even knew exsited, for which another reply came back, first with this written -

The Rifle Brigade is something of a passion of mine developed over the years with particualr interest in the 14th Division (or 8th Division as it was until more troops came home from overseas billets and then renumbered the 14th) and the 8th Rifle Brigade especially, which IMHO is unique in certain aspects and with the way that Ronnie Maclachlan recruited his officers (all Oxbridge and Eton)

As I was reading this a picture was loading also on the page, and to my utter surprise a picture showed up on the page of a grave, Jonathan's grave in Wancourt Cemetary. Well to say that I was in shock is an understament, I didnt ask where or how he got this picture but to finaly see it and still not move from my chair in front of this computer is amazing.

I'd like to thanks Andy Pay for the help in such a short time, more than I could of asked for.

See the picture above, if you've not already seen it:)

The War Illustrated

9th June 1917 - Volume 6 Number 147

26th May 1917 - Volume 6 Number 145

The War Illustrated was a British war magazine published in London by William Berry (later Viscount Camrose and owner of The Daily Telegraph). It was first released on 22 August 1914, eighteen days after the United Kingdom declared war on Germany, and regular issues continued throughout World War I. The magazine was discontinued after the 8 February 1919 issue, but returned 16 September 1939 following the start of World War II. It was extremely popular: at its peak at the end of WWI, The War Illustrated had a circulation of 750,000

A few of the issues had stories of The Battle of Arras -

http://www.greatwardifferent.com/Great_War/Arras/Arras_02.htm
6th May 1917
10th May 1917
26th May 1917
9th June 1917

There was also an issue that had an article on the Ronville Caves at Arras -

http://www.greatwardifferent.com/Great_War/Arras/Arras_01.htm

30th November 1918

I have found on ebay 2 of these original papers, they are 26th May 1917 and 9th June 1917, I made a bid and WON!, should be getting them next week, but for now the above pictures show the front covers.

Images of Arras 1917

Arras City Square 1917

Arras Battlefield 1917

Triangle Wood (mid right)

British Soldier at Arras 1917

The Rifle Brigade (Princes Consort Own)

The Rifle Brigade fielded 28 battalions in the First World War, from its original compliment of 4 regular and 2 reserve, seeing service primarily on the Western Front, but also in Macedonia. The regiment lost 11,575 killed in the course of the war.
They were awarded many battle honours, 10 Victoria Crosses and many other decorations.
The 8th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (together with the 7th & 9th battalions) was part of the 41st Brigade of the 14th (Light) Division of XV Corps.
They were mainly made up of volunteers from the outbreak of WWI.

The battalion saw action including Ypres salient and the Somme. Notably the action they were in at Hooge, Belgium (30/31 July 1915) saw the first use of flamethrowers by the Germans, Sidney Clayton Woodroffe was awarded the VC for his actions in this battle.

7th (Service) BattalionFormed at Winchester on 21 August 1914 as part of K1 and attached to 41st Brigade in 14th (Light) Division.
Moved to Aldershot, going on to Elstead in November and returned to Aldershot in March 1915.
May 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
27 April 1918 : reduced to cadre strength.
17 June 1918 : returned to England with Division and cadre absorbed by 33rd Bn, the London Regiment.King's Royal Rifle Corps ·

Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) was raised in 1800.

Battalions during the Great War.
1st Battalion
2nd Battalion
3rd Battalion
4th Battalion
5th (Reserve) Battalion
6th (Reserve) Battalion
**7th (Service) Battalion **
8th (Service) Battalion
9th (Service) Battalion
10th (Service) Battalion
11th (Service) Battalion
12th (Service) Battalion
13th (Service) Battalion
14th (Reserve) Battalion
15th (Reserve) Battalion
16th (Service) Battalion (St Pancras)
17th (Reserve) Battalion
18th (London) Battalion
19th (Western) Battalion
20th (Northern) Battalion
21st (Midland) Battalion
22nd (Wessex & Welsh) Battalion
23rd (North Western) Battalion
24th (Home Counties) Battalion
25th (Reserve) Garrison Battalion
41st Brigade.Prior to being reduced to Cadre.
7th Bn King’s Royal Rifle Corps. 19 Aug 1914 - 02 Feb 1918.
To the 43rd Brigade.
8th Bn King’s Royal Rifle Corps. 21 Aug 1914 - 16 Jun 1918.
Reduced to Cadre on 27 Apr 1918. Cadre to the 34th Division.
7th Bn Rifle Brigade. 21 Aug 1914 - 17 Jun 1918. Reduced to Cadre on 27 Apr 1918. Cadre absorbed by the 33rd Bn London Regt.
8th Bn Rifle Brigade. 21 Aug 1914 - 16 Jun 1918. Reduced to Cadre on 27 Apr 1918. Cadre to the 34th Division.

3rd May 1917 (War Diary)

May 3

Zero was at 3.45am

"A" Coy moved forward to HERON trench

"B" to GANNETT and

"C" to EGRETTThe Bn was not asked upon to take active part in the ? , our role was to support the attack when ordered.

The blue line was captured with little resistance.

The red line was captured E. of CHERISEY.? left of the dirt front failed owing to heavy M.G fire from TRIANGLE WOOD.

A heavy counter attack was made by the enemy and owing to both flanks being ? in the air, the brigade had to withdraw.

The first formation of the actual withdrawal came from the forward coy in HERON trench, meanwhile the battalion was subjected to a violent bombardment of 5.9 shells which targeted all trenches from HERON to EGRETT.

afterwards lifting to DUCK trench and the COJEUL Valley so that these were symptoms of the counter attack being intended to reach the high ground by WANCOURT Tower.

Our ? was at ? placed on the BLUE line and afterwards put back to ? line.

The divisions on both flanks who failed to hold their objectives.

Casualties Capt. R.C Brown MC wounded 2/Lt B.Foster shellshock

26 O.R. killed, 27 wounded, 9 shellshock. see appendix 77a for list.

2nd May 1917 (War Diary)

May 2
the Bn moved forward to support the attack,leading coy. ? ALBATROSS about 11.30pm
"A" Coy to GANNETT and FLACON Trenches
"C" and "D" Coys in DUCK trench.
Casualties in transport line in RONVILLE. No B/464 Rfm G.Fielder,
"A" Coy No S/5195 Rfm F.Beaybroke?? "D" Coy

1st May 1917 (War Diary)

3rd August 09

7th. (S) Bn The Rifle Brigade

WANCOURT
May 1
A & B Coys moved back about 10pm to NEPAL TRENCH

Casualties
"A" Coy
S/21747 Rfm A.J.Brown killed shell buried WANCOURT Cemetary N24 c or 6 2.6
"B" Coy
B/77 Cpl T.Millward
S/26333 Rfm G.F.Edwards
S/17391 Rfm A braves
?5348 Cpl G.Crackwell? Wounded
"A" Coy
B/351 Rfm A?
S/19420 Rfm A Jeidhardt?
B/203647 Rfm S.Hawood
6180 Rfm J.Barnett Wounded.
"D" Coy
S/10156 Rfm S.Lloyd
S/14769 Rfm E.Kilburn?
S/31745 Rfm J.Barrett
S/23965 Rfm H.Simmonds Wounded
"A" Coy
S/31765 Rfm T.E.watt?
S/31763 Rfm L.Payne
S/14118 Rfm J.Tadd died of wounds
2585 Rfm G.Appelby Shellshock
"B" Coy
1/30598 Rfm S.Esgrove? Wounded

Battle Of Arras Footage

3rd August 09

The battle of Arras - FootageThis third short film on the Battle of Arras shows artillery fire, troop movements and several explosions on the battlefield. German prisoners can also be seen in the trenches, as well as enemy bombs falling on the town of Arras. A classic World War One film.

http://nfb.ca/film/battle_of_arras_3/

http://www3.nfb.ca/ww1/wartime-film.php?id=531436

http://www3.nfb.ca/ww1/wartime-film.php?id=537851

Cherisy, May 3rd 1917

2nd August 09

Action-Cherisy on the 3rd May 1917 where the left of the 14th Division were halted by machine gun fire coming from Triangle Wood. The 7th RB were in a support role during this attack and suffered 26 killed, 27 wounded and 9 suffering from shell shock.

it seems to refer to his brigade and the day, but Im still trying to read throught these diaries and confim this. The 14th division is mentioned in the first day of the battle of arras, they were infact a light division, cant find any refference to Triangle Wood

a few calulation you could almost get the time he died, which would of been around 10.40am 3rd May 1917 - At 6.40 a.m. "B" Company reported that it and "D" Company together with about a company of the East Surrey Regiment (18th Division) had crossed the River ... Read moreSensee and were digging in about six hundred yards beyond St. Michael's Statue. "B" Company's left was in the air and it was suffering from heavy machine gun fire from Triangle Wood "C" Company was digging in near St. Michaels Statue.For the next three or four hours the situation remained unaltered, two companies attempting to consolidate the line reached and one the first objective. Both positions were exposed to heavy machine gun fire from the left (Triangle Wood) and "C" Company was also being shelled.In fact a heavy bombardment was maintained by the enemy throughout the day upon the whole divisional area as far back as brigade H.Q.

In fact a heavy bombardment was maintained by the enemy throughout the day upon the whole divisional area as far back as brigade H.Q., the 7th RB suffering heavily from its effects.

this diary list all those men of 7th RB that died.

War Diaries - Ronville Caves

2nd August 09

An extract Ive managed to understand, from the first entry - April 1st - Bn (Battalion) in trenches H2 Sector - usual intermitent shelling, in the evening the Bn was relived by the 8th Bn. The Rifle Brigade and moved to the Ronville caves. The on the right side is a Note: concerning the caves.

The caves are chalk excavation of considerable antiquity, covering a large are under the suburbs + city of Arras. The depth varies from 70 to 90 feet. Various exits have been cut for military requirments. They are lit by electricity throughout. Althought damp and heavy at times, there was a complete absence of noise from the guns. The men were fairly comfortable + gd-good rest.See part of this report in picture.

Ronville Caves (War Diaries)

2nd August 09

Looking at the pencil written text on the first diary they were stationed at Ronville (Arras) this was April 1st 1917. It says 'caves', a little seaching and found that a mass of underground caves were dug by the New Zeland Tunneling Company. looking at maps Ronville had 7 tunnels, named Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch plus a few more. Diary says the battalion rested in the caves from 2nd to 4th April 1917

The soldiers entered the network through a few cellars, "boves", in the destroyed city.Then they walked to their underground positions, and waited there for several days.

This pictures was taken in Arras in April 1917, prior to the battle, looking at the diary I would hazzard a guess Jonathan would have been here, a note on the diary that I can read talked about the caves, still need to get the text clearer.

To read the full story of these caves and more pictures, including the battalion commanders table that is still there to this day and at a wild guess would of been where these diaries could of been written.http://pierreswesternfront.punt.nl/?id=426991&r=1&tbl_archief

National Archives - War Diaries

2nd August 09

Ive just found by searching on the National Archives web site the war diaries of 7th Btn Rifle Brd from Sep 1916 to Sep 1917, they include a report of a battle on 3rd May 1917 and cassulties, Jonathan Rowe is in this report..wow, old news to some maybe but not to me, ive downloaded them. I wondered when Jonathan acutualy went to war as they have his Btn's diaries going back to early 1915.

War Diary - 7th Battn The Rifle Brigade (part 1)

Taken from the War Diary of the 7th Battalion The Rifle Brigade -

From: 1.4.17 To: 30.4.17
Volume XXIV

????? Lt Col. Commdg 7th Bn The Rifle Bde

(2nd page) marked in pencil 72 top right
Place - Ronville (Arras) Caves
Date:
April 1 - Bn in trenches H2 Sector usual intermittent shelling - In the evening the Bn was relived by the 8th Rifle Bd and moved to the Ronville Caves
April 2 - Bn resting in the caves
April 3 - Bn resting in the caves
April 4 - Bn resting in the caves - 14 O.R rejoined from base
April 5 to 8 - Bn resting in caves - preliminary bombardment of the german trenches and counter battery work by British Artillery.

During the above days ? Bn furnished parties to cut out ?led? wire + to prepare the country for moving in the open.

April 9 - BATTLE OF ARRAS
zero was at 5.30am - the attack of the XIV (light) division commenced at 7.30am
1st objective the HARP defenses due S. of TILLOY - 2nd + final objective the FEUCHY line running roughly N+S - some 800 yds E. of WANCOURT + about 5000 yds from the starting line.
The 42nd Rfl Bde + 43rd Rfl Bde attacked - The 41st Rfl Brigade was kept in ?divisional reserves? at 7.30am the 41st Rfl Bde left the caves + assembled in the original British lines E Sector - ? Rfl Bde on the left the 7 KRRC on the right and the two 8 Bn in rear ? noon the Brigade moved in the same order into the German lines opposite where it spent the night - very little enemy shelling + by the evening the 43rd Bde was reported to be slowly getting a footing in the final objectives.

? = unable to read the writing, but you can sort of guess most of it.

A few changes (August 1st)

I'm going through what Ive got here to add some correction also to link to the respective children/father, hopefully this will make it a lot easier to follow who is related to who.

For example I've started on Joseph Row linking to his wife Elizabeth, then on the fathers post I've added the children's link and so on, makes sense ????

email me or post here anything you may think I've got wrong, I'm expecting mistakes on some of these and expecting addition or new information.

Louis Rowe (1870)

Louis Rowe born 1870 in Battlesden, Bedfordshire

6th son of Samuel and Rebecca Rowe

TO BE EDITED SOON

Sarah Emily Rowe (1865)

Sarah Emily Rowe born 1865 in Battlesden, Bedfordshire

2nd daughter to Samuel and Rebecca Rowe

TO BE EDITED SOON

Emily Rowe (1864)

Emily Rowe born 1864 in Battlesden, Bedfordshire.

1st daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Rowe

TO BE EDITED SOON

Robert Rowe (1862)

Robert Rowe born 1862 in Battlesden, Bedfordshire, England

5th son of Samuel and Rebecca Rowe


TO BE EDITED SOON

Frederick Samuel Rowe (1860)

Frederick Samuel Rowe born 1860 in Battlesden, Bedfordshire.

4th son of Samuel and Rebecca Rowe


TO BE EDITED SOON

Benjamin Caleb Rowe (1857)

Benjamin Caleb Rowe born 1857 in Battlesden, Bedfordshire, England

3rd son of Samuel and Rebecca Rowe


TO BE EDITED SOON

Joseph Rowe (1854-1892)

1901 Census

Joseph Rowe born 1852 in Battlesden, Bedfordshire

2nd son of Samuel and Rebecca Rowe
Born: March 1852 in Battleseden
Baptised: 17th December 1854
Died: 1892 in the District of Bromley (cause of death unknown)

Census:
1861 - Joseph aged 6 years old and living at Row of Cottages No. 4
1871 - Joseph aged 17 years old, once again not sure of the address
1881 - ?
1891 - Joseph aged 36 years old living at Delhi?? Cottages, Orpington and working as a Railway Gate Keeper,
Its show Joseph aged 8 months

1901 - Showing Annie Rowe aged 13 and Jane Rowe aged 45, living in Hayes Middlesex. All the information is correct as to where they were born, location ect.

They seem to have a servant named Catherine A Knight aged 19 born in Bayswater, London.

Also where is the other children? did little Joseph die as he can clearly be seen on the 1891 census aged 8 months? I cant believe that if the other children had not moved on or die they would not be with their mother.

I found a census from 1901 showing Ernest Rowe aged 16 born in Orpington, Kent in 1885, a Visitor, living in Holy Trinity???? in London

Joseph married Jane Hearn (1856) born in Padworth, Berkshire on 4th September 1883 in the District of Bromley
They had 4 children
Frederick Samuel Rowe born 1880 in St Marys Cray, Orpington, Kent
Joseph Rowe born 1890/1 in Orpington, Kent
Ernest G Rowe born 1885 in Orpington, Kent
Annie Rowe born 1888 Orpington, Kent


Relation: 2nd Great Grand Uncle

William Rowe (1852)

William Rowe born 1852 in Chalgrave/Tebworth, Bedfordshire

1st son of Samuel and Rebecca Rowe
Baptised: 13th March 1853 in Battlesden, Bedfordshire

Census:
1861 - William aged 8 years old and living at Row of Cottages No. 4
1871 - William aged 19 years old and working as an Agricultral Labourer, not sure of the address here.
1881 - William aged 28 years old and working as a Gardener underm? living at Brickhill Road Lodge, Battlesden. Annie works as a Straw Plaitter aged 25, Alice is only 2.
1911 - William aged 57 and living in Leigton Buzzard (shows his birth date to be 1854)????

William married Annie Maria Turney (1856) on 29th July 1878 in Hockcliffe, Bedfordshire
2 children were born
1st child Alice Rowe (1879) born in Hockcliffe
2nd child Minnie Rowe (1885) born in Hockcliffe

As much as I look I cant find anything for William or Annie for the 1891 census records, apart from the possible William in the 1911 census, BUT his age is wrong and I aint paying nearly £7 to view something that maynot be him..yet anyway.

Relation: 2nd Great Grand Uncle

Amendments to Sophey Rowe (1826)

My first post using the email, I've been talking to my cousin regarding Sophey Rowe. It seems she went on to marry John Merridale in Battlesden on 18th August 1847
It's also possible that Sophey Rowe and Hannah Rowe are not children of Joseph and Elizabeth Row, hopefully we will get to the bottom of this.
Thanks to Marion for this information.

Broad Oak Manor Farm, Soulbury

After spending the evening trying to read the damn writing on these census i think Ive found some information regarding the place of work for Rebecca and Samuel.

Soulbury Manor House is not one building as I though it was, its a series of buildings owned by a number of people (not sure on that one yet) BUT, where they worked was a separate building.

55 Broad Oak Farm

Thomas CHEW (born 26 Aug 1818) and Sarah CHEW (born 25 Mar 1824), the children of Thomas of Soulbury, farmer, and Hannah (daughter of John WALTER farmer of Wing), both children born in their father's house at Broad Oak Farm Soulbury, father signed both certificates, no witnesses, both registered 12 Apr 1837 [certificate references: RG5, bundle 140, certificate numbers 8487 and 8488)

Another farm was at Chelmcote.

To check the above names I looked on the census and I can see a Sarah Chew listed as an Aunt aged 60 and doing domestic duties, and Thomas Chew listed as the head of Broad Oak, he is aged 71...mmmmmm

Ages look a bit of to me, but they are the Chews for sure.

In the picture above I search google maps and found on the far left is Chelmcote Manor Farm, and on the far right is Broad Oak Manor Farm.

Soulbury, Buckinghamshire

A look at Soulbury, Buckinghamshire

I'm still trying to find a refernce to Soulbury Manor House where Rebecca Cheney and Samuel Rowe first met, they both worked there in 1851, or at least before that date. the date 1851 refers to the Census taken that year.

"This parish, with the hamlets hereinafter noticed, contains 4460 acres, and 589 inhabitants. On the east side it is, partly, separated from Bedfordshire by the river Ouse. The London and North Western Railway, and the Grand Junction Canal intersect it - the former occupying 23A. 2R. 6P. ; and the latter, 13A. 3R. 3P. The rateable value of the parish is £7732. Soulbury parish is 7 miles in length, and contains, it is said, upwards of 17 miles of roads. The Village, which is situated 3 miles N.W. from Leighton Buzzard, is about half-a-mile in length, and the houses are mostly ancient and covered with thatch. The southern end of it is pleasantly seated on the brow of a hill, from which issues a copious spring of pure water. The country around is well wooded."
[History and Topography of Buckinghamshire, by James Joseph Sheahan, 1862]

The population of Soulbury in 1851 was 628.

Soulbury - the name derives from old english being either a persons name + burh, meaning 'Sula's gully', or, sulh + burh, meaning 'stronghold by a gully'

Rumor Mill

May as well put items here I find, they maybe red hearings but worth adding just in case anything comes of it.

Ive done a simple search - Samuel Rowe 1874 (year of his death) and came up with this -
Bedfordshire County Council web site, Baptists in Heath and Reach.
Without boring you and me its about a baptist chapel and below is a brief extract -

On Sunday 30th March 1851 a census of all churches, chapels and preaching-houses of every denomination was undertaken in England and Wales. The local results were published by Bedfordshire Historical Records Society in 1975 as Volume 54, edited by D.W.Bushby. The return for the Baptist chapel was made by Thomas Swinstead, the deacon, who noted that it had been opened in 1822 and had room for 150 sitting and 15 to 20 standing. The general congregation had been 113 in the afternoon and 55 in the evening. The average: "varys [sic] sometimes more or less than stated above". There were about 30 Sunday Scholars and the afternoon congregation included 24 children of the Sunday School who had been instructed in the morning.

H.G.Tibbutt included a partial list of early pastors in his The Baptists of Leighton Buzzard of 1963.
They include:
1843: Mr.Barnes;
1844: Mr.Dumbleton of Winslow [Buckinghamshire];
1844-1848: Mr.Mason of Northampton;
1850 onwards: William Payne of Hockliffe Street Baptists;
before 1861: Samuel Cowdy of Lake Street Baptists;
1867-1874: Samuel Rowe
1879: George Durrell of Hockliffe Street Baptists

Same area as Samuel lived, he would have been 39 years old and served here for 7 years.

Rebecca Cheney (1832 - 1912?) Part 2

1851 Census

During this time as mentioned elsewhere Rebecca was working at Soulbury Manor House, she can be seen on the 11th line down at 55 Broad Oak, now this maybe part of the manor. Rebecca is aged 19 and is listed as a servant.
Also on this census is Samuel, the writing could indicate his surname as Row, but in fact it was Rowe, he is aged 21 and also listed as a servant.
Those listed as a servant are in the column of 'relation to head' a column saying ' rank, profession or occupation' shows what they actual did at the Manor House, for Rebecca it's hard to see what the first work says, but I'm guessing it says 'all work'.
For Samuel it sort of reads 'cow man' ?? 'common one' ?? 'cow' something, you have go.
This is where Rebecca and Samuel met for the first time.

They married either 1st October that year (1851) in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire or more likely 11th October in Solbury, Buckinghamshire.
During there marriage they had 8 children (see separate post for these) and on 1st June 1874 Samuel died (cause unknown)
Rebecca then re married in 1882 to Jonathan Windmill (1825-1898) Jonathan was the father of Rebecca's daughter-in-law Annie Windmill who married Robert Rowe, Samuel and Rebecca's son.

Confused...you will be

I intend to search out more census to trace Rebecca through to 1912, if in fact that was when she died.

Rebecca Cheney (1832 - 1912?) Part 1

1841 Census

Rebecca Cheney born 1832 in Cublington, Buckinghamshire

1 of 10 children to John (1795) and Elizabeth (Henley 1799)

Birth: 25th December 1831 or 1832

Baptised: 25th December 1831

Family members:

George Cheney (1823-1927) brother

Robert Cheney (1826) brother

William Cheney (1828-1829) brother

Eliza Cheney (1829) sister

John Cheney (1835) brother

Martha Cheney (1838-1901) sister

Elizabeth Cheney (1840)

James Cheney (1842-1842) brother

Thomas Cheney (1844)

Residence:

1841 - Cublington, Buckinghamshire (see Census picture above)

Right page, 18th line down showing Rebecca aged 9.

John Cheney (Father) aged 45 Agricultural Labourer

Elizabeth Cheney (Mother) aged 40

Robert Cheney aged 15, Agricultural Labourer

Eliza Cheney aged 11

Rebecca Cheney aged 9

John Cheney aged 6

Martha Cheney aged 3

Elizabeth Cheney aged 1

Relation: 3rd Great Grandmother

Resources

I'm using a programme called Family Tree Maker 2009, not a bad little program, once I put the information in it searches Ancestry.com for matches, I can then follow any leads, that's were I've got most of the Census.

In fact Ive not set outside my house so far in searching the family history.

There are Census dating from -
1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1891, 1901 and lastly 1911.
A lot is written by the enumerator of the time and some of the handwriting is illegible at best.

A friend at work does not have Internet access and as such has given me her password for her account on Ancestry, this ends in October.

Also I want to say a big thanks to my cousin Marion, I've just got in contact with her and she has done the family tree sometime ago, I've learnt quite a lot that I didnt know about our family.

LINKS:
Bedfordshire County Coucil -
http://www.bedfordshire.gov.uk/CommunityAndLiving/ArchivesAndRecordOffice/CommunityArchives
1911 Census
http://www.1911census.co.uk/

Ancestry Aid
http://www.ancestryaid.co.uk/

Family Search
http://www.familysearch.org

Ancestry
http://www.ancestry.co.uk/

HMS Hood
http://hmshood.com/index.htm

Historical Directories
http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/

Nostalgic Maps, Pictures
http://www.francisfrith.com/

The Sussex Weald
http://www.thesussexweald.org/home.asp

HMS Hood
http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/hood.htm

Old Maps
http://www.old-maps.co.uk/

1901 Online
http://www.1901censusonline.com/main.asp

The battle of Arras 1917
http://www.includipedia.com/wiki/Battle_of_Arleux
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Arleux

Genes Reunited
http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/home/

Find My Past
http://www.findmypast.com/home.jsp

1914-1918
http://www.1914-1918.net/

UK BMD
http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/

Samuel Rowe (1828 - 1874)

Samuel Rowe born 1828 in Battlesden, Bedfordshire
Baptised 21st Dec 1828
Died 1st June 1874 aged 46 (cause of death unknown)

Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Row, can be seen aged 12 on 1841 Census
Agricultural Labourer

Married Rebecca Cheney (1832 - 1912?) 1st October 1851 in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England
or 11th October 1851 in Soulbury, Bucks.

NOTES:
Samuel met Rebecca when they were working together at Soulbury Manor House (thanks to Marion)

Residence:
Battlesden Village, Bedfordshire -
1841 Census Age 12, born Bedfordshire, living with: Elizabeth (probably the head) age 45, William Garner (poss John Garners grandfather?) age 70, John Garner age 20, Hannah Garner age 20, Sophey Row age 15

1861 Census aged 32, lived at 31 Row of Cottages No4

Relation: 3rd Great Grand Father

Elizabeth Bolton (1795)

1861 Census

Elizabeth Bolton born 1795 in Wing, Buckinghamshire

Married : Joseph Row 27th July 1828, Wing, Buckinghamshire

Census:
1841:

Elizabeth aged 45, born Bedfordshire (?), name given as ROW, living with:

William Garner (poss John Garners grandfather?) aged 70

John Garner aged 20

Hannah Garner aged 20

Sophey Row aged 15

Samuel Row aged 12
Battlesden Village, Bedfordshire

1851:

Elizabeth aged 61, born Wing Bucks, name ROWE, widow, pauper, mother-in-law to head, living with:

William Garner aged 32

Hannah Garner aged 32

Ruth Garner aged 9

George Garner aged 4
Row of Cottages No3, Battlesden Village, Bedfordshire

1861:

Elizabeth aged 76, born Wing Bucks, name ROWE, widow, shown as grandmother, living with:

John Merrydale aged 34

Sophia aged 36

Harriet aged 9

George aged 8

Alfred aged 5

David aged 3

(see image above)

Thanks again go to Marion for this information.

Relation: 4th Great Grandmother

Sarah Rowe (1830 - 1832)

Sarah Rowe born 1830 in Battlesden, Bedfordshire
3rd daugther to Joseph and Elizabeth, baptised 25th July 1830.
Sarah died aged 2 in July 1832
Cause of death unknown

Relation: 3rd Great Grand Aunt

Sophey Rowe (1826)

1841 Census

Sophey Rowe born 1826 in Wing, Buckinghamshire

2nd daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Row

1841 Census (shown in picture above)

Aged 15 (located on right page, 11th line down) , you can also see on the 7th line down on the same page

Elizabeth Row aged 45, William Garner aged 70?, John Garner aged 20, Hannah Garner aged 20 and finally what looks like Samuel Row aged 12.

So far no other information has been found (by me at least)

This seems to be the year Joseph Row died and maybe Elizabeth moved into the Garner house?

The family name still seems to be Row.

NOTE: #1
I've found a census record from 1871 that includes this information -
Living at 126 Workhouse Lane, Leighton Buzzard
Jesse Rowe aged 30 (head, labourer)
Sophia Rowe aged 44 (wife, plaiter?) showing born in Wing, Buckinghamshire, abt 1827
David Heley aged 20 (Son) showing born in Wing, Buckinghamshire 1851
Henry ? Heley aged 18 (daughter) showing born in Wing, Buckinghamshire 1853
Ann J Heley aged 16 (daughter)
Susan R Heley aged 6 (daughter)

NOTE: #2
Another census, this time from 1891, that follows Jesse Rowe and Sophia Rowe
Showing again born in Wing, Buckinghamshire this time abt 1828.
Now living in the Bromley St.Leonards area of London.
The address looks to be 97 Marner Street, and we have Jesse aged 61 and still a labourer, and Sohpia aged 63.
They also seem to have a border living in the same address, who's aged 30 and a washerwoman.

A few things that stand out are the obvious name she gives, if in fact this is Sophey Rowe, looking at the writing it does clearly show the name written as Sophia, but with the birth place and birth date you gotta wonder if this is here. Also the age she give on the 1871 census, 14 years older than her husband? Why also does the children have the Heley surname and not Rowe? Math don't add up do they. I thought it was worth putting this here, if there is any evidence that proves otherwise then it stays.

Relation: 3rd Great Grand Aunt

Hannah Rowe (1819)

1851 Census

Hannah Rowe born 1819 in Wing, Buckinghamshire

First daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Row, Hannah married William Garner (1817, Battlesden, Bedfordshire) on 25th Nov 1838 in Battlesden, Bedfordshire.
Hannah's marriage certificate states father as Joseph Row (info from Marion)

They has 2 children, Ruth Elizabeth (1841) and George (1841)

I've found a Census from 1851 with this information (click to see picture above)
Hannah Garner (nee Rowe) aged 32
William Garner - 32 (agricultural labourer)
Hannah Garner - 32
Ruth Garner - 9 (Straw Plaiter)
George Garner - 4
Elizabeth Rowe - 61 (Hannah's mother is listed here as Mother-In-Law and a pauper)
The house number is 74, not sure what house or street yet.

Also the name has changed from Row, her father to Rowe, anyone have any ideas?


Relation: 3rd Great Grand Aunt

Joseph Row (Abt:1780 - 1841)

Joseph Row was born in Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire around 1780

Possible births:
1772, bap 12/04/1772, Datchworth, Hertford to William Row and Elizabeth
1773, bap 29/05/1773, Stewkley, Buckingham to Joseph and Alice
1791, bap 04/09/1791, Billington, Bedford to Robert Rowe and Elizabeth
1794, bap 27/04/1794, Eastwock, Hetford to Matthew Rowe and Elisabeth
1802, bap 08/08/1802, Stevenage, Hertfordshire to James Rowe and Rose
1802, bap 05/12/1802, Slapton, Buckingham to Thomas Rowe and Ann Martin Carvell
1802, born 12/06/1802, bap 04/07/1802, Aldnham, Hertford to John Rowe and Mary
1807, bap 29/03/1807, Billington, Bedford to Robert Rowe and Elizabeth

Possible deaths:
Dec 1854 Leighton Buzzard, vol 3b, pg 279 Jun 1843 Luton, vol 6, pg 72
(the above information came from Marion's Genes Reunited tree, thanks go to her)

Married:
Joseph married Elizabeth Bolton (1795 born in Wing, Buckinghamshire) on 27th July 1828 in Wing , Buckinghamshire. (see separate post for her information)

Children: (names either Row or Rowe)
Hannah Rowe born 1819 (Joseph's daughter by another marriage?)
Sophey Rowe (Sophia?) born 1826 (Elizabeth's daughter by another marrige, adopted by Joseph?)
Samuel Rowe born 1828
Sarah Rowe born 1830

Notes:
Possible that Joseph's marriage to Elizabeth is his second marriage. Joseph has children from his 1st marriage, Buckinghamshire Archive states the marriage of Joseph Row to Elizabeth Bolton, showing her as a spinster but Joseph as a widower.


Relation: 4th Great Grandfather

Rowe family history

To continue to search for my familys history including the Simpsons, Holmwoods, Whelan's.
I'll try to add as much information as I can find, pictures, maps ect. If you have information regarding each person/family then please contact me and I'll add to the post.