David added: "... I have attached a photo which goes alongside your recent addition of ex Double View pupils WW1. In the photo my granddad Tom Beard stands in the centre on the back row, he was from Soudley, I am hoping someone can name the other men".

Back: 1 Arthur Beddis, 2 Tom Beard, 3 Probably Joe Walkley.
Front 1 Jim Beard, 2 probably Fred "Buller" Turley M.M., 3 probably Harold Turley.

David also added: "... I have recently been informed that all but one of the men made it back from the war. The man in the front center was the only one not to come home, unfortunately I do not know his name".

Ron Beard added: "... There is an interesting story behind this photograph. In the Autumn of 2015 a pioneer battalion for the Worcestershire Regiment was raised by Forest MP, Colonel Sir Harry Webb who had previously raised the Forest Pioneer battalion for the Gloucesters. In November, Jim Beard, two of his cousins Tom Beard and Arthur Beddis, best friend "Buller" Turley and Joe Walkley all enlisted together to join this "Severn Valley" Pioneer Battalion. They are probably five of the six young soldiers seen in this photograph. They first saw action in November 1916 at the Battle of the Ancre - the last battle in the long running Somme campaign. In this battle the five earned themselves 100 Francs for saving the life of an officer who was wounded and unable to make his way back from No Mans' Land to his own lines. Four of the five survived the war, unfortunately Buller Turley who had previously been awarded the Military Medal was killed in action in July 1917. "

Ron also added (Jan 2017); "... The name of the third person in the front row is probably Harold Turley, a brother of Buller Turley".

If you wish to comment on this photo or can supply names of people please click here

WANTED: Old photos, old postcards, ephemera and memories of the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. U.K.- please click here to make contact.

---