Tuesday 1 November 2011

William Biss 1762 - 1810

William Biss was born 1762 in Crowcombe, Somerset. He was the third and youngest child of Joseph Biss and Elizabeth Biss (nee Dibble).

On 20th June 1762 William Biss was baptised at St Peter and St Paul Church, Crowcombe, Somerset.

On 1st Janurary 1784 William Biss married Anne Webber at St Mary the Virgin Church, Kilve, Somerset. They would go onto have at least five children; William Biss born 1784, Thomas Biss born 1787, Ann Biss born 1789, Joan Biss born 1791 and James Biss born 1794.

In 1810 William Biss died.

On 4th September 1810 William Biss was buried at St Peter and St Paul Church, Crowcombe, Somerset.

Joseph Biss 1760 - 1826

Joseph Biss was born 1760 in Crowcombe, Somerset. He was the eldest child of Joseph Biss and Elizabeth Biss (nee Dibble).

On 29th June 1760 Joseph Biss was baptised at St Peter and St Paul Church, Crowcombe, Somerset.

On 2nd November 1788 Joseph Biss married Betty Monday at St Peter and St Paul Church, Crowcombe, Somerset. They would go onto have at least three children; John Biss born 1794, Elizabeth Biss born 1797 and Joseph Biss born 1802.

In 1826 Joseph Biss died at Piccadilly Place, Walcot, Bath, Somerset.

On 9th March 1826 Joseph Biss was buried at St Swithin Church, Walcot, Bath, Somerset.

Monday 31 October 2011

Elizabeth Biss 1758 - 1770

Elizabeth Biss was born 1758 in Crowcombe, Somerset. She was the eldest child of Joseph Biss and Elizabeth Biss (nee Dibble).

Elizabeth Biss was baptised at Saints Peter and Paul Church, Crowcombe, Somerset on 9th July 1758.

In 1770 Elizabeth Biss died in Wellington, Somerset.

On 18th March 1770 Elizabeth Biss was buried at St John Church, Wellington, Somerset.

Sunday 2 October 2011

Arthur James Biss 11th August 1908 - 1974

Arthur James Biss was born on 11th August 1908 in Chelsea, London. He was the second child of James George Biss and Edith Jane Biss (nee Smith).

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Arthur James Biss was living at 60 Margaret Street, Clerkenwell, London, with his parents James Biss and Edith Jane Biss (nee Smith) and his sister Edith Florence Biss.

In 1930 Arthur James Biss married Nora K. Hipkin in Chelsea, London. They went on to have two children, James S. Biss born 1931 and Beryl N. Biss born 1935 both in Chelsea, London.

In 1938 Nora K. Biss (nee Hipkin) died.

In 1974 Arthur James Biss died in Midhurst, Sussex.

Friday 30 September 2011

Lilian Doris Biss 8th November 1907 - 1975

Lilian Doris Biss was born 8th November 1907 in Fulham, London. She was the sixth child of Walter John Biss and Elizabeth Emma Biss (nee Ing).

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Lilian Doris Biss was living at 393 New Kings Road, Fulham, London, with her parents Walter John Biss and Elizabeth Emma Biss (nee Ing) and her sisters Elizabeth Biss, Emily Blanche Biss, Gertrude Mary Biss, Caroline Victoria Biss and Dasiy Biss.

In 1934 Lilian Doris Biss married Ernest C. Griffin in Wandsworth, London.

In 1975 Lilian Doris Griffin (nee Biss) died in Wandsworth, London.

Caroline Victoria Biss 7th Feburary 1901 - 1994

Caroline Victoria Biss was born 7th Feburary 1901at 3 Burlington Gardens, Fulham, London. She was the sixth child of Walter Biss and Elizabeth Biss (nee Ing).

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Caroline Victoria Biss was living at 3 Burlington Gardens, Fulham, London, she was living with her parents Walter Biss and Elizabeth Biss (nee Ing) and her sisters Florence Biss, Elizabeth Biss, Emily Biss and Gertrude Biss.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Caroline Victoria Biss was living at 393 New Kings Road, Fulham, London, with her parents Walter John Biss and Elizabeth Emma Biss (nee Ing) and her sisters Elizabeth Biss, Emily Blanche Biss, Gertrude Mary Biss, Lilian Doris Biss and Daisy Biss.

In 1926 Caroline Victoria Biss married Walter T. Meads in Fulham, London. They went on to have one child, Pamela V. Meads born 1928 in Fulham, London.

In 1994 Caroline Victoria Meads (nee Biss) died in Canterbury, Kent.

Gertrude Mary Biss 1898 - 1961

Gertrude Mary Biss was born 1898 in Fulham, London. She was the fourth child of Walter James Biss and Elizabeth Emma Biss (nee Ing).

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Gertrude Mary Biss was living at 3 Burlington Gardens, Fulham, London, with her parents Walter James Biss and Elizabeth Emma Biss (nee Ing) and her sisters Florence Biss, Elizabeth Biss, Emily Biss and Caroline Biss.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Gertrude Mary Biss was living at 393 New Kings Road, Fulham, London, with her parents Walter James Biss and Elizabeth Emma Biss (nee Ing) and her sisters Elizabeth Biss, Emily Blanche Biss, Caroline Victoria Biss, Lilian Doris Biss and Daisy Biss.

In 1922 Gertrude Mary Biss married Frederick A. Hearn. He was the younger brother of Albert Edward Hearn, who married Gertrude's sister Emily Blanche Biss on 17th Feburary 1918.

In 1961 Gertrude Mary Hearn (nee Biss) died.

Irene May Biss 21st May 1942 - 2003

Irene May Biss was born on 21st May 1942 in Kensington, London. She was the third child of William John Biss and Violet Selina Biss (nee Mitchell).

In 1967 Irene May Biss married Alan J. Wheatcroft in Fulham, London.

In 2003 Irene May Wheatcroft (nee Biss) died in West Surrey.

Thursday 29 September 2011

Robert Arthur Biss 9th May 1927 - 1999

Robert Arthur Biss was born 9th May 1927 in Chelsea, London. He was the third child of Alfred Frederick Biss and Daisy Biss (nee Collison).

In 1961 Robert Arthur Biss married Florence E. E. Matthews, in Ilford, Essex.

In 1999 Robert Arthur Biss died in Newham, London.

Wednesday 28 September 2011

Annette E. Biss 1960 - 1962

Annette E. Biss was born 1960 in Chelsea, London. She was the third child of Alfred P. Biss and Dorothy M. Biss (nee Howe)

In 1962 Annette E. Biss died 1962 in Chelsea, London.

Maria Anne Biss 16th July 1951 - 2004

Maria Anne Biss was born 16th July 1951 in Chelsea, London. She was the eldest child of Alfred P. Biss and Dorothy M. Biss (nee Howe).

In 1993 Maria Anne Biss married David W. Lunniss in Wandsworth, London.

In 2004 Maria Anne Lunniss (nee Biss) died in Kensington and Chelsea, London.

Alfred P. Biss 31st October 1915 - 2004

Alfred P. Biss was born 31st October 1915 in Chelsea, London. He was the eldest child of Alfred Frederick Biss and Daisy Biss (nee Collison).

In 1951 Alfred P. Biss married Dorothy M. Howe in Chelsea, London. The would go on to have six children, Maria A. Biss born 1951, William A. Biss born 1954, Annette E. Biss born 1960, Roderick Biss born 1962, Lorraine H. Biss born 1964 and Johanna Biss born 1967, all born in Chelsea, London.

In 2004 Alfred P. Biss died in Wandsworth, London.

Gladys Florence M. Biss 20th September 1911 - 1999

Gladys Florence M. Biss was born on 20th September 1911 in Fulham, London. She was the second and last child of William John Biss and Lilian Ellen Biss (nee Dudley).

Sometime in the early 1910's William John Biss and his family moved to 27 Edgar Road, Cliftonville, Margate, Kent.

At the Third Battle of the Scarpe (3-4 May 1917), her father William John Biss was killed.

In 1932 Gladys Florence M. Biss married Reginald G. A. Upton in Thanet, Kent. They would go on to have two sons, Denis G. Upton born 1932 and Barry Upton born 1945, both were born in Islington, London.

In 1999 Gladys Florence M. Upton (nee Biss) died in Gainsborought, Lincolnshire.

Elsie Vera Biss 26th Feburary 1907 - 1998

Elsie Vera Biss was born on 26th Feburary 1907 in Fulham, London. She was the eldest child of William John Biss and Lilian Ellen Biss (nee Dudley).

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Elsie Vera Biss was living at 3 Firth Gardens, Fulham, London, with her parents William John Biss and Lilian Ellen Biss (nee Dudley)

Sometime in the early 1910's William John Biss and his family moved to 27 Edgar Road, Cliftonville, Margate, Kent.

At the Third Battle of the Scarpe (3-4 May 1917), her father William John Biss was killed.

In 1932 Elsie Vera Biss married Herbert J. Hyett in Thanet, Kent.

In 1998 Elsie Vera Hyett (nee Biss) died in Sutton, Surrey.

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Emily Blanche Biss 22nd October 1896 - 1981

Emily Blanche Biss was born 22nd October 1896 in Fulham, London. She was the third child of Walter James Biss and Elizabeth Emma Biss (nee Ing).

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Emily Blanche Biss was living at 3 Burlington Gardens, Fulham, London, with her parents Walter James Biss and Elizabeth Emma Biss (nee Ing) and her sister's Florence Biss, Elizabeth Biss, Gertrude Biss and Caroline Biss.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Emily Blanche Biss was living at 393 New Kings Road, Fulham, London, with her parents Walter John Biss and Elizabeth Emma Biss (nee Ing) and her sister's Elizabeth Biss, Gertrude Mary Biss, Caroline Victoria Biss, Lilian Doris Biss and Daisy Biss. Emily Blanche Biss was working as a Machinist at a Laundry.

On 17th Feburary 1918 Emily Blanche Biss married Albert Edward Hearn at All Saints Church, Fulham, London. The marriage entry reads;

1918. Marriage solemnized at All Saints Church in the Parish of in the County of London.

When Married. 17th Feburary 1918 Name and Surname. Albert Edward Hearn/Emily Blanche Biss Age. 23/21 Condition. Bachelor/Spinster Rank or Profession. Soldier & Peastaa/- Residence at the time of Marriage. 43 Dieppe Street, West Kensington/393 New Kings Road Father's Name and Surname. John William Hearn/Walter John Biss Rank or Profession of Father. Prasterea/Kiln Turner


Married in the above church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church by Licence or after by, H. Lethbridge Davis Curate


This Marriage was solemnized between us, {Albert Edward Hearn/Emily Blanche Biss} in the Presence of us, {Walter John Biss/Elizabeth Biss


They would go on to have a least one child, Irene S. Hearn born 1920 in Fulham, London.

In 1981 Emily Blanche Hearn (nee Biss) died in Chelsea, London.

Emily Blanche Biss 22nd October 1896 - 1981

Emily Blanche Biss was born 22nd October 1896 in Fulham, London. She was the third child of Walter James Biss and Elizabeth Emma Biss (nee Ing).

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Emily Blanche Biss was living at 3 Burlington Gardens, Fulham, London, with her parents Walter James Biss and Elizabeth Emma Biss (nee Ing) and her sister's Florence Biss, Elizabeth Biss, Gertrude Biss and Caroline Biss.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Emily Blanche Biss was living at 393 New Kings Road, Fulham, London, with her parents Walter John Biss and Elizabeth Emma Biss (nee Ing) and her sister's Elizabeth Biss, Gertrude Mary Biss, Caroline Victoria Biss, Lilian Doris Biss and Daisy Biss.

On 17th Feburary 1918 Emily Blanche Biss married Albert Edward Hearn at All Saints Church, Fulham, London. The marriage entry reads;

1918. Marriage solemnized at All Saints Church in the Parish of in the County of London.

When Married. 17th Feburary 1918 Name and Surname. Albert Edward Hearn/Emily Blanche Biss Age. 23/21 Condition. Bachelor/Spinster Rank or Profession. Soldier & Peastaa/- Residence at the time of Marriage. 43 Dieppe Street, West Kensington/393 New Kings Road Father's Name and Surname. John William Hearn/Walter John Biss Rank or Profession of Father. Prasterea/Kiln Turner


Married in the above church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church by Licence or after by, H. Lethbridge Davis Curate


This Marriage was solemnized between us, {Albert Edward Hearn/Emily Blanche Biss} in the Presence of us, {Walter John Biss/Elizabeth Biss


They would go on to have a least one child, Irene S. Hearn born 1920 in Fulham, London.

In 1981 Emily Blanche Hearn (nee Biss) died in Chelsea, London.

Monday 26 September 2011

Elizabeth Biss 13th April 1895 - 1969

Elizabeth Biss was born 13th April 1895 in Fulham, London. She was the second child of Walter Biss and Elizabeth Biss (nee Ing).

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Elizabeth Biss was living at 3 Burlington Gardens, Fulham, London, with her parents Walter Biss and Elizabeth Biss (nee Ing) and her sister's Florence Biss, Emily Biss, Gertrude Biss and Caroline Biss.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Elizabeth Biss was living at 393 New Kings Road, Fulham, London, with her parents Walter John Biss and Elizabeth Biss (nee Ing) and her sister's Emily Blanche Biss, Gertrude Mary Biss, Caroline Victoria Biss, Lilian Doris Biss and Daisy Biss. Elizabet was working as a Laundry Clerk.

On 20th December 1919 Elizabeth Biss married Edward Samuel Tuffrey at All Saints Church, Fulham, London. The marriage entry reads;

1919. Marriage solemnized at All Saints Church in the Parish of Fulham in the County of London.


When Married. 20th December 1919 Name and Surname. Edward Samuel Tuffrey/Elizabeth Biss Age. 22/24 Condition. Bachelor/Spinster Rank or Profession. Labourer/Laundry Maid Residence at the time of Marriage. 393 New Kings Road/393 New Kings Road Father's Name and Surname. Robert Tuffrey/Walter John Biss Rank or Profession of Father. Motor Engineer/Kiln Turner


Married in the above church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church by or after Banns by me,

This Marriage was solemnized between us, {Edward Sanuel Tuffrey/Elizabeth Biss} in the Presence of us, {Walter John Biss/Eleanor Margaret Cooper.


They would go on to have one son, Leonard E. Tuffrey born 1922 in Fulham, London.

In 1969 Elizabeth Tuffrey (nee Biss) died in Fulham, London.

Florence Elizabeth Biss 1893 - 1909

Florence Elizabeth Biss was born 1893 at 24 Fulham Road, Fulham, London. She was the eldest child of Walter Biss and Elizabeth Biss (nee Ing).

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Florence Elizabeth Biss was living at 3 Burlington Gardens, Fulham, London, with her parents Walter Biss and Elizabeth Biss (nee Ing) and her sister's Elizabeth Biss, Emily Biss, Gerturde Biss and Caroline Biss.

In 1909 Florence Elizabeth Biss died.

Friday 23 September 2011

Harry F Biss 1916 - 1931

Harry F. Biss was born 1916 in Fulham, London. He was the tenth and final child of Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance).

In 1931 Harry F. Biss died in Fulham, London.

Alfred George Biss 10th March 1916 - 1978

Alfred George Biss was born 10th March 1916 in Fulham, London. He was the ninth child of Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance).

In 1942 he married Evelyn M. Ager in Brentford, Middlesex.

In 1967 Alfred George Biss was living at Flat 17 Cobbs Hall, Fulham Palace Road, Fulham, London SW6.

In c.1971 Alfred George Biss left Flat 17 Cobbs Hall, Fulham Palace Road, Fulham, London SW6 and moved to the Isle of Wight, Hampshire.

In 1978 Alfred George Biss died on the Isle of Wight, Hampshire.

Rose Biss 1913 - 1913

Rose Biss was born 1913 in Fulham, London. She was the eighth child of Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance)

Rose Biss died also in 1913, in Fulham, London.

Ernest E. Biss 1910 - 3rd December 1942

Ernest E. Biss was born 1910 in Fulham, London. He was the seventh child of Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance).

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Ernest E. Biss was living at 25 Hartopp Avenue, Fulham, London. He was living with his parents Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance) and his siblings; Frederick Biss, George Biss, Nelly Biss, William John Biss and Rose Biss born 1913.

In 1933 Ernest E. Biss married Ruby G. Mitchell in Fulham, London.

On 3rd September 1939 Britain declared war on Germany, starting the Second World War.



Soon after the outbreak of war Ernest E. Biss joined The Royal Artillery. He was issued with the Army number 1734164 and deployed with the 48th Light AA Regiment RA(TA).

The unit saw action during the Battle of Britain.

In November 1941 the men were all issued embarkation leave. The battery was then formed with other batteries into the 21st Light Anti Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery for service overseas.

After leaving Gourock on the Warwick Castle at 8am on 7 December 1941 they were prepared to defend airfields and oilfields in Basra, Iraq. In Cape Town they were to learn that Britain was now at war with Japan and their new assignment was to defend Singapore. Singapore was under attack before they arrived and they were redeployed to Batavia on the jungle covered island of Java on 3 February 1942. Their ship was attacked as it arrived in port.


In Batavia the 79th LAA Battery was split in two. Troop B was sent to defend the airfield of Malang while Troops A and C boarded the Ban Hong Leong on 9 February to defend Penfui airfield in Dutch Timor – the closest airfield to Australia.

After their ship was chased and attacked by two Japanese submarines the ship was attacked by Japanese bombers as they arrived at Koepang port on 16 February.

In Timor the battery of 189 personnel joined Sparrow Force – a contingent of 1400 Australian troops, - under the command of Australian Lt. Colonel William Leggatt.

To cope with jungle conditions the 79th Battery were issued with the Australian Akubra slouch hat which they wore with the Royal Artillery cap badge. They are the only non-Australian troops to ever be issued with Australia’s traditional hat.

The 79th (British) LAA Battery were the only anti-aircraft artillery on Timor and certainly proved an important part of Sparrow Force.


After capitulation on 23 February 1942 the battery was held at Usapa Besar POW camp until 23 September 1942. They were then herded into the hold of an old Chinese freighter, the ‘hellship’ Dai Nichi Maru, with the rest of Sparrow Force and transported to Surabaya via Dili coming under attack from Royal Australian Air Force bombers and Royal Navy and Dutch submarines. From there they travelled by train to Batavia and marched 11 miles to Makasuru where they were separated from the Australians and Dutch to join the R.A.F. POWs in #5 camp. There they rejoined their comrades from B Troop.

On 15 October the Battery was broken up and sent to different parts of South East Asia. Some were held on Java while on 18 October the rest of the battery boarded the notorious Singapore Maru freighter to endure a one week voyage to Singapore.

At Singapore the battery were marched 15 miles to Changi Barracks where they would be medically examined and assessed for labour camps throughout South East Asia. Some were sent to work on the Siam-Burma ‘Death’ Railway, sent on a one month voyage in the hold of a freighter to work in labour camps all over Japan, or remain in Singapore at the notorious Changi Prison.


Those who travelled to Japan to work in labour camps endured 46 days by hellship. Most casualties were aboard these hellships – either from disease or from being attacked by allied planes and submarines.
Many died from disease or accidents in labour camps on the Siam-Burma ‘Death’ Railway, in Japan, Java, Borneo, and Changi Prison.

On 3rd December 1942 Ernest E. Biss died and was buried at Yokohama War Cemetery.



Thursday 22 September 2011

William John Biss 21st September 1906 - 1986

William John Biss was born 21st September 1906 in Fulham, London. He was the sixth child of Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance).

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. William John Biss was living at 25 Hartopp Avenue, Fulham, London. He was living with his parents Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance) and his siblings; Frederick Biss, George Biss, Nelly Biss and Ernest Biss.

In 1928 William John Biss married Violet S. Mitchell in Fulham, London. They would go onto have three daughter's, Gladys V. Biss born 1929, Maureen S. Biss born 1934 and Irene M. Biss born 1942.

In 1986 William John Biss died in Fulham, London.

Nelly Edith Biss 1903 - ?

Nelly Edith Biss was born 1903 in Fulham, London. Nelly Edith Biss was the fifth child of Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance).

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Nelly Edith Bis was living at 25 Hartopp Avenue, Fulham, London, with her parents Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance) and her brother's, Frederick Ernest Biss, George Biss, William Biss and Ernest Biss.

In 1925 Nelly Edith Biss married George Collard in Fulham, London. They would go onto have three sons, George F. Collard born 1926, Bernard S. Collard born 1932 and Stanley Collard born 1934.

In 1960 Nelly Edith Collard (nee Biss) died in Fulham, London.

Wednesday 21 September 2011

Rose Doreen Biss 9th Janurary 1932 - 15th May 2010

Rose Doreen Biss was born 9th Janurary 1932 in Fulham, London. She was the third child of George Biss and Annie Biss (nee Brill).

In 1953 Rose Doreen Biss married John J. D. Guest in Chelsea, London. The would go on to have two children, Christine A. Guest born 1954 and Colin D. Guest.

On 5th October 1970 Rose Doreen Guest (nee Biss), John J. D. Guest, Christine A. Guest and Colin D. Guest emigrated to Houston, Texas, United States of America. They lived at 1051 Louisiana Avenue, League City, Texas, USA.

In 1993 Rose Doreen Guest (nee Biss) was living at 16726 Tibet Street, Friendswood, Texas, USA.

On 15th May 2010 Rose Doreen Guest (nee Biss) died at 77573 League City, Galveston, Texas, USA.

Florence Joan Biss 10th June 1929 - 6th October 1990

Florence Joan Biss was born 10th June 1929 in Fulham, London. She was the second child of George Biss and Annie Biss (nee Brill).

In 1949 Florence Joan Biss married Angus C. M. Winchester in Fulham, London. They would have one child, George L. W. Winchester born 1954.

On 6th October 1990 Florence Joan Winchester (nee Biss) died.

Annie I. Biss 23rd Feburary 1926 - 25th December 1933

Annie I. Biss was born 23rd Feburary 1926 in Fulham, London. She was the eldest child of George Biss and Annie Biss (nee Brill).

On Christmas Day 1933 she died in Fulham, London.

George Biss 10th Feburary 1900 - 14th Feburary 1970

George Biss was born 10th Feburary 1900 in Shoreditch, London. He was the fourth child of Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance).

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. George Biss was living at 159 Great Lawsbridge Street, Shoreditch, London, with his parents Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance) and his siblings, Florence Rose Caroline Eliza Biss and Frederick Ernest Biss.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. George Biss was living at 25 Hartopp Avenue, Fulham, London, with his parents Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance) and his siblings, Frederick Ernest Biss, Nellie Biss, William Biss and Ernest Biss.

In 1923 George Biss married Annie Brill. They would go on to have four children; Annie I. Biss born 1927, Florence J. Biss born 1929, Rose D. Biss born 1932 and George H. Biss born 1934.

On 14th Feburary 1970 George Biss died in Fulham, London.

Tuesday 20 September 2011

Frederick Ernest Biss 13th May 1896 - 25th September 1915

Frederick Ernest Biss was born 13th May 1896 at 11 Laburnum Street, Shoreditch, London. He was the third child of Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance).

On 7th June 1896 Frederick Ernest Biss was baptised at St Leonard Church, Shoreditch, London.

On 31st March 1901 the Cenus was held. Frederick Ernest Biss was living at 159 Great Lawsbridge Street, Shoreditch, London, with his parents Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance) and his siblings, Florence Rose Caroline Eliza Biss and George Biss.

In September 1907 Frederick Ernest Biss attended Fulham Palace Road Board School, Fulham Palace Road, Fulham, London.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Frederick Ernest Biss was living at 25 Hartopp Avenue, Fulham, London, with his parents Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance) and his siblings, George Biss, Nellie Biss, William Biss and Ernest Biss. Frederick was working as an Errand Boy for a Chemist.

In July 1911 Frederick Ernest Biss left Fulham Palace Road Board School and joined the Territorials.





On 14th August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany, starting the First World War. Frederick Ernest Biss volunteered for active service and joined the 1/18th Battalion Middlesex Regiment. He was given the army number T.F.2733. He was mobilised to Sheerness, Kent and then onto Sittingbourne, Kent.

In September 1914 Frederick Ernest Biss was transfered to Gibraltar. He arrived on 17th September.

In February 1915 Frederick Ernest Biss returned to England.

On 9th March 1915 Frederick Ernest Biss landed at Le Havre, France.

In September 1915 the allies launched major offensives, with the French attacking at Champagne and the British at Loos. The French had spent the summer preparing for this action, with the British assuming control of more of the front in order to free up French troops. The bombardment, began on 25 September.

Prior to the British attack at about 06:30, 140 tons of chlorine gas was released with mixed success—in places the gas was blown back onto British trenches. Due to the inefficiency of the contemporary gas masks, many soldiers removed them as they could not see through the fogged-up talc eyepieces, or could barely breathe with them on. This led to some British soldiers being affected by their own gas as it blew back across their lines.



The battle opened on 25 September, the British were able to break through the weaker German defences and capture the town of Loos, mainly due to numerical superiority. However, the inevitable supply and communications problems, combined with the late arrival of reserves, meant that the breakthrough could not be exploited. A further complication for many British soldiers was the failure of their artillery to cut the German wire in many places in advance of the attack. Advancing over open fields in range of German machine guns and artillery, British losses were devastating.



While emerging from a trench Frederick Ernest Biss was killed in action.



Frederick Ernest Biss was buried at Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France.



Caroline Emma Biss 10th May 1892 - 1922

Caroline Emma Biss was born 10th May 1892 in Shoreditch, London. She was the second child of Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance).

On 21st May 1892 Caroline Emma Biss was baptised at St Luke Church, Chelsea, London. They were living at 29 Britten Street, Chelsea, London.

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Caroline Emma Biss was living at the District German Hospital, Clifton Road, Hackney, London. Caroline was a patient.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Caroline Emma Biss was living at Fulham Infirmary, St Dunstan's Road, Hammersmith, London. Caroline was a patient.

Caroline Emma Biss died 1922 in Fulham, London.

Monday 19 September 2011

Florence Rose Caroline Eliza Biss 17th Feburary 1891 - 1963

Florence Rose Caroline Eliza Biss was born 17th Feburary 1891 at 9 Eden Street, Fulham, London. She was the eldest child of Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance).

On 8th March 1891, Florence Rose Caroline Eliza Biss was baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Marylebone Road, London.

On 5th April 1891 the Census was held. Florence Rose Caroline Eliza Biss was living at 123 Bayonne Road, Fulham, London with her parents, Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance).

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Florence Rose Caroline Eliza Biss was living at 159 Great Lawsbridge Street, Shoreditch, London, with her parents Frederick William Biss and Emma Biss (nee Roylance) and her brother's Frederick Biss and George Biss.

In 1910 Florence Rose Caroline Eliza Biss married John Henry Eggleton in Fulham, London. They would go on to have six children. Florence Eggleton born 1910, Caroline L. Eggleton born 1911, John H. Eggleton born 1913, Ivy Eggleton born 1916, Dorothy M. Eggleton born 1918 and Frederick J. Eggleton born 1920.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Florence Rose Caroline Eliza Eggleton (nee Biss) was living at 19 Hartopp Avenue, Fulham, London, with her husband John Henry Eggleton and their daughter Florence Eggleton. Florence was working in a Laundry.

In 1963 Florence Rose Caroline Eliza Eggleton (nee Biss) died in Fulham, London.

Saturday 17 September 2011

Violet Doris Biss 13th June 1917 - 24th March 1970

Violet Doris Biss was born 13th June 1917 in Chelsea, London. She was the only child of Henry George Biss and Maude Adelaide Biss (nee Strange).

On 12th September 1936 Violet Doris Biss married Arthur William George Dimond in Chelsea, London.


They would go to have two daughters; Angela Dimond born 1937 and another daughter.

On 24th March 1970 Violet Doris Dimond (nee Biss) died in Fulham, London.

Friday 16 September 2011

Florence Nellie Biss 16th December 1894 - 1983

Florence Nellie Biss was born at 7 Marlborough Street, Chelsea, London on 16th December 1894. She was the third child of Henry George Biss and Florence Eliza Biss (nee Clemens).

On 13th Janurary 1895 Florence Nellie Biss was baptised at St Luke Church, Chelsea, London.

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Florence Nellie Biss was living at 7 Marlborough Street, Chelsea, London with her parents Henry George Biss and Florence Nellie Biss (nee Clemens), her brothers William John Biss and Alfred Frederick Biss and her uncle James Biss.

On 15th November 1919 Florence Nellie Biss married Stephen Robert Harrison at Holy Trinity Church, Chelsea, London. The marriage entry reads;

1919. Marriage solemnized at Holy Trinity Church in the Parish of Upper Chelsea in the County of London.


When Married. Fifteenth November 1919. Name and Surname. Stephen Robert Harrison/Florence Nellie Biss Age. 24/24 Condition. Bachelor/Spinster Rank or Profession. Motor Mechanic/- Residence at the time of Marriage. 243 Guinness Buildings, Draycott Avenue, Chelsea/216 Pavilion Road Father's Name and Surname. Stephen Charles Harrison/Henry George Biss Rank or Profession of Father. Painter/News Agent


Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church by or after Banns by me, P. D. Scott


This Marriage was solemnized between us, {Stephen Robert Harrison/Florence Nellie Biss} in the Presence of us, {George Henry Hibbard/George Henry Biss}

Florence Nellie Harrison (nee Biss) and Stephen Robert Harrison went on to have three children; Derrick S. Harrison born 1920, June V. Harrison born 1923 and Betty E. Harrison born 1925.

Florence Nellie Harrison (nee Biss) died in 1983 in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

Alfred Frederick Biss 12th August 1890 - 1939

Alfred Frederick Biss was born 12th August 1890 at 7 Norman Street, Chelsea, London. He was the second child of Henry George Biss and Florence Eliza Biss (nee Clemens).

On 5th October 1890 Alfred Frederick Biss was baptised at St Luke Church, Chelsea, London.

On 5th April 1891 the Census was held. Alfred Frederick Biss was living at 7 Norman Street, Chelsea, London with his parents Henry George Biss and Florence Eliza Biss (nee Clemens) and his brother William John Biss.

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. Alfred Frederick Biss was living at 7 Marlborough Street, Chelsea, London with his parents Henry George Biss and Florence Eliza Biss (nee Clemens), his siblings William John Biss and Florence Biss and his uncle James Biss.

In 1908 Alfred Frederick Biss' mother Florence Eliza Biss (nee Clemens) died.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Alfred Frederick Biss was living at 30 Smith Terrace, Kensington, London with his father Henry George Biss. Alfred was working with his father as a News Vendor.

On 14th April 1915 Alfred Frederick Biss got married to Daisy Collison. The marriage entry reads;

1915. Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of St Luke Chelsea in the County of London


When Married. 14 April 1915 Name and Surname. Alfred Frederick Biss/Daisy Collison Age. 24/21 Condition. Bachelor/Spinster Rank or Profession. News Vendor/- Residence at the time of Marriage. 30 Godfrey Street/80 Godfrey Street Father's Name and Surname. Henry George Biss/Thomas John Collison Rank or Profession of Father. News Vendor/Builder & Decorator


Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the by or after Banns by me, Arthur R. Lyardner Curate of St Luke's Chelsea


This Marriage was solemnized between us, {Alfred Frederick Biss/Daisy Collison} in the Presence of us, {John Turner/T. Collison}

Alfred Frederick Biss and Daisy Biss (nee Collison) would go on to have three children; Alfred P. Biss born 1915, Reginald H. Biss born 1917 and Robert A. Biss born 1927.

In 1939 Alfred Frederick Biss died.

Wednesday 14 September 2011

William John Biss 4th March 1887 - 28th May 1917






William John Biss was born on 4th March 1887 at 36 Orford Street, Chelsea, London. He was the eldest child of Henry George Biss and Florence Eliza Biss (nee Clemens)

On 5th April 1891 the Census was held. William John Biss was living at 7 Norman Street, Chelsea, London with his parents Henry George Biss and Florence Eliza Biss (nee Clemens) and his brother Alfred Biss.

On 31st March 1901 the Census was held. William John Biss was living at 7 Marlborough Street, Chelsea, London with his parents Henry George Biss and Florence Eliza Biss (nee Clemens) and his siblings, Alfred Biss and Florence Biss and his uncle James Biss.

On 24th November 1906 William John Biss married Lilian Ellen Dudley at St. Peter's Church, Fulham, London. The marriage entry reads;

1906. Marriage solemnized at St Peter's Church in the Parish of Fulham in the County of London


When Married. 24th November 1906 Name and Surname. William John Biss/Lilian Ellen Dudley Age. 19/18 Rank or Profession. Newsagent/- Residence at the time of Marriage. 55 Rostrevor Road/ 55 Rostrevor Road Father's Name and Surname. Henry Biss/ George Dudley Rank or Profession of Father. Newsagent/Hat Manufacture


Married in the Chruch of St Peter according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church by or after Banns by me, Edward Townend Vicar


This Marriage was solemnized between us, {William John Biss/Lilian Ellen Dudley} in the Presence of us, {George Dudley/Henry George Biss


William John Biss and Lilian Ellen Biss (nee Dudley) would go on to have two daughter's, Elsie Vera Biss born 1907 and Gladys F. M. Biss born 1911.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. William John Biss was living at 3 Firth Gardens, Fulham, London, with his wife Lilian Ellen Biss (nee Dudley) and their daughter Elsie Vera Biss. His occupation was as a Newsagent, working for an employer,  most likely his father Henry Geroge Biss.

Sometime in the early 1910's William John Biss and his family moved to 27 Edgar Road, Cliftonville, Margate, Kent.

On 14th August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany and so started the First World War.


The above insignia is that of the British 18th (Eastern) Division, which was what the 7th (Service) Battalion of The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) was part of.

William John Biss joined the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) 7th (Service) Battalion. He was given the army number G/15474.

The 7th (Service) Battalion was formed in Maidstone, Kent on 5th September 1914 as part of K2 and attached to 55th Brigade in 18th (Eastern) Division. Latter on that month the Battalion moved to Purfleet, Essex. In April 1915 they moved again to Colchester, Essex. In May 1915 they were moved to Codford, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire.


On 27th July 1915 the Battalion set sail from Portsmouth, Hampshire and landed at La Havre, France.


           Map of the Western Front 1915-16.

In September 1915 the allies launched major offensives, with the French attacking at Champagne and the British at Loos. The French had spent the summer preparing for this action, with the British assuming control of more of the front in order to free up French troops. The bombardment, began on 22 September.

Prior to the British attack at about 0630, 140 tons of chlorine gas was released with mixed success—in places the gas was blown back onto British trenches. Due to the inefficiency of the contemporary gas masks, many soldiers removed them as they could not see through the fogged-up talc eyepieces, or could barely breathe with them on. This led to some British soldiers being affected by their own gas as it blew back across their lines.



The British were able to break through the weaker German defences and capture the town of Loos, mainly due to numerical superiority. However, the inevitable supply and communications problems, combined with the late arrival of reserves, meant that the breakthrough could not be exploited. A further complication for many British soldiers was the failure of their artillery to cut the German wire in many places in advance of the attack. Advancing over open fields in range of German machine guns and artillery, British losses were devastating. When the battle resumed the following day, the Germans were prepared and repulsed attempts to continue the advance. The fighting subsided on 28 September with the British having retreated to their starting positions. Their attacks had cost over 20,000 casualties, including three divisional commanders.


Major-General Richard Hilton, at that time a Forward Observation Officer, said of the battle:
A great deal of nonsense has been written about Loos. The real tragedy of that battle was its nearness to complete success. Most of us who reached the crest of Hill 70 and survived were firmly convinced that we had broken through on that Sunday, 25th September 1915. There seemed to be nothing ahead of us but an unoccupied and incomplete trench system. The only two things that prevented our advancing into the suburbs of Lens were, firstly the exhaustion of the 'Jocks' themselves (for they had undergone a bellyfull of marching and fighting that day) and secondly the flanking fire of numerous German machine-guns, which swept that bare hill from some factory buildings in Cite St. Auguste to the south of us. All that we needed was more artillery ammunition to blast those clearly located machine-guns, and some fresh infantry to take over from the weary and depleted 'Jocks.' But, alas, neither ammunition nor reinforcements were immediately available, and the great opportunity passed.

Among the dead on the British side were Fergus Bowes-Lyon, brother to Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later Queen Consort, of George VI and "Queen Mother"), author and poet Rudyard Kipling's son, John, and the poet Charles Sorley.

Several survivors wrote of their experiences. Poet Robert Graves, described the battle and succeeding days in his war memoir Goodbye to All That.[4] Author Patrick MacGill, who served as a stretcher-bearer in the London Irish and was wounded at Loos in October 1915, described the battle in his autobiographical novel The Great Push. James Norman Hall, the American author, related his experiences in the British Army in his first book, Kitchener's Mob.

On the 1st July 1916 the Battle of the Somme commenced. Zero hour was officially set at 7:30 am. Ten minutes prior to zero hour, an officer detonated a 40,000-pound (18,000 kg) mine beneath Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt.



Before the infantry moved, the artillery had been called into action. Barrages in the past had depended on surprise and poor German bunkers for success; however, these conditions did not exist in the area of the Somme. To add to the difficulties involved in penetrating the German defences, of 1,437 British guns, only 467 were heavies, and just 34 of those were of 9.2" (234 mm) or greater calibre. In the end, only 30 tons of explosive would fall per mile of British front. Of the 12,000 tons fired, two thirds of it was shrapnel and only 900 tons of it was capable of penetrating bunkers. To make matters worse, British gunners lacked the accuracy to bring fire in on close German trenches, keeping a safe separation of 300 yards (275 m), compared to the French gunners' 60 yards (55 m)—and British troops were often less than 300 yd (270 m) away, meaning German fortifications were untouched by the barrage. The infantry then crawled out into no man's land early so they could rush the front German trench as soon as the barrage lifted. Despite the heavy bombardment, many of the German defenders had survived, protected in deep dugouts and they were able to inflict a terrible toll on the infantry.

North of the Albert-Bapaume road, the advance was almost a complete failure. Communications were completely inadequate, as commanders were largely ignorant of the progress of the battle. A mistaken report by General Beauvoir De Lisle of the 29th Division proved to be fatal. By misinterpreting a German flare as success by the 87th Brigade at Beaumont Hamel, it led to the reserves being ordered forward

The eight hundred and one men from the 1st Newfoundland Regiment marched onto the battlefield from the reserves and only 68 made it out unharmed with over 500 of 801 dead. British attacks astride the Albert-Bapaume road also failed, despite the explosion of two mines at La Boisselle. Here another tragic advance was made by the Tyneside Irish Brigade of the 34th Division, which started nearly one mile from the German front line, in full view of German machine guns. The Irish Brigade was wiped out before it reached the front trench line.

Overall, the first day on the Somme was a failure for the Allied forces. The British had suffered 19,240 dead, 35,493 wounded, 2,152 missing and 585 prisoners for a total loss of 57,470. This meant that in one day of fighting, 20% of the entire British fighting force had been killed, in addition to the complete loss of the Newfoundland Regiment as a fighting unit.

On the morning of 3 July, the northern part of the front bisected by the Albert-Bapaume road had been a problem for the British, as only a part of La Boisselle had been taken. The road to Contalmaison beyond La Boisselle was important to the British because the town of Contalmaison enjoyed a high position where the Germans protected their artillery, a focal point in the center of the front line. The position south of the Albert-Bapaume road proved to be much more favourable to the advancing British, where they had achieved partial success. The line from Fricourt to Mametz Wood and on to Delville Wood near Longueval was overrun in due course, however the line beyond was more difficult to navigate because of dense forests.



On 14th July 1916 at 3.20 a.m. the British artillery opened their intense bombardment on the German front-line trenches. At 3.25 a.m., when the bombardment lifted to the second-line reserve trenches, the infantry rushed in. The bombardment fell on the reserve trenches for a further two minutes before lifting again. The first wave of British infantry, made up of bombing parties, was to push straight on to the reserve trenches, leaving the following waves to mop up the front-line. Surprise was not complete and in places the German defenders met the advancing infantry with rifle and machine gun fire but elsewhere the garrisons were caught in their dugouts. As on 1 July, the quality of the wire-cutting was variable; sometimes it posed no obstacle, elsewhere the attacking waves got held up and cut to pieces.


At the left, the 21st Division attacked from Mametz Wood, crossing no man's land into Bazentin le Petit Wood. On their right was the 7th Division which, having been faced with over 1,000 yards (900 m) of no man's land to cross, had crept its assaulting battalions within 100 yards (90 m) of the German wire when the bombardment lifted. The 7th Division were faced with a complex of German trenches — Flatiron Trench, Marlboro Trench and The Snout — beyond which lay Bazentin le Grand Wood, but they reached all their objectives. By mid-morning these two XV Corps divisions had captured the village of Bazentin le Petit.

On the right, attacking between Bazentin le Grand and Longueval were the two XIII Corps divisions, left to right, the 3rd Division and the 9th (Scottish) Division. The 9th Division, which also contained the South African Infantry Brigade (in reserve near Carnoy), took Longueval and reached the fringe of Delville Wood which flanked the village but were unable to take the German redoubt at Waterlot Farm.

In the centre, things did not go well for the 3rd Division attacking from Montauban towards Bazentin le Grand. The German wire was uncut and the defenders alert. The German defensive barrage laid down in no man's land missed the assaulting battalions but caught the supporting waves. Typical of the division's fortunes was the 7th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry (8th Brigade) which lost eight officers and 200 other ranks killed.

Meanwhile the 18th (Eastern) Division, attacking from Bernafay Wood east of Montauban, had successfully captured Trônes Wood.


While progress was slow on the right and the struggle for Longueval continued, XV Corps had control of the Bazentin villages by 9 a.m. and the prospect of a breakthrough loomed. From the Bazentin ridge, the British could look north-east across a shallow valley towards High Wood, beyond which lay the incomplete German third position. There was no sign of the enemy and thick stands of grain indicated terrain only lightly damaged by shellfire, promising good going for cavalry.

Before advancing, the generals decided to reconnoitre; Brigadier-General Potter of the 9th Brigade (3rd Division) and Major-General Watts, commander of the 7th Division, eventually walked almost to the edge of High Wood without a shot being fired. The wood, so it appeared, was empty. However, a request to XV Corps to allow the 7th Division's reserve brigade to take possession of High Wood was rejected. Instead, the cavalry would be used.

The 2nd Indian Cavalry Division had been held in readiness to exploit the breakthrough but it had encamped at Morlancourt, four miles (6 km) south of Albert and would have to negotiate the churned battlefield over which the British had been advancing for the past fortnight. The division was ordered forward at 7.40 a.m. but by midday had only reached Carnoy, close behind the old British front-line. At 12.15 p.m., Fourth Army HQ ordered the 7th Division to advance but the order was immediately countermanded because Longueval had not been cleared and German guns could enfilade the approaches across the valley to High Wood.

Finally, a 7 p.m. in the evening, the cavalry arrived. Two regiments, the 7th Dragoon Guards and the 20th Deccan Horse, passed between Bazentin le Grand and Longueval and charged with their lances against High Wood. Unfortunately, the opportunity for an easy victory at High Wood had passed and the Germans, having regrouped after the shock of the morning, had begun filtering back into the wood. The cavalry were met with artillery and machine gun fire. In the words of 2nd Lieutenant F.W. Beadle, a forward observation officer for the artillery who witnessed the charge:
It was an incredible sight, an unbelievable sight, they galloped up with their lances and with pennants flying, up the slope to High Wood and straight into it. ... They simply galloped on through all that and horses and men were dropping on the ground, with no hope against the machine guns, because the Germans up on the ridge were firing down into the valley where the soldiers were. It was an absolute rout. A magnificent sight. Tragic.
Nevertheless, the cavalry regiments reached High Wood, killed a number of Germans and took 32 prisoners. They held on through the night of July 14–15 but no reinforcements were forthcoming — the rest of the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division had been ordered to retire to their bivouacs. The following morning the Dragoon Guards and Deccan Horse withdrew.

Meanwhile, the 33rd Division — XV Corps' reserve — had begun moving forward via Fricourt at 2 p.m. and would reach the Bazentin ridge as the cavalry went in. The division had orders to pass through the 21st Division on the next day and continue the advance. The situation that night was confused with senior commanders believing High Wood had been captured. The 100th Brigade of the 33rd Division was ordered to 'consolidate' but while attempting to dig trenches in the southern tip of the wood, it became all too apparent to the brigade's commander that High Wood had not been captured.

Yet, on 15 July, the 100th Brigade was told to form up across the valley, facing north with High Wood on their right flank, and advance towards Martinpuich. Protests to division were ignored and the attack went ahead at 9 a.m. after half an hour of preliminary bombardment. Enfiladed by German machine guns in the wood, the attack got nowhere. One company of the 16th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps (the Church Lads Brigade Pals battalion), had been given the task of 'clearing' the wood in support of the advance but of the 200 who went in, only 67 came out.




The failure to seize the opportunities of the morning of 14 July proved costly for the Fourth Army. It would take two months of bloody attrition before High Wood was finally captured. Following the loss of the Bazentin ridge, the Germans built a "switch trench", known as the Switch Line, to connect their second position near Pozières with their third position under construction on the next ridge. The Switch Line ran through the northern tip of High Wood and one could not be captured without the other and so it was not until the next major offensive, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette on 15 September, that High Wood and the Switch Line fell.
A similar situation developed at Delville Wood which would change hands a number of times over the following month. Having breached the German second position, attention now turned to the flanks. On the right, after Delville Wood was taken, the villages of Guillemont and Ginchy had to be captured in order to bring the French forces into line. On the left, the German strongpoint of Pozières protected the second position north of the Albert-Bapaume road.
The dawn attack of 14 July suggested that the British had discovered the formula for successful battles in trench warfare however subsequent fighting demonstrated that the lessons had not been learnt. The next large Fourth Army attack came on the night of 22 July – 23 July, involving six divisions, but ended in complete failure. Attacks were uncoordinated, artillery preparation was inadequate and the Germans, who had learnt lessons, had adopted a more flexible system of defense, moving away from concentrating defenders in a front-line trench.



On 18 August a British offensive was launched on the sector with three British corps attacking around Guillemont.

The decisive attack came on 3 September with the British 20th (Light) Division and 47 Brigade of the 16th (Irish) Division capturing Guillemont while the British 5th Division advanced on the right, eventually taking Falfemont Farm on 5 September. German units fought to the death in the frontline trenches until overwhelmed. Fusilier Regiment 73 of Lieutenant Ernst Jünger was involved in the defence of Guillemont and in his memoirs, Storm of Steel, he describes the dreadful conditions the Germans had to endure. Regiment 73's history states : "Nobody from 3rd Company can provide a report - all the men were killed, as was every officer". There were 5 survivors of 5th Company Infantry Regiment 76.

The capture of Guillemont weakened the German hold on this sector. Delville Wood was finally secured and the neighbouring village of Ginchy fell relatively quickly to the 16th (Irish) Division on 9 September. By 15 September the British were in a position to mount their next major offensive on a broad front — the Battle of Flers-Courcelette.



The battle is significant for the first use of the tank in warfare.


The final act of the Battle of the Somme was played out between 13 and 18 November along the Ancre River, north of Thiepval. With winter setting in, there was no longer any prospect of a breakthrough.



The opening moves were almost a replay of 1 July, even down to another mine being detonated beneath Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt west of Beaumont Hamel. The 31st Division had attacked Serre on 1 July and four and a half months later, was called on to do it again; the results were similar.

It is difficult to declare the Battle of the Somme a victory for either side. The British captured little more than 7-mile (11 km) at the deepest point of penetration—well short of their original objectives. The British themselves had gained approximately only two miles and lost about 420,000 soldiers in the process, meaning that a centimetre cost about two men.

The Somme was the first real test of this newly raised "citizen army" created following Lord Kitchener's call for recruits at the start of the war.

William John Biss was transfered to Ypres in the early part of 1917. 

On 9th April 1917 started the Frist Battle of Arras.

Third Battle of the Scarpe (3–4 May 1917)

After securing the area around Arleux at the end of April, the British determined to launch another attack east from Monchy to try and breakthrough the Boiry Riegel and reach the Wotanstellung, a major German defensive fortification. This was scheduled to coincide with the Australian attack at Bullecourt in order to present the Germans with a two–pronged assault. British commanders hoped that success in this venture would force the Germans to retreat further to the east. With this objective in mind, the British launched another attack near the Scarpe on 3 May. However, neither prong was able to make any significant advances and the attack was called off the following day after incurring heavy casualties. Although this battle was a failure, the British learned important lessons about the need for close liaison between tanks, infantry, and artillery, which they would later apply in the Battle of Cambrai (1917).




It was in this battle that William John Biss sustained injuries and was transfered to the VII Corps Main Dressing Station, based at Ficheux, France, where on 28th May 1917 he died of his wounds.

He was buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France. His Grave/Memorial Reference is I. J. 11. Additional information held by the Commonwealth War Grave Commission is that he was the son of Henry Biss, of Chelsea, London; husband of Lilian Ellen Biss, of 27, Edgar Road, Cliftonville, Margate.




Sunday 28 August 2011

Lilian Adeline Biss 22nd April 1910 - 1967

Lilian Adeline Biss was born on 22nd April 1910 at 51 Rylston Road, Fulham, London, she was the fifth child of Samuel William Biss and Emily Mary Biss (nee Arnold)

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Lilian Adeline Biss was living at 40a Deacon Road, Willesden Green, London with her parents Samuel William Biss and Emily Mary Biss (nee Arnold) and her siblings William Biis, Albert Biss, Florence Mabel Biss and Nellie Biss.

About 1925/6 Lilian Adeline Biss started working at Lyons Tea House in Piccadilly as a waitress. It was here that in 1933 a bunch of young men came in one day to have some refreshments. One of them was Peter Francis Judge, a tall (6ft 6) young cricketer. He asked her name and was informed it was Lilian. He asked her out, which  she agreed to. On one of their dates he took her up to Hampstead Heath, which is a large expanse of open coutryside with large ponds, which are used by people to swim in and back in the 1930's the heath was also used to graze cattle, well on night, whilest getting romantic, Lilian, who had hair done especily for the evening, laid back and put her head in a cow pat.

By 1934 Lilian Adeline Biss informed Peter Francis Judge that she was pregnant.

On 2nd November 1934 Peter Francis Judge married Lilian Adeline Biss at Willesden Registry Office. The marriage entry reads; 1934 Marriage solemnized at The Register Office in the District of Willesden in the County of Middlesex.
When married Second November 1934 Name and Surname Peter Francis Judge/Lilian Adeline Biss Age 18 years/22years Condition Bachelor/Spinster Rank or Profession Journalist/Waitress Residence at the time of Marriage 95 Olive Road/40a Deacon Road Father's Name and Surname Francis Henry Judge/Samuel William Biss Rank or Profession of Father Accountant/Bus Conductor.
Married in the Register Office according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the by Certificate before by me, Alfred G. W. Ellis Registrar
This Marriage was solemized between us{P. F. Judge/L. A. Biss} in the Prescnce of us {E. Biss/E. Box}.

In 1935 their first child was born; Arlene Rosemary Judge. In 1936 they had their second child; Brian Peter Judge and in 1943 their third and last child Francis Michael Judge.

With 95 Olive Road, Willesden, London, becoming too small for the expanding Judge family, Peter Francis Judge's father, Francis Henry Judge, bought a brand new property in Wembley at 32 Rydall Gardens, Wembley, London.

During the war there was rationing, so food was scarce. In the back of 32 Rydall Gardens they kept chickens and Brian Peter Judge had a pet rabbit, that he called Blackie. One day he came back from school and Lilian had made a stew, after eating the stew had left some cabage leaves and went to get up from the table, taking his plate with him. "Where are you going with those cabage leaves?" "I'm taking them to Blackie, he likes cabage leaves."

 "Well, there's no need to take them to him right now."

 "But he likes them. Let me take them to him."

"Well he does not need them"

 "I will put them in his cage for him latter."

 "There is no need. You know that nice stew you had?"

 "Yes"

 "Well we were out of meat, so I had to use Blackie. That is what you just ate."

In about 1946 her eldest son, Brian Peter Judge, was kept home from school to help out with some of the household chores. There was a knock at the door and Lilian Adeline Judge (nee Biss) went up stairs and opended the front bedroom window to see who it was. Standing there below was a man in a pinstriped suit and a bowler hat. "Who's that?" Lilian asked. Looking up the man replied, "Good morning Mrs Judge. I am the Truant Officer for area and we have noticed that your son, Brian is not at school again. May I be able to have a word, please."

"Of course you can. Can you please wait there and I will come down and let you in."

"Certainly madam. Thank you very much." With that Lilian went back into the bedroom and bent down under the bed, retrieving the bed pan, which was still to be emptied. She went back to the window, checked that the man was not looking and emptied the contents over him. With and exclamation he looked up, covered in urine, only to told by Lilian, "There you go! Now clear off, before I tip some more over you." With that he left.

In the 1950's Peter Francis Judge left Lilian Adeline Biss for another woman and left her to bring up the children on her own.

In 1963 Lilian Adeline Biss was diagnosed with cancer and in 1967 she died.

Saturday 27 August 2011

Nellie Biss 13th November 1905 - 1991



Nellie Biss was born 13th November 1905 at 161 Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, London. Nellie was the fourth child of Samuel William Biss and Emily Mary Biss (nee Arnold).

On 6th December 1905 Nellie Biss was baptised at St Matthew Church, Fulham, London.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Florence Mabel Biss was living at 40a Deacon Road, Willesden Green, London with her parents Samuel William Biss and Emily Mary Biss (nee Arnold) and her siblings William Biss, Albert Biss, Florence Mabel Biss and Lillian Biss.

In 1925 Nellie Biss married Frederick John Hoare in Hendon, Middlesex. They would go on to have four children; June H. Hoare born 1926 Willesden, Middlesex, Frederick W. J. Hoare born 1927 Willesden, Middlesex, Betty D. Hoare born 1928 Derby, Derbyshire and William J. Hoare born 1930 Derby, Derbyshire.

In 1991 Nellie Hoare (nee Biss) died in Slough, Berkshire.

Wednesday 24 August 2011

Florence Mabel Biss 29th September 1903 - 1959

Florence Mabel Biss was born 29th September 1903 at 20 Hamble Street, Hammersmith, London. She was the third child of Samuel William Biss and Emily Mary Biss (nee Arnold).

On 8th November 1903 Florence Mabel Biss was baptised at St Matthew Church, Fulham, London.

On 2nd April 1911 the Census was held. Florence Mabel Biss was living at 40a Deacon Road, Willesden Green, London with her parents Samuel William Biss and Emily Mary Biss (nee Arnold) and her siblings William Samuel Biss, Albert Biss, Nellie Biss and Lillian Biss.

In September 1924 Florence Mabel Biss married Wilfred Donne in Willesden, London.

Wilfred Donne worked for Great Western Railway. On 12th December 1924 whilest working at the Goods Yard at West Drayton, London he was repairing a railway waggon when the train was suddenly shunted back and forth, Wilfred was on the track in between two waggons when the incident happened and he was crushed. He died from a crushed chest and internal injuries.

On 15th December 1924 a coroners inquest was held at West Middlesex Coroners Court.

In 1926 Florence Mabel Donne (nee Biss) married her brother-in-law Alfed Donne. They went on to have three children; Pamela Donne born 1927, Raymond Alan Donne born 1928 and Beryl W. Donne born 1932.

On 15th November 1959 Florence Mabel Donne (nee Biss) died.