Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Grave: | Contay British Cemetery, Contay | VIII. A. 17. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.134 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 26B GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | Military Cross 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal | ||
Family :
Son of Richard and Eliza Sheppard, of Grimsby; husband of J. G. Sheppard, of Glantawe, Heathfield, Swansea.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 14/Welsh Regiment |
14th (Service) Battalion (Swansea) Formed at Swansea in October 1914 by the Mayor and Corporation and the Swansea Football and Cricket Club. Moved to Rhyl and attached to 129th Brigade in 43rd Division. 28 April 1915 : formation became the 114th Brigade in 38th (Welsh) Division. Moved to Winchester in August 1915. Landed at Le Havre in December 1915. |
| Action : The First Battles of the Somme 1918 and associated actions |
21 March - 4 July 1918. The Battles of the Somme in 1918 were mostly concerned with stemming the German advance which started in March 1918 and which made considerable gains in the Somme/Arras sector. Utilising surplus troops which had become available following the surrender of Russia after the October Revolution, the Germans gambled on a massive campaign that could win the war in the west before the USA could bring its resources to bear. Initial gains were in places spectacular but eventually dogged resistance coupled with supply problems and sheer exhaustion closed down the battle. Other attacks were launched along the front to probe the Allied defences but the same pattern of initial gains followed by stalemate prevailed. British casualties were almost 345,000.
Detail :
His death was recorded and reported by the Western Mail on the 29th April 1918. "Capt. Richard Bellamy Sheppard, M.C. (Welsh Regiment), of Glantawe, Heathfield, Swansea, has been killed in action. Capt. Thomas Richardson has written describing the funeral as being attended by more officers than any he had seen, the noble character of the deceased having been greatly honoured. Capt. Sheppard joined the Swansea Battalion in March, 1915, and went to France in December, 1915. He was cashier to the Hector Steam Trawling Company at Swansea."
Probate confirms the date of death to by 22nd April:
"SHEPPARD Richard Bellamy of Glantawe 9 Heathfield Swansea died 22 April 1918 in France. Administration London 31 May to Janet Grey Sheppard widow. Effects £454 19s.
His medal card further confirms date of death and shows that, in addition to the Military Cross and for his service he was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory medal.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Caradoc No. 1573 E.C. | South Wales |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
2nd August 1910 | 3rd October 1910 | 7th November 1910 |
Past Master
Director/Off. from Swansea when inititated into Caradoc Lodge No. 1573 in 1910. The Lodge contribution record shows that his war service of at least 3 years and then "Killed in Action Nov/18." This date does not correspond with other sources for Richard.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley