Name
Evelyn Henry Veresmith
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/07/1916
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
London Regiment (London Scottish)
14th Bn. attached 9th (Count of London) Bn. *1
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CORBIE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Plot 1. Row C. Grave 58
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Bushey memorials
Pre War
Born in Bushey on 19 April 1891 and baptised on 17 June 1891, Evelyn Henry Veresmith (baptised as Wehrschmidt) was the eldest son of Daniel Albert and Marie Louise Isobel (nee Norie) Wehrschmidt.
His father had been born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of a German tailor who had emigrated to America. Daniel later came to England where, as an artist and engraver, he became a tutor at the Herkomer Art School in Bushey. He became a naturalised British subject on 9th July 1890, at which time he was living in Bushey High Street at ‘Cleveland’, named after his father’s homeland and which is now part of St Hilda’s school.
At the 1891 census, Daniel and Marie were still living at Cleveland in Bushey. They were 29 and 25 years old respectively and employed two domestic servants; a cook and parlour maid. The birthplace for Marie was given as Kilmarnock in Scotland. It is believed that Daniel and Marie moved later to Rose Cottage in Elstree Road, Bushey Heath.
At the 1901 census, Evelyn was nine years old and living with Marie and four of his siblings at 289 High Road in Lee, London (Kent). His father was not present. The names of Evelyn’s siblings were Noel, Christopher (baptised as Daniel James Christopher), Celia and Henrietta, who were aged 8, 7, 5 and 1 years respectively. Bushey was given as the birthplace for all the children. Two domestic servants were also present.
At the 1911 census, Evelyn was 19 years old and still living at home with his parents (his father now present) and three siblings at 67 Burnt Ash Hill in Lee, Kent. His father was working ‘on his own account’ as an artist and painter whilst Evelyn is recorded as of no occupation. His siblings were Marie Louise Cecilia, Henrietta Moira and William John Edward. William was nine years old and had been born in Lee, Kent.
Evelyn was educated at Blackheath Proprietory School, which he left owing to delicate health to take up French gardening.
The Wehrschmidt family changed their name to Veresmith before the war because of anti- German sentiments.
Wartime Service
Evelyn Veresmith joined the Artists’ Defence Corps on the outbreak of war in August 1914. He obtained a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 14th Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) in June 1915 and was promoted to Lieutenant in May 1916. Attached to the Sherwood Foresters he was involved in the Dublin Rebellion in April 1916.
He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 21 May 1916, attached to the 9th Battalion of the London Regiment. He died at No 5 Casualty Clearing Station on 9 July 1916 having been wounded whilst in action between Albert and Pozieres at the Battle of the Somme. Evelyn was entitled to the British and Victory medal, his qualifying date being 1st May 1916. The address for correspondence for his father on the medal card is given as D A Veresmith, Saffron Hill, Doneraile, County Cork, Ireland.
His commanding officer wrote: “The Battalion was ordered to attack on the 7th inst. Your son gallantly got out of the trench and led his platoon, but was soon seriously wounded, and died two days later. He was a gallant officer, and I am very sorry for you. Our brigade made a very successful and important gain, so you must think of your son’s death as a glorious end.”
The Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects named his father as the sole legatee and included a payment of £67 3s 5d.
There is also an entry for Evelyn in the National Probate Calendar for 1916 which reads: “VERESMITH Evelyn Henry of Abbotsbury Mottingham Kent lieutenant 14th attached 9th battalion Royal Fusiliers died 9th July 1916 in France Administration London 18 November to Daniel Albert Veresmith painter. Effects £98 16s. 5d.”
Evelyn’s younger brother, Daniel James Christopher Veresmith, also served in France and Flanders and died on 14 April 1917 of wounds received in action on 11 April at Vimy Ridge.
Additional Information
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild.
*1 Probably more correctly (County of London) Bn.
London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles).
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
