Name
Claude Davis Sneath
18 January 1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
14/10/1914
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIEILLE-CHAPELLE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY, LACOUTURE
VI. A. 8.
France
Headstone Inscription
FOR KING AND COUNTRY
UK & Other Memorials
Bushey Town Memorial,
Bushey Conservative Club,
Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans,
Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans,
Christ's College Memorial, Finchley,
Golders Green War Memorial,
University of London O.T.C Roll of the Fallen Memorial Book
Pre War
Claude Davis Sneath was born on 18 January 1889 at Greta House, Finchley, the son of George Sneath and his second wife Marian Eliza Harriett Davis, and was baptised on 26 February 1889 at St Mary's Church, Hendon Lane, Finchley. They were then living at Greta House, The Hawthorns, Finchley and his father's occupation was recorded as chartered accountant.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Greta House, The Hawthorns, Finchley. There were eight children, some of whom were children of his father' first marriage, and three servants. They had moved to Gloucester Lodge, Golders Green Road, Hendon by 1901. Claude was educated at Christ's College, Finchley and London University, where he was in the Officer Training Corps. He played hockey for the Hendon Hockey Club and was also a good cricketer and was president of the Golders Green Working Men's Club.
By 1911 Claude had joined the army and was listed as a Second Lieutenant serving with the 6th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment and residing at Guadalope Barracks, Bordon, Hampshire. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 15 December 1912.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war Claude, who was already a serving soldier, was transferred to the 4th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, one of the first Regiments to go to the Front. He arrived in France on 14 August 1914 and saw action at the Battle of Mons, followed by the retreat from Mons and the Battle of the Marne.
He was killed in action at Croix Barbee on the 14 October 1914, aged 25, where his body was initially interred, but later exhumed and re-buried in Vielle Chapelle New Military Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
Probate was obtained by his father in London on 29 December 1914 with effects of £2285 0s 9d. His father received pay owing of £113 7s 6d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
