Harold Strelley 1824- 1864 Criminal Lunatic

Is there no privacy in this world? Today we jealously guard our privacy and worry that things such as facebook and emails will come back to bite us.

Poor Harold Strelley has been discovered despite his family's best efforts to conceal him.
Who would have thought that 1841 census records would be available to the world at large 175 years later? Those census records aren't too bothersome. A family living at Oakerthorpe- the family farming property- nothing seems out of order there.

Harold has been really caught out because without knowing about him I found him on Family Search, 1851 census and  death records in Wiltshire just through doing a Strelley  surname search.
 It was the notation "criminal lunatic" in the 1851 census that gave me a bit of a heads up and then a few incorrect facts from a relative  and a newspaper article sealed the deal.

Digitized newspaper records show that there is no rest for the wicked. Harold's murder of a fellow inmate was reported over several counties and probably because of the family notoriety and the other circumstances of the case the trial details were well reported in the next three months before he headed to the Bethlem Hospital to be incarcerated.

Harold Strelley 30 had pleaded “Not Guilty” to wilfully murdering Samuel Tomlinson his fellow roommate.  Harold had come to the asylum three months prior to Tomlinson’s death.Apparently the keeper was alerted to a noise between 6 and 7 in the morning of the murder which he thought was singing. When he heard another noise he went to the room. He had thought it was pots rolling on the floor.  Strelley was standing near his bed and Tomlinson was rolling about on the floor moaning.  After leaving the room for some light he returned and Tomlinson was quite dead.  A spare bed lath was found in Strelley’s bed covered with blood. He was found not guilty on the grounds of Insanity!

 Harold was sent from the County Gaol in Derby to a Criminal Lunatic Asylum at St George’s Fields in the County of Surrey. The institution was known as Bethlem Hospital and despite its long history as a psychiatric hospital for the care and control of the insane it was notoriously called “Bedlam”. Several wings and additions were built for the growing admissions of criminally insane but it was continually criticized for overcrowded accommodation. 

Harold's records for Bethlem are available to the researcher and they give a complete description, details of his illness, religion and commentary. Admission papers completed on the 15/7/1849 describe Harold as being a farmer with temperate habits. His record shows he can read and write and has received a good education.  He is a man of  5’8 ½ “  with brown hair, hazel eyes and fresh complexion.”  He is of Church of England religion.  He had been quiet and inoffensive in hospital –his bodily health was good but his memory impaired.

 The following comment appears on his record:

"fancies that he had been a soldier and had been wounded in … Actions and that he had been in the company of Napoleon and at the time he committed the murder had thought that his victim who slept with him was going to kill him for desertion”.  None of this had been reported in the newspaper coverage   and neither had a few other little gems recorded on the files. They cast aspersions on his paternal relatives mental health!

“Supposed cause of insanity- hereditary.”

Under the heading Relatives Similarly Afflicted reads :

“Father and still more his grandfather, eccentric and some say insane”.

This would be referring to Benjamin Strelley and the well known Derbyshire businessman Robert Strelley Esq. 

Several reports on Asylums also help to paint the picture of  treatment of the  insane  in mid 1800s. Bethlem cops a beating. Then he gets transferred to Fisherton House in Wiltshire. Again we are able to access his full medical record, his height, weight and medications. Fullerton is not without its critics but does receive a favourable report in an article   "A Visit to a Convict Lunatic Asylum" written in The Glasgow Herald in 8/10/1864. After a visit to the Fisherton Asylum  the writer’s article describes encounters with inmates, medical staff and an inmates' social ball which was a song and dance night once a week. There were no lock- up cells or handcuffs despite 30 murderers. The staff of warders maintained order by kindness and power of the staff. The accommodation consisted of a long, dormitory style sleeping ward where the warder slept in a cage in the middle of the room as well as a well ventilated and light day room and exercise yard. The article gives a generally favourable impression of the institution. This article was written towards the final days of Harold’s sad life. 

For a small fee we access his cause of death and burial details.   

To fill in the pieces of the story the websites, newspaper archives, wikipedia, and 100+ years old e-books provide me with information, sketches, articles form the times and old advertising. 

When Rev Charles Kerry wrote about the pedigree of the Strelley family for his article for the Journal of the Derbyshire Archeological and Natural History Society in 1891, Harold was left off the record: something unusual for such an accurately researched article. 

We worry that people will dig up information on us through our use of social media and copious information collected on us in every day life but as we see records have been kept for eons  and are  becoming more available through breakthroughs in scanning and distribution technology. Harold and the Strelleys would never have thought this story would surface 175 years later. Information comes from a variety of sources- and finding it gives us insight into a whole lot of things for better or worse!!!
(The full story of Harold Strelley Criminal Lunatic is available... just email me)

Thought of the Day 
Family history provides stimulation to the brain and mental activity for a researcher.  Don't disregard the many options for filling in the pieces of your family story.

Mark Strelley Fryar 1/5/1892-20/6/1931 and Caroline Isabella (Molly ) Fryar 9/1/1896-9/1/1985 Prisoner of War and VAD Nurse

For each story in this WWI series I have tried to have a different focus or story type. This is of a  sister Caroline Isabella Fryar who was a nurse with the Voluntary Aid Detachment and her brother  Mark Strelley Fryar who became a WW1 prisoner of war in Germany.

Mark Strelley Fryar had trained in OTC at Malvern College. In May 1911 he joined the 1/5^th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiments).  This territorial regiment was mobilised for war service on 5/8/14 when Mark was 23. The Division concentrated in the Luton area, with the 5th Sherwoods at Harpenden. By mid August after preparing for overseas service in Braintree they proceeded to France. They landed at Boulogne on 25th February and joined the British Expeditionary Force at Ypres. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. 

Mark Strelley Fryar

Less than 4 months after landing at Ypres he was wounded at Dickebuse.



In early August his parents, Mark and Louise, received a telegram to say that he was in a POW camp in Gutersloh, Germany. At first he had been reported missing on 1^st July in the Newspaper  and then as a prisoner. Major Checkland when writing to his parents re the event stated "He went forward with the Lewis guns and was seen near a German parapet giving instructions to his men. It is believed at this time he was wounded".

Mark's story is recorded in "A Lack of Offensive Spirit? The 46th (North Midland) Division" by Alan MacDonald p392-4

Owing to smoke he and his Captain were separated from the rest of the Battalion. Captain Lewes was hit three times and while Fryar and his men took other action to secure their safety they needed to lay low until cover of darkness or reinforcements appeared. The Germans kept bombing them until 11am and sent an English speaking soldier to say he would take them prisoners. They were out of ammunition and by 12.30 they were being shelled by their own forces. He talked with the injured Lewes and they decided to give in asking the Germans to help them with their wounded. They would not and just looked on. They carried the semi- conscious Captain out but he died the next morning. Mark gave his account in an interview after his return from POW camp on 10th December 1918.

 " It is believed at this time he was wounded"

After attempting to escape in May he was recaptured and received 30 days solitary confinement for his efforts. From there he was sent to Fort Zorndorf in Austria for 7 months.

He was promoted to Captain on 17th June 1917.

On 19^th March 1918 he escaped again while at the Schweidnitz Camp but was caught getting on a train. Eventually he was interned and repatriated through Holland in early October 1918 returning home to England on 2^nd November 1918 and finally repatriated on 22th Nov1918. There is a comment in the footnotes of MacDonald's book that he was court-martialled for mutiny and for forging passports but I cannot find more at present on this. As his grave refers to him as the late Captain of the Sherwood Foresters possibly all was forgiven.

His sister Caroline Isabella Fryar (Molly) was with the Voluntary Aid Detachment. The role of the Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses and assistants were to provide nursing and medical assistance during a time of war.  VADs worked in a variety of roles which included nursing assistants, ambulance drivers, chefs, and administration .

Whilst most VADs worked within Britain, some were posted overseas such as those with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France during the Great War.  During wartime the VAD organisation was administered by the Joint War Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John.  The numbers of women serving as VADs were around 70 -100,000.

While Molly’s wartime records are unavailable, her medal roll references her as a part of the Territorial Force Nursing Service (TFNS) in the 1(a) theatre of War . This is indicative of serving in the Western Front- France and Flanders.  

She was most likely a War nurse and a relative referred to her as driving ambulances during the war. So it could be assumed she was in France performing some sort of medical role. Her dates were recorded as serving from 20/7/1917 to 22/10/1919.

Caroline Isabella (Molly)  Fryar

Molly returned to England nearly one year after her brother.  Since I heard about Molly through family connections I thought she sounded like a “gutsy” sort. More recently I heard she was a spy in the Second World War. Apparently she was parachuted into France to spy behind enemy lines being  part of the Special Operations Executive which was based in secret headquarters at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire. (Source Greg Strelley)

Now I’d like to hear more about that!! Please contact me if you know more - kanahookarob@yahoo.com.au

The Strelley and Fryar families would be proud of Mark and Molly. Neither married or had children so recording their stories feels right.  Mark was killed aged 40 in a cycle accident 20^th June 1931. Molly lived to a ripe old age dying on her birthday in 1985 at age 89.

Whilst visiting Derby last year my husband and I visited Mark and Molly's graves which are situated amongst the family plots for the Fryars and the Strelleys.

Mark and Molly's Grave in Derby

Richard Upton 11/9/1880-3/5/1915- First Class Flying Licence

Sergeant Richard Upton came from an Army background. He was the fourth son of Captain Richard Upton of the the 4th Batt Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Reg). His father had also been in the Political and Secret Department of HM India Office. He was also the grandson of Richard Clayton Strelley of Oakerthorpe fame.

After a good education he became a Master Mariner with the Straits SS Service L.F. after passing through his apprenticeship. He was the Commodore of a fleet of 17 boats.

He decided  to obtain his flying qualifications and after attending the Graham White School of Flying. on 26/8/1914 he was issued with a  First Class Flying Licence. At this time war had broken out.

On 26/8/1914 he was issued with a  First Class Flying Licence

His previous experience enabled him to  join the Legion of Frontiersmen a type of patriotic paramilitary group. Membership was limited to "men of good conduct who have Frontier, Military or Sea Training."

Recruitment poster for the Legion

He left for  France where he worked free lance with the Red Cross Society. When he joined the Royal Flying Corps Service number 2556, he was immediately made a Sergeant.

Unfortunately,his flying career was cut short as while he was on  active service he contracted pneumonia  and died in Tideworth Military Hospital, UK on 3/5/1915. He was unmarried.

Robert John "Bert" Wright 1899-1978

Robert John "Bert" Wright was only 15 when the war broke out in Europe. While he waited until he was "old enough" to enlist he worked as a sheet metal worker in Marrickville.  He turned 17 on 23 December 1916. A document dated 9 January just 17 days later bears his father's signature and permission to enlist.

The photo below shows Robert all of 5 feet 4 1/4 inches looking like he should grow into his hat and jacket. So his attestation papers show him as aged  18 1/2 years. It appears he snuck his way into the Army by doing three months service in the Militia. The family story goes that he would have joined under another name if his family didnt let him go.  After being pronounced "dentally fit" at 17 1/2 years  he embarked on the "Militades" on 9th July 1917 arriving in Glasgow on 2nd October.

Robert John Wright WWI

It doesn't appear that he was injured at all during his service with records of  only routine treatment of scabies and tonsillitis, diahorea and flu.

Bert's  service number was 3398. His records show his original Battalion was the 8th Reinforcement for the 36th Battalion which was sent to Rouelle, France. In 29/6/1918 he transferred to the 33rd Battalion and on 28/7/1918 he was again transferred to 34th Battalion. Obviously huge casualties caused amalgamation of troop battalions. All were fighting in France.

Probably as a result of  entering the war effort so late in the piece Bert was quite slow in returning to Australia.  The long wait for his demobilisation and return to Australia is shown in this letter in August 1919 where  his concerned mother had written to the Army. It was not until 5 January 1920 that he commenced his return to Australia on the"Cap Verde" which finally arrived on 29 February 1920.

A concerned mother writes to the Army about her boy

Upon his confirmation of discharge in March 1920 records note that he complained of some pain over the heart. This was put down to a curse of the war- excessive cigarette smoking. This  probably contributed to the heart condition he died of in 1978.

He met and married Maude Rose Gadsby at Marrickville in 1923.  They had a daughter - Betty Wright who will was born in 1925 and supplied the cherished photo of this brown haired, brown eyed boy above who was champing at the bit to join the war effort.

Bert enlisted again in World War II by which time he was 40 years old. Although his records are not yet available at the war memorial. We do know he was a transport driver in the Air Force.

Bert in WW2

Andrew Yuill Kerr 1892-1959 Military Medal (Kerr Boys cont)

Born in 1892, Andrew was unmarried and living with his parents James Francis Kerr and Agnes Kerr in the 1911 census. He worked as a chauffeur for his cab proprietor father. A little over 3 years later he enlisted at Grove Park in the Army Services Corps (ASC) on 8 December 1914 aged 22. 

Thus continues the story of the Kerr men going to war. Andrew was the second youngest of the five sons James Francis lent to the war effort. 

"He would return a hero."

Like his brothers, he was singled out for service in the British Expeditionary Force for his ability as a motor car driver. In under a month he had embarked on the SS  Munston at Avonmouth on New Year's Eve 1914, arriving at Le Havre, North Western France on 4 January 1915. In France he was initially posted to the 1^st District Field Ambulance operating in the Frontline.

From 24/8/15 he was appointed to the 141^st Field Ambulance and was responsible for casualties. The Field Ambulance were mobile units responsible for movement of casualties and operated to provide treatment for wounds or sickness from no man’s land to dressing stations and later hospitals.  Basically there were stretcher bearers relaying casualties for miles to a station where the injured soldier could have wounds tended to. For example there were Bearer Relay posts, Regimental Aid Posts, Advanced Dressing Stations and Main Dressing Stations. 

Andrew’s service number M2/ 021524 denotes he was a driver of a Motor Ambulance evacuating wounded.  The official April War diary of the 141 Field Ambulance now kept at the National archives, London England (reference WO95/1259) gives information about Andrew's activities at the hospital at Gwalia farm in April 1918 around the time of great casualties. I have a full digital copy of this Diary if you care to contact me. Basically the Field ambulance moved with the Army according to its position in the Front. The Field Ambulance either commandeered farms and farmhouse buildings or set up in marquees along the French countryside as needed.

"gallantry and devotion to duty in action." 

On 6 April 1918 Andrew and some others rejoined the unit from a temporary duty with Number One Field Ambulance. His location was Gwalia Farm which was a Main Dressing Station. His unit moved to Chocques. On 9 April however there was a spike of 251 wounded and another 26 the next day. Wounded dropped until 18 April when it is recorded there were 23 sick and a staggering 493 wounded.  Large numbers of wounded ranging between 21 and 155 each day continued to pass through the unit until the end of the month. It was during this time on 22 April 1918 that the Corps Commander awarded the Military Medal to Private J.L. Wilson and Private A.Y.  Kerr for “gallantry and devotion to duty in action. “  His record also mentions  the award of Good conduct medals.

Below is the acknowledgement  for the Military Medal forwarded to Andrew after his return  to Scotland in June 1920. The medal was granted for Bravery in the Field.

Acknowledgement of receipt of the medal

When the war finished it looks as though he was caught up in the slow process of demobilization.  At demobilization he was  in Bonn, Germany. His papers show that he was demobilised on 25 May 1919 and we can see from this form that because Andrew is moving to a Class ‘Z’ Reserve status, he would be obliged to return to the Army if called. This fitness status seems to confirm that he was not injured during the war. 

Part of the demobilization paperwork

Returning to Denistoun in Glasgow, his war records signed by the Lt Col of the 141^st of Field Ambulance described him as "exceedingly good motor driver". Upon his return he resumed work as a chauffeur and married Mary Brian Johnstone on the 24th November 1920. Mary was the sister of Hannah Johnstone who had married Andrew's older brother David in 1904. Two brothers married two sisters.

Andrew and Mary adopted a child, Anthony Kerr in 1927 and he in turn gave them a granddaughter Catherine Kerr. Andrew continued to drive taxis and died aged 67 in 1959 of Sigmoid colon cancer. Mary outlived him.

Andrew's Military Medal

The Military Medal was given to David’s daughter and Mary's namesake, Mary Bryan Kerr. Mary or May as she was known in turn passed it to her grandson, Kelly Jorgensen who was a Lieutenant  in the New Zealand Army. “He regularly wears the medal to commemorative services”. The inscription around the medal is M2-021524 PTE A.Y.Kerr- MTASC.

I’m really proud to have written these two blogs about the Kerr sons and their part in the World War I. Coming from poor Scottish backgrounds these hard working brothers put their hands up, used their skills with horses and vehicles and took off in the early days of the war and saw it through until the end or until they were too ill or injured to continue.

When I started my family history research I was a little disappointed not to have an ANZAC amongst the relatives.  My husband’s grandfather had been in Gallipoli after the famous ANZAC tragedy fighting with the British. As we enter the 100 year anniversary period we see that it was the Western Front and other parts which  were also crucial to the War effort. Many relatives from the British Isles and indeed Australia paid with their lives and others their health. Luckily some returned, lead good lives and even signed up again for WW2 or encouraged their children to do so.

Keep reading the blog dear friends.  I’ve still got more War stories of relatives and a few friends have been “conscripted” to write their own family hero story as guest bloggers.

If you want any documents relating to these people please contact me on Robyn's email as the comments section doesn’t seem to work unless you are on google+  You can share the blog with friends and relatives or keep up  with new stories by “following” the blog. 

Cheers Robyn