The Labour Corps was raised in 1915 and disbanded in 1921, today thier roles are undertaken by the Royal Logistics Corps.
The Corps grew to some 389,900 men (more than 10% of the total size of the Army) by the Armistice. Of this total, around 175,000 were working in the United Kingdom and the rest in the theatres of war. The Corps was manned by officers and other ranks who had been medically rated below the “A1” condition needed for front line service. Many were returned wounded. Labour Corps units were often deployed for work within range of the enemy guns, sometimes for lengthy periods.
In April 1917, a number of Infantry Battalions were transferred to the Corps. The Labour Corps absorbed the 28 ASC Labour Companies between February and June 1917. Labour Corps Area Employment Companies were formed in 1917 for salvage work, absorbing the Divisional Salvage Companies. In the crises of March and April 1918 on the Western Front, Labour Corps Units were used as emergency infantry. It became the 18th -19th Labour Corps in May 1917.
The Corps always suffered from its treatment as something of a second class organization: for example, the men who died are commemorated under their original Regiment, with Labour Corps being secondary. Researching men of the Corps was made more difficult by this until the publication of the mammoth ‘Soldiers died in the great war’ collection where the Labour Corps was finally given it’s own section in volume 80.
Private
4, Ask Grove, Withernsea Street, Hull
Died on
08/03/1922
Aged
44
Born Eynsford, Yorkshire, 1875. Son of George David Howard (1850-1922) and Jane Bulmer Dawson Carmichael (1853-1907). Married on 04 Feb 1906, at The Parish of St Mark's, Hull. Husband of Mary Ann Casey (1885-1962) known as Carrie Howard, of 2 Walton Villas Brunswick Av Hull (1911 census) and 4, Ask Grove, Withernsea Street, Hull (war Pe […]
Private
1, Kates Cottages, Regent Street, Hull
Died on
13/05/1922
Aged
50
Born Hammersmith London, 1872. Son of Robert Hughes, of 61 garland Road, Red Hill, Surrey. Married at Reigate, in 1901. Husband of Florence Elizabeth Parton, of 1, Kates Cottages, Regent Street, Hull (1911 census & war pension address). He was a Glazier and Labourer. He had joined the army (Rifle Brigade & royal Garrison regime […]
Private
6, De Grey Terrace, Lorne Street, Hull
Died on
19/03/1920
Aged
39
Born Hull, 1880. Married at St Philips, Hull, on 9 Jan 1907. Husband of Louisa Hall at 6, De Grey Terrace, Lorne Street, Hull (war pension address). They had four children, George Lilian, Elsie and William, all born between 1907-1915. He was a Labourer in civilian life. Described as 5 foot, 4 inches tall, 120 lbs weight, 36-38 inch che […]
Private
3, Spvee Terrace, Spyvee Street, Hull
Died on
10/08/1924
Aged
32
Born Hull, 1892. Son of Emily Dearing. Stepson of Ada Dearing, 18 Hedon Road, Hull. He was a seaman (1911 Census). Married at Hull in 1913. Husband of Fanny Amelia Sayers, of 3, Spvee Terrace, Spyvee Street, Hull (War Pension Address) Served as a Gunner, in the Royal Field Artillery. Posted to France, on 29/12/15. Transferred as Priva […]
Pioneer
3, Paull Terrace, Wassand Street, HULL
Died on
26/03/1918
Aged
47
Born Hull 1871. His dependent, Anna Richardson lived at 3, Paull Terrace, Wassand Street, Hull (war Pension address). A Water side Labourer. He enlisted at Aldershot, on 14/10/1915. Served in the 11th Royal Engineers (labour Corps) and transferred to the Labour Corps, on 31/7/1917. Discharged with Myalgia, on 12/2/1918. Died on 26 Mar 1918
Private
4, Elma Avenue, Edinburght Street, Hull
Died on
12/12/1925
Aged
41
Born Hull, 1884. Fourth Son of James Jordan (1848-1909) and Margaret Jordan (1856-1928), of 12, Norwood Terrace, Stanley Street, Spring Bank, Hull (1911 Census). He had six brothers and three sisters. Two sons would die in WW1. He married at Hull, in 1906, aged 22. Husband of Helen Purcell, of 4, Elma Avenue, Edinburght Street, Hull (1 […]
Acting Company Sergeant Major.
Emma's Buildings, Worsley Street, Hull
Died on
23/02/1919
Aged
25
Born Hull 1894. Son of John and Henrietta Kelly, on Emma's Buildings, Worsley Street, Hull (War Pension address). A Single man. Warehouse packer. Lived with his sister, Isabella Sharp, at 27, Lee Smith Street, Hedon Road, Hull (army record address). Enlisted at Hull, on 07/09/1914. Served as Private, 249, with the Hull Pals in Egypt and […]
Private
16, Alfred Street, Hull
Died on
04/03/1923
Aged
43
Born Hull, 1880. Married at St Silas, Church, Hull, on 28 Apr 1904. Husband of Hannah Elizabeth at 16, Alfred Street, Hull (War Pension address). He was a Master Asphalter. described as 5 foot 7 inches tall, 36-38 inch chest, Wesleyan religion. Enlisted at Hull, on 11/12/1915. Posted to France, on 2/4/1917. Served in the Lincolnshire Re […]
Private
36, STANIFORTH PLACE, HULL, EAST YORKSHIRE, UK
Died on
12/06/1921
Aged
26
BORN HULL 1895. SON OF CHARLES HENRY & MARIA LONGTHORNE, AT 36 , STANIFORTH PLACE, HULL (WAR PENSION & CWGC ADDRESS). EMPLOYED AS A WEIGH BOY.TRANSFERRED AS 57383, ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS. TRANSFERRED TO 655041, LABOUR CORPS. DIED OF TUBERCULOSIS, ON 12/06/1921, AGED 26. BURIED HULL WESTERN CEMETERY. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-d […]
Private
1 St Johns Avenue, St Marks Street Hull
Died on
25/10/1920
Aged
32
Born Hull, 1888. Son of Richard and Margaret Mapes, at 8, Whitby Avenue, Whitby Street, Hull (1911 Census). Brothers, Edward, Harry and James, Sisters, Annie, Dorothy and Sarah. He married at St Mark's Church, Hull, on 26/12/1913. Husband of Ethel Belvers Mapes of 1, St Johns Avenue, St Marks Street, Hull (Army address) and 24, Chestnut […]
Private
22 BRIDGE GATE, HEBDEN BRIDGE, WEST YORKSHIRE, UK
Died on
24/05/1917
Aged
38
BORN HULL AND WELL KNOWN AS A PORK BUTCHER BEFORE THE WAR. HE MOVED TO HEBDEN BRIDGE, BRADFORD AND ENLISTED IN HALIFAX., WHEN WAR BEGAN. HE WAS FORMERLY, PRIVATE, 29327, OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT. TRANSFERRED TO THE LABOUR CORPS. HE LEFT WIDOW, SOPHIA MOST LIVING AT 22 BRIDGE GATE, HEBDEN BRIDGE, WEST YORKSHIRE . HE DIED AT NO: 5 STA […]
93, Wassand Street, Hessle Road, Hull
Died on
24/08/1922
Aged
41
Born Hull, 1881. Married 1906. Husband of Alice Maud Novis, of 12 Florence Terrace, Wassand Street, Hessle Roadd Hull (1911 Census) and 93, Wassand Street, Hessle Road, Hull (War Pension address) He was an Oil Miller. Had two daughters, Hilda and Alice. He enlisted in Hull. Served with the East Yorkshire Regiment and Labour Corps. Dis […]
Private
15, Hudson Street, Beverley Road Hull
Died on
01/07/1980
Aged
89
Born Hull 28 Jul 1893. Fourth son of Arthur and Harriet Pearce, of 15, Hudson Street, Hull (1911 Census). He had four brothers. A single man living at 15, Hudson Street, Beverley Road Hull (War Pension address). Worked as a general Labourer before war began. Served in the 12th East Yorkshire Regiment, Machine Gun Corps, Northumberland […]
Private
8, Kates terrace, Wassand Street, Hull
Died on
01/12/1921
Aged
22
Born Hull, 1899. Son of Edith Wayne Pine, of 4, Marshall Court Walker Street Hull (1911 Census) and 8, Kates terrace, Wassand Street, Hull (war pension address). Served as Private, 578946, Labour Corps. Died of epileptic fits on 07/12/1921, aged 22.
Private
32, ST JAMES PLACE, ENGLISH STREET, HULL, EAST YORKSHIRE, UK
Died on
01/04/1920
Aged
41
BORN HULL 25/05/1879. ONLY SURVIVING SON OF SARAH GAFFEY & CHARLES AUGUST ADOLF QUADE. ALL HIS SIBLINGS DIED IN INFANCY. SON OF A TAILOR. HE MARRIED 01/08/1903. WIFE GERTRUDE KIPLING & SIX CHILDREN, THREE OF WHICH ALSO DIED IN INFANCY, LIVED AT 4, FRANKS PLACE, OSBORNE STREET, HULL AND 32, ST JAMES PLACE, ENGLISH STREET, HULL (W […]
Private
21, Clifton Terrace, Stepney Lane, Hull
Died on
20/11/1924
Aged
43
Born Hull 22/01/1881. Son of Mark Rennardson (1844-1922) and Mrs Harriet Forman Rennardson (1850-1933), of 2, Ripon Terrace, Liddell Street, Hull (1911 Census) and 6, Ellen's Place, Blundell Street, Hull (War Pension address). An Assistant Butcher. Served as Private, 35646, 260169, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment and Lab […]
Private
4 Russell Place, Norforlk Street, Hull, UK
Died on
16/12/1923
Aged
38
Born Sant'Elia Fiumerapido, Caserta, Italy, on 28/03/1885. Real Name Vincenzo Risi. Son of Lorenzo Risi & Restituta Fusco. One of ten children. His father came to England as aan ice cream vendor and street piano player. The family lived in Leed and Bradford. Moved to Hull in 1891 aged 6. The family living at 11 Damaris Square, Gard […]
Private
BORN HULL 1877. SON OF WILLIAM & MARIA RICHARDSON, OF 12 CLEVELAND STREET, HULL. WORKED AS A LABOURER. LIVED WITH HIS WIFE JANE FRANCIS RICHARDSON & 4 CHILDREN, AT 2 ASTLEY STREET, DUKINFIELD, CHESHIRE. SERVED WITH THE WEST COMMAND SERVICE CENTRE, LABOUR CORPS. DIED ON 06/07/1918, AGED 41. BURIED AT DUKINFIELD CEMETERY, CHESHIRE […]
Private
Died on
13/12/1918
Aged
32
Born Hull, 1885. Son of Thomas William Richardson and Annie Elizabeth Richardson, of 2, York Terrace, Hodgson St. He had an elder brother, Thomas and four sisters. Married at St Mary's, Hull on 14/10/1905. Husband of Jane Elizabeth Robinson, of 5, Wawne Terrace, Hodgson Street, Hull (Army address) 11, Paradise Place, Myton Street, Hull […]
Private
3, Beaconsfield Street, Queens Road, Hull
Died on
05/08/1920
Aged
41
Born Crookes St Thomas, Sheffield, 1879. on of Henry and Hannah Roadhouse, of 26 Woodseats House Road Sheffield. He had three brothers and a sister. Married at Ecclesall Bierlow, in 1900. Husband of Annie Winterbottom, of 3, Beaconsfield Street, Queens Road, Hull (War Pension address). They had two sons and a daughter. Worked as a Mason […]
