Richard Ernest Snelling was born in Reigate, Surrey in late 1891 or early 1892.  His birth was registered at Reigate in the March quarter of 1892.  He appears on the 1901 census as a nine year old boy living with his parents, brothers and sister at South Street, Chailey.  In 1901 the family comprised: Arthur E Snelling (head of the family, a butcher, born in Battersea, aged 32), Minnie Snelling, (Arthur’s wife aged 34), William Snelling (son, aged 11), Richard (son, aged nine), Arthur Harry Snelling (son, aged eight) and May Snelling (daughter, aged 11 months).  With the exception of May who was born in Chailey, the three boys had been born in Reigate so it seems reasonable to assume that at some time after Arthur’s birth around 1892 and before May’s birth (probably in May 1900), the family had moved from Reigate to Chailey.

 

Richard Snelling is first mentioned in Chailey’s parish magazine in October 1914 when it is noted that he is serving his King and Country.  In October 1915, the magazine notes that he is a private with the Royal Fusiliers in France and notes at the same time that he was wounded on 25th February that year.

 

In December 1916 The East Sussex News reported that Sergeant A Snelling of the Army Service Corps and Private R Snelling of the Royal Fusiliers, both sons of Mr and Mrs A Snelling of Roeheath Common, were home on leave.  The article concluded, “Sgt Snelling has been in France since the outbreak of war and his brother for two years.”

 

In January 1917, the parish magazine notes that Richard is serving with the 4th Royal Fusiliers and in May records the fact that he has been promoted to corporal.  The following month, the magazine notes that he is a sergeant, still with the 4th Royal Fusiliers.  This information is then repeated monthly up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.

 

Richard Snelling has two army numbers noted, both against the rank of sergeant with the Royal Fusiliers: L/16260 and 6443557.

 

The L/ prefix suggests that Richard joined the Royal Fusiliers as a career soldier rather than simply for the duration of the war.  His number also suggests that he enlisted in September 1914 which ties in nicely with his first appearance in Chailey's Parish Magazine the following month. 

 

Although his service record does not appear to have survived, there is a good deal of information on his medal index card (MIC) at the National Archives.  This reveals that he arrived in France on 26th January 1915 and that the rank of Sergeant is inscribed on his medals.  The L prefix on his number is crossed out on his MIC.

 

At some point after the war had ended, probably in 1920, Richard Snelling was issued with a new number: 6448557 and looks to have served in India and Iraq with the Royal Fusiliers.  In addition to the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, he was also awarded - in September 1924 -  the General Service Medal with the clasp, "Iraq".  His MIC is addressed to "The Officer Commanding 1st Bn, Royal Fusiliers, Jullundur, India".

 

Richard’s brothers Arthur and William also served during the First World War, Arthur dying of wounds in August 1918.

 

 

Sources & Acknowledgements

 

·         1901 Census of England and Wales

·         Chailey Parish Magazine

·         The East Sussex News

·         The National Archives’ on-line medal information card index