Main CPGW Record
Surname: WISEMAN
Forename(s): Richard
Place of Birth: Gargrave, Yorkshire
Service No: 59715
Rank: Gunner
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Field Artillery
Battalion / Unit: 82nd Battery 10th Brigade
Division: 6th (Poona) Indian Division
Age: 30
Date of Death: 1916-09-03
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: XXI. H. 12.
CWGC Cemetery: BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: GARGRAVE, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Richard Wiseman was the son of Thomas and Sarah Wiseman, formerly Thompson, née Johnson. Thomas was born at Gargrave, Yorkshire and Sarah at Wigan, Lancashire. Richard was distantly related to L/Corporal Arthur Slate (4657) (q.v.).
1891 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: 24, River Place - Richard Wiseman, aged 5 years, born Gargrave, son of Thomas and Sarah Wiseman.
1901 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: 24, River Place - Richard Wiseman, aged 14 years, born Gargrave, son of Thomas and Sarah Wiseman.
1911 Kirkee, India Census: 82nd Battery, Royal Field Artillery - Gunner Richard Wiseman, aged 21 years, born Skirton [sic], Yorkshire.
The British Army Service Record for Richard Wiseman exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Gnr Richard Wiseman, 59715, R.F.A. Theatre of War first served in: (5A) Asiatic. Date of entry therein: 17.11.14. Died 3.9.16. P. of W. 29.4.16 – 3.9.16.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Gnr Richard Wiseman, 59715, R.F.A. P. of W. 29.4.16 – 3.9.16. Dead 3.9.16.
Richard was originally buried in the Prisoner of War Cemetery at Bagtche, Mesopotamia (Iraq).
A short biography of Richard is included in: ‘From Mills to Marching and Back Again – A History of Gargrave from 1900 to 1925’ by Sue Lyall and Donavon Slaven with contributions from George Ingle, Ray Jones and Martin Thompson (2019).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
WISEMAN, Gunner Richard, aged 30, R.F.A., son of Mrs. Wiseman, 24, River Place, [Gargrave], died when Turkish Prisoner of War Dec. 3, 1916.
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Gunner Richard WISEMAN
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Field Artillery
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 6th (Poona) Indian Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
04 May 1917
WISEMAN – December 3rd, 1916, died a Turkish prisoner of war, Gunner Richard Wiseman, Royal Field Artillery, youngest son of Mrs. Wiseman, 24, River Place, Gargrave, aged 30 years.
04 May 1917
GARGRAVE – DEATH OF GUNNER RICHARD WISEMAN
Last weekend Mrs. Wiseman, 24, River Place, received official notice of the death of her youngest son, Richard, Gunner in the ----- Battery of the Royal Field Artillery, on December 3rd 1916 aged 30 years. Deceased, who was formerly a cotton operative at Airebank Mill, joined the Army about six years ago, and was a native of Gargrave. The official record does not state the cause of death, which occurred while he was a Turkish prisoner of war.
At the close of his sermon at the Parish Church last Sunday night, the Rev. A. C. Blunt, vicar, very sympathetically referred to the sad event. He said that deceased was really one of the first Gargrave men to lay down his life and was taken prisoner by the Turks at Kut on April 29th 1916, just twelve months ago that very day. The length of time that had elapsed since anything was heard from him had been a great cause of anxiety to his relatives, who were still in ignorance as to the cause of his death. He had now entered into his rest, and joined the great band of heroes who had done their duty faithfully unto death, and he was sure that all present felt great sympathy for those who mourned his loss.
At the close a solemn function took place, Mr. E. Burlend playing the Dead March, the congregation standing meanwhile.
Writing home on October 3rd last he said:– “I have just been in a big fight out here, and have come through it safe and sound. We had a very hard time of it, no water for 30 hours. It was at Kut, where we are at present. We captured a lot of Turkish guns and gave the Turks a very heavy loss. Our casualties were a decent few, I can’t say how many, but in our Battery there were three wounded and one killed, so I reckon we were lucky. I shall never forget that day as long as I live. It was a terrible sight to see:”
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
04 May 1917
WISEMAN – Died whilst a Turkish prisoner of war, on Dec. 3rd, 1916, Gunner Richard Wiseman, of the Royal Field Artillery, son of Mrs. Wiseman, 24, River Place, Gargrave, aged 30.
04 May 1917
GARGRAVE – DEATH OF GUNNER RICHARD WISEMAN
Last week-end Mrs. Wiseman, 24, River Place, Gargrave, received official information of the death of her youngest son, Richard, of the Royal Field Artillery, on Dec. 3rd, 1916, aged 30 years. Deceased, who was formerly a cotton operative at Airebank Mill, joined the Army about six years ago, and was a native of Gargrave. The official record does not state the cause of death, which occurred while he was a Turkish prisoner of war.
At the close of his sermon at the Parish Church last Sunday night, Rev. A. C. Blunt, vicar, very sympathetically referred to the sad event. He said that deceased was really one of the first Gargrave men to lay down his life, and was taken prisoner by the Turks at Kut on April 29th, 1916, just 12 months ago that very day, and was for five months a prisoner. The great length of time that had elapsed since anything was heard from him had been a great cause of anxiety to his relatives, who were still in ignorance as to the cause of his death. He had now entered into his rest and joined the great band of heroes, who had done their duty faithfully unto death, and he was sure that all present felt great sympathy for those who mourned his loss. At the close Mr. E. Burlend played the ‘Dead March,’ the congregation standing meanwhile.
Writing home on Oct. 3rd last, he said:– “I have just been in a big fight out here, and have come through it safe and sound. We had a very hard time of it, no water for 20 hours. It was at Kut, where we are at present. We captured a lot of Turkish guns and gave the Turks a very heavy loss. Our casualties were a decent few. I can’t say how many, but in our battery there were three wounded and one killed, so I reckon we were lucky. I shall never forget that day as long as I live. It was a terrible sight to see.”
07 September 1917
In loving memory of Gunner R. Wiseman, 82nd Battery, R.F.A., who died Sept. 3rd, 1916.
In a land of strangers my dear brother lies,
Not one of us near him to say good-bye;
When Duty called he was there,
To do his bit and face his share;
His heart was good, his spirit brave,
His resting place a soldier’s grave.
– From the Family at Gargrave.
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