A record of the Sportsman's Battalions during the First World War, including a database of soldiers who enlisted in - or served with - the 23rd, 24th and 30th Royal Fusiliers, originally raised by Mrs. Emma Cunliffe-Owen in September 1914. If you have any questions or comments, please send to fmsketches@macbrem.com, thanks!

February 19, 1915

Essex County Chronicle

FATAL CASE AT HORNCHURCH

The funeral took place at Bromley on Friday of Pt. Edward A. Willett, of B Company, 1st Sportsman’s Battalion. Deceased was a solicitor who had enlisted. His death took place on Feb. 10 from cerebral-spinal meningitis, with which he was taken ill while in camp at Grey Towers, Hornchurch. The band of the battalion attended the funeral, and a wreath was sent by deceased’s comrades.

Daily Express

MILLIONAIRE PRIVATE.

SIR HERBERT RAPHAEL AND THE SEPARATION ALLOWANCE.

The Liberal millionaire private. Sir Herbert Raphael, of the Sportsman's Battalion, came in for smiling notice in the House of Commons yesterday.

The Army Votes were under discussion, and the question of delays in the payment of separation allowances was raised.

Mr. Ronald McNeill (U. Kent, St. Augustine’s) said that there was one soldier in whose ease the separation allowance was paid promptly. This was Private Raphael.

The burly warrior, standing at the bar where all could see him, adjusted his monocle, straightened his shoulders to “Attention.’’ and then bowed to the House. Members laughed.

“We have the gratifying knowledge,’’ said Mr. McNeill. “ that the War Office immediately put Lady Raphael beyond the reach of destitution.'’

“The age limit is thirty-eight.” put in Mr. Pringle, “and it is a question whether men who have enlisted above the age of thirty-eight are not perilously near to obtaining money by false pretences.” [Private Raphael is fifty-six.]

Private Raphael, in his khaki, walked about the lobby afterwards, and was much admired.

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