Military Provost Staff Corps

Soldier Details:

Surname: Tapsell

Initials: J.W.

Rank: Sergeant

Army No.: 465

Notes: MMP. 16/11/91 enlisted in the 21 Hussars, 17/4/01 transferred to MMP, born Ash, Sandwich, Kent, occupation Gardener. Served Home 16/11/91 to 2/9/93, India 3/9/93 to 22/10/96, Egypt 23/10/96 to 12/11/99, Home 13/11/99 to 15/11/12 to discharge at Aldershot, time expired, age 39 years, served 21 years, conduct exemplary, address: 59 Wokingham Road, Reading, Berks. Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, Army Order 73 of 1910. 16/3/05 he married Florence Sarah Smith at All Saints Church, Fleet, Hants. 22/2/14 he re enlisted in the MPSC No. W/1640, served Home, 26/9/19 promoted A/S/Sgt. 14/5/20 to discharge. John William Tapsell. Extract from the Birmingham Mail 12 August 1912. MOTOR RUNS INT TERRITORIALS, FOUR MEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. Through a motor-car rushing into the rear of a column of London Territorials at Camberley late on Saturday night four men of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry and the Kensington Rifles were severely injured, one having to be removed to hospital and two accommodated at an hotel. The injured men were:- Private William Knight, of the 13th County of London Regiment (Kensington Rifles), living at Hestercombes, Bexley, Kent. Private Ivor Homes Roberts (Sharpshooters' CC) Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham. Private R G Hopps (Sharpshooters), Mainhurst Road, Hackney and Private W J Marshall (Sharpshooters), 22 St Paul's Churchyard, EC. For the past fortnight the 3rd County of London Yeomanr7y Sharpshooters have been in camp at Old Dean, Camberley and various London infantry regiments, including the Queen's Westminster's, the Kensington Rifles, and the London Scottish, have had their camp on Frith Hill, about three miles away. Saturday was the last day of the camps and at night various farewell dinners were held. Towards eleven o'clock the men prepared to return to their camp after spending a very pleasant evening. There were between fifty and sixty of them and instead of making their way back in small parties Squadron Sergeant Major Maxwell formed them up, and the marched off in fours along the main London-Southampton road, this being the direct route from the hotel to Old Dean. The little column set off at a good marching pace and were singing. They had only gone about fifty yards when a motor-car, travelling in the same direction, overtook them and before the Territorials were aware of it's approach ran right into the rear of the column. Several of the men were knocked down. in the words of an eye-witness, they went down like ninepins all over the road and when the car stopped three of the Territorials were found under it. Many of the men sustained minor abrasions, but it was found that four were somewhat seriously hurt. Medical aid was at once summoned and Dr Herbert E Rayner and Dr W L Stuart were quickly in attendance. Private Knight was the most injured of the four and his immediate removal to the Camberley and Frimley District Cottage Hospital was decided upon. He was taken to that institution in the car which had caused the damage. Privates Robert and Hopps were detained at the hotel, the latter suffering from concussion. After his injures were attended to Private Marshall was removed to the Old Dean Camp. It transpired that the car belonged to Mr Laurence T Bonstead of Bangor Lodge, Ascot. In it at the time of the accident were Mr. Clive Bonstead, son on the owner and a cadet at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. A chauffeur was driving and Mr. Bonstead Junior was sitting by his side. THREATS TO LYNCH THE DRIVER. For a time it appeared that there would be considerable trouble as the outcome of the accident. Some of the Territorials, it is alleged threatened to lynch the chauffeur and to smash the car. The glass of the headlight was smashed by some of the military canes. Police Sergeant Kenward, of the Surrey Constabulary and several of his constables were quickly on the scene, as were also Sergeant Tapsell, of the Military Mounted Police and a Corporal of that force. The sergeant-major in charge of the Yeomanry soon had his men, who were naturally indignant at the occurrence, under control Beyond the smashing of the glass of the headlight no material damage was done. Except for the three injured men, who had to be left behind, the Territorials subsequently returned to their camps/. A board of officers which inquired into the affair, has exonerated the Territorials from blame. The three injured men have bee allowed to go home.

Decorations/Medals/Awards (2)

1. Decoration: Khedive's Sudan Medal

Gazette Date: 1899-01-19

Gazette Issue: WO 100/80

Gazette Page: 141

Citation: Clasp: Khartoum 1897. Awarded as Pte. 21 Hussars, No. 3367.

2. Decoration: Queen's Sudan Medal 1896-1897

Gazette Date: 1899-03-27

Gazette Issue: WO 100/80

Gazette Page: 89

Citation: Clasp: Khartoum 1896. Awarded as Pte, 21 Hussars, No. 3367

Surname:	Tapsell
Initials:	J.W.
Rank:	Sergeant
Army No.:	465
Notes:	MMP. 16/11/91 enlisted in the 21 Hussars, 17/4/01 transferred to MMP, born Ash, Sandwich, Kent, occupation Gardener. Served Home 16/11/91 to 2/9/93, India 3/9/93 to 22/10/96, Egypt 23/10/96 to 12/11/99, Home 13/11/99 to 15/11/12 to discharge at Aldershot, time expired, age 39 years, served 21 years, conduct exemplary, address: 59 Wokingham Road, Reading, Berks. Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, Army Order 73 of 1910. 16/3/05 he married Florence Sarah Smith at All Saints Church, Fleet, Hants. 22/2/14 he re enlisted in the MPSC No. W/1640, served Home, 26/9/19 promoted A/S/Sgt. 14/5/20 to discharge. John William Tapsell. Extract from the Birmingham Mail 12 August 1912. MOTOR RUNS INT TERRITORIALS, FOUR MEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. Through a motor-car rushing into the rear of a column of London Territorials at Camberley late on Saturday night four men of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry and the Kensington Rifles were severely injured, one having to be removed to hospital and two accommodated at an hotel. The injured men were:- Private William Knight, of the 13th County of London Regiment (Kensington Rifles), living at Hestercombes, Bexley, Kent. Private Ivor Homes Roberts (Sharpshooters' CC) Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham. Private R G Hopps (Sharpshooters), Mainhurst Road, Hackney and Private W J Marshall (Sharpshooters), 22 St Paul's Churchyard, EC. For the past fortnight the 3rd County of London Yeomanr7y Sharpshooters have been in camp at Old Dean, Camberley and various London infantry regiments, including the Queen's Westminster's, the Kensington Rifles, and the London Scottish, have had their camp on Frith Hill, about three miles away. Saturday was the last day of the camps and at night various farewell dinners were held. Towards eleven o'clock the men prepared to return to their camp after spending a very pleasant evening. There were between fifty and sixty of them and instead of making their way back in small parties Squadron Sergeant Major Maxwell formed them up, and the marched off in fours along the main London-Southampton road, this being the direct route from the hotel to Old Dean. The little column set off at a good marching pace and were singing. They had only gone about fifty yards when a motor-car, travelling in the same direction, overtook them and before the Territorials were aware of it's approach ran right into the rear of the column. Several of the men were knocked down. in the words of an eye-witness, they went down like ninepins all over the road and when the car stopped three of the Territorials were found under it. Many of the men sustained minor abrasions, but it was found that four were somewhat seriously hurt. Medical aid was at once summoned and Dr Herbert E Rayner and Dr W L Stuart were quickly in attendance. Private Knight was the most injured of the four and his immediate removal to the Camberley and Frimley District Cottage Hospital was decided upon. He was taken to that institution in the car which had caused the damage. Privates Robert and Hopps were detained at the hotel, the latter suffering from concussion. After his injures were attended to Private Marshall was removed to the Old Dean Camp. It transpired that the car belonged to Mr Laurence T Bonstead of Bangor Lodge, Ascot. In it at the time of the accident were Mr. Clive Bonstead, son on the owner and a cadet at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. A chauffeur was driving and Mr. Bonstead Junior was sitting by his side. THREATS TO LYNCH THE DRIVER. For a time it appeared that there would be considerable trouble as the outcome of the accident. Some of the Territorials, it is alleged threatened to lynch the chauffeur and to smash the car. The glass of the headlight was smashed by some of the military canes. Police Sergeant Kenward, of the Surrey Constabulary and several of his constables were quickly on the scene, as were also Sergeant Tapsell, of the Military Mounted Police and a Corporal of that force. The sergeant-major in charge of the Yeomanry soon had his men, who were naturally indignant at the occurrence, under control Beyond the smashing of the glass of the headlight no material damage was done. Except for the three injured men, who had to be left behind, the Territorials subsequently returned to their camps/. A board of officers which inquired into the affair, has exonerated the Territorials from blame. The three injured men have bee allowed to go home.