WW1 Swagger stick with a story
 

Hi Guy’s,

A few years ago I bought a RM swagger stick with silver fittings. It was a standard swagger stick measurements of 27 inch long. It was a little strange as it had a Victoria crown but was dated post 1901. It was is great order with that lovely bend that shows it had been carried for a number of years.

The interesting bit was that it was named on the reverse of the crest cap.

‘PTE. G. TREAGUS R.M.L.I.’

Nothing really unusual there really. But once I started to look into this Marine I came across a story ending in the death of two marines early in WW1.
This is the stick.

Interesting stuff (I've just had a quick "look" at who I think is your man) - tell us more.

The first thing I did was try to find his details, this is what came up...

George TREAGUS PO 14656
RND
DOB 02/11/1887 in Petersfield Hants

I downloaded his RM record and found he had been killed on 18/10/1914.
He was part of RNAS. and had been killed in an engagement in Belgium with another marine called Philip Oatley. This engagement is detailed in ‘Britain’s Sea Soldiers by General Sir H.E. Blumberg, K.C.B.

Interesting what a swagger stick can turn up with a bit of research.

Regards
Irv:)

First Name:
G
Surname:
Treagus
DOB:
Circa 1886
Age:
28
Nationality:
British
Date of Death:
18/10/1914
Information:
Parents: Harry and Emily Treagus; husband of Georgina Amelia Treagus, of 81, Chalton, Horndean, Hants. Native of Buriton, Petersfield, Hants.
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
PO/14656
Service:
Royal Marines
Regiment:
Royal Marine Light Infantry
Battalion:
Deal Battalion RN Div
Commemorated:
Britain
The IWGC/CWGC Registers Collection

First Name:
George
Surname:
Treagus
Information:
D.D. 18.10.14. 1914 Star Roll issued to Widow, Mrs G.A. Treagus 19/8/1919, also entitled to the Clasp. Clasp not issued/claimed.
More Information:
Enlisted 10/1/1907 ; Armoured Car Section RNAS 1914 ("Motor Bandits") (listed as Portsmouth Battalion in the 1914 Star Roll) ; Royal Marine Brigade 30/9/14-18/10/14 Discharged Dead.
Further Information:
PORTS029
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
PO/14656
Service:
Royal Marines
Primary Unit:
Royal Marine Light Infantry
The Jack Clegg Memorial Database of the 1914 Star Medal to the Royal Navy & Royal Marines


First Name:
George
Initials:
G
Surname:
Treagus
Nationality:
British
Date of Death:
18/10/1914
Incident Details:
Died of wounds
Information:
I.C.7437/1914
More Information:
Error on Roll, also entitled to the Clasp. Clasp not issued/claimed. Enlisted 10/1/1907 ; Armoured Car Section RNAS 1914 ("Motor Bandits") (listed as Portsmouth Battalion in the 1914 Star Roll) ; Royal Marine Brigade 30/9/14-18/10/14 Discharged Dead.
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
PO/14656
Service:
Royal Marines
Branch:
Royal Marine Light Infantry
Unit:
Armoured Car Section (Attached RNAS)
Royal Marines Campaign Medal Rolls 1914-1920

First Name:
George
Initials:
G
Surname:
Treagus
Nationality:
British
Date of Death:
18/10/1914
Incident Details:
Died of wounds
Information:
Enlisted 10/1/1907 ; Armoured Car Section RNAS 1914 ("Motor Bandits") ; Royal Marine Brigade 30/9/14-18/10/14 Discharged Dead.
More Information:
CWGC, ADM/242 & GRO = Deal Battalion ; CWGC Headstone reads "Deal Battalion" ; Not listed in "With Full & Grateful Hearts" ; 1914 Star Roll = Portsmouth Battalion at Antwerp, widow 19/8/19 ; ADM/159 = DD & no info. ; Fleet Air Arm Museum = no info ; Son of Harry & Emily Treagus. Married 18/10/13 ; Husband of Georgina Amelia Treagus, of 81 Charlton, Horndean, Hants. b.Buriton, Petersfield, Hants. 2/11/1887 ; Action mentioned in Blumberg's History p.114: "About 16/10/14 Captain C. Graham was sent from Poperinghe by Commander Samson with a section of three Cars & 20 men to report to Sir T. Capper, commanding 7th Division, who sent them to reconnoitre & get in touch with the German Cavalry ; this they did well in front of the Menin-Roulers road. On 18/10/14 they went out again & got into action at 50 yards range, losing two men killed ; fortunately the cars had been turned about & approached their objective backward, so that they were able to pick up the men & effect their escape, whilst the 7th Division Artillery demolished the objective, a mill ; the killed were buried in a field near Becelaere (also see Pte. Oatley RMLI).
Rank:
Private
Service Number:
PO/14656
Service:
Royal Marines
Branch:
Royal Marine Light Infantry
Unit:
Armoured Car Section (Attached RNAS)
Royal Naval Division Casualties of The Great War, 1914-1924

Last two images.
Can someone help me decipher the last entry on his servos record.
It says ????? For RM brigade. Can’t work out that first word.

Cheers

Thanks for the extra research! :):):)

Ah, sorry, posted as I thought you'd finished.
I cant find the entry you're asking about?

Found it - Victory for RM Brigade?
I may be way out with this but possibly coming under HMS Victory for pay and admin purposes?

One last thing. Did you notice he was killed on his first wedding anniversary. What a thing for his wife to remember every year!

To the left of the last entry where it shows him ‘Discharged Dead’

Thanks Leigh,

It could very well be ‘Victory’. Would make sense, can’t seem to make anything else fit. I think it was the swirl on the first letter putting me off.

Mention here of HMS Victory re. pay and admin for RM Brigade:

https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/...and-a-rmli-ser

Spot on Leigh:)