Ralph Wheeler (buried 1921)

Ralph was born in the village of Alderbury near Salisbury, Wilts. He was the son of William George Wheeler and his wife Eliza. Ralph trained as a teacher and by 1881 was a master at Taplow Grammar School in Buckinghamshire. On 3rd January 1883, Ralph enlisted in the 2nd Royal Scots Guards and was immediately transferred to the Corps of Army Schoolmasters. He was described as being 5ft 10ins tall with blue eyes and scars on both knees. Ralph married Alexina Gordon Smith at St Giles, Edinburgh on 27th October 1885. The following month he was transferred to the 8th Hussars but still part of the Corps of Army Schoolmasters. Ralph and Alexina went to India with the regiment. Their son Ernest Percival was born on 6th January 1889 in Meerut, Bengal. Sadly, he died on 7th August. A second son, Cuthbert Gordon was born on 3rd January 1890 in Rangoon. The family returned to England in September 1891 where Cuthbert died in Alderbury at the end of the year. Ralph was based at Aldershot, Hants until March 1892. A son, Ralph Gordon was born during this time. From January 1893 until January 1897, the family were based at the Garrison School in Edinburgh. They travelled to Malta next and stayed there until April 1902. From 1903, Ralph was teaching at the Garrison School, Shornecliffe Camp, Cheriton, Kent. After serving thirty years in the Army, Ralph was discharged on 2nd January 1913. He gave his intended address as "Brierlea" Kingsland Road, Broadwater, Worthing. He received the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. The family later moved to 39 Rowlands Road where Ralph died on 20th March 1921. No probate.