In the 1911 census, we see that the family has expanded with the birth of a daughter Gertrude
Nevillia Vyvyan, born on 13th May 1906. They are living at 53 Stanwell Road, and Hugh Norris is
a ships broker. Beresford is a boarder at Kendal Grammar School, Westmorland. Beresford was
educated at Penarth County School and from 1905-1908 at Jesus College, Oxford University, where
he gained a first class mathematics degree.
(Memorial to WW1 dead at Jesus College, Oxford.)
Beresford enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery at the outbreak of war. In 1899 the Royal Artillery
was divided into three groups, the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery, the Royal
Garrison Artillery and lastly the Royal Artillery, which was responsible for ammunition storage and
supply. The RFA and the RHA both dressed as mounted soldiers, whereas the RGA dressed like
foot soldiers. The First World War brought with it a massive expanse of the Royal Artillery. By
1917 there were 1,769 batteries in over 400 brigades totalling 548,000 men.
The Royal Artillery prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ,
Who dost everywhere lead thy people in the way of righteousness,
Vouch safe so as to lead the Royal Regiment of Artillery,
That wherever we serve, on land or sea or in the air,
We may win the glory of thy will
Amen”