The Wipers Times Exposé: Staff, Suspects, and Witnesses

Updates

This is a dynamic post and will continue to be updated. The following is a list of changes.

31 July 2026:

Major: Accounts moved to their own post, except for QMS Leslie WL Tyler (for now). This is because I believe that there is more to his story. Private Johnson has been moved from Suspects to Staff, and details have been added. A new Suspect, John Francis Innes Hay Doyle, was added.

Minor: The Witness list has been updated, including entries about the Hall family, which formed part of the introduction for this post.

15 January 2026.

Minor: Typo corrected in Earnet James Couzens entry.

1 August 2024.

Errata: An earlier version of this article incorrectly credited the spoof of Sherlock Holmes stories to Captain C. J. Lodge Patch.

1 November 2023.

Major: Details about E. Couzens were added to Staff.

Minor: Background changes to how this page works so that it can be updated more easily, as well as links to other entries in this series.

29 July 2023.

Major: Sergeant Turner has moved from Suspects to Staff, and a new Witness, Dr. Alfred Caepeneel, has been added to Witnesses.

Minor: Aliases used by Captain Patch added and confirmation of the BBC journalist’s name.

Wipers Staff

I’ve compiled the following list of people who I am confident worked on the paper, having either seen primary source material to that effect, or their involvement has been well-established. This list is by no means complete, notably missing men from the rank and file, but I believe this is the most complete list of Wipers Staff so far.

Name	Notes	Sources
Sapper Ernest James Couzens	Engraver, known infamously for creating the illustration of the officer under the caption ‘Am I as Offensive as I might be’ (22 May 1916). Born, 25 April 1882, Penge, Surrey. Died, 26 December 1955, Surrey According to 1911 Census, and 1939 registry, profession was a wood engraver. Spent most of his life at the address: 81 Carlton Park Avenue, Surrey. Served in the Royal Engineers, service number 94321, between1 September 1915 and 5 May 1919. Earned the rank Corporal.	Wipers Times 1911 Census 1939 Registry England and Wales Probate 1858-1995 Medal Card Royal Engineers Roll of Individuals entitled to Decoration
Gilbert Frankau	Writer – behind poems in the Wipers Times such as: ‘Some Dream’ (20 March 1916), ‘The Nuts of the Old Brigade’ (3 July 1916), ‘Long Ago’ (25 December 1917).	Wipers Times
Dorothy Violet Hall	Writer of the feature ‘Violet’s Chronicles of Fashion’, for example see issue 3 July 1916.	See the Identity of ‘Violet’ from Violet’s Chronicle of Fashion See also, a Picture of Dorothy Hall emerges
Private John ‘Jack’ Manifold Johnson	Private who discovered both the original, and second, press used in the production of the Wipers Times. Also was the paper’s compositor. Born, 1879, Chapel En Frifth, Buxton Died, 13 June 19166, Buried in Buxton Cemetery Spent most of his life at the address: 14 Hollins Street, Chapel En Le Frifth Served in the 12th Sherwood Foresters, service number 16752, between 13 September 1914 and February 1919.	See Jack Johnson, The Private who Discovered the Press
2nd Lieutenant Stanley Melborne Mohr	Publisher and later Editor, after April 1917. Also was known by the nickname ‘Gunner’.	See the Letters of Thomas Emmanuel Ward
Captain C.J. Lodge Patch	Writer He used the aliases; CLP, RMO, Pip Pip in his contributions to the Wipers, as well as being behind the articles ‘Camouflage’, ‘Thoughts’, and possibly ‘Profit and Loss’, With thank to Michael Lucas for the information.	Michael Lucas, The Real ‘General Mitford’ – Sudan, South Africa, Loos, Somme, Passchendaele (Birchington: Michael Lucas, 2022)
Lieutenant Jack Hesketh Pearson	Sub-Editor.	Wipers Times
Sergeant George Turner	The Printer, (Sometimes incorrectly credited as W. Turner) Service number 16862	See the Printer and The Presses
Lieutenant J.O. Twiss	‘Officer in Command of the Printing Press’ Produced the Evening edition of the Wipers which was the Avesnes Advertiser Worked on the paper when it was renamed the Better Times in 1918.	See the Forgotten Evening Edition of the Wipers Times
Captain Frederick Roberts	Founder, Editor, and writer.	Established
Lieutenant Thomas Moore Emmanuel Ward	Wrote the spoof advert ‘Professor Dodgits Academy’ (22 May 1916) and possibly wrote further contributions.	See the Letters of Thomas Emmanuel Ward
Lieutenant Richard Donald Bell Woods	First Publisher onthe Wipers Times	Wipers Times

The name Sergeant Tyler has been associated with the paper — as its printer — and was the name of the character in the 2017 stage-adaption of Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s 2013 Film — a change from the character name in the film.¹ In a 2016 interview, Ian Hislop said:

All of the incredible stuff is true. We’ve even managed to find a newspaper cutting from the sergeant, Tyler, who used to work on Fleet Street, in which he writes back home to his local newspaper to inform them they’ve found a press and started printing a magazine for the troops. He tells them how well it’s being received and mentions that they should try to get their hands on a copy, as it will be worth a lot of money in time. It was an incredible thought to have.²

The article in question is the following, which appeared in the Nottingham Evening Post in March 1916:

“The Wipers Times.”

SHERWOOD PIONEERS TURN OUT A NEWSPAPER

The war has been responsible for the appearance of many amateur newspapers at the front, which will undoubtedly have a more than sentimental value in future years. The 12th Sherwood Foresters (Pioneers) by, shall we say a fortunate accident, and now finding a little relaxation \[sic\] from more strenuous duties in producing a little journal which is gaining a rapidly increasing circle of readers. In a letter to his parents at West Bridgford, Q.M.S. Leslie W. L. Tyler relates how he become the publisher.

“The other week,” he says, “we found in a knocked-down shop a printing machine also some printer’s ink, paper, type, &c. Then we started to clean the half-bricks and mortar out of it and get it into ship-shape order. This we did and started to publish a paper periodically when time and Huns permitted, which we called the The Wipers Times, and Salient News. One or two of our officers joined us in the undertaking — the captain being editor, another officer sub-editor, and your humble was made publisher. Well, we got going and turned out the first issue of 100 copies. We all had one each and sent one to the colonel, second in command, adjutant, and all the officers. Two days after the first issue was published, the general commanding our division set for one or two. He went to G.H.Q., and now we have to send one to H.Q., every publication, one each for the Staff, one for Divisional Staff, and several others and we have to strike off about 250 copies each issue…. I am sending a copy to you under another cover. No doubt it will be of some value in time to come, so hang on to it like grim death.”

Q.M.S. Tyler, an old High School boy, who enlisted in the City Battalion at the outbreak of the war, says, “I Wish they would make all the ‘slackers’ join up and so help to relive some of the boys in the trenches and give them a longer rest when they come from the ‘doings’… Where will they be and what will they answer to the boys when they come home? I wouldn’t like to be one of them. For the feeling is rather warm against them out here.”³

The part I am finding interesting in terms of evidence, is that QMS Tyler has managed to ‘Pull our legs’ from beyond the grave — which I am sure the ghosts of the Wipers Times are quietly chuckling about. When I was going through the letters of Thomas Ward, I came across this one from 2 April 1916, one week after Tyler’s article appeared, which calls out Tyler’s letter for being ‘One long lie’.

Though Ward mistakes the Nottingham Evening Post for the Nottingham Guardian, it is certain that he is referring to the letter in the Post — with thanks to the staff at the Nottingham Local Studies Library for confirming no letter from Tyler, nor any reference to the Wipers, appeared in the Guardian at the time in question. From checking Tyler’s records, he was also only 19 at the time. The mentioned correction never appeared in the paper, but of note is that in the following days two other accounts of the Wipers appeared in separate publications, from officers within the battalion. The first was written by Captain E.J. Neale in the Hastings and Leonard Observer, and the second in the Guernsey Evening Press and Star by Major Harry Shirwell. Both are reproduced below — I can’t help but wonder if this was perhaps orchestrated to make a bit of noise (this was also the time that a copy was sent to Tatler) and, if so, was Tyler guilty of nothing more than being overenthusiastic?

Another name that has been associated more commonly with the printer on the paper is a Sergeant Turner, and from an email exchange with Nick Newman, he and Hislop believed it was Turner originally, but changed the name after coming across Tyler’s letter for the play.[^7] A visit to the archives of the Sherwood Foresters in August 2023, confirmed that it was indeed Sergeant Turner who was the printer, see part 4.

Suspects

The following is a list of names who I suspect were involved with the paper at some point, however, I have not yet found any other information.⁴

Source Year	Name	Notes	Sources	My notes
1916	Peter [Last name unknown]	A sketch titled ‘Our Heroes Troubles’ is credited as ’Sketch by “Peter” Engraver, Sapper E.J. Couzens.	Wipers Times, 6 March 1916, p.2	NA
1944	Captain W.J. Asher	Article about camp journals (SWW). The journalist (perhaps T. Leslie Allen? See accounts) mentions one of his most prized possessions is a dog-eared copy of the Wipers Times . They mention that the first issues were published in an old printing house just off the square of Ypres. Then mentions the editor was Lt. Col. S. J. Roberts, sub-editor Lt. Col. J. H. Pearson, D.S.O, and the publisher was Capt. W. J. Asher, of Mapperley Hall-Drive. Noting Asher still has a copy of each issue.	Nottingham Evening Post, 3 July 1944, p.3.	Awarded the MC for conspicuous gallantry in in 1917. Was taken prisoner in March 1918. Only son of Mr and Mrs J W Asher Bridlesmith-gate Nottingham. Educated at Nottingham High School, where he was an active member of the OTC and obtained his commission in November 1914. Attended a ceremony at Buckingham Palace to receive his cross in February 1920 Nottingham Evening Post, 27 February 1917. Also very active in the battalions reunions, for example, see Nottingham Evening Post, 4 December 1931, p.10.
1952	Captain William Hurst Sherwin	Obituary for Sherwin mentions that he was a captain with the 12th Sherwood foresters and was associated with the Wipers Time . He was also chairman of the Nottingham Cricket Association and was well-known in the cricket world – from working at the firm of Gun and Moore, Ltd., in the production of cricket bats­­ – a role he succeeded from his father.”	Nottingham Evening Post, 20 December 1952, p.5.	Sherwin also lived ‘just around the corner’ from The Hall’s. A 1919 article gives his address as Hope Drive, The Park Nottingham. Nottingham Evening Post, 24 June 1919, p.5.
1964	Lieutenant Colonel Morgan	Article recounting an interview on television that took place the night before featuring Turner and Morgan. Mentioned as one of Sergeant Turner’s colleagues on the paper. There is a letter in the Sherwood Foresters Archive from Morgan to Turner, confirming a friendship. See Also Sergeant W. Turner And T. Leslie Allen	Nottingham Evening Post, 18 November 1964, p.18 Museum of the Mercian Regiment, Sergeant Turner’s Papers, 2019-8020	Having contacted the Media Archive for Central England, I found it was not broadcast on ATV, which leaves only ITV or BBC. 15/08/23 BBC archives have been unable to find any trace of the interview in their archives.
1977	Sergeant Oliver Holmes	Four original editions of the magazine were presented to the Derbyshire Archives by his daughter Mrs Minnie Collie, The article notes that the papers were originally presented to Holmes by Roberts. Holmes lived at Market Street, Clay Cross. He volunteered for active service duty in 1914 and served until 1919. He was mentioned in despatches and received the Oakleaf Decoration.	Long Eaton Advertiser, 13 January 1977, p.9. See also, Nottingham Evening Post, 23 December 1976, p.4.	“Oliver Holmes (1887-1960) Service number 6963 1911 Census has his occupation as Iron Founders Pattern Maker. Derbyshire record office reference for deposited copies: D1712 - Sergeant Oliver Holmes of Clay Cross, First World War soldier - 1916-1918 Further information from Derbyshire archives Oliver Holmes (1887-1960) served in the 12th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, British Expeditionary Force. He volunteered for active service in 1914 and served until 1919. He was mentioned in dispatches and received the Oakleaf Decoration. He lived in Clay Cross, and for many years he was actively involved with the St John Ambulance Brigade, reaching the rank of Divisional Superintendent. He married Minnie Roe on 25 December 1913.”
NA	NA	NA	NA	Oliver Holmes (1887-1960) Service number 6963 1911 Census has his occupation as Iron Founders Pattern Maker. Derbyshire record office reference for deposited copies: D1712 - Sergeant Oliver Holmes of Clay Cross, First World War soldier - 1916-1918 Further information from Derbyshire archives Oliver Holmes (1887-1960) served in the 12th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, British Expeditionary Force. He volunteered for active service in 1914 and served until 1919. He was mentioned in dispatches and received the Oakleaf Decoration. He lived in Clay Cross, and for many years he was actively involved with the St John Ambulance Brigade, reaching the rank of Divisional Superintendent. He married Minnie Roe on 25 December 1913.
NA	John Francis Innes Hay Doyle (1873-1919)	Served as the Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General (AA QMG) of the 24 Division between September 1915 and December 1917. This may need to move to Witness rather than Suspects, but there is one article in the Wipers, ‘A Story without a moral’, which appears in the BEF Times, 10 April 191, p.8, which refers to him by rank. However, he is on the suspect list because he was the nephew of Arthur Conan Doyle. Given the number of Sherlock Holmes spoofs in the Wipers, this requires further investigation.	NA	NA

Witnesses

The following, mainly taken from newspapers, is where an individual has mentioned the Wipers Times. There seems to have been an attempt by the BBC in 1964 to create a documentary on the Wipers, led by a producer named Chris Rainbow which never saw the light of day. From newspaper accounts, it appears he did pick up an array of photographs, accounts, and ephemera, and it would be interesting to find out what happened to them.

T.S. Leslie Allen is notable, as not only did he serve in the 12th Sherwood Foresters, but was also a local journalist in Nottingham, and I suspect some of the articles that mentioned Wipers in the Nottingham area may be by him.

Source Year	Name	Notes	Sources	My notes
1875-1970	Henry Cecil Hall	The brother of Dorothy Violet Hall; I believe he is the key to uncovering more information about her. The photo of Henry Cecil Hall in part one of this series also features Miss Doreen Robinson, who not only lived on the same street but would later marry Captain C. B. Venn, an Officer in the Sherwood Foresters. There is also the Shepstone Brewery connection, with both Henry Hall and Thomas Ward knowing the family.	NA	These notes originally formed part of the introduction on this page. They have been placed here for now
1894-1976	Annie Selena Hall	Dorothy’s younger sister. An interesting comment left on the second article in this series, by table tennis historian Steve Grant, pointed out that Dorothy’s sister was a runner up in the national table tennis competition in 1923 and competed in the world table tennis championships, held in London, in 1926 – you can read the article here. Steve also points out that in the ‘Chronicles of Violet’, which featured in the 3 July 1916 issue of the Wipers, Violet writes about ‘her poultry farm’ – as it turns out, the Halls did keep chickens, which they sold through adverts in the Nottingham Evening Post.	NA	These notes originally formed part of the introduction on this page. They have been placed here for now
1916	Captain E. J. Neale	Provides an early account of the paper (see accounts)	Hastings and Leonards Observer, 25 March 1916, p.7.	NA
1916	Major Harry Shirwell	Provides an early account of the paper (see accounts)	Guernsey Evening Press and Star, 28 March 1916, p.2.	NA
1916	Albert ‘Sabretache’ Stewart Barrow	Writer for Tatler, who introduced the Wipers to a much wider audience. He was known as the London Godfather of the Wipers Times. Strongly believed to be the connection between the Wipers and Dorothy Violet Hall, having introduced Fred Roberts to Dorothy after Roberts wrote to Sabretache in May 1916.	see part one	Update planned
1916	Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Roberts Mobbs	Article is about a War Bazaar in the town hall, to raise over £5,000 for the local Red Cross Society, The General Hospital, and the Prisoners of War Fun, and the Agricultural relief of Allies. There was a display of ‘War Relics’ and within these were copies of the Wipers Times, lent by Colonel Edgar Roberts.	Northampton Chronicle and Echo, 19 October 1916. [Western Front Association] (https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/on-this-day/31-july-1917-lt-col-edgar-robert-mobbs-dso/ ), retrieved 10 July 2023.	NA
1916	RSM A.C. Pykett Sergeant Calladine CQMS Tudge CQMS Slack CSM Hammersley CQMS Elleray QMS Tyler	Taken from the Toast list, of the 1916 Staff Sergeants Dinner. The menu for the event was printed on the same presses as the Wipers Times.	Museum of the Mercian Regiment, Sergeant Turner’s Papers, 2019-8020	NA
1918	Second Lieutenant Andrew Richard Buxton	In an entry dated 19 March 1916, he mentions that there is a paper issued here called the Wipers, said to be only 100 copies, and that he is fortunate to own No. 3 as a ‘someday’ souvenir.	Andrew R. Buxton: Rifle Brigade, a Memoir,edited by Edward S. Woods(London: Robert Scott, 1918)	NA
1944	Sergeant Gooding Sergeant Daley Sergeant Rice Corporal Boddice Corporal Austin Lance Corporal Tennant Private Davenport Private Oxley Private Edison Private Abell Private Connaughton Private Dunstan	Follow up article that mentions Captain Asher. (See Captain Asher) The article features a picture of a concert programme printed on the same presses as the Wipers times. Several names appear on the front of the programme and are listed here.	Nottingham Evening Post, 3 July 1944, p.3.	NA
1962	Alderman H.B.W. Creswell	An article from Creswell, saying he has received binding copies of the Wipers Times that have bought back memories. He tells the story of finding the press, and Creswell also mentions that the former sub-editor of ‘The Coventry Standard’ was there later – but does not name him. It does give the impression the editor was involved. See also Sergeant Pollock	Coventry Standard, 15 June 1962.	NA
1962	Sergeant Pollock	Mentioned in the Creswell article as being a Red-Cap present in the area. See also Alderman H.B.W. Creswell	Coventry Standard, 15 June 1962.	NA
1964	Chris Rainbow (Also mistakenly referred to as Chris Rainham in other sources)	BBC producer who put a call out in several newspapers for a planned programme by the BBC. Note there are two Sergeants involved whose names he cannot trace.	Gloucester Citizen, 22 August 1964, p.7.	NA
1964	Colonel John Stubbs	Article stating that Col. John Stubbs, an army public relations officer at Bestwood Lodge, is looking for copies of the Wipers Times or anyone who has any documentary references to it.	Nottingham Guardian, 5 September 1964, p.6.	NA
1964	Arthur Gibson	A follow up to the Chris Rainbow call for information about the Wipers Times. Arthur Gibson responded, saying it was printed by the 12th Bn. Sherwood foresters and he remembers the humorous ads. His address is given as 329 Nottingham Road, Derby.	Hull Daily Mail, 11 September 1964, p.6. Derby Daily Telegraph, 15 September 1964, p.15.	NA
1964	A. S. Bacon	A follow up to the Chris Rainbow call for information about the Wipers Times. Bacon, of 7, Home Close, Anlaby Park, Hull writes: they have a complete series of the Wipers Times (one of many to do so)	Hull Daily Mail, 11 September 1964, p.6.	NA
1964	Mr J. Barber	A follow up to the Chris Rainbow call for information about the Wipers Times. Barber, of 208 Max Road, Chaddesden is pictured in the article with a set of bound copies of the paper. It states Barber served with the Battalion at Ypres.	Derby Daily Telegraph, 15 September 1964, p.15.	NA
1964	Major Stanley Whitehead	A follow up to the Chris Rainbow call for information about the Wipers Times. Name checked in the article, and it mentions he served with the Battalion at Ypres.	Derby Daily Telegraph, 15 September 1964, p.15.	NA
1964	A. Foxley	A follow up to the Chris Rainbow call for information about the Wipers Times. Named-checked in the article, address given as 4 Littleover Lane, Derby. Mentions E.A. Blasdale has a photo of Sergeant Turner. See E. A Blasdale	Derby Daily Telegraph, 15 September 1964, p.15.	NA
1964	E. A. Blasdale	A follow up to the Chris Rainbow call for information about the Wipers Times. Article mentions that Blasdale, of 10 Quarry Hill Road, Iklkeson, has a photograph of Sergeant Turner, who helped with another Sergeant to produce the paper.	Derby Daily Telegraph, 15 September 1964, p.15.	NA
1964	T. Leslie Allen	Nottingham journalist who lived at West Bridgford. The 7 September piece is a letter from Allen in response to the Colonel John Stubbs request, and Allen writes: ‘I was a sergeant in the 12th Battalion and occasionally saw the Times being set up in type (it was an awful hotch-potch of founts scrounged in the ruins of Ypres). It could only be produced as circumstances permitted, of course.’ He also states: ‘Its editor at the startwas Roberts.’ November article. Is in reference to a TV interview the night before which featured Sgt. W. Turner and ‘one of his colleagues on the paper, Lt. Col. Morgan’. It mentions Allen can remember seeing Mr Turner setting type for the Wipers Times in Ypres 1916 See also Col. Stubbs See also Sergeant. W. Turner See also Dr. Alfred Caepeneel	Nottingham Guardian, 7 September 1964, p.4. Nottingham Evening Post, 18 November 1964, p.18.	Editor’s footnote under Allen letter reads: Mr Allen, who joined the Sherwood Foresters at the outbreak of the 1914-18 war from the old Nottingham Daily Express, was the first Nottingham newspaper man to be in France.
1964	Dr. Alfred Caenepeel	One of the founders of the Last Post Comitee, and the Flanders Field Museum. Was in contact with Sergeant Turner, as well as Leslie Allen, and possibly others, in regards to the Wipers Times and the Ypres area. If there exists a detailed account of the Wipers, it is likely it is in his papers. See also T. Leslie Allen See also Sergeant. W. Turner	See part 4.	Furture Article Planned
1977	Mrs Minnie Collie	Of Ashover, Derbyshire Donated four original editions to the Derbyshire Archives. See Sergeant Oliver Holmes	Long Eaton Advertiser, 13 January 1977, p.9	NA
1999	Captain David Lewes	Auction report, noting the sale of a complete run of the Wipers Times, once belonging to Captain David Lewes. Notes he was a friend of Roberts	Nottingham Evening Post, 20 July 1999, p.11.	NA