The War Memorials, Names on Matlock's Memorial, Surnames K

Background information about those who died is provided.
There are photos of war graves at Arras, Etaples, Thiepval, Wimille and Wimereux elsewhere on this site

Search by name (below) *New Navigation* | Also see Abbreviations used

A. KEELING W. KEELING G. E. KENWORTHY J. A. C. KERSEY C. J. KNOWLES W. R. KNOWLES J. LAND F. J. LEWIS S. LILL C. H. LILY A. LOVELL H. LOWE J. MARGERRISON J. MILLS B. MILNE R. MILNE J. P. H. MITCHELL G. A. MOORE J. MOXON J. J. MUIR I. MYCOCK F. NIXON W. H. OATES C. PARTRIDGE G. PARTRIDGE A. POULTNEY H. PURSGLOVE J. RADFORD W. RAWSON A. READ C. E. READ W. H. RILEY B. ROUSE W. H. RYLANDS J. SEEDHOUSE G. SELLERS H. SELLORS	Photograph by Mr Terry Moore of Matlock	G. W. STOREY H. SWINSCOE W. E. TAYLOR G. THOMPSON A. THORPE H. TOFT T. F. TOMLINSON A. TOPLIS J. TOPLIS H. TOWE J. W. TWIGG E. VINCENT A. WALL J. WALL L. WALL R. W. WALL T. WALTERS B. WARD R. WARD A. WHEATCROFT F. WHEATCROFT T. WHERRETT F. WHITE C. WILDGOOSE E. H. WILDGOOSE J. H. WILDGOOSE N. WILDGOOSE C. C. WILLCOCK T. WILSON J. WOODHOUSE R. WOODHOUSE W. H. WOODIWISS C. W. WOOLLEY J. WOOLLEY G. P. WRAGG H. WRAGG J. W. WYATT
	Al. SHAW Ar. SHAW E. SIMPSON E. SLATER G. SLATER J. J. SLATER F. SMITH H. SMITH H. SMITH (H. L.) I. SMITH J. SMITH R. SMITH S. A. SMITH W. SMITH A. SPENCER G. STACEY J. STATHAM J. STONE

Abbreviations

DoW - Died of Wounds
KiA - Killed in Action
MM - Military Medal
ToW - Theatre of War
F & F - France and Flanders

M Bank - Matlock Bank
M Bath - Matlock Bath
M Cliff - Matlock Cliff
M Dale - Matlock Dale
M Green - Matlock Green
M Moor - Matlock Moor

Mar - Married
MAVL - Matlock Absent Voter's List (1918)
NoK - Next of Kin
s/o - son of
Unm - Unmarried
WO - War Office

More about those named on the Memorial

KEELING, Alfred [of The Cliff]^[8]
(brother of Wilfred below)
Born M Cliff 1897. Christened at Tansley 21 Mar 1897
KiA 21 Jul 1917, aged 20
Gunner 505th Bty. 65th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
Service No: 135062
ToW: F & F
Awards: MM. Announced in London Gazette 14 Aug 1917 - supplement to, with WO announcement pub 16 Aug 1917
s/o Alfred John and Sarah Ann Keeling, of Matlock Cliff. See 1901 census entry. Later worked in Lumsdale Tape Mill. Enlisted Bakewell.
Derbyshire Courier 17 July 1917
His Military Medal was awarded for gallantry on the field. He and a companion were in front of the first lines with an observation officer when they were discovered by the enemy, who began shelling them. Two men were injured, including the officer. Keeling rendered first aid and after a long struggle got them back to British lines. The battery commander, in field orders, wanted it placed on record his keen appreciation of the gallant act for which the award was given. His brother, Wilfred, had been killed in the early days of the Somme offensive (see below) and brother Gunner George Keeling, R.G.A., was serving (Derbyshire Courier, 17 July 1917). Little more than month after having been informed that her son had been awarded the MM for conspicuous bravery in the field his mother was told that he had been killed and was buried in the field where he fell.

Cemetery: Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Ieper, West-Vlaanderen. It was called Perth (as the predecessors of the 2nd Scottish Rifles were raised in Perth), China Wall (from the communication trench known as the Great Wall of China), or Halfway House Cemetery. The cemetery was used for front line burials until October 1917 when it occupied about half of the present Plot I and contained 130 graves.
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. L. 9.

KEELING, Wilfred [of The Cliff]^[8]
(brother of Alfred above)
Born Matlock 1894 and christened at Tansley 14 Oct 1894
KiA 7 Jul 1916, aged 21
Lance Corporal 10th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 15734
ToW: F & F
s/o Alfred John and Sarah Ann Keeling, of Matlock Cliff, Matlock. See 1901 census entry. Later worked in Hosiery Mill (Lea Mills). He played football with Tansley F.C. and had also been the club secretary.
Enlisted 1914. His parents were told by Lichfield that he had been missing since 7 July, the date eventually confirmed that he had died ("Derbyshire Courier, 22 August 1916).
In early September 1916 an impressive memorial service was held at Christ Church, Dethick, Lea and Holloway, for three Lea Mills employees who had all been killed in the previous two months: 2nd Lieut Marsden-Smedley, aged 19; Corpl. Wilfred Keeling; and Private Harold Marsh, who had been killed on 12 August. The officiating clergy Canon Kewley of Matlock, Rev. W. J. Latham (late Vicar at Lea) and Rev. G. K. Wigram.

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme (see See War Graves photos (Thiepval British Memorial) elsewhere on this site).
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.

KENWORTHY, George Ernest^[1]
Born Matlock 1887
KiA 10 Nov 1917, aged 29
Gunner 135th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
Service No: 104595
ToW: F & F
s/o Henry and Elizabeth Kenworthy, of Matlock; husband of Annie Kenworthy, of Bank Rd., Matlock. Family living at Jackson Row in the 1891 census and at 7 Wellington St in the 1901 census. Educated at All Saints', where he eventually became a pupil teacher under Mr. R. Baker, where his sister also taught. He was in his first year in the role in 1903 and was attending Latin classes with the vicar. Both he and a female colleague attended the Technical Classes for drawing. He left All Saints' on 7 Sep 1906 and went to Peterborough Training College on 12th September. George was an acting headmaster of Matlock Town School during WW1 and also taught at the Technical School. Before meeting with an accident on the playing field he had assisted Bradford City in first class football, subsequently playing for Matlock Town Football Club.
He mar Annie, daughter of William Doxey, at All Saints in 1914. One son, Harry W. Enlisted Matlock.
He was immensely popular in Matlock. He was killed by an exploding shell.
A floral tribute laid at the memorial unveiling ceremony from his parents said that he was "killed near Nieuport".
Cemetery: Coxyde Military Cemetery, Koksijde, West-Vlaanderen. It became the most important of the Commonwealth cemeteries on the Belgian coast and was used at night for the burial of the dead brought back from the front line.

Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. L. 1.
Also commemorated St. Giles (parents Harry and Lizzie also on headstone) More Info

KERSEY, John Aubrey Cecil [John Oxbury/Orbery Cecil in some records]^[1]
Born 1894 Derby and christened there 14 Apr 1895
Died 26 Sep 1915, aged 20
Lance Corporal 1/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 1456
ToW: F & F
s/o John and Isabella Maria Kersey, of 1, King's Terrace, Smedley St. W., Matlock. He had two brothers and 3 sisters. Living Hatfield in 1901. When he lived in Matlock he worked as a tar boiler at the Asphalt works.
When he enlisted in the Territorials on 14 June 1911 at Matlock he gave his occupation as Labourer employed by James Smart. Died from nephritis at 2 General Hospital, Le Havre (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364).

Cemetery: Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre
Grave/Memorial Reference: Div. 19. I. 9.
Also commemorated St. Giles (with parents) More Info

VLA5048 - one of his brothers was in the group.

KNOWLES, Charles Joshua^[4]
(brother of Walter below)
Born Matlock 1888
KiA 21 Mar 1918 ("Soldiers Died" gives death as 31 Mar 1918)
Private 1st Bn. attd. 16th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 36204
ToW: F & F
s/o John George and Mary Ann Knowles, of Riber Hill Side, Matlock. See the family in the 1891 census | the 1901 census.
He had worked for Annie Outram of Riber, a distant relative of his father, from 25 Sep 1909 and he was to receive 5s and food each week for his labour. She reduced his wages, and he was then dismissed for failing to milk the cows on one occasion when he had toothache. Annie also missed paying him on occasion so he eventually sued her for a reduction in his wages (See the Outrams in the 1901 census).
Charles then moved to Langley to work with his brother Frank.
Enlisted Matlock 23 Nov 1915, giving his occupation as carter, and was mobilized 21 Feb 1916.
He embarked on 12 Oct 1916, joined the 16th Sherwoods on the 20th and was posted to the Field on the 27th of that month. (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364).
There must have been no long term ill-feeling with Mrs. Outram. He was a similar age to her children and the photos of Charles, and memorial card, are here today because the Outrams kept them in family albums.
Charles was one of 8 Matlock men to die or be killed on 21st Mar 1918, the first day of the German 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht - their big push. He was reported missing between 21 and 31 March. The Derby Daily Telegraph of 1 and 3 June 1918 listed him as missing and he was later assumed to have died on the 21st March.

His home address was given as Riber Side in the MAVL (1918).

Memorial: Pozieres Memorial (6 km north-east of Albert). The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.
Memorial Reference: Panel 52 to 54.
Also commemorated St. Giles (with parents and brother) More MI Info

Memorial Cards, Surnames D-R

His Army records at enlistment
state that he had a scar
above the left eyebrow.

KNOWLES, Walter Robert^[4]
(brother of Charles above)
Born Matlock 1898
KiA: 13 Dec 1917, aged 19
Private 2nd/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 26963
ToW: F & F
s/o John George and Mary Ann Knowles, of Riber Hill Side, Matlock. See the 1901 census.
Enlisted Matlock. Before joining up he had worked for Mrs. Whittaker, the mineral water manufacturer of Matlock Bath. From the scanty information available at the time of his death, it seems he was killed whilst asleep.

Cemetery: Ribecourt Road Cemetery, Trescault, Pas de Calais (13 km south-west of Cambrai)
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 16.
Also commemorated St. Giles (with parents and brother) More MI Info

LAND, John^[1]
Born Belper 1878. The 1881 census shows his birthplace as New Normanton (Shardlow District)
DoW 14 Jan 1917, France, aged 39
Lance Serjeant 1st/6th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 2374
ToW: F & F
s/o Jerman (or German) and Caroline Land (nee Wagstaffe): Mrs Land had been born in Bonsall and the couple married there on 6 Sep 1783. The family were living with their three children in Belper in 1881 and Jerman was employed as a stonemason. Three year old John was recorded as a scholar. Caroline Land was shown as widowed in 1891; John was not at home as he was then working as a farm servant for a farmer, William J. Vickers, on Cross Roads Farm, Ashbourne Road, Belper. Caroline returned to Bonsall with her children and John joined the staff at Smedleys where he was employed as a Night Watchman - see the 1901 census entry - but later as a bath attendant/nurse. His name crops up in reports of the meetings of Matlock Cycling Club as he was a member.
John enlisted at Chesterfield at a very early stage in the war, but had been put on Reserve. By Jan 1917 he had been out in France for two years. He had won all his promotions at the front. His family were wired to tell them that he was in No.2 Clearing Hospital with a dangerous wound to the head but a second wire followed informing them that he had died ("Derbyshire Courier", 20 January 1917).
He had mar Ada Thompson at All Saints' in 1910. The couple had 2 children (twins), John Norman and Ada Marion. They were living with Ada's brother, the local blacksmith Chadwin Thompson, on Bakewell Road in 1911. When John died Ada was living at Hazel House, Crown Square, Matlock. Ada remarried in 1920, becoming the third wife of Joseph Allen of Dimple Farm.
See: The Allen Family of Dimple Farm

Cemetery: Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, Somme.
Grave Reference: III. J. 10.

LEWIS, Frederick Joseph
Born Great Longstone 1886
DoW 4 Oct 1918
Private 1st/8th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment).
Service No: 203761
ToW: F & F
s/o Joseph and Mary Lewis. Living Matlock by the 1901 census and working as a confectioner's errand boy. The family's address was Dimple Terrace in 1911, when he was employed in the building trade as a joiner. He worked with his father. Mar Agnes Emma Pidcock at Farley Hillside Congregational Church in 1913. Enlisted Derby. 2 daughters. His sister had married F J Wheatcroft who is also on the memorial.
Cemetery: Tincourt New British Cemetery, Somme (about 7 km east of Peronne)
Grave Reference: V. J. 32.

Also commemorated St. Giles More Info
In 1908 he sent a postcard to his future wife - see St. John's Church, Cliff Road (2).

LILL, Sydney^[1]
Born [Bradford] Gorton, Manchester, LAN 1885
DoW 10th General Hospital, Rouen 17 Jul 1916, aged 31
Private 9th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
Service No: S/11875
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Emily Ann Lill, of "Hope Villa," New St., Matlock. By the 1901 census living Matlock and working as an errand boy. Sydney later worked as a Joiner, firstly for John William Wildgoose and then for a Manchester timber merchant where he lived with his aunt and uncle, James and Mary Ann Eden in Bradford.
Enlisted Manchester.

News of his death, from gunshot wounds to the knee and neck, was sent by a telegram from the Records Office in Perth. "Before joining the Army he was employed as a joiner on military hut construction works. He had not worked in the Matlocks for about six years, but prior to that time he was employed by Mr. J. W. Wildgoose, builder and contractor, Matlock. Another brother, Driver Herbert Lill, R.A.S.C., is at present attached to a field ambulance unit at Salonika, but he has served in France for about a year" (Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal, 21 July 1916).

The front page of the Derbyshire Courier of 22 July 1916 was filled with pictures of the dead and wounded, including a photo of Sydney, and it caption was "Toll of the Big Push : Derbyshire Casualties".

His sister Edith married James Elston Slater, another casualty.

Buried: St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen
Grave Reference: A. 31. 12.

Harry Clay and Albert Frederick Wall Holmes are also buried in the St Sever Cemetery.

LILY, C. H.
The entry below is the only one found who would fit the names on the memorial. No baptism has been found in the UK, nor has a search of census returns. However, there was a family called Lilley living in Matlock in both 1881 and 1891.
LILLY, Clarence Henry
Nationality: New Zealand
Private 1st Bn. Wellington Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
Died 8 Jun 1917
Service No: 20369
s/o Mr. and Mrs. John Lilly, of Kaimiro, Inglewood, Taranaki.

Memorial: Messines Ridge (N.Z.) Memorial

LOVELL, Arthur Edwin
Born Thurleigh, BDF 1 Oct 1893.
KiA 21 Aug 1915 - Killed at Gallipoli in the Dardanelles
Private 9th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 13263
ToW: Balkan
Eldest s/o Thomas and Caroline Lovell, Manor Cottages, Thurleigh. His father was a shepherd and in 1911 Arthur was still in Thurleigh, working as a farm labourer but entered service at Matlock Station in 1913. See Matlock Station Staff, 1911 - 1966, K - Y.
Enlisted Derby 25th Aug 1914, giving his occupation as Goods Porter (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364).
The 9th Bn. Sherwood Foresters was formed at Derby 24 Aug 1914, moving first to Grantham and then, in April 1915, to Frensham area. In July 1915 the regiment embarked at Liverpool for Mudros and 20 - 31 July they were at Helles. On 7 Aug 1915 landed at Suvla Bay.

Memorial: Helles Memorial, Turkey
Memorial Reference: Panel 150 to 152.
See photographs of Matlock Recruits, 1914 in The Vernon Lamb Archive, World War One Recruits

LOWE, Horace Wilmot^[6]
Born Chesterfield 1896
DoW 4 Jul 1915, aged 19
Private 1st/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 3117
ToW: F & F
s/o John W and Ann Lowe. His father was a coachman. NoK Mrs. Elizabeth A. Lowe, of Knabb House, Two Dales, Matlock. Family living Chesterfield in 1901 and, following his father's death, moved to Hillside, Darley Dale.
Enlisted Matlock on 15th Oct 1914, although had to re-try as he was ½ an inch short at the first attempt but was 5 feet 1½ inches in height when he was accepted (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364). Davis M. Wildgoose was the Magistrate/Attesting Officer. Before joining the Colours had been employed at one of the Darley nurseries ("Derbyshire Courier", 13 July 1915) and was a keen member of the Matlock Troop of Boy Scouts ("Belper News", 23 July 1915).

Cemetery: Bedford House Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen (2.5 km south of Ieper). Bedford House, sometimes known as Woodcote House, were the names given by the Army to the Chateau Rosendal, a country house in a small wooded park with moats. Although it never fell into German hands, the house and the trees were gradually destroyed by shell fire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Enclosure No.2 IV. B. 64.

He was one of the 120 men of the 2nd/6th Battalion who were transferred to the Service Battalion. They had left Luton on Thursday night, 24 June 1915, then Southampton of Saturday and arrived at the Battalion the following day. He had only been in France a week when, returning from the trenches with a working party, he was killed by a shell. Before enlisting he was a member of the Matlock Troop of Boy Scouts.

The following is the text of the letter which Mrs. Lowe received from Lieut.-Col. Goodman:
"I much regret to inform you of the death of your son, Pte. H. Lowe, who was killed by shell fire early this morning (4th July) when returning with a working party. It will be some comfort to you to realise that he died for his country. He is being buried this afternoon by his comrades, and a cross with inscription will be placed over his grave. Assuring you of the deep sympathy of officers and men, I am, yours faithfully, G. D. Goodman, Lieut. Col."
His body was exhumed and re-buried at Bedford House Cemetery ("Belper News", 23 July 1915).

It is possible he is one of the soldiers whose photo is in The Vernon Lamb Archive.

MARGERRISON, James (Jim)^[1]
Born Matlock 1890
DoW 14 Apr 1918, aged 28
Second Lieutenant 10th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment
s/o James and Elizabeth Margerrison, of Matlock. Living M Green in the 1891 census | the 1901 census. Became a Railway Clerk (Passenger) and was lodging at 37 Redhouse Lane, Bredbury in 1911.

Cemetery: Etaples Military Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: XXVIII. H. 1.
See War Graves photos (Etaples) elsewhere on this site.
Following the death of Herbert Checkley at Gallipoli in 1915 James sent a letter of condolence to Bertie's mother.

Also commemorated locally:
"Derbyshire Courier", 3 April 1920. Soldiers - Liberals.
A brass plaque mounted on an oak support was unveiled in the billiard room of the National Liberal Club. The names of twelve men were engraved, including that of James.
It was unveiled by C. F. White, who said "those men died that we might live in safety".

His name was also included on a bronze memorial plaque unveiled by Lord Hartington in Matlock Conservative Club in honour of their members and stewards ("Derbyshire Courier", 5 June 1920).

MILLS, Job^[1]
Born Matlock 22 Mar 1893
DoW 14 Sep 1915, aged 22
Private 9th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 13272
ToW: Gallipoli
s/o Job and Annie Mills, of Bakewell Rd., Matlock. He was enrolled in the Infants' at All Saints' on 26 Apr 1897 and again on 2 Apr 1900. The family were living Matlock in the 1901 census, when his father was work as a Gas Stoker - they had moved to Matlock between 1881 and 1891. By 1911 they had moved to Bakewell Road and Job (junior) was helping in the business. Enlisted Derby on 25 Aug 1914 giving his trade as a Beer bottler (for Ormes). He was wounded 4 Sep 1915 at Gallipoli, and DoW at 21 General Hospital Alexandria on 14 Sep 1915 (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364).

The 9th Bn. Sherwood Foresters was formed at Derby 24 Aug 1914, moving first to Grantham and then, in April 1915, to Frensham area. In July 1915 the regiment embarked at Liverpool for Mudros and 20 - 31 July they were at Helles. On 7 Aug 1915 landed at Suvla Bay.

Buried: Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery. This Cemetery (originally the Garrison cemetery) was used for burials until April 1916
Memorial Reference: F. 128.

MILNE, Bernard^[4]
Born Derby 1899 and christened at Derby St Andrew on 8 Mar 1899, although another record states this took place at Cromford on 6 Mar.
KiA 9 Apr 1918, aged 19.
Private 9th (Northumberland Hussars) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
Service No: 60012
ToW: F & F
Second s/o John (d.1916) and Lydia (nee Wood) Milne; John Milne was a grocer when Bernard was christened but became a Clerk on the Midland Railway . The family were then living on Burton Road, Derby in 1901 though moved to Starkholmes about 1904. Bernard was still at school in 1911.
The "Sheffield Daily Telegraph", of 31 May 1918 reported 930 of the Rank and file were on the previous night's casualty list in the Roll of Honour. There were two reports and amongst the casualties in the second list was Milne (60012), B, (Starkholmes)
The notice of his death showed Mrs. Milne was "South View" ("Derby Daily Telegraph", 6 May 1918).
Enlisted Derby.

Memorial: Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2.

MILNE, Robert - *New*
Born Derby 1890
Baptised at St. Chad's, Derby on 1 Oct 1890.
Died 2 Jul 1918 at Starkholmes, Matlock
Private 3rd Bn. Sherwood Foresters
Service No: 94649
ToW: Home.
Eldest s/o John (d.1916) and Lydia (nee Wood) Milne and brother of Bernard above. He was a grocer's clerk in 1911 and his Army records state that he was a Ledger Clerk when he enlisted.
Deemed to have been enlisted on 2 Mar 1916 and was called up on 17 Sep 1917, joining at Derby.
His records describe him as "sober and trustworthy"; his military character was good.
He did not serve overseas although he was in the army for a total of 2 years 40 days. He was discharged, as being no longer fit for War service, on 10th April 1918 as he had suffered from asthma since childhood (i.e. from 1895 onwards) and had spent a considerable time in the Army hospital. His discharge was considered due to Natural Causes, perhaps aggravated by ordinary military service during the war, and he was said to be in poor condition. The Medical Board considered this disability permanent.
His name was on another list of those discharged from hospital (WO 363 - First World War Service Records "Burnt Documents"): 94649 Milne R Discharged Mil. Hos. Derby 13/3/18 3rd Btn. Sherwood Foresters.

His death was announced in a short notice published in the "Derby Daily Telegraph" of 4 Jul 1918:
"MILNE - on July 2nd at "South View", Starkholmes, Matlock, Robert, the eldest son of Lydia and the late John Milne, aged 27 years".

Also commemorated locally:
"Derbyshire Courier", 3 April 1920. Soldiers - Liberals.
A brass plaque mounted on an oak support was unveiled in the billiard room of the National Liberal Club. The names of twelve men were engraved, including that of Robert.
It was unveiled by C. F. White, who said "those men died that we might live in safety".

There is no CWGC memorial for him.

MITCHELL, John Percival Henry Born Fawfieldhead, STS 1896 (Soldiers Died says born Hartington). He was christened at Alstonfield on 5 Jul 1896 (abode then given as The Field). KiA 21 Mar 1918, aged 23, at Bullecourt. Serjeant 2nd/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) Service No: 241800 ToW: F & F s/o John and Alice Ann (nee Percival) Mitchell, of 2, Lime Tree Villas, M Green, Matlock. In 1901 the family were still at Field House, Fawfieldhead and John's father was running a family farm, with two farmhands assisting. Circumstances changed and the family moved to Lime Tree Villas sometime between 1903 and 1908 (calculated from the births of younger siblings). By 1911 John was working as a shop assistant (in 1914 he was a grocer's assistant) whilst his father was employed on one of the Matlock farms. He enlisted at Matlock about October 1915, going first to Watford where the regiment were then based. The X on the Watford photo must mark his billet. The regimental diary tells us that the regiment struck camp and went in to billets on 18th October 1915 and into hired buildings on 2nd November. He served in Ireland in 1916 in connection with the rebellion; the regiment went to France in 1917. He was one of 8 Matlock men to die or be killed on 21st Mar 1918. The regimental diary for the day, written by the commanding officer Lt. Col. H. S. Hodgkin, states that: "I am proud to state that all ranks fought splendidly, and it is difficult to single out any individuals for special praise but I should like to single out the following officers and NCOs- ... Sgt. Parsons and Mitchell were both killed on the discharge of duties for which they had specially volunteered". (TNA: WO 95/3025/4). Memorial: Arras Memorial (see See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site) Memorial Reference: Bay 7.		Watford, 1915 John's WW1 Memorial Plaque. These were also known as the Death Penny or Dead Man's Penny
When he became a sergeant

There are two photographs of his brother in the Vernon Lamb Archive. See VLA5253 and VLA5258

MOORE, George Arthur (Arthur)^[1] Born Matlock 25 May 1898 KiA 10 Aug 1917, aged 19 Gunner 261st Siege Bty Royal Garrison Artillery Service No: 296660. Formerly 77885, 139th Hampstead R.G.A. ToW: F & F s/o George Harrison Moore and Rose Moore, of Orchard House, Bank Rd., Matlock. Living Matlock in the 1901 census and were living on The Dimple in 1911. He is shown as starting at All Saints' on 2 Apr 1906, when the family resided on Wilmot Street, and left the school on 26 July 1912 to become a baker. George's father was a baker and confectioner in the family business on Dale Road (see Moore's Bakery in Kelly's 1908 Directory and Kelly's 1916 Directory). Enlisted Bakewell in Aug 1915, although he was under age. He spent 10 months in France before being returned home but re-enlisted when he reached the age of 18. Cemetery: Essex Farm Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen Grave/Memorial Reference: I. Q. 24 "Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal", 15 Sep 1917 also "Derbyshire Courier" same date "MOORE - Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Moore and family of Orchard House, Matlock, wish to thank all kind friends for sympathy extended to them during their recent bereavement through the loss of gunner Arthur Moore." Also commemorated locally: "Derbyshire Courier", 3 April 1920. Soldiers - Liberals. A brass plaque mounted on an oak support was unveiled in the billiard room of the National Liberal Club. The names of twelve men were engraved, including that of Arthur. It was unveiled by C. F. White, who said "those men died that we might live in safety". Medals awarded: Victory, British		Studio portrait by M. Gilling, Edgeware Road The original cross for his grave. IN MEMORY OF 296650 Gr. G.A. Moore. 261 Siege Battery R.G.A. 12/8/17 KILLED IN ACTION
A later photo of Arthur

MOXON, John Henry
Born Matlock 1895 and christened there 25 Oct 1895
Died 2 Jul 1918
Nationality: Australian
Corporal 60th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
Service No: 3662
s/o Dr. William and Mrs. Julia Moxon. Family lived at West View, Chesterfield Rd and they were there in both the 1901 census and in 1911. Brother in law of F. D. Stones, another casualty.
He had married Signa Annesley Williams in the Hastings District in August 1914; he had met her in Matlock in 1913 when he was 18 and still living with his mother. His wife was managing a pierrot concert party and claimed to be single; he divorced her in April 1918 on the grounds of her misconduct.

Cemetery: Vignacourt British Cemetery, Somme. The cemetery was begun in April 1918 and closed in August 1918, and the burials reflect the desperate fighting of the Australian forces on the Amiens front.
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. F. 3.

MUIR, John Jonas Brown
Born Matlock 1884
KiA 29 Jun 1917, aged 33
Private 14th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
Service No: 29209
Enlisted in February 1915 and was sent to Egypt.
ToW: F & F
s/o Elizabeth Muir, of Bank Rd., Matlock, and the late James Muir. James Gilchrist Muir was a watchmaker on Bank Road in 1916 (see Kelly's Directory 1916). Also see the family in the 1891 census | him living on the Dimple in the 1901 census. JJB was employed as a Baker in Matlock. Husband of Frances Mabel Muir, of 90, Flodden St., Crookes, Sheffield, YKS. Mar Frances Mabel Peace in Sheffield in 1909 though he continued to live with his parents in Matlock. Enlisted Sheffield. His brother in law, Cirtees Barnes, was also a casualty in this war.

Memorial: Arras Memorial (see See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site)
Memorial Reference: Bay 8.

MYCOCK, Isaac^[9] [later known as Mycroft]
Born Buxton 1887 and baptised there on 21 Apr 1887
KiA 29 Sep 1918
Private 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
Service No: 10585
ToW: F & F
s/o Elizabeth and Ben Mycock. Isaac's mother, Elizabeth Mycock, lived in Starkholmes from before 1901 until her death in 1941.
Isaac mar Emma (Emmie) Elizabeth Carter, as Isaac Mycroft, in 1908. They had 3 daughters, all Mycroft at birth and marriage.
Enlisted 1915 Coalville. His widow and daughters returned to live in Matlock.
Other notes: listed on CWGC, "Soldiers Died" and at Kew as MYCROFT, but Matlock memorial lists him as MYCOCK. His name was not in the memorial's alphabetical list, but was added at the bottom. Recorded a J Mycroft on CWGC and on Coalville War Memorial, I Mycroft on enrolment info at Kew.

Cemetery: Busigny Communal Cemetery Extension (24 km north-east of St. Quentin)
Grave/Memorial Reference: V. C. 15/24.

Additional information: A double tragedy was to befall the family. One of Isaac's younger brothers, Enos, was discharged from the Army in 1916 because he gave an incorrect age. He was too young to enlist. Unfortunately, he was killed in the Dove Holes Railway Tunnel in 1917 and is buried in Matlock church yard. He was also called Mycroft in newspaper reports on his death. Some family members changed their surname to Maycock, whilst others retained the Mycock surname. Of interest, there is a Mycock Lane in Flagg where Ben Mycock, Isaac's father, originated from.

See newspaper report of the tunnel tragedy

NIXON, Frederick^[1]
Born Stapenhill, DBY 1881
Private 1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
DoW 12 Apr 1918, aged 36
Service No: 41288
ToW: F & F
s/o Frederick and Caroline Nixon who were at Rosliston Road, Stapenhill in 1881. His father was a joiner. Caroline was buried at Wirksworth in 1891; she had been widowed and moved back to Wirksworth to work as a sick nurse. Frederick's sister Annie also survived her but his slightly older sister Emily did not.
In 1891 Frederick was also living at Wirksworth - with his grandparents John and Emma Barker of Cemetery House/Lodge, North End - and was at school. He was still at the same address in 1901, though this time the head of the house was his uncle (the cemetery attendant and a postman) and aunt, and employed as Solicitors Clerk. He was the County Court Clerk at Wirksworth - the 1908 Kelly's lists him as the chief Clerk for the County Court there - and he later also worked as a House and Estate Agent in the town.
He married Ada Webster, a New Zealander, at Wirksworth Baptist Chapel in 1907. By 1911 he and his wife were at 1 Cromford Road, Wirksworth.
He is shown as having an office in Crown Square in both Kelly's 1912 Directory and Kelly's 1916 Directory. He was Clerk to Bonsall UDC and Registrar to the Matlock District.
He enlisted at Matlock in 1916. Having contracted trench fever in France, he was sent to Warrington Hospital In November 1917; his wife visited him there ("Derbyshire Courier", 17 Nov 1917). In April 1918 he was first reported as wounded and later listed amongst the casualties.
Cemetery: Lapugnoy Military Cemetery (6 km west of Bethune)
Grave Reference: IX. B. 12A.
[Also commemorated Wirksworth]

OATES, William Henry (Willie)^{[1] [3]}
Born Matlock 18 Mar 1899
DoW 8 Aug 1918, aged 19
Rifleman 13th Bn. Rifle Brigade
Service No: 45038. Formerly R/38313 K.R.R.C.
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Lucy Elizabeth Oates. NoK was given as William John Oates, of 2, Windsor Terrace, Smedley St., Matlock; Mrs. Oates died in 1920.
The family were living in Matlock the 1901 census and William was enrolled at All Saints' on 2 Apr 1906 when the family lived on Holewood Terrace. They were shown living on Smedley Street in the 1911 census. William Henry left school on 18 July 1913 and became a clerk. He had worked for H. Roberts, the Matlock printer.
Enlisted Matlock the year before his death, when he had attained 18 years of age. His home address was given as 2 Windsor Terrace in the MAVL (1918).

Buried: St. Amand British Cemetery, Pas de Calais (17 km east of Doullens)
Grave Reference: V. B. 1.
Also commemorated St. Giles (Lucy Elizabeth also on headstone) More Info

"Derbyshire Times", 24 August 1918.
"Telegraphic news reached Mr. W. Oates, of Smedley Street. Matlock, on Friday, that his son, Pte. William Oates, King's Royal Rifles, had been killed in action. Pte. Oates joined the Colours in April of last year when he reached the age of 18 years, and he was 19 at the time of his death. He formerly worked for Mr. H. Roberts, printer, of Matlock.

"Derbyshire Times", 31 August 1918.
"OATES.-Killed in action, August 8th, 1918. Rifleman W. H. Oates, aged 19, King's Royal Rifles; interred in the Cemetery of St. Amand, East of Doullens, the very dearly loved and only son of Mr. and Mrs. Oates. Smedley Street, Matlock."

"Derbyshire Times", 31 August 1918.
"OATES.-Mr. and Mrs. W. Oates, Smedley Street, Matlock, wish to thank all friends and neighbours for their many letters of sympathy in their sad bereavement".

PARTRIDGE, Charles
Born Attercliffe, Yorks 1893
DoW 11 Aug 1917
Private 2nd/7th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Formerly 1638, Notts and Derbys Regt.
Service No: 305334
s/o Sophia and step son of Augustus Guigon. Enlisted Matlock. His mother was informed by telegram of his death at the Third Casualty Clearing Station, France, from the effects of a bayonet wound to the chest. He was an old Territorial and before the war worked at a woollen mill in Yorkshire. His wife and three year old child were living in Leek STS at the time ("Derbyshire Times", 25 August 1917).
His sister mar T A Hetherington (see F A Hetherington) who is also on the memorial.
Cemetery: Grevillers British Cemetery. Grevillers is a village in the Department of the Pas de Calais, 3 kilometres west of Bapaume.
Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. C. 19

PARTRIDGE, George
Born Totley, DBY 1897
KiA 30 Sep 1915
Private 1/6th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)
Service No: 1892
ToW: F & F
s/o Sophia and step son of Augustus Guigon. Worked at the golf club as a caddie in 1911, when the family were living in Cobden Terrace.
Enlisted in the Territorials at Matlock on 23 Apr 1913. By then he was an employee of Parr's Bank, working as a Bank Attendant and then living on Holt Lane. His mother, having received the parcel containing his effects, wrote to the Regiment asking why "the leaves of his Small Book have been taken away from the cover" (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364).
His sister mar T A Hetherington (see F A Hetherington) who is also on the memorial.
Cemetery: Chester Farm Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (5km SW of Ieper)
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. B. 3

POULTNEY, Arthur^[1]
Born Matlock 1896
KiA 21 Aug 1915 in the Dardanelles, aged 19
Private 9th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 13256
ToW: Gallipoli
s/o Thomas Arthur and Sarah Ellen Poultney. NoK Mrs. Ellen Poultney, of The Cottage, Bakewell Rd., Matlock. Living Kingsbridge Terrace Dale Rd in the 1901 census, though had moved to Bakewell Road by 1911. Arthur was then working at a grocery as an errand boy (Burgons).
Enlisted Derby.
The 9th Bn. Sherwood Foresters was formed at Derby 24 Aug 1914, moving first to Grantham and then, in April 1915, to Frensham area. In July 1915 the regiment embarked at Liverpool for Mudros and 20 - 31 July they were at Helles. On 7 Aug 1915 they landed at Suvla Bay.
Job Mills wrote to his mother and told her that Pte. Poultney had been wounded in the leg ("Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal", 10 September 1915).
A wreath laid at the memorial unveiling from his cousin[s] said he was of Dalebridge Terrace.
Memorial: Helles Memorial (Turkey)
Memorial Reference: Panel 150 to 152.
Also commemorated St. Giles (parents also on headstone) More Info
*See 1912-14 photo of Burgon's staff.

PURSGLOVE, Harold^[4]
Born Middleton 22 Jun 1897 and baptised 1 Aug 1897 (Wirksworth Circuit)
DoW 19 Apr 1917, aged 19, at the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station, France.
Private 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 46215
ToW: F & F
s/o Edwin and Caroline Pursglove, of Sitches Farm, Starkholmes, Matlock. Living Middleton in the 1901 census. He worked for his father as a Farmer at Sitches Farm (1911 census).
Enlisted Matlock. He'd joined up the previous August, going to France in Dec. Had been wounded in Feb, but remained on duty. He was admitted to the station slightly wounded and crushed, and sent his best love to all at home. The next news his parents received was an official communication from Lichfield informing them that he had died.

Cemetery: Bethune Town Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. D. 33.

RADFORD, John^[1]
Born 1886 Bonsall, DBY and christened there 24 Nov 1886
KiA 16 Oct 1916
Private 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 70698
ToW: F & F
s/o John and Mary Ann Radford, the third of their eight children. Living Matlock Bank in the 1901 census. Worked for Crown Hardware. Enlisted Matlock
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme (see See War Graves photos (Thiepval British Memorial) elsewhere on this site).
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A

RAWSON, William^[8]
Born Matlock Cliff 1897, christened at Tansley 12 Jul 1899.
KiA 31 Jul 1917, aged 19
Private 16th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) - Chatsworth Regiment
Service No: 26471
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Mary Rawson. NoK given as William Rawson, of Field Terrace, Ripley. Living Matlock Cliff in the 1901 census; the family were still living there in 1911 and William was still at school. At the time of his enlistment on 28 May 1915 he was working as a Railway Labourer and his address was address Car Lane, Matlock Cliff. He had also been employed by Mr. Shaw's Quarries, Matlock. Had joined the Chatsworth Rifles in the early days of the war and had seen over 2 years service, though still only 19 when he died. Wounded and hospitalised more than once whilst on active service (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364). His parents had moved to Ripley only 5 weeks before his death.

Cemetery: Buffs Road Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen. Buffs Road was the name given to a small lane just to the north of the hamlet of Wieltje.
Grave/Memorial Reference: D. 26.

READ, Arthur Edward
Born Matlock 1891
KiA 29 Jul 1915, aged 25
Private 1/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 894
ToW: F & F
s/o James Daniel Read, of 3, Miller Avenue, Toronto West, Ontario, and the late Sarah L. Read (nee Boden, who had died 1894). Native of Matlock Bank. In the 1891 census they were listed as Reed and were living on Cavendish Street (Road) in the 1901 census. James D. Read had remarried. In 1911 Arthur was living with Mrs. Sheldon at 28 Cromford Hill and working as a Doffer in a Cotton Doubling Mill. This was Masson Mill, where he worked before he joined up. Enlisted Matlock, but resided Manchester. Brother of Charles Ernest below. He was killed by shell fire.
The Burnt Documents make interesting reading (WO 363): He had joined the Territorial Force in 1909, stating his occupation was a Hydro Assistant, employed by Smedley's. In the same records it says he was buried near Maple Copse by Lieut. Col. G. D. Goodman. His father James Daniel Read was, on 23 Mar 1916, living at 927 Wisconsin Street, Racune, Wis., USA and was still at this address on 7 Jun 1919 when he filed in a form listing Arthur's siblings, including C. Ernest as "Killed in France 27 Oct 1916". See entry immediately below.
Cemetery: Maple Copse Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. B. 18

READ, Charles Ernest (known as Ernest)^[4]
Born Matlock 1892
KiA 27 Oct 1916
Private 1st Bn. Regiment/Service: Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 70716
s/o James and Lydia Read, of Matlock. Brother of Arthur Edward above. There is no trace of him in either the 1901 or 1911 census returns. However, the Derby Daily Telegraph of 20 Sept 1910 carried a report of him attending a Police Court in London. It described him as respectably dressed; he told the police he had left home in May with £20 in his pocket and eventually said that his father, "a respectable man", lived in Matlock. He is also named in records of his brother (Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364). He enlisted at Matlock and, according to the Derbyshire Courier, had been in the Army for some two years when he died, although this is more likely to have been 2 months as he enlisted in 1916. He was a gardener by trade. He had resided with Mrs. Carline of Starkholmes, who was informed of his death.
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme (see See War Graves photos (Thiepval British Memorial) elsewhere on this site).
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.

RILEY, William Henry^[1]
Born Derby 1887
Died 28 Mar 1917
ToW: Home
Private M.T. Depot (Grove Park), Army Service Corps
Service No: DM2/224465
Second s/o James and Henrietta Mary Riley of The Firs, Aston on Trent. He was educated at Whitworth School, Derby. He married Ethel Mary Bullock at St. Werburgh's Derby on 5 Jun 1912. The couple lived on Malpas Road and their son Derrick Newton Riley was born in Matlock on 15th Aug 1915. He had been on the staff of Crompton and Evans Bank, later Parr's Bank, for fifteen years and was at their branch on Dale Road, employed as a clerk, for some years after his marriage. He enlisted at Matlock in late 1915, then joining the Motor Transport section of the Army Service Corps. with a view to being a Driver. He was transferred to the Learner's section and posted to Isleworth in 1916. He passed his Learner's Test at Grove Park on 14 Jan 1917. He became ill whilst discharging his duties at Grove Park, having been in hospital with German Measles, and went to his wife's parents' home at Ashleigh, Castle Hill, Duffield where he passed away. The cause of death was broncho-pneumonia and pneumococcal and striptococcal inflammation of the throat. Amongst those who attended his funeral was Mr. H. Loveday of Matlock (Information from the Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364 and the "Derby Daily Telegraph", 4 April 1917).
Cemetery: Aston-Upon-Trent Cemetery.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Near South-West corner.

ROUSE, Bernard John^[1]
Born Matlock 18 May 1895
KiA 21 Mar 1918
Private 16th Bn. Manchester Regiment
Service No: 2354
ToW: F & F
s/o George and Alice Rouse. Living Matlock Bank in the 1901 census and attended All Saints' School from 7 Apr 1902 when the family were living on Smedley Street. Worked in a grocery. Enlisted Manchester, though resided at Matlock. He was one of 8 Matlock men to die or be killed on 21st Mar 1918.
Memorial: Pozieres Memorial (6 km north-east of Albert). The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.
Memorial Reference: Panel 64 to 67.

RYLANDS, William Henry
Born Widnes, Lancs 1889
DoW 20 March 1917, aged 28
Company Serjeant Major 2nd/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 242634
ToW: F & F
s/o William Rylands. Husband of Edith M. Rylands (nee Lemon), of Banbury Rd., Brackley, Northants. Enlisted Matlock in 1914. Residence: Brackley, Northants.
He died from severe gunshot wounds in both legs and had only been at the Front for about three weeks when he was wounded on 19 March.
He had taught at All Saints' School. The school's log book shows he was appointed on 6 Feb 1911 as the first certificated assistant. He lived with Mr. Smith on Wellington Street until just after war broke out. On 26 October the log book recorded that had joined H. M. Forces and expected to be called up at the end of the month. He left the school on 31 October, having joined the 6th Batt Sherwood Foresters (Reserve).
He had been an active sportsman and was a playing member of Matlock F.C. He had a rich baritone voice and was a member of Matlock Amateur Operatic Society, performing principal parts in their productions ("Belper News", 6 April 1917). He was first promoted in Dec 1914, initially to the rank of Sergeant ("Derbyshire Courier", 5 December 1914).
His wife was the sister of a colleague at All Saints'.
Cemetery: Bray Military Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. D. 16.
He was almost certainly the "W. H. Rowlands" whose name was included on a bronze memorial plaque unveiled by Lord Hartington in Matlock Conservative Club in honour of their members and stewards ("Derbyshire Courier", 5 June 1920). He was known to have been a member ("Derbyshire Times", 4 June 1913).

Buxton, the Empire Hotel. He is mentioned as an early recruit.

SEEDHOUSE, John^[2]
Born M Bath 20 Nov 1889. Christened at Holy Trinity 12 Jul 1891
KiA 5 Jul 1916, aged 26
Corporal 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Enlisted Derby, resided Matlock.
Service No: 11321
ToW: F & F
Living Upperwood in the 1891 census and the 1901 census. Grandson of George and Elizabeth Seedhouse. Mother Mrs. Steeples of Matlock Cliff. His mother, Elizabeth, had been a mill operative; she married William Steeples at Holy Trinity in 1907.
John had initially joined the 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters as Private 413/x/0, but went to India with the 1st Bn. for 2 years pre-war.
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme (see See War Graves photos (Thiepval British Memorial) elsewhere on this site).
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.

SELLORS, George^[1]
Born Matlock 1897
Died 22 Jun 1918, aged 21
Private 5th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
Secondary Regiment: Labour Corps
Secondary Unit: transf. to (357105) 450th Employment Coy.
Service No: 55933
ToW: Home
s/o William and Annie Sellors, of 4, Mountain View, Chesterfield Rd., Matlock. They were living on Matlock Bank in the 1901 census and in 1911 were at Ivy House, off Jackson Road. Enlisted Bakewell.
Cemetery: Matlock (St. Giles) Churchyard

SELLORS, Haslam
Born Matlock 1893
Private 2nd/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
KiA 2 Dec 1917
Service No: 241791
ToW: F & F
s/o George and Lucy Sellors and living at No6 Richmond Terrace in the 1901 census and were still there in 1911. He worked as a gas fitter before the war. Enlisted Matlock.
Memorial: Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord. The Cambrai Memorial commemorates more than 7,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South Africa who died in the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917 and whose graves are not known.
Memorial Reference: Panel 8.

SHAW, Alfred
Born Ashover 1891 and Christened there 12 Jul 1891
KiA 16 Aug 1917
Lance Corporal 13th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. Formerly 43749, Sherwood Foresters.
Service No: 43124
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Mary Elizabeth Shaw. William was a farmer and in 1901 he was at Edleston, Upper End, Ashover with his wife and 8 children including Alfred. In 1911 Alfred was living with a brother and sister at Holestone Moor Farm, Ashover.
Residence Matlock. Enlisted Derby
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 138 to 140 and 162 to 162A and 163A.

Only one A. Shaw is listed on the memorial inside St. Giles' Church.

SHAW, Arthur William
Born 1897 Ashleyhay
Died 21 Mar 1918, aged 20
Rank: Driver "Y" 14th T.M. Bty. Royal Field Artillery
Service No: 89011
s/o Alfred and Emily Shaw. NoK given as Alfred Shaw, of 3, Dales Bridge Terrace, Matlock. Family had also lived at Starkholmes. He was one of 8 Matlock men to die or be killed on 21st Mar 1918, the first day of the German 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht - their big push.
Memorial: Pozieres Memorial (6 km north-east of Albert). The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.
Memorial Reference: Panel 7 to 10.

Only one A. Shaw is listed on the memorial inside St. Giles' Church.

SIMPSON, Ernest^[1]
Born Matlock 31 Dec 1898, christened St. Giles' 29 Jan 1899
Died 16 Apr 1917 at Colchester, aged 18
Private 36th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
Service No: 341219
s/o Fred and Annie Elizabeth Simpson, of Wellington St., Matlock, earlier of Wilmot Street. The Simpsons were living on Matlock Bank in the 1901 census and later at 3 Tor Villas on The Dimple. Ernest was still at school in the 1911 census, having been enrolled as a pupil on 2 Apr 1906, and was only 18 when he passed away. He had been with the King's Forces for just six weeks when he died, having developed malignant tumour. He had been ill for 2 days. Before joining up he had worked at Rockside. His funeral, with full military honours, was held at St. Giles' and his coffin was draped with the Union Jack. A firing party from Derby preceded it to the grave and several wounded soldiers in the district also followed the coffin. As the deceased was a member of the local Tent, Mr. D. M. Wildgoose read the Rechabites' Burial Service. Three volleys were then fired, followed by the Last Post on the bugle.

Cemetery: Matlock (St. Giles) Churchyard

SLATER, E [no record found]

SLATER, James Elston
Born Matlock 1879. Baptised 23 Feb 1879 (Matlock Circuit)
Died 7 Jun 1917, aged 37
Private 8th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment
Service No: 42005. Formerly 161692 R.F.A.
ToW: F & F
s/o Walter and Mary Elizabeth Slater, of Smedley St., Matlock. Husband of Edith Slater, of Henry Avenue, Matlock. Mar Edith Lill, sister Sydney Lill, of at Matlock Bank Primitive Methodist Chapel in 1907. Lived in Matlock, see the 1881 census | the 1891 census. Later lived at Aigburth, Liverpool, where he worked as a tailor.
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium, one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient
Memorial Reference: Panel 33.

In 2004 Antony Ball wrote that he had a b.w. medal to James Elston Slater. He served with the Green Howards and was killed on 7 Jun 1917, the first day of the Battle of Messines. Recorded as JES on the Menin Gate, but he doesn't seem to appear on the Matlock War Memorial. The only connection AB could make is the E. Slater, possibly using his middle name Elston, because his grandad's name was also James.

SLATER, George
[believed to be this soldier, given as C. Slater by CWGC]
Born Wirksworth 1881
KiA 30 Sep 1918
Gunner 68th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
Service No: 176558
ToW: F & F
Husband of Ellen B. Slater, of 55, Aberdeen Walk, Scarborough (George Slater married Ellen Barker Collard at Derby in Q2 1910). He was employed as a ledger clerk and is known to have worked at the colour works before the War. He and his wife lived at Wirksworth. Enlisted Matlock. His home address was given as Bank Road in the MAVL (1918).

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Cemetery: Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. H. 22.

SLATER, John Job (Jack)^[1]
Born Matlock 1890. Baptised 23 Apr 1890 (Matlock Circuit)
KiA 3 May 1917, aged 28
Private 4th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
Service No: G/52939. Formerly P/58422, 28th Battn R.F.
ToW: F & F
s/o Job and Sarah Slater, of Wellington St., Matlock. Living Matlock in the 1891 census and the 1901 census. He was employed as a baker by W. H. Moore and Sons. Enlisted Manchester and had been at the Front since the previous November. He was a member of Matlock Football Thursday Club and he and his three brothers, also in France when he was killed, had been members of Matlock's Silver Prize Band. His brothers were Sergt. Major T. W. Slater, Pte. George E. Slater and Pte. F. L. Slater.
Memorial: Arras Memorial (see See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site)
Memorial Reference: Bay 3.
Also commemorated St. Giles (Mary Elizabeth also on headstone) More Info

Mr. Job Slater, the "Derbyshire Times" agent, learned of his son's death from Pte. Bert Slater, Jack's cousin. "I fear you have not heard the fatal news, but I received a letter from the Corporal yesterday telling me the sad news that my best pal, Jack, fell on May 3rd. It is very sad and I do feel it, because we were always together, more like brothers. The Corporal told me what a very good man he was in the trenches and that he was with him at the time he fell. I think this is the first in our family to fall" ("Derbyshire Times", 9 June 1917).

There are two images on him in the Vernon Lamb Archive:

VLA5253

VLA5258

Another local commemoration:
"Derbyshire Courier", 3 April 1920. Soldiers - Liberals.
A brass plaque mounted on an oak support was unveiled in the billiard room of the National Liberal Club. The names of twelve men were engraved, including that of Jack.
It was unveiled by C. F. White, who said "those men died that we might live in safety".

SMITH, Fred (Frederick)^[4]
Born Starkholmes 1886. Christened at St. Giles', as Frederic, 21 Nov 1886.
KiA 26 Sep 1917, aged 30
Private 2nd/7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 42385
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Agnes Smith of Starkholmes, though after his death NoK given as William Smith, of 2, Mostyn Terrace, New St., Matlock. He was living Starkholmes in the 1891 census and in the 1901 census when he was working as a tar paving labourer. He has not been located in 1911 although his parents and some siblings were still in Starkholmes.
Single. Enlisted Matlock. Reported missing from 26 Sept 1917, later changed to KiA.
"Pte. Smith, who was a farm hand by occupation, joined up early in the war, and was gassed whilst in France. Returning to England, he recovered his health and was placed on farm work until the previous August (presumably 1917), when he was recalled to his unit, and again sent to France". His father clearly had no news for some time following him being classed as missing as a Derbyshire Times report in November 1917 contained the poignant plea for news: "Any news regarding him will be gratefully received by his father at the above address".

Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders
Memorial Reference: Panel 99 to 102 and 162 to 162A.

SMITH, Harold
Born Matlock
KiA 9 Jul 1917
Private 10th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 58931
ToW: F & F
Enlisted Derby. Resided Matlock.
s/o William and Mary Smith; William was a stonemason (see the 1881 census | the 1891 census).
Harold was with his widowed mother, siblings and two nieces (shown as daughters of Mary but they were her granddaughters in reality) in the 1901 census. The family were living on Ark Terrace, Smedley St West in 1911 with Mary Smith employed as a General Servant at a Hydro whereas Harold was apprenticed to a plumber.

Memorial: Arras Memorial (see See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site)
Memorial Reference: Bay 7.

"News has reached Mrs. Smith, of Smedley Street West, that her only remaining single son, Private Harold Smith, Sherwood Foresters, has been killed by an explosion of a shell a the front. Pte. Smith, who was 25 years of age, was employed on Government work before he joined the Army, and for some time was engaged in painting huts in France. He enlisted ten months ago, however, and was sent to France after four weeks' training. He was well known and well liked by most Matlock people" ("Derbyshire Times", 28 July 1917).

Only one H. Smith is listed on the memorial inside St. Giles' Church.

There is another Harold Smith of a similar age who is named on Darley Dale memorial but who also resided in Matlock. See Not on the Memorial. There is only one H. Smith named on the Matlock memorial.

SMITH, Henry Lincoln (Harry)^[1]
Born Matlock 29 Sep 1891
KiA 21 Apr 1918, aged 28
Private 6th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
Secondary Regiment: formerly 1529, Derbyshire Yeomanry
Service No: 235421
ToW: F & F
s/o Frederick William and Sarah Bates Smith. NoK given as Mr. F. W. Smith, of Far Green, Matlock.
The family were living on Jackson Road when he started school at All Saints' on 12 Oct 1898, having transferred from The Board School because of the distance from his home. They were living on "Matlock Bank" in the 1901 census but as they were on Jackson Road in 1911 it is likely they had lived there all the time. He enlisted at the beginning of the war. Husband of Daisy Rasell (formerly Smith), of Church St., West Liss, HAM. He mar Daisy Blackman in 1918, not long before he was killed.

Cemetery: Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen
Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. G. 5.

Only one H. Smith is listed on the memorial inside St. Giles' Church.

SMITH, Isaac^[1]
Born and christened Matlock 1871 (christening was "Matlock Circuit")
KiA 30 Mar 1918, aged 46.
Sapper 213th Army Troops Coy. Royal Engineers
Service No: 92904
ToW: F & F
s/o Joseph and Mary Smith of Matlock Bank; he was one of the couple's thirteen children.
Between 1891 and 1893 Isaac was enlisted in 'F' Company (Matlock Bridge) 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Sherwood Foresters ("Derbyshire Times", 7 February 1891: "Volunteer Orders").
Mar Hannah Smedley at All Saints' in 1895. He worked as a farmer before the war and the family lived on Chesterfield Road next to Poplar, later Chesterfield, Hydro. The couple had nine children but only four survived childhood. The two youngest children, George and Kathleen Mary, died from diphtheria three days apart and were buried at St. Giles' on the same day in Jan 1917.
He enlisted at Matlock in 1914. His great grandson has commented that he clearly felt compelled to serve in WW1 as he was above the age limit for conscription/enlistment at every stage of the war. He was not the only over age man to join up.
Unfortunately, in the following year his wife Hannah was no longer able to manage the farm and so all their stock and implements were sold off in August 1915.
"Chesterfield Road, Matlock.
J. Hodgkinson & Son have received instructions from Mr Isaac Smith to sell by auction on Wednesday 18th August 1915.
8 beasts 3 horses
30 couples young fowls, quantity excellent implements, harness, dairy utensils etc part stack prime old hay, heap manure, few acres winter eating.
Sale at 12 noon". ("Derbyshire Advertiser", 13/14 August 1915).

See him in census entries for 1881 | 1891 | 1901.
Hannah Smith subsequently moved to Oldham Villas on Matlock Bank and later to Mornington Rise.

Memorial: Pozieres Memorial (6 km north-east of Albert). The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.

He is also commemorated in St. Giles' churchyard with 3 of his children. See MI, with photo (Grave I164).

Isaac was uncle to William Smith (below); he was also uncle and half uncle to the two Gregory brothers Fred and John Joseph.

SMITH, Joshua^{[1]
[3]}
Born Hawick, Roxburgh
KiA 13 Apr 1917
ToW: F & F
Private 1st Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers. Formerly 40379, South Staffordshires
Resided Matlock Bath. Enlisted Bakewell
Service No: 28594

Memorial: Arras Memorial (see See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site)
Memorial Reference: Bay 6.

SMITH, Robert ^[1]
Born Tansley 1871
Died 23 Feb 1917, aged 46, France
Pioneer Serjeant 1/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 240047
s/o John and Harriet Smith. Father of Edith Smith, of M Moor, Matlock (she was NoK). See census entries for 1881 | 1891 | 1901. Mar Hannah Isabella Ibbotson at All Saints' in 1892. Hannah died before the war. The couple had 6 children. He worked as a stonemason. He was a member of Matlock Rifle Club before the War.
Enlisted Matlock.
A wreath at the unveiling was a tribute to him from the members of Matlock Fire Brigade ("Derbyshire Courier", 13 August 1921).

Cemetery: Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, Somme.
Grave/Memorial Reference: V. B. 10.

"Pioneer-Sergt. Robert Smith, Sherwood Foresters, Wellfield Road, Matlock, has died in France from pneumonia. The deceased, who was 45 years of age and a widower with several children, was regarded as the oldest volunteer in his battalion. He had over 20 years' service. He was known before the Territorials as one of the best shots in his battalion, and an example of the best of British soldier. He was recently home on leave and would have been time expired in a week or two. Deceased had seen two years' service in France, and he possessed the long service and meritorious service medals." ("Derbyshire Courier", 3 March 1917).

In the Vernon Lamb Archive

VLA4896

VLA5263

SMITH, Sydney Alfred^[3]
Born Matlock 4 Jun 1897
DoW 11 May 1915 at Bagthorpe Military Hospital, Nottingham, aged 17 ("Soldiers Died" states KiA)
Private 3rd Bn. Middlesex Regiment, Duke Of Cambridge's Own (the "Die Hards")
ToW: F & F
Service No: G/6552
s/o (Councillor) Joseph and Hannah E Smith, though his mother died and his father then married Lydia M. Taylor in 1910. When Sydney died the Smith family were of The Myrtles, Upper Hackney, Matlock.
Living M Bank in the 1901 census and a pupil of All Saints' from 3 Apr 1905, admitted on the same day as another Sydney Smith (see Not on the Memorial). Sydney's father was a Railway Clerk.
He enlisted at Buxton on 5th Dec 1914 without telling his family. He had been employed by the Midland Railway Co. at Peak Forest and joined the Army in response to a newspaper appeal for recruits, declaring "I shall make one". He was sent to France on 9th Feb 1915 and was in action within a few days. "He was constantly under fire until during a counter attack he was wounded by shrapnel", the shell killing 10 colleagues. He was carried to the dressing station and then sent to the Secondary Hospital at Boulogne. A letter was sent to his parents telling them he was wounded, but that he would write when he could. His wounds, according to a lady visitor, were not considered serious and he was to be moved to England. The next the family knew was that he was seriously ill in the Bagthorpe Military Hospital and when his father and brother went to visit they found there was very little hope. He has been wounded in thirteen places, but did not complain and sent word home that he was well and happy! The family were with him when he passed away. He was accorded full military honours when he was buried at St. Giles', with blinds being lowered and the shops closing for an hour. The Church and Churchyard were crowded and the streets were lined with people as the cortege passed by ("Derbyshire Courier", 22 May 1915).
Coincidentally, his grandfather had been the first volunteer to be buried with full military honours at St. Giles. Sidney's cousin, John Thomas (Jack) Allen also died in WW1 (see his info on the previous page).
Cemetery: Matlock (St. Giles) Churchyard

SMITH, William^[1]
Born Matlock 1898
KiA 28 Aug 1917, aged 19
Private 15th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 59999
ToW: F & F
s/o Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith (Joseph and Elizabeth), of Asker Farm, Matlock. William worked as a Golf Caddie for a time but was later employed as a carter by Mr. J. W. Wildgoose. Enlisted Matlock. After his death 2nd Lieut C E Bluton wrote to his parents, who were then living at Springfield Cottage, Matlock Moor: "He was killed instantly by a shell and he suffered no pain. Although your son had not been with me long I soon learnt to rely on him as one of the very best. He was always cheerful and willing, no matter what the circumstances" (Derbyshire Times, 22 Sep 1917). He had been in the Army 12 months.

Cemetery: Unicorn Cemetery, Vend'huile, Aisne (the name is taken from the Divisional mark of the 50th Northumbrian Division)
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. G. 18.

He was the nephew of Isaac Smith (above).

SPENCER, Anthony^[1]
Born 1883 Wensley
Died 12 Apr 1918, aged 34
Private 12th Bn. Yorkshire (Alexandra) Regiment, though formerly 56815, Sherwood Foresters
Service No: 41056
s/o Anthony and Fanny (nee Bunting, d.1884) Spencer. His father married Alice Donkin in 1893. When Anthony jun. was killed they were living at Yew Tree House, Bank Rd., Matlock. Native of Wensley, Matlock. Family living Wensley in 1901, when Anthony junior was a Lead Miner Surface. They were still there in 1911 and father and son were still in the lead mining industry, with Anthony junior an Ore Dresser, working on the surface. Enlisted Matlock.
Cemetery: Boulogne Eastern Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. I. 187.

STACEY, George^[1]
Born 1888 Wales, Doncaster, YKS
KiA 9 Aug 1915, aged 27
Corporal 9th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 13599
ToW: Gallipoli
s/o Frederick (a farmer and later a grocer) and Annie Eliza Stacey, of 10, Stanley Rd., Meersbrook, Sheffield. He was their eldest child. Worked as a servant for Thomas Jackson, a merchant of the Manor House, Claughton, Birkenhead. Moved to Matlock to work at the Clay Cross Coal Company. Enlisted: Derby. Residence: Meersbrook, Yorks.
The 9th Bn Sherwood Foresters was formed at Derby 24 Aug 1914, moving first to Grantham and then, in April 1915, to Frensham area. In July 1915 the regiment embarked at Liverpool for Mudros and 20 - 31 July they were at Helles. On 7 Aug 1915 landed at Suvla Bay.
Memorial Reference: Panel 150 to 152.
Memorial: Helles Memorial, Turkey.
His name was included on a bronze memorial plaque unveiled by Lord Hartington in Matlock Conservative Club in honour of their members and stewards ("Derbyshire Courier", 5 June 1920).

STATHAM, Joseph^[2]
Born Starkholmes 1888
Died: 18 Oct 1916, aged 28 in Wirksworth Cottage Hospital, having been discharged from the Army.
Serjeant 1st Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment. Enlisted Pontefract in 27 May 1908.
Service No: 9197
ToW: F & F, Salonika.

Also served Hyderabad, India, as joined the Army in 1908 (census records show him there as a single man, although he was married).
One of the six children of Alfred and Emma Statham, who were living in Middleton when he enlisted in 1908 and the place he was eventually discharged to.
See the family in the 1891 census | the 1901 census.
He was a member of the Primitive Methodist Church.
Husband of Clara Statham, of 25, Green Hill, Wirksworth. He mar Clara Else at the Ebenezer Chapel in Wirksworth on 31 Aug 1907. As far as records show, Clara and their son Alfred did not go to India.
The Burnt Documents (WO 363) state that he first enlisted as a Private in the Sherwood Foresters at Matlock on 17 May 1907 (no.10346), but was discharged (bought out) on 1 Aug 1907; his discharge had been purchased by his father. He re-enlisted, this time in the Y and L Reg on 27 May 1908 when he declared that he had been in the Notts and Derbys Territorials. Before enlisting he had been employed as a railway labourer/platelayer although he had also worked for two years as a butcher's boy for Luke William Fox of Starkholmes. Mrs. Fox, who had known him since childhood, was approached by the Army about his character in 1908. The Foxes were next door but one to the Stathams in the 1901 census.
He was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1910 but lost his stripe the following year for not disclosing his disease. His mother wrote to the Army in 1911 to enquire about where he was. He was re-appointed to L-Corp. in 1912 and to Sergt. in 1915. He was posted to France on 15 Jan 1915 and served in the Mediterranean (Oct 1915 - Jan 1916), embarking for Alexandria in Marseilles and then going on to Salonika. He was admitted to hospital in Salonika in Dec 1915, suffering with severe rheumatism and dyspnoea, one cause cited as exposure; he also seems to have had valvular disease of the heart which first occurred in Loos. When he was finally discharged from the Army on 29 Mar 1916 his address was given as Upperthorpe, Sheffield and his previous trade had been a Railway Labourer. He was described as a clean, hardworking and reliable man by the officer and his military record had been very good. However, his state of health was only judged to be fair.

Buried: Wirksworth Cemetery.
Grave Reference: C. of E. 557.
His name is also inscribed on a large marble plaque inside St. Mary's Church, Wirksworth

STONE, John [Jack]^[8]
Born Tansley 1896
KiA 7 Jun 1917, France, aged 21
Private 11th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Service No: 43089
ToW: F & F
s/o Charles and Mary Stone (d. 1907), one of their 10 children. The family moved to Matlock Cliff from Thatcher's Lane, Tansley. Jack had worked for a considerable time as a Mill Hand (tape weaver) at the Tansley Tape Factory (Messrs. Scholes Ltd.). He enlisted at Buxton.
The first the family learned of his death was in a letter to his sister from one of his friends, stating that he had been killed instantly by a machine gun bullet at the storming of Wytchaete. This was subsequently confirmed by the Army chaplain. Both letters spoke of the high esteem and respect in which he was held by his comrades ("Derbyshire Courier", 26 June 1917).
Buried: Irish House Cemetery, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen (7km South of Ieper). Cemetery named after a small farmhouse 90m to the west, known to the troops as "Irish House"
Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 19.

STOREY, George William
Born Matlock 1890. Christened Tansley 19 Jan 1890.
DoW 15 Sep 1917, aged 28
Private 2nd/6th Bn. Manchester Regiment
Service No: 49602
ToW: F & F
s/o George William and Elizabeth Jane Storey, of Matlock. Living Matlock Cliff in the 1891 census | the 1901 census, father a Police Constable. GWS and some of his family were living on Matlock Green in 1911, when George worked as a Grocer in Bonsall although he left there before the outbreak of war. He enlisted at Sheffield.
Mrs. Storey, of Matlock Green, received official notification from Preston of his death, although was not told where he had died ("Derbyshire Times", 6 October 1917).
Buried: Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery
Grave Reference: IX. G. 8.

SWINSCOE, Harold^[1]
Born 1894 Carlton, NTT (named Charles Harold)
KiA 16 Aug 1916
Private 1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment. Formerly 22467, Notts & Derby Regt.
Service No: 19385
ToW: F & F
s/o Charles and Elizabeth Swinscoe. Living Hastings Street, Carlton NTT (as Harold) in the 1901 census. He was later employed as a colliery labourer in Mansfield and was living with his mother, who was supposedly widowed, and three siblings in 1911. His father Charlie, by now partially blind, was staying with his slightly younger brother elsewhere in Carlton.
Before the War Harold was a promising member of the Hackney Football Club.
He enlisted at Buxton on 20 Jan 1915, giving his occupation as Labourer. He was working for Mr. Greatorex of Dale Road Matlock. He became a Private in the 3rd Bn. Sherwood Foresters but was transferred to the Northamptons on 10 Jul 1915 and was posted to France three days later. His father was notified of his death on 15 Sep 1916.

"Dear Mrs Lilley
Just a line to let you know that Harold was killed in action on 1st August. He was a good fellow and is missed by all the regiment. He had a quick death and did not suffer. May God help you and be with you in your bereavement.
Your sincere friend. J. Bellham"
("Derbyshire Courier", 23 September 1916 - Letter to his sister)

The Burnt Documents (WO 363) state that his NoK Father Mr Charles Swinscoe, 4 Gladstone Terrace, Matlock. This was the home of Thomas Lilley and his wife Emma in 1911. Emma was Harold's sister. His medals were signed for by his mother (in 1919, 1921); she also lived at Gladstone Terrace. His father passed away in Matlock in 1919.
CWGC site and Soldiers Died record him as SWINCOE, but the Local paper records H Swinscoe, 1st Northamptons, K-i-A, 16 Aug 1916, in the Battle of the Somme
Cemetery: Bazentin -Le-Petit Communal Cemetery Extension
Bazentin is a village in the Department of the Somme, to the north-east of Albert Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. A. 9

TAYLOR, William Ernest^[4]
Born Starkholmes, Matlock 1893. Christened 11 Feb 1894 St. Giles'.
KiA 15 Sep 1916, aged 22
Private 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 23419
ToW: F & F
s/o Mr. Richard and Emma Maria Taylor, of Starkholmes, Matlock. Richard Taylor was a labourer for the Midland Railway and worked in the Goods Yard. The family were living Starkholmes in the 1901 census. William worked for a time as an errand boy for H Smith & Sons. Residence Matlock. Enlisted Buxton.
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme (see See War Graves photos (Thiepval British Memorial) elsewhere on this site).
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.
Also commemorated St. Giles (Richard also on headstone) - More MI Info

THOMPSON, George
Born Darley Dale 6 Apr 1893
KiA 12 May 1915
Private 1st/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 1514
s/o Thomas and Sarah Thompson, who were living on Lime Tree Hill with their family in the 1901 census. George is shown as starting at All Saints' School on 4 Apr 1898 when his family were on Needham Terrace but he left. However, he re-enrolled on 2 Apr 1900 and again on 18 Apr 1904, having transferred from the Board School. His family were shown as living on Smedley Street West at the time.
He was apprenticed as a baker to and then worked for Walter Boden of Matlock Bank; he was living with Walter Boden in 1911. He later worked for the Midland Railway where his brother, Matthew, was still employed. See: Lists Through the Centuries, Matlock Station Staff, 1911 - 1966, K - Y
Enlisted Matlock, and was residing at Farley Hill, Darley Dale when he enlisted in Territorial Force on 18 Dec 1911. He attended both the Albemarle Camp in 1912 and the Clumber Camp in 1913. He arrived in France on 28 Feb 1915.
He was killed by shrapnel when in the trenches ("Nottingham Journal", 18 May 1915).
His parents lived on Hackney Lane for a time after he died but by 1919 had moved to 5 Needham Terrace, Smedley Street (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364).
ToW: F & F
Cemetery: Kemmel Chateau Military
Cemetery Grave/Memorial Reference: E. 31.

He was, according to the "Derbyshire Courier" of 22 May 1915, buried by a Wesleyan chaplain in the soldiers' cemetery.
The notification of his death and a letter from him arrived on the same day. He had written: "Send me some books to read because reading is our best job in the trenches in the day time. While I am in my little dug-out writing this letter shells about a ton weight are whistling by, and the Germans are about 200 yards away. They don't bother us a deal, else if they did there would not be any Germans left. There's only one thing to be afraid of, and that is poisonous gas which they use, and we should be glad of some respirators. Belgium is a charming place, but it is a shame to see women and children without homes. We were going up to the firing line one dark night. It was pouring with rain, and first one and then another kept falling into one of the big holes left by the Jack Johnsons. You can tell we had some laughing out of it" ("Nottingham Journal", 19 May 1915).

THORPE, Arthur [of Matlock Bank]^{[3] [8]}
Born Matlock 1897
KiA 7 Jun 1917, aged 20. Christened 15 Oct 1899 Tansley.
Private 11th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 29563
ToW: F & F
s/o Arthur and Mary Ellen Thorpe, of The Cliff, Matlock. Living M Cliff in the 1901 census. He was later employed as a Weaver at the Schole's Tape Mill. Enlisted Matlock.
Cemetery: Bedford House Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen (2.5 km south of Ieper). Bedford House, sometimes known as Woodcote House, were the names given by the Army to the Chateau Rosendal, a country house in a small wooded park with moats. Although it never fell into German hands, the house and the trees were gradually destroyed by shell fire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Enclosure No.4 VIII. B. 3.

TOFT, Harry^[8]
Born Matlock 1898
Died 20 Sep 1917, aged 19
Private "D" Coy. 26th Bn. Fusiliers
Service No: 65562
s/o Hiram and Agnes Toft, of Lathkill Cottage, Matlock Cliff, Matlock. Living M Cliff in both the 1901 census and the 1911 census, when Harry was still at school.
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders
Memorial Reference: Panel 28 to 30 and 162 to 162A and 163A.

TOMLINSON, Thomas Frederick^[1]
Known as Fred and signed Amy forms as F. Tomlinson
Born Nottingham 1897
DoW 17 May 1917
Private 2nd/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 240892
s/o John Arthur and Emma Tomlinson, with a sister Nellie. In the 1901 census Thomas was with his Tomlinson grandparents at Sycamore Road, Nottingham. By 1911 the family had moved from Staveley to Tor View on the Dimple. He was employed by Mr. Addy, coach builder.

He had been a member of Matlock Church Lads' Brigade before the war and was named as serving in the Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal (8 May 1915) and a Church Lads Brigade's "The Brigade" supplement (June 1915), which has an entry for him under Called to the Colours. Amongst those joining the army from the Matlock CLB Company was: " "PRESENT LADS. Tomlinson, Pte. F. 6th Notts & Derbys (T)".

Vernon Lamb Archive - VLA4992.

Enlisted "at the beginning of the war" at Matlock on 17 Oct 1914 and went to Ireland in connection with the rebellion. He DoW at 34th Casualty Clearing Station and his mother was then recorded as living at 12 Wilmot Street, Dimple, Matlock (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364). His mother first received an official telegram informing her that he was lying in the British Clearing Station suffering from dangerous gun-shot wounds in the chest and abdomen. She then received a letter from the sister in charge telling her that they were doing all they could, but that he was badly wounded and his condition was very serious. His father Arthur was also in France. He had been there 18 months.

Nottingham Evening Post, 23 May 1917
"TOMLINSON. - Died at wounds, May 17th, 1917, Private Fred Tomlinson, of Matlock, aged 19, dearly-loved grandson of Edward and Elisabeth Green, 13, Pelican-street. If tears and prayers could have saved him".

Buried: La Chapelette British and Indian Cemetery, Peronne, Somme
Grave Reference: II. E. 8.

TOPLIS, Arthur [of Lumsdale]^[8]
Born Matlock 1895. Christened 24 Nov 1895 Tansley
KiA 1 Apr 1917, aged 21
Private 1st/6th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Service No: 242127. Formerly 4456 Notts and Derbys Regt
ToW: F & F
s/o and eldest child of James & Elizabeth Toplis, of Beech Tree House, Lumsdale, Matlock and living Lumsdale in the 1901 census. Later worked at Drabble's Mill. Enlisted Matlock.
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. J. 4.
Cemetery: Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery, Epehy, Somme (between Cambrai and Peronne)

Arthur was rejected by the Army four times, but was eventually passed for service with the Sherwoods in July 1915. However, on going to France he was transferred to the Warwicks. His younger brother George was serving with the Sherwoods in France when Arthur was killed. Captain Lindfort, who conveyed the news to his parents, described him as a most excellent soldier, always cheerful and anxious to do his duty and a favourite amongst his comrades. He added that everything had been done to make his resting place as pleasant as possible ("Derbyshire Times", 21 April 1917).

TOPLIS, Joseph
Born Matlock 1896
KiA 12 Jul 1916, aged 20
Lance Corporal 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Secondary Regiment: Lincolnshire Regiment
Secondary attd. 1st Bn.
Service No: 13267
ToW: F & F
s/o Lydia (nee Holmes) Toplis, of Clifton Villa, New St., Matlock, and the late John Toplis*. The family were living in New Street in the 1891 census (before Joseph was born) and were in the same house in the 1901 census. Joseph was still at school in 1911.
Enlisted at the first recruiting meeting in Matlock on 25 Aug 1914, giving his trade as Grocer. Was part of the Expeditionary force to the Mediterranean (Dardanelles). He contracted enteric fever and was sent to Imtarfa Military Hospital, Malta, where he spent seven weeks; his parents were mistakenly told that he had died. He was invalidated to England 29 Oct 1915 on the H. S. Re. D'Italia and spent ten weeks at home, but was eventually sent to the Western Front. Appointed Acting Corporal 1 June 1916, reverting to LCpl. on 30 June when joined the expeditionary force to France and was attached to the Lincolnshires.
The news of his death was conveyed to his parents in a letter that Lance-Corpl. Radford had sent to a friend in Sunderland, which was then forwarded to Mr. Toplis ("Derbyshire Courier", 29 July 1916).
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme (see See War Graves photos (Thiepval British Memorial) elsewhere on this site).
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.
*John Toplis, Joseph's father, did not die until 1923 so the CWG reference information post dates that.

Also commemorated locally:
"Derbyshire Courier", 3 April 1920. Soldiers - Liberals.
A brass plaque mounted on an oak support was unveiled in the billiard room of the National Liberal Club. The names of twelve men were engraved, including that of Joseph.
It was unveiled by C. F. White, who said "those men died that we might live in safety".

TOWE, Ernest Harry (known as Harry)^[1]
Soldiers Died lists him as Lowe.
Born Matlock 1881
DoW 18 Jun 1918, aged 36
Private 12th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Service No: 40137
Formerly 30452, Notts & Derby Regt.
s/o George (d. Leicester, 1908?) and Mary A. Towe (d.1931). His parents were in Matlock Town in 1881, when his father was employed as a colour works labourer. His father then seems to have left home after the birth of Percy. The remaining family were living on Chesterfield Road in the 1891 census | the 1901 census. Mary Ann Towe was on Wellington Street in 1911, by this time a widow, and so was his brother Percy and his wife.
Married Sarah daur of James Doxey (as Henry) at St Helen's, Darley on 16 Feb 1908. 6 children. In 1911 he was living with his growing family on Cavendish Road and was a Joiner by trade, though later became a butcher. Enlisted Bakewell. At his death his NoK was Sarah Towe, of 4, Chesterfield Rd., Matlock.
Cemetery: Matlock (St. Giles) Churchyard (Sarah also on headstone) More MI Info

TWIGG John Walter [of The Cliff]^[8]
Born Matlock 1896, christened at Tansley 11 Feb 1897
KiA 16 Aug 1917
Rifleman 13th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles
Service No: 43135, formerly 43557, Sherwood Foresters
ToW: F & F
Fourth s/o Thomas and Hannah Twigg, living Matlock Cliff in the 1901 census. John was one of ten children and in 1911 he was living with three of his brothers, still on Matlock Cliff, and working as a Yeast Seller. He was employed by Mr. Pearson of Yew Tree Farm, Tansley, before enlisting on 18th Apr 1916. He crossed to France the following July. Mrs. Twigg was a widow at the time of his death.
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders
Memorial Reference: Panel 138 to 140 and 162 to 162A and 163A.

VINCENT, Edward
Name is on memorial at All Saints^[1]
Died 5 Jun 1918
Rank: Private 19th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
Service No: 342
Nationality: Australian
Cemetery: Dive Copse British Cemetery, Sailly-le-Sec, Somme
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. E. 1.
Edward mar Hephzibah (Effie) Bonsall at All Saints' in 1916. Effie lived on Matlock Bank (see 1901 census entry). She subsequently mar James Evans at Bakewell in 1919.

This casualty is not listed on the memorial inside St. Giles' Church.

WALL, Frederick Archibald (known as Archie)
Born Matlock 1896, christened at St. Giles' 13 Dec 1896
DoW 14 Oct 1918
Private 17th Bn. Royal Scots
Service No: 41103
ToW: F & F
s/o John and Selina Wall, of Church St., Matlock Town, Matlock. Living M Green in the 1901 census and the family were on Church Street in 1911, when Archie was still at school. Louis Wall, below, was his cousin. Archie had been employed at Messrs. Drabble's Lumsdale Mills.
Buried: Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen
Grave Reference: Kruiseecke German Cem. Mem. 2.
Also commemorated St. Giles (parents also on headstone) More Info

WALL, John
Whilst there is no further concrete information it is possible that John was John Henry Wall who was born in Darley Dale and was a mechanic by trade. An uninvestigated possibility is that he was the following J Wall:
Air Mechanic 2nd Class, 1st Aeroplane Supply Depot Repair Park, Royal Air Force
Died: 23 Sep 1918
Service No: 104571
Cemetery: Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille
Grave/Memorial Reference IV. C. 30.
Or he might have been the brother of Richard Wall, below, who was born in Matlock.
If you have any more information please get in touch.
Another John Wall also served in the Army, but survived the War. He was John Anthony Wall of Elm Tree House on Rutland Street ( see the 1901 census) who died in 1937.

WALL, Louis William
Born Riber, Matlock 1881
DoW 06 Sep 1916, aged 34
Rifleman 16th Bn., Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt.)
Service No: 27672
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Emily Wall. Living Riber in the 1881 census, on New Street in the 1891 census and Becks Buildings Matlock Bridge in the 1901 census. Louis worked as a cotton bleacher, bleaching and dyeing cotton and wool for worked for Messrs. Farnsworth, bleachers. Husband of Florence Wall, of 5, Richmond Terrace, Matlock. Mar Florence Goodwin at All Saints' in 1907. Three sons, the youngest one born just after his father had died. Arkle's book^[11] mentions that Arthur Wall's father was killed in the Great War. Arthur was the middle son of the three. Enlisted Matlock.
The report of his death, published in the Derby Daily Telegraph of 18 September 1916, said that he was in the Lewis Gun Section of the Sherwood Foresters. "He had been in France six months, and had twice previously had narrow escapes from death. On one occasion a bullet grazed his ribs near vital organs without inflicting serious injury, and another time he had just concluded a meal in his billet and had gone outside for a little fresh air when the building was blown up". He was admitted to hospital two days before his death with a bullet wound to the head and did not regain consciousness.
Frederick Archie Wall, above, was his cousin.

Buried: Beauval Communal Cemetery, Somme
Grave Reference: F. 33.
Also commemorated St. Giles (Florence also on headstone) More Info

Another local commemoration:
"Derbyshire Courier", 3 April 1920. Soldiers - Liberals.
A brass plaque mounted on an oak support was unveiled in the billiard room of the National Liberal Club. The names of twelve men were engraved, including that of Lewis.
It was unveiled by C. F. White, who said "those men died that we might live in safety".

WALL, Richard William
Born Holloway 1878, christened at St. Giles' 14 Apr 1878
KiA 25 Aug 1918
Nationality: United Kingdom
Private 8th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
Service No: 203097
ToW: F & F
Eldest s/o George Phillips and Sarah Elizabeth Wall; George was a coachman's wheelwright. The family were living on The Dimple in the 1891 census. They later moved to Chatsworth Road Brampton, Chesterfield and Richard worked there as a Brewers' Labourer, employed by the Scarsdale Brewery.
His parents were notified in late Sep 1918 that he had been killed in action between 22 and 25 Sept. He had enlisted into the Royal Scots at Chesterfield in Mar 1916. In Feb 1917 he was drafted to France and transferred to the South Lincs. Both his brothers, Harry and John, were serving in France at his death ("Derbyshire Courier", 28 September 1918). Harry Bernard Wall definitely survived the war, returned to Chesterfield and married (1939 Register). The fate of John is uncertain, but it is possible he was also commemorated on the memorial. See John Wall, above.

Memorial: Vis-en-Artois Memorial
Memorial Reference: Panel 4.

This casualty is not listed on the memorial inside St. Giles' Church.

WALTERS, Thomas
Born South Darley (Wensley)
KiA 27 Apr 1917, aged 20
Private 2nd/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 241662
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Lilian Walters, later of 603, Sheffield Rd., Whittington Moor, Chesterfield. The family were in Wensley in 1901 and William was employed as a stone sawyer. Thomas and his brother William were at Wensley in 1911 with their grandmother, Harriet, and he was working for her as a general farm labourer. The rest of the family were also in Wensley. They subsequently moved to Hackney.
Enlisted Matlock, resided South Darley. His regiment were in Ireland in 1916 but went to France in early 1917.
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme (see See War Graves photos (Thiepval British Memorial) elsewhere on this site).
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A

WARD, Bertie (Herbert)
(brother of Reginald below)
Born Matlock 1899
DoW 30 Aug 1918, aged 19
Private 10th Bn. Essex Regiment
Service No: 44728
ToW: F & F
s/o Tom and Isabel Ward. Living Matlock in the 1901 census. NoK given as Isabel Ward, of 3, Cavendish Rd., Matlock Bank, Matlock. Enlisted Matlock
Buried: Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme (about 10 km east of Amiens)
Grave Reference: VII. A. 60.

WARD, Reginald (Reggie)
(brother of Bertie above)
Born Matlock 1894
KiA 7 Dec 1915, aged 21
Rifleman 1st Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
Service No: R/4787
ToW: F & F
s/o Tom and Isabel Ward, of 3, Cavendish Rd., Matlock Bank. Living Matlock in the 1901 census. He had worked as the Steward at various clubs including Matlock Working Men's Club. He was also a champion billiards player.
Enlisted Derby 12 Sep 1914 and posted 8 Oct, initially 13th K.R.R. No.3375. As he was by then working at the Matlock Bath Unionist Club he is shown as one of those from Matlock Bath serving by late September: Lists Through the Centuries: Men Serving King and Country, 1914.
The Army declared him fit only for home service on 26 Apr and 5 May 1915 after he had the misfortune to contract various ailments and was admitted to hospital on seven occasions between 18 Jan and 20 March 1915, when he was finally discharged. However, having told the Army he wished to resume his duties he eventually embarked at Southampton on 15 June 1915, arriving in France on the 16th (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364). According to a letter sent to his parents by a comrade, he was shot whilst on sentry duty.

Cemetery: Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Pas de Calais. The extension is remarkable for the very large numbers of graves grouped by battalion.
Grave/Memorial Reference: G. 7.

Two images of him, with trophies, are in the Vernon Lamb Archive:

VLA5179

VLA5189

WHEATCROFT, Arthur Henry B
Born Matlock (Cromford) 1886
Died 8 Nov 1918, aged 32. Christened at St. Giles' 25 Sep 1887
Driver, No. 3 Coy. 30th Div. Train, Army Service Corps
Service No: T4/042236
s/o Harry (Henry) and Sarah Ann Wheatcroft. Living Bakewell Road in the 1891 census and Scarthin in the 1901 census. Husband of Millicent Wheatcroft, of 4, St. John's Terrace, Matlock. Married Millicent Buckley Holmes at St Martins, Stockport on 19 Apr 1908. Millicent was also from Matlock. Their son, also Arthur, was born after he had died.
AHBW had worked as a Park Keeper for Stockport Borough Council before the War.
Enlisted Stockport 10 Jan 1915. A document dated 3 Nov 1918 showed Mrs M Wheatcroft at 8 Mountfield Road, Stockport. AHBW died of Broncho-pneumonia, having been admitted to 2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station on transfer from 96 Field Ambulance with what was initially thought to be influenza. A testimonial from Stockport Town Hall amongst his records said he was used to horses all his life and for 2½ years prior to working for the Council had driven the mail cart from Matlock to Bakewell (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364).
Cemetery: Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier
Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 63.

WHEATCROFT, Frederick (Joseph Frederick)
[Named as Frank on Memorial at All Saints, but must be a mistake^[1]]
Born Bonsall 3 Mar 1867
Died 3 Feb 1916, aged 49, illness in Kirkwall Hospital*
Gunner H.M.S. "Cyclops II." Royal Marine Artillery
Service No: RMA/2505
s/o Mary (Beebe) Wheatcroft and son or stepson of Abraham Wheatcroft. Frederick was in the Navy a long time and amongst places he was based was Eastney, Portsmouth (1891). He later served on the battleship "Victorious" as a Gunner (1901). He was discharged from the Navy in 1908 and became the steward at Matlock Conservative Club. He was called up as a Naval Reservist in 1914.
Mar (1) Elizabeth Adams on 30 Dec 1893 in Pembrokeshire (Naval records show 1895, but GRO records have 1893)
Mar (2) Anne Lewis at Farley Hill Congregational Chapel in 1911. She was the sister of F J Lewis who is also on the memorial.
Cemetery: St. Olaf's Cemetery, Kirkwall, Orkney. The cemetery overlooks Scapa Flow and the CWGC has a beautiful picture of this.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 1. 10.
His name was included on a bronze memorial plaque unveiled by Lord Hartington in Matlock Conservative Club in honour of their members and stewards ("Derbyshire Courier", 5 June 1920).

*Keith Taylor has said that the newspaper report, which gave his name as Joseph Frederick, said he died of pneumonia and that his family had been unable to reach Orkney in time as he was initially progressing well but suffered a relapse and died. However, he was buried at Kirkwall on 6 Feb 1916 with full Naval Honours. Mrs. Wheatcroft was present at the burial.

WHERRETT, Thomas^[4]
Born Matlock 1898, christened at St. Giles' 13 Feb 1898.
DoW 12 Dec 1917.
Private 2nd/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 240931
ToW: F & F
s/o George and Sarah (nee Smedley) Wherrett, the youngest of twelve children. Living Matlock Town the 1901 census. By 1911 they were living at End Holme, Starkholmes Road. Thomas was still at school (Strutts), his father had retired and his mother had died.
Enlisted Matlock. Examined for service 19 Oct 1914, giving his trade as Shop Lad although other records indicate that when he left school, aged 16, he immediately joined the colours. He served in France from 27 Feb 1917. He died of wounds at a casualty clearing station in France. He was sniping when he was hit by a fragment of shell.

Buried: Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt, Somme
Grave Reference: VIII. A. 6.
Also commemorated St. Giles (parents also on headstone) - Go to MI

WHITE, Francis
Born Temple Normanton 1879
Died 30 Mar 1918, aged 39
Company Serjeant Major 12th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 7217
Awards: MSM (Meritorious Service Medal)
s/o George and Caroline White, of Hasland, Chesterfield, though his father pre-deceased him. He had three brothers and a half sister, a Mrs. Bridge of Bakewell Road. Living Temple Normanton in 1881, at Grasshill in Hasland in 1891. Husband of Maude Jane Taylor (formerly White), of Hovendene, Malpas Rd., Matlock. He had mar Maud(e) Jane Gould at St. Helen's, Darley in 5 Sep 1910 (the witnesses were Wm. S. Hand and his wife Lilian Emily). In 1911 the couple were living at the Grouse Inn, Darley with Maud Jane's relatives. Francis was then working as a joiner. He was a member of Matlock Rifle Club before the War.
Enlisted Derby 14 Sep 1914. He gave his trade as Steward, and also that he had been apprenticed to Mr. Askew of Matlock for 6½ years, which expired in 1901. His address at enlistment was 3 Park View, Woolley Road. He was promoted to Corporal 6 Nov 1914, and to C.S.M. 28 Sep 1915. However, on 19 Jan 1916 he was demoted back to Private for drunkenness. Slightly under 2 months later he was reappointed as LCpl (unpaid), acted briefly as an Acting Corporal, then promoted twice more becoming a Serjeant on 6 Jul 1916. An official German list shows that he died in the field hospital at St. Quentin having suffered shell wound to his abdomen (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364).

Cemetery: Chapelle British Cemetery, Holnon.
Grave Reference: II. H. 2.
See War Graves photos (Honlon) elsewhere on this site.
His name was included on a bronze memorial plaque unveiled by Lord Hartington in Matlock Conservative Club in honour of their members and stewards ("Derbyshire Courier", 5 June 1920).

In the Vernon Lamb Archive

VLA4896

VLA5263

WILDGOOSE, Charles^[1]
(brother of James Henry below)
Born Matlock 1897
DoW 28 Mar 1918, aged 20
Serjeant 15th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 26960
ToW: F & F
s/o Francis Henry and Jemima Wildgoose, of Greenfield, Edge Rd., Matlock. In the 1901 census the family were living on Industrial Road and later lived at Fairplace on Bank Road. Enlisted Matlock.

Buried: Etaples Military Cemetery
Grave Reference: XXXI. K. 15.
See War Graves photos (Etaples) elsewhere on this site
Also commemorated St. Giles (parents and brother also on headstone) More MI Info

WILDGOOSE, Ernest Henry^{[1] [10]}
Born Matlock 16 May 1893, baptised 25 Jun 1893 (Matlock Circuit)
KiA 22 Mar 1918, aged 24
Nationality: United Kingdom
Second Lieutenant 104th Field Coy. Royal Engineers
ToW: F & F
s/o John William and Sarah Wildgoose, of "Holmebank", Matlock; husband of Doris Wright Wildgoose, of "Swiss Villas", Cromford, Matlock.
He had attended All Saints' School from 21 Feb 1898 when his home address was given as Smedley Street. He then moved from the Infant Department on 2 Apr 1900 by which time he was living Wellington St and the Wildgoose family were still there in the 1901 census. They later moved to Industrial Road. He worked as a mason in his father's building business.
He married Doris Wright Witham at Matlock Bath Independent Chapel on 15 Jan 1918, shortly before his death.

Memorial: Pozieres Memorial (6 km north-east of Albert). The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.
Memorial Reference: Panel 10 to 13. Left a Will

He is also commemorated in St. Giles' churchyard with his parents. See MI, with photo (Grave C117).

Derby Daily Telegraph, 12 April 1918 (Matlock Officer's Death)
"News reached Mr. J. W. Wildgoose, Matlock, on Wednesday, of the death of his son, Lieut. Ernest Wildgoose, in France. He was only married last month to Coun. Witham's daughter. He belonged to the Sherwoods, and was aged 23".

Another local commemoration:
"Derbyshire Courier", 3 April 1920. Soldiers - Liberals.
A brass plaque mounted on an oak support was unveiled in the billiard room of the National Liberal Club. The names of twelve men were engraved, including that of Ernest.
It was unveiled by C. F. White, who said "those men died that we might live in safety".

WILDGOOSE, James Henry^[1]
(brother of Charles above)
Born Matlock 25 Jul 1887, baptised 28 Aug 1887 (Matlock Circuit)
KiA 9 May 1918
Private 6th Bn. Tank Corps
Service No: 305952, formerly 285590 Royal Engineers
ToW: F & F
s/o Francis Henry and Jemima Wildgoose. Living Chesterfield Road in the 1891 census | in the 1901 census the family were living on Industrial Road but they must have spent some time in Sheffield as James Henry is shown as transferring to All Saints' from there on 19 Sep 1895. They lived in Oak Street at that time.
Mar Annie Cooke at St. Mary's, Wirksworth in 1910. They lived on Hopewell Terrace and James was employed as a plumber, working for his father. 3 sons. Enlisted Matlock.

Buried: St. Amand British Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais (17 km east of Doullens)
Grave Reference: III. C. 3.
Also commemorated St. Giles (parents and brother also on headstone) More Info

WILDGOOSE, Norman^[1]
Born Matlock 1897
Died 27 Sep 1916
Nationality: Canadian
Private 5th Bn. Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Service No: 147910
s/o James A and Cassandra Wildgoose and living M Moor in the 1901 census. The Wildgoose family then emigrated to Canada. NoK given as Mr. James A. Wildgoose, of 311, Edmonton St., Winnipeg, Canada.
Norman joined the Canadian contingent soon after war broke out and he was wounded at Thiepval in Sept 1916. He was taken to Cardiff, but succumbed to his injuries. He was buried there with full military honours but his parents requested that he should be exhumed. After much discussion the necessary licence was obtained, his body was exhumed and returned to Matlock for burial. The re-internment was watched by a large number of people ("Belper News", 4 May 1917).

Cemetery: Matlock (St. Giles) Churchyard
Grave/Memorial Reference: Spec. Memorial. He is commemorated by the top gate at St. Giles' church. There is also a photograph of the headstone itself.

WILLCOCK, Colin Clive
Born 1880
Died 25 Dec 1918, aged 38
Nationality: Australian
Gunner 7th Bde. Regiment/Service: Australian Field Artillery
Service No: 38651
s/o Robert Alfred and Emma C. Willcock. Born at Albrighton, SAL.
He was the Clerk at the Colour Works and living in M Dale in the 1901 census, aged 21. He later lived with his uncle and aunt, Henry and Sophia Wheatcroft, at Willersley Cottage and was described as assisting his uncle as a colour manufacturer.

Buried: Colchester Cemetery
Grave Reference: T. 5. 63.

WILSON, Thomas (Tommy)^[1]
Born Matlock 1897
KiA 21 Sep 1917, aged 20
Lance Corporal 122nd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Service No: 53256
ToW: F & F
s/o Thomas and Mary Ellen Wilson, of Lime Tree Rd., Matlock Bank, Matlock. Thomas snr was a porter working for the Midland Railway. The family were on Lime Tree Hill in the 1901 census. Thomas jnr worked for Smedleys' Hosiery Works Ltd. as a presshand (assistant), though when he joined up he gave his occupation as "Boots". He enlisted at Matlock on 23 Oct 1914 (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364) and had been in France for 15 months. Both his father and brother were also in the Colours.
His home address was given as Lime Tree Road in the MAVL (1918).

Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders.
Memorial Reference: Panel 154 to 159 and 163A.

Tommy Wilson was reported to have been killed in Oct 1917. His close friend Lance-Corpl. F. Hobbs, wrote the following:- "I have to break some very sad news with regard to your son, and will let you know at once that he was killed yesterday in action. He was taken away without any pain or suffering" ("Derbyshire Times", 6 October 1917).

WOODHOUSE, James Henry, of Lumsdale^[8]
Born Matlock (Lumsdale) 1880. Baptised 3 Oct 1880 (Matlock Circuit)
KiA 26 Sep 1917, aged 37
Private 2nd/8th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 204407
s/o Joseph and Mary Jane Woodhouse. NoK given as his widowed father, Joseph Woodhouse, of 6, The Terrace, Lumsdale, Matlock. See the 1881 census. JHW is not in later on-site census transcripts as he was then listed under Tansley. He worked as a cotton and wool waste sorter for Messrs Drabble and Sons at the Tansley Wood Mills for nearly 25 years. A well known member of Matlock's brass band. Lieutenant T. B. Shay wrote to Mr. Woodhouse as follows: - —"I have to inform you of the death of your son ... who was killed in the big battle at the end of last month. It may be of some consolation to know that he died bravely doing his duty".
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders.
Memorial Reference: Panel 99 to 102 and 162 to 162A.
Left a Will

Also commemorated locally:
"Derbyshire Courier", 3 April 1920. Soldiers - Liberals.
A brass plaque mounted on an oak support was unveiled in the billiard room of the National Liberal Club. The names of twelve men were engraved, including that of James.
It was unveiled by C. F. White, who said "those men died that we might live in safety".

Memorial Cards, Surnames S-W

WOODHOUSE, Roy^[1]
Born Matlock 12 Jan 1893. Baptised 29 Jan 1893 (Matlock Circuit)
Died 24 Jan 1917, aged 24
Private 6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 1554
s/o Elias and Clara Woodhouse, of "Tor Side," Jackson Rd., Matlock. On 1 Sep 1897 he transferred to All Saints' School from a private school. See the 1901 census entry. By 1911 he was working as a house painter but the Burnt Documents show that he had joined the staff of Smedley's Hydropathic Establishment, employed as a painter and decorator.
Enlisted 29 Jan 1912 and underwent training at Clumber Park Camp in both 1912 and 1913. He went to France on 28 Feb 1915. On 7 Jul 1916 he was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the left forearm. He was first sent to the Field Hospital, but was transferred to Le Treport, and then sent back to the United Kingdom. He had a spell in one hospital of 50 days. The records aren't quite clear but he was admitted to a Glasgow hospital and his records indicate a prolonged stay - from 6 Sep 1916 to 12 Jan 1917. He rejoined the Foresters but a report about his death, dated 22 Feb 1917, shows that he had been taken to Strenshall Camp Hospital in a comatose condition, with a fever and variable pulse. An autopsy revealed that he had died from a haemorrhage into the lateral ventilis; he had contracted meningitis (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364).
Cemetery: Matlock (St. Giles) Churchyard (parents also on headstone) More Info

WOODIWISS, Walter Henry^[1]
Born Matlock 1895.. Baptised 14 Jul 1895 (Matlock Circuit)
KiA 1 Jul 1916, aged 21
Private 1st Bn. Hampshire Regiment
Service No: 16675 - formerly 22560, 11th Reserve Cavalry Regiment
ToW: F & F
Only s/o Mrs. Sarah Lydia (nee Woodhouse) Woodiwiss, of Rose Villa, New St., Matlock. Father Henry, 3 sisters. See the 1901 census entry for the family, who were living on Matlock Bank. By 1911 Walter was working as an errand boy for a dye shop.
Enlisted Matlock. He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and was one of eight men with connections to Matlock who were killed that day.
His father, Henry, also joined the Army as a Sapper, W/R43431, enlisting at Derby 2 Jul 1918 and posted to the Road and Quarry Troops, Royal Engineers on 4 Jul. He returned home in early Feb 1919 (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364).
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme (see See War Graves photos (Thiepval British Memorial) elsewhere on this site).
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 7 C and 7 B.
Also commemorated St. Giles (parents Henry and Sarah Lydia also on headstone) More Info

Also commemorated locally:
"Derbyshire Courier", 3 April 1920. Soldiers - Liberals.
A brass plaque mounted on an oak support was unveiled in the billiard room of the National Liberal Club. The names of twelve men were engraved, including that of Walter.
It was unveiled by C. F. White, who said "those men died that we might live in safety".

WOOLLEY, Charles William^[1]
Born Matlock 17 Sep 1893
DoW 23 Apr 1917, aged 23
Serjeant 1st/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 240124
Awards: MM. Announced in London Gazette 10 Nov 1916 - supplement to, with WO announcement pub 11 Nov 1916
ToW: F & F
s/o John Samuel and Maria Woolley, of 3, Park Square, Woolley Rd., Matlock. He is shown as living on King's Row when he started at All Saints' School on 26 Apr 1897. However, they were on Victor Terrace when he moved from the Infants on 2 Apr 1900 and they were undoubtedly there in the 1901 census entry (a relative of the web mistress lives a few doors away and they were in the same terrace). CWW worked as a farm labourer before the war.
Enlisted Matlock on 14 June 1911, as No. 1450, giving his occupation as a Farm Labourer working for Mr. G[eorge] Goodwin (of Wolds Farm) by which time he living at "Three Park Square, Smedley Street". He attended Abermaide Camp in 1912. He was promoted to Corporal on 10 Dec 1914 and to Serjeant on 31 May 1915. On 22 Apr 1917 he suffered multiple shell wounds and died the following day (this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364). He was universally liked by his regiment.
He was killed shortly after winning the MM "North of Neuville St. Vaast on the night of 16-17 April 1916 he showed a great coolness and determination in digging a new trench under machine gun fire after a mine explosion. After his officer was killed at dawn, he collected and brought in the party." his comrades clubbed together and sent his mother the money to have a photo of her son enlarged and framed. This was done and displayed in W. N. Statham's window. Col Unwin wrote to his parents saying that he was his very best pal. ... "We were proceeding to the trenches when the Germans started shelling. Charlie and two others in his platoon were hit by one of the shells. I was in front and did not hear about it at the time, but I hear he was taken away on the ambulance".

Buried: Chocques Military Cemetery is (4 km north-west of Bethune). Most of the burials from this period are of casualties who died at the clearing station from wounds received at the Bethune front
Grave Reference: I. K. 20.

WOOLLEY, Joseph John William^[1]
Born Matlock 1885
KiA 21 Mar 1918, aged 32
Nationality: United Kingdom
Serjeant 2nd/5th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
Service No: 29998
ToW: F & F
s/o Louisa Woolley and the late Joseph Woolley; husband of Kate Woolley, of 3, Windsor Terrace, Smedley St. West, Matlock. See the 1891 census | the 1901 census. Mar Kate Knight at All Saint' in 1907. 2 sons, 2 daurs. He was a Joiner by trade. He was one of 8 Matlock men to die or be killed on 21st Mar 1918, the first day of the German 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht - their big push.
Memorial: Pozieres Memorial (6 km north-east of Albert). The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.
Memorial Reference: Panel 42 and 43.

WRAGG, George Palfreyman^[8]
Born Matlock 1887
KiA 12 Jun 1917
Private 14th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
Service No: 43872
ToW: F & F
s/o John and Margaret Wragg and living Matlock Cliff in the 1891 census | the 1901 census. In 1911 he was employed as a cotton and tape bleacher. Enlisted Matlock.

Memorial: Loos Memorial
Memorial Reference: Panel 106 and 107.

WRAGG, Harold
Born Matlock 1897
KiA 13 Aug 1918, aged 21
Private 10th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 240283
ToW: F & F
s/o Samuel and Minnie (nee Statham) Wragg, of Glen Cottage, Wellington St., Matlock. Harold was their only child. Living Hurst in the 1901 census. Harold was still at school in 1911. Enlisted Matlock. His home address was given as Hurst Cottages in the MAVL (1918).

Cemetery: Assevillers New British Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: XI. E. 1.

WYATT, John Walter^[1]
Known as Walter
Born Ashover 1900. Christened there 12 Mar 1900
KiA 8 Sep 1918
Lance Corporal 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
Service No: 87488. Formerly 67922, Sherwood Foresters
ToW: F & F
s/o John and Mary Martha (nee Shepherd) Wyatt; John was a stone cutter. NoK given as Mr. J. Wyatt, of Jackson Rd., Matlock. The family had moved to Jackson Road after 1909, after the birth of John's youngest brother and John was still at school in 1911.

Cemetery: Sailly-Labourse Communal Cemetery Extension
Grave/Memorial Reference: M. 2.

^[1] Also commemorated at All Saints' Church.
^[2] Also commemorated on the Matlock Bath War Memorial. John Clay, for example, lived in Matlock Bath but was born and brought up in Matlock. N.B. John Clay was the writer's grandfather.
^[3] Also commemorated at Farley Hill Congregational Church.
^[4] Also commemorated on the Starkholmes War Memorial.
^[5] Also commemorated on the Cromford War Memorial.
^[6] Also commemorated on Darley Dale War Memorial.
^[7] Christian names from Stephen Kimberley, who owns a funeral card for his ancestor's brother.
^[8] Christian names of men who are also commemorated at Tansley from Denys Gaskell. There is a brief account of each casualty on his page about the Tansley Village First World War Memorial (now on Tansley Church's site).
^[9] Isaac Mycock's surname appears in some records as Mycroft and he is listed on Coalville War Memorial and the CWG site as J Mycroft. With grateful thanks to Prunella Bradshaw for sorting this out.
^[10] Also commemorated at Glenorchy Chapel
^[11] Arkle, M. J. (1983) "Tuppence Up, Penny Down", printed by Geo. Hodgkinson (Printers) Ltd

Some of the names above are also commemorated on other memorials. I should be pleased to include the Christian names of anyone in the above text whose Christian name(s) only appears as initials. Please email and write Matlock War Memorial in the subject line. Thank you.

There is a full report of the unveiling of Matlock War Memorial in: High Peak News 13 August 1921
This can be read at County Hall Local Studies Library, now part of the Derbyshire Record Office, or at Colindale (this depository is being relocated at present).
How to contact County Hall Local Studies Library

Matlock St Giles - MIs in the church
where there is a Book of Memory to the men who died in WW2.

With very grateful thanks to the late Mr. Charles Beresford for initial help and additional material.
Background research from "The High Peak News" and other local newspapers, GRO BMD indexes and FreeBMD, from returns for the 1891 census | the 1901 census the 1911 census, the 911 census, parish registers and family members.
Names also compared with information provided on "Soldiers Died in the Great War" CD and other Army records. Some records found in "The London Gazette" and "The Times".

If you know any more about the above men, we would very much like to hear from you. Please email and in the subject line write Matlock War Memorial. Thank you.