| Matlock & Matlock Bath : The War Memorials |
| Commemorating Matlock's and Matlock Bath's War Casualties |
| |
 |
|
| Names on Matlock Bath's War Memorial |
On this page:
Names on the Memorial | World War 1 Casualties | World War 2 Casualties
WW1 Casualties with Matlock Bath link not on the Memorial **New**
Background information about those who died is provided
There are photos of Arras, Etaples, Thiepval, Wimille and Wimereux elsewhere
on this site
All Matlock Bath Casualties are also
commemorated at Holy Trinity Church
|
|
 Abbreviations |
DoW - Died of Wounds
KiA - Killed in Action
ToW - Theatre of War
F & F - France and Flanders |
M Bank - Matlock Bank
M Bath - Matlock Bath
M Dale - Matlock Dale |
Mar - Married
MAVL - Matlock Absent Voter's List (1918)
NoK - Next of Kin
s/o - son of
Unm - Unmarried
WO - War Office |
|
|
| Those who died in WW1, 1914 - 1919 : further information |
BODEN, Frank Wigley[1]
Born M Bath 1898 (in Kedleston in 1901, not with parents in M Bath)
KiA 18 Oct 1917, aged 19
Private in the 8th Bn.Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
Service No: 33604. Formerly 269791, R.A.S.C.
ToW: F & F
s/o John William and Amy Wright Boden, of South Parade, M Bath.
He was in the trenches when he was struck by a fragment of
shell and he died instantly. He had only been in the Colours
since May. Before that time he had helped his father in the
family business ("Belper News", 9 November 1917).
Buried: Hooge Crater Cemetery, nr. Ieper, Belgium
Grave Reference: IX. C. 13.
He is named on his grandparents'
memorial at St. Giles' Church.
There is more about Frank Wigley Boden, his family and the impact of his enlistment on:
 Matlock
Bath: South Parade, 1909, & Boden's Baker & Confectioner
 Matlock
Bath: South Parade, 1910 - the Roads & Boden's Restaurant |
BODEN, George William[2]
Born M Bank 1883
DoW 13 May 1917, aged 33
Private 8th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
Service No: 30622
ToW: F & F
s/o of William and Ann Boden, of the Gate Hotel, Matlock Bank;
husband of Clara (née Chadwick) Boden, of Spring Cottage,
North Parade, M Bath.
He and his family were shown at the Gate Inn in
the 1891 census. His father died in 1896 (bu 4 Mar at St.
Giles') but his mother became the Innkeeper and in the
1901 census George William shown as the Barman at
The Gate. In 1908 Ann Boden transferred the licence of the
Gate to her son in law Frederick George Bannister, a former
valuer.
George William's mother and sister then moved to Eden Hurst on Rutland St.
He and Clara were married at Matlock Bath Independent Chapel
(Glenorchy) in 1902. The family first lived in Portland Cottage
on Clifton Road and George became an omnibus driver, working
for William Furniss. They were still there in 1911, with the
four eldest children. It is worth mentioning that the census
shows she had already had an additional two babies, but these
had passed away before the census. They moved to the very small
Primrose Cottage up the Ginger Steps (beside Rose Cottage on
North Parade)[3] when
he changed employer.
The Matlock Tribunal which decided on applications for exemption
from recruitment, held its longest sitting in May 1916. There
were over 60 cases to be heard (C. Beresford has 30[4]).
It involved the married men, of which G. W. Boden was one. "A
Matlock motor garage proprietor asked for six months for one
of his drivers, and he was given four months (final) ("Belper
News", 19 May 1916). George William was by this time
working for Hands[4].
Enlisted Matlock in 1916. George and Clara had 6 children
by this time, although they had also lost three.
Buried: Etaples Military Cemetery, exactly a month after the
web mistress's grandfather John Clay has been interred there.
Grave Reference: XXV. B. 15
See War Graves photos (Etaples) elsewhere
on this site
Also commemorated St. Giles (with parents) More
MI Info
Obituary. Derbyshire Times, 19 May 1917 (Matlock Bath soldier
dies from wounds).
"News has just been received in Matlock Bath that Pte.
G. William Boden, Lincolnshire Regiment, a well-known local
resident, has died this week in a hospital as a result of wounds
received in action. Deceased, who was 33 years of age, leaves
a widow and six little children. He had been at the Front about
six months. At one time he drove the 'bus for the Royal Hotel,
and later filled a similar post at Mr. Furniss's livery stables".
Trade Directory entries showing the family at the Gate Inn:
Kelly's 1891 Directory (William
Boden) | Kelly's
1895 Directory (William Boden)
| Kelly's
1899 Directory (Ann Boden) | Kelly's
1908 Directory (Ann Boden) |
Kelly's 1912 Directory (Bannister)
| Kelly's 1916 Directory (Bannister)
|
BODEN, Matthew[1]
Born M Bath 1876 and christened at Holy Trinity on 4 Jun 1876 when
his father's occupation was shown as post messenger.
Bap Holy Trinity 4 Jun 1876
DoW 21 May 1918, aged 42. "Soldiers Died" states
incorrect year of 1917 but he was not listed as a war casualty
until his name was published in the "Derbyshire
Courier" of 15 June
1918.
Private 6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 241473
ToW: F & F
s/o of the late George and Elizabeth Boden, of Matlock Bath.
The family do not seem to have been included in the 1881 census
but were at Derby House by the
1891 census. Family living at Glenorchy
Cottages in
1901 census. Matthew's father was buried at Holy Trinity
on 18 Jul 1908, aged 74. The remaining family were at South
End in 1911; Matthew was living with his widowed mother
and was employed as a Mill Hand (Gasser). Brother
also served Navy.
He enlisted at Chesterfield.
Unm. In early May 1917 he was listed as wounded.
Buried: Fouquires Churchyard Extension, nr. Bethune
Grave Reference: III. A. 5.
 An
enlargement of this image from 1900 shows South End, where
Matthew lived with his mother |
BRITLAND, William Henry (Billy)
Born M 1899
KiA 22 Mar 1918
Private in the 3rd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
Service No: 41963
s/o of Richard and Hannah Britland, who lived in M Dale (see
1901 census). The family were still in Matlock Dale in
1911 and Billy was at school.
He enlisted at Matlock Bath. Unm. His home address was given
as The Dale in the MAVL (1918). His sister, Minnie, married
the great uncle of the web mistress.
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 6 (see See War
Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site)
Also commemorated: St. Giles' Churchyard More
MI Info |
BURDETT, Thomas Cecil
Born 1891 Rutland Oakham (Billesdon Reg Dist)
KiA 5 Dec 1917 in Mesopotamia
Private 5th Bn. Wiltshire Regiment
Service No: 33358
In the 1901 census the
family, who were living at the house on Devonshire Terrace,
were wrongly recorded as Burnett. They later moved to 5
Clarence Villas.
In 1911 Thomas was living at 4 Police Street, Patricroft, Lancashire.
He was a Warper in the cotton weaving trade and lodging with
the Hewitt family. He mar Sarah Ann Slater 1914 at Holy Trinity,
then moved to Stockport where he enlisted. 1 daughter.
Memorial: Basra Memorial
Memorial Reference: Panel 30 and 64
 The
Burdett family outside 5 Clarence Villas |
BUXTON, Edgar
Born M Bath 1878
Bap Holy Trinity 15 Aug 1878
Died (Gassed) 27 Apr 1918, aged 39
Private 17th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
then 9th Sherwood Foresters
Service No: 41282
ToW: F & F
The youngest of the 8 children of Herbert and Elizabeth
Buxton, of South Parade, M Bath. His father was Museum & Derwent
Gardens proprietor.
Edgar apparently had shooting rights over Snitterton Hall Farm.
In 1909 he caught two Bonsall men, Jno Martin and Francis Sudbury,
who were trespassing and looking for rabbits. He summoned them
to the Matlock Petty Sessions and both were fined ("Derby
Daily Telegraph" 19 August 1909).
He joined the Army 1916.
Buried: Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, which is between Bethune and
Lens.
Grave Reference: III. D. 2.
There are several references to the Buxton family:
See the
1881 census | the 1891
census | the
1901 census when Edgar was working as an auctioneer.
A selection of pages where the Buxton family are mentioned:
|
CLAY, John[1]
Born 1889 M Bank.
DoW Friday, 13th April 1917, aged 27 in Etaples Military Hospital.
Trooper (Private CWGC) 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars.
Disembarked in France for the first time on 8 Nov 1914 (WO 329/2396).
Service No: 25376
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Jane Clay. Living
M Bank in 1901. Husband of Ethel Lily Clay, of 1, Masson
Rd., M Bath. 2 sons, 1 daughter. Enlisted Derby. Educated
first at All Saints' and then at the Cavendish School,
Matlock. Had been apprenticed to Hodgkinsons as a surveyor,
specializing in land values for farmers, but went to work
for the father of his childhood friend, Bill Furniss (no
relation). He intended to open a garage with William Henry
(Bill junior), but this obviously did not happen. Bill
junior was with him when he was mortally wounded by an
exploding shell at Monchy-le-Preux in the early morning
of 11th April. The telegram was delivered by Police Inspector
John Clarke, who had lost a son himself only a few months
before (see Matlock Casualties).
Inspector Clarke added his own personal condolences to
the bottom of the telegram, which he hand delivered to
John's widow. She was at her parents' home in Masson Terrace
and her children were all dressed in their best, either
for Sunday School or a treat. Inspector Clarke then returned
to Matlock to inform John's parents.
John had previously been admitted to hospital in 1915; he was sent to No. 12 General Hospital, Rouen,
with a back wounds and returned home for a short time (WO 363 Burnt Documents).
John Clay is grandfather of the web mistress.
Obituary, Derbyshire Courier, 21 April 1917 (Matlock Trooper killed)
"Trooper Jack Clay of the Hussars, son of Mr. William
Clay, licensee of the Old English Hotel, has been killed
in action. Trooper Clay and Trooper William Furness, another
local soldier, were riding together, when a shrapnel burst
near[by], killing both horses. One of the deceased's legs
was blown away, and a piece of missile entered his head,
with fatal effects. Trooper Furness was wounded. It is
a curious fact that on a previous occasion these comrades
were both wounded at the same time, the deceased being
sent to England. Trooper Clay enlisted in the early days
of the war and proving an excellent horseman he was transferred
to the Hussars. He was 27 years old and leaves a widow
and three children. When he left school he went to work
for Messrs Hodgkinson, auctioneers, but later successfully
took up motor engineering. At one time he drove the 'bus
for Mr. Wm. Furniss between Matlock and Cromford".
Medals: 1914 Star (WO 329/2396), British War Medal And Victory Medal (WO 329/9).
Buried: Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
Died in the Military Hospital there.
Grave Reference: Plot XXII Row G Grave 12.
See War Graves photos (Etaples)
elsewhere on this site.
Also commemorated St. Giles (with mother) Read
MI transcript
 John
with Bill Furniss junior in a motor charabanc before the war
 Matlock's
National Reservists & the Call-up Card
There are similar photos of the National Reservists in the Vernon Lamb Archive:
|
|
John Clay's hat badge which was sliced in two when
he was mortally wounded.
The missing elements are
ICH DIEN and 10TH ROYAL
HUSSARS |
|
 |
Official photograph, taken Easter 1928 |
 Letter
of condolence to wife from his friend, who was with him
when he was wounded (extract).
 Official
telegram announcing his death
'War
Horse' at Monchy-le-Preux - 11 April 1917 discusses
the involvement of the 10th Hussars in this battle. |
COATES, Clarence Hugh[5]
Born Matlock Bath 1894 [?], but baptised at Llandysilio, Anglesey
on 22 Aug 1897.
Lance Corporal 10th Bn. Hampshire Regiment (went to the Dardanelles
as an 18th Hussar attached to the 10th Hampshires)
Died (of dysentery): 4 Oct 1915, aged 20, Alexandria
Service No: 6694
ToW: Dardanelles
Younger s/o John Thomas and Annie (nee Rowlands) Coates, Riversdale,
M Bath. According to the baptismal register his father was
a railway official.
Clarence was at Farley in both 1901 and 1911, living with
his uncle and aunt George and Catherine Walker at Sunnyside
Terrace, Farley Hill. In
1911 he was employed as a miller's clerk at Bailey's flour
mill. The early death of his mother was probably the reason
that the Walkers brought him up.
I have found Clarence mentioned three times in pre-war news
reports:
- The first was entering the children's races that were part
of Matlock Bath's Coronation celebrations in 1902: "100
Yards Flat Race (boys under 9). - 1. Clarence Coates" ("Derbyshire
Times",
23 August 1902).
- In 1910 a C. Coates and a D. Coates, presumably Clarence
and his brother Dick (Richard) were members of the 1st Matlock
Scouts ("Buxton Advertiser", 19 February 1910).
- The third incident was when he had left school. He had a
brush with the law and ended up attending Matlock's Petty Sessions
in 1912. "Cyclists Racing. - Robert Welch, Matlock
Green, aged 16, and Clarence Coates, clerk, aged 17, of Farley
Hill, were charged with riding bicycles furiously in Crown-square
on June 18. - Defendants pleaded guilty" and were
fine 7s. 3d. each ("Derby
Daily Telegraph", 4 July 1912).
Buried: Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery
Grave Reference: D. 79.
Clarence is also commemorated on the
Darley Dale memorial.
The Coates family:
John T Coates and Annie Rowlands were married on 4 Nov 1885 at
Llanddanielfab, Anglesey. John's address was shown as Tor Villa,
Matlock Bath. Like their slightly younger brother both Catherine
Gladys and Richard Frederick were also baptised at Llandysilio,
Anglesey. Annie Coates died, aged 35, in 1898 and was buried
at St. Giles' on 11 May 1898.
John Coates and Clarence's brother and sister can be found at
7 Riversdale Cottages in the
1901 census. By 1911 Mr. Coates was still at Riversdale with
his mother, sister, his elder son and a daughter. He was also
listed in Kelly's 1891 Directory (Masson
Road) | Kelly's 1895 Directory (Richmond
Terrace) | Kelly's 1899 Directory (Riversdale
| Kelly's 1908 Directory.
Also see the 1891 census,
before Clarence was born. |
DICKINSON, Lewis
George (Lew)[2]
[6]
Born Sheffield 1878
KiA at Ypres (mine) 30 Sep 1915, aged 36
Second Lieutenant "C" Coy. 6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters
(Notts and Derby Regiment)
ToW: F & F
Only s/o Frederick George and Ann Jemima Dickinson of The Dimple
(Beechwood). His father had been a Matlock Councillor.
Lew was unmarried, but his fiancée was Miss Bate who
had taught at All Saints'; the second reading of the banns
for his marriage had just taken place when he was killed.
He was employed as a railway clerk before the War, in the
mineral department of the Midland Railway at Derby. He had
a good tenor voice and had been a member of Holy Trinity Church
Choir - see MI
in that church - and was a prominent member of Matlock
Operatic Society. He was well known in local musical and Masonic
circles. Had been a member of the Matlock Territorials before
the War and at its outbreak was a colour sergeant. He was a member of Matlock Rifle Club before the War. He
was a crack shot and had a fine record at Bisley.
He received what was described as "an exceptionally
well-merited commission in his regiment", then serving
in France, in 1915 ("Derbyshire Courier",
20 March 1915).
He was killed when a German mine exploded under the trench
garrisoned by their platoon. In a letter dated 2 Oct to his
parents and fiancée Lieut-Col. G. D. Goodman wrote "It
occurred just before he would have been relieved, as we were
leaving the trenches that evening. By his death I lose an officer
who has always done his duty fearlessly and well. By his simple,
manly, character, he has endeared himself to all" ("Belper
News", 15 October 1915).
A Memorial service was held on Friday 8th Oct at Holy Trinity
with the Home Guard, the Boys Scouts, representatives of the
local lodge of Freemasons and of the various clubs he had belonged
to. The shopkeepers closed their premises at 7.15 that evening
("Derbyshire Courier", 12 October 1915).
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).
Buried: Spoilbank Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Grave Reference: I. G. 18.
T S Bridge tried to visit his grave during the war. See: Matlock:
Thomas Stephen Bridge & his Family, 19th & 20th Century.
In the Vernon Lamb Archive
|
ELLIOTT, William Henry
Born M Bath 1885
Bap Holy Trinity 31 May 1885
KiA 26 Sep 1917, aged 30
Private 2nd/5th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 202592
ToW: F & F
s/o the late William and Elizabeth Elliott of Scarthin (Mrs
Elliott also lived Waterloo Road); husband of Sarah Jane Alsop
(formerly Elliott), of 69A, Bolehill, Wirksworth.
He worked at
Masson Mills and in 1911 was a Gasser. He, his mother and younger
brother were then living on Waterloo Road. Also see the
1891 census and the
1901 census.
Mar Sarah Jane Elliott
1912 at Bakewell Register Office. 1 daughter.
He enlisted at Matlock although he was then living at Sheffield.
His family had to wait 10 months for the official confirmation
of his death[4].
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. |
ELLIS, Ernest
Born M Bath 1888
KiA 18 Oct 1916 (latter days of the Battle of The Somme)
Private 1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
Service No: 29192
ToW: F & F
s/o James and Sarah, living Matlock Dale in the
1891 census and Dale Road in
the 1901 census, later at Primrose Cottage, St. John's
Road. Unm. Before joining
up he was manager of Hunters' provision stores at Dronfield,
having served his apprenticeship at the firm's Matlock store.
His father, a Midland Railway
employee, was initially notified that he was missing.
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 6 C. |
FINNEY, William John [Jack][1]
Born M Bath 1874
KiA 15 Jun 1915, aged 41 by artillery fire
1st/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 241
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Lydia (nee Stone) Finney, of Temple Walk, M
Bath. He had two brothers, Arthur and Harry.
See the
1881 census | the
1891 census | the
1901 census. He was still living at home and employed as
a joiner in 1911.
He re-joined
the Territorial Force at Cromford on 6 Apr 1908 for a period
of two years, stating that he was a Carpenter and was then
living on Temple Walk. He
had two previous periods of service in the volunteer force,
the first from 27 Apr 1893 to 24 Nov 1902 and the second between
4 Mar 1903 and 31 Mar 1908. He was re-engaged twice more.
He was promoted to Sergeant, a rank he held between 11 June
1912 and 19 Oct 1914.
Having served for over 20 years in the volunteers, the authorities
transferred him to one of the reserve battalions where it was
considered his knowledge and experience could be put to good
use. It meant he might not see active service so, at own request,
returned to rank of Private on 22 Oct 1914 and joined the 6th
Sherwoods. He served in France from 28 Feb 1915 until his death
(this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364). He was unm, but
engaged.
Buried: Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium (8 km south of Ieper).
Grave Reference: D. 26.
He is commemorated on his parents gravestone at
Matlock Bath Holy Trinity (MI) (though his name is no longer
readable).
"Derbyshire Courier", 29 June 1915:
"The news of his death was contained in the following letter,
which was received on Sunday (27th June) from Lieut.-Col. Goodman:
"I much regret to have to inform you
of the death of your son, Private W. J. Finney, who was killed
in action on Wednesday. There were few men in the Battalion for
whom I had a greater respect. He showed his fine spirit when
he resigned his stripes in the Reserve Battalion in order to
go on active service with his old Battalion. Your son was buried
tonight (Thursday), in the British Cemetery near the trenches,
when his funeral was attended by the officers and men of his
Company. A cross, with an inscription, will be placed over his
grave. I wish to assure you of the deep sympathy of the officers
and men".
Pte. Finney was 41 years of age, and for many years had taken
an active part of the affairs of the Matlock Bath Congregational
Church, of which he was a sidesman.
Pte. Finney was killed whilst helping to repulse a German attack
against the position held by the Notts and Derbys Territorials.
One of Pte. Finney's colleagues among the non-coms of the "Mad
Sixth" writes:
"One of the best fellows who ever donned
khaki has gone under with the death of Jack Finney. His quiet
and unassuming manners and invariable kindness and consideration
for the men in his command; his readiness to lend a hand to relieve
an overworked and harassed comrade; and his total absence of
side and freedom from the soldiers' usual habit of 'grousing'
has engendered a sincere affection for him amongst all who knew
him in his military capacity. His was a lovable nature and his
name will never be forgotten by those whose privilege it was
to serve with him."
"Belper News", 23 July 1915
Private F. Allen of Matlock Town wrote home about the night John
died. He described a terrific explosion, the earth shaking for
a radius of 600 yards and then the bombardment of their trenches
which lasted for two hours with shells bursting all around the
soldiers. "They were not all lucky.
One poor fellow from Matlock Bath whom you know well got a nasty
shell wound, from which he died before morning. He went unconscious
and never regained consciousness, so he died a peaceful death".
In the Vernon Lamb Archive
|
GREGORY, William Henry[7]
Born Bonsall (Matlock) 6 Jan 1891 and christened at St. James'
on 15 Feb 1891.
KiA 1 Nov 1914, aged 23 at Battle of Coronel of the coast of
central Chile - the ship was sunk by gun fire and went down
in the Pacific with all hands.
Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. "Monmouth", Royal Navy
Service No: SS/109106
One of the 9 children of Charles and Dorothy Smith (nee Buxton)
Gregory, of M Bath (of Valley View, Upperwood) who married
on 5 May 1879 at St. Giles'.
In 1891 three month old William Henry Gregory and his family
were living at Church Stile, Bonsall. By 1901 they were at
Town End and in 1911 his parents and 4 of his siblings were
living in Upper Wood, Matlock Bath. William Henry was on board
ship in that census, working as a stoker in the engine room
on H.M.S. Suffolk, a 1st class armoured cruiser stationed in
the Mediterranean and then positioned at Genoa in Italy. His
naval record shows that he based at Vivid II (the navy barracks
at Devonport) from 22 Aug to 13 Dec 1909. His first ship was
the New Zealand but he returned to Vivid II. He was on the
Suffolk from 2 May 1910 to 28 Oct 1912. He had two more stints
at Devonport (again Vivid II), with a spell on HMS
Endymion, before joining the crew of HMS Monmouth on 30 July
1914. He had been a carter before joining the Navy.
Memorial: Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Memorial Reference: 3
He is also commemorated Holy Trinity on a
family gravestone.
His name is carved on Bonsall's war memorial and appears on
the left hand rood screen erected by the Parishioners inside
St. James' Church, Bonsall. |
HALL, Angus Walker[1]
Born Grantham 1898
Died: 3 Nov 1918, aged 18
Private 9th (Glasgow Hdrs.) Bn. Highland Light Infantry - formerly
4/13988, 9th Sherwood Foresters
Service No: 242557
ToW: Dardanelles, F & F
Son of Walker Hall, who worked as the Pleasure Grounds Manager
for the Urban District Council, and his wife Kate Annie (nee
Nevison). They married in 1895 in the Auckland District (Durham). Walker
died in 1950, aged 87 whilst Kate passed away in 1936, aged
74.
The family were living at 91, Coppice Road, Nottingham in 1901,
where his father was employed as a furniture salesman, but
then moved to Woodland Terrace. He was shown as a
confectioner in Kelly's 1908 Directory, was letting
apartments in 1912 in
addition to his Council work.
Both Angus and his slightly older
sister Dorothy were at school in 1911.
In 1911 a fund raising bazaar was held in Boden's restaurant
in aid of the Glenorchy Congregational Church. Amongst the
stalls was one called the Museum of Foreign Curios, and the
two in charge of it were Mr. Fletcher and Master Angus
Hall ("Derbyshire Times", 13 May 1911).
Angus enlisted at Derby and was shown as one of those from Matlock
Bath serving by late September: Lists
Through the Centuries: Men Serving King and Country, 1914.
He must have been just 15 years old, as his birth was not registered
until the December quarter in 1898.
He was a PoW and died
just after being released - only a few days before the Armistice
was signed to end the war on 11 Nov 1918. He was Unm.
Buried: Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery, now in Poland
Grave Reference: II. B. 9.
Charles Beresford of Matlock Bath was to visit his grave some
eighty or so years after he had died[4].
Walker Hall was very involved with the Venetian Fete:
|
HARDSTAFF, Dick
(Dick on memorial and on floral tributes, Richard in CWGC records)
Born M Bath
KiA 1 Jul 1916, aged 21
Private 5th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment),
originally in the 3/5th and later the 1/5th.
Service No: 4304
ToW: F & F
s/o Joseph and Elizabeth Hardstaff, of "Parade View," Matlock Bath.
The family were living at Sheffield House in the
1901 census and on Holme Road in 1911, when Joseph was
a bricklayer and Elizabeth was a shopkeeper (confectionery).
There is no Richard Hardstaff recorded in BMD records,
but there was a Joseph and Dick was recorded as Joseph R in 1901.
When he enlisted at Derby on 9 Apr 1915 the address he gave
was Parade View. He initially joined the 3/5th Sherwoods but
transferred on 12 Oct 1915. He embarked at Southampton on 12
Oct 1915 and was in Rouen on 13 Oct, joining his unit on the
18th. On 7 Nov 1916 Elizabeth wrote to the regiment[?] saying
that it "cut the wound much deeper" as his private things had not
been sent. She alleged that he had been sent many things from home including a wrist watch
and ring he had been sent for his 21st birthday noting "which he spent in the trenches",
seem to have gone. She did thank the recipient but would have liked his letters and photos returned. Another
document for "Private A. H. Hardstaff" shows that his mother should have been sent his disc, tin box,
safety razor in case, testament, comb, handkerchief. There was no mention of the items Mrs. Hardstaff was asking
about (this from the Burnt Documents, WO 363).
"Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hardstaff, fruiterer,
etc., of the Parade View, Matlock [Bath], have received official
news that their son was killed in action 1 July. Pte. Hardstaff,
who was 21 years of age last February, was a Matlock Bath
lad. Before the war he was employed at the Swanwick Colliery,
he had enlisted voluntarily about 12 months ago" ("Derbyshire
Courier", 1 August 1916). He was unm. |
|
 |
Buried: Foncquevillers Military Cemetery (about 18 km south-west
of Arras), with two others[4].
He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Grave Reference: I. L. 44.
Also commemorated on parents gravestone at Matlock Bath - see
MI.
His grave is in the same row as that of Harry
Bagshaw. Both casualties were buried with others.
There is more about the members of the Hardstaff family:
|
KNIGHT, William Ernest
Born Plymouth 1893. Enlisted York.
DoW 25 Apr 1917, aged 23. "Fell at Bullecourt"[4]
Corporal 2nd Bn.Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra Regiment). These
were better known as The Green Howards.
Service No: 9550
ToW: F & F
s/o William James and Sarah Jane Knight, of York House, M Bath.
Unm.
In 1901 William, his mother and sister Lilian May (known as
May) were living at 5, Ampthill Road Muswell Road, Bedford.
He was the eldest of Sarah Jane's and William snr's seven
children. The couple and their children were to settle in
Matlock Bath before Maude Marion was born in 1905 and lived
on Temple Walk, in one of the cottages below Orchard Road
where they were in 1911. They later moved to Devonshire Terrace
on Brunswood Road. William was living in the Military Huts
or Barracks at Strensghall Camp in Strenshall, YKS. He was
supposedly 16 and had the rank of Boy.
Both father and son enlisted and were both in France
in 1915 when William was hospitalised (he had been reported
missing, but had a" bad cold"). He recounted how,
on Christmas Day 1914, he had an odd experience when fighting
ceased whilst both sides buried their dead. The men emerged
from the trenches, met, shook hands and talked to each other.
William discovered someone on the German side had been a waiter
in Glasgow before the War ("Derbyshire Courier",
9 January 1915).
The day before William was killed, the Sheffield paper published a report about the British Front on the first
day of the Battle of Arras, which had begun on the 23rd. Between Lens and Bullecourt more German guns were concentrated
than previously and "orders to the gunners was to give shell for shell. The moment our escorting barrage was
laid at dawn this morning the German batteries were unleashed in unison as though expectant of our attack"
("Sheffield Evening Telegraph", 24 April 1917). The fighting was fierce with many snipers, especially
around Monchy.
Buried: Bucquoy Roa Cemetery, Ficheux, Pas de Calais on the
road from Arras to Ayette.
Grave Reference: I. C. 13.
Also see Holy Trinity MI
 William's
mother and probably his sister Connie with family members, 1939
- One of his younger sisters went on to marry Edgar Howard Wright, a photographer who took pictures
of charabanc parties in Matlock Bath.
Also see Matlock & Matlock Bath Photographers. |
MORGAN, Arthur Thomas
(Arthur Thomas MORGAN on memorial, Arthur Thomas Holmes MORGAN
in CWC and Soldiers Died records)
Born Bath 1880
Date of Death: 8 Dec 1917, aged 35. He died of dysentry.
Private 1st/4th Bn. Essex Regiment. Previously joined ASC
in 1916 (T4/235177). Had served in the Boer War[4].
Service No: 37205
ToW: Egypt & Palestine
s/o Tom Morgan, of Bath; husband of Daisy Morgan, of Beach
Hotel. Sutton-on-Sea, LIN.
He mar Daisy Lakeman in Bath in
1910.
In 1881 he was living with his parents, Thomas and Blanche,
at 14 Albert Buildings, Twerton, SOM. His father was then a builder's
clerk. The family were at 5 James Street, Bath in 1891. Arthur
Thomas Holmes Morgan was next in a U.K. census in 1911 when
he, Daisy and his niece were at the Bath
Terrace Hotel; Daisy was assisting in the business and
his niece was at school. He had recently successfully applied
for the final transfer of the Bath Terrace from Mrs. Watson,
which was granted at the Petty Sessions ("Derbyshire
Advertiser and Journal", 6 Jan 1911).
He advertised in both Kelly's
Directory of 1912 and Kelly's
Directory of 1916 when he was listed as the proprietor.
He enlisted at Matlock and when he joined the army his wife took
over the business. She remained at the Bath Terrace for some years,
despite being given notice to vacate part of the hotel a week after
her husband's death and then dispose of a good deal of the hotel's
furniture in a sale hastily arranged sale ("Sheffield Daily
Telegraph",
20 December 1917). In 1922 Matlock Petty
Sessions granted the transfer of the licence of the Bath Terrace
to Wilfred J. Barker, who succeeded Daisy Morgan ("Derby
Daily Telegraph", 29 March 1922).
Buried: Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt
Grave Reference: E. 227.
Also commemorated Wells Cathedral WM[4]
 Bath Terrace Hotel |
PICKFORD, Richard
Born Melbourne, Australia
KiA: 14 Dec1915, aged 21
Private 10th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 14414
ToW: F & F
Second s/o Herbert and Eliza Jane Pickford.
Richard was living in Matlock Town in the
1901 census with his parents and four siblings. By 1911
he was living Matlock Dale with his 82 year old grandfather
William (d.1915), his aunt Mrs Sarah Bentley and his uncle
John. He was working as a Limestone Quarryman at that time.
There was no sign of either parent in the U.K., but Richard
was also with four brothers - William, Herbert, John and Samuel.
In 1910 Richard was one of eight young Matlock men charged
with obstructing the footpath on Matlock Bridge, by standing
there for unreasonable period on April 5th. The road had been
in a very dirty condition, with ten or twelve people obliged
to step off the footpath into the road. Each defendant was
fined 1s. with 5s. costs ("Derbyshire
Courier", 16 April 1910). He does not seem to have
been in trouble at any other time. He worked as a labourer
on the Midland Railway
before the war.
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, one of four memorials
to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known
as the Ypres Salient. No known grave.
Memorial Reference: Panel 39 and 41.
His brother Herbert
was wounded in the conflict. See 1916 on Matlock
and Matlock Bath Newspaper Cuttings, Jul 1914 - Nov 1918 |
REYNOLDS, Thomas Bertram (Bert)[5]
Born Matlock 17 Feb 1896 and christened there 18 Mar 1896 (Matlock
Circuit)
KiA: 7 Jul 1916, aged 20 - in the early stages of the Battle
of the Somme.
Private 16th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 26962
s/o the late James Marratt (bu 2 Nov 1912 at St. Giles') and of Ada Winifred Reynolds,
of Cliff Rd., M Bath.
The Reynolds family were living
on Matlock Bank in 1901. In 1911 the family of four were
on The Dimple. Mr. Reynolds was still a porter with the Midland
Railway whist his son was a Bookstall Boy, then working for
W. H. Smith and Son who had a news stand at the station.
Bertie was admitted as a pupil and All Saints' Infants on 7
Apr 1902. His father's address was then Wilmot Street. His
brother Archie started school in 1907, but the family had moved
to The Dimple by this stage.
Unm. Connections with All Saints Church, Matlock Bank where his name was inscribed
on the memorial.
Amongst the Matlock Casualties in early July 1916 was "Private
T. B. Reynolds, Cliff Road, Matlock Dale, sharing a similar
fate [to Sergt.-Major J. Walton] according
to a letter received from Private Elis of Tansley ("Belper
News", 21 July 1916).
Buried: Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue, Pas
de Calais (between Bethune and Armentieres)
Grave Reference: III. J. 19. |
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. |
SIMS, Alexander Anthony
Born Matlock 1885 and christened at St. Giles' on 23 Aug 1885
KiA 29 Sep 1918, aged 33
Private 15th/17th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's
Own)
Service No: 265767
ToW: F & F
s/o Alexander and Jemima Sims; husband of Ethel Sims (née
Wood), of 21, Old Hall St., Burmantofts, Leeds.
Alexander and Jemima (nee Davis) married at Glenorchy Independent
Chapel in
1884. Jemima was born in Matlock Bath and christened at Holy
Trinity on 8 Apr 1867.
Alexander Anthony married
Ethel in Leeds in 1912. 1 daughter.
In 1891 he and his family were
living on Church Street. By 1901 the family were living
in Leeds - see Strays, Surnames
S
In 1911 they were living at 1 Cambridge Road, Leeds and Alexander
was a Car Conductor on Leeds Corporation Tramway.
Enlisted Leeds (Soldiers Died says he was born Leeds,
but this is incorrect).
It is unclear why his name is on Matlock Bath's memorial but
perhaps the family retained strong links with their Matlock
relatives after they went to Leeds.
Buried: Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery
Grave Reference: V. A. 12.
Also commemorated at Matlock Bath, with his grandmother whose
name is given as Eaves, but should be Davis - see
MI |
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
Grave Reference: C. of E. 557.
His name is also inscribed on a large marble plaque inside St.
Mary's Church, Wirksworth |
|
| Those who died in WW2, 1939-4
: further information |
BALLINGTON, Herbert[2]
Born: 1918 Riber
Died: 28 Aug 1941, aged 23 - drowned in a bathing accident
Private 1/6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment, Infantry
Service No: 4915999
s/o Herbert Ballington (d.1938) and Sarah Jane (née
Fox) Ballington, of M Bath. Lived at Orchard House, Holme Road,
M Bath but in 1939 his widowed mother and some of his siblings
were living at Meadow View, Riber.
The North Northumberland Coroner recorded that he had "lost
his life by drowning while bathing in Embleton Bay".
The person he was with, Frederick Millington, saw him disappear
well out from the shore. He described Herbert as being happy,
laughing and joking on the way down to the beach. and last
saw him with the water up to his chest. In the early evening
two other soldiers found the body floating in the water and,
unsuccessfully, tried artificial respiration ("The
Berwick Advertiser", 4 September 1941).
Buried: Tansley (Holy Trinity) Churchyard. Buried 2 Sep 1941
ToW: United Kingdom
He was also commemorated on the
wooden memorial boards at Holy Trinity, Matlock Bath |
BINKS, Ronald Douglas
Born: 29 Aug 1922
Died: 31 Aug 1943, aged 21
Sergeant 150 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service No: 1578540
s/o Douglas Valentine and Sarah Ellen (née Bond)
Binks, of M Bath. Lived at 5 Rockvale Terrace
Memorial: Malta Memorial, which commemorates airmen who
have no known grave.
Memorial Reference: Panel 8, Column 1.
See Matlock Bath Rovers/Scouts/Cubs pix1 | pix2 | pix3 |
|
Ronnie Binks photographed in 1932/2 as a chorister at
Holy Trinity Church |
|
EDMONDS, Cyril Rowland
Born Holme Road, Matlock Bath Nov 1921
Died: 25 June 1944, aged 22 (killed in a flying accident
near Shepton Mallet in Somerset)
Rank: Sub-Lieutenant (A) H.M.S. Heron. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
s/o Cyril and Jessie May (née Rowland) Edmonds,
Portland House, Clifton Road, M Bath; husband of Edna
Minerva (née Rainsbury), of Ednaston. Mar 1944
at Brailsford. He had been educated at Matlock Bath Cof
E and then at Ernest Bailey's Grammar School. He then
joined Matlock
Post Office as an engineer before volunteering for the
Fleet Air Arm.
Buried: Matlock Bath
Holy Trinity Churchyard.
Also commemorated on the Roll of Honour in St. Leonard's
Church, Thorpe, the plaque at Ernest Bailey's (now the
County Record Office, and a plaque at the Post Office.
Cyril Rowland Edmonds, known to his family as "Bub", was
a member of Matlock Bath Church Choir.
 Matlock
Bath: Holy Trinity Choir, Procession of Witness, 1935
 Matlock
Bath: Portland House, Clifton Road
 Matlock
Bath: Royal Cumberland Cavern |
|
 |
|
GRANTHAM, David
Died: 24/11/1941, aged 18
Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Dunedin, Royal Navy
Service No: P/JX 164254
s/o James and Helen Grantham, of Cromford.
Memorial: Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 50, Column 3.
HMS Dunedin (Capt. R.S. Lovatt, RN) was sunk at 1526 hours on
24 November 1941 in the Central Atlantic east of St. Paul's
Rocks, north east of Recife, Brazil in position 03.00S, 26.00W
by 2 torpedoes from the German submarine U-124. Only 4 officers
and 63 men survived out of a crew of 486 officers and men. |
HOWITT, George
Born: 1914
Died: 1 Dec 1943, aged 30
Private 2/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
Service No: 4862258
s/o George and Lilian Howitt; husband of Mary Lilian (née Bannister) Howitt,
of M Bath. Mar Bakewell Register Office 1939
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Buried: Cassino War Cemetery, Italy
Grave Reference: III. K. 11.
ToW: Italy |
LAND, Norman
Born: 13 Apr 1916
Died: 17 Oct 1943
Rank: Private 5th Bn. Suffolk Regiment, Infantry
Service No: 4805393
Additional information: s/o Albert Land, and of Mary Ann (née Marshall) Land,
of M Bath.
Buried: Thanbyuzat War Cemetery, Burma
Grave Reference: B6. Q. 7.
ToW: Burma
- In 1939 he was living at 1 Holme Villas Holme Road, Matlock Bath with his mother and 4 siblings and was employed as
a Colour Works Weighman.
- After his death Norman was cremated (TNA WO 361/1633, Far East: unreported Allied prisoner of war deaths). |
MOFFAT, Angus Donald
Died: 26 Apr 1944, aged 27
Sergeant Royal Marines
s/o Peter and Elizabeth Moffat, of Wirksworth; husband of Mona Doreen Moffat (née Stone) of M Bath. Mar Bonsall in 1936
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Buried: Wirksworth Cemetery
Grave Reference: Grave 1871. |
MORTEN, Charles Richard
(brother of Maurice below)
Born: 1912 in Darley Dale
Died: 1 Apr 1944, aged 32 (reported missing in Jun 1944, believed dead)
Lance Bombardier 158 Field Regt. Royal Artillery
Service No: 987419
s/o Albert Morten, and of Florence May (née Hodson)
Morten, of M Bath. Lived at Fairview Terrace. Educated at
Matlock Bath School. Was a postman before the War. Killed by
the Japanese.
Memorial: Rangoon Memorial, Burma
Memorial Reference: Face 2.
ToW: Burma
See Matlock Bath Rovers/Scouts/Cubs pix1 | pix2 | pix3 |
MORTEN, Maurice Furniss
(brother of Charles above)
Born: 1920
Died: 23 Oct 1942, aged 22 (reported missing in Dec 1942)
Able Seaman H.M. Submarine Unique, Royal Navy
Service No: C/JX 203146
s/o Albert and Florence May (née Hodson) Morten, of
Matlock. Lived at Fairview Terrace. Educated at Matlock Bath
School.
The submarine was almost new when it was lost without trace;
it was reported overdue on 24th October, having been expected
at Gibraltar the previous day.
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
Memorial Reference: 55, 2.
See Matlock Bath Rovers/Scouts/Cubs pix1 | pix2 | pix3 |
WALKER, Warren
Born: Oldham District 1909
Died: 17 Sep 1942, aged 33
Sergeant (Obs.) 149 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
(reported missing in Dec 1942, later confirmed dead)
Service No: 1432657
s/o George Elias and Alice (née Bolton) Walker, of Hazel Grove, Cheshire.
A.T.I.
Buried: Gosselies Communal Cemetery, Charleroi, Hainaut, Belgium
Grave Reference: Row 1. Grave 29. |
|
| WW1
Casualties with Matlock Bath link not on the Memorial **New** |
ALLEN, Arthur[8]
Born 3 Dec 1891 Scarthin, Matlock Bath and bap at Holy Trinity
22 Nov 1891
DoW: 25 Dec 1917, aged 26
Private "C" Coy. 1st/8th Bn. Manchester Regiment
Service No: 301558
ToW: F&F
s/o of Frank and Frances (nee Cotterill) Allen, of 82, Walter
St., Harpurhey, Manchester and brother of Harold below. Frank
and Fanny were married at Cromford on 15 Sep 1890.
His parents were living at Scarthin in the
1891 census and the family had moved to Glenorchy Cottages
by the
1901 census. Arthur had been educated at Bonsall Boys School,
but moved to Cromford Free School Mixed on 21 Mar 1899; he returned
to Bonsall on 30 Mar 1899 but seems to have gone back to Cromford
on 6 Oct 1892, having been at Matlock Bath in the interim. He
was there for two years. He reached Standard V but along with
the rest of his family he left on 16 Mar 1904 - "Manchester".
The family then moved to Harpurhey where Arthur was employed
as a Lapper at a Packers in 1911. Enlisted Manchester.
Grave Reference: I. N. 19.
Cemetery: Chocques Military Cemetery |
ALLEN, Harold[8]
Born 4 Aug 1893 Bonsall and baptised there 19 Feb 1896
DoW: 2 Apr 1917 aged 23
Private No. 2 Coy. 19th Bn. Manchester Regiment
Service No: 2241
ToW: F&F
s/o of Frank and Frances (nee Cotterill) Allen, of 82, Walter
St., Harpurhey, Manchester and brother of Arthur above. Frank
and Fanny were married at Cromford on 15 Sep 1890.
His parents were living at Scarthin in the
1891 census and the family had moved to Glenorchy Cottages
by the 1901 census.
Harold joined the Cromford Free School Mixed on 8 Oct 1901 having
previously been at Matlock Bath; he reached Standard II but he
left on 16 Mar 1904 - "Gone to Manchester".
The family moved to Harpurhey where Harold was employed as a
Plaiter in a Bleaching Works in 1911. Enlisted Manchester.
Grave Reference: VI. G. 8.
Cemetery: Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty |
CLARK, Charles Augustus
Born Matlock Bath 1 Jan 1886. Bap Holy Trinity Nov 1888 with
other siblings
KiA: 1 Jul 1916, aged 30. He was killed on the first day of the
Battle of the Somme.
Second Lieutenant 5th Bn. attd. 1st Bn. Rifle Brigade (The Prince
Consort's Own)
s/o Arthur Clark, of Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, and the late Mary
Francis Clark (she died earlier in 1916) and brother of Neville
Arthur below. His father was the postmaster in M Bath at the
time of both the 1881 census and
the 1891 census. Also see Kelly's
1891 Directory and Kelly's
1895 Directory.
The family moved to Kidderminster and then to Lancaster. Charles
worked as an Accountant and was living in Islington in 1911.
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 16 B and 16 C.
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial. This memorial, nr Albert, is the
Memorial to the Missing of the Somme (see See War
Graves photos (Thiepval British Memorial) elsewhere on this
site). |
CLARK, Neville Arthur
Born 20 Sep 1887. Bap Holy Trinity 25 Nov 1888
DoW: 28 Nov 1917, aged 30
Lieutenant 1st Bn. Coldstream Guards
s/o of Arthur and Mary Francis Clark (she died 1916) and brother
of Charles Augustus above. Husband of Mary C. Clark (nee Gordon),
of Maghull, Liverpool, whom he mar in 1916. His father was the
postmaster in M Bath at the time of both the
1881 census and the 1891
census. Also see Kelly's 1891
Directory and Kelly's 1895
Directory. The family moved to Kidderminster and then
to Lancaster. Neville worked for British American Tobacco, at
first in Bristol and later in London.
Grave Reference: IV. A. 12.
Cemetery: Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt
|
FROGGATT, Frank Reginald
Born Eyam 1888
KiA 3 Feb 1917, aged 29
Lance Corporal 1st/4th Bn. Devonshire Regiment
Service No: 2703
ToW: Mesopotamia
s/o of John William (who died in 1910) and Kate (nee Dobbs) Froggatt,
of Eyam where his father was a Grocer & Postmaster.
At some
stage Frank lived in Matlock Bath and was a member of Holy Trinity
Church Choir for two years. By 1914 he was in Exeter, where he
enlisted, as he was a supernumerary in the Cathedral Choir[4].
He was not mentioned as having
signed up in September 1914 but
an article in a local paper said he was one of 15 choir members
serving by Jan 1916.
Cemetery: Amara War Cemetery, Iraq
Grave Reference: XVIII. H. 2. |
WATSON, Hugh
Born: Matlock Bath 1893 and christened at Holy Trinity on 4 June 1893
KiA 13 May 1915
Private 11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars
Service No: 9586
ToW: F & F
The third of five sons of s/o of Robert & Rossetta Jane
Watson. Robert was the proprietor of the Bath
Terrace Hotel in the 1890s and three of the couple's sons
were born in the village. Hugh was baptised at Holy Trinity 4
Jun 1893. The Watson's left Matlock Bath in 1894 and moved to
Derby, where the two younger boys were born. Their father Robert
died at Derby in 1899. The family initially stayed together and
moved to Kidderminster but by 1911 they had split up and were
living in different parts of the country. Rosetta Jane Watson
emigrated to Canada after her three younger sons were killed
and lived at 369, Hamilton Rd., Ontario. Her two elder sons (twins),
who were also born in Matlock Bath, had emigrated before the
war.
In 1911 Hugh was working as an apprentice chef at the Granville
Hotel, Ramsgate, Kent. He enlisted at Birmingham, but resided
at Leeds. His two younger brothers, Edward and John, also served
with the British Army; John was KiA 1 Jul 1916 and is commemorated
at Thiepval whereas Edward, whose name is also on the Menin Gate,
was KiA 7 August 1917. At a memorial service held on 22 Apr 1917
in Holy Trinity Church, John and Hugh Watson were remembered,
as was the web mistress's grandfather, John Clay.
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, one of four memorials
to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known
as the Ypres Salient. No known grave.
Memorial Reference: Panel 5 |
|
Notes and references:
[1] One of the WW1 casualties
commemorated on a brass plaque at Glenorchy
Chapel that was unveiled after the Sunday evening service.
[2] Also commemorated on the
Matlock War Memorial: See WW1 Surnames
A - J and WW1 Surnames K - W or WW2.
John Clay, for example, lived in Matlock Bath but was born and brought
up in Matlock. John Clay was the grandfather of the webmistress.
[3] Recollections of the late Frank Clay.
[4] Beresford, Charles "The
Bath at War, A Derbyshire Community and the Great War" (2007).
Country Books/Ashridge Press. ISBN 978 1 901214 91 8.
[5] Also commemorated on the Darley Dale (Whitworth)
War Memorial.
[6] Also commemorated at
All Saints', Matlock.
[7] Also commemorated on
the Bonsall and Plymouth Hoe War Memorials and in Holy
Trinity churchyard.
See grave 153
[8] Commemorated on Bonsall
War Memorial.
All given names above appeared in the High Peak News report:
"Unveiling and dedication of Matlock Bath War Memorial on 7 May
1921."
This can be read at County Hall Local Studies Library, now part of
the Derbyshire Record Office
How to
contact County Hall Local Studies Library
Not everyone who fought in the War died, of course.
Matlock
Bath Men Serving King and Country, 1914 lists
some of those who enlisted at the outbreak of war.
|
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, 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 Bath War Memorial. Thank you.
|
|
|
Official
telegram announcing his death
