The War Memorials, Matlock's First World War Casualties Not Listed on the Memorial

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

1. Men commemorated only on the gritstone tablets in St. Giles' Church (6)

G. BONHAM-CARTER | F. BUCKLEY | E. ELLIS
R. J. R. LEACROFT | F. D. STONES | G. C. STONES

2. Not on the Memorial but wreaths sent to the Unveiling Ceremony (2)

S. CARLINE | W. E. HURSTHOUSE

3. Additional names linked to Matlock but not on the Memorial (46)

The casualties listed under "Additional Names" had provided their birthplace as Matlock when they enlisted, but were not longer in the Matlocks. Others have been found to have been born in one of the surrounding villages in the Matlock District. Unfortunately, question marks remain over some casualties where nothing has been found to link them to Matlock or the outlying villages.

Abbreviations

DoW - Died of Wounds
KiA - Killed in Action
MC - Military Cross
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
NoK - Next of Kin
s/o - son of
Unm - Unmarried
WO - War Office

Commemorated only on the gritstone tablets in St. Giles' Church

BONHAM-CARTER, Guy
Born London 1884
DoW 15 May 1915, aged 30. He was wounded by a sniper in a support trench at about 3 a.m. on 15th May 1915 and died the same day.
Captain 19th (Queen Alexandra's Own Royal) Hussars - Acting Adjutant of The Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars when war broke out. A professional soldier. Educated at Winchester and Magdalen College, Oxford. In Mar 1905 he was 2nd Lieut. 1st (Oxford University) Volunteer Battalion, The Oxfordshire Light Infantry; Apr 1907 Lieut. 19th (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own) Hussars; Capt by Mar 1913 (refs from "London Gazette")
s/o the late Alfred Bonham-Carter, C.B., and the late Mary Henrietta Bonham-Carter. Mar at St. Mary's, Cromford in October 1911, Kathleen Rebecca, (only) daughter of Frederic C. Arkwright, of Willersley. Wife returned to Willersley when war broke out. Left a young daughter and son of six weeks.
Buried: Vlamertinge Military Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. The cemetery is remarkable for the care with which men of the same unit were buried side by side if they died at about the same time.
Grave Reference: I. G. 3.
There is a Memorial to him in Cromford Church.

BUCKLEY, Frank
Born Matlock 1885
KiA 12 Mar 1917
Private 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 61542
ToW: F & F
s/o Francis and Ann Buckley. Living M Dale in the 1891 census | the 1901 census. In 1911 he was at Holborn House in Bonsall, the son in law of Benjamin Gerrard and employed as a Bath Attendant. He had married Annie Gerrard (as Francis) on 2 Jun 1909 at St. James' Parish Church in Bonsall.
Enlisted Matlock. Before enlisting he had been the landlord of the Fountain Inn at Bonsall.
Cemetery: Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais. Philosophe lies between Bethune and Lens.
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. M. 46.
Frank Buckley is commemorated on Bonsall War memorial and on the left hand side of the rood screen in St. James' Church.

"Derbyshire Times", 24 March 1917
"Unofficial news in the form of a letter from Pte. Gregory of Cromford, has been received in Bonsall, stating that Pte. Frank Buckley, of the Sherwoods, and landlord of the Fountain Inn, Bonsall, has been killed in action, although the writer did not witness his death. Pte. Buckley is 32 years of age and married, but has no family. Further news is anxiously awaited by relatives".

"Belper News", 6 April 1917
"Official news was received in Bonsall on Sunday that Private Frank Buckley, Sherwood Foresters, landlord of the Fountain Inn, had been killed in action. As previously stated, Private Gregory of Cromford was the first to communicate the sad news to his bereaved wife. Deceased, who was 32 years of age, leaves no family. He was a son of Frank Buckley, gardener, of Matlock Dale".

"Belper News", 5 September 1919 - The Khaki Boys. Welcomed Home at Matlock Green.
A 12 foot high cross was erected near the Horse Shoe Hotel, above which a Union Jack was flown. A large evergreen wreath was attached to it, with a typewritten list of the Matlock men who had made the supreme sacrifice. The names included F. Buckley, but no F. Buxton was listed.

"Derbyshire Courier", 6 September 1919 - A Matlock Cenotaph. Discharged Soldiers Salute Dead Comrades.
Ex-Service men of the Matlock and Matlock Town Districts were warmly welcomed by their fellow-townsfolk. A temporary cenotaph was erected, with the names of all of the men who had died were written on a Roll of honour attached to a cross.
The names of those who had died included F. Buckley, but no F. Buxton was listed.

Frank Buckley appears to be the only Matlock casualty on the list who is neither on the Matlock Memorial not those of Matlock Bath, Scarthin or Starkholmes. Was this an oversight? Did the surnames of two men (Buckley and Buxton) get confused?
See Names on Matlock's War Memorial : WW1, Surnames A - J

ELLIS, Ernest
See Matlock Bath Memorial

LEACROFT, Ronald John Ranulph
Born 1894 Weston Nr Stafford
Captain 1st Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
KiA 1 Jul 1916, aged 22. He died 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. All the officers were killed or wounded. Notice of Death published 13 Jul 1916 (same day as J C Hyde) in The Times.
Awards: MC (published London Gazette, 2 Jun 1916)
Living Rowberrow SOM in 1901. s/o Edward Ranulph and Alice Leacroft, of Rowberrow Manor, Winscombe, SOM. Educated at "Blundell's School, Tiverton, he was gazetted to the Somerset Light Infantry in March 1913. He went out with the Expeditionary Force at the beginning of the War, and was wounded at Mons. He was promoted to captain in February 1915" ("The Times", 13 Jul 1916). One of the two Leacroft casualties. See Pedigree of Leacroft.

Memorial: Redan Ridge Cemetery, No.1, Beaumont-Hamel, Somme
Grave/Memorial Reference: C. 40.

STONES, Francis Dawbarn (Frank)
Born Wisbech 30 Jan 1878 (brother of GCS, below, and brother in law of J H Moxon, who is named on the memorial.)
DoW 28 Sep 1917, aged 39
Captain 2nd/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Awards: MC
ToW: F & F
s/o Thomas and Maria Yelverton Stones; husband of Margaret Julia Stones. His father was one of the proprietors of Whatstandwell Saw Mills and he was educated at Derby School and then articled to Mr. D. Stibbard, a Derby accountant. Living at Ashfield, M Bath in the 1901 census.
Also see Matlock Bath: Ashfield, previously The Villa.
He married Margaret Julia, the daur of Dr. William Moxon, in 1906.
In 1911-12 he was a Chartered Accountant, by then in partnership with Mr. Stibbard, and living in Derby.
He had been in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of The Sherwood Foresters, listed in the London Gazette as Second Lieutenant in 1901 and Lieutenant in 1907 when he resigned his commission. When he rejoined the Sherwood Foresters in 1914 he was appointed as a temporary captain and in June 1917 this was confirmed, "with precedence as from 3rd Oct 1914". He went to France on the same day that his brother Gerald (below) was killed. Awarded the Military Cross on 14 December 1917 and on 19 April 1918 the London Gazette recorded it as being "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion after the battalion commander had become a casualty. When the battalion was in danger of being forced back he rendered great assistance in organising strong resistance and reinforcements to the front line".

There is a photo of him on Harry Douglas & Fellow Officers, Empire Hotel Buxton, Dec 1914

Cemetery: Mendinghem Military Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. F. 9.

STONES, Gerald Cunliffe
Born Wisbech 1879 (brother of FDS above)
KiA 30 May 1917 (shot down near Gaza)
Nationality: Australian
Lieutenant, Australian Flying Corps
Secondary Regiment: Australian Light Horse
Secondary Unit: and 4th
ToW: Egypt & Palestine
s/o Thomas and Maria Y. Stones. Native of Wisbech. Living at Ashfield, M Bath in 1901 and the family also seem to have lived at Riversdale ("Derbyshire Courier", 30 June 1917). Gerald was an art student in 1901, and continued to paint before emigrating. His father was one of the proprietors of Whatstandwell Saw Mills.
Later an orchid grower in Australia.
Also see Matlock Bath: Ashfield, previously The Villa.

Cemetery: Kantara War Memorial Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: F. 32.

Gerald gave his services immediately war broke out and was amongst the first to be sent on expeditionary work. His regiment was drafted to Egypt, where conditions were very trying. There were numerous hardships, but he proved to be a very capable officer who carried out his duties with extraordinary zeal ("Derbyshire Times", 30 June 1917).

Not on the Memorial but wreaths sent to the Unveiling Ceremony

CARLINE, Samuel^[4]
Born Matlock 1888
Private 1st/5th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
Died: 26 Oct 1917 aged 27
Service No: 241402
ToW: F & F
s/o Mrs. Ruth Carline, of Yew Tree House, The Green, Bonsall, Matlock; husband of Beatrice L. Taylor (formerly Carline), of 32, Hillside, Holloway, Matlock. Parents Samuel and Ruth Carline and family living Gladstone Terrace, M Bank in 1891 and were still living on the Bank in the 1901 census. He was employed as a butcher. Mar Beatrice Pickering 1911. Enlisted Wirksworth; when he died his mother was still living at Jackson Road. Probate was granted to his estate in 1933.

Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders
Memorial Reference: Panel 19 to 23 and 162.

1. The High Peak News of 13 August 1921 reported the name S. CARLINE as being amongst those inscribed on the memorial, but his name does not actually appear.

2. Stuart Brown has contributed the following quotation:
'Wirksworth Soldier Missing
Private S. Carline of the Northumberland Fusiliers is reported missing as from October 26th. His wife and three young children reside at Wirksworth. Before the war Pte Carline worked at Ambergate.' [Source: Derby Mercury newspaper, dated 14th December 1917.]
3. "Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald", 1 December 1917, contained a similar report, but stated that he was of Alderwasley, but his wife and children were then living at Ashley Hay. The Ambergate company he worked for was the Ambergate Wire Works.

HURSTHOUSE, W. E.
Amongst the wreaths was one commemorating the life of William Ernest HURSTHOUSE but his name does not appear on the memorial. Searches for a birth for a person with this combination of names have been unsuccessful. No one with those names seems to have been born in the UK, or at least in the years leading up to the First War. So was he the William Hursthouse born in Tibshelf in 1885 and living there still in 1901? Further details would be gratefully received.

There's a medal card for a Hursthouse, W H
He is listed as:
Royal Field Artillery 82484 Gunner
Royal Garrison Artillery 226560 Gunner
William Henry Hursthouse was born in Tibshelf in 1890. He the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Hursthouse. The family later lived at Mansfield. William Henry had been a coal miner.

Additional names linked to Matlock but not on the Memorial

ACKROYD, George
Born Matlock (Birthplace given in Soldiers Died but n/f)
DoW 1 Mar 1917
Private 16th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
Service No: 19281
ToW: F & F
s/o Mr. J. Ackroyd, of 30, Springfield St., Manningham, Bradford. Enlisted Matlock
Buried: Couin New British Cemetery, Pas de Calais. Couin is a village 15 km east of Doullens
Grave Reference: B. 10.
Query: The only G. Ackroyd found to date was born and lived in Bradford, with a father John. The Ackroyd family were not at this address in 1911. No birth has been found in the Bakewell district. Has there been some slight confusion and this should be of Little Matlock, Sheffield, Yorkshire? If you know, please email (see footer)

APPLEBY, Albert Keeling
Born Matlock 1876
DoW 22 Apr 1917, aged 41
Private 27th (Tyneside Irish) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
Service No: 34670
s/o Charles William and Clara L Appleby, and step son of Matilda Appleby of 203, St. Ann's Rd., Rotherham, YKS. Enlisted Rotherham. Living there in 1881, 1891 and 1901 - then employed as Assistant In Glass Warehouse. In 1911 he was employed by his stepmother as a Grocer's Assistant in the family grocery and drapery. See Strays, Surnames A
ToW: F & F
Buried: Etaples Military Cemetery
Grave Reference: XIX. F. 9.
See War Graves photos (Etaples) elsewhere on this site

BAILEY, George Henry^[5]
Born M Bank 3 Nov 1892 (this birthplace shown in "Soldiers Died")
Died 29 Oct 1914. Although his name is not on the memorial, he was the first Casualty linked to Matlock.
Private 1st Bn. Coldstream Guards
Service No: 10761
ToW: F & F
s/o Peter and Sarah Bailey. Peter Bailey was lodging at Kingsbridge Terrace in the 1891 census and was working as a grocer. He also advertised for Grocers in 1890. He was the son of Henry Bailey (b. Rowsley) and grew up in Derby and then Rowsley. Peter married Sarah Marriott at the Congregational Chapel Matlock Bank in 1891 (3 May 1891?).
The family subsequently moved to Lichfield, then Coventry. In 1897 George Henry was recorded as a Visitor from St. Chad's, Lichfield, in the Admissions Register of All Saints' School.
See Strays, Surnames B
George Henry worked as a lithograph operator in a printing works in 1911 and was living at 83 Richmond Street in Coventry, with his father as head of the house, when Matlock Bath was recorded as his place of birth. Mrs. Bailey had died, leaving Peter Bailey a widower.
Enlisted Coventry.
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient
Memorial Reference: Panel 11.

BRINDLEY, Frank
Born M Bath 1892?
KiA 30 Jun 1915
Rifleman 3rd Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
Service No: 9641
ToW: F & F
Brother of Mr. Frederick Brindley, of 82, Wolfe St., Derby. Enlisted Derby. He seems to have already been in the army prior to WW1 as he was a Private in the 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps., based in Gosport, Ham in 1911, when he said he was born Matlock.
Cemetery: Ferme Buterne Military Cemetery, Houplines. (1 km south-east of the village)
Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 87.

BROOKS, John
Born Matlock
Private 11th Bn. Manchester Regiment
DoW 18 Aug 1915
Service No: 24731
Enlisted Derby
ToW: Gallipoli
Buried: Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta. From the spring of 1915, the hospitals and convalescent depots established on the islands of Malta and Gozo dealt with over 135,000 sick and wounded, chiefly from the campaigns in Gallipoli and Salonika
Grave Reference: A. VII. 4.

"Derby Daily Telegraph", 20 September 1915. Roll of Honour.
"BROOKS.-Pte. John Brooks, 24731, 11th Battalion Manchester Regiment, wounded at the Dardenelles, died at Alexandria Hospital, aged 24".

BUNTING, John
Born Bonsall, Matlock and christened at St. James' Church Bonsall 11 Dec 1889
DoW 13 Oct 1915, aged 25
Private "H" Coy. 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 10813
s/o John and Ruth Bunting; husband of Florence Mary Bradley (formerly Bunting), of 1, Ash Yard, Sherwood St., Nottingham.
Enlisted Nottingham. By 1911 he was already a Private with the 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters at Crownhill R S O, Egg Buckland, Devon.
Buried: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen. Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery is located 12 km west of Ieper town centre
Grave Reference: I. B. 11A.

CHELL, Ernest
Born Wensley, Matlock 1899
Died 27 May 1918
Private 1st/4th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
Service No: 75862, Formerly 114170, 51st Grad Batt Northumberland Fusiliers.
ToW: F & F
Enlisted Bakewell
Memorial: Soissons Memorial, Aisne. 100 km north-east of Paris

COATES, Harry (Thomas Henry?)
Born Matlock (1873?)
DoW 14 Sep 1916
L/Cpl. No.8142 2nd Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
Service No. 8142
ToW: F & F
Enlisted Derby
There is no CWGC information about this casualty, but he is recorded as an "Army Overseas" death in 1916.
See Strays, Surnames C

DARRELL, Harry
Born Matlock
Lance Corporal 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards
KiA 14 Sep 1916
Service No: 23025
ToW: F & F
Enlisted Leeds.
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 8 D.

DRURY, Leslie
Born Matlock 3 Aug 1894
KiA 16 Aug 1917
Private 11th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Service No: 43013. Formerly 22129, Notts and Derbys Regt
ToW: F & F
He was a pupil at All Saints', joining the Infants' Department on 1 Aug 1901 when his parent/guardian was said to be Mr. Hepworth of Upper Hackney. He only seems to have completed Standard I at All Saints'. Living Derby 1901. In 1911 he was living at Hackney, boarding with John Hawley and his wife and employed as a Nursery Gardener. His name is on the Darley Dale War Memorial.
Enlisted Buxton. Residence London
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 70 to 72.

EDWARDS, Henley Spencer
Born Matlock 1897 and christened at St. Giles' 9 Jul 1897
KiA 23 Oct 1916, aged 19
Private "D" Coy. 2nd Bn. Middlesex Regiment
Service No: 23099
ToW: F & F
s/o Dr. Arthur Spencer and Ada Margaret Edwards, of "St. Elmo," Halling, Rochester, KEN. Living there in 1901 (see Strays, E). Enlisted Chatham.
Cemetery: Bancourt British Cemetery, Pas de Calais (Bancourt is a village which lies approximately 4 km due east of Bapaume)
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. F. 2.

ELVIDGE, Albert Henry
Born Matlock 1893
KiA 1 Dec 1917
Private 4th Bn. Grenadier Guards
Service No: 24701
ToW: F & F
By 1901 the family had moved to Mount Pleasant, Blackwell and Albert's birthplace was then given as Cromford.
Enlisted Nuneaton.
Memorial: Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, 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 2.

FEARN, Abraham
Born Matlock (Farley) 1894
DoW 8 May 1916 (Home)
Private 10th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 18837
s/o Mrs. Mary Ann Fearn, and brother of George below. In 1901 he and his siblings were living with Frederick Milland at Shaw Street, Whittington. His widowed mother was Milland's housekeeper, They were all still living with Milland in 1911, but at Devonshire Street, Newbold. Abraham was then a Labourer in a Colliery.
Enlisted Chesterfield
Cemetery: Newbold (St. John) Churchyard
Grave Reference: B. 4. 16.

FEARN, George Isaac
Born Matlock 1890
DoW 31 Jul 1916, aged 26
Private 97th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Service No: 8845. Formerly 228866, Notts and Derbys Regt.
ToW: F & F
s/o Mrs. Mary Ann Fearn, of 52, New Bridge St., Old Whittington, Chesterfield. Brother of Abraham above. Living Cobden Terrace in the 1891 census. In 1901 he and his siblings were living with Frederick Milland at Shaw Street, Whittington. His widowed mother was Milland's housekeeper, They were all still living with Milland in 1911, but at at Devonshire Street, Newbold. George was then a Kiln Filler at a Pottery.
Enlisted Chesterfield. Resided Sheepbridge.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Cemetery: Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. L. 21.

FOOTITT, Arthur
Born M Bath 1884
KiA 23 Aug 1916
Serjeant 13th Bn Yorkshire Regiment
Service No: 29691. Formerly 31057, Notts and Derby Regt
ToW: F & F
s/o Henry and Harriett Footitt. Living Temple Road, M Bath in the 1891 census. In 1901 he was working at the Peveril in the Peak Hotel as a Boots boy. He moved to Holbeck Leeds and became a Police Constable, employed by City of Leeds Council. Mar Rebecca (surname unsure of, but probably Tyson). 1 daur, 2 sons.
Enlisted Leeds.
Cemetery: Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay, Pas de Calais. Maroc British Cemetery is located in the village of Grenay, which is about 15 km south-east of Bethune.
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. J. 31.

GREGORY, Ernest
Born Matlock
KiA 1 Oct 1918
Private 1st/5th Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service No: 201342
ToW: F & F
The s/o Ezra and Charlotte Gregory, born in 1895, and living on M Bank in the 1901 census. By 1911 the family were living on Lime Tree Road. He was later a cab driver. He was known to have been a serving soldier in 1917.
Also see his brother Ezra Gregory.
Resided Belper. Enlisted Derby
Cemetery: Anneux British Cemetery, Nord.
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. D. 33.
He is also listed amongst the fallen on the Roll of Honour at Crich St. Mary.

"Derbyshire Courier", 25 January 1919
"News was received from the War Office by Mrs. E. Gregory, of Crich Carr, on Wednesday last week, that her husband, Private Ernest Gregory, 1/5th Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was reported missing from October 1st last year, is now reported killed. Nothing had been heard from him since that date, when he wrote to his wife, and also to his mother and sister at Matlock Town, to say he was all right. Private Gregory, who was 24 years of age, had been in the army 2½ years when he was reported missing. He was a driver for Messrs. Paxton, cab proprietors, Belper, before joining up".

"Derbyshire Courier", 13 December 1919.
"With a view to deciding how to devote the surplus from the Peace celebrations at Whatstandwell ...it was decided that public seats to be purchased ... dedicated to the four Whatstandwell men who fell in the war. and to fix brass plates onto the seats. The names are ... Ernest Gregory, reported killed".

Also see Matlock & Matlock Bath Newspaper Cuttings, Jul 1914 - Nov 1918 (1917)

HAMILTON, Walter
Born Matlock (on Soldiers Died)
KiA 28 Jul 1916, aged 30
Private 11th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 15749
ToW: F & F
s/o Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Hamilton, of Baslow Rd., Bakewell. 1901 census has b. Ashford-I-t-W. In 1911 he was living at Marehay and working for Alfred Fletcher as a farm labourer.
Resided Bakewell. Enlisted Derby
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.

HANDLEY, John Thomas
Born Riber, Matlock 1887
Died 2 Nov 1918, aged 31
Corporal 3rd Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
Service No: R/10110
ToW: F & F [and Greece?]
s/o Roger and Sarah A. Handley, of 6, Moore St., Waterloo Rd., Blackpool. He became a printer, and in 1911 he was working in Derby and boarding with the Bowler family at 37 Wellington St. Native of Riber, Matlock (father had farmed Hall Farm). Enlisted Rochdale. See Strays, Surnames H
Cemetery: Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery, Greece
Grave/Memorial Reference: 425.

HARGREAVES, James
Born Matlock (The only James H found was born in 1860.)
Died at Sea 4 May 1917
Private 3rd Bn. Cheshire Regiment
Service No: 266051
s/o Thomas and Lavainia Hargreaves. Husband of Hannah Hargreaves. Living M Cliffe in 1861. See Strays, Surnames H for other census entries. By 1911 he had moved to Staveley.
Enlisted Stockport. Resided Dukinfield.
Memorial: Savona Memorial, Italy. On 4 May 1917, the Hired Transport "Transylvania", proceeding to Salonika with reinforcements, was sunk by torpedo off Cape Vado, a few km south of Savona, with the loss of more than 400 lives. The bodies recovered at Savona were buried two days later, from the Hospital of San Paulo, in a special plot in the town cemetery.

HARTLE, Thomas
Born Matlock (Crich) 1879
Died 19 Mar 1916, aged 37
Corporal "L" 104th Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
Service No: 9147
ToW: Persian Gulf
s/o Elias and Lavinia Hartle, of Laburnum Cottage, Crich, Matlock. In 1901 he was at Starforth YKS working as a freestone quarryman. In 1911 he was a Bombardier in the R.G.A. and residing at Fareham, HAM.
Enlisted Middlesbrough. Resided Matlock.
Cemetery: Kut War Cemetery, Iraq. See the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for advice about Iraq.
Grave/Memorial Reference: E. 6.

HOLLINGWORTH, Joseph
Born M Town 1898 and christened at St. Giles' 24 Jul 1898
DoW 19 Sep 1915
Private 2nd Bn. Cheshire Regiment
Service No: 10087
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Rosina Hollingworth. Living Burton Upon Trent in 1901, where his father was employed as a Stone Mason. Enlisted Birkenhead.
Buried: Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord)
Grave Reference: II. A. 33.

HOLMES, Reuben
Born Matlock
KiA 3 Sep 1916
Private 17th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 29732
ToW: F & F
Resided Derby. Enlisted Hucknall NTT
Cemetery: Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval, Somme
Grave/Memorial Reference: XVI. D. 4.

HOUGHTON, Bertram
Born Matlock 1897
KiA 10 Nov 1917
Gunner 158th Bde Royal Field Artillery
Service No: 671862
ToW: F & F
s/o John and Mary Houghton. In 1901 the Houghton family was living in Upper Hackney, near the Holly Tree Inn but in 1911 they were living in Darley Dale.
Enlisted Matlock.
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders
Memorial Reference: Panel 4 to 6 and 162.

JOHNSON, Ernest
Born Matlock (Whatstandwell)
KiA 12 Oct 1916, aged 20
Private 7th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
Service No: S/11056
ToW: F & F
Eldest s/o William and Elizabeth Johnson, of 59, Brougham St., Stoneyholme, Burnley.
Living New Street in the 1901 census. The Johnson family were of 28 Cotton Street, Burnley by 1911 with Ernest employed as a Cotton Weaver (and born at "Crich Car".
Cemetery: Bazentin-le-Petit Military Cemetery, Somme.
Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 16.

MARSDEN, Harry (Henry)
Born Matlock 1897
DoW 06 Oct 1917, aged 21
Private 2nd/7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 266828
ToW: F & F
s/o Thomas Henry and Annie Marsden, of Oaker, nr. Matlock. In 1901 the family were at 2 Broad Vale, Snitterton Lane and Thomas Henry was employed as a grocer's assistant. According to that census Henry Marsden was actually born in Wensley.
Enlisted Nottingham.
Buried: Wimereux Communal Cemetery
Grave Reference: VI. C. 14.

No Conscript
A Volunteer for the Right
For Christ's Sake

MARSH, Harold
Born Matlock (Holloway) 1896
Died 12 Aug 1916
Private 10th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 14867
ToW: F & F
Enlisted Derby. Resided Matlock. Of Lea in Casualty lists.
s/o Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Alice Marsh of Lea Wood. They were at Hill Side Holloway in 1911. He had been on active service for a year and had been wounded twice, the last time at Christmas 1915. One of his friends wrote to his parents saying that he had been shot through the heart, so death was instantaneous. He was employed by J. Smedley, Ltd., at Lea Mills as a Wool Sorter. He had played with the Holloway Juniors' football team for several seasons prior to enlistment ("Derbyshire Courier, 26 August 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).
Reference: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.
His name can be found on the Lea and Holloway War Memorial elsewhere on this site.

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.

MELLOR, George
Born Matlock
Died 6 Apr 1915 (Home)
Sapper 59th Field Coy. Royal Engineers
Service No: 6743
s/o the late G. and S. A. Mellor.
Enlisted Sheffield. Resided Crich.
An Army list (undated) records him having pneumonia and his condition was serious.
Cemetery: Cley-Next-The-Sea (St. Margaret) Churchyard
Grave/Memorial Reference: North-West of Church.

MILLER, Albert Edward *New*
Born 1888 Wirksworth
Lance Corporal 13th Bn. Canadian Infantry
Service No: 427798
KiA: 04 Sep 1916
Memorial: Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais
Lance-Corpl. A. E. Miller, Canadian Contingent, a s/o Mr. Henry E. Miller, furniture dealer of Dale Road, Matlock. Single. Enlisted in early days of the war, and was an instructor for some time. He subsequently volunteered for a draft, and went to France at the beginning of the British offensive.

NEWTON, Frederick
Born 1884 Matlock (Alderwasley, though Matlock on Soldiers Died))
KiA 27 Sep 1917, aged 33
Private 2nd/5th Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
Service No: 40184
ToW: F & F
s/o John and Lucy Newton, of Hull; husband of Minnie Gertrude Newton, of 10, River Head, Driffield, YKS. He was christened at Wirksworth 5 Jul 1885 and the family were at Park Hall Farm, Mapperley in 1891. This census says he was born at Borrowash. In 1901 working as Fireman at Oil Works. By 1911 they were all at 5 West View, Sculcoates Lane, Hull, and he, his father and three brothers were all Gas Purifiers.
Enlisted Hull.
Cemetery: Wieltje Farm Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen
Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 23.

OAKLEY, Albert Ernest (Ernest)
Born Matlock 1880 and christened at St. Giles' 11 Jun 1882
KiA 2 Nov 1914
Private 1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
Service No: 9013. Formerly 8421 K.O.S.B.
ToW: F & F
s/o Selina Oakley. Husband of Florence M. Oakley (nee Slaney), of 250, Mansfield Rd., Sutton-in-Ashfield, NTT. They married in the Mansfield District in 1912. Living with grandparents in Matlock Cliff in the 1881 census and with his widowed grandmother in the 1891 census. By 1901 he was in boarding at King's Mill Cottages in Mansfield and working as a Miller's Carter. In 1911 he was a Private in the East Lancs Regiment, Overseas Military, based at the Wellesley Barracks Mhow C[?].
Enlisted Alfreton. Resided Preston LAN.
Memorial: Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 5 and 6.

RYDER, Douglas Gerald
Born M Bath 1886, bap 22 Jul 1886 at Holy Trinity
Died 12 Apr 1918, aged 32
Private 4th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
Service No: PS/9915
ToW: F & F
s/o James Insole Ryder and Ada Evelina Ryder, of Foundry House, Chilvers Coton, Nuneaton, WAR. Living Masson Road, Brunswood House in the 1901 census. Later a Divinity student. Enlisted and resided Nuneaton.
Cemetery: Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais (4 km north-west of Bethune)
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. P. 29.

SEENEY, William Creasy
Born Matlock 1892 and baptised 23 Oct 1892 (Matlock Circuit)
KiA 9 Mar 1917, aged 24
Sapper 71st Field Coy. Royal Engineers
Service No: 140372
ToW: Mesopatamia
s/o Eli and Ann Seeney, of 24, Padiham Rd., Burnley, LAN. Enlisted Burnley, living there in 1901 (see Strays, Surnames S). In 1911 they were at 286 Padiham Road, Burnley and William was working as a joiner. His mother, Ann, had died by this time and his father had a new wife.
Memorial: Basra Memorial
Memorial Reference: Panel 5 and 61.

"Burnley News", 16 March 1935.
Eli Seeney's link to Matlock was through the hydropathic industry; he was also related to the Bramald family of Elm Tree House. His obituary states that whilst his son's platoon were erecting a bridge across the Tigris "they were shelled by the Turks, and he, and many of his comrades, was drowned in the Tigris, their bodies never being recovered".
Eli and his family were in the Matlocks in 1890 although they are not shown in the 1891 census.

SKINNER, George William
Born Matlock (Darley, Little Rowsley) 1886
Private 2nd Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
KiA 14 Mar 1915
Service No: 9873
ToW: F & F
The family were in Darley in the 1891 census when his father William was a Railway Servant. His mother was Annie.
Enlisted Chesterfield. Resided Hurstbourne, Tarrant, HAM.
Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. B. 9.
Cemetery: Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery , Lacouture (Vieille-Chapelle is a village north east of Bethune)

SMITH, Harold
Born Matlock 21 Sep 1891
KiA 1 Jul 1916
Private 11th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 13963
ToW: F & F
The eighth of the 10 children of William and Mary Smith, who were of Underwood Terrace, Smedley Street, when notified of his death. This address was then in the parish of Darley.
Harold Smith was admitted as a pupil at All Saints on 20 Nov 1897; his father was shown as William Smith of Smedley Street.
The Smith family can be found on Matlock Bank in the 1881 census and living on Cobden Terrace in the 1891 census. In 1901 they were in Upper Hackney, with Harold aged 10 and Sydney aged 3. By 1911 the family residence was Spring Garden Cottages Upper Hackney when the 21 year old Harold was a Nurseryman Labourer whilst Sydney, aged 13, was employed as an Errand Boy.
Enlisted Derby. Resided 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.

"Derbyshire Times", 5 May 1917 - Matlock and District Casualties.
"News of a twofold bereavement for a Matlock family has been received in the course of three weeks. Less than month ago Mr and Mrs William Smith, of Underwood Terrace, Smedley street West, Matlock, received official intimation that their son, Pte. Harold Smith, Notts. and Derbys., who was reported missing on July 1st last, was killed in action. He was 28 years old and single and he joined the Forces at the beginning of the war".
The second bereavement referred to their youngest son Sydney Smith (below).
The brothers Harold, Sydney and John are all commemorated on Darley Dale memorial.

Please note that the Harold Smith on Names on Matlock's War Memorial : WW1, Surnames K - W is the one living on Matlock Bank in the 1901 census

SMITH, Sydney
Born Darley 8 Oct 1897
DoW 18 Apr 1917
Private King's Own Scottish Borderers
Service No: 29919
ToW: F & F
Youngest of the ten children of William and Mary Smith, who were of Underwood Terrace, Smedley Street, when notified of his death. This address was then in the parish of Darley.
He became a pupil of All Saints' from 3 Apr 1905, being admitted on the same day as another Sydney Smith (see Names on Matlock's War Memorial : WW1, Surnames K - W). His father was shown as William Smith, Upper Hackney.
The Smith family can be found on Matlock Bank in the 1881 census and living on Cobden Terrace in the 1891 census. In 1901 they were in Upper Hackney, with Harold aged 10 and Sydney aged 3. By 1911 the family residence was Spring Garden Cottages Upper Hackney when the 21 year old Harold was a Nurseryman Labourer whilst Sydney, aged 13, was employed as an Errand Boy.
Enlisted Derby. Resided Matlock.
Memorial: Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais (about 9 km west of Arras)
Grave Reference: II. G. 3.

"Derbyshire Times", 5 May 1917 - Matlock and District Casualties.
"News of a twofold bereavement for a Matlock family has been received in the course of three weeks. ...
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have heard from an authentic source that a younger son, Pte. Sydney Smith, Sherwood Foresters, died of wounds received in France on 19th April, without ever recovering consciousness. Deceased, who was 19 years of age, went to France in February. Two other sons, Lance-Corpl. Harry [born Henry] Smith, of a Labour Battalion, and Pte. John Smith, South Staffs., are in France". John Smith was to be KiA in 1918, although CWGC had the year as 1916.
The brothers Harold (above), Sydney and John are all commemorated on Darley Dale memorial.

SPENCER, Francis George
Born Wirksworth 1870 although Army records show him as born Matlock.
KiA 28 Mar 1916, aged 46
Corporal 4th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
Service No: 12067
ToW: F & F
s/o Anthony and Hannah Spencer. Anthony was a Lead Miner in the 1881 census and the family were then at Bole Hill.
Husband of Ellen Spencer, of 2, Ashton St., Merefield, Rochdale. Enlisted Buxton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Cemetery: Cambrin Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais.
Grave/Memorial Reference: F. 33.

TAYLOR, Ernest Arthur
Born Matlock 1887 and baptised 24 Jul 1887 (Matlock Circuit)
KiA 26 Oct 1917, aged 30
Private 91st Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Service No: 24962
ToW: F & F
s/o Richard and Mary Taylor, of Lime Tree Rd., M Green and brother of Richard Taylor, Clerk to Matlock UDC. Living Webster's Row in the 1891 census and on Matlock Green in the 1901 census. Later a Policeman in the Old Trafford area of Manchester. Enlisted Manchester and joined the Manchester "Pals" Bttn. in the early days of the war and became a sergeant, though voluntarily resigned his rank to take up machine gun work. Single. He had been in France about 2 years when he died.
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.

THOMPSON, Joseph
Born Matlock? but no birth has been found
DoW 25 Aug 1916
Private 12th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 16053
ToW: F & F
Enlisted Sutton-in-Ashfield, NTT.
Buried: Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme
Grave Reference: III. A. 31.

TOMLINSON, Malcolm Elias
Born Bakewell 1880 although Army records suggest he was born Matlock
Died (Home) 20 Dec 1914, aged 34
Gunner 285th Bty. Royal Field Artillery
Service No: 21754
s/o Elias and Mary Tomlinson, of Matlock St., Bakewell, DBY. The family were living at 33 Matlock Street in the 1881 census, which is possibly why some records show him as being born at Matlock. Enlisted Chesterfield.
Cemetery: Deepcut Military Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: J. 43.

TURNER, John
Born Matlock 1898
KiA 9 Apr 1918
Private 1st/6th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
Service No: 77330
ToW: F & F
Resided Stockport. Enlisted 4 Oct 1916 Buxton.
s/o Charles William Turner and his wife Lydia. In 1901 the family were in Fairfield - see Strays, Surnames T. By 1911, when John was still at school, they had moved to 4 Beech Cottages, Tonge Lane, Fairfield.
NoK his father of 23 Hamilton Street, Heaton Norris, Stockport. Charles William T was at Love Lane, Stockport in 1921, by which time his mother had died.
Memorial: Ploegsteert Memorial. The Ploegsteert Memorial commemorates more than 11,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in this sector during the First World War and have no known grave.
Memorial Reference: Panel 8 and 9.

UPTON, Joseph
Born Matlock (Darley) 1890
KiA 14 Sep 1916, Salonika
Private 12th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
Service No: 7122
ToW: Balkans
s/o Walter William and Eliza Jennett Upton. Husband of Mrs. Eliza Upton, of 50, Heys Buildings, Shawforth, Rochdale, LAN. In 1891 Joseph was 10 months old and he, his parents and older brother were in Kay Street, Openshaw. His father was a railway signalman and presumably had been at Rowsley as his brother was born there. Living Bamford in 1901. He later lived in Ancoats, Manchester and worked as a cotton doubler. Enlisted Manchester.
Memorial: Doiran Memorial, Greece

WALTON, John Francis - *New* (2017)
Born Grimsby 1896
KiA 1 Jul 1916
Company Sergeant-Major 10th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
Service No: 120
ToW: F & F
s/o John and Mary Ruth Walton of Duke of Wellington Hotel, Matlock Bank, Derbyshire (See: Kelly's 1916 Directory). In 1911 the family were at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Freeman Street, Grimsby where his father, then a widower, was the Licensed Victualler. John Francis was working as a fish buyer in fish curing.
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).
Panel Reference: Pier and Face 1.

"Belper News", 21 July 1916.
Son of licensee of Duke of Wellington
A letter from Rev. A Llewellwyn Jones, chaplain to the regiment, and dated 5 July was received by his father:
"I am sorry to have to write such bad news to you of your son ... but hope that a letter of personal sympathy will not be amiss. Just two days ago, while in the trenches, your son was struck down by shell fire and he died immediately. At any rate he was spared pain. You will, I know, be glad to hear that all honour was paid to him which was possible. We were able to have a reverent and undisturbed funeral at a military cemetery a short way behind the lines. The Commanding Officer and Adjutant were both present, as well as a few N.C.O.'s and men, thus showing the high regard in which he was held. At our service we had a special prayer for you and yours. We out here recognise the very heavy burden which is placed on those at home, and we honour and admire the courage of those parents at home who bear their sorrow so bravely".

WESTCOMBE, George Eric Dixon (Eric)
Born Matlock 1891
KiA 21 May 1916
Private 1st/15th Bn. London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles)
Service No: 530022
ToW: F & F
s/o Bessie and George Westcombe who lived at Rockleigh, Matlock Bridge - see the 1891 census | Kelly's Directory 1891. Living Sevenoaks, KEN in 1901. GEDW became a bank clerk. Enlisted Somerset House. Resided Camberwell.
Memorial: Arras Memorial (see See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site)
Memorial Reference: Bay 10.

WHITEHEAD, Frank
Born Matlock
KiA 27 Jul 1916
Private 1st Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
Service No: 17920
ToW: F & F
Enlisted Guildford, SUR. Resided Ashtead. He was actually born Winster 1899 and son of Frank and Eliza Whitehead. Frank's birth record shows him as Frank Whitehead Collins, his surname being his mother's maiden name. The family were living in Hammersmith in 1911.
The Biscuit Boys, The Somme shows what the Royal Berkshires were engaged in at the time of Frank's 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 11 D.

WHITEHEAD, Frank Carr
Born M Bank 1895, christened at Tansley 15 Dec 1895
KiA 15 Nov 1916, aged 20
Private 13th Bn. Cheshire Regiment
Service No: 32826
ToW: F & F
Enlisted Staleybridge, CHS. Resided Dukinfield
s/o John and Mary Elizabeth Whitehead (she was nee Bates), of 483, Astley St., Dukinfield, CHS. Living there by 1901. He later became worked in a warehouse.
Cemetery: Berks Cemetery Extension, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut (12.5 km south of Ieper)
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. J. 6.

WILLIAMS, Charles
Born Matlock 1885 but no birth has been found in the district
KiA 20 Nov 1917, aged 32
Private 12th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
Service No: 51756
ToW: F & F
The 1901 census shows him as the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Williams, but born Derby and the 1911 census just says born Derbyshire.
Enlisted at Reading 22 Jul 1916 and resided Bristol; he was examined 20 May 1916 when his occupation was a woodcutting machinist. He left a widow, Mrs. Emily Matilda Williams (nee Howell), of 113 Turnwell Road, Easton Road, Bristol whom he married on 6 Aug 1905 at St. Clement's, Bristol. The couple had 1 daur. Posted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment 27 Jul 1916 and transferred to the Labour Corps 9 May 1917 and posted the following day. Transferred to the W. Yorks 27 Sep 1917.
Memorial: Arras Memorial (see See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site)
Memorial Reference: Bay 4.

Notes:

^[4] Rob Hamilton kindly sent some helpful information, which is incorporated into the piece about S. Carline.
^[5] Also commemorated at All Saints' Church.

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, 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.