| Matlock & Matlock Bath : The War Memorials |
| Commemorating Matlock's and Matlock
Bath's War Casualties |
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| Names on Starkholmes' War Memorial |
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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
Names on the Memorial | World
War 1 Casualties
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 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 |
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| Those who died in WW1, 1914
- 1919 : further information |
ARKWRIGHT, Frederic George Alleyne[1] [2]
Born 23 Oct 1885
Died 14 Oct 1915, aged 29
Captain Royal Flying Corps
Secondary Regiment: formerly 11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars
and was an officer (lieutenant) before the War.
s/o Mr. and Mrs. Frederic Charles Arkwright of Willersley,
Matlock. Educated Eton and Sandhurst. Killed in a flying
accident close to Glamis Castle. The Times (15 Oct 1915) reported
that Captain Arkwright, together with Lieutenant Hardy, were
attached to the Montrose Air Base. They had flown out from
there but had to land near Glamis when the plane developed
a fault. The following day a new propeller was fitted and the
plane took off, but soon got into difficulties, circled and
then crashed. For fuller account, read Charles Beresford's
book about Matlock Bath's memorial[9].
His funeral was impressive (Derby Daily Telegraph, 19
October 1915). His coffin was first in St. Mark's Church and
then in Cromford Parish church, where it was guarded by members
of the Cromford detachment of the Derbyshire Regiment of Home
Guards. The service was conducted by the Bishop of Southwell,
assisted by other clergymen including Canon Kewley (Matlock)
and Rev. Hazlehurst (Cromford). As well as family members,
the mourners included the Duchess of Devonshire and J. B. Marsden
Smedley. The firing party consisted of men from the Coldstream
Guards.
Cemetery: Cromford (St. Mary) Churchyard |
FERN, Thomas[2]
Born Slaley, Bonsall 1896 (Thomas George) and christened at
Bonsall St. James' on 29 Nov 1896.
DoW 10 Aug 1915 - in the Dardanelles (Soldiers Died says At
Sea), aged 18. He had received a bullet wound to the chest
and was transferred to the trawler for the hospital ship -
149th Field Ambulance the day before he died (TNA - MH 106/210).
Private 9th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 13251
s/o Charles Edward and Emma Fern. The family were in Bonsall
in 1901 but later moved to Riber. Enlisted Derby at the beginning
of the war.
Private Arthur Allen of Holt Lane mentioned the death of "a
youth named Tom Fern, who used to go with Mr. T. Bower's cart" in
a letter home ("Belper News", 10 September 1915).
The Derbyshire Courier of 7 September 1915 reported
his death:
"ONLY EIGHTEEN.
Matlock Lad Killed in the Dardanelles.
Mr. C. Fearn, of Wood Ends [sic], Starkholmes, has received
word that his son, Pte. Tom Fearn, of the 9th Sherwood Foresters,
has died of wounds received on 10 August during the severe
fighting in the Dardanelles. Private Fearn, who was only 18,
enlisted at the beginning of the war".
The 9th Bn. Sherwood Foresters was formed at Derby 24 Aug 1914,
moving first to Grantham and then, in April 1915, to Frensham
area. In July 1915 the regiment embarked at Liverpool for Mudros
and 20 - 31 July they were at Helles. On 7 Aug 1915 landed
at Suvla Bay.
Memorial: Helles Memorial (Turkey)
Memorial Reference: Panel 150 to 152 (buried at sea)
 Also
commemorated at St. Giles (sister Dorothy also on headstone).
Known to be Thomas FEARN who is commemorated on
the Matlock Memorial. |
FLETCHER, Josiah or Jesse[4]
Named Josiah at birth, later Jesse on Soldiers Died and Medals Cards at TNA
Born Ashover 1892 (Holloway on Soldiers Died and in Burnt Documents)
DoW 5 Sep 1916, aged 24
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rifleman 16th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 26958
ToW: F & F
s/o Joseph and Selina Fletcher, of Matlock. Living Holloway
in 1901. As Jesse later worked as Corn Miller and Farm Labourer
at Whatstandwell. Had joined the army on 25th Aug 1914 as
13254 9th Battn the Sherwood Foresters, enlisting at Derby,
giving his occupation as a wash house hand and address as
Riber, Matlock. Discharged at Grantham on 8 Oct 1914 because
it was considered that varicose veins made it difficult to
march. Re-enlisted at Matlock in June 1915, stating
that he was a Mill Hand and resided at Draycott, and embarked
for France at Southampton 6 Mar 1916. His mother Selina,
his NoK, was living at Draycott in 1916 (this from Burnt
Documents, WO 363 and 364).
Cemetery: Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1
Grave Reference: III. E. 12. |
FOX Charles[2]
Born 1889 Starkholmes, Matlock and christened at St. Giles' 10 Feb 1889
KiA 24 April 1917
Private 5th Bn. Border Regiment
Service No: 242112
ToW: F & F
s/o James A and Emily J Fox. Living Starkholmes
Road in 1891 | Ward's
End in 1901 and later Riber. Worked as a farm labourer
for James Fritchley on Lindway Lane, Wessington. His brother,
George James, who visited him there in 1911, survived the war.
Enlisted Derby Residence Matlock. It was not until mid June
1917 that he was posted as missing.
Memorial: Arras Memorial (see See War
Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site)
Memorial Reference: Bay 6.
[There is a 1918 Will for Charles Fox, Private 243379 Lancashire
Fusiliers made 11 Oct 1916 naming sister Annie Atkins (she
mar Wilfred A 1911) but the details do not match Charles Fox
of Starkholmes and this soldier not found on CWGC web site] |
FOX, Frederick William (Fred)[2]
Born Matlock (Starkholmes) 1888
KiA: 5 Aug 1916, aged 28
Corporal 5th Bn. Dorsetshire Regiment
Service No: 14017 Formerly 20518, Hussars
ToW: F & F
s/o Mary Jane Fox, of Derwent House, Knowlestone Place, Matlock, and the late
Frederick Fox (a baker of oatcakes). Living Wards
End in 1891 | Starkholmes in 1901. Worked as a Labourer.
One of his sisters, Ella, went on to found the Matlock Mercury. Two of their cousins, Charles Fox and Samuel Fox, were also casualties.
Buried: Wailly Orchard Cemetery, Pas de Calais (6 km S of Arras)
Grave Reference: I. F. 5. |
FOX, Samuel[2]
Born Matlock 1878
KiA 27 May 1918
Private 1st Bn Lincolnshire Regiment
Service No: 43099 Formerly 3583, Notts & Derbys Regt
ToW: F & F
s/o Luke and Mary Fox, who both died before him. Living Wards
End in the 1881
census | the 1891 census | the
1901 census. Worked as a Mason's / Builder's Labourer.
Enlisted Matlock. His home address was shown as Wards End
in the MAVL (1918).
Memorial: Soissons Memorial, Aisne. The Soissons Memorial commemorates almost
4,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom forces who died during the Battles
of the Aisne and the Marne in 1918 and who have no known grave. |
GROWCOTT, Samuel[2]
Born Brackenfield 1891 [Soldiers Died has born Matlock]
DoW 9 Oct 1918, aged 27
Private 11th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 14898
ToW: F & F
s/o Catherine Growcott, of Starkholmes, Matlock, and the late James Growcott.
Living Starkholmes in the 1901 census.
Worked as a Cotton Doubler.
Enlisted Derby.
His home address was given as Starkholmes in the MAVL (1918).
Buried: Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension
Grave Reference: I. A. 18. |
KNOWLES, Charles Joshua[2]
(brother of Walter below)
Born Matlock 1888
KiA 21 Mar 1918 ("Soldiers Died" gives death
as 31 Mar 1918)
Private 1st Bn. attd. 16th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and
Derby Regiment)
Service No: 36204
ToW: F & F
s/o John George and Mary Ann Knowles, of Riber Hill Side, Matlock.
See the family in the 1891
census | the
1901 census.
He had worked for Annie Outram of Riber, a distant relative
of his father, from 25 Sep 1909 and he was to receive 5s
and food each week for his labour. She reduced his wages,
and he was then dismissed for failing to milk the cows on
one occasion when he had toothache. Annie also missed paying
him on occasion so he eventually sued her for a reduction
in his wages
(See the Outrams in the
1901 census).
Charles then moved to Langley to work with his
brother Frank.
Enlisted Matlock 23 Nov 1915, giving his occupation as carter,
and was mobilized 21 Feb 1916.
He embarked on 12 Oct 1916, joined the 16th Sherwoods on the
20th and was posted to the Field on the 27th of that month.
(this from Burnt Documents, WO 363 and 364).
There must have been no long term ill-feeling with Mrs. Outram.
He was a similar age to her children and the photos of Charles,
and memorial card, are here today because the Outrams kept
them in family albums.
Charles was one of 8 Matlock men to die or be killed on 21st
Mar 1918, the first day of the German 1918 Spring Offensive
or Kaiserschlacht - their big push. He was reported missing
between 21 and 31 March. The Derby Daily Telegraph of
1 and 3 June 1918 listed him as missing and he was later assumed
to have died on the 21st March.
His home address was given as Riber Side in the MAVL (1918).
Memorial: Pozieres Memorial (6 km north-east of Albert). The
Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom
and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave
and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.
Memorial Reference: Panel 52 to 54.
Also commemorated St. Giles (with parents and brother) More
MI Info
 Memorial
Cards, Surnames D-R |
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His Army records at enlistment
state that he had a scar
above the left eyebrow. |
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KNOWLES, Walter Robert[2]
(brother of Charles above)
Born Matlock 1898
KiA: 13 Dec 1917, aged 19
Private 2nd/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 26963
ToW: F & F
s/o John George and Mary Ann Knowles, of Riber Hill Side, Matlock.
See the 1901 census.
Enlisted Matlock. Before joining up he had worked for Mrs.
Whittaker, the mineral water manufacturer of Matlock Bath.
From the scanty information available at the time of his death,
it seems he was killed whilst asleep.
Cemetery: Ribecourt Road Cemetery, Trescault, Pas de Calais
(13 km south-west of Cambrai)
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 16.
Also commemorated St. Giles (with parents and brother) More
MI Info |
MILNE, Bernard[2]
Born Derby 1899 and christened at Derby St Andrew on 8 Mar
1899, although another record states this took place at Cromford
on 6 Mar.
KiA 9 Apr 1918, aged 19.
Private 9th (Northumberland Hussars) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
Service No: 60012
ToW: F & F
Second s/o John (d.1916) and Lydia (nee Wood) Milne; John Milne
was a grocer when Bernard was christened but became a Clerk
on the Midland Railway. The family were
then living on Burton Road, Derby in 1901 though moved to Starkholmes
about 1904. Bernard was still at school in 1911.
The "Sheffield Daily Telegraph" of 31 May 1918
reported 930 of the Rank and file were on the previous night's
casualty list in the Roll of Honour. There were two reports
and amongst the casualties in the second list was Milne (60012),
B, (Starkholmes)
The notice of his death showed Mrs. Milne was "South
View" ("Derby Daily Telegraph", 6 May
1918).
Enlisted Derby.
Memorial: Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2.
Bernard's elder brother Robert was also a war casualty, although
his name is not on this memorial despite his death at Starkholmes.
See MILNE, Robert on Matlock's
Memorial |
PURSGLOVE, Harold[2]
Born Middleton 22 Jun 1897 and baptised 1 Aug 1897 (Wirksworth
Circuit)
DoW 19 Apr 1917, aged 19, at the 33rd Casualty Clearing
Station, France.
Private 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 46215
ToW: F & F
s/o Edwin and Caroline Pursglove, of Sitches Farm, Starkholmes,
Matlock. Living Middleton in the 1901 census. He worked for
his father as a Farmer at Sitches Farm (1911 census).
Enlisted
Matlock. He'd joined up the previous August, going to France
in Dec. Had been wounded in Feb, but remained on duty.
He was admitted to the station slightly wounded and
crushed, and sent his best love to all at home. The next news
his parents received was an official communication from Lichfield
informing them that he had died.
Cemetery: Bethune Town Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. D. 33. |
READ, Charles Ernest (known as Ernest)[2]
Born Matlock 1892
KiA 27 Oct 1916
Private 1st Bn. Regiment/Service: Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 70716
s/o James and Lydia Read, of Matlock. Brother of Arthur Edward
(see Matlock Memorial).
There is no trace of him in either the 1901 or 1911 census
returns. However, the Derby Daily Telegraph of 20 Sept
1910 carried a report of him attending a Police Court in London.
It described him as respectably dressed; he told the police
he had left home in May with £20 in his pocket and eventually
said that his father, "a respectable man", lived
in Matlock. He is also named in records of his brother (Burnt
Documents, WO 363 and 364). He enlisted at Matlock and, according
to the Derbyshire Courier, had been in the Army for
some two years when he died, although this is more
likely to have been 2 months as he enlisted in 1916. He was
a gardener by trade. He had resided with Mrs. Carline of Starkholmes,
who was informed of his death.
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to
the Missing of the Somme (see See War
Graves photos (Thiepval British Memorial) elsewhere on
this site).
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A. |
SMITH, Fred (Frederick)[2]
Born Starkholmes 1886. Christened at St. Giles', as Frederic,
21 Nov 1886.
KiA 26 Sep 1917, aged 30
Private 2nd/7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 42385
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Agnes Smith of Starkholmes, though after his
death NoK given as William Smith, of 2, Mostyn Terrace, New
St., Matlock. He was living Starkholmes in
the 1891 census and in
the 1901 census when he was working as a tar paving labourer.
He has not been located in 1911 although his parents and some
siblings were still in Starkholmes.
Single. Enlisted Matlock. Reported missing from 26 Sept 1917,
later changed to KiA.
"Pte. Smith, who was a farm hand
by occupation, joined up early in the war, and was gassed whilst
in France. Returning to England, he recovered his health and
was placed on farm work until the previous August (presumably
1917), when he was recalled to his unit, and again sent to
France". His father clearly had no news for some time following
him being classed as missing as a Derbyshire Times report
in November 1917 contained the poignant plea for news: "Any
news regarding him will be gratefully received by his father
at the above address".
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four
Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders
Memorial Reference: Panel 99 to 102 and 162 to 162A. |
TAYLOR, William Ernest[2]
Born Starkholmes, Matlock 1893. Christened 11 Feb 1894 St. Giles'.
KiA 15 Sep 1916, aged 22
Private 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 23419
ToW: F & F
s/o Mr. Richard and Emma Maria Taylor, of Starkholmes, Matlock.
Richard Taylor was a labourer for the Midland Railway and worked
in the Goods Yard. The family were living Starkholmes in the
1901 census. William worked for a time as an errand boy
for H Smith
& Sons. Residence Matlock. Enlisted Buxton.
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to
the Missing of the Somme (see See War
Graves photos (Thiepval British Memorial) elsewhere on
this site).
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.
Also commemorated St. Giles (Richard also on headstone) - More
MI Info |
WHERRETT, Thomas[2]
Born Matlock 1898, christened at St. Giles' 13 Feb 1898.
DoW 12 Dec 1917
Private 2nd/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 240931
ToW: F & F
s/o George and Sarah (nee Smedley) Wherrett, the youngest of
twelve children. Living Matlock Town the
1901 census. By 1911 they were living at End Holme, Starkholmes
Road. Thomas was still at school (Strutts), his father had
retired and his mother had died.
Enlisted Matlock. Examined for service 19 Oct 1914, giving
his trade as Shop Lad although other records indicate that
when he left school, aged 16, he immediately joined the colours.
He served in France from 27 Feb 1917. He died of wounds at
a casualty clearing station in France. He was sniping when
he was hit by a fragment of shell.
Buried: Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt,
Somme
Grave Reference: VIII. A. 6.
Also commemorated St. Giles (parents also on headstone) - Go
to MI |
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[1] Also commemorated on the Cromford War Memorial.
[2] Also commemorated on the Matlock War
Memorial: See WW1 Surnames A -
J and WW1 Surnames K - W
[3] Charles Beresford, in "The Bath at
War, A Derbyshire Community and the Great War" (2007) |
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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 Starkholmes War Memorial. Thank you.
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