Chesterfield Grammar School WWI

Old Cestrefeldians in the Great War NON . QUO . SED . QUOMODO MCMXIV . . . . MCMXIX They whom the scroll commemorates were numbered amongst those who. At the call of King and Country. Left all that was dear to them. Endured hardship, faced danger and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self sacrifice. Giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it that their names be not forgotten In affectionate remembrance of the loyal and faithful OLD CESTREFELDIANS Who died in the Great War 'In sacred sleep they lie. Say not that the brave die' Coat of Arms and School Motto

Roll of Honour for the Old Cestrefeldians William Beaumont Alliban Lieutenant in the 2/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, who died on Saturday 5th May 1917, aged 20. He is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10C 10D and 11A. William was the son of Mr and Mrs W.H. Alliban of Tupton Hall, Chesterfield. Frank Vaughan Ashcroft Sapper WR/203625 (248110), Railway Operating Division, Corps of Royal Engineers, who died at home on Monday 13th May 1918. Frank was formerly in the Scottish Rifles (17804), 42nd B.G.O. Company. Although born in Manchester he was resident of Chesterfield and is buried in Newbold (St John) Churchyard. Benjamin Morley Badcock Second Lieutenant, 1st/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, who died on Tuesday 9th July 1918, aged 20. He was the son of Dr. Benjamin and Mrs Badcock of Staveley Town. He is buried in Fouquieres Churchyard extension, grave III.G.4. The 46th North Midland Territorial Division spent three years in this region of the front line and placed their transport and field ambulances in the village of Fouquieres. Tom Benjamin Bamford Private 5198, 1st/10th Battalion The King's (Liverpool Regiment), who died on Wednesday 9th August 1916, aged 25. He was the son of Thomas and Ellen Bamford of Hazel Grove, Hasland. His death is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 1D 8B and 8C) and on the Hasland Village Memorial. Thomas Bamford (Snr) was an engine driver on the Midland Railway. The 1st/10th (Scottish) Battalion The Kings formed part of the 166th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division. On 9th August the Battalion was involved in the attack on Guillemont and following four unsuccessful charges suffered over 280 casualties. 'He was killed while taking part in an attack on German trenches and I am taking this opportunity to express on behalf of your son's comrades and his Company Commander Captain Jaegers and myself our deepest sympathies with you in your heavy bereavement. Private Bamford was always a good and conscientious soldier and his loss will be keenly felt by all who knew him and particularly by his comrades of the Lewis Gun Section' [Pte Bamford's Section Officer] After attending Chesterfield Grammar School, Tom Bamford studied at Nottingham University before moving to Nantes to study French. He enlisted in August 1915 and had been in France since December 1915. Edmund Barnes 2/Lt in the Royal Flying Corps and General List who was killed in action on the 27th January 1918, aged 18. He is buried in GRANTHAM CEMETERY (grave 4. J. 28), Lincolnshire. Son of William Edmund and Eliza Mary Barnes, of 25 Spring Bank Rd., Chesterfield. Reginald Beardsley Private 6535, 72nd Coy., Machine Gun Corps (Inf), who died on 21st May 1916, aged 22. He was the son of John and Leila Beardsley of 12 Valley Road, Spital, Chesterfield and is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery, grave II.B.103. The 72nd Coy. M.G.C. served with the 72nd Brigade of the 24th Division. Frederick Noel Bond Private SP/3311, 24th (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (2nd Sportsman's - City of London), who died on Friday 28th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 8C 9A and 16A. The 24th Battalion Royal Fusiliers formed part of the 5th Brigade in the 2nd Division. On the 28th July the Battalion was holding front line trenches near Trones Wood, just to the west of Guillemont. Robert Walter Burr Lance Corporal 2266, Royal Army Medical Corps (Territorial Force), who died at home on Friday 7th January 1916, aged 27. He was the son of Walter and Sarah Burr of Oak Close, Brimington and is buried in Brimington Cemetery and commemorated on Brimington Village Memorial. Although Robert was resident in Chesterfield he enlisted in Chelsea, South West London. Robert Capps Private 200720, 1st/5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wale's Own), who died on Thursday 3rd May 1917 and is Commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Panel 39 and 40. Robert enlisted in Harrogate. Francis Cyril Clare Private 14/868, 14th (Service) Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (1st Birmingham Pals), who died on Sunday 30th July 1916, aged 28 and is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, grave XXXI.E.5. He was the son of John Clare of 44 Compton Street, Chesterfield. Francis was born in Staveley, but at the outbreak of the war he was a resident of Edgbaston, Birmingham. The Battalion, which formed part of the 13th Brigade in the 5th Division, moved to the front line trenches at Longueval on the 29th of July and then attacked several strong points to the northwest of the village on the following day (30th), suffering over 170 casualties. He is also commemorated on the Church of the Annunciation Memorial Plaque. Harry Covey Clarke - No information to date Robert Bowes Cockburn Captain, Army Veterinary Corps, attd. 130th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, who died on Friday 27th September 1918, aged 28 and buried in the Bralo British Cemetery in Greece. Bralo was a major hospital and communication and rest centre. Many of the burials in the cemetery are a result of the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918. He was the son of Robert and Annie E. Cockburn of Eastwood, Nottingham. William Arthur Cockett Second Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, who died on Friday 26th October 1917 and is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium, grave VIA.A.17. Frank Cooper - No information to date Arthur Edward Connor Sapper 29465 in the 17th Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers, who died on the 13th June 1919, aged 27. Arthur is commemorated on face 1 of the Delhi Memorial (India Gate). He was the son of the late Walter and Francis R. Connor. There is a note in the C.W.G.C. that he is buried in the Tank Cemetery. Thomas Coote Cummins 2/Lt in the 3rd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, killed in action on the 25th March 1918, aged 19. He is buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery, grave V.L.20. Son of Dr. W. M. and Mrs. E. M. Cummins, of The Laburnams, Tattenhall, Chester. Leonard Edwin Cutts Lieutenant, 256th Tunnelling Coy., Royal Engineers, who died on Friday 11th October 1918, aged 31 and is buried in Noyon New British Cemetery near Oise in France. His grave is in row II.G.10. This cemetery was made after the Armistice by the concentration of graves from other burial grounds and from the surrounding battlefields. He was the son of the late Mr. J. W. and Mrs. Cutts, of Blackwell, Alfreton and the husband of Winifred M. Cutts, of Coningsby, Lincoln. Alfred Parks Dale Second Lieutenant, 57th Training Sqdn., Royal Flying Corps, who died on Friday 15th March 1918, aged 31 and is buried at the Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt; grave B. 113. Son of the late Alfred and Annie Frances Dale of Eckington and husband of Frances M. Dale of 36 Salter Gate. Herbert Colin Ditcher Corporal 11136, 48th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Inf), who died of wounds on Monday 3rd July 1916, aged 20 and is buried in the Bethune Town Cemetery; grave V. F. 39. Herbert was the son of John Howard Ditcher and Emma Ditcher of 15 Station Road, Eckington. He was born and resident in Eckington. He was formerly in the Sherwood Foresters (32306). Norman S. Bryan Donkin Rifleman S/491, 8th Battalion the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own), killed in action on the 30th June 1915. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 46 - 48 and 50. Norman was born in Norwood, Surrey and enlisted in Westminster but was a resident of Calow at the outbreak of the War. On the Calow Memorial he is recorded as serving with the York and Lancs. Charles Frederick Drabble Lieutenant, 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, attd. 13th Squadn., Royal Air Force, who died on Tuesday 13th August 1918, aged 21. Buried in Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery, grave IV.B.21/22. Son of Alexander and Emma Kinder Drabble of 45 Collegiate Crescent, Sheffield, he was a native of Clay Cross. George Exford (Recorded as GEORGE OSMAN EXFORD by the CWGC) Private PO/12829, H.M.S. 'Queen Mary.', Royal Marine Light Infantry, who died on Wednesday 31st May 1916. PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire Arthur Noel Eyre 2nd Lieutenant 6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and 57th Squadron Royal Air Force. Killed in action on the 26th September 1918, aged 27. He is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial in the Faubourg-D'Amiens Cemetery. Arthur was the son of John and Eliza Eyre of Avondale Road in Chesterfield. Percy Donald Forrett Captain in the 5th Battalion (Territorial) Northumberland Fusiliers and killed in action on the 5th February 1916. He is buried in the Maple Copse Cemetery at Ypres (Special Memorial E. 6.). Maple Copse was to the west of Sanctuary Wood and was the close to the advanced dressing stages of those divisions holding the front line. During the fighting of June 1916 the graves in the cemetery were mainly obliterated and of the 256 known graves, only 26 could be definitely located after the Armistice. Of the remaining 230 there are special memorials to these men. Clement Barrington Furmston 2nd Lieutenant in the 154th Company of the Machine Gun Corps (Inf), who was killed in action on the 9th April 1917, aged 22 and is buried in Roclincourt Military Cemetery, grave I. A. 3. Son of the Rev, Samual and Susan Furmston of Blackwell Vicarage, Alfreton, he was a native of Mansfield. Clement was killed on the first day of the Battle of Arras. John William Godber Private 534476, 'B' Company, 1st/15th Battalion (County of London) London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles) who killed in action on Tuesday 24th September 1918 , aged 20. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial (Panel 10), which bears the names of over 9000 men who fell in the period from 8th August to the date of the Armistice in the advance to victory in Picardy and Artois and who have no known grave. He was the son of William and Lucy Godber of 207 Elmton Road, Creswell, near Mansfield. Ronald K Hall - No information to date John Vernon Hall - No information to date Frank Hancock Private 65236 in the 2/4th Battalion Kings Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry), killed in action on the 27th August 1918 Frank was born in Brampton and enlisted in Chesterfield in the 6th T.R. Battalion (6/3661). Harold Hardy Private 307427 in the 2nd/8th Sherwood Foresters, who was killed in action on the 7th April 1917. Harold was born and resident in Staveley prior to the outbreak of the War. Frederick Victor Hicks Pioneer 48760 in the 83rd Field Company of the Corps of Royal Engineers, who was killed in action on the 2nd July 1916, aged 20. He is buried in the Menin Road South Military Cemetery in Iepers, grave I. O. 25. A comrade wrote home to say that Frederick was on duty at an advanced store when a shell burst and he was wounded in the leg and killed by the concussion. Frederick was the son of Edward and Lilian Hicks of 'Leylands' 2 Stanley Street Chesterfield. He was born in Stroud Green, Middlesex. Prior to enlisting he worked in the drawing Office of Bryan Donkin Co. Gilbert Horner Sapper 37367, 71st Field Company, Royal Engineers, who was killed in action on the 16th December 1915, aged 19. He is buried in the Lala Baba Cemetery in Turkey, grave II. C. 1. Gilbert was the son of Isaac and Mary Horner of 156 Park Road, Chesterfield. William Bamford Houston Private 70667, 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters, killed in action on Sunday 15th October 1916, aged 19. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11A. He was the son of Frederick and Edith Houston of 140 South Street, New Whittington On the 15th October the 2/Sher. F. attacked German gun pits from the north of Lesboeufs. The attack was successful and the gains were held and consolidated. The first indication that John and Edith Houston had lost their son William was contained in a letter from a comrade. 'October 28th - It is my painful duty to send you here with more photos and a letter which were found in your son's possession. No doubt the War Office by now has informed that Billy was killed on the 14th inst. so I am sincerely hoping that my letter will prove too great a shock for you. I can not give you any further information at present . . . ' [Pte. Watson, Lewis Gun Section, attached to the Sherwood Foresters] Prior to enlisting 'Billy' Houston was training as a chemist in his Father's business in South Street. He was called up in February 1916 and received his training in Watford. He had been at Watford for 10 weeks when he was posted to Ireland with 178th Brigade during the Easter Rebellion. In August he was part of a draft of men sent to the 2nd Battn in France. Ronald Howe Private 31742, 'C' Company, 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, died of wounds on the 6th July 1916, aged 22. Buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, grave VIII. C. 104. Ronald and his twin brother George were the sons of William and Florence Howe of Spital, Chesterfield. He was a resident of Clay Cross. The 10th Battalion were heavily involved in the attacks on the German defences near Fricourt Farm. 'We had spent the night in the wood crouching in shell holes to avoid snipers, who were all over the place. At daybreak the birds began to sing as though nothing was wrong, but it was a sight. The wood was practically blasted away, and a village near was laid flat, when the order came. Away we went and the first soldier down was the one next to me. Then I saw Ronald Howe bleeding from the legs, but we had to push on. I don't know how I came through, but I did. When we got into the trenches the Germans surrendered in scores. They put up their hands and yelled 'Mercy ! Comrades.' Some of our chaps gave them mercy with the cold steel.' [Pte Frank Bower, aged 17, from Chesterfield] William Husband 2nd Lieutenant in the Northumberland Fusiliers, attached to 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, died of wounds on Tuesday the 25th June 1918, aged 28. He is buried in Whittington (St Bartholomew) Churchyard. William Ernest Ind Captain in the 15th (County of London) Battalion (Prince of Wales's Own Civil Service Rifles). Died of wounds on the 7th June 1917, aged 25. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in West Flanders, grave X. A. 45. William was the son of William and Martha Ind of Duckmanton. Lijssenthoek was the site of numerous clearing hospitals for the Divisions that were holding the front line around the Ypres salient. He was awarded the Military Cross. William Gladstone Jacques Second Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. Killed in action on the 17th October 1918, aged 21. He is buried in Fresnoy-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery near St Quentin in France, grave B. II. William was the son of William and Kate Jacques of 19 Avondale Road, Chesterfield. Fresnoy-Le-Grand was evacuated by the Germans on the 9th October 1918 and occupied by the 46th (North Midland) Division, which contained the Sherwood Forester brigade. The extension was made and used by the 46th Division in 1918. On 17th October the 139th Brigade were engaged in the attack on Reginicourt and Andigney les Fermes. The attack started at 5.20 a.m. The 8/sf formed the attacking battalion and two Companies of the 5/SF were held in support, with the remainder dug in under a bank in the shelter of a small wall. The assaulting troops came under heavy machine gun fire but succeeded in reaching their objectives and taking over 100 prisoners. Arnold Jephson and Frederick Charles Jephson Sons of Walter and Mary Jepson of Ashgate Road, Chesterfield. Both are commemorated on the War Memorial in the grounds of St Thomas' Church in Brampton. Arnold was a Private (38354) in the 11th Battalion King's (Liverpool) Regiment and was Killed in action on Thursday the 17th May 1917, aged 28. He is buried in London Cemetery, Neuville-Vitasse, grave III.D.9. Although a resident of Chesterfield he enlisted in Manchester. Frederick was a Private (240753) in the 2/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, 59th (North Midland) Division, and was killed in action on the 17th December 1917, aged 23. He is buried in Ribecourt Military Cemetery near Trescault, grave I. C. 19. Ribecourt was taken by the British 6th Division on 20th November 1917, but following the conclusion of the Battle of Cambria was practically on front line. The 59th (North Midland) Division were holding sections of the front line during this time. Brian Edmund Kelly 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, killed in action on the 2nd December 1917. He is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial near Louverval, panel 9 and 10. He is also commemorated on the Church of the Annunciation Memorial Plaque. Adam Kerr Captain in the 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, died of wounds on the 3rd November 1918, aged 35 and buried in Forest Communal Cemetery, grave C. 6. Adam was the son of John and Margaret Kerr and a native of Chesterfield. He left a wife, Maggie, a resident of Whiteley Road Sheffield. The Battalion was involved in the Forest and the surrounding country during the advance to victory. Frederick Christian King Rifleman (R/19052) in the 16th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, who was killed in action on the 2nd February 1917, aged 20. He is buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension on the Somme, grave V. D. 25. He was the son of Mrs L King of Allport Terrace, Westhouses in Alfreton. Fred was born in Blackwell, and although a resident of Alfreton he enlisted at Ilkeston. Herbert Lack Private (12/429) in the 12th (Service) Battalion of York and Lancaster Regiment (The Sheffield Pals) and died on the 6th July 1916. He is buried in St. Sever Cemetery in Rouen, grave A. 24. 2. Herbert was the only son of Councillor Thomas and Lara Lack of 'Westridge' Poplar Avenue, Chesterfield. He was born at St Thomas' Church in Brampton and is commemorated on the Brampton Memorial. He was admitted to hospital on June 12th with blood poisoning, which he contracted in the trenches. Herbert enlisted shortly after the outbreak of the War and arrived in France in April April 1916. Prior to enlisting he worked as a draughtsman at Bryan Donkin Co., having previously studied at Sheffield University. He was a useful cricketer and played for the Chesterfield Club in which he topped the bowling averages in 1914. William Henry Lockett 2nd Lieutenant in the 16th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the 7th October 1916, aged 26. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, pier and face 14 A and 15 C. William was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Lockett of 180 South Street, New Whittington. He received a B.A. from Durham University. At the time of his death William was attached to the 12th Battalion D. L. I., which on the 7th October had attacked the front line trenches near Le Sars. 'A' and 'C' companies successfully captured The Tangle and the sunken Eaucourt l'Abbaye Road, whilst 'B' company moved through and gained ground at Le Sars. William Herbert Lucas Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion Princes of Wales's (North Staffordshire) Regiment who died of wounds on the 21st January 1916, aged 25. He is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery (grave VII. A. 3) near Bethune. This cemetery was used by the casualty clearing from 1915-1918. William was the son of Herbert and Florence Lucas of 'The Chantry' in Dronfield. John H. Marsden Captain in the 6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, who was killed in action on the 27th April 1917, aged 38. He is buried in Templeux-Le-Guerrard British Cemetery (grave I. A. 47) near Peronne. John was the son of Mary Marsden of 29 Avondale Road, Chesterfield and the late John Marsden who had been a well known Solicitor. He was awarded the Military Cross. John Mellor Private (10407) in the 8th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London) who was killed in action on the 3rd August 1916, aged 20. He enlisted in April 1916 and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. His brother Willoughby was killed in action near the Dardanelles in May 1915 and two cousins, Ernest Mellor (Scots Guards) and Wilfred Mellor (Sherwoods) were also killed in 1915. John was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Mellor of 31 York Street, Hasland, Chesterfield. Commemorated on the Hasland Memorial. George William Moore Sapper 127885 in the 3rd Field Survey Company, Royal Corps of Engineers who died of wounds on the 27th September 1918. He is buried in the Louverval Military Cemetery (grave A. 21) near Doignies. George was resident in Chesterfield when he enlisted. Charles Neil Newcombe Lieutenant in the 7th Battalion King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) who was killed in action on the 27th December 1915, aged 24. He is buried in Y FARM MILITARY CEMETERY (grave K. 13), BOIS-GRENIER, Charles was born in Yarmouth on the 16th March 1891. He was the son of E. Percy G. Newcombe and Helen Ada L. Newcombe, of Matlock and was head boy at Chesterfield School in 1909. He played football for Chesterfield Town (between 1910 and 1912), Sheepbridge Works, Rotherham Town and Tibshelf Colliery. He was also a useful cricketer and played once for Derbyshire C.C.C. in 1910. [Many thanks to Stuart Basson for supplying this information] Albert Edward Nuttall Private (358306) in the 1st/10th Battalion King's (Liverpool Regiment), who was killed in action on the 31st July 1917, aged 37. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres. Albert was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Nutall of 46 Clarence Road, Chesterfield and was born in Liverpool. John J. R. Oldham Guardsman (19626) of the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards who was killed in action on the 14th September 1916, aged 32 and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. John was born in Brampton and is commemorated on the Brampton Memorial. He lived at 47 Old Road and was well known around Chesterfield as a temporary postman. He enlisted on October 3rd 1914 and served for 13 months in France without a furlough. His wife received a telegram from the King and Queen. He was an apprentice to Mr Cecil Jackson who was an architect. On September 14th the 3/GG were Alfred O'Neill - No information to date John Frederick Organ (Recorded as Frederick John Organ by the CWGC) Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class M/1694 Royal Navy who served on H. M. S/M. 'E22' and died on Tuesday 25th April 1916. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent. Harry Grenfell Peach Private (60026) in the 19th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, died of wounds on the 22nd August 1918, aged 19. He is buried in Arneke British Cemetery (grave III.E.13), which acted as the cemetery for numerous casualty clearing stations from October 1917. Harry was the son of William and Alice Peach of 27 Gloucester Road, Chesterfield. He was born in Brimington and before the War was an official of Thomas Firth and Sons Ltd in Sheffield. Harry is also commemorated on the Newbold Memorial. Arthur Reginald Pearson Sergeant (2659/9) in the 1st/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, who was Killed in action on the 1st July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. Percy Woodville Philipps Lance Sergeant (434728) in the 50th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment), who died on the 10th April 1917, aged 34. he is buried in the Givenchy-en-Gohelle Canadian Cemetery near Souchez. This Village was taken by the 2nd Canadian Division during the battle of Vimy Ridge and the cemetery was begun by the Canadian Corps in March 1917. Percy was the son of Mr R.H. Philipps of South Street, Chesterfield. Arthur Louis and Frank Woodhead Pogson Arthur was a Private (515645) in the 14th Battalion London Regiment (London Scottish), who was killed in action on the 31st March 1918, aged 19. He is buried in the Aubigney Communal Cemetery Extension (grave III. D. 380) near the village of Aubigney-en-Artois. Frank was a Rifleman (392020) in the 2nd/9th Battalion London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles), killed in action on the 27th September 1917, aged 22. He is commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial in Zonnebeke. Arthur and Frank Pogson were the sons of Louis and Emma Pogson of Newbold Road, Chesterfield and both brothers were residents of Chesterfield. Frank enlisted in London, whereas Arthur enlisted in Chesterfield. Frank Renshaw 2nd Lieutenant in the 17th (Service) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Welbeck Rangers), killed in action on the 12th July 1916, aged 28. He is buried in Le Touret Military Cemetery (grave III. J. 32) near Richebourg-L'Avoue. Frank was the son of A. A. and Edith Renshaw of 91 Skinnerthorpe Road, Pitsmoor near Sheffield. Vernon Renshaw Rifleman (R/38362) in the 13th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, died of wounds on the 4th October 1917, aged 20. He is buried in the Larch Wood (Railway Cutting) Cemetery (grave III. A. 8) near Ypres. Vernon was the son of Frederick and Margaret Renshaw of Exeter Villa, 28 Clarence Road, Chesterfield. He was born and resident in Chesterfield, but enlisted in Sheerness. Frank Leslie and George Hubbard Reynolds (Twin brothers) Frank was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, attached to the 15th Battalion, killed in action on the 20th July 1916, aged 22. He is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. On the 20th July the 15/SF were ordered to capture 1000 yards of trench from Maltz Horn Farm northwards. The Battalion suffered heavy casualties during this attack. 'The Company made an attack and the last Officer to see Mr Reynolds says that he was leading the men and shouting 'Come on boys'. From the later reports of the men I am afraid there is little hope that he is alive' George was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 10th Battalion Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment), killed in action on the 9th April 1916 ,aged 22. he is commemorated on the Basra Memorial in Iraq. Frank and George were the sons of John and Emma Reynolds of Tibshelf near Alfreton. Cecil Rhodes Sapper (45274) in the 84th Field Company, Royal Corps of Engineers, killed in action on the 26th June 1916, aged 20. He is buried in Brandhoek Military Cemetery (grave 1914. I. J. 7A) near Vlamertinghe in West Flanders. Cecil was the son of Arthur and Louisa Rhodes of Brampton, Chesterfield. He volunteered on September the 2nd 1914 and is commemorated on the Brampton Memorial. Robert Cecil Riggott 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd/5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, killed in action on the 20th September 1917, aged 27. He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery (grave V. A. 17) near Zonnebeke and is also commemorated on the Newbold Memorial. Robert was the son of James and Louisa Riggott of 97 Gloucester Road, Chesterfield. Stanley Arthur Rogers Lieutenant in the 2nd/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, killed in action on the 21st March 1918. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in Bay 7. Born at Somercoates near Alfreton on 21st January 1890. He applied for a Commission in the Territorial Force as a 2nd Lieutenant on 29th October 1915. Prior to enlisting he had been a salesman and had served for several years as a trooper in the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry. Appointed 2nd Lieutenant on 13th November 1915. He returned to England on 14th Many 1917 after being wounded in the stomach and was admitted to Fazakerley Hospital in Liverpool. On June 13th a medical board recommended 3 weeks in the Officers Convalescent Home at Eaton Hall in Chester. On 28th June he was certified fit for General Service, granted 3 weeks leave then told to report to O.C 6th Battn Sher. For. Appointed Temporary Captain (date unknown). Statements received from Lt Col Hogkin and Lt LW Allen (both POW in Germany) to the effect that Lt Rogers was killed on 21st March 1918 at Bullecourt. [Information courtesy of Steve Rogers] William Haldane Round Captain in the 7th (Robin Hood) Territorial Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. Killed in action on the 1st July 1916 during the attack on the Gommecourt Salient. He was 23 years of age and the son of William and Edith Hornby Round of East Drayton Vicarage in Redford. William is buried in Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in grave I.L.18. William Round was the officer in charge of 'D' company, which was the carrying and digging company that followed the attacking waves of 'A', 'B' and 'C' companies. The company suffered heavy casualties as they climbed over the parapet and moved through the wire. It was at this point in the attack that William Round was killed and his two subalterns wounded. Very few of the company advanced beyond the old fire trench. In total the battalion suffered nearly 450 casualties on the 1st day of the Somme. 'I had always hoped that Capt. W. H. Round, with his brilliant scholarly achievements, would have been spared to do this, but alas, it was not to be; he was killed on that ill-fated day of July 1st 1916, at Gommecourt.' [Lieut.-Colonel Arthur W. Brewill, Commanding 7th (Robin Hood) Battalion Sherwood Foresters. Prelude to 'The Robin Hoods' 1/7th, 2/7th & 3/7th Battns. Sherwood Foresters 1914-1918. Written by Officers of the Battalion. J. & H. Bell, Nottingham, 1921.] Tom Victor Scattergood 2nd Lieutenant in the 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers, he died of wounds on the 6th June 1917, aged 30. He is buried in Duisans Military Cemetery (grave IV. F. 35) near Etrun. Tom was the brother of Miss N. G. Scattergood of 'Woodcote', 42 Bourne Street, Dudley, Staffordshire. Herbert Simpson 2nd Lieutenant in the 1/6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters. He died of wounds (on the 7th July) received at Gommecourt on the 1st July, aged 30. Only son of John William Bramhall Simpson and Julia Simpson of 'South Dene,' Ashgate Rd., Chesterfield. He is buried at ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime (grave A. 3. 6.) and is commemorated on the Brampton and Old Brampton Memorials. Enlisting shortly after the outbreak of War in the 12th York and Lancs. (Sheffield City Battalion), he received his commission towards the end of 1915 and was gazetted to the Sherwood Foresters, whom he joined on May 8th. A BATTLEFIELD HERO SEC.-LIEUT SIMPSON SPURS ON HIS MEN WHEN MORTALLY WOUNDED. Amid their personnel grief, Mr and Mrs J. W. B. Simpson of Smithdene, Ashgate Road, Chesterfield, have every reason to be proud of their gallant son, second Lieutenant Herbert Simpson, for, as he lay on the battlefield mortally wounded, he spurned his men on to victory. 'Don't worry,' he remarked, 'I am only slightly hit.' Thus he veiled the terrible news that his left arm was completely shattered, that he was mauled all down the left side from shoulder to his foot, and that his right hand was smashed. Under the withering cross fire of the opposing forces he lay in the open from early morn till dawn, shells burst round about him, and when he could stand the pain no longer he propelled his maimed body, bit by bit, until he reached the British lines. His wounds were dressed, and in the course of time he was admitted to No. 2 Red Cross Hospital, Rouen. Here he made a gallant fight for life, but an imperative operation, delayed until the last moment, brought the end near, and he died in the presence of his mother, his father, whom the War Office would not permit to make the journey till Thursday afternoon, arriving just too late to see his only son alive. [The Derbyshire Times, Saturday, July 15, 1916] Albert Henry Smith Private S/25164 in the 5th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, who died of wounds on the 2nd March 1917. Albert was born in Sheffield, but was a resident of Chesterfield when he enlisted. Arthur Duncan Swale Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion, attached 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, who died of wounds on the 5th October 1918, aged 21. He is buried in Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension (grave III. B. 18) on the Somme. The cemetery was made by the 20th, 41st and 55th Casualty clearing stations during the months of September and October. Arthur was the son of Arthur and Emmeline Swale of Rhone House, Hady Hill, Chesterfield. Sydney Cecil Syddall Lance Corporal 40727, in the 91st Field Company, Corps of Royal Engineers. Killed in action on the 25th September 1915, aged 20. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial Sydney was a resident of Brampton and the son of Sydney and Florecne Sydall of 'Conistin', Summerfield Road, Chesterfield. Charles Tatlow Private 2097 in the Leicestershire Yeomanry. Killed in action on the 13th May 1915. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres (Panel 5). Charles was born in Chesterfield, but was a resident of Leicester. Derrick W. Kennedy Taylor Private 2229 in the 3rd Battalion Australian Infantry, A.I.F., who died on Friday 6th August 1915. Commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in Turkey. This Memorial commemorates the 3,268 Australian Soldiers who fought and were killed at Gallipoli, but have no known grave. George Stuart Taylor Private 63859, Royal Army Medical Corps. Killed in action on the 18th September 1916. George was born in Nottingham but enlisted in Chesterfield. Harry Troth Private in the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters killed in action on the 20th September 1918, aged 34. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial (panel 7) in the Pas de Calais. This Memorial commemorates over 9000 men who were killed from 8th August to the Armistice during the Advance to Victory in Picardy and Artois. Harry was the son of Isaac and Sarah Troth of School Board Lane, Brampton and the husband of Catherine Troth of 61 Valley Road, Spital. Julius Adrian Verner and Richard Henry Verner Privates 12/537 and 12/538, 12th (Service) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (Sheffield Pals), who died on Saturday 1st July 1916, aged 30 and 28 respectively. Both are commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 14A and 14B and on the Village Memorial in Calow. They were the sons of Julius Anton Verner and Eleanor Verner of Bank House, Ashover, Chesterfield. 'It is my very painful to have to inform you of the death of both of your sons. They both fell during the attack we made on the first of this month, with many friends. They could not possibly have had more noble deaths, but that is poor consolation, I know, for such terrible news' [Lieut. J.L. Middleton, son of the late Town Clark of Chesterfield] Both brothers enlisted in September 1914 in the Sheffield Pals. Adrian was a civil engineer in South America and Richard was the manager of the Oxcroft Colliery. On the first morning of the Somme offensive the Sheffield Pals attacked the fortified village of Serre and suffered over 500 casualties. Their sister's Husband, Private Donkin, was killed in action with the 8th Battalion the Rifle Brigade in June 1915. Harry Percy Weber 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, attd. 7th Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment. Killed in action on the 15th November 1916, aged 31. He is buried in Martinsart British Cemetery (grave II. B. 6), which was used as a front line cemetery during the Battle of the Somme. Harry was the son of Mr and Mrs Weber of Georgetown, British Guiana. The 7th Battalion Royal Lancs. were involved in the attack on St. Pierre Divion and Hansa Line during the last few days of the Somme Offensive. On the 15th November the Battalion were holding the Hansa Line, before being relieved on the 17th. Douglas H. (Henry) Wells 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th (Territorial) Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment killed in action on the 3rd May 1917 aged 24. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial (Bay 80), which dedicated to the dead of Spring 1916 - August 1918 and have no known grave. Douglas was the son of Mr and Mrs Wells of Eckington, Derbyshire. He was in Canada at the outbreak of the War and enlisted on the first day. He was awarded the Military Cross. Richard Cotton Wildgoose Corporal 241620 in the 2/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters who was killed in action on the 27th April 1917, aged 20. He is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. Richard was the son of Richard and Jane Wildgoose of Tapton Cottage, Newton near Alfreton. John J. Dexter Wilson Boy 1st Class on H.M.S. 'Hawke' Royal Navy, who was killed on Thursday 15th October 1914. He is commemorated on Portsmouth Memorial in Hampshire. Richard Taylor Wright 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th, attd. 15th, Battalion Sherwood Foresters who was killed in action on the 1st November 1917, aged 26. He is buried in Artillery Wood Cemetery (grave I. E. 8) near Boezinghe in West Flanders. Richard was the son of Joseph and Grace Wright of Turnley House, Heaton Street in Chesterfield. He is also commemorated on the Brampton Memorial. Thomas William Yates Private 200266 in the 1/4th Battalion Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, killed in action on the 19th April 1917. A resident of New Whittington but he enlisted at Culham in Oxfordshire.