All posts by val.stenson

Francis J Bowder 1891 – 1917

BOWDER_FRANCIS_JOHNhttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1438383/BOWDER,%20FRANCIS%20JOHN

Royal Engineers Regimental Badge
Royal Engineers Regimental Badge
Francis with his brother William c 1914
Francis with his brother William c 1914

1891: Birth registered Chapel-en-le-Frith Vol 7b Page 760 O/N/D.
1892: Baptised 20th April 1892 at Fairfield.
1901 Census: Living @ 87 London Road, Buxton aged 9yrs.
1911 Census: Living @ 15 Alma Street, Buxton aged 19yrs.
Occupation: Railway Carriage Cleaner.

1911 Census
1911 Census
15 Alma Street (2014) the home Francis left to go to War
15 Alma Street (Stenson 2014) the home Francis left to go to War

Service: Building Railways in Egypt for Ammunition Transport.

Francis enlisted in the Royal Engineers in Buxton. Francis embarked for Egypt on the 17th December 1917 aboard HMS Aragon.
The sinking of the ss Aragon after Francis had dis-embarked 30th December 1917
The sinking of the ss Aragon after Francis had dis-embarked 30th December 1917
(The Aragon was built in 1905 for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co by Harland and Wolff.
 
After arriving at Alexandria on the 30th December 1917 with 2,700 on board she was ordered
back out of the harbour as no berth was available. Immediately having cleared the harbour she
was torpedoed and the German submarine UC 34 and sank with a loss of 610 lives, HMS
SS Attack a destroyer who came to her aid was also sank.

1927: In 1927 Francis’s sister Edith applied for his Medals, this is recorded on his medal card dated 20th February 1927, she was still living at 15 Alma Street.

John Blackwell 1896 – 1917

BLACKWELL_Jhttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/451567/BLACKWELL,%20J

John & George Blackwell in the Buxton Advertiser
John & George Blackwell in the Buxton Advertiser researched 2014
1911 Census
1911 Census
This is where John & George Blackwell lived when they went to War, the houses have since been demolished.
This is where John & George Blackwell lived before moving to 15 Fairfield Road from where they went to War, the houses have since been demolished. Stenson 2014

John Blackwell is the nephew of Joseph Blackwell also deceased following the War.
Brother of George William Blackwell (deceased WW1 16th July 1916).
1896: Born 14th Jan 1896 registered Chapel-en-le-Frith Vol 7b Page 850 J/F/M.

1900: John started at North Road School on 2nd April

1901 Census: Living at 1 Dale view aged 4yrs.
1911 Census: Living at 55 Fairfield Road aged 14yrs occupation Upholsterer. Mother Mary is a Widow with 4 boys.

1915: Enlisted in 16th Battalion Notts & Derby Chatsworth Rifles aged 19yrs. The Service Papers show that he enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) on 31st May 1915, at Buxton, where he was living at 15 Fairfield Road, aged 19 years 4 months.

15 Fairfield Road (2014) The family home
15 Fairfield Road (2014) The family home when John went to War

John left Southampton for France on 6th March 1916, landing at Le Havre the same day.  John was promoted to Corporal on 6th May 1917 after just 2 months John was killed in action. In all he served 2 years 65 days.
Memorial: Buffs Road Cemetery Sp. Mem. 6

John had an older brother George Pte 21992 Northamptonshire Regiment who died 16th July 1916, and 2 younger brothers Alfred who served with the Somerset Light Infantry Pte 79279 & Reginald

John Blackwell: The 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby on the 16th of April 1915, by the Duke of Devonshire and the Derbyshire Territorial Force Association. They moved to Buxton on the 4th of May and then on to Redmires near Sheffield on 8th of June. On the 2nd of September they moved to Hursley near Winchester to join 117th Brigade, 39th Division. They moved to Aldershot on the 30th of September and then to Witley for final training. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/sherwoodforesters16.php#sthash.30SYAsBc.dpuf

 

 

 

 

George W Blackwell 1894 – 1916

BLACKWELL_GEORGE_WILLIAMhttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/769098/BLACKWELL,%20GEORGE%20WILLIAM

Northhamptonshire regimental Badge
Northhamptonshire regimental Badge
Photo of George from Buxton Advetiser
Photo of George from Buxton Advetiser researched 2014

John & George Blackwell in the Buxton Advertiser

John & George Blackwell in the Buxton Advertiser researched 2014

Brother of John Blackwell and the Nephew of Joseph Blackwell (both deceased WW1).
1894:  Born 6th December at Edge Hill Liverpool Lancashire, George was christened at St Dunstans, Edge Hill on 30th December 1894..

1899: George started North Road School on 4th April 1899
1901 Census: Living at Dale View, Fairfield.
1911 Census: Living with Mother Mary a Widow @ 55 Fairfield Road aged 16yrs.
Occupation: Gardener/Nurseryman.

1911 Census
1911 Census

 

This is where John & George Blackwell lived when they went to War, the houses have since been demolished.
This is where John & George Blackwell lived before moving to 15 Fairfield Road from where they went to War, the houses have since been demolished. Stenson 2014
15 Fairfield Road (2014) The family home
15 Fairfield Road (2014) The family home

Service was firstly with the Middlesex Regiment. Service No: Pte 5808, Transferred to 7th Battalion Northamptonshire regiment Service No: 21992.

Commemorated @ Thiepval Memorial, Picardie, France Plot 11a, Face 11d.

Georges younger brother John Blackwell, Corporal 266607 also lost his life in 1917, younger brother Alfred Pte 79279 served with the  Somerset Light Infantry, there was also another brother Reginald.

Obituary from the Buxton Advertiser
Obituary from the Buxton Advertiser

Obituary from The Buxton Advertiser

Pte. G W Blackwell
Mrs Blackwell, of 15, Fairfield Road, has now received official news from the War Office of the death of her son, Private G. W. Blackwell, of the 1st Garrison Company, North Hants Battalion. He was killed in action on July 16th. He had previously been wounded in France, being then attached to the 11th Middlesex Regiment, but after recovering from his wounds he was transferred to the 1st North Hants Garrison Company and was stationed in Egypt. After a while he was drafted back to France again, where he had only been one month. His other brother, Pte. J. Blackwell, 16th Sherwood Foresters, is also serving in the Great Push. George enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment on November 11th 1914, along with the late Private J. Rawlinson of Fairfield. With Mrs Blackwell and family the deepest sympathy will be felt. (‘Buxton Advertiser’ 2nd September 1916).

All extracts from the Buxton Advertiser are available to research on Micro-fiche at Buxton Library

Vivian Biggin 1899 – 1918

BIGGIN_Vhttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/254877/BIGGIN,%20V

Worcestershire Regimental Badge
Worcestershire Regimental Badge
Vivian Biggin Grave register CWWG
Vivian Biggin Grave register CWWG
Vivian remembered on his parents headstone at St Peters Churchyard (2014)
Vivian remembered on his parents headstone at St Peters Churchyard (2014)

The Inscription reads Dearly loved son of the above Fell in action March 22nd 1918 aged 19 at St Peters Church, Fairfield.

1899: born on 22nd January 1899 Chapel-en-le-Frith. Vol 7b Page 803.

Father: George Biggin & mother Mary.

1901 Census: Living at 46 Bennett Street, Buxton aged 2yrs.

1911 Census: Living at 6 Marlow Street, Buxton aged 12yrs at School, Vivian attended North Road School as had his older brothers & sisters. Harriet Ann born 27th September 1887 started school 4th April 1892, Ethel born 23rd September 1888 and started school 4th April 1892, George born 3rd May 1891 & started school 10th march 1896, Percy Lindley 30th March 1894 started school  28th June 1897, Florence Elsie born1896 and younger brother Walter born 1902.

1911 Census
1911 Census
6 Marlow Street (2014) the home Vivian left to go to War
6 Marlow Street (2014) the home Vivian & Percy left to go to War

3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were based in Tidworth with 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Rouen on the 16th of August 1914. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/worcestershireregiment3-gw.php#sthash.rsj4ITcW.dpuf

Percy Lindley Biggin also served during WW1, firstly enlisting into The ‘Sherwood Foresters’ Pte 26352 he then transferred to the Leicestershire Regiment Pte 60808 and lastly Lancashire Fusiliers Pte 65086 from where he was injured and subsequently received the SWB No 494881.

 

Phillip Berrisford 1894 – 1918

BERRISFORD_Phttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/894427/BERRISFORD,%20P the certificate is free to copy

Notts & Derby Regimental Badge
Notts & Derby Regimental Badge

1894: born 30th June 1894 registered Chapel-en-le-Frith Vol 7b Page 748 J/A/S, son of William & Ada Berrisford.

1898: Phillip started North road school on 7th April 1898

Phillip was the oldest of 3 boys his brothers were Fred born 26th March 1896, started school on 22nd May 1900 & George born in 1899.

1901 Census: Living on Alma Street Fairfield aged 6yrs.

1911 Census: Living at 2 Lightwood Crescent age 16yrs.

Occupation: Shop Assistant at Grocers.

1911 Census
1911 Census

Military: Promoted to Corporal. Service No.241821.

The 2/6th formed at Chesterfield on 14 September 1914 as a second line unit & moved on 2nd November to Buxton, the battalion HQ occupied the Empire Hotel.

Empire Hotel circa 1927
Empire Hotel circa 1927

http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/download/EPW018993

Memorial: Plot V11. D. 8

1918 Address: ‘Myrtledene’ Lightwood Road.

James Lomas Barratt 1878 – 1919

CWGChttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1498601/BARRETT,%20J%20L the certificate is free to copy

Machine Gun Corps Regimental Badge
Machine Gun Corps Regimental Badge
Jubbulpore Cantonment Cemetery India
Jubbulpore Cantonment Cemetery India

http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/5001721/JUBBULPORE%20CANTONMENT%20CEMETERY

James Lomas Barrett Memorial
James Lomas Barrett Memorial

http://buxtonwarmemorials.mrallsophistory.com/barratt_jl.html

Born:  1878 in Horwich End in Fernilee Parish, Whaley Bridge.

1881 Census: Living in Horwich End, Whaley Bridge aged 3yrs.

1891 Census: Living at Fern Bank Farm, Horwich End aged 13yrs at School.

1901 Census: Living at 1 Wesley Terrace, Fairfield.

Occupation: Postman.

Cartoon of a Postman c1907
Cartoon of a Postman c1907

1911 Census: Living at 33 Queens Road, Fairfield.

Occupation: Postman.

1911 Census
1911 Census

 

33 Queens Road (2014) the home James left to go to war
33 Queens Road (2014) the home James left to go to war

Served in the MGC as a Gunner Service No: 625 Promoted to Corporal.

Death: August 1919 in Jubbalpore, India.

James Lomas Barrett
SAD END OF A CAREER
It will come as a great shock to Fairfield residents to learn of the tragic death of Driver James Barrett, elder son of Mrs S Barrett, of Conway Villas, 33 Queens Road, Fairfield. A cable was received from his Commanding Officer in India last Monday conveying the sad announcement that her son had been drowned. It will be remembered that before joining his Majesty’s Forces James Barrett was a postman at the General Post Office, Buxton. Always a clever mechanic and skilful in motor work, he joined the Motor Corps and served in the war. He was not long ago home on leave. Of a bright, cheery disposition and a favourite with his fellows, his untimely end will be lamented by a large circle of friends. Mrs Barrett will while mourning the loss of a beloved son, have the satisfaction of knowing how highly he was esteemed. To the bereaved will be extended the deepest sympathy.

As reported in Buxton Advertiser

Probate records give the date as 8/8/1919 Service records give the date as 11/8/1919. Cause of death ‘Accidental Drowning’.

james-lomas

Robert Ball 1891 – 1915

Robert Ball Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/154735/BALL,%20ROBERT the certificate is free to download

Sherwood Foresters Regimental Badge
Sherwood Foresters Regimental Badge

 

Robert Ball High Peak News & Buxton Advertiser (2014)
Robert Ball

http://buxtonwarmemorials.mrallsophistory.com/ball_r.html

1891: born on 8th July 1891 & Christened: 9th September 1891 @ St Peters Church, Fairfield.  He was the son of Phillip and Sarah who was a local girl from Burbage. Robert started North Road School 2nd September 1895
1901 Census: Living at Under 1 Rutland Terrace aged 9yrs.
1911 Census: Living at 11 Bench Lane, Fairfield aged 19yrs.
Occupation: Errand Boy for Grocer. Robert was the second eldest of 5 children.

1911 Census
1911 Census

1914: Robert enlisted in March 6th Battalion Notts & Derby Pte.2140. Robert gave his occupation as a Fireman, he was employed by London & North Western Railway Company. Aged 22yrs. Robert arrived in France on 28th February 1915. On the 28th September 1915 following his death Robert’s personal effects were sent to his Mother Sarah Ball of 11 Bench Road, they included his Prayer Book, Letters & Photographs. Upon enlistment Robert had 3 older brothers  Benjamin (36) living on Alma Street, Joseph (34) living at Devonshire Cottages & Phillip (31) living at Southfield Terrace, there were 2 younger brothers Thomas (23) at Townhead and Alfred (20) living at home 11 Bench Road.

Robert Ball enlisted into the 1/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) which was a territorial unit with HQ in Chesterfield, serving with the Notts. & Derby Brigade in the North Midland Division. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. In November they moved to Braintree to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 25th pf February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge – See more at  http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/sherwoodforesters6.php#sthash.jHHbF3M0.dpuf

 

 

 

 

John Morten Bainbridge 1885 – 1918

BAINBRIDGE_JOHN_M

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/909515/BAINBRIDGE,%20JOHN%20M the certificate is free to download

RASC Regimental Badge RASC

 

Private Bainbridge photograph sent to Buxton Advertiser on 29th June 1918 following his death in India which had been reported earlier.
Private Bainbridge photograph sent to Buxton Advertiser on 29th June 1918 following his death in India which had been reported earlier.

John Bainbridge WW1 MedalJohn’s original WW1 Medal (2014) brought by a private collector.

http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery Grave: Rawalpindi Punjab

Pakistan (Plot 3. A22).

Rawalpindi Cemetery Plan

John M Bainbridge Postal Employment 1904John Bainbridge Postal Employment 1908John Bainbridge 1911 Census

John Martin Bainbridge
Born: 3rd June 1885 in Fairfield one of 9 Children.

John started school on 24th April 1893, his father is given as living at The Prince of Wales Hotel, Fairfield road
1901 Census: Lived @ 34 & 36 Spring Gardens Buxton.
Father: Joseph Walter Bainbridge a Coach Proprietor.

 

John's brother Thomas is in the photo
Bainbridge Coach outside the Prince of Wales Public House this photo was kindly supplied by Kathryn Salt the Grandaughter of Thomas Bainbridge who is in the photo

1902 John was a Trainee Postman in Buxton.

1904 John was an Assistant Postman in Buxton.

1907 John was still employed as a Postman in Buxton.

Cartoon of a Postman c1907
Cartoon of a Postman c1907

http://www.postalheritage.org.uk/uploads/2005_0082_76.jpg

1908 Postal records show John was still employed as a Postman in Buxton.
1911 Census: Living at 36a Spring Gardens aged 25yrs.
Occupation: Postman
1915: Attested 18th September. Private DM2/129563.
1915 address 8 Fairfield Road aged 30yrs 3mths.
Occupation: Postman.
Death: Died of Heatstroke.