There are no surviving papers or medal Index to show details of Alfred’s service during the war.
Brother of William Riley & cousin of Arthur Riley both deceased during WW1.
Born: 12th August 1898 Fairfield registered Chapel-en-le-Frith Vol 7b Page 867. His parents were William & Frances Fanny Riley, Alfred was christened at St Peters Church on 17th August 1898. Alfred started North Road School on 27th November 1901 (the Headmaster recorded his year of birth as 1897). The family were then living at No 8 Heaton Place.
1911 Census: Living at 11 Heaton Place aged 12yrs.
1911 CensusHeaton Place Alfred’s home
Service: Pte. 36134 Kings Own Yorkshire
Died: 14th December 1920, registered Chapel-en-le-Frith Vol 7b Page 817
Middlesex Regimental BadgeJohn photograph from Buxton Advertiser October 23rd 1915 (2014)View of the battlefield at Loos-en-Gohelle from the Cemetery 2014John Rawlinson Memorial (Stenson 2014)
John was killed 18 days after Pte John Stenson during the fighting at Loos. They had enlisted into the Middlesex Regiment not far apart, John Rawlinson Pte 5806 & Pte John Stenson 6417. The boy’s lived near to each other and are remembered on the same panel at the Dud Corner Memorial, remembered also at Dud Corner Cemetery are Pte Tom Brewster Horn and Pte Harold Orgill.
John Rawlinson: 11th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) was raised at Mill Hill in August 1914 as part of Kitchener’s First New Army and joined 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. They trained at Colchester moving to Shorncliffe in November and in February 1915 they moved into Ramillies Barracks at Aldershot for final training. The Divison proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/middlesexregiment11-gw.php#sthash.3viJQOVV.dpuf
Report of Johns death from Buxton Advertiser 23rd October 1915. The sad news that Pte John Rawlinson of 86 Nunsfield road, Fairfield has been killed at the front arrived yesterday (friday) morning, and Mr & Mrs Rawlinson and family received many expressions of sympathy in the great loss they are called upon to bear. Pte Rawlinson was one of the best known young men in Fairfield, and was a general favorite at the Fairfield Mens Own. He will be greatly missed for he was a regular attender at the Sunday morning meetings. deceased was also a member of the Fairfield cricket Club and an enthusiastic devotee of the summer pastime. Pte Rawlinsons regiment was the 11th Middlesex, in which he enlisted last November. He proceeded to France in May, and has been engaged in recent fighting. he was 20yrs of age, and prior to answering the great call was engaged as a stoker at the locomotive shed, and had just passed as a fireman. The news of his death was conveyed in a letter from a friend of his Pte T Elliott, and this reads ” Dear Mr Rawlinson It is with deepest sympathy that that I write to inform you of Jacks death, he was killed by an areal torpedo yesterday. It may console you a little to know that he died instantly. I could not write this to his mother because I know what a terrible shock it will be to her. For your own sake, I know you will break the news gently. Never before have I felt so sick at heart, his death has taken it out of me. Perhaps you know whereabouts we are Jack has been placed amongst thousands of others waiting to be buried, which I hope and trust will be soon. It is not fighting here but terrible massacre hand to hand ….. I will close now with deep and sincere sympathy to you and the family”. “P.S, May God bless and comfort you in your loss”.
Born: 1895 in Tyldesley, Lancashire, to John & Alice Rawlinson. John Snr worked on the Railways.
1901 Census: Living at 116 Manchester Road, Tyldesley, aged 5yrs. John had an older brother Ernest & two younger brothers Frank & Arthur.
1911 Census: Living at 86 Nunsfield Road Buxton aged 15yrs.
Occupation: Errand Boy for a Dyers.
1914: Enlisted at Buxton there are no Service papers for John.
86 Nunsfield Road 2014, the home John left to go to War
The above medals were given to Tom’s family & the photo was kindly sent by Lindsey Kadzevski who is Tom’s Great Niece.
Tom’s plaque sent to the family following his death, photograph sent by his Great Niece Lindsey Kadzevski.
This is the original cutting taken from the local Newspaper reporting on Tom’s death, also sent by Lindsey.
2014 from information @ Thiepval Memorial Computer project
Thomas Radford: The 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby in September 1914 as part of Kitchener’s Third New Army and became part of 70th Brigade in 23rd Division. They undertook training in Derby the moved to Stanhope Lines at Aldershot in December 1914, then to Shorncliffe in February 1915 and in May they moved to Bordon. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 27th of August 1915. They transferred to with 70th Brigade to 8th Division on the 18th of October 1915, in an exchange with 24th Brigade allowing the inexperienced troops to learn from those who had battle experience, returning to their orginal divisions in June 1916. The 23rd Division were at Bomy beginning a period of intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/sherwoodforesters11.php#sthash.Cnlf7TKw.dpuf
Born: 1886 Buxton registered Chapel-en-le-Frith Vol 7b Page 834 J/F/M to parents Thomas & Mary Ann Radford
1891 Census: Living at 1 West Street aged 4yrs. Thomas had an older brother, Samuel, two older sisters, Mary and Ann, and a younger sister, Fanny. I have been unable to find any of the Radford children’s school records.
1901 Census: Living at Lomas’ Yard aged 14yrs. Occupation Drapers Errand Boy, another brother, William, had been born. Thomas Snr had died. Mother Mary Ann was working as a “Domestic Charwoman“.
1911 Census: Barman living and working at Grove Hotel, Buxton.
Grove Hotel Buxton
1916: Thomas was reported missing on 1st July, the news that he had been ‘Killed in Action’ was not received until the November. 2 brothers also fought Sapper Samuel Radford in the Royal Engineers & Pte William Radford in the 3rd Manchester Regiment.
Thiepval Memorial 2014.
Thiepval Memorial Pier & Face 10c, 10d & 11a.
George Proctor: George was born on 24th May 1884 his birth was registered as George Hyde. Georges mother Sarah Ann Hyde was the daughter of Hannah Hyde nee Proctor.
1891 Census: Living on Fairfield Road aged 7yrs and is listed as the Son of Blacksmiths Francis Proctors cousin Sarah Anne Hyde along with his older sister Edith, Edith was born on 29th November 1878 and started North Road School 4th April 1889. George started North Road School on 1st February 1892. Both had the surname Proctor and their fathers name is given as Frank of Fairfield Road.
1901 Census: Living at Alma Place with Francis Proctor now listed as an Uncle who is a Blacksmith. Georges occupation is a Wheelwright.
1911 Census: I have been unable to find George on the census however records for his mother, show that she was lodging at 5 Heaton Place, Fairfield, employed as a ‘Carpet Maker’ there is now a younger brother, Richard, born in 1898. Sister Edith is working as a Servant.
The obituary in the ‘Buxton Advertiser’ records his father Mr Proctor living at 16 New High Street, Buxton.
Notts & Derby Regimental BadgePhotograph from Buxton Advertiser 2014
John was the first serviceman from Buxton to die during the conflict
John was born on the 27th December 1880 in Fairfield at Roak Villas, he was the second child born to Abraham & Emma Pinder. John William was christened at St Peters Church on 26th April 1881. His birth is registered J/F/M Qtr 1881 Vol 7b Page 789 and the School records his birth wrongly as 27th February 1881. John started at North Road School on 1st April 1889 he left for work on 27th April 1894. John had an older sibling Sarah he was one of ten children.
1891 Census: Living with parents at 2 Rock Villas, Fairfield at School.
1901 Census: Aged 20yrs. Living at 167 Pond Street, Sheffield as a lodger. Occupation General Labourer.
1902: Originally John enlisted on 11th August 1902 into the ‘Derbyshire Regiment’ before enlisting John had been a volunteer in the 2nd Volunteer ‘Sherwood Forresters’ On the 7th December 1903 John received his first overseas posting, to Hong Kong, where he served exactly a year, before moving toBritish territories located in South-east Asia, which included Singapore, Malacca and Penang. John returned to England on the 4th September 1905.On the 5th September 1905, having completed his three years Active Service, John was placed in the Auxiliary Reserves, he could be called upon in the event of general mobilisation. Pay was 3s 6d per week. He had to attend twelve training days per year. As John’s 12yrs with the Army was about to end John was transferred from the Section B to the Section D Reserves, he was then transferred from the reserves and began his WW1 Service.
1911 Census: John now aged 30 was living at 206 Heaton Lane, Stockport with Mother Emma, sisters Dorothy, Mary & brother Robert. John’s occupation is a Coal Carter. In 1911 Census Abraham John’s father (surname Pinter on Census) was lodging at 17 Fairfield Road, Buxton.
John is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Panel 7, his address was given on the CWWG Certificate as 17 Fairfield Road where his father Abraham was lodging in the 1911 Census. On the day John died his Battalion 2nd Sherwood Foresters lost 3 Officers with a further 3 wounded a further 10 were captured and of the serving men 710 were killed wounded or captured during the push across the River Lys near Lille.
Middlesex Regimental BadgePhotograph & report from Buxton Advertiser 2014Arthur Phillips photograph Buxton Advertiser/Keith Taylor
Arthur Phillips: The 16th (Public Schools) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) was raised in London on the 1st of September 1914 by Lt-Col. J.J.Mackay. They trained at Kempton Park racecourse, moving to Warlingham in December. They joined 100th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone Camp in July and moved to Perham Down for final training in August. They proceeded to France on the 17th of November, landing at Boulogne. 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. On the 25th of February 1916 they left Division and transferred to GHQ Troops then joined 86th Brigade, 29th Division on the 25th of April. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/middlesexregiment16-gw.php#sthash.9hNUOTUV.dpuf
Arthur’s WW1 Service Papers have not survived but the Medal Index shows that he went to France on 8th December 1915.
Born: Arthur was born in Oct/Nov 1895 Fairfield to John Thomas & Emma. Arthur was christened on 21st November at St Peters Church, he started North Road School on 9th January 1900 the family address was Alma Street.
1901 Census: Aged 6yrs. Living at 1 Alma Square, Fairfield.
1911 Census: The family had moved and were living at 14 Cross Street, Fairfield, Arthur now had 5 younger sisters and a younger brother. Arthur was working as an Apprentice House Painter for Mr Amos of Lightwood Road..
Born: 1896, Clifton Lancashire in O/N/D Qtr to William & Margaret Peacock. He had three older siblings, Mabel Mary, Jane Beck and John William, and three younger, Kate Annie, Tom Taylor and Dora Margaret,
1901 Census: the family were living at 69 Bolton Road, Clifton, Lancashire.
1911 Census: Richards father had bought a farm – Hargate Wall Farm, Wormhill, Buxton,
1914: Enlisted in Buxton on 6th October. Living at Brook House Farm Long Hill. Richard gave his occupation as a Bank Clerk.
1915: 4th May suffering from Rheumatic Fever & Nerve Shock fighting @ Kemmel Belgium transferred to Clearing Station 5th May then to Stationary Hospital in Rouen 8th May in France and finally home to England 14th May 1915.
1918: Death Chapel-en-le-Frith Registers Vol 7b Page 1942.
Grave: St Peter’s Churchyard Fairfield.
Nottingham Yeomanry Regimental BadgePlan of Jerusalem War Cemetery Grave ref: Y 57Photograph from Buxton Advertiser 2014
Report on Reginald’s death in Buxton Advertiser 5th January 1918. It is with deep regret that we chronicle the death in action of a well known Buxton young man. Reginald Pascoe has found a soldiers grave in Palestine, and his passing will evoke the deepest sympathy of his many friends in the town. Deceased fell on the 28th November, and he was 27yrs of age. He joined up with the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, and had been in Salonika and Egypt . Deceased’s athletic capabilities were such as to place him in the foremost rank of this town’s young sportsmen. He was an “all-round” man, and as a long distance runner with the Buxton Harriers he carried off a series of first prizes. In business the late soldier was with Messers. A Nixon & Sons, Ltd Market Place, where he gained the reputation of an excellent salesman. With Mrs Pascoe and child the sincerest sympathy will be felt.
1890: Reginald was born in the O/N/D Qtr 1890
1891 Census: the family were living at 33 Eastwood Street, Rotherham, Yorkshire, Reginald was the son of Henry (Builder) and Ellen (Nellie) Pascoe. He had two older sisters, Eveline and Daisy.
1901 Census: The family were living at 32 Clifton Lane, Rotherham, and another sister, Lily, had been born. Reginald’s mother died, in Buxton, in 1904
1911 Census: Lived at 42 Fairfield Road (1911 census) as a boarder with the Whitham Family, working as Pawn Brokers Assistant for Messers. A Nixon & Son, Market Place, Buxton.
1914: Reginald married Maud Rachel Pike , J/F/M Vol 7b Page 1263. They had one son, Harry, born in the J/A/S Qtr 1914.
42 Fairfield Road 2014 the home Reginald left behind to go to War
Service: Household Cavalry and the Cavalry of the Line (incl. Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps). Notts Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers). Service No: Pte 276205
Death: 28th November 1917 Egyptian Theatre Plot Y 57.
Report in the Buxton Advertiser of Harolds death 2nd September 1916. News has been received by the War Office by Mr & Mrs George Orgill, of 18 Ash Terrace, that their son has fallen in action. Originall reported missing after the great attack at Loos, about 12 months ago, there seems to be no doubt now that he has bravely laid down his life. Pte Orgill had served for no less than eighteen years in His magestys Navy, but on the outbreak of war was transferred to the Army, much sympathy is offered to his bereaved parents, and his wife and two children, who are at present residing in Plymouth.
Harold Orgill: 8th (Service) Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment was raised at Exeter on the 19th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener’s First New Army and joined 14th (Light) Division as Divisional Troops. In May 1915 they left the Division, having completed training, but a lack of ammunition delayed them and it was not until the 26th of July that they proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre. On the 4th of August 1915 they joined 20th Brigade, 7th Division. They were in action in The Battle of Loos. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/devonshirergt8-gw.php#sthash.c0wO0Jd7.dpuf
Born: Harold was born on the 21st December 1880, at 7 Tor Street, Buxton, the son of George and Emma Orgill. He had an older sister Florence & an older brother William.
1891 Census: Aged 10yrs living with parents (Dad George) in Gorton. Manchester. I am unsure when the family returned to Buxton and there is only one brief record of any of the Orgill children being at North Road School, that being Herbert who attended school from 4th October 1897 – 24th November 1897.
1901 Census: Royal Naval Barracks. Stoke, Devonport. (Dad George living at 18 Ash terrace, Fairfield).
Harold had served for 18 years in the Royal Navy. His Service Record shows that he was employed in as a domestic, until early 1907, when he became an Officers Steward. A large proportion of his service was spent at H.M.S. Vivid 1 which was the name given for the Navy’s shore base at Plymouth. His service saw him deployed to a number of ships, usually for short periods.
1907: On the 6th January Harold married Ethel Louise Dyer.
1911 Census: Living in Devonport. Married. Occupation Officers Steward. Royal Navy.
At the outbreak of War in 1914 Harold had just returned to HMS Vivid after 5 days on HMS Eclipse, the lead ship of her class of cruisers.
On the 3rd October he was posted again to HMS Tiger, a battle cruiser, launched in 1913. Tiger was the most heavily armoured battle cruiser of the Royal Navy at the start of the First World War
Harold’s character had always been reported as very good, but after just 8 days on HMS Tiger his Record was changed to Unreliable, Dishonest & Inefficient & he was discharged to shore, with his last entry being ‘services no longer required’.
WW1 Enlisted in Devonport into the Army, his Medal Index Card shows that he entered France with his Battalion on the 25th July 1915, however his Service papers are no longer available.
With thanks to Margaret Gillingwater for the Photograph of Horace’s grave at St Peters Church, Fairfield.
Also remembered on the Gravestone is Joseph William Mycock Pt 24758 RAMC brother of Horace.
Army Service paperwork
Service: Enlisted 10th September 1914 – 6th February 1919. Embarked for France on SS ‘Connaught’ 24th July 1915 from Southampton arrived in Le Harve the next day
RMS Connaught. Troop Carrier Horace travelled to Le Harve on the ship.
Horace’s occupation as a Shoe-makers apprentice was put to good use, and he earned 1s per day working as a Shoemaker from the 4th September 1915 onwards. On the 12th February 1916 Horace was admitted to his own 62nd Field Ambulance suffering from Diarrhea & Vomiting remaining in hospital for 7 days. On the 4th May 1917 Horace was awarded his first Good Conduct Badge.
Born: 1893 A/M/J Qtr Caernarvonshire Wales. (Llandudno). His parents were Matthew and Frances Mycock. Horrace had three younger brothers, Frederick Arthur, and Joseph William both born in Fairfield and Charles Henry. Horace’s brother Joseph William was born on 6th November 1896, Joseph started School on 2nd December 1901 @ North Road School. When Joseph stared school the family were living at Brook House Lodge. (Joseph died in 1936 aged 39yrs from the effects of WW1 18yrs after the war had ended). Not long after Joseph started school in 1901 the family moved to Southwick Park Lodge, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, and were employed by John M. Gratrix.
1911 Census: Living at 7 Kings Road, Fairfield. Occupation: Shoemakers Apprentice with his family which now included two more boy’s Jack Mellor & Dick Stanley.
1911 Census7 Kings Road 2014 the home Horace left to go to War
Horace was ill with an upset stomach from 12th – 18th February 1916. During the War he received 4 lots of ‘Leave’ 15/1/1917 10 day’s, 17 – 30/1/1918, 31/8 – 9/9/1918, last leave 28/12 – 11/1/1919 during which time he was de-mobbed. He returned home still suffering ill health, he died at home on Kings Road, Fairfield.
Death: 3rd November 1919. Probate: 13th January 1920.
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/351144/RILEY,%20ALFRED
St Peters Church, Fairfield 2014
