Pte Ernest Bennett, son of Mr and Mrs W Bennett, of Slater’s Cottage, Fairfield, is reported wounded in the shoulder and in hospital. This very smart young Fairfield lad, who is very popular with a large circle of friends, had not long gone out. It is hoped his wounds are not serious.

From Buxton Advertiser.

Ernest was born Fairfield in 1899 and was Baptised on 26th July 1899 at St Peters, Fairfield the son of William Arthur & Ada (Clayton) Bennett, in 1901 the family were living at Slaters Yard, Ernest had an older brother William & a younger brother Leonard. In 1911 the family with a daughter Constance were living at Slaters Cottages, Fairfield. Ernest married Lucy E Bonsall in J/A/S 1924.

Lance Cpl Shillcock going to War

Heaton Place/Row

Lance-Corporal Shillcock,of Fairfield, with the Sherwood foresters. He is a prisoner of war in Germany, and a son of Mr. E Shillcock, 9 Heaton Place, Fairfield.Later report:Pte Shilcock – Return of a prisoner
Pte Shillcock of Fairfield, has returned to his home, much to the satisfaction of his relatives.  (Report from Buxton Advertiser)

Harry was born in Calton near Ashbourne on 2nd February 1888 the son of Thomas (Farmer) & Mary Jane Shillcock.

1904: Harry enlisted into the Army Pt 9211 Notts & Derby Regiment on the 5th March aged 18yrs 1mth, he was 5’7″ tall with Blue eyes & Brown hair. From 15th February 1907 – 21st February harry served in India. He was promoted to Lance Corporal 22nd June 1909 but on the 13th October 1909 at his own request he reverted to being a Private. Harry was transferred to the Reserves 2nd Class on 4th December 1909. Harry then returned to Fairfield firstly to his parents at Frome Farm, working as a Labourer. On 6th November 1913 Harry married Eliza Morris @ St Peters Church, the couple moved to 9 Heaton Place, on the 12th June 1914 the couple had a son Harry Jnr. Harry resumed his Military duties on 13th August 1914 joining 3rd Battalion Notts & Derby Regiment. He was injured by shrapnel in his back and was taken prisoner on 20th October 1914, he spent the next 4 years as a prisoner being released on 13th December 1918 & being repatriated home the following day. Altogether including his time in the Reserves Harry served a total of 15years 14days in the Army.

1911 Census

Harry died in the June Qtr 1972, his death was registered at Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Police Constable Marriott,

PC Marriott of Fairfield (photograph from Buxton Advertiser). On the outbreak of war he was lent as instructor to the Military Authorities and until a fortnight ago, has been instructor to various battalions of the Sherwood Foresters. On May 5th he enlisted as a private in the 14th Sherwood Foresters, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant the following day.

Pte. J Butler (picture from Buxton Advertiser) son of Mrs Mills of Cross Street, who has been home on leave has returned to his military duties this week. He took a hand in the bell-ringing on Sunday morning and evening at the Parish Church and his many friends in the district were glad to see him back amongst them and wish him the best of luck wherever his country calls him.

Joseph Ernest Butler was born on 13th November 1895, he was christened at St Peters on 8th December 1895 the son of James & Agnes Butler. Joseph started North Road School on 22nd March 1899, the family then were living on Alma Street. In 1911 Joe was working as a Caddie at the local Golf Course, he was 15yrs old and at the time the family were living at 65 Queens Road, Fairfield.

There are 3 marriages for John Ernest Butler, 1919 to Bertha Mellor, registered in Chapel-en-le-Frith, 1923 Elsie M Higginbottom registered in Chapel-en-le-Frith, 1946 Ethel Hilda Holland Cannock, Staffordshire possibly a third marriage for them both.

Sgt Joseph Booth Millward

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/235146/MILLWARD,%20JOSEPH%20BOOTH

Sgt J B Millward (Buxton Advertiser)

Joseph B Millward was born in 1892, he had a younger brother Arthur Howard Millward, their mother was Betsy in 1901 the boy’s and their Mother were living at 20 Spring Gardens. The 1911 census  has Joseph still living at home now 130 Darwin Ave, he was working as a Bank Clerk.

22nd Feb 1917
Dear Mrs Millward. – It is with profound regret that I have to inform you that your gallant son was killed in action on the 17th of this month. We shall miss him terribly out here. He was such a brave fellow who could always be trusted to do his duty fearlessly and well. I relied on him implicitly in a tight corner and indeed at all times. I hope you will feel it a source of pride and consolation in your bereavement to know that he did not lose his life to no purpose, but at the furthest point forward of a successful assault – an assault which has had very far-reaching in making the enemy retreat. In this attack every officer in the company became a casualty and it was very largely owing to the leadership displayed by your son that the thrust was able to be pushed home into the hostile trenches. He had been doing his work so well that I had promised to recommend him for some leave, and had the military situation permitted, he would have had the opportunity of getting home. It is very sad that this cannot now happen, but at any rate his days recently were brightened by the hope of getting home and by knowing that his officers thought very highly indeed of him. We shall miss him terribly in the company, and on behalf of his friends and the men under my command with whom he served and by whom he was deservedly beloved, I send you my deepest sympathy.
N. B. Mitchell Capt, Comdg. “C” Coy, 11th R.F.

Joseph left everything to his widowed mother.

Pte. J. C. Burton

James enlisted on 30th September 1914 into the 11th Battalion Service regiment, before enlistment James had served for 4 yrs in the West Riding Territorial Army. He en-listed into the Sherwood Foresters, Regimental no.17529.

Mr & Mrs J. T. Burton, of Sterndale House, Fairfield Road, have received news that their eldest son, Pte J. C. Burton, has been wounded in the big advance, on July 1st . He is now in Netley Hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery.

From the Buxton Advertiser

James had received a Gun Shot Wound to his right leg on 1st July 1916 and was returned to England for hospital treatment.

James had been promoted to Corporal on 6th March 1917, just 15 day’s before he was reported as missing.

On the 11th May 1918 the Buxton Advertiser reported:- Corpl. J C Burton, of the 7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, joined the colours in 1914, and has seen much service, being wounded on two occasions.  He was reported missing on 21st March, but Mr & Mrs Burton, of Sterndale House, Fairfield, have received official news that he is now a prisoner in Germany. Many of his friends were much relieved to hear that this was so.

James had been taken prisoner at the ‘Battle of Bullecourt’ and had been wounded again in the Hip & Knee. He was posted home on 14th December 1918 and finally De-mobbed on 18th March 1919.

James Charles Burton was baptised in Fairfield on 2nd May 1894 to parents John Thomas & Mary Burton. In the 1901 Census James aged 7yrs was living at 3 Lightwood Road his father was an Engine Driver, by 1911 the family were living at 59 Windsor Road, James the second eldest of 6 living children was working on a farm as a labourer. In 1919 James married Emma Grindey in Ashbourne.

Pte William Goodwin

William was actually from Burbage, I have left him on in the ‘Other Men Category’ as I had found the photographs during my research, to find out more please follow the link below.

http://buxtonwarmemorials.mrallsophistory.com/goodwin_w_1.html

Lieut Stewart B Slater We offer our congratulations, with those of his Fairfield and Buxton friends, to Lieut. Stewart B. Slater, son of Ald. George Slater, J.P., of Fairfield, upon his promotion to the rank of Captain. When war was declared, Captain Slater was at St. John’s College, Cambridge, and joined the O.T.C. He received his commission shortly afterwards in the K.R.R.C. He has now served in France for a year and is in charge of the Trench Mortar Batteries.

Report for Buxton Advertiser

Stewart Beattie was born to George & Sarah Slater in O/N/D Qtr 1894 registered at Chapel-en-le-Frith volume 7b, page 792. He was christened at the Wesleyan Methodist  Church on the 9th December 1900. In the 1911 Census Stewart was away at Epworth College near Rhyl, North Wales. Stewart was Gunner 300869  in the Royal Garrison Artillery. Stewart married Nora Irene Morris in 1913 in St Asaph, North Wales. He died on 10th October 1958, his probate left £6.774.10s.6d to his wife Nora.

Pte Samuel Middleton reported in hospital with a severe attack of trench fever, and sympathy is extended to Mrs Middleton of 147, Fairfield Road, in her anxiety. It is hoped he may make a speedy recovery.

Sgt G R Davenport

A Great War M.M. group of five awarded to Serjeant G. R. Davenport, 6th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire
Regiment – awarded the M.M. for the attack on Bellenglise and Lehaucourt, 29 September 1918
MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (240236 Sjt., 6/Notts. & Derby. R.); 1914-15 STAR (1731 Pte., Notts. & Derby. R.); BRITISHWAR AND
VICTORY MEDALS (1731 Sjt., Notts. & Derby. R.); TERRITORIAL EFFICIENCY MEDAL, G.V.R. (240236 Sjt., M.M., 6-Notts. & Derby.
R.) some contact marks and edge bruising, fine and better (5) £500-600
M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919.
Citation: ‘For very great gallantry in the attack on Bellenglise and Lehaucourt on 29th September 1918. This N.C.O. did excellent work as a platoon commander, being exceptionally cool under fire. His handling of his platoon throughout the attack, showed great resource and skill in use of ground and cover. The platoon
never faltered, and went through with great keenness and determination.’ (ref. British Gallantry Awards, The Sherwood Foresters, compiled by C. Housley).
George R. Davenport was born in Peak Forest,  Derbyshire, J/F/M Qtr 1896, in the 1911 Census he lived with his Uncle Robert Clayton and worked on his farm. He enlisted at Buxton. A Horse Driver by occupation, his employer is given as Buxton Lime Firms. He attested for the 6th Battalion
Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment at Clumber Park on 18th September 1912, aged 17 years, 3 months. With the 6th Battalion he entered the France/Flanders Theatre of war on 28 February 1915. He was advanced to Lance-Corporal in
September 1916; Corporal in August 1917 and Serjeant in September 1918. He was disembodied on 27 January 1919.
After the war he was Sub-Postmaster and Newsagent at Peak Dale, Derbyshire for
20 years and also a Storekeeper at Ferodo Ltd. in Chapel-en-le Frith.

During the Second World War he served as a Lieutenant in the Home Guard. (See above photograph)

He left Peak Dale in 1949 and became the licensee of the Horse Shoe Inn, Fairfield Road, Buxton, later moving down the road to become the licensee of the Prince of Wales. Davenport latterly lived at 1 Monsall Avenue, Fairfield, Buxton.
With copied research, including a copied photograph of the recipient in his home guard uniform.

George died in 1968, possibly in hospital as his death is registered at Stockport.

http://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/catalogue-archive/lot.php?auction_id=275&lot_id=89595