The Staffordshire RegimentThiepval Memorial 2014Death Report
Brother of Samuel Street died 3rd May 1917.
Born: 1895 Burbage Buxton the son of Richard & Louisa Street.
1901 Census: Percy, younger brother Samuel, Mum & Dad were lodging with the Wain family at 4 Hobsons Court.
1911 Census: Living @ 51 Fairfield Road aged 16yrs.
Occupation: Errand Boy
1916 Percy & Samuels father died in the December, at this time Percy parents were unaware that he had been killed 1 month before. On the 27th January 1917 an article in the Buxton Advertiser reported Percy as missing. It must have been a terrible time for Louisa as in May Samuel was killed, she had lost 2 son’s and her husband in around 6 months. Richard & Louisa had no other children.
Thiepval Memorial 2014 (Pier & Face 7b).
Royal Berkshire Regimental BadgeErnest Street photograph Buxton Advertiser/Keith Taylor
Report from Buxton Advertiser 9th November 1918
Death of Private E Street, Mrs Street of 13 Victoria Park has been bereaved of her son, Pte. Ernest Street, who has fallen gallantly serving his country in the war. This soldier was interred at the scene of Action. It was gratifying to the bereft mother to be allowed to attend the funeral which was of a very important character.
It must have been unusual for a Mother to attend the funeral of her son in France during the war even though it was nearing the end of the war!
The home on Midland Terrace, Fairfield Road that Ernest left to go to War 2014
Ernest Street: The 5th (Service) Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment was a Kitchener Battalion, raised at Reading on the 25th August 1914. They underwent training at Shorncliffe, Folkestone and Malplaquet Barracks at Aldershot. They proceeded to France on the 31st of May 1915 and served with 35th Brigade in 12th (Eastern) Division on the Western Front. They underwent instruction withthe 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.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. On the 6th of February 1918 rhe 5th Berkshires transferred to 36th Brigade still with 12th (Eastern) Division. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/berkshireregiment5-gw.php#sthash.dYwl6jwq.dpuf
Born: 5th March 1891 Burbage registered Chapel-en-le-Frith Vol 7b Page 826, to parents Joseph & Kezia Street. Ernest had 4 older brothers Joseph, Richard, Harry & Sidney & an older sister Kezia Hannah (who never married and became a Certified Midwife).
1891 Census: Living at 46 Old Road Burbage aged 1mth. A younger brother Ralph was born however in December 1895 the father Joseph died leaving Kezia with 6 boy’s. All the boys attended North Road School. Ernest started school on 15th June 1896.
1901 Census: Living @ 9/10 Midland Terrace, Fairfield Road Aged 10yrs.
1911 Census: Living @ 4 Watson Road, Lowestoft, Sussex.
Occupation: Confectioners Assistant/Maker. Ernest’s mother was living at 13 Victoria Park Road and her occupation was ‘Horse Keeper’ at home are Kezia Hannah, Sydney, Ralph & a boarder.
Enlisted: Aldershot living Brixton Surrey & went to France on 17th December 1917, Ernest’s Service papers were destroyed.
Service: Formerly S/4/042329 RASC
Memorial: Abbeville 1V. E. 12 (picture added on Find a Grave Memorial 16/4/2013 by JMW).
John photograph from High Peak News October 1915.Pte John (Jack) Stenson
Photograph from Buxton Advertiser
1915 Roll of Honour Buxton Herald Newspaper
John (Jack) enlisted at sometime during December 1914, following training Jack landed at Le Harve on 2nd may 1915, he arrived with his battalion towards the end of the 2nd Battle of Ypres, the battalion were re-enforcements. Jack was then with the battalion sent to Loos where a fierce battle was fought, Jack had only been there a matter of day’s before he was killed. There are 2 dates given for his death the 29th & 30th of September. Map showing the Battle of Loos 1915
Killed in the same battle 18 day’s later and also from Fairfield was Pte John Rawlinson remembered on the same panel as John, also remembered at Dud Corner Cemetery from Fairfield are: Tom Brewster Horn and Pte Harold Orgill
Served as a Private in the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) 3rd Battalion. Army service number G/6417. John was involved in one of the most brutal and tragic battles of the war aged just 25yrs. The exact date for John’s death is uncertain, He died either late on the 29th or in the early hours of 30th September.Most of the fighting at Loos, where the land is very flat, was centered on taking Hill 70 which was a German stronghold. Fighting continued throughout the 29th September the battle raged. During the night the enemy attacked causing the loss of a Gun Trench. The Germans also shelled the village from Hill 70 with an 8-inch Gun. Troops in Loos prepared to withdraw, remaining troops consolidated their positions. Duke of Cambridge 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment War Diary report from the National Archives detail events as they happened. September 28th 1915 At 2am orders received to proceed to British old first line trench ‘Central Bayou’ to a position opposite Hohenzollern redoubt. On arrival there orders received to support the ‘Buffs’ in an attack at once towards the DUMP and clean all trenches & communication trenches on left of DUMP. Bombardment started & ceased at 9.30am. The Buffs advanced in the open & Battalion along SOUTH FACE TRENCH (ref map 36.C.NW) at arrival at point 35 DUMP TRENCH. The bombers attacked along left face of trench. Considerable progress was made when bombs ran out and urgent appeals were made for more. The battalion then began to suffer considerable casualties from a heavy attack with bombs. The narrow trench then became congested with wounded, men of other units who were relieved & on their way out of the trench by the Buffs who had to give away on the right. The CO then gave the order to withdraw slowly, this operation was most difficult the trench being a narrow one and only 7ft deep. We were enfiladed on both sides by MG fire and impossible to show a head above the parapet. About this time the CO (Col. Neale) was killed. The battalion was then withdrawn down the South Face. Orders were received to hold BIG WILLIE. The company was distributed along BIG WILLIE. The Royal Fusiliers were ordered to hold S FACE. During the day the Germans heavily attacked the S FACE but were held by our bombers. September 29th 1915 S FACE was again heavily attacked by German bombers – about 5am the 1/Y L passed through BIG WILLIE to relieve the 2/Buffs, who were then on our sights holding DUMP TRENCH. The Buffs were withdrawn and took into the space on our left & right of the 3/RF. About 11am the German attack became very severe and our bombers were short of bombs & it was seen that they would have to withdraw again. In consultation with the CO Buffs it was decided that if the S Face had to be evacuated the Buffs would have to withdraw also. The order was then given for our company to remain in BIG WILLIE, one to reinforce the right of RF’s in WEST FACE & two into the communication trench from W FACE to do British Front Line. This was done, later W FACE was taken by Germans & the company re-organised into the old 1 trench where it remained until midnight 30th September / 1st October. (Taken from the War Diaries from National Archives)
Report of Johns death from Buxton Advertiser
Residents of Fairfield heard with much regret that Pte. John Stenson, who lived at Heaton Place, Town End, had been killed in action. This soldier fell in the service of his King & country on the 29th September, and the news was received officially on Thursday evening. Previously, however a friend of his had written conveying the sad news, but how John was killed is unknown. He was laid to rest on 2nd October. Before enlisting this soldier was engaged by the Buxton Lime Firms Company Ltd, and he was 25yrs of age. He enlisted in the 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment last November. All will unite with us in extending sincerest sympathy to his relatives and friends.
John affectionately known as Jack remembered on his parents Gravestone at St Peters Fairfield (Stenson 2014)View of the battlefield at Loos-en-Gohelle from the Cemetery 2014David Stenson beside Great Uncle John Stenson’s Memorial Panel at Dud Corner Cemetery Loos 2014
Loos Memorial 2014 (Panel 99-101)
British Lime Industry Memorial to their employees who lost their lives during WW1
Photo with thanks to Dave Bagshaw
John is remembered on the Buxton Lime Industry Memorial in the main reception at ‘Tunstead’ Quarry as he worked for BLI (that was latter incorporated into ICI) before en-listing into the Middlesex Regiment. His occupation was as a Stone Delver (see below)
Heaton Place the home John left when he went to War.
Commemorative Scroll
John’s Death Plaque sent to his parents WW1 (kindly loaned for the photograph by Ian Clarke – Great Nephew)John’s Medals WW1John’s WW1 Medal (photographs kindly provided by Michael Lee – Great Nephew)
Born: John (Jack) was born on 11th March 1890 to parents Peter & Sarah Stenson (nee Kidd). John was baptised on 14th December 1892. John had an older sister Margaret and an older brothers Peter & Joseph.
1891 Census: Age 1yr Warslow, Staffordshire (visitor) with his Mother to his Grandparents. The family were living at No 6 Heaton Place, Town End, Fairfield.
1894: John started North Road School on 12th September the family were living at 6 Heaton Place
1901 Census: Living @ 5 Heaton Row (Place) aged 11yrs @ School & a Golf Caddie at Fairfield Golf Course. A lot of the boy’s acted as Caddies during the late 1800’s & early 1900’s in Fairfield some with permission. John now has younger siblings, brother Tom and sisters Sarah & Alice.
1911 Census: Living @ 1 Heaton Place, Fairfield Age 21yrs. All the Stenson boys served during WW1 Peter in the RAMC, Joseph in Sherwood Forresters, Tom in the Sherwood Forresters later transferring to the Machine Gun Corps from which he was honorably medically discharged and receiving the Silver war Badge.
Stone Delver
The quarry would have employed a large number of quarrymen with specific tasks. Delvers, who started the process, were skilled in removing stone from the various beds. Under their direction labourers used picks, wedges and crowbars in the quarry. Large blocks were split using plugs and feathers. A straight line (or race) of 60cm deep holes was drilled into the rock. Feathers are metal flanges which fit into the hole, and then a metal wedge (or plug) was gradually knocked into each hole so that the pairs of feathers were widened by a series of mallet blows. The rock then split along the line of tension. This process is still in use today.
Photo of Frank from The Buxton Advertiser 2014Memorial Plaque in the former Conservative Club ( now Sports & Social Club) Fairfield
Frank’s name is on the Memorial.
Born: 1889 Leamington registered Warwickshire Vol 6d Page 582. Frank was baptised on 24th April 1889 and was the son of Charles & Agnes Standbridge, Frank had an older sister Muriel Daisy, Charles was a Shoemaker.
1891 Census: living at 24 Villiers Street Leamington aged 2yrs.
1896: Charles died, Frank was only 7 years old.
1901: Frank aged 11yrs is liisted as being in The Royal Orphanage in Wolverhampton. Mother Agnes & Sister Daisy Muriel are lodging at 5 William Street in Leamington Priors, Agnes is working as a Dressmaker.
1911 Census: Frank is living @ 23 Park Road, Buxton as a boarder, the home of Mrs Elizabeth Linaker.
Occupation: Groom, Frank also worked as a Reporter for the Buxton Advertiser.
Frank Standbridge in Training published in Buxton Advertiser 24th October 1914
The photograph was taken at Cowshott Camp, Woking Frank is kneeling down on the right. Frank went to France in July 1915 as shown on his Medal Card.
Frank Standbridge: 6th (Service) Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was raised at Oxford in September 1914 as part of Kitchener’s Second New Army and joined 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initial training the in the Oxford area with little equipment, they moved to Deepcut In February 1915 they moved to Godalming and then to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France on the 22nd of July, landing at Bologne and the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/oxfordbuckslightinf6-gw.php#sthash.D6QXXPBQ.dpuf
WW1: Service Corporal Oxford & Bucks Regiment
Grave: Plot XXX1. C. 9.
Corporal Frank Standbridge: Obituary from The Buxton Advertiser 9th September 1916 It is with sincere regret we have this week to announce the death in action of Corporal Frank Standbridge, who for several years past had been a member of the reporting staff of the “High Peak News” and “Buxton Advertiser.” He was well known and respected in the district which he visited in the performance of his duties. With his aged mother, who resides at Leamington, and his sister, much sympathy is expressed in their sad bereavement. Amongst those by whom the appeal for men in their country’s call was most readily answered was Frank Standbridge, and a very tender chord is touched by the news of his death, received from Coy,-Q,-M,-S, Kennerley, another member of the staff of this journal. The writer well remembers the day on which Standbridge and William Brunt, a fellow-reporter on the “Buxton Herald” went to the recruiting office and did their duty. Poor Brunt’s death, only a few day’s after he had been promoted to commissioned rank is still green in the memory of us all, and now that his bosom friend, in peace and in war, has given his all, the reflection that two such fine young men who had the world before them, and a world of promise, too, have been so ruthlessly laid low, is grievous indeed. Throughout a big portion of the High Peakland, and in Buxton in particular, was Frank Standbridge personally, intimately known. His profession took him into spheres not open to most men. It is no boast to say he was a young man of remarkable energy and one who never knew what is was to have done enough in the interests of the paper on which he was employed. Physically he was splendidly endowed: be it at football, cricket, swimming or running, Frank Standbridge could always hold his own, and oftentimes a bit more. He possessed above the average abilities of the all-round young athlete, and since joining the Army, has given proof of such long distance races especially. It can easily be understood that the traits in his character that showed them-selves naturally in private life would manifest themselves when playing the sterner game of war. All who knew him, in Derbyshire & Warwickshire, will we think agree when it is said that no young man had better qualifications for the making of a good soldier, and that he did his duty fearlessly, conscientiously, faithfully, in no matter what post he filled, will be taken for-granted. The following letter was received on Wednesday from Company-Quarter Master Sergeant W H Kennerley, of ‘A’ Company:- It is with the deepest regret I write this letter. Poor Standbridge died a soldiers death on Thursday afternoon. I have only just had the official intimation. Can you imagine what it is to me to write this, following so closely on Billy Brunt? Standbridge was killed in the first line trench at his gun. I was not with him, being with his Trench Mortor Battery, to whom he had been attached now for some four months. He was buried in a cemetery behind the line. I am not allowed to tell you where but i expect the eyes of the world will be on this place tomorrow. A 9.2 shell dropped right into six of them while attending to their gun, killing five and wounding one. It was a great blow to me when I was told, for we had been through the campaign together since we came out until he went to the trench mortars, and then he was attached to our brigade, so I frequently dropped across him. While he was in my platoon I always found him fearless & brave, always ready for any task put to him. Beloved by the boys, he is indeed a great loss. I can’t tell you what a loss he was to me when he left the platoon for the trench mortars. Never shall I forget him at Loos last September. What I should have done without him I don’t know. And now he has gone to his maker gone where there are no such bloody wars as this. If it is any comfort to those who loved him best, let me say he died a noble death and suffered no pain. He will be sadly missed in this Battalion’s sporting circles, for he was the life and soul of “D” Company in all their sports and always gave a helping hand whenever he was asked. I only wish it was in my power to describe him as a Soldier in more eloquent terms. I can only say, “Old Stan, did his bit, and did it well.” The old boys of his old platoon join me in this simple method of sympathy. Although poor Frank has gone, his name and memory will be honoured by all his old comrades in this Battalion. I wish I could write more, but it is so difficult for me. “Greater love hath no man to give up his life for his friends.” Corporal W. D. Sample has written under the date September 1st to Mrs Boundy, of Queens Road, Fairfield where Corporal Standbridge had apartments when in Buxton as follows:- You will be sorry to hear that Corpl. Standbridge was killed in action yesterday noon. The enclosed letter was found in his pay-book as we were burying him. To you who knew him better than the writer, it will be no greater loss than to us. His cheerful disposition his ready wit, his courage, were an example to everyman in the Battery. He died working in his gun emplacement, and died, I’m sure, as cheerfully as he lived.
The Last Letter:
Corporal Frank Standbridge wrote a letter to Mr & Mrs Boundy of Fairfield Road dated 28th June 1916 in which he thanks them knowing how busy they are for writing to him.
William Staden: Enlisted around September 1914, he arrived in France in August 1915. 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. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendale – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/sherwoodforesters11.php#sthash.kgHjZuIf.dpuf
49 Kings Road the home William left behind to go to War 2014
Born: 24th October 1893 Branside, Nr Buxton registered Chapel-en-le-Frith Vol 7b Page 798 O/N/D middle name Lomas, to parents John & Elizabeth Staden. William had 4 older siblings Thomas, Annie, John & Joseph. When William started North Road School on 1st October 1900 his year of birth is recorded as 1894. The family were living at Foxes Yard.
1901 Census: Living at Old School House Fairfield aged 7yrs.
1911 Census: Living with parents @ 49 Kings Road, Fairfield Aged 17yrs. Williams occupation was as a Milk Seller/Deliverer. Thomas, John & Joseph + one other child had died, but there were three younger siblings Edward Reginald, Percy James & Joseph.
1917: Address 17 Klondyke Villas Bench Road Fairfield.
Grave: 1. P. 56.
Royal Warwickshire Regimental BadgeDriver W H Stableford photograph from Buxton Advertiser July 31st 1915.
W H Stableford: 11th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment was raised at Warwick in September 1914 as part of Kitchener’s Third New Army and joined 24th Division as army troops. The Division began to assemble in the area of Shoreham but suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In April 1915 the 11th Warwicks transferred to 112th Brigade, 37th Division at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France on the 30th of July, the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/warwickshirregiment11-gw.php#sthash.oSnX9APq.dpuf
Born: 2nd May 1890 Fairfield registered Chapel-en-le-Frith Vol 7b Page 771 A/M/J (name has changed over time between both Stableford & Stapleford). William was christened on 30th July 1890, his parents were Charles & Mary Ann. William had three older siblings Jessie, Ada & Horace. William started North Road School on 30th May 1894 the family were living at 16 Victoria Terrace,
1901 Census: Living at 16 Bridge Street aged 10yrs.
1911 Census: Living with parents @ 16 Bridge Street aged 20yrs.
Occupation: Newspaper Seller.
1915: William married Margaret Cooper in Kings Norton, Warwickshire. The couple set up home at 9a Terrace Road, Buxton.
Kings Liverpool Regimental BadgeBritish Lime Industry Memorial to their employees who lost their lives during WW1
Francis is on the Buxton Lime Industry Memorial as before he went to War he was working at the Quarry in Dove Holes and had done so since he left school apart from his military service during the Boer War.
Born: 2nd November 1869 Wirksworth, Matlock, Derbyshire
Baptised: 22nd September 1872 Wirksworth, to parents Anthony & Hannah Spencer. Francis had 6 older brothers & sisters William, James, Harriett, Ellen, Richard & John
1871 Census: The family are living at Little Bolehill, Wirksworth. Francis has a baby brother Albert 4 months old.
1881 Census: The family had moved to Harpur Hill and there was another baby brother Joseph. Francis started North Road School 17th April 1882 the family were living in Batham Gate, Francis left school on 29th June 1883 to work in Dove Holes.
Marriage: 3rd July 1897 Buxton, Francis married Ellen Wilshaw, at St John’s Church. Francis is not on the 1901 Census, as he was in the Army he would have been in South Africa fighting in The Boer War, with the 1st Battalion, The King’s (Liverpool Regiment). Ellen was living at 1 South View, Fairfield, with their daughter Violet, and her son Frank Wilshaw. Living at the same address was Frank’s widowed father Anthony.
1911 Census: Living 14 Hogshaw Villas with wife and 6 children.
Occupation: Stone Quarryman. The couple had five more children, Mabel, Nellie, Ethel, Edward Anthony and Bessie.
Service: King’s (Liverpool Regiment) 4th Battalion Corporal 12067
Memorial: Cambrin Military Cemetery Plot F 33.
Royal Engineers Regimental BadgeHerbert Simpson photograph Buxton Advertiser/Keith Taylor
Herbert enlisted at Derby on the 5th February1916 and then transferred to the Royal Engineers, Herbert was sent to France on 13th December 1916 just over a month before he was died.
Herbert Simpson: 57th Field Company, The Royal Engineers served with 3rd Division during the Great War 1914-1918 1914-1918. 3rd Divsion proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, and on the 7th of April 1915, 57th Field Coy, transferred to 49th (West Riding) Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/royalengineers57fldcoy-gw.php#sthash.g8KUWzHK.dpuf
Death report for HerbertMemorial Plaque in the former Conservative Club ( now Sports & Social Club) Fairfield
Herbert’s name is on the Memorial.
Born: 27th June 1888 at 5 South Street, Buxton parents Joseph and Hannah Simpson. He had four older siblings, James Francis, Martha, Ellen and Elizabeth. On starting school Herbert’s birthday is given as 9th July 1888.
1891 Census: Living with Mum & Dad aged 2yrs @ 5 South Street, Buxton. Herbert now had a younger sister Louise. Herbert started North Road School on 15th January 1894.
1901 Census: Living @ 51 Kings Street, Fairfield. Aged 12yrs with brother James Simpson.
1911 Census: Living @ Bulls Head Cottages, Fairfield Road. Aged 22yrs still with brother James Simpson working as a House Plumber.
Bulls Head Cottages the home Herbert left to go to War 2014
Service: Formally Pte. 45243. North Staffordshire Reg.
Grave: Warlincourt 1V. F. 9
Abraham Sigley entered the war in France on 27th August 1915 from his Medal Index Card. 1st Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)were in Bombay, India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Plymouth on the 2nd of October 1914 and joined 24th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 5th of November a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l’Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/sherwoodforesters1-gw.php#sthash.VjzpVJqe.dpuf
Born: 17th July 1890 Buxton registered Chapel-en-le-Frith Vol 7b Page 737 J/A/S, Abraham was baptised on 13th August 1890 at St Peters Fairfield to parents Joseph & Ann Sigley. Abraham had an older brother William,
1891 Census: Living with parents @Tom Thorn aged 3yrs.
1895: Abraham started North Road school on 24th September the family were still living at Tom Thorn.
1901 Census: Abraham had 6 younger siblings, James, Moses, George, Mary Ann and Emma.
1911 Census: Living @ Batham Gate aged 20yrs. Occupation Lime Burner.
Middlesex Regimental BadgeHarry Sellors photo from Buxton Advertiser researched 2014
Harry pictured (left) with his friend Frank Butler who also lost his life during the War, photograph from Buxton Advertiser.
Harry Sellers (Sellors) Memorial (Stenson 2014)Dud Corner Memorial 2014
Photo kindly supplied by Carmel & John Mills
Harry Sellers: 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.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. – See more at:http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/middlesexregiment11-gw.php#sthash.AE8HEJT1.dpuf
Born: 20th March 1895 Fairfield to Joseph & Catherine Sellers, registered as Harry Sellors Vol 7b Page 844 A/M/J Qtr
1900: Harry started North Road School on 26th June 1900, already at school was his older sister Lillian (Lillie) born 26th February 1891 who started school on 8th June 1896. Harry also had 2 older brothers John Thomas born 1st October 1872 started school 31st March 1879, Frederick born 16th November 1886 started school 29th April 1895, as well as Lillie there were 2 other sisters Bertha born 5th August 1876 & May born 30th May 1881, Bertha & May started school on the same day, 10th September 1889.
1911 Census: Living at 35 Windsor Road, Fairfield (living with Mum & Brothers & Sisters) aged 16yrs, his occupation was a Fruiterer’s Assistant.
35 Windsor Road 2014 the home Harry left to go to War
Rank: Acting Corporal
Loos Memorial 2014 (Panel 99-101).
Obituary from The Buxton Advertiser
Corporal H Sellors
Official news has been received from the War Office of the death of, Corporal Harry Sellors, of Fairfield. Before the statement arrived Lance-Corporal T Elliott conveyed the news to Mrs Sellors, in the following letter :- “It is with my deepest sympathy that I inform you of the death of Harry, which took place last Friday (3rd inst). He was shot through the head by a German sniper. I know what a terrible blow it will be to you & the girls, for he was a good lad, and thought alot of his home. It is only a few weeks since he joined us, but we have spent many happy hours together, hours I shall never forget. When we came to France there were five Buxton boys in our Battalion; two have given their lives for their country, and the other two are wounded. Then came Arthur Phillips, but I hope to see Arthur again before long: he has gone into hospital, but should be well again soon….. May God comfort you and all the family in your bitter loss. The deceased was the son of Mrs Sellors, Windsor Road and would he have lived, have celebrated his 21st birthday on the 20th inst. He attended Fairfield Wesleyan Chapel and was employed by Mr J H Dale and had a very promising career before him. He has two other brothers serving, and of the three he was the youngest. He was first wounded at Loos, in the head by shrapnel, and was home on sick leave at Christmas. He joined the Middlesex Regiment in 1914. The family have the deepest sympathy of all in their irreparable loss.
Harry’s older brothers both served during WW1, John T Sellers was Sapper 160540 in the Royal Engineers, Frederick Sellers was Pte 198057 and served with the Labour Corps.
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1555041/STREET,%20PERCY
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1769742/STENSON,%20JOHN
Drilling the holes for the insertion of the Plug & Feathers
