Brian Pryke has been researching the names on the war memorials and has been able to put some background history to these people who gave their lives for their country. These histories were originally published in "The Tidings" to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of their death to remind us of their sacrifice. Additionally there are a few selected histories of men who were decorated for their heroism. (highlighted with a different colour heading)
Walter Court : 1893 - 2nd August 1915 Aged 22
Walter Court was born around 1893 in Fillongley, the son of Richard Court & Martha Court.
He was the 7th of 12 children.
After the outbreak of War, Water Enlisted at Birmingham as Private 16748 in the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry, and would have then undergone a period of training in England.
Records show that Walter’s active war service started on 17th July 1915 in the “Balkans” as part of the M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force).
On the 17th July the 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment, arrived on the island of Lemnos
( a Greek Island approx. 30 miles to the west of Gallipoli ), following fighting on the Gallipoli peninsular, and there they received a draft of some 300 Other Ranks, many of them from the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry to replace casualties already sustained in fighting in Gallipoli.
It appears this is when Walter was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment and given the new number 17187.
The reinforcements trained with the Battalion until the 28th July when the Battalion sailed on HMS Newmarket, returning to the Gallipoli peninsular. The Battalion arrived at W. Beach at 11.30 pm.
At 1.0 am the following morning they bivouacked on Gully Beach, and later that day, they were employed in remaking the road along the beach.
On August 4th, one year exactly after Britain declared war, the Company Officers went up to inspect the fire trenches where the attack would be launched from. Details of the attack appeared to be suitable and a 1 ½ hour bombardment was due to take place before the attack was launched.
It was expected that no opposition would be met following this bombardment.
August 5 – The Battalion received Orders to move to fire trenches at 5 a.m. the following day.
August 6 – The Battalion marched up the mule track and took over the fire trenches from the Royal Fusiliers. The Bombardment proceeded from 2.15 pm until 3.50 pm.
The attack was launched, the first line advanced at the set time and the attacked got home.
But, the majority of first line were killed or wounded. The attack was a failure, this being attributed to the number of machine guns in front and on the flanks of the position attacked, these guns had not been knocked out in the bombardment, and as soon as the attack was launched opened up with very heavy fire.
It would appear that Walter was killed at Ravine Gully on his very first day in action.
He was 22 years of age.
Walter has No Known Grave, and his name is one of 20,763 engraved on the Helles Memorial.
Richard Court & Martha Court’s address was given as The Uplands, Over Whitacre.
He was the 7th of 12 children.
After the outbreak of War, Water Enlisted at Birmingham as Private 16748 in the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry, and would have then undergone a period of training in England.
Records show that Walter’s active war service started on 17th July 1915 in the “Balkans” as part of the M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force).
On the 17th July the 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment, arrived on the island of Lemnos
( a Greek Island approx. 30 miles to the west of Gallipoli ), following fighting on the Gallipoli peninsular, and there they received a draft of some 300 Other Ranks, many of them from the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry to replace casualties already sustained in fighting in Gallipoli.
It appears this is when Walter was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment and given the new number 17187.
The reinforcements trained with the Battalion until the 28th July when the Battalion sailed on HMS Newmarket, returning to the Gallipoli peninsular. The Battalion arrived at W. Beach at 11.30 pm.
At 1.0 am the following morning they bivouacked on Gully Beach, and later that day, they were employed in remaking the road along the beach.
On August 4th, one year exactly after Britain declared war, the Company Officers went up to inspect the fire trenches where the attack would be launched from. Details of the attack appeared to be suitable and a 1 ½ hour bombardment was due to take place before the attack was launched.
It was expected that no opposition would be met following this bombardment.
August 5 – The Battalion received Orders to move to fire trenches at 5 a.m. the following day.
August 6 – The Battalion marched up the mule track and took over the fire trenches from the Royal Fusiliers. The Bombardment proceeded from 2.15 pm until 3.50 pm.
The attack was launched, the first line advanced at the set time and the attacked got home.
But, the majority of first line were killed or wounded. The attack was a failure, this being attributed to the number of machine guns in front and on the flanks of the position attacked, these guns had not been knocked out in the bombardment, and as soon as the attack was launched opened up with very heavy fire.
It would appear that Walter was killed at Ravine Gully on his very first day in action.
He was 22 years of age.
Walter has No Known Grave, and his name is one of 20,763 engraved on the Helles Memorial.
Richard Court & Martha Court’s address was given as The Uplands, Over Whitacre.
Frank William Grove : 1892 - 1st Jan 1916 Aged 23
Frank William Grove was born in 1892 at Wilnecote. He was the 5th of the 6 children of Frederick & Isoline Grove. After attending Tamworth Grammar School Frank went to Saltley Training Collage and was then employed as an assistant school master at Shustoke Industrial School.
During September 1914 the Lord Mayor of Birmingham raised a Battalion, the 16th Battalion The Royal
Warwickshire Regiment also known as the 3rd Birmingham Pals battalion.
In March 1915 the Battalion moved into camp, the first of several. On November 21st the Battalion entrained for Folkestone where they boarded the transport ship Princess Victoria and sailed for Boulogne.
On the 23rd the Battalion travelled by train to a village to the south east of the town of Abbeville before they started their march towards the trenches. On the 30th the Battalion was lectured in the use of gas helmets.
December 2nd saw the Battalion march a distance of 26 miles during which time 14 men fell out.
December 11th. The Battalion billeted 2 companies at Chippily and 2 at Etinehem, villages close to the
trenches.
December 16th A + B companies proceeded to the trenches in front of the village of Carnoy where they were to spend 3 days training. On the 23rd the Battalion returned to the trenches for another 3 days of training. Christmas Day saw the Battalion loose a total of 6 men killed or died of wounds. December 30th the Battalion returned to the trenches in front of Carnoy.
1st January 1916 - The War Diary records that at 4.00 pm in sub section C2, one man was killed.
Frank is recorded as being a member of ”B” company who appear to have spent a total of 8 days in the
trenches during December. Frank was the 10th member of the Battalion to lose their life in France.
On Saturday 15th January 1916 both the Coleshill Chronicle and Tamworth Herald published a reported about Frank’s death, complete with his photograph and copies of letters of condolence sent to his parents by his Officers. They reported that Frank had been shot and killed by a German sniper near Carnoy on January 1st.
Sergt. Frank William Grove was buried at Citadel New Military Cemetery, Fricourt. He was 23 years old.
At the time of his death Frank’s parents were living at Parkfields, Nether Whitacre.
During September 1914 the Lord Mayor of Birmingham raised a Battalion, the 16th Battalion The Royal
Warwickshire Regiment also known as the 3rd Birmingham Pals battalion.
In March 1915 the Battalion moved into camp, the first of several. On November 21st the Battalion entrained for Folkestone where they boarded the transport ship Princess Victoria and sailed for Boulogne.
On the 23rd the Battalion travelled by train to a village to the south east of the town of Abbeville before they started their march towards the trenches. On the 30th the Battalion was lectured in the use of gas helmets.
December 2nd saw the Battalion march a distance of 26 miles during which time 14 men fell out.
December 11th. The Battalion billeted 2 companies at Chippily and 2 at Etinehem, villages close to the
trenches.
December 16th A + B companies proceeded to the trenches in front of the village of Carnoy where they were to spend 3 days training. On the 23rd the Battalion returned to the trenches for another 3 days of training. Christmas Day saw the Battalion loose a total of 6 men killed or died of wounds. December 30th the Battalion returned to the trenches in front of Carnoy.
1st January 1916 - The War Diary records that at 4.00 pm in sub section C2, one man was killed.
Frank is recorded as being a member of ”B” company who appear to have spent a total of 8 days in the
trenches during December. Frank was the 10th member of the Battalion to lose their life in France.
On Saturday 15th January 1916 both the Coleshill Chronicle and Tamworth Herald published a reported about Frank’s death, complete with his photograph and copies of letters of condolence sent to his parents by his Officers. They reported that Frank had been shot and killed by a German sniper near Carnoy on January 1st.
Sergt. Frank William Grove was buried at Citadel New Military Cemetery, Fricourt. He was 23 years old.
At the time of his death Frank’s parents were living at Parkfields, Nether Whitacre.
Sidney Arthur Holtom : 1895 - 20th Jan 1916 Aged 21
Sidney was born on the 21st January 1895 at Nether Whitacre and was baptised at St Giles on 24th February. He was the 4th son of Henry & Elizabeth Holtom of Cottage Lane, Nether Whitacre.
In 1911 Sidney was recorded as being employed as a Farm Labourer and the following year he became a Junior Porter at Water Orton Station.
Sometime after the start of the Great War, Sidney enlisted at Birmingham and became Private DM2/155461 in 621 Motor Transport Company, Royal Army Medical Corp.
On the 20th June 1916, Sidney died at the North Staffordshire Infirmary of natural causes.
Sidney was buried at St. Giles and has a Commonwealth War Graves headstone.
He was 21 years old.
In 1911 Sidney was recorded as being employed as a Farm Labourer and the following year he became a Junior Porter at Water Orton Station.
Sometime after the start of the Great War, Sidney enlisted at Birmingham and became Private DM2/155461 in 621 Motor Transport Company, Royal Army Medical Corp.
On the 20th June 1916, Sidney died at the North Staffordshire Infirmary of natural causes.
Sidney was buried at St. Giles and has a Commonwealth War Graves headstone.
He was 21 years old.
Reginald Arthur Lawley : 1895 - 20th June 1916 Aged 21
Reginald was born circa 1895 at Uttoxetter, Staffordshire, the son of John & Louisa Annie Lawley.
By 1911 the family were living at Flanders and Reginald’s occupation was recorded as Gardener.
Reginald enlisted as Private 2770 in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and served with the 1/8th Battalion. On the 22nd March 1915 Reginald went to France.
However, on the 20th June 1916, Reginald, died at Southminster, Essex.
Records show that Reginald was a Private in “A” Company 81st Provisional Battalion.
His death was reported as being “accidental – Run over by Car ”. He was 21 years old.
Reginald is also buried in Nether Whitacre churchyard. He shares a grave with his brother who died in 1919.
By 1911 the family were living at Flanders and Reginald’s occupation was recorded as Gardener.
Reginald enlisted as Private 2770 in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and served with the 1/8th Battalion. On the 22nd March 1915 Reginald went to France.
However, on the 20th June 1916, Reginald, died at Southminster, Essex.
Records show that Reginald was a Private in “A” Company 81st Provisional Battalion.
His death was reported as being “accidental – Run over by Car ”. He was 21 years old.
Reginald is also buried in Nether Whitacre churchyard. He shares a grave with his brother who died in 1919.
Walter Stevenson : 1887 - 1st July 1916 Aged 29
Walter Stevenson was born at Glascote in 1887 the 2nd of 11 children of Edward James and Zillah Stevenson.
The 1911 Census shows the family were living at No. 39 Piccadilly, and Walter is recorded as being 22 years old, single and a coal hewers filler. Lilian May Collingwood was also living at the same address. Later that year Walter married Lilian and the birth of their 1st son Joseph was register at Tamworth in 1912. The birth of their 2nd son Walter, was registered in Mansfield in 1914.
After the start of the Great War, Walter enlisted at Mansfield in the Leicestershire Regiment, but was later transferred to the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. Walter arrived in France in February 1915 and in September the Tamworth Herald reported that Lance-Corporal W. Stevenson, of the 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment, had been wounded and was now in Southport infirmary. After being in hospital for six months Walter went home for ten days leave before returning to his Battalion in March 1916.
On the morning of 1st July 1916 – 1st day of the Battle of the Somme - Walter’s Regiment were in position in the trenches opposite the village of Ovillers.
At 7.30 am the Regiment attacked. The day was to cost the Battalion 32 killed,
311 wounded, 92 missing and 28 reported as wounded & missing.
On the 9th September Walter’s mother had printed in the Tamworth Herald a request for information about her son who had been reported missing since the 1st of July.
A second plea for information appeared the following week complete with a photograph of Walter.
It was not until Saturday 26th May 1917 that the Tamworth Herald reported that
Mrs. Edward Stevenson, had received official information that her son, had been killed on the 1st July 1916. It also reported that Walter left a widow and two children who resided at 14 Sycamore Cottages, Whitacre Heath.
Walter is buried in the Lonsdale Cemetery, Aveluy & Authile, Somme.
Click here to see the full PDF file of the front page of the Evening Despatch mentioned in this text from 30th August 1916
The 1911 Census shows the family were living at No. 39 Piccadilly, and Walter is recorded as being 22 years old, single and a coal hewers filler. Lilian May Collingwood was also living at the same address. Later that year Walter married Lilian and the birth of their 1st son Joseph was register at Tamworth in 1912. The birth of their 2nd son Walter, was registered in Mansfield in 1914.
After the start of the Great War, Walter enlisted at Mansfield in the Leicestershire Regiment, but was later transferred to the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. Walter arrived in France in February 1915 and in September the Tamworth Herald reported that Lance-Corporal W. Stevenson, of the 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment, had been wounded and was now in Southport infirmary. After being in hospital for six months Walter went home for ten days leave before returning to his Battalion in March 1916.
On the morning of 1st July 1916 – 1st day of the Battle of the Somme - Walter’s Regiment were in position in the trenches opposite the village of Ovillers.
At 7.30 am the Regiment attacked. The day was to cost the Battalion 32 killed,
311 wounded, 92 missing and 28 reported as wounded & missing.
On the 9th September Walter’s mother had printed in the Tamworth Herald a request for information about her son who had been reported missing since the 1st of July.
A second plea for information appeared the following week complete with a photograph of Walter.
It was not until Saturday 26th May 1917 that the Tamworth Herald reported that
Mrs. Edward Stevenson, had received official information that her son, had been killed on the 1st July 1916. It also reported that Walter left a widow and two children who resided at 14 Sycamore Cottages, Whitacre Heath.
Walter is buried in the Lonsdale Cemetery, Aveluy & Authile, Somme.
Click here to see the full PDF file of the front page of the Evening Despatch mentioned in this text from 30th August 1916
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John Powell : DSC award after incident on 25th July 1916
An incident took place at 3.30 am on the 25th July 1916 that resulted in two decorations being awarded. The Battalion War Diary for the 5th Division Ammunition Column – Royal Field Artillery recorded that a “Military Cross was awarded to Lt. A. F. Traill and a Distinguished Conduct Medal to Battery Sergeant Major J. Powell. When ammunition was hit by hostile shell and set on fire, they made strenuous efforts to make a gap between the burning ammunition and the remainder, and continued to do so despite the fact that bullets from burning Small Arms Ammunition were flying round – until the 60 lb Trench Mortar bombs blew up and they were thrown many yards and stunned, Battery Sergeant Major J. Powell being wounded.”
The citation for John Powell’s Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette reads:
'For conspicuous gallantry. When an ammunition dump became ignited by shell fire, he assisted the officer in charge to remove ammunition under very dangerous circumstances. Although blown away some distance by a violent explosion, he returned to the dump, and amid continual explosions, helped to carry away wounded'.
Note: The Distinguished Conduct Medal is second only to the Victoria Cross.
John survived the war. He was born in Knowle in 1881 and died in December 1960. Unfortunately John’s grave is currently unmarked.
The citation for John Powell’s Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette reads:
'For conspicuous gallantry. When an ammunition dump became ignited by shell fire, he assisted the officer in charge to remove ammunition under very dangerous circumstances. Although blown away some distance by a violent explosion, he returned to the dump, and amid continual explosions, helped to carry away wounded'.
Note: The Distinguished Conduct Medal is second only to the Victoria Cross.
John survived the war. He was born in Knowle in 1881 and died in December 1960. Unfortunately John’s grave is currently unmarked.
Jim Houghton : 1896 - 8th August 1916 Aged 20
Jim Houghton was born in 1896 at Nether Whitacre and baptised at St Giles on the 28th June.
Jim was one of the 12 children of Arthur & Sarah Houghton who in 1901 were living in Middle Lane.
The 1911 census shows that the family were still in Middle Lane and Jim was now a farm worker.
Following the outbreak of war, Jim enlisted in the Army at Birmingham as Private 5450 in the 2nd/5th Battalion the Royal Warwickshire Regiment
At 5 pm on the 21st May 1916 the Battalion sailed from Southampton and arrived at Le Havre the following day. The Battalion then moved to the area around Bethune to begin company training.
Jim was listed as being “Killed in Action” on the 8th August 1916
The War Diary for Jim’s Battalion has the following entry for 8th of August 1916 :-
“Place - MOATED GRANGE - 3.35 am. Enemy sprang a mine under our parapet at M.30.c.1½.4. and attacked with a small body of infantry. This was repelled and identification obtained from the German dead”.
Records show that 25 Soldiers of Jim’s battalion as having died on the 8th August.
Jim is buried in Rue-du-Bacquerot No.1 Military Cemetery, Laventie.
He was aged 20 years old.
Jim was one of the 12 children of Arthur & Sarah Houghton who in 1901 were living in Middle Lane.
The 1911 census shows that the family were still in Middle Lane and Jim was now a farm worker.
Following the outbreak of war, Jim enlisted in the Army at Birmingham as Private 5450 in the 2nd/5th Battalion the Royal Warwickshire Regiment
At 5 pm on the 21st May 1916 the Battalion sailed from Southampton and arrived at Le Havre the following day. The Battalion then moved to the area around Bethune to begin company training.
Jim was listed as being “Killed in Action” on the 8th August 1916
The War Diary for Jim’s Battalion has the following entry for 8th of August 1916 :-
“Place - MOATED GRANGE - 3.35 am. Enemy sprang a mine under our parapet at M.30.c.1½.4. and attacked with a small body of infantry. This was repelled and identification obtained from the German dead”.
Records show that 25 Soldiers of Jim’s battalion as having died on the 8th August.
Jim is buried in Rue-du-Bacquerot No.1 Military Cemetery, Laventie.
He was aged 20 years old.
Leslie Charles Crockford : Military Cross Incident on 18th August 1916
On the 18th August the 1/6th Battalion the Royal Warwickshire Regiment took part in a successful attack which resulted in the taking of over 250 prisoners.
The Birmingham Post printed the following incident that resulted in Captain Crockford being awarded a Military Cross.
“A certain company officer whose name will long be cherished by the Royal Warwicks led his bombing party up to a bomb-stop, which is a breastwork of sandbags. This of course, was in the enemy trench. A machine gun placed at the end of the cutting beyond rendered it too costly an undertaking to clear bomb-stop and proceed. So the officer, who is a crack shot, had rifles brought to him, and for some minutes kept two soldiers re-charging the magazines as hard as possible while he fought the machine gunners through a loop-hole, ultimately putting them out.”
Leslie survived the war. He was born in Sutton Coldfield in 1887 and died in Coleshill Road, Bentley in September 1947. His grave can be found on the north side of St Giles between the path and the big tree.
The Birmingham Post printed the following incident that resulted in Captain Crockford being awarded a Military Cross.
“A certain company officer whose name will long be cherished by the Royal Warwicks led his bombing party up to a bomb-stop, which is a breastwork of sandbags. This of course, was in the enemy trench. A machine gun placed at the end of the cutting beyond rendered it too costly an undertaking to clear bomb-stop and proceed. So the officer, who is a crack shot, had rifles brought to him, and for some minutes kept two soldiers re-charging the magazines as hard as possible while he fought the machine gunners through a loop-hole, ultimately putting them out.”
Leslie survived the war. He was born in Sutton Coldfield in 1887 and died in Coleshill Road, Bentley in September 1947. His grave can be found on the north side of St Giles between the path and the big tree.
Sidney Bayliss : 1891 - 3rd March 1917 Aged 26
Born circa 1891 at Nether Whitacre, Sidney was the 6th of the 9 children of James & Ann Bayliss. In 1891 the family were living in Cottage Lane and by 1901 had moved to the Post Office in Station Road which was adjacent to the Swan Inn.
In 1911 Sidney was listed as a “farmers son, working on farm". On the 27th October 1913, Sidney a 22 year old farmhand, joined Birmingham City Police, and served on 'E' Division with warrant number 8389, collar number PC 67. On 5th November 1915, Sidney resigned from the Police Force so he could join the Army. Sidney enlisted at Birmingham, and became Private No. 7476 in the 5th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Later, he was transferred to the 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment as Sergeant number G/25157.
Early 1917 saw his Battalion on the Somme battlefield. It appears that Sidney was wounded and then transferred to a military hospital at Doullens where he succumbed to his wounds. Sidney died on the 3rd March, aged 26 years.
Sidney is buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery, Extension No. 1 Plot III Row G Grave 20
Sidney’s brother Charles also served in the Army.
In 1911 Sidney was listed as a “farmers son, working on farm". On the 27th October 1913, Sidney a 22 year old farmhand, joined Birmingham City Police, and served on 'E' Division with warrant number 8389, collar number PC 67. On 5th November 1915, Sidney resigned from the Police Force so he could join the Army. Sidney enlisted at Birmingham, and became Private No. 7476 in the 5th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Later, he was transferred to the 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment as Sergeant number G/25157.
Early 1917 saw his Battalion on the Somme battlefield. It appears that Sidney was wounded and then transferred to a military hospital at Doullens where he succumbed to his wounds. Sidney died on the 3rd March, aged 26 years.
Sidney is buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery, Extension No. 1 Plot III Row G Grave 20
Sidney’s brother Charles also served in the Army.
John Green Fenn : Nether Whitacre's Rector goes to war
John Green Fenn was born in 1870 at Ardleigh, Essex the son of George Fenn a farmer.
In 1894 John gained his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of London and in 1897 became a Deacon. From 1897 to 1901 he was Assistant Master at Worcester Grammar School and Curate of St Martin, Worcester.
In 1901 John became Headmaster of Coleshill Grammar School, a post he held until 1909 when he
vacated this position to take up a curacy in Essex.
In 1894 John gained his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of London and in 1897 became a Deacon. From 1897 to 1901 he was Assistant Master at Worcester Grammar School and Curate of St Martin, Worcester.
In 1901 John became Headmaster of Coleshill Grammar School, a post he held until 1909 when he
vacated this position to take up a curacy in Essex.
In 1911 John joined the Territorial Army and John became a Chaplain to the Forces.
1912 saw John take part in “King’s Prize” rifle shooting competition at Bisley. This competition was open to members of His Majesty’s forces from across the British Empire. John was recorded as being the Chaplin to the 5th Essex Regiment , and he came second, losing by one point to the winner Sergt. Fulton ( Sergt. Fulton went on to win again in 1926 and 1931 the only man to win 3 times ). John was awarded a Badge and a cash prize of £50, equivalent to over £5,000 in 2017. This was an amazing feat as he had taken up rifle shooting only two years previously. He went on to shoot in the “King’s Prize” competition again in 1913 & 1914.
1912 saw John take part in “King’s Prize” rifle shooting competition at Bisley. This competition was open to members of His Majesty’s forces from across the British Empire. John was recorded as being the Chaplin to the 5th Essex Regiment , and he came second, losing by one point to the winner Sergt. Fulton ( Sergt. Fulton went on to win again in 1926 and 1931 the only man to win 3 times ). John was awarded a Badge and a cash prize of £50, equivalent to over £5,000 in 2017. This was an amazing feat as he had taken up rifle shooting only two years previously. He went on to shoot in the “King’s Prize” competition again in 1913 & 1914.
In 1913 John became Rector of St. Giles, Nether Whitacre and he was also elected President of the Nether Whitacre Cricket Club.
The Army List of January 1915 records that John was with the 5th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment and on the 25th May 1916, John went to France.
On the 1st January 1918 the Supplement to the London Gazette records that Rev. John Green Fenn , Temporary Chaplain to the Forces - 4th Class, had been awarded a Military Cross. After the war he was also awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and Territorial Force War Medal.
In 1919 John was re-elected President of Nether Whitacre Club.
1928 saw John leaves his position as Rector of Nether Whitacre Church to become Rector at Woodham Mortimer in Essex, a position he held until 1935.
He died on the 16th August 1944 at Chelmsford aged 74 years.
Note: From 1915 to 1919 the Rev. Thomas Somerset Bateman was the locum rector at St Giles.
The Army List of January 1915 records that John was with the 5th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment and on the 25th May 1916, John went to France.
On the 1st January 1918 the Supplement to the London Gazette records that Rev. John Green Fenn , Temporary Chaplain to the Forces - 4th Class, had been awarded a Military Cross. After the war he was also awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and Territorial Force War Medal.
In 1919 John was re-elected President of Nether Whitacre Club.
1928 saw John leaves his position as Rector of Nether Whitacre Church to become Rector at Woodham Mortimer in Essex, a position he held until 1935.
He died on the 16th August 1944 at Chelmsford aged 74 years.
Note: From 1915 to 1919 the Rev. Thomas Somerset Bateman was the locum rector at St Giles.
Harold Silvester : 1885 - 8th October 1918 Aged 34
Harold was baptised on the 13th September 1885 at St. Giles, Nether Whitacre.
He was the youngest of the 8 children of Thomas and Rebecca Silvester.
In 1901 Harold was living at Hoggerills End and employed as a Telegraph Messenger.
1911 saw Harold living with the Books family at Osborn Villas, Station Road, Woodville, Leicestershire and he was employed as a Goods Porter.
Harold enlisted at Burton as Private 268939 in the 1/8th Notts. & Derby Regiment ( Sherwood Foresters ).
Harold died of wounds on the 8th October 1918 at No. 12 Casualty Clearing Station, Tincourt
He is buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery, Grave No. VII B. 23
He was the youngest of the 8 children of Thomas and Rebecca Silvester.
In 1901 Harold was living at Hoggerills End and employed as a Telegraph Messenger.
1911 saw Harold living with the Books family at Osborn Villas, Station Road, Woodville, Leicestershire and he was employed as a Goods Porter.
Harold enlisted at Burton as Private 268939 in the 1/8th Notts. & Derby Regiment ( Sherwood Foresters ).
Harold died of wounds on the 8th October 1918 at No. 12 Casualty Clearing Station, Tincourt
He is buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery, Grave No. VII B. 23
Wilfred Birch : 1893 - 31st October 1918 Aged 25
Wilfred was baptised at St Giles Nether Whitacre on 26th March 1893.
He was the son of Thomas & Ellen Fanny Birch of Church End, Nether Whitacre and the youngest of their 10 children. Thomas was a blacksmith.
In 1911 Wilfred was living at Church End and his occupation was recorded as Blacksmith’s Striker.
Wilfred enlisted at Birmingham as Gunner 145789 in the 3rd Divisional, Ammunition Column,
Royal Field Artillery.
On October 31st Wilfred died aged 25 and was buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Palestine.
Row EE Grave 16
He was the son of Thomas & Ellen Fanny Birch of Church End, Nether Whitacre and the youngest of their 10 children. Thomas was a blacksmith.
In 1911 Wilfred was living at Church End and his occupation was recorded as Blacksmith’s Striker.
Wilfred enlisted at Birmingham as Gunner 145789 in the 3rd Divisional, Ammunition Column,
Royal Field Artillery.
On October 31st Wilfred died aged 25 and was buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Palestine.
Row EE Grave 16
Thomas Hayfield : 1898 - 8th November 1918 Aged 20
On the 8th November 1918, 3 days before the armistice Thomas Charles Hayfield died of wounds.
Thomas was baptised at Over Whitacre on 22nd May 1898 and lived with his parents at Hill Farm Nether Whitacre. He enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Coventry.
Thomas was baptised at Over Whitacre on 22nd May 1898 and lived with his parents at Hill Farm Nether Whitacre. He enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Coventry.
Thomas was then posted to the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment as Private number 45011
On 10th October 1918 he wrote out his Will. This was possibly just before departing for France. The Battalion War Diary shows that replacements for casualties joined his Battalion on the 14th of October at the town of Caudry. Following additional training, the Battalion moved towards the front line. At 9.00 am on 23rd October they attacked north east of the village of Beaurain and at 5.00 pm the Battalion withdrew to the village of Caudry. The Battalion took 3 casualties in this action. On November 8th Thomas died of wounds. Age 20 and was buried at Caudry Military Cemetery. From the 18th October 1918 Caudry was the site of Number 21 C.C.S. ( Casualty Clearing Station ). Thomas was the last soldier from Nether Whitacre to lose his life before the armistice. |