Ironbridge Gorge Community Archive

 

 William Baugh

Alfred Bowen

William Bennett

William R. Barnett

George Bradley

William G.C. Cooper

William H. Coombes

Harry Corfield

William Cornes

Lawrence Cullis

Maurice A.A. Darby

Cecil Davies

George B. Davies

William Davies

Henry Davies

Osbourne Doodson

Frank S. Downing

Jack Goodwin

Ernest G. Gough

 

The second photograph was donated by Joan Griffiths

 

 

Extract from The Wellington Journal and Shrewsbury News 28th May 1921.

                                           Coalbrookdale War Memorial

The unveiling and dedication of the handsome War memorial, erected at the entrance to the School of Science and Art Institute attracted a large crowd on Sunday afternoon.  The memorial is pyramidal in shape, surmounted by a cross, all bronze metal.  It stands 13 feet 6 inches high and is fixes on a concrete foundation.  The 60 names of the fallen in the Great War are arranged in alphabetical order and include those who either resided in Coalbrookdale Parish or who worked at the time of joining up for the Company either in the works at Coalbrookdale or Lightmoor.  The Memorial was made and erected by the Coalbrookdale Company and was the design of Mr. H. fowler, Coalbrookdale.  The inscriptions were “Their Name Liveth for Evermore”; below, Erected by public subscription in grateful memory of those named below, who gave their lives in the Great War1914-1918.

 It was a lovely day and many could not obtain admittance to Holy Trinity Church where the proceedings with a brief memorial Service conducted by the Rev. C.B.Crowe, Vicar.  The Dale Band (conductor Bandsman W. Lloyd) accompanied the singing and Mr. Wall was at the organ.  After the hymn All People that on Earth do Dwell, the 23^rdPsalm was chanted, and the lesson was read by Col. Woodland.  After a few appropriate words by the Vicar, O God our Help in Ages past was sung.  This service over a procession was formed, marshalled by Col. Woodland and proceeded as follows to the Memorial: – The choir with surplices, Revs. C.B.Crowe and E. Roberts, (Ironbridge) Major General Sir Charles Townshend, M.P., Mr Alfred Darby, Mr. W.S. Malcolm, Mrs Darby, Col: and Mrs Whitmore (Dudmaston) Miss Hunt, Miss Malcol, members of the War Memorial Committee, Coalbrookdale Band, Ironbridge Comrades present and past, members of His Majesty’s Forces, Cadet Corps, Ambulance, Nurses, Alderman Dyas and Corporation and mourners and friends. 

 Mr. W.S.Malcolm (Chairman) asked General Townshend to unveil the Memorial.  He did so, and then the Rev. C.B.Crow dedicated it, reading out the list of names and then the Bandmaster Lloyd sounded “The Last Post”.  General Townshend said these men did their duty and they wanted no words from him to tell them what part they took with 600,000 or more men who laid down their lives in the Great War.  They gave their lives to save England.  The fact remains, they laid down their lives and England was safe today.  May their example, he said, encourage our children.  He thought there was nothing so glorious for a man to give his life for his country.  It was a splendid fate.  He felt happy to come among them this day and hoped the young people would realize what this Great War meant.  On behalf of the committee and public, Mr Malcolm thanked the General for his kind act this day.  They felt honoured to have such a distinguished soldier among them.  When asked he never hesitated.  He had earned honours in the war which would pass down to future ages.  He also thanked Rev. C.B.Crowe and others who had taken part in the proceedings. 

 They had Mr. Alfred Darby among them, chairman of the Coalbrookdale Company, who had the mantle of deep sorrow over him in the early stages of the war.  His family had been associated with this place for more that 220 years.  Mr. Darby here handed the deed of the site from the Coalbrookdale Company Ltd: as a gift to the Borough Council which accepted on behalf of the Madeley District Council by Alderman Dyas (Chairman)

 Mr. Malcolm announced that Mr. Harold Fowler was the designer of the memorial.  The hymn “O Valiant Hearts” was then earnestly sung followed with “Reveille”.  The National Anthem concluded the memorial proceedings.

 Parents and friends then placed lovely wreathes at the foot of the memorial.  The committee, of which Mr. W.S.Malcolm, is chairman and Mr.F.Rich, secretary are to be complimented on the perfect manner in which they had carried out the arrangements.  It might be mentioned that the general inspected the Ironbridge Comrades before he left.

William Baugh 

There were a number of William Baugh’s living and working in and around Coalbrookdale.  There is also a W Baugh remembered on the Ironbridge War Memorial.

15504 – Private William Baugh was the eldest son of William and Mary Baugh, Bridge Road, Horsehay.  He enlisted in the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry in November 1914.  He later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, 69^th Battalion and consequently became 5587 Private William Baugh.

Prior to joining up he was employed by the Horsehay Company. He became a member of the Horsehay Methodist Sunday School, as well as a leading member of the local football team.

William was killed in the battle for the village of Contalmaison, France on the 7^th August 1916, age 20.

 He is buried in Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery, France.

William Baugh

  26094 – Private William Baugh was the son of Mr. and Mrs W. Baugh, The Lodge, Ironbridge.  There is a baptism for a William Baugh born on 11th May 1898 to William and Eliza Baugh.  He was baptised on the 5^th June 1898, at Coalbrookdale.  His father’s occupation was given as painter, residing in Coalbrookdale.

 The family were living at Frog Meadow, Ironbridge, in 1901.  William Baugh, head of the family, age 30, was a mantle painter, in the Ironworks. He was born in Wolverhampton.  His wife Eliza also 30 years of age, was born in Madeley.  They had two sons: William age 2 and Albert age 1, both boys were born in Madeley. 

 Before joining the 6^th Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, William worked at the Severn Foundry, Coalbrookdale.

William died of wounds when he was shot by a sniper whilst a member of a Lewis-gun team, on 18^th August 1917.

 Wellington Journal – 1^st September 1917.

Mr W Baugh,The Lodge Ironbridge has received notification of the death from wounds of his son Pt. W Baugh, K.S.L.I.  He has received the following communication from his son’s officer.  It is with great regret I have to write to inform you of the death of your son we attacked the Boche at 4.45 am and at 6am your son along with his Lewis gun team went forward to occupy a trench which our first troops had  captured when he was shot by a sniper.

 He was well liked in the company and his pals wish to convey to you their heart felt sympathy in your loss.  I am sorry to loose your son as he was such a good man.  Pt. Baugh who was 19 had previously worked at the Severn Foundry.

                    William is buried at Dozingham Military Cemetery, Westulteren, Belgium. Ref.IV.B.10

William E Bennett

5468 – Company Sergeant Major William E. Bennett was born on the 30^th June 1877 to Walter Edwin and Martha Elizabeth Bennett.  He was baptised at Ironbridge Church on the 5^th August 1877.

William E. Bennett married Beatrice M. Taylor.

William was a regular soldier and up to his death had spent 19 years in the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He spent most of his service in India, leaving at the end of 1914.

Wellington Journal 22^nd  April 1916

His many friends both in the Army and in civil life deeply regret the death from wounds received in action of S.M. W.E.Bennett, K.S.L.I., who belonged to an old and highly respected Shropshire family, being the son of Mr.W. Bennett, blacksmith, Iron-bridge now residing in Staffordshire.  S.M. Bennett had served in the Shropshires for 19 years having belonged to both the 1^st and 2^ndBattalion at different periods, a great part of his time being spent in India.  On his return from India at the end of 1914, S.M Bennett was chosen as an instructor to the New Army, and won high praise from all quarters.  He proceeded to the front to join one of the county Service Battalions, and attained rank of Sergt. Major.  His good qualities as a soldier and a man are described in a letter of sympathy to the widow (whose home is 33, Hill’s Lane, Shrewsbury) from the Roman Catholic Chaplain, who says; “It will be a great consolation to you to know your husband faced death with admirable calm and ended a good life with an honourable death” Rev. P.E. Lee (chaplain) also in a letter of condolence to the widow says; “I wish to tell you how very sorry we are and how much we sympathise with you in the death of your husband.  He was a fine man, and we all had a great respect for him.  He took enormous interest in his work, and was one of those rare men who could bring the best out of others.  I can speak from my personal knowledge. I am glad he was confirmed in his rank of Sergt.- Major.  I expect the details of how he was wounded you have already heard.  The spot I know quite well, and up to a short time ago it was a very safe corner at which he was standing talking to some of the men.  We lost some valuable lives the week in which S.M. Bennett was wounded and in his death a brave man has been lost to the regiment.

 William died of wounds received at Ypres on the 3^rd April 1916. and is buried at a Millitary Cemetery at Poperinge, Belgium. Ref. V.C.32A. ( Lijssenthoek)

 Wiliam R Barnett

Second Lieutenant William R. Barnett was the son of William J. and Annie Barnett. William Rose Barnett’s birth was registered in the June Quarter, 1890.

Having joined the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, William was transferred to the Royal Air Force.  He died on the 5^th September 1918, age 28. and is buried in Broseley Cemetery

 

 

 

 

 

 

William G C Cooper

14785 – Lance-Corporal William George Collins Cooper was the son of Mr. Charles William and Mrs. M.A Cooper, (known as Polly) 17 Dale Road Coalbrookdale. He was born on the 16^th July 1892 and baptised at Coalbrookdale Church on the 16^th September 1892.

 The Wellington Journal  11^th September 1915

It is reported that Lce. Corp. W.G.Cooper, 1^st son of Mr Charles Cooper, 17, Dale Road, Coalbrookdale, has lost his life fighting for his country in France.  A c— writing to the parent’s states that he saw Cooper severely wounded with a grenade and from the records office in Bedford the parents have received a notification that their son was wounded and missing.  The father also received this week from the British Red Cross the following letter:  Private Humphrey, of the 1^st Beds. Regiment, who is now at the Cedars Road Convalescent Military Hospital, Clapham, tells us that on May 5, Lc. Corporal Cooper was very seriously injured, and owing to gas, he had to be left in the trench.  Our informant fears that he must certainly have died, but has no absolute evidence on the point.

We regret to send you this news and shall of course endeavour to obtain further details by inquiry. Lc. Corp. Cooper was 23 years of age and stood 6ft. 2 1/2 inches.  A day or so before his death he saved a comrade from being gassed. He was a smart young fellow, and nearly lost his life a few years ago in attempting to save a drowning person in the Severn. He was a member of Coalbrookdale Brass Band, as also is his father.  Previous to joining up he was employed at The Saville Club, Piccadilly, London.  Mr Cooper has another son fighting in France.

William died in action at Hill 60 in Flanders on the 5^th May 1915. He is buried at Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, Belgium. Ref.11.N.4  

14785 LANCE CPL

W.G.C. COOPER

BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT

5th MAY 1915 AGE 22

 

WORTHY OF REMEMBRANCE

 

 

 

 

Harry Corfield.

 

Harry Corfield

23640   – Private Harry Corfield was born at Hinkshay, but lived at Little Dawley.

In the census of 1891 he was 6 years old and living at Alverly, with his uncle Joseph Corfield, and his wife Ann.

His mother was living in the High Street Dawley, with her brother, George Fallows, a shoe maker. Eunice Corfield was a widow, 29 years of age and was working as an assistant in a store.  Her daughter Ethel age 8 and son Edward age 5 were living with their mother.            

 Harry joined the 7^th Battalion the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and died of wounds received in France, on the 22^nd August 1916.

A memorial Service was held for him in St Lukes, Doseley on the 19^th November 1916. Harry is buried at Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension. Ref. Plot 2. Row 3. Grave 102.

 

The two photographs were donated by Dave Shaw

William Cornes.

25510 – Private William Edward Cornes was the son of William E. and Ann Cornes, The Lloyds, Ironbridge. At the time of the 1901 Census William age 23 and Ann 25 were living with Ann’s parents, Thomas and Martha Bromfield. William and Ann’s children William age 3, Thomas 1 and 4 month old Cecil completed the family.  All the members of the family state they were born in Madeley except William Cornes senior, who was born in Sutton Maddock.

Before he enlisted in the 5^th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, in November 1916,  William was employed by the Coalbrookdale Works. His initial training was at Pembrook Docks, where he is remembered on the War memorial at there.

William died of wounds in France on the 11^th September 1917 age 19. and is buried at Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck.

Lawrence Cullis.

200417 – Private Lawrence John Cullis was born in 1897.  His parents were John and Eliza Cullis, 1 Brook House, Lightmoor, Dawley.   

 Wellington Journal 1915: a photograph accompanied this article.

Private Lawrence Cullis 4th Batt. K.S.L.I. which he joined 18 months ago.  He is a son of Mr. J Cullis, Lightmoor, Dawley.   And is now with his company on foreign service                                                                               

Lawrence John Cullis had served five years in the Territorials before he joined the 4^th  Battalion the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and died of wounds received in Cambrai, in France, on the 13^th January 1918, age 20. He is buried in the Bois Guillaume Communal Cemetery Extension, Ref. C.5.A     

 

 

Maurice A A Darby     

 

Lieutenant Maurice Alfred Alexander Darby was born in Chelsea, London in 1894. His parents, Alfred E.W. and Fredericka L.J. Darby were living in Little Ness, Shropshire in 1901. Their daughter Frances Muriel was 19 years of age and Maurice  6. All the family were born in London except Alfred, who was born at Ashley Abbots.  There were ten servants also living in the Darby house-hold.

Alfred Darby was a local magistrate, and Chairman of the Coalbrookdale Company.  He and his brother Abraham 1V, ran the company. The brothers were descendants of Abraham Darby 1^st, who invented coke smelting, and Abraham 3^rd was instrumental in the building of the first ever Iron Bridge.

Maurice Darby joined the 1^st Battalion Grenadier Guards and was mentioned in dispatches. He was killed on the 11^th March 1915, age 20, and is buried in Little Ness Church Yard. 

 

 

MAURICE A A DARBY

LIEUT. GRENADIER GUARDS

KILLED IN ACTION AT

NEUVE CHAPELLE

MARCH 11th 1915 

AGED 20

JESU MERCY

 

IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY OF

MAURICE DARBY

WHOSE BODY HAVING LAIN FOR FOUR DAYS ON THE

BATTLEFIELD OF NEUVE CHAPELLE WAS AFTER A LONG

NIGHT SEARCH IN FRONT OF THE ENEMY’S LINES

RECOVERED AND BROUGHT HOME BY HIS UNCLE GEORGE ARTHUR

TO BE LAID TO REST ON THIS SPOT

 

The photographs were donated by Ann and Margaret.

 

Cecil Davies

8996 – Private Cecil George Davis was born on the 5^th November 1888 to Enoch and Mary Anne Davis, High Street, Ironbridge.  His name is spelt Davies on the War memorial and in the 1901 Census, but in the Parish records of Ironbridge it is spelt Davis.

 A photograph of Cecil appeared in the Wellington Journal 15^th May 1915 along side the following text:

The death in action was announced in last week’s issue of Pte. Cecil Davies eldest son of Mr. E Davies, Wharfage, Ironbridge, the announcement in the Journal being the first intimation that the bereaved father had of the sad occurrences.  The late Private Davies enlisted 7 years ago in the 2^nd Batt. K.S.L.I. and served four years of that period in India, and three in the home country.  He had been in the whole of the engagements during the present war in which his regiment took part.  Mr. Davies and family have the sympathy of the whole neighbourhood in their bereavement.

Cecil was killed in action at Hill 60, Ypres on the 25^th April 1915, age 27.  At the time of his death the family were living at 26 The Wharfage, Ironbridge.

Cecil is commemorated on the Ypres, Menin Gate Memorial – Panel 47+49

 

 George B Davies

267822 – Private George B. Davies was born on the 23^rd March 1894, the son of William and Ann Davies

A photograph of George appeared in the Wellington Journal on 5^th July 1915, with the following text.

Pte. G.B. Davies only son of Mr. W. H. Davies of Coalbrookdale joined the K.S.L.I in October last and is stationed in South Wales.  He is 21 years of age.

George enlisted in 1914, in the 6^th Battalion the Cheshire Regiment.  He had served for one year in France, when he was wounded on the 30^{t h}July 1917.  He was brought back to Northampton hospital, and then to the Royal Shrewsbury Infirmary.

George died on the 4^th October 1918, age 24 and is buried in Coalbrookdale Church yard.  His grave is situated, through the side gate near to the wall.

 

 

 

                                                                      267822 Private

                                                                       G. B. Davies

                                                                  Cheshire Regiment

                                                            4^th October 1918 age 24.

William Davies

Private, John William Davies, 17520, 14^th Royal Warwickshire Regt, Killed-in-Action F/F 30/07/1916, born Ironbridge, enlisted Warwick.

Commemorated on the THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France, Pier and Face 9 A 9 B and 10 B.

This information was supplied by Philip Morris.

Osbourne Doodson

24306 – Private Osbourne Doodson was born in Dawley in 1880.  His parents were James Jackson and Ann Doodson. The couple moved to Coalbrookdale, where their son James Henry was baptised at Holy Trinity Church on the 11^th February 1885

Osbourne Doodson of Woodside, Coalbrookdale, married Elizabeth Ellen Yates, of Aquaduct, on the 20^thAugust 1910.  He was 25 years old and worked as a fitter in the grates store at the Coalbrookdale works.  Elizabeth’s father Benjamin Yates was a farm bailiff.

Osbourne  joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and died on the 27^th July 1919 and is buried at Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta. Ref. B.X.X.7.

 

 

Frank S. Downing:

3548 – Private Frank Storton Downing was baptised at Coalbrookdale Church on the 23^rd February 1890. His father John Downing was a blacksmith, his mother was Ellen Downing. 

He married Adeline Hanley in Kings Norton in 1915.  Adeline was living at 36 Wellington Road, Coalbrookdale, and Mr. John Downing at 23 Dale Road, Coalbrookdale, in 1916.

Wellington Journal 22 July 1916.

Mrs. Frank S. Downing, Wellington Road, Coalbrookdale, has received from the military authorities the sad news of the death of her husband Pt. Frank Storton Downing which occurred from wounds received in action.  He enlisted in the Warwickshires in November 1914, prior to which he was employed as a cabinet maker in Birmingham.  He was 26 and eldest son of Mr. John Downing, Coalbrookdale.  They and the bereaved widow have the sympathy of many friends at Coalbrookdale where he will probably be remembered best as a bell ringer in connection with the parish church.

Frank Storton Downing died of wounds, in France 1^st July 1916, age 26.  He is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery. Ref.  V.A. 6

Jack Goodwin:

200993 – Sergeant Jack Goodwin was born on the 4^th December 1888, to Mary Goodwin.  He was baptised at Ironbridge Church on 20^th December 1888.

 At one time his family lived in Great Bolas but Jack went to live in Coalbrookdale when he was older.

He was formerly 15580, the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, the Machine Gun Corps.  He then transferred to the 5^th Battalion the Tank Corps

From Attestation papers discovered it would appear that Jack joined up on 18^th August 1914, but was discharged as not been “fit to make an efficient soldier” on 22^nd October 1914.

The papers also state that Jack married Florence Page, from Leighton on 10^th January 1910.

In 1914 Florrie Goodwin lived at 16 Church Terrace Coalbrookdale. Jack and Florrie had two daughters,  Hilda born 10^th February 1911, in Madeley, and Gladys Marie, born 31^st May 1913, at Atcham.

Jack Goodwin must have re-enlisted when the need for older men to join the fight was necessary. He was killed in action in Flanders, 16^th April 1918, and has no known grave.

He is commemorated on the Plogesteert Memorial, Belgium. Panel 11.

 

Ernest G. Gough:

31083 – Private Ernest Gilbert Gough was born in 1898, the son of Mr. Thomas and Mrs Lavinia Gough, 4, Lightmoor, Dawley. 

Gilbert joined the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry in June 1915.   He transferred to the 8^th South Lancashire’s just before his death on 21^st October 1916, age 18. A memorial service was held for him at St. Lukes on the 19^th November 1916.

    Wellington Journal 2^nd December 1916.

Pv. Gilbert Gough, South Lancashire’s who was killed in action on October 21 was the son of Mr. and Mrs. . Gough, Lightmoor, Dawley.  He enlisted in K.S.L.I. in June 1915, and afterwards transferred to South Lancashire’s.  Previous to enlistment he was employed by the Sinclair Iron Coy. Ketley and was very popular with his fellow workmen.  He was a regular worshiper at Lightmoor New Connection Chapel.

  Private Ernest Gilbert Gough is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.