Little Wenlock Memorial W.W.1.

The War Memorial stood in front of the Parish Rooms when it was  first dedicated. 

It now stands in the Church yard

World War One

Davies H.              K.S.L.I

     Fox G.             Manchesters

Humphrey G.        K.S.L.I

     Carbutt J.R.    Warwickshires

Bagnall S.            K.S.L.I

Boycott H.           K.S.L.I

Burd N.                K.S.L.I

Vickers R.            K.S.L.I

 

 K.S.L.I = Kings Shropshire Light Infantry.

The War Memorial was first erected in the garden of Wenboro cottage. It was moved into the church yard, when the Rochelle family bought the cottage.  It is possible that the memorial was changed at some time in the past.  It is believed that it had a cross at the top. If any one can add any information we would be delighted.  We would also love a photograph of the memorial in Wenboro cottage garden.

The following article was discovered in the Wellington Journal, after the above was written.  Along with a photograph of the original memorial, in front of what was the Parish Rooms.

Wellington Journal 9th April 1921.

War Memorial. The unveiling of the public War Memorial on Sunday will undoubtedly be long remembered.  All the village and neighbourhood turned out to witness the ceremony and the village church would not hold all the people.  The memorial takes the form of an Alverley stone cross erected in front of the Parish Room at a cost of £75, subscribed by every parishioner.  The roll of honour and inscription on ??.  Is: To the glory of God and to the memory of the men of the Parish of Little Wenlock who fell in the Great War, 1914-1918.

S. Bagnall, KSLI.  H. Boycott, KSLI.  G. Fox, Manchesters.  G. Humphrey, KSLI.  R. Vickers, KSLI.  ” Greater love hathnoman than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” The first portion of the memorial service took place in the church, which was crowded with an earnest congregation including Lord and Lady Forester.  Whilst the people were taking their seats Mr. G. Shepherd (organist) tastefully played the air “I know that my Redeemer liveth. The congregation then joined in heartily singing “O God our help in ages past” which was followed with the opening sentences of the funeral service and the reading of the 90th Psalm by the Rev. Preb. E.H. Bartlet R.D. (Wenlock) the hymn “For all the saints who from their labours rest” was sung and then Messrs Rufus and Heighway stepped forward and sounded the “Last Post”. The congregation then adjourned to the memorial and the Rt. Lord Forester performed the ceremony of un-veiling. Having read the roll of honour referred to above he said he had been asked to say a few words to them. He would ask them to carry their memories back to 1914, when things looked so prosperous in the country, but during that time some insidious movement was going on which was started by enemies to prepare for the awful thunderbolt that was launched on the world. Well it came as they well know and right gallantly did the people of this country respond to the call, including those eight names and they also knew how they saved this country from a most awful fate. They had erected this monument to those gallant men and they must not think their duty ended there – they must look after those whom they had left behind and he was sure they were all trying to do so, for they had laid down their lives so that this old country should not go down. He was however afraid that at the present time it looked as if the enemy had not lost a hold on this country. Although they were fairly defeated in the war yet it seemed as if they were trying to upset this country by other methods, and therefore it was their duty to see that they did not do so but unfortunately there were Englishmen who would try to help them. It was their duty to see that this war memorial in memory of the eight men should not be removed. – The Bishop of Hereford here dedicated the cross to the glory of God and in memory of their brethren who gave their lives in the Great War. In the course of an address the Bishop said that day would live long in the memory of all who had taken part in the service. It was a day with some marked sorrow. They had come to share their sorrow and lighten their load by their sympathy. Some of their hearts would go back to solitary graves in Flanders, the Balkans, Palestine, Mesopotamia etc. Having referred to the desolate places in the country caused by the war, he said they had something to be thankful for that their village had not shared the same fate. He visited the hospitals in Liverpool and asked the wounded soldiers if they would like to go back. They replied in the negative, but rather than that their country should meet with a similar fate they would return. He prayed for better homes, a better country and a better world.- “Abide with me” was then earnestly sung. The sounding of the “Reveille” and of ” God save the King” terminated the memorable proceedings. Numerous floral tributes were taken to the foot of the memorial by relatives and friends. The erection of the memorial and preparation of the site, and the arrangements for the service and unveiling ceremony were successfully carried out by a committee and a number of helpers.

We are not able to publish photographs taken of soldiers appearing in the local newspapers, on this web site.  Please contact us if you are looking for a photograph of a particular soldier.  If any one notices any mistakes on our web site please advise us. 

 

Bagnall. S.

44216 Private Sidney (Sydney) Frank Bagnall 7th Battalion K.S.L.I. was the only son of Mr. Charles and Mrs Susannah Bagnall, White Cottage, The Alley, Little Wenlock.

At some time the family lived at 12, Spring Village Horsehay, where Sidney was born.

Sydney was living in Wellington when he enlisted at Horsehay into the K.S.LI. died from Bronchitis and Diphtheria at no 50 casualty clearing station, France on 10th December 1918 age 19.

Sidney is buried in Premont British Cemetery   South East of Cambrai  I.V.A.6

 

photograph by kind permision of Philip Morris

Boycott H.

17392. – Private Harry Boycott worked for Mr. George Passey of Horsehay for four years before he enlisted at Horsehay in the 5th Bn. K.S.L.I.  in February 1915, a week after his 18th birthday. He was the son of Mrs Elizabeth Ann Adamson and Mr William Adamson (step-father) of 39 Coalmoor, Horsehay.

Harry was wounded in the head at Ypres, on the 2nd August 1915 and died on the 5th.

He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. 27 Klm. From Boulogne.   I.I. B.36A

 

 

 

 Photograph thanks to Philip Morris

 

Burd N

7505 private Noah Burd was the son of Mr and Mrs John Burd, 30 Lyde Brook, Horsehay. Noah joined the 1st  Battalion K.S.L.I and was killed in action at Ypres 21 October 1914. Age 28.  A memorial service was held in Little Wenlock Church on 22 November  1914

Wellington Journal 12th  December 1914 – Toll of The brave

Private Noah Burd of Little Wenlock, whose portrait appears alongside, joined his regiment, the 1st K.S.L.I, as a Reservist on Aug 6 , and met with his death whilst on active service on Oct. 21. In December, 1910, he joined the police force and gained amerit badge for efficient services andsmart captures.  As an example it may be stated that in four cases of which he had charge, over £100 was paid in fines.  A Kings Council said upon one occasion that he did not think a policeman could be found superior to P.C. Burd. On November 22 a memorial service was held at Little Wenlock Church, when a muffled peal was rung.  Much sympathy is expressed for the parents, who reside at Lyde Brooke.  Private Burd has two other brothers serving their country, viz, Lance-corp J.B.Burd (ex-force) and Gunner T.W Burd (RHA) 

Noah is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial panel 8. 

Ploegsteert Memorial September 2009

 

 

 

Carbutt J

1208 Private Jack Carbutt joined the 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was the son of Mr and Mrs R.S Carbutt of The Hatch, Little Wenlock. Jack was born in St Martins Birmingham.

He was educated at schools in Ketley and Little Wenlock. Before enlisting he worked for Messes Hammers and Comp.  Drapers of Birmingham.   Jack was killed in action at Ypres on 19 December 1914, age 21.

Wellington Journal 13 February 1915

Little Wenlock Man Killed

Private Jack Carbutt (whose portrait appears here within) was 21 years of age, and was the son of Mr R.S. Carbutt, The Hatch, Little Wenlock.  He had been engaged in the drapery business with Messrs Hammers and Co, Birmingham and was a member of the 2nd Warwick Special Reserves.  When war broke out he volunteered for active service abroad and was killed in action December 18, 1914.  He received his education at Ketley and Little Wenlock Council Schools.

Jack Carbutt is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, panel 2+3

 

 

 Ploegsteert Memorial, panel 2+3 September 2009

 

 

Henry Davies

7503 – Lance-Corporal Henry Davies enlisted in the 1st Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry in Rochdale, and was the youngest son of George and Jane Davies, Hatch Bank, Little Wenlock. 

He was a regular soldier, who returned home in November 1912, after nearly seven years in India.  He was mobilised at the out break of war, and was killed in action at  Ypres on 23rd October 1914, age 30.

(Wellington Journal & Shrewsbury News 12th December 1914) 

The heroes who fell at the Battle of the AisneonOctober 23 included among their numbers Lance-Corporal Harry Davies, who was serving withthe 1st K.S.L.I. He was a Reservist, having completed nearly seven years with his regiment in India, and had returned home in November 1912. At the commencement of the war he rejoined his regiment, andwas in several engagements before the one in which he met his death. He was the youngest son of the late Mr. George Davies, of Hatch Bank, Little Wenlock.

 Henry is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial panel 8

 

 Ploegsteert Memorial panel 8 September 2009

 

Fox. G.

64524. (formerly 19469) – Private George Fox was the son of Henry and Sarah Fox, 6. Old Row, Horsehay. George enlisted at the age of 17, and joined the K.S.L.I. later he was transferred to the I16th Bat. Manchester Reg.

George died from wounds received, in hospital at Woodchurch, near Birkenhead, on 11th November 1918, age 20.

He was buried in the North Eastern corner of Little Wenlock church yard on 15th November 1918.  His address in the burial register is given as Coalmoor, Little Wenlock.

 

 

Humphrey. G.

22306.-. Private George Humphrey enlisted in Horsehay and joined the 9th Battalion. K.S.L.I. He lived at The Mount, Dale Lane, Little Wenlock, where he died on the 14th March 1916, age 29. He was the son of Mrs Martha Humphries, 23, Cowden Street, Bollingham, Catford, London.

George is buried in Kings Lynn Cemetery.   V.338.

 

 

Vickers R

17561 private Robert Vickers was the youngest son of the late Mr T Vickers and Mrs Margaret Vickers, Spring Cottage, Spout Lane, Little Wenlock.  He enlisted at Leighton in to the 5th Battalion K.S.L.I on 11th March 1915 and died of pneumonia in hospital in France on 11th August 1915, just 5 months after joining up, age 19.

Robert was buried in Etaples Military Cemetery  ref. IV A4A

 

 

 

 Photograph thanks to Philip Morris