UPDATE of the Past News 24th November 1866

 

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS........... 

 

*John Wilson Esq, physician and surgeon –

John was in this week’s news as he proudly announced the birth of a baby daughter on 22^nd November 1866. 

John’s full name was William John Wilson and he was born in Westmoreland, Cumbria in 1835/6. 

 

William John Wilson married Adeline Binns at St Bartholomew’s Church, Clay Cross on 13^th August 1863.  Adeline was the daughter of Charles Binns Esq, Granddaughter of Sir Joshua Walmsley of Wolverton Park, Hants.

In 1871 he is living with his family at Hill House, High Street, Clay Cross, Chesterfield.  His children are –

Elizabeth aged 6 years,

Mabel F aged 5 years,
Ethel M aged 4 years,
Charles aged 3 years

The household has many members of staff also living in at Hill House –

Mary Gilberthorpe aged 26 years, nurse

Charlotte Bower aged 28 years, cook
Emily Coup aged 21 years, housemaid
John Dakin aged 23 years, groom
William Wilson aged 13 years, errand boy

The amount of staff and occupations in which they were employed show's the social standing that  William John Wilson and his family must have enjoyed in the Clay Cross and Chesterfield community.

William died suddenly of heart disease on 19^th November 1880 at Brighton, Sussex.  He was buried five days later on 24^th November 1880 at St Bartholomew’s Church, Clay Cross.  He left a will which gained probate on 24^th December 1880.  The estate was valued at under £4000.

The Derbyshire Times described the Doctor as “a man of great mental gifts, much skill in his profession and kindly and genial in his disposition.  He was one of the most able chess players of the day and has frequently taken part in the Chess Tournament with Steinetz and other great players”

William had served in the Crimean War and had been employed previously as the surgeon for the convict prison at Dartmoor.  He was also honorary surgeon to the 17^th Company Second Battalion Derbyshire Volunteers at Clay Cross and was the medial officer to local friendly societies.  He ran a large private practice, tended at the local hospital which cared for local miners who had suffered injuries in the pits and was officer at the Chesterfield Union Workhouse. 

The funeral day came and the streets of Clay Cross were lined with mourners, young and old all followed the funeral procession.  Just after 3pm the funeral cortège left Dr Wilson’s residence and was followed by the 2^nd Derbyshire Volunteers and the band.  The coffin was made of polished oak and lined with zinc had a glass plate and a brass plate which was inscribed “William John Wilson, died 19^th November 1880 aged 46”.  On top of the coffin lay the surgeons hat, sword and sash.  After the coffin was lowered into the grave the ceremony was concluded by the firing party lead by Drill Instructor Neale, fired three volleys over the grave.

Adeline was buried just over one month later on 1^st January 1881 at St Bartholomew’s Church, Clay Cross.

Echoes of our past News...... 24th November 1866

 

Read all about it……. Echoes of our past NEWS

What was news in the local news this weekend in 1866?

MAIN NEWS –

*Strike or lock-out at Staveley –

There has been no reconciliation at Staveley and the miners have support of the Miners National Association in their strike action.  It was thought that within the oncoming weeks most of the Staveley Pits would be stood idle.  The Miners Association had gained land in order to erect wooden huts to house the ejected men who have no longer use of the cottage accommodation.  A meeting was held on Thursday 22^nd November at the Corn Exchange, Chesterfield.

Life as a miner at Staveley was tougher than usual at this time; there was intimidation at Staveley Works when an incident occurred at the Old Hollingwood Colliery.  It seems that on Wednesday 21^st November tensions were heightened after a stone was flung at a loader named Robert Jackson.  This man was working in place of one of the Unionist miners who was out on strike.  He was being conducted by William Crookes.  Instead of the stone reaching its intended target, Robert Jackson, it hit William Crookes on the elbow causing him to stop work.   The Staveley Company have issued a reward of £5 for the conviction of the offending stone thrower.

OTHER ITEMS –

*For sale –

An auction was to take place at the Cock and Magpie inn at Whittington, held by Mr Samuel Denham.  The sale was for a wheelwright’s shop, gardens and premises formerly owned by Mr John Naylor, deceased.

Land at Stonegravels, could be purchased in lots to suit at 1s per yard – apply to Mr Sanforth, Elm Lodge, Newbold.

Very handsome and fine retriever dog, aged 4 years old, a first class yard dog – apply Mr Elliott, Canal Wharf, Chesterfield.

*Situations Vacant –

Two apprentices to the coach building trade, one as a painter the other as a trimmer – apply Mrs Scott, Carriage Repository, Saltergate.

General Servant, must understand cooking and washing, no children.

Clever ACTIVE GIRL, accustomed to an Inn – apply Midland Hotel, Chesterfield.

*School anniversary –

The 23^rd anniversary of the British School on Hollis Lane was celebrated last week.  The celebration was attended by numerous scholars, family and friends.  An examination of the junior scholars took place in the afternoon and afterwards at 5pm tea was served in the Temperance Hall for 100 persons.  The senior scholars were then examined and all passed their examinations. 

BIRTHS –

*Wilson, a daughter born on Thursday 22^nd November at Hill House, Clay Cross to Mr John Wilson Esq, physician and surgeon.

MARRIAGES –

*Mr Edwin Staton, hook grinder to Mary Ann Plant on 20^th November at the Parish Church.  Both parties were from Eckington; Mr Staton was a hook grinder.

DEATHS –

*Robert Simpson - Baker on 9^th November at Beetwell Street aged 39 years old.

*Miss Lucy Needham aged 3 weeks old, daughter of Mr Thomas Needham a tanner of Lordsmill Street.

*Mr John Sharky a miner aged 23 years old at the Union Workhouse, Chesterfield.

*Master Thomas Garraty aged 5 years son of Mr Michael Garraty of Taylors Yard, Knifesmithsgate.

*Mary Morris on 8^th November at Brampton Moor, aged 67 years.

*Mrs Jane Madin, widow aged 71 years old on 9^th November at Cutthorpe.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS –

The Rufford Hounds will meet at 11 am at –

27^th November Ossington
29^th November Newbound Mill
1^st December Badsworth Dale

AND FINALLY…

Get your winter boots and shoes from James Bower at the bottom of the Shambles, Chesterfield.   James was a “fashionable boot and shoe manufacturer” both wholesale and retail.  He boasts that “price cannot be excelled by any other house in the trade”.

Men's balmorals 7s – 13s

Ladies spring side boots 3s4d – 5s6d

 

James also sold children’s copper tipped boots, knickerbockers and overshoes and had a separate fitting room for ladies.

UPDATE of the Past News 20th November 1858

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS...........

*Amelia Hinks –

Amelia’s amazing recovery left her rather disturbed.  At first she refused all food and drink and became “frightfully excited” requiring great force to hold her.  Her conduct was described as “very strange”.  Rather worryingly she had a wish to “destroy her father and mother”.  The newspapers described one such incident when the family were asleep Amelia went downstairs and set a light several items including some needle work (which her mother “set great store upon”) and the curtains.  She then returned to bed.  The cause of the fire was unknown to the parents as they thought that Amelia had remained in her bed all night.  Amelia did however confess to the fire.  Sadly for the poor young girl, she was described as living “neither alive nor dead”.

Amelia’s story was reported all over the United Kingdom, including an article in the Falkirk Herald, 30^th December 1858, by Mr Nelson, surgeon who visited her August 1858.  He gave the following details of the incident –

Amelia was the living at Bridge Street, Nuneaton with her parents, her father was a harness maker.  She was aged 12 years and 9 months and was supposed to be suffering from pulmonary consumption.  Her symptoms were headache, cough, loss of appetite and she was emaciated.  On examination the doctor could not find any chest infection. 

Amelia was sent to Leamington for a change and to visit friends, but after a short time she became much worse and her parents fetched her home.  Again Dr Nelson was called upon to examine Amelia.  It was from this time that she began to refuse food or medicine.  On 18^th October around 03.30am she apparently died.  She was described as  having “groaned heavily, waved her hand, turned her head to the light, dropped her jaw and died”. 

The laying out then began, she was washed, wrapped in clean linen, her jaw was tied, penny pieces were placed on the eyes, her hands were placed by her sides and her feet were tied together.  She was then moved into another room, laid on a sofa and two books were placed on her feet.

The grandfather had visited  at 9am and the scene became one of confusion as he was adamant that he had seen movement.  The Doctor was again called and found Amelia to be breathing, with a "feeble" pulse of around 75 beats a minute.  The doctor ordered movement of the limbs and a warm flannel was applied and after about 2 hours she eventually gained consciousness and spoke. 

The next day at 4pm she again groaned heavily, and relapsed into the same state as she had previously.  This lasted for 6 hours and 14 minutes.  She had refused food whilst conscious only taking water applied to the lips.  She stated that she did not want to eat or drink again until “she did so in heaven”.  For the next week she refused food and drink despite the desperate requests from her parents. Eventually the doctor forcibly gaged her and with an elastic tube fed her beef tea and arrowroot.  This must have caused Amelia great distress and she began 10 days of moaning, night and day.

A two am one morning as we already heard, she set fire to the items and then she ran into the street in her night dress shouting “murder”.  Amelia’s father put the fire out and his hands were badly burned.  After this outburst she then began swearing and blaspheming for the next 60 hours and then after sheer exhaustion she relapsed into a state similar to earlier, her eyelids closed, teeth clenched and muscles rigid.

This situation was causing great anxiety to her family and friends and a plan was hatched to “trick” Amelia into submission.  The doctor told her parents to sleep in another room and to lock Amelia in her room alone – this was done so that Amelia could hear to conversation.  The father was then placed in a closet within the room, so that he could observe Amelia’s actions.  True to their expectations at around 1am Amelia opened her eyes, removed the bed clothes and sat upright.  She then got out of bed “as nimbly as ever” and went towards the food which had been left out for her.  She tasted the food then retired to her bed with a quantity, pulling the bed clothes back over her.

Doctor Nelson gave the following opinion of the case  –

“Considering that her mother has at times been hysterical, I am inclined to consider it one of hysteria of an aggravated character, complicated probably with a morbid condition of the brain”

Amelia was born in 1846, the daughter of Henry and Sarah Hinks.  The family was large, in the 1861 census just three years after the onset of Amelia’s condition she is living with her parents, one older sister, 2 younger sisters, 3 younger brothers, a servant and an apprentice saddler.  They still lived at Bridge Street, Nuneaton.  By 1871 the family have moved to a new area, they are now living at Park Street, Walsall.

What became of Amelia after that is unknown.  If anyone can add to this story please let me know.

Echoes of our past News...... 20th November 1858

Read all about it……. Echoes of our past NEWS

What was news in the local news this weekend in 1858?

MAIN NEWS –

*The dead alive –

Not a Chesterfield family, but worthy of news in the Chesterfield papers, this story would have been a topic of conversation –

A young girl of about 12 or 13 years old named Amelia Hinks had unknowingly caused quite a stir after suffering an illness, “dwindling away under some unaccountable complaint”. About three weeks ago, she – or as her family thought – passed away.  Her corpse was said to have been removed to another room “rigid and icy cold”, washed and laid out, following the usual burial practices of the times.  This included placing penny pieces on the eyes.  For the next 48 hours poor Amelia remained laid out under the sheets and the coffin was ordered.  The family lived in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

That was until the most amazing and startling incident occurred…..

The grandfather of Amelia came from Leamington to pay his last respects.  Along with another female relation he removed one of the penny pieces from Amelia’s eyes.  Although Amelia did not stir he was adamant that he had seen movement under the eye lid.  At first the other woman did not agree, but then the pair, after studying Amelia closely observed another movement.

The Doctor was called, who at first also doubted the sightings of the old man and the woman.  But on checking her heart, it was found that Amelia was still alive.  She was removed into a warmer room and after a while she let out a sneeze.  When she came around further and was able to talk she described all the events that had occurred; who had closed her eyes, who had placed the pennies onto them, she even heard her coffin be ordered and all the remarks made over her.

OTHER ITEMS –

 

*Omnibus accident –

All members of the public who were traveling on the omnibus from Chatsworth to Chesterfield had a lucky escape when the bus was hauled to one side after spokes on one of the wheels broke.  The incident occurred near to the Pheasant Inn at Brampton.  The persons on the top of the omnibus were thrown with great violence to the ground.  As the sides of the omnibus were glass, the persons seated inside also received cut's and glass embedded in their hands and faces.  Thankfully the injuries were all minor and no one was seriously hurt.  The omnibus was owned by Mr Rice of Spencer Street and had been taking a party of fishermen to a coursing meeting at Chatsworth.

*Bastardy case –

John Marsh a 17 year old from Brimington was found to be the father of the illegitimate child of Anne Orwin also of Brimington.  Ann was around 16 years of age.  John also went by the name of Kemp.  He was ordered to pay 2s a week plus any necessary expenses.

*Unsupervised horse and cart –

George Hopkinson was found guilty and fined 2s 6d and 10s 6d expenses after leaving his horse and cart on the high road at Brimington unattended.  He was said to have been in a public house drinking for around an hour.

*Weather –

The weather had been unusually mild this November 1858, until the last few days.  So mild in fact that Mr George Parker of Loundsley Green was the proud owner of a garden which still housed an apple tree in full bloom.

MARRIAGES –

*Joseph Parkes a farmer from Wirksworth to Mrs Hannah Holmes of Chesterfield on 1^st November at the Roman Catholic Chapel in Chesterfield.

*William Wilbraham to Margaret Ann Lavender of Clay Cross on 10^th November at Roman Catholic Chapel, Chesterfield.

*William Edwards to Mary Cook on 7^th November at Brimington Parish Church.

*Mr G Bradshaw of Fanshaw-gate, Holmesfield a farmer and youngest son to the late Mr Bradshaw of Frith Hall, Brampton to Mary Crookes second daughter to Mr W Crookes farmer of Cutthorpe, at Brampton Parish Church on 9^th November.

 

*Enoch Taylor to Sarah Storer of Lea at Ashover.

 

DEATHS –

*Hannah Marriott aged 15 years at Chesterfield

*Mrs Sarah Snow aged 85 years at Chesterfield

*Mr Joseph Cowley, pipe manufacturer aged 52 years after a long illness

*Mr William Froggatt at Robin Hood, near Baslow aged 29 years, left a widow and large family

*Master Arthur Augustus Edge aged 1 year 4 months, son of Mr G Edge of Birdholme

AND FINALLY…

 

Death of Centenarian –

Mrs Elizabeth Mills of Leek Frith, near Swithamley died on 25^th October aged 102 years old.  Elizabeth was a mother of 11 children, grandmother to 44 and great grandmother to 107 children.  She was said to have been very fit and able, only last harvest she assisted her son “a stout lad about 80” in haymaking.  Elizabeth spent her spare time visiting neighbours and attending to domestic chores.

UPDATE of Remembrance Special

 



What was the story of the men mentioned in last weeks Great War NEWS special? 

Private Edward Hyson –

Edward was the son of Bertha and James Hyson, born on 5^th December 1895 at “Marsden Moor”, Staveley.  He was baptised on 22^nd December.  By 1901 James Hyson has died and Bertha is now a widow with three young children; John William 8 years old, Edward now 5 years old and daughter Elizabeth 2 years old.  They live at 10 Marples Row, Staveley.

On the 1911 census Edward is living with Bertha and Eli Breakwell (Bertha had remarried on 24^th December 1901 at Staveley Parish Church) at 22 Portland Terrace, Langwith.  He is 15 years old and works as a rope lad in the colliery.

Edward joined the 3^rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on 29^th August 1914 – Private 13692.  He was 5ft 6 inches tall and weighed 104lbs, with a fresh complexion and brown hair.  Edward was Church of England.

 

He embarked for France on 3^rd May 1915 landing in Rouen a day later on 4^th May.  Ten days later on 15^th May he joined the 1^st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.  During his service he was charged with misconduct for being absent with out leave for 2 days, he was made to forfeit this pay for this unauthorised leave.

 

Medal receipt from Mrd Breakwell for Edward Hyson
www.ancestry.co.uk

 

Private Edward Hyson was killed in action on 15^th September 1916, aged just 20 years old. He was awarded the Victory, British and 15 Star medals.

The memorial to Private Edward Hyson is at Thiepval, France pier & face 2c & 3a.
 

Private James Betts –
 

James was born in Birmingham in 1899. His father had died before the census in 1901, when two year old James was living with his widowed mother, Amelia Betts at 25 William Street, Birmingham.  James has two older siblings; Ada 10 years, Beatrice 7 years and two younger siblings; Frederick 1 year and 5 month old Sidney.  Also living in the house as a “lodger” is George Abell a 26 year old railway porter. 

 

James Betts particulars in November 1914
www.ancestry.co.uk

James lied about his age in order to join the Sherwood Foresters and on 22^nd August 1914 at Mansfield, he gave his age as 19 years 23 days.  He was accepted as Private 13170 of the Sherwood Foresters Regiment but his service was short lived as on 19^th September later that year he was discharged on the grounds that he was “not likely to become an efficient soldier”.  Was his young age preventing him from carrying out his duties?  No, James had not been caught out on his being under age, he was however flat footed a medical condition that could not be ignored for the military.  At this time James was 5ft 6 inches, 138 lbs, with brown eyes and dark brown hair.  He also followed the Wesleyan Church.

 

Reason for discharge - Private Betts
www.ancestry.co.uk
 

Obviously a determined young man, just two months later on 17^th November 1914 James has another shot at joining up to serve his country.  This time he went to Derby and was again accepted into the 14^th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, Private 19560.  He still claimed he was 19 years 1 month old and in answer to the question “have you ever served in any branch of His Majesty’s Forces?” he originally wrote “yes” but that was crossed through and “no” written as the answer.   This time he lasted slightly longer, gaining 66 days service until he was again discharged due to his flat feet on 21^st January 1915.

Eventually his determination paid off and James successfully enlisted to the 2^nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.  Private 15143.  He arrived in France on 25^th May 1915. 

Sadly James was hospitalised after a gunshot to the knee, he died on 2^nd November 1916 from his wounds.  He is buried at St Sever Cemetery Extension at Rouen, France (grave ref O.I.R.1).  He was awarded the Victory, British and 15 Star medals.   James was only 18 years old, too young for military service overseas.

Gunner T P Smith –

Thomas Peter Smith was the son of Edward and Alice Smith.  In 1911 aged 18 years he was living with his family at Nether Moor, Wingerworth.  He is employed as a coal loader at the colliery.

Thomas was 21 years 183 days old when he signed up for service on 26^th August 1914 at Chesterfield.  He joined the 72^nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery as a gunner, Gunner 33756.  Thomas entered the theatre of war on 8^th July 1915.

Thomas was killed in action on the 2^nd anniversary of his enlistment, 26^th August 1916.  He was awarded the Victory, British and 15 Star medals.   All of his medals were received and signed for by his wife Phoebe Ann Smith, 2 Waterloo Street, Clay Cross. 

 

After the death as Phoebe was a widow she was entitled to claim a widows pension but as their eldest daughter Sarah Eliza Kirk was born before her parents were married the War Office required a statement from the Police to confirm that Thomas was her father.  This was proved and young widow Phoebe was awarded a pension of 18s 6d a week for herself and two children which commenced on 19^th March 1917.

Thomas and Phoebe had married in 1912 at the Chesterfield Register Office.  They already had a daughter Sarah Eliza who was born around the same time.  There was a boy named Thomas P Smith born in the summer of 1916, just a few months before the death of Gunner T P Smith, this child looks like he may well be the son of Thomas and Phoebe.

Thomas is buried at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz on the Somme, France (grave ref X.J.I).
 

Private Roger Ryan –

Roger was the second son of Timothy and Betsy Ryan, he had elder siblings Ellen and James and younger siblings Charles and Anne.  In 1910 the family lived at 34 Factory Street, Brampton and Timothy was a coal miner.  By 1911 Roger has flown the nest and is lodging at 38 Sunny Springs, Stonegravels with Frederick and Mary Hardy.  He is 20 years old and works as a crane driver.

Roger enlisted at York, Private Roger Ryan 9822 West Yorkshire Regiment.  He joined the theatre of war on 8^th September 1914.  His service records have not survived but information can be taken from the medal roll and “Soldiers who died in the Great War” database.

Private Roger Ryan of the 1^st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment was killed in action on 25^th September 1916. 

The Commonwealth War Grave Commission document Roger as being a Lance Corporal.  Whether Roger gained a promotion is not known, but Lance Corporal Roger Ryan 9822 is remembered at Thiepval Memorial (pier & face 2A 2C and 2D).  He was awarded the Victory, British and 14 Star medals for his service.
 

Sergeant Alex Carlile –

Alexander was born around 1890 at New Whittington, Chesterfield.  The son of Frederick and Annie, Frederick was a coal miner.  The name is spelt differing ways throughout the years; Carlisle being the most common.

He married Charlotte Hodgkinson at the Chesterfield Register Office in 1911.  The obituary stated that Charlotte had been ill and had died whilst Alex was away from home.  Her death was registered in the summer of 1916, just a few months before her soldier husband also passed away.

The service records have not survived for Alex, but his medal card confirms that he joined the Notts & Derbys Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) firstly before transferring to the Lancashire Fusiliers.  His service number in the Notts & Derbys was 18445.

Alex was killed along with four other men when they were hit by a shell on 12^th October 1916.  He was serving with the 2^nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. 

He was buried at Combles Community Cemetery Extension (grave ref iii.F.3).  The cemetery is on the Somme close to Albert.

The man mentioned in the “Wounded” section named Corporal F Carlile was the younger brother of Alex.  As far as I can see, Fred survived the war and lived until 1973.  He served with the 9^th Battalion Sherwood Foresters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remembrance Special ~ 11th November 1916

Read all about it…… Echoes of our past NEWS

What was in the local news this weekend in 1916?

 

WAR NEWS

 

*The British Front -

The heavy rain of the past week has caused difficulties in the British operations.  However, during Monday night the British improved their position East of the Butte de Warlencourt, the last ridge before Bapaume. 

Between Gommecourt and Serre, North of Anore the British were sucessfull in taking the enemy trenches.  Prisoners were taken and their were many casualties.

At Thiepval an attempted raid on our trenches by the Germans was repulsed.

*Total gains -

On the Somme Front from July 1st to November 1st 1916 the following figures were reported -

71,532 German Soldiers

1,449 Officers

173 Field Guns

130 Heavy Guns

214 Trench Mortars

961 Machine Guns

 

*German Dreadnoughts hit -

The Commander of a British Submarine claims to have hit two German Dreadnought's of the Kaiser clan.  The approximate cost of these ships was £2,400.00.
 

*Local lives lost -

Private Edward Hyson of Shirebrook was killed on September 15th whilst serving with the Leicesters.  Edward was the son of Mrs Breakwell of 35 Vernon Street, Shirebrook.  He enlisted in August 1914 and had worked at Langwith Colliery prior to the war.  Edward was only 20 years old.

Private James Betts also of Shirebrook, son of Mrs Abel of 42 Morris Street, Shirebrook.  James enlisted at the young age of 15 years old at the outbreak of the war.  He was discharged on medical grounds in the following November.  Wanting to serve his country, James re-enlisted only a few months later, but was again found to be unfit for action by the Medical Board.  Not one to be beat, James was eventually enlisted by the Lincolns and after training served in France.  He was wounded in the thigh earlier this year and died of gun shot wounds to the knee.  Prior to enlisting James worked at Warsop Main Colliery.

Gunner T P Smith of Wingerworth was serving with the Royal Field Artillery when he was killed in action of the Western Front.  He was 23 years old and prior to the war was employed at Park House Colliery.  His parents Mr and Mrs Edward Smith live at New Cottages, Nethermoor, Wingerworth, he was their eldest son.  A memorial service has been taken at the Wingerworth Parish Church.

Private Roger Ryan of the West Yorkshire Regiment has been killed by a direct hit from a shell, which hit him and another soldier whilst on duty in the trenches.  Roger was an orderly and was working taking messages to the Brigade Headquarters on the day of his death, 25th September 1916.  He was 25 years old and the second son of Mr and Mrs t Ryan of 19 Riber Terrace, Boythorpe.  Roger had joined the army nearly four years ago and was amongst the first to arrive in France.  He had been lucky prior to this final tragedy and had only received one other injury; a gun shot wound in one of his fingers to his right hand.

Sergeant Alex Carlile of New Whittington was serving with the Sherwood Foresters.  News of his death was passed via the Chaplain after another soldier named Broderick had been with Alex at his death.  Broderick had removed Alex's personal possessions including photo's and letters and asked that they be passed on to the family of Sergeant Carlile.  Alex was killed along with four other men after a shell exploded near to them.  Before the war Alex was employed at Grassmoor Colliery and joined the Sherwood Foresters in November 1914.  Sad news greeted Alex on his last leave home in July, when he found that his wife who had been ill for sometime had passed away.  Alex was a keen football fan and was a popular player for the Old Whittington Mutuals Club.

 

*Wounded men -

Private J W Brown, son of Mrs A Stretton of 58 Prospect Road, Old Whittington has been wounded in France and is now hospitalised in Oldham.  Private Brown had joined the Notts and Derbyshire Regiment at the end of 1914.  He had served ten months in Egypt before being transferred to France, where he had been for the past five months.  Aged 25 years old Private Brown worked for Messrs Green Timber Works prior to enlistment.

Corporal F Carlile has been wounded and is now recuperating at Boulogne Hospital.  Carlile had lived with his parents at Newbridge Lane, Old Whittington.  He served with the Sherwood Foresters at the landing of Suvla Bay and remained there until they evacuated.  From there he went to Egypt and lastly in France.

Corporal Lawrence Martin of the Sherwood Foresters has been wounded for the second time in his military service.  Firstly Lawrence was wounded at Gallipoli and was forced to return to England, taking rest at Cambridge Hospital.  This time he has been wounded in the thigh and is recuperating at Edmonton Military Hospital, London.  Prior to the war he was employed at Grassmoor Colliery.  The son of Mrs Martin of Prospect Street, Stonegravels.

Private Herbert Pearson aged 26 years of the Sherwood Foresters has been severely injured after receiving gun shot wounds to the head.  His father Mr H Pearson received a telegram telling that Herbert was dangerously ill at 22 General Hospital, Camiers.  The telegraph also stated the the War Office regretted that visiting would not be permitted.  Herbert had seen bitter fighting as he had been serving in France since February of 1915.  He had previously worked as a miner at Williamthorpe Colliery.  His brother Alfred is serving with the Yorkshire Light Infantry and left for France last Sunday.

Private Henry Hopkinson of Main Road Grassmoor has been wounded for the second time.  Henry sent a letter to Mr and Mrs Wm Ellis whom Henry lived with prior to the war.  In it he wrote that he and ten other men had been close to a shell which burst.  It killed five and wounded the other five men.  The explosion necessitated that Henry have shrapnel removed from his right arm and he was waiting to have muscle removed from his left arm.  He also thought there was some shrapnel in his left knee.  Prior to the war Henry worked as a loader in the Tupton Seam at Grassmoor Colliery. 

*Honours and medals -

Private James Smith of the Sherwood Foresters has been awarded the Military Medal for distinguished conduct in the field.  James is 27 years of age and worked as a miner at Clay Cross No9 Avenue Pit.  He lodged with Mr and Mrs W Butler at Knighton Street, Hepthorne Lane, North Wingfield.  He joined up soon after hostilities began and has seen active service at Suvla Bay, Egypt and France.  The news was heard from James in a letter to his brother Joe, but how he gained the honourable medal is not known. 

Private J Butcher received a certificate from Major General C Ross, stating that he had distinguished himself near Ginchy on 15th and 16th September "by conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty by carrying dispatches under heavy fire".  Private Butcher is the only son of Mr and Mrs H Butcher of Dover Street, Creswell.  He is at present in hospital in southern England after having had his left leg amputated as result of the wounds he sustained whilst serving.  He enlisted soon after his 18th birthday and had been stationed in France since January 1915, seeing action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and Loos.

Bombardier George Pickering another Creswell man has received the Military Medal.  George is serving with the Royal Field Artillery.  He was awarded the medal on 27th October for services on 26th September on the Somme.  Back home George is married with one child and worked at Creswell Colliery.

 

UPDATE of the Past News 2nd November 1901

 

 

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS...........

*Bigamous Henry Bombroffe -

Henry’s case was transferred to the Leeds Assize Courts and he appeared in front of the Bench on Monday 9^th December 1901, just a week before he should have been celebrating his first wedding anniversary to his new wife Emily. 

The Court heard how Emily had been told by Henry that he had buried his wife.  The couple were expecting a baby and so on 17^th December 1900 Emily and Henry married.  Two weeks later * their child was born and Henry left her and Emily and the baby had to take refuge in the workhouse for a week as they were destitute.

*this fact may be exaggerated for the courts as we had earlier heard how Emily was 4 months pregnant at the time of the wedding.

Henry repeated his defence that he thought his first wife Ann had died in Mickleover Asylum; he did not produce the letter he stated had been sent to his son denying any knowledge of Ann at the Asylum.

The Judge decided upon a sentence of imprisonment for 6 months with hard labour.

There is a child named Emily Bombroffe whose birth was registered in the June quarter of 1901, which means she would have been born in April, May or June, which would confirm that Emily was 4 months pregnant at the time of the marriage.

On the night of the 1901 census (31^st March) the Bombroffe family are living at 23 Bower Road, Hallam, Sheffield -   “Harry”, Emily, William Bombroffe and 3 children from Emily’s first marriage; George, Walter and Vincent Dewick.  Baby Emily is not recorded on the census return.

 

So at some point between the birth of baby Emily and October of 1901 the news that Henry was still married must have been broken to Emily.  It is not known how she found out, but with four children to look after it must have been an awful shock. 

So what happened after the trial?

Emily picked herself up after her humiliation by Henry Bombroffe and on 13^th April 1903 she remarried; a brave step after what she had been through.  Her new husband was Edward Hannah a 51 year old widower.  They married at St Philips Church, Shalesmore, Sheffield.  Emily died a few years later in 1905 at the age of 41 years old.

What became of baby Emily Bombroffe is unknown; I can find no death or census under that name or the names of Dewick or Hannah.  She may have been put up for adoption after the emotional time her poor mother endured.  If anyone knows any more about the fate of Emily then please let me know.

Henry Bombroffe, well he to disappears from the census listings.  He may well have changed his name or been in an establishment which only listed the inmates as initials (H.B).  He died in November 1924 at 11 Charles Street.  He is buried in consecrated ground at City Road Cemetery, Sheffield.  He was 58 years old and a painter by trade.

Lastly we must not forget the woman Henry tried to forget….. His first wife Ann.  In the 1911 census she is still an inmate in Derby County Lunatic Asylum, Mickleover.  Still ironically maintaining her title as “married”, this would be much to Henry’s dismay.  I can only find one death for an Ann Bombroffe and that is in 1939 aged 78 years at Hayfield in the Peak District – if this is the correct Ann then she definitely was not dead and buried on that cold day of 17^th December 1900, when her husband and son had conveniently erased her from their lives.

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*Susanna and George Sykes –

 

George was accused of “thrashing” his wife and spending his wages on sandwiches and ice cream.

 

What became of the couple?

 

Before the trial and accusations they were living at 9 Hallowes Lane, Dronfield.  George was employed as a miner and they have three daughters; Ethel 6 years, Elsie 4 years and Rebecca 1 year old.  The couple had married in 1892.

 

The couple are still together in 1911 but they now live with Susannah’s parents Herbert and Elizabeth Hibbert at 28 Scarsdale Road, Dronfield.  George is still a coal miner hewer and their family has now grown with the addition of James 9 years, Arthur 6 years, Annie 4 and Beatrice 9 months.  In fact George and Susannah have born 9 children but sadly 2 have passed away. 

 

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