The Belper War Memorial is situated in the Memorial Gardens at the top of King Street, the main shopping area of Belper. Here are the details of each name on the memorial. This page is for soldiers whose surnames begin with P-T.
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Great War Roll of Honour - Belper War Memorial
Private 3531 Samuel Pape ‘F’ Company 1st/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st July 1916 aged 28.
On Saturday 1st July 1916, supported by a French attack to the south, thirteen divisions of Commonwealth forces launched an offensive on a line from north of Gommecourt to Maricourt. Despite a preliminary bombardment lasting seven days, the German defences were barely touched and the attack met unexpectedly fierce resistance. Losses were catastrophic and with only minimal advances on the southern flank, the initial attack was a disastrous failure. The 1st/5th Battalion went over the top at Gommecourt and was cut to ribbons. They suffered particularly badly. 184 men and 11 Officers were killed.
On the morning of the 1st July Sir Henry Rawlinson commanding the Fourth Army had sent out a message to all his men wishing them luck, and highlighting that they were to hold tight every yard of ground gained: ‘The accurate and sustained fire of the artillery during the bombardment should greatly assist the task of the infantry‘.
However as they had marched forward the soldiers must have noticed the large trenches being prepared for the dead, where many of them lie to this day. Samuel has no known grave and is commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial France. Samuel was resident in Belper lodging with Mrs William Jessop on Bridge Street, enlisting in Belper in October 1914. Prior to enlisting he was an assistant at Melia’s on King Street. Samuel was the son of Wattam Pape, a Blacksmith of 65, Southgate, Sleaford, Lincs.
Private 70505 George Arthur Parkin 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) Killed in action in the Cuba Trench east of the Roeux- Gravelle Road during the Arras Offensive on Friday 18th May 1917 aged 23. George has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial France. George enlisted in Belper.
Private 21766 John Thomas Parkin 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). Killed in action on Wednesday 12th July 1916 aged 35. John has no known grave and is commemorated on The Menin Gate, which is one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient. Broadly speaking, the Salient stretched from Langemarck in the north to the northern edge in Ploegsteert Wood in the south, but it varied in area and shape throughout the war. John had been invalided home in July 1915 for three months with trench foot after serving in Gallipoli.
Born and resident in Belper enlisted in Derby in January 1915 John was the son of Henry and Matilda Parkin, of 53, Holbrooke Rd., Belper and the husband of Mary Ellen Parkin, of 13, Bargate Lane, Belper they had six children. John was a Coal Miner Hewer at Denby Colliery prior to the war and was a member of the Primitive Methodist Church.
FEEDBACK 2013: John Thomas 'Tom' Parkin and John Wilfred Topham were cousins. Their mothers were sisters, Matilda Fowkes (married Henry Parkin) and Ellen Fowkes (married Thomas Topham).
Gunner 775763 Ernest Paxton 29th Brigade Royal Field Artillery Died on Wednesday 4th September 1918 aged 31 after being gassed. Ernest is buried in the Terlincthun British Cemetery France. This cemetery was used chiefly for burials from the base hospital. In August 1917 Ernest had been sent back from France to hospital in Norwich suffering from dysentery, he returned to his unit in December 1917 after 10 days home leave.
Born and resident in Belper enlisted in Belper in March 1915 Ernest was the Husband of Kate I. Paxton (nee Foster), of The Mount, Heage, Belper they had one young child. In 1901 Ernest was a Cotton Spinner but prior to enlisting he had carried on a butchers business in Belper for some time but was employed at the Hartsay Colliery.
Private 1439 James Peden 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers killed in action at Vielle Chapelle on Thursday 15th October 1914 aged 34. James is buried in the Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery France. James was a Regular Soldier enlisting in July 1905, he was the son of Richard and Mary Peden, of Milford.
Private 2756 Walter Pepper 1st/5th Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) Killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st July 1916 aged 38. Walter also fought in the South Africa War and had landed in France on Thursday 2nd March 1916. On Saturday 1st July 1916, the weather was hot with an early morning mist when at 7:30am supported by a French attack to the south, thirteen divisions of Commonwealth forces launched an offensive on a line from north of Gommecourt to Maricourt. Despite a preliminary bombardment lasting seven days, the German defences were barely touched and the attack met unexpectedly fierce resistance. Losses were catastrophic and with only minimal advances on the southern flank, the initial attack was a disastrous failure. The 1st/5th Battalion went over the top at Gommecourt and was cut to ribbons. They suffered particularly badly. 184 men and 11 Officers were killed. The net gain that day was effectively zero.
Walter has no known grave and is commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial France. Walter was resident and born in Belper on Saturday 28th July 1877, before re-enlisting he worked for Hickman and Stretton Builders of Ripley. He was the son of George Pepper a Chimney sweep and Jane Pepper. He lived at Windy Gap Belper and left a widow and three children, 2 girls and a boy.
Like many men waiting in the trenches on the night of Friday the 30th of June Walter must have known, unlike the General’s and their staff ensconced many miles to the rear, that it was not going to be a ’stroll over no mans land to take possession of the German Lines’ so he had written to his wife on the eve of going over the top; ‘Dearest, …….I could not rest without saying goodbye, happen for the last time…..but I want you to cheer up and be brave for the children’s sake. We must put our trust in God and hope for the best - to come safely through. We go over in the morning and I am in the first line. They are giving them a terrific bombardment….. It is simply hell upon earth here. My last thoughts will be with you at home as we are stepping over the trenches. May God watch over me and guard me and bring me safely through
1881 Census
Ruth PEPPER Dau. Female 13 Belper, Derby, England Cheviner
Stephen PEPPER Son Male 10 Belper, Derby, England Scholar
Arthur PEPPER Son Male 8 Belper, Derby, England Scholar
Walter PEPPER Son Male 3 Belper, Derby, England Scholar
Ernest PEPPER Son Male 10 m Belper, Derby, England
Private 200625 Harold Arthur Percival MM ‘D’ Company 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) wounded and died on the same day at a Field Hospital Marroiles on Tuesday 5th November 1918 aged 35. He was originally posted to the Sherwood Foresters 4th (Reserve) Battalion spending two years in Britain and a further year in Ireland on garrison duty.
Harold is recorded by the CWGC as serving with "D" Company, there is no reference of ’D’ company being in action on Tuesday 5th November 1918 and he was probably attached to one three other Companies. In the early hours of Monday 4th November 1918, the Battalion moved off from Pommereuil to Malgarni, where they dug in to new positions. At 5.45am, "A", "B" and "C" Companies advanced. There was some fighting but by the end of the day, there had been a successful advance and the men secured for the night along the road between Landrecies and Maroilles.
A further advance started at 6.15am on the 5th November, with "A" Company acting as the vanguard. It encountered heavy machine gun and rifle fire but captured the first objective at Old Mill des Pres. "A" Company and half of "B" now pushed on to Maroilles and prevented the Germans blowing up the bridge. The Military Medal was awarded to Harold and Private Albert Stellebrass for;
Extract from Regimental History.
"For gallantry on 5.11.1918 during an attack on Maroilles, an enemy Machine Gun which was in a farm building was holding up the advance guard. Under very heavy Machine Gun Fire this man worked his Lewis Gun section onto a flank and brought effective fire to bear on the enemy position. He afterwards charged the enemy and drove him out thus allowing the offensive to proceed. Throughout the whole operation this man displayed marked courage and ability. This action was completed with the aid of Private H. Percival, who also received the same award."
Extract from a letter written to Harold’s wife by his commanding Officer.
"About noon, he and I found ourselves alone towards the centre of the town, with six Huns holding a bridge over which we had to advance. Your husband went back and got two more men and together we rushed forward. The Huns were taken by surprise and, after firing a machine gun at us for a few minutes, cleared off. The bridge was fully mined and but for the rapid advance would have been blown up. .......When we got to the bridge I ordered two men to cover our advance while your husband and I crossed the bridge. Here your husband shot two Huns and I shot one, reducing their number to three. We went on another 50 yards and then quite suddenly a machine gun fired at us from less than 15 yards. Four bullets struck your husband in the thigh and stomach and he fell. I threw myself down flat and the machine gun continued to fire at us. But by some miracle missed me. About five minutes later the machine gun and Huns cleared off. I then said to your husband "I'm going to chance it and have a look at you" but he replied "Don't be foolish. Keep still or they will get you as well". When I got to him the machine gun started to fire again and again I missed the bullets. He insisted that we must wait until things quietened down ere he was moved but I was able to get him to a small hollow in the ground where no bullets could get him. I then got hold of some men and advanced again but not before I personally directed the stretcher bearers to your husband. That was the last I saw of him. On the stretcher, he became unconscious".
He is buried in the Le Cateau Military Cemetery Nord France. Harold was the son of William and Charlotte Percival of Hazel Street, Hazel Grove, and the husband of Sarah Jane Percival, of Nether Laune, Belper Lane, Belper. He moved to Belper in 1906 and worked for the English Sewing Cotton Ltd. He enlisted in Belper in1914
Lieutenant Samuel ‘Sammy‘ Porter B.Sc (Lond) 11th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment attached to the 8th Battalion Manchester Regiment. Born in 1889 in Stratford Essex he was killed in action on Saturday 7th August 1915 aged 26, he was shot in the head while leading his men in a charge on the Turkish trenches, his last words to his men were, ‘come along boys, you‘re not afraid to die‘. He is buried in the Redoubt Cemetery Helles Turkey.
Samuel was ‘Gazetted’ in 1915 : London Gazette February 1915
Lieutenant. Samuel Porter. Dated 21st December, 1914.
The British High Command decided to land a new force, north of Anzac at Suvla Bay, on 6/7 August. In an attempt to keep Turkish forces occupied, the troops around Helles would make another attempt to break-out, although its main aim was one of diversion. The attack would become known as the Battle of the Vineyard. The troops were in position by 7am. The Turkish Army was obviously prepared for another assault and was shelling the British position. The Battalion War Diary notes that "The enemy bombardment was tremendous and even before the first assault; we had a good many casualties in the trenches". Leading the attack would be "C" Company. At 9.40, they left the trench and reached the Turkish front line, some 70 yards away. There were many casualties - some had got no more than 20 yards before being mown down by machine gun fire.
Taken from the Derby Mercury 27th August 1915.
" Belper Schoolmaster Killed”
Information has been received from the War Office of the death from wounds of Lieut. S. Porter, York and Lancaster Regt. Lieut. Porter, who before the war was a Master at the Strutt Schools at Belper, joined the York and Lancaster’s last October and recently proceeded with his regiment to the Dardanelles where unfortunately he lost his life.
Samuel was the son of Linton Porter a Railway Engine Driver and Clara Porter, of 72, East Rd. West Ham, London. Samuel came to Belper in January 1912 as an assistant science and mathematics Teacher at the Herbert Strutts School. He was educated at the County High School for boys Ilford and in 1908 entered the Kings College London on a Drapers Company scholarship. He obtained a second class degree in physics, he was a member of the Derwent Tennis Club
. 
Samuel Porter.
Serjeant 200206 Ronald Joseph Potter 2nd/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) Killed in action at Mouquet (‘Mucky’) Farm on Monday 7th May 1917 aged 21. Extract from the 2nd/5th Battalion History. ‘The strength and likely resistance of the enemy there (Mouquet Farm) had been very much underestimated and thus many good lives sacrificed in vain. The casualties of the 2/5th in this operation….one hundred and fifty, all ranks, were reported killed, wounded or missing‘. Ronald was one of the missing and has no known grave but is commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. Born in Belper enlisted in Belper Ronald was the son of John and Martha Potter, of Ivy Villa, High St., Belper.
Private 6439 James Price M.M. 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers killed in action while attacking German trenches at Greenland Hill near Arras on Tuesday 5th June 1917 aged 26. The attack was begun at 4:25 A.M. and to quote the Divisional commander, General Nicholson "It began badly, continued badly, and ended worse."
The barrage was inaccurate and at the time of the assault the enemy machine guns were highly active. James has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, which commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7th August 1918 and have no known grave. He had earlier been awarded the Military Medal for distinguished conduct in the field while attending to the wounded under heavy shellfire.
Born in Belper enlisted in Sheffield James was the Husband of Edith Glen (formerly Price), of 4, Havercroft Terrace, Killamarsh, Sheffield and the son of Mr and Mrs James Price. Before the war James was employed at Holden and Sons of Belper.
Rifleman C/6625 Thomas Rowland Prime 18th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. Killed in Action near Combles on the first day of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette on Friday 15th September 1916 aged 21. The battle of Flers-Courcelette, 15-22 September 1916, was the third main phase of the battle of the Somme. The offensive finally broke through the area that had proved to be so difficult since 14th July 1916, using a small number of tanks for the first time in history, the British Army finally captured High Wood and pressed on through Flers and up the Bapaume road to Courcelette.
Thomas is buried in the Bulls Road Cemetery Flers France. He was born in Belper enlisted in Derby Thomas was resident in Sheffield and the brother of Mrs. Emma Moorwood Smy, of 16/1, Portobello St. Sheffield.
Second Lieutenant John William Raistrick 1st/8th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) born in 1885 in Pudsey Yorkshire killed in action near Lens on Saturday 19th May 1917 aged 32. John also known as Jack was educated at Bradford Secondary school and Leeds University where he graduated in science. He was a science and geography teacher at the Herbert Strutt School. A keen sportsman he helped to run the school football team.
He enlisted in 1915 and was the Son of E. B. and S. J. Raistrick. Native of Pudsey, Yorks. He left behind his Fiancée Miss Peach. In the 1901 census J W Raistrick son of E B Raistrick is described as a pupil school teacher. The 1/8 West York’s (Leeds Rifles) was part of the 49th Division which was in Brigade Support in the Laventie Area from February to July 1917. John is buried in the Laventie Military Cemetery La Gorgue France. C.P.O.
Electrical Artificer 4th Class Hubert Frederic Rendall of the H.M. Drifter ‘Our Allies’ Royal Navy Died on Monday 5th August 1918 aged 29 of accidental injuries caused by an explosion. Hubert is buried in the Gallipoli Communal Cemetery Italy one of only seven Commonwealth burials of the First World War in that cemetery. The Royal and Merchant Navies were active in the Mediterranean and Adriatic throughout the war and many of their dead are buried along the Italian coast.
In 1917, Gallipoli was made the base of the motor launches sent to the Adriatic Drifter Fleet. HM Drifter ‘Our Allies’, Port No LT492 ( Lowestoft) , Admiralty No 2206, 91 tons launched 1915, a net drifter requisitioned August 1915 and returned 1920. Armed with a 57mm gun. She was used as a net barrier tender in the Adriatic. Hubert was born in Castleford on Tuesday 8th January 1889. He enlisted in Belper. Hubert was the son of William Robert Johnson Rendall a Certificated Head Teacher and Eliza Rendall, of Schoolhouse, Glasshoughton, Castleford, Yorkshire.
Prior to enlisting he had worked as an electrician at the English Sewing Cotton Company and had lodged with Mr J Wass of Bridge Foot Belper for 4 years. He was a member of St Peter’s church and was also a musician ‘of no mean order’.
Private 34016 Cecil Rice 3rd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) transferred to (239572) 472nd Agricultural Company Labour Corps . Died at home Holbrook Road Belper on Saturday 7th December 1918 aged 24. When the Labour Corps was formed in mid 1917 it was decided that men would be assigned to it from other regiments, often because of their reduced medical category. Cecil served with 3rd Battalion Sherwood Foresters, on coastal defence at the Sunderland (Tyne Garrison). He only served a short time before transferring to 472 Agricultural Company Labour Corps. Cecil fell ill and died of "Pneumonia with influenza‘.
He died at his parents house in Belper. Cecil was the son of Mrs. Rice, of 12, New Houses, Holbrook Rd., Belper. His brother William also fell. (see below). Cecil was buried in the Belper Cemetery with full military honours.
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Cecil Rice and The Rice brothers buried
together in Belper Cemetery.
Private 39986 William Rice Leicestershire Regiment Depot Died at the Derby Royal Infirmary on Saturday10th January 1920 aged 21 from the effects of wounds received during the war. The Leicestershire Regiment Depot was based at Glen Parva Leicestershire. He is buried in the Belper Cemetery. William was the son of Mrs. Rice, of 12, New Houses, Holbrook Rd. Belper. His brother Cecil Rice also fell. (see above)
Rifleman C/6462 Jacob Richards 18th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. Died on Sunday 17th September 1916 aged 20 of bullet wounds to both thighs at the No 5 Casualty Clearing Station. He received his wounds near Combles during the Battle of the Somme . Combles was one of the largest villages on the Somme, and a major billeting and communications quarter for the German Army. Cavernous catacombs underneath the village were used to shelter troops. To the west of the village were two wooded areas Bouleaux ('Bully') and Leuze ('Lousy'). These became the battleground of the 56th (London) Division from early in September 1916. By the 25th of September most of the wooded area had been taken, and a joint attack by British and French troops took the village on 26th September.
Jacob is buried in the Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension France. He enlisted in July 1915 and was the only son of Jacob Richards a Chimney Sweep and Mary Richards, of 1, Bridge Street, Belper. Before joining up Jacob worked at Denby Colliery and Salterwood Pit he was a member of the choir of Christ Church, Belper.
Jacob Richards.
Private 200629 Arthur Richardson 2nd/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) killed in action at the second Battle of Bullecourt on Saturday 5th May 1917 aged 35. After the initial assault around Bullecourt failed to penetrate the German lines, British commanders made preparations for a second attempt. British artillery began an intense bombardment of the village, which, by Friday 20th April, had been virtually destroyed. Although the infantry assault was initially planned for 20th April, it was pushed back a number of times and finally set for the early morning of Thursday 3rd May 1917.
At 03:45, British troops from the attempted to capture the village of Bullecourt. German resistance was fierce, and, when the offensive was called off on Thursday 17th May, very few of the initial objectives had been met and considerable losses had been incurred, the Battalion had been stationed in Ireland during the 1916 Easter Uprising. Arthur has no known grave and is commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Arthur was an Iron Moulder at the Park Foundry and was born and resident in Belper he was the son of William Richardson who was employed by Mr Strutt as a horseman on his estate and Mary Richardson, of Belper Lane, Belper. He enlisted in October 1914 and was single.
Arthur Richardson.
Sapper 100866 Herbert Robertson 98th Field Company Royal Engineers killed in action at Hermonville on Monday 27th May 1918 aged 32. At 1am on Monday 27th May 1918 the Germans put down an very intense barrage consisting of high explosive and gas along the whole of the forward area. All the troops were 'stood to' at their battle stations, but this resulted in many casualties on account of the shelling.
'the whole front from Soissons to Reims broke into flame, and we knew that for the third time in ten weeks we were up against the real thing. Within fifteen minutes it was obvious that the Hun had an extraordinary concentration of guns of every calibre, and that his bombardment had been organised beforehand in most thorough and accurate fashion. A big proportion of gas was used, about four varieties being distinguished in the later French and British reports. The whole line was deluged with shells, and the front trenches especially must have been reduced to a pulverised mass‘.
Herbert is buried in the Hermonville Military Cemetery Marne France. Special memorials are erected in the Cemetery to five Sappers of the Royal Engineers, one of which was Herbert, who fell on the 27th May 1918, and were buried in the German part of the cemetery, but whose graves could not be found. Herbert was born in Stockport in 1886 and was resident in Belper and enlisted in Derby. In 1901 Herbert was an Office boy in Stockport.
Private 33491 George William Rollinson ‘D’ Company 14th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment Killed in Action near Ypres on Sunday 14th October 1917 aged 27. George is buried in the Roclincourt Military Cemetery France. George was born in Belper, resident at 41 Long Row and enlisted in Derby in February 1916. Prior to enlisting George was employed by the Sewing Cotton Company at the Belper Mills and was a member of the Baptist Church being the secretary of their football team. He left a wife and a 12 year old son.
George Rollinson.
Private 10917 Frank Edgar Ryde 18th Battalion Manchester Regiment died of wounds at the 13th Stationary Hospital Boulogne on Wednesday 12th July 1916 aged 23. He was wounded on Tuesday 11th July 1916 and died the following day without regaining consciousness. In July 1916, the 18th Battalion of the Manchester’s, which was a Kitchener battalion, along with the 16th and 17th Manchester’s, attacked an area known as Guillemont, suffering very heavy casualties during the engagement like many other ‘Pushes’ it started well only to become bogged down in a stalemate with terrible loss of life. Frank is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery France. Born and resident in Belper Frank enlisted in Manchester in November 1914. He was the son of Tom Ryde a Joiner and Undertaker and Eliza Ryde, of The Scotches, Belper. Before enlisting Frank worked for Messrs Waters which was part of the English Sewing Company, he was single.
Lance Corporal 32663 Herbert Selby 5th Battalion Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. Died of spotted fever (usually caught from ticks) at Etaples on Tuesday 24th July 1917. Herbert is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery. During the First World War, the area around Etaples was the scene of immense concentrations of Commonwealth reinforcement camps and hospitals. It was remote from attack, except from aircraft, and accessible by railway from both the northern or the southern battlefields. In 1917, 100,000 troops were camped among the sand dunes and the hospitals, which included eleven general, one stationary, four Red Cross hospitals and a convalescent depot, could deal with 22,000 wounded or sick.
Herbert was born and enlisted Belper, prior to enlistment he worked at Ambergate Wireworks. He was married to the daughter of Mr and Mrs George Blount of Penn Street Belper. His wife received notification of his illness and was granted a pass to visit her husband in France, she was at his bedside when he died and stayed on to attend his funeral.
Herbert Selby.
Private 32520 Charles Sellors 1st/5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. Died at the Military Hospital Devonport on Tuesday 11th June 1918 aged 30 from the effects of being gassed and wounded at Kemmel Hill on Friday April 26th 1918. He had only just returned to his unit after being invalided back to England having been gassed previously on Wednesday 10th October 1917. Charles was buried in the Belper Cemetery with full military honours. Born and resident in Belper Charles enlisted in Derby on Monday 1st January 1917 and was the son of Samuel Sellors a Lead Smelter and Eliza Sellors, of Belper and husband of Ann Elizabeth Shaw (formerly Sellors), of 102, Bridge St., Belper. Prior to enlisting he was employed at Brettles as a hosiery worker.
Charles Sellors.
Private 51856 Harry Shepherd 12th Battalion Royal Scots. Killed in action at Kemmel Hill on Thursday 25th April 1918 aged 27. At 02:30 hours on Thursday 25th April 1918 over 250 batteries of German guns opened up on Allied artillery positions with a mixture of gas and high explosive. For the next two hours they concentrated solely on destroying the British gun emplacements. After such a furious bombardment at 06:00 hours the Germans launched their infantry to the attack. By 07:10 hours Kemmel Hill was theirs and by 10:30 hours it was all over. Harry has no known grave and is commemorated on The Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing Born and enlisted in Belper Harry was resident in Derby and the son of Edwin Shepherd a Platelayer on the Railway and Emma Shepherd.
Lieutenant John Cecil Shipway 24th Battalion Victoria Rifles Canadian Infantry killed in action by machine gun bullets leading his men in an attack at Cherisy on Wednesday 28th August 1918. He is buried a few yards from where he fell in the Quebec Cemetery Cherisy France. Cherisy village was captured by the 18th Division on Thursday 3rd May 1917, but lost the same night. It then remained in German hands until it was retaken by the Canadian Corps on Tuesday 27th August 1918. John was the son of the late Frank and Ann Shipway, of Bridge Street Belper and the husband of Hetty Shipway (nee Watson), of 44, Fieldhead Rd., Sheffield, they were married in January 1918. Before the war he had worked as a traveller for B K Morton and Company engineers of Sheffield and Canada, he was a fine cricketer and footballer having played for Westmont Cricket Club Montreal during a three year stay in Canada before the war.
The grave of John Simpson.
Private 119039 John William Simpson Royal Army Medical Corp. died at the Military Hospital Bagthorpe Notts on Monday 25th November 1918 aged 31 from pneumonia following influenza, he had been in hospital for 11 days. He had not served abroad but his duties had been attending to the wounded at the Military Hospital Bagthorpe Nottingham. John was buried in the Belper Cemetery with full military honours. He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Aaron Simpson of Bridge Street Belper and the husband of Mrs Alice (Sophia) Simpson (nee Winfield) of Mill Lane Belper. John had formerly worked at the English Sewing Cotton Company and had for some time assisted Mr Morton at the Palace Belper, he was a well known local footballer playing for the Baptist Club.
Private 292230 Frank Sims 1st/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers killed in action at Passchendale aged 27, during the Third Battle of Ypres whilst taking part in the Attack by the 50th Division on the Houthulst Forest on Friday 26th October 1917.
From the War Diary of C.O. of the 4th Northumberland Fusiliers.
‘Punctually at 5.40 a.m. the creeping barrage fell. It was to move forward at the rate of one hundred yards in eight minutes. Had the "going" been good, the slow "creep" would hardly have restrained the troops, who lay close up under the barrage waiting for the first "lift"; so close indeed that several casualties were suffered. But at the first "lift" of the guns the attackers rose to their feet and advanced. The rain had, however, done its deadly work, for all the gallant fellows could do was to drag themselves along through the thick clinging mud and water at a much slower pace than the barrage, which soon got ahead. Then from "pill-box " and shell hole a murderous fire was poured upon them. Many fell dead; some of the wounded fell into the gaping holes of water and were drowned; fortunate were those who escaped, but on went the survivors‘.
Frank was not one of the ‘survivors’ and has no known grave but is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial which is one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient. Born in Belper enlisted in Derby Frank was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Sims, a Coal Hewer of Marsh Lane, Belper and the husband of Julia Hannah Sims (nee Peat), of 40, Long Row, Belper. Before the war Frank worked at the Denby Pottery and was a member of the Congregational Church.
Private 36063 Frederick Skidmore 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers killed in action during the Third Battle of Ypres on Tuesday 23rd October 1917 aged 28, he had just returned to his unit after being in hospital with a wound to his cheek. The Third Battle of Ypres, or Passchendaele, was a very costly battle. For the sake of a few kilometres, the British had lost 310,000 men and the Germans 260,000. Frederick has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial which is one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient
Born in Belper enlisted in Derby Frederick was the son of Albert Skidmore a Framework Knitter and Clara Skidmore, of 63, Long Row, Belper and the husband of Flora E. Skidmore (nee Widdowson), of 32, Holbrook Rd., Belper, they had a two year old son. Prior to enlisting Frederick had worked for Wragg and Selvey.
Frederick Skidmore.
Private M2/019784 Percival Henry Slater Army Service Corps. Died of wounds at the No 8 General Hospital Rouen on Friday 18th December 1914 aged 32. No.8 General Hospital was quartered at Bois Guillaume in a large private house and grounds. Percival is buried in the Bois-Guillaume Communal Cemetery France. In 1901 Percival was a Carter.
Lance Corporal 32617 Gerald Smith 5th Battalion Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry Killed in action at Delville Wood on the Somme on Friday 15th September 1916 aged 22. He was seen sheltering in a shell hole in no mans land during some heavy shelling, later he was seen at a field dressing station but nothing further was seen of him. Gerald has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial Somme France.
He was the third and youngest son of Mr John Smith a hairdresser of King Street and was the husband on Mrs Grace Smith (nee Neaum) King Street Belper. Before the war he had been employed by Mr Wood a grocer.
Bombardier 186543 John Alfred Smith "B" Battery. 161st Brigade. Royal Field Artillery died of wounds on Tuesday 11th December 1917 aged 25. John is buried in the Mendinghem Military Cemetery Belgium. Born in Belper enlisted in Derby John was the only son of Alfred Smith a Labourer in a Wire Works and Elizabeth Smith, of 46, Nottingham Rd. Belper.
Private 27070 Charles Spencer 16th Battalion ('Chatsworth Rifles') Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) killed in action on Tuesday 16th April 1918 aged 27 near Ypres, Somme during the German Spring Offensive. Previous to his death Charles had been wounded twice. Charles has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial France which relates to the period of crisis in March and April 1918 when the Allied Fifth Army was driven back by overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields and commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21st March to 7th August 1918.
Born and resident in Belper enlisted in Derby in June 1915 Charles was the second son of Charles and Priscilla Spencer, of Prospect Cottage, Foundry Lane, Belper. Before enlisting he was a moulder at the Eagle Ironworks Belper.
Private 45477 Charles Edgar Spencer 2nd/4th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Died on Wednesday 3rd July 1918 aged 27 of inflammation of the lungs at Denain War Hospital after being taken prisoner by the Germans. News of Charles’s death was received via the Red Cross. Charles is buried in the Denain Communal Cemetery France, which is 20 miles north east of Cambrai. Denain was a German hospital centre ("Kriegslazarett Abteilung 29" (War Hospital Detachment 29) during the greater part of the War up to the 1st November, 1918. The Communal Cemetery, was used by the Germans to bury their soldiers and (in 1917 and 1918) 153 British prisoners were buried.
Charles was born in Belper and enlisted in Sheffield. He had 3 brothers who also served, George the eldest who had been wounded, disabled and discharged, Henry and Maurice who had been wounded.
Private 43202 George Charles Spencer 17th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment Died at Chelmsford Hospital on Sunday morning 13th May 1917 aged 22 from pneumonia after contracting a cold while under canvas at a military camp near Chelmsford. His mother and father travelled to Chelmsford on Friday 11th May 1917 and were at his bedside when he died. He was buried in the Belper Cemetery with full military honours.
Born and resident in Belper George enlisted in Derby and was the son of Charles and Kate Spencer, of 88, Nottingham Rd., Belper. Both of his parents were buried with George when they died. Although George was 6 foot three inches tall he was said to be ‘of delicate constitution’. George had one brother, Hugh, who also served in the war in Egypt with the Honourable Artillery Company.
Private 44342 William Arthur Spencer 11th Battalion South Wales Borderers killed in action near Armentières on Sunday 28th October 1917 aged 34. In late August 1917 the 11th Battalion was sent down to Armentières. In this sector both they distinguished themselves by their vigorous patrol work in which they took prisoners, made valuable identifications, and generally kept the German patrols busy by their determined action. William has no known grave and is commemorated on The Ploegsteert Memorial Belgium which commemorates more than 11,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom who died in this sector during the First World War and have no known grave. William was the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Spencer, of Barton Knoll, Belper.
Corporal 200626 William Henry Spencer 2nd/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) killed in action on Easter Monday 9th April 1917 aged 23 by a shell at Marqueffles Farm just north of Bois de Bouvigny. He is buried in the Vadencourt British Cemetery Maissemy France. William was the son of Walter Spencer who in 1901 was ‘living on his own means’ and Hannah Elizabeth Spencer, of Belper Lane, Belper. Prior to enlisting William had worked at the Park Foundry and was a member of the Baptist Sunday School and a footballer for the Baptist Club.
Bombardier 806240 William Henry Spendlove "B" Battery. 296th Brigade Royal Field Artillery Died of wounds at Wimereux on Wednesday 3rd October 1917 aged 40. He is buried Wimereux Communal Cemetery France. Wimereux formed an important hospital centre and the medical units used the communal cemetery for burials. Husband of Florence Ethel Spendlove, of Belper. William was a butcher in Bridge St. Belper for a number of years. Company Quartermaster
Serjeant 632032 Eric William Parker Stamper 2/5th Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) attached to the 150th Company Labour Corps. Died at Stonebroom Vicarage on Thursday 7th November 1918 aged 27. He is buried in the Holy Cross Churchyard in Morton. Eric was the son of the Rev William Parker Stamper and Mary Potts Stamper,(nee Sidebottom) of Stonebroom Vicarage, Alfreton, Derbyshire. His brother Geoffrey Stamper also fell.
Eric Stamper’s gravestone
Private 3/45389 Albert Edward Stevens 8th Battalion South Wales Borderers killed in action on Sunday 9th December 1917 aged 29 by a bursting shell on his way to the cookhouse in Salonika. He is buried in the Doiran Military Cemetery Greece. The Salonika Campaign of 1915-1918 in Greece and Macedonia was, like the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign in Turkey, an attempt by the Allies to open a second front to relieve pressure on British and French forces in Belgium and France.
Born in Belper in March 1888 enlisted in Derby Albert was the husband of Harriet Amelia Stevens, of New Rd. Belper they had three children Ken and Ivy and Ronald Stevens who died in 1997. His wife first received the news of his death stating that he had died in France, however this was corrected later by the Records Office at Shrewsbury with an apology from the Colonel in charge. Albert was the son of Henry and Fanny Stevens (nee Worthy) In 1901 Albert was an Errand Boy, however prior to enlisting he worked at Ward‘s Factory.
Private 2414 Thomas Stephenson ‘B’ Company 1st/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters Killed in action near Ypres on Friday 23rd July 1915 aged 19. In July 1915 the battalion was occupying an area of the Ypres Salient known as Hill 62, at the edge of Sanctuary Wood, close to the German lines. Thomas has no known grave and is commemorated on The Menin Gate Ypres Belgium. Thomas was the son of Mary Jane Hyde (formerly Stephenson), of 17, Park Rd. North, Bedford, and the late Samuel Stephenson.
Sapper 141998 Samuel Arthur Stone 101st Field Company (Surveying Section) Royal Engineers Killed in Action at Zillebeke south of Ypres on Thursday 23rd November 1916 aged 22. Samuel has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate which is one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient.
Born and resident in Belper Samuel enlisted in Derby in the summer of 1915 and was the son of George Edwards Stone and Mary Edwards Stone, of 70, Sandbed Lane, Belper. Samuel was educated at Belper Grammar School, he then attended evening classes at the Herbert Strutt School and the Derby Technical College where he gained honours in geometry, mathematics, building construction and quantity surveying. Before enlisting Samuel was articled to Hunter and Woodhouse architects and surveyors of Belper
Bombardier 149314 Charles Stone ‘C’ Battery Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery 82nd Brigade. Died of serious head wounds at No 3 Stationary Hospital Rouen on 23rd September 1918 aged 24. He had returned to his unit in France only three weeks before his death after being granted special leave to visit his father who had been seriously ill. Charles is buried in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen France. He was born in Belper and enlisted in Derby in 1916 and was the son of Mr and Mrs H Stone of the Duke of Devonshire Bridge Street Belper.
Private 6992 George William Stone 2nd/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) died of wounds at Erchin on Wednesday 27th March 1918 aged 39. He is buried in the London Cemetery Neuville-Vitasse France. Born and resident in Belper George enlisted in Derby and was the son of Thomas and Sarah Stone, of Belper.
Private 41944 Frederick Street Depot Highland Light Infantry. Formerly 39913 Lincolnshire Regiment. Died of wounds at Govan Hospital Glasgow on Saturday 23rd June 1917 aged 38 after many weeks in hospital partially paralysed. He had been wounded in France in March 1917. Frederick was buried in the Belper Cemetery with full military honours. Born and resident in Belper he resided at his sisters Mrs Hitchcock of Belper Lane, Frederick enlisted in Derby and was the son of Joseph Street. Prior to enlistment Frederick worked on the Strutt’s estate.
Fred Street’s Grave.
Lieutenant Anthony Herbert Strutt 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) Died of wounds at Vermoorzeele Belgium on Saturday 27th April 1918 aged 22. Extract from the Battalion History. On the 27th April Ridge Wood and Voormezeele were part of the frontline and we fought what amounted to a rearguard action all day. This was our final day in the trenches as we were to be relieved that night. It is therefore with regret to record the last casualty among our original officers. During the relief while leading the remnants of us out of the firing line Lieutenant A H Strutt was mortally wounded. Anthony is buried in the Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No 3 Belgium.
He was born in 1895 at Brailsford Hall and was the son of George Herbert and the late Edith Strutt, of Blakeney House, nr. Derby. He was educated at Harrow School and had been matriculated for Trinity College Cambridge when the war broke out, he trained with the Inns of Court Officer Training Corp before joining the Sherwood’s. He went through the Battle of the Somme in 1916 before being invalided home with trench fever late in 1916 and returned to France in September 1917. He was a very keen sportsman.
Herbert Strutt.
Private 7429 William Albert Sunderland 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment killed in action at Bois Grenier (a diversionary attack coinciding with the Battle of Loos) on Sunday 25th October 1914 aged 28. William has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial Comines-Warrenton, Hainaut Belgium, which commemorates more than 11,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom who died in this sector during the First World War and have no known grave. William was the husband of Rachel Mee (formerly Sunderland), of Far Laund, Belper they had one child. Prior to enlisting William worked at Wingfield Manor pit.
Private 18187 Arthur Swindall York’s and Lanc’s Labour Corp died at home at 34 Dark Row on the Sunday 11th August 1918. He enlisted on Sunday 12th December 1915 and was discharged due to ill health on Wednesday 30th January 1918, Arthur’s Labour Corps number of 18187 indicates that he became a member of the York’s and Lanc’s Corps on its formation in 1917.
Private 81570 Ernest Taylor 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) Killed in action with seven of his comrades when the dugout they were in took a direct hit from a shell in the Ypres Salient on Tuesday 17th July 1917 aged 28, he had only been in the trenches for two days. He is buried in The Essex Farm Cemetery Ieper, West-Vlaanderen Belgium. The land south of Essex Farm was used as a dressing station cemetery from April 1915 to August 1917.
Born and resident in Belper Ernest enlisted in Derby and was the husband of Mary Alice Taylor (nee Maskey), of High St., Belper, they had one son aged 5. Ernest was a well known local cricketer and footballer playing for the Belper Pottery Club and before enlisting he worked at Denby Pottery. He was the son of Mr John Taylor of Victoria Terrace Belper.
Ernest Taylor.
Private 26946 George William Taylor 16th Battalion ('Chatsworth Rifles') Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) killed in action by a rifle grenade near Bethune at 9:00am on Tuesday 4th April 1916 aged 24. He is buried in the Bethune Town Cemetery France. George was a well known local footballer and cricketer and before the war worked at Salterwood Colliery. The previous year before enlisting he had lost his wife to illness. He was the son-in-Law of Herbert Boot, of Windmill Lane, Belper. Herbert also lost his son Private 17126 William Herbert Boot 1st Battalion Scots Guards
Private 200342 Joseph Taylor 1st/5th Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) Killed in Action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st July 1916. Many of the British soldiers were killed or wounded the minute they stepped out of the front line trenches into No Man's Land. Many of the men walked slowly towards the German lines, loaded down with supplies and expecting to encounter little or no opposition. They made a tragically easy targets for the German machine-gunners. Joseph has no known grave and is commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial France the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, which bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom who died in the Somme sector before 20th March 1918 and have no known grave.
Joseph was born and enlisted in Belper, he lived with his mother on Penn Street, his father had been a soldier but died in 1912. Joseph worked in the tarmac department at Denby before enlisting.
Able Seaman R/139 Herbert Throw Drake Battalion Royal Naval Division Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Killed in action by a shell from a trench mortar on Saturday 4th August 1917 aged 26. Herbert was originally buried on the battlefield then on Friday 29th October 1920 his body was exhumed and reburied in the Point-du-Jour Military Cemetery.
Herbert was in the Army Reserve on 28th February 1916 he entered service on 26th August 1916 ; Draft for BEF 16th December 1916, and joined the Drake Battalion on 3rd March 1917.
Herbert was Bricklayer working for Harris and Hunt of Marehay and was born in Belper on Tuesday 18th October 1892 He was the son of George and Maria Throw of 7 North Terrace, Belper.
Household Members at the 1901 census:
George Throw 40 a Bricklayers Labourer.
Maria Throw 33
Leonard Throw 12
George Throw 10
Herbert Throw 8
Victor Throw 4
Patty Throw 2
Lucy Throw 3 months
His two brothers George in the Derbyshire Yeomanry and Leonard in the Royal Field Artillery, both served in the war and survived.
Private 64808 John Arthur Tomlinson 15th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry killed in action at Aval Wood on the 22nd August 1918 aged 40, he was on sentry duty in the trenches when the Germans started shelling the trench, he took shelter in a dugout which received a direct hit from a shell. John is buried in the Aval Wood Military Cemetery Vieux-Berquin France. John was called up in July 1917 He was the son of Mr and Mrs E Tomlinson of Over Lane Belper.
Private 32549 Arthur Tomlinson ‘B’ Company 12th Battalion (Pioneers) Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) Pioneers were troops for manual labour as opposed to fighting. Died of bullet wounds to the abdomen and thigh at 6:00pm on Saturday 11th November 1916 aged 20. On Thursday 9th November 1916 Arthur was on sentry duty when he was struck by a bullet which entered his abdomen and thigh, he died three days later after sinking into a coma. Arthur is buried in the Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension France which was used for burials by the 6th Casualty Clearing Station. Born on Thursday 3rd December 1896, resident in Belper, Arthur enlisted in Derby on Monday 22nd November 1915 and was the son of Reuben and Emily Tomlinson, of Openwoodgate, Belper. Prior to enlistment Arthur was employed at Smedley’s Engineering Works Belper.
Arthur Tomlinson.
Private 33439 George Topham 11th Battalion Lancashire Regiment died of wounds at the No 3 Casualty Clearing Station after being wounded on Messines Ridge on Friday 8th June 1917 aged 27. Employing 2,300 guns and 300 heavy mortars, the British Army began a massive bombardment of German lines on Monday 21st May 1917. Simultaneous explosion of the mines took place at 3.10 on Friday 7th June. The blast killed an estimated 10,000 German soldiers and was so loud it was heard in. Under a nine divisions of the British Second Army advanced and they took all their preliminary objectives in the first three hours of the battle. The British Fifth Army also took advantage of the situation to make significant territorial gains from the Germans.
The German Army counter-attacked but by Thursday 14th June, the Messines Ridge had been completely occupied by British forces. The British Army suffered 17,000 casualties during the battle at Messines Ridge George was one of those casualties. George is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension France.
Born and resident in Belper George enlisted in Derby he had been employed at John Haynes builder as a bricklayer. He left a wife and a seven month old child.
Lance Corporal 200622 John Wilfred Topham ‘D’ Company 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) killed in action at 5pm on Wednesday 26th September 1917 aged 24 by shellfire at Passchendale. Officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele became infamous not only for the scale of casualties, but also for the mud. The infantry attacked at 5.50am on Wednesday 26 September on a frontageof near five miles amidst the clamour of an immense protective bombardment. Smoke and dust mixed with heavy ground mist made visibility poor, but the leading waves, keeping close to the barrage quickly overran dazed defenders in the forward zones.
John has no known grave and is commemorated on The Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing which bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. Son of Thomas Topham a Frame Work Knitter and Ellen Topham, of 30, Belper Lane, Belper. Prior to enlisting John worked at the Ambergate Wire Works.
