Private, 44366, George William Adcock, 4th Battalion Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), died of his wounds on the 18th April 1918, age 22 years. He was born at Thurmaston and enlisted at Leicester. He had formerly served with the Leicestershire Regiment, as Private 25943. He was the son of Charles and Elizabeth Adcock of 5, Flax Road, Leicester. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial (Panel 136), France.

 

 

Thomas Claude William Allen was born in 1895. At the age of 19, having previously worked as a chauffer, he joined the Army Service Corps (ASC) on the 8th May 1915, at Nottingham. On the 12th April 1916 he embarked aboard ship at Southampton, and disembarked the following day in Rouen, for service with the 607th Company ASC.

From 31st October 1917 he served with British Forces in Italy until the Autumn of 1918. He then returned to England, but had a further period of post-war service in France. Private, 102397, Thomas C. W. Allen was finally demoblised in September 1919, and returned to his mother's home in Berkeley Street, Thurmaston. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Thomas Allen was the son of Thomas Allen and his wife Mary Cooke Allen. He was born on the 24th September 1887.

He joined the Grenadier Guards as a private soldier, but on the 24th September 1914 he became Second Lieutenant Thomas Allen when he was commissioned into the Irish Guards. Just over 5 months later, whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, he was killed in action on the 25-26th February 1915. He is interred in Cuinchy Communal Cemetery, France. He is also commemorated on the War Memorial at Thurmaston, and on a family tomb that is within the churchyard of St. Michael and All Angels Church, Thurmaston.

He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service. His parents resided at Wayside, Kemerton, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.

 

 

Ernest Allot was born at Thurmaston in about 1891, and prior to the Great War had worked as a butcher for B. Lane's of Thurmaston. He enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 23701 on the 12th October 1915, thereafter serving with the 10th Battalion.

Allot's army career was very eventful, not always staying on the right side of army authority, he undertook many tours of duty in France and was wounded several times. We suffered a gun shot wound to his left shoulder on the 16th September 1916, which resulted in treatment at the 14th Casualty Clearing Station and the 9th General Hospital. In 1917, on the 31st October, he again suffered a similar wound to his left forearm, on which occasion he was treated by the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station and the 7th Canadian General Hospital. In 1918 he was posted to the 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, and soon thereafter to the 11th Battalion. On the 23rd March 1918 he suffered a further gun shot wound to his left hand and was treated by the 56th Casualty Clearing Station and the 56th General Hospital at Etaples, France.

In 1918, following a disciplinary action, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment, which he joined on the 10th August 1918, although within less than a month he was posted to the 11th Battalion of the Regiment. Private, 33505, Allot, East Lancashire Regiment was eventually transferred to the Class 'Z' Reserve on the 29th March 1919. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Thirty years' old George Anderson, a herdsman, of 9, Victoria Terrace, Thurmaston, joined the army in 1916. Eventually, he was attested on the 14th May 1917, and joined The Sherwood Foresters (The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) at Derby. George, who had been born in Scotland, lived at Thurmaston with his father, who was also called George Anderson.

After training George Anderson joined the 7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, but later served as Private, 238382, George Anderson, 414th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps. He also served with the 413th, 490th and 512th Companies of the Labour Corps.

In December 1919, on transferring to the army reserve, he informed the military authorities that he intended to live at Stenigot, Louth, Lincolnshire.

 

 

Private, 40996, Gerald Angrave, 19th Battalion Manchester Regiment, was killed in action on the 14th October 1916, age 20 years. He was born at Thurmaston and enlisted at Leicester. He had formerly served with the Leicestershire Regiment, as Private 5870. His brother Harold Angrave lived at 73, Main Street, Thurmaston. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme (Pier and Face 13A and 14C), France, and on the War Memorial at Thurmaston. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

In 1918 Arthur Appleby's home was at 3, Brook Street, Thurmaston, at which time he was serving as Private, 21703, A. Appleby, 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.

Later in the war he transferred to the Royal Engineers (RE) and served as Private, WR/286292, Arthur Appleby.

He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

George Ernest Appleby of Thurmaston enlisted in the army on the 11th December 1915 in the neighbouring village of Syston. He was held on reserve until he was mobilized and attested to the Leicestershire Regiment on the 28th January 1916 at Leicester, as Private, 24865, Appleby. Prior to joining the army the 21 year old had worked as an iron fettler. After training was over his service in France began on the 26th February 1917, after his unit made the Channel crossing from Folkestone to Bolougne. On the 13th October 1917, whilst serving with the 2/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), he received a gun shot wound, but rejoined for duty later in the month.

On the 21st March 1918 he was reported missing. Private, 202046, George Ernest Appleby, 2/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, was later confirmed killed in action, age 24 years. His parents, Joseph and Annie Appleby, lived at 261, Main Street, Thurmaston. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial (Bay 7), France, and on the War Memorial at Thurmaston. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

In 1918 George Bailey of 4, Red Hill Lane, Thurmaston, was serving as an Observer with the newly formed Royal Air Force. He had previously served as Observer, 23001, G. Bailey, Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS).

 

 

In 1918 George Henry Bailey was a registered voter at 183, Main Street, Thurmaston. George served with the Army Service Corps (ASC); and in 1918 he with the 648th Motor Transport Company of the ASC.

Private, M2/226314, G. H. Bailey, was discharged from the army on account of his health, he received the Silver War Badge in recognition of his services.

He was also awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his service overseas.

 

 

Frederick William Baldwin lived at 13, Church Street, Thurmaston. In 1918 he was serving as Gunner, 141780, F. W. Baldwin, with the 296th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA).

On the 11th February 1919 (page 2093) his name appeared in the Supplement to the London Gazette. This was because Gunner, (Acting Sergeant), F. W. Baldwin, serving with the 296th Siege Battery, RGA, had been awarded the Miltary Medal for Bravery in the Field.

Besides his award of the Military Medal, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

In 1918 James Baldwin's family home was at 30, Brook Street, Thurmaston. At that time he served as Gunner, 133587, J. Baldwin, Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA).

 

 

Private, 264144, Joseph Ballard, served with the army from at least 1916. By 1918 he was serving with the 482nd Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps. Joseph Ballard and his wife Florence Maud had their family home at 236, Main Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

Thomas Edward Ballard of 15, Church Street, Thurmaston, joined the ranks of the Leicestershire Regiment on the 6th December 1915, and was attested to the regiment on the 7th June 1916. When he joined the army he left at home his wife Edith and his 9 year old daughter Edna. Before joining the army Thomas Ballard had worked as a trolleyman.

Perhaps because of his age and marital status, Private, 238161, Thomas Edward Ballard saw no overseas service. In June 1917 he was transferred to an agricultural company of the Labour Corps.On dembolisation he was transferred to Class "Z" of the army reserve. He lived at 15, Church Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

In 1918 Bertie Bates of 20, Main Street, Thurmaston was serving in the army. As Private, 224507, B. Bates, he was with the 250th Divisional Employment Company of the Labour Corps.

 

On the 11th September 1915 serving soldier Ernest Bates married Alice Ellis at Thurmaston parish church.

The couple had five children, Douglas, Ernest Roy, Neville, Ellis and Aileen Bates. The young men of the family served in the 1939-1945 war, for their details see the 1939-1945 index.

 

 

Joseph Cyril Bates was born at Thurmaston in about 1895. By the age of 17 he was residing in Kilburn, London, and it was at Pound Lane, Willesden Green, that he joined the 1/9th Territorial Battation of the Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment on the 25th January 1912.

Prior to the Great War he took part in annual regimental training exercises. However, with the outbreak of war he was transferred to the 2/9th Battalion, with which he served until the 14th June 1915. After a short period of service with the 63rd Provisional Battalion he was demobilised, and thereafter served at the administration centre of the 9th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. He was discharged from service on the 7th February 1917. Private, 908, Joseph Cyril Bates, whose father lived at 11, Thomas Street, Loughborough, did not undertake any overseas service.

 

 

Louis Bates was born at Thurmaston on the 30th June 1890 and baptised the following month, on the 31st August, at Thurmaston parish church. He was the son of Joseph Bates, a shoe-finisher, and his wife Mary Ann.

Louis Bates served in the army from at least 1917, and by 1918 he was serving with the Royal Garrison Artillery. Louis and his wife Mabel lived at 311, Main Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

In 1918 Archibald Lewis Bentley was a resident at 231, Main Street, Thurmaston. At that time he served as Private, 202045, A. L. Bentley, 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)

 

 

Private, 16762, Gerald Bentley, served in France from the 29th July 1915. Serving as Company Quartermaster Sergeant Gerald Bentley, 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 26th March 1918, age 21 years. He was born at Thurmaston and enlisted at Leicester. His parents, William and Harriett Bentley, lived at 25, Moira Street, Leicester. He is buried in the Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension (Somme) (Grave II.D.7), France. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

In 1918-1919 John Wilfred Bentley was a resident at 7, Canal Street, Thurmaston. During that time he served as Private, 106361, J. W. Bentley, 8th Battalion The Machine Gun Corps (MGC).

 

 

John William Bentley joined the army on the 25th January 1915 from the National Reserve. At 42 years of age he was an experienced serviceman, having previously served for 12 years with the 2nd Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment.

He was embodied for war service with the 2/5th Leicesters, was promoted to Sergeant on the 1st March 1915, but, at his own request, reverted to Private just over 3 months later. Although born in Thurmaston, John William Bentley lived at 12, Dannett Street, Leicester, with his wife Susannah. His service with the army ended on the 14th July 1916. Private, 20123, Bentley did not serve overseas during the Great War.

 

 

Private, 21161, Thomas Bentley, 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 17th July 1916, in France and Flanders. He was born at Thurmaston, enlisted at Leicester, and was a resident of Syston. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme (Pier and Face 2C and 3A), France. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

In 1918 Thomas Bentley was a resident at 11, Church Lane, Thurmaston. At that time he served as a Private soldier with the 23rd Division, 223rd Employment Company of the Labour Corps.

 

 

Private, GS/17113, Harold Berrington, served with the 21st Lancers during the Great War. He then transferred to the 9th Lancers and by the end of the war he was promoted and served as Corporal, 10785, Harold Berrington. His family home was at 9, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

George Henry Berrington, aged 18 years, a shoehand, joined the army during February 1918. He was attested to the army by an officer of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry at Leicester. Thereafter he served in the army as Driver, 452374, G. H. Berrington, 23rd Company, Army Service Corps (ASC).

He was wounded on the 2nd September 1918, and by the Autumn of 1919 he had been transferred to the army reserve.He was the son of William Henry Berrington of 18, Berkeley Street, Thurmaston. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Joseph Berrington was the son of William Henry Berrington, a labourer, and his wife Elizabeth. The couple's son was born at Thurmaston and baptised in the parish church on the 6th August 1899 by the vicar George Chappell.

Private, 1874, Joseph Berrington, 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 23rd October 1916; he had been wounded twice previously, having served in France from the 2nd March 1915. He had enlisted at Leicester. His home was at 18, Berkeley Street, Thurmaston. He is buried in the Bienvillers Military Cemetery (Grave V.C.10), France, and commemorated on the War Memorial at Thurmaston. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Alfred Bishop's home was at 12, Alexandra Street, Thurmaston. In 1918 he was serving as Driver, 199332, Alfred Bishop, Royal Engineers. John Bishop (qv) also lived at the same address.

Alfred Bishop went overseas and was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

In 1918 John Bishop lived at 12, Alexandra Street, Thurmaston, which was also the home of Alfred Bishop (qv). Corporal, 10393, John Bishop, served with the 52nd (Grad) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers.

 

 

George William Black was born at Thurmaston in about 1892. He was the son of Joseph and Sarah Black of Thurmaston, and younger brother of John Wilfred Black (q.v.).

George William Black enlisted into the army at Leicester. Lance Corporal, 30144, George William Black, 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 10th October 1918, in France. He is buried in the Rethel French National Cemetery (Grave 1731), France, and commemorated on the War Memorial at Thurmaston. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

To see a full length photograph of George William Black, taken with another soldier, who is as yet unidentified, click on the link below.

George William Black

 

John Wilfred Black was born at Thurmaston in about 1883. He was the son of Joseph and Sarah Black of Thurmaston. He was also the elder brother of George William Black (q.v.).

Able Seaman, BZ5273, John Wilfred Black was a member of the Bristol Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR). In 1918 he was entered on the books of HMS President, the headquarters and drillship of the London Division of the RNVR. He was the brother of George William Black (q.v.). John Wilfred Black lived at 367, Main Street, Thurmaston.

To see a near full length photograph of John Wilfred Black and his brother George William Black click on the link below.

John Wilfred Black

 

 

Private, 23136, James Roland Blake, first served overseas with the South Staffordshire Regiment. By 1918 Private Blake had been appointed Lance-Corporal with the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffords.

James R. Blake's family home was at 215, Main Street, Thurmaston. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Wilfred John Blount, a 23 year old cane worker of Thurmaston was attested to the army on the 18th April 1916. He joined the 12th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Midland Pioneers) - serving as Private, 27326, W. J. Blount.

In the space of less than a month, with quick transfers through the 3rd, 12th and 1st Battalions of the Leicesters, he ended up in the 10th Battalion of the regiment and went to France to join the British Expeditionary Force on the 7th September 1916. Thereafter was transferred to the Rifle Brigade.

The following year, on the 19th February 1917, he was posted missing and was later confirmed as a Prisoner of War. He was released in December 1918. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

His mother was Eliza Blount of Thurmaston.

 

 

Gunner, 163548, Harold Andrew Bond, Royal Horse Artillery and D Battery, 330th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, was killed in action on the 26th November 1917, age 39 years. He was born at Thurmaston and enlisted at Brighton, Sussex. His parents were Thomas and Mary Ann Bond. His wife, Laura May Bond, lived at Warniglid Village, Haywards Heath, Sussex. He is commemorated at Perth Cemetery (China Wall) (Ref. V.E.1), Belgium. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

Sydney Broadhurst enlisted into the army in 1915, aged 19 years. He was the son of Ernest Broadhurst who lived at 268, Main Street, Thurmaston. It was not until October 1917 that Sydney Broadhurst was attested and mobilized for military service.

Initially, he served with the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) and then he transferred to the Army Service Corps (ASC). Whilst serving with the ASC he qualified as a Wireless Electrcian and Wireless Fitter. Once qualified he then served in the same trade with the Royal Engineers (RE) as Sapper, 364041, Sydney Broadhurst. He was transferred to the army reserve in 1919. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Private, 22331, John Richard Brookes, 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), was killed in action on the 30th August 1918, age 19 years. He was born at Leicester, the son of William and Louisa Brookes. He lived at 13, Garden Street, Thurmaston with his wife Evelyn Brookes. Jack Brookes, as he was known, had been in the army from at least 2nd September 1917. Evelyn later lived at 25, Havelock Street, Thurmaston, as Mrs. Evelyn Lewin. He is buried at Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery Haucourt (Grave I.A.32), France, and commemorated on the War Memorial at Thurmaston. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Arthur William Broughton was a resident at 24, Reading Street, Thurmaston, in 1918. At that time he was serving as Bombadier, 39564, A. W. Broughton, with 'D' Battery of the 152nd (Nottingham) Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery (RFA).

He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Private, 60431, John Brown, 10th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 26th September 1917, in France and Flanders. He was born at Thurmaston and enlisted at Leicester. He had formerly served with the Royal Army Service Corps, as Private 223749.

 

 

W. Brown is commemorated on the War Memorial at Thurmaston.

 

 

Albert Ernest Bunn served with the Royal Field Artillery as Gunner L-28931. However, as Gunner, 174162, 351st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, he was killed in action on the 20th November 1917, aged 27 years. He was born at Leicester and enlisted at Leicester. He was the son of John Henry Bunn and husband of Ellen May Bunn. She later became Mrs Ellen May Bull and was resident at 10, Leicester Road, Syston, Leicester. He is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery (Grave I.I.142), Belgium, and is commemorated on the Thurmaston War Memorial. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

Albert Ernest Bunn was one of four brothers that served during the Great War. His brother Private, 8631, George Bunn, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was killed in action on 24th November 1914, whilst his brother Private, 8013, Edward Bunn, 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 22nd May 1915. His brother Private J.H. Bunn, who served with the Northumberland Fusiliers, was wounded and taken as a prisoner of war. To see images of all four brothers click on the following link

The Bunn brothers

 

 

In 1918 William Henry Burton was a resident at 318, Main Street, Thurmaston. At that time he was serving as Private, 65491, W. H. Burton, 3rd Garrison Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.