Benjamin Thomas Cart was born at Sileby, Leicestershire, in about 1883. He was the son of Thurmaston born Benjamin Cart, a framework-knitter and his wife Elizabeth. Private, 23721, Benjamin Cart, who had enlisted into the army at Leicester, died in Mesopotamia on the 7th September 1916. He was serving with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He is buried in the Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service. Benjamin Thomas Cart was the elder brother of William H. Cart (qv).

 

 

William H. Cart was born at Thurmaston, in about 1889. He was the son of Thurmaston born Benjamin Cart, a framework-knitter and his wife Elizabeth. William Cart enlisted into the army at Leicester. As Private, 8174, William Cart, 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, he disembarked for service in France with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the 12th October 1914. The following year, on the 29th April 1915 he was admitted to hospital on account of sickness, but returned to duty on the 18th May 1915. On returning to active service, on the 20th May 1915, he was appointed Lance Corporal. He was killed in action on the 15th September 1915. He is commemorated on the War Memorial at Thurmaston. He was posthumously awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service. William H. Cart was the younger brother of Benjamin Thomas Cart (qv).

 

 

Private, 11768, Henry Albert Carter, 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment died on the 6th December 1914, in England, age 31 years. His name is commemorated on a stone tablet within Thurmaston Memorial Hall (erected 1929), on which he is recorded as Lance Corporal Carter. He was born in Leicester. He was the son of William and the then late Ann Carter, and husband of Ethel Carter of 36, Junction Road, Wigston Magna, Leicestershire. He enlisted at Leicester. He is buried in Gilroes Cemetery (Grave II. 95.), Leicester, England.

 

 

Private, 11125, William Carter, 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, disembarked for service in France with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the 8th December 1914. He was killed in action on the 13th March 1915. His name is commemorated on a stone tablet within Thurmaston Memorial Hall (erected 1929), on which his date of death is recorded as 10th March 1915. He was born within St. Margaret's parish, Leicester. He enlisted at Leicester. He is buried in Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, (Grave VIII. H. 12.), Pas de Calais, France. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

In 1918-1919 Deck Hand, 4878, E. E. Carvell, was serving aboard HMS Dreel Castle.

 

 

In 1918 Private, 315368, George W. Carvell, was serving with the 16th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. His family home was at 5, Brook Street, Thurmaston.

Private G. W. Carvell also served with the Royal Sussex Regiment under the service number G/18289 and with the Leicestershire Regiment as Private, 23343.

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

 

 

Ernest Cave of Garden Street, Thurmaston, aged 21 years, who was born in the village, joined the 3/2nd North Midland Division, Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), Territorial Force, on the 9th July 1915. Private, 11125, Ernest Cave sailed to France on the S.S. Karnac, landing at Le'Havre on the 25th February 1917. He disembarked with his unit which was then on attachment to the 2/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment).

By Christmas Day 1917 Ernest Cave was serving in Italy, where he worked at both a Casualty Clearing Station and different General Hospitals. He returned to France for further service with the RAMC, but in 1918 he transfered to the Army Service Corps, serving as a Driver, T4/239627, Ernest Cave.

On demobilisation he reported that he intended to live at 8, Farndon Street, Belgrave, Leicester. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

John William Challoner was born on the 15th November 1898. On the 28th September 1916 he joined the Royal Marine Artillery (RMA), on continuous service enlistment. In 1918 his home address was at 7, Alexandra Street, Thurmaston: at which time he was serving as Gunner, 15136, J. W. Challoner, RMA. He served aboard HMS King George V.

 

 

In 1918 Private, 41978, Harry Chamberlain was serving with the 6th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment. However, by the end of the war he had transferred to the Labour Corps, with which he served as Private, 642424, H. Chamberlain.

Harry Chamberlain lived at 4, Brook Street, Thurmaston. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

In 1918 Leonard Chamberlain of 9, Brook Street, Thurmaston, was serving as Private, 25156, L. Chamberlain, 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment.

 

 

Hereward Chappell was the son of George Chappell, who was Thurmaston's vicar from 1896-1926, and his wife Emma Marion, nee Ellison. Hereward was the couple's eldest child, he was baptised at Thurmaston parish church on the 5th June 1898. In 1916 Second Lieutenant Hereward Chappell was enrolled as a cadet in the Saugor Military Academy in India.

As Lieutenant Hereward Chappell he served with the 39th Garhwal Rifles during the Great War, both in Iraq and with the Army of the Black Sea. At the war's end he also served in the Waritzan campaign of 1919-1921.

After the Great War he served with the 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles, but in 1931 he transferred to the Burma Military Police. He served with the Burma Army during the 1939-1945 war. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and on the 12th June 1947, when then commanding the 2nd Battalion Burma Regiment, he became an Officer of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).

He retired from the army in 1948 and eventually went to live at Ditchling, Sussex.

For more details about Hereward Chappell click on the link

Hereward Chappell

 

 

Private, 18837, George Claxton, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 24th September 1918, aged 40 years. He had served in France from the 5th November 1915. He had also served with the 9th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. He was born at Saltby, Leicestershire and enlisted at Leicester. He resided at 17 Brook Street, Thurmaston with his wife Sarah Ann Claxton. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial (Panel 5), France, and 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.

 

 

In 1918 Charles Claydon of 28, Garden Street, Thurmaston was serving as Private, 201795, C. Claydon, 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He was the son of George and Annie Claydon, and brother of George Claydon (qv). Charles Claydon had been born at North Kyme, Lincolnshire, in about 1888.

 

 

Corporal, 8086, George Claydon (otherwise Clayton), 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 15th May 1915, aged 26 years. He was born at Ruskington Fen, Lincolnshire and enlisted at Leicester. His parents, George and Annie Claydon, lived at 28, Garden Street, Thurmaston, along with his brother Charles Claydon (qv). He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial (Panel 11), France, and on the War Memorial at Thurmaston. George Claydon's next of kin were entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal awarded in his name.

 

 

Sydney Arthur Colver, was born at Earl Shilton, Leicestershire. However, on the 17th November 1915, when he joined the army at Leicester, he stated that he was a resident of Berkeley Street, Thurmaston, where he lived with his father Arthur Colver. The thirty-four year old, vanman and carter, was immediately placed on the reserve, and was not mobilised for service until 6th September 1918, when he began serving as Private, T/440646, Sydney Colver, Army Service Corps, but was quickly transferred to the Royal Artillery at Woolwich. Sydney Arthur Colver did not undertaken any overseas service.

 

 

Ronald Henry Neale Compton was a resident at 5, Alexandra Street, Thurmaston, in 1918. At that time he was serving as Private, 17671, R. H. N. Compton, 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.

Private Compton first served in France with the Leicestershire Regiment on the 9th September 1915. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Allied Victory Medal and the Silver War Badge.

 

 

Private, 11724, Charles W. Cook of the Leicestershire Regiment was landed in France on the 29th July 1915. In August 1916 Charles Cook, by then appointed Lance Corporal, was reported wounded. He sent a message to his father, Mr. W. Cook, of Ellmore Cottages, Thurmaston, to say that he had been wounded on the 14th July 1916. He was discharged from the army on account of his wounds on the 30th July 1917. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Allied Victory Medal and the Silver War Badge.

Prior to being called-up Charles Cook was a member of the Syston and Thurmaston Silver Prize Band.

 

 

In 1918 Harrison Cook was a resident at Ellmore's Works, Syston Road, Thurmaston, which was also home to Percival and William Henry Cook (qv). At that time he was serving as 3rd A.M. H. Cook, 2nd Reserve Lorry Park, Royal Air Force.

 

 

Private, 10211, Percival Cook, Leicestershire Regiment, first served in France on the 29th July 1915. In 1918 he was serving with the 6th Battalion of the Leicesters. He was discharged from the army and placed on the reserve on the 7th March 1919.

Percival Cook lived at Ellmore's Works, Syston Road, Thurmaston, which was also the home address of Harrison and William Henry Cook (qv). He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

In 1918 Private, 202503, William Henry Cook, was serving with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. Before the war's end he had been promoted to Corporal Cook of the Leicesters. He also served under the regimental number 62246.

William Henry Cook lived at Ellmore's Works, Syston Road, Thurmaston, which was also the home address of Harrison and Percival Cook (qv). He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

36434, H. Cooke of the Machine Gun Corps was reported wounded during October 1916. He was a resident of Thurmaston.

 

 

Private, 241987, John William Cooke, 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 14th December 1917. He was born at Queniborough and enlisted at Leicester. He was a resident of Thurmaston. He also served as Private, 5511, John William Cooke, Leicestershire Regiment. He is buried in Cambrin Military Cemetery (Ref. M. 19), 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.

 

 

Lieutenant Charles Henry Cox served as a Machine Gun Instructer with the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. In 1918 his home address was Claremont, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston.

 

 

Private, 20632, Thomas Crawfoot, 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was reported missing and was later confirmed as killed in action on the 14th July 1916. He was born at Thurmaston and enlisted at Leicester. He was a resident of Thurmaston. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme (Pier and Face 2C and 3A), France, and on the War Memorial at Thurmaston. His name is also commemorated on a stone tablet within Thurmaston Memorial Hall (erected 1929).

 

 

John Arthur Cunnington of 49, Humberstone Lane, lived at Thurmaston with his wife Ada and their young son John. He was attested to the army on the 10th December 1915, but was not posted to the army until the 19th May 1916. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). After training at Woolwich he qualified as a skilled wheeler, and was appointed as a Wheeler on the 17th April 1917.

On the 20th December 1918, he was posted to India with the No. 1, Reserve Battery RGA. Wheeler, 83965, John Arthur Cunnington, RGA was not demoblised until January 1920. He was awarded the British War Medal for his war service.

 

 

Lance Corporal, 41310, Edgar Davis, 1/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 15th June 1918, in Italy, age 30 years. He was born at Thurmaston. He enlisted at Leicester where he was resident. His parents, William and Emma Davis, lived at Thurmaston. As Private, 32185, Edgar Davis, he also saw service with the Norfolk Regiment. He is buried in the Magnaboschi British Cemetery (Plot 2, Row F, Grave 9), Italy. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Gunner, 245734, George Henry Dawson, Royal Field Artillery (RFA), died on home service on the 22nd January 1919, whilst under treatment in the 5th Northern General Hospital, Leicester. He was 24 years' old. In 1918 he had been part of the 7th Reserve Brigade of the RFA. He was the son of George Henry and Edith Emma Dawson of 28, Main Street, Thurmaston, and brother of James Walter Dawson (qv). He was a married man, and his widow later became Mrs. MacDonald. He was buried in Thurmaston Cemetery (Grave B.711.) on the 27th January 1919. His grave is marked by a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone. He is also commemorated on the War Memorial at Thurmaston.

 

 

Private, 207803, James Walter Dawson served overseas with the Labour Corps. In 1918 he served with the 86th Labour Company of the Corps.

James Walter was the son of George Henry and Edith Emma Dawson of 28, Main Street, Thurmaston. He was also the brother of George Henry Dawson (qv). He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Gunner, 80534, Henry Lawrence Dickinson, 182nd Seige Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, died of wounds on the 23rd October 1918, in France, age 38 years. His name is commemorated on a stone tablet within Thurmaston Memorial Hall (erected 1929). He was born in Leicester, the son of Lawrence and Sarah Dickinson of Belgrave, Leicestershire. He enlisted at Leicester. He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery (Grave LXVI. K. 26.), Pas de Calais, France. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

In 1918 Fred Dyson's home address was 2, Reading Street, Thurmaston. At that time Fred was serving as Private, 81081, F. Dyson, Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), in the 2nd General District. By the end of the war he was promoted to Corporal.

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

 

 

Private, 18159, Joseph Charles Earl, first landed in France to serve with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the 9th September 1915. Just over a year later, on the 25th September 1916, Joseph Charles Earl, by then appointed Lance Corporal with the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was presumed dead, killed in action. He was 19 years' old. He had been born at Thurmaston, the son of a brickyard foreman, David William Earl, and his wife Edith Annie. He lived at Red Hill Cottage, Thurmaston with his parents. He was baptised at Thurmaston parish church on the 5th November 1899, along with his two sisters, Katherine and Rosa Matilda. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme (Pier and Face 2C and 3A), France, and on the War Memorial at Thurmaston. His name is also commemorated on a stone tablet within Thurmaston Memorial Hall (erected 1929). He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Allied Victory Medal.

 

 

In 1918 Gunner, 29026, George Edwards was serving with 'D' Battery of the Royal Field Artillery (RFA). He later served as Private, 673016, G. Edwards, Labour Corps.

George Edwards home address was 24, Main Street, Thurmaston. He was awarded the British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal for his overseas service during the Great War.

 

 

In 1918 Wilfred Miles Ellis was a registered voter, giving his home address as the Old Hall, 17, Canal Street, Thurmaston; which was also the home of Kenneth Gibson Rollett (qv). At that time Wilfred Miles Ellis was serving (Service No. 225315) at the Headquarters of the 7th Cavalry Brigade.

 

 

Private, 23852, William Fairhurst arrived in France on the 22nd December 1915. During 1916 he served with the 10th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He was discharged from the army on the 22nd January 1918 on account of ill health. He and his wife, Louisa, lived in Harrison Row, Thurmaston. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Allied Victory Medal and the Silver War Badge.

 

Henry Fisher, who was born at Thurmaston, was attested to the army on the 5th April 1915, at Leicester. He was 49 years old and earlier in his life he had served with the 3rd Militia Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment.

He joined the No. 1, Supernumerary Company, 4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, but was then transferred to 156th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps. He served with the Corps until the 2nd June 1917.

On leaving the army he went home to his wife Ann Fisher, whom he had married at Leicester Registry Office in 1895, she was then living on Junction Road, Leicester. Henry Fisher served only within the United Kingdom. He was discharged from the army and received the Silver War Badge.

 

Private, GS/76807, Alfred Fitchett served with the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). In 1918 his home was at 44, Garden Street, Thurmaston.

He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for war service on the Western Front.

 

 

William Foster was born at Little Gonerby, near Grantham, Lincolnshire on the 26th August 1888. He was baptised at Grantham parish church on the 5th October 1888, the son of Henry Foster and his wife Harriet Alma, nee Ingram. William Foster enlisted into the 1st Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment, at Grantham, on the 28th February 1907. He served as a mounted infantryman in Poona, India during 1910. As a private soldier he served with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France during 1914. He was transferred to the Army Service Corps and later discharged from the army on the 24th January 1919. He was wounded in action. He was a resident of Thurmaston. William Foster's son, Frank William Foster, served in the 1939-45 war (See WWII Index).

 

 

Private, 27242, Wallace Foulds served with the Leicestershire Regiment. However, by 1918 he had transferred to the 13th Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, with which he served as Private, 56084, W. Foulds.

Wallace Foulds lived at The Poplars, Syston Road, Thurmaston. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.

 

 

Frederick Charles Fox was born at Thurmaston on the 5th April 1893. In 1918 he was serving as Ordinary Seaman, J7885, F. C. Fox, R.N., aboard HMS Gunner.

His home address was 43, Reading Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

72921, Gunner Henry Fox, Royal Artillery, of 1, Brook Street, Thurmaston. Henry Fox was born about 1886. He was attested to the army on the 11/02/1916 at Wigston Barracks, Glen Parva, Leicestershire. Prior to joining the army he had worked as a hosiery hand and warehouseman.

Army Career:

Woolwich Gunner 26/02/1916
Mobilized and Posted Gunner 29/03/1916
Royal Garrison Artillery 20th Company Gunner 17/04/1916
Royal Garrison Artillery Depot Gunner 29/05/1916
Royal Garrison Artillery to B.E.F. France Gunner 12/08/1916
Royal Garrison Artillery 17th Heavy Battery Gunner 01/1916
12 Casualty Clearing Station Gunner 21/07/1917
Invalided to England Gunner 02/09/1917
Norfolk Hospital Gunner 15/10/1917
1 Reserve Brigade Gunner 01/11/1917
2 Reserve Brigade Gunner 01/11/1917
Royal Artillery 26th Heavy Battery Gunner 17/06/1918
III Corps Supply Dump Gunner 22/12/1918
Rejoined Royal Artillery 26th Heavy Battery Gunner 28/02/1919
Leave to UK via Calais Gunner 01/03/1919
Appointed Paid Acting Lance Bombadier 17/05/1919
Appointed Lance Bombadier 20/06/1919
Dispersal Lance Bombadier 06/09/1919
Transferred Class 'Z' Army Reserve on Demobilization Lance Bombadier 07/10/1919

Medical History: While working on gun hit by shrapnel in back and arm. Severe Trench Fever.

Awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.

 

Sergeant, 75594, William Charles Fox of the Royal Field Artillery arrived in the Middle East on the 19th July 1915. He was reported wounded during October 1916. He was a resident of Thurmaston. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Allied Victory Medal.

 

 

Private, 14594, George Frisby, 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 25th September 1916, in France, age 23 years. He was born at Thurmaston on the 27th August 1893, and baptised at Thurmaston parish church on the 29th October 1893. His parents were Arthur Frisby, a shoehand, and Anne Frisby; they later lived at 55, Ivanhoe Street, Newfoundpool, Leicester. George Frisby enlisted at Leicester and served with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from the 29th July 1915. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme (Pier and Face 2C and 3A), France, and on the War Memorial at Thurmaston. His name is also commemorated on a stone tablet within Thurmaston Memorial Hall (erected 1929). He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Allied Victory Medal.

 

 

Joe Frisby was posted to the 12th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment on the 10th April 1916. Joe, by trade a basket maker, lived at 233, Main Street, Thurmaston, with his wife Florence and their three young girls, Maud, Elizabeth and Emma. After initial training Joe Frisby was transferred to a training battalion, and eventually to the Labour Corps, with which he served in France from 8th September 1917 until the 29th January 1919. Private, 351362, Joseph Frisby, 747 Company, Labour Corps, was eventually discharged from the army on the 18th March 1919, having been assessed as physically unfit for further service. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Private, 21459, Leonard Frisby, served with the 10th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. In 1918 his home address was 15, Garden Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

In 1918 Private, 38676, Walter Fuller served with the 2/6th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. During the Great War he also served as Private, 34384, W. Fuller, The Prince of Wales' Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment. In 1918 his home was at 45, Berkeley Street, Thurmaston.

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