Edwin Noble was born in the Leicestershire town of Wigston Magna in about 1893, the fourth child and third son of Joseph and Emily Noble.

On the 11th November 1915 Edwin Noble, a single man, and an engine cleaner by trade, stood before a magistrate at Leicester to swear an oath of allegiance to the king; he was thereby attested to the army. His attestation was finally approved on the 5th July 1916, when was appointed to the Railway Operating Division of the Royal Engineers (RE). He became Sapper, 188991, Edwin Noble, RE. He later served as Sapper, WR/257629, Edwin Noble, RE.

In 1918 he lived at 336, Main Street, Thurmaston. At that time his two bothers, Harry and Percy, (qv) were also serving in the army.

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

 

 

Harry Noble was born at Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, in about 1888, the second child and first son of Joseph and Emily Noble.

As Lance Corporal, 7856, Harry Noble he served with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. The Battalion went into action with the Germans very soon after Harry Noble landed in France to serve with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the 12th October 1914. Harry Noble later rose to become a Warrant Officer II class with the Leicesters. However, in 1918 he was serving as Company Sergeant Major, 19872, with the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. At that time his family's home was at 336, Main Street, Thurmaston. His two bothers, Edwin and Percy, (qv) also served in the army.

He was awarded the 1914 Star and bar, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Percy Noble was born in the Leicestershire village of Blaby in about 1896, the fifth child and fourth son of Joseph and Emily Noble.

Private, 9543, Percy Noble, served with the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. He went to France with his Battalion on the 9th September 1914, to serve with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). In 1918 he lived at 336, Main Street, Thurmaston. At that time his two bothers, Harry and Edwin, (qv) were also serving in the army.

He was awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service. In the 1939-45 War he served with the Home Guard (See 1939-45 Index, Surnames L-R).

To see a full length photograph of Percy Noble click on the link below.

Percy Noble

 

 

Private, 28554, Samuel Michael Norton, 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers, was killed in action on the 3rd October 1917, age 23 years. He was born at Thurmaston. He enlisted at Nottingham, where he was resident. He had formerly served with the North Staffordshire Regiment, as Private 37701. His father, Mr. S. M. Norton, lived at 17, George Street, Huthaite, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 66 to 68), Belgium. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.

 

 

Cecil Douglas Ogden was born at Syston, Leicestershire, in about 1893. He was the son of architect and surveyor Cecil Ogden and his wife May. In 1918 Cecil Douglas Ogden was resident at The Gate House, Roundhill, Syston Road, Thurmaston. He was then serving as Sapper, 310390, C. D. Ogden of the Royal Engineers.

He had first served in France with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the 8th July 1915. He served with serveral different units between 1915 and 1918 - He was Corporal, 51173, Ogden, Royal Field Artillery and Sapper, WR/277364, Ogden, Royal Engineers (RE). He also saw service with the RE as WR/277258 Ogden and with the Machine Gun Corps, service number 15..

He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Lance Corporal, 7147, Arthur Osborne, C Company, 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, died of wounds on the 7th January 1916, in Mesopotamia. He was 33 years old. He was born at Thurmaston and enlisted at Leicester. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Osborne. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial (Panel 12), Iraq.

 

 

On the 14th August 1914, Private, 8018, Albert Edward Page landed in France with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).

By 1918 Albert Page had been promoted to Sergeant and was then serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his service with the BEF.

Albert Edward Page lived at 21, Garden Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

Rough Rider, RTS/2628, George Palmer of the Army Service Corps (ASC) first served overseas, in France, on the 8th October 1914.

His unit's service with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) earned him the 1914 Star; and after the war he was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.

 

 

Private, 73027, F. Parker, Royal Defence Corps, died on the 28th November 1918. He was 20 years old. He is buried in Thurmaston Cemetery and his grave is marked by a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

 

 

Private, 3529, George Edward Partridge, began his service in France on the 2nd March 1915. He was later appointed Lance Corporal. On the 13th October 1915, he was just one of many men of the 1/4th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment that were killed during the attack on on the Hohenzollern Redoubt. He was 27 years of age. He was enlisted at Leicester. He was the son of William and Hannah Partridge of 70, Wilby Place, Leicester Road, Syston, Leicestershire. He was married to Annie Partridge and was resident at Thurmaston. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial (Panel 42 to 44), France, and on the War Memorial at Thurmaston. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.

 

 

In 1918 George Harry Partridge of 155, Main Street, Thurmaston, was serving in the army. He was then Acting-Lance Corporal, 101151, George H. Partridge, serving with the 169th Labour Company of the Labour Corps. Earlier in the war he had served as Private, 49369, G. H. Partridge, Devonshire Regiment.

For overseas service during the Great War he was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.

 

 

Charles Edward Pedge was living in Thurmaston in 1919, with his wife Eliza. At that time he was a serving soldier. It is not known whether he had any war service. In the 1920's Charles Edward Pedge worked as an ironmoulder. The couple's son Albert George Pedge (qv) of Thurmaston served in the Royal Navy during the 1939-45 war. Charles Edward Pedge of 32, Unicorn Street, Thurmaston, died at the age of 52 years old. He was buried in Thurmaston Cemetery on Christmas Eve, 1947.

 

 

John Amos Perkins was born in the Leicestershire village of Blaby in about 1889. After he joined the army he served as Private, 38338, J. A. Perkins, Leicestershire Regiment. However, he transferred to the 1/5th Battalion of The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). He was killed in action whilst serving with the battalion on the 17th May 1918.

Private, 81365, John Amos Perkins, is buried in Fouquieres Churchyard Extension, France (Ref. I.91.). He is commemorated on Thurmaston War Memorial.

His wife lived at 20, Berkeley Street, Thurmaston. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.

 

 

In 1918 Frank Piggin of 2, Alexandra Street, Thurmaston was serving in the army. He was with the 410th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps, serving as Private, 634163, F. Piggin.

 

 

Arthur Pole lived at 2, Rookery, Thurmaston, with his wife Annie. In 1918 he was serving as Driver, T4/239654, A. Pole, 516th Company, Army Service Corps, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division.

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

 

 

Driver, L/39548, Ernest Pole, served with the 175th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery (RFA). In 1918 Ernest Pole's home address was 297, Main Street, Thurmaston.

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

 

 

Lance Corporal, GS/95013, John Hammond Pole, served with the 17th Battalion The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). In 1918 John H. Pole's home address was 187, Main Street, Thurmaston.

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

 

 

Private, 4905, John Henry Pole, served with the 157th Protection Company of the Royal Defence Corps. In 1918 John H. Pole's home address was 299, Main Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

Private, 25614l, Thomas H. Pole, first served overseas with the Leicestershire Regiment. He then served as Private, 30165, T. H. Pole, Devonshire Regiment. By 1918 he was serving as Private, 202407, T. H. Pole, The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). His home was at 7, Canal Street, Thurmaston.

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

 

 

Edwin Charles Pope, lived at Farm Lodge, Thurmaston. He had served as Private, 4724, Edwin Pope, of the East Surrey Regiment. However, by 1918, when serving with the 1/6th Battalion of the regiment, his service number had changed to 242489.

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

 

 

In 1918 George Porch, of 91, Main Street, Thurmaston, was serving in the Royal Navy. Able Seaman, C/52, G. Porch, served aboard HMS Oiler.

 

 

In 1918 Henry 'Harry' Porch of 95, Main Street, Thurmaston was serving in the army. Private, 27922, H. Porch served with The King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment).

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

 

 

Private, 202020, George Henry Potter, 2/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 26th September 1917, age 22 years. He was born at Thurmaston and enlisted at Leicester. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Potter, lived at 15, Canal Street, Thurmaston. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 50 to 51), Belgium, and on the War Memorial at Thurmaston.

 

 

James Alfred Poulton was born at Thurmaston on the 18th February 1893, the son of George Poulton, a labourer, and his wife Mary Ann. He was baptised at Thurmaston parish church on the 26th March 1893. He was living at Thurmaston when he enlisted into the army at Leicester.

Private, 20548, James Alfred Poulton, Leicestershire Regiment, first served in France on the 22nd December 1915. He was reported wounded during August 1916. The following year, whilst serving with the 8th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, he was killed in action on the 3rd May 1917. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial (Bay 5), France, and on the War Memorial at Thurmaston. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.

 

 

Edgar Powell lived at 9, Church Street, Thurmaston. He had first served as Private, 26128, E. Powell of the South Staffordshire Regiment. However, by 1918 he was serving as Private, 587867, Edgar Powell, Army Service Corps.

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

 

 

Herbert Arthur Pratt and his wife Jessie lived at 12, Harrison Street, Thurmaston. Herbert served in the army from at least 1916, at which time he was in the Royal Engineers (RE). In 1918 he was serving as Corporal, 488417, H. A. Pratt, 469th Field Company, RE.

He also served with the Leicestershire Regiment during the Great War. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

On the 29th August 1915, Lance Corporal, 17136, Leonard Prestidge, 12th Battalion (Pioneers), The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), landed in France to serve with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). He was later promoted to Corporal with the regiment, and by 1918 he was Lance Sergeant with the battalion.

On the 28th February 1919 he was transferred to the class 'Z' army reserve. His home was at 20, Brook Street, Thurmaston.

He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Rifleman, B/200032, William Charles Prestidge, 10th Battalion (The Prince Consort's Own), The Rifle Brigade, was killed in action on the 21st November 1917, in France. He was born at Thurmaston and enlisted at Leicester. He was a resident of Thurmaston. He had formerly served with the 11th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, as 24056. He is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louveral (Panel 10 and 11), 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.

 

 

Private, 21456, Richard Price, 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was reported missing and later confirmed as killed in action on the 17th 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), on which his date of death is recorded as 12th July 1916. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

Charles James Pudney was born at Wivenhoe, Essex, on the 16th July 1892. He joined the Royal Navy and by 1918 he had risen to become Petty Officer, J1529, C. J. Pudney, and was based at HMS Pembroke, the Royal Navy base at Chatham.

In 1918 his home address was Ashleigh, Leicester Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

In 1918 John William Ratcliffe was a serving soldier. He served as Sapper, 278971, J. W. Ratcliffe, 269th Railway Company, Royal Engineers. His home was at 14, Harrison Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

Arthur Henry Reed was a serving soldier during 1916. By 1918 he was serving as Private, 201434, A. H. Reed, 2/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He and his wife, Elsie Evelyn, lived at 14, Reading Street, Thurmaston. He also served as Private, 4915, A. H. Reed, Leicestershire Regiment.

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

 

 

In 1918 George Chapman Reed was serving with the Royal Air Force (RAF). As 3rd A/M, 58196, G. C. Reed, he served with the 29th Balloon Section, 13th Company, RAF. The unit was part of 5 Balloon Wing, with its headquarters at Honnechy, France.

His family home was at 24, Reading Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

Private, 5070, James Alfred Richards, 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, died on the 27th December 1916, aged 20 years. He was born at Leicester where he enlisted. His parents lived at 26, Reading Street, Thurmaston, which was also the home of William Richards (qv). He is buried in the Bienvillers Military Cemetery (Ref. III.D.9), 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.

 

 

In 1918 William Richards was a serving soldier. He served as Trooper, 259594, W. Richards, Leicestershire Yeomanry. His home was at 26, Reading Street, Thurmaston. This had also been the home address of James Alfred Richards (qv).

 

 

29691, F. Richardson of the Yorkshire Regiment was reported wounded during September 1916. He was a resident of Thurmaston.

 

 

Private, 4751, Charles H. Ridgway, 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 28th June 1916, age 19 years. He was born at Thurmaston and enlisted at Leicester. His parents, Ben and Edith A. Ridgway, lived at 283, Main Street, Thurmaston. He is buried at Foncquevillers Military Cemetery (Grave I.L.16), France, and commemorated 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 British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

In 1918 Charles James Ridgway of 11, Brook Street, Thurmaston, was serving with the Royal Marines. He served as Private, 1114, C. J. Ridgway, Royal Marine Engineers.

 

 

In 1918 John William Ridgway was a serving soldier. He served as Private, 399324, J. W. Ridgway, with a Motor Transport Company of the Army Service Corps (ASC). Jack Ridgway's home was at 13, Brook Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

In 1918 Robert Robinson's home address was 38, Garden Street, Thurmaston. At that time he was serving as Private, 121073, R. Robinson, Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). He was based at the 1st Staff, Base Hospital, Leicester.

 

 

Private, DM2/179034, Kenneth Gibson Rollett served with the Army Service Corps (ASC). Kenneth Rollett lived at 17, Canal Street - Thurmaston Old Hall.

In 1918 Kenneth Rollett was serving with a Motor Transport Company of the ASC. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his war service.

 

 

In 1918 Sapper, 184904, Henry Rose was serving with No. 1 Section of the 226th Field Company of the Royal Engineers.

Henry Rose served overseas and was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his service.

He lived at 6, Brook Street, Thurmaston. His sons, Henry, Kenneth and Tom served during the 1939-45 War.

 

 

Private, 32444, Frederick Rowbottom served with The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) - and in 1918 he was with the 2nd Battalion of the regiment. He later served as Private, 53845, F. Rowbottom, West Riding Regiment.

Frederick Rowbottom lived at 256, Main Street, Thurmaston. After the war he was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his overseas service.