Eckington and the First World War

Soldiers and their Families What Happened Next

Elaine Chambers contents

Dedication Commemoration Acknowledgements...... 1 Memorials...... 59 Author’s biography...... 2 Medals...... 63 Foreword Family: Lund...... 68 Professor David R Grayson CBE....3 Regimental remembrance; Introduction...... 4 Sherwood Foresters...... 71 Key facts, details of project Family: Redfern...... 72 and links to previous work...... 5 Poppy Day...... 75

Story of a decade 1914-1924 Home Front War years 1914 to 1917...... 9 Industry...... 76 Turning point 1918...... 24 Mines...... 76 Aftermath 1919-1924...... 30 Family: Wells...... 79 Timeline Summary...... 38 Ironworks...... 83 Women’s roles...... 84 THEMES Suffrage and Sylvia Pankhurst...... 88 Eckington Map...... 39 Influenza...... 93 Food and Fuel...... 95 Enlistment Housing...... 96 Copyright ©Elaine Chambers Family: Cartlidge...... 41 Family: Nightingale...... 100 All rights reserved. The Returners No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any Epilogue form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. Neither may it be Numbers who served Selected Bibliography...... 103 otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and and challenges they faced...... 47 without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Family: Walker...... 49 Index...... 105 Psychological and Physical health.. 52 Elaine Chambers has asserted her right under The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to Family: Heptinstall...... 53 be identified as the author of this work. Family: Robinson...... 54 ISBN 978-1-5272-6121-1 Prisoners of War...... 56

Printed and bound in Great Britain Typeset and cover design by Anna Richards ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks To the Eckington Town Team, in help and in particular the support of particular Chairman, Margaret Fry Kester Savage. To Eckington Library without which the WW1 Projects for their resources would not have got underway, and To the Mercia Regiment (successor to to members of the Eckington Town Sherwood Foresters) history team Team To the family informants Debbie Hyde To the National Heritage Lottery (Lund), Ian Marshall (Walker), Mandy Fund for their support of the two Price (Cartlidge), Olive Newton projects with finance and oversight (Robinson), Yvonne Anderson Dedicated to the People of Eckington To Don Jones for his research and (Heptinstall) and John Redfern Then, Now and in the Future leadership of the WW1 memorial (Redfern) and David Nightingale Remembering the Sacrifices made services and Parish church (St Peter (Nightingale). Bessie Harrop, Anne and St Paul, Eckington) activities. Joule and John Hinchliffe for significant Especial thanks to Don and Hazel local background information Jones, local Scouts and Brownies for To the administrators of and the WW1 Soldiers installation contributors to the Facebook Groups To local historians Simon Goodwin, History, Eckington Old Richard Godley, David Nightingale, and New, Natural Eckington and John Redfern, Kath Murphy, Eckington Parish TV Philip Staton and Linda Taylor of To John Rose for material on Douglas Mosborough History Society, John Wells and work on WW1 projects Tipper and the Heritage To Paul Burdett, photographer and Centre sound and video recorder To James Clark, WW1 and re- To David Grayson, CBE, writer and enactment specialist and David King, native of Eckington for support with of the Pro Patria Museum for their the writing of this book input to many aspects of both projects To Joy Wale, for her assistance with To the Eckington Reminiscence reviewing the Eckington, Staveley Group for local information, feedback and Woodhouse Express and support To Dennis Askham, historian and To the Archives at Matlock photographer and their staff and the Local Studies section at Chesterfield Library for their Peter O’Driscoll, historian and photgrapher.

1 author’s biography foreword

History is not just about the great leaders and the big, national and international events. History is also about the daily lives of families and communities. Lainy has produced a very thoughtful and highly readable account of the men from Eckington who made the ultimate sacrifice during ; but also about the impact on their families and the community they left behind, both during and after WW1. Anyone who comes from the area will be fascinated by the wealth of details uncovered. I had no idea, for example, that the Suffragette Elaine (Lainy) Chambers Rodger was born in and returned there in leader Sylvia Pankhurst was prosecuted at the old Renishaw Magistrates’ Court 2016 after many years living away pursuing her career in health management. at the end of the war. Reading “Eckington and the First World War: Soldiers Now living almost astride the Sheffield/ border she looks and their Families - What Happened Next,” I recognised many family names to Eckington as her local community. The Parish Church’s World War 1 of people I was at primary and junior school with it. Bessie Lund, the daughter commemorative work provided a route to a long- standing aspiration to visit the of one of Eckington’s war dead: Harry Lund, was a teacher with my mother war graves of Northern and Belgium where her maternal grandfather, at Camms School. I remember Miss Wells, a cousin of another local war Arthur Harding Seddon, had served as a groom to the war horses of the Tank hero: Douglas Wells, as a regular guest at my grandparents’ parties when I was Regiment. The 2018 trip organised by the church inspired further interest in growing up. I suspect all of us with roots in Eckington will be able to make the lives of Eckington people in the war and beyond. The interest fitted with similar connections to the individuals and families quoted in the book. Eckington Town Team’s ambition for a further WW1 community project. It feels particularly poignant to be writing this foreword, one hundred years This is Lainy’s first book, hopefully not her last. after the end of the Spanish flu epidemic, as we confront the coronavirus. Once again, our political leaders tell us, we are at war – only this time, the war is against a virulent epidemic. Let the tales of selflessness and sacrifice and endurance from a hundred years ago, inspire us again. David Grayson CBE

Leslie Fry (grandfather of Bill Fry), WW1 groom on his captain’s horse

2 3 INTRODUCTION Key facts, details of project and links to previous work

The First World War took place over could not accept the near certainty of The Projects a century ago; the armistice was signed their deaths, holding on to hope that In 2014 Eckington was awarded Work went on in local schools, on the 11th November, 1918 after a they would return. This is also likely funding from the Heritage Lottery including Camms and Eckington 4 year period when an estimated 17 to apply in Eckington. The Civic Fund (now the National Heritage Junior Schools, to produce material Million soldiers and civilians were Parish has memorials in all of the old Lottery Fund) for a project to help which was age-appropriate to help killed around the world. It has wards, some of which (Mosborough local people including schoolchildren the children understand the WW1 left its mark on the world in many and Halfway) were reassigned from to understand the First World experience. The Parish Church ways, some positive and some not, North East Derbyshire to Sheffield War (WW1), especially as it was set up a display in a side-chapel, including military strategy, statecraft, in a major local authority boundary experienced by the soldiers who including battlefield maps, war diaries, health, and nationhood. It has left change in the late 1960s. Some of these served in it. A very popular feature and photographs of local soldiers behind memorials and memories, now communities, in particular Renishaw of this project, which has now passed in action in the pivotal battle of St passed on to later generations through and Mosborough, have done their into the town’s folk memory, was the Quentin Canal from 29th September photos, letters, diaries, books and own historical research work since trench experience, with a replica dug to 10th October, 1918. The stories. The town of Eckington and 2014 and collaboration between local out, lined with wood, with smoke and Sherwood Foresters (more properly the surrounding civic parish in North groups and historians has been very typical sound effects set up in a vacant the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire East Derbyshire are typical of other helpful to the Eckington research. shop in the centre of the town. James Regiment), to which many of the places in the UK, in having lost many This book follows on from a shorter Clark, an expert on First World War Eckington soldiers belonged, had men in that war, and remembering one made available for the centenary re-enactment was volunteered to help played a significant part in this them with love and gratitude down of the signing of the armistice on the with stories and sample uniform and alongside other British, Australian and the generations. 11th November 1918. It concentrates kit. The trench experience and the American soldiers. The research work on Eckington, on the families of those In 1914 the Civic Parish of Eckington James Clark’s talks and re-enactments on soldiers named on the Eckington 85 men whose names appear on the covered the town itself and Renishaw, were recorded with photographs and memorial had matched 78 of the 85 Eckington memorial and on the effect , Ridgeway Marsh Lane, the videos. with national records, now available of the war on the lives of the people hamlet of , Halfway and through internet search web-sites of Eckington during the years 1914 Mosborough and had a population of provided by the Commonwealth War onwards into the early 1920s. 12,400 people, with a further 4,200 Graves Commission (https://cwgc. living in nearby . Almost org ) and others such as Ancestry and 400 soldiers from this area are thought Find My Past, had provided their dates to have died, 262 are named on the of death and other details. The Parish 8 local war memorials (Research: Church held a memorial service for Simon Goodwin). Some names have each of these 78, starting with the recently been added to the Marsh first death, of Private George Smith, Lane Memorial when it underwent 3rd Battalion York and Lancashire restoration. These men were listed as Regiment, on the 7th March ‘missing’ at the time, and their families 1915. Private Smith’s burial place, St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Jesmond,

4 5 Key facts, details of project and links to previous work Key facts, details of project and links to previous work

Newcastle-upon Tyne would suggest Town Team had service was videoed as part of the local library, use of local web-sites, that he died whilst in training. The secured another community archive, established by including Eckington Old and New last individual death commemorated National Heritage Natural Eckington. and Natural Eckington. In addition was that of Lance Corporal Leonard Lottery Fund (http:naturaleckington.uk/) to the Lund and Morton families Holmes, King’s Own Yorkshire grant for a further The Eckington Town Team put who were identified from the original Light Infantry (KOYLI), who died project, World on a short drama in the local Civic project, a further 7 local families are of typhoid fever, following influenza, War 1: Eckington Centre again with the help of James presented in the book. Their stories aged 20 in Cologne on the 3rd June Soldiers and their Clark, our WW1 re-enactment illustrate various aspects of the wartime 1919. A final service was held in Families, What specialist, to bring to life aspects of the experience and its aftermath. church on the 28th June 2019, the Happened Next. war years locally, from enlistment to The research with the Lund family anniversary of the signing of the This funding the effect of deaths of young soldiers uncovered a newspaper account of Treaty of Versailles, for the men who covered a new on the community, and the mingled the dedication of the Eckington War could not be traced at the time of the work programme joy and sadness of the announcement Memorial on 27th June 1920 with original research. William Andress, from 2018 to of the armistice. David King, who has an ecumenical (multi-faith) service George B Frith, and possibly Albert P 2020 involving a collection of WW1 costumes and led by the Rector throughout the York (Yorke on memorial) had been audio recordings artefacts, helped with the production. war years, the Rev W R Hewson. identified at around the time the final of local people to *Recordings will be available A service of rededication is planned service took place as a result of further be available to the via a U-turns listening point to be for the centenary weekend of the research and families coming forward, community in the established in Eckington. original one. In advance of that, the leaving Albert Barber, John E Davison, future,* events around the centenary monument is being restored to its William C Greaves and David of the armistice on 11th November original state, including the 20 names Hopkinson untraced and Richard 2018 and a book. The Remembrance of lives sacrificed in WW2 and the 2 Davis (or Davies) not conclusively Day Service, as every year since 1920 in the Falklands War. traced as had been recorded in the when the memorial was dedicated, Records in the Derbyshire first booklet. As each service was involved a march from the West End, Archives at Matlock have been held, names were added to the replica West Street, Eckington to the Parish especially illuminating. In particular memorial and records placed in a Church of St Peter and St Paul for the discovery of the original plan for memorial book. Several families were current and ex service personnel, with the Eckington War Memorial. Apart able to attend the services for their a service in the church followed by a from the striking effect of the detail relatives, some coming forward as a silent remembrance of the fallen and and delicate colouring, the fact that it result of publicity of the project in the laying of wreaths. For the service Research has continued was signed off within only three weeks The Sheffield Star. This included the in 2018 scouts, cubs, brownies and throughout the period of the second of the signing of the armistice shows family of Sergeant Harry Lund, MM members of the congregation came grant. Families have been encouraged how dear those who died were to the (Military Medal), one of the families forward with a replica soldier for to come forward through word community to which they belonged. written up later in this booklet. each of the 85 men named on the of mouth, the Eckington Town Chesterfield Libraries Local In August 2018, the Eckington memorial. This very well attended Team’s newsletter, a display in the Studies Department has also provided

6 7 Key facts, details of project and links to previous work Story of a Decade 1914-1924 much material for this book through could make best use of their limited Story of a decade 1914-1924 its archived copies of the Eckington, time back home, and the award of War years 1914 to 1917 Staveley and Woodhouse Express. medals and decorations. Less happily, This weekly newspaper was published it reported casualties, men taken from the late 19th Century until 1935, prisoner and deaths. It covered the 1914 Key events and dates heavily supported by advertising, often work of the community to support war 4th August War declared by UK on Germany cleverly related to what was happening efforts; fund-raising, holding services, 23 August Battle of Mons and subsequent retreat in the war years and after. It also and taking care of widows. Outside functioned as the social media of its of the Gossip column, the editorials 10 October Fall of Antwerp day, with up to date local information were often wise, forward looking 19 October to on people and events. The column and informative. Local and national 22 November First Battle of Ypres, concluding with establishment of fixed relating to Eckington bore the title events were covered including strikes, trench lines along western front ‘Eckington Gossip’. During the War industrial issues, food shortages, and 16 December Bombardment of Scarborough by German Navy Years it announced the upcoming politics in particular the 1918 election. 25 December u nofficial Christmas truce reported in some areas of leave of soldiers, no doubt so that they Western Front

Life in the area of appeared in the paper, together with a and North East Derbyshire covered European map, soon to become very by the Eckington, Staveley and familiar in Britain as they followed the Woodhouse Express was not idyllic in course of the war, and for some, the July 1914. There had been a death whereabouts of their sons, husbands of a young boy, Daniel Nightingale, and brothers. age 7, in Eckington and in the larger The paper was quick to start area, a disaster at Wharncliffe Colliery a column, the War Day by Day, with a large death toll which had led starting with the invasion of neutral to an enquiry. Summer had brought a Luxemburg, the mobilisation of the church outing in Eckington and a sale French army, and the cancellation of work at the Wesleyan church in aid of European trips. By the middle of of better arrangements for registration the month, the Prince of Wales had of weddings. Prophetically, there established a fund for the ‘alleviation were also thunderstorms in which rain of distress’ and a National Day of ‘fell in torrents’. Prayer had been called. War was declared by the UK By late August, the news was of government on Germany on the Belgian refugees, some of whom came 4th August. Thunderous headlines to Britain. Money was raised in many

8 9 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924

Salvation Army Citadel on West gave their pennies to buy wool which The troops were all provided with Street. However, the September the girls knitted into mufflers, mittens Princess Mary tin boxes of comforts. and October papers bore news of the and cuffs for soldiers. These were sent Distribution proved challenging as course of the war and on enlistment to the Queen and a thank you letter more boxes were required for all the (see Enlistment section). In October, was received from a lady in waiting. troops now serving. In consequence, the paper invited readers who received The Infant Department of Eckington some were delivered in the New letters from men on active service to School also knitted for soldiers that Year with a revised message from the send them to the Express office with autumn. Palace. a view to publication. This continued through the war, together with reports from relatives. Eckington had a possible first casualty in October 1914: Albert P Yorke, the last WW1 name on the memorial could be Albert P York. There is no report in the local communities to help them. Territorial newspaper but this may be explained soldiers were being mobilised. The by the remarriage and re-location Derbyshire Miners Association paid of his widow in the years between tribute to the Colliery Owners for his death and the erection of the The general fear of invasion of providing allowances to the families memorial. Details are in the table was heightened shortly before of those whose breadwinners had left below. Christmas when the Yorkshire coast to train and fight. Eckington turned its attention to was bombarded. Reflecting on the The first casualties were reported supporting the war in whatever ways Festival of Christmas, the Eckington, on in September, by which time it could. An ambulance brigade was Staveley and Woodhouse Express they numbered just over 5,000. to be raised, a rifle club formed, a wrote: What was striking was how large the local relief fund and committee set up ‘This year the Christmas season comes proportion of ‘missing’ was in relation and the first dance to raise money for upon us when our hearts are not tuned for to those known to have been killed the National War Fund was held. In rejoicing…’ or wounded. Nevertheless, the war November a muffled peal of the church did not completely dominate; there bells was made in memory of the Surname First Names Date of Death was still space to report a fashionable National casualties. In December an York (Yorke on memorial)* Albert Percy 31 October Eckington wedding, the opening of entertainment was held at the Picture Corporal 79382, 2nd Battn KOYLI the football season with Eckington House in aid of the Belgian Refugees. Husband of Nellie Davis (formerly York) Athletic beating Mosborough Town Local children did what they could 70 Lorden’s Hill, Dinnington, 2-1 and the opening of a new to help; the pupils of Camms School *Possible identification not in previous booklet

10 11 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924

African (Boer) War, with 7 bars and fortunate, becoming the first two 1915 Key events and dates 2 medals. Afterwards he worked as Eckington lads to be killed (see 18th February German navy commences submarine blockade of UK a labourer for Mr Mason, a mason Enlistment). These men and Alfred 22nd April First use of gas as a weapon on the Western Front by of Eckington. In 1914, he re-joined Greaves, a Marine, were casualties German army (Allies used later) the regiment as a reservist. After his of the Gallipoli Campaign. Pte R S 25th April Allied landing commence in Dardenelles (Galliopoli) death in a Newcastle’s Armstrong Crisp of the Royal Rifles, living at 7th May Lusitania sunk by German submarine in Atlantic Hospital on the 7th March 1915, he High Street Eckington was reported was given a military funeral and was as having been killed in action in 25th May Formation of coalition Government in the UK under PM buried in St Andrew’s and Jesmond France in the early summer. He H. H. Asquith Cemetery in Newcastle. was a reservist, who prior to his 31 May First Zeppelin raid on London (earlier one on Great More cheerfully, Pte Wm Lingard call-up had been a rural postman Yarmouth) of the 6th Sherwood Foresters on the Eckington route. British and French troops land in Salaika (Northern Greece) 5th October Company writes on behalf of Surprisingly, his name does not 19th December Sir Douglas Haig replaces Sir John French as Commander Eckington lads J Huckles, P Marper, appear on the Eckington Memorial. in Chief of the British Expeditionary Force on the Western J Nightingale on March 23: The first Eckington man to die Front. Evacuation of Gallipoli commences. “Well we are all in good health after in France who is memorialised on being in trenches 4-5 days in companies the Eckington Memorial was George The New Year arrived, with quite Wales Fund pending receipt of the 24 hours at a time within 60 yards of the Hutchinson who died on the 16th a number of serving men home on support they were promised from the German trenches. Now at rest camp for June 1915, aged 19. Other deaths and leave. Tea was served for them in Government’s War Office. a week or two - 5/6 miles away. Most wounded casualties were reported the Wesleyan schoolroom. Toys In March the first death of an are billeted in houses with French families throughout the year. At least four were provided for their children Eckington man was reported in the who do their best for us. Give our best of these men were married, and four and variety entertainment followed paper. Pte Wm Smith (recorded on wishes to our friends in Eckington”. were over 30. Herbert Ferguson in the Assembly Rooms. Christmas the war memorial as George Smith). All four are thought to have the eldest at 48. James Oates was 39 services were well attended with He was a regular soldier, who had survived the War. J Nightingale is and left a widow and five children. more than 200 communicants at the been recalled for service and gone to heard of again in the paper in 1918 This probably reflects the nature of Parish Church on Christmas Day. train in Newcastle upon Tyne where (see Nightingale Family). Letters the fighting force in 1915 – with A separate set of three services was he became ill and died. He was the and postcards were exchanged with proportionately more regular solders held in January for intercessions son of Mrs Emma Pilkington, 3 St great regularity between serving and reservists. (prayers) for the end of the War. A John’s Hill, Eckington, who had two soldiers and their family and friends Deaths and injuries continued in number of soldiers attended. Wives younger sons, both serving in the (see Marshall and Cartlidge Families the Dardanelles during the rest of the and families of serving soldiers forces at the time of their older half- in particular). Cards and ready year. Conditions were poor. Just as had begun to experience financial brother’s death. George/ William formatted letters were often used, in France, there was trench warfare difficulties. The Eckington Parochial Smith was 43, had served in the 3rd some beautiful and elaborate. with heavy shelling and the danger Relief Committee agreed to give Yorks and Lancs Regiment for 23 Eckington friends Arthur Riley of snipers, always on the lookout for them an advance from the Prince of years, including service in the South and James Silvers were not so heads above the trenches and good

12 13 Story of a Decade 1914-1924

shots, as Thomas Farrell wrote to October. The Eckington and a friend on 1st August, days before Renishaw sections of the Home he was killed. Lance Corporal G W Guard took part and marched from Kirk was also killed in the Dardanelles the West End Hotel to the Parish that August and Pte William Turton, Church headed by the Eckington injured. United Prize Band. At home, an Eckington tribute was held for the fallen on the 23rd

Surname First Names Date of Death Smith George 7th March Riley Arthur 4th June Silvers James 4th June Hutchinson George 16th June Greaves Alfred 15th July Munday William 7th August Artherton or Arthurton Sidney 9th August Farrell Thomas 9th August Kirk George Whinfrey 21st August Nicholson John William 27th September Doxey Isaac Henry 1st October Oates James 4th October Ferguson Herbert 5th October Partridge Alfred Thomas 9th December Taylor Wilfred 16th December

14 15 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924

for Enoch Jones at his local church The Prince of Wales Relief 1916 Key events and dates where he had been a teacher. The Committee had now become the February Military Service Act introduces conscription for unmarried laboratory staff at Staveley Coal and War Relief Committee. The men 18-41 Iron expressed their deepest sympathy Eckington Branch was chaired by 24th April Start of Easter Rising in Ireland of the loss of their former colleague, Mr T Greensmith. There was an 25th May Military Service Act amended and conscription introduced Colin Ditcher. There were also a understanding that the local branches for married men number of local men wounded. Two would ensure that the dependents of 31st May Battle of Jutland: naval engagement in North Sea more deaths occurred in August: Lance any soldiers killed would receive their 1st July commences. 60,000 British casualties Corporal Fred Hadfield, a married rent and an allowance for 6 months. on first day, including 20,000 killed and 40,000 wounded. man of 7 Gosber Street and Pte The State would take over at that Continues until the 13 November William Waring, a Somme death as point. Other matters were becoming 15th September First use of tanks during attacks on village of Flers - he is commemorated on the Thiepval more formalised too. Volunteer duties Courcelette on Somme Memorial to the missing. He had been and status was defined, with eligibility 28 September First bombing raids on London a miner at Markham Colliery prior from age 17, a green-grey (not khaki) to enlistment. Captain Edgar Parker uniform and the remit of special December Herbert Asquith resigns as PM and is replaced by David was also killed in France. He is not constables who were to be linked to Lloyd George commemorated on the Eckington the military as necessary. In October, Memorial as he was no longer living there was a new rule for earlier closing The New Year started with the death in an accident in June. There had been in Eckington but had been secretary of of shops although it is not clear of an Eckington soldier in France, contention about who should perform the Eckington Silver Band. The names whether this was because supplies were Ernest Pattison on the 1st January. It the medicals for men enlisting, military of six Eckington men were eventually becoming more limited or to do with was time of heavy casualties with a authorities or civilian personnel, as the added to the Thiepval Memorial. lighting as a night-time blackout had high number of wounded, although no former had an obvious interest. been introduced early in the war. more recorded deaths occurred until The 1st July 1916 was the first day The length of the war and lack the beginning of March. Enlistment of the Battle of the Somme and the day of conclusive success in battle was continued and was praised and of the highest number of casualties in becoming wearisome. encouraged. Two miners, Henry WW1, with almost 40,000 wounded By the autumn conscription Levick and Frank Anderson enlisted in and 20,000 dead. The Eckington, had become a fact of life as were the Royal Scottish Fusiliers in February. Staveley and Woodhouse Express the local tribunals which considered In parallel, conscription was introduced was overwhelmed with reports from exemptions, short or longer term. that month (see enlistment). Pte W H families of their dead and injured and Relationships between the military Harrison had enlisted some months promised to cover them as soon as it and the tribunals were not always earlier. His parents had been surprised could. Enoch Jones, Reginald (George harmonious. Voluntary enlistment that he was accepted as he was 33 and Elgie) Ward, Alfred Hadfield died that was still allowed and praiseworthy. had only one eye. He was sent to day and Herbert Colin Ditcher on the Mr Fred Mills, a member of the France as a messenger where he died 3rd July. A memorial service was held Parish Council joined the colours in

16 17 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924

September, having worked hard to get having returned from Canada to do so. donor provided Christmas boxes to a The Eckington Institute hosted regular others to enlist since the outbreak of The coffin was borne into church by value of 2s 6d each (value £10 at 2020 indoor events for wounded men war. The clerk was instructed to write soldiers from the Sherwood Foresters. prices) to all dependents of soldiers and throughout the period. The building to him to convey the Council’s best The congregation was large, including sailors in Eckington, an estimated 700- is still standing; it is now known as wishes and expressing the hope that he many estate staff. Bruce had worked 900 recipients. A whist drive had been the Corner Playhouse, High Street, would have a safe return. briefly on the estate after leaving school held at the Institute early in December Eckington, and is home to the City It is not clear whether shortage of before enlisting at the age of only 17. for comforts for the men themselves. Players. men affected the Eckington Wesleyan He was 20 at the time of his death. Football Team but the start to their season was dire. They lost 11-1 to Mosborough away. It did rather better later in the season, drawing 2-2 with Swallownest. Boys were increasingly expected to step up to replace brothers Surname First Names Date of Death and fathers at war. The Eckington Pattison Ernest 1st January District Schools Committee reduced Bristow Henry 7th March the age of compulsory schooling to Woodthorpe William Albert 9th May 13 in November so they could help Robinson Arthur Harold 10th May with farming. Compulsory evening In November, Mrs Mary Wells, education was introduced nationally. widow of Joseph Wells (see Wells Harrison William Henry 9th June There were several more military Family) died after a short illness at the Hadfield Alfred 1st July deaths in the autumn, the last being age of 90. She was closely associated Jones Enoch (Enock) 1st July that of Edmund Bruce Hollingworth with St Marks Church, Mosborough Ward Reginald (George Elgie) 1st July on the 26th October. Unusually, there which the Wells had founded but was Ditcher (Kitcher) Herbert Colin 3rd July was an elaborate military funeral for him also a patron of Eckington Church. She Waring William 13th August in Eckington. This was partly because was buried in the old churchyard next Hadfield Fred 21st August he had died in England, in hospital at to the church alongside her husband. Chatham after an unsuccessful operation Many members of her family attended Hutchinson Ernest 8th September for wounds sustained in France and on the funeral. In all four of her children Fidler Edwin 15th September account of being the youngest brother outlived her, including Sophia living Haddock Alfred J 16th September to Maynard Hollingworth, the agent close by in Elmwood House. Smedley Samuel George 26th September of Sir George Sitwell. The funeral set For an all too brief period of three Crouch Fred 29th September out from Northwood House on the and a half months, including Christmas, Nightingale Arthur 7th October Renishaw Hall estate with the coffin there were no military deaths of Hollingworth Edmund Bruce 26th October borne on a dray belonging to the estate. Eckington men between late October Bruce’s four brothers attended, two and February 1917. An anonymous

18 19 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924

Shortage of manpower at 20. Sergeant Albert Rippon, from 1917 Key events and dates home was becoming a major issue. Littlemore, had been the youngest February Germany declares unrestricted submarine warfare Volunteers were sought for home sergeant in his Battalion, 1st Sherwood March German Army withdraws to pre-prepared defensive defence. Boys were being recruited for Foresters when he died on the 4th positions on Hindenburg Line agricultural work; Eckington District March. Sergeant Leonard Butler, of 6th April USA declares war on Germany Schools Committee agreed that they the 12th Brigade Royal Field Artillery 9th April Easter Monday. First day of the Battle of would ‘again reduce’ the age for died on the 13th April. His captain 15th May Marshall Petain appointed as French Commander in compulsory education to 12. There wrote that ‘he was always such a good Chief after turbulent month for French forces were also advertisements for enrolling boy and cheerful throughout all our 31st July Opening day of the third Battle of Ypres, more commonly for National Service at home. Food hardship’. referred to as Passchendaele, which continues until October was also a growing concern with the Leonard Butler’s death was the 1st-3rd September Battle of Riga. Riga taken by German Army although Government calling for a voluntary first of a number of Eckington military Russian 12th Army retreated intact reduction in consumption in April. deaths that spring and early summer. A Other shortages were newsprint and further 16 deaths occurred before end 9th December British troops capture Jerusalem in what was a particularly cold winter, of July, including Eckington’s highest 15th December Armistice signed between Russian Bolsheviks and the fuel. Whilst the end of the war was ranking casualty, Major Frederick central powers (Germany) not in sight, provision for its casualties Vickers, 15th Battalion, Sherwood was now a growing concern. These Foresters and Second Lieutenant By 1917, war had become almost within the cemetery , so that the war included pensions for the disabled, re- Douglas Henry Wells, 5th Battalion, routine. Fighting was intense on both dead, including those with headstones settlement of the disabled for work and Yorks and Lancaster Regiment (see the Western and Eastern Fronts in provided by the Commonwealth support for widows and children. The Wells Family) . Vickers, a married Europe and elsewhere. On the Home War Graves Commission, are to be war was very costly in this and other man, had served in the South African Front there were fierce air activities found throughout the older part of the ways. The public were constantly (Boer) War, offered his services for including Zeppelin raids over London cemetery. urged to contribute through War WW1. Re-enlisting as Lieutenant he and one over the Lincolnshire coast. The Loans, with strident adverts in the lead was rapidly promoted to major. He Eckington, Staveley and Woodhouse up to each War Loan deadline, such had been hospitalised for shell shock Express would commonly carry 20 as the one on 6th February, 1917. and had only just returned to duty at the or more Heroes of the War in every Repayment took its time, the final time of his death. A family wedding in weekly edition, now almost invariably WW1 War loans were only paid off in July was a very constrained event out accompanied by a head and shoulders 2015: https:/www.bbc.co.uk/news/ of respect for his widow. photograph of each man. Sadly, most business-303006579. Fundraising events continued are very indistinct. The Eckington There were sad losses in Eckington through the summer and also the Burial Board proposed free interment at home and in the fighting. At home, provision of a practical support – an for fallen soldiers (a number died after two young siblings died of diphtheria, entertainment for wounded men in the being invalided home). It considered, a dangerous scourge of the time. Two grounds of the Rectory. These men but rejected, the idea of a separate area deaths at the front were of men of only were recovering in Sheffield hospitals.

20 21 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924

The afternoon’s entertainment following in Surname First Names Date of Death included a cricket match between the the steps of his Milner T Sidney 13th February ladies (Captain Miss M Taylor) and the brother James, State Richard 18th February gentlemen. killed in action in action in Rippon Albert 4th March 1915. Reuben Butler Leonard 13th April had only been in Vickers Frederick 21st April France for one Pattison Joseph 26th April month before his Herring James Alfred 28th April death. Hartley George William 29th April In November, the Army Council Kirby Wilfred 3rd May turned its thoughts towards Christmas and made arrangements with voluntary Wells Douglas Henry 3rd May organisations to provide every member Hardwick Harold 5th May of the British Expeditionary Force Price Percy 5th June with a plum pudding. Families were El(l)cock Francis 9th June not to send them (thus saving home- Holmes Herbert 9th June based supplies) although other gifts Andress* William 7th June The autumn saw German successes were encouraged. In early December Rifleman 372461 8th Battn Remembered with on both the East and Western Fronts a concert took place at the Institute in London Regiment (Post Honour Vormezeele and again, heavy losses of men. aid of the Soldiers and Sailors Comfort Office Rifles) Enclosure No. 3 Six Eckington men were killed in Fund. Fisher Charles 18th June September and October. The first November and December seemed Tagg Benjamin Haydn 18 June was Joseph William Shaw, a mason happier months. On the battlefront, Greaves George William Marples 29th June at Renishaw Hall. Then three men British troops captured Jerusalem on Brown John 17th July for whom there was a memorial the 15th December, bringing to an Robinson Simeon 19th July service in the Parish Church at the end the thundering of guns around the end of October; Sergeant Frank Tees holy places of Jerusalem and Nazareth. Shaw Joseph William 24th September Humphries, Pte Lancelot Ramsden There were quite a few serving men Humphries Frank Tees 28th September and Pte Richard Davies. The first home on leave in Eckington. Then Ramsden Lancelot 28th September two were well known to the church came the sad news of the death Russon Benjamin 2nd October as regular attenders. Frank Humphries of Sergeant Harry Lund on 28th Simmons Edwin 4th October lived on Church Street and was a bell- December (see Lund family). It was a Silvers Reuben 14th October ringer. One of the saddest deaths was private sadness, known only to family Davies** Richard 27th October that of Reuben Silvers, aged 19. He had and friends as it was not reported in the joined the Kings Own Scottish Borders press until January. Lund Harry 28th December *Not identified in previous booklet ** Identification still unclear 22 23 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924

Turning Point 1918 There is a more Church (and no doubt in all the other hopeful tone in the local churches). Fund raising started 1918 Key events and dates press from the very the first week in January with a whist start of 1918, in drive and dance held in the Eckington 3rd March Treaty of Brest-Litovsk between Russia and Germany ends the advertisements, Institute in aid of the Soldiers and the war on the Eastern Front, releasing large number of the editorials and Sailors Comforts Fund. It continued German forces for the Western Front the copy generally. on with at least one event weekly 21st March Kaiserschlacht. Germany launches the first of a series of Peace was however, throughout the year. Sometimes the offensives designed to break the Anglo-French lines prior far from a forgone performers were quite well-known: to the arrival of a large number of American troops. First conclusion at Eva Rich a well-known soprano in stage Somme; second stage Arras the beginning of Sheffield at the time, appeared at the 1st April Formation of the RAF (Royal Air Force) with amalgamation the year. The Eckington United Methodists at the of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service capitulations of the end of January. Further afield, later 14th April Marshall Foch (French) appointed Allied Supreme Russians, with the in the year, Vesta Tilley appeared at Commander Bolshoviks signing Sheffield Empire Palace. The Parish 23rd April American Expeditionary Force begins to arrive in France an armistice with Council’s first meeting of the year and Belgium the Central Powers was a special meeting to consider a 3 August British Forces land in Northern Russia, following murder at the end of 1917, Parliamentary Bill being sought by of Tsar Nicholas and family by Bolsheviks in mid July left the Allies on Sheffield Corporation to run buses to the Western Front 8th August Allied advances commence with the Battle of . Eckington. The Parish Council gave Start of final 100 days of the war. Described by German dangerously exposed it their support. High Command as the ‘Blackest Day of the German Army’ to the possibility of The Eckington Staveley and German troops on Woodhouse Express continued 27 September British Forces successfully break the Hindenburg Line the Eastern Front being switched to to run its Heroes of War feature defences on the Canal du Nord join their comrades on the Western covering servicemen killed, wounded October Battles: St Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Cambria, Pursuit of Front. It was not until April that or gassed, invalided home, taken Selle the USA joined the Allies and the prisoner, missing. More happily, the 4th November Battle of the Sambre end of that month before the first district columns including Eckington 11th November Armistice comes into effect at 11.00am on the Western American troops arrived in Europe. Gossip, additionally reported those Front Even then, the battles as the Allies, home on leave. These short bulletins 14th December British General Election now including the USA had to fight now often included how long each to break the Hindenburg Line were man had served and been wounded. hard won and took many months. At example from 16th March reads: King George called for a National on leave; Pte Albert Jennings, age Day of Prayer in January. It was 25, married, enlisted 1914, wounded marked in Eckington in the Parish 3 times, previously miner. Another

24 25 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 on 23rd March: on leave Pte Fred for them to discuss the cheerful rumour Nightingale, High Street, enlisted that the French General Staff anticipates soon after outbreak of War, in France clearing France of the enemy by October.’ nearly 3 years. Sometimes, despite continuing casualties and ‘flu, timeless local events took place such as the annual Rectory Garden Party where gentlemen and ladies played a cricket match and the Silver Prize Band played ‘a selection’. A leader in the paper on 5th October read ‘great expectations’ and acknowledged ‘Ten weeks of unexampled effort’. October In April, following the passing reported the leave of Pte Wilfred of the ‘Representation of the People Tomlinson of Peveril Road. Aged Act’, the paper made the comment only 21 and so close to the end of the on the compilation of the new Voters War, he was to die after the Armistice Roll that people had become so used in February 1919, one of the last of to filling in forms that they would the Eckington prisoners of war. not find the requirements for this In the November papers, there daunting. In May, the paper ran a was almost disbelief that peace had leader criticising the rise of pacifism finally arrived. There was momentary in England. Volunteers became hesitation and disbelief, but after this more needed at home. At the end was dispelled, the news was greeted of June, an Order In Council was with joy and relief. The King sent passed making men exempted from a message to the British Empire’s Military Service obliged to perform Fighting Forces and the population volunteer duties. An ambulance class looked forward to the return of was started at the Eckington Institute and soldiers and in July. sailors still at their stations. Amidst Through the summer there was all the joy and victorious headlines a feeling of ‘still waiting’ but quiet ‘Armageddon Ended’, ‘Germany optimism. An editorial wrote of Down and Out’, ‘Submission to the ‘Unconquerable France. The irrepressible Allies’ and ‘Drastic Armistice Terms’ buoyance of the French people is well was a prophetic article expressing illustrated by the fact that it is possible the view that peace would not

26 27 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 automatically bring prosperity. The task of recruiting ‘The Peace Army’ Surname First Names Date of Death economic future would depend placing advertisements asking men to Askew Joseph 11th March on increased production, well paid re-enlist for 2, 3 or 4 years in some Dale Alfred Parks 15th March workers and financial self-control. regiments – cavalry, guards and tanks. The 1920s in the UK was notable for Attractive pay and furloughs (leave). Fenton John 21st March industrial unrest and poor economic The General Election dominated Nettleship Arthur 21st March decisions at national level. the news in December, although Rhodes Albert T 2nd April There were celebrations across polling was light. The coalition Smith John Thomas 18th April the country. In North Derbyshire, headed by Lloyd George was re- Pearson George H 9th May once the news could be believed, elected. North East Derbyshire Barker James Thomas 20th July the bunting came out and the bells returned a Liberal, Sir Joseph Stanley White James 16th August were rung. The Rector, Rev W Holmes, who served until 1922, R Hewson recorded in his service when he was ennobled. The Labour Nightingale Edgar 20th August book, ‘Armistice signed. Hostilities candidate, Frank Lee was defeated. Frith* George B 18th September cease. Thanksgiving for Peace’. The atmosphere was light in the Pte 5864 1st Battn Leinster Remembered with honour Regiment Ramieh War Cemetery Celebratory parties were held in some papers with Christmas mirth and communities, the picture below is of cartoons and the review of the year Shaw Henry 27th September one at Halfway. commenting on Germany’s dramatic Waddingham James Herbert 29th September Men continued to be needed in collapse and Foch’s decisive strategy. Clayton Herbert 7th October Europe. The Services set about the Harper James Frederick 17th October Priday Charles E 11th November Turner Harold 27th November

*Not identified in previous booklet

28 29 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924

Aftermath 1919-1924 scale of its task was appreciated. By Government before the war had early June there was concern at length introduced unemployment benefit. 1919 Key events and dates of time between the signing of the This also provided a way of helping armistice and a peace treaty emerging. people into jobs and of monitoring 4th January Opening of Peace conference in Paris By this point in the year, there was numbers seeking work. By June 21st June The surrendered German Naval Fleet scuttled off Scapa Flow at times very little expressed concern 1919 the number of men receiving 28th June The Treaty of Versailles signed by Germany and the Allied about the war; Eckington Gossip for unemployment benefit was just under Powers 7th June contained only reports on one million. There was a special Other Peace Treaties signed between parties continued until cricket, a biting dog, a wedding and scheme under the Ministry of Labour 1923. Treaty of Lausanne Between Ottoman Empire and local deaths. The Peace Treaty was for the re-settlement of officers Allied Powers: French Republic, British Empire, Kingdom reported to be expected to be signed and for ‘educated men’. Finding of Italy, , Kingdom of Greece and Kingdom on the 28th June. In fact it was signed employment for disabled discharged of Romania. that day, although as the paper would men was acknowledged as a particular have been sent to press before then, challenge for which there were also The New Year saw change and new a brief summary of service; how long, it did not over commit. There was special schemes and a Government concerns. As usual, it was reflected whether wounded and where served. rejoicing in Eckington of the day with subsidy available to employers. In in the advertisements of the day, Alongside this, men still serving were the ringing of church bells and bunting March there were reported to be over with one Barnsley store promoting a coming home on leave as before. out again on some of the houses. half a million women in receipt of Demobilisation Sale (including a fine One of these, Sgt Major John Lee of unemployment benefit. By late June portrait of Field Marshall Sir Douglas Northgate who had served in the Irish this had halved, although a marked Haig). A little later in the year an Rebellion was also particularly valued reluctance to return to domestic advertisement for men’s suits declared as he had served as goalkeeper for the 1st service was noticed and this led to an ‘before the war styles won’t do.’ Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. improvement in wages and terms and There was gratitude for those who In mid-January, five Eckington men conditions. had served, now sometimes referred were recorded as discharged: Sgt W Generally, the Labour force was to as the ‘Men who won the Peace.’ Hobbs, Pte T Doxey, Pte George flexing its muscles in a variety of The urge to honour and respect those Stevenson and Ptes Sam Bennett and industries. In Eckington a branch of who had lost their lives was stronger Thomas Wardle from ‘behind German the Agricultural Labourers and Rural than ever with the Eckington War lines’. Nationally the Government Workers Union was established. Recognition Committee giving a copy had decided to maintain a force of Demobilisation was an issue and A parallel development was the of the picture ‘The Great Sacrifice’ to 900,000 (higher than the military at with it a concern for unemployment. instigation of regular buses between the relatives of the fallen (see p 60). the outbreak of war) for a period until Fortunately for those returning Eckington and Sheffield which would The names of men discharged they felt Germany did not present a from military service or who lost in time increase the range of work from military service start to appear threat. employment because they had possible for local residents. in the paper, an early one being Sgt Meanwhile by February the Paris been involved in the manufacture The housing issue was another S W Redfern. These often contained Peace talks had agreed principles. The of such munitions, the Liberal longstanding one where after the

30 31 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 armistice, people were expecting the graves would be available to the 1920 may offer more; a February edition of action. In June the Eckington general public soon. The early years of the 1920s were quiet the paper carried an advertisement for Parish Council had asked the District In what turned out to be the last by comparison with the war years. emigration. Council (the building authority under accredited WW1death of an Eckington There was activity on the political Men are wanted for the farm, the Addison Act – see Housing) to soldier, the Eckington, Staveley and and industrial front. New trends of women for the homes of Canada (Feb erect 50 houses at Eckington, 50 Woodhouse Express reported the greater emancipation of women; new 21st 1920 Ed 1144) at Mosborough and Halfway, 20 death of Leonard Holmes on the 3rd interest in homes and gardens, and the Fierce opposition was expressed at Gleadless, 20 at Renishaw and June 1919, at the age of 19. Lance increase in cars and motor cycles and at all levels to coal nationalisation and 12 at Ridgeway. Sites were to be Corporal Holmes, served in the Kings buses can be traced at home. there was an electricians’ strike. sought. The houses would not all Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and The first January edition of the In June, work started to install be additional, some existing houses died of typhoid at Cologne. He had Eckington, Staveley and Woodhouse the Eckington War Memorial on its would be condemned and replaced. worked at Staveley Iron Works before Express started with the customary designated site on the green space A meeting of the War Memorial enlisting. His mother, a widow, lived review of the previous year, noting a owned by the Parish Council, close Committee reported that £210 of at 86 High Street Eckington. New Europe with new states including to the Parish Church and in front the £580 sought had been raised. (Y)Jugo-Slavia with the collapse of of the White Hart public house. The site had been agreed as the green the old Austrian Empire, the legacy The Memorial itself was ready, space outside the Parish Church. The of anarchy and chaos in Russia, the but the money for the fencing was design had previously been approved. birth of the League of Nations, the outstanding, and possibly remained In June, the French Government developments in aviation, the first so as the memorial has never been had designated 140 battle fields to be woman member of parliament to take fenced. Later that month, on Sunday preserved, one of these being Thiepval her seat (Viscountess Nancy Astor), 27th June, the memorial was unveiled on the Somme. This was of great the boom in sport. The latter is very in a multi-faith service by Mrs Henry importance to local residents who had evident in the paper throughout 1920 Lund (see commemoration and Lund lost family members, who would have and beyond; there is a great deal Family) with its 85 names. There been pleased to hear the news that of coverage of football (including was a major tolling of the bells (Bob women’s) and cricket. Sport seemed Minor and Bob Major) which were Surname First Names Date of Death to have replaced war in terms of half muffled for respect. Tomlinson Wilfred 3rd February 1919 column inches. The spirit of philanthropy and Holmes Leonard 3rd June 1919 Re-settlement as such proceeded community continued with the local well with the numbers of unemployed nursing committee deciding to engage Barber* Albert nationally down significantly 3 nurses, two for Eckington and one Davison* John E from 1919. Early in the year, the for Mosborough raising funds from Greaves* William C Government was able to claim that public subscription and local colliery Hopkinson* David 3.5 million ex-servicemen (excluding employers. officers) had been re-settled. However, *Details and dates of death unknown as at February 2020 clearly some thought that life abroard

32 33 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924

1921 1922 Domestic and industrial themes The major national issue in 1922 was dominated at all levels. Coal mining the general election in the autumn continued to be acrimonious, with of that year. Lloyd George, Prime Yorkshire news dominated by a legal Minister through the final years of case between James Walton, MP for WW1 and after the 1918 General Wath on Dearne and the Yorkshire Election had faced increasing Miners Association. On the local opposition from 1921 onwards. At front, J and G Wells announced that the beginning of 1922, he faced they would be giving up Hornthorpe a strong attack from the Duke of Colliery (see Mining) on the expiry Northumberland for misuse of the of their lease on 25th March with honours system. The following month the loss of 300-400 jobs. This led to a charge of profiteering from the war the abandonment of a local housing by selling his memoirs produced an scheme. The poor state of housing even greater outcry and he was forced continued to be an issue with the to resign. His party, the National Eckington Tenants Protection Society Liberals, lost the election, gaining raising several cases of overcharging very few seats and Lloyd George and outstanding repairs. himself never held office again. The Recognisable modern Conservatives won and the Labour entertainments arrived locally: the Party, supporting the nationalisation Sheffield Premier Jazz Band played of the mines and railways, a massive at a ball in Eckington and the first house building project and revision of advertisement for a picture palace the peace treaties, became the official appeared in the paper. Politically, opposition party. Derbyshire North there were local elections in March East (including Eckington) was won and in the same month a Women’s by the Labour candidate Frank Lee Labour Party Association was set up from Sir Joseph Stanley Holmes in Eckington. (Liberal) with one of the narrowest Issues relating to the war are much majorities in history – 15 votes. less common in the paper, and relate Unsurprisingly, after the war mainly to the dedication of further ended many towns and villages memorials (usually listing the names founded or gave new life to ex- that appear on them). This was not servicemen’s clubs. Eckington was done for Eckington’s, an early one, no exception. In 1922, the Eckington Marsh Lane’s being earlier still. Ex-Servicemen’s Club decided

34 35 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 to join with the recently formed, on Bedgreave Hill, Wales, in May. on with envy by the residents of national, British Legion, in order to That month also saw the ambulance Eckington whose own new housing increase membership and federate awards In Eckington. Training in scheme had been abandoned in 1921. with an organisation with common ambulance and first aid skills had interests. Also under consideration at started during the war. Nationally, The 1920s that time and with a strong likelihood the popular Prime Minister Bonar So the 1920s rolled on, with increasing of cross-membership, was a miners’ Law retired and was replaced by industrial strife, culminating in the welfare scheme. This would operate Stanley Baldwin. General Strike of 1926. The economy as a club and have a headquarters never fully recovered after the War with a reading room, library and 1924 before the years of depression which hopefully indoor and outdoor games The start of the New Year was started with the Wall Street Crash in space. The club was formed and again, not marked by any thundering the USA in 1929 and continued into headquarters created on Pipeyard editorials. Eckington news was only the 1930s. But at least the years when Lane, near the Hornthorpe Colliery of the Christmas Party and Police so many young men died or were site. Ball. By June, the wedding season maimed seemed to be a thing of the The Parish Church was upgraded was in full flow, with the Eckington past. They were remembered within in 1922 with the creation of a new wedding of Miss Kathryn Harrison to families, the community and most Lady Chapel and altar to the right Mr Ernest Chambers. There were ads particularly on the 11th November hand side of the main altar in the for train and bus excursions. Marking each year with solemn ceremony at 12th Century building. The new 1923 the fact that more households now the War Memorials in Eckington and chapel was dedicated by the Bishop New Year greetings were all very had access to radio, a new column, elsewhere. Sadly, within less than a of . The chapel had a new domesticated. Reading the papers of Broadcasting Notes appeared. generation from the end of WW1, stained glass window above it, the the times, it is hard to believe it was In June there was a report on a Eckington and the rest of Britain and very beautiful ‘Wells Window’ less than 5 years since the war ended. new housing scheme planned for the British Empire was to be at war memorialising Mary Wells, widow Even the resettlement column had Beighton by the Sheffield Coal again with Germany. of the late Joseph, who had recently now disappeared from the Eckington, Company. It was no doubt looked died. Her daughter was the wife of Staveley and Woodhouse Express. Rector W H Hewson. A new column appeared that year; There were no more war deaths, Motoring and cycling notes. Notes but the practice of military funerals for gardens had replaced the allotments was common, especially for high column now that growing vegetables ranking ex-servicemen. Such a funeral and perhaps having chickens or pigs was accorded to Co. Sergeant Major were less of a necessity. Alfred Fanshaw, who had served with Motor cycling was very popular. the Royal Garrison Artillery, who The Eckington Motor Cycle and died in January, aged 51. Light Car Club held a motor cycle test

36 37 Story of a Decade 1914-1924 Themes

Timeline Summary

Year Key events in Eckington 1914 4th August, UK Government declares War on Germany. Reservist soldiers leave Eckington. Enlistment starts. War continues past Christmas 1915 First deaths and injuries of Eckington military in Gallipoli (Turkey) and France. Enlistment continues. New patterns of life established: cards and letters, home leave, honouring the dead, supporting those serving 1916 1st July, first Battle of the Somme. Huge casualties, Eckington hit hard with deaths and injuries on the day and afterwards 1917 War weariness, heaviest year of death of Eckington men serving. Douglas Henry Wells and Harry Lund die as heroes. Enlistment continues alongside conscription. Hardships at home including food shortages 1918 More optimism. USA enters the War. Heavy fighting, more success including retaking of St Quentin Canal. Hardships at home include ‘flu outbreak. 11th November Armistice ends the fighting 1919 Men start return to Eckington to take up previous jobs or seek work. Unemployment high. A small number of deaths continue from wounds and disease. Peace Treaty of Versailles signed on 28th June 1920 Eckington War Memorial dedicated on the 27th June by Mrs Henry Lund in service led by all local church leaders 1921 Hornthorpe Colliery closes 1922 PM Lloyd George and government lose power in second General Election since War. Eckington electorate (including women for second time) elects its first Labour MP, Frank Lee by narrow majority 1923 Life at home becoming more recognisably modern with new interests in gardens, motoring and travel 1924 Households increasingly have access to radio. Family life very important. Little mention of the War in the press

38 39 ENLISTMENT cartlidge family

ENLISTMENT Family Immediately after the declaration of Will Cartlidge war, the called up and Informant Mandy Price, Granddaughter deployed its Regular Army and called up its Territorials. Eckington Regular Will Cartlidge army men included J Nightingale and William (Will) Cartlidge had followed his Fred Crouch. Its Territorials included father Frank into service with the Sitwell E Nightingale (High Street) and I Family. Frank had risen to become head Nightingale ( Road), W coachman for the Sitwells. Will remembered Redfern and A Staton. There is a very travelling proudly as a boy in 1899, his father striking story of the first Eckington driving the coach taking the Sitwell family men leaving the village to go to war to Cresswell for the laying of the foundation days after the declaration of war on stone for Saint Mary Magdalene church (by 4th August (8th August edition of the 6th Duke of Portland). Ironically years Eckington, Staveley and Woodhouse next morning (Wednesday). Early later, Will returned to Cresswell with his Express). ‘Enthusiasm at Eckington’, the following morning, Sergeant B wife and young family to live in the village. recounted that the order calling up the Taylor in charge, the men assembled In his childhood Will lived in an estate Territorials caused some excitement by the Royal Hotel and marched to cottage at Renishaw close to what in 1911 at Eckington: ‘On Tuesday night the Central Railway Station. Some was developed as Renishaw Golf Course some of the men assembled at the relatives and friends saw them off in by Sir George Cross, a crowd gathered and discussed touching scenes. The men looked Sitwell. The the war news. It became known cheerful and fit.’ young Will was a childhood playmate of that the Territorials would set off Sir George and Lady Ida’s children, Edith, Osbert and Sacheverell. He recalled being summoned by Lady Ida to account for his pet rabbit, who had bitten Osbert’s finger. The rabbit did not fare well. Osbert (later Sir Osbert) was a Guardsman at the time of the outbreak of WW1 and was sent to serve in France in the autumn of that year. Like so many in England, he had thought the war would be over by Christmas. As an officer, he tried to make

40 41 cartlidge family cartlidge family

things as comfortable as possible for his men. He sustained an injury to his of his now substantial family arm in France and only served the single term of duty in France. Will was commitments. These were also called to service in the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, almost certainly at responsible for his decision to the outbreak of war in 1914, as this was one of the six squadrons of the move to Creswell in 1925 to Royal Yeomanry a light cavalry regiment of the Army Reserve. Before work as a miner to increase his being deployed, the squadron was sent for training at a training camp in income. Nottinghamshire. The family think that this would be where the young Will met Lois Hastings, from Carlton in Nottingham. The two fell deeply in love and decided to marry before Will was deployed abroad. The marriage was approved by Lois’s parents. Will and his brothers Charles and Colin Cartlidge were all part of the Sherwood Rangers and went to serve together. All three survived the war. Charles returned Another man with links to the Sitwell names of all these early casualties of the to his home on Southgate, Eckington Estate to serve from the beginning war are listed on the Eckington War with his wife Ada. He lived in the same of the War was Edmund Bruce Memorial. Thomas Farrell’s name is house until his death at the age of 82. Hollingworth, brother to the agent of also on the Spinkhill Memorial. The family lost touch with Colin who the Sitwell estate. Bruce Hollingworth also survived the war. was a member of the 9th Battalion Will’s war was a long one and he and of the Sherwood Foresters. The Lois had to correspond when he was Battalion served in Egypt and Gallipoli not home on leave, often using the very in Turkey, where there were heavy beautiful cards that were available to losses in 1915, including Eckington servicemen. Their first of four children men Thomas Farrell and James Oates. was born during the war – the back of Bruce Hollingworth died on the 26th one postcard reads ‘From your true and October 1916, a late casualty of the ever loving Wife and Baby’. battle of the Somme in July in which the 9th were engaged. Pte Samuel Finally, after his demobilisation, the family lived on Station Road, George Smedley was another casualty Eckington. Will returned to working for the Sitwells. On the day of of the 9th Battalion’s deployment in the birth of his youngest child, his daughter, Lois, he was caddying on Europe. He died in the first day of the Renishaw golf course. In the early 1920s Sacheverell Sitwell wanted the Battle of Thiepval, 26th to 28th Will to go to the US with him as his batman but Will declined in view September 1916 and Corporal Edwin Simmonds in October 1917. The

42 43 ENLISTMENT ENLISTMENT

Pte Lancelot Ramsden of the 1,000 men. There was a good 1st July 1916 and suffered enormous King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, response at Eckington. losses. Eckington did not have such had parents living at The Cottage, A similar meeting took place early a battalion, and from what is known Renishaw Hall, died 28th September in 1915 at Camms School, Eckington. about the men who died, they joined 1917 and may have had links to the Rector W R Hewson stressed help a very wide spread of regiments and estate himself. Sergeant B Hambleton was needed to drive the enemy from battalions, 22 in all. Even the most who was killed in the same month, Belgium and France. There was a need common, the Sherwood Foresters had worked for the Sitwell Estate. He for more men without conscription. (Notts and Derby Regiment) had was awarded a Military Medal. He “Those who had gone had improved just over a quarter. They enlisted in was not an Eckington man (his father morally and physically” he reportedly quite a variety of places too, Sheffield, lived in ) which probably said. Private Booth of Mosborough Rotherham, Eckington, Killamarsh, explains the absence of his name on who had gone to the front related Chesterfield. The proximity of the Eckington Memorial. some of his experiences. The Eckington to all these places, and the There was pressure to sign up, Chairman remarked that Eckington good links by road and rail would from colleagues, advertising and had done well and furnished about have encouraged this. local meetings and enlistment fairs. 200 men, as well as any place of its size On occasions however, men did The latter are known to have taken in Derbyshire. Mr A E Hall (another join up together. Private James Silvers place on the land next to Elmwood, local dignitary) said men of military of 18 Northgate, Eckington and his convenient for both Eckington and age ought to enlist and those not of friend Private Arthur Riley who lived Mosborough. A local meeting was age ought to be drilling. By this time, on High St, Eckington both joined the held at Eckington Assembly Hall on locally and nationally there was talk of 1st Battalion of the Kings own Scottish 31st October 1914 chaired by Sir conscription, although it was a major team. Sheffield had a Pals battalion, Borderers. They were 21 and joined George Sitwell. The hall was packed; step and was not in fact introduced raised in 1914 and designated as the up together in January or February there were patriotic songs and a pipe until 1916. 12th battalion, York and Lancaster 1915. Their numbers are sequential: band. Local dignitary Mr J W Turner Within weeks of the outbreak Regiment. Three Eckington men, James was 17503 and Arthur was made a speech concluding with a of war, advertisements had started to two with Sheffield connections, 17504. James Silvers was killed on poem he had composed. The first appear on hoardings and in newspapers served in this battalion. The tragedy 4 June 1915 in the Dardanelles. A verse was: such as these two examples from the of the Pals battalion was that, memorial service was held for him Your country calls! A signal loud and clear Eckington, Staveley and Woodhouse because of the way that a battalion on Sunday 4 July at Eckington Parish Rings through the land; will you not Express. was deployed if they were unlucky Church – one of the first local lads volunteer The ‘friends can join together’ in enough to be on the front line when killed. Arthur Riley was not reported To save your King and home, all you hold one advertisement referred to the Pals there was active fighting, the losses missing until the 17th July, a further dear? regiments where groups could sign up could be catastrophic. In the case letter reporting his death was not Another speaker was Colonel J C together. These would sometimes be of the Sheffield Pals Battalion, they received until August, although he Clayton who had come to Derbyshire from a single workplace, or location were deployed as first line on the had, in fact, died on the same day from London charged with recruiting of a club or group such as a football first day of the Battle of the Somme, as his friend James. Later James’

44 45 ENLISTMENT the returners younger brother, Reuben Silvers, 150,000 were needed. The purpose of the returners was also killed (see page22). Another the Manpower Bill was to allow men group of four friends joined the Yorks in previously reserved occupations This section looks at those who Using these proportions, if we and Lancaster Regiment; by the end such as mining to be called up. returned from the war. It would assume that the 85 men named on the of 1917 only one, F Merrick, was There had been concerns that local be helpful if lists were available, but Eckington memorial represent 10% of surviving although injured. Friends tribunals, set up to issue exemptions whilst it is possible to obtain details of those who served, then around 850 Harry Bristow, Ernest Hutchinson from service, had been doing so fairly medals and individual service, it is not men were likely to have served from and Fred Fisher had all died. freely. There is no evidence that this currently possible to obtain lists of all Eckington itself. 439 men appear on Unsurprisingly, given the pressure was the case in Eckington. those who served and survived from a the electoral roll for Eckington which to enlist and the general atmosphere, particular location. If we work from was drawn up in the spring of 1918 younger brothers and young boys global statistics (US War Department and included men who were still generally were often keen to enlist. Report in 1924): approximately 8.9 serving away from home at that time. Sometimes the boys were not even of million British Empire forces were As the voting age at that time was 21, age – set at 18 from early in the war. mobilised in WW1, of these 0.9 and many servicemen were between There were many examples and it is million (10%) were killed or died (of 18 and 20. If we assume that half the sometimes hard to believe from the disease and other causes). 2 million men in service in 1918 were under 21 photographic evidence that recruiting were wounded (22.5%), and almost and double the figure on the electoral officers were fooled. One example of a 200,000 were prisoners or missing roll to 878 it comes close to the figure very young Eckington enlistment was (2.2%). This gives a proportion of devised by working up from the Arnold Morton (pictured right), who 35% casualties to service personnel number killed. This analysis would enlisted at the age of 16. He survived mobilised. Thus about 65% of suggest a figure of 850 or above, as the War. Another was Arthur Lund men who went to war, could be the number of deaths was probably (see Lund family). expected to have returned relatively in excess of 85. Hence around 1,000 Some 4.9 million men enlisted unscathed, although no doubt some is probably a reasonable estimate of in the British Army between 1914 with permanent memories which the number of men from Eckington and 1918, 2.4 million before the may have amounted to mental village who served in WW1. introduction of conscription in 1916 health impairment and often with The returners faced a number of and 2.5 million afterwards. Of the 2.5 comparatively minor wounds. Over challenges. They had to re-engage million only an estimated 1.3 million 20% could have returned having with their families, find work, and men were actually conscripted (source sustained more serious wounds. A come to terms with their experiences, Professor Ian Beckett, Professor of small percentage (less than 2% when and any lasting damage it had caused to Military History, University of Kent, the missing are separated from the their psychological or physical health. 2015). Nevertheless, close to the prisoners) would have returned after In terms of re-engagement with end of the War, in January 1918, the periods as prisoners of war. This families, we have no direct stories of Government was seeking to conscript gives a total of nearly 90% of service any difficulties. It is known that these more men as it estimated that another personnel returning. were quite commonly experienced

46 47 the returners Walker Family where fathers were re-engaging with The industries of mining and iron had maintained war diaries which Richard Godley, kept a diary covering children they had hardly seen (or in foundries nationally and particularly are available. Two local examples the Battle of Mons from August 1914 some cases never seen) for many years. in Eckington were badly affected. are those of Harry Smith and James to October 2nd re-produced in the There were also sometimes difficulties Economic historians generally regard Godley. Harry Smith, the brother of book, ‘Renishaw and Spinkhill WW1 with marriages. Whilst the papers Great Britain’s recovery in the 1920s one of the fallen of Eckington, John and WW2 Project’ (2019). report cases of desertion and bigamy, to have been somewhat slower than Thomas Smith, kept such a diary, Arranging the demobilisation took it is easy to imagine the lesser but no that of France and Germany itself. now in Eckington Heritage Centre, 6 quite a time after the signing of the less real problems of readjustment after This is despite the fact that both Southgate, Eckington. Private James armistice in November 1918. There several years of living apart. France and Germany had suffered Godley, 2nd Battalion, Coldstream was also work for the military to do, With work, some employers re- greater mortality rates than Britain Guards, 4th Guards Brigade, the often inside Germany well into 1919 hired men who had worked for them and despite Germany having to pay great-grandfather of local historian and even 1920. before enlistment or conscription. reparations after the war under the Sometimes they had made an Treaty of Versailles. undertaking to do this from the start. In terms of coming to terms with their experiences, there is evidence from ex-servicemen that many did not regret going to war, despite the Family privations of service, the dangers and Frank William Walker the trauma. This is clear in interviews Informant Ian Marshall, great grandson which were given and have been recorded on tape and film from the Frank William Walker was not demobilised until 1919. As Pte F W 1920s onwards to the death of the Walker he had joined the Tank Corps. His pre-military employment as last veteran, Henry John (Harry) a shunting driver at the Staveley Iron and Coal works had prepared him Patch in July 2009. Interviews can well for the Tank Corps. Frank was a keen correspondent, both before be found on the film ‘They shall not and during his war service and many of these letters have survived. He grow Old’, restored for the centenary had a correspondence of the Armistice and shown by the with his friend Adam BBC. Many men were, however, Starbuck who lived In other cases the work was no very reluctant to speak of what they in Eckington. Adam longer available or the individual was had witnessed. Sometimes this was served in the 12th not able, through injury, to return life-long. In other cases they became Battn to it. The period after the war and more inclined to talk about their from 1915, so letters continuing through the 1920s was experiences later in life. Locally ex- from Frank informed not a time of economic prosperity serviceman Harold Robinson (see him about Eckington for Great Britain, even before the page 54) was one of those prepared life and those from great global depression of 1929-1933. to talk of his experiences. Some

48 49 walker family walker family

Adam contained news on mutual friends who had joined up. After the Armistice Frank spent time in the Cologne area. From the end of WW1 until 1926, Cologne was occupied by the British Army of the Rhine under the terms of the armistice and the subsequent Treaty of Versailles. Frank also visited Berlin before being demobilised in 1919. He collected a number of postcards and photographs of places visited. He returned to the Staveley Iron and Coal Works which had promised to re- employ him. He became a member of the Ambulance Corps there and also of the Silver Ambulance Brigade in Chesterfield. Frank was single when he went to war. Keen to settle down, he married Eliza Rose on Christmas Day 1920. They established a household on Handley Road, and had six children. The first, Mary was born in 1921 and was grandmother to informant Ian Marshall. Another of Ian’s great grandparents, Frank Marshall from East Yorkshire, also served in WW1, but was less fortunate than Frank Walker, having been shot in the head and demobilised in consequence in 1918. He married on his return and was self-employed in his own tobacconist’s and confectioner’s shop in Bridlington. His son James, Ian’s grandfather, was born in 1921. F W Walker medals and their original package

50 51 THE RETURNERS heptinstall family

Psychological and Physical Health wore blue dresses with white aprons with the distinctive Red Cross on Sometimes experiences, whilst not May 1916 and ‘ailing for two years’ the front. The nearest to Eckington talked about, continued to haunt men. thereafter. He left a widow and three seems to have been one at Elmton in Nightmares and night terrors were young children. It is likely that many . reported if not by ex-servicemen, then similar deaths into the 1920s and 30s by their wives. Poison Gas (chlorine, went unreported. phosgene and mustard) was used for Remarkably, many injured men the first time in WW1, initially by the continued to work and to support Germans, in April 1915, but the Allies families, in some cases singlehanded. Family followed soon afterwards. It resulted Ian Marshall’s great-grandfather Pte Frederick Causier Heptinstall in 1.3 million casualties and 90,000 worked as a tobacconist and Informant Yvonne Anderson, deaths. Some Eckington men were confectioner (see above). maternal granddaughter gassed. Arnold Morton was reported Wounded soldiers were cared as suffering gas and burns in 1918 for for in a variety of settings during the A local man, Pte Frederick Causier Heptinstall, which he was treated in hospital in war and in the years immediately Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) France. Even more than the numbers afterwards. There were military was injured in the lower leg, but returned to who were killed or injured by the gas hospitals at home and abroad, looking mining after the war, becoming a mine deputy was the fear it instilled. after patients who remained under and sustaining an arm injury in an accident in the Some men were so badly injured military control, and there were over Ireland Colliery. After his first wife’s early death that it shortened their lives. Thomas 3,000 temporary auxiliary hospitals he brought up their four children single-handed Crouch, father-in-law of Eckington provided by the British Red Cross in until they left home. He was also an officer in resident Ina Crouch, served in the conjunction with the Order of St John the St John’s Ambulance Brigade. During the Cycle Corps. This was a particularly of Jerusalem. These used a variety of Second World War he often accompanied local difficult and strenuous role. He used buildings from large municipal ones GP Dr Rankin into Sheffield to tend wartime to say he spent more time carrying the to small private houses across the casualties there. On 22nd May 1957 at Buckingham Palace he was presented cycle than riding it. His health never country. They generally took less with the highest award of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. Late in life, his recovered from his time in service and seriously injured patients. Staffing injured leg troubled him more and he died a few years after his return. was both paid and unpaid. Nursing was amputated. Grandad Hep, as Frank Marshall, Ian Marshall’s great assistants were often local volunteers. he was known to his family, died grandfather (see Walker/Marshall The uniforms were very distinctive; in 1965. family above) died in 1939. In June the servicemen wore hospital blues 1918 the Eckington, Staveley and – pale blue jackets and trousers with Woodhouse Express reported that a red stripe. They could choose Mr H C Greaves of Market Street whether to wear their regimental caps had died, having been discharged in or non-uniform ones. The nurses

52 53 ROBINSON family ROBINSON family

Family It is not entirely clear Harold Robinson what happened to Harold Informant Olive Newton, Harold’s youngest child. on his discharge save that he returned to Eckington. Harold Robinson joined the Cavalry after being There is a picture of a group called up. He enlisted at Chesterfield, where of men and a nurse which having expressed a wish to join the cavalry, was found locally (see though not an experienced horseman, his skills below). All are in hospital were put to the test by a ride round an arena. blues and the nurse is There was a queue of men waiting their turn wearing a Red Cross uniform. The man in the picture in the civilian cap to do this. The man before Harold fell (or was bears considerable resemblance to Harold Robinson. No other personnel thrown) from the horse and was carried away in the photos have been identified. There is also uncertainty about the injured. Harold learnt later that the man had died. Following enlistment building. At one point Harold went on to serve in France and in Egypt. He had a natural it seemed possible it was aptitude for horses and always said that he loved them. Eckington Drill Hall. He often spoke about his wartime This building stood on experiences, especially in Egypt where Littlemoor until 2017 he was struck both by the geographical when it was demolished to and cultural differences of the local make way for an Aldi store. men, who served alongside the British It is well remembered as servicemen. Camels (dromedaries) a dance venue for many were used alongside horses there. decades. Quite when it was The weather was hot and dry and built is unclear but it seems Harold had a distinct memory of the most likely to have been local men stopping their activities on the late 1920s or early 1930s. a march and kneeling in prayer. The Soon after his return and recovery Harold Robinson became engaged cause turned out to be the appearance of a raincloud. On duty one night and married a local woman, Nellie Deffley, whose family lived on he was stabbed by a local man, and had to return home injured. He was Pipworth Lane where they had a milk round, which Harold helped run quite disabled at this point and was stretchered onto a ship for the long after their marriage. They established a home on Bole Hill and started a journey home. The ship, the HMS Teutonic, was a White Star Line family. Sadly, Nellie died when their two children Eileen and Victor were Steamship being used as a troop carrier. Harold retained a photograph of aged 11 and 9. It was another low point in Harold’s life as he lost both the ship throughout his life. He had several souvenirs when he left port, Nellie and his parents within 3 years. He advertised for a carer and May stored in his boots including the knife with which he had been stabbed. French, applied and started to work as a live in housekeeper. May was These were lost on the homeward journey. from the Eckington Newsagent family who had two shops at that time,

54 55 ROBINSON family the returners

First Name Surname Date of Birth Date of Notes the ‘upper’ shop at 9 West Street and the bottom Capture shop in the town centre. To avoid gossip, Harold Sidney Adlington 1891 suggested to May that they marry. May agreed, James T Barber 1880 despite the 18 year age difference. They went on James Thomas Barker 1889 21/03/1918 Died 20/7/1918. to have two children of their own, Kenneth and Married, lived on Olive, living first at John Street and then Henry Fanshawe Road, Street in Eckington. During this marriage Harold Eckington. On worked shifts as a furnace man at Renishaw Iron Memorial works. He died at the age of 91. He is buried in Thomas Barsvy Eckington Cemetery, first joining Nellie, later to be joined by May. Frank Broomfield 1880 Herbert Clayton 1895 Prisoners of War Hubert Cummins 1892 The Allies and the Germans took common. There were deaths among Wilfred Davison 1896 prisoners throughout WW1. It is prisoners from these and other causes. Fred Dinsdale 1891 estimated that by the end of the war Some prisoners would have been Frank Evans 1894 2.4 million prisoners were being held injured in combat before capture. Red Jack Fenton by Germany, mainly in approximately Cross parcels helped ameliorate this by Albert Grayson 300 camps on German soil. The supplementing the food. Mail, whilst Hague Convention which governed subject to censorship and sometimes William Green 1887 1918 Bombardier, married, the conduct of Nations in regard to denied, did get through. The Hague Market Street prisoners of war had been signed by Conventions gave each prisoner a right Leonard Guy 1897 Western Nations (including Germany, to write two letters and 4 postcards. Arnest E Harding 1898 France, Britain and Russia) in 1907. Officers were generally treated better, John Hipwell 1892 They covered aspects of life in prison, in terms of their conditions. Andrew Hopkinson including lodging, work, religion, food Thirty-two WW1 prisoners with Albert Edward Jones Confirmed. A.E dress and mail. These conditions were links to Eckington were found through Jones , MM not fully observed, at least partly because a search on www.findmypast.co.uk. Frank Kirby 21/3/1918 Confirmed. Lance of the pressure that the numbers placed Some of these were verified through Corporal F Kirby, on the Germany captors. There was coverage in the Eckington, Staveley youngest son of illness in the camps because of the poor and Woodhouse Express and other Mr & Mrs A C condition of the accommodation and sources. Other prisoners, including Pte Kirby, Northgate, poor and inadequate food left prisoners T Hutton and John Smith, not on the Eckington. hungry and more vulnerable to illness. list below were recorded by the paper Thomas A Knowles Typhus, Cholera and lung diseases were as released in early 1919.

56 57 the returners Commemoration

William Littlewood Commemoration Alfred Marriott 1881 Memorials Isaac Middleton 1884 The memorials abroad, close to where Corporal Alfred Hastings 32253 Frank Midwinter 1893 men had fallen are described and A Company, 5th Battalion of the George James Osborne 1886 pictured in the WW1: Eckington Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Edwin Price 1893 Soldiers and their Families booklet Regiment) had died on 11th April commemorating the centenary of the 1918 aged 21 and was buried in the Albert Rhodes Armistice. The major ones containing Neiderwehen Cemetery in Kassel, Frank Riley 14/03/1896 21/03/1918 2/6 Notts & Derbys the names of many local men who Germany. Sadly her grandmother had Bullecourt 241678 were killed, include the memorials at died before Mandy was able to tell her. William Robinson 24/01/1898 28/03/1918 Pte, 5th KOYLI, Thiepval on the site of the Somme The family have since visited the grave. Gommecourt 205593 battlefield in France, Tyne Cot in Arthur E Tudor 1892 Belgium, Menin Gate at Ypres, Arras Francis Verden in France and Helles in modern Turkey marking the Gallipoli conflict. All these monuments were established during The case of Albert Edward Jones is a women and children civilians. As was the 1920s by the Commonwealth War happy one. Missing, thought dead, the case with a number of prisoners Graves commission through which his postcard from captivity not only of war, especially towards the end of they have been impeccably maintained confirmed his survival but also that he the war, he was expected to work since. Relatives and others started had been awarded the Military Medal in farming. In one communication to visit the graves and memorials of In the UK national memorials prior to capture (see Medals). There home, he said he had been grooming their loved ones in the 1920s, always including the London Cenotaph was a much less happy outcome for horses. The prisoner of war experience supposing that they knew where the (officially opened on 11 November James T Barker, who died after four of Capt Norman L Wells, grandson of grave or memorial was. 1920) were erected and the Unknown months imprisonment. George Wells, of the J and G Wells Will Cartlidge’s wife, Lois Hastings, Soldier was interred on the same Bombardier R R Green was one mining company is related later in the lost her brother, Alfred Hastings, day in nearby Westminster Abbey, of the first prisoners of war to return Wells family story. As an officer, Capt MM, in the War. Her mother was simultaneously with one in France. after the armistice in November 1918. Wells would expect better treatment so distraught having received the The USA WW1 memorial and tomb He had served 7-8 months in Belgium than other ranks but his treatment was telegram informing her of his death of their WW1 Unknown Soldier was and complained of harsh treatment, very harsh. that his name was never mentioned established in 1921 at the Arlington including that meted out towards again and her daughter was unaware of National Cemetery. The military what happened to him. Granddaughter had their own memorials including Mandy subsequently discovered the Sherwood Foresters Memorial at through the Commonwealth War Crich, near Matlock, which contains Graves Commission that Lance the names of the fallen who served with

58 59 Commemoration Commemoration the regiment (https:historicengland.org. had received medals. They decided may not. One, a German Howitzer, small cardboard cross in the wooden uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072594). on an immediate letter of appreciation was briefly displayed at the Renishaw Methodist Chapel on New Street Locally monuments were to the bereaved. A month later the end of Southgate before both were Halfway to encourage local giving. established in all the local villages, Eckington and District War Relief sold. The permanent, beautifully carved and in many churches, schools and Fund decided on a £2 payment (£104 memorial was dedicated in 1922. workplaces. In January 1918 at the at 2020 values) to each of the bereaved Marsh Lane’s was dedicated in suggestion of Mr T Butler, Chair families. Later, yet another local August 1919 (26 names). Renishaw, of the Eckington Parish Council, a committee, with Mr T Greensmith Spinkhill Ridgeway, Killamarsh and recognition committee was established and Mr W Sewell (manager for J and G Barlborough are other local Derbyshire to consider how best to remember Wells) as President and vice president, ones. Mosborough and Halfway are those who had served their country was making arrangements for each now in Sheffield, together with other in the military and naval services, in bereaved family to receive a copy of the local ones in Gleadless, and Intake. particular those who had made the picture entitled ‘The Great Sacrifice’. Eckington’s was erected and dedicated supreme sacrifice (they knew of 116 This picture, very well-known during in June 1920. Quite an early one; deaths at this point) and those who WW1 was by James Clark. Each one it was reported in the Eckington, given was signed by Mr Greensmith. A plan of the proposed Eckington Staveley and Woodhouse Express. Collecting money towards the War Memorial was approved in There were later dedications across the parish monument/s started at this point. December 1918. The plan was NE Derbyshire/South Yorkshire area The receipts of a flag day were reported supplied by G Maile and Son, 367 that the newspaper covered. to the recognition committee in May Euston Road, London, specialising by individual village: Eckington, in church sculpture at that time. The Ridgeway, Marsh Lane, Mosborough design was for a grey Cornish granite and Halfway. Later, after the armistice, pillar with a Celtic cross, 16 feet high, the recognition committee, having including plinths with names of the already decided on a monument near fallen inscribed. The location was to be the church discussed whether there on the green close to the church, rising should be anything further. Various above Church Street. suggestions including a hospital, There were thoughts of a single alms-houses, or a health visitor were memorial for the Civic Parish of discussed. The eventual decision was to Eckington, but each ward wished apply for two captured German guns. to have their own. This was not an Two guns were purchased but there uncommon view: Derbyshire has a was a subsequent debate between the total of 3,500 memorials of all types Parish Council and Sir Osbert Sitwell, (https:www.derbyshirewarmemorials. who was concerned that the guns com). The decision led to localised should promote peace but feared they fund raising. Halfway installed a

60 61 Commemoration Commemoration

Medals Campaign Medals

Many local men were awarded during WW1. An estimated 34,000 campaign medals, the 1914 Star or 1914- were issued. Holders having this 15 Star, the British War Medal and the medal would not have a 1914 or 1914- Allied Victory Medal. These three 5 Star. Some of the Eckington men medals were sometimes irreverently were Territorials and would have been referred to as Pip (Star), Squeak (War eligible. Medal) and Wilfred (Victory Medal) The War Medal (Silver), known after Daily Mirror cartoon characters as the ‘Squeak’, was for service in a well known at the time. theatre of war or abroad at any time The Star (Pip) was an award for during the war (6.5 million issued). service from the earliest part of the war The Victory Medal (Gilt), the’ (2.4 million issued). The Stars would Wilfred’, was awarded to all those have been quite common in Eckington holding a Territorial, a Star 1914 or a and the surrounding area as many men 1914-1915 Star and most of those who enlisted early in the War. The 1914 were eligible for a War Medal were Star, sometimes referred to as the Mons also eligible for the Victory Medal Star (for service in the theatre of war (5.7 million issued). The British War between 5th August 1914 and 22/23rd Medal and Victory Medal pair on November that year) is less common display together is sometimes known than the 1914-1915 Star (only 365,622 as Mutt and Jeff. For both these two were issued) but some Eckington men medals, the recipient’s service number, would have been eligible. They have a rank, name and unit were impressed on clasp (bar) with the dates. the rim. Much less common even than the The Silver War Badge (sometimes Mons Star is the War referred to as the Silver Wounds Badge Medal, 1914-1919. Those eligible had or Kings Badge), was most usually to belong to the Territorial Force or given to those who were discharged Territorial Force Nursing Service to or retired from the military forces as be eligible. They had to have been a result of sickness or injury caused by a member of the Territorial Force their war service. This was later (1918) before 30th September 1914 and to extended to include those civilians have served in an operational theatre who had served with the Royal Army of war outside the UK at some time Medical Corps, female nurses, staff and

62 63 Commemoration Commemoration aid workers. An estimated 1,150,000 and Woodhouse Express was that of were issued. They had an accompanying a master butcher, rejected for service certificate but not an engraved name. because he was ‘down’ (depressed), The award helped those who had been who committed suicide after such discharged to dispel any suggestion that taunting. they were avoiding service. ‘White Nationally, the next of kin of those feathering’, criticising those ‘not in killed received a large bronze plaque, khaki’ was common in all communities the size of a small tea plate, which in WW1. A particularly sad local case became popularly known as the ‘death reported in the Eckington, Staveley penny’.

Above: Silver War Badge and Certificate Right: Death Penny

Bravery Awards Far left: Star and Bar There were a number of men from (Harry Lund, Douglas Henry Wells Eckington who won medals for with a Military Medal or Military Above: bravery during the WW1. The Cross respectively are included in the Pip, Squeak and Wilfred Military Medal (established in March family portraits). Sadly, both of these 1916) was awarded to personnel of the men were killed. Left: British Army below commissioned Others from Eckington itself who Territorial Force Medal rank for bravery in battles on land. are known to have won the Military The Military Cross was awarded for Medal and who survived are (in date act/s of exemplary gallantry during order): active operations to captains or officers Sergeant Sidney Harrison, of lower rank. Two of the families 13396 Leicesters, and listed as from

64 65 Commemoration Commemoration

Express on 23rd December the service fortunately proved to have the Civic Parish of that year. Sergeant Argyle been premature in the case of Albert of Eckington, had moved to Nottingham on Edward Jones. for example Sgt his marriage, but his mother Duncan Crawford, one of the 7 Frank Bond of still lived on Southgate. He sons of Mrs Crawford of 85 Market the Toronto would have been well known Street serving in WW1, had been Regiment in as he had been a member of awarded a Military Medal for bravery Canada, who the Eckington Prize Band. He whilst serving in France in 1917. emigrated to was an ambulance man in the Gunner William Levick (second Canada having war and was awarded his medal son of Joseph Levick of Market Street) worked as a miner for J and G Wells. for bringing in the wounded was awarded a MM in December He was killed in action in May 1917 in circumstances where he was 1917. Aged 40, a miner at Hartington and posthumously awarded the the only survivor from a team Colliery, he had enlisted in October Military Medal. He is commemorated Eckington in the award list of the of 8. 1915, going on to serve in France and on the Renishaw church memorial. London Gazette (cutting courtesy of Corporal Albert Edward Jones, be awarded his MM for gallantry and The highest bravery award won David Nightingale). The Eckington, Sherwood Foresters, son of Mr and devotion to duty on the battlefield. locally as far as is known was the Staveley and Woodhouse Express Mrs Jones of Hornthorpe Road, Private Albert Adams, second Victoria Cross awarded to Corporal also reported this honour, giving his Eckington was awarded a Military son of Mr and Mrs Adams of Staveley Fred Greaves of Barlborough. parents’ address as 25 Pinfold Street. Medal in 1917. The citation referred Road, was awarded the Military Corporal (later Sergeant) Greaves His brother, Private William Harrison to his ‘great courage and coolness’. He Medal for conspicuous bravery in the served in the 9th Battalion of the had made the ultimate sacrifice, dying had subsequently been taken prisoner field reported the Eckington, Staveley Sherwood Foresters (23715). He on 9th June, 1916. He is memorialised and held in Germany between the 21st and Woodhouse Express on 27th July was awarded the VC for ‘most on the Eckington memorial and in and the 23rd March 1918. He reported 1918. conspicuous bravery, initiative and France where both brothers served. the Military Medal in a card sent to Pte Ernest Fells, an Eckington leadership’ in fighting East of Ypres in Harold Wilson Ward, son his home. His family must have been man, latterly living in Hackenthorpe. Belgium on 4th October 1917 when of George Ward, 50 Chesterfield delighted by the news, not so much of Sergeant Sam Hadfield (pictured), his platoon came under machine gun Road, Eckington. He was the first the medal but to know he was alive. Sherwood Foresters, of Sitwell Street, fire. Fred Greaves lived to return Eckington man to win a Military Prior to his letter he had been reported Eckington. from the war and thereafter this self- Medal, according to Derbyshire Times missing, thought to have been killed The last two were reported in the effacing and popular man took part in of 4th September 1916. He was a land in action. A memorial service was Eckington, Staveley and Woodhouse many commemorations. There are valuation officer at Chesterfield prior held for him in the Wesleyan Chapel Express in early 1919. three men with the name Greaves on to his war service. at the end of April, a combined service This is likely to be an the Eckington memorial. They are Sergeant Samuel Argyle, was also for Albert T Rhodes but whilst underestimation. In addition there possibly part of the extended Greaves awarded his Military Medal late the latter had died (and is buried in were awards to people in other parts of family. in 1916. It was reported in the Eckington church yard and has his Eckington, Staveley and Woodhouse name on the Eckington memorial),

66 67 lund family lund family

Family received the news ‘down the line’. He said it hadn’t really registered; there Harry Lund were so many deaths at the time. Audio. Informant Debbie Hyde, great niece of Harry At home, Lizzie was distraught. She and Harry had Harry Lund was an Eckington man living at 8 School Street at the time of the two children by this time, Edgar outbreak of war in 1914. Aged 28, he was married to Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) and his younger sister, Bessie. with a very young family. He was a plumber, working for the local gas They received news that Harry company. An ardent supporter of Sheffield Wednesday, was seriously wounded and the he carried a little silver owl matchbox with him at all following day that he had died. times and attended all home matches at Hillsborough, He had received the Military catching a special direct bus from Eckington. Medal for his bravery in the In January 1915, he enlisted voluntarily with the action in which he was killed. 11th Brigade Royal Field Artillery and was despatched Detailed reports appeared in the to serve in France after training. His employers said local press in January 1918. They reported that the letter from Harry’s that he could not expect a job on his return. He served commanding officer on the 29th December had said: until the end of 1917 when he was seriously wounded in France and died the same day, 28th December, after ‘I am very sorry to tell you that your husband, Sergeant Lund, was wounded an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Military rather badly yesterday, 28th December 1917. We have every hope of him pulling Medal. through. I cannot tell you anymore. You will be pleased he has gained the Military During the time he served there was a regular exchange of letters and photos Medal. I hope you will have good news of him soon. The Battery will miss him with home. In one letter with a photograph, he asked Lizzie whether his very much.’ son Edgar recognised him. On one period of leave he came across his Sadly, there was no better news: the following week the paper reported much younger brother, Arthur then 16 standing the death of the Sergeant Lund on his way to the field ambulance. It said on the corner of School Street, unwilling to go that ‘the gallant officer (sic) had received the Military Medal for taking up home. When pushed to explain himself, Arthur ammunition and bringing back wounded under heavy fire.’ said he had enlisted and been accepted for service Months later, there was an article describing how Edgar, then 6 years had in the Sherwood Foresters. Harry gave him a clip received his father’s medal in a service at Endcliffe Hall, Sheffield. A family round the ear and told him to go home. On his story told how his widow Lizzie had thrown the medal on to the open fire. last period of leave Harry was particularly upset to It was snatched off again by her mother-in-law. Lizzie never re-married. return to the front as he felt he would not survive The family remained in School Street. Bessie was educated with the help of to see his family again. He had to be almost pushed financial support from Henry Lund, Harry’s uncle, a successful painter and onto the train. He was correct in his anticipation. decorator who owned houses for rent in Sheffield and Eckington. Bessie Lund Younger brother Arthur survived the War. When went on to become head-teacher at Camms School, Eckington, a stones- Harry died Arthur was serving in the trenches and throw from her lifelong home (8 School Street) which she latterly shared

68 69 lund family lund family

with Dorothy Booth. Edgar joined the during the war she had sung to family painting and decorating business injured troops in Sheffield, ‘Where and went on to serve in WW2. In have all the Flowers gone?’ being what must have been a heart-stopping a particular favourite. In 1918 moment for the family, he was missing and 1919, influenza affected many at one point but fortunately resurfaced people in Eckington and, although and survived. not a professional nurse, she nursed A third brother, William Charles, several members of the local known as Charlie, also served in WW1 as a Lewis gunner. Charlie visited community, fortunately without his brother’s grave after the war. Henry becoming ill herself. Life continued Lund gave both of his surviving nephews hard through the 1920s. Muriel remembered as a child in 1929 one of her £100 on their return from WW1. Arthur grandmothers taking a turnip from a local field; an act of some desperation. went to work as a painter and decorator Arthur commented on the famous Lloyd George pledge to create a ‘Land fit with Eyres. The youngest of the brothers, for Heroes’ that you had to be a hero to live in the land! Harold went on to work in the family business when of an age to do so. Henry supported his orphaned great nephew and niece. He also made a significant Regimental Remembrance: Sherwood Foresters contribution to the Eckington Memorial Regiments proudly remember Fund. Probably on account of these actions, the sacrifices of their WW1 men, Harry’s heroism and his involvement with the church during his life (he was over more than a century since the a regular communicant and Sunday School teacher), Henry’s wife unveiled end of the War and despite many the monument on 27th June 1920. amalgamations and changes to the Harry’s brother Arthur was courting by the end of the War and, once UK’s defence forces. The Sherwood demobbed, married Harriet Ellen Glasby and established his own family, Foresters is now part of the Mercia daughter Muriel and son Harry, Regiment. Its annual pilgrimage on named after his late brother. the first Sunday in July each year at Arthur had come across the Crich first took place in 1923, when French name Muriel in a book the remodelled memorial tower was he read when he was serving completed. Originally attended by in France. Life became no families and ex-service men who easier at the end of the war or had served alongside their fallen beyond. Harriet spent much colleagues, it is now more likely to time serving the community: be attended by their grandchildren or greatgrandchildren.

70 71 redfern family redfern family

Family than market gardening which William Redfern had been his first calling. At the Informant John Redfern, grandson. outbreak of WW2 he returned to active service but was invalided out William ‘Staffy’ Redfern was born on 10 March in 1941 after two years of service 1889 in Staffordshire. He came to North Derbyshire in WW2. After that he organised when his father died from pneumonia working in diversionary lights in valley the infamous Hailstone Quarry in Staffordshire. He to try to divert German Bomber joined the Sherwood Foresters as a Territorial in 1907 Raids from populated areas. He and was called for active service abroad very early in the War. He served served the Regiment for a total of 34 with the 1st/6th Battalion (Reg. No. 2254) until he returned home after years in all. He died in 1958 when being bayonetted very badly while rescuing his brother Arthur who had living at Mill Road, Eckington. been captured by the Germans. After his recovery he served briefly in the 3 Regimental Colonels of the ‘Black & Tans’ in Ireland at the time of the 1916 uprising, but then returned Sherwood Foresters and many men to France in 1917 and joined the 1st/5th Battalion for a while (Reg. No. of other ranks attended his funeral. 240491) before re-joining the 1st/6th where he served out his time until the close of war and finally stood down on 24 Jan 1919. The family did not escape loss in WW1. John Redfern’s maternal grandmother lost her brother James Alfred Herring, an Eckington man serving with the 10th Battalion of the Yorks and Lancs Regiment, who was killed in action in 1917. William Redfern was latterly a Company Sergeant Major in The Notts & Derbys Regiment (The Sherwood Foresters) and was awarded the British War Medal, the 1915 (Mons) Star, and the Victory Medal. The Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred as described above. Other long service medals were awarded later along with some for service in WW2. He continued to serve in the Territorials after 1919, working latterly in mining rather

72 73 Commemoration Commemoration

Poppy Day Remembrance Day, the anniversary of The first appeal by Earl Haig the Armistice on the 11th November in support of ex-servicemen was each year was immediately adopted very successful. The British Legion, from 1919 onwards, replacing the established by Earl Haig to care for marking of each anniversary of the ex-servicemen and their dependents, marking of Britain’s declaration of war took on responsibility for fund-raising on 4th August. The first Poppy appeal through an annual poppy appeal. took place in 1921 when the poppy Factories manned by disabled ex- was a representation on a postcard. servicemen were set up to produce the The poppy was and remains a potent poppies. Volunteers were involved in reminder of the fallen as they grew in selling the poppies on behalf of the abundance in Flanders fields where so British Legion. Focusing the wearing many men were killed and wounded of poppies on Remembrance Day in WW1. and using the poppies in wreaths was strongly established from the early 1920s. The sea of poppies around the Tower of London to mark the centenary of the end of WW1 in 2018 was particularly memorable.

Mercia Regiment’s Family Day

74 75 Home Front home front

Home Front Some of the main collieries 1920s and managed by R E Horrocks. Industry operating in and around Eckington at Mr Horrocks is the man in the bowler the time of WW1 were: hat on the left in the picture. This section provides a background to the upper age limit to 50. It was This colliery was closed on the re- the occupations of the men who went possible to appeal, and request total, Renishaw Park Colliery opening of Renishaw Park in 1929. to serve in the war from Eckington conditional or temporary exemptions. Situated on the Staveley-Eckington From the point of view of WW1 history, and the surrounding area. The The local tribunal was established Road close to Eckington and adjoining the closure of Renishaw Park probably principal local sources of employment by the Chesterfield Rural District the Sitwell estate, Renishaw, it is contributed to unemployment in the were mining, iron foundry and metal Council in December 1915, and held believed that the shafts were sunk industry through the war years and the trades and farming. its first meeting in January 1916 and its in 1860 and the Thirbycliffe shaft in 1920s. It may well have added to the When conscription was last in October 1918. In this time it 1868. J and G Wells were mining temptation to enlist in the military. introduced in January 1916 under the dealt with 5,000 cases across the area it the Flockton Seam in 1914 at Military Service Act mining became served, meeting almost weekly. Most Thirbycliffe and Renishaw Park under Hornthorpe Colliery a reserved occupation along with cases approved were for temporary an agreement with Sir George Sitwell, This colliery was quite close to munitions work. Iron foundry and exemption. An agricultural officer the landowner. In this year water from Renishaw Park, even more central to agriculture were partially excluded. usually sat with the tribunal. Numbers the nearby River Rother flooded the Eckington, although not as surrounded The Act initially made medically from Eckington were relatively pit and caused its abandonment. Sir by housing as the former site is today. It fit single men aged 19 to 41 eligible low, probably on account of the George went on to win considerable was closer to the West Street. for conscription unless they were unambiguously excluded position of compensation from J and G Wells. Like Renishaw Park, it was leased in a reserved occupation. In May mining. However, a large number of Renishaw was not re-opened until to J and G Wells at the time of WW1 the Military Service Act Number 2 miners enlisted voluntarily both before 1929, after Mr Reg Horrocks, a mining extended this to married men, lowered the introduction of conscription and engineer had successfully dealt with the the age limit to 18 and increased afterwards. water problems which took him several years (The Coal Mining Industry of Mining Sheffield and North Derbyshire, Ken Mining was the most significant In June 1963 the National Union Wain 2014). Furnace Hill Colliery industry in and around Eckington of Mineworkers (NUM) erected was another colliery operational in the through the 19th and 20th Centuries. a commemorative plaque in the By the time of WW1, it had begun George Inn at Eckington to mark and a long period of decline towards the celebrate the foundation of the Miners 1980s when the last pit closed (other Association which was a forerunner by Sir George Sitwell. Also in common than some very small scale workings of the NUM. In 1987 Renishaw with Renishaw Park it was difficult which still continue). Such was its Park Colliery closed in acrimonious to keep in a dry condition – constant significance that for a long time an circumstances, as was so often the case pumping was necessary. In 1921 this Eckington without mining would in the industry. colliery was closed on the expiry of the have been impossible to contemplate. lease. The men were redeployed into

76 77 Home Front wells family other J and G Wells collieries. The other smaller mines of varying sizes and closure of Hornthorpe meant that, types. The owners of Hornthorpe and Family taken together with Renishaw Park Holbrook, J and G Wells Ltd., together Douglas Wells the case for new houses was harder to with other major colliery owners, Informants John Redfern, Kath Murphy and Philip Staton. make for Eckington, in contrast with won a tribute from the Derbyshire Killamarsh. Miners Association in August 1914 for There is no informant for the Wells family story. However, such is providing allowances for food and rent their significance to the local scene around the time of the WW1, as Holbrook Colliery for families with breadwinners away at major colliery owners and in having one of the two Military Cross/ the war. Later, the company provided Medal awards held by those who are commemorated on the Eckington money to those families who had lost a Memorial, Douglas Henry Wells, that it seemed appropriate to cover his breadwinner: in February of 1918, the family story. company gave £5 (worth just under Douglas Henry Wells was born in Eckington in 1892, he was the £300 at 2020 prices) to each widow or grandson of George Wells, the ‘G’ of the J and G Wells and Co. mining mother of fallen ex-employees. company, the J being his great uncle Joseph Wells. The men of the Mining work was hard, physically family had relatively short lives, some falling prey to pit accidents in their dangerous, with poor working own mines. George Wells lived on Southgate, in the large house then conditions, prone to industrial disputes, known as Hohenlinden, later as Southgate House and more recently The and with lower pay than in the services. Grange. He died in 1871, with his colliery interests being taken over This colliery was at Halfway, towards From the point of view of the services, by his son George Henry Wells, third eldest of his 13 children. George Killamarsh. It was well within walking miners were fit and had many useful Henry also died comparatively young; born in 1852, he died in 1905, distance for miners from Eckington, skills. In the early years of WW1, 1914 leaving a young family. His wife Isabella Lewis Costin predeceased him Mosborough and Killamarsh as well as and 1915, enlisting must have seemed in 1899, leaving five children as wealthy orphans. the village of Halfway itself. It was a a better option. There was also a Douglas Henry and his elder brother large employer of miners at the time of strong sense of comradeship within Norman Lewis Wells left Eckington after WW1. There was a related colliery at the industry. There was tremendous their father’s death as young boys. They Norwood, further towards Killamarsh, pressure for voluntary enlistment as lived in Canada with relatives until the and sometimes known as Holbrook No. shown in the section above in the twenty outbreak of WW1 when, now in their 2. Again both were owned by J and months between outbreak of war and twenties they returned and enlisted in G Wells Ltd., along with Westthorpe the introduction of conscription. British regiments. Douglas Henry enlisted Colliery, Killamarsh where the first shaft Many hundreds, if not into the in the Yorks and Lancs Regiment, 5th was sunk in 1923. Westthorpe thrived thousands of Eckington and district Battalion. As 2nd Lieutenant, he was in the 1920s and additional houses were miners served in the military in WW1. killed in action in France, on 3rd May built for workers in Killamarsh. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice: in all it 1917, awarded a Military Cross for his Hornthorpe and Holbrook were is estimated that over 3,000 miners from bravery. He is remembered on the Arras the largest local collieries at the time North East Derbyshire gave their lives memorial, near to where he fell, on the of WW1 although there were many in WW1.

78 79 wells family wells family

gravestone of his parents in Eckington the lame and ill; strip searches on arrival and housing next door to the cemetery and in the Canadian book of pig-sties. The prisoners had an allocation of 2 blankets each. Ferocious remembrance, where the page bearing his dogs were used inside the wire boundary fence each night. An attempt to name is displayed annually. tunnel out was foiled. Capt Wells was ultimately released. He concludes Douglas Henry’s Eckington links were that it is ‘impossible to talk of peace with Germany’ given their treatment significant and he was remembered in a of prisoners. Whilst Capt Wells would not have been an objective memorial service held in the Eckington observer there was certainly a lot of prisoner taking towards the end of Wesleyan Church (or Chapel; the titles the war and conditions are likely to have been much as he described. seem to have been used interchangeably) Norman Wells survived the war and went on to marry Helen Mary of which his parents had been members McCabe and establish a family. He did not return to live in Eckington. and leaders. The Wells family is believed He died in 1965. to have provided the original funding The last member of to found the Church. Two other recent the Wells family to live casualties were remembered at the same in the area was Helen time, Major Frederick Vickers, of the Margaret Jane Wells, 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and born in 1891. She was Leonard Butler, a sergeant with the Royal the daughter of Sophia Field Artillery. The Wesleyan Church had Wells, and granddaughter suffered seven casualties by this time. of Joseph Wells and Norman Wells was a prisoner of war at Mary Habershon. Sophia the time of his brother’s death. His account had married her cousin of his treatment and his views on Germany William Edwin Wells on were carried 11th August 1881 at the in September Parish Church of St Peter 1918, in a full page newspaper article, under and Paul in Eckington. He was the son of George Wells and an uncle a heading of of Douglas and Norman Wells. Joseph Wells had built the spectacular ‘Tunnelling to Escape; Eckington Eckington Hall as his family home which was completed in 1871, only Officer’s Gross Treatment in Germany; two years before his death. Sophia had moved from Eckington into the How Prisoners were betrayed’ Hall on its completion. It is a first person account by Capt By the time of his death, Joseph had also commenced work on the Norman L Wells, of Eckington, of his neighbouring Elmwood House. Edwin completed the work and it treatment as a prisoner of war. He describes became his family home. Widowed early, Sophia continued to live there transfer to prison camp in poor conditions bringing up their three children. At her death in 1935, Elmwood was without comfort or food and drink, even for left to her daughter Helen Margaret Jane Wells. A kind and generous

80 81 wells family home front

Ironworks lady, Miss Wells, a spinster, The second major industrial deposits of coal and iron ironstone continued to live in the house occupation for Eckington men was on the outskirts of nearby Staveley. until her death in 1977. It is often ironwork. Renishaw Foundry was During WW1 they began to develop said that there was a dearth of probably one of the largest foundries their operations beyond coal tar marriageable men as a consequence in Britain during the 19th Century. chemicals to the production of of WW1. Whilst such a gap was However, the firm had started to useful-in-war chemicals such as TNT not as great as myth would have decline by the early years of the 20th and guncotton. In various guises it, it is partially true particularly in Century. It was operating through and majoring in chemicals the firm the officer group where the deaths WW1 when iron was much needed. survived until 2012. were proportionately greater. It is Some of its workers served in WW1. The Atco factory/service depot possible that Miss Wells lost a fiancé After the war, the Foundry endured for the well-known lawnmower in the WW1 and there is a local difficult times in the 1920s with company was established in Eckington story to that effect but other than industrial unrest. This continued in the early 1920s (www.hdtrust.org). to note that she was of marriageable until the late 1930s when numbers Farming, another significant industry, age at that time (23 at the outbreak employed increased again from a low was partly exempted once conscription of war), it is not possible to verify of 30 to 50 by 1938 (unpublished came in (see introduction to section this. history, author unknown). There above). Several men from the Sitwell were other, smaller foundries in and estate served, including Will Cartlidge around Eckington including one (see Cartlidge family). Many opposite Stead Street. Nail making occupations were represented amongst Mining was a troubled industry Nationalisation of the industry began and sickle making were long-standing Eckington’s WW1 servicemen, such from the beginning of the 20th to be discussed as a possible solution local industries. as motor trades, some servicemen Century. There were frequent but was not always popular. The The Staveley Coal and Iron were tradesmen such as Harry Lund disputes over pay and conditions and Eckington, Staveley and Woodhouse Company Ltd. also exploited the local who was a painter and decorator. strikes and national consideration of Express which covered a number of how to improve the industry. Strikes mining areas wrote in an editorial ‘… continued through WW1: there was and we need not assume that State a particularly long running strike of Ownership or Nationalisation will be the Yorkshire Miners only settled in a panacea for trade disputes’. It was, August 1918. Only a month later and nevertheless, the recommendation of possibly related to the strike, there was the Coal Commission in the Sankey still unrest with the Yorkshire Miners Report of June 1919. It was to take Association fighting for 25 men who another war and almost another had been victimised or dismissed. twenty years before it happened.

82 83 women and suffrage women and suffrage

WOMEN and suffrage was introduced. Industries which Registration Women’s Roles employed large numbers of women in The National Registration Act, 1915, WW1 such as munitions, and transport required all men and women between This section will look specifically at were largely urban. 15 and 65 to register for work. 15th the role of women in Eckington in Later on in the twentieth century, August was Registration Day for the WW1 and the years that followed. more work for women developed in initial census to establish the new These were times of change and Eckington. The Derbyshire Canneries National Register. Information on activity for women. was established by the 1950s and went how to apply for work was available In the pages of the Eckington, on for many decades. The workforce from the Employment Exchanges Staveley and Woodhouse Express was largely female although the which had been established under the for the War Years to the mid 1920s work was hard and had a number of Liberal Government in 1909. and other newspapers of those times, associated conditions such as carrot women are virtually invisible. They women of Eckington. rash. It meant that crops such as Nursing were not often photographed or In terms of work outside the peas, carrots and strawberries which Nursing was one of the first reported on. Most pictures were home, there were areas where grew relatively locally (Derbyshire, occupations to employ women in any case ones of serving military women had traditionally worked, for Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire) outside the home in any numbers. men and occasionally others. With example domestic service, farming, in could be canned soon after harvesting During WW1 (and also WW2), the very large number of men away shops and in some metal trades (sickle and with relatively low transport costs. trained military nurses such as the in the military and navy, however, making). Eckington women served Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army women had to cover their household in all these capacities. However, Nursing Corps were supplemented work and in some cases work outside the evidence is that most women of by the VADs, the Voluntary Aid the home for the first time. Some, the period in Eckington were not Detachment. In this volunteer unit, sadly, were widowed: nine of the working outside the home. The civilians who provided nursing care 78 men on the Eckington War brides in almost all of the wartime to military service personnel at home Memorial identified when our first marriages in the Eckington Parish in the UK and abroad in stations booklet was published were known register had no recorded occupation. behind the lines. 74,000 VADs were to be married. It is now clear from It is likely that women undertaking serving in 1924, two thirds reported newspaper reports that numbers work on a formal basis was lower in to be women. We have no evidence were higher. Many other families Eckington than elsewhere, simply that any Eckington women served in lost sons. Some war-wounded men because the primary industry, coal this capacity at the time of writing, returned to be nursed at home by mining, was not open to women (The beyond a picture of one local nurse wives and mothers. A proportion Mines and Colliery Act of 1842 had tending a group of soldiers in hospital of these returned to the front, a prohibited women and boys under ‘blues’ which is known to be local significant number were permanently 10 from working underground) and (see Robinson family story). disabled. The ‘flu epidemic of 1918 in any case miners were exempt was a further nursing burden on the from call-up once conscription

84 85 women and suffrage women and suffrage

Miss Anne Kitteridge of Dronfield for the association for entertaining Road Eckington also served. In wounded soldiers. These events, one September, Miss Mary White, or two a week, had the dual purpose daughter of Mrs Mary White of 60 of entertaining local people, including High Street, is reported as having wounded soldiers and those on leave, rejoined the WAAC. and fundraising. No women are memorialised on the Eckington War Memorial. Hopefully this indicates that there were no deaths. Two WW1 nurses are memorialised on the Barlborough memorial.

Fundraising and supporting the troops Many young women were involved in the extensive fundraising activities that went on throughout WW1. Military Service To take an example from June A small number of Eckington 1918 (reported in the Eckington, Women signed up for the Women’s Staveley and Woodhouse Express Army Auxiliary Corps. 7,000 6th July), the annual Alexandra Day UK women served in the Corps collection took place in Eckington between 1917 and 1920. A number and nine local girls took part. This of Eckington women are known to annual event started in 1912 and still have served. Three reports of women continues nationally. It involves soldiers home on leave appear in the the sale of roses to raise money for Eckington, Staveley and Woodhouse hospitals and charities. The Honorary Express in 1918. The first report is Secretary of the local organising of Captain Daisy Palmer, daughter committee was of course, male (Mr. of Mr and Mrs W Palmer of 3 Pot Herbert Pett). Sometimes ladies houses Eckington, was home on would actively participate in concerts leave in February. She had formerly and entertainments, such as a concert worked in Sheffield on Government at the Wesleyan Schoolroom later Work. Daisy was engaged to a the same month. In August, a garden Harriet Ellen (Nellie) Glasby Captain J White, also of Eckington. party took place in the rectory garden and younger sister Emily Ida

86 87 women and suffrage women and suffrage

Suffrage and Sylvia Pankhurst Women’s suffrage was a major issue from the late 19th into the 20th Century up to 1928, when women over the age of 21 finally got the same rights to vote and to be Members of Parliament as men. The better remembered date is 1918, when some women in the UK first got the right to vote having been explicitly banned from voting by two Acts in the 1830s. The National Society for subsequently summoned to appear Women’s Suffrage formed in 1872 before the magistrates’ bench at had first started to press for change; Renishaw on a charge of that she the later National Union of Women’s ‘did unlawfully to cause mutiny, Suffrage Societies had later been more sedition, or disaffection amongst influential and finally the Women’s His Majesty’s Forces or amongst Social and Political Union (WSPU) the civilian population contrary to had started a militant campaign in 1906. regulation 42 of the Defence of the This continued up to the outbreak of Realm Regulations’. At the meeting WW1 in 1914. Emmeline Pankhurst, the court was told that she had leader of the WSPU and her daughter apparently said that the war ‘had been Christabel were supportive of the War the greatest crime of civilisation and and militant tactics were ceased during was absolutely a Capitalist War. It was it. Emmeline Pankhurst’s younger not a War of Freedom or Liberation. daughter Sylvia, was a pacifist and a It was not a War for subject nations. socialist. Pacifism was very unpopular It was a sordid scramble between during the war and Sylvia was widely two rival groups of capitalists who vilified for it. were struggling to get control of Sylvia Pankhurst, according the world’s raw materials.’ She did to her own article in ‘The Workers not disagree with the words. The Dreadnought: for International police bought forward two witnesses Socialism’ Volume 5, Issue 32, dated who said they thought the speech 2nd November 1918, had made was objectionable. Many witnesses, a speech to the Cresswell Labour including the Treasurer from the Maquette of the statue to be raised by the Sylvia Pankhurst Memorial Committee. Party on 28th September. She was Derbyshire Miners’ Association and a www.sylviapankhurst.gn.apc.org

88 89 women and suffrage women and suffrage

Cresswell Councillor, gave evidence the Liberal Party appeared reluctant and Woodhouse Express in February of who had not been discharged, to that the meeting was orderly and to endorse working class candidates 1918, suggested that ‘the female vote vote. The working of the Act can be enthusiastic and that the speech was and the Labour Representation is quite an incalculable quantity but seen very clearly in the Eckington ‘heard gladly’. Nevertheless, the Committee, soon renamed the its main tendency should be modern register. There were 3 sections to it magistrates fined her the, then very Labour Party, was established in 1900. and democratic’. The Representation (the last category too small to be of considerable sum of £50 plus £8.12 The two had come together in 1906 of the People Act, now more widely significance). The first detailed all shillings costs. The alternative was when the ILP affiliated to the Labour remembered for enfranchising those who qualified to vote under 3 months imprisonment. Well- Party. The new party was popular in women, gave the vote to all men the occupation and property related wishers raised £11 on the day with North East Derbyshire and many local over 21 and women over 30 who criteria. This included 1,034 men and the intention of raising the full sum towns established branches, including met minimum property qualifications 724 women (42%). The majority of to avoid her committal. She planned Eckington (meeting place the Royal (most did so through their husbands). these women (91%) qualified through a further speech to the Cresswell Hotel during 1918) which also had a The Act extended the male electorate their husband’s occupation. Of the Labour Party on the 2nd November. women’s section by the 1920s. One to 12.9 Million and introduced a new men only 52 (5%) were serving in the The Magistrates Court was behind of many connections between the female electorate of 8.5 Million. military or navy. The second section the Police Station in Renishaw. The Labour Party and the campaign for A new register was promptly contains 387 men, 60% of whom building is still standing in Renishaw women’s suffrage was that many men, developed in 1918 and prior to an were in the military or navy. One (next to what is now the Sitwell Arms especially from the working class, election in December, which elected family which indicates the continuing Hotel) but has not functioned as either did not have the vote, as there was a a Liberal-Conservative Government inequality of the criteria is the Sitwell a court or a police station for many property owning qualification. The under David Lloyd George. This Family of Renishaw Hall. The 1918 decades. Liberal Party led National Coalition became known as the ‘Coupon register contains the names of Sir headed by Prime Minster David Lloyd Election’: the Coalition ‘coupon’ was George Reresby and Lady Ida Sitwell George changed this in 1918. At this a letter signed by Lloyd George on in Section 1. Section 2 contains point there had been no election for the 20th November sent to approved the names of their sons, Osbert and 8 years on account of the War, and, Coalition candidates. It was intended Sacheverell, both at that time serving with the end of the War in sight to demonstrate the patriotism of these in HM Forces. Their elder sister, there was a clear need for one. The candidates and promote their election. (later Dame) Edith Sitwell, does not government realised that it was timely In an attempt to disparage the letter, appear in either section. She was at to enfranchise non-property owning the Liberal party leader, H H Asquith, that time over 30, but was unable to men and a proportion of women. referred to it as a ‘coupon’, which meet the property criteria for women Many of the men had been fighting had negative connotations at the time in Eckington. She may well have (and dying) for their country whilst on account of rationing. Whilst the been registered in London if she The Labour Party was developing lacking the power to vote. The case Coalition succeeded in the election, owned property there. The Sitwell in the early years of the 20th Century for women to be enfranchised was the Liberal Party never recovered its siblings were well known in London in parallel with the attempts to widen also widely accepted by 1918, helped former strength. as writers at that time. suffrage. The Independent Labour by their work and sacrifices. An Special arrangements made in The newly enfranchised men Party (ILP) was founded in 1893, when editorial in the Eckington, Staveley the election for military men, most and women were called on to vote

90 91 WOMEN AND SUFFERAGE influenza on three more occasions following making way for the first Labour Influenza (Spanish ‘Flu) after the election of December, Government of the UK, led by The influenza outbreak towards the other treatments to minimise the death 1918: in November 1922 returning Ramsey Macdonald, also a minority end of WW1 affected both service toll. Even so, as can be seen with the a Conservative Government under government. A further election in personnel and civilians. The estimate Coronavirus (Covid-19), spreading Bonar Law and again in December October produced a Conservative is that 500M people were infected. from China in 2020, measures such 1923 with a minority Conservative Government under Stanley Baldwin. It was the first global pandemic and as quarantine and disinfection are still Government under Stanley Baldwin. These were turbulent times.much is estimated to have been responsible vital in public health moves to reduce This collapsed in January 1924, later. for 250,000 UK deaths. Other deaths the spread of infection. The lack of Worldwide include 18 Million in an effective cure in 1918 did not stop India. The name Spanish ‘Flu was the manufacturers of an assortment given to it after King Alfonso X111 of cough medicines, pills and potions of Spain fell gravely ill with it. The promoting their wares, for example, conditions which lead to the pandemic Veno’s Lightening Cough Cure was were first of all a new ‘flu virus, promoted as a ‘wonderful cure’ for H1N1, similar to but more virulent Spanish ‘flu and gas. Some drugs were than the Swine ‘Flu one of2009. This effective to a degree; the then new spread fast and far because there was drug, Aspirin, was helpful in reducing so much international travel resulting fever and pain and was used in large from troop movements. Both those quantities. The editorial in the in the military and support personnel Eckington, Staveley and Woodhouse and civilians were worn down by Express advised isolation, bed rest, years of fighting and poor nutrition good food and fresh air. Many and were vulnerable. There was women were involved in informal quite an understanding of the causes but effective community nursing (see at the time; there were comments in Harriet Lund in Lund Family story). the press that an inferior diet might Eckington and Renishaw, be partly responsible, also people particularly Barbers Row (hamlet now crowding together at meetings. Many demolished) were badly hit. There more people had the ‘flu than died are reports of cases throughout 1918. of it, but in a minority of cases the Only at the very end of the year were condition worsened and became a cases said to be reducing. There were pneumonia which killed. There was a high number of cases in June and no effective cure, as continued to be July, with two deaths attributed to it. the case for many decades. It is only Barbers Row and Renishaw deaths now that there is relatively effective peaked in August, with the deaths of vaccination and also anti-biotics and two children and a Miss Gee, aged 18.

92 93 influenza food and fuel

Food and Fuel People were only allowed limited As the war progressed food became an quantities of sugar, meat, flour, butter, important issue. The disruption created tea and milk. Consumers had to by the war in terms of producing food register with shops which were then and importing it to the UK gave rise empowered to supply them. There to a need to control access to it and to were Grocers meetings to discuss encourage careful use. Merchant ships how this would all work. There was ‘Flu may have caused more deaths were frequently attacked by German competition between different shops around that time than is possible to U-boats (submarines). The talk in 1917 for people to register with them for know without delving into death was of ‘The Food Crisis’ but reluctance their supplies, for example, ‘You must records. Pte Albert Rhodes died of to introduce rationing which had not register for tea. Do so at your nearest a reported ‘rapid consumption’ at been done before. Formal rationing Maypole branch’. the home of his uncle, on Dronfield of food was eventually introduced in Road, Eckington, in April 1918 and 1918, following years of exhortation to is a possible ‘flu casualty as are Mr A save and use food well: Hughes aged 56, former licensee of Save the Wheat the Duke Hotel, Eckington who and died in November after ‘two weeks Help the Fleet Harriet Ellen (Nellie) and Arthur Lund pneumonia’ and Mrs Price, wife of Eat Less Bread In the peaks of the epidemic locally William Price, Clockmaker of 89 both the Council and Camms Schools Market Street who died the same week were closed for periods of 1 week to a leaving a family of 5 children. Mrs fortnight (the last in December 1918) Selima Kirk aged 52 also died at this as were the Methodist and Parish time, leaving a widower, four sons churches. Sergeant Major Charles and five daughters. She was ‘well E Priday, died of ‘flu on Armistice known and respected throughout the Day, in hospital close to his barracks Eckington district’. Had she been in Cannock, Staffordshire. He had nursing ‘flu victims? A sad death served the Gloucester Regiment. An known to have been ‘flu was that of older man, with a family, his skills as a Miss Nora Thompson White, aged 16, gym instructor were greatly in demand youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs T for troop training and he had been re- White of Henry Street. Nora White called to army service early in the war. had been a Sunday School teacher at He was buried in Eckington cemetery the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, a and is remembered on Eckington, member of the choir and had taken Renishaw and Spinkhill memorials. part in many fund-raising concerts.

94 95 housing housing

Ironically, the previous week had Growing food locally became plans for addressing it after the War. time tended to be large at all levels of reported that Pte W Robinson of the a feature of life and for many Throughout 1917, the Eckington society. Joseph Wells had 13 children. Kings own Light Yorkshire Light years during the war and after, the Staveley and Woodhouse Express Working families also had large Infantry (KOYLI) serving in France Eckington, Staveley and Woodhouse ran a series of eight articles by experts families; religion, lack of reliable birth had become a prisoner of war. He Express had an allotments column on housing issues and their thinking control, child mortality and a wish to had previously worked at The India explaining how best to manage for the future, entitled ‘Healthy have children to support parents in and China Tea store in Eckington. them, what to plant when etc. In Housing’. In the first, Lord Henry old age were all contributory factors. There was also a shortage of coal March 1918, an allotments feature Bentinck explained that top issues During the war, it was a mark of as fuel which became quite extreme reported that a federation was to be were emigration and slums. The honour for families to have many sons by 1918 and again, exhortation formed. The same edition carried two were connected; if housing was in military service. Mrs Crawford of through advertisements was used an advertisement on behalf of Lord poor and there were insufficient 85 Market Street, Eckington was to get people to moderate their use. Rhondda and Mr Prothero exhorting homes, families would be tempted reported as having seven sons at the An advertisement issued by the Coal every man who has a farm, a garden or to emigrate, depriving the country Front. At the level of the working Mines Department of the Board of an allotment to plant more potatoes, of its young workforce. He said that man, there was overcrowding in many Trade said: to make Yorkshire self-sufficient in the first step would be for the State homes. what was grown and consumed, an to recognise its responsibility. In Cleanliness would be a difficult additional 91,000 tons. One month the second article in August 1917, B issue too with many people working later, Eckington Gossip reported that Seebolm Rowntree put forward the in collieries, ironworks and farming. a large number of allotments had been radical idea that housing did not need Bessie Harrop’s father was a miner and thrown open for cultivation. There to be near work. This was in the exempted from War Service in WW1. was a problem with potato disease in context of the rapid urbanisation of He worked first at Barlborough 1918 and such was the importance of the country through the Nineteenth Colliery and later at West-thorpe. the crop, that the Parish Council held Century. Whilst not traditionally For him conditions for the miners a special meeting. urban, Eckington had a poor record improved during WW2 when they In 1917, the Local Government for housing with much of it in bad had the towels and soap and washing Board had decided that local authorities condition. Two cases of typhoid facilities. Miners at the time of WW1 were to be asked to encourage pig in a housing court in the centre of were without such basics and the rearing but not in congested areas. the village from the Nightingale tin bath would be a feature in many family (one young man of the two homes. Cleaning clothes was also an Housing victims died) illustrates some of the issue. From the advertisements during There was a growing concern through conditions experienced. Many parts the war years, women would also be the war years that the UK’s housing of Eckington were very unpleasant. expected to wash the kit of those was substandard and that there was a At a Parish Council meeting early in home on leave. shortage. The last years of the war in 1918 it was alleged that ‘refuse lies in In May 1918 The National particular, provided an opportunity heaps in yards and that these apply in Housing Scheme was unveiled. The to consider the problem and make hundreds of cases.’ Families at this President of the Local Government

96 97 HOUSING housing

Board was in discussions about Nationally, less than half the houses addressing the ‘Housing crisis’ were ever built. Eckington really only by building 200,000 ‘Labourers’ benefitted from the new schemes after Cottages’ across the country. Eligible WW2, when the large Birk Hill and candidates would have to be paying Castle Hill Estates were built. In the National Insurance. Building much harder financial conditions of was expected to start immediately the 1920s and with two of the major demobilisation began. In 1919 the collieries closed – Renishaw Park and Government passed the ambitious Hornthorpe (see mining), Eckington Addison Act, named after Christopher expanded very little after WW1. A Addison, the then Minister of Health few additional houses were built but and Housing. It promised subsidies little slum clearance took place until to help the construction of 500,000 much later. Those that were built by houses in the three years after the the local authority between the Wars war. It recognised a national duty for were in central Eckington. Street housing and gave local authorities the names favoured Labour politicians responsibility for developing plans for (Hardie, Lansbury) and Royalty housing and ensuring that it was built, (Edward, Mary). for rent where necessary. It was the start of council, now social housing.

98 99 nightingale family nightingale family

Family John Tom was the son of William’s second Nightingale wife. Like his neighbouring half-brother, Informant: David Nightingale, grandson of John Tom and Ethel Nightingale John Tom worked with horses, in his case as an Ostler (stableman) who looked after the pit This extended family is very typical of many in Eckington at the time horses at the nearby Hornthorpe Colliery. This of WW1. The family had first established itself in the town as a result picture is John Tom in old age with a pony, of Jeremiah Nightingale’s experience as a Staffordshire nailmaker. He Shanty. had come to North East Derbyshire in 1765 with his wife Martha, and by 1770 was established in Eckington with the first three of their He was also a pigeon fancier; this is a picture children. By the beginning of the of him as a younger man with his two sons, 20th Century there were several William (elder boy) and Walter Albert, David’s Nightingale households established father. in the town, some in neighbouring properties in the Fanshaw Road area. John Tom and Ethel Alice Other Nightingale Nightingale, David Nightingale’s families lived elsewhere grandparents at No. 13 Fanshaw in Eckington. The Road and the older family of Derbyshire Times reported Charles and Agnes Nightingale at in February 1906 that No. 10. a young man named Charles was the eldest son of Thomas Nightingale aged William Nightingale, who had 23 had been removed to followed the family trade of isolation hospital from 43 nailmaking. His long life had ended just before the start of WW1 in Church Street suffering from typhoid, his brother James survived. The November 1913 and was covered by the Derbyshire Times. The disease had originated in Northgate, where defective drainage was held paper noted that at 88, William Nightingale had been one of the oldest responsible for the outbreak and was to be improved. inhabitants of the Parish of Eckington. Two of his brothers had also Arthur Nightingale died in October 1916 at the age of 21. He was the lived to over 80 and his father to the very great age for those times son of James and Ellen Nightingale. It was a second tragedy for that of 95. Charles inherited number 10 from his father. He worked as a family; an earlier-born son, named Arthur had died in childhood. Pte carter. In 1911 the family had experienced tragedy when Charles’ son, Edgar Nightingale, was his four year older first cousin. He had enlisted Alwyn, aged 22 died in dramatic circumstances in an carting accident at at the beginning of the war and by 1918 he was married and living at 124 the corner of Fanshaw Road with West Road. The horse had bolted and High Street, a short distance from 2 Fanshaw Road where he was born. as it veered between a house and a lamp post, the cart was smashed and He died on the 20th August, following a second gas attack but on this Alwyn was thrown out to his death.

100 101 nightingale family epilogue

epiLogue occasion he was also hit by a shell. Weeks earlier, on the 20th July, a half uncle, James Thomas Barker, also serving with the Sherwood Foresters, World War 1, the Great War, was rapid communications and greater died in Cologne. sometimes called the ‘war to end travel. It led to improvements in wars’. It proved not to be, even medicine and nursing. Another first cousin of Arthur and Edgar survived the war. James for the Western European powers. It deeply affected the lives of a Nightingale, was serving in the regular army at the outbreak of war and It was certainly the one with the great many people: those who lost was sent to serve in WW1 in 1914. By 1918 he was a well-known figure greatest death toll, especially for their lives, never fulfilling the promise in Eckington. He acted as Master of Ceremonies to a dance held in the UK. It saw a number of firsts, they had; those who served and the Assembly Rooms, Eckington, in November 1918 in support of the none of them happy: the first to use returned with their memories; and National Association of Discharged Soldiers. It seems likely that James modern weapons, chemical warfare, those who lost family members. Even himself was discharged through injury at some point during the war. war in the air, and involvement of now, a large proportion of the UK Nellie Nightingale, daughter of Charles and Agnes Nightingale at No. civilians at home. It changed state population living has a grandfather 10 Fanshaw Road, was a cousin once removed of Edgar and Arthur. In boundaries and the balance of world or great grandfather who served, or a April 1918 she had a ‘pretty wedding’ to William Chambers of Barrowhill. power, seeing the end of the Austro- great uncle who died. Remembrance The year was a happier and more forward- looking year than 1916 or Hungarian Empire and a rise in the has been strong and lasting in the case 1917. Hopes of peace seemed higher; the overall number of deaths in significance of the USA. It led to the of this war. Hopefully this book will Eckington had reduced from the 27 of 1917 to 16 by the end of the year. establishment of the League of Nations be a source of information to current The number of marriages (based on the number solemnised in the Parish which later became the United and later residents of Eckington who Church, although not all were) had returned to 57, following a 1917 low Nations. It pushed on progress on want to explore the history of the men of 42. Nellie and William Chambers were given a house, the Laurels, a number of fronts; the modern role and their families through the war and on Chesterfield Road as a wedding present from Nellie’s and emancipation of women, better afterwards into the 1920s. parents. The Laurels, with its recognisable Edwardian working conditions, better housing, style, is still standing today. 13 Fanshaw Road was later to become the first marital home of Mavis Hume (nee Fisher). Mavis and her sister Janet are the daughters of Joseph Fisher (born 1910) who was a miner and granddaughters of Joseph Fisher who served in the navy in WW1. Joseph (senior) had returned from the war and typically for the times, never wished to talk about his experiences. He returned to his work as a miner. Also a miner, his son Joseph (junior) was exempt from service in WW2.

102 103 reference sources and selected bibliography index

Reference sources and selected Addison Act, 1919...... 32, 98 Bibliography Alfred Hastings, MM...... 59 Andress, William...... 6, 23 Eckington, Staveley and Woodhouse Express 1914-1924 editions (held on Argyle, Sgt Samuel, MM...... 66 microfiche, Chesterfield Library) Asquith, Herbert H...... 12, 16, 91 Renishaw & Spinkhill WW1 and WW2 Project, Ed. Richard Godley, 2019 Barbers Row...... 93 The Quick and The Dead, Fallen Soldiers and Their Families in the Great War, British Legion...... 36, 75 Richard Van Emden, Bloomsbury, 2012 Butler, Sgt Leonard...... 21, 23, 80 The Platoon: An Infantryman on the Western Front 1916-1918 John Jones Camms School...... 3, 10, 11, 44, 69, 94 Steward Eds. Andrew Robertshaw and Steve Roberts Pen & Sword Military, 2011 Cartlidge Family, Will, Lois, Colin and Charles...... 13, 14, 41-43, 83 Civic Parish of Eckington...... 4, 61, 67 The Coal Mining Industry of Sheffield and North Derbyshire, Ken Wain, Amberley Publishing, 2014 Clark, James (re-enactment) ...... 1, 5, 7 Clark, James (artist)...... 60 WW1: Eckington Soldiers and their Families: Commemorating their Sacrifice on the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice, November 2018 (Reference copies Commonwealth War Graves Commission...... 5, 20, 59 in local libraries), 2018 Crawford, Duncan, MM...... 67 9th Service Battalion: The Sherwood Foresters: Notts and Derby Regiment Crisp, Pte R S...... 13 during the First World War, John Stephen Morse, Tommies Guides, 2007. Crouch, Thomas...... 52 Davis (Davies), Richard...... 6, 22, 23 Deffley, Nellie...... 55, 56 Derbyshire Miners Association...... 10, 78, 88 Ditcher, Colin...... 16, 17, 19 Eckington Institute...... 19, 22, 25, 26 Eckington Parish Council, members and officers...... 17, 25, 32, 33, 60, 96, 97 , and District Schools Committee...... 5, 18, 21, 60, 94 Eckington, Staveley and Woodhouse Express ...... 11, 16, 20, 25, 33, 36, 40, 44, 56, 61, 64, 82, 84, 86, 91, 93, 96, 97 Eckington War Memorial and Committee.....6, 7, 33, 34, 38, 43, 61, 62, 84, 86 Eckington War Recognition Committee...... 30 Farrell, Thomas...... 15, 43

104 105 index index

Ferguson, Herbert...... 13, 15 Lloyd George, David, PM...... 16, 28, 35, 38, 71, 90, 91 Fisher, Joseph...... 102 Lund, Sgt Harry MM, Arthur, Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie), French, May...... 55, 56 Bessie, Edgar, Charlie, Henry...... 3, 6-7, 22, 23, 33, 38, 46, 65, 68-71, 83 Frith, George B ...... 6, 29 Marshall, Frank...... 13, 48, 50, 52 Furnace Hill Colliery...... 77 Military Service Acts (Conscription)...... 16, 17, 38, 44, 46, 48, 76, 78, 83, 84 Glasby m Lund, Harriet Ellen (Nellie)...... 70, 71, 87, 93, 94 Morton, Arnold...... 46, 52 Godley, Pte James...... 49 National Heritage Lottery Fund ...... 1, 5, 6 Greaves, William C...... 6, 32 Nightingale, Daniel...... 9 Green, Bombardier R R...... 57, 58 Nightingale Family, William, John Tom, Alice Ethel, Charles, Agnes, Alwyn, Hambleton Sgt B, MM...... 44 Arthur, Edgar, James, Nellie ...... 13,19, 29, 40, 97, 100-102 Harrison, Pte W H...... 16, 19 Oates, James...... 13, 15, 43 Harrison, Sgt Sidney, MM...... 65-66 Pankhurst, Sylvia...... 3, 88-90 Heptinstall, Pte Frank Causier ...... 53 Parker, Cpn Edgar...... 17 Herring, James Alfred...... 23, 72 Priday, Sgt Major Charles E...... 29, 94 Hewson, Rev W R ...... 7, 28, 36, 44 Prince of Wales (War) Relief Committee...... 9, 12, 17 Holbrook Colliery...... 78 Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps...... 85, 86 Hollingworth, Edmund Bruce ...... 18, 19, 43 Representation of the People Act, 1918...... 26, 91 Holmes, Pte Leonard...... 6, 32 Ramsden, Pte Lancelot...... 22, 23, 44 Holmes, Sir Joseph Stanley MP ...... 28, 35 Redfern, William...... 40, 72-73 Hopkinson, David...... 6, 32 Renishaw Park Colliery...... 76, 77 Hornthorpe Colliery...... 35, 36, 38, 77, 78, 101 Rhodes, Albert T...... 29, 58, 66, 94 Humphries, Sgt Frank Tees ...... 22, 23 Riley, Pte Arthur...... 13, 15, 45 Hutchinson, George...... 13, 15 Rippon, Sgt Albert...... 21 Jones, Albert Edward, MM...... 57-58, 66-67 Robinson, Harold (and family)...... 48, 54-56, 85 Kirk, Selima...... 94 Robinson, Pte William...... 58, 96 Labour Party...... 35, 88, 90 St Peter & St Paul Parish Church...... 5, 6, 12, 15, 22, 25, 32, 36, 45, 81, 102 Lee, Frank, MP...... 28, 35, 38 Sherwood Foresters Levick, Gunner William, MM ...... 67 (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment).... 43, 45, 59, 66, 67, 71-4, 80, 104 Lingard, Pte William...... 13 Silvers, Pte James and Pte Reuben...... 13, 15, 22, 23, 45

106 107 index

Sitwell, Sir George, Lady Ida, Sir Osbert, Dame Edith, Sacheverall...... 18, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 60, 77, 83, 91, 92 Smedley, Pte Samuel George...... 19, 43 Smith, Pte George/ William...... 5, 6, 12, 13 Smith, Harry...... 49 Staveley Coal and Iron Company Ltd...... 17, 48, 49, 83 Territorials...... 10, 40, 63, 64, 72 Tomlinson, Wilfred...... 26, 32 Voluntary Aid Detachment (VADs) and Nursing ...... 85 Vickers, Major Frederick...... 21, 23, 80 Walker, Frank William...... 48, 49-51 War Loans...... 21 Ward, Harold Wilson, MM...... 66 Waring, Pte William...... 17, 19 Wells, Douglas Henry, Norman, Joseph, Mary, George, Sophia, Edwin, Helen...... 18, 21, 23, 36, 58, 60, 65, 79-82 Wells, J and G, Colliery Owners...... 35, 60, 67, 77, 78 Wesleyan Church, Chapel...... 9, 12, 18, 80, 86, 94 White, Nora...... 94 Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps...... 86 York(e), Albert P...... 6, 10, 11

The names of the 85 WW1 fallen on the Eckington War Memorial are listed in the annual tables of war dead in the Timeline section of this book and alphabetically with military service information in the companion booklet, WW1: Eckington Soldiers and their Families: Commemorating their Sacrifice on the centenary of the Armistice, 2018.

108