Coalville Times – February 1914

Coalville Times At War Friday November 5th 1915 (Issue 1235) Page 4 LOCAL CHIT CHAT Collected by Mr R. Sharpe, Whitwick: Eggs previously acknowledged, 2,094. Mr John Wardle 1s, Mr Tom Irons company 3s, Liberal Club company 2s 6d, Mr Potter’s company 2s, Mr Wakefield’s company 2s, Mr M. Noon company 2s, Mr H. Ward 1s, Mr Tom Noon company 2s, H. Baker 6 eggs. Total number of eggs collected 2,187. Pte. Harry Sharp, 10207, of the B Co. 6th Leicestershire Regiment, with the British Expeditionary Force in France, writes expressing thanks to Mrs L. L. Baldwin and the ladies of Coalville and District for socks and other things received just before going into the trenches. He says he is sure they are all doing their best for the Coalville boys at the front, who very much appreciate their kindness. Sharp also states how pleased they have been to receive the two sets of boxing gloves given by Mr R. Tebbett, saddler, Hotel Street. “Health and Strength” weekly for Saturday, October 30th, contained the following under the Roll of Honour of noted physical culturists who are fighting at the front: “Pte. L. D. Brown (16132), Signal Section, 8th Batt. Leicester Regt. B.E.F., France. Joined November 18th, 1914. Successor to ‘Astro’, late instructor Coalville School of Physical Culture and Christ Church Physical Culture Classes, Coalville; treasurer Astro Institute of P.C., and British Institute of P.C., Kettering: former pupil of Astro, now of the Astro and American Physical Training Company, Chicago, U.S.A.” COALVILLE SOLDIER’S GALLANTRY A GENERAL’S PRAISE Corpl. E. J. Collier, No. 85523, 176th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, late 2nd Leicesters, whose wife and children reside at 56, Melbourne Street, Coalville, has written home from France, enclosing an official communication to him from the General commanding the 1st Corps, in the following terms: “Your commanding officer has informed me that you have distinguished yourself by conspicuous bravery in the field on the 16th June. I have read the reports and although promotions and decorations cannot be given in every case, I should like you to know your gallant action is recognised, and how greatly it is appreciated.” Corpl. Collier was a miner before the war, working at South Leicestershire Colliery. He enlisted in the 2nd Leicesters from the Ashby and Coalville Company on National Reserves in August 1914, and went through the Neuve Chapelle engagement unscathed. He was formerly secretary of the now defunct Coalville Excelsior F.C. IBSTOCK SOLDIER’S WEDDING Sergt. Lockton, D.C.M., of the Coldstream Guards, paid a surprise visit to Ibstock on Monday evening. He came into the National Schools, where he had a rousing reception from the Church Lads’ Brigade, who were at drill, and for whom he acted as drill sergeant prior to the war. On Tuesday, he was married to Miss Mary A. Watts, of Leicester, at the Ibstock Parish Church by special licence. The Rev. S. Flood, M.A., conducted the service which was choral. Mr W. Dunstan officiated at the organ. There was a large number of interested friends present and the Church Lads’ Brigade formed a guard of honour. The bride wore a travelling costume and the happy couple were the recipients of a nice lot of presents which included a silver tea set from the Church Brigade Boys. The sergeant was awarded the D.C.M. some time ago for accounting for five Germans single-handed. Mrs Flood gave a gold brooch to the bride and the Rector, a safety cigarette case to the bridegroom. Sergt. Lockton left for France the next morning (Wednesday). PARISH CHURCH A small polished brass tablet has been placed on the wall at the west end of the church, to the memory of Private Ernest Tugby, who was killed in action June 7th, 1915. The inscription is as follows: “In loving memory of Private Ernest Tugby, of the 1st Leicestershire Regiment, who was killed in action in France, June 7th, 1915. Greater love hath no man than this.” The tablet has been made and engraved by Mr R. E. Swinfen of Nottingham, an old Whitwick resident, the expense being defrayed by the members of the Men’s and Women’s Service at the above church of which the deceased soldier was a highly respected member. At both morning and afternoon service on Sunday last the Vicar made most appropriate reference to the tablet and the hero soldier in whose memory it has been erected. A handsomely arranged and massively framed Roll of Honour has also been hung in the Whitwick Church during the past week. It contains the names, etc., of over 160 Whitwick men who are now serving the country either at home or abroad. Another list in is the course of preparation which will contain the names, etc., of all Whitwick men who have made the supreme sacrifice (their lives) for their King and Country. DO YOU KNOW That according to military order, there should be no bonfire or firework displays after 6 o’clock tonight? That a grand whist drive and social will be held in the Council Schools, Bridge Road, on January 5th, 1916, in aid of funds for the Soldiers’ Comforts Guild? That since the institution of Lord Denby’s recruiting scheme the number of recruits who have come forward is splendid, and the quality remarkable? That fifty recruits for the Royal Naval Division and four boys for the Royal Navy left Leicester on Monday afternoon for London? That the work of canvassing in Leicester under Lord Danby’s recruiting scheme has been undertaken by a joint committee representative of all political parties in the borough, and was commenced on Monday? IBSTOCK A memorial service was held at Ibstock Parish Church on Sunday last in connection with Pte. Cyril Briers of the Coldstream Guards and Pte. Victor Dolman, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers who were killed in action. The bugle band of the Church Lads’ Brigade attended and played the “Last Post.” The Rev. S. Flood conducted the service. Page 5 WHITWICK SOLDIER DIES FROM WOUNDS LETTERS FROM OFFICER AND CHAPLAIN Mr Underwood, of Pare’s Hill, Whitwick, has received a letter from Lord Kitchener expressing the sympathy of the King and Queen with him on the death of his son, Lance-Corpl. F. Underwood, of the 9th Leicesters, resulting from wounds received in action. The chaplain, R. N. Shelton, writes that he buried the deceased who died from wounds received in the trenches. He adds, “I did my best to comfort and cheer him in his last moments. Everything was done for him that could be done and he passed peacefully away on Sunday evening (October 3rd) at 9 pm. My sincere love and sympathy is with you in your trouble and bereavement. May God comfort and bless you.” Another letter received is from 2nd Lieut. H. S. Rosen, who says, “It is with the utmost regret that I have to inform you that your son was killed in action on October 3rd. He was on duty in the trenches when a shrapnel shell suddenly burst near him, inflicting a severe wound in his head, which resulted in his death shortly after reaching his dressing station. I feel his loss very keenly, and he was not only a thoroughly good soldier but an excellent worker and he had recently been mentioned in the company commander’s report to the Colonel for especially good work in helping to repair a trench destroyed by an enemy trench mortar bomb, in which he showed exceptional coolness and energy. He will be sadly missed, not only by myself and my platoon, but also by the regiment as a whole. I should like to convey to you the heart-felt sympathy of the company officers and your son’s comrades in your sad bereavement.” An impressive memorial service was held at the Whitwick Parish Church on Sunday for Lance-Corpl. Frank Underwood, of Pare’s Hill, Whitwick, recently killed in action. The Vicar (the Rev. T. W. Walters, M.A.) preached to a good congregation which included the members of the Whitwick and Thringstone Citizen Corps under Commander G. F. Burton, and the Boy Scouts. The organist (Mr R. West) played Chopin’s Funeral March at the commencement and the Dead March at the close, when the National Anthem was also sung and Scout Richards (bugler) sounded the “Last Post.” Muffled peals were rung on the bells. A photo of Underwood appears next week. NOTIFICATION Mr and Mrs G. Fletcher and family desire to tender their sincere thanks for the many kind expressions of sympathy extended to them on the occasion of the death of their son, Pte. George Fletcher, killed in action, October 13th, 1915. 9 Ibstock Road, Ellistown Page 6 LEICESTER SOLDIER – FAMILY RECORD A SON KILLED IN FRANCE The parents of Private N. H. Hulls, 2nd Leicesters, have received an intimation that their son was killed in action in France on the 16th October. He was 22 years of age and before enlisting worked for Mr Chitham, builder and contractor, Welford Road. He had previously been wounded. The record of the deceased soldier’s family is a somewhat remarkable one. His great-grandfather fought at Waterloo, his grandfather was a soldier of long experience and good conduct, as is testified by the fact that for many years he was a Chelsea pensioner. Private Hull’s father and three brothers are now serving with the colours. There are also an uncle and five nephews fighting. One of the latter, Pte.

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