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British Legion
The Royal British Legion

ALDERCAR WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Martin Edwards 2011

The memorial is located in St John’s Churchyard, Upper Dunstead Road, Aldercar, Derbyshire. The memorial is in the form of a stone Celtic cross set on a plinth that bears the inscriptions on plaques, the whole memorial being set on a stepped base. There are 19 names listed for World War 1 and 8 names for World War 2. Part of the memorial is also a wooden seat that is built into the adjacent boundary wall.

 

Picture to follow

THIS CROSS IS ERECTED IN THANKFUL REMEMBRANCE OF THE MEN FROM THE CHURCH AND DISTRICT WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

BRICKNELL

Thomas

Gunner 67641, 135th Oxfordshire Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in action 16 October 1918. Aged 29. Born and resident Eastwood, Nottinghamshire. Son of John Bricknell; husband of Gladys Bricknell, of Ebenezer St., Langley Mill, Nottingham. In 1911 he was a Working Baker born Eastwood, resident 27 Mansfield Road Eastwood Nottinghamshire. Awarded the Military Medal (MM). Buried in HONNECHY BRITISH CEMETERY, Nord, France. Plot II. Row C. Grave 66.

CANLIN

Frank

Gunner 46009, 321st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in action 28 May 1917. Aged 25. Born Aldercar, enlisted Ripley, resident Langley Hill, Notts. Son of Charlotte Mary and the late Amos Canlin, of Langley Mill, Derbyshire; brother of Richard (below). In 1911 he was a Coal Collier Ganger Below Ground, born Langley Mill, resident 55 Ebenezer Street Langley Mill Nottinghamshire. Buried in VLAMERTINGHE MILITARY CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot VII. Row B. Grave 18.

CANLIN

Richard

Private 33038, 13th General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps. Died 10 June 1916. Aged 20. Born Heanor, enlisted Derby. Son of Charlotte Mary and the late Amos Canlin, of 55, Ebenezer St., Langley Mill, Nottingham; brother of Frank (above). In 1911 he was a Coal Collier Ganger, born Langley Mill, resident 55 Ebenezer Street Langley Mill Nottinghamshire. Buried in BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot VIII. Row B. Grave 94.

DAKIN

[Richard William] Leonard

Private 16653, 12th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action 29 March 1918. Aged 24. Born Heanor, enlisted Ilkeston, resident Langley Mill. Son of William and Sarah Elizabeth Dakin, of 25, Ormonde St., Aldercar, Langley Mill, Notts. IN 1911 he was a Coliery Horse Kepper Below Ground, born Aldercar, resident 33 Ormonde Street, Langley Mill, Nottinghamshire. Buried in PREMONT BRITISH CEMETERY, Aisne, France. Plot III. Row AA. Grave 8.

HARDY

H

Private 14445, 17th Battalion, Sherwood Foesters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action 3 September 1916. Born Heanor, enlisted Derby, resident Langley Mill. Buried in KNIGHTSBRIDGE CEMETERY, MESNIL-MARTINSART, Somme, France. Plot/Row/Section F. Grave 27.

JARVIS

W E

No further information currently available

LOVEGROVE

William Henry

Private 19418, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action 25 September 1915. Aged 22. Born Aldercar, enlisted Derby. Son of Frederick and Elizabeth Lovegrove, of 51, Armonde St., Langley Mill, Nottingham. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 91 to 93.

MAXWELL

Harry

Private 162985, 33rd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Killed in action 7 November 1918. Aged 20. Born Leatherhead (1911 census states Lower Tooting), Surrey, enlisted Derby, resident Langley Mill. Son of George and Elizabeth Alice Maxwell, of 17, Dunstead Rd., Aldercar, Langley Mill, Nottingham. In 1911 he was a schoolboy, aged 12, living at 17 Dunstead Road Upper Langley Mill. Buried in DOURLERS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Nord, France. Plot I. Row D. Grave 9.

ORRELL

George [Stanley James]

Private 60395, "W" Company, 15th Battalion, Sherwood Foesters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action 16 May 1917. Aged 21. Born and resident Langley Mills, enlisted Ilkeston. Son of James and Maria W. Orrell, of Thompson St., Langley Mill, Notts. In 1911 he was a schoolboy resident at 61 Cromford Road, Langley Mill, Nottinghamshire (sic), born Langley Mill, Derbyshire (sic). No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.

POTTS

Bertram Hedley

Private CH/885, 3rd Royal Marine Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Died of dysentery in RN Hospital Mudros 13 July 1918. Aged 25. Born 11 April 1893 at Denby, Ripley, Derbyshire. Son of James and Bertha Potts, of Claremont, Derby Rd., Marehay, Derbyshire and later son of Bertha Pots, of Aldercar Lodge, Langley Hill, Notts. Formerly a Private in Sherwood Foesters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) transferred to Royal Marine Light Infantry for short-service 16 September 1914. with Chatham Battalion, MEF from 6 February 1915 to 20 September 1915, then with Chatham Division 21 September 1915 to 14 January 1916, allocated to HMS "Royal Arthur" 15 January 1916 to 20 March 1918 then back to Chatham Division 21 March 1918 to 9 May 1918 then with 3rd Royal Marine Battalion from 10 Mat 1918 until his death. Buried in PORTIANOS MILITARY CEMETERY, Lemnos, Greece. Plot III. Row C. Grave 332.

RENSHAW

William Ernest [SDGW] or
William Edwin [CWGC]

Private 26022, 16th Battalion, Sherwood Foesters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action 8 October 1916. Aged 31. Born Langley Mill, enlisted Ilkeston, resident Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of Edward and Eleanor Renshaw; husband of Emily Renshaw, of 35, Cromford Rd., Langley Mill, Nottingham. Buried in MILL ROAD CEMETERY, THIEPVAL, Somme, France. Plot XIV. Row F. Grave 7.

SPERRY

George

Private 16287, 2/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foesters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action 26 September 1917. Born and resident Langley Mill, enlisted Ripley. In 1911 he was a Striker Iron Works, born Langley Mill, living with his parents Thomas and Elizabeth Sperry, of 13, Bridge Street, Heanor (Derby). No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 99 to 102 and 162 to 162A.

SMITH

W

No further information currently available

THORNHILL

William

Private 41751, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action 21 August 1918. Aged 18. Born langley Mill, enlisted Derby. Son of Elizabeth Thornhill, of 8, Gladstone St., Langley Mill, Notts. In 1911 he was lving with his parents, William and Elizabeth Thornhill, of 17, Bridge Street, Heanor (Derby), born Langley Mill. Buried in ADANAC MILITARY CEMETERY, MIRAUMONT, Somme, France. Plot III. Row D. Grave 12.

TILFORTH

Frank

Lance Corporal 21208, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds 3 July 1916. Aged 25. Born and resident Langley Mill, enlisted Nottingham. Son of Richard and Mary Ann Tilforth, of 45, Cromford Rd., Langley Mill, Nottingham. Formerly 45616, Royal Garrison Artillery. Buried in DAOURS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Plot II. Row B. Grave 32.

VERNON

Harry Arthur

Lance Corporal 26451, 15th Battalion, Sherwood Foesters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action 22 March 1918. Born Brighton, Sussex, enlisted Ilkeston, resident Langley Mill. Buried in HEATH CEMETERY, HARBONNIERES, Somme, France. Plot X. Row B. Grave 12.

WARREN

A

No further information currently available

WHITEHOUSE

Daniel

Private 49186, 16th Battalion, Sherwood Foesters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action 10 April 1917. Aged 31. Born West Bromwich, Staffordshire, enlisted Ilkeston, resident Langley Mill. Son of Daniel and Mary Ann Whitehouse, of Langley Mill, Derbyshire. Buried in VLAMERTINGHE MILITARY CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot VI. Row F. Grave 2.

WHITEMAN

Jasper

Sapper 112780, 171st Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. Killed in action 24 June 1916. Aged 24. Born and resident Langley Mill, enlisted Blackwell, Derbyshire. Husband of Louisa Hallam (formerly Whiteman), of Front St., Ulceby, Lincs. Native of Langley Mill, Nottingham. The 1911 census lists him as Jesper (sic) B WHITEMAN, son of Robert and Sara E Whiteman, of 9 Dunstead Road Upper Langley Mill, his occupation is listed as Coal Miner Hewer, aged 19, born Aldercar, Derbyshire. Buried in DRANOUTRE MILITARY CEMETERY, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I. Row F. Grave 11.

WHITEMAN

T

No further information currently available

WILLIAMSON

William Ewart

Corporal 16888, 1st/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action 17 October 1918. Aged 27. Born and resident Langley Mill, Derbyshire, enlisted Ilkeston, Derbyshire. In the 1901 census he was aged 9, born Langley Mill, Derbyshire, son of William and Amy Williamson, resident Bailey Grove Villas, Eastwood, Basford, Nottinghamshire. Married WEthel May Farnsworth in July to September Quarter 1915 in Basford Registration District, Nottinghamshire. Buried in BUSIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Nord, France. Plot III. Row C. Grave 9.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1942:

WILLIAMSON William Ewart of 2 Cromford-road Langley Mill Nottinghamshire corporal in H.M. Army died 17 October 1918 in France Administration (with Will) Nottingham 30 April to Ethel May Williamson widow.
Effects £171 12s.

WYNN

Henry Fernley

Private TR/5/33458, 9th Training Reserve Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment). Died of meningitis at Rugeley Military Hospital, Cannock Chase, 23 February 1917. Aged 26. Born and resident Langley Mill. Husband of Maud Wynn, of 3, Chapel Street, Marlpool, Heanor, Notts., and father of two two children, Dorothy and William. According to the 1911 census, he lived at 34 Cromford Road, Langley Mill with his father, his step-mother and two of his brothers. He worked as a baker for the Langley Mill and Aldercar Co-operative society. Buried in ALDERCAR (ST. JOHN) CHURCHYARD AND EXTENSION, Debyshire. Grave 135.

THIS PANEL AND SEAT BELOW WERE PLACED HERE IN REMEBRANCE OF THE MEN AND ALDERCAR WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-1945

BAILEY

William Henry

Sergeant 852471, 426 Battery, 107 (The South Nottinghamshire Hussars) Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery. Died 1 December 1941, Aged 23. Son of William and Evelyn Bailey; husband of Dorls Evelyn Bailey, of Aldercar, Derbyshire. Buried in TOBRUK WAR CEMETERY, Libya. Plot 7. Row J. Grave 4.

BULLIMAN

Thomas William Arthur

Private 4979873, 5th Battalion, Sherwood Foesters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Died 11 September 1943. Aged 28. Son of Leonard and Nelly Bulliman, of Langley Hill, Nottinghamshire. No known grave. Commemorated on CASSINO MEMORIAL, Italy. Panel 9.

HITT

Arthur

Gunner 940685, 122 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died while being transported to Japan on the ship Hofuku Maru 21 September 1944. Aged 25. Son of Henry John and Elizabeth Hitt, of Aldercar, Derbyshire; brother of Henry and Ronald (below). No known grave. Commemorated on SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Kranji War Cemetery, Kranji, Singapore. Column 20.

Note: Hofuku Maru also named Toyofuku Maru. On 21st September 1944 the Hofuku Maru sailed with Convoy MATA-27 for Takao in Formosa. She was attacked by an American aircraft carrier about 80 miles north of Corregidor, the aircraft carrier’s planes sunk the whole fleet including the Hofuku Maru, not knowing she carried prisoners. The Hofuku Maru was carrying 1,289 prisoners from Manila to Japan, 1,047 were lost.

Singapore Memorial, Kranji War Cemetery, Singpaore

HITT

Henry [Charles]

Able Seaman P/JX 217286, H.M.S. "Pozarica", Royal Navy. Died 29 January 1943. Aged 26. Son of Henry John and Elizabeth Hitt; husband of Lilian May Hitt, of Heanor, Derbyshire; brother of Arthur (above) and Ronald (below). No known grave. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 74, Column 3.

Note: HMS Pozarica was built by Doxford Shipyard (Sunderland, U.K.), launched 6 September 1937, completed in January 1938 and commissioned 3 July 1941. Displacement of 1893 GRT, armament 8 4" Anti-Aircraft guns (4x2), 8 2 pounder Anti-Aircraft (2x4).

In August 1940 Pozarica was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and converted to an Anti-Aircraft ship. On the afternoon of 29 January 1943, HMS Pozarica was escorting coastal convoy TF.14, running between Algerian ports. Off Bougie, the convoy was attacked by 2 squadrons of torpedo planes, one made up by 13 German aircraft (10 He.111 and 3 Ju.88 from I and III/KG.26), the other consisting of 8 Italian S.79 from the 105th, 130th and 132nd Groups. Two of the escorts, destroyer Avon Vale and Flakship Pozarica were hit by, respectively, the German and by the Italian planes. Avon Vale, hit at 21:10 hrs, was forced to run herself aground with the bows totally wrecked, while Pozarica hit at the stern at 19:45 hrs, managed to reach Bougie roads. On 13 February, while under salvage, Pozarica suddenly capsized and settled on the bottom. The wreck was refloated postwar and towed to Italy for scrapping, beginning in May 1951.

HITT

Ronald

Able Seaman P/JX 393808, H.M.S. Trumpeter, Royal Navy. Died in United Kingdom 7 December 1944. Aged 22. Son of John Henry and Elisebeth Hitt (sic - Henry John and Elizabeth Hitt); husband of Phyllis Hitt, of Kirk Hallam, Derbyshire; brother of Henry and Arthur (above). Buried east of the church in ST. CATHERINE CHURCHYARD, COSSALL, Nottinghamshire.

Note: HMS Trumpeter movements during 1944

Between 29 January and 11 February the Trumpeter moved from Belfast to Dundee.

In the period between May and July 1944 the carriers Argus and Ravager were used for deck landing training, but for short periods they were relieved by Trumpeter, Khedive and Rajah. During this period 275 qualified in deck landing on one of the five carriers, while 20 took refresher courses. The Trumpeter was used by the Hellcat Is of No.1840 Squadron in June and by the Fireflies of No.1771 Squadron.

After this period of training the Trumpeter joined the active part of the Home Fleet, carrying the Wildcats and Avengers of No.846 Squadron, which embarked on 5 July 1944. The Trumpeter spent most of the next year operating off the Norwegian coast, giving it one of the most active careers of any British escort carrier.

On 10/11 August Trumpeter was part of a fleet that attacked Gossen airfield near Kristiansund and mined the Harhms and Lepsorev channels. Fighter cover was provided by HMS Indefatigable, while Nabob and Trumpeter provided Avengers. The fleet also included the cruisers Kent and Devonshireand two Canadian destroyers.

In August 1944 the escort carriers Nabob and Trumpeter took part in Operation Goodwood I to IV, a series of attacks on the Tirpitz. The main strike force was provided by the fleet carriers Formidable, Indefatigable and Furious, while the Nabob and Trumpeter carried out diversionary operations (under the name Operation Offspring). On 22 August the Nabob was torpedoed and badly damaged. Trumpeter abandoned her planned mine-laying operations, and covered the Nabob as she limped back across the North Sea.

On 12 September Avengers from the Trumpeter laid mines off the Norwegian coast, with cover provided by Seafires from HMS Furious.

On 28 September Trumpeter and Fencer left Scapa Flow at the start of three days of anti-U-boat patrols in the North Sea. On 2-4 October Trumpeter was once again involved in anti-U-boat operations, this time with Force 9, part of the Western Approaches Command.

On 14/15th October Trumpeter and Fencer laid 22 mines in Norwegian waters and attacked a medium sized merchant ship and two flak ships.

On 24th October Trumpeter and Campaniacarried out another mine-laying mission in Norwegian waters, accompanied by six destroyers. Bad weather meant that a planned anti-shipping strike was cancelled, but three radar stations were attacked.

On 6-7 November the escort carriers Premier and Trumpeter laid mines off the Norwegian coast, while at the same time the Implacable carried out an anti-shipping sweep.

On 7 December Wildcats from Trumpeter escorted Avengersfrom Premier as they laid ten mines in Salhuss Trommen. One Wildcat was lost after force-landing in the water.

The Trumpeter was back off the Norwegian coast on 14 December, this time with HMS Premier, the cruiser Devonshire and six destroyers. This time the carriers were attacked by three German torpedo bombers, one of which was claimed shot down.

During 1944 six officers and men from No.846 Squadron won awards for their part in Operation Offspring, mine-laying off the Norwegian coast.

HUTCHBY

Albert Ernest

Sergeant 4978858, 91 (5th Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 7 August 1944. Aged 25. Son of Albert and Elsie Hutchby; husband of Irene Hutchby, of Langley Mill, Nottinghamshire. Buried in ST. CHARLES DE PERCY WAR CEMETERY, Calvados, France. Plot VII. Row A. Grave 4.

SMITH

Jack

Peivate 4807570, Pioneer Corps. Died 10 May 1942. Aged 26. Son of Thomas and Beatrice Alice Smith; husband of Kitty Smith, of Ilkeston. Buried in ALDERCAR (ST. JOHN) CHURCHYARD AND EXTENSION, Derbyshire.

TEAGLE

Arthur

Private 4978944, Sherwood Foesters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Died in the sinking of RMT Lancastria 17 June 1940. Aged 20. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henry Teagle. No known grave. Commemorated on DUNKIRK MEMORIAL, Nord, France. Column 95.
Buried in the churchyard but not on memorial
WILES George Raymond Aircraftman 1st Class 1074032, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 17 January 1946. Aged 38. Son of Thomas William Smith Wiles and Harriet Ann Wiles, of Langley Mill. Buried in the Old Churchyard Section of ALDERCAR (ST. JOHN) CHURCHYARD AND EXTENSION, Derbyshire.

Last updated 23 April, 2021

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