Roll of Honour - Derbyshire - Derby, Midland Railway and Wagon Works, Litchurch Lane Works

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

DERBY MIDLAND CARRIAGE AND RAILWAY WORKS WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Detailed Information
Compiled and copyright © Andrew Dishman 2021

The Derby, Midland Railway and Wagon Works, Litchurch Lane Works takes the form of a carved oak board, with additional silver plaque for World War 2, mounted on the wall inside the finishing shop. There are 20 names listed fro World War 1 and 2 for World War 2.

To the memory of
Our shopmates who fell in the Great War
1914 - 1918

AMES	William Warren	Coachmaker. Acting Sergeant (Sapper) 490058, 467th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Killed in action 15 March 1917. Aged 34. Born 6 March 1884, and enlisted, Derby. Husband of Ann Ames, of 48, Balfour Rd., Derby. Admitted to Peartree School (Later Hardwick Boys), Derby, 21 March 1892, son of Edward Ames, resident 14, beecher Street, Derby. In the 1901 census he was aged 17, born Derbyshire, a Railway coach finisher's apprentice, son of Edward and Mary A Amos, resident 41, Becher Street, Derby. In the 1911 census he was aged 27, born Derby, a Railway coach finisher, married to Ann Ames with one son and one daughter, resident 35 Scott Street, Derby. Member of the National Union of Railwaymen, joined 30 July 1915, Railway Workers, Finisher, in Derby 3 Branch, aged 31. Buried in FOUQUESCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY, Somme, France. Plot III. Row AA. Grave 8. Also commemorated on Midland Railway - Cenotaph, Derby and St Giles Church, Normanton By Derby, Derbyshire.
ARCHER	John Thomas	Coach Finisher. Lance Corporal 203257. 1st/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) formerly 3095, 3rd/1st Battalion, Derbyshire Yeomanry. Killed in action 19 June 1918. Aged 24. Born 16 February 1893 in Pear Tree, Derbyshire, enlisted Derby. Baptised 14 March 1894 in Derby. Son of William and Catherine Archer, of 19 Grayling Street, Derby. In the 1901 census he was aged 7, born Derby, son of William and Catherine Archer, resident 187, Harrington Street, Derby. Admitted to Peartree Mixed School, Derby, 9 July 1901, son of William Archer, resident 187, Harrington Street, Derby. Left 20 February 1908 to start work. Member of the National Union of Railwaymen, joined 12 August 1915, Railway Workers, Coach finisher, in Derby 3 Branch, aged 21. In the 1911 census he was aged 17, born Derby, a Carriage finisher railway, son of William and Catherine Archer, resident 156, Leacroft Road, Derby. Attested 10 November 1915, enlisted 30 December 1915 in Derby, aged 21 years 9 months, resident 19, Grayling Street, Derby, a Coach finished, single height 5 feet 10 inches, weight 139lbs, chest 35½-38½ inches, religious denomnation Church of England. Transferred from 3rd/1st Battalion, Derbyshire Yeomanry to 5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) 21 December 1916. Buried in FOUQUIERES CHURCHYARD EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row F. Grave 3.
BENNETT	George Henry	Coach Finisher. Private 41140, 25th Squadron, Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) formerly 19443, 1st Reserve Cavalry Regiment. Killed in action 30 October 1918 in Mesopotamia. Born 5 October 1892 in St. Cuthbert's Wells, Somerset, enlisted Derby. Son of Arthur William Bennett, of 42, Oliver Street, Derby. Admitted to Peartree School (later Hardwick Boys), Derby, 11 April 1904, son of Arthur Bennett, resident 41 Oliver Street, Derby, left 4 October 1906. In the 1911 census he was aged 18, born Wells, Somerset, a Coach finisher, son of Arthur W and Emily Bennett, resident 42, Olivier Street, Derby. Attested 2 September 1914 in Derby, aged 21 years 252 days, a Finisher, single, height 5 feet 4 inches, weight 116lbs, chest 34½-37 nches, fair complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair, religious denomination Church of England. Served in United Kingdom 2 September to 25 January 1916, with B.E.F. 26 January 1916 to 22 November 1916, in United Kingdom 23 November 1916 to 18 October 1917, in Mesopotamia 19 October 1918 until his death. In 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, with Synovitis of left knee 22 November 1916 to 29 July 1917. No known grave. Commemorated on BASRA MEMORIAL, Iraq. Panel 41.
BIRD	David Henry	Coach Finisher's Assistant. Sapper 490234, 477th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Died of wounds 24 July 1917. Aged 20. Born and enlisted Derby. Baptised 27 May 1897 in Derby, St Chad. Son of David Joseph and Sarah Elizabeth Bird, of Derby. In the 1901 census he was aged 3, born Derby, son of David and Sarah Bird, resident 33, Litchurch Street, Derby, Derbyshire. Buried in MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot II. Row F. Grave 37.
CLARKE	George William	Coach Finisher. Sapper 490060, 467th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Died of wounds 13 October 1917. Aged 31. Born 16 November 1885, and enlisted, Derby. Baptised 11 April 1886 in Derby, Brookside, Victoria Street Independent. Son of George and Mary Ann Clarke, of Derby. Admitted to St Andrew's Boys School, Derby, 19 December 1894, son of George Clarke (a Porter). resident 3, Nelson Street, Derby. In the 1891 census he was aged 5, born Derby, son of George and Mary Ann Clarke, resident Carrington Street, St Peter, Derby. In the 1901 census he was aged 15, born Derbyshire, a Coach body maker's apprentice, son of George and Mary A Clrke, resident 18, Sidney Street, Derby. Member of the National Union of Railwaymen, joined 5 January 1912, Railway Workers, Coach finisher, in Derby 3 Branch, aged 26. Buried in WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot VI. Row D. Grave 4.
CLAYTON	Harold Victor	Coach Finisher Assistant. Private 60356, 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Died on service 24 March 1918. Aged 20. Born 14 October 1897 in Doncaster, Yorks, enlisted Derby. Son of Mrs. C. Clayton, of 43, Haddon St., Derby. Admitted to Peartree School (Later Hardwick Boys), Derby, 1 May 1905, son of Charles Miller Clayton, resident 140, Port Road, Derby, left 5 May 1905. In the 1911 census he was aged 13, born Doncaster, Yorkshire, at school, son of Charles Miller and Christiana Clayton, resident 43, Haddon Street, Derby. Buried in H.A.C. CEMETERY, ECOUST-ST. MEIN, Pas de Calais, France. Plot VIII. Row E. Grave 9.
CURZON	William [Wingfield]	Labourer. Private 14900, 2nd/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action 1 December 1917. Aged 45. Born Manchester, enlisted Derby. Husband of Phoebe Jane (nee Lunn) Curzon, of 59, Northumberland St., Derby, married 4 September 1901 in St Chad's Church, Derby. In the 1891 census he was aged 19, born Manchesterr, a Gas fitter, single, son of Margaret Curxon (a widow), resident Roe Street, Litchurch, Derby. In the 1901 census he was aged 28, born Macnhester, a Joiners labourer, boarding with his future wife's family at 65, Darby Street, Derby. In the 1911 census he was aged 39, born Manchester, a Joiner labourer, married to Phoebe Jane with three daughters, resident 66, Vale Street, Derby. No known grave. Commemorated on CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL, Nord, France. Panel 8.
GAY	Frederick William	Coach Finisher. Private G/10206. 3rd Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Died on service in Italy 13 September 1918. Aged 28. Born 14 June 1891 in Normanton, Derbyshire, enlisted Woolwich, Kent. Son of Job Gay, of 80, St. Giles Rd., Derby, and the late Elizabeth Ann Gay. In the 1891 census he was newborn, born St Chads, Derbyshire, son of Job and Elizabeth A Gay, resident Norman Street, New Normanton, Derby. Admitted to Peartree Mixed School, Derby, 7 February 1899, son of Job Gay, resident 13, St. Thomas Road, Derby, left 14 January 1914 to start work. In the 1901 census he was aged 11, born Derbyshire, son of Job and Elizabeth Gay, resident 13, St Thomass Road, Derby. In the 1911 census he was aged 20, born Derby, Coach finisher, boarding at 121, Violet Street, Derby. Enlisted 9 September 1914 at Woolwich, aged 34, born Normanton, single, height 5 feet 8 inches, weight 159lbs, chest 37-39½ inches, fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, Coach Finisher by trade. Buried in TARANTO TOWN CEMETERY EXTENSION, Italy. Plot III. Row C. Grave 4.
GOBBETT	Montagu	Coach Finisher. Private 133571, Royal Army Medical Corps formerly Y74909, 88th Training Reserve Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. Died of influenza (resulting in pneumonia) in Isolation Hospital, Aldershot, 18 November 1918. Born 29 April 1885. Son of Richard and Ellen Gobbett, of 41, Trent (French) Street, Alvaston. In the 1901 census he was aged 15, born Derby, Derbyshire, a Coach Finisher, son of Richard and Ellen Gobbett, resident 13, Baker Street, Alvaston, Alvaston and Boulton, Shardlow, Derbyshire. Attested 21 February 1916 in Derby, age 32 years 10 months, a Coach Finisher by trade, single, height 5 feet 5 inches, weith 154 lbs, chest 38-41 inches. Buried in BOULTON (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD, Derbyshire.
HARRISON	[Henry] Vincent	Gunner 21147, 79th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died of wounds in No. 8 General Hospital, Rouen, France, 18 August 1916. Aged 24. Born 14 October 1891 in Derby, enlisted Derbyshire. Baptised 30 March 1892 in Derby. Son of Henry and Rebekah Harrison, of 73, Walbrook Road, Derby. Admitted to Peartree School (Later Hardwick Boys), Derby, 1 May 1899, son of Henry Harrison, resident 6, Byron Street, Derby, left 20 January 1905. In the 1901 census he was aged 9, born Derby, son of Henry and Rebecca Harrison, resident 6, Byron Street, Derby. In the 1911 census he was aged 19, born St Thomas, Derbyshire, an Electrician wireman, son of Henry and Rebekah Harrison, resident 52, Leacroft Road, Derby. Buried in BOIS-GUILLAUME COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot I. Row A. Grave 2A. Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1916: HARRISON Henry Vincent of 73 Walbrook-roads Derby a gunner in the 79th Brigade Royal Field Artillery died 18 August 1916 at Number 8 General Hospital Rouen France while on active service Administration (will Will limiyted) Derby 30 November to Henry Harrison railway official. Effects £21 18s. 11d.
HINKS	Arthur Vernon	Coach Finisher. Private 203113, 1st/6th Battalion, Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment). Killed in action 5 October 1918. Aged 20. Born 27 April 1898, and enlisted, Derby. Baptised 16 May 1898 in Derby. Son of Mr. Thomas William and Mrs. Mary Ellen Hinks, of 58, Alexandra Street, Derby. In the 1901 census he was aged 2, born Derbyshire, son of Thomas W and Mary Ellen Hinks, resident 58, Alexandra Street, Derby. Admitted to St James Infant School, Derby, 30 September 1901, son of Thomas Hinks, resident 58, Alexandra Street, Derby. In the 1911 census he was aged 12, born Derby, at school, son of Thomas William and Mary Ellen Hinks, resident 58, Alexandra Street, Derby. Permission to enlist was given by the Superintendent's office, Midland railway, Carriage and Wagon Department, 11 May 1916. Attested 19 June 1916 at Derby, aged 19 years 2 months, resident 58, Alexandra Street, Derby, a Coach Finisher by trade, single, height 5 feet 5½, weight 108 lbs, chest 34-37 inches. Enlisted in Sherwood Foresters transferred 10th Battalion, Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment) 22 June 1916, transferred 6th Battalion. With B.E.F. 11 October 1916 to 9 April 1917 and again from 19 June 1917 until his death. Buried in BELLICOURT BRITISH CEMETERY, Aisne, France. Plot III. Row G. Grave 10.
KIRKMAN	W [H]	Coach Finisher's Boy. Private. No further information currently
MOORCROFT	Thomas	Labourer. Private 83429, 38th General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps. Died on service in Malta 14 June 1917. Aged 20. Born Littleover, Derby, enlisted Derby. Baptised 2 May 1897 in Littleover, Derbyhire, son of Thomas and Florence Moorcroft. Son of Mr. T. Moorcroft, of 13, North St., Littleover, Derby. In the 1901 census he was aged 4, born Littleover, Derbyshire, son of Thomas and Florence Moorcroft, resident Burton Road, Littleover, Shardlow, Derbyshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 14, born Littleover, Derbyshire, son of Thomas Moorcroft, grandson of John and Mary Williams, resident North Street, Littleover near Derby, Littleover, Derbyshire. Member of the National Union of Railwaymen, joined 22 October 1915, Railway Workers, Labourer, in Derby 3 Branch, aged 19. Buried in PIETA MILITARY CEMETERY, Malta. Plot C. Row XIV. Grave 3.
REGAN	John	Blacksmith (Labourer). Rifleman R/11043, 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Killed in action 24 May 1916. Born and enlisted Derby. In the 1911 census he was aged 40, born Newcastle, Staffordshire, a Blacksmith in the carriage and wagon department, married to Gertrude Regan with two sons and a daughter, resident 62, Chambers Street, Crewton, Derby. Member of the National Union of Railwaymen, joined 27 August 1915, Railway Workers, Smith, in Derby 3 Branch, aged 42. Buried in ZOUAVE VALLEY CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row E. Grave 13.
SLATER	George [Frank]	[Not found on SDGW] Finisher's Assistant. Private 2175, 1st/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action 26 September 1915. Aged 19. Son of Joseph and Amy Sarah Slater, of 6, Darby St., New Normanton, Derby. Attested 22 January 1914, as 2175, 5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), aged 22 years 10 months, born St. Chad's, Derby, employed as a Coach Finisher, Midland Railway Company, Carriage and Wagon Works, resident 6, Darby Street, Derby, single, height 5 feet 5 inches, chest 36-38 inches. With B.E.F. 1 March 1915 until his death. Buried in CHESTER FARM CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I. Row A. Grave 2.
SMITH	George	Wagon Repairer. Sapper 490049, 467th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Killed in action 20 September 1918. Aged 37. Born and enlisted Derby. Husband of E. T. Smith, of 3, Bailey St., Derby. In the 1891 census he was aged 120, born Derby, son of Samuel and Sarah Smith, resident Corden Street, Litchurch, Derby. In the 1901 census he was aged 20, born Derby, a Railway waggon repairer, son of Samuel and Sarah Smith, resident 7, Sutherland Road, Normanton, Shardlow, Derbyshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 30, born Derby, a Wagon repairer, son of Samuel and Sarah Smith, resident 46, Walbrook Road, Derby. Buried in VIEILLE-CHAPELLE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY, LACOUTURE, Pas de Calais, France. Plot V. Row B. Grave 6.
SMITH	H C	No further information currently
SOWTER	John [William]	Labourer or Wheel Turner. Private SR/3924, 16th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action between 31 July 1917 and 5 August 1917. Born and enlisted Derby. Baptised 4 June 1883 in Derby, St James the Greater, son of Herbert and Rosamund Kate Sowter. In the 1901 census he was aged 7, born Derbyshire, son of Herbert and Rosamund K Sowter, resident 81, Shaftesbury Crescent, Derby. In the 1911 census he is listed as John William SOWTER; he was aged 17, born Derby, son of Herbert and Rosamund Kate Sowter, resident 81, Shaftesbury Crescent, Derby. Buried in NEW IRISH FARM CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XIII. Row A. Grave 2.
SPENDLOVE	George [Henry]	Plumber. Lance Corporal 417225, 2nd/2nd (North Midland) Field Ambulance (Territorial Force), Royal Army Medical Corps. Killed in action 25 September 1917. Enlisted Derby. Son of Eliza Spendlove, of 56, Watson Street, Derby, and the late William Spendlove; husband of Mrs Elizabeth (nee Hall) Moirfield (formerly Mrs Elizabeth Spendlove), of 13 Whitecross, Derby, with one son and one daughter, married July to September Quarter 1908 in Derby. In the 1891 census he was aged 3, born Derby, a scholar, son of William and Eliza Ann Spendlove, resident Clover Street, St Alkmund, Derby. In the 1901 census he was aged 13, born Derbyshire, an Errand boy, son of Eliza A Spendlove (a widow), resident 56, Watson Street, Derby. In the 1911 census he was aged 23, born Derby, a Plumber, married, resident 18, Elms Street, Derby. Attested as 2395, Home Service Unit, 1st North Midland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps for the duration of war, 6 October 1914 in Derby, aged 27 years 37 days, a Plumber by trade, height 5 feet 4 inches, weight 146 lbs, chest 36-37½ inches, religious denomination Church of England. With B.E.F. to France 22 February 1917, embarked at Southampton 20 February 1917, disemabrked Le Havre 22 February 1917. Buried in BRIDGE HOUSE CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Row B. Grave 5.
WALLIS	John Edward	Coach Finisher's Assistant. Private 421517, 2nd/1st (North Midland) Field Ambulance (Territorial Force), Royal Army Medical Corps formerly 3113, 3rd/1st Battalion, Derbyshire Yeomanry. Killed in action 27 September 1917. Aged 20. Born 10 November 1896 in Breaston, Derbyshire, enlisted Derby. Son of J. E. and Mary Wallis, of 8, Pear Tree St., Derby. In the 1901 census he was aged 4, born Sandiacre, Derbyshire, son of John E and Mary Ann Wallis, resident 8, Pear Tree Street, Derby. Admitted to Peartree Mixed School, Derby, 1 July 1904, John Wallis, resident 8, Peartree Street, Derby, left 9 November 1910 to start work. In the 1911 census he was aged 14, born Norn Sandiacre, Derbyshire, a Metalight company apprentice, son of John E and Mary Ann Wallis, resident 8, Pear Tree St Derby. Religious denomination Church of England. Transferred from Deryhire Yeomanry having lost fingers to Royal Army Medical Corps 6 May 1916. Attested 10 November 1915, aged 19 years 156 days, height 5 feet 9½ inches, aged 33-35½ inches, a Coach Finisher by trade, single. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 160.
1939-1945
TURNER	Harry George	Coach Finisher. Gunner 1428049, 222 Battery, 10 H.A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery. Killed by enemy action at Malta 25 April 1942. Aged 21. Born Derby, resident Derby. Buried in PIETA MILITARY CEMETERY, Malata. Section G, Collective grave 21. Extract from Derby Daily Telegraph - Wednesday 6 May 1942, page 5: ALVASTON GUNNER Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner, of 132, Brackens-lane, Alvaston, have been informed that their eldest son, Gunner H. G. Turner, R.A., has been killed. Just before the war, when 18, he joined the Army. served in England until 18 months ago, when he was postedto Malta. Gunner Turner was the eldest of nine children, and before joining he was employed by the L.M.S. Carriage and Wagon Works asa coach finisher.
WORTHINGTON	Alfred	Apprentice Coach Finisher. Ordinary Seaman P/JX 217418, H.M.S. Acheron, Royal Navy. Died at sea 17 December 1940. Aged 21. Born 6 December 1919 in Liverpool, Lancashire. Son of John and Harriet Worthington, of Wilmorton, Derby. No known grave. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 40, Column 1. Extract from Derby Daily Telegraph, 28 December 1940, page 1: DERBY SAILOR ON SUNK DESTROYER The parents of Ordinary Seaman Alfred Worthington, of 631, London-road, Derby, have received official notification that he lost his life when H.M. destroyer Acheron was sunk. The sinking of H.M.S. Acheron was announced in Admiralty communique issued on Boxing Day. Seaman Worthington, who was aged 21, volunteered for the Navy on the outbreak of war, and was trained at Portsmouth. The Acheron was his first ship, and he had been aboard only a few weeks. Before the war he was employed as an apprentice coach finisher in the Carriage and Wagon Department of the L.M., Derby. A native of Liverpool, Seaman Worthington attended the Garston C. of E. School, Liverpool. When his family moved to Derby he attended the Wilmorton School, from which he won a scholarship to Derby Central School. He has four brothers and two sisters.

Last updated 27 July, 2021

War Memorials Trust