DONISTHORPE and OAKTHORPE WAR MEMORIAL
LEICESTERSHIRE
Compiled with additional information by kind permission of the
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
In grateful memory of the men of this parish who gave their lives for us in the Great War 1914-1918
Greater love hath no man than this
They were as a wall unto us both day and by night
At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them
BRAMLEY Cyril Richard, Captain, 2/5th Battalion Territorial King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, killed in action 20 February 1917 aged 25 Son of the Rev. Cyril Richard Bramley and Annie Marion Bramley, of The Vicarage, Donisthorpe, Burton-on-Trent and brother of Harold who also fell. Buried at Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel, Somme France
CHAMBERLAIN Horace, Lieutenant with the 40th Australian Infantry [A.I.F.] died 30th March 1918 aged 28. Son of James and R. Chamberlain, of 3, Newfield Rd., Moira, Burton-on-Trent, England. Buried at Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No 1, Somme France
BRAMLEY Harold, 2nd Lieutenant, 5th Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, formerly, Private 21122, Leicestershire Yeomanry, killed in action 13th May 1915 aged 21. Son of the Rev. Cyril Richard Bramley and Anna Louise Bramley, of The Vicarage, Donisthorpe, Burton-on-Trent and brother of Cyril who also fell. Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium
AMES John Samuel, Sergeant 91691 D Battery, 177th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery killed in action 11th September 1916. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme France [The memorial has J Ames, it may well be this soldier as his birth was registered at Ashby de la Zouch 1895]
CLAMP Lewis Matkin, Sergeant 240565, 1/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment died of wounds 24 August 1918 aged 22. Son of George and Sarah Clamp, of Seal Rd., Donisthorpe, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Born and resident Donisthorpe, enlisted Ashby-De-La-Zouch. Buried at Fouquieres Churchyard Extension, France
DENNIS Thomas Kirk, Sergeant 16224, 6th Leicestershire Regiment died of wounds 25th March 1918-aged 32 Son of Reuben and Rachel Kirk, of Mansfield Terrace, Donisthorpe, Burton-on-Trent. and brother Joseph who also fell Buried at Honnechy British Cemetery, Nord France. According to the CWGC, DENNIS was an ALIAS correct family name is DENNIES. His birth is registered as Dennies
GILLIVER E D Sergeant [Not listed with the CWGC]
HURLEY Cecil, Corporal 240645, 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment killed in action 24th September 1918 aged 21. Son of Mr. J. Hurley, of Fernleigh Cottage, Donisthorpe, Burton-on-Trent. Buried at Bellicourt British Cemetery, France .
SUMMERS Cornelius, Lance Corporal 12173, 7th Leicestershire Regiment. Killed in action 30 September 1916 aged 22. Son of Cornelius and Sarah Ann Summers, of Brooklyn Villas, Moira Rd., Donisthorpe, Burton-on-Trent.. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. This memorial has his rank as Corporal
BOURNE Thomas Timothy Smith Lance Corporal 13411, 6th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, killed in action 3 September 1916 aged 21. Son of Ernest Edward and Amy Elizabeth Bourne, of Michael Villa, Donisthorpe, Burton-on-Trent. Born Moira, enlisted Nuneaton, resident Denisthorpe Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
BRODRIBB Albert Frederick, Lance Corporal 1526, A Coy, 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment killed in action 13th October 1915 aged 20. Son of Albert Edward and Elizabeth Mary Brodribb, of Day Bell Villa, Moira, Burton-on-Trent Native of Gloucester and resident of Moria, Leicestershire Commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France. This memorial has F Brodribb
DENNIS John , Lance Corporal 40221, 6th Leicestershire Regiment killed in action 25th August 1918. Native of Donisthorp. Buried at Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval, Somme, France. [Holder of the Military Medal] Family names is DENNIES
SHUTTLEWORTH George Brewin, Lance Corporal 240979, 2/5th Leicestershire Regiment, died of wounds 7 April 1917 aged 21. Son of George Shuttleworth, of Engine Cottage, Donisthorpe Lane, Moira, Leicestershire. Buried at Bray Military Cemetery, Somme France
CLARKE John Henry, Gunner L/25326, Z34th Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery died 24th November 1917 aged 24. Son of H. and Margaret Ada Clarke, of Wright's Cottages, Donisthorpe Lane, Moira, Burton-on-Trent. Buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France
BAKEWELL James Henry Private 27934, 7th Battalion, Prince of Wales's North Staffordshire Regiment, died of wounds in Mesopotamia 27 February 1917. Born and resident Donisthorpe, enlisted Coalville. Commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq
BANTON Clifford, Lance Corporal 201018, 1/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters ,Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment. Killed in action 1 July 1916. Enlisted Church Gresley, Derbyshire, resident at Donisthorpe. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France This memorial have him listed as Private
BATES Edward, Private [Rifleman] C/6515, 15th Kings Royal Rifle Corps, killed in action 15th September 1916. Son of William and Camelia of [1901 census] Chapel Street, Oakthorpe and brother of Thomas who also fell. Native of Oakthorp Leicestershire. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme France
BATES Thomas,Lance Corporal 15035, 9th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Killed in action 1 October 1917. Son of William and Camelia of [1901 census] Chapel Street, Oakthorpe, Leicestershire and brother of Edward who also fell. Born and resident Oakthorpe, enlisted Ashby-De-La-Zouch. This memorial have him listed as Private
BLAND Francis John Private 16169, 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Killed in action 14 July 1916. Born Meppershall, Bedfordshire, enlisted Coalville, resident Moira. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, FranceThis memorial has him listed as F Bland
CHAWNER George, Private 16817, 7th Leicestershire Regiment died of wounds 31st July 1916. Native of Burton-on-the-Wolds, Leicestershire and is buried in the cemetery opposite this memorial at Donisthorpe - also appears on the Moira Collieries Memorial [This memorial have him named as G G Chawner, his birth is registered only as George]
CODLING This memorial have him listed as Private J E. There is no listing with the CWGC for a Pte J E Codling, there is however the following person listed . Able Seaman R/5088 John Edward, Anson Battalion, Royal Navy Division Born 29th August 1887 and died 30th December 1917. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme , France
CURTIS Harold, Private [CWGC Sapper] 132076, 183rd Tunnelling Coy, Royal Engineers killed in action 29th June 1916 aged 20. Son of John Wileman and Esther Curtis, nee Dennis of [1901 census]Newfield, Moira parish of Dinisthorpe. Resident at Coalville Leicestershire. Buried at Citadel New Military Cemetery, Fricourt, Somme France
CURTIS John Henry, Private 17392, 7th Leicestershire Regiment killed in action 14th July 1916, aged 19. Son of Henry and Elizabeth Curtis, of 3, Jubilee Terrace, Donisthorpe, Burton-on-Trent. . Resident at Coalville enlisted at Donisthorpe Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
CURTIS Michael Thomas, Private 1686, Royal Army Medical Corps Territorial Force, killed in action 23rd December 1916, Son of Joseph and Sarah Curtis, of 59 The Crescent, Moira, Burton on Trent Staffordshire. Resident at Coalville Leicestershire, enlisted at Ashley Leicestershire. Buried at Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery, Somme, France
DENNIS John Private [Sapper] 323585,98th Light Railway Train Crew Company, Royal Engineers formerly Private 268921, Royal Warwickshire Regiment died 31st December 1917 aged 20. Son of William and Hannah Dennis, of 138, Gadsley St., Attleborough, Nuneaton. Native of Dinisthorpe and is buried at Hadra War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt.
DENNIS Joseph, Private 70438,C Coy, 2/5th Sherwood Foresters Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment killed in action 26th September 1917 aged 20. Son of Reuben and Eliza Dennis, of 70, Crescent, Moira, Burton-on-Trent, and brother of Thomas who also fell. Resident at Swadlincote Derbyshire enlisted at Moria and is buried at New Irish Farm Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium
ELLIS, Alfred. Private 23246, 8th Leicestershire Regiment, died 7th November 1918. He is at rest in Chambieres French National Cemetery, Metz, France.
Some notes from what remains of his army record. He joined up at Coalville on the 17th November 1915 aged 25 and 247 days. He lived at Donisthorpe and he was by occupation a collier. He was posted to 10th, 2nd Reserve Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. He was at Rugeley Training Camp, Staffordshire from the 4th December 1915 to the 8th June 1916. On that day he embarked for France from Folkestone disembarking at Etaples the next day and he joined the 8th battalion in the field on the 21st June 1916. On the 23rd September 1917 he was wounded in action. He received a shrapnel wound to his right thigh. He was treated at the 8th Australian Field Ambulance and the at 5th Australian Hospital. He was discharged fit for duty on the 6th October 1917. He became a Prisoner of War at Ephey while fighting in E Company, 8th Leicestershire Regiment on the 23rd March 1918. He became prisoner 30184 at Camp 71, Metz (known as Lazarett Saint-Clment). He died of Nephritis Tuberculosis on the 7th November 1918 at Monteningen Metz and was buried at Military Cemetery, Metz.
The death certificate was signed by Peiss, Staff Surgeon and was witnessed by Dr Huten, Staff Surgeon, Military Hospital Boys' College, Monteningen near Metz.
He was born on the 25th March 1890 at Donisthorpe and he was the son of Alfred and Martha. He had on child Daisey Janet Curtis born 6th April 1913 and his intended wife Emma Curtis lived with the child at 3, Jubilee Terrace, Donisthorpe, Leicestershire.
ELLIS C Private. Unable to find the correct one listed with the CWGC
FINCH James, Private 20644, Coldstream Guards killed in action 5th September 1917 aged 34. Son of James and Elizabeth Finch, of New St., Oakthorpe, Burton-on-Trent; husband of Evelyn Finch, of 188, Berridge Rd., Forest Fields, Nottingham. Native of Oakthorpe Leicestershire and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
GEORGE Albert, Private 24666, B Coy, 4th North Staffordshire Regiment killed in action 18th November 1917 aged 23 Son of Albert & Eliza.[1901 census] Native of Chesterfield and resident at Oakthorpe and Donisthorpe husband of Elsie E. George, of 33, Ringwood Road, Brimington, Chesterfield.. Buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium
GOACHER William, Private 503506, 2nd Tunnelling Coy, Canadian Engineers killed 2nd June 1916 aged 22. Son of Reuben and Elizabeth Goacher, of New Villas, Meatham Rd., Toll Gate, Moira, Burton-on-Trent England. Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium
GRICE George, Private 12921, 1st Leicestershire Regiment killed in action 22nd March 1918 aged 26. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. Possibly the son of Thomas and Sarah of Oakthorpe. The 1901 census shows a George and Josiah living with their parents Thomas and Sarah at Town Street, Oakthorpe.
Some notes from what remains of his badly damaged war record . He enlisted on the 31st August 1914 to the army reserve and was mobilised on the 5th September 1914 to the Depot at Aldershot and several training camps for basic training. Aged 23 (C1891)his occupation, prior to enlistment was a collier. He is commemorated on the Church Gresley Colliery Plaque on the Moira War Memorial, Leicestershire On the 11th September 1915 he married Miss Lilian Caroline Edney at Primitive Methodist Church, Ashley and they had one child. On the 21st December 1916 he embarked at Folkstone for France. On the 22nd March 1918 he was reported missing in action, presumed killed. In his record there is a document which is badly damaged by fire and water and it shows, very faint various names, one being his mother, named as Sarah. This document has been saved and posted on this site.
Another army record has been found for a George Grice born 1892 who lived at Oakthorpe Leicestershire. He was Private , 1696, 2658, and 419425, serving with the 3/2nd North Midland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. He joined up on the 18th August 1915, aged 23 yrs and 8 months and gave his occupation as Miner Hewer. On the 27th July 1916 he embarked at Southampton for Rouen France, disembarking on the morning of the 28th July . In France he was serving with the 46 North Midland Field Ambulance and for a period was an Officer's Servant (Batman). He was in France from the 28th July 1916 to 25th October 1918, had leave in England, France again from the 8th November 1918 to the 27th December 1918. Back in England on the 28th December 1918, awaiting demobilisation on the 31st January 1919. The record that would have shown who his next of kin was, has been destroyed.
GRICE Josiah, Private 13514, 1st Sherwood Foresters Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment killed in action 21st November 1917 aged 35. Son of Thomas and Sarah Grice of Oakthorpe, Burton on Trent Staffordshire. Native of Oakthorpe and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
HART George William Private 241321, 1/6th Battalion, Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment) formerly Private 4287 same regiment. Killed in action 1 July 1916 aged 19. Son of John Sherratt of 71 Princess Street, Castle Presley, Staffordshire. Born Moira Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
HUGHES John Thomas, Private 15075, 9th Leicestershire Regiment killed in action 14th July 1916 aged 32. Son of Mrs. A. M. Hair, of Acresford Rd. Overseal, Burton-on-Trent. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
HUNT H Private [Unable to find the correct person listed with the GWGC
KIRBY William, Private 5848, Australian Army, A.I.F. died 31st August 1918 aged 31. Son of Thomas and Harriet Kirby, of Donisthorpe,. Buried at Peronne Communal Cemetery, Extension, Somme, France
KIRK George Dennis, Private 10116, 3rd North Staffordshire Regiment killed in action 6th March 1918 aged 28. Son of Reuben and Rachel E. Kirk, of Mansfield Terrace, Donisthorpe, Burton-on-Trent. Buried at Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Mory, France .
KIRK Walter Samuel, Private 39069, 1st Leicestershire Regiment died of wounds 20th November 1917 aged 36. Son of George Edward and Martha N. Kirk, of Donisthorpe, Burton-on-Trent; husband of Marion Stanley (formerly Kirk), of The Post Office, Moira, Burton-on-Trent. Buried at Ribecourt British Cemetery , France .
LOCK Arnold Penfold, Private 240971, B Coy, 2/5th Leicestershire Regiment. Died in United Kingdom 22 January 1918. Son of Kate Lock and the late Arthur Lock, of Renford, Stanley Drive, Humberstone, Leicester. Born Glastonbury, Somerset, enlisted Ashby-De-La-Zouch, resident Donisthorpe. and is buried in Donisthorp Cemetery which is opposite this memorial
ORDISH John William Private 241146, 8th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Killed in action 27 February 1918. Son of Mrs. E. Ordish, of Cockspur Row, Donisthorpe, Burton-on-Trent Born Donisthorpe, enlisted Coalville and is buried at Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe France
PICKERING H Private [Unable to find the correct person listed with the CWGC]
PICKERING James, Private 48858, 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment killed in action 29 September 1918. Enlisted Coalville, resident at Moira and is buried at Buisigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France
REDFERN Harry. Private [Rifleman] C/6511, 18th King's Royal Rifle Corps. killed in action 24th September 1918. Born Oakthorpe, enlisted Derby, resident Ashby-De-La-Zouch. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme France
REDFERN Wilfred Private [ Rifleman] C/6514, 18th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps.Wounded in action and died in England 24 September 1916. Son of George and Mary Ann Redfern of Hill Top, New Street,Oakthorpe Born Oakthorpe, enlisted Derby, resident Ashby-De-La-Zouch. Buried at Donisthorpe Cemetery
STEVENS John James Private 27613, 12th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)Native of Ockbrook Derbyshire resident in Donisthorpe Killed in action 5 July 1916. Buried at Dranoutre Military Cemetery, Heuvelland Belgium
TAYLOR Harry Private. RiflemanTAYLOR, HARRY Service Number A/200238
Died 30/11/1917 10th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps. Commemorated on a family grave in Donisthorpe Churchyard.
(New information received 17/4/2019. Thanks to member andysmith)
Additional information
He was born 1861 in Leicester to James and Louisa nee Whitworth. 1871 he was residing with his mother and siblings at 6 South Bond Street, Leicester. His father at this time had left home and his mother.
On the 9 September 1918 his widow Annie was granted a war gratuity and revised 4 December 1919.
WHEELDON Arthur, Private, 5th Leicestershire Regiment, killed in action at Lens, 30th June 1917 aged 19. Son of Arthur and Lillian Ginstables, Oakthorpe. Commemorated on his parents memorial at Donisthorpe Cemetery and is buried at Loos British Cemetery, France
WHEELDON Ivan James, Private C/6513, B Coy, 18th Kings Royal Rifle Corps, died 15th September 1916 aged 22. Son of James and Sarah Wheeldon, of New Street, Oakthorpe, Burton-on-Trent. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
WILEMAN Ambrose Private 10098, 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Killed in action 10 march 1915 aged 37. Son of the late John and Rose Hannah Wileman. Served in the South African War with 1st Bn. Born Moira, enlisted Ashby-De-La-Zouch, resident Woodville, Derbyshire. Commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France
WILLDAY George Arthur, Private 6050, Depot, Leicestershire Regiment. Died in United Kingdom 26 February 1917 aged 27. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Willday, of Moira; husband of Mrs. Elsie Faith Willday, of Donisthorpe Lane, Moira, Burton-on-Trent. Enlisted Coalville, resident Moira. and is buried at Donisthorpe Cemetery
WRIGHT Benjamin, Private. 17159 1st Leicestershire Regiment killed in action 15th September 1916 aged 23. Son of Mrs. Roseanna Wright, of 23, Stone Row, Moira, Burton-on-Trent.. Native of Moira, Leicestershire and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
WRIGHT George, Private 241643, 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment died 14th December 1918 aged 32. Son of Mrs Annie Wright of Breedon on the Hill, Derbyshire. Native of Breedon enlisted at Moira
Buried at Berlin South Western Cemetery, Berlin, Germany
Greater Love Hath No Man Than This.
IN MEMORY OF THOSE
OF THE PARISH WHO
GAVE THEIR LIVES IN
THE SECOND WORLD WAR
1939-1945
BAILEY Wilfred, Sergeant Navigator 1440585, 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve died 9th July 1943 aged 21. Son of Thomas William and Ada Clarrie Bailey, of Donisthorpe, Leicestershire. Buried at Route De Solesmes Communal Cemetery, Cambrai, France
BATES Stephen, Private 4869078, Durham Light Infantry, died 9th August 1943 aged 19. Son of Frank and Ada Bates of Oakthorpe, Leicestershire. Buried at Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy
BOTT D [Not listed with the CWGC]
BRODRIBB Anthony John, Leading Aircraftman 1575865, 2839, Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment died 23rd January 1945 aged 23. Son of William and Frances of Moira. Buried at Ashby De La Zouch Cemetery, Leicestershire
FINCH J [Unable to find the correct person listed with the CWGC]
FINCH Leslie Stanley, Gunner 1578457, 72 Medium Regiment Royal Artillery, died 8th February 1945 aged 36. Son of Levi and Sarah Finch of Dinisthorpe. Buried at Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Gelderland, Holland
SHUTTLEWORTH Ronald, Sergeant Observer 958722, 77 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve died 27th December 1941 aged 21. Son of Thomas and Florence Edith Shuttleworth, of Donisthorpe, Leicestershire. Buried at St Jacobiparichie General Cemetery, Het Bildt, Fiiesland, Holland
SUMMERS John Edward, Private 4860467, 2/5th Leicestershire Regiment died between 10th May and 4th July 1940 aged 21. Son of Arthur and Rebecca of Donisthorpe. Buried at Carvin Communal Cemetery, France
TAYLOR William, Private 5887404, 5th Northampton Regiment, died 21st May 1940 aged 21. Son of Frederick and Sarah Ann of Oakthorpe. Buried at Esquelmes War Cemetery, Pecq, Belgium
WATERS Frank , Private 4859808, Gloucestershire Regiment died in England 5th November 1943 aged 25. Son of Frank and Eliza of Moira. Buried at Donisthorpe Cemetery
WEBSTER F ]Possible this person] Alan Frederick, Private 1527998, 2nd Kings Shropshire Light Infantry died 9th July 1944 aged 27. Son of Isaac and Rose Annie Webster; husband of Dorothy May Webster, of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.. Buried at Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France
WHETTON Thomas Ernest [Memorial has E] Private 4853238, 1st Leicestershire Regiment died 24th August 1944 aged 45. Son of Arthur and Harriette Whetton; husband of Ivy Alice Whetton, of Oakthorpe, Leicestershire. Buried at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand
