Sergeant 158016 Herbert Nown. 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Killed in Action on 10th October 1916. Aged 28. Buried in Regina Trench Cemetery. 

Herbert was born in Northampton and his parents lived in Robert Street. He emigrated to Canada and he arrived on the Western Front in April 1916. During the latter stages of the Battle of the Somme, his battalion took part in savage fighting near Courcelette. 

During a lull in the battle, they were ordered to dig a new "jumping off" trench in No Man's Land, but their positon could be seen by the enemy as they were lit up by a full moon. His final words to his comrade were "This is a very hot place". He was then shot by a sniper. 

"He was my best sergeant" said his Major, "and I miss him more than I can tell." Back home in Toronto, he left a widow and baby Lorraine. 

Lance Corporal 9654 Frank Boulter. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 9th May 1915. Aged 22. Remembered on The Le Touret Memorial. 

Private 201256 William Boulter. Killed in Action on 19th April 1917. Aged 21. Remembered on The Jersusalem Memorial. 

These 2 brothers came from Market Street, Northampton. During the Battle of Aubers Ridge, Frank was one of nearly 600 casualties, including 481 killed. Most were caused in the first 30 minutes of the attack, cut down by German machine gun and rifle fire. 

Like so many that fell, Frank has no known grave.

2 years later, William was killed during the 2nd Battle of Gaza. Fighting against the Turks, they had to advance across 3,000 yards of open country with no cover. No sooner had they advanced,  they came under fire from 3 sides. Some men advanced within 200 yards of the Turkish trenches, but no further advance was possible.  The Northampton's held their position until they were relieved in the evening. 

Amongst the 386 casualties was William, whose body was never found. 

Private 22847 Albert Herbert. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 20th August 1916. Remembered on The Thiepval Memorial. 

Albert lived in Oliver Street and was one of 46 men  who were killed near High Wood on this day, during the Battle of the Somme. A strong German trench called Switch Trench had been occupied by the Northants but a German counter attack forced them to withdraw. 

During the afternoon an attempt was made to retake Switch Trench, but it failed. Albert was killed and his body never recovered. 

Serjeant 6006 Thomas Warman. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 17th September 1914. Aged 32. Remembered on The La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial.

Thomas lived in Stanhope Road with his wife Bessie and new born baby boy Lawrence. He enlisted in 1912 and arrived in France, with his battalion, on 13th August 1914. Thomas and his unit were involved in the 200 mile "Retreat From Mons". After 2 weeks of marching they attacked the Germans during the Battle of the Marne and then the Aisne. 

On the day that Thomas was killed, it was widely reported that the Germans had ambushed 160 Northampton men in what was called "The White Flag Treachery". 

Thomas has no known grave. Back home in Northampton, Bessie was 3 months pregnant with their second child Dorothy, who was born in March 1915. Sadly, Dorothy died just 2 years later.

Both of Thomas' brothers survived the war. 

Corporal 109105 Joseph Wesley. Railway Operating Division, Royal Engineers. Died of Wounds on 1st August 1916. Aged 38. Buried in Heilly Station Cemetery. 

Joseph lived with this wife Edith and 4 children in Euston Road, Far Cotton. In civilian life he was an engine driver and therefore joined the Railway Division of the Royal Engineers.  In August 1916, Edith received notification that Joseph had died of wounds. But how? There were no witnesses and they were several miles behind the lines of the Somme battlefield.

At the enquiry a comrade stated that he had told his mates he was going to Albert to meet a relative. He had 2 brothers serving so perhaps he was going to meet one of them? He was then admitted to a Casualty Clearing Station with gunshot wounds that had caused compound fractures to both legs.

Joseph left behind his wife Edith and 4 children, aged between 16 and 1 month.  

Serjeant 10920 Arthur Balderson. 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 17th February 1917. Aged 36. Buried in Regina Trench Cemetery. 

Private 5556 Henry Balderson. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 17th March 1915. Aged 35. Buried in Bethune Town Cemetery. 

In 1911, the Balderson brothers lived with their parents at 57 St Edmunds Street. Arthur was a clicker in the boot and shoe trade and Henry was a domestic gardener. 

During the Battle of Neuve Chapelle between 10th and 14th March 1915, Henry was wounded and evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station behind the lines. He died there 3 days later.

Arthur had been seriously wounded in April 1916, but returned to his unit.

On 17th February 1917,  6th Northants went into action on the Somme, in a battle called Boom Ravine. Knee deep in mud, the Northants' advanced having been waiting in the trenches for 4 hours. During the day, Arthur was killed. "He answered his country's call", the family wrote in the local paper. 

A month later, back in Northampton, the boys' father Henry died of natural casues, aged 64.

Serjeant 3/5025 William Walker. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action between 10th and 14th March 1915. Aged 37. Remembered on The Le Touret Memorial.

William was brought up in Cloutsham Street before he joined the army and served for 20 years.

During the Battle of Neuve Chapelle between 10th and 14th March 1915, William was one of 160 men from the battalion that were killed. William is one of 149 of them who have no known grave and are remembered on the Le Touret Memorial. 2nd Northants went into action with 22 Officers and 594 Other Ranks. 5 days later, only 184 of them were left. Casualties were no fewer than 432.

His wife Rebecca was left 7 children to look after, the youngest of whom was just 2 years old. 

Private 6974 John (Jack) Ward. Killed in Action between 22nd and 30th April 1915. Aged 21. Remembered on the Menin Gate, Ypres.

Jack and his brother Charles had emigrated to Canada and owned a farm. His parents still lived in Park Road, St James. At the outbreak of war they both enlisted in the Canadian Infantry. On 22nd April 1915, the Germans launched a gas attack near Ypres. On the following day, the brothers' unit counter attacked. On this day Chearles was wounded and Jack killed. He has no known grave. 

Jack had 2 other brothers who survived the war, and both were awarded the Military Medal in 1918.

Lance Corporal 8307 Henry Bromage. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 14th March 1915. Aged 30. Remembered on The Le Touret Memorial.

Henry came from Maple Street and was a regular, professional soldier having enlisted in 1906. In 1901 he was a butcher. Like most soliders, his service records contains several punishments for being drunk.

During the Battle of Neuve Chapelle between 10th and 14th March 1915, Henry was one of 160 men from the battalion that were killed. Henry is one of 149 of them who have no known grave and are remembered on the Le Touret Memorial.

2nd Northants went into action with 22 Officers and 594 Other Ranks. 5 days later, only 184 of them were left. Casualties were no fewer than 432.

Captain Harold Redhead. 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 7th August 1918. Aged 27. Buried in Dive Copse British Cemetery. 

Harold was a former student at Northampton Town & County Grammar School and lived in Abington Avenue, just a few steps from the Hotel End at the County Ground where he played as an amateur for Northampton Town Football Club. In 1912, he played alongside Walter Tull.

During the Battle of the Somme, Harold was wounded by a gun shot wound and also a bayonet wound to his leg. This proves he was involved in the vicious hand to hand fighting that took place in Trones Wood on 14th July 1916.

2 years later he was back with the battalion. It was the day before the start of the "Final 100 Days" as the Allies finally broke the stalemate on the Western Front and forced the Germans back eastwards across France. 

The day before the 6th Northants had lost part of their front and support lines to a German attack. On the following day at 4.40am, the Northants regained the lost trenches and held off repeated enemy counter attacks. 

At some stage in this action, Harold was killed. A telegram was despatched to his father at home, but he was away from home and it was not until 3 weeks later that the family learned of his death. 

2nd Lt Philip Orgill. 61st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. Died of Wounds on 31st March 1918. Aged 19. Buried in Premont British Cemetery. 

Philip attended Northampton Town and County Grammar School in Billing Road and lived with his Grandfather in a large house in Castilian Terrace. His parents had both died in 1903, when he was just a small child. 

He had been working as an irongmonger before being conscripted in July 1916. In August 1917, he was commissioned into the Machine Gun Corps. 

On 21st March 1918, the Germans launched their massive Spring Offensive and Philip's unit was in the eye of the storm. They were completely surrounded by the enemy and over 300 men, including Philip, were captured.

Philip's Grandfather was informed that he was "missing". It was not until September 1918 that he discovered that Philip had died in a German hospital. He was treated for his wounds by the Germans for 10 days, suffering from a gun shot wound to his spinal cord.

The Germans buried him in one of their own cemeteries, and his body was exhumed and reburied in a CWGC cemetery after the war. 

2nd Lt Sydney Hanafy. 46th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Killed in Action on 24th November 1917. Aged 19. Buried in Grevillers British Cemetery.

Sydney attended the Northampton Town & County Grammar School and lived with his parents and siblings in Bostock Avenue. He joined the RFC in June 1917 and, on 23rd November 1917, his wrecked aeroplane was found with the badly wounded Sydney inside. He was transferred to a Casualty Clearing Station, suffering from broken legs and a head injury, but died of his wounds the following day.

Back in Northampton, his father initially wanted to visit Sydney but was denied permission. He was then furious to discover that his son had died but it had taken 3 days for him to be officially informed.

2nd Lt Percy Helms. 9th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 5th October 1918. Aged 28.  Buried in Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension. 

Percy lived with his widowed Mother in Adnitt Road and volunteered at the outbreak of war in August 1914. A former student at the Northampton Town and County Grammar School in Billing Road, he had moved to Scotland for business.

After serving on the Western Front for 17 months, Percy was commissioned in October 1917.

Just a month before the Armistice, his battalion attacked the retreating Germans at Moislains, near Peronne in France. The battalion war diary reported that they were "held up by machine gun fire." 

Percy was wounded in the attack and evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station where he died on the same day. His Mother chose these words for his headstone:

"At the setting of the sun and in the morning, we will remember thee."

Private 33693 John Collier. 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 12th April 1917. Aged 19. Buried in Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery.

John lived in Hampton Street, Semilong with his parents and family. In 1911, John was just 13 years old and working as an errand boy.

He was killed during the attack on Monchy in the Battle of Arras. His parents chose these words for his headstone:

"Not dead, but sleeping".

Private 22622 Thomas Harding. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 4th August 1916. Aged 25.  Buried in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension.

Lance Serjeant 15679 James Harding. 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 2nd September 1916. Aged 31. Buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery. 

Thomas and James were brothers from Gordon Street, Semilong who died just a month apart during the Battle of the Somme. 

Thomas was wounded during an attack on a German stronghold near Contalmaison on 7th July 1916. 48 Northamptonshire men died that day. He was evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station but died of his wounds nearly a month later. 

James was one of 2 men killed whilst holding the line in "Tea Trench" near Delville Wood.  The battalion diary reported no casualties other than their own artillery "constantly firing short". It is possible that he was killed by "friendly fire".

James had married his fiancee Helen Wilson at Christchurch Church just 3 months earlier.

Another brother, Harry, served in the Royal Navy and survived the war. All 3 brothers previously worked in the boot and shoe industry. 

Private 27938 Wilfred Clifton. 8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 3rd June 1917. Aged 19. Buried in Monchy Military Cemetery. 

When Alfred was killed, his parents posted these words about him in the local newspaper:

"He gave his life for the dear land of home".

They chose some equally moving words for his headstone. He was killed by shellfire on a beautiful early summer's day. His unit was holding the line in the village of Monchy, that can be seen in the distance behind his headstone.

His few personal belongings, including his broken spectacles, were returned to his hearbroken parents in St Katherines Street.

Private 45089 Frank Hill. 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in Action on 9th October 1917. Aged 28. Buried in Monchy British Cemetery. 

Frank was from the Mounts and was engaged to a lady called Beatrice. She was left heartbroken when Frank was killed close to Arras. The battalion war diary reported a "quiet day". Frank was the only casualty on that day, killed by either a trench mortar or a sniper. 

Private G/31265 Alexander Prigmore. 34th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Killed in Action on 13th October 1916. Aged 24. Buried in Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension.

Alexander, from Far Cotton, was part of a labour unit, and was asleep behind the lines when he was killed by a German shell during the Battle of the Somme . His brother chose the words for his headstone.

Private 14739 Gerald Wright. 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 24th September 1916. Aged 22. Buried in Authuile Military Cemetery. 

Gerald came from Great Billing and worked on the railways. He volunteered in 1914 and was attached to the Trench Mortar Battery.

Private 18303 James Moules. 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 18th August 1916. Aged 31. Buried in Delville Wood Cemetery. 

James worked in the boot and shoe industry and lived in Adnitt Road. He enlisted in April 1915 and arrived in France in October 1915. During the Battle of the Somme, he was acting as a stretcher bearer when he was shot in the chest. 

Back home in Northampton, his parents were told he was missing in action. It was several months before they received confirmation of his death. 

Corporal 15989 William Moules. 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 18th August 1916. Aged 35. Buried in Delville Wood Cemetery.

William was the cousin of James Moules and they served and died together on the same day, in the same battle, and are buried close to each other in the same cemetery. 

He volunteered at the outbreak of war, having worked on the railways. He was married to Kate and they lived in Oliver Street, Kingsley.

2nd Lt Hervey Lancelot Swallow. 10th Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment. Killed in Action on 25th September 1915. Aged 19. Remembered on the Loos Memorial (Panel 105/106).

Many fine Northampton men were killed, wounded or simply disappeared during the opening few days of the Battle of Loos in September 1915. One of those brave lads was Hervey Lancelot St George Swallow from Weston Favell, Northampton. 

On Sunday 26th September, Hervey was serving as a junior officer with the York & Lancaster Regiment. He was reported to be wounded and missing during an attack on Hill 70. Captain F Taylor wrote this letter to his mother:

“Your boy was with me all through the night of the 25th. He was wounded just before dawn on Sunday 26th, but for some reason said nothing about it. We were all digging ourselves in at the time. I then noticed he was working with the left hand only, and found he had been wounded in the right arm. Having made him comfortable, I told him to go to the rear and see the doctor. About half an hour later he came back and asked me to be allowed to stay. I then told him he had far better go to the rear and find the field ambulance. He then left me. That would be about 8am on Sunday, the 26th. The shellfire was terrible, but I feel convinced he would find his way back. As the fight surged backwards and forwards over that ground all day on Sunday, it is difficult to say…..I, too, am anxious to discover what become of one I esteemed as a friend and was proud of as a brave and efficient officer.

I cannot speak too highly of his conduct during the great advance.”

Hervey was 19 years old. He was never seen again and is remembered on the Loos Memorial and in Weston Favell Church, where his father was rector.

His family hoped that he was in a prisoner of war camp. But in April 1916 they received confirmation that he had been killed 9 months earlier. 

Hervey’s brother, Arthur Swallow, was serving as an Army Chaplain. In 1916 he had become rector at Weston Favell Church but in November arrived on the Western Front. On 11th April 1918, he went out in No Man’s Land 5 times under shellfire to fetch in wounded men. He wrote home to explain what happened: 

“We hadn’t got very far before the enemy spotted us. It was broad daylight and a rifle shot rang out unpleasantly near. I was carrying 3 big white crosses and went straight on.”

He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions.

In November 1921 he preached at the unveiling of the Weston Favell War Memorial:

“the men who came back required no eloquence or tribute…they rarely talked about their experiences because they knew that most people in England did not understand”.

Lt Arthur Tebbutt. 163rd Co, Machine Gun Corps. Killed in Action on 19th April 1917. Aged 24. Buried in Gaza War Cemetery.

Arthur,  pupil at Northampton Grammar School, came from a wealthy and successful family business  - G M Tebbutt & Sons. Their factory at Grove Works, 72-74 Clare Street was a three-storey shoe factory built in 1890 for the company and operational until the 1970’s. 

In 1912, Arthur joined the TA, which was based at the nearby Drill Hall. The family lived in St Matthews Parade, and they employed 2 servants who lived with them.

In March 1915, Arthur was wounded during the Battlle of Neuve Chapelle, a shrapnel wound to his head. He returned to Northampton, and was treated at Weston Favell Hospital, now St John's Home.

He was commissioned in June 1915, and initially served in the Norfolk Regiment, before being transferred to the newly created Machine Gun Corps. 

Arthur was killed during the 2nd Battle of Gaza. He is remembered on the St Matthews Church Memorial and at the Northampton School for Boys.

2nd Lt John Shaw. 7th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Killed in Action on 21st March 1918. Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.

John was a  teacher at Stimpson Avenue school when he enlisted in September 1914. He lived in nearby Collingwood Road with his wife Gertrude. He was a keen and talented cricketer, keeping wicket for both St Lawrence Church and also captaining Temperance Cricket Club.

He rose through the ranks and was awarded a commission in early 1917. 

On 21st March 1918, the Germans launched their massive Spring Offensive. John and his battalion were in the eye of the storm and were forced to retreat.

As they fell back, it was reported that John was wounded and missing. Back home in Northampton, Gertrude anxiously waited for news of her husband, no doubt hoping he was a Prisoner of War. It wasn't until July 1918 that she received confirmation that he had been killed 2 months earlier.

In December 1918, Gertrude was informed that the Germans had buried John in a military cemetery. However, his grave was never found and he has no known grave.

Sgt 14510 George Golby. 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 26th September 1916. Aged 26. Buried in Authuile Military Cemetery. 

Corporal 200471 John Golby. 1st/4th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 28th November 1917. Buried in Ramleh War Cemetery.

On 26th September 1916, during the Battle of the Some, George was killed by a shell during the Northants' successful attack on the German held fortified village of Thiepval. 

Just over a year later, his parents in Dallington received news that their other son, John, had died of wounds in far off Palestine. He was in the church choir, played cricket for Dallington and had won the Military Medal.

Private 9684 Frederick Folwell. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 17th September 1914. Aged 18. Remembered on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial. 

Frederick was a professional soldier who enlisted when he was just 16. At 18, he was still too young to serve abroad. 

He was killed during one of the most notorious actions of the Great War. After several hard days of fighting, the Northants lads were surprised to see Germans advancing across the fields holding up their hands in surrender. But when the Germans realised how few men they were faced with, they changed their mind and ordered his men to charge. 

On the same day, D Company was attacking a German trench when the enemy displayed a white flag. But once again the enemy turned their guns on the Northamptons. Full of anger, the 2nd Northants charged with their bayonets and drove the enemy out of their trenches. 

Frederick was killed on this day and has no known grave. He wrote a very sad last letter home to his Mother, and even predicated his own death -

Private W Barker - "On 14th September I accompanied Folwell to a village near by to get the water bottles filled and he said to me "Give me a cigarette paper, have got a bit of bacca and would like to have a smoke as I might get shot tomorrow."

Source - The Aisne by Paul Kendall

2nd Lt Rand Walden. 2nd Battalion, Lanashire Fusiliers. Killed in Action on 16th November 1917. Aged 35. Buried in Monchy British Cemetery. 

Rand lived with his widowed mother and siblings in Collingwood Road. Rand was a student at the Northampton Grammar School and was working as a clerk at the brewer Phipps & Co, before he enlisted in April 1915.

The Chairman of Phipps & Co  provided a character reference when he was commissioned in August 1917. He travelled to France with the Lancashire Fusiliers in October 1917. Within a month he was killed when leading a trench raid. He had planned the raid and was the only casualty after they had knocked out a German machine gun post.

2nd Lt Frederick Shield. 5th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 6th July 1916. Aged 29. Buried in Aveluy Communal Cemetery.

Frederick lived with his mother and siblings in Clarence Avenue, Kingsthorpe. He volunteered in September 1914 and, in May 1915, received a commission in the 8th Northants. At the beginning of July 1916, he was attached to the 5th Northants' who were a Pioneer Battalion and on the Somme battlefield.

After the disastrous first day of the battle, the battalion was involved in digging a new trench near Ovillers. They must have been spotted by the Germans, and Frederick was shot in the head and killed. He was buried in a cemetery just behind the lines.

A few weeks later, his mother Anna wrote to the War Office asking for details of his grave. She chose these words for his headstone:

"Even now they ripen in sunny paradise". 

Private 12793 Fred Wilcox - 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 9th May 1915. Remembered on the Le Touret Memorial.

Private 16470 Henry Wilcox - 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 9th May 1915. Remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

These 2 brothers from Semilong were reported "missing" on the same day - 9th May 1915 during the Battle of Aubers Ridge when so many local men fell. Their widowed mother Elizabeth never did find out what happened to them.

Both men were eventually declared "killed in action" but there bodies never recovered. They have no known grave. Fred was just 19 years and Henry 26.

Private 15869 Joseph Brown - 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 14th February 1916. Buried in Menin Road South Cemetery, Ypres.

When Joseph enlisted in September 1914, he gave his age as 19 and occupation as a labourer. He was in fact just 17 years old. A "boy soldier". When he died in February 1916, he was 19.

His personal belongings, including 4 photos, were returned to his mother in Far Cotton.

Private 5026 Daniel Glassman. 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry. Killed in Acton on 15th June 1915. Bured in First DCLI Cemetery near Ypres.

Daniel Glassman, whose parents lived in Holly Road, wrote a letter home in December 1914, after he had been at the front for a month. It read:

"It is simply awful out here. We are making good progress, and we have got the Germans properly in a fix. We are all treated welll; we have plenty of cigarrattes, and if it was good weather we could be happy. Just imagine what is is to be wet through for days and no sleep or a wash. But we are all contented, because we know that all is being done for us that can be done. We have received nice fur coats, but they have go wet through.

I have spent days in the trenches with bullets and shells whistling over my head. I had a narrow escape the first day I went in. A party of us had to relieve another party about 8pm. When we about half way the Germans turned a maxim on us. Of course, we all threw ourselves on to the ground. The man next to me wa shot through the neck and a bullet went through my pack. I found it later in my canteen. "

Saldy, just a few months later, Daniel's luck ran out when he was killed in action near Ypres.

Private 20841 Frederick Cherry. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 18th July 1916. Buried in Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery. 

In August 1912, this article appeared in the Northampton Daily Echo:

"Miss Florence Louisa Swann, the eldest daughter of Mr. & Mrs. George Swann. Of 78 Cloutsham-street Northampton is lying at the General Hospital as a result of being shot in the face with revolver at her father's house late on Saturday night. She has a bullet in her brain and there is no hope of recovery. 

Frederick James Cherry, her sweetheart, is in custody. At the Borough Police Court this morning he was charged with attempted murder and remanded. Cherry - a Northampton man—recently completed period of service in the Army and has since held a post as an attendant at Wallingford Asylum. When visiting Northampton he resided with relatives at 37 Compton-street. 

No motive has been suggested in explanation of this affair but Miss Swann's relatives think that Cherry may have been actuated by jealousy. "

Cherry had served 7 years in the army. The couple had enjoyed a night out before returning to Florence's family home. 

In October 1912, Cherry pleaded guilty to the charge of "shooting with intent to do grevious bodily harm". Because of his previous good character and service, he was given a light sentence of 3 years penal servitude. 

After his release he re-joined the 1st Northants. On 18th July 1916, several men were killed by German artillery fire. Cherry was one of them.

Incredibly, Florence survived being shot but was an invalid for the remainder of her long life. 

Photograph of Private Cherry's grave taken by David Thomson.

Private 3/10202 Leonard Mortimer. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 18th July 1916. Aged 20. Buried in Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery. 

Leonard lived with his parents and siblings in Artizan Road and worked in the boot and shoe industry. He volunteered in August 1914. He was killed by the same shell that also killed Frederick Cherry and is buried next to him.

His parents chose these words for his headstone:

"SAFE IN GOD'S KEEPING UNTIL THE DAY BREAKS"

His parents died before the 2nd World War and were buried in Billing Road Cemetery. Their graves were destroyed by a German bomb. 

Sergeant 15771 Harry Affleck. 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment (Mobbs' Own). Killed in Action on 23rd February 1916. Buried in Menin Road South Cemetery. 

Harry, whose family home was in Derngate,  was one of the 264 men recruited by Edgar Mobbs in August 1914. Having survived the terrible battle at Loos in September 1915, he found himself at Hooge, near Ypres in February 1916.  The battalion diary notes a "quiet morning" as they built up their own parapet and parados. At 4pm the Germans dropped a few high explosive shells but no damage was done. "Snipers faily active during the night" it went on.

Perhaps Harry was hit by a sniper as he died on that day and was the only casualty suffered by Mobbs' Own on that cold winter's day.

On his headstone, his family chose this inscription: 

"TO MEMORY EVER DEAR".

He was 28 years old.

Sergeant 14591 Walter Radwell. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 12th October 1918. Buried in Douai British Cemetery. 

In October 1918, during the final 100 Day Offensive, the 2nd Northants' were advancing against the retreating enemy. It was during this advance that Walter was killed. He was originally buried close to where he fell, but his grave was exhumed in September 1919 and moved to a CWGC cemetery.

His family chose these words for his headstone:

"HE LAID HIS RICHEST GIFT ON THE ALTAR OF DUTY HIS LIFE"

Private 13374 George Etheridge. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 14th March 1915. Remembered on the Le Touret Memorial.

Young George should never have been in France. He had lied about his age and was a "boy soldier". He was just 16 years old. He arrived in France on 24th February 1915. On 10th March 1915 the battalion took part in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. A newspaper report reveals he was killed that day. The CWGC record shows his death as 14th March 1915. He was dead within 2 weeks of arriving on the battlefield. 

He was reported missing and his body never recovered from the battlefield.

2nd Lt Harry Skillington. 4th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 18th August 1916. Buried in Pozieres British Cemetery.

Harry lived on the Billing Road and came from a well known family. He had been working as a solicitors' clerk when he enlisted at the outbreak of war. He was one of several junior officers who volunteered to be transferred to the Royal Warwickshire's. He was killed in action and buried close to where he fell.

His father died suddenly less than a year later and is buried in St Edmunds Churchyard.

Lt Clifden James Crockett. 4th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 18th August 1916. Buried in Pozieres British Cemetery. 

Clifden came from the well known Crockett family who owned the Crockett & Jones boot and shoe factory in Northampton. The factory produced 2 million pair of boots for the British Army and our allies during the Great War.

He was a former pupil of Oundle School and had studied in Germany before the war. He had seen action in the disastrous Gallipoli campaign in 1915. During the Battle of the Somme, he was shot in the head and buried close to where he fell. After the war his body was exhumed and reburied in a CWGC cemetery. 

More details of his life and career can be found on this webiste: 

Captain Lawrence Crockett. Royal Army Medical Corps. Died on 18th October 1918. Buried in Abington (SS Peter and Paul) Churchyard.

Lawrence was a dentist in civil life and also part of the Crockett family from Crockett & Jones. He was a keen sportsman who represented his county at both cricket and hockey. He served on the Western Front an an NCO before working in Malta. He was sent back to England suffering from influenza but died at a hospital in Mundesley, Norfolk just a few weeks before the end of the Great War. 

He was the third son born to his parents, and the second to die during the war.

Private 40274 James Eyre. 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 5th April 1918. Buried in Hangard Communal Cemetery Extenstion. 

James, who was born in Woolmonger Street, had 2 brothers who also served and thankfully survived the war. 

In March 1918 the Germans launched their massive "Spring Offensive" and the BEF retreated across the old 1916 Somme battlefields. On 5th April 1918, the 6th Northants were ordered to counter attack near  Villers-Bretonneux. Conditions were terrible, with heavy rain over the last few days and the troops were never dry, and they had enjoyed little hot food and drink.

They advanced under an enemy artillery barrage and reached within 20 yards of a sunken road but had to dig in because a German machine gun had caused casualties. 

At some stage during the day, James was killed.

Corporal 69380 Frederick Fleming. 128th Field Coy, Royal Engineers. Died by Accident - 31st December 1915. Buried in Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension.

On New Year's Eve 1915, Fred, who lived at 69 Ashburham Road, wrote a letter to his family back home. It read "I am writing this in the last minute or two before go with several others on a very dangerous mission to a German trench to blow it up. Of course we may all get back, but I have seen barbed wire placed where machine guns are sure to be, and there are grave possibilities. I am writing this as a kind of possible farewell.....if we make the least noise we are sure to be killed."

But he wasn't killed on the mission. He and his comrades were killed in an explosion before they left their own lines. The official report stated:

"On the afternoon of 31/12/15 the charges were apparently made up by the party and about 6pm they were working on the cases containing them (gun cotton) when the explosion occurred. 

Lt Muse and the 3 Sappers were all killed."

One of those killed was Frederick. The report concluded that, as there were no surviving witnesses, it was impossible to establish the cause of the explosion, although none of the victims were to blame.

They were all buried together. 

18 months before, Fred's wife Ethel had died suddently. Fred left behind 2 young girls, Nora who was 5 and Marjorie who was just 2.

Private 15774 Frank Adams. 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment (Mobbs' Own). Died on 23rd April 1915. Buried in Billing Road Cemetery.

In September 1914, 19 year old Frank enlisted with Mobbs Own and completed his basic training. However, before he could serve abroad he contracted meningitis and died in a Brighton hospital. He was given a full military funeral.

Billing Road Cemetery contains 116 scattered burials of the First World War and 32 from the Second World War. All of the servicemen and women buried here are commemorated by name on Screen Wall Memorials, adjacent to the Cross of Sacrifice, as it is not possible to mark the graves individually. This is because, during World War 2, a German bomber dropped some bombs on the cemetery, destroying many of the graves. 

Lance Corporal 12921 William Joseph Rolfe. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 5th November 1917. Buried in Berks Cemetery Extension.

William lived at 13 Devonshire Street, St James, Northampton, with his wife Martha Selina and two young sons, William John (my father) and Joseph.

He was born on 9th February 1888 in Northampton and enlisted Feb/March 1915, joining the 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment on 1st May 1915.

He received a gun shot wound to his chest on 19th May 1916, returning to duty on 23rd May 1916. He sustained another gun shot injury to his right arm on 4th March 1917, returning to duty on 23rd April 1917.

He was killed in action on 5th November 1917 (aged 29 years), by heavy shell fire from 3.30pm-5pm in the trenches at La-Basse-Ville.

Private 22273 John Busby. 5th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 22nd July 1917. Buried in Monchy British Cemetery.

Private G/18354 George Busby. 11th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died of Wounds on 16th January 1917. Buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

Private 200891 Albert Busby. 1st/4th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 19th April 1917. Buried in the Gaza War Cemetery.

Jane Busby lived in Spencer Street, St James with her husband, 4 sons and a daughter. 3 of her sons - Albert, John and George all joined up to fight in the Great War. None of them returned home. All were killed within a 6 month period in 1917.

26 year old George was the first to perish. In November 1916, he had been slightly wounded during the Battle of the Somme. In January 1917, his unit (11th Royal West Kent's) was holding the line for a few days at the Spoilbank, close to Ypres. 2 men were wounded that day and George was one of them, shot in the head. He was transferred to a Casualty Clearing Station, where he died 2 days later. 

18 year old Albert enlisted with the territorials of the 4th Northants and went missing during the 2nd Battle of Gaza on 19th April 1917. 138 men of the 4th Northants died in that dreadful battle. His body was discovered on the battlefield in January 1918.

23 year old John was serving with a Pioneer unit, the 5th Northants. On 22nd July 1917, his unit was digging a new communication trench near Monchy le Preux, east of Arras. He was one of 3 men killed that day, perhaps by a sniper. 

The fourth son, Walter, was too young to serve. 

Gunner 872 William Pilbrow. Royal Field Artillery. Died on 10th June 1915. Aged 19. Buried in Chelmsford Cemetery.

William Pilbrow was born and raised in Northampton and came to Chelmsford early in the war when his army unit was billeted in Great Baddow. He died in Chelmsford hospital in June 1915 while recovering from an operation on cuts to his wrist, he death being caused through him eating before the operation.

His death was subject of an inquest held at the hospital which was reported in the local press as follows:

“An inquest was held Chelmsford Hospital today on Gunner William Pilbrow, 20, 2/4th. South-Midland Howitzer Brigade, R.F.A. (T), stationed at Great Baddow, who died at the institution the previous afternoon, following an operation.

Second-Lieut. G. P. Philps, 2/4th. South-Midland Howitzer Brigade, R.F.A., said the deceased belonged to Northampton,- and in civil life was a grindery operator.

Pt. R. Aldis. R.A.M.C., said he accompanied the deceased from the military hospital at Oaklands to the Chelmsford Hospital the previous afternoon for operative purposes. Deceased walked.

Dr. C. Alford said he was called to the Police-station on Sunday night, and saw deceased in charge of the military police. He had two cut wounds across the wrist and a cut which divided the tendon of the little finger. Witness stitched the wounds as best he could, and instructed the military to take the deceased  to Oaklands military hospital. Witness saw him again at the hospital the previous (Thursday) morning, when deceased came to see about stitching the cut tendon. Subsequently, soon after 5 p.m., witness assisted Dr. Waller in the operation. The anaesthetic was administered Dr. Pitts. The operation was complete, and while the doctors were washing their hands deceased, began to retch, which was a usual thing. On leaving witness was re-called by Matron, deceased having vomited large quantities of undigested food. Deceased was suffering from spasm the larynx, and collapsed, and died almost immediately without breathing properly.—By the Foreman (Mr. P. Tunbridge): He should not bad food in the stomach all for operation.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, and the jury, while attaching no fault to anyone, suggested that in future patients to be operated and not under observation might be asked they had had food."

William did not serve overseas.

Private 41171 Albert Smith. 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 25th March 1918. Remembered on the Arras Memorial.

We know very little of Albert’s pre war life except that he lived with his wife Emily and their 5 children at 5 East Street. This house is still standing today.

During the early part of the War, the children of East Street emulated their fathers and brothers who had joined up by forming the “East End Bantam Fusiliers”. The dressed themselves in surplus army uniforms and used wooden rifles. They paraded up and down the Wellingborough Road and raised much needed money for the wounded who had been brought back from the front and were being treated in local hospitals. One wonders whether any of Albert’s 5 children were in this “Regiment”.

Albert was employed by a shoe manufacturer called Fred Bostock in the “finishing department”. 

During the 1918 German Spring Offensive, Albert was killed during a counter attack in High Wood, This wood had been fought over in hand to hand fighting for several weeks in September 1916.

An officer wrote to Albert's widow Emily and said “he was killed outright by a bullet in the heart. He was a good soldier and was well respected and is missed by both officers and comrades”. 

Albert has no known grave.

Years later, Albert's Grandson Nick promised Emily that one day he would visit High Wood. Nick fulfilled this promise on Terry's Tours. 

2nd Lt William Woods. 10th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in Action on 3rd July 1916. Buried in Ovillers Military Cemetery. 

William came from a wealthy family who lived in Spencer Parade. His father was an accountant and a local councillor. 

On his first day in action during the Battle of the Somme, they attacked Ovillers at 3.15am, just before dawn. They managed to cross the wide expanse of No Man’s Land and overran the first German trench but, as they were unsupported on their flanks, they became involved in a tough fight for the second trench and suffered heavy losses. They couldn’t hold on and the survivors had to withdraw, leaving many men cut off in the village and behind enemy lines. They suffered 479 casualties – killed, wounded, missing and taken prisoner.

William was one of those reported missing. 5 days later his father was informed. His family hoped and prayed that he had been wounded and taken prisoner. But it was not to be. 3 months later a comrade confirmed that he had seen Willliam killed by machine gun fire. He hadn't even reached Ovillers. 

Captain Noel Clark. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 1st April 1918. Buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen

Noel Clark lived with his parents in a large house overlooking Abington Park. He was commissioned in 1916 and became a Bombing Officer in the 2nd Northants. He was wounded by a gunshot wound to the head on 27th March 1918. On 29th March 1918, the War Office sent a telegram to Noel’s parents advising them that he had been severely wounded and a visit was not possible. 

On 31st March 1918, Noel’s father wrote to the War Office asking for more details about his son. Having been told their son was wounded, his parents were given permission to visit him at the No 2 Red Cross Hospital in Rouen. Sadly, the form is crossed with the word “cancelled” as he had died before arrangements could be finalised. On 1st April 1918, Mr and Mrs Clark received the dreadful news  of his death by telegram.

He was 25 years old. 

2nd Lt Albert Grose. 4th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Killed in Action on 9th November 1917. Remembered on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.

 Albert George Grose (on the far left) was the youngest son of Joseph Grose who founded Groses Garage which continued trading as a Vauxhall car dealer in Northampton until 2012. Albert was born  on 9th November 1894 and lived at the family home ‘The Limes’ on junction of Weedon Road and Duston Road and was educated at what is now Northampton School for Boys. After finishing his education he was employed in the family business as a Motor Body Builder. Albert first experience of war was when he joined the British Red Cross as an ambulance driver and was sent out to France between April 1915 and January 1917 driving ambulances. 

Albert signed up to become an officer with a temporary commission in the Army on 24th January 1917 with the then headmaster of the Boys School countersigning application to say he had “attained a standard of education suitable for a commissioned rank”. On 26th February 1917 Albert was approved to join the Officer Cadet Wing, Royal Flying Corps.  Albert finished his pilot training and was posted to IV Squadron on arrival in France on 14th October 1917.  

Albert and his observer took off in RE8 A3746 at 7 o’clock in the morning to carry out a counter attack patrol and were never to be seen alive again by any of their RFC colleagues. Around ten past eight they were shot down around the area of the Belgian village of Moorslede by a German ace Paul Baumer. 

Their plane came crashing down to earth with the observer being killed in the crash or beforehand in the brief dogfight. Albert was recovered seriously wounded by the Germans but succumbed to his wound two days later on 9th November and was buried somewhere in the area of Zonnebeke. Albert and Bertie’s battlefield graves were never found after the war and they are now commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial to the missing men of the Royal Flying Corps.

Both Albert and Bertie’s families tried to find out what had happened to their son’s for the year or so with several letters going backwards and forwards between the families and the War Office in the hope that their graves could be located or they maybe the slim hope that they had survived as prisoners of war to no avail. 

After the war Albert Grose’s family paid for a memorial clock in the tower St James Church, Northampton.  Within the church in St James is a brass plaque with the inscription “In the glory of God and in proud and loving remembrance of their son Albert George Grose Lieut IV Sq RFC who was killed in his 23rd year in the service of his country in a flight over the Ypres Salient Nov 1917”.

Albert's story was researched by Richard Chancellor. 

Serjeant 8620 Walter Smith. 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Killed in Action on 18th October 1914. Remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

Walter was a regular soldier and his family ran the East End Tavern in Melbourne Street. He arrived in France with his unit in September 1914 and, along with 21 others, fell in battle near Armentières the following month. His body was never recovered. 

His watch was returned to his widow Hannah, and she wrote a note to the War Office thanking them for returning it and stating it would be momento for their 1 year dauther Caroline.

2nd Lt Maurice Lea. 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 18th August 1916. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

This article appeared in the Northampton Mercury on 1st September 1916:

"Mr. and Mrs. H. Lea, Sunnyland, Dallington,have received many letters of sympathy for the death of thier son, Lieut. Maurice B. Tea. Northamptonshire Regiment, who was killed in action on August 18.

Lieutenant-Colonel E. E. Mobbs, Lieutenant Lea's Commanding Officer, is at present too ill to write personally, but his brother, Mr. A. Noel Mobbs, who has seen him in the Swedish Hospital, London, has written on his behalf.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mobbs was hit at the commencement of the attack,and cannot actually say what happened to Lieutenant Lea, but wounded men who were taken into hospital at Rouen while Colonel Mobbs was there, told him that Lieutenant Lea was killed just as he and his men reached the German trenches, which they have held ever since.

Mr. Noel Mobbs whites: I need not tell you how sorry my brother is at the loss of many good officers and men in carrying out an attack for which they were specially selected by the General, and the result of which was held as an important advance."

Captain H. Grierson, Northamptonshire Regiment, has written from Guy's Hospital expressing heartfelt sympathy. He says: "I did not have the honour of being with the Company during the attack.

"I was hit an hour or two beforehand, but I left them in the knowledge that they would be gallantly led by their officers,whom your boy was one. "Although I had not been with him very long,1 liked him immensely. He was always such a perfect gentleman, and did his work well and willingly without making any fuss about it. I can safely he did not know the meaning of the word fear. He was in every way a very gallant officer, and his men were devoted to him.”

His sergeant witnessed his death and noted the location where he fell but his body was never recovered due to subsequent shelling of the area between the village of Guillemont and Trones Wood.

2nd Lt Rand Walden, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. Killed in action on 16th November 1917. Aged 35.  Buried in Monchy British Cemetery. 

Rand lived in Collingwood Road with his widowed mother Alice and 2 sisters. He worked at the Phipps Brewery and enlisted in the Army Service Corps in 1915. In 1916 he applied for a commission and was transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers. 

He was the only casualty during a raid on German trenches. He had planned and organised the raid himself. 

Private TF/205206 William Perrin. 23rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Killed in Action on 21st September 1917. Buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ypres.

William lived in Artizan Road with his wife Louise and son William, who was just 2 when his father died. In September 1917, William's battalion was involved in the 3rd stage of the Battle of Passchendaele. He was one of 10 men from his unit killed on that day, and the only one who has a known grave. His body was found in 1919 and reburied in a CWGC cemetery nearby.

His body was identfied by his disc and paybook.

Their direction of attack and the location of William's original burial are marked on this trench map:

Private203175 Albert Robinson, 2nd/4th Royal Berkshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 22nd August 1917. Remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Albert lived in Roe Road with his wife Nellie and 2 young daughters. During the Battle of Passchendaele, he was one of 86 men who were killed whilst attacking several German strongpoints. 71 of these men, including Albert, have no known grave and are remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Nellie hoped that he had been taken prisoner of war by the Germans, but an enquiry via the Red Cross produced a negative result. 

Private M2/203501 Bertram Jolley. Attached to 48th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in Action on 24th July 1917. Aged 23. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. 

Bertram lived in Green Street with his wife Olive and had been a motor driver in civilian life. He was conscipted in July 1916 and initially joined the Army Service Corps as a driver. Bertram was subsequently transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed by "counter battery artillery fire" and has no known grave. 

Lt Eric Nightingale. 201st Squadron, RAF. Killed in Action on 25th June 1918. Aged 23. Buried in Heath Cemetery. 

Eric came from Pitsford, was a pupil at Northampton Town & County School and initally enlisted with his local regiment before being commissioned into the East Kent Regiment. In October 1915, he was badly injured in the spine. However, he recovered and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps that became the RAF in April 1918.

In June 1918, he was involved in combat with German planes over enemy territory, but must have been hit as his plane crashed and he was killed. 

Gunner 59239 Jack Rolph. 33rd Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died of Wounds on 18th February 1917. Aged 19. Buried in Bray Military Cemetery. 

Jack lived in Baker Street and worked as a carpenter. He enlisted in May 1915 and arrived on the Western Front with his battery in January 1916. He wounded by a gunshot on 17th February 1917 and died of his wounds on the following day at a Casualty Clearing Station. 

His personal belongings were sent to his mother Edith 5 months after his death.

Gunner 154044 Joseph Strickland. 194 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in Action on 26th April 1918. Aged 35. Buried in Couin British Cemetery.  

Joseph was a chemist who lived with his wife Florence at 75 Wellingborough Road. 

Corporal 115810 Harry Perkins. Died of Wounds on 27th September 1918. Aged 23. Buried in Grevillers Military Cemetery. 

Harry worked as a shoe hand before he enlisted and, in June 1917, had been awarded the Military Medal.

Gunner 198662 Sydney Pettifer. 76th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died of Wounds on 7th October 1918. Aged 33. Buried in Grevillers Military Cemetery. 

Sydney initally enlisted in December 1915 but was mobilised in February 1918.  Although the newspaper article reported chest wounds he was actually shot in the legs and back and died in a Casualty Clearing Station. He left behind a widow Jane and 2 young children. 

Private 8309 Reginald Smith. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 4th July 1916. Aged 25. Buried in Heilly Station Cemetery. 

Reginald was a professional soldier who arrived on the Western Front in January 1915 . Alhtough he died during the early stages of the Battle of the Somme, the circumstances are unclear as his battalion were not involved in any active service. He may have been wounded by accident. 

2nd Lt Donald Cooper. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 9th September 1916. Aged 22. Buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery. 

On the day Donald died, he was leading his platoon into an attack on the German held High Wood, the rottonest place on the Somme, as it was called. They took their objective, but were then driven out by the enemy.  He had joined his battalion just 9 days earlier and this was his first day in action.

They had advanced without artillery support and against the falling debris of a mine that had been blown beneath the German positions within High Wood. Some of the Northampton men were killed and wounded by the debris.

Donald had attended the Northampton Town & County School and enlisted in September 1914 before being commissioned in 1915. His father was the chief accountant for Northamptonshire. 

Although he was reported missing on 9th September 1916, it wasn't until over 2 months later that his death was confirmed to his parents.

2nd Lt Herbert Crane. 10th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Killed in Action on 22nd March 1918. Aged 27. Buried in Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension.

Before getting married and moving to Kilburn in London, Herbert worked at Castle Station and lived with his parents at 157 Wellingborough Road. After serving 3 months in France in the ranks, he was commissioned in early 1917. He was killed on the second day of the 1918 German Spring Offensive.

He was buried by his comrades where he fell but his body exhumed and reburied in its final resting place after the Armistice. 

2nd Lt Frederick Ashton. 11th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Killed in Action on 21st March 1918. Aged 25. Remembered on the Arras Memorial.

Frederick's parents were both dead and he lived with his uncle and his large family in Kingsley Park Terrace. He was working in the boot and shoe trade when he enlisted with "Mobbs Own" in September 1914.

He was wounded at Guillemont during the Battle of the Somme in August 1918 but commissioned into the Leicestershire's in November 1917.

He was killed during the first few hours of the German Spring Offensive in March 1918 as his unit was overrun and his body never recovered from the battlefield. He had one other relative, his sister Phyllis. 

2nd Lt Horace House. 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 28th March 1918. Aged 22. Remembered on the Arras Memorial. 

Horace attended Barry Road School and was a jeweller in civilian life.  He enlisted with "Mobbs Own" in September 1914 and was commissioned into the 1st Hampshire's in October 1917. During the 1918 German Spring Offensive, he was killed near Arras and has no known grave. 

In personal belongings were returned to his father, and a lock of hair was amongst the possessions. Perhaps he had left a piece of him for his parents?

2nd Lt William Tyler. 7th Battalion, London Regiment. Killed in Action on 27th August 1918. Aged 25. Buried in Bray Military Cemetery. 

William attend Northampton Town and County School and worked on the railways before enlisting and being commissioned in September 1917. He was only in France for 3 weeks when he was killed as the BEF pushed the Germans back across the old Somme battlefields, probably by machine gun fire as they advanced across open ground.

He  had married Elizabeth in July 1916 and they lived with her parents in Ivy Road. After his death, Elizabeth wrote a letter to the war office asking about his personal belongings, which had been lost and never recovered. 

Elizabeth chose these words for his headstone:

"Sacrificing his life my dear husband gave his all for civilization".

She never married again and died in 1962 aged 70, having moved to Hove where she worked as an unpaid domestic servant. 

2nd Lt Alan Aldous. 8th Battalion, Border Regiment. Killed in Action on 3rd July 1916. Buried in Ovillers Military Cemetery.

Alan was the youngest son of the vicar of Sywell. He enlisted in October 1914 and went to the front in autumn 1915 as a bombing officer. His Major wrote home saying that “he was absolutely fearless, also generous and unselfish to a degree” (Jesus College Society Annual Report 1917, p17).

He was killed on the 3rd day of the Battle of the Somme when his battalion attempted to attack the German fortress at Thiepval. They suffered 444 casualties on that day, including Alan, who was buried close to where he fell.

In October 1920, he was body was exhumed and reburied in its final location.  He had been wounded a few weeks before but returned to his unit after treatment in England.

Private 202101 William Dilley. 9th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 9th December 1917. Aged 21. Buried in Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery.

William's parents lived in Purser Road, Northampton. All we know about him is that he was the only soldier in his battalion to die during this period in the trenches near Arras in France. The battalion diary mentions the enemy being "exeedingly quiet" and the relief was completed "without casualties". 

We will never know for certain but perhaps William was wounded by accident or shot by a sniper and it not recorded in the battalion diary.

I am grateful to William's great nephew Laurence Watts for the photographs.

Gunner 126807 John (Jack) Love. C Battery, 88th Brigade, RFA. Killed in Action on 23rd January 1917. Aged 19. Buried in Sailly-au-Bois Military Cemetery.

John (Jack) was from Washington Street, Kingsthorpe. On the day he died he and a colleague (Harry Richardson) volunteered to cycle into the local village for some provisions and John was killed en-route, Harry was badly injured but did survive and when well went to see John’s parents in Kingsthorpe to tell them the storey. 

John had a girlfriend Maisie Morris who was a nurse, they were due to marry but after John’s death Maisie never recovered and devoted the rest of her life to nursing in his memory.

Gunner 131495 Frederick Roberts. 92nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died of Gas on 9th July 1918. Aged 27. Buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery. 

Fred was a spotter from Far Cotton and married Maud James in 1912. They had a son Frederick in 1912 and daughter Gwen in 1914. In 1922 Maud married Mark Love (ex Northants Yeomanry) and they went on to have two children. Norman John was born in 1923 and Hazel Maud  arrived in 1926. Whilst giving birth to Hazel Maud tragically died.

Frederick Roberts was awarded the Military Medal. After his death and his son was photographed in the local Press proudly wearing his Dad's medal.

2nd Corporal 526212 Percy Crane. 527th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Killed in Action on 26th August 1917. Aged 22. Buried in Menin Road South Cemetery, Ypres.

Percy lived in Vernon Street, Northampton with his widowed mother Mary and 5 siblings. He enlisted in August 1915 and arrived on the Western Front on 2nd April 1917. 4 months later he was killed by shellfire whilst working on a dugout during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. 

Corporal 8476 Arthur Plowman. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 9th September 1916. Aged 26. Buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery.

Arthur was a regular, professional soldier whose family lived in Albert Place. He was killed during the Battle of the Somme at High Wood.

His brother has been awarded the DCM at Fricourt, just a few miles away from where Arthur was killed.

Private 25362 Herbert Cochrane. 7th Battalion (Queens) Royal West Surrey Regiment. Killed in Action on 4th April 1918. Aged 19. Buried in Crucifix Corner Cemetery.

Herbert lived in Semilong with his parents before being conscipted. He was killed during the German Spring Offensive at Villers Bretteneux and buried close to where he fell. His parents chose the following inscription on his headstone:

"NOT LEFT TO LIE LIKE FALLEN TREE NOT DEAD BUT LIVING UNTO THEE"

Corporal 22281 Charles Brown. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 9th September 1916. Aged 26. Buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery. 

Charles lived in Beaconsfield Terrace, Northampton with his parents. He was educated at Northampton Town and County School and then became a schoolteacher at St Matthews School. He enlisted in October 1915 and arrived in France in July 1916. He was killed during an attack on High Wood during the Battle of the Somme. 

Private 18292 Samuel Jackson. 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 2nd November 1916. Aged 25. Buried in Point 110 Old Military Cemetery, Fricourt.

Samuel worked in the Manfield shoe factory and lived in Cloutsham Street, Northampton with his parents and siblings. He arrived in France in September 1915 where he joined his battalion in the Fricourt area of the Somme.

During the months before the Northants arrived at Fricourt on the Somme, the Germans had tunnelled and mined beneath No Man’s Land and our trenches and they blew these small mines on a daily basis. It had a terrible strain on the morale of the Northampton lads. The weather was awful and the mud deep and thick. Another enemy was the rats. One veteran was asked for his most vivid memory of the war “The mines, mud and rats of that first Winter” was the reply.

On the evening of 1st November 1915, the Germans blew a mine beneath the trenches held by the Northants and Samuel was one of 3 men killed and another 5 wounded.

2nd Lt Ernest Mace. 4th Battalion (attached to 6th) Northampton Regiment. Killed in Action on 10th August 1917. Buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery

Ernest lived in Birchfield Road and attended Northampton Town and County School in Billing Road. He went on to gain first class honours at Oxford University across several acadamic subjects.

On 10th August 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele near Ypres, his battalion (6th Northants) attacked German positions in Glencourse Wood, close to the infamous Menin Road. One unit was held up by enemy machine gun fire and another unit lost direction in the chaos. A third unit was hit by German hand grenades and also a small counter attack. They partially achieved their objectives but at a heavy cost. 

They suffered 186 casualties, including 29 missing in action. Ernest was one of those missing and it was hoped he had been taken prisoner of war.

However, his body was found after the war, buried close to where he was last seen. He was identified by his cheque book that was in his pocket. He was just 23 years old with so much to live for.

He is now buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in the world, with nearly 12,000 burials.

Private 15229 Fred Longden. 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 27th November 1915. Aged 21. Buried in Point 110 Old Military Cemetery, Fricourt.

Fred lived in Weston Place, Northampton. How he died is a mystery. On the day he was killed the battalion diary says that the enemy was "fairly quiet". 

It is therefore possible he was killed by a sniper or a trench mortar as the opposing trenches were very close together in this area of the Somme battlefield. 

Private 12572 John Richardson. 5th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 13th November 1915. Aged 25. Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery. 

John lived in Harlestone with his parents and was employed as a stable lad before enlisting in 1914. He joined this Pioneer battalion and arrived in France on on 31st May 1915.

On the day he was wounded his unit was digging a communication trench near Annequin in Northern France. He was evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station where he died.

Private 43033 Alfred Lilford. 7th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Died of Wounds 19th October 1917. Aged 34. Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension. 

Alfred lived with his parents in Bouverie Street before lodging with a family in Flore and working on a farm. In early October 1917, his battalion came under artillery fire and counter attacks from Germans near Polygon Wood during the Battle of Passchendaele near Ypres.

Over 2 full days the battalion fought off the repeated counter attacks and held their position. They suffered 177 casualties including Alfred who was wounded.

He was evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station but died of his wounds 2 weeks later.

His parents chose these words for his headstone: "To Memory Every Dear From His Loving Mother and Father"

Private 201748 Frederick Facer. 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 3rd September 1918. Aged 21. Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension. 

Frederick lived with his parents and siblings in St Edmunds Road. In 1911 he was 14 years and working as an erand boy. 

In August 1918, his battalion was involved in the 100 Day Offensive and were fighting the retreating Germans on the old 1916 Somme battlefields at Montauban. They encountered dozens of casualties in the final week of the month.

Frederick was one of these casualties and he was evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station at Abeville, where he died. 

His older brother, Cornelius, had been killed in action near Ypres 11 months earlier. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate.

Lance Corporal P/16064 George Jones. Military Police Corps. Died on 25th February 1919. Aged 43. Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension. 

George lived with his wife Josephine and children in Park Street, Lady's Lane. In 1911, he was working as a Warhouseman. He died of pneunomia at a Casualty Clearing Station. 

Private 13885 Walter Shaw. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 8th July 1916. Aged 18. Buried in Heilly Station Cemetery. 

Walter lived in Northcote Street with his parents and siblings. In early July 1916 his battalion took part in an attack near Fricourt during the Battle of the Somme. The attack failed and Walter was wounded. He was evacuated from the trenches but died at a Casualty Clearing Station.

Such was the volume of casualties, Walter is buried in the same grave as another soldier. 

At the age of 18 he was too young to be serving abroad. He must have lied about his age when he enlisted. He had been serving in France since February 1915 and must have volunteered in 1914, when he was just 16.

Private 9630 Harry Powell. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 16th September 1914. Aged 18. Remembered on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial. 

In 1911, Harry was 14 years old and was living in Richard Street, Far Cotton with his parents and sister. He was working as a porter. 

In September 1914, his battalion was involved in the Battle of the Aisne. Harry was killed and buried by his comrade, Private T Lyon of Abbey Street. Sadly, his grave was lost in the later fighting and remains missing. 

An Officer later wrote about the conditions: 

"It rained practically incessantly all that night and all day Wednesday, the 16th {September 1914}, and by now everybody was getting into the most awful mess. 

This plateau was chalk and we were all smothered with slimy white chalk, hands, faces, uniforms—everything. It was impossible to shave, as, notwithstanding all the rain, the only water obtainable had to be used, and very sparingly at that, for drinking purposes.

Trench digging was a pretty hopeless job, as we had no shovels (some eventually came up on Thursday night from the R.E.), and entrenching tools were useless in hard chalk. We had no barbed wire either, so wiring the line was out of the question."

Private 41242 Walter Cave. 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in Action 18th September 1918. Aged 20. Buried in Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery. 

On the day Walter died his battalion captured German trenches near Villers Guislain in Northern France. They captured 80 prisoners of war and they discovered a large number of enemy dead in the captured trenches.

The battalion suffered light casualties but Walter was one of 5 men killed.

Private 26470 Walter Collins. 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 23rd October 1918. Aged 24. Buried in Le Cateau Military Cemetery.

Walter lived in Quarry Road, New Duston with his parents Frederick and Sarah. He had been wounded 4 times by the time he was killed just 19 days before the Armistice.

On 23rd October 1918, his battalion made a night attack against the retreating Germans near Le Cateau. The night was moonlit but there was a thick ground mist that made direction difficult. 

By 5am, all 3 objectives were achieved despite heavy machine gun fire. They captured 100 Germans and killed many more. However, they suffered 170 casualties, one of which was Walter.

His officer said he was "a keen soldier, always cheerful and popular with all".

2nd Lt Eric Bostock. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 27th May 1918. Aged 30.  Remembered on the Soissons Memorial.

Eric was the son of Frederick Bostock who owned the boot and shoe factory in Victoria Street, Northampton. He lived at Springfield, now part of Northampton General Hospital.

He enlisted as a private soldier before being Commissioned in July 1916. 

In September 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. However, by this time he had been missing in action for over 3 months. 

On 27th May 1918, his battalion was surprised by a German attack and completely surrounded. Only 2 Officers avoided being killed or taken prisoner of war. Eric was one of those officers confirmed dead but his body was never recovered from the battlefield.

There is a stained glass window placed in the Memorial Chapel of Holy Sepulchre church in his memory

Lt Ilston Stevenson. 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 16th February 1916. Aged 28. Remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Whilst holding the line at Railway Wood near Ypres, Ilston went out on a patrol to gain information from the German trench opposite. His patrol was spotted by the enemy and they threw hand grenades at the British. 

His body was never found and may still be there where he fell.

After his death his parents were left in financial trouble as they were relying on his army pay for income.

Private 27018 James Stubbs. 12th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Killed in Action on 14th October 1918. Aged 20. Buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery.

James lived at 210 Abington Avenue with his parents and siblings. During his battalion's final advance of the Great War, he was one of 53 casualties in a successful attack.

The battalion reached its objective through thick fog and captured 250 Germans, as well as a number of machine guns and trench mortars. 

The battalion reported that "they fought splendidly".

Lt Charles Hall, 465th Battery, 65th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died of Wounds on 10th August 1917. Aged 35. Buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery.

Charles lived in Albany Road with his wife Rose. He had been a professional soldier having served since 1900. They had 2 children, Adrian died in 1915 aged just 1 year and Herbert died in 1921 aged 8 years.

In August 1917, during the 3rd Battle of Ypres, he was wounded by a shellfire to his chest and groin. He was evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station behind the lines but died of his wounds on the following day.

Rose died in 1920 aged just 39.

Private 30285 James Birch. 4th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. Died on 24th July 1918. Aged 36. Buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery.

James lived in Exeter Road with his wife Alice. He was conscripted and served on the Western Front from mid 1917.

On 21st March 1918, the Germans launched their massive Spring Offensive against the BEF in France. James and his battalion were in the eye of the storm, near Hagicourt, and became surrounded by the enemy who attacked them from the rear, having bombarded the British lines for 5 hours with artillery and poison gas.

James was one of 649 Officers and Other Ranks reported missing that day, the vast majority of them taken prisoner of war. Only 90 men escaped.

He was taken to a POW camp in Essen, Germany. However, he died of pneumonia during the flu pandemic that swept the world in 1918.

Sgt 16/397  Hugh Dadswell. 16th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 1st July 1916. Buried in Serre Road No 3 Cemetery.

In 1911 Hugh was living in Watkin Terrace with his parents and siblings. He was working as as an "assistant photographer". By the outbreak of the Great War he was living in Bradford and joined the "Bradford Pals".

On 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, he was one of nearly 20,000 British soldiers killed in the worst day in the history of the British Army.

Of 2000 Bradford men advancing at Serre, only 223 survived.

His body was recovered and buried close to where he died. 

Driver 120919 Leonard Malpas. 52nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Killed in Action on 20th November 1916. Aged 18. Buried in Bazentin Le Petit Military Cemetery.

Leonard was 12 years old and at school in 1911 so must have been only just 18 when he died and too young to be on the front line. 

He lived in St James with his parents and siblings. 

Private 18925 Arthur Barrett. 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 24th November 1917. Aged 30. Buried in Bleuet Farm Cemetery.

Arthur had emigrated to Canada before the war but returned to England to volunteer. He was killed by shellfire towards the end of the 3rd Battle of Ypres.

He left behind his parents and a fiancee called Maud. They were due to be married at Christmas 1917.

2nd Lt Norman Beale. 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 18th August 1916. Aged 21. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

Norman's family lived in the Crescent and owned the Beale & Co boot and shoe factory in St Michaels Road. He had attended the Town and County School in Billing Road.

On 18th August 1916 his battalion attacked German positions at Guillemont during the Battle of the Somme. He was shot in the head by a sniper close to the enemy trenches.

His body was buried by his comrades but was lost in the later fighting and he has no known grave today. 

Driver T4/160534 Shirley Clayson. Army Service Corps. Died on 30th September 1918. Aged 28. Buried in Billing Road Cemetery.

In 1911 Shirley was working as a “cycle agent traveller”. 

Sidney’s death was reported in the Northampton Daily Echo. It reveals he was 25 years old and lived in Wycliffe Road. He died of pneumonia, as a result of the influenza pandemic that killed up to 50 million people worldwide:

Private 15708 Lesley Dunkley. 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 27th September 1915. Aged 21 Remembered on the Loos Memorial. 

Leslie lived in Ashburnham Road with his parents and siblings. His brother Cyril’s service number was 15709 and he also joined the 7th. He was commissioned as an officer in the Machine Gun Corps on 24th October 1916. He survived but died in 1950.

The 7th Northants arrived in France on 2nd September 1915 and were involved in the opening stages of the Battle of Loos on 25th September 1915. Leslie was killed during hand to hand fighting in the Hohenzollern Redoubt.

It was eventually established that 119 men from the Battalion died that day. Only 7 of them have a known grave and the remainder, including Leslie, are remembered on the Loos Memorial.

Private 15676 Frank Heap. 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 17th August 1916. Aged 19. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

Frank lived in Abington Grove with his parents and siblings. 

On 17th August 1916, the Battalion moved up from Trones Wood into trenches opposite the German stronghold of Guillemont. They were due to attack on the following day. The Battalion Diary reported that the enemy shelled their rear areas during the night. Frank must have been killed by shellfire either during the move into the frontline trenches or during the night time shelling.

47 men of the Battalion were killed that day. Such was the chaos and devastation at that time that 43 of them, including Frank, have no known grave and are remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

2nd Lt Cyril Hornby. King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Died following an accident on 15th April 1915. Aged 25. Buried in Billing Road Cemetery.

In 1911, Cyril was 21 years old and working as a commercial traveller in the shoe trade. He was living with his parents and siblings at 6 The Crescent, Northampton.

He joined up with Mobbs Own but was commissioned into another regiment and went to South Wales for training.

He was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident. He was buried somewhere in the Billing Road Cemetery. However, his grave is not marked by a CWGC headstone and he is remembered on a screen wall.

Private 27974 William Jones. 8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 25th December 1916. Aged 34. Buried in Kingsthorpe Cemetery.

William married Fanny in 1907 and enlisted in the TA in May 1915. 

On 13th November 1916, the battalion took part in the final attack during the Battle of the Somme. In deep mud and heavy rain they attacked the German held village of Serre. 

They attack failed and within 3 hours they were back in their own trenches. They suffered 235 casualties on that day. It is likely that William was one of them. he was wounded by a gun shot wound to his knee. 

55 of the casualties were killed in action. 

William was evacuated back home to Duston War Hospital but died on Christmas Day.

William and Fanny had 5 children. The youngest one, Doris, was born 3 months after his death.

Gunner 139942 Jack Manger. 47th Siege Battery, RGA. Died on 22nd February 1919. Aged 22. Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension. 

Jack lived in Salisbury Street with his parents. He was conscripted in July 1917. He died 3 months after the Armistice in hospital during the influenza pandemic.

Private 65251 William Dunstone. 74th Field Ambulance, RAMC. Killed in Action on 21st August 1916. Aged 27. Buried in Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery. 

William died near Trones Wood during the Battle of the Somme. 

After his death an officer writing to Mrs Dunstone said, "I regret to inform you that your son was killed in action on the 21st of this month. He and a lance-corporal were looking after 3 wounded men in a dug-out, waiting for an ambulance car to arrive when the dug-out was struck by a shell which completely destroyed it and killed all those inside it. It was a very sad affair. Your son had done so well." 

Previously employed as a clerk by the Telephone Department of the Post Office. Son of Edwin and Emma Dunstone, of 89, Delapre Street, Far Cotton, Northampton.

His brother, Private George Henry Dunstone RAMC (later Royal Engineers), was said to have been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery. His other brother, Sapper F Dunstone, was with the Canadian Engineers.

Private 14684 George Coles. 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 29th November 1915. Aged 26. Buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery.

George lived with his parents at the Post Office in Dallington. He arrived on the Western Front in July 1915 and was wounded in action, probably by a the explosion of an enemy mine, and died on the following day in a Casualty Clearing Station. 

Gunner 63843 William Allibone. 28th Heavy Artillery Group, RGA. Died on 21st August 1916. Aged 23.

William lived in Cyril Street with his parents and siblings. In 1911 he was a dental mechanic. He died of wounds at a Casualty Clearing Station during the Battle of the Somme. 

2nd Lt Charles Wilson. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 16th August 1916. Aged 24. Buried in Bazentin le Petit Communal Cemetery Extension. 

Charles lived in Derngate with his parents (his father was a Councillor). In 1911 he was working as a butcher.

In August 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, the Battalion was holding a captured German trench and consolidating it against German counter attacks. 

There were 374 casualties in just 3 days in action. Charles was one of those originally reported missing and then confirmed killed in action.

Private 10216 Frederick Letts. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 20th August 1916. Aged 19. Buried in Bazentin let Petit Communal Cemetery Extension.

Frederick lived in Cambridge Street with his Mother and was killed during the Battle of the Somme. 

Lance Corporal 9173 Ernest Foster. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 16th August 1916. Aged 24. Buried in Bazentin le Petit Communal Cemetery Extension. 

Ernest was a regular soldier and his Mother lived in Maple Street. 

In August 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, the Battalion was holding a captured German trench and consolidating it against German counter attacks. 

There were 374 casualties in just 3 days in action. Charles was one of those originally reported missing and then confirmed killed in action.

Sgt 5115 Bertram Pask. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 16th September 1914. Aged 35. Remembered on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial.

Bertram lived in Adelaide Street with his wife and children and was a regular soldier. Their youngest child was born a few days after his death and was named after his Commanding Officer. 

He has no known grave. His full story was reported in the local newspaper.

Private 36737 Isaac Ashby. 2nd/4th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Killed in Action on 27th November 1917. Aged 19. Remembered on the Cambrai Memorial.

Isaac lived with his parents and siblings in Holly Road. In 1911, his father was managing the Fireman's Army in Newland. 

During the Battle of Cambrai, the KOYLI's were attacking Germans positions in the village of Bourlon within the infamous HIndenburg Line. 

They had to withdraw, in awful conditions and Isaac was one of the casualties. He has no known grave. 

Private 45032 George Hiams. 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in Action on 30th November 1917. Aged 22. Remembered on the Cambrai Memorial. 

George lived in Ash Street with his parents and siblings and worked in the boot and shoe industry.

In November 1917, the BEF launched the tank attack on Germans defences near Cambrai. 10 days later, the enemy counter attacked and retook the ground lost. 

On this day, the Germans surrounded the Suffolk's and attacked from the rear. 232 Officer and Other Ranks were reported missing, including George.

His grave was never found. 

Lance Sgt 23011 John Muddiman. 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Died on 18th April 1918. Aged 32. Buried in Dallington Cemetery. 

John lived in Main Road, St James and was married to Elizabeth. He was a regular soldier and initially served with the 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. He was wounded, by a gun shot wound to his left thigh, during the 1st Battle of Ypres in November 1914. 

Having recovered he then served in India for nearly a year before contracting malaria.

Upon his return home he was discharged with an "exemplary" record. His CO described him as "a reliable and intelligent" man.

In April 1918, he contracted Tuberculosis and died.

Private 10923 John Cumberpatch. 1st Battalion Scottish Rifles. Killed in Action on 22nd October 1914. Aged 16. Remembered on the The Ploegsteert Memorial.

In 1914, John was living with his parents and siblings in Doddridge Street. He was 13 years old and working as a shoe finisher.

In October 1914, the battalion diary reported:

"C Company under Capt Rose & ½ D Company under Capt Macallan went out as working party. The working party became engaged at once, the Germans allowing them to get to close range then opening fire on them from a flank with machine guns & rifles. They fell back a little then held in most splendidly. All ranks did very well & the trenches were dug & occupied in spite of the enemys rifle & shrapnel."

14 men were killed and 11 missing. John was one of the missing and his body was never found. 

His father Henry, who vowed to avenge his 16 year old son's death,  joined 1st Northampton's and served on the Western Front before being invalided out of the army in 1916 because of TB.

Private 8641 William Kightley. 1st Scottish Rifles. Killed in Action on 26th October 1914. Aged 33. Remembered on The Ploegsteert Memorial.

In 1911, William was living with his parents in Abbey Street, St James and working as a labourer for a builder.

He was a regular soldier and has no known grave. 

Private 10273 William Broughton. 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. Died of Wounds on 21st October 1914. Buried in Ypres Town Cemetery.

In October 1914, William's battalion was involved in the 1st Battle of Ypres when they were ordered to counter attack the Germans near Poelcappelle. 

Their advance was checked by heavy fire on their flanks. William was one of 80 men wounded and died of his wounds later in the day.

Private 9672 George Goosey. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 24th October 1914. Aged 18. Remembered on the Menin Gate.

In 1911, George was 14 years old and living with his parents and siblings in Elm Street. He was working as a shoe hand.

During the 1st Battle of Ypres he was wounded as his battalion came out of the line. He died of his wounds and was buried by his comrades.

His grave was later lost and he now has no known grave. 

Stoker SS/104284 Percy Lack. HMS Good Hope. Killed at Sea on 1st November 1914. Aged 26. Remembered on The Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Percy's family lived in High Street, Kingsthorpe. On the day he died, off the coast of Chile, HMS Good Hope charged directly at the German ships, although they dodged out of her way.

The German ships fired back and she soon drifted to a halt with her topsides all aflame. At 19:50 her forward magazine exploded, severing the bow from the rest of the ship, and she later sank in the darkness. 

All 900 men on board perished and have no known grave.

Private 6799 Frank Smith, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. KIlled in Action on 4th November 1914. Remembered on the Menin Gate.

Frank lived in Sandland Road with his wife Sophia. During the 1st Battle of Ypres in November 1914, his battalion was attempting to hold up the German advance.

At some point he was killed but the battalion diary was lost and we do not know the circumstances. He has no known grave. 

Private 14912 Percy French. 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Killed in Action on 24th December 1914. Aged 26. Remembered on The Le Touret Memorial.

Private G/18640 Harold French. 6th Battalion, Royal West Kent (Queens) Regiment. Killed in Action on 30th November 1917. Aged 21. Remembered on The Cambrai Memorial. 

In 1911, Percy was serving in the army as a regular soldier and his brother Harold (known as Samuel) was 16 years old and working as a gardener. 

On Christmas Eve 1914, Percy was one of 15 men killed and many more wounded when they fought off a German attack. Conditions in the newly dug trenches were awful as recent rain had caused waist high water.

His body was never found.

In November 1917, the British launched the Cambrai offensive against the German Hindenburg Line. 10 days later, Harold's battalion was in the eye of the storm when the enemy counter attacked. He was killed and his body lost forever just like his brother's body was 3 years ealier.

His bible was returned to his heartbroken parents, George and Kezia. 

Private 3/10094 Arthur Wakeford. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 21st December 1914. Aged 19. Remembered on the Le Touret Memorial.

Arthur was born in Surrey but moved to Northampton with his parents, where he worked in the boot and shoe industry.

On the day he died, his battalion was ordered to retake trenches that had been taken by the Germans on the previous day. The attack was successful but Arthur was one of 63 casualties.

He has no known grave.

Private 7616 Horace Nicols. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 22nd December 1914. Aged 26. Remembered on the  Le Touret Memorial.

Horace was a reserve soldier who was recalled to the colours in August 1914. On the day he died the enemy had broken through the BEF line. The battalion held the line but Horace was killed during the defence.

He has no known grave.

Private 3/6736 William Bowers. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 31st October 1914. Remembered on the Menin Gate.

William enlisted in 1908 and had served in South Africa. He was recalled to the Colours in August 1914.

During the 1st Battle of Ypres, the Germans were attacking through Shrewsbury Forest, close to the Menin Road. The battalion attempted to stem the attack but suffered heavy casualties.

William was orginally reported "missing" and it was several months before he was officially confirmed as killed. His wife wrote a letter in a very distressed state. She had previosly been admitted to the Workhouse having been described as "insane".

His body was never found.

Private 7080 William Young. 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 27th October 1914. Aged 37. Remembered on the Le Touret Memorial.

William was born in Belfast but lived in Northampton with his wife and daughter. He was a reservist but recalled to the Colours in August 1914.

On the day he died his battalion were being relieved from the front line trenches. Shellfire from the Germans casued 14 casualties, one of which was William.

He has no known grave.

Private 8484 William Law. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 17th November 1914. Remembered on the Le Touret Memorial.

William lived in Oliver Street, Kingsley and had served for 8 years. During the cold winter of 1914, living conditions were awful. The state of the trenches at this time was indescribable. In places the mud was 2 feet deep and walking was nearly impossible.

On 17th November, the battalion was holding the line when he was killed by shellfire. His comrades buried his body behind the lines but his grave was lost.

Private 6384 John Miller. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 24th October 1914. Aged 32. Remembered on the Menin Gate.

John was recalled from the reserve having served in the South African war. During the 1st Battle of Ypres, after a quiet day, the battalion was being relieved from front line trenches when John was killed, probably by shell fire.

He has no known grave.

Private 7425 James Stallard. 2nd Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry. Killed in Action on 11th November 1914. Aged 28. Remembered on the Menin Gate.

Private 8303 John Stallard. 2nd Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry. Killed in Action on 11th November 1914. Aged 26. Remembered on the Menin Gate.

On 11th November 1914, the Stallard brothers were in the village of Westhoek. The 2nd Battalion, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry were ordered to make a counter-attack against large numbers of German troops that had broken through British troops and threatened to capture Ypres, some two miles behind them.

Both James and John Stallard were been killed during this action. It was reported that John called out to James as hit was shot.

Private 9456 Fred Johnson. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 19th December 1914. Aged 27. Buried in Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard, Laventie.

Fred's parents lived in Green Street. Whilst holding the line in Northern France, the battalion diary described the night of 18th/19th December as "wet and cheerless".

It was reported that 2 men were hit by stray bullets and one of them died. It was Fred.

His parents were told by a comrade that he was killed instantly by the bullet. 

Rifleman 6537 J Chapman. 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Killed in Action on 30th October 1914. Buried in Le Touquet Railway Crossing Cemetery. 

On the day he died the Germans launched an attack on the Rifle Brigade. The attack was preceeded by high explosive and shrapnel shell fire. The advance was fought off but at some stage he was killed.

Lance Corporal 10443 Ralph Bazeley. 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. Killed in Action on 7th November 1914. Aged 24. Remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

On the day Ralph died, his Company was ordered to attack a party of Germans who were digging a trench in Ploegsteert Wood, near Ypres. As they attempted to attack from the flank, they were shot at by another group of Germans who had held their fire until the Highlanders were at close range.

There were over 50 casualties and 6 of them were reported missing, including Ralph. His body was never recovered. 

Private 7684 Tom Sharp. 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 31st October 1914. Aged 24. Remembered on the Menin Gate.

Tom came from Salisbury Street in Semilong and had served 8 years in South Africa.

During the 1st Battle of Ypres, his battalion were ordered to hold a defensive line in a wood close to the Menin Road. They suffered heavy casualties and Tom was one of those killed.

He has no known grave. 

Private 12862 Arthur Ellis. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 2nd September 1915. Aged 21. Buried in Bethune Town Cemetery.

Arthur lived in Alcombe Road with his parents and twin brother. He volunteered in August 1914 and was a replacement for the regular soldiers who had become casualties in 1914.

On 2nd September 1915, near Vermelles, the battalion was relieved from the front line trenches. As they moved back, there were 2 casualties. One of them was Arthur and he died of his wounds.

A few months later, his family received an official photo of his wooden grave marker. 

Private 6150 Walter Webb. 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Died on 21 November 1916. Aged 20. Buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen. 

In 1911, Walter was an office boy and living with his parents in New Duston where his mother was managing the stores in the High Street.

He died of disease having spent just a couple of months on the Western Front.

Private 27969 Albert Hefford. 8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 14th November 1916.  Aged 21=. Buried in Varnness Military Cemetery.

In 1911 Albert was living with his parents and siblings in Bath Street. He was 15 and working in the shoe industry for Crockett & Jones.

On 13th November 1916 during the final assault of the Battle of the Somme, Albert's battalion attacked Germans trenches at Serre. Some troops managed to breach the German lines but were forced out again and the survivors ended up back in their own assembly trenches. There were heavy casualties and no ground was won.

Albert was evacuated from the trenches with a gun shot wound to his head and taken to a Casualty Clearing Station, where he died on the following day. 

Private F/3491 Thomas Stevens. 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regimet. Killed in Action on 18th November 1916. Aged 36. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

On the day Thomas died his battalion was involved in the final action of the Battle of the Somme. After another battalion had taken the enemy trenches, the 4th Middlesex held the gains. 

During the day they were subjected to shell fire and 17 men, including Thomas, were killed. Only 1 of them has a known grave. Like 15 others, Thomas has no known grave.

Private 13428 John Westley. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 20th August 1916. Aged 19. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

John lived with his parents and siblings in St Giles Terrrace. He volunteered in 1914 and was gassed during the Battle of Loos in September 1915.

During the Battle of the Somme, his battalion was holding some newly taken trenches when several Officers and Other Ranks became casualties when they fought off a German counter attack.

John was killed in this action and has no known grave. 

Private 27957 Herbert Freeman. 8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 7th January 1917. Aged 22. Buried in Euston Road Cemetery. 

Herbert worked as a private gardener before enlisting. He was wounded by a gun shot wound to his arm in November 1916 but recovered and returned to his unit.

On the day he died there were 4 men killed and 12 wounded by enemy shellfire.

Private 13021 Frederick James, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in Action on 15th July 1916. Aged 24. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

On the day that Frederick was killed, his battalion assaulted the German held village of Pozieres, during the Battle of the Somme. 

The attack failed and they suffered 244 casulties. Frederick was one of those casualties and his body was never recovered. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

Lt Lionel Lush. 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died of Wounds on 28th September 1915. Aged 19. Buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery.

Lionel, who was from Dallington, was mentioned in the battalion's official history: 

"The casualties had been heavy in numbers, but numbers alone do not represent the seriousness of the loss to the battalion.   … Captain V. D. Shortt, Lieutenant L. L. Phipps, both of whom had already been wounded earlier in the battle, were killed; … What the battalion owed to these officers cannot be expressed in words, but those who served under them or with them cannot hear the Battle of Loos mentioned without recalling their characters to memory with love and pride.

The casualties amounted to 402 all ranks, and included very many of the best of the battalion, and it was not long before rumour reached Northampton that the battalion had been ‘wiped out’, … the Battle of Loos in 1915 from its very newness to all ranks, was the severest trial that the 7th Northamptonshire Regiment was called on to face during four years’ constant fighting in France and Flanders.

Temporary Lieutenant Lionel Lush Phipps, was just one of the 402 who were wounded and died at and around Loos on 28 September 1915. He had been in France and Belgium for a mere four weeks.