Welcome to my blog......

The purpose of this blog is to remember the fallen heroes of the Great War, whose names are recorded on the memorial plaque situated in St Barnabas Church, New Whittington, Chesterfield.

To mark the centenary of World War 1 I aim to research all of the men on the memorial. I hope to ensure that the brave men who gave their lives for their country 100 years ago are remembered and each man's story told.

I would love to hear from anyone who may have information regarding the men; photos, letters or passed down memories. Any descendents are most welcome to contact me and I will provide copies of the research that I have undertaken.

"They shall not grow old, as we that are left to grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them"

For The Fallen,
Laurence Binyon September 1914.

Thursday 28 January 2016

THOMAS HENRY ROBERTS

THOMAS HENRY ROBERTS


Corporal 15208

9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

Killed in action - 28th January 1916

 

The story of Thomas Henry Roberts has been kindly documented by his Great Grand Daughter Alison Megahy...

 

"Thomas Henry Roberts was born in Brimington, Chesterfield in 1882. He was the son of Welshman Phillip Roberts and Mary (nee Fletcher.) At the time of the 1901 census Thomas was living in Queen Street, Whittington Moor, with his mum, stepfather Samuel Fairs (who had married Mary after the death of Phillip), brothers George and John, sister-in-law Alice, Niece Phillipa and nephew Fletcher.

On 9th February 1903 Thomas, now living in Duke Street, married Hannah Mosely of neighbouring Foundery Street, Whittington Moor. The service was held in St John’s Parish Church, Newbold. The couple’s first child, Eva died in infancy, probably from Hydrocephalus.  
By the time of the 1911 census, Thomas, Hannah and children Doris (4), Thomas (2) and Wilfred (5 months) were living at Quarry Lane, Woodlands, Doncaster. Thomas, a collier, was working at the recently sunk Brodsworth Colliery on the Thellusson’s estate. Their home was on a model village, designed and built as tied cottages for the miners. Thellusson, a philanthropist, ensured that the village offered extensive open spaces and living conditions superb for the time. Over the next few years Thomas and Hannah had two more children, Sam and Ruby.
In the September following the outbreak of the First World War, Thomas enlisted as a corporal in the Kings Own Yorkshire Infantry, 9th Battalion. The following year the 9th were shipped to France.  Thomas fought in the Battle of Loos and at Hill 70.

On 28th January 1916, at the age of 33, Thomas was killed “by the bursting of a shell and died instantly.” He was buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetary, Armentieres, France.  On the 11 February a tribute to Thomas was published in the Doncaster Chronicle entitled "Brodsworth Hero".  The article described how he was “one of the first to offer his services to King and Country.” A quotation from a letter from a comrade to his widow offered condolences: “I wish you to accept my deepest sympathy in your bereavement and also that of the NCOs and men of his platoon and company. He was a man that was well liked by everyone.” The article finished with a poem that Thomas had recently written from the front:
Just a line or two in rhyme
About our boys in the firing line.
They enlisted a year this last September,
No doubt some of you will remember
No thought had they two years ago
That they would thrash this German foe,
But, “Come you’re wanted,” England said;
“As Britons true, the war-path tread,”

They volunteered, yes, straight away.
And here they are in France today.
They belong to the regiment, Y.L.I.
Who’ll fight like lions until they die
For if death’s nigh these lads don’t care,
Their motto’s Onward and ne’re dispair.
In the greatest battle that was ever seen
They proved to all their fighting was keen,
For they gave the Germans some Kitchener’s pills
At the top of ‘Seventy’ Hill.

Some of our N.C.O.s I’ll name
And begin with Company-Sergt. Major Cain
At Loos he showed his bravery then
He held a trench with twenty men.
Then Sergt. Major Couch, our R.S.M.
He gives us our orders and quick we obey,
For we all thank him for what we are today.
Then S.M. Crossland’s as good as the rest,
He’s always there when put to the test.

I have no room to mention all the N.C.O.s
That fought so nobly down at Loos,
But now we’ve moved and holding trenches
Waiting for Belgians and the Frenchies
When they come up and not until
Shall we advance on Kaiser Bill,
And when we do with bayonets fixed
We shall astonish Karl and Fritz.
And when for mercy they all cry
Their just rewards will be to die.

But whilst we’re fighting o’er the foam
What about you boys who stay at home?
Whatever you will have to say
When we have nobly won the day;
When we come home, a victory won,
And get three cheers from everyone!
You will certinly hide your face,
Knowing you have been a big disgrace.
Although old England needed you,
Your heart was too small your duty to do.

Penned by Corporal T Roberts 1916

Thomas left a wife and five children. My Grandma Doris, aged ten at the time of his death, ensured that the next generations of the family knew about his life and death. She treasured a few precious mementos for the following eighty years: two letters, a birthday card and an embroidered silk handkerchief bearing the inscription “Souvenir de France 1916,” which was to be the last gift from her beloved father". 

After the war Hannah had to leave the colliery house and went to live with her cousin in Doncaster town centre.  She remarried and moved to Armthorpe with the opening of the mine - Markham Main, where her husband got a job.  Later she moved to a cottage in North Notts called Rock Cottage. 

Doris, my Grandma, born in 1906, worked at a shop in Armthorpe wher she met and married her husband James Henry Criddle.  They married on Boxing Day when she was 19.  She has three children."

by, Alison Megahy, Great Grand Daughter of Thomas Henry Roberts
Life before the Great War....

 

Thomas Henry Roberts was born in 1882 at Brimington, not far from New Whittington.  His father (John) Philip Roberts had married Mary Holmes nee Fletcher on 18th December 1866.  Mary was a young widow, she had married Joseph Holmes on 9th October 1864.  Joseph died a year later in 1865, and so Mary met Welsh man Philip Roberts.  The couple had five children; Mary Ann, John, Jane, George and Thomas.  On the 1881 census the family were living with Mary's father at Victoria Street, Brimington. 


Derbyshire Times 24th July 1886 page 5

Mary suffered yet another loss when Philip died on 21st July 1886, he was 42 years old.

Probate entry for Philip Roberts
www.ancestry.co.uk

Thomas was aged about 4 years old, his mother Mary was left to bring up five young children alone.  Mary was around 38 years old and a widow for the second time in her life.  Philip left a will and the probate entry states that his executor was George Yates, boot and shoe maker of Brimington.  Philip's personal estate was the sum of £46 8s.

 

On 30th December 1888 Mary married her third husband; Samuel Fletcher a widower.  Samuel had a young daughter named Fanny (1).  Aged just 4 years old Fanny was brought up by Mary and became one of the family, another sister for Thomas Henry.  On the 1891 census the family were living at Glasshouse Lane in Whittington.  Samuel was aged 40 years old and worked as a coal miner, John was working as a pony driver down the pit, Jane, George, Thomas  and Fanny were all still at school.


Thomas's eldest sister Mary had married Samuel Storer on 30th July 1887.  In 1891 they were living on London Street, New Whittington.  They had one daughter named Lilian aged just 1 year old. 

More heartache for Mary....

Derbyshire Times - 15th July 1893 page 5
Fate appears to have dealt poor Mary another blow when on 8th July 1893 her third husband Samuel died, he was buried on 11th July at Whittington Church.

But would life's tragedies keep Mary down? 

well no.... looking at the 1901 census Mary was married to Samuel Fairs a railway engine driver aged 53 years old.  Mary married her fourth husband in 1894.  Samuel Fairs was born in Suffolk and had most likely come to Chesterfield with his career on the railways.  In 1901 they were living on Queen Street in Newbold.  Thomas and his brothers John (along with his own family) and George were still living with their mother; Thomas was a coal filler, John a collier hewer and George worked as a colliery clerk. 

John had married Alice Compton on 19th April 1897 at Whittington.  By the time of the 1901 census they had two children; Philippa aged 3 years and Fletcher Philip aged 2 years. 

Mary and Samuel Storer were living at King Street in Newbold.  Samuel was a bricklayer and their daughter Lilian was 11 years old.  Fanny was also living with the family, she was 17 years old by now.  A year later in 1902 they had another daughter born named Mary Hannah.   Sadly in the early days of February 1907 Mary Ann died aged 39 years old.  She was buried at Whittington on 16th February 1907. 

Jane married Albert Dury on 26th August 1895 at Whittington.  On the 1901 census they were living on Foundry Street, Whittington Moor.  Albert was a coal miner and they had a daughter named Gertrude aged 4 and a son named John aged 1 year old.

Wedding bells....


Thomas Henry Roberts married his sweetheart Hannah Moseley on 9th February 1903 (2).  At the time he was living at Duke Street, Whittington Moor and was aged 20 years old.  Hannah was a local girl, she lived just around the corner on Foundry Street.  She was the daughter of William Mosley (deceased) and was 19 years old.  They married at St John's Church in Newbold.  Hannah lived on the same street as Thomas's sister Jane and her husband Albert.  They must have been close friends as they were both the witnesses at the wedding of Thomas and Hannah.

1911 the eve of WW1....

1911 Census showing hand written name and address
www.findmypast.co.uk
Thomas and Hannah had settled into family life by 1911.  They had moved to Doncaster around 1910 and were living at Quarry Lane, Woodlands, Adwick Le Street.  They had three children; Doris 4, Thomas 2 and young Wilfred aged 5 months. 

Life at the Woodlands Model Village in which they lived would be the height of modern living for The Roberts family.  Their homes were newly built, the houses in various rural cottage styles as opposed to the rows of identical  terraced houses Thomas and Hannah were used to.  There were gardens and open communal areas, a new church and many social clubs were established including the sports and cricket club.
Thomas's mother Mary was living at 60 Duke Street, Whittington Moor with Samuel Fairs and her two grandchildren; Philippa 13 years and Fletcher Philip aged 12 years old.  Philippa and Fletcher's parents John and Alice Roberts were living at 19 Inge Lane, Adwick Le Street, Doncaster close to Thomas and his family.  Samuel Storer the brother in law of John is also living with the family; having lost his wife Mary Ann a few years earlier.  Fletcher (Philip) is recorded on this census record also, so he may have been just visiting his grandma Mary's home in Chesterfield. 

Jane and Albert Drury were now living at 25 Main Street, Shirebrook.  Along with their own two children Gertrude and John Thomas they had also adopted Jane's neice (Mary) Hannah Storer, the daughter of Mary Ann and Samuel Storer.

George had married Ethel Myhill on 30th October 1901.  In 1911 they lived in Chesterfield town centre; George was a publican and ran the Bulls Head in The Shambles.  The couple had three children; Ivy Amelia, Philip and Winifred. 

Fanny had married Harry Wilson on 30th January 1907 at Shirebrook.  By 1911 they to had moved to Adwick Le Street in Doncaster; living only a few doors away from John and Alice at number 25 Inge Lane.  Fanny had a 3 year old daughter named Nina Irene.

Thomas' war....

Thomas answered the call for men to fight for King and Country in September 1914, when he most likely travelled to Pontefract to join the 9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI).  Soon after, the newly recruited men would march off with their comrades to Berkhamstead, arriving at Halton Park for training in the October of 1914. 

The 9th Battalion received their orders to move to join the British Expeditionary Force in the early days of September 1915.  Thomas had been with the battalion for a year now and was probably wondering if they would ever see active service.  The battalion moved out in two sections; the first line and machine gun sections sailed from Southampton on 11th September to Le Harve, the right and left half battalions sailed from Folkestone on 11th September on the S.S St Seiriol (a steam powered minesweeper) and arrived at Boulogne at 1am on 12th September. 

The two sections were united on a train journey to Zutkerque on 15th September.  They billeted there until 20th September, continuing with their training.  After this date the battalion spent time marching from billet to billet and only days later on 22nd September they were faced with the reality of their task.  Upon arrival at Amettes at 9.50pm "it was originally intended to billet but owing to the dirty condition of the billets and the presence of infectious disease it was decided on the accommodation of the Medical Officer".

By 25th September the battalion had reached its intended destination; Loos.  They "advanced in double columns of companies for a distance of about 2 1/2 miles, being under heavy artillery fire during the advance".  At 1.30pm on 26th September the war diary states "Battalion took part on the attack on Hill 70....F. G Elliott suffered from the effects of gas".  Before the advance had commenced on 25th September the British launched their first chemical attack of WW1, sending 140 tonnes of chlorine gas ahead into the enemies trenches.  The plan being that the gas would make up for the lack of troops and cause death or disability to the majority of the enemy.  In fact, sadly the gas was blown back towards the British troops when the wind unexpectedly changed its direction.  This caused seven deaths and several thousand injuries to the British troops.

Thomas and his fellow men had been in France for less than two weeks and they found themselves straight in the middle of one of the most noted battles of the Great War.  Thomas may well have witnessed the horrific effects of chlorine gas, he may even have been one of the men who were injured by its effects.  On that one day of 26th September the battalion "lost 215 rank and file, killed wounded and missing".

News to boost the battalions morale would come on 19th October 1915 when they were told that Lance Corporal Mc Kelvey had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for Gallantry for his actions at Hill 70 on 26th September. 

November and December saw the men repairing trenches, marching and relieving other battalions.  The war diary comments on the amount of rain fall during December ad the trenches were becoming flooded; "particulary in trench 83 which has at least 18" of water in every part".

On 23rd January 1916 the battalion relieved the 1st East Yorkshire Regiment in the trenches.  They remained in the trenches for the coming days being relieved on 29th January.  There was a mixture of heavy bombardment by both the British and the enemy during that week.  On 26th January considerable damage was done to trench 84. 

On the day of the 28th January, the day Corporal Thomas Henry Roberts was killed the following account is given in the war diary "shortly after 4am the enemy opened a heavy bombardment on our left and the trenches further north.  Throughout the day (....unreadable) T84 & S84 were heavily bombarded by the enemy, especially between 9am + 10am and 3pm + 4pm, this caused some casualties......... at its height the bombardment was intense".



Corporal Thomas Henry Roberts is buried at the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.  His grave ref is 1X E 37. 

Thomas was one of five men killed on 28th January 1916 serving with the 9th Battalion KOYLI.  All five men are buried at the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery.  The men who died alongside Thomas are -

Lance Corporal C Dawson 13394
Lance Corporal H Thomas 16726
Private W Hamblin 11140
Private J Hurp 15921

Medal Card Corporal Roberts
Thomas was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 15 Star for his service.

Life went on....
Register of soldiers effects, showing pension awarded
to Hannah Roberts
www.ancestry.co.uk
Hannah and Thomas had two more children before the outbreak of WW1; Sam around 1913 and Ruby in 1915.  After Thomas's death Hannah and the children remained in the Doncaster area until Hannah remarried a miner named Enoch H Staton.  The family then moved to Armthorpe to work at the Markham Main Colliery.  Hannah had another daughter named Ethel born in 1924.  Hannah and Enoch moved to Rock Cottage, North Nottinghamshire later and Hannah died in 1959 aged 75 years old.

Handkerchief sent to Doris from Thomas
Birthday card sent to Doris Roberts from her loving
Dad Thomas Roberts
Pictures property of Alison Megahy, kindly offered to the blog.
Thomas's daughter Doris married James Henry Criddle in 1925.  She died at the grand age of 94 years old.  She treasured her beloved fathers memory and the special keepsakes and letters which have all been passed on through the generations.  Thanks to Doris, Thomas Henry Roberts will remain forever in the hearts of his descendants; 100 years on from his untimely death his memory lives on.

Thomas worked at Armthorpe Colliery, following in his fathers footsteps he became a miner.  Although his occupation deemed him exempt from duties during WW2 he still played an important part in the countries defence by becoming a home guard.

Wilfred served with the Navy during WW2.

Sam may have died in 1919, aged only around 6 years old. 

Ruby married a man who served with the RAF during WW2.

Mary had become ill in late 1913.  She had become bedbound for around 5 weeks when on 7th February 1914 she attempted to get out of her bed.  She was sleeping with her grand daughter Philippa at the time and so luckily was not alone at her time of need.  She fell over and Philippa summoned the help of Samuel to assist in getting Mary back into the safety of her bed.

It was found that Mary had fractured her left thigh bone and was removed to the Chesterfield Royal Hospital.  Sadly Mary was too ill by now as she was suffering from kidney disease.  She remained in hospital and died on Sunday 22nd February 1914 aged 67 years old (ref Derby Courier 24th February 1914 page 8). 

 





I have not found any definite information on Thomas's siblings; John, Jane so would love to hear from any descendants who might be able to fill in the story.

George moved from the Bulls Head in the Shambles to run The Forge Inn at New Whittington.  He transferred the licence to a Harry Freeman in March 1918. 

Fanny and her husband Harry Wilson appear to have travelled. She is recorded on the passenger lists entering Canada on 28th July 1923.  There is also a departure listed for her from Southampton on 21st August 1928. 

Their daughter 16 year old Nina also travelled to Canada in July 1923.  Her "Declaration of passenger form" tells that she was intending to work as a housemaid.  Her passage was paid by her father and she entered the country with £10.  

On 12th March 1932 Harry, Fanny, Nina and a Vera Madeline (documented as sister to Nina) arrived in Northport, Washington, USA.  The border card for Nina states that she travelled into the USA regularly and had "several visits last year". 

What became of the Wilson family after this I have not been able to confirm for definite.
*****
With very special thanks to Alison Megahy for
her contribution to the remembrance blog
for Thomas Henry Roberts
and her additions of family heirlooms
to be included also.
*****
Special thanks also to Doncaster Local Studies Library for providing a scanned copy of the Doncaster Chronicle in which Thomas was remembered on 11th February 1916.
*****

If you may be connected to this family or have any further information on Thomas Henry Roberts or his family please do either leave comments via the pen icon below or drop me an email.

I hope that I have not given details of living persons, if so please advise and I will remove immediately.

Please note all information has been taken from online indexes and sources.  Due to the sheer numbers of people to be researched I am unable to purchase vital event certificates to confirm my research.

(1) As stated above I have not purchased a birth certificate for Fanny Fletcher.  However there is a baptism for a Fanny Fletcher, daughter of Samuel and Emma Fletcher on 19th December 1884. There is a death for Emma Fletcher her mother registered in 1887  NB this would need to be confirmed by purchasing the relevant certificates to prove my hypothesis.

(2) marriage certificate kindly provided by Thomas' Great Grand daughter Alison

****

Ref and further reading  -

Census
Parish registers
Medal rolls
Soldiers who died in the Great war
Register of soldiers effects
Newspaper articles - Derbyshire Times & Doncaster Chronicle
CWGC  http://www.cwgc.org

War Diary 9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry ref - piece 2162/1 via www.ancestry.co.uk or can be accessed via The National Archives, UK.

www.ancestry.co.uk
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
www.findmypast.co.uk
http://www.1914-1918.net/notts.htm


http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/battles/battles-of-the-western-front-in-france-and-flanders/the-battle-of-loos/

http://www.remembrancetrails-northernfrance.com/history/battles/the-battle-of-loos-25-september-to-19-october-1915.html


Thellusson Estate, Woodlands, Adwick Le Street & Brodsworth Colliery

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/f42817d5-90b6-47f3-a955-edab2d73c503

 

Sunday 17 January 2016

ABRAHAM LONGDEN SAVAGE

ABRAHAM LONGDEN SAVAGE


Private 2651

1/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters

Died 17th January 1916


As with any new year HOPE would be foremost in everyone's mind when the year of 1916 arrived.  But for those in New Whittington the New Year celebrations were short lived.  On the 17th day of January the first soldier died, his death would shatter any hope that the villagers might have of the new year bringing peace once more. The year of 1916 would bring with it the deaths of 27 of the young soldiers serving King & Country with a connection to the small Derbyshire village of New Whittington.

The name "W" Savage is inscribed on the St Barnabas Memorial however the only Savage that I can find connected to the village is Abraham Londgen Savage.  He was the son of a coal miner of the same name and was born around 1893 at New Whittington.  He was the second son born to Abraham snr and Emma Savage (nee Cooper).  Abraham and Emma had married in 1888 at Rotherham, South Yorkshire.  Albert was born a few years later in 1890 at Swallownest, Yorkshire.  By the 1891 census the family are living on Mountcastle Street, Newbold. 

In 1893 Abraham was born in New Whittington, followed soon after by his sister Sophia Sanderson Savage on 6th November 1894.  Last but not least came another girl named Elsie around the end of 1896/ beginning of 1897.

The 1901 census shows the whole Savage family living together at Station Road, Whittington Moor.  Abraham snr is aged 32 years old and still employed as coal miner hewer. 

1911 the eve of war....

The year of 1911 was to bring with it tragic changes for the Savage family.  On the 1911 census the family have moved home again to 3 Chapel Street on Whittington Moor, Chesterfield.  Abraham jnr is now working; aged 17 years old he is employed as a labourer at the colliery.  Sophia is a shop assistant in a drapers store and Elsie aged 14 years helps at home. 

Sadly that same year Emma died aged just 41 years old.  

Albert was not living with the family; he may have married a Mary Potter in 1911.

Abraham snr remarried in 1913, the lady was named Ann Barker Babbs.  Ann was a neighbour of the Savage family, she lived at number 2 Chapel Street on Whittington Moor.  Ann worked as a dressmaker and was single, she shared her home with her niece Florrie Babbs who was an assistant teacher at the elementary school.

Abraham's war....


Abraham enlisted at Chesterfield on 12th October 1914, he was 21 years old at the time and worked as a pottery labourer.  He joined the 6th Reserve Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters, the local regiment. 

Service record description of A L Savage
www.ancestry.co.uk

The service record for Abraham has survived but some of the documentation is fairly unclear; Abraham was 140 lbs, had a dark complexion and brown eyes with dark brown hair.  His height is over 5ft but the "inches" is illegible.

Service dates for A L Savage

Abraham remained in England to carry out his basic training until the end of February 1915 when he was to join the B.E.F at France.  This would most likely have been carried out at Harpenden, Hertfordshire.  There was some delay with the new recruits being issued with uniform but by the end of October they had been delivered. 

1915....

The men were now trained and stationed at Hallingbury Park.  On 19th February 1915 the "eve of their departure to the continent"  they received a very special guest "His Majesty the King" arrived to inspect the Division and offer encouragement for the men.  H.M also officially changed the name of the regiment from the "Notts & Derbys Infantry Brigade" to the "6th Sherwood Foresters Brigade". 

An early start on 25th February saw two trains leave Braintree to embark on the "Maidan"  at Southampton.  They arrived in Le Harve and were fitted out with new coats and supplies before they marched to their billets at Cassel on 28th February.

The battalion spent the coming months moving from trench to billets around France and Belgium.  They were commended for their kindness in early May when a worn out Canadian Infantry Brigade happened to march past them.  The 6th Sherwood Forester band struck up their instruments and marched alongside them, playing cheering music along the way. Major Victor Odlum wrote in a memorandum "The music, at such a time and in such a place was quite a novelty; but it was just the thing wanted.  Our men were nearly all in.  The music backed them up at once."  "May I say, that I consider this the most striking instance of thoughtful kindness with which we have met since we set out on the campaign".

Daily Telegraph - May 1915

The act of kindness also made the national newspapers when Captain George Gibson of the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade wrote to the Daily Telegraph to thank the 6th Sherwoods.  He wrote how his battalion were marching away from Ypres, "having been up the Hill for six days and had left more behind us than we cared to contemplate".  He wrote how the music played for about 20 minutes; "behind us were the guns rumbling in the distance, above us the stars, below us cobble stones, but all around us was the music".

In July the battalion were stationed at Sanctuary Wood near Ypres.  On 19th July the war diary records "Hooge mine exploded, heavy bombardment".  Later that month on 30th July the Germans first used their "flame thrower" at Hooge. 

September and October of 1915 saw the battalion take part in the Battle of Loos; Abraham would have been present at some of the most fierce and momentous events of World War 1. 

On 1st January 1916 Abraham and his comrades were at Isbergues near Marseilles in France.  The war diary notes "observed as a holiday throughout the brigade".  On 14th January they were camped at Boreli Camp and the 97% of the battalion received their vaccinations. 

Abraham Longden Savage died in the British section of the Lahore Indian Stationary Hospital in Marseilles, France.  He was admitted a few days earlier on 15th January 1916.  Abraham was suffering from an infection of his skin called erysipelas.  This disease could cause high fever, shaking, headache, vomiting and fatigue in its onset.  The areas of skin affected would become red and swollen and extremely painful.  The disease was most likely caused by Abraham having an open wound somewhere (even a small scratch) which would allow entry of the bacteria Streptococcus A into the body.  This would then cause infection into that wound.  Any area of the body can be infected, the service record for Abraham does not state any detail other than "Died from Erysipelas".  It is most likely that the infection caused Abraham to become toxic, the infection may have spread into his blood system or lymphatic system which would have proved fatal in warfare during WW1, in a time before antibiotics.



Abraham is buried at the Mazargues War Memorial in Marseilles, ref IV.A.46.

photo via www.geneanet.org
credit to jfsoulas


Mazargues Cemetery has graves of the casualties of - 465 United Kingdom, 14 Australian, 3 New Zealand, 3 South African and 1002 Indian soldiers.



Abraham was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 15 Star for his service.
Life went on....
Service records Private 2651, Abraham Longden Savage
www.ancestry.co.uk

The paperwork filled out by Abraham snr in 1919 states that he and his wife Ann lived at 34 Station Road, Whittington Moor in Chesterfield. 
Derbyshire Times - 4th December 1920 p5
www.britishnewspaperarchives.co.uk

Ann died at the end of November 1920.  Her obituary told that she was a prominent member of the Primitive Methodist Circuit on Whittington Moor and had been the Sunday School teacher and a member of the choir.

Abraham snr lived on for many years until his death on 2nd June 1950.  His probate record states that he lived at Windyridge, 11A Newbridge Lane, Old Whittington.  His estate was left to a Florence Babbs (the niece of his late wife Ann) and amounted to the sum of £1766 6s 11d.

Albert lived at 7 Prospect Street, Stonegravels and was aged 30 years old.  Albert died in 1958 aged 69 years old.

Sophia was now married to Thomas Orwin.  She had married in 1916.  Sophia and Thomas lived in Whittington at Duke Street.  She went on to have four sons and three daughters (sadly losing one son under 1 year old in 1917, he was named Samuel).  Sophia lived in the Newbold area much of her life; on Tapton View Road until her husband died in 1941.  Then latterly on Newbold Road.  Sophia died in 1975; her obituary in the Derbyshire Times records that she left behind - 2 sons, 3 daughters, 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.  She lived to the age of 81 years old.

Elsie lived at 10 Nelson Street, Newbold.  She had also married in 1916, her husband was Christopher Barfoot.  Elsie and Christopher had two sons; Christopher jnr in 1918 and Harry in 1922.  Elsie died in 1969 aged 72 years old.

Sadly for Elsie and the family both sons died at very young ages;


Harry Barfoot - Derbyshire Times
17th May 1935 p15
Christopher Barfoot - Derbyshire Times
7th May 1937 p14









Harry was on 13 years old when he died in May 1935 and only two years later in May of 1937 Christopher also passed away, aged just 19 years old.  Both were said to have suffered from a long period of illness. 






****

If you may be connected to this family or have any further information on Abraham Longden Savage or his family please do either leave comments via the pen icon below or drop me an email.

I hope that I have not given details of living persons, if so please advise and I will remove immediately.

Please note all information has been taken from online indexes and sources.  Due to the sheer numbers of people to be researched I am unable to purchase vital event certificates to confirm my research.

****
Ref and further reading  -
Census
Parish registers
Medal rolls
Soldiers who died in the Great war
Register of soldiers effects
War diary 1/6th Sherwood Foresters ref - piece 2694/1:1/6th
Newspaper articles - Derbyshire Times
www.ancestry.co.uk
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
www.findmypast.co.uk

http://www.scarletfinders.co.uk/18.html