BASSINGHAM WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and Copyright © Transcribed Janet Graves 2004

The memorial is located at the junction of Newark Road and High Street, Bassingham. It takes the form of a pink granite, two-stepped, base surmounted by a tapered plinth and obelisk; the inscription is in lead lettering on three sides of the two stepped bases and the plinth. The World War 1 names are on faces 2 and 4 of the tapered plinth, and the World War 2 names are on faces 2 and 4 of the lower base with the whole standing on a concrete base within a landscaped area enclosed by wrought iron railings. The memorial was unveiled 2 June 1920 and the unveiling was attended by Col. E. Royds, M.P., Revd Arundell Leakey, M.A., Revd W.M. Johnson, the Very Revd. Thomas Charles Fry, villagers and ex-servicemen. There are 22 names listed for World War 1 and 7 for World War 2.

Extract from Newark Advertiser - Wednesday 15 November 1950, page 3:

BASSINGHAM WAR MEMORIAL REDEDICATED

The Remembrance Service was conducated by the Rev. C. S. Thornton (Brant Broughton ) and Chaplain of the Bassingham branch of the British Legion. After this service a short service was held at the War Memorial, when the memorial was rededicated by the Chaplain and unveiled by Group Captain V. C. Bax, A.F.C., Swincerby. Names of Bassingham men who Fell in the last war have been added to those of the 1914-18 war. The parade was led by the band of St. Swithin's Church Lads' Brigade, Lincoln. The names of the Fallen were read by Mr. R. Brown (branch president). They were: J. Clarke (Royal Lincolns), E. Mettam (Royal Lincolns), F. Mettam (Royal Lincolns), N. Wescombe (Royal Navy), J. Winn (R.A.F.). B. Graves (Royal Merchant Navy). The Legion standard bearer was Mr. S. Thompson. Messrs. F. Spratt and W. Wescombe were escorts.

Photograph Copyright © Janet Graves 2004

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY
OF THE MEN OF BASSINGHAM
WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 – 1918
ALSO A TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO
SERVED THEIR KING AND COUNTRY
AND RETURNED

ANSELL	William Edward	201725, Private, 1st/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He died, aged 21 years on the 1st July, 1917. He was the son of Fred Herbert and Alice Amelia Ansell, of 13, Kelham Villas, Newark, Nottinghamshire. He is buried in the Loos British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot XlX. Row B. Grave 17.
DALTON	Arthur Edward	241376, Private, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Born in 1894, in Bassingham he was a farm labourer before he enlisted. He was killed in action aged 24 years on August 21, 1918. Son of Thomas and Jane Elizabeth Dalton of Bassingham. He was buried in the Queens Cemetery, Bucquoy, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row L. Grave 3.
DALTON	Ernest Edwin	6831, Private, 1st/2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). He was born in 1886 in Bassingham and he was killed in action on the 5th July, 1915. Son of Thomas and Jane Elizabeth Dalton of Bassingham. Husband of Rose Ellen Dalton and father to Charles Henry Atkinson, Gertrude Ellen and Ernest Edwin Dalton of Bassingham. He is buried in the Potijze Burial Ground (Ieper), Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen), Belgium. Row BI. Grave 21.
DALTON	John Thomas	38270, Private, 2nd/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Formerly 27669, 7th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. He was born in Bassingham in 1885 and was a resident of Leicester. He was killed in action on 25th March, 1918. Son of Thomas and Jane Elizabeth Dalton of Bassingham. No known grave. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Department de la Somme, Picardie, France. Panel 40 and 41.
ELSAM	John	77411, Acting Bombardier, 1st Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was a resident of Oldcots, Rotherham. He died at home, in Bassingham, on 20th August, 1918. He was 24 years of age. Son of the late Thomas Elsam and the late Mary Jane Elsam, of Bassingham. He is buried in the new churchyard of St Michael and all Angels, Bassingham, Lincolnshire.
GRANTHAM	Alfred	200754, Private, 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. A resident of Bassingham, he enlisted in Lincoln and he was killed in action on the 26th August, 1918. He is buried in the Warlencourt British Cemetery, Warlencourt-Eaucourt, Department du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France, Special Memorial 43. He is also commemorated on the Coleby War Memorial, Lincolnshire.
GRANTHAM	Frederick	201472, Private, 2nd/5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. A resident of Bassingham, he enlisted in Lincoln and he died on the 20th September, 1918. He is buried at Le Quesnoy Communal Cemetery Extension, Le Quesnoy, Department du Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France, P.O.W. Special Memorial. He is also commemorated on the Coleby War Memorial, Lincolnshire.
GRAVES	Bill	12471, Corporal, 20th Hussars. Born in 1884 in Bassingham, he worked as a groom in Carleton le Moorland, before joining the 8th Hussars as a regular soldier. He served in South Africa between 1908 and 1909. He died of wounds on the 27th January, 1916. Son of Jemima Graves and the late John Graves of Bassingham. Husband of Ethel Ida Graves. Father to Ronald Arthur and John Geoffrey Graves of Ashover, Derbyshire. He is buried in the Vermelles British Cemetery, Near Loos, France. Plot II. Row M. Grave 1. He is also commemorated on Ashover, Derbyshire War Memorial (his wife’s home town). Note: Registered and baptised as Bill, the Army lengthened his name to William.
GRAVES	Edward Proctor	2682, Private, 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards. Born in 1880 in Bassingham, he had been a regular soldier since 1899. He was discharged from the Army in March of 1917 as "no longer physically fit for war service". He died in 1931 in the Royal Chest Hospital, London, after years of chest problems, possibly from being gassed during the war. Son of Jemima Graves and the late John Graves of Bassingham.
HEATON	Leonard	2789, Lance Corporal, 1st/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Born in 1893 in Bassingham where he was also a resident he was killed in action on the 13th October, 1915. He was the son of Alice Heaton, of Bassingham, and the late Thomas Heaton. He is buried in the Arras Road Cemetery Roclincourt, Department du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Plot II. Row B. Grave 13.
JESSOP	A	Lincolnshire Regiment
KNIGHT	T	Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire) Regiment
MARTIN	J	Lincolnshire Regiment
MATTHEWS	Walter	201676, Private, 1st/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Born in Broughton in 1896, he was a resident of Bassingham. He was killed in action, aged 21 years, on the 8th June, 1917. Son of Mrs. W. Matthews, of Skinnand, Navenby, Lincoln. No known grave. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Department du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Bay 3 and 4.
NORTON	Frederick	23194, Private, 7th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Born 1891 in Bassingham, he was a resident of Newark, Nottinghamshire. He died of wounds aged 26 years in Mesopotamia (Iraq) on 13th January, 1917. Son of Robert and Ellen Norton of Bassingham. Husband of Rose Norton and Father to Kate and Frederick Norton. He is buried in the Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. Plot XXIV. Row C. Grave 13. Note: Alternative arrangements for the commemoration have been implemented and a two volume Roll of Honour listing all casualties buried and commemorated in Iraq has been produced. These volumes are on display at the Commission's Head Office in Maidenhead and are available for the public to view. The Commission continues to monitor the situation in Iraq and once the political climate has improved to an acceptable level the Commission will commence a major rehabilitation project for its cemeteries and commemorations.
NORTON	Joseph	3/7810, Private, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment and then transferred to (569828)70th Prisoner of War Company, Labour Corps. He was born and brought up in Bassingham, and was a resident of Hartlepool (2, Cliff Terrace, Hartlepool). He died aged 41 years on the 7th December, 1918 in the Druids Cross Auxiliary Hospital, Little Woolton, Liverpool. Son of Jemima Graves and the late Joseph Norton of Bassingham. He is buried in the Kirkdale Cemetery, Liverpool. Grave reference Vll. N.C. 1127. Joseph Norton is the half brother of Edward and Bill Graves (same mother). The additional information section is slightly incorrect, as his parents lived in Bassingham, (his father died in 1879). Joseph lived in Hartlepool and is commemorated on the West Hartlepool memorial. He is buried in the Kirkdale Cemetery, Liverpool. The CWGC states that he died aged 42 years. His death certificate states that he died in Druids Cross Auxiliary Hospital, Little Woolton, Liverpool, aged 46 years. He was actually 41, dying just 5 weeks before his 42nd birthday. He shares a gravestone with a Private Morgan of the South Wales Borderers. Both Edward and Bill Graves survived the war. Edward was a regular soldier, having joined the Coldstream Guards in May 1899. He was discharged in March, 1917 being “no longer physically fit for war service.” He died in 1931, after years of chest problems, possibly due to him being gassed in WW1. I don’t currently have any further information on Bill’s service career.
REVILL	Arthur H	Possibly 242535, Private 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He was killed in action on the 24th March, 1918. Son of William and Edith Revill. No known grave. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Arras, Department du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Bay 3 and 4. OR Arthur Henry Revill, born in 1891 in Lincoln, but living in Bassingham in 1911, employed as a farm labourer. Son of the late Henry Revill and Betsey Baldock of Bassingham. No military connection found to date.
SALMONS	W.	Lincolnshire Regiment
SINGLETON	Coldron Slater	576 Private, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Born in Navenby in 1895, he was a grocer’s apprentice in Bassingham (1911). He died of wounds aged 21 years on the 3rd July, 1916. He is buried in the Heilly Station Cemetery, Heilly, Department de la Somme, Picardie, France Plot I. Row B. Grave 19.
TALBOT	James William	5004, Private, 5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Born in January of 1889, in Chaddesten, Derbyshire he was a resident of Bassingham. He was killed in action on the 29th December, 1916. Son of George and Jane Talbot, of Bassingham. He was buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, Foncquevillers, Department du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Plot I. Row G. Grave 22.
WILLIS	Thomas	22780, Private, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Born on the 1st March, 1894, in Bassingham and he enlisted in Sleaford, Lincolnshire. He was killed in action, aged 22 years, on the 23rd October, 1916. Son of Arthur Edward and Sarah Ann Willis. He is buried in the Bancourt British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row M. Grave 12.
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN ALSO IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL IN WORLD WAR 1939-1945
CLARKE	Joseph	4801950, Corporal, 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Born in 1918 in Lincoln, he died on the 10th September, 1944. Son of Jesse and Mary Ellen Clarke, of Bassingham, Lincolnshire. Husband of Victoria Mary Clarke, of Bassingham. He is buried in the Coriano Ridge War Cemetery, Coriano, Provincia di Forli, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Plot XX. Row J. Grave 8.
GRAVES	Bernard	LT/LX 30051, Leading Steward, HMS Thorbryn, Royal Navy (Royal Naval Patrol Service). Born 31st October, 1921, in Lincoln, he died on the 19th August, 1941. HMS Thorbryn was hired by the Royal Navy in November, 1940 for use as an anti-submarine vessel. Built in Sandefjord, Norway in 1936. It was a whaler and its previous name was Scott. The whaler was towing two lighters. She was bombed at 0630 hours and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Tobruk, Libya by Junkers Ju 87 aircraft of the Luftwaffe, with the loss of nine of the 29 crew on the three vessels. The survivors were taken as prisoners of war. Son of Fred and Florence Graves of Bassingham. No known grave. He is commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial, Lowestoft, Suffolk. Panel 7, Column 3.
METTAM	Edward Albert	[Listed as A E METTAM on memorial] 4809790. Private, 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Born in 1923 in Grimsby, he died aged 20 years, in North Africa on the 30th March, 1943. Son of Annie Mettam, of Bassingham. His brother Frank also died on service (see below). He is buried in the Tabarka Ras Rajel War Cemetery, Tabarka, Jendouba, Tunisia. Plot 1. Row A. Grave 23.
METTAM	Frank	4804429. Private, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Died 1 March 1945. Aged 25. Son of Annie Beckett, of Bassingham, Lincolnshire. His brother Edward Albert also died on service (see above). He is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Plot 48. Row C. Grave 13.
ROGERS	Sydney	C/JX 299186. Able Seaman, H.M.S. Boadicea, Royal Navy. Died 13 June 1944. Aged 32. Son of Sydney William and Mabel Catherine Rogers; husband of Margaret Rogers, of Shotton, Flintshire. No known grave. He is commemorated on Chatham naval memorial, Kent. Panel 76, Column 1.
WESCOMBE	Norman Maxwell	C/MX 52286.Engine Room Artificer 4th Class, H.M.S. Juno, Royal Navy. Died 21 May 1941. Aged 21. Son of William F. and Margaret E. Wescombe, of Bassingham, Lincolnshire. No known grave. He is commemorated on Chatham naval memorial, Kent. Panel 46, Column 3.
WINN	John	566407, Sergeant, 73 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 22 December 1939. Son of Thomas and Emma Louisa Winn, of Bassingham, Lincolnshire. He is buried in Chambiers French National Cemetery, Metz, Moselle, France. Grave 2.

Last updated 15 November, 2022