Roll of Honour - Leicestershire

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

COUNTESTHORPE WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Detailed Information
Compiled and Copyright © Richard Holdridge 2004
additional information Martin Edwards

The memroial can be found in the grounds of St Andrew's Church, High Street, Countesthorpe where it was moved to between 1949 and 1953 from its preious location in The Square, Countesthorpe due to vandalism. It takes the form of a granite, wheel cross of sacrifice standing on a stone plinth and a two stepped base mounted on a paved area. The World War 1 names are engraved on the plinth and those for World War 2 appear on a metal plaque at the base of the cross shaft. There are 47 names for World War 1 and 16 for World War 2. One World War 1 name was aded in 1986, W BUCKINGHAM. The memorial was first unveiled on the 24th November 1921 by H.R.H. The Duke of York and dedicated by the Archdeacon of Leicester. It cost £245 10s 6d to build and the builders were Messrs. G Maile and Son Ltd; the site was originally donated by the Highways Committee.

ERECTED BY THE EX-SERVICE MEN OF COUNTESTHORPE UNVEILED BY
H.R.H. THE DUKE OF YORK 24 NOVEMBER 1921 MEMORIAM TO THE
GLORY OF GOD AN IN HOMNOURED MEMORY OF THE MEN OF
COUNTESTHORPE WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918

BOAT	Reuben	Private, 9th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment (25850). Killed in action 25th September 1916, aged 40. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Commemorated at Thiepval.
BUCKINGHAM, VC	William	Private, 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment (6276). Killed in action 15th September, 1916, aged 29. Born Bedford, resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Commemorated at Thiepval. Awarded Victoria Cross for conspicuous acts of bravery and devotion to duty in rescuing and rendering aid to the wounded whilst exposed to heavy fire, especially at Neuve Chapelle on the 10th and 12th March, 1915. Born in 1886, William Buckingham was taken into care of the Local authority at the age of 6, and spent his childhood at the Countesthorpe Cottage Homes. He joined the Leicester Regiment as a regular soldier in 1901, at the age of 15, and served in Egypt and India. In 1914, when the Regiment was mobilised, he went to France with the Indian Expeditionary Force. On the 12th March 1915, he was shot in the chest, but the bullet was deflected by a pack of postcards, and again by his cartridge case eventually lodging in his right arm.
CHAPMAN	John Alfred	Able Seaman, RNVR, R/4877. Killed 16th February, 1918, aged 30, at Welsh Ridge, near Marcoing. Buried at Fifteen Ravine, NE of Villers Plouich, SSW of Cambrai. Born September 18, 1887, the elder son of Henry and Emily Chapman, Husband of Sarah Chapman, Station Road, Countesthorpe. Memorial plaque in St. Andrew’s Church, Countesthorpe.
COLEMAN	John Sidney	[Spelt COLMAN on SDGW] Sergeant, 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (11520). Killed in action 24th September, 1915, aged 22. Born Burnley, Lancashire, enlisted Leicester, resident Countesthorpe. Buried at Berles au Bois. Son of Henry and Elizabeth Coleman, Ivydene, Countesthorpe.
COX	Busby	Private, 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (20516). Killed in action, 14th July 1916, aged 23. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Commemorated at Thiepval. Lived on Foston Road, Countesthorpe.
COX	Joseph William	Private, 1st/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (201716). Died of wounds 29th April, 1918, aged 23. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Buried at Pernes Cemetery. Lived on Foston Road, Countesthorpe.
FINDLAY	Hermon E	[Spelt FINDLEY on SDGW] Private, 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (25809). Killed in action 24th March, 1917. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Buried at Vermelles Cemetery.
GAMBLE	Reuben F	Private, 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (18249) Killed in action 14th July 1916, aged 29. Born Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester, resident Sileby. Commemorated at Thiepval.
GAMBLE, MM	William A	Corporal, 1st/4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment (2268). Killed in action 7th December, 1916, age 20. Born Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester, resident Sileby. Awarded the Military Medal (MM). Buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery. Son of Mrs. Mary Gamble, of 85, Swan St., Sileby, Loughborough.
GARRATT	Thomas	[Spelt GARRETT on CWGC] Private, 15th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment (292818). Killed in action 27th March, 1918, age 18. Born Countesthorpe, enlisted Leciester. Commemorated on Pozieres Memorial. Son of Mrs. E. Garrett, of Main St., Countesthorpe, Leicester.
GILLAM	Sydney	No further information
GILLIAM	Joseph Horace	Private, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (27157). Died of wounds 13th September, 1917, aged 31. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Buried at Bethune Cemetery. Lived on The Bank, Countesthorpe.
GLASS	George A	Private, 9th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) (27157). Killed in action 4th October, 1917. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Formerly 21619, Leicestershire Regiment. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial.
HARRISON	Norman Cyril John	[Listed as Cyril John Norman HARRISON on SDGW] Private, 18th Battalion Manchester Regiment (41591). Died of wounds, 13th June 1917, aged 20. Born Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Buried Hopstore Cemetery. Son of William and Sarah J Harrison, Superintendent and Matron of Countesthorpe Cottage Homes. Memorial in St. Andrew’s Church, Countesthorpe.
HEATHCOTE	Dennis	Private, 18th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (40479). Killed in action 10th May, 1917. Born countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Formerly 31131, Leicestershire Regiment. Buried Arras Cemetery.
HERBERT	Walter Edwin	Private, 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (202064). Killed in action 3rd October, 1918, aged 25. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Formerly 24877, Leicestershire Regiment. Buried Hayrecourt Cemetery. Lived on Wigston Street, Countesthorpe.
HERBERT	Wilfred	Private, 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (25227). Killed in action 15th July, 1916. Born Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Commemorated at Thiepval.
HERBERT	William Job Arthur	Sergeant, 5th Irish Lancers (L4003). Killed in action 6th January, 1918, aged 22. Born Walcote, enlisted Leicester, resident Countesthorpe. Buried at Mangochi Cemetery (Africa). Lived on Church Street, Countesthorpe.
HUBBARD	John	Private, 2nd/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (25155). Killed in action 24th March, 1918. Enlisted Leicester, resident Countesthorpe. Buried Arras Cemetery,
HUBBARD	Joseph H	Private, 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (9278). Died of wounds 24th September, 1914, aged 35. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Buried Niederzwheren, Germany. Husband of Louisa Hubbard, Brook Street, Countesthorpe.
HUBBARD	Wilfred H	Private, 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (11389). Died 27th October, 1916. Buried Amara, Iraq.
IMMINS	Cecil Frederick	Private, King’s Own Scottish Borderers (13867). Died 4th June, 1915, aged 19. Buried Helles, Gallipoli. Son of John Thomas Immins, Bushloe End, Wigston Magna.
IMMINS	Edwin	Private, 12th Battalion, Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry (61422). Killed in action 2nd September, 1918. Born Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. formerly SS/23122, South Staffordshire Regiment. Buried AIF Flers.
JARRETT	Henry W E	[Listed on CWGC as JARRATT and on the memorial] Lance Sergeant, 2nd/3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards (7011). Died 4th February, 1915, aged 25. Buried Clinchy Cemetery. Son of Isaac and Mary Jarrett, Church Street, Countesthorpe.
JOHNSON	Arthur Alfred	Private, 22nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (77419). Killed in action 26th March, 1918. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Glen Parva. Formerly 38977, Leicestershire Regiment. Buried in Pargny British Cemetery.
JOHNSON	William	No further information
LORD	John Thomas	Private, 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (15617). Died 17th January, 1916, aged 38. Born St Andrew's, Countesthorpe. enlisted Stockport, Cheshire, resident Countesthorpe. Buried Countesthorpe Cemetery. Son of John and Ann Lord. Husband of Patience Lord, Cromwell Villas, Wigston Street.
LORD	William Herbert	Private, 11th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (23044). Killed in action, 15th October, 1916, aged 20. Born Rugby, Warwickshire, enlisted Leicester, resident Countesthorpe. Commemorated at Thiepval. Grandson of Ann Lord, Peatling Road, Countesthorpe.
MASON	Ernest	Lance Corporal, 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment (11516). Killed in action 15th July 1916. Born Wigston Magna, enlisted Leicester, resident Countesthorpe. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial.
OLDERSHAW	Alfred	Lance Corporal, 55th Company, Royal Engineers (25588). Died of wounds 28th October, 1915, aged 22. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Buried at Longenesse, St. Omer. Son of Alfred Oldershaw, Central Street, Countesthorpe. Brother of Harry Oldershaw (see below)
OLDERSHAW	Harry	Private, 5th Irish Lancers (4004). Died of wounds 22nd February, 1915, aged 19. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Buried at Hazebrook Cemetery. Son of Alfred and Sarah Oldershaw, Central Street, Countesthorpe. Brother of Alfred Oldershaw (see above)
OLIVE	Ernest Richard	Private, 2nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps (419300). Died 26th September, 1917, aged 20. Buried at New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium. Mother Mrs. E Olive, Green Lane, Countesthorpe
PEET	Walter Charles	Corporal, 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (504). Died of wounds 2nd April, 1916, aged 33. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Wigston. Buried Countesthorpe Cemetery. Lived in Park Road, Cosby.
SIMMS	William	Gunner, 147 Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (294919). Died of wounds 17th September, 1917, aged 20. Born Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Formerly 4897, 147th Leicester Heavy Battary, Royal garrison Artillery. Buried Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3. Son of Thomas Simms, Leicester Road, Countesthorpe
SOARS	John Cawrey	Private, 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (23147). Died 12th June, 1918. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Buried Cologne Cemetery. Son of Edward and Minnie Soars, Husband of Mary Isabel Soars, Station Road, Countesthorpe.
STAFFORD	Arthur William	Sergeant, Royal Army Veterinary Corps (424). Died 25th March, 1919, aged 28. Buried Countesthorpe Cemetery. Son of Alfred and Clara Stafford.
SWANN	Herbert	No further information
THORNTON	Fred	Acting Corporal 18611, 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Killed in action 3rd May 1917. Aged 23. Born Fleckney, Leicestershire [SDGW] but according to family sources he was born 1894 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, enlisted Leicester, resident Saddington, Leicestershire. Eldest son of Joseph & Elizabeth Thornton of Saddington. and engaged to Betty Asher when he died. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5.
TILLEY	J Henry [Harry]	Private, 1st/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (201457). Died of wounds 22nd June, 1917, aged 26.Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. Son of Alfred Tilley, Main Street, Countesthorpe.
VEASEY	Hubert	Private, 2nd/5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (50508). Died 10th November, 1918. Buried at Irchonwelz Communal Cemetery.
VEASEY	Frank	Private, 2nd/6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (SS/23110). Died 4th December, 1917, aged 20. Buried at Etaples. Son of Fred and Ada Veasey, and brother of Harry Veasey (see below)
VEASEY	Harry	Private, 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (66757). Killed in action 10th April, 1918, aged 18. Born Countesthorpe. Buried at Trois Arbres. Son of Fred and Ada Veasey, and brother of Frank Veasey (see above)
WALLIS	Edwin Charles	Private, 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (14909). Killed in action 14th July, 1916. Born Kettering, Northamptonshire, enlisted Leicester, resident Countesthorpe. Commemorated at Thiepval.
WALLIS	Horace S	Private, 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (42490). Killed in action 31st July, 1917, aged 20. Commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate). Son of Samuel and Anna Maria Wallis, Kettering.
WELLS	Arthur	Private, 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (23251). Died of wounds 23rd April, 1917, aged 23. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Buried at Basra, Iraq.
WESTON	Sydney	[Spelt Sidney on SDGW] Private, 2nd/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (242312). Killed in action 26th September 1917, aged 20. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Buried at Tynecot. Son of William and Martha Ann, Main Street, Countesthorpe.
YORK	Frederick	Private, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (25828). Killed in action 15th September 1916, aged 30. Born and resident Countesthorpe, enlisted Leicester. Commemorated at Thiepval. Lived in Wigston Street, Countesthorpe. Memorial plaque in St. Andrew’s Church, Countesthorpe.
YORK	Albert Ernest	[Spelt YORKE on SDGW & CWGC] Corporal, 1st/5th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. Killed in action 7th August 1915. Born Leicester, enlisted Wigan, Lancashire, resident Countersthorpe. Commemorated on Helles Memorial.
"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS. THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS." 1939-1945
BARRETT	John Patrick	Sergeant (Pilot) 122 Squadron, RAFVR (1230355). Died 19th June, 1942, aged 20. Buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery. Son of John Gordon and Angela Mary Barrett.
CREASEY	Henry Ernest	Leading Aircraftman, RAFVR (1304130). Died 15th May 1943. Buried Countesthorpe Cemetery.
HUGHES	G K	No further information
NORTON	Leonard	Lance Corporal, 6th Battalion Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Died 19th November, 1943. Buried Sangro River War Cemetery, Italy. Son of Henry and Emma Norton.
BROTHWELL	Robert Sydney	Flight Sergeant, RAFVR (1238487). Died 20th August, 1943, aged 21. Buried Countesthorpe Cemetery.
CUTLER	L	No further information
LUCAS	L	No further information
PARSONS	J	No further information
CHAPMAN	Douglas Arthur	Private, Pay Corps (7674382). Died 26th April 1942, aged 24. Buried Countesthorpe Cemetery. Son of Mrs S Chapman. A solicitor by profession.
FIELDING	Thomas Leonard	Private, 4th Battalion Royal Army Ordnance Corps (10532054). Died 14th August 1943, aged 23. Buried Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand. Son of Henry Herbert and Miriam Fielding.
MASON	R H	No further information
RIDDINGTON	Harry	Private, Somerset Light Infantry (11253680). Died 18th July, 1945, aged 44. Buried Rome. Son of Horace and Louisa Riddington. Husband of Maud Riddington.
CHAPMAN	John Keith	Private, 1st Leicestershire Regiment (14714124). Died 8th October, 1944, aged 18. Buried at Baarle-Nassau RC Churchyard, Netherlands. Son of Samuel Arthur and Linda Louisa Chapman.
HILL	Thomas Charles	Gunner, Royal Artillery (11002061). Died 23rd March 1945, aged 35. Buried Countesthorpe Cemetery.
MOORE	D	No further information
SMITH	Norman Alfred	Flight Sergeant, 45 Squadron, RAFVR (1578116) Died 6th February, 1945, aged 22. Buried Gauhati War Cemetery, Assam, India. Son of Luke and Naomi Smith.
SPIBY	Thomas Frank	Leading Aircraftman, RAFVR (749041). Died 31st July, 1941, aged 29. Buried Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester. Son of Constance Irene Spiby.

Last updated 14 July, 2008

War Memorials Trust