The War Memorials, Names on Matlock Bath's Memorial

1914 - 1919	Image kindly donated by Photo-Ark © 2003	1939 - 1945
Frank Wigley BODEN^[2] George William BODEN^[1] Matthew BODEN^[2] William Henry BRITLAND Thomas Cecil BURDETT Edgar BUXTON John CLAY^[1] Clarence Hugh COATES^[3] Lewis George DICKINSON^[1,4] William Henry ELLIOTT Ernest ELLIS William John FINNEY^[2] William Henry GREGORY^[5] Dick HARDSTAFF Angus Walker HALL^[2] William Ernest KNIGHT Arthur Thomas MORGAN Richard PICKFORD Thomas Bertram REYNOLDS^[4] John SEEDHOUSE^[1] Alexander Anthony SIMS Joseph STATHAM^[1]	Image kindly donated by Photo-Ark © 2003	Herbert BALLINGTON^[2] Ronald Douglas BINKS Cyril Rowland EDMONDS David GRANTHAM George HOWITT Norman LAND Angus Donald MOFFAT Maurice Furniss MORTEN Charles Richard MORTEN Warren WALKER

Abbreviations

DoW - Died of Wounds
KiA - Killed in Action
ToW - Theatre of War
F & F - France and Flanders

M Bank - Matlock Bank
M Bath - Matlock Bath
M Dale - Matlock Dale

Mar - Married
NoK - Next of Kin
s/o - son of
Unm - Unmarried
WO - War Office

Those who died in WW1, 1914 - 1919 : further information

BODEN, Frank Wigley^[2]
Born M Bath 1898 (in Kedleston in 1901, not with parents in M Bath)
KiA 18 Oct 1917, aged 19
Private in the 8th Bn.Yorkshire Regiment
Service No: 33604
ToW: F & F
s/o John William and Amy Wright Boden, of South Parade, M Bath.
Buried: Hooge Crater Cemetery, nr. Ieper, Belgium
Grave Reference: IX. C. 13.

BODEN, George William^[1]
Born M Bank 1883
DoW 13 May 1917, aged 33
Private 8th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
Service No: 30622
ToW: F & F
s/o of William and Ann Boden, of the Gate Hotel, Matlock Bank; husband of Clara (née Chadwick) Boden, of Spring Cottage, North Parade, M Bath. In 1901 census listed as Barman at The Gate, using second name. Mar at Matlock Bath Independent Chapel (Glenorchy) in 1902. The family first lived in Portland Cottage and George became an omnibus driver. Enlisted Matlock. 6 children.
Buried: Etaples Military Cemetery
Grave Reference: XXV. B. 15
See War Graves photos (Etaples) elsewhere on this site
Also commemorated St. Giles (with parents) More Info

BODEN, Matthew^[2]
Born M Bath 1876
Bap Holy Trinity 4 Jun 1876
DoW 21 May 1918, aged 42 [Soldiers Died states incorrect year of 1917]
Private 6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 241473
ToW: F & F
s/o of the late George and Elizabeth Boden, of Matlock Bath. See the 1891 census. Family living at Glenorchy Cottages in 1901 census. Enlisted Chesterfield. Unm.
Buried: Fouquires Churchyard Extension, nr. Bethune
Grave Reference: III. A. 5.

BRITLAND, William Henry (Billy)
Born M 1899
KiA 22 Mar 1918
Private in the 3rd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
Service No: 41963
s/o of Richard and Hannah Britland, who lived in M Dale (see 1901 census). Unm. His sister, Minnie, married the great uncle of the web mistress.
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 6.
Also commemorated: St. Giles' Churchyard More Info

BURDETT, Thomas Cecil
Born 1891 Rutland Oakham (Billesdon Reg Dist)
KiA 5 Dec 1917 in Mesopotamia
Private 5th Bn. Wiltshire Regiment
Service No: 33358
Mar Sarah Ann Slater 1914 at Holy Trinity, then moved to Stockport. Lived Devonshire Terrace and 5 Clarence Villas. 1 daughter (in 1901 census family given as Burnett)
Also see The Burdett family outside 5 Clarence Villas
Memorial: Basra Memorial
Memorial Reference: Panel 30 and 64

BUXTON, Edgar
Born M Bath 1878
Bap Holy Trinity 15 Aug 1878
Died (Gassed) 27 Apr 1918, aged 39
Private 17th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) then 9th Sherwood Foresters
Service No: 41282
ToW: F & F
s/o of Herbert and Elizabeth Buxton, of South Parade, M Bath.
Father was Museum & Derwent Gardens proprietor. See the 1881 census | the 1891 census | the 1901 census when Edgar was working as an auctioneer. Joined Army 1916.
Also see Derwent Gardens - The Switchback, (1) Rise & Fall | Derwent Gardens - The Switchback, (2) Adrenalin Rush
Buried: Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, which is between Bethune and Lens.
Grave Reference: III. D. 2.

CLAY, John^[2]
Born 1889 M Bank.
DoW Friday, 13th April 1917, aged 27 in Etaples Military Hospital
Trooper (Private CWGC) 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars
Service No: 25376
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Jane Clay. Living M Bank in 1901. Husband of Ethel Lily Clay, of 1, Masson Rd., M Bath. 2 sons, 1 daughter. Enlisted Derby. Educated first at All Saints' and then at the Cavendish School, Matlock. Had been apprenticed to Hodgkinsons as a surveyor, specializing in land values for farmers, but went to work for his childhood friend, Bill Furniss (no relation). He intended to open a garage with Bill, but this obviously did not happen. Bill was with him when he was mortally wounded by an exploding shell at Monchy-le-Preux in the early morning of 11th April. The telegram was delivered by Police Inspector John Clarke, who had lost a son himself only a few months before (see Matlock Casualties). Inspector Clarke added his own personal condolences to the bottom of the telegram, which he hand delivered to John's widow. She was at her parents home in Masson Terrace and her children were all dressed in their best, either for Sunday School or a treat. Inspector Clarke then returned to Matlock to inform John's parents.
Buried: Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Died in the Military Hospital there.
Grave Reference: Plot XXII Row G Grave 12

John Clay is grandfather of the web mistress.
See War Graves photos (Etaples) elsewhere on this site
Also commemorated St. Giles (with mother) Read MI transcript

Matlock's National Reservists & the Call-up Card

John Clay's hat badge which was sliced in two when he was mortally wounded. The missing
elements are ICH DIEN and 10TH ROYAL HUSSARS

COATES, Clarence Hugh^[3]
Born Matlock, though living Darley/Farley in 1901
Lance Corporal 10th Bn. Hampshire Regiment (went to the Dardanelles as an 18th Hussar attached to the 10th Hampshires)
Died (of dysentery): 4 Oct 1915, aged 20, Alexandria
Service No: 6694
ToW: Dardenelles
s/o John Thomas and Annie Coates, Riversdale, M Bath
Buried: Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery
Grave Reference: D. 79.

DICKINSON, Lewis George (Lew)^[1,4]
Born Sheffield 1878
KiA at Ypres (mine) 30 Sep 1915, aged 36
Second Lieutenant "C" Coy. 6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
s/o Frederick George and Ann Jemima Dickinson of The Dimple (Beechwood). Unm, but had fiancee. A Railway Clerk before the War. Had been in Holy Trinity Church Choir - see MI in that church
Buried: Spoilbank Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Grave Reference: I. G. 18.

ELLIOTT, William Henry
Born M Bath 1885
Bap Holy Trinity 31 May 1885
KiA 26 Sep 1917, aged 30
Private 2nd/5th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 202592
ToW: F & F
s/o the late William and Elizabeth Elliott of Scarthin (Mrs Elliott also lived Waterloo Road); husband of Sarah Jane Alsop (formerly Elliott), of 69A, Bolehill, Wirksworth. Worked at Masson Mills. See the 1891 census and the 1901 census. Mar Sarah Jane Elliott 1912 at Bakewell Register Office. 1 daughter.
Family had to wait 10 months for confirmation of death^[6]
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders
Memorial Reference: Panel 99 to 102 and 162 to 162A.

ELLIS, Ernest
Born M Bath 1888
KiA 18 Oct 1916 (latter days of the Battle of The Somme)
Private 1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
Service No: 29192
ToW: F & F
s/o James and Sarah, living Matlock Dale in the 1891 census and Dale Road in the 1901 census, later at Primrose Cottage, St. John's Road. Unm. Worked at Hunter's grocers on Dale Road, Matlock
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 6 C.

FINNEY, William John [Jack]^[2]
Born M Bath 1874
KiA 15 Jun 1915, aged 41 by artillery fire
1st/6th Bn.Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 241
ToW: F & F
s/o William and Lydia Finney, of Temple Walk, M Bath. Unm, but engaged. Joiner in 1901
Buried: Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (8 km south of Ieper)
Grave Reference: D. 26.
Also commemorated Matlock Bath - see MI

GREGORY, William Henry^[5]
Born Bonsall (Matlock) 6 Jan 1891
KiA 1 Nov 1914, aged 23 at Battle of Coronel - ship went down with all hands
Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. "Monmouth", Royal Navy
Service No: SS/109106
s/o Charles and Dorothy Gregory, of M Bath (of Valley View, Upperwood)
Memorial: Plymouth Naval Memorial
Memorial Reference: 3
Also commemorated Matlock Bath - see MI

HALL, Angus Walker^[2]
Born Grantham 1898
Died: 03 Nov 1918
Private 9th (Glasgow Hdrs.) Bn. Highland Light Infantry
Service No: 242557
ToW: Dardenelles, F & F
Unm. Living Nottingham in 1901. Lived Woodland Terrace. He was a PoW and died just after being released
Buried: Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery, now in Poland
Grave Reference: II. B. 9.

HARDSTAFF, Dick
(Dick on memorial and on floral tributes, Richard in CWGC records)
Born M Bath
KiA 1 Jul 1916, aged 21
Private 5th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 4304
ToW: F & F
s/o Joseph and Elizabeth Hardstaff, of "Parade View," Matlock, Bath. Unm. Sister Bernice. See Promenade Cafe
Buried: Foncquevillers Military Cemetery (about 18 km south-west of Arras), with two others^[6] He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Grave Reference: I. L. 44.
Also commemorated Matlock Bath - see MI

KNIGHT, William Ernest
Born Plymouth 1893
KiA 25 Apr 1917, aged 23. "Fell at Bullecourt"^[6]
Corporal 2nd Bn.Yorkshire Regiment
ToW: F & F
s/o William James and Sarah Jane Knight, of York House, M Bath. Unm
Buried: Bucquoy Roa Cemetery, Ficheux, Pas de Calais
Grave Reference: I. C. 13.
Also see Holy Trinity MI

MORGAN, Arthur Thomas
(Arthur Thomas MORGAN on memorial, Arthur Thomas Holmes MORGAN in CWC and Soldiers Died records)
Born Bath 1880
Date of Death: 08 Dec 1917, aged 35
Private 1st/4th Bn. Essex Regiment. Previously joined ASC in 1916 (T4/235177). Had served in the Boer War^[6]
Service No: 37205
ToW: Egypt & Palestine
s/o Tom Morgan, of Bath; husband of Daisy Morgan, of Beach Hotel. Sutton-on-Sea, LIN. He mar Daisy Lakeman in Bath in 1910. In both Kelly's Directory of 1912 and Kelly's Directory of 1916 he was listed as the proprietor of the Bath Terrace Hotel. When he joined the army his wife took over the business
Buried: Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt
Grave Reference: E. 227.
Also commemorated Wells Cathedral WM^[6]

PICKFORD, Richard
Born Australia, but living Matlock Town in 1901, later living Matlock Dale with aunt, Mrs Bentley
KiA: 14 Dec1915, aged 21
Private 10th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 14414
ToW: F & F
s/o Herbert and Eliza Jane Pickford.
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient. No known grave. Worked as a labourer before the war on the Midland Railway
Memorial Reference: Panel 39 and 41.

REYNOLDS, Thomas Bertram (Bert)^[3]
Born Matlock 1896
KiA: 07 Jul 1916, aged 20 - in the early stages of the Battle of the Somme.
Private 16th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 26962
s/o the late James Marratt and of Ada Winifred Reynolds, of Cliff Rd., M Bath. Unm. Connections with All Saints Church, Matlock Bank where his name was put on the memorial
Buried: Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue, Pas de Calais (between Bethune and Armentieres)
Grave Reference: III. J. 19.

SEEDHOUSE, John^[1]
Born M Bath 1889
KiA 05 Jul 1916, aged 26
Corporal 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Enlisted Derby, resided Matlock.
Service No: 11321
ToW: F & F
Living Upperwood in the 1891 census and the 1901 census grandson of George and Elizabeth Seedhouse. Mother Mrs. Steeples of Matlock Cliff. His mother, Elizabeth, had married William Steeples at Holy Trinity in 1907. John had initially joined the 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters as Private 413/x/0, but went to India with the 1st Bn. for 2 years pre war.
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.

SIMS, Alexander Anthony
Born Matlock 1885 (living Matlock 1891)
KiA 29 Sep 1918, aged 33
Private 15th/17th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
Service No: 265767
ToW: F & F
s/o Alexander and Jemima Sims; husband of Ethel Sims (née Wood), of 21, Old Hall St., Burmantofts, Leeds. Mar 1912. 1 daughter. Was a Leeds Tram driver before he joined up
Buried: Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery
Grave Reference: V. A. 12.
Also commemorated Matlock Bath - see MI

STATHAM, Joseph^[1]
Born Starkholmes 1888
Died: 18 Oct 1916, aged 28 in Wirksworth Cottage Hospital, having been discharged from the Army.
Serjeant 1st Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment. Enlisted Pontefract in 1908.
Service No: 9197
ToW: F & F, Salonika. Also served Hyderabad, India, as joined the Army in 1908 (census records show him there as single).
s/o Alfred and Emma Statham. See the 1891 census | the 1901 census. Husband of Clara Statham, of 25, Green Hill, Wirksworth. He mar Clara Else in 1907 at Wirksworth. She did not go to India as far as records show. 1 son.
Buried: Wirksworth
Grave Reference: C. of E. 557.

Those who died in WW2, 1939-4 : further information

BALLINGTON, Herbert^[2]
Born: 1918
Died: 28 Aug 1941, aged 23 - drowned in a bathing accident
Private 1/6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment, Infantry
Service No: 4915999
s/o Herbert Ballington and Sarah Jane (née Fox) Ballington, of M Bath. Lived at Orchard House, Holme Road, M Bath
Buried: Tansley (Holy Trinity) Churchyard. Buried 2 Sep 1941
ToW: United Kingdom

BINKS, Ronald Douglas
Born: 1922
Died: 31 Aug 1943, aged 21
Sergeant 150 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service No: 1578540
s/o Douglas Valentine and Sarah Ellen (née Bond) Binks, of M Bath. Lived at 5 Rockvale Terrace
Memorial: Malta Memorial, which commemorates airmen who have no known grave.
Memorial Reference: Panel 8, Column 1.
See Matlock Bath Rovers/Scouts/Cubs pix1 | pix2 | pix3

Ronnie Binks photographed in 1932/2 as a chorister at Holy Trinity Church

EDMONDS, Cyril Rowland
Born 1921
Died: 25 June 1944, aged 22 (killed in a flying accident)
Rank: Sub-Lieutenant (A) H.M.S. Heron. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
s/o Cyril and Jessie May (née Rowland) Edmonds, Portland House, M Bath; husband of Edna Minerva (née Rainsbury), of Ednaston. Mar 1944 at Brailsford
Buried: Matlock Bath Holy Trinity Churchyard

Rowland Edmonds was a member of Matlock Bath Church Choir in 1932/3

GRANTHAM, David
Died: 24/11/1941, aged 18
Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Dunedin, Royal Navy
Service No: P/JX 164254
s/o James and Helen Grantham, of Cromford.
Memorial: Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 50, Column 3.

HMS Dunedin (Capt. R.S. Lovatt, RN) was sunk at 1526 hours on 24 November 1941 in the Central Atlantic east of St. Paul's Rocks, north east of Recife, Brazil in position 03.00S, 26.00W by 2 torpedoes from the German submarine U-124. Only 4 officers and 63 men survived out of a crew of 486 officers and men.

HOWITT, George
Born: 1914
Died: 1 Dec 1943, aged 30
Private 2/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
Service No: 4862258
s/o George and Lilian Howitt; husband of Mary Lilian (née Bannister) Howitt, of M Bath. Mar Bakewell Register Office 1939
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Buried: Cassino War Cemetery, Italy
Grave Reference: III. K. 11.
ToW: Italy

LAND, Norman
Born: 1916
Died: 17 Oct 1943
Rank: Private 5th Bn. Suffolk Regiment, Infantry
Service No: 4805393
Additional information: s/o Albert Land, and of Mary Ann (née Marshall) Land, of M Bath.
Buried: Thanbyuzat War Cemetery, Burma
Grave Reference: B6. Q. 7.
ToW: Burma

MOFFAT, Angus Donald
Died: 26 Apr 1944, aged 27
Sergeant Royal Marines
s/o Peter and Elizabeth Moffat, of Wirksworth; husband of Mona Doreen Moffat (née Stone) of M Bath. Mar Bonsall in 1936
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Buried: Wirksworth Cemetery
Grave Reference: Grave 1871.

MORTEN, Charles Richard
(brother of Maurice below)
Born: 1912
Died: 1 Apr 1944, aged 32 (reported missing in Jun 1944, believed dead)
Lance Bombardier 158 Field Regt. Royal Artillery
Service No: 987419
s/o Albert Morten, and of Florence May (née Hodson) Morten, of M Bath. Lived at Fairview Terrace
Memorial: Rangoon Memorial, Burma
Memorial Reference: Face 2.
ToW: Burma
See Matlock Bath Rovers/Scouts/Cubs pix1 | pix2 | pix3

MORTEN, Maurice Furniss
(brother of Charles above)
Born: 1920
Died: 23 Oct 1942, aged 22 (reported missing in Dec 1942)
Able Seaman H.M. Submarine Urlique, Royal Navy
Service No: C/JX 203146
s/o Albert and Florence May (née Hodson) Morten, of Matlock.
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
Memorial Reference: 55, 2.
See Matlock Bath Rovers/Scouts/Cubs pix1 | pix2 | pix3

WALKER, Warren
Born: Odham District 1909
Died: 17 Sep 1942, aged 33
Sergeant (Obs.) 149 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (reported missing in Dec 1942, later confirmed dead)
Service No: 1432657
s/o George Elias and Alice (née Bolton) Walker, of Hazel Grove, Cheshire. A.T.I.
Buried: Gosselies Communal Cemetery, Charleroi, Hainaut, Belgium
Grave Reference: Row 1. Grave 29.

WW1 Casualties with Matlock Bath link not on the Memorial **New**

ALLEN, Arthur^[7]
Born 1892 Scarthin, Matlock Bath and bap at Holy Trinity 22 Nov 1891
DoW: 25 Dec 1917, aged 26
Private "C" Coy. 1st/8th Bn. Manchester Regiment
Service No: 301558
ToW: F&F
s/o of Frank and Frances Allen, of 82, Walter St., Harpurhey, Manchester and brother of Harold below. His parents were living at Scarthin in the 1891 census and the family had moved to Glenorchy Cottages by the 1901 census, but then moved to Harpurhey where Arthur was employed as a Lapper. Enlisted Manchester.
Grave Reference: I. N. 19.
Cemetery: Chocques Military Cemetery

ALLEN, Harold^[7]
Born 1893 Bonsall
DoW: 2 Apr 1917 aged 23
Private No. 2 Coy. 19th Bn. Manchester Regiment
Service No: 2241
ToW: F&F
s/o of Frank and Frances Allen, of 82, Walter St., Harpurhey, Manchester and brother of Arthur above. His parents were living at Scarthin in the 1891 census and the family had moved to Glenorchy Cottages by the 1901 census, but then moved to Harpurhey where Harold was employed as a Plaiter. Enlisted Manchester.
Grave Reference: VI. G. 8.
Cemetery: Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty

CLARK, Charles Augustus
Born Matlock Bath 1 Jan 1886. Bap Holy Trinity Nov 1888 with other siblings
KiA: 1 Jul 1916, aged 30. He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Second Lieutenant 5th Bn. attd. 1st Bn. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)
s/o Arthur Clark, of Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, and the late Mary Francis Clark (she died earlier in 1916) and brother of Neville Arthur below. His father was the postmaster in M Bath at the time of both the 1881 census and the 1891 census. Also see Kelly's 1891 Directory and Kelly's 1895 Directory. The family moved to Kidderminster and then to Lancaster. Charles worked as an Accountant and was living in Islington in 1911.
Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 16 B and 16 C.
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial. This memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

CLARK, Neville Arthur
Born 20 Sep 1887. Bap Holy Trinity Nov 1888
DoW: 28 Nov 1917, aged 30
Lieutenant 1st Bn. Coldstream Guards
s/o of Arthur and Mary Francis Clark (she died 1916) and brother of Charles Augustus above. Husband of Mary C. Clark (nee Gordon), of Maghull, Liverpool, whom he mar in 1916. His father was the postmaster in M Bath at the time of both the 1881 census and the 1891 census. Also see Kelly's 1891 Directory and Kelly's 1895 Directory. The family moved to Kidderminster and then to Lancaster. Neville worked for British American Tobacco, at first in Bristol and later in London.
Grave Reference: IV. A. 12.
Cemetery: Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt

FROGGATT, Frank Reginald
Born Eyam 1888
KiA 3 Feb 1917, aged 29
Lance Corporal 1st/4th Bn. Devonshire Regiment
Service No: 2703
ToW: Mesopotamia
s/o of John William (who died in 1910) and Kate (nee Dobbs) Froggatt, of Eyam where his father was a Grocer & Postmaster.
At some stage Frank lived in Matlock Bath and was a member of Holy Trinity Church Choir for two years. By 1914 he was in Exeter, where he enlisted, as he was a supernumerary in the Cathedral Choir^[6]. He was not mentioned as having signed up in September 1914 but an article in a local paper said he was one of 15 choir members serving by Jan 1916.
Cemetery: Amara War Cemetery, Iraq
Grave Reference: XVIII. H. 2.

WATSON, Hugh
Born: Matlock Bath 1893
KiA 13 May 1915
Private 11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars
Service No: 9586
ToW: F & F
The third of five sons of s/o of Robert & Rossetta Jane Watson. Robert was the proprietor of the Bath Terrace Hotel in the 1890s and three of the couple’s 3 sons were born in the village. Hugh was baptised at Holy Trinity 4 Jun 1893. The Watson’s left Matlock Bath in 1894 and moved to Derby, where the two younger boys were born. Their father Robert died at Derby in 1899. The family initially stayed together and moved to Kidderminster but by 1911 they had split up and were living in different parts of the country. Rosetta Jane Watson emigrated to Canada after her three younger sons were killed and lived at 369, Hamilton Rd., Ontario. Her two elder sons (twins) had emigrated before the war.
In 1911 Hugh was working as an apprentice chef at the Granville Hotel, Ramsgate, Kent. He enlisted at Birmingham, but resided at Leeds. His two younger brothers, Edward and John, also served with the British Army; John was KiA 1 Jul 1916 and is commemorated at Thiepval whereas Edward, whose name is also on the Menin Gate, was KiA 7 August 1917. At a memorial service held on 22 Apr 1917 in Holy Trinity Church, John and Hugh Watson were remembered, as was the web mistress’s grandfather, John Clay.
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient. No known grave.
Memorial Reference: Panel 5

^[1] Also commemorated on the Matlock War Memorial: See WW1 Surnames A - J and WW1 Surnames K - W or WW2. John Clay, for example, lived in Matlock Bath but was born and brought up in Matlock. John Clay was the grandfather of the webmistress.
^[2] Also commemorated at Glenorchy Chapel
^[3] Also commemorated on the Darley Dale (Whitworth) War Memorial.
^[4] Also commemorated at All Saints', Matlock
^[5] Also commemorated on the Bonsall and Plymouth Hoe War Memorials and in Holy Trinity churchyard

See grave 153
^[6] Beresford, Charles "The Bath at War, A Derbyshire Community and the Great War" (2007). Country Books/Ashridge Press. ISBN 978 1 901214 91 8.
^[7] Commemorated on Bonsall War Memorial

All given names above appeared in the High Peak News report:
"Unveiling and dedication of Matlock Bath War Memorial on 7 May 1921."
This can be read at County Hall Local Studies Library

How to contact County Hall Local Studies Library

Not everyone who fought in the War died, of course.

Matlock Bath Men Serving King and Country, 1914 lists some of those who enlisted at the beginning

With very grateful thanks to Mr. Charles Beresford for help and additional material. Background research from "The High Peak News", GRO BMD indexes and FreeBMD, from returns for the 1891 census and 1901 census (click link to go to on-site transcripts), parish registers and family members. Names also compared with information provided on "Soldiers Died in the Great War" CD.

If you know any more about the above men, we would very much like to hear from you. Please email and in the subject line write Matlock Bath War Memorial. Thank you.