The War Memorials, Names on Scarthin's Memorial

Photo © Charles Beresford 2006		ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE MEN OF SCARTHIN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT EUROPEAN WAR 1914 - 1919
		JOSEPH TOMLINSON WILLIAM SHERRATT ARTHUR BIDDULPH THOMAS KEIGHTLY THOMAS WORTHY WILLIAM H. ALLEN JOHN J. ALLEN GEORGE KIRK JOHN A. PIDCOCK MAY THEIR REWARD BE AS GREAT AS THEIR SACRIFICE
		1939 - 1945
		HARRY KNIVETON GEORGE A. PIDCOCK ARTHUR H. RUSSELL

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
MAVL - Matlock Absent Voter's List (1918)
NoK - Next of Kin
s/o - son of
Unm - Unmarried
WO - War Office

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

ALLEN, William H (William Hoades)
Born Matlock Bath 11 Jul 1888 and baptised at Denby on 5 Aug 1888
KiA 21 Mar 1918
Private 2nd/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 241587
ToW: F & F
s/o John and Jane Ann (nee James) Allen who married at Denby on 30 Oct 1887.
Living with parents in Matlock Bath in the 1891 census. His mother died in 1892. He was the half brother of John Joseph A below.
William was admitted to Cromford Free School Mixed from its the Infant Department on 3 Feb 1896; he left school on 4 Jul 1901, having got as far as Standard V, and went to work at the Cotton Mill.
The family were in Scarthin in the 1901 census. He was already working as a packer in the cotton mill in 1901. He was later employed as a Knotter working in Cotton Manufacture - presumably at Masson Mill.
He enlisted at Matlock. His home address was given as Scarthin in the MAVL (1918).

He was one of 8 Matlock men to die or be killed on 21st Mar 1918, the first day of the German 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht - their big push. The regimental diary for the day, written by the commanding officer Lt. Col. H. S. Hodgkin:
I am proud to state that all ranks fought splendidly, and it is difficult to single out any individuals for special praise ... (TNA: WO 95/3025/4).

Memorial: Arras Memorial (see See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site)
Memorial Reference: Bay 7.

"Derbyshire Courier", 22 March 1919.
In 1919 a notice was placed in the paper about the Allen boys.
"NEWS WANTED.
Private WM. H. ALLEN (241587), 2/6th Sherwoods, missing since 21 Mar 1918.
Private J. J. ALLEN (202673), 2nd Sherwoods, reported missing, 21 March 1918, and since heard of as wounded and prisoner at Stammlager, Limberg a Lahn II., Germany. - Information of either gratefully received by mother, Mrs. J. Allen, Scarthin, Matlock Bath".

ALLEN, John J (John Joseph)
Born Matlock Bath (Scarthin) 25 Oct 1898 and baptised at Holy Trinity 4 Jun 1899
KiA 29 Jun 1918, aged 19 (his age at death is incorrectly recorded as 21 in various other records)
ToW: F & F
Private 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 202673
s/o John and Kate (nee Holmes) Allen. They married at the Independent Chapel in 1896.
He was the half brother of William Hoades A above and the family were living at Scarthin in the 1901 census . He was still at school in 1911. John had joined the Infant Department at Cromford and transferred to Cromford Free School Mixed on 1 Feb 1906; he reached Standard VI, leaving school on 25 Oct 1911 and went to work at Masson Mill.
He enlisted at Matlock on 1 Nov 1915. His home address was given as Scarthin in the MAVL (1918).

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.

The Derbyshire Courier of 22 June 1918 reported Pte J. Allen, Scarthin, as being a Prisoner of War.

"Derbyshire Courier", 22 March 1919.
In 1919 a notice was placed in the paper about the Allen boys.
"NEWS WANTED.
Private WM. H. ALLEN (241587), 2/6th Sherwoods, missing since 21 Mar 1918.
Private J. J. ALLEN (202673), 2nd Sherwoods, reported missing, 21 March 1918, and since heard of as wounded and prisoner at Stammlager, Limberg a Lahn II., Germany. - Information of either gratefully received by mother, Mrs. J. Allen, Scarthin, Matlock Bath".

BIDDULPH, Arthur
Born Cromford 3 Oct 1891 and baptised there 8 Nov 1891
KiA 23 Apr 1917
Corporal 8th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
Formerly 23033, Notts & Derbys Regt
Service No: 43037
ToW: F & F
A s/o Frederick and Jane Smith (Witham) Biddulph, who had married at the Independent Chapel in 1887. Frederick was a miller's carter.
In 1901 the nine year old Arthur was living with his grandmother Mary Ann and Uncle John at the Corn Mill on Water Lane. His mother and brother were on Main Street. He attended Cromford school; in 1903 he was awarded the second prize for Standard V in the freehand drawing section. He was first admitted as a pupil to the Infants' Department and moved to Cromford Free School Mixed on 1 Feb 1898. Having got up to Standard VI he left on 7 Oct 1904 and became an Office Boy.
In 1911 he lived at 1 Scarthin Terrace with his widowed mother, her mother and two brothers. He enlisted at Matlock during September 1914 and was originally in the 13th Bn. Sherwood Foresters. He was one of the first in Scarthin/Cromford to enlist, leaving a good position in the Via Gellia Colour Works - where he was employed as a Clerk - to do so. In May 1917 his mother received official news from Lichfield that her son had died of wounds. Corpl. Biddulph was her second son, and was well known and liked by everyone, and was said to have been a great favourite in the Army as well as in civil life.

Cemetery: Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt (a village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais)
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. E. 16.

KEIGHTLY [KEIGHTLEY], Thomas
Born M Bath 3 Feb 1896
KiA 23 Apr 1917
Private 8th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
Service No: 43145
ToW: F & F
s/o Everard and Grace Keightley of Scarthin. Living Scarthin in the 1901 census.
Thomas moved from Cromford Infants' and became a pupil of Cromford Free School Mixed on 1 Feb 1904; he reached Standard VI, leaving school on 1 Jul 1908 with "No reason Given" for leaving.
He later worked as a Limestone Quarry Man.
Enlisted Chesterfield. Formerly 211013, Notts & Derbys Regt

Memorial: Arras Memorial (see See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site)
Memorial Reference: Bay 6.

KIRK, George
Born 29 Jan 1891 Scarthin [Soldiers Died says b. Whittington, but this conflicts with other information]
Baptised 18 Mar 1891 Matlock Bath Holy Trinity
KiA 14 Feb 1916
Private 10th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 15170
ToW: F & F
s/o Walter and Elizabeth Kirk of Scarthin. Living Scarthin in the 1891 census and the 1901 census. He was admitted to Cromford Free School Mixed from Cromford Infants on 1 Feb 1897; he progressed as far as Standard VI before leaving on 27 Jan 1904 to work at the Cotton Mill. By 1911 George was working for a Hosiery Company.
Enlisted Chesterfield.

Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient
Memorial Reference: Panel 39 and 41.

PIDCOCK, John A (John Arthur)
Born 1900 (records show his birthplace as both Cromford and Matlock Bath).
Baptised at Crich 11 Jan 1901
Died 27 Nov 1918, aged 18 at Mansfield.
Private "D" Coy. 53rd Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 6/53557
One of the 9 children of "the late" Isaiah and Martha Pidcock, of Cromford. Isaiah mar (as Azariah, his birth name) Martha Pickard at Belper's Baptist Chapel in 1894. By 1911 Isaiah was a labourer in the paint works but was buried at St. Mark's, Cromford on 17 Oct 1911 (various spellings of first name in records).

John and his family were living at Thurlow Booth, Crich in 1901 but later returned to live at Scarthin in a house between the shops of Doxey and Mrs. Biddulph close to the Temperance Hall and Primitive Methodist Chapel.

British Army Service Records (Burnt Documents) show him arriving as a new recruit in the Regimental Orders from Depot Derby on 26 Aug 1918, being allotted TR/6/ numbers and posted to A Coy. although when he died he was in D Coy. He was in the 53rd (YS) Bn. Training Reserve (Notts and Derby Regt.) and the Burnt Documents record shows him as being in the Nos. 17 and 18 Lines, Rugeley Camp, Stafford - YS in the record stands for Young Soldiers. He did not see service in France.

Cemetery: Cromford (St. Mark) Churchyard. He was buried at St. Mark's, Cromford on 3 Dec 1918.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 4. 16. 21.

SHERRATT, William
Born 25 Oct 1890 at Ashbourne (Hartington)
KiA 9 May 1915, aged 24
Private 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment).
Service No: 11390. Formerly 1170, Manchester Regt.
ToW: F & F
s/o George and Jane Sherratt, of 55, Thoresby Rd., Mansfield Woodhouse, NTT.
George started at Cromford Free School Mixed on 8 Oct 1901 having previously been at Mayfield where he reached Standard IV; when he left on 23 Oct 1903 to work at the Cotton Mill he was at Standard V.
In 1911 his father, a shoemaker, and sister were living in Scarthin, near the Tabor Chapel. William was then at Paddock House, Alstonfield and working for John Gould, a farmer, as a Waggoner. He was living at Mansfield Woodhouse when he enlisted at Ashton under Lyne, Lancs. Private Sherratt had been in the Army for a number of years. The letter announcing his death came from a brother, Mr. J. T. Sherratt, also serving in the 1st Sherwood Foresters.

Memorial: Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. The Ploegsteert Memorial commemorates more than 11,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in this sector during the First World War and have no known grave.
Memorial Reference: Panel 7.

TOMLINSON, Joseph
Born M Bath 10 Jan 1891
KiA 12 Mar 1915, aged 24
Private 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service No: 14148
ToW: F & F
s/o Joseph and Sarah Tomlinson, of Chapel Hill, Cromford, Matlock. The family were living at Mount Pleasant in the 1891 census and in Scarthin in the 1901 census.
Thomas was educated at Cromford Free School Mixed, transferring from the Infants' Department on 1 Feb 1898; he reached Standard V, leaving on 6 Sep 1908 to work as an Errand Boy.
Worked as a Stationary Engine Driver at the Via Gellia Colour Works.
Enlisted Derby.

Memorial: Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue, Pas de Calais (between Bethune and Armentieres)
Memorial Reference: Panel 26 and 27.

"Belper News", 9 April 1915.
"The other morning, Mr. Joseph Tomlinson of Chapel Hill received an official notification that his son, Private Joseph Tomlinson of the 1st Notts and Derby Regt., had been killed in action at a place not stated, on 12th March.
Private Tomlinson enlisted on the 2nd September, and left this country for France on the 28th January. A sad feature of his death, and one which his relatives feel very keenly, is that during the period of his training he was never able to visit home. The last time they saw him was when he left Cromford with the object of offering himself for the Army.
The deceased was 24 years of age. ... "

WORTHY, Thomas
Born Cromford (Scarthin?) 1887
DoW 4 Oct 1917, aged 30
Private 1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service No: 204551
ToW: F & F
s/o Peter and Mary Worthy, of Scarthin, Matlock Bath. The family were living at Scarthin in the 1891 census and the 1901 census. Thomas worked as a Brewer's labourer at the Cromford Brewery prior to enlisting, before which he was employed at Masson Mills. He enlisted at Matlock. In October 1917 his father, Peter, had heard that he had died of wounds received in action. He was a single man.

Cemetery: Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. E. 9.

Those who died in WW2, 1939-45 : further information

KNIVETON, Harry
Born 1926
Died 26 Dec 1944, aged 19
Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Capel, Royal Navy
Service No: P/KX 601704

s/o James Harry (b.1905 and bap 30 Apr 1905 Bonsall) and Hilda Annie (nee Millward) Kniveton, of Scarthin who married at Matlock Bath in 1925. James, Hilda and their 5 children were living on Scarthin Hillside in 1939.
H.M.S. Capel sunk by German submarine U-486 in the English Channel, just north of Cherbourg, on 26 Dec 1944. 75 members of the crew went down with the ship, 68 of whom were ratings.

Memorial: Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Memorial Reference: Panel 86, Column 1.

PIDCOCK, George A[lbert]
Born 14 Jun 1915
Died 6 Jun 1942
Lance Corporal Royal Army Service Corps
Service No: 193007
ToW: Middle East

s/o John Henry (d.1924) and Emma (nee Bunting) Pidcock who married at the Ebenezer Chapel Cromford in 1894. They can be found living in Scarthin in the 1901 census.
The family were still in Scarthin in 1939. George and some of his siblings were living with the widowed Emma. George was working in the grocery trade as a roundsman (driver).

Cemetery: El Alamein War Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: XXXII. C. 22.

RUSSELL, Arthur H[enson]
Born 1915 (as Wragg)
Died 23 Oct 1944, aged 29
Trooper 17th/21st Lancers Royal Armoured Corps
Service No: 5053521
ToW: Italy
s/o Charles Henry and Lucy Alice (Wragg) Russell who married at Belper Register Office shortly after Arthur was born.
Arthur married Jessie Hannah Lorraine Heathcote at Ashbourne Register Office in 1938. In 1939 he was living at New Haven Farm Cottage. The Heathcotes were at the farm nearby. He was employed as a Labourer at a Lime Works. Whilst his wife was not at home his daughter, born earlier in the year, was living with him.
Jessie Hannah L did not re-marry and passed away on the Isle of Wight in 1997.

Cemetery: Forli War Cemetery, Italy. Many of those buried there lost their lives in the heavy fighting between Rimini and Ravenna which took place in appalling weather in October-December 1944
Grave/Memorial Reference: II, C, 4.

With very grateful thanks to the late Mr. Charles Beresford for initial help and additional material.
Background research from "The High Peak News" and other local newspapers, GRO BMD indexes and FreeBMD, from returns for the 1891 census | the 1901 census the 1911 census, parish registers and family members. Names also compared with information provided on "Soldiers Died in the Great War" CD and other Army records. Some records found in "The London Gazette" and "The Times".

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 Scarthin War Memorial. Thank you.