They Also Served: A – F

Those Who Also Served (Surnames A to F):

The following are short biographies of the men of Ruskington who enlisted during the Great War with surnames beginning ‘A’ to ‘F’.

Remembered on this page are:

• Lance Corporal 16050 Robert Warne ABRAHAMS
• Lance Corporal 1063 John Richard AMBLER
• Private 14918 Arthur Thomas BAKER
• Lieutenant Cecil BEATTIE
• Lance Corporal 3665 ? (George) Ernest BOSWORTH
• 2^nd Lieutenant Frederick William BROWN
•         Private Willoughby Graves BUTLER
• Private 241326 Arthur CAWDRON
•         Private 51812 Harry CAWDRON
• Corporal 6594 Arthur Frank COCK
• Corporal 964 Charles COCK, M.M.
•         Private Harold COCK
•         Private 241619 Walter COCK
• (Private) Charles COOK
• Private S4/090754 Joseph Henry CORBY
•         Driver 135488 Charles CUTLER
• Private 6/10834 John CUTLER
•         Private 54925 Tom DANIEL
• Private 21058 Samuel DAYBLES
•         Private John William DICKENSEN
•         Sapper 367305 Edward Chalinder FRISBY

SCROLL DOWN – to read more about these Ruskington men.

 

Private 16050 Robert WARNE (Served as Pt. Robert Warne ABRAHAMS) – was the brother of Private 11488 Harry WARNE, 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who Died of wounds on 11th July 1916.

Robert was the eldest the son of John Robert (Labourer) and Lucy Ann (née Clarricoates) Warne. He was born in Ruskington on 25 June 1884, and registered as Robert Abrahams. [See: Harry’s page – above – for more family details.]

Some of their children were baptised “Abrahams“, which was John Robert’s mother’s maiden name.

He had six younger siblings, John (b. 1886), James (b. 1888), Elizabeth (b. 1889), Alice (b. 1892), Henry (b. 1895) and Ethel (b. 1898).

In the June quarter 1907 (under the name Robert Warne  Abrahams) Robert married Harriett Blandford, probably in All Saint’s Church, Ruskington.

The 1911 Census (RG 14/20755) shows them living at Fulbeck Heath, Grantham, with a surname now spelled “WARN“. Robert was working as a “Waggoner On Farm” and they had two children, Harriett Elizabeth (born March quarter 1908 – but registered under the surname ‘Abrahams‘) and Robert William (born December quarter 1909, registered under the surname ‘Abrahams‘).

After enlistment and training in the 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, Robert’s Medal Index Card shows that he was posted to “The Balkans” with his Battalion on 12 December 1915.

This date coincides with the date the Battalion was evacuated from Gallipoli due to heavy losses from combat, disease and severe weather. From Gallipoli the Battalion was posted to Egypt in January 1916 and from there to France, arriving at Marseilles on 8 July 1916. Robert’s Battalion spent the rest of the War engaged in various actions on the Western Front.

N.B. Robert’s Service Number is only 57 away from another Ruskington man, Private 15930 William Christopher CUNNINGTON, his brother-in-law, also of the 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who died in Gallipoli on 24 October 1915.

At the end of his Service Robert was transferred to “Class Z Reserve” which was authorised by an Army Order of 3 December 1918. There were fears that Germany would not accept the terms of any peace treaty, and therefore the British Government decided it would be wise to be able to quickly recall trained men in the eventuality of the resumption of hostilities.

The photograph of Robert’s medals (right) by courtesy of Christopher Warne, great nephew of Robert.

The 1939 Register shows Robert working as a ‘Farm Labourer‘ and living in the Council Houses, Dorrington with other members of his family. His wife, Harriett, had died in the December quarter 1921. Robert died in the Cleethorpes District, Lincolnshire in the September quarter 1970, aged 84.

 

Lance Corporal 1063 John Richard AMBLER  – was born on 19 July 1883, the son of Edward (Grocer and Baker) and Emma (née Bones) Ambler.

In 1901 (Census RG 13/3048) John was living on High Street South, Ruskington, with his older brother, William, and his younger brother and sister, Fred and Minnie. By 1911 (Census RG 14/19755) the family had moved to 16 Lindum Avenue, Lincoln, where father, Edward, was working as a “Wood Machinist“, as was John.

By 1915, however, the above newspaper report refers to John being the son of  ‘Mrs Ambler‘ of Silver Street, Ruskington, as be then she was widowed. Her husband, Edward, had died, in July 1911, and is buried in Grave 56, Plot B, in Ruskington Cemetery, Old Plot.

John attested in the 16^th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Bradford Pals), at Bradford, soon after War was declared on 28 September 1914. He stood 5ft. 8¼ ins. [1.73 m] tall, weighed 10 st. 0 lbs. [63.5 kgs.] and had blue eyes, brown hair and a ‘fresh’ complexion. At the time of the above article he was training on Salisbury Plain.

On 6 December 1915 John and his Battalion were posted to Egypt, where they remained until March 1916, returning to Marseilles on the 7th and moved to the Western Front. On 17 May 1916 John suffered a severe Gun Shot Wound which caused a “Compound fracture of the right tibia” and evacuated back to England a week later.

He was awarded ‘Silver War Badge’ [No. 217992] and the ‘King’s Certificate of Discharge’ and discharged on 2 April 1917, Kings Reg. 392 (XVI), “no longer physically fit for war service“.

 about the Silver War Badge and Kings Certificate of Discharge.

At Christmas 1916 John was in receipt of one of the 87 ‘Tuck Boxes’ sent out to serving men from Ruskington. “The Sleaford Gazette” (23 December 1916) reported that he was one of those who had sent his thanks, adding:

“It is lovely, and so kind of all. am slowly recovering, and hope to be discharged from hospital in a few weeks, but I have not been able to use my leg up to the present. Still, I have got on very well considering that I got such a bad wound on the shin bone, caused by an explosive ballet, which also broke my leg. Should I ever be fit for active service again, I shall go out with as good heart as I did first time.”

Correspondence in John’s Service Papers, after his discharge on 2 April 1917, show that he had to go to considerable trouble, entailing a number of letters and explanations of his wounds before he was finally awarded a pension of 12s. 6d. [62 p.] per week, rising to 13s. 9d. [68 p.] after his discharge. [These amounts have an equivalent value of about £55 –> £60 today – 2023.]

This correspondence was conducted from Silver Street, Ruskington, his mother’s address.

John died on 21 October 1962 at 27 Myrtle Road, Elland, Yorkshire. He left £1792 5s 6d (£1792.27 – a relative value of about £49,000 today – 2023) to two spinsters, Alice and Mabel Ambler.

However, the 1939 Register has a ‘John Richard Ambler‘ living at 45 Beech Street, Elland, with wife, Betsy Ann, and daughter, Alice (born 2 January 1914). If this is ‘our’ John he married Betsy Ann Walker, in the January quarter 1913, but this would not match his next-of-kin details on his Service Papers. If so, Betsy Ann had died about a year before John, in the January quarter 1961, so, of course, would not be named in his will.

 

Private 14918 Arthur Thomas BAKER – when Arthur enlisted in the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1915 he was living on High Street, Ruskington, employed as a “Farm Waggoner“. At that time he stood 5 ft. 6½ ins. [1.69 m] tall and weighed 10 st. 0 lbs [63.5 kgs.]. He ha a ‘fresh‘ complexion and blue eyes, but was ‘bald‘.

Although Arthur was born in Ruskington about 3 June 1888, the son of Peter (Agricultural Labourer) and Tabitha (née Wakefield) Baker, the 1891 Census (RG 12/2577) shows them living at Rowston, Lincolnshire. He had two older sisters, Rose and Florence, and a younger sister, Harriett.

Perhaps because of the nature of Arthur’s father’s work the family had moved to Hale Magna, Great Hale, Lincolnshire, by 1901 (Census RG 13/3050). Between then and 1911 (Census RG 14/19618) the family moved into High Street, Ruskington. Arthur’s mother, Tabitha, died the following year, in July 1912, and his father, Peter, died in November 1915. They are buried together in Graves 39 and 40, Ruskington Cemetery, Section B.

Arthur attested at Lincoln on 11 January 1915 ” For the duration of the War ” and was posted to the 9th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He underwent training at Swanwick and Whittington in Derbyshire, but, unfortunately, after just 103 days, he was discharged on 23 April 1915 as ” Not being likely to become an efficient soldier “. After being discharged Arthur was in receipt of a small Army pension.

Unfortunately, Arthur returned to “civvy street” too early, as reported in ‘The Sleaford Gazette’ of 3 April 1915, as follows:

“SMART CAPTURE – On Saturday last [27 March], one of the Ruskington soldiers arrived home in private clothes, stating that he had been discharged unfit for further service. Everyone seemed to take it for granted that this was the case, but P.c. Stothard thought he would see the soldier’s discharge certificate. Meeting Private Arthur Baker in the street, the Constable, asked a few pertinent questions and then took Baker into custody.

On Wednesday morning [31 March] Private Baker of the Lincolnshire Regt., was arraigned before Mr. W. H. Brown, at Sleaford Police Court, on a charge of being a deserter and at once admitted bis guilt. The Magistrates ordered him to be kept in custody to await an escort, and certified for the payment of 5/- to P.c. Stothard for his smart work. Baker was taken back to his regiment in Derbyshire the same day.”

Clearly Arthur did return to duty and was again posted to France. On 16 October 1916 ‘The Sleaford Gazette’ again reported:

“WOUNDED.-News has been received by Miss Nellie Baker that her brother, Pte. Arthur Baker, 1st Lincolns. was severely wounded in the head and neck, on Sep. 25th [1916], in the operations on the Somme. He is now in the 1st Scottish Hospital, Aberdeen, and though reported to be making good progress, is still confined to his bed. Baker joined the Army in 1914, but was discharged for physical reasons, and in April, 1915, he again offered his services, going out to France in June last.”

In the June quarter 1925 Arthur married Henrietta Cadman and they had twins, John and Joyce, in 1928. Arthur died in 1960 in Bourne, Lincolnshire, aged 72.

 

Lieutenant Cecil BEATTIE – when Cecil enlisted he was living at School House, High Street, Ruskington, Lincolnshire (Census RG 14/19618).

He was born on 25 September 1894, the elder son of Charles (Schoolmaster) and Louisa (née Barrell) (Schoolmistress) Beattie of that address, located next to the village School.

Cecil’s younger brother, Private 202413 Sydney Beattie, 4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, died on 19 October 1918 in the Military Hospital, Lincoln, possibly of the                                                      influenza epidemic, rife at the time.

Cecil enlisted as soon as War was declared, initially as Private 11636 King’s Liverpool Regiment. He was posted to France on 7 November 1915 and later promoted to Sergeant. He served in the Signalling Section before being recommended for a commission. He received his officer’s training with the Cadet Corps at one of the Oxford Colleges, and proceeded to the front in his new capacity on 4 August 1917.

On 21 July 1917 “The Sleaford Gazette” reported that: “Cadet Cecil Beattie has been Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant and attached to the Middlesex Regiment. He has recently undergone a course of instruction at Oxford in the Officers Cadet Battalion, and prior to that he has seen 15 months active service in France with the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment in which he attained the rank of Sergeant. Second Lieut. Beattie is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Beatie, of the School House, and many congratulations have been received by them, upon their son gaining a commission on his merits, together with the hope that he will go further and return safely.”

Three weeks later, on 8 November 1917, “The Gazette” also reported that: “2^nd Lieutenant Beattie paid his parents a flying visit at the end of last week, and left London for the front on Saturday morning. Before gaining his commission, he had seen a lot of active service, and the best wishes of all will go with him.”

No sooner had Cecil returned to the front, however, than he was seriously wounded again, as reported in “The Sleaford Gazette” of 1 December 1917: “WOUNDED. A telegram was received from the War Office by Mr. C. Beattie, schoolmaster, on Wednesday morning [28 November], stating that his son, ‘2nd Lieut. C. Beattie, (Middlesex), was dangerously ill from wounds‘ ….. Unstinted sympathy will be extended to this brave Ruskington officer as well as to his parents, who after 25 years residence in the parish are so well known and highly respected, and the hope will be general that better news may soon come through.”

Following his wounds, Cecil was  awarded the Silver War Badge, No. B230747, and the ‘King’s Certificate of Discharge’, issued 12 November 1919.

 about the Silver War Badge and Kings Certificate of Discharge.

“The Sleaford Gazette” (12 January 1918) reported The Hon Secretary of the village Tuck Box Fund had received a large number of acknowledgments from the “boys” for the 10/- note [50p.] which had been sent to them for Christmas 1917 by the inhabitants of Ruskington. Cecil was one of those who had sent his thanks, adding: “Thanks for splendid gift received. I’m sure all the boys in France will appreciate both the kindness and the fact that they are not forgotten.”

On 4 March 1918 Cecil arrived home from Hospital having been given 6 months extended leave, prior to going to Roehampton Hospital to be fitted with an artificial limb.

When Cecil married Ethel May Stone on 21 May 1918 at the Parish Church, Ducklington with Hardwick, Oxfordshire, his Marriage Certificate states his Rank as “Lieutenant, Middlesex Regiment“.

The 1939 Return shows Cecil living with his retired parents at 13A Whiteside Way, Thornton Cleveleys, with “Joan L. Beattie” and 12 year old Ian.

Cecil’s mother, Louisa, died at 20 Davenport Avenue, Bispham, Blackpool, on 17 October 1945, aged 76. Her widowed husband, Charles, died at 9 Monks Road, Lincoln, on 13 October 1949, aged 82. His estate was left to Cecil, by then an “Accountant“.

Louisa and Charles are buried together in Grave F.137, Lincoln (Newport) Cemetery (left).

Cecil was 64 when he died in the Ealing District, in the September quarter 1958. His widow, Ethel, died on 20 May 1971 at ‘Beecroft’, Middle Drive, Woolsington, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

 

Lance Corporal 3665 ? (George) Ernest BOSWORTH –   Ernest was born at Cottesbrooke, Northants, in the December quarter 1888, the eldest son of Frank (Grocer) and Leonora Elizabeth (née Tee) Bosworth.

The family moved to Manor Street, Ruskington, in the 1890s. Ernest had six younger siblings, Winifred, Walter, Edith, Frank, Dorothy and Lois (1911 Census RG 14/19618).

At that time, 1911 (Census RG 14/19682) George Ernest was living at 3 Edward Street, Grantham, a lodger of the ‘Skirrey’ family and employed as a “Engineers Labourer“.

In the September quarter 1912 George married Edith Shelbourn, from Roxholme, Lincs. They had 6 children, Kathleen Fairchild (Shelbourn), George E., Frank (see below), Constance, Rita, Rene and Nora.

George enlisted in the 3/4^th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment early in 1915 and was trained at Lincoln. He went on to Strenshall and undertook a course as a machine-gunner. The 3/4th was formed as a home base on 1 June 1915. On  8 April 1916 it became the 4th Reserve Battalion.                about the 4^th Battalion during the War.

George died in the June quarter 1933, in Clayworth, Notts., aged 44. Edith moved to live at 52 Council Estate, Doncaster, Yorkshire, with her younger children. She died in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, in the June quarter 1970, aged 81.

George’s parents remained in Ruskington until their deaths and in 1939 had retired and were living on Pinfold Lane. Frank died in November 1952 (buried on 21st), aged 88, and Leonora in January 1956 (buried on 4th February), aged 89. The are buried side-by-side in Ruskington Cemetery, New Plot, North Border, Graves 110 and 111 (right).

George and Edith 3rd child served in World War 2 as Pte. 4979456 Frank Bosworth, 1/5 Battalion, Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He was captured at the Fall of Singapore on 13 February 1942. He survived and returned home after Japan surrended in 1945. He died on 15 February 2005 in Doncaster, Yorkshire.

….. the fall of Singapore and the Surrender of British and Australian Forces. 

 

2^nd Lieutenant Frederick William BROWN –                    Fred was born on 17 September 1890, at Jinks Cottages, Ruskington. He was the eldest son of William Henry Brown, J.P. (Farmer) and Annie Elizabeth (Lizzie) (née Hutchinson) Brown (1891 Census RG 12/2577). He had six younger siblings, Albert George, Florence Annie, Edith Harriett, Herbert H., Ethel Mary and May Evelyn.

By 1901 (Census RG 13/3048) the family had moved to Chestnut House, Ruskington and in 1911 (Census RG 14/19618) Fred was employed assisting his father in his “Auctioneer and Corn Merchant” business.

William Brown lived in the village until his death in December 1935 and his wife, Annie, Frederick’s mother, until January 1939. They are buried together in Graves 53 and 55, New Plot, West Border, Ruskington Cemetery.

The 1939 Return shows that their son, now calling himself  ‘William Frederick‘ continued to live at the same address – “The Chestnuts”, Station Road, Ruskington, with his wife, Violet Spence (née Hubbard), who he married in the March quarter 1916.

Fred enlisted in the Army Service Corps as a Supervisor in the Nottingham District. ‘The Sleaford Gazette‘ [1 May 1915] gave the day of his enlistment as “this week“, and that he had been a correspondent for the paper for 8 years. Fred was gazetted 2^nd Lieutenant in June 1915 and took charge as Purchasing Officer for Derbyshire.

“The Sleaford Journal” [8 January 1916] reported that he had been “Gazetted” full Lieutenant and had been stationed in Derby for some months where he was “… given the whole of Derbyshire to work for the Forage Department of the A.S.C.”. After a spell in Retford, Nottinghamshire, as Assistant Purchasing Officer, on 21 April 1917 “The Sleaford Gazette” reported that Fred had been promoted to Principle Purchasing Officer for the “.. important county ..” of Cambridgeshire.

On 4 July 1918 Fred was posted to Mesopotamia.

Fred died in Horncastle, Lincolnshire in the December quarter 1965, aged 75. His wife was 80 years old when she died in the Fairlawns Nursing Home, Woodhall Spa, on 6 June 1976.

 

Private 50704 Willoughby Graves BUTLER – was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, on 24 June 1881, the third son of Charles and Mary Butler. His older brothers were Charles and Marshall Cartwright, and he had a younger sister, Lydia.

On 22 February 1910 Willoughby married Mary Fathers in St Mary’s Church, Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire, and they moved to Station Road, Ruskington, where he worked as a “Watch and Clock Repairer and Jeweller” (1911 Census RG 14/19618). There is no record of any children of the marriage.

On 7 December 1916 Willoughby enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps, aged 35½, and assigned to 8 Squadron. On 1 April 1918 he transferred to the Royal Air Force, being placed on the RAF Reserve on  19 February 1919. He was discharged on 30 April 1920.

By 1939 (Register) Willoughby and Mary had moved to Cromer, Norfolk, where they owned the Grays Cliff Guest House. Willoughby died at The Marrams, Runton Road, Cromer, aged 71, on 20 June 1952. His widow, Mary, died at North Walsham, Norfolk, in 1964.  

 

Private 241326 Arthur CAWDRON – was born about 31 January 1882, the youngest son of Thomas (Machinist) and Sarah (née Proctor) Cawdron. He had 5 older siblings, George, William, John, Lucy and Florence.

Arthur’s mother, Sarah, died in June 1889 and is buried in Plot A, Grave 78, Ruskington Cemetery. Two years later (1891 Census RG 12/2577) the family were living at North Searle, Ruskington. In the December quarter 1892 Thomas re-married, Mary Ann Massingham, and by the time of the 1901 Census (RG 13/3048) Arthur was the only child still living at home on North Searle, employed as a ‘Apprentice Joiner‘.

When he enlisted, however, Arthur was living at High Street, Ruskington. At that time he stood 5 ft. 3¾ ins [1.62 m] tall and weighed 8 st. 7lbs. [54 kgs]. His father, Thomas, was also dead by then and was buried next to his first wife in Grave 79.

Arthur enlisted at Chatham, Kent, into the Royal Engineers on 8 December 1915 and was posted to the Reserve. He attested and joined for duty in No. 1 Dispersal Unit on 11 February 1917. A month later Arthur was posted to 487 East Anglian Company, stationed at Darlington.

On 9 July 1918 he was posted to 442nd Glamorgan Field Company, R.E., and on 8 January 1919 posted to ‘J’ Company R.E. at Chatham, before discharge to ‘Z’ Class Reserve ‘Army of Occupation‘ on 12 March 1919. There is nowhere in Arthur’s Service Record to indicate that he served abroad.

On 10 May 1930 Arthur married Ellen Elizabeth Savage, at Reading, Berkshire. They had one son, Sydney Arthur. However, Arthur died in the March quarter 1936, aged 54. A year later she re-married, William Wildsmith, and in 1939 (Register) they were living in Colchester, Essex. Ellen died, aged 78, in Colchester, in the December quarter 1972.

 

Private 51812 Harry CAWDRON – Harry was born on 28 December 1899, in Jubilee Street, Ruskington. He was the oldest son of George (Joiner) and Eliza Jane (née Ellis) Cawdron, later of Aylesbury House, Ruskington. Harry had an older sister, Florence, and three younger siblings, Frank, Maude and Ernest (1911 Census RG 14/19618).

Harry was called up for War Service on his 18th birthday, but was at the time a student teacher. He came before the Ruskington Tribunal and, as reported in “The Sleaford Gazette” of 23 March 1918:

“A letter was read from Mr. H. Donaldson, Secretary, Education Department (Kesteven) Grantham, asking for exemption for this youth to enable him to complete his student’s course, which would finish at the end of July. The Application was refused, but not to be called up until August 6th.”

Harry did in fact enlist in the 4^th Battalion, West Riding Regiment, on 17 May 1918, aged 18 years 120 days. He was 5 ft. 9 ins. [1.75 m.] tall, weighed 9 st. 6 lbs. [60.8 kgs.], had brown eyes, brown hair and a ‘fresh’ complexion. Harry was discharged in time for Christmas at home in 1918.

Shortly after enlisting, however, Harry’s mother, Eliza, died on 1 June 1918, aged 46. She was buried in Grave 10, Old South Border, Ruskington Cemetery. He husband died exactly 31 years later, aged 86, and was buried with her.

In the June quarter 1929 Harry married Eveleen Gwendoline Reast, at All Saints’ Church, Ruskington. Their only son, John, was born in Leeds in the September quarter 1931. In 1934 they were living at 8 Barrowby Drive, Whitkirk, Leeds. Five years later (1939 Register) they were living at ‘Ridgecroft’, Keats Avenue, Littleover, Derby, and Harry was working as a “General Sales and Export Manager, Manufacturers of Medicinal and Food Products“.

Harry died at 5 Brookside Close, Repton, Derby, on 17 February 1989, aged 89. Eveleen was 102 when she died on 5 April 2004.

 

Corporal 6594 Arthur Frank COCK – was born in the December quarter 1891, the son of Francis (Frank) [Joiner] and Ellen Louisa [‘Nellie’] (née Chopping) Cock of Post Office Street, Ruskington (see photo below – left – sourced from Family History website).

Arthur had an older sister, Francis Edith, and two younger brothers, Charles [see below] and Albert. In 1911 (Census RG 14/19618) Arthur was employed as an ‘Apprentice Joiner’.

RAF Service Papers show that on enlistment, aged 23 yrs, 8 mths., he was 5 ft. 9¼ ins. [ m] tall, had dark brown hair, brown eyes and a ‘dark’ complexion.

He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps on 26 June 1915 and trained at Ruislip. Before enlistment he was working as an apprentice joiner to Messrs. W. Pattinson and Sons. He was promoted to “1st Aircraftsman” on 1 July 1916, and to Corporal on 1 December 1917.

A strangely worded report in ‘The Sleaford Gazette’ of 13 January 1917 gave more details of Arthur’s service:

“ON LEAVE. – After 5 days’ travelling, Mechanic Arthur Cook, R.F.C., reached home on leave from the Somme front on the 5th inst. He is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Cook, of Post Office Street, and went out to France in December, 1915. During his 12 months’ sojourn there, outside the men with whom he was associated, he has only met two persons he knew, and a remarkable fact is that one of these was his brother Charles, the other being a Dorrington man.”

In the same edition of “The Gazette” it was also reported that Arthur had been in receipt of one of the 87 ‘Tuck Boxes’ sent out to serving men from Ruskington, and that he was one of those who had sent his thanks, adding: “Welcome parcel arrived in excellent condition. We appreciate parcels sent us out here. I need not mention I am in the best of health.”

Arthur was transferred to the RAF Reserve on 17 October 1919, and discharged, after 8 years service, on 25 June 1923.

After the War Arthur married Flora Chamberlain in the March quarter 1922, in the Bourne, Lincolnshire, District. The family seem to have settled in the Scilly Isles and had two children, Gertrude and Samuel.

Arthur died on 20 March 1965 in Kingston General Hospital, Kingston-Upon-Hull. He left £2,331 to his widow, Flora. [About £55,700 today – 2023] They were living at 7 Ferriby High Road, North Ferriby, Yorkshire, at the time.

His parents, Frank and Louisa, pictured above in later life, died within a week of each other in February 1933 and rest side-by-side in Graves 1 and 2, of the Ruskington New Cemetery extension, North Border. Source: Cock family tree on ‘Ancestry.co.uk’.

 

Corporal 964 (82186) Charles COCK, M.M. – was born in the March quarter 1894, (although his Service Papers suggest a few days before Christmas 1893).

He was the son of Francis (Frank) [Joiner] and Ellen Louisa [‘Nellie’] (née Chopping) Cock of Post Office Street, Ruskington, and the younger brother of Arthur [see above]. In 1911 (Census RG 14/19618) Charles was employed as an ‘Apprentice Printer’, employed by Morton and Sons, Sleaford.

Charles was a tall man, standing 5 ft. 11 ins. [1.80 m.] in 1911 when enlisting, see below. He had brown eyes, dark brown hair and a ‘dark’ complexion. Strangely, he also had a tattoo of a Scottish thistle on his left forearm!

Charles was serving as a Territorial with the 4^th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, having enlisted, aged 17 years 9 months, on 10 May 1911. He was at the Battalion’s annual camp when War broke out. Charles was embodied on 5 August 1914 and posted to France, landing at Le Havre on 26 February 1915, and served as a stretcher bearer.

He was discharged on the termination of his first engagement on 30 May 1916, after being returned to England on the 12th after hospitalisation for a septic thumb. He had been in France 1 year 300 days. His character was described as: “Very Good“. Charles was re-called for Service on 3 October 1916, being posted again to the Lincolnshire Regiment, with a new Service Number, 82186.

On 11 December 1916 Charles transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, and was promoted to Corporal. On 4 March 1917 he sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne and was posted to 194 Company, 23rd Battery, joining his Unit at Camiers on the 5th. Charles was awarded the Military Medal (left) for “Bravery in the Field“. (London Gazette, 28 September 1917).

Charles was discharged to the Army Reserve, on Demobilisation, on 19 March 1919, and a year later (30 March 1920) ‘discharged on cessation’.

In March 1925 Charles applied for a post in ‘The Colonial Government Service‘ and the Officer I/c Records of the Machine Gun Corps received a request for a reference. In reply, again Charles’ character was described as: “Very Good” and ” … nothing of an adverse nature is recorded against him.“. It is not known if he took up any Appointment.

There is no record of Charles having married and he died in the March quarter 1956 in Norwich.

 

Private Harold COCK – was born in Ruskington on 10 March 1893, the eldest son of Walter Baldock (Joiner) and Annie Mary (née Moor) Cock. He had three older siblings, Annie, Eva Florrie and Walter (below), and three younger siblings, Alice, Laura and Cyril.

In 1901 (Census RG 13/3048) the family was living in Church Yard, Ruskington, The 1911 Census shows them still living in the village, but the address is not shown.

“The Sleaford Gazette” of 16 March 1918 reported that Harold, “Leicester Regiment“, was home on draft leave, prior to embarking for France. However, no Medal Index Card, etc. has been found reflecting these details.

Nothing further has been found for Harold after the War. Harold’s mother, Annie Mary, died on 21 June 1923 and his father, Walter, on 30 September 1946. They are buried together in Grave B.188, Ruskington Cemetery, as are a number of other members of their family – including Harold, who died on 17 September 1925, aged 32.

 

Private 241619 Walter COCK – was born in Ruskington on 10 March 1893, the eldest son of Walter Baldock (Joiner) and Annie Mary (née Moor) Cock. He had two older sisters, Annie and Eva, and five younger siblings, Florrie, Harold (above), Alice, Laura and Cyril.

In 1901 (Census RG 13/3048) the family was living in Church Yard, Ruskington, The 1911 Census shows them still living in the village, but the address is not shown. Walter was employed as a “Tailor“.

It is not known when Walter enlisted in West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s ) Regiment, but his Medal Index Card indicates he was not posted to France until 1916 at the earliest, probably with the 2/5th Battalion. “The Sleaford Gazette” of 23 June 1917 reported that he been taken prisoner:-

“PRISONERS OF WAR. A short time ago Pte. Walter Cock (Duke of Wellington’s Regt.) and Pte. Arthur Headland (East Yorks.) were reported missing. Cards have now been received through the War Office by the respective parents of these boys from the Detention Camp, Cassel, Germany, proving that they are prisoners of war. Cock’s message is brief but reassuring: – “I have just arrived here,” while Headland, to relieve the anxiety of his friends no doubt, says:- “Have just arrived here; am very well; don’t worry.” It is satisfactory to learn that these brave lads are safe, and everybody will sympathise with them in the hard luck which consigns them to a German detention camp, with its attendant hardships and privations. Perhaps the officials of the local tuck box fund will bear them in mind.” Both were captured on the same day.

I.C.R.C. (Red Cross) PoW Records show that he was taken prisoner at Bullecourt on 3 May 1917. The 2nd Battle of Bullecourt began on the 3rd May and continued to the 17th. forming part of the Battle of Arras. The 2nd Australian Division and the British 62nd Division attacked Bullecourt at 3:45 am on 3 May 1917 and managed to gain a foothold in the German trenches but were unable to capture the village.

Casualties on “The Bloody 3rd May 1917” were the heaviest of the whole Battle of Arras, with over 6,000 officers and men killed in action; of these nearly 5,000 of them are commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing.

“The Sleaford Gazette” of 7 July 1917 carried further news of the Ruskington men taken prisoner at Arras on 3 May 1917. :

“PRISONERS OF WAR. Letters have been received from Pte. Walter Cock and Arthur Headland by their parents from the Prisoners of War Camp, Cassal, Germany, which reveal that both lads have been wounded but have now either recovered or are making good progress.

Each apologises for delay in writing and warns his [Cock’s] parents that they must not expect to hear from him often, as they are only permitted to write occasionally. He stated that he was in good health, and that slight wound in his ear was better. A parcel had been received by him just before he went over the top from the Ruskington Tuck Box Committee, for which he wished to express his grateful thanks to Mr. F. Ridsdale, the hon secretary, and he tells his people not to send any parcels as they are not permitted from private individuals. In conclusion he remarks, ‘Don’t worry about me; I am alright.’

…… Another letter from Pte. W. Cock was received on Wednesday, in which he expressed his surprise to find that Arthur Headland was in the same camp, and had discovered he was taken prisoner on the same day as himself. They mostly went for a walk together each day. He explained that his wound was caused by a bullet clipping his steel helmet in two, which forced a piece of the helmet on to his ear, and that but for the protection afforded by the helmet he would not have been enjoying the at fine weather they were having. He was, however, reminded of the saying of a well-known for Ruskingtonian – “What is to be, will be!’”

Nothing further has been found for Walter after the War. His mother, Annie Mary, died on 21 June 1923 and his father on 30 September 1946. They are buried together in Grave B.188, Ruskington Cemetery, as are a number of other members of their family – but not Walter.

 

(Private) Charles COOK – currently nothing has been found to identify the Charles Cook whose photograph appeared in the local press in 1915.

More research will be on-going to identify the family and service details of this local man.

The photograph suggests he was enlisted in the Royal Navy or the Merchant Navy.

 

Private S4/090754 Joseph Henry CORBY – was born on                                                    8 June 1896,  the eldest son of Henry (Chimney Sweep) and Jane (née Cater) Corby.

In 1901 (Census RG 13/3048) he was living at Pinfold Lane, Ruskington, with his parents, older sister, Maud M., and younger sister, May. [The 1891 Census (RG 12/2749) shows that Joseph had two more older sisters, Gertrude [see: Samuel Daybles – below] and Mary.]

Ten years later (1911 Census RG 14/19618) the family were at the same address and another son, Fred, had been added. By 1915, however, they had moved to High Street.

Joseph enlisted in the Army Service Corps before the outbreak of War, in April 1914, and after completing his training at Aldershot and was posted to France on 3 August 1915. The ‘S4’ part of his Service Number shows that he served in the Supply section of the ASC, and was part of Kitchener’s Fourth New Army, and was probably posted to the Labour Corps.

At Christmas 1916 Joseph was in receipt of one of the 87 ‘Tuck Boxes’ sent out to serving men from Ruskington. “The Sleaford Gazette” (13 January 1917) reported that he was one of those who had sent his thanks, adding: “Thanks very much for the box. The contents are just what we want out here.“.

In the September quarter 1920 Joseph married Priscilla Baguley Warrington, probably in Heckington, Lincolnshire, and they had two daughters, Dorothy and Joan.

The 1939 Return shows Joseph (Butcher) and Priscilla living at ‘Tremayne’, Westcliffe, Ruskington, next door to his brother, Fred and his wife, Phyllis.

Joseph died on New Year’s Eve 1977, aged 81 years (Priscilla had died on 29 May 1965, aged 68). They now lie together in Graves 375 and 375a, Plot D, Ruskington Cemetery Extension. [Their daughter, Joan Mary (Carter) who died in January 2005, is buried with them.]

 

Private 6/10834 John CUTLER – was the son of Frederick (Fish Dealer) and Elizabeth (née Williamson) Cutler of High Street, Ruskington.

He was born in Mettingham Village, Lincolnshire, in the March quarter 1880 and John had three older siblings, George William (born 13 October 1871), Mary Elizabeth (b. January 1874) and Edith (b. 7 February 1876), and two younger, Annie (b.  and Frederick (b. 5 September 1884).

John’s mother died on 28 February 1885 and his father re-married, Eliza Roberts, the following year. They had another five children (see below)

By 1901 the family had moved to open a fish shop in High Street, Ruskington, where the family was also living in 1911. John, however, had joined the Army by 1901.

John served in the South African (2nd Boer) War with his Regiment, the Yorks and Lancasters, which took part in the Relief of Ladysmith. After that he was transferred to the Army Reserve and John had just completed his time in the Reserve when War was declared in August 1914.

Whilst a Reservist the 1911 Census (RG 14/) shows him working as a “Farm Labourer” at Carleton Vognacott, Pontefract, Yorkshire, in the employ of Mary Ann Cressey, a 69 year old widow.

John re-joined his Regiment on 11 August 1914 and was posted with it to the Dardanelles on 2 July 1915 with the 6th (Service) Battalion. The following day, 3rd, John’s Battalion sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli, landing at Suvla Bay on 6 August 1915.

In the next 4 months John’s Battalion lost 205 Officers and men, killed in action or died of their wounds, 74 in the last 10 days of August alone. The Battalion was evacuated from Gallipoli on 9/10 December 1915, and moved to Egypt, via Imbros. They moved to France in July 1916. During the Battle of The Somme John’s Battalion fought in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval.

Later in the War John transferred to the Army Service Corps – No. 309606 – as a Driver. He was discharged on 11 April 1919, under Section 392 (xvi) i.e. “no longer physically fit for war service“, and received the Silver War Badge, No. B.349952.

  … about the Silver War Badge

John died in Nottingham on 17 March 1930 and was buried 3 days later. His father and step-mother remained in the village until their deaths – Eliza in March 1927, aged 72, and Fred, aged 89, in January 1939. They are buried in adjacent Graves 68 and 70 of the Old Plot, West Border of Ruskington Cemetery.

 

Driver 135488 Charles CUTLER – was the son of Frederick (Fish Dealer) and his second wife, Eliza (née Roberts) Cutler of High Street, Ruskington. Fred married Eliza in July 1886 after his first wife, Elizabeth, died in on 28 February 1885 (see above).

They had five children, William (born 3 October 1887), Harriett Louisa (b. 10 January 1890), Emma (b. 29 August 1891), Charles Henry (b. 31 October 1894) and Florence (b. 8 September 1898). By 1901 the family had moved to open a fish shop in High Street, Ruskington, where the family was also living in 1911.

Eliza Cutler died 8th April 1927 aged 79, and Frederick Cutler died 10th January 1939, aged 89.

Charles enlisted in December 1914 under The Derby Scheme, and “The Sleaford Journal” (29 January 1916), named “RECRUITS –  Of the single men attested under Lord Derby’s scheme, Messrs. C. Cutler, A. Wainer, F. Kirton and R. Trimingham have this gone into training.”

In the December quarter 1915 Charles married Margaret L. Wright. Their daughter, Elsie Margaret, was born on 9 March 1917. The family remained in Ruskington and in 1939 (Register) were living on Silver Street, where Charles was employed as a *Fish and Fruit Dealer“.

Charles died on 21 August 1962, aged 67, and was buried in Grave D.32, Ruskington Cemetery. His widow, Margaret, was buried with him following her death on 9 December 1982, aged 81.

 

Private 54925 Tom DANIEL – was born on 15 March 1882, the son of David (General Labourer) and Mary Ann (née Jordan) Daniel. He had an older brother, George (born in 1872), 3 older sisters, Fanny (b. 1875), Elizabeth (died as a baby in 1877) and Sarah Rebecca (b. 18 October 1878). Tom also had a younger sister, Eliza Ann (b. 1884), and a younger brother. David Albert (b. 18 October 1887). Another brother, Jesse, also died as a baby in 1893.

In 1891 the family was living on Chapel Lane, Ruskington, Lincolnshire. (Census RG 12/2577) Ten years later (1901 Census RG 13/3048) the family had moved to North Searle, Ruskington, although most of the family had moved on, including Tom, who was working as a ‘Railway labourer‘ and lodging with William (also from Ruskington) and Nellie Ellis, Hogg Lane, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire. (1901 Census RG 13/3203)

On 7 November 1903 Tom married Emily Richmond of Mount Pleasant, Radcliffe on Trent, at St Mary’s Church, Radcliffe.  They had 9 children: Winifred Emily (born 1904), John Tom (b. 1906), David Albert (b. 1909), George Henry (b. 1910), William (b. 1913), Lilian (b. 1915), Clifford (b. 1918), Robert (b. 1921) and Norman (b. 1924). In 1911 (Census RG 14) Tom and Emily and their 4 oldest children were living at 14 Crown Street, off Carlton Road, Nottingham. Tom was employed as a window cleaner.

Tom’s parents moved to Westgate, Ruskington. Mary Ann died on 7 September 1919 and David on 27 September 1924. They are buried side-by-side in Graves 60 and 62, Ruskington Cemetery, Old Plot, East Border.

Tom was called up for War Service on 6 July 1916 and attested in the 4th (Reserve) Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, at Derby, the following day. His service record indicates all his service was in the U.K. so therefore did not serve in an overseas theatre of war. At the time he was aged 34 years 113 days, height 5 ft 3⅜ ins. [1.61 m.], chest 40 ins. [1.02 m.] and weighed 9 st. 8 lbs. [60.8 kgs.]. On 29 June 1919 Tom was demobilised to Main Road, Radcliffe on Trent.

The 1939 Register shows Tom living with wife Emily and sons Robert and Norman at 2 Council Houses, Main Road, Radcliffe on Trent. His occupation was a “General labourer“.

Tom died in the December quarter 1949 and was buried in Radcliffe Cemetery, Grave B138. Emily died in the June quarter 1963 and was probably buried with him.

 

Private 21058 Samuel DAYBLES – was born on 15 December 1884, the son of ‘Mrs J H Daybles’. In 1891 (Census RG 12/2577) 6 year old Samuel was living at the home of his grandparents, Samuel (Farm Labourer) and Elizabeth Daybles, at the High Street, Ruskington. Two of their sons were living there also, George and Harry.

Ten years later (1901 Census RG 13/3048) Samuel was still living with his grandparents, now on Post Office Street, and also with two of their sons, William and George. It is probably safe to assume, therefore, that his father was George Daybles. However, there is no record of George marrying and the identity of Samuel’s mother has not been found.

In the September quarter 1906 Samuel married Gertrude Corby, in Ruskington [Gertrude was the elder sister of John Henry Corby – [see above]. Around 1908 they moved to live at 21 New Street, Catcliffe Orgreave, Yorkshire. (1911 Census RG 14/28042 – where he was recorded as working as a “Horse keeper – Underground” – presumably the coal mining industry) They had two sons, Henry (born March quarter 1907 in Ruskington) and Charles Wallace (born March quarter 1909 in Catcliffe).

Local press reported that Samuel was a member of the St John’s Ambulance, at Rotherham, for 6 years, i.e. from 1909 when he moved to Yorkshire. He was called up, through that Association, to join the Royal Army Medical Corps and in July 1915 was reported as: “… attached to the Fulham Military Hospital, Hammersmith.”

Without his Service papers it is impossible to know precisely where Samuel served, although he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, showing he did serve overseas.

Samuel’s father, George, died on 10 January 1925, aged 68. He was buried in Grave B.199, Ruskington Cemetery Old Plot.

The 1939 Return shows Samuel and Gertrude had returned to Ruskington and were living in the Council Houses. He was employed as a ‘Bricklayer’. Samuel died in Lincoln (Hospital?) in October 1946 (Buried 26^th) and Gertrude in August 1954 (Buried 6^th), in the Sleaford area, probably still in Ruskington. They now lie in adjacent Graves D.136 and 137, Ruskington Cemetery New Plot.

 

Private 26601 John William DICKENSEN – was born in the June quarter 1893 in Billinghay, Lincolnshire, the son of John (Straw Presser) and Mary Ann (née Joyce) Dickensen. By 1901 (Census RG 13/3048) the family had moved to Leasingham Lane, Ruskington. John had two younger brother, Anthony (born in 1895) and Arthur (b. 1902).

The 1911 Census (RG 14/19618) shows they had moved again to Westcliffe, Ruskington, and John was a “Farmers Son Working On Farm“. His father, John, Snr., died in the March quarter 1914, aged 54.

It is not known when John enlisted in the North Staffordshire (Prince of Wales’) Regiment, but his Medal Index Card indicates he was not posted to France until 1916 at the earliest. He served in the 1st Battalion.

The Silver War Badge record states he enlisted on 11 December 1917, however, “The Sleaford Gazette” of 14 July 1917 reported that John had been: “… slightly wounded on 16th June but fortunately has been able to return to light duties“.

“The Sleaford Gazette” of 13 April 1918 reported that: “Since the last great offensive commenced on the Western front several Ruskington men have been wounded or gassed.” This no doubt referred to The German spring offensive,  which began on 21 March 1918.

Those named specifically were: “Lieut. Wm. Morley, of the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regt., and son of Mr. R. N. Morley, of the Elms, has been wounded. Pte. J. W. Dickinson, of the North Staffs., writing to his mother says he has been slightly wounded in the head and wrist and is at present in a convalescent camp in France. ….”

John was discharged on 7 March 1919 and awarded a Pension having sustained a “GSW Right Arm“. The discharge address was Station Road, Ruskington.

John died in January 1937, aged 44, and was buried in Grave D.61, Ruskington Cemetery. [The cremated remains of Rita Nicklin were buried in same grave on 4 July 2011, aged 78. She lived at 4 Pinfold Way, Ruskington.]

 

Sapper 367305 Edward Chalinder FRISBY – was born in Hainton, Lincolnshire, on 22 June 1884. He was the son of John (Gardener) and Mary (née ) Frisby and had two older siblings, Emma, Ernest and a younger brother, Charles. In 1891 (Census RG 12/2609) and 1901 (Census RG 13/3085) they were living at Garden House, Torrington Road, Hainton. 

By 1911 (Census RG 14/19618) John and the family had moved to Ruskington, where he started a business as a “Florist”. In the June quarter 1916 Edward married Mary Alice Sellars, at All Saints’ Church, Ruskington.

It is not known when Edward enlisted. His Medal Index Card shows that he was not posted abroad until 1916 at the earliest. He initially enrolled in the R.A.M.C. (Private 124396) before transferring to the Royal Engineers.

“The Sleaford Gazette” (12 January 1918) reported The Hon Secretary of the village Tuck Box Fund had received a large number of acknowledgments from the “boys” for the 10/- note [50p.] which had been sent to them for Christmas 1917 by the inhabitants of Ruskington. Edward was one of those who had sent his thanks, adding: “Again I have occasion to thank you all. It is indeed kind, and to say that I appreciate such generosity is to put it mildly. Happily it arrived just at a time when I needed it, as I had recently had the misfortune to lose all my personal belongings. Fritz made the most of a misty morning. At present I am in a town where money can be spent to advantage. ”

Edward was discharged on 7 January 1920, suffering from ‘Malaria’, and was awarded a Pension. His parents died in the 1920s, Mary was buried 2 June 1925, aged 84, and John on 22 February 1929, aged 87. They lie in adjacent Graves 74 and 75, Ruskington Border, Old Plot, North Border (right).

The 1939 Register shows them living at ‘Chalinder’, Station Road, Ruskington, with son, John Chalinder, born 8 December 1921. Edward was employed as a “Gardener Contractors Labourer”. He was still living there when he died in June 1944. He was buried on the 4th in Grave D.128, Ruskington Cemetery. The adjacent grave was purchased for Mary, his widow, but she left the area and died in Middleton, Lancashire, in the December quarter 1972, aged 87.