"LEST WE FORGET"
A Record of the Fallen of Leicestershire and Rutland in the Great War
by Michael R. P. Doyle
This work is a study of the fallen from the conflict of 1914-1918, for the counties of Leicestershire and Rutland, and has taken both my late father and myself twelve years of painstaking research. It is hoped that it will shortly become available, and in order to give an overview of its value as a work of reference I would like to briefly cover its content.
What has to be realised at the outset is that for some casualties, information was scant. yet for others it was quite comprehensive, one over riding factor which has to be taken into account is the contradictions discovered during the process of research, these are always indicated in the text and it is hoped that a more thorough research by an individual may discover the true facts.
A work of this magnitude cannot be exhaustive and of course I appreciate that omissions will occur, together with possibly minor inaccuracies, I accept full responsibility for these as the author.
The present total of names contained in the work is twelve thousand one hundred, and I am sure this can be added to in the future, at present though, I think that the reader will find it is the most comprehensive work for the two counties ever published.
To give an example of the format I have reproduced four entries taken from the book, but the following section should give a brief explanation and outline on how to read and understand the text.
The work will be published in alphabetical order, in two column format, each entry will begin with the surname followed by the first Christian name and any initials, the rank and service number.
2nd entry Medals awarded other than Campaign decorations.
3rd entry Unit, preceded by Battalion/Squadron, followed by company, specialist section, ship etc.
4th entry In brackets any former units served with or connected to.
5th entry Cause of death, date of death and age.
6th entry Place of burial, or commemoration. When commemorated on a memorial this usually indicates the casualty has no known grave or was buried at sea.
7th entry c. Where the casualty has been commemorated in the community, there is often more than one entry to this section.
8th entry b. Place of birth, this may be preceded by the date of birth when known, sometimes there may be more than one entry, indicating contradictory information.
9th entry e. Where enlisted, this may be preceded by the date when known.
10th entry r. Where resided at the time of death, sometimes there may be more than one entry, indicating contradictory information.
11th entry Additional information, this can vary from parents, widows and relatives names and addresses, widows details, which may include remarriage names and addresses, the casualties previous occupation, together with any other known information, this may include theatres of war served in, together with distinctions, causes of death, notable facts, and of course contradictory facts that may help the researcher.
Examples of Text
ALFIN, WILLIAM H D L/SGT G/43807
MILITARY MEDAL
1 BN. MIDDLESEX REGT
DOW 25/10/18 AGE 29
AWOINGT BRITISH CEM., FRANCE
b. 10/10/89 AT KETTON, RUTLAND
e. 13/3/16 AT BEDFORD
r. FELMERSHAM, BEDS
SON OF CHARLES D. ALFIN OF NORTH LUFFENHAM, RUTLAND. HE EMBARKED FOR FRANCE ON THE 15TH JULY 1916 HIS MILITARY MEDAL WAS AWARDED FOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THE FIELD, REPORTED AS FOLLOWS, SOUTH OF POLYGON WOOD, ON THE 25TH AND 26TH SEPTEMBER 1917 THIS N.C.O. PERFORMED VERY USEFUL WORK BY THE SKILFUL DISPOSITION OF HIS LEWIS GUN TEAM DURING THE ENEMY’S ATTACKS, REMAINING COOL THROUGHOUT, AND ACCOUNTING FOR MANY OF THE ENEMY. HIS BRAVERY, CHEERFULNESS AND CALMNESS WERE VERY INSPIRING THROUGHOUT THE ACTION. HE TOOK PART IN THE BATTLES OF THE SOMME, YPRES AND ARRAS, AND MET HIS DEATH FROM A SHELL WOUND NEAR HIGH WOOD, FRANCE.
BEXTON, HAROLD STOKER 1ST CLASS K/22163
ROYAL NAVY-HMS GOOD HOPE
KIA 1/11/14 AGE 19
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEM., HANTS
c. DUNTON BASSETT VILLAGE MEM., LEICS
c. ST PETERS CHURCH, ASHBY PARVA, LEICS
r. ASHBY PARVA LODGE, LUTTERWORTH, LEICS
SON OF JOSEPH AND EMILY BEXTON. KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF CORONEL. HIS BROTHER THOMAS ALSO FELL.
BOND, WILLIAM A CAPT
MILITARY CROSS AND BAR
ROYAL FLYING CORPS-40TH SQUADRON
(FORMERLY KINGS OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY)
KIA 22/7/17 AGE 28
ARRAS MEM., PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE
b. STONEYGATE, LEICESTER
e. SEPTEMBER 1914
r. 33, CAVENDISH SQUARE, OXFORD STREET, LONDON
SON OF MR AND MRS ARTHUR BOND OF "SHERWOOD", CARISBROOKE ROAD, STONEYGATE, LEICESTER. HUSBAND OF AIMEE BOND (FORMERLY McHARDY). HE WAS A SUB EDITOR OF THE PARIS DAILY MAIL. HE ALSO SERVED IN GALLIPOLI.
BONSER, FERGUS PTE 241241
1/ 5 BN. LEICS. REGT
KIA 15/8/17 AGE 24
PHILOSOPHE BRITISH CEM., MAZINGARBE, FRANCE
c. CARILLON TOWER MEM., LOUGHBOROUGH, LEICS
c. EMMANUEL CHURCH, LOUGHBOROUGH, LEICS
e. LOUGHBOROUGH, LEICS
The text reproduced above and taken from the book should give a general representation of the content and format that can be expected, though it would be nice to have the quantity of information that was available for William Alfin for all the names, this is unfortunately not he case. The entry for Willam Bexton is more the normal size that can be expected.
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