Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
The War Diary records that the Battalion moved into its attack position during the night and were finally settled down and ready to attack by 4.30am. 2nd Lieutenant Davis attached Q 6th Division. The Commanding Officer decided to attack with D and B Company’s in the front line, with D on the left and B on the right. A and C Company’s formed the second line, with A on the left and C on the right. Two Lewis Guns accompanied each Company, and two were left in reserve with Battalion HQ. Two Bombing Squads of ten each were also formed in each Company. These squads carried the full amount of bombs, while every man also carried two Mills No.5 bombs (one in each pocket). The fighting strength of the Battalion going into action was 23 officers including (the M.O. and Chaplain) and 643 other ranks. About 5.50am. two enemy aeroplanes appeared above us, but did not stay long. About this time also, a Tank was noticed on our right moving quietly up to the enemy’s front line. On arriving there he immediately opened fire with his machine guns, enfilading the German trench on either side. He was very heavily fired on by the enemy’s machine guns which apparently had no effect as he still continued his movements and firing. Nothing further happened till ZERO (6.20am.) when the attack commenced. The leading Company’s at once advanced at the walk in from lines 30X entrance between lines. A heavy machine gun fire was immediately opened by the enemy from about T.15 b 0.4. The Support Company’s followed on in the same formation 300X in the rear of the last wave of the leading Company. Battalion HQ’s moved immediately in the rear of the last wave of Support Company’s. The mist and smoke was terribly thick, and allowed no observation by the Support Company’s and Battalion HQ’s as to what was exactly happening to the leading Company’s. Owing to this (mist and smoke) a slight error occurred in direction. The right and left under orders to keep in touch with units attacking on our right and left, moved with these units thereby causing a small gap near our centre. This was immediately filled up by Support Company’s. The Artillery barrage opened too late to do any harm as the whole of the Supports had crossed the road moving due south from Ginchy (the place where the barrage was directed) before the barrage commenced. Battalion HQ’s had by this time moved into a shell hole about T.14 b 7.4. Throughout the advance the Battalion suffered very heavily from Machine Gun fire. The Battalion had not gained its objective line held up by very heavy fire, and the very strong and undamaged wire of the trench leading from the north west corner of the Left Quadrilateral (a strong point hitherto unknown). A Company immediately entrenched itself on a small ridge about T.14 b 9.6 to T.14 b 8.2, Efforts were made to locate the exact positions of B, C and D Company’s. It was found that B and C were entrenched about T.14 b 7.7 had lost very heavily while unsupported. D Company had lost very heavily also and the remainder (D Company) were still advancing with the Guards and occupying shell holes between our new position and the German wire ( a few of the latter came in under the cover of darkness). Good communication was kept with the contact aeroplane by means of flares and groundsheets throughout the day. Great difficulties were experienced in keeping track with Brigade HQ’s owing to the impossibility of using means of wired signalling, and the heavy barrage kept up throughout the day making it impossible for a runner to succeed in getting through. And then later Private Parry (A Company) did excellent work in getting through and returning safely to us, thus three times saving the day, he was finally detained by Brigade HQ’s after a fourth journey. Throughout the day the trenches were improved, and by night everyone had more or less good cover. A Company, B Company and HQ’s were subjected to heavy shell fire throughout the day. B and C Company were moved up to where our new line was continued to the right and left. The night was quiet except for heavy sniping in front of C Company and its attack on one line of trenches and a communication trench (in course of construction) line carried without any serious opposition. These were occupied by the 9th Bavarian Regiment. No prisoners were taken. Casualties, 2nd Lieutenant J. C. Webb, 2nd Lieutenant J. G. Kennedy and Lieutenant A. H. Pinder were all killed. 2nd Lieutenant F. B. Stevenson, Captain H. Pickbourne, 2nd Lieutenant H. A. Graves, 2nd Lieutenant W. Blacklock, Captain G. H. Salmon, Lieutenant J. H. John and 2nd Lieutenant R. Pickersgill were all wounded. Captain C. W. Herbison, 2nd Lieutenant G. H. Gristwood, 2nd Lieutenant J. Burnett and 2nd Lieutenant J. G. Gardner were all wounded and subsequently died. Other Ranks, A Company 23, B Company 35, C Company 23 and D Company 27 were killed. A Company 36, B Company 69, C. Company 56 and D Company 60 were wounded. A Company 5, B Company 11, C Company nil and D Company 16 missing in action.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday June 25th, 1915:

Coalville Soldier's Cheery Letter - Thringstone man in a boxing contest.

Writing to Mr A. Wood, of 111, Belvoir Road, Coalville, Pte. Wilfred Jones, 16478, D. Co. 16th Platoon, 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment in France says the weather is lovely, and when the firing has ceased, as it does sometimes for a few minutes, one can hear the songs of the birds and can hardly realise that such a terrible war is on. Then the air is shaken again by the bursting of shells. “I have met a few of the Coalville lads out here in the 2nd battalion. One is Corpl. Snell, who has been out some eight or nine months. He came with the battalion from India. There are also Pte. A. Palmer, one of my old friends, Corpl. C. Camp, and many others, but time has caused me to forget their names. We had an open air concert on Friday night with an old wagon for a platform and even that was appreciated under the circumstances. I gave one of the old songs. A boxing contest was arranged for Saturday evening and, of course, our district was represented. Pte. Joe Robinson, of Thringstone, put up a good show against a young gunner in the R.F.A. in a three round contest. It passed an hour or two away, but don’t think we have nothing else to do, as I suppose by the time you get this we shall be fighting for the knock-out with bits of lead and bayonets and I can assure you Coalville and district will be well represented there. I had a good laugh the other night. While me and Robin Robinson were taking a walk through one of the French villages, he tried to bargain for a monkey, and the chap would not sell it. I have seen a few of the ruins out here. I went into a ruined house the other day not far from the firing line and there was a bed, furniture and other things which afforded proof that the occupants had to depart in a hurry. But that is only one of hundreds of such cases and I believe that by meeting the Germans where we are, we are defending our own homes from a similar fate. We have some good firework displays every night. I was sorry to read in the paper about my old chum Sergt. H. Wesson and also his brother, Sergt. A. Wesson, but all we can say is that they have done their duty in a noble and righteous cause. I also saw that a young man had written home stating that the war would last 88 years, but I expect he only said it in a joke. It is best to look on the bright side of things and I am hoping it won’t last as many days. That we shall win is certain.”

Jones also says that he gets the ‘Coalville Times’ and is interested in the soldier’s letters and local news.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 29th, 1916

TWO COALVILLE SOLDIERS REPORTED KILLED

Mr and Mrs Chas. Jones, of the White Houses, Highfields, Coalville, two old-age pensioners, have received intimation that their youngest son, Private Jesse Jones, of the Leicestershire Regiment, has been killed in action. The news is contained in a letter from a comrade, the son of Mr Chas. Walker, engine driver of Coalville, who states that Jones fell by his side, and died a true soldier’s death doing his duty.

Private J. Jones was 27 years of age and his wife and child reside in New Breach Road, Hugglescote. He was formerly in the Territorials and joined up soon after war broke out, being then employed at the Ibstock Colliery. He was a former member of the Coalville Men’s Adult School, as was also his father.

The same letter which conveyed the news of the death of Private Jones also stated that Corporal Wilfred Jones, of the Leicestershire Regiment had been killed in action. Corporal Jones is a son of Mr Geo. Jones, paviour, of Melbourne Street, Coalville, and before the war was a miner.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 27th, 1916

Mr and Mrs George Jones, of 90, Melbourne Street, Coalville, have been officially notified that their son, Lance-Corporal Wilfred Jones, of the Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on September 15th. He was 24 years of age and single, and before the war worked at the Ellistown colliery.

The death of Lance-Corporal W. Jones has occasioned great regret among a wide circle of friends in the Coalville district, where he was formerly actively engaged in religious and temperance work. He was Chief Templar of the J. S. Vorley Lodge of Good Templars, and a teacher in the Coalville Wesleyan Sunday School.

Mr and Mrs Jones had four sons, and two have now been killed. The other to lose his life was their eldest son, Private David Archibald Jones, of the Notts. and Derby Regiment, who was accidentally killed on Salisbury Plain by running foul of a rope and falling on a spike. He left a wife and child. Another son, George Wm. Jones was wounded about 12 months ago, being hit in the left shoulder by shrapnel and he has now been discharged from the Army. The youngest son, Lawrence Sidney Jones, in the band of the Notts. and Derby Regiment is now ill in hospital.

Coalville Times article - Friday December 15th, 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday evening, a memorial service was held at the Coalville Wesleyan Church for two former scholars of the Sunday School, Corporal W. Jones and Private J. Jones, who have recently lost their lives in the war. The members of the V.T.C. under Commandant J. S. Turner, and of the V.A.D., under Commandant W. Eames, were present, there being a large congregation. The choir rendered “No shadows yonder” and suitable hymns were sung. Mr T. Frith read out the Sunday School roll of honour, containing 78 names, and five have fallen.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 14th, 1917

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Lance-Corporal Wilfred Jones, son of George and Sarah Ann Jones, Melbourne Street, Coalville, who was killed in action, September 15th, 1916.

“Somewhere in France, the moon is shining,
On a grave that is lonely and bare,
Except for a plain little wooden cross,
That denotes a British soldier lies there.

Though he has gone from us for ever,
We are always speaking his name,
For he died the death of a hero,
For King, Home and Britain’s good fame.”

From his loving Father and Mother, Brothers and Sister, and his Fiancée.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 13th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In ever-loving remembrance of Lance-Corporal Wilfred Jones, 1st Leicesters, who was killed in action, September 15th, 1916.

“Greater love hath no man than this: That he lay down his life for his friends.”

From F. Cramp

Coalville Times article - Friday September 20th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Lance-Corporal Wilfred Jones, son of George and Sarah Ann Jones, of Melbourne Street, Coalville, who was killed in action, September 15th, 1916.

“He left his country, quite prepared
His fair young life to give,
And like his noble Master
He died that we might live.”

From his loving Father, Mother, Brothers and Sister.

Coalville Times article - Friday February 14th, 1919

PROPOSED MEMORIAL AND THANKSGIVING FUND

Meetings are being held throughout the Ashby Wesleyan Circuit, to consider the inauguration of a war memorial and thanksgiving fund, and there was a gathering for this purpose in the Coalville Wesleyan Chapel on Saturday night, when Mr C. H. March presided over a fairly good attendance.

The details of the scheme are set forth in a circular which is being issued, and of which the following is a copy.

“To celebrate the end of the ‘great war’ and the coming of ‘peace’ the quarterly meeting of the Circuit decided by a unanimous vote to inaugurate a great ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund.’ The nation in the hours of danger has not counted any sacrifice of blood or treasure too great to hasten the time when all that we hold dear should be made secure from an unscrupulous foe. That end has been achieved. The victory is ours. In token of our gratitude to Almighty God, we desire to raise this ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund’ to enable the churches in this Circuit more efficiently to carry on, and extend the Kingdom of God. We suggest that contributions may be given as a thank-offering for loved ones spared, or in memory of dear ones who have laid down their lives for us. There are also large numbers in the Circuit, who, because of the importance of their work, have escaped the horrors of the battlefield, and will be able to give substantially in thankful recognition of their privileges. Everyone, indeed, has received great blessing through the ministry of our church, and the debt we owe to our beloved Methodism is greater than we can tell. Therefore, we earnestly appeal to all our people to give hearty and generous support to the ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund’. The first claim upon the income of the fund will be the clearing of the debt upon the Circuit houses, which amounts to £1,000, thus saving £44 per year in interest. The remainder of the income will be held at the disposal of the Circuit quarterly meeting for the benefit of the work of God in the Circuit. – William Hooper, William H. Wardle, B.A., and William Solomon (ministers), J. P. Adcock, J. P. (treasurer); W. J. Plowright and C. H. March (secretaries).”

During the meeting, Mr T. Frith read the Roll of Honour, which contained 99 names formerly connected with the church and Sunday School. Two have won the D.C.M. – Harry Beard and Edwin Collier – and four the Military Medal, these being Tom Palmer, Tom Wood, George Wildgoose and Walter Lewis.

Twenty had made the supreme sacrifice – Cecil A. Bradshaw, Ernest Batho, Geo. Beale, Sydney Dodds, Walter Fantom, John Hall, Horace Hall, Jess Jones, Wilfred Jones, Fred Hart, Arthur Johnson, Walter Lewis, M.M., Harry Lewis, William Setchell, Sam Smith, Tom Usherwood, Willie Wells, Alf Wood, Albert Essex and Tom Wild.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Coalville Times article - Friday, September 17th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Jones – In loving remembrance of my dear son, Corporal David Archibald Jones, who was killed September 6th, 1915, aged 23 years. Also in loving memory of Lance-Corporal Wilfred Jones, who was killed September 15th, 1916, aged 24 years; the loving sons of Mr and Mrs Jones, Standard Hill (late of Melbourne Street).

“Call them not dead, these brave, these splendid heroes
Death is too cold a word for such as they;
Nay, rather say, they sleep in happy dreaming,
Waking to Heaven’s everlasting day.”

From their loving Mother, Father, Brothers and Sister.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 05/09/2017