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St Peters Church

St Peters Church, Fairfield 2014
St Peters Church, Fairfield 2014

Fairfield 1811
Fairfield is a chapelry in the parish of Hope, though situated near Buxton. The church is dedicated to St. Peter, and is a tolerably good edifice. The village is straggling and small; containing no more than sixty-three houses, and about 280 inhabitants”.
In the Archdeaconry of Derby.
Fairfield 1831
Extract from Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary of England, 1831.
Transcribed by Mel Lockie, © Copyright 2010
Lewis Topographical Dictionaries
FAIRFIELD, a chapelry in the parish of HOPE, hundred of HIGH-PEAK, county of DERBY, 1 mile (E.N.E.) from Buxton, containing 482 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the peculiar jurisdiction and patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield. The chapel is dedicated to St. Peter. Anthony Swann, in 1662, bequeathed £4 a year for teaching ten children in 1693, Rowland Swann left a trifling sum for books and in 1771, the commissioners of enclosures allotted land of the annual value of £10, in augmentation of the master’s salary.

Memorial Stained Glass Window @ St Peters Church, Fairfield paid for by donations from local people.
Memorial Stained Glass Window @ St Peters Church, Fairfield paid for by donations from local people.

East Window at the Church
During his discourse on Sunday morning at the Parish Church the Vicar said he hoped a stained glass window would be placed in the east-end of the Church to the memory of those fallen in the war. The proposal should heartily commend itself to all parishioners.
We are asked to state that the Vicar is very anxious to obtain a complete list of all those lads who have fallen from, and he invites the parishioners to supply him with the names of any of those whose names are presently omitted from the Roll of Honour now hanging in the Church. Contributions towards the proposed window may be placed in the box set apart for this object in the Church.
East Window Fund
This fund is receiving a ready and spontaneous support from parishioners and friends, which is very pleasing to all concerned.

Report from Buxton Advertiser

Memorial plaque inside St Peters commemorating the 'Fallen'
Memorial plaque inside St Peters commemorating the ‘Fallen’

The Parish Church
Sunday last falling within the octave of the Saints’ special mention of the fallen was made at the Choral Eucharist at the Parish Church of St. Peter. The service was reverently rendered by the choir and congregation. The Processional Hymn “For all the Saints” was sung as a fine opening to a very fitting service of just remembrance. The Roll of Honour was suspended from the front of the pulpit and decorated with a laurel wreath.

Extract from Buxton Advertiser

Wreaths for the Fallen
The Mayor and Corporation were kind enough to remember the Fallen Lads from this parish on All Souls Day (last Saturday), and beautiful Laurel Wreaths, with red, white and blue ribbons were sent for the graves of the following who were interred in St. Peters Churchyard. George Proctor, George Goodwin, Samuel Street and Stanley Gulwell.

Extract from Buxton Advertiser

St Peters register of WW1 Graves
St Peters register of WW1 Graves from CWG
St Peters Grave registration WW1
St Peters Grave registration WW1 from CWG

http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/37652/FAIRFIELD%20%28ST.%20PETER%29%20CHURCHYARD

 

 

Donald Frazer Holland 1894 – 1917

HOLLAND_DONALD_FRAZERhttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/732061/HOLLAND,%20DONALD%20FRAZER

 

York & Lancaster Regimental Badge

York & Lancaster Regimental Badge

Dud Corner Memorial 2014
Dud Corner Memorial 2014
Return letter to Donald's family following a request for information on his Grave
Return letter to Donald’s family following a request for information on his Grave
Medal Roll Card
Medal Roll Card

 

Commemorated on Mothers Grave at St Peters Church Fairfield
Commemorated on Mothers Grave at St Peters Church Fairfield

Donald Frazer Holland: The 1/4th (Hallamshire) Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment was a Territorial unit based in Sheffield serving with the 3rd West Riding Brigade, West Riding Division. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service, moving to Doncaster. In November they moved to Gainsborough and in in February 1915 to York to prepare for service overseas, those men who had not volunteered for Imperial Service transferred tp the newly formed 2/4th Battalion. They proceeded to France on the 14th of April 1915, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 148th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/yorklancs4.php#sthash.7CI7Qtb8.dpuf

1894 born in Hadfield, Derbyshire (O/N/D vol 7b, page 817) 1901 Census living at 48 The Avenue, Hadfield, Glossop aged 6yrs. 1914 Attestation, living at 178 Worksop Road, Handsworth, Sheffield with Mother Lizzie who is buried at St Peters Fairfield, Donald is remembered on the Grave.

W H Corbridge 1892 – 1918

CORBRIDGE_W_Hhttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/595230/CORBRIDGE,%20W%20H

Royal Engineers Regimental Badge
Royal Engineers Regimental Badge
Medal Card
Medal Card

 

1892 born in Wincobank, Sheffield, Yorkshire, 1901 Census, living in Wadsley Bridge, Hillsborough aged 9yrs. 1911 Census living at 6 Wansfell Road, Grimesthorpe aged 19yrs, working as a Steel & Iron Turner. 1916 Married Florence Simpson of 79 Windsor Road, Fairfield (vol 7b, page 1622).

Obituary from The Buxton Advertiser. (researched 2014)

Death of a Soldier Sapper Corbridge
Sapper Corbridge has succumbed to pneumonia and was buried in France. He had fought through the war, and it was hard that he should “ go under” after the Armistice had been signed. It will be remembered that Sapper Corbridge was married to Miss Simpson daughter of Mrs Simpson, of 79, Windsor Road, at St Peter’s Church. Mrs Corbridge at one time assisted Mr Franklin Barlow of Spring Gardens and is now acting in a similar capacity. Sympathy will be expressed to her in her bereavement.

John Lewis

Memorial Plaque in the former Conservative Club ( now Sports & Social Club) Fairfield
Memorial Plaque in the former Conservative Club ( now Sports & Social Club) Fairfield

J Lewis is named on the Memorial in the former Conservative Club, however it has so far been impossible to trace him.

In the 1911 Census a John William Lewis aged 15yrs born in Derbyshire approx 1895/6, was working as a servant/footman, for the Whisson Family? living at Nithen, Buxton, Derbyshire, which was in the Parish of Fairfield.

John William Lewis 1911
John William Lewis 1911

There is also a John Lewis aged 19yrs, born in Buxton 1892, living in Ecclesall, Sheffield, with his Father John Lewis & his Grandmother  Elizabeth. John was working as a Merchants Clerk.

Clement Leeke 1881 – 1915

LEEKE_Chttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/490069/LEEKE,%20C

Memorial Plaque inside the now Sports & Social Club Fairfield
Memorial Plaque inside the now Sports & Social Club Fairfield 2014

Clements name is on the Memorial.

Royal Engineers Regimental Badge
Royal Engineers Regimental Badge

C LeekePhotograph from Buxton Advertiser Saturday April 10th 1915.

Clement Leeke, photograph Buxton Advertiser/Keith Taylor
Clement Leeke, photograph Buxton Advertiser/Keith Taylor
1911 Census Boarder at Railway Cottages
1911 Census Boarder at Railway Cottages

 

Clement Leeke: 90th Field Company, The Royal Engineers joined 9th (Scottish) Division in January 1915 at Bordon. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/royalengineers90fldcoy-gw.php#sthash.okzxs92s.dpuf

Born 1881 in Crewe, Cheshire (vol 8a, page 313 O/N/D) 1896, Clement was an apprentice on the Railways in Crewe. 1901 Census he was living at 153 West Street, Coppenhall, Cheshire, still employed on the Railway. 1908 Clement has now moved and is now employed on the Railway in Buxton, Employee Number 4077, he has worked on the Railways for 12 1/2 yrs, his character is fair, and his ability is good. The 1911 Census and Clement is living at 9 Railway Terrace, Lightwood Road a boarder with the Lathem family, employed as a Locomotive Fitter.

 

 

Ernest J Walthew 1876 – 1918

WALTHEW_ERNEST_JOHNhttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/513664/WALTHEW,%20ERNEST%20JOHN

Memorial Plaque inside the now Sports & Social Club Fairfield
Memorial Plaque inside the now Sports & Social Club Fairfield 2014

Ernest’s name is on the Memorial.

 

Obituary Roll of Honour
Obituary Roll of Honour
Royal Engineers Regimental Badge
Royal Engineers Regimental Badge

 

Ernest John Walthew: 46th Divisional Signals Company, The Royal Engineers provided communications for 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/royalengineers46divsigcoy-gw.php#sthash.QJ8xkRIT.dpuf

Born: 1876 Heaton Norris Stockport. Vol 8a Page 32 A/M/J Qtr.
1881 Census: Living at Didsbury Road, Heaton Norris aged 5yrs.
1901 married Maud Clegg daughter of Sir William Clegg
1901 Census: Living at Heath House, Stockport Road, Cheadle with wife & 2 Servants aged 25yrs.
Occupation: Cotton Spinner & Doubler employer of people.
1911 Census: Living at Green Moor, Fairfield aged 35yrs now retired.
1914: Volunteered for the Royal Engineers Territorial Forces.
1918: Died whilst making a reconnaissance.
1919: Probate left £  27.486.5s.9d to widow Maud.

 Report of death in Buxton Advertiser.

It is with deep regret we announce the sad news that Lieut-Colonel E J Walthew, Royal Engineers, who was attached to the Sherwood Foresters, has fallen at the front. It was in May 1915, that Lieutenant Walthew who it will be remembered married Miss Maud Clegg, daughter of Sir William Clegg, of Sheffield, left that city with the local engineers. In the succeeding month  he was preferred to the rank of temporary Captain, and in 1917 was raised to the rank of Major. Then in January of this year (1918) he, for bravery on the battlefield, was awarded the Military Cross  and later promoted to a lieutenant Colonel. It is only lately that Colonel Walthew received an appointment to Divisional Headquarters and it was while discharging his duties there that he met with an instantaneous death. With his widow and two daughters great sympathy is expressed in the very sad bereavement they have been called upon to bear. The deceased officer was well known in Buxton, where he resided for some years, and made lots of friends. He was a man of most affable disposition, cheery and optimistic, and took a great interest in local affairs. In April 1910, he was elected a member of the then Buxton Urban District Council, and continued in that capacity until 1914. Colonel Walthew was then member for east ward. Deceased performed most useful work on the Finance, gas and Water, Sanitary (of which he was chairman in 1912-13).  Baths and Pump Room, Advertising and Free Library Committee. He likewise held high office in the Buxton Lodge of Freemasons (1688), a prominent member of the Conservative party, he was a real worker in the cause. It can with safety be said that his untiring efforts were due much of the extensive progress made in this division. Amongst the numerous other public offices so ably filled by the late Colonel was that of the membership of the committee of management of the Devonshire Hospital, and he was also connected with the Union Club. A sportstman Colonel Walthew held an enviable reputation. he was a keen follower of the High Peak Hunt, and also discharged the duties of secretary to the Hunt Steeplechases, his horse ‘Wiseman’ will be remembered by sportstmen as the winner of the Point-to-point Steeplechase in 1912 and in 1913 the success was reported.  The owner of the winner of this event held the Hunt Challenge Cup for one year succeeding each success. He also presented the Walthew Sheild for competition between the Buxton and Fairfield Constitutional Clubs. Afterwards the deceased left Buxton and went to reside at Churchdale Hall, Ashford. Mrs Walthew became the first commandant of the Bakewell Red Cross Hospital and envinced the greatest interest in the good work. This she continued until removal to Devonshire where she and her daughters now reside. To say that Colonel Walthew will be greatly missed is to largely understate the facts, he leaves a vacant place in our social life which with only the greatest difficulty will be filled.   

Percy Wood 1893 – 1918

Percy Woodhttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/774983/WOOD,%20PERCY

 

Royal Army Medical Corps regimental BadgeRoyal Army Medical Corps regimental Badge

Buxton Advertiser/Keith Taylor
Buxton Advertiser/Keith Taylor
Arras Memorial 2014
Arras Memorial 2014

Arras Memorial 2014 (Bay 10).

WW1 Memorial BurbageWar Memorial at Burbage, Buxton.

Percy Wood BurbagePercy is remembered on the Burbage, St Peters and The ‘Slopes’ Memorials.

Foxes Yard Percy's home before going to War
Foxes Yard Percy’s Parents home 2014

 Born: 1893 Riddings registered Belper Derbyshire Vol 7b Page 621 O/N/D. to parents Joseph & Esther Wood.
1901 Census: Living @ South Street Riddings aged 7yrs with younger sister Ethel.
1911 Census: Living @ 28 Wirksmoor Road, New Mills Derbyshire Aged 17yrs. Lodger. (1911 Parents living at Fox’s Yard Fairfield).
Percy’s occupation is as an Assistant Porter for the Midlands Railway.

1911 Census living at Wirksmoor Road New Mills
1911 Census living at Wirksmoor Road New Mills.
28 Wirksmoor Road, the home Percy left to go to War.
28 Wirksmoor Road, the home Percy left to go to War. (2014)

1917: Marriage to Ellen (Nellie) Brindley from Burbage.

Obituary from The Buxton Advertiser 13th April 1918. (researched 2014)

Private Percy Wood
The deepest regret was felt last week-end over a wide neighbourhood when it became known that Pte. Percy Wood had been killed in action. He was the only son of Mr & Mrs Wood, Old Hall Cottage, Fairfield, and in October last married Nellie, the eldest daughter of Mr & Mrs James Brindley, Lime Terrace, Burbage. Our fallen friend joined up soon after the outbreak and had 3 ½ years in France with the Field Ambulance. The following extracts from letters support the testimony received from many quarters paying tribute to the high character of the deceased. Lieut. R A Preston writes: “Dear Mrs Wood, – I am sorry to tell you that your husband, Pte Percy Wood. R.A.M.C., was killed in action on March 24th. I take it you have already heard officially from the War Office, but I wished to express to you my deepest sympathy and all that of his comrades in the Ambulance. He was killed instantaneously by a shell whilst carrying wounded through a heavy barrage. You will, at least have the satisfaction of knowing that he died as a brave man should.” A friend of the fallen soldier, Pte Jumelville, in the course of a letter of sympathy to Mrs Wood say’s:- Percy and I were the greatest of friends until the hour of his death. He was greatly liked by all in the Ambulance, and his death is a big blow to all of us, as he was ever ready to render his services to help his fellow comrades. Please accept the sympathy of all of the 58th Field Ambulance and convey the same to his sorrowing parents. Percy died a hero’s death, taking his part for the course of his country, for the triumph of right over might. Deceased was formerly employed on the railway. We beg to tender the young widow and parents, on behalf of a large number of friends and acquaintances, heartfelt sympathy in their great loss.

Percy is also remembered on the RAMC in The Great War website.

http://www.ramc-ww1.com/profile.php?cPath=274_443_48&profile_id=9866&osCsid=29

Owen Williams 1885 – 1918

WILLIAMS_Ohttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/38486/WILLIAMS,%20O

Sherwood Foresters Regimental Badge
Sherwood Foresters Regimental Badge

Owen Williams: Battalion Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), Sherwood The 12th was raised at Derby on the 1st of October 1914 as part of Kitchener’s Third New Army and joined 24th Division as army troops. They trained at Shoreham though the division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In April 1915 the 12th Sherwoods converted to be a Pioneer Battalion for same Division. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France on the 29th of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on the 4th September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/sherwoodforesters12.php#sthash.xpqViG01.dpuf

Born: Owen was born at Glynucha, Langelynin, Caernarvonshire, Wales in the J/A/S 1885 Vol 11b Page 513. He was the son of William and Grace Elizabeth Williams.

1891 Census: Owen had an older brother, William John, a younger brother Robert Llewylyn and a younger sister Anne Mary.
1908:  Owen married Lois Norton at St James, Buxton on Christmas Eve. In 1909 the couple had a little girl Edith.
1911Census: Living Mainfields Bakewell aged 26yrs working as a Gardener by now they had another daughter Grace born in February.

1911 Census, living in Bakewell with wife & children working as Gardener.
1911 Census, living in Bakewell with wife & children working as Gardener.

1913: The couple were now living in Buxton at 3 West View, Queens Road and now had a son Owen Jnr.
Memorial: 1. A. 27

William Winstanley 1880 – 1915

WINSTANLEY_WILLIAMhttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/507266/WINSTANLEY,%20WILLIAM

Royal Engineers Regimental Badge
Royal Engineers Regimental Badge
William Winstanley photograph from Buxton Advertiser 10th April 1915
William Winstanley photograph from Buxton Advertiser 10th April 1915

William Winstanley had enlisted into the 90th Field Company, Royal Engineers, the 90th  joined 9th (Scottish) Division in January 1915 at Bordon. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/royalengineers90fldcoy-gw.php#sthash.pRVW6kix.dpuf

William was born in 1880 at Birkdale, Southport, Lancashire the son of James & Elizabeth Winstanley (James his father is incorrectly named as Joseph on the CWWG Certificate). The family were living at 65 Chester Road, Preston.
1891 Census: Living @ 33 Dover Lane, Preston Aged 13yrs working as an Office Boy . William moved to Buxton at the end of the 1890’s
1900 saw Williams marriage to Annie Palfryman on the 16th May 1900 @ Buxton. Annie was a native of Biggin.
1901 Census: Living @ 33 New High Street, Fairfield. The couple had now had their first child William Turner Winstanley.
1911 Census: Living @ 33 New High Street. Fairfield. James & Annie now have 2 daughters Margaret (1903) & Isobel (1908). Williams occupation is as an Electric Wireman. William had been employed by W R Sanders & Company.

1911 Census living at New High Street working as Electric Wireman
1911 Census living at New High Street working as Electric Wireman
The home on New Street that William left to go to War
The home on New Street that William left to go to War 2014

1915: William enlisted on the 6th January, in Buxton, following his enlistment wife Annie and the children moved to 72 Cliff Road, Fairfield. Williams records show he was 36yrs 6mths old on enlistment, he was a Proficient Electrician. He was quickly transferred to Chatham and following training embarked for France on 12th May 1915 arriving the following day, 13th May 1915 in under 2 months William had died on the 5th July 1915 after contracting Typhoid. In total William had served 181 days.

His wife Annie had taken work at Fleetwood Cafe in Spring Gardens & using their headed note paper she wrote a dignified letter requesting her late husbands medals.

Annie's letter requesting Williams Medals.
Annie’s letter requesting Williams Medals.
The reply to Annie's letter
The reply to Annie’s letter

Etaples Memorial Grave: 11. A. 14

Charles L Wilkinson 1897 – 1918

WILKINSON_CHARLES_LESLIEhttp://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/774236/WILKINSON,%20CHARLES%20LESLIE

Sherwood Foresters Regimental Badge
Sherwood Foresters Regimental Badge
Arras Memorial 2014
Arras Memorial 2014
Report of Charles's Death
Report of Charles’s Death
C L Wilkinson on the Officer Casualty List
C L Wilkinson on the Officer Casualty List

Born: 22nd June 1897 the son of Charles Edward & Minnie Alice Wilkinson, Charles was baptised 19th July at St Peters Fairfield.
1901 Census: Aged 3yrs living at Underwood Manchester Road Buxton.
1911 Census: Aged 13yrs Student away at Haileybury College Hertfordshire.

1911 Census Charles away at Boarding School
1911 Census Charles away at Boarding School

Parents living at Ardean, Marlborough Rd Buxton.
1918 Probate: France Charles left £312 17s 7d to his Father Charles Edward Wilkinson.

Arras Memorial 2014 (Bay 7).