Those men with Waters Upton connections who fought and died in the Great War are remembered on the Waters Upton OPS page World War 1 – The Fallen. On this page however, I aim to compile information relating to those who enlisted with the armed forces to fight the First World War, and survived the conflict. This is not an easy task. While those who fell are commemorated with inscriptions on war graves or war memorials, and perhaps also in Rolls of Honour and other publications, many of the records of those who served and survived suffered destruction or damage during the Second World War.
This record of those from Waters Upton who also served – some for very short periods (discharged due to being under age or unfit), some who never saw battle (serving at home), and others who went overseas and fought – will therefore likely never be complete. It is also very much a work in progress, which I will add to as more information comes to light.
Samuel Astley
Private 10696, 5th Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.
Awards: None
Other: Born Waters Upton. Parents Richard Astley and Jane Ash (married 29 Dec 1874 at Shawbury, Shropshire). Next of kin Emily Perkins (sister, born Emma Astley, married Stephen Perkins 1905 at Trinity Methodist Church, Crewe), of Aston Heath, Nantwich, Cheshire. Occupation groom. Attested (aged 27 years 9 months) Whitchurch, Shropshire 12 Aug 1914. 22 days in Connaught Hospital, Aldershot (12 Sep 1914 to 3 Oct 1914) due to sprain of left ankle. Discharged under para 392(ciii) King’s Regulations (considered unlikely to become an efficient soldier, found unfit within 3 months of service), 9 Oct 1914, due to incurable flat feet. Total service 59 days.
Sources:
Soldiers’ Documents from Pension Claims, First World War (series WO 364, The National Archives)
1881 census of England and Wales (parents and siblings)
1891 census of England and Wales
1901 census of England and Wales
1911 census of England and Wales
Shawbury, Shropshire marriage register covering 1874 (parents’ marriage)
Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Methodist Circuit baptism register covering 1878 (sister’s baptism)
CheshireBMD Marriage Index (sister’s marriage)
Eric Graham Atcherley
Sergeant 48160, Royal Engineers.
Awards: British War Medal. Allied Victory Medal. 1914-15 Star. Military Medal.
Other: Born 1891 at Waters Upton. Parents William Henry Atcherley and Charlotte Emma Shakeshaft, of Broomhall, Shirley Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, Warwickshire (married 11 Apr 1882 at High Ercall, Shropshire). Occupation tinsmith, Humber Ltd. Enlisted September 1914 at Coventry (along with his three brothers). Entered France 26 Aug 1915. Also served in the Italian Alps.
Sources:
British Army Medal Index Cards (series WO 372, The National Archives)
Coventry Evening Telegraph, 11 Sep 1914, page 2
Coventry Evening Telegraph, 2 Dec 1914, page 2
London Gazette, issue 29749, 12 Sep 1916, page 8997
Birmingham Daily Post, 24 Nov 1916, page 7
1901 census of England and Wales (piece 2563, folio 142, page 18)
1911 census of England and Wales (piece 16285, Schedule 69)
High Ercall, Shropshire marriage register covering 1882 (marriage of parents)
1918 Absent Voters’ List, Parliamentary Borough of Birmingham, Moseley Division, Acock’s Green Ward
Spring 1919 Absent Voters’ List, Parliamentary Borough of Birmingham, Moseley Division, Acock’s Green Ward
Electoral Register for Birmingham, Moseley Division, Acock’s Green Ward, 1920
Gathering Our Heroes website
Wilfred Andrew Brookes
Private 75673, 5th (Reserve) Battalion Manchester Regiment
Awards: None known (possibly none awarded as no overseas service)
Other: Born Waters Upton 1899. Residence The Farm, Long Lane, Wellington, Shropshire. Father John Henry Brookes, same address. Occupation waggoner. Enlisted (aged 18 years 5 months) Shrewsbury, 25 May 1918. Late on parade at Scarborough, 31 Jul 1918. Posted to 3rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment 13 Mar 1919. With 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment when transferred to Reserve on demobilization 2 Dec 1919.
Sources:
Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ (series WO 363, The National Archives)
1911 census of England and Wales
Ashton Burgess
Driver (Horse Transport) 061572, Army Service Corps. Private 310211, Tank Corps from 24 Aug 1918.
Awards: British War Medal. Allied Victory Medal. 1914-15 Star.
Other: Born High Ercall 1878. Residence 10 Chetwynd Road, Edgmond, Newport, Shropshire. Wife Eliza Woolley (married at Waters Upton). Children Emily Burgess (born Forton 6 Sep 1908), Phillis Mary Burgess (born Waters Upton 31 Aug 1910), William David Burgess (born Market Drayton 27 Jan 1912), Joseph Leonard Burgess (born Edgmond 6 Sep 1914). Occupation groom. Enlisted (aged 35 years 5 months) Newport, Shropshire 26 Feb 1915. Embarked s.s. Bellerphon Southampton 11 Apr 1915. Disembarked Havre 12 Apr 1915. Posted to [?]. Leave 11 Apr 1916 to 18 Apr 1916. Several admissions to hospital in 1917, twice with diarrhoea. Invalided to England 12 Aug 1917 per s.s. Kalyan (amoebic dysentery); Commanding Officer (35th Division) stated that he was employed as a Batman, his sobriety was good, and he was reliable and intelligent. At University War Hospital Southampton 13 Aug 1917 to 6 November 1917. At D Division Dysentery Convalescent Hospital, Barton, New Milton, Hampshire 6 Nov 1917 to 30 Nov 1917. Furlough (to be spent at home address) 1 Dec 1917 to 10 Dec 1917. Transferred to Corps of Hussars? Posted to Tank Corps Depot 24 Aug 1918. Posted to Reserve Unit 27 Aug 1918. Posted to [?] 21 Sep 1918. On leave 19 Dec 1918 to 30 Dec 1918. Transferred to Reserve on demobilization at Prees Heath 18 Mar 1919. Total service 4 years 21 days.
Sources:
Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ (series WO 363, The National Archives)
1911 census of England and Wales
John Chetwood
Private 67894, Royal Engineers. Sapper 216842, 6th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Engineers.
Awards: None known (possibly none awarded as no overseas service)
Other: Born Waters Upton (or perhaps High Ercall parish) 1878. Residence 136 Burton Road, Derby. Wife Fanny (maiden name Allt, married St Luke, Derby, 11 Mar 1903), children Lilian (born Derby, 20 Jun 1904) and Nellie (born Derby, 2 Feb 1906). Occupation cabinet maker. Enlisted (aged 38 years 2 months) Newark, Nottinghamshire 4 Dec 1916. Posted on enlistment to P4 Company RE Chatham. Posted to P8 Company RE Chatham 18 Dec 1916. Posted to 1/4 EL Company RE C of E (7) RE Kinghorn [Fife, Scotland, on N shore of Forth of Firth opposite Edinburgh] 22 Dec 1916. AWOL 11 hours 30 minutes (from 10.00am to 9.30pm 3 May 1917) at Kinghorn, punishment 3 days CB (Confined to Barracks). Transferred to 6th Reserve Battalion RE Irvine at Inch Keith [an island in the Firth of Forth and a detached part of the parish of Kinghorn] [4?] May 1918. Transferred from No. [?] Forth Fortress Company [to Co. 6th R.B. No. 65] 8 May 1918. Transferred to the Reserve on demobilization 18 Feb 1919.
Sources:
Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ (series WO 363, The National Archives)
1881 census of England and Wales
1891 census of England and Wales
1911 census of England and Wales
William Evans
Private 17700, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.
Awards: None
Other: Born Cherrington, Shropshire. Residence Shray Hill, Waters Upton. Father Andrew Evans of Shray Hill. Unmarried. Occupation farm labourer. Enlisted (aged 19 years 180 days) Shrewsbury 19 Apr 1915. “Discharged having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment” 26 Apr 1915. Character Good.
Source:
Soldiers’ Documents from Pension Claims, First World War (series WO 364, The National Archives)
Herbert Morris
Private 15363, 9th (2nd Reserve) Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Private 437150, 555th Agricultural Company Labour Corps
Awards: British War Medal. Allied Victory Medal. 1914-15 Star.
Other: Born Waters Upton. Wife Emily Isabelle Morris, 11 High Street, Shifnal, Salop (married 29 Dec 1903). Children: Matthew Henry Morris born Sutton Heath, Market Drayton 28 Jan 1904; Hannah Elizabeth Morris born Espley, Hodnet 7 Feb 1907; Ada May Morris born Moortown, Ercall Magna 10 Jan 1909; Margaret Annie born Coalmoor Lane 30 Mar 1912; Alfred John born Coalmoor Lane, Little Wenlock 28 Mar 1914; Ethel Winifred born 11 High Street, Shifnal 13 Jul 1918. Occupation farm labourer (last employer Mr J Marsh, Lawley House, Horsehay, Shrewsbury). Enlisted (aged 32 years 81 days) Ironbridge 9 Nov 1914. Embarked 18 Dec 1915 to join 7th Battalion. Joined Battalion 31 Dec 1915. Attached to 250th Tunnelling Company 19 Apr 1916. Debility 11 May 1916. Influenza 14 May 1916. To Etaples 15 May 1916. Transferred from there to England per Hospital Ship Brighton 26 May 1916. Hospitalised (rheumatism, originated 11 May 1916 in France) Charing Cross Hospital 26 May 1916 to 8 Jun 1916, then Paddington VAD Hospital 8 Jun 1916 to 21 Jun 1916. Posted to 423 Agricultural Company Shrewsbury 1 Feb 1919. Posted to Dispersal Centre Clipstone 26 Feb 1919. Demobilized 28 Mar 1919. Residence at end of war Bishops Offley, Eccleshall, Staffordshire. Examined Stoke on Trent 16 Jul 1919; “He states he was a farm labourer & is doing same now. Complains of 1. pain in knees & shoulders 2. pain & flatulence after foods. … Crepitus in both shoulders, slight creaking in Rt knee …”; condition attributed to war service (caused through exposure while with infantry in France). Pension awarded due to myalgia / rheumatism, ended 3 May 1921.
Sources:
Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ (series WO 363, The National Archives)
Soldiers’ Documents from Pension Claims, First World War (series WO 364, The National Archives)
British Army Medal Index Cards (series WO 372, The National Archives) (gives Labour Corps service number as 487150 in error).
1891 census of England and Wales
1911 census of England and Wales
John Thomas Richards
Lieutenant Corporal 31572, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Awards: British War Medal. Allied Victory Medal. One gold braid wound distinction.
Other: Born Waters Upton. Residence Sytch Lane, Waters Upton. Occupation railway porter. Enlisted (aged 18 years 2 months) Wellington, Shropshire 16 Dec 1916. BEF France 2 Feb 1918 to 26 Mar 1918. Gunshot wound to right hand 23 Mar 1918 causing fracture to wrist and severe reflex paralysis. Hospitalised (Hemingford Street Military Hospital Birkenhead) 15 days (27 Mar 1918 to 10 Apr 1918). Medical report: “Bullet wound, palm & back of right wrist. Reflex cyanosis & paralysis of hand, fingers crowded & cannot be separated. Right hand powerless.” Appeared before Standing Invaliding Board (Dublin 10 Jun 1918) and recommended for discharge as permanently unfit for any further service. Discharged (aged 19 years 5 months) Shrewsbury 2 Jul 1918, no longer physically fit for war service; military character good; character awarded steady and reliable; trade railway porter; intended place of residence 5 Market Drayton Road, Wellington, Salop; total service 1 year 199 days. Examination at Shrewsbury 8 Apr 1919: “Small oval sear 1/4″ long in palm of hand, wrist movements normal. Flexion of fingers limited, cannot clench fist. Movement of thumb normal, no cyanosis, no paraesthesia. general condition good. …” Examination at Shrewsbury 4 May 1920: “Rt. forearm 1/2″ wasting. Flexion of R. middle finger limited by 50%. Movements other fingers normal. Grip weak.” Examination W’ton [=Wellington?] 1 Apr 1921: “Dorsi flexion wrist normal. Flexion of R. middle finger limited by 50%. Ext. normal. All other movements of hand normal. No [waiting / wasting?] [?] Grip of hand diminished.”
Sources:
Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War (series WO 329, The National Archives)
Soldiers’ Documents from Pension Claims, First World War (series WO 364, The National Archives)
1911 census of England and Wales
Joseph Baxter Shakeshaft
Company Quarter Master Sergeant 428229, 899th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps; Western Command Labour Company; 423 Agricultural Company, Labour Corps.
Awards: None known (possibly none awarded as no overseas service)
Other: Born 1885 at Waters Upton. Residence 80 Castleford Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham, Warwickshire. Parents John and Elizabeth. Wife Ada Mabel (married 10 Jun 1912 at Hall Green Church, Birmingham). Enlisted 30 Nov 1916. It appears he joined a Devonshire unit on enlistment. He was transferred to the 899th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps, Canterbury on 9 Oct 1917, and posted to the 423 Agricultural Company on 26 Jan 1918. Transferred from the 423 Agricultural Company, Labour Corps (Prees Heath / Shrewsbury) on 20 Sep 1919 to W.C.L.C. [= Western Command Labour Company], taking with him the following items: 1 pair of ankle boots, 1 service dress caps, 2 pairs of drawers, 1 D.M. Greatcoat, 1 service dress jacket, 1 pair of service dress trousers, 1 cardigan waistcoat, 1 razor.
Source:
Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ (series WO 363, The National Archives)
1891 census of England and Wales
1901 census of England and Wales
1911 census of England and Wales
George Woolley
Private 30591 Yorkshire Regiment. Private 639139, 553rd Agricultural Company Labour Corps.
Awards: British War Medal. Allied Victory Medal.
Other: Born Waters Upton. Residence Rose Cottage, Cookham Rise, Cookham, Berkshire. Children Rhoda Emma Woolley, born Ewhurst, Surrey 18 Dec 1911; William George Arthur Woolley, born Waters Upton, Shropshire 9 Dec 1913; Dora [?] Woolley, born Wycliffe, Yorkshire 7 Oct 1915. Occupation gardener. Enlisted (age 37 years 11 months) Richmond, Yorkshire 16 Jun 1916. Served France Sep 1916 to Dec 1916. Gassed Nov 1916, hospitalised 157 days (16 Dec 1916 to 21 May 1917), 2nd Southern General Hospital Bristol. Infantryman Jul 1917 to Sep 1917. Gunshot wound to left leg Sep 1917 (bullet passed through tibia), hospitalised 86 days (26 Sep 1917 to 20 Dec 1917) at Baptist School Yeovil (Sherbourne Group Red Cross Hospitals) and 40 days (20 Dec 1917 to 29 Jan 1918) Military Convalescent Hospital Woldingham. Residence 1919 Garden Cottage, Hitcham Place, Taplow, Buckinghamshire.
Sources:
British Army Medal Index Cards (series WO 372, The National Archives)
Soldiers’ Documents from Pension Claims, First World War (series WO 364, The National Archives)
Robert Ernest Woolley
Sergeant PW 4503, 26th (Service) Battalion Middlesex Regiment.
Awards: British War Medal. Allied Victory Medal. Bronze Medal of Italy.
Other: Born Waters Upton. Parents Samuel and Mary Ann. Residence Sutherland Cottage, Waters Upton. Occupation police constable. Enlisted (age 20 years 9 days) 29 Dec 1915. Hospitalised 20 days (23 Apr 1916 to 12 May 1916), due to cellulitis after vaccination. Promoted to Corporal 5 Jul 1916. Embarked Devonport 12 Aug 1916, disembarked Salonika 24 Aug 1916. To Hospital Ship Formosa and Imtarfa (Mtarfa) Hospital, Malta, Sep 1916 with dysentery and malaria. Returned to duty with 26 Mx at Salonika 14 Nov 1916. Promoted to Sergeant 7 Dec 1916. Awarded Bronze Medal of Italy for distinguished service 5 Mar 1917. Enteritis followed by dysentery Oct-Nov 1917 (hospitalised) and again May 1918. To UK from Imtarfa Hospital by Hospital Ship Braemar Castle 28/29 Jun 1918 (en route until 8 Jul 1918). Hospitalised 204 days (9 July 1918 to 29 Jan 1919) at Addington Park War Hospital (convalescent on admission from overseas), and a further 2 days for same cause (29 Jan 1919 to 31 Jan 1919) at Berrington War Hospital, Shrewsbury, dysentery, after which he was approved for dispersal having recovered. Disability claimed but rated as nil, no pension or gratuity awarded. Transferred to Reserve on demobilization 1 Mar 1919. Total service 3 years 63 days.
Sources:
Soldiers’ Documents from Pension Claims, First World War (series WO 364, The National Archives)
National Army Museum website
Edinburgh Gazette, issue 13138, 4 Sep 1917, page 1897
1911 census of England and Wales
Samuel Woolley
Sapper / Corporal 61725, 75th Field Company Royal Engineers (Transportation Branch). Corporal WR284753 (or WR284713) Royal Engineers.
Awards: British War Medal. Allied Victory Medal. 1914-15 Star. Military Medal.
Other: Born Waters Upton 1882. Residence 13 Willow Terrace, Albert Road, Wellington, Shropshire. Father John Woolley, Bridge House, Crudgington, Nr Wellington, Shropshire and later 29A Hall Cottage, Waters Upton. Occupation engine driver (locomotive). Attested (aged 32 years) Cockspur Street, London 14 Dec 1914. Arrived Chatham station 14 Dec 1914. Transferred 75th Field Company 9 Jan 1915. Embarked BEF 24 Aug 1915. Military Medal ‘Gazetted’ 10 Oct 1916. Promoted to Corporal 1 Aug 1917. Wounded (gas) 15 Sep 1918. Temporarily voluntarily transferred to RE (Transportation Branch) and posted to BGO Company as Corporal, Locomotive Driver Superior Regimental No. WR/284753 29 Oct 1918. 14 days leave to UK 2 Nov 1918. Demobilized 9 Apr 1919 at Prees Heath. Acknowledged receipt of Military Medal 18 Jan 1920. Acknowledged receipt of 1914-14 Star on 5 Nov 1921. BW & V medals posted to S Woolley at 27 Princes Street, Wellington, Shropshire on 26 Apr 1922.
Sources:
British Army Medal Index Cards (series WO 372, The National Archives)
Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ (series WO 363, The National Archives)
1891 census of England and Wales
1901 census of England and Wales
1911 census of England and Wales
Waters Upton One-Place Study 