Songster - Loughborough's Own War Horse

Loughborough Carillon museum has released a children’s book about Songster, Loughborough’s own war horse. 

The book  has been written by Alison Mott and beautifully illustrated by artist, Liz Waddell. The book is a wonderful way to share Songster’s fascinating story with a modern-day audience.  

Alison and Liz  worked with pupils at Maplewell School in Woodhouse Eaves and Rawlins Academy in Quorn, to get ideas for bringing the story to life, and a picture book was decided upon.

The Carillon Museum was given a grant by Charnwood Borough Council to cover some of the costs of producing the book.

Songster’s story is to be officially launched during the Armistice commemorations in Queens Park on the 11th November 2018.  It will be available to buy beforehand from Charnwood Museum, Waterstone’s in the Market Place and from the Carillon Museum's website. The team behind the book are hoping to run workshops about it in schools as well as during the Loogabarooga Children’s Book Festival in October.

Writer Alison Mott artist Liz Waddell

Prisoner of War from Loughborough, died 20th November 1917

Second Lieutenant  98773 Albert William Howard (Bert) Purnell 

Royal Garrison Artillery, 120th Seige Battery

Died of Wounds 20th November 1917, Aged 24.

 

Albert William Howard Purnell was born on the 19th April 1893 in Cappoquin Parish, Waterford, Ireland. He was the eldest son of Walter Purnell from Trowbridge in Wiltshire and his wife, Alice, nee Knowles.

Walter had taken a job in 1899 as an engineer's clerk at Herbert Morris and Bastert Limited, Empress Works, Loughborough. In 1900 Albert's brother, Howard George, was born in Waterford, Ireland and in 1901 the whole family were living at 41 Queen's Road, Loughborough.

On the 21st January 1902, when Albert was eight, he joined the Loughborough Grammar School. His father was then General Manager at the Empress Works. Albert's second brother, Nelson Bruce, was born in Loughborough on the 2nd April 1906. On the 31st July 1907 Walter became a director of Herbert Morris and Bastert Limited and in December that year Albert was 'top of the class' and his work was 'Excellent'.

Albert left the Grammar School after seven years, on the 30th July 1909, when he was sixteen and in the sixth form. He continued his education in Germany, specifically to learn German and he went on to attend the State University at Köthen (Anhalt). The 1911 census shows that the family had moved to 64 Beacon Road, Loughborough and a third son, Nelson, was then five years old. Albert took his diploma in Engineering at the university and achieved honours in all subjects. He then returned to England in 1913 and joined his father at the Empress Works.

Albert enlisted soon after the outbreak of war and served with the Mechanical Transport Corps, leaving for France in October 1914. The MTC was extremely important in its role of maintaining supply as the armies advanced over difficult terrain. Mechanical Transport Companies were not under orders of a Division although some were attached to a given Division and worked very closely with it. The service numbers of soldiers who served in the Mechanical Transport were usually prefixed with the letter 'M'.

Albert then returned to England and passed through officer training in Bournmouth. Not long afterwards he took up a commission and on the 10th September 1917, in a supplement to the London Gazette, the following appeared:

The undermentioned, from Officer Cadet Units, to be 2nd Lts. :-

ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLARY

19th August 1917

… Albert William Howard Purnell

Aged twenty-four, Albert, known as Bert, left England with the Royal Garrison Artillery in October 1917. He was serving with the 120th Siege Battery attached to the Royal Garrison Artillary and in charge of an observation post close to the front line when he was reported missing on the 13th November 1917. He had become a prisoner of war. One week later, on the 20th November 1917, he died of wounds and was buried in a German cemetery – Winkel St. Eloi Cemetery of Honour.

Bert was identified from the GB list, clothing and cross and he was re-buried in Harlebeke New British Cemetery on the 19th November 1923. The inscription on his headstone reads: "He was the soul of honour."

He is remembered on the Carillon Tower, The Baptist Church, Loughborough and Loughborough Grammar School's Roll of Honour.

© Karen Ette

Second Lieutenant William Frederick Jelley, M.C. died of wounds, Friday 2nd November 1917

Second Lieutenant William Frederick Jelley, M.C.

 6th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment.

Died of Wounds, Friday 2nd November 1917.

Aged 22 Years.

William Frederick Jelley was the only son of Police Sergeant Charles William Jelley and his wife, Temperance. In 1891 Charles, Temperance and their daughter, Mary, aged six, were living in Barrow upon Soar. William Frederick Jelley was born on the 22nd August 1895 in Syston, Leicestershire. Charles and Temperance had two more children, but sadly they didn't survive.

In 1901 the family had moved to 193 Main Street, Thurmaston and in 1909 they had moved again, to Loughborough, and were living in Church Gate.

William attended the Intermediate School in Loughborough and on the 28th September 1909, when he was fourteen, he moved on to the Loughborough Grammar School where he stayed for four years. His school report showed him to be a good scholar, except in French where he "could do better". He joined the Sixth Form in 1911 and the family had moved to 36 Leopold Street, Loughborough. His French was still "very poor" but his results in Mathematics were good. He left the Grammar School on the 30th July 1913 when he was almost eighteen to become a student teacher. He was also one of the founders of the Nanpantan Troop of Boy Scouts, of which he was Scoutmaster.

When William Jelley was nineteen he had completed his first year's teaching at the Church Gate Council School, and then war broke out on the 4th of August 1914. William Jelley enlisted with the 8th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment and on the 29th July 1915, after nearly a year's training at Aldershot, the 8th Leicesters left camp for Folkestone to board the troopship SS Golden Eagle, to take them to Boulogne, France. William Jelley rose through the ranks from Private to Lance Serjeant.

On the 14th July 1916, the 8th Leicesters were to take part in the battle of Bazentin Ridge and it was during this engagement, on the 15th July, that the now Serjeant Jelley received a gunshot wound to his left arm. It took four days from being wounded to arrive back in England, via Base Hospital at Rouen, and then hospital ship back to England. Whilst he was recovering, Serjeant Jelley was put through a training course and early in 1917, he obtained a commission with the 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, (Princess of Wales's Own), and returned to the front a few weeks later.

Now an officer, Second Lieutenant Jelley was once again wounded on the 14th August 1917.

The Battalion war diary recorded the day’s events.

On 14th August 1917 at 3.00 am, outposts withdrawn to W bank of STEENBEEK, and

Formed into preparatory to an advance, A’ Coy attacking on the right with 2 half

Platoons and 1 half platoons in support, To occupy the old line of posts, 2 platoons of B’ Coy immediately in rear to occupy a prepared position on the W Bank of STEENBEEK. C’Coy on the left with 2 half platoons and 1 platoon in support to occupy old line of posts. At 4am the barrage came down and the advanced commenced. C’ Coy gained their objective on the left, A’ Coy held up on the right by hostile M.G. fire from dug outs untouched by bombardment. Enemy delivered several small attacks during the day on A’ Coy, which were easily repelled by rifle fire, intense shelling all day by enemy. All night battalion relieved by 5^th Dorset Regiment, who took up positions on the W Bank of the STEENBEEK, outposts being withdrawn through them. Casualties: 2nd Lieutenant C.S.M. WELDON and 2nd Lieutenant W. F. JELLEY wounded, other ranks: 20 killed, 63 wounded, 26 missing.

When dark fell stretcher-bearers removed the young officer from the field. Very badly wounded, Second Lieutenant Jelley was taken first to the field dressing station then on  to a casualty clearing station. He was then transported to the No 2 British Red Cross Hospital in Rouen.

On the 22nd August his mother, Mrs. Temperance Jelley, received a telegram from the War Office, which read:

(Urgent)

You are permitted to visit 2nd Lt. W. F. Jelley, dangerously ill, gun shot wound head and thigh fracture femur, at No 2 Red Cross Hospital Rouen.

Mr. Jelley received permission from Loughborough Police station for him and his wife to travel from Loughborough to Rouen and he made arrangements to journey  there to see his son.

Upon arriving at the No. 2 Red Cross Hospital in Rouen, Mr. and Mrs. Jelley visited William who was in a critical condition, the gun-shot wound to his head was not life threatening, but the fracture to the femur could cause complications. It was during this time, whilst in hospital, that the news was conveyed on Second Lieutenant Jelley, that he had been awarded the Military Cross for Bravery in the Field on the 14th August.

One of the Royal Princes read his M.C. citation, which was reported in the London Gazette on the 8th January 1918, to him.

Second Lieutenant William Frederick Jelley, attd. York. Regiment.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in handling his platoon.

Although wounded in the head he continued to lead his platoon until he had gained

his objective. Later in the day, he was again wounded, having his thigh broken, but

although in great pain and unable to move, he continued to urge on his men, and by his splendid pluck and fortitude kept up their spirits until after dark, when he was carried from the field.

During the first week of September, having returned back home to Loughborough,

Mrs. Jelley received another Telegram from the War Office, stating their son was still dangerously ill but that his condition was improved. 

The improved condition only lasted two weeks. Mr. Jelley received another telegram on the 20th October 1917 saying that his son was again dangerously ill (severe relapse). Mr. Jelley returned to his son’s bedside at Rouen, his wife stayed at home. While at his son’s side Mr. Jelley gradually saw his son's condition worsen, necessitating an emergency operation, on the 31st October, to have his leg and thigh amputated. Lieutenant Jelley’s condition never improved and he passed away, in his

father’s presence, on the 2nd November 1917, aged just 22 years.

His mother received a telegram from the War Office, which read: "Deeply regret to inform you that 2nd Lt. W. F. Jelley, York. Reg., died of wounds, November second. The Army Council conveys their sympathy."  

William Frederick Jelley's funeral took place the following morning, at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen. His father was present to witness his son being accorded full military honours. Second Lieutenant William Frederick Jelley was interred in plot B. 4. Grave 14. The epitaph on his headstone reads: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course."

His will, that Lance Serjeant 12151, W. F. Jelley, wrote and signed on the 28th July 1915, left £5 to his father, Charles William Jelley of 124 Leopold Street, Loughborough, and the remaining property to his mother, Temperence Jelley of the same address. On the 24th January she received £125 10s 2d.

As well as the Military Cross, Second Lieutenant Jelley was awarded the 1915 Star, The Victory Medal and the British (Service) Medal.

Second Lieutenant William Frederick Jelley is remembered on the Carillon Tower War Memorial, St Peter's Church Roll of Honour and Loughborough Grammar School's Roll of Honour.

© Karen Ette

Loughborough Teacher wounded in action.

Lieutenant Edward Stephen Plumb 

2nd, 3rd and 9th Battalions of the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment

Died of wounds, 8th September 1917

When Edward Stephen Plumb was born on the 24th December 1890 and registered in January 1891in Edmonton, Middlesex, his father, Edward, was 29, his mother, Lydia, 23 and his sister, Lydia, 2. Edward senior was a plumber and gas fitter. When Edward was one, his sister, Ethel, was born on the 11th December 1892. Another sister, Enid Caroline, was born in April 1895 when Edward was four years old. Four years later, in 1899, Sydney Ernest was born but sadly died in 1902 when Edward was eleven. Sister, Muriel Evelyn Avril was born on the 18th April 1901 and Alma Dorothy in 1906 when Edward was fifteen.

When he was eight, Edward was admitted to Munster Road School, London and then, in September 1905, he went on to the Latymer School in Edmonton.  He achieved a Bachelor of Arts at London University.

The 1911 census shows Stephen living with his family at 133 Munster Road, Fulham where he was a student teacher. His father was then a jobbing builder and decorator and older sister, Lydia, a piano teacher and younger sister, Ethel, a cashier.

In 1916 Edward served as 2nd Lieutenant with 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment and then, on the 7th April 1917 he entered the theatre of war, as Lieutenant with the 3rd Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment. He was wounded near Arras and taken to the 8th Casualty Clearing Station near Duisans. Sadly he later died of his wounds on the 8th September 1917.  He was just 26. 

Edward's parents received a letter from his commanding officer which said: "I had only known your son a few weeks but during that time I saw what a sterling, capable officer he was. His loss is a great blow to the battalion. Your son was splendidly brave when he was wounded and he had just done some fine work."

Another officer, with whom Edward had been working, wrote: "He was with me doing some special work which was interrupted about 3.00 a.m. by hostile shelling, and all of us went back into the trench to wait until things were quieter. Unfortunately a chance shell fell where we were killing another officer and wounding your son badly in the right leg and wrist, and another soldier, both of whom I am sorry to say died after we got them down to the dressing station. Your son's bravery was splendid, and he was smoking a cigarette when he was being bandaged."

Lieutenant Plumb was buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun. His death was recorded in the School's magazine where he had been teaching – Loughborough Grammar School.

His medals, The British War Medal and The Victory Medal, and effects were sent to his father, Edward Plumb, at 170 Queen's Road, Brockhurst Hill, Essex. He also left £107 4s 2d to his father.

© Karen Ette

Killed by a British gas shell

Private 40788 Arthur Newbold 

6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment

Died of Wounds 25th July 1917, aged 30.

Arthur Newbold was born in Loughborough in 1887, the son of William and Martha Newbold.

(Charles) William Newbold was born in Rothley, Leicestershire in 1852 and

Martha (Wheldon) was born in 1857 in West Leake, Nottinghamshire. They married in Loughborough, Leicestershire, in April 1876 when he was 24 years old and she was 19 and they lived at 112 Freehold Street, Loughborough.

They had seven children together. Arthur had two older sisters, Jane who was born in 1877 and Elizabeth, born in 1879, and three younger brothers, William, born 1889 Ernest, born 1891, Albert, born 1895 and a younger sister, Florence, born 1898. In 1901, Martha had been widowed and was living with Arthur, Ernest, Albert and Florence, still at 112 Freehold Street.

In 1911 Arthur was boarding with the Collins family who lived at 4 Coochs Court, Stamford in Lincolnshire and he was working as a brickmaker. His mother, Martha, had re-married Arthur Lakin and was still living at 112 Freehold Street. (She died in 1925.)

In October 1915, when he was 28 years old, Arthur Newbold married May Dennis in Stamford and they lived at 6 School Terrace, Stamford.

In June 1916, Arthur enlisted with the Lincolnshire Regiment in Stamford, initially as Private 5972 with the 4th Battalion and on arrival at base camp almost immediately transferred to and served with the 6th Battalion as Private 40788. He was most probably conscripted.

Arthur and May had one child, Rose, during their marriage. When Rose Newbold was born in 1916 in Stamford, Arthur was 29, and May was 24. Rose lost her father when she was only one year old.

The Battalion were only engaged in one operation in 1917 – the capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Fleurs-Courcellett, The Battle of Thiepval.

The Battalion Diary suggests that Arthur was gassed by a British shell that fell short of its target.

It reads:

On the night of the 24th/25th [July] the Battn. was relieved in the line by the 7th South Staffs and went back into Brigade Reserve on the Canal. While in the line, casualties were fairly light considering the heavy artillery fire, but the first night back in Brigade Reserve a gas shell went through the roof of a shelter and caused thirteen casualties of whom ten died.

Arthur would have been one of those ten. He died as a young father on the 25th July 1917 at the age of 30, and was buried in Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. His grave is in Essex Farm Cemetery, Boezinge, II. H. 6.

He was awarded the Service Medal and the Victory Medal,

Grateful thanks to Steve Bramley for sharing the research.

© Dr Karen Ette