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

Military Cross - 2nd Lt Walter Stanley Gimson

2nd Lt. Walter Stanley Gimson, M.C. 

King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

(Att. 61st Trench Mortar Battery)

Killed in Action 16th August 1917, Aged 32

Walter Stanley Gimson was born on the 3rd March 1885. He was the son of William Gimson, a timber merchant from Leicester and Martha Gimson (nee Williams). He had five older siblings, Emily, William, Henry, Annie and Edward, and three younger siblings: a sister, Mary, who was born in April 1886, brother Albert Yeomans, born February 1891 and another sister, Margery Clara, born 28th January 1893.

In the April 1891 census, when Walter was sixteen, the family was living at 110 Regent Road in Leicester and in 1901 they had moved to ‘Rothesay’, Victoria Road, Leicester. Edward and Walter were carpenters and William jnr. was, like his father, a timber merchant. The family employed a cook, Emily King and a housemaid, Bertha Gibbs.

From the 1911 census it can be seen that Walter, who at twenty-six was living with the Slater family at ‘The Hawthorns’, Dagmar Grove, Alexander Park, Nottingham. Mr Slater was a cabinet manufacturer, which was also Walter’s profession.

On the 14th July 1915 Walter enlisted with the 10th Battalion of the Notts and Derby Regiment – also known as The Sherwood Foresters. Corporal Gimson’s service number was 17286 as it was when he became a serjeant[1] with the same regiment. His religion was recorded as Church of England.

The 10th (Service) Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters was formed at Derby as part of the Second New Army – Kitchener’s Army – K2 – and then moved to Wool in Dorset to join the 51st Brigade of the 17th Division. In October 1914 they moved to West Lulworth and then back again to Wool. In March 1915, when the Territorial Army moved to France, the 10th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters moved to West Lulworth once more and then on to Winchester. It wasn’t until the 14th July 1915 that they were mobilised for France.

On the 22nd November 1915 Walter was admitted to hospital suffering from influenza. He was discharged just three days later on the 25th November and returned to duty.

Walter was admitted to hospital again on the 14th December 1915, this time with a shrapnel wound in his side and transferred to the Divisional Rest Station three days later on the 17th December 1915.

Serjeant Gimson received his commission on the 15th March 1916 and

on the 4th April 1916 the London Gazette reported that ‘Serjeant W S Gimson had been transferred from a (Service) Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) to the King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)’.

The 2nd June 1916 saw the German army launch an attack against the high ground of Mount Sorrel, close to Hooge to the east of the Ypres Salient. This was to draw British resources away from the Somme. On the 12th June there was a heavy German artillery bombardment and the 7th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were sent from reserve to assist the 60th Brigade.

On the 14th November 1916 the Gazette reported that on the 23rd May 1916 ‘Temp. 2nd Lieutenant W. S. Gimson was transferred for duty with Trench Mortar Battalion from the Yorkshire Light Infantry.’

In the New Year’s Honours List on the 1st January 1917 The London Gazette listed those who were to be awarded the Military Cross, on the list was Temp. 2nd Lt. Walter Stanley Gimson of the Yorkshire Light Infantry commanding Trench Mortar Battery. A front-line trench mortar was always certain to draw enemy fire and played an important role in any attack. Trench mortars were known by the British army as ‘flying pigs’.

The Military Cross was instituted on the 28th December 1914 and is the third level military decoration awarded to officers. This decoration was awarded to Walter Stanley Gimson for an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy.

In June 1917 Walter was in London, possibly on leave, when he married Isabel Beatrice Moss at Fulham registry office.

Isabel was born on the 31st March 1879 in Loughborough and married her first husband, Le Roy Soher, who was from New York, on the 15th April 1903 at the Parish Church in the Parish of Emmanuel. Le Roy, who gave his profession as ‘Gentleman’ was residing at 17 Victoria Street, Loughborough and Isabel Beatrice Moss, a grocer’s daughter, was living at Park Road, Loughborough.

Ten years later, Isabel was living at 7 Ravenscourt Mansions in London and Le Roy in Epsom when, on the 13th June 1913, she filed a divorce petition for ‘Restoration of Conjugal Rights’ against Le Roy Soher, the respondent, and the cause was set down on the 4th July 1913.

She had written to Le Roy on the 2nd June to ask him to ‘once more make each other happy and receive me back home again and allow me to live with you as your affectionate wife.’

The petition stated that: “After the said marriage, your petitioner lived and co-habited with her said husband at Hunderts (?) Hotel in Folkstone in the county of Kent, 55 Park Road, Loughborough, in the county of Leicester, and ‘divers’ other places and there has been no issue of the said marriage.”

“That the said Le Roy Soher has refused, and still refuses, to cohabit with your petitioner and to render her conjugal rights.”

“That your petitioner (Isabel) resides at 7 Ravenscourt Mansions in the county of London and is domiciled in England.”

“That the said Le Roy Soher is of no occupation and resides at Highridge Down Road, Epsom in the county of Surry and is domiciled in England.”

Isabel asked that: “the court grant her a Decree for Restitution of Conjugal Rights and such further and other relief in the premises as may be just.”

A Decree for the Restitution of Conjugal Rights (R.C.R.) was issued on the 16th October 1913 giving Le Roy 14 days to return to Isabel’s home and ‘render to her conjugal rights’.

This did not happen and on the 29th Day of October 1913 Le Roy was ordered to pay Isabel alimony of £450 per annum.

Le Roy Soher returned to New York and four years later, on the 4th June 1917, Isabel married 2nd Lieutenant Walter Stanley Gimson, M.C., of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in Fulham Registry Office.

Seven weeks later, the Infantry attack that became known as the Third Battle of Ypres, or Passchendaele, began on the 31st July 1917. Within a few days the heaviest rain for thirty years affected the Ypres Salient turning the ground to thick mud that could immobilise tanks. It became so deep that many men, horses and mules drowned.

Walter Stanley Gimson was involved at Langemarck where an attack began on the 16th August 1917. The village of Langemarck had been lost to the enemy in April 1915. The 7th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was part of the leading advance, crossing the Steenbeeck early in the morning. The advance was held up by fire from the blockhouses to the west of the village. These were cleared by the men of the 7th KOYLI. It was a costly battle with an estimated 15,000 casualties for an advance of no more than 1,500 yards.

Captain Walter Stanley Gimson, M.C. was killed in action at Langemarck aged just thirty-two. The record of ‘Soldier’s Effects’ shows:

Awarded 15 Star (Notts and Derby)

                 British (Service) medal and Victory Medal

Regiment: Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own Yorkshire Regiment

Sent to his widow: (Mrs W S Gimson, 9 Forest Road, Loughborough.)

Effects

£105 5s 8d plus £4 14s 8d  total  £110 0s 4d

However, on the 30th November 1917, Probate in Nottingham showed:

GIMSON Walter Stanley of Thyra-grove, Mapperley, Notts., captain in

HM Army died 18 Aug 1917 in France (other records show 16th August)

Probate Nottingham 30 Nov to:

William Gimson timber merchant

William Leonard Gimson private hotel prop  

Harry Gimson timber merchant.

Effects £4480 4s. 10d.

Walter Gimson was a keen golfer and a member of the Longcliffe Golf Club in Nanpantan. His record shows his address to be 9 Forest Road, Loughborough when he died.

Walter’s wife, Isabel, paid for the words: TILL HE COME to be inscribed on his headstone.

Photograph: Kev Mitchell

Captain Walter Stanley Gimson, M.C. is buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, which is located on the Diksmuidseweg road (N369) near to Boezinge. 

Bard Cottage was a house a little set back from the line, close to a bridge called Bard's Causeway, and the cemetery was made nearby in a sheltered position under a high bank. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

Walter’s name has also been added to his parents’ headstone in Welford Road Cemetery.

©Dr Karen Ette

Grateful thanks to Ciarán Conlan for sharing and helping with the research.

Sources:

The National Archives

Longcliffe Golf Club http://www.longcliffegolf.co.uk

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[1] The spelling of serjeant changed to sergeant after the Armistice