William Wheatcroft Rhodes
1891 - carter (sand)
1901/1911 - sand quarry foreman
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William was the son of William Wheighcroft (sic) and Mary Jane Rhodes (née Greaves).
His parents were married at Nottingham Holy Trinity on 2 January 1870 and had 13 children, four of whom died in infancy or early childhood. William was born in 1874.
William was living with his parents at 175 Bobbers Mill Road, Radford, in 1891. His father was a sand dealer having previously been a coal merchant, and William (17) a carter (sand), was presumably working for his father. Also in the home were seven of his siblings: Elizabeth (15), a winder of silk, Nellie (12), John (b. abt 1881), Annie (b. 1883), Ada (b. 1884), Harry (b. abt 1887) and Ethel (1).
William's father died on 29 December 1896 aged 47. His widow Mary Jane, a moulding sand contractor, was living at Holly Cottage, 563 Alfreton Road, in 1901. Also in the home on the night of the census were six of her children, John a sand quarry foreman, Annie a lace maker, Ada who worked in a tobacco factory, Harry a carter, Ethel who was at school and the youngest child, Lily, who was born in 1893. John married Elizabeth Alice Newstead in 1901 (JAS); Alice died on 12 August 1901 aged 21.
Mary Jane Rhodes has not yet been traced on the 1921 Census but died on 4 January 1924; her daughter Ada predeceased her (d. 1 December 1922).
Mary Jane's son, William Wheatcroft, married Mary Ann Dickinson at Nottingham St Saviour on 18 November 1894. They had four daughters: Ethel Wheatcroft b. March 1895, Elizabeth Ellen b. April 1897, Mabel b. January 1899 and Millie b. 1907 (d. 4 August 1917).
William and Mary were living at 561 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, in 1901 with their three daughters Ethel, Elizabeth and Mabel. William was still employed as a sand quarry foreman. The family had moved to 42 Albert Avenue by 1911: William was still working as a sand quarry foreman and his two oldest daughters were both in work, Ethel in the lace trade and Elizabeth in the tobacco trade. Mabel was still at school and the youngest child, Millie, was four years old.
William and his family had moved to 7 Wordsworth Road, Radford Boulevard, by 1915. The eldest daughter, Ethel, was married in August 1915 to Rowland Locke and they were living with her mother when Rowland enlisted in November 1915.
William and Mary's youngest daughter, Millie, died on 4 August 1917.
William's widow, Mary Ann, was recorded on the 1921 Census at 7 Wordsworth Road. Also in the household were her unmarried daughter Elizabeth and her married daughter Mabel Dickenson (also Dickinson) and her husband Samuel (m. 1920).
Ethel Wheatcroft married Rowland Locke (b. January 1893) at Radford parish church on 28 August 1915; both were living on Wordsworth Road (number illegible). The marriage certificate shows Ethel's father's occupation as 'soldier' and one of the two witnesses was Ethel's sister, Lizzie. Rowland attested in the November, giving his address as 7 Wordsworth Road, but was discharged from the Army the following year. (See 'Extra information'). Ethel and Rowland had four children: Edna M b. 1916, John W b. 1917, Lilly b. 1920 (d. 1925) and Millicent birth registered 1924 (JFM). Rowland, a carter (Goode, coal merchant), his wife and their three children, Edna, John and Lily, were living at 2 Birkins Yard, Chapel Street, in 1921. By 1939 they had moved to 183 Broxtowe Lane, Nottingham; Rowland was now employed as a plumber's mate. Also in the home were their three children John, a hosiery dyer, Millicent a hosiery staff (worker) and their married daughter Edna Lane, a hosiery turner, and her husband Arthur, a colliery fitter (m. 1934). Ethel died at her home on 16 November 1939 and her husband died the following year (reg. 1940 JFM burial 16 February).
Mabel, of 7 Wordsworth Road, married Samuel Dickinson (also Dickenson) at Radford All Souls on 9 October 1920. Their son, Samuel A., was born in 1921 AMJ but died the same year (AMJ). Mabel and Samuel, a tobacco presser, were recorded on the 1921 Census living at 7 Wordsworth Road with her widowed mother Mary Ann and her sister Elizabeth, a tobacco stripper who, like her brother-in-law Samuel, was employed by John Player & Sons. Mabel and Samuel (b. 1898), a hydraulic press operator, were living at 184 Bobbers Mill in 1939 when the England and Wales Register was compiled. Samuel died on 4 November 1968 and his widow probably died in 1989 (two registrations, Dickenson/Dickinson, 1989 OND (December) Nottingham).
Elizabeth married Walter Bernard Cyril Armstrong in 1928 (JFM). Walter had served in the War in the Royal Naval Division (see 'Extra information'). Elizabeth and Walter were living on Aylestone Drive, Nottingham, in 1939 but later moved to Aspley Lane. Walter died in February 1946 and Elizabeth may have remarried in 1949 (Fox).
William Wheatcroft Rhodes served initially with the South Lancashire Regiment (26094 Private) but later transferred to the 74th Company Machine Gun Corps.
William served with the Machine Gun Corps in France but was invalided home and died from lympho sarcoma of the neck at the 5th Southern General Hospital, Portsmouth, on 22 May 1916. (But see 'Extra information' reference inscription on family headstone and 'In Memoriam' notices.)
His body was returned to Nottingham and he was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery. His name is commemorated on the screen wall (03356) and on the headstone marking the family grave in the same cemetery.
(Extract) ‘Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, a network of vessels and glands spread throughout your body … The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin.’ .(www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-hodgkin-lymphoma)
Two of William's sons-in-law served in the War. Ethel's husband, Rowland Locke (m. August 1915), and Elizabeth's husband, Walter Bernard Cyril Armstrong (m. 1928).
Rowland Locke attested in Nottingham on 6 November 1915, less than three months after his marriage, and joined the South Lancashire Regiment at Warrington Depot (26529 Private) on 10 November. He was posted to the 10th Battalion on 13 November but was discharged, 'not likely to become an efficient soldier', on 15 February 1916. He served 102 days.
Walter Armstrong served in the Royal Naval Division, Bristol Z/4700 Ordinary Seaman (Able Seaman from 18 February 1916), enlisting on 27 November 1914. He served with the BEF France with Howe Battalion and later Hood Battalion (63rd (RN) Division) probably from July 1916. He was demobilised at Clipstone Camp on 23 February 1919 (embarked France for UK, 21 February).
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave. Headstone inscription: ‘William, the dearly loved husband of Mary Jane Rhodes, who died Decr. 29th 1896, aged 47 years. Also Elizabeth Alice, the beloved wife of John Rhodes, also daughter-in-law of the above, who died August 12th 1901, aged 21 years. Also William, son of the above, died of wounds received in France, May 22nd 1916, aged 42 years. Interred in this Cemetery. Also Ada, daughter of the above, who was suddenly called to rest Decr. 1St 1922, aged 38 years. ‘Until we Meet Again’’ Also the above Mary Jane Rhodes who died Jany. 4th 1924. aged 77 years. Rest in Peace’’
CWGC Additional information: Husband of Mary Ann Rhodes, of 7, Wordsworth Rd., Radford Boulevard, Nottingham.
Notttingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 26 May 1916: ‘Rhodes. Private William Rhodes (7797) M.G. Corps, beloved son of MJ Rhodes, Bobber’s Mill, invalided home from France, died in 5th Southern General Hospital, Portsmouth, aged 42. Peace after pain. From his loving mother, brothers, and sisters, and family. Funeral Saturday, 1 o’clock, General Cemtery (bottom end).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Notttingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 26 May 1916: ‘Rhodes. Private William Rhodes (7797) M.G. Corps, beloved husband of MA Rhodes, 7, Wordsworth-road, died in hospital, Portsmouth. At rest. From loving wife and children.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam, 22 May 1917: 'Rhodes. In loving memoriam of my dear husband, Private William Rhodes, died of wounds May 22nd, 1916, at Portsmouth Hospital. Days of sadness still come o'er us, tears of sorrow often flow, memory keeps our loved one near us, whom God claimed a year ago. – from his sorrowing wife, daughters, and his adopted son Sam (serving in France).' Note: no other references have yet been found for an adopted son.
Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam, 22 May 1917:'Rhodes. In loving memory of Private William Rhodes, M.G.C., died of wounds May 22nd, 1916. One year has passed, our hearts still sore, as time goes on we miss him more. – Silently mourned by his loving mother, M. J. Rhodes, Bobber's Mill, brothers, and sisters.'
Above two notices courtesy of Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 7 August 1917: ‘Rhodes. On August 4th, at the Children’s Hospital, Millie, the youngest and dearly-beloved daughter of Mary Ann and the late William Rhodes, after a short and painful illness, passed peacefully away, aged 10.’ (www.britisnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 4 January 1924: 'Rhodes. January 4th, at Holly Cottage, Bobbers Mill, Mary Jane, wife of the late William Rhodes, age 77, after a short illness.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 5 January 1924: 'Rhodes' Notice as for 4 January but with details of funeral, General Cemetery, Tuesday, 1 o’clock.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.UK)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 18 November 1939: ‘Locke. On the 16th inst., at 183 Broxtowe-lane, Aspley, Ethel Wheatcroft, wife of Rowland, mother of Edna, John, Milly. Service Cinderhill Church at 1.45; interment Bulwell 2.30, Monday. Deeply mourned. Peace after pain.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 16 February 1946: ‘Armstrong. On February 13th, at 447 Aspley-lane, Walter Bernard Cyril, aged 49, passed away suddenly. Funeral St Margaret’s Church, 10.25, Monday; cremation 11 o’clock, Wilford Hill. Sorrowing wife [Elizabeth] also sister and brother-in-law Mabel and Samuel [Dickinson]. No flowers by request.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 4 November 1968: ‘Dickenson. Samuel, 11 Valmont Road, Sherwood, passed away suddenly, November 3rd 1968, the beloved husband of Mabel. Cremation Wilford Hill Thursday, 11.20am. Inquiries to Clowers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Acknowledgements’, 9 November 1968: ‘Dickenson. Mrs Mabel Dickenson wishes to thank relatives, friends, neighbours, personnel and management of John Player and Sons, also doctors, for their kindness, floral tributes and messages of sympathy in the sudden loss of her beloved husband, Sammy.’ (www.britishnwespaperarchive.co.uk)
Additional research/record updated, RF (Jan. 2026)
William Wheatcroft Rhodes
Buried Nottingham General Cemetery and commemorated on the CWGC Screen Wall. Photograph courtesy of Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Photo of William Wheatcroft Rhodes
Family grave/headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Simon Roots (5 Jan. 2026)
Photo of William Wheatcroft Rhodes
CWGC Cross of Sacrifice/Screen Wall, Nottingham General Cemetery (www.cwgc.org)