Mark Basil Singleton
1911 - warp machinist (hosiery factory)
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Mark Basil was the son of Herbert and Jane Singleton (née Marshall).
His father Herbert was born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, in 1851 and his mother Jane in 1857 in Gildersome (near Leeds), Yorkshire. They were married in 1882 (reg. Chesterfield) and had nine children, two of whom died young: Edward Marshall b. 1884; Hugh George b. 1885 (reg. 1886 JFM) bap. Chesterfield December 1885 d. 1887 (OND); Herbert Francis b. July 1887; Mary Elizabeth b. 1888 bap. Chesterfield Sept. 1888 d. 1891 (reg. Nottingham) and Sarah Agnes b. 1889 bap. Chesterfield Sept. 1889 who were all born in Chesterfield; Eleanor Jane b. July 1891, Mark Basil b. 1894, Ann Betty b. 1897 and Hilda Amy b. Sept 1900 who were born in Nottingham and baptised in their birth years at Nottingham (Meadows) Our Lady & St Patrick RC church. A notice of Hugh's death in 1887 was published in the Derbyshire Courier, 15 October 1887.
Herbert, a railway inspector (Midland Railway), his wife and their four children, Edward, Herbert, Mary and Sarah, had moved to 29 Mona Street, Beeston, by the time of the 1891 census.
The family was living at 15 Pinder House, Nottingham, by 1901. In the home on the night of the census were Herbert, a railway sub-inspector engineer, Jane and seven of their eight surviving children: Edward, a book stall assistant, Herbert, a shipping office clerk, Mary, Sarah and Eleanor who were school age and Ann and Hilda. The youngest son, Mark, was recorded in the home of his widowed maternal grandfather, George Marshall, in Clay Cross, Derbyshire. The eldest daughter, Mary, died later that year.
By 1911 Herbert, now employed as a bridge painter (Midland Railway), and Jane, who was a general dealer (own account), were living at 63 Holgate Road, Meadows, with six of their seven children: Herbert, a railway store keeper (Midland Railway), Sarah a shop assistant (Boots Co.), Eleanor Hane a sewing machinist (bluse factory), Mark a warp machinist (fleece lining, hosiery), and Ann and Hilda were were at school. Their eldest son, Edward, had married Mabel Neal in 1908.
Herbert and Jane were still living at 63 Holgate Road in 1921: Herbert was still employed as a painter with the Midland Railway. Only four of their children were still living at home: Sarah, a boot assistant (Craddock Bros.), Eleanor, a shirt maker (Pullman & Gill), Ann, a boot assistant (Mansfields & Sons) and Hilda who was a domestic help.
Jane died in June 1928 aged 68 and Herbert in October 1939. The Probate record gave Herbert's address as 29 Kinglake Street (Meadows). Administration of his Will was awarded to his son Herbert Francis.
Mark Basil (served as Basil) served in the 13th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (R/4314 Lance Corporal).
He was killed in action on 5 April 1918; according to an entry in the diary of his brother, Edward Marshall, he was killed by a shell (source: Lives of the First World War).
Basil is buried in Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, France (grave ref. III.E.10). The history of the Cemetery suggests that his grave could have been brought in after the Armistice.
He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC history of the Cemetery (extract): the village of Foncquevillers is about 18km from the town of Arras. 'In 1915 and 1916 the Allied front line ran between Foncquevillers and Gommecourt. The cemetery was begun by French troops, and taken over by Commonweatlh forces. It remained in use by units and field ambulances until March 1917, the burials in July 1916 (particularly in Plot I, Row L) being especially numerous. The cemetery was used again from March to August 1918, when the German offensive brought the front line back to nearly the old position. Seventy-four graves were brought in after the Armistice from the battlefields of 1916 and 1918 to the east of the village.' (www.cwgc.org)
His brother, Edward Marshall Singleton, served with the 1st Field Squadron Royal Engineers (209192 Driver) and died of pneumonia on 4 November 1918. He was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery. CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Also in memory of Basil, brother of above, killed in action April 5th 1918, RIP.' (See record on this Roll of Honour)
CWGC Additional information (Mark Basil): He was the son of Herbert and Jane Singleton of 63 Holgate Road Meadows Nottingham.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 13 June 1928: Singleton. On June 12th, at 63 Holgate-road, Jane, loving wife of Herbert Singleton, aged 71. RIP.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Mark Basil Singleton
Commemorated on headstone of Edward Marshall Singleton, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (August 2011)
Mark Basil Singleton
CWGC grave/headstone, Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, France. Photograph Murray Biddle.