Richard Firkin
He was a general labourer.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
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Richard Firkin was born in 1891 at Nottingham he was the son of Richard a lace packer and Elizabeth Firkin née Scott and the brother of Richard, Elsie and Thomas Firkin.
His father Richard was born in 1866 at Derby , his mother Elizabeth Scott was born in 1869 also in Notingham they were married in 1888 in Nottingham, they went on t have 10 children, sadly 6 were to die in infancy or early childhood.
In 1901 they lived at 2 Wilkins Yard Ilkeston Road Radford and in 1911 at 44 Lynne Street Beck Street (both Nottingham) Richard 41 yrs is a lace packer he is living with his wife Elizabeth 41 yrs and their children, Thomas 12 yrs and Evelyn 9 years of age.
Richard Firkin enlisted in Army Reserve (Special Reservist) for 6 years service with Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) on 13 November 1909. He was 18 years 4 months of age and stood 5 feet 5 inches tall. In 1910,11,12 and 13 he attended annual camp, although he missed 1914 as temporarily unfit. Richard was mobilized on 6 August 1914 and after training, sent to the 1st Battalion in France on 27 December 1914. On 25 January 1915 he was listed as wounded in action - severe gunshot wound to head and sent to No 1 Stationary Hospital. He was discharged to the camp at Rouen on 5 February and was back with the battalion on 9 February. On 12 March 1915 during the battle of Neuve Chapelle he was listed as 'missing' and later as 'killed in action'. At 5 am on 12th March, the Germans shelled Battalion Headquarters and advanced in overwhelming numbers to attack the British front line. The battalion inflicted heavy losses on the enemy but had to retire to the support trench some 150 yards to the rear. The enemy continued its advance and massed on the right and right centre of the front line but counter attacks and the heroics of Private Jacob Rivers (VC), forced the enemy back. The battalion regained its former trench and caused more loss to the enemy, eventually completely retaking the line by 7 am. At 3pm the battalion suffered losses from its own artillery (The lack of shells and inferior quality was a major issue at this time). At 9 pm, the decision was taken to fall back to the support trench and making this the new defensive line. At some point Richard was killed and he has no known grave.
additional research and information Peter Gillings
Richard Firkin Memorial
4059 Private Richard Firkin, 1st battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) was killed in action during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, 12 March 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial France. Visited, wreath laid and photo taken by John Morse