James Saunders Gilderthorpe
In the 1911 census he is a green grocers errand boy
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
James Saunders Gilderthorpe was born in 1897 at Nottingham, he was the son of Frederick a boot repairer and Sarah Gilderthorpe née Saunders of 5 Florence Street, Nottingham he was the brother of Grace, Ada, Clara, Florence, Nora, Beatrice, William, Elsie and Albert Gilderthorpe. In 1901 they lived at 26 Queen's Grove Lenton.
His father Frederick was born in 1860 at Nottingham, his mother Sarah Saunders was born in 1862 at Basford, they were married in 1880 at Nottingham, they went on to have 15 children, sadly 5 were to die in infancy or early infancy.
In the 1911 census the family are living at 5 Florence Street, Nottingham, Frederick is 51 yrs and is a boot repairer he is living with his wife Sarah 49 yrs and their children, Florence 19 yrs a curtain knitter, Beatrice Hilda 17 yrs a curtain knitter, Frederick Arthur 15 yrs a yarn knotter, James Saunders 14 yrs a grocers errand boy, William Henry 11 yr a scholar and Albert 7 yrs of age.
Private James Saunders Gilderthorpe enlisted on 29th August 1914 at Nottingham. He went to France 3rd May 1915 and suffered shrapnel wounds to his neck, 20th February 1916. He was admitted to 24th General Hospital, Etaples, France, 22nd February 1916.
He rejoined his battalion 11th August 1916 and suffered gunshot wounds to his legs, 14th September 1916 and rejoined his battalion 27th September 1916. He was killed in action, 9th April 1917, aged 20, during a German raid on the British line at Hill 60, Belgium. Having no known grave his name is commemorated : Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Panel 39 and 41.
Nottingham Evening Post obituary (abridged) 28 April 1917: ‘Gilderthorp (sic). Killed in action April 9th Private James Gilderthorp, Sherwood Foresters, age 20.’
Menin Gate: Panels 39 & 41
Research by Rachel Farrand
Photo of James Saunders Gilderthorpe
Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium