Wilfred Handley
He was working on his father's farm in 1911. He was a member of the Wesleyan Chapel in Laneham.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Wilfred was the son of Joseph Coulam Handley and his wife Amelia (née Hill).
His father was born in 1854 (reg. Louth Lincs) and married Amelia Hill (b. Cadeby Lincs abt. 1858) at Laceby parish church, Lincolnshire on 14 May 1878.
The couple had nine children of whom only six survived infancy or early childhood. Their surviving children were: Lucy Ann (b. 1881) and Fred/Frederick Coulam (b. 1886) who were born in Kilenhall, Lincolnshire, Albert Ernest (birth reg. 1889 JFM) and Joseph Coulam (b. 1891) who were born in Brampton Ash, and Wilfred (birth reg. 1897 JFM) and Isabella (b. 1900) who were born in Nanpanton, Loughborough, Leicestershire.
In 1881, Joseph, an agricultural labourer, and his wife were living in Caister, Immingham, Lincolnshire. However, by 1891 they and their four children, Lucy, Fred, Albert and Joseph, had moved to Brampton Ash on the Leicestershire/Northamptonshire border. Joseph snr. was working as a farm servant.
The family was living at Halfway House, Nanpantan, Loughborough, in 1891, and Joseph was now employed as a farm foreman. The five younger children, Fred, Albert, Joseph, Wilfred and Isabella (7m) were still living at home but the eldest child, Lucy, was a general domestic servant in the household of a dressmaker in Loughborough.
Joseph and Amelia had moved again by 1911 and were living in Laneham, Nottinghamshire, where Joseph had a farm on which he was assisted by his son Wilfred. Also in the home was the youngest daughter, Isabella. Their eldest daughter Lucy was probably a patient at the Nottinghamshire County Lunatic Asylum, Radcliffe on Trent; she died age 37 in 1918 (reg. AMJ Bingham).
Frederick, a farm labourer, and Albert, a cowman, were employed by Alfred Wakefield, farmer, of Kirklington in 1911. Albert 'lived in' but Frederick, who had married in 1908, was living with his wife and son in the village. Their brother Joseph had joined the Royal Marines Light Infantry the previous year.
Frederick's parents, Joseph and Amelia, were living in East Retford in 1921. Amelia died in 1930 aged 71 and Joseph in 1944 aged 89; their deaths were recorded in the East Retford registration district.
Joseph and Amelia's three other sons, Frederick, Albert and Joseph, also served in the Great War (see 'Extra information').
Wilfred Handley enlisted in Mansfield on 27 January 1914 and served with the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.
He went to France on 8 November 1914. He was shot and wounded on 8 January 1915 when his platoon was in the trenches and died shortly afterwards. A fellow soldier wrote to Wilfred's parents to explain how their son had died and the letter was published in the Retford Times in March 1915. (See 'Extra information')
He is buried in Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Pas-de-Calais, France (grave ref. D.4).
He qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC History of Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery (extract): the village of Fleurbaix is 5km from Armentieres. 'In October 1914 British soldiers serving in the Fleurbaix sector began burying their fallen comrades beside a regimental aid post and dressing station located not far from the support trenches that led to the front-line. Le Trou Aid Post cemetery was used until July 1915 and when the war ended it contained just 123 burials.' The cemetery was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from other cemeteries and battlefields.' (www.cwgc.org)
Wilfred's brother, 22619 Sergeant Frederick Coulam Handley, 1/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters, died from pneumonia on 16 October 1918 while in hospital recovering from wounds received in action. He is buried in Tourgeville Military Cemetery, France. (See record on this Roll of Honour). Albert Ernest served with the Machine Gun Corps Notts and Derby Regiment (66625 Private) and was discharged on 12 February 1919. Joseph Coulam enlisted in the Royal Marines Light Infantry (Plymouth) at Mansfield on 19 August 1910 and served continuously to 4 July 1922.
Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His father, Joseph Coulam Handley, was his legatee.
Retford Times, 22 January 1915: 'Laneham Soldier's Death. Memorial Service. Private Wilfred Handley, Laneham, 1st Grenadier Guards, who was killed while in the trenches on sentry duty on January 7th 1915. It was with sincere regret that the inhabitants of Laneham were informed on Tuesday last week of the death of one of their brave soldiers representing the village in the firing line. The deceased Private W Handley, a youth of only 18 years and 11 months, was with His Majesty’s Forces for the brief space of just over 11 months. He joined the 1st Grenadier Guards in January 1914, and was recently drafted to the front along with the rest of his battalion. Since then he had been in the firing line, and it was in doing his duty that he received his fatal wound, a bullet passing through his stomach. He passed away half an hour later. As he was so intimately acquainted with the villagers his death came as a great shock to all, and seemed to bring the war home to them with renewed force. He was an enthusiastic sportsman, and was one of the best players in both the cricket and football clubs. It was in these games that his manly disposition and general fairness of character were so much in evidence, as well as his ever-day mode of life. He was also a regular attendee at the Wesleyan Chapel and it was evident that some of the lessons received there had a good effect upon him, as he was so plainly manifested in letters recently published, received by his parents since he left for the front. On Thursday evening a memorial service was held in the chapel, conducted by the Rev. D. Lambert of Retford. A special testimony to the deceased was the number of his late acquaintances present, who only formed a small part of the crowded congregation. The preacher gave an eloquent address in which he referred to the universal respect and esteem in which the deceased was held. The sermon was based on Paul’s words “For me to live in Christ, to die is gain” (Phil 1 21). These were the words, the preacher said, of one who looked death in the face and had no fear. This was so because he had made the great surrender to Jesus Christ. The one time persecutor and blasphemer had become a loyal follower of the Lord. Death to such meant larger life. They looked unto the day of reward. The cramped life in mortal flesh was followed by the life of ____ and freedom that Jesus Christ had made possible. An appeal was made to the young and old to devote themselves to Christ and live the best life now and prepare for the better life beyond. The hymns sang were the deceased’s favourites, 'God be with you till we meet again' and 'Nearer my God to thee.' Mr and Mrs Handley gratefully acknowledged the great sympathy and many kindnesses of their numerous friends.'
Retford Times, 15th March 1915: 'Pte Wilfred Handley. The death of Private Handley, Laneham. Mrs Handley of Laneham has received the following letter from Pte Geo C Cottle of the Grenadier Guards, explaining the circumstance under which her son met with his death:- 'In reply to your letter of Jan 12th I wish to tell you that your parcel was duly received and distributed as well as possible amongst the company to which your Wilfred belonged. You ask for full particulars regarding how your son was killed, it happened in this way. On the night of the 7th January we had an extraordinary heavy fall of rain and in consequence our trenches were flooded to some considerable depth and from that fact were practically impassable. On the morning of the 8th Wilfred was detailed (in company with three other men and a sergeant) to draw the daily rations for the remainder of his platoon comrades. As I have said the trench was impassable, so they reckoned together to take the risk of getting out of the trench to go along the parapet in rear of the trench. All went well while they kept moving but when they got to the place from which they were to draw the rations the remainder of the party jumped back into the trench. While Wilfred was hesitating at which point to jump, the Germans fired at him two rounds, the second of which hit him in the lower regions of the stomach, with the regretful result which I have already communicated to you. I regret I am not allowed to mention names of places, or I would be glad to inform you where he is buried, but I would like you to know he was buried with all respect due to the departed, alongside of a number of our men who have also fallen. His grave is kept by our stretcher bearers, and a cross, made by our battalion joiner sergeant, has been placed on the grave with the words: 'Here lie the remains of Regt, No 16910 Pte Wilfred Handley, 1st batt. Grenadier Guards killed in action January 8th 1915. Be ye also ready.' I am sure you will appreciate that everything is done with all due respect to our deceased comrades. It may also be a little consolation to you to know that he is buried half a mile in rear of our trench, so that the chances are very few that he will ever lie in the land where our greatest enemy are in possession.''
Note: Pte Geo C Cottle, Grenadier Guards, survived the war (no record CWGC).
Wilfred Handley
Photo showing Wilfred Handley , first published in the Retford Times 22nd January 1915.
Courtesy Retford Times
Wilfred Handley
Buried in Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery.
Photo of Wilfred Handley
Buried in Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery, France (www.cwgc.org)