John William Pooley
He was a coal miner when he attested in 1914
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
John William (William) was the son of William and Emily Ellen Pooley nee Coates.
His father William was born in Nottingham on 11 December 1873 (reg. 1874 JFM) and his mother Emily Ellen Coates on 11 July 1874. They were married in 1895 (OND Basford) and at the time of the 1911 Census it was recorded that they had had six children only five of whom were still living.
Four children were recorded living with their parents at the time of the 1901 and 1911 Census, all of whom were born in Nottingham: Elsie surname Coates b. 29 December 1892 (birth registered 1893 JFM Basford, mother's name Coates), Edith Ethel (Ethel) b. 29 December 1895 (reg. 1896 JFM Basford, 'Edith'), William b. 1897 (OND Nottingham) and Walter b. 18 July 1906 (reg. Nottingham). The two other children were probably John Walter surname Coates b. 1888 (AMJ Basford, mother's name Coates) and Edward b. 1899 (OND Nottingham) who died in 1900 (OND Nottingham) before his first birthday. The two eldest children, John Walter and Elsie, were born before their parents' marriage.
In 1901 William (27), a platelayer, and Emily (26) were living at 2 Blenheim Terrace, Nottingham, with their three children Elsie (8), Ethel (5) and William (3).
By 1911 the family was living at 13 Thrumpton Terrace, Briar Street, Nottingham. William was now working as a blacksmith's striker. Also in the household on the night of the census were Elsie, Ethel, William and Walter (5) as well as Elsie's daughter Edna Ethel Coates (9 weeks).
William and Emily had moved to 37 Clositer Street, Lenton, by 1919 when William compiled a list of his son's surviving blood relatives for the Army.
William and Emily were still living at 37 Cloister Street at the time of the 1939 England and Wales Register. William was described as an 'invalid (TB)'; Emily's occupation was given as unpaid domestic duties. William died in 1940; Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Acknowledgements’, 2 May 1940: ‘Mrs E Pooley and Famiy wish to thank friends and neighbours for their kindness in their sad bereavement.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk). Emily's death was recorded in 1964 (JFM), she was 89 years old.
Of William's surviving sibings:
John Walter probably married in 1910 (JAS Basford, Nelly B Moss or Nellie Roe).
Elsie married Harold J Bradshaw (b. 1886) in 1916 (reg. JFM). According to information provided by her father in August 1919 for the Army naming her brother's surviving blood relatives, she and Harold were living at 2 Willoughby Street, Ilkeston Junction, Nottingham. They had three children: Edna (Edna Ethel Coates) b. 1911, Winifred M (Minnie) b. 1913 and Harold James b. 1916. They had at least three more children: George W. b. November 1919, Constance Winifred b. October 1927 and Mavis b. November 1931. In 1939 Elsie and Harold were living at 32 Station Street, Basford; Harold was a stationary engine driver and stoker at a brickyard. Also in the home were four of their children: Edna, who was described as 'incapacitated (eyesight)', George a railway chair iron moulder, and Constance and Mavis who were both at school. Elsie may have died in 1966 (reg. Mansfield).
Edith Ethel married William Harry Whittaker (b. 1895) in 1914 (reg. OND). In 1919 they were living at 3 Castleton Terrace, Castleton Street, Meadows, Nottingham, with their son Harry (William Harry b. December 1916). They had at least one more son, Jack C. b. July 1920. In 1939 the family was living at 1 Boundary Road, Lenton. Edith was not in paid work while William was a school caretaker. Their sons William and Jack were also living at home. Ethel's death was recorded in 1975 (reg. JFM).
Walter married Agnes Wilkinson (b. 1907) in 1931 and in 1939 they were living at 24 Cloister Street, Lenton, Nottingham. Edith was not employed while Walter was a school porter. They may have had a daughter, Janice Pooley, b. 1939 (reg. AMJ, mother's maiden name Wilkinson). Walter attested in 1939 and served with the Royal Artillery (987665 Gunner). He was killed on 6 October 1943 while serving in London. His widow Agnes married Eric A Benn in 1958 and died in 2004. (See record on this Roll of Honour)
John William's Army Service Record survives.
He attested on 8 September 1914 at the age of 19 years and 7 months. His army medical record described him as 5' 4" tall, weighing 110 lbs and with two tattoos; a jockey and horseshoe on his right forearm and Buffalo Bill on his left arm.
He joined at Winchester in 1914 and three offences were recorded during his first months in the Army while he was serving in the UK:
28 December 1914: When on active service absent from midnight until 030am (date illegible) - 5 days CB (confined to barracks)
14 January 1915: When on active service inattention on the Range - forfeits 3 days pay.
23 March 1915: When on active service using obscene language to a NCO – 7 days Field Punishment No. 2
He served with the BEF in France from 22 July 1915 to 4 April 1916. He was wounded in action on 12 March 1916 (gun shot wound right shoulder) and was admitted to hospital in Boulogne before being invalided to England on 4 April onboard the Hospital Ship St Andrew. He remained in hospital in England from 5 April until 26 May 1916.
He was posted to the BEF Mediterranean (Salonica) on 27 July 1916 and joined the 4th Battalion Rifle Brigade on 24 August 1916, serving in Salonica until his death two years later on 2 September 1918. It is possible that he suffered from bouts of maleria ('Mal') during his time in theatre which necessitated periods in hospital.
John William suffered from a gunshot wound to the axilla ('the area directly under the joint where the arm connects to the shoulder'). The initial medical report described him as 'dangerously ill' and he died on 2 September 1918 at No. 400 Casualty Clearing Station, Salonica. He was buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery Greece (grave ref. D 856).
John William had served for 3 years 360 days and qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
John William's younger brother, Walter, served in the Second World War (987665 Gunner, Royal Artillery) and died on 6 October 1943 as the result of an accident. Nottingham Journal, 11 October 1943: ‘Nottm. Gunner Killed in London. Gunner Walter Pooley, RA., (37) of 24, Cloister-street, Dunkirk, was accidentally killed last week while serving with his unit in the Outer London area. Prior to the war he was employed by the Nottingham Education Committee. The body has been brought back to Nottingham and the funeral is to take place at the Nottingham General Cemetery to-day [grave ref. 4796].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) (See record on this Roll of Honour)
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'In loving memory from father and mother'
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 18 September 1918: ‘Pooley. In loving memory of Rfn JW Pooley, the beloved son of Mr and Mrs Pooley, 37 Cloister-street. His heart was good, his spirit brave, his resting place a soldier’s grave; but the unknown grave is the bitter blow, none but aching hearts can know. From his sorrowing father and mother, brother and sister, and brother-in-law serving with the colours.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
His personal possessions, which were returned to his father in January 1919, comprised: letters, cards, correspondence, photos, cigarette case, note book, wound stripe, small satchel, aluminium disc, pocket wallet, mirror, 2 discs and a metal case containing (-).
Photo of John William Pooley
Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece