James William Matthew Pickerill
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Known as 'Will'. He was born in 1892 (birth registered Apr/May/Jun) and was the son of James and Julia Pickerill. He had one sister, Annie. His father predeceased him. James married Emma M Antcliff in 1914 (registered Oct/Nov/Dec); there is no record of them having any children. Emma was the daughter of William and Charlotte Antcliffe. Her father was a farm labourer and in 1911 they lived at 41 Bertram Street, Nottingham. Emma married secondly Harry Fletcher (b. 12 January 1894) in 1919. In 1939 they were living on Caunton Avenue, Nottingham, with Emma's widowed father, William Antcliffe (d. 1941). Emma died in 1960.
29th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery Gunner James William Matthew Pickerill was killed in action on 7th September 1917. He is buried in Canada Farm Cemetery (grave ref II.D.7).
James' brother-in-law, John Robert Antcliffe, also served in the Royal Field Artillery (42381 A/Bombardier) and was killed in action on 11 May 1917. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Nottingham Evening Post 'Roll of Honour', 24 September 1917 (abridged): ‘Pickerill. Killed in action September 7th 1917, Gunner Will (James William Matthew) Pickergill RFA, age 25(?). Wife Emma. Only son of Mrs Pickerill and the late James Pickerill. Mother, only sister Annie.’ Nottingham Evening Post, 'In memoriam', 7th September 1918:- 'PICKERILL. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Gnr. Will Pickerill, R.F.A., killed in action September 7th, 1917. He sleeps in death until the great awakening. Beyond my touch, but not my sight, for ever, nor from the ties that living hearts have wrought; far, far beyond, all bonds that bind or sever, but not, thank God, no, not beyond my thoughts. – From his wife.' 'PICKERILL. – In cherished and loving memory of my beloved and only son, Gnr. Willie Pickerill, killed in action between September 7th and 8th, 1917. It is lonely here without you, and sad the weary way, nor is the world the same to me, since you were called away. Deeply mourned. – Sorrowing mother, also cousin Fred.' 'PICKERILL. – In ever-loving memory of my beloved and only brother, Gnr. William Pickerill, killed in action September 7th and 8th, 1917. – Dearly loved by his only sister Annie, husband, and children.” Above notices courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Legatee Emma M., widow. Received payments 25 January 1918 £2 4s 11d and 19 February 1919 (war gratuity) £8 10s.
