Edgar Heeds
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Edgar was the son of John Edward and Jane Heeds (née Marshall). His father was born in Ordsall in 1863, the son of William and Emma Heeds and baptised at Ordsall All Hallows in November the same year. His mother was born in Ranskill, Nottinghamshire, in 1866. John and Jane were married at Scoften with Osberton St John in May 1890 and had six children who were born in Ranskill: Nellie (Ellen) b. 1891, William b. 1892, Alice b. 1893, Edgar birth registered 1895 (J/F/M), Albert b. 1897 and Henry (Harry) b. 1901. John, a railway labourer, and his wife were living in Ordsall the year after their marriage and recorded on the 1901 Census at 79 Ordsall Common along with their five children, Nellie, William, Alice, Edgar and Albert. John was now working as a railway shunter. The family had moved to 40 Ollerton Road, Retford, by 1911. John was working as a railway crossing gatekeeper (Great Northern Railway), and continued to work as a gatekeeper until his death in 1928. Only three of his children were in the home on the night of the census: Edgar, a brewery porter, and his two younger brothers who were still at school. Nellie was a general domestic servant in Retford in the household of an ironmonger/dealer and his family. Alice was also a general domestic servant in Retford in the employ of a bank cashier, his wife and family. William, a pit screen worker, was living with his widowed grandfather, William Marshall, in Dinnington, near Rotherham. Edgar's father completed a form for the army in April 1919 listing his son's surviving relatives: parents of 40 Ollerton Road, brothers William ('married' sic-widowed), Albert and Harry of the same address and sisters Nellie (Ellen) Piercy, Wharton Street Newton Retford, and Alice (Frary) described as married, 40 Ollerton Road. Ellen had married Dan Piercey in 1914 but no record of Alice's marriage has yet been traced. Alice may have been living in Hathersage, Derbyshire, at the time of the 1921 Census. She died in the 1950s and the probate record recorded her status as spinster and her address as Holly Road, Retford, the same address as her married sister Ellen Piercey. Alice's executors were her niece and nephew, Vera Peacock (née Heeds m. 1934) and Edgar Heeds. At the time of the 1921 Census, James and Jane were sharing their home with their sons William and Harry. William had married Edith Crossland in 1915 but was widowed in 1918 leaving him with three children, Clarence Wiliam (b. 1913), Vera (b. 1914) and Edgar (b. 1915) who may also have been living with their grandparents. Clarence may have died in the Second World War (see 'Extra information'). William remarried in 1924 (Mabel Carter) and died in 1941. James and Jane were living at 8 Station Cottages, Retford, when James was killed in a railway accident in 1928 (see 'Extra information). His widow Jane, described as incapacitated, was recorded on the 1939 England & Wales Register living with her married daughter Ellen Piercey and her husband and son at Holly Road, Retford. Jane died in 1940. One of Edgar's sisters was engaged to his friend Arthur Frary, who lived a few doors away at 30 Ollerton Road. She was not named in the newspaper report but would have been Alice since Ellen was married in 1914. Arthur served in the Sherwood Foresters (2257 Private 1/8th Battalion) and was killed on 12 April 1915, the day before Edgar was also killed in action. (See record on this Roll of Honour)
1st Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, previously 2nd Battalion. Formerly Special Reserve, 3/Reserve York and Lancaster Regiment (2298 Private). Edgar's service record survives. He enlisted in the Special Reserve on 24 May 1911 at the age of 18 years 11 months and joined at Pontefract the following day. He attended a special course of training between May and 23 September 1911. Edgar was discharged from the Special Reserve on joining the regular army on a Short Service Engagement (7 years with the Colours, 5 years Army Reserve) on 28 October 1911. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, joining at Limerick on 31 October. He was appointed unpaid lance corporal on 9 September 1912 and promoted to paid lance corporal on 2 February 1913. Edgar was posted to the 1st Battalion (lance corporal) on 4 March 1913 and the same day embarked with the Battalion for India where he served in Karachi and Poona. The Battalion returned to the UK on the outbreak of war, disembarking on 19 November 1914 and then on home service until joining the British Expeditionary Force France on 15 January 1915. Edgar had been promoted to corporal four days earlier on 11 January. Edgar was killed in action three months later on 13 April 1915. Although his body was recovered for burial his grave was later lost and he is now commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium (Panel 55). York & Lancaster Regiment service record: Home 28 October 1911-3 March 1913 (1y 127d). India 4 March 1913-18 November 1914 (1y 260d). Home 19 November 1914-14 January 1915 (57d). France 15 January 1915-13 April 1915 (89d). Total 3 years 168 days. He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC 1330214: Clarence William Heeds, 4800933 Private 1st Bn Lincolnshire Regiment d. 8 April 1943 [as a result of an accident] age 29 [b. Notts, abt 1914]. Buried Maynamati War Cemetery, Bangladesh (1.A.13). Retford Times 23 April 1915: 'Pte Heeds and Pte Frary' 'It is our painful duty to record the deaths of two more Retford Soldiers – one a Regular and the other a Territorial. They are Cpl Edgar Heeds (20) of the 1st York and Lancaster, and Pte Arthur Frary [2257 Private] of the 8th Sherwood Foresters. The lads had been great friends before they donned the King’s uniform. Frary was killed on April 10th (sic) and Heeds on April 12th (sic). Miss Heeds, sister of Cpl Heeds, was Cpl Frary’s fiancée and both families live within a few doors of each other on Ollerton Road. Mrs Heeds and Mrs Frary both received letters from their brave sons on the very day they died. 'The youths were esteemed by a wide circle of friends and many letters of sympathy have been received by their parents – too many to acknowledge personally. They were dutiful sons and Mr and Mrs Heeds and Mr and Mrs Frary are greatly comforted by the reflection that though their deaths left them sorrowing their high examples are worthy to be followed by all that are able to serve their country. 'Cpl Heeds was a pupil at the Council School, Thrumpton and was a choirboy at All Hallows’ Church, Ordsall and before joining the forces some four years ago he had been employed by Messrs R A Bradshaw and Sons offices at the Worksop and Retford Brewery Co.'s offices. When war broke out he was with his Regiment in India. He was sent back to England and back sent to the front in January. He spent four days leave of absence with his parents in the first week of this year. Cpl Heeds’ father, who is a gatekeeper at Babworth Crossing, has been employed for 31 years on the Great Northern Railway. The father of the last named, who died last year at the age of 84 years, had lived in Ordsall for 63 years and was the oldest inhabitant at his death. 'Mr and Mrs Heeds have a large number of relatives serving with the forces, and a nephew of Mrs Heeds, Pte W Clark of the Lancashire Fusiliers, has received the following letter from Major-General H F M Wilson, “Your Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander have informed me that you have distinquished yourself by conspicuous bravery in the field. I have read their report with much pleasure”. Pte Clarke was a reservist and lived at Dinnington with his aunt, Miss Clark, a sister of Mrs Heeds. He is also well known in Torworth and Ranskill district, having lived with his grandparents, the late Mr and Mrs Marshall, old residents of the former village. 'Mr and Mrs Heeds have received no official intimation of their son's death but his Company Officer has sent the following letter:- “Dear Mrs Heeds, I am sorry to have to tell you that your son’s death took place on Monday 12th April as we were coming from the trenches, having been relieved by another regiment. He was shot through the head so he suffered no pain at all. He was buried with several others of the Company near our trench headquarters. I shall miss him as he was a very promising N C O. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your great loss”. 'Mr and Mrs Frary have also not received any official intimation of their son’s death. But Lieut E C A James has sent the following letter, ”I am writing to tell you how sorry I am that your son, Pte Frary, has been killed in action. You will of course have heard the news before you receive my letter, so I hope that some of your grief has passed away. Your son, although he came from Retford, was not in my Company, but I have had full particulars given to me of his death. He is the first Retfordian, of the Territorial forces to have given up his life for his King and country and I hope this will give you some slight consolation. I have been to see his grave. He was buried last night by the Chaplain. I tried to get to the funeral, but I was too hard at work to get away. His grave is with those of many of his comrades, in the cemetery, where all our British officers and men lie who have been killed in action in the neighbourhood; it is a very pretty spot. The grave is very well taken care of and already has a cross of primroses and cowslips placed on it. I know it will be well looked after as all the graves out here are. Please accept my sympathy in your loss. Your son was brave and I hope his high example will inspire many at home to come out here and share with us the duty which every man owes to his country." 'Lieut-Colonel Fowler [KIA15 October 1915] also wrote, “I am very sorry to write to tell you that your son, A Frary, was shot dead in the trenches yesterday morning and died immediately. He will be buried tonight in the Military Cemetery at Kemmel, by the Rev J P Hales, our Brigade Chaplain. These sad events are inevitable in war, but I want you to know how sorry I am for you in this trouble. Your son has died for his King and country in defence of the right, and no man can die better. I believe he was universally loved in his Company." 'Mr Chas Applby, his foreman at the Northern Rubber Works, where deceased was formerly employed, has sent the following letter of sympathy, “I have been closely associated with your brave boy, Arthur for seven years. Will you therefore allow me to offer my deep and heartfelt sympathy for you in your great trouble. It may be a little comfort for you to know how highly he was esteemed by his fellow workmen and myself, and I can assure you that we all feel very deeply the death of one of our comrades. Speaking as his foreman I might tell you he was the best pressman I have ever had. He was always steady, painstaking and straightforward, trying to do his work so that it is a credit to himself and to the firm. You have lost a good and brave son and this firm has lost a sound honest workman. I shall always remember when he came to me he was going to rejoin the colours. He said he had considered the matter seriously and he had come to the conclusion that it was “my bounden duty” to go. I was so moved by his intense earnestness that I could scarcely find words to reply. Many times I have thought of those words “My Bounden Duty”. I shall never forget them as long as I live, and I shall always cherish thoughts of affection and admiration for that brave boy who went to lay down his life for his country. No honour is to great for such large hearted heroes." 'Pte Frary (22) is the first “Retford Terrier” to be killed. His father is a porter at the Retford GNR [Great Northern Railway] station.' Ordsall St Alban's parish magazine, May 1915: 'Three young soldiers from the parish – Private E Heeds, Private A Frary, Lieutenant J Eddison [John Radley, 2nd Lieut 1/8th Bn. Sherwood Foresters d. 21 April 1915] - have fallen in battle.' (Retford Local Studies Library, ref 942.52 ORD) Retford and Worksop Herald and North Notts Advertiser, 26 June 1928 (extract). ‘Tragic Death. Retford Railwayman Killed. Inquest and Verdict. The whole of the inhabitants of Retford and district were shocked and grieved by a most sad and unfortunate accident about noon on Tuesday, when an elderly and esteemed railwayman, well known as Mr ‘Jack’ Heeds, was in one fell second blotted from existence, the only consolation for his sorrowing relatives and friends being that his death was mercifully swift and he must have been unconscious of agony. Mr Heeds was employed as a gatekeeper at the Goosemoor Lane level crossing on the road leading to Ordsall, about 400 yards from the LNER station at Retford, and when he had opened the road gates to let a motor omnibus and a car through, a northern-bound express was upon him before he could get clear and he was instantaneously killed. Officials and ambulance men from the station were quickly upon the scene, and performed the sorrowful duty of removing the remains to the public mortuary … Mr William Heeds, a son of the deceased, gave evidence of identification, and said he was a sub-ganger. His father, whose name was John, lived at 8, Station Cottages, and was 64 years of age. He had been on the railway practically all his life. As a gateman he had only been at Goosemoor Lane Crossing about a fortnight, having been previously at Eaton Lane and Babworth.’ A large number of witnesses were called including the drivers of two vehicles, including an omnibus, which crossed the lines just before the accident, a policeman who saw the accident and a telegraph linesman and electrician who examined the signalling apparatus ‘which he found in perfect working order.’ Verdict: Accidental Death. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) The funeral service for John Heeds was held at Ordsall Church followed by burial in the churchyard. (R&WH&NNA, 26 June 1928)
