Richard Bernard Hucknall
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Born c 1898 at Burton Joyce the son of Frederick and Winifred Hucknall. Frederick was a farm labourer and in 1901 they had two sons, John William, Richard Bernard and a daughter Dorothy Winifred, all living on Main Street, Burton Joyce. By 1911 father Frederick was a jobbing gardener and the family had increased dramatically with the addition of three more sons and three more daughters, making nine children: John William (14), Richard Bernard (13), Dorothy (11), Sidney (9), Lois May (8), Elizabeth (6), Frederick (4), Arthur (2) and Francis (6 months). Richard was now working as an errand boy for an antiques dealer. His older brother, Sergeant John William Hucknall, 17th Bn Sherwood Foresters, was killed 18 October 1916. His youngest sister, Elizabeth, died on 11 July 1918 aged 13.
On 25 May 1916 at the age of 18 Robert attested at Nottingham and joined the ASC MT on 13 October 1916 at Grove Park. Served in the 1037th Mechanical Transport Coy. He was not always a tidy soldier as on 8 Feb 1917 he had 2 days punishment for having 'dirty and untidy kit for Company Officer's Inspection'. The Army trained him as a fitter and he passed as Good at the Hounslow Driving School, MT Training Depot in July of the same year. On 18 Nov 1917 he was sent to Italy but just prior to this he was fitted with dentures in the October to both upper and lower jaws.. He contracted influenza and was admitted to the Casualty Clearing station where he became dangerously ill with bronchial pneumonia and died a few days days later on 18 October at the 39th Casualty Clearing Station in Italy. He is buried in the Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery Extension, Italy. His father requested the words 'Until we meet In the better land' be put onto the gravestone. His personal belongings were sent to his father. Following the war in 1920 a Memorial Scroll and letter from the King was also sent to the family
Family grave and headstone, Burton Joyce (St Helen) churchyard: 'In loving memory of Elizabeth Hucknall, died July 11th 1918, aged 13 years. Also Pte. Richard B Hucknall M.T.R.A.S.C. died in Italy, Octr. 18th 1918, aged 20 years. Thy will be done.' In memoriam published 18th October 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HUCKNALL. – In loving memory of Sergt. Willie Hucknall, killed in action October 17th, 1916; also Pte. Richard Hucknall, died in Italy October 18th, 1918, dearly-loved sons of Mr. and Mrs. F. Hucknall, Burton Joyce. Fondly remembered.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
