Percy Shipstone
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Percy Shipstone was the son of Edward a collier/banksman and Elizabeth Boden Shipstone, (née Mellor) of Nottingham Road, Giltbrook. His father Edward was born in 1862 in Eastwood and his mother Elizabeth Boden Mellor was born in 1859 at Ilkeston, Derbyshire. They were married in 1885 (Basford Registration District) and had eight children, sadly one died in infancy. Their surviving children were: Elizabeth Ann b1887 Greasley, Percy b1890 Eastwood, Harold b1891 Eastwood, Ethel b1893 Eastwood, Leonard b1897 Eastwood, Florence b1899 Giltbrook and Ilford Rhoda b1903 Giltbrook. In the 1911 cencus the family was living at Nottingham Road, Giltbrook, and shown as Edward 49 yrs a colliery banksman, his wife Elizabeth Bowden 52 yrs and their children Elizabeth Ann 24 yrs a dress maker, Percy 21 yrs a grocery assistant, Harold 20 yrs a baker/confectioner, Ethel 18 yrs a draper's assistant, Leonard 14 yrs an errand boy, Florry 12 yrs a scholar and Rhoda 8 yrs. Percy married Mabel Elizabeth Hodgkinson on 22nd April 1915 (reg. Nottingham). They lived at Mount Villas, Lowdham, before moving to Gladstone House, Woodborough, Nottinghamshire. Following his death his widow Mabel lived at 306a Radford Road Hyson Green Nottingham. His father Edward died on 13th August 1919 aged 57 yrs and his mother Elizabeth died 23rd January 1934 aged 75 yrs.
Percy Shipstone enlisted at Lowdham on 11th December 1915. He gave his age as 26 yrs and 8 months, address as Mount Villas, Lowdham, occupation grocery manager and buyer. His next of kin was his wife Mabel of the same address. He was posted to the Reserve the next day. Percy was mobilised on 5th January 1917 and posted to the 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment on 9th January 1917. He embarked from Folkstone on 4th May 1917 disembarking the same day at Boulogne. He was wounded in action a month later on 7th June 1917, suffering a gunshot wound to the back, and admitted to the 17th Field Ambulance. Percy was transferred to the 20th General Hospital on 9th June but died of his wounds on 23rd June 1917. He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France (grave ref. XXII. L. 23A). CWGC – History of Etaples Military Cemetery (extract): The town of Etaples is about 27 km from Boulogne. ‘During the First World War, the area around Etaples was the scene of immense concentrations of Commonwealth reinforcement camps and hospitals. It was remote from attack, except from aircraft, and accessible by railway from both the northern or the southern battlefields. In 1917, 100,000 troops were camped among the sand dunes and the hospitals, which included eleven general, one stationary, four Red Cross hospitals and a convalescent depot, could deal with 22,000 wounded or sick. In September 1919, ten months after the Armistice, three hospitals and the QMAAC convalescent depot remained.’ (www.cwgc.org)
His brother Leonard Boden served with 402nd Bty Royal Horse Artillery (1702 Fitter) and died in France on 18 May 1917 of wounds received in action. He too is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Family grave, Greasley St Mary, Nottinghamshire, inscription: 'In loving memory of Edward Shipstone, died Aug. 13th 1919, aged 47 years. Elizabeth Boden Shipstone his beloved wife died Jan 23rd 1934 aged 75 years. Also their beloved sons Leonard Boden Shipstone died of wounds in France May 18th 1917, aged 21 years. Percy Shipstone, died of wounds in France June 23rd 1917, aged 28 years.’ 'In memoriam' notice, 24th June 1918, Nottingham Evening Post :- 'SHIPSTONE. – In ever loving memory of my dear husband, Pte. Percy Shipstone, died of wounds 23rd June 1917. Dearly loved, sadly missed. – Sorrowing wife Mabs.' 'SHIPSTONE. – In affectionate memory of our dear brother-in-law, Pte. Percy Shiptsone, died of wounds June 23rd,1917. – Ever remembered by Nance, Will, and little Kathleen.' Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 His widow Mabel received a pension of 13 shillings and 9 pence a week with effect from 31st December 1917.
