Reuben Ingamells
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Reuben Ingamells was the son of Frederick William and Mary Ann Ingamells (née Footer or Futter). His father Frederick William was born in 1859 at Frieston, Lincolnshire. His mother Mary Ann was born in 1860 in New Bolingbrooke, Lincolnshire, the daughter of David Futter (or Footer) and his wife Harriett (née Mayes). Frederick and Mary were married in 1880 (reg. Spilsby) and had nine children: William b. Frithville, Lincs, abt. 1892 Mary Ann Harriet b. 1883 and Herbert birth registered 1885 (J/F/M) who were born in Sibsey, Charles Frederick birth registered 1887 (J/F/M) and James Morris b. 1888 who were born in Leverton, and their four younger siblings who were born at Amber Hill, Reuben b. 1891, Ada b. abt. 1894, Ruth Esther b. 1896 and Benjamin Arthur b. 1901. Frederick, an agricultural labourer, his wife and brother-in-law, Moses Futter-sic (b. Bolingbrooke), who was also an agricultural labourer, were living at the Rookery, Frithville near Boston, Lincolnshire, in 1881. The couple had moved to Fen Side, Tattershall, Lincolnshire, by 1891. They now had five children: William, Mary, Herbert, Charles and James. Reuben was born later that year. Ten years later when the 1901 Census was compiled the family was living at Sutterton Fen Drove, Sutterton, Lincolnshire. Only five of their eight children were in the home on the night of the census: William, a horseman (farm), James, Reuben, Ada and Ruth. Another son, Herbert, was working on a farm in Sutterton. The youngest son, Benjamin, was born later that year. Frederick and Mary had moved to Tharolds Farm, Coleby, Lincolnshire, by 1911: Fred Ingamells, a farm labourer, his wife Mary Ann and three children Ada, Ruth and Benjamin. The eldest son Wiliam, a farm labourer, was living with his wife Emily (née Reynolds m. 1907) and their son in Coleby, Lincolnshire. James, a colliery boiler cleaner (above ground), his wife Beatrice (née Ellis m. 1907) and their three sons were living in Great Houghton, Barnsley. Reuben had married Harriett Ann Futter at Nocton parish church, Lincolnshire, on 4 July 1910. The marriage certificate recorded Reuben (19) as a labourer, as was his father. Harriet Ann (22) was the daughter of Moses Futter, who was also a labourer. Both Reuben and Harriet were living at Nocton Fen. Reuben, Harriet and their daughter Mary Ann Harriet (8 months) were still living in Nocton Fen in 1911. Their son Albert, who was born the following year, was baptised at Darfield parish church, near Barnsley, Yorkshire. Some family history sites give their son's first name as 'Reuben.' Frederick and Mary later moved to Staythorpe, Nottinghamshire, establishing the family connection with Averham and Kelham Reuben's widow married Frank Johnson in 1921 (reg. Doncaster). Harriet and Frank had at least two children, George M. and Kate E. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Harriet and her two children were living in Dearne, Yorkshire, Although Harriet was described as married her husband was not listed in the home. Harriet probably died in 1970.
Private Reuben Ingamells enlisted at Goldthorpe. He served initially with the Army Service Corps but later transferred to the 10th (Service) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and was serving with 'X' Platoon 'C' Company, at the time of his death. The 10th (Service) Battalion was raised in Warwick in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. It served on the Western Front from July 1915 as part of 57th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. Reuben was killed in action on 26 March 1918. He was initially reported missing as there is a British Red Cross and Order of St John Enquiry List (Wounded and Missing) record dated 2 August 1918: 'Reuben Ingamells. 'X' Platoon ‘C’ Company 10th Bn. RWR. Missing 21-26 March 1918.' 21 March was the first day of the German Spring offensive which began with a prolonged intensive barrage (explosive and gas shells) over an 80km front. The 10th Battalion was subjected to this barrage and was involved in heavy fighting on the 23rd followed by a fighting withdrawal on 24 March. The Battalion was in the Reserve trenches by the 27th. Reuben has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. He was awarded the Military Medal and qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His brother, Corporal Charles Frederick Ingamells MM, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, transferred to the 454th Agricultural Company Labour Corps (532537), died of influenza on 18 February 1919. He was buried in St Michael's churchyard, Averham, Nottinghamshire. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Their brother Lance Sergeant William Ingamells enlisted on 3rd August 1904 at Boston. He was 23 yrs and 3 months old and working as a farm labourer. William enlisted on a 12 year engagement, 3 years with the Colours and 9 years in the Reserve. He was posted to the Lincolnshire Regiment (7128). On 5th August 1914 he was mobilised at Lincoln and posted to the Garrison Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. He embarked at Devonport on 26th November 1915, disembarking Bombay (now Mumbai), India, on 22nd December 1915. He was promoted lance corporal on 12th July 1915 while serving in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and to corporal on 13th December 1916. He was promoted to lance sergeant on 7th February 1919. He was admitted to hospital at Calcutta on 8th May 1919 suffering from typhoid fever and discharged on 26th August 1919. He left Bombay on 30th September 1919 for England. On 23rd January 1920 he was discharged to Class 'Z' Army Reserve being no longer fit for active service; he was suffering from a disability, phlebitis of the leg post enteric fever, which he had contracted while in India. William was discharged to Roe Lane, Woodborough, Nottingham, the home of his wife Emily Ingamells (née Reynolds). WW1 Pension Ledgers: wife Harriet A Johnson of Goldthorpe near Rotherham, children Mary Ann Harriet and Albert.
