Joseph Matthew Shippam
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Joseph Matthew was the son of Arthur Shippam and his first wife Hannah (nee Riley). Arthur was the son of Joseph Shippam and was born in 1873 (A/M/J Nottingham/Sills). In 1891 at the age of 22 he was a fishmonger's assistant living at Stockwell Gate, Mansfield, in the household of his uncle, George Shippam, a fishmonger. Hannah, the daughter of Matthew and Eliza Riley, was born in Skegby, Nottinghamshire, in 1874 (A/M/J Mansfield). Arthur and Hannah were married at St Matthias church, Sneinton, Nottingham, on 3 April 1893 (A/M/J Nottingham). Two children, both born in Mansfield, were named on the census returns of 1901 and 1911: Lilian (Lillian/Lily) b. 1894 (O/N/D Mansfield) and Joseph Matthew b. 1896 (J/A/S Mansfield). Arthur had remarried by the time of the 1911 Census and so there are no details on the census of the number of children born to him and Hannah but there are four other birth records Shippam/Riley in the period after their marriage: Olive May b. 1893 (O/N/D Mansfield) d. 1893 (O/N/D Mansfield), Female Shippam birth registered 1898 (J/F/M Mansfield) death registered 1898 (J/F/M Mansfield), Amy b. 1899 (A/M/J Mansfield) d. 1899 (A/M/J Mansfield) and Hlda b. 1902 (O/N/D Mansfield) d. 1903 (J/F/M Mansfield). None of the children reached their first birthday. In 1901 Arthur, a fishmonger, and Hannah were living at 6 Cutts Building, Mansfield, with their two children Lilian (6) and Joseph (5). Hannah died in 1907 (O/N/D Mansfield) aged 33. On 19 July 1909, Arthur (36) married Ellen Norman (40, b. Edwinstowe Nottinghamshire) a widow, the daughter of Henry Hollis, a labourer, at St Andrew's church, Huddersfield, after Banns had been read on 4, 11 and 18 July (1909, J/A/S Huddersfield). Both were living in the parish, Arthur at 14 Green Street and Hannah at 6 Bradford Road North. In 1911 Arthur (37), a shop assistant (fish and game) and Ellen (41) were living at 28 St Andrew's Terrace, Littleworth, Mansfield, with Arthur's two children, Lilian (16) a factory hand (hosiery) and Joseph (14), a scholar. The family later lived at Eclipse Hotel Yard, Westgate, Mansfield. Arthur died at the age of 45 on 25 April 1918, six months before the death of his son. CWGC record: 'Son of Arthur and Ellen Shippam, of 19, Derby St., Mansfield, Notts.' Joseph's sister, Lilian, placed an 'In Memoriam' notice in the local paper in 1920 on the anniversary of her father's death. She had married and was living in London: 'From his loving Daughter and Son-in-law, Lily and Jack. 11 Peldon Avenue, Richmond, London' (see 'Extra Information'). The record of her marriage, and therefore her married name, has not yet been traced. However, the report of her father's funeral on 3 May 1918 does not mention a son-in-law so it would appear that she married sometime after May 1918 and before April 1920.
Joseph Matthew Shippam (20394) served with the 115th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Joseph's service record has not survived but he entered theatre (Egypt) on 9 August 1915, then served in Gallipoli (Suvla Bay) and later Salonika. He was awarded the Military Medal in 1917 and the report of the award in the local newspaper on 22 June mentions that Joseph had written in a letter home that when he went 'over the top' that he 'got wounded in the finger'. There is a casualty report dated 16 May 1917 sent by telegram from 3rd Echelon, Salonica, that includes Joseph's name: 'Gnr Shippam J RFA 'A' Bty, 115 Bde. Wnd [wounded]. Remained at duty. 9 May 1917.' Joseph died of malarial fever at 40th Casualty Clearing Station Salonika on 29th October 1918 and is buried in Doiran Military Cemetery, Greece (grave ref, V. H. 3). Notices of his death and the additional inscription on his father's gravestone say that he died in Bulgaria. The history of Doiran Military Cemetery suggests he was originally buried in Strumnitza British Military Cemetery and that his grave was brought into Doiran Military Cemetery after the Armistice. (See below.) Joseph qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Doiran Military Cemetery (extract): The cemetery (originally known as Colonial Hill Cemetery No.2) was formed at the end of 1916 as a cemetery for the Doiran front. The graves are almost entirely those of officers and men of the 22nd and 26th Divisions and largely reflect the fighting of April and May 1917 (the attacks on the Petit-Couronne), and 18-19 September 1918 (the attacks on Pip Ridge and the Grand-Couronne). In October and November 1918, after the final advance, a few burials took place from the 25th Casualty Clearing Station. After the Armistice, graves were brought into the cemetery from the battlefields and from some small burial grounds, the most important of which was Strumnitza British Military Cemetery, north-west of Doiran, made by the 40th Casualty Clearing Station in October and November 1918.' (www.cwgc.gov)
CWGC record: 'Son of Arthur and Ellen Shippam, of 19, Derby St., Mansfield, Notts.' CWGC headstone, personal inscription: 'A British Hero' Additional inscription on father's gravestone: ‘(-) Joseph Matthew Royal Field Artillery who died in Bulgaria Oct. 29th 1918 aged 22 years. He sleepeth with the (-) brave. (erected by Ellen Shippam)’ Report published in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times 22nd June 1917 :- “MILITARY MEDAL for a MANSFIELD GUNNER. “Gunner Jos. M. Shippam, of the R.F.A., who enlisted on September 7th, 1914, took part in the Dardanelles expedition, and went from there to Salonica, writes home to his parents, who live in Eclipse-yard, to tell them the gratifying news that he has been awarded the Military Medal. “It was (he says) for the last time that I went over the top with the infantry. I got wounded in the finger. Moult has also got the Military Medal for the same stunt. He was in the trench reading the lamp we were sending on from the enemy lines, and he was very heavily shelled every time he showed his lamp in answer to our messages. They had several shots at him, and he was lucky to escape being injured. I and a bombardier were out forward sending messages on a torch. We kept on all night and half the next day. In the day time we used flags. The bombardier also got the Military Medal when we first came into action, and he has also got a Serbian medal, so now he has two. Our battery now has four military medalists and the one with the Serbian one, and all are signallers.” Report published in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times 15th November 1918 :- “We regret to announce the death of Bombdr. J. M. Shippam, of Eclipse-yard, Mansfield, who enlisted soon after the war broke out. After being at Suvla Bay he went to Salonika and remained there until his death, which occurred on the 29th October last. He was awarded the Military Medal in May, 1917. His age was 22.” Mansfield Reporter, ‘In Memoriam’, 31 October 1919: ‘Shippam. In loving memory of Bdr. Jospeh M Shippam, MM. Died in Bulgaria, October 29th, 1918, aged 21 (sic) years, after four years service. Son of the late Arthur Shippam, Eclipse Yard, Westgate, Mansfield. When alone in sorrow, bitter tears flow. There stealeth a dream of long ago, Unknown to the world, he stands by my side, And whispers dear man, death cannot divide. From his loving Mam.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter: ‘In Memoriam’, 29 October 1920. ‘Shippam. In loving memory of Bombardier Joseph M Shippam MM, died in Bulgaria, October 29th, 1918, aged 21 (sic) years, after four years service. Son of the late Arthur Shippam, Eclipse Yard, Westgate, Mansfield. Two sad years have passed away, Yet still we miss him every day’ One of the best whom God could send, A loving son and faithful friend’ Forget him, No, we never will, As years roll by we love him still. From loving Mam and Sister.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His step-mother (described as 'mother') Ellen Shippam was his sole legatee. Joseph's record on the WW1 Pension Ledgers names Ellen as his mother and next of kin - he may have nominated his step-mother after the death of his father in April 1918. Mansfield Reporter, ‘Deaths’, 3 May 1918: ‘On the 25th ult., Arthur Shippam, Eclipse Yard, Westgate, Mansfield, aged 45 years.’ (britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 3 May 1918: ‘Funeral of Mr A Shippam. It is with regret that we have to record the death of Mr Arthur Shippam, fruiterer, of Eclipse-yard, West-gate, which occurred on Thursday last, at the age of 45 years. The funeral took place on Monday morning, the interment being made at the Mansfield Cemetery. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. Edgar Banting (curate-in-charge of St Lawrences’s) … (list of mourners including widow and daughter) … The wreaths sent were as follows: 'With fondest love. From sorrowing wife, Nellie.' 'To our dead dad with dearest love. From Lily and Joe (Salonica)'.’ (britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Shippam Arthur of the Eclipse Hotel-yard Westgate Mansfield Nottinghamshire fruit and potato salesman died 25 April 1918. Probate Nottingham 7 August to Ellen Shippam widow and Joseph Edward Durance fruit merchant’s manager. Effects £1296 5s. 3d. Mansfield Reporter, ‘In Memoriam’, 23 April 1920: ‘Shippam. In loving memory of my beloved father, Arthur Shippam (late of Eclipse Yard), who died April 25th, 1918. Time of distance cannot dispel The thoughts of thee, I love so well. From his loving Daughter and Son-in-law, Lily and Jack. 11 Peldon Avenue, Richmond, London.’ (britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
