Edwin French
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Henry French had been born in Birmingham but had come to Worksop where he married Mary Ann Blockley and settled there as a miner. The produced 6 children all born in Worksop, during their married life, one of them being Edwin, who was born in 1897. The family moved around in Worksop, first living in Kilton Road , then to Canal Terrace and back to 249 Kilton Road. At age only 14, Edwin was working above ground as a colliery screen labourer
Edwin joined at Worksop and embarked for France on the 25 Sept 1918 and went to join his unit, 5th Battalion Leicesters, on the 28th. It was only 12 days later that he received gunshot wounds to the head and was quickly hospitalised. He died of his wounds, 2 days later and was buried in the Vadencourt British Cemetery Maisseny, France Pte Edwin French Worksop Guardian 25 October 1918 Many Worksop people will hear with sincere regret of the death of Pte Edwin (Ted) French, Leicesters, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Henry French, 249 Kilton Road, Worksop. A telegram on Saturday, and confirmed by a letter on Wednesday, informs Mr and Mrs French that their son had died from wounds in the head at the 47th Casualty Clearing Station, France on Oct 12th. Pte French had only been in the Army a short time. He joined up from Manton Colliery on May 14th, this year, and was sent to France on Sept 23rd. In civilian life he was a very popular entertainer, and for a long time was connected with Mr C Parker’s concert party, visiting Kilton War Hospital almost every week. He was connected with the Congregational Church and was well known and much liked in the town. The family are old Worksopians and they will receive the sympathy of a large circle of friends. Pte French’s cousin, Pte Len French, died of wounds received in action two years ago. Pte E French Worksop Guardian 15 November 1918 A letter has been received by Miss K Storrs, 247 Kilton Road, Worksop, from the sister in charge at the Casualty Clearing Station, at which her fiancée, the late Pte E French, Leicester Regiment of 249 Kilton Road, died. It appears that Pte French was admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station on Oct 12th, suffering from a gunshot wound in the head. He was unconscious and died on the same day without recovering unconsciousness. “The Padre was with him when he died and he received the last rites of the Church. It is one consolation,” writes the sister, “to know he suffered no pain and that he was properly buried.” No particulars or address were found upon him, and that is the reason no letter was sent to his parents, with whom and Miss Storrs the Sister expresses her sympathy.
CWG additional information:- Son of Henry and Mary French, of 249, Kilton Rd., Garden City, Worksop, Notts. Research by Colin Dannatt
