Arthur Duckmanton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
When Rebecca Hancock married George Duckmanton at Elkesley, Notts, in 1883, she already had two children, Maria and Clara, (registered as Hancock) After their marriage they soon followed up with two boys, George 1885 and the youngest, Arthur, in 1890 both born in Elkesley. In 1891 the family they were all living at 13 Retford Road, George senior working as a farm labourer. By 1901 All the children had left home (now at Bunker Hill, Elkesley) except Arthur. This was soon to change, as Arthur married at Elkesley to Sarah Ann Hewitt on the 6th July 1908. They moved to Sarah’s place of birth, 6 Renshaws Row, Lowgates, Staveley, Derbys. It was whilst they were living at this address that they had their 3 children, Annie Rebecca 27 Dec 1908, George William 23 June 1910 and Alice 23 Nov 1912. It must have been shorlty after this last event that the family moved to Worksop, residing at 27 Aldred Street.
Arthur Duckmanton was attested on the 2nd January 1915 for the duration. He went with the expeditionary force to Le Havre, France 3rd Aug 1915. He was granted leave from 12/12/1916 to 22/12/1916 and returned to France. He was in France when the armistice was declared and looked forward to going home, but on the 5th Jan 1919 he was involved in a tragic accident explained from the army statement of circumstances:- During midday stable hour on 5/1/1919, Dvr Duckmanton was kicked by a horse in the stomach, and in falling knocked his head on the paved floor of the stable which caused a wound in the back of the head. He was placed on a mattress in a civilian house until the arrival of a motor ambulance. He died a few days later at the 51st clearing station, France, with the injuries of, lacerated wound to head, abrasion abdomen after spending 4 years 12 days in the army with 3 years 135 days in France. Driver Arthur Duckmanton Worksop Guardian 24 January 1919 To the long list of Worksop men who will not return home, must be added the name of Driver Arthur Duckmanton, A.S.C. of 27 Aldred Street, who died in hospital in France on the 14th inst., from the effects of an accident. He was expected to return any time and on Jan 11th, he was preparing for the long looked for journey. On that day he was kicked in the stomach by a horse and was removed to hospital where he passed away as dated. Great sympathy will be expressed with his widow and three children and with his parents in their unexpected bereavement. Driver Duckmanton was 27 years of age, last March and was a native of Elksley. Before joining up in January 1915, he was employed at the G C Goods Station, Worksop. He first went to France in September 1915 and he was home on leave twelve months ago. In his last letter to his wife he tells her how he looks forward to being demobilised. Writing to Mrs Duckmanton, Sec-Lieut W Scarisbrich says:-“It is with the deepest feelings of regret, that I have a sad duty which will fill you with sorrow. Your husband died this morning, the 14th, through being kicked by a horse. I myself, feel his loss very deeply, as he has been my servant for several months, and no one could have wished for a more upright and trustworthy servant, He always carried out his duties in a most cheerful and conscientious manner, always eager to please, making his sad death felt more deeply by all. Hoping you will bear up in your hour of trouble. If I can help you in any way --- you please write and I will be only to pleased to oblige.” Driver Duckmanton was well known in Worksop and much respected. His death is regretted by all who knew him.
Buried in the Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension, Belgium. Research by Colin Dannatt
