Horace Underwood
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
In 1891 Charles Underwood had left his birthplace in Northamptonshire and was living in Worksop, lodging with his brother and family, at 109 Sandy Lane and working as a miner. He married Elizabeth Foster in 1893 and had two children, by 1901, Alice born 1894 and Horace in 1898 and lived in 11 Albert Street. Alice married Christopher Peck in 1914 and two years later, Horace enlisted. Whilst serving in the army, and before he was killed, Horace’s father died age 46 at Worksop in 1917 and his mother re-married to John Kelk about 6 months later.
Pte Horace Underwood Worksop Guardian 11 October 1918 “If blood be the price of victor, Lord God we have paid in full.” One is reminded of the lines by the news which filters through of the death in action of others of the gallant band, which went forth from Worksop and the neighbourhood to do battle in the greatest of all causes. The final struggle is costing the Allies dear, and glorious that the news be, many a heart is saddened, and many a home made desolate by the loss of some loved one, and this week more names have been added to the honoured roll. Amongst them is Pte Horace Underwood, Sherwood Foresters, the only son of Mrs Kelk 1 Park Street, and the late Mr Underwood, news of whose death in action has been received just on the eve of his 21st birthday. He enlisted two years ago and having served in the Civil Corps, as is then was, was soon sent to take his part in the fighting. He was rather seriously wounded in September 1917, and was nursed back to health and strength in England. He returned to France on August 1st this year, and was killed in the severe fighting which took place between September 17th and 19th. No further particulars are to hand. The official intimation of his death was received on Tuesday. Before enlisting he was employed at the Water work offices of the Worksop Urban Council and was previously in the employ of Messrs, J S and C A Whall, solicitors. He was a bright and intelligent young man, and his genial disposition secured him many friends, to whom the news of his death will come in the sense of a personal loss. To his mother and other relatives, his death – proud as it was – will come as a great blow. Pte Underwood’s step-brother, Sapper G Kelk, R E and his brother-in-law, Pte C E Peek, RAMC, are both in service in France. He is buried in Chapelle British Cemetery, Holnon, France
CWGC - Son of Mrs. E. Underwood, of 1, Park St., Worksop, Notts Buried Chapelle British Cemetrey Holnon, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
