William Holbery Pashley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Holbery was the only son of Joseph John Pashley and his wife Martha (née Holbery). His father Joseph John was born in Worksop in 1856, the son of William and Ellen Pashley, and baptised at Worksop St Mary (Priory) in March the same year. His mother Martha was born in 1854, also born in Worksop, the daughter of William and Mary Holbery. In 1881 the family was living at 18 Marecroft, Worksop. Joseph and Martha were married at Worksop St Mary in June 1882 and had three children, Edith b. Worksop 1883 bap. St Mary January 1884; William b. Harworth 21 March 1885 bap. Harworth & Bircotes All Saints 24 May 1885 and Harriet Ann b. Worksop 1891 bap. St Mary 1891. At the time of the 1891 Census, Joseph, a woodman and keeper, his wife and two children Edith (7) and William (6) werel iving at Martin, Harworth. Their third child Harriet was born later that year and baptised in the July; the baptismal record gave their address as 32 Marecroft, Worksop. By 1901 the family was living at 69 Eastgate, worksop. Joseph was a woodman and shopkeeper (grocer) assisted by his wife, Edith a dressmaker and William a grocer's apprentice, possibly working with his father. Harriet was still at school. Joseph and Martha had moved to 71 Eastgate by 1911 and he was now working as a woodman for a timber merchant. Only William, a grocer's assistant, and Harriet were still living with their parents; Edith had married Francis Pressley, a draughtsman (architect) in 1907 and they were living on Carlton Road, Worksop. Edith and Francis had three chlldren: Francis E b. 1912, Joseph H. b. 1916 d. 1916 and Grace b. 1920. Francis snr. died in 1923. Martha completed a form for the army in May 1919 listing her son's surviving blood relatives: Parents: Joseph and Martha, 71 Eastgate Worksop Sisters: Edith Pressley (35) 71 Eastgate Worksop and Harriett Wass (28) of 23 Clarence Road. Joseph probably died in 1925 and Martha in 1934. Both deaths recorded in the Worksop registration district.
7th Bn The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment William Holbery attested in Derby on 11 December 1915 and enlisted on a Short Service Engagement (Duration of War). He was posted to 'E' Coy 3rd North Staffords (24838), service reckoned from 2 May 1916. William joined the battalion from Depot Derby on 5 May and trained at Wallsend [Newcastle] 5 May 1916-1 June 1916 and at Forest Hall from 2 June 1916-3 October 1916. He was posted to the BMEF Mesopotamia on 14 October and embarked Devonport for the Middle East on 15 October, disembarking Basra on 22 November 1916. William was killed in action on 15 December 1916 less than a month after he arrived in theatre. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq [Mesopotamia] (Panel 34). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of the Basra Memorial (extract): 'Until 1997 the Basra Memorial was located on the main quay of the naval dockyard at Maqil, on the west bank of the Shatt-al-Arab, about 8 kilometres north of Basra. Because of the sensitivity of the site, the Memorial was moved by presidential decree. The move, carried out by the authorities in Iraq, involved a considerable amount of manpower, transport costs and sheer engineering on their part, and the Memorial has been re-erected in its entirety. The Basra Memorial is now located 32 kilometres along the road to Nasiriyah, in the middle of what was a major battleground during the first Gulf War. Casualties are listed under the regiment they served with in rank order. The Panel Numbers quoted refer to the initial panel dedicated to the Regiment.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC additional information: 'Son of Joseph and Martha Pashley, of 71, Eastgate, Worksop, Notts' Age at death. CWGC age 30. Worksop Guardian 1917 age 31. Born May 1885 died December 1916 age 31. Worksop Guardian 5 January 1917: Pte W.H.Pashley 'Great sympathy is expressed with Mr. and Mrs. Pashley, of 73, Eastgate Worksop. In the bereavement they sustained in the death of their only son, Pte W. Holbery Pashley, of the 7th, Stafford’s, who was killed in action in Mesopotamia on December 15th. Official information reached his distressed parents on Saturday, and the news, which soon spread in the neighbourhood, was received with greatest regret. Pte. Pashley, who was in his 32nd year, was called up on May 2nd, and enlisted in the 3rd North Stafford’s, but was subsequently transferred to the 7th, and drafted to Mesopotamia. He had very little active service and would appear to have lost his life in almost his first engagement. In his last letter home, which was written from the troopship, he said they were in sight of land, and so no further details are available of his death. Pte. Pashley was well known in Worksop, and well liked by all who knew him. He was, previous to enlistment, employed as a traveller by Mr. F.C. Farmer, grocer, Bridge Place, and was previously employed in a similar capacity by Mr. J.P. Cox, grocer. He was an old member of the Worksop Ambulance Division, in which he did 13 years service and held three certificates of proficiency in Ambulance work. Pte. Pashley was single and much sympathy’s expressed with his parents and sisters. His father is head woodman in the employ of Messrs. Oates Ltd. and a trusted servant of the firm. The photograph which we produce of him has been taken some years and shows him in his ambulance uniform.' Army Service Record. Documents included details that his paybook and a certified true copy of William’s Will was forwarded by DAAG(C) to War Office January 1917 – 'whole of my property and effects to my Mother, Martha Pashley 71 Eastgate Worksop. Signed William Holberry (sic) Pashley. Private 7th. North Staffs. May 2nd 1916' Research by Colin Dannatt
