Wilfred Blockley

Lewis Gun Section, “C” Company, 18th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps Rifleman Wilfred Blockley died on 27th January 1917 of wounds received seven days previously, on 20th January. He was buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. He had enlisted, lying about his age, at Mansfield on 29th May 1915 he gave his age as 19 yrs and 41 days, his address as 21 Bancroft Lane, Mansfield and his occupation as coal miner. Landing in France as a reinforcement to 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps on 8th October 1915 he was wounded in action (gunshot wound, right thigh), according to his service record, on 1st July 1916, but probably on 5th July 1916 – as the battalion was out of the line at the beginning of the month but heavily engaged on 5th. He returned to the Western Front on 4th October 1916.

CWGC headstone, personal inscription: 'A loving son, a brother kind a beautiful memory left behind' Photograph printed in Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser, 20 July 1916. Mansfield Reporter, 25 January 1918 (photograph): ‘Rifleman Wilfred Blockley. Twelve months ago Rifleman Wilfred Blockley of the King’s Royal Rifles, was killed in France. He was the son of Mr and Mrs William Blockley of 21, Bancroft Lane. Before enlistment the deceased worked at the Langwith Colliery. He went out to France ten weeks after enlistment and was wounded a Loos. A remarkable coincidence in connection with this young soldier’s death was the fact that a gift canary that he had treasured for years died the very day the telegram was received announcing his death.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)