John William Lenton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John William Lenton was born in 1895 he was the son of Charles a coal miner hewer and Mary Ellen Lenton née Vickers and the brother of Ivy Gwendoline and Eva May Lenton of 23 Southwell Road, Rainworth. Charles was born in 1873 at St Neots, Huntingdon, Mary Ellen Vickers was born in 1874 at Heage, Derbyshire, they were married on 3rd April 1893 at All Saint's Church, Ripley, they had 6 children, sadly two were to die in infancy or early childhood. In 1911 the family lived at 67 Mansfield Road Pleasley Hill Mansfield, Charles 38 yrs is a coal miner hewer, he is living with his wife Mary Ellen 3 yrs and three of their children, John William 16 yrs a coal miner pony driver, Ivy 10 yrs and Eva May 2 yrs of age.
John William Lenton enlisted at Mansfield he served with the 9th battalion from the start and after training at Belton near Grantham, he moved to the Aldershot area prior to sailing for Gallipoli. The battalion had a taste of trench warfare at the end of July at Helles and then prepared for Suvla. The landing at Suvla was virtually unopposed but the battalion were ordered to dig in next to the ANZAC's instead of moving forward. Eventually they attacked on 9th August 1915 and despite heroic efforts the battalion did not achieve its objectives. John William was one of many men killed that day. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. John Morse
Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser, 09/09/1915: Pleasley Man Killed. Photograph printed. Pte W Lenton of Chesterfield Rd, Pleasley aged 20. Member of St Barnabas Church choir and Sunday School teacher. 24/12/1916 edition: Parents of Pte J W Lenton killed in August 1915 have given a new Oak Eagle Lectern to St Barnabas Church, Pleasley in memory of their son. Article published in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times 5th May 1916 :- S. BARNABAS' CHURCH. PLEASLEY HILL. “The Vicar said the church had been rather hard hit by the war. They had over twenty active church workers serving their King and country, and two of the choir members had paid the great sacrifice. Handsome gifts had been given to the church during the year, including two brass candlesticks for the altar — one presented by the girls and the other by the boys of the Altar Guild. A very beautifully carved oak Eagle lectern had been given by Mr. and Mrs. E. Lenton in memory of their son. John William Lenton, who laid down his life in Gallipoli. A large new lectern Bible, also in memory of J. W. Lenton had been provided by the generosity of the members of the congregation. Forty-three candidates had been confirmed by the Lord Bishop of Southwell, the largest number ever presented from Pleasley Hill. The number of Easter communicants this year was also a record. The collections were steadily improving, the average increase being at the rate of 4s. 9d. per Sunday. Last year's debit balance of £32 3s. 6d. had been reduced by over £10. During the year a sale of work had realised over £60. “M. F. Eadson was re-elected people's warden, and Mr. F. Hayes was nominated by the Vicar as his warden. “The following gentlemen were nominated to serve as sidesmen: Messrs. Burgoyne. Hallam, Hill, King, Lee, Price, Stubbs, senr., Stubbs, junr., Warner and Wint. “The reports and accounts of the Church Council and various organisations were read and adopted. . “A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. E. Reason, on his retirement from the post of organist which he had held for seventeen years.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Soldiers Died in the Great War - Lenton John William, born Ilkeston Derby's, enlisted Mansfield Nott's, 17935, Private, killed in action, Gallipoli, 9/8/15.
