Richard Rossington
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Son of John and Lucy Rossington. John Rossington married Lucy Elizabeth Darby in Retford in 1878. They first lived in Tuxford and after two years moved to Retford where they remained for the rest of their married lives. Between 1880 and 1898 they had nine children, five girls and three boys. In 1891 they lived in Canal Row, in 1901 in 10 Darrel Road, Ordsall and by 1911 were resident at 44 Whitehall Road, East Retford where John was employed as a steam roller driver for the Borough Council. Two of their four boys lost their lives in the war, John who was born in 1891 and his younger brother Richard who was born in 1898
2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) Richard died of wounds on 14 March 1918 and is buried at Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France (grave ref. II.F.14). CWGC - History of Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension (extract): 'Achiet-le-Grand was occupied by the 7th Bedfords on 17 March 1917, lost on 25 March 1918 after a defence by the 1st/6th Manchesters, and recaptured on 23 August 1918. From April 1917 to March 1918, the village was occupied by the 45th and 49th Casualty Clearing Stations. Achiet station was an allied railhead. The communal cemetery and extension were used by Commonwealth medical units from April 1917 to March 1918. The extension was also used by the Germans to a small extent in March and April 1918, and again by Commonwealth troops in August 1918. After the Armistice Plot III and most of Plot IV were made when 645 graves, mainly of 1916 and March and August 1918, were brought in from the battlefields around Achiet and from the following small burial grounds [listed].' (www.cwgc.org)
His older brother, John Rossington, served in the 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (2256 Private) and was killed on 30 July 1915. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Retford Times 29th March 1918: Lance Corporal Richard Rossington 'Mr and Mrs Rossinton, Spring Gardens, Retford have received information that their son, Lance Corporal Richard Rossington has died of wounds. He was wounded in the head and chest on the 13th March and passed away the following day. He was in the Sherwood Foresters, had been five times previously wounded and went back to France on March 5th after being home on leave. Previous to the war he was employed at Messrs Jenkins and Co.’s engineering works. Mr and Mrs Rossington have two other sons serving, Corpl Wm Rossington who was wounded early in the war and C-SM Thos Rossington in this country. Another son, Pte John Rossington was killed on 31st July 1915.' Research by Colin Dannatt
