John Waddingham
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John was born in 1889 at Lowdham and was the son of Charles Thomas known as Tom a waggoner on a farm and Annie Elizabeth Waddingham née Sharpe of 525 Woodborough Road Nottingham. Charles Thomas was born in 1862 at Osbournby, he died in 1912 aged 50 yrs, Annie Elizabeth Sharpe was born in 1867 at Lowdham, they were married on 30th December 1890 at Lowdham Parish Church, they went on to have 6 children, sadly 1 died in infancy or early childhood, their surviving children were Ernest b1893. Oliver b1895, Eva b1897, all were born in Lowdham, their final child Tom Harold was born in 1900 at Mapperley. In 1911 the family is living at Low Coppice Farm, Wells Road, Mapperley Tom is 49 yrs and a waggoner on a farm, he is living with his wife Annie 44 yrs and their4 children, John William is not at the address as he has joined the Army in 1906.
John was a regular soldier at the outbreak of the 'Great War' he had originally attested and joined the Army in Nottingham, on 30th July 1906. At this time he gave his age as 18 years and 5 months, his occupation as that of general labourer and that he had been born in Lowdham. His next of kin was given as his mother Annie who was living at 324 Woodborough Road, Mapperley, but the address is later amended to 22 Dane St, Alfred Street, Nottingham. On 31st July 1906 he was posted to the depot of the Border Regiment with which regiment he served throughout his army service. He saw service in Gibralter between 1906 to 1908 and then went to India in 1908 and served there until 8th December 1914 a period of 6 years. He then returned to England where he was from 9th December 1914 until 16th March 1915 when he and his regiment joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallopoli. It was on 8th May 1915, while engaged in action, that he was wounded and then went missing and only the following year on 17th July 1916 was he officially listed as dying on or since 8th May 1915. His body was never recovered and his name is commemorated on the Helles memorial.
In memoriam published 29th July 1916 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “WADDINGHAM. – In loving memory of Drummer John Waddingham, Border Regiment, of 22, Dane-street. God's will be done. – From his sorrowing mother, sister, and brothers.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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