Sherwin Harold Shipston

Private Sherwin Harold Shipston saw service with the Lincolnshire Regiment (6982) then with Irish Rifles (10135) also the Kings Liverpool Regiment (92542). He landed in France on 8th November 1914 and was serving with 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment, when he died of wounds in a Bristol hospital on 17th May 1915. His body was brought back to Nottingham, where he was buried in the cemetery at Basford on 20th May 1915. (grave ref D.3.48).

He became confused with his brother CH (Charles Henry) Shipston who survived the war but whose medal roll card says he died of wounds on 17th May 1915, but this was SH Shipston (no 'e'). Nottingham Evening Post obituary (abridged), 2 July 1915: 'Private SH Shipston, 1st Sherwood Foresters, 30 Bloomsgrove Street, Radford, 22, died in Bristol Hospital from wounds received in action.' Article published on 19th May 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “The body was removed from Bristol last night, and now lies at 30, Bloomsgrove-street, Radford. It is to be interred at Basford Cemetery tomorrow afternoon, when a company of the “Bantams” and the band of the Sherwood Foresters from the depot at Derby will attend. Captain McGuire, secretary and treasurer of the Old Comrades’ Association, who is making the arrangements for the funeral, hopes that as many old Sherwood Foresters as possible will make it convenient be present. Article published on 20th May 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “SHERWOOD FORESTER’S BURIAL. “MILITARY FUNERAL AT BASFORD. “The funeral took place in the presence of large crowd at Basford Cemetery this afternoon [20th May 1915] of Private S. H. Shipstone, who lived at 30, Bloomsgrove-street. Radford, and who received wounds while serving with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters, which caused his death at Bristol Hospital. Private Shipstone was originally in the 4th Battalion, being subsequently transferred to the 1st. “A company of 350 Bantams, together with a detachment of the supernumary company at the Eastcroft were present at the graveside, there being many old Sherwood Foresters amongst the sympathisers. Captain McGuire, secretary the Old Comrades’ Association, was also present. “The cortege was preceded by the depot bands of the 1st and 2nd Sherwood Foresters, now Derby, and the service at the graveside was conducted by an officer of the Salvation Army. A firing party and buglers, under Co.-Sgt. Major Earl, was supplied by the Robin Hoods.” Another report of the internment published in the Nottingham Daily Express dated 21st May 1915 provides some additional details :- “DEAD SOLDIER HONOURED. “Impressive Scenes at Military Funeral in Nottingham. “The remains of another Nottingham brave, Private S. H. Shipstone, a victim of the grim struggle on the battlefields of France, were laid to rest in Basford Cemetery yesterday. [20th May 1915] Private Shipstone, whose brother lies wounded at the moment in a London hospital, enlisted at the Nottingham Recruiting Office in the 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He was transferred to the 1st Battalion. He died from wounds in Bristol Hospital. Large crowds of people gathered in the thoroughfares near the dead hero's home in Bloomsgrove Street, and the procession was most impressive. Captain McGuire, as secretary of the Old Comrades' Association, secured the Depot Band of the 1st and 2nd Battalions Sherwood Foresters from Derby, and the Robin Hoods provided the firing party and bugle band. Behind the hearse bearing the coffin, which was draped in the Union Jack, were two companies of the Bantam Battalion and about a dozen officers. The committal was performed by an officer of the Salvation Army, and then the Robin Hoods fired three volleys over the grave, and the bugle band sounded the “Last Post.”” Above articles are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.