George Clarence Fidler
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Clarence (known as 'Dan') was the son of Arthur Fidler and Emily Fidler née Walker. His father Arthur was born in Lincoln in 1866 (J/F/M Lincoln), the son of Walter and Elizabeth Fidler. The family had moved to Nottingham by 1871 and in 1881 he was living in Basford, Nottingham, with his widowed mother Elizabeth (39), a strap maker, and six siblings. His mother, Emily Walker, was born in Nottingham and although the 1939 England & Wales Register gives her date of birth as 20 April 1862 there is no corresponding record on the Birth Index nor does a birth year of 1862 match the ages given on the census returns between 1891 and 1911 ie aged 20 in 1891. Given the census information and her age at the time of her death in 1950 ('in her 80th year'), it is more likely that she was born in either 1871 or 1872. However, with the number of birth registrations of the same name in that period the correct record has not yet been identified. Arthur and Emily were married in 1888 (O/N/D Nottingham) and had at least three children who were all born in Nottingham: Annie birth registered 1889 (J/F/M Nottingham), Clarice birth registered 1891 (J/F/M Nottingham) d. 1892 (J/A/S Nottingham) aged 1 year, and George Clarence b. 1893 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1891 Arthur (25) a lace maker, and Emily (20) were living at 15 Cambridge Street, Radford, with their two daughters, Annie (2) and Clarice (2 months). Clarice died the following year. Arthur died in 1898 (O/N/D Nottingham) at the age of 32 leaving Emily with two young children, Annie and George. In 1901 the widowed Emily (30), a lacehand (clipper and scalloper), and her son George (7) were living as boarders at 7 Parker Street, Old Radford, in the household of a widower, Charles Moore (36) and his son Edward (12). At the time of the census Emily's daughter Annie (12) was living at 83 Upper Regent Street, Beeston, with her aunt and uncle, Joseph and Catherine Alldread, and their two sons. Emily's son Charlie was born three years later on 29 February 1904 (J/F/M Nottingham). Emily married Samuel Saxton (b. Heanor 4 September 1866) in 1910 (J/F/M Nottingham). In 1911 Samuel (45), a coal miner, and Emily (40) were living at 39 Brassey Street, New Radford, with Emily's sons George (17) a cotton dauber, and Charlie (8 sic). Samuel and Emily's son, Samuel, was born later that year on 20 August 1911 (J/A/S Nottingham, mother's maiden name Walker). Emily's daughter Annie probably married John Hallam in 1910 (O/N/D Nottingham). At the time the CWGC record was compiled Emily and Samuel were living at 15 Edinburgh Street, Nottingham, and they were still living at the same address at the time of the 1939 England & Wales Register. Emily died on 1 April 1950 (A/M/J Nottingham, burial 5 April) aged 79. The notices of her death gave her address as 20 Albury Drive, Aspley, Nottingham, and suggested that she would have been living with her son, Samuel Saxton, and his wife (see 'extra information'). Of George's sister and half-brothers: Annie has not yet been traced after 1911. Charlie Fidler married Mabel Hickling in 1929 (A/M/J Nottingham) and died in 1986 (Sep Nottingham) aged 82. Probate: 'Fidler Charles otherwise Charlie of 8 St Agnes Clo Wigman Rd Bilborough Nottingham died 20 September 1986 Probate Llandaff 18 November Not exceeding £40000' Samuel Saxton probably married Georgina Tinkler (b. 18 May 1915) in 1937 (A/M/J Nottingham) and in 1939 they were living in Nottingham. Samuel was a progress clerk for a cycle manufacturer. At the time of his mother's death in 1950 he was living at 20 Albury Drive, Aspley. He died in 1974 (A/M/J Nottingham).
George Clarence Fidler enlisted in Nottingham and served with the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment, in the Lewis Gun Section. He was reported missing on 1st July 1917 and his death was not confirmed until the following year. A family notice of his death was printed in the local paper on 30th March 1918. He is buried in Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay
Personal inscription, CWGC headstone: 'Till we meet' CWGC: 'Son of Emily Saxton (formerly Fidler), of 15, Edinburgh St., Radford, Nottingham.' Notice published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 30th March 1918:- “FIDLER. - Missing, now reported killed July 1st, 1917, Private George Clarence Fidler (Dan), Sherwood Foresters Lewis Gun Section. Oh for a touch of the vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still. - Silently mourned by his mother, dad, brothers, sister Annie and Jack (in Middlesex).” Above notice is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 1 July 1919: ‘Fidler. In unfading memory of my dear son George Clarence Fidler, Lewis gunner, 2nd Sherwood Foresters, killed July 1st 1917. To-day recalls sad memories. Mother, dad, brothers, sister Annie and Jack [probably John Hallam] (in Taithall).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Possible identification of John Hallam - Silver War Badge Records: John Hallam 26th Middx. Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) PW/1302 Private. Silver badge number 72776. and Medal Roll: John Hallam 26th Middx. Enlisted 7 April 1915. Discharged 6 April 1916 (Para 392 XVI KR, sickness) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His mother, Emily Saxton was his legatee. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 4 April 1950: ‘Saxton. April 1st at 20 Albury-drive, Aspley Emily (late of Radford) in her 80th year passed peacefully away. Interment Bulwell Cemetery Wednesday 3.15pm Sorrowing son Sam, Cissy (daughter-in-law), David (grandson).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 10 April 1950: ‘Mr and Mrs Saxton, 20 Albury-drive, Aspley, wish to thank neighbours, friends and nurses in their sad bereavement.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
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