John Gordon Houldsworth

Army Service Record has not survived. Formerly S4/061249 Royal Army Service Corps (UKSDGW). The record in the NCC register was completed by his father: “Gordon enlisted on the day he attained military age. Twice wounded but kept on and would not report.(Note: father’s name John D, presumably his son was called Gordon to avoid confusion.) Enlisted in the Army Service Corps transferred end of 1916 to the 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters at his own request . To Western Front July 1915. Wounded 20 November 1917 (about) near Cambrai, shell splinter in face and knee damaged in bayonet fight. Was in hospital some time with knee, not officially reported." At the time his father completed the record for the county council he did not know where his son was buried. Buried Queant Road Cemetery, Buissy (grave ref VI.H.28)

Listed in Nottinghamshire County Council register of employees who served (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref CC CL 2 /12/1/1) Article published 18th April 1918 in the Hucknall Dispatch :- “The first photograph is of Lance-Corporal John Gordon Houldsworth, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Houldsworth, of Annesley road, Hucknall. He was a young man of whom his parents had every reason to be proud, for his studious habits had brought him bright prospects in life, and not only is his early death mourned by them, but also by a wide circle of friends, who admired his genial disposition and exemplary character. He was a member of the Parish Church choir and the St. Peter's Bible Class. “Proceeding from the Spring street schools with a scholarship to the Pupil Teachers' Centre, he passed Parts I. and II., and finished at the Centre in July, 1914. He was an enthusiastic musician, and played the piano for the Morris dances and songs while at the Centre. “The fallen hero was at camp at Skegness with the Boy Scouts, in which he was a Sergeant, when the Kaiser let loose the dogs of war, and then had a strong penchant for entering the fray. However, he came home, and commenced duties as a teacher at the Chapel Street Schools, Kirkby, in September, 1914, but when he reached hi 19th birthday (January 29, 1915) he enilsted [sic] in the A.S.C. Clerks, yet, at his own request, afterwards transferred to the 2nd Sherwood's, and he has been serving in France the whole time, with the exception of a few months' training. He had a pretty wide knowledge of modern warfare, having been in many of the minor scraps, as well as the larger events, including the Battle of Cambrai. He joined the Lewis Gun Section, and was promoted to Lance-Corporal in charge. As already stated his career ended on March 21, the news being confirmed in a letter from one of his gun team as follows: — “Dear Sir, — You must excuse me, a stranger, writing to you, but I thought it only my duty as a pal of Gordon's to write and break the sad news to you of his death. Being my pal, I am sorry to lose him. I can say with truth that Gordon died like a hero, and that there was no better liked man in the battalion, for he was esteemed both by officers and men, and was always willing to do his duty. — Yours sincerely, “J. [Joseph] BELLAMY.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.