William Henry Scrimshaw
- Family History
- Military History
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Father: Joseph Scrimshaw, born in 1848 at Lenton, Nottingham and working as a lace maker. Mother: Emily Scrimshaw, born in 1851 in Nottingham and working as a lace clipper and scalloper. Brother: Charles, born in 1877. Sisters: Harriett, born in 1870, Elizabeth, born in 1872, Sarah A., born in 1881, Beatrice, born in 1883, Mary, born in 1889 and Ellen, born in 1892. All the children were born in Nottingham. The family lived at 10 Knotted Alley, Nottingham, 13 Hawthorne Terrace, Hawthorne Street, Meadows, Nottingham, and later at 2 Amber Terrace, King's Meadow Road, Nottingham, the address given for his mother, Emily, on the CWGC record. William Henry married Ada Richmond in 1904 (A/M/J Nottingham). They had four children, all born in Nottingham: William Herbert b. 1904 (J/A/S Nottingham, Richmond), Percy b. 1905 (O/N/D Nottingham, Richmond), Harold b. 1907 (O/N/D Nottingham, Richmond) and Frederick b. 23 February 1909 (J/F/M Nottingham). In the 1911 census the family are living at 2 Albion Square, Albion Street, Nottingham, and are shown as William Henry 28 yrs a coal miner, who is living with his wife Ada 28 yrs a lace hand clipper and their children William Herbert 7 yrs, Percy 5 yrs, Harold 3 yrs and Frederick 2 yrs. Also in the home on the night of the census was Eliza Burton (12) who was described as William's sister. Their son Harold died at the age of 16 on 9 May 1917 (A/M/J Nottingham). William's widow, Ada, married Bill Morley in 1915 (O/N/D Nottingham), shortly after her husband's death. His mother, Emily Scrimshaw, was his children's guardian.
Private Scrimshaw volunteered for service and following training he was drafted to France, arriving on 12 May1915. The battalion took part in the Battle of Loos and Private Scrimshaw was killed in action on 30 September 1915. The varying dates of death in the notices placed in the local paper by his family indicate the uncertainty about the day he died. His body was not recovered for burial and his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.
The CWGC record names his mother, Emily Scrimshaw, but not his widow, Ada. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Payments made to Emily Scrimshaw (mother), the guardian of William's four children, and to his widow, Ada Morley. 'In Memoriam' notices published 27th September 1916 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “SCRIMSHAW. – Private William Scrimshaw, Royal Scots Fusiliers, killed in action, September 27th (sic), 1915, aged 31, late of 2, Amber-terrace, King's Meadow-road. In a far and lonely battlefield, where the trees their branches bend, lies my loving son, gone to his untimely end. Sleep on, dear son, in a hero's grave – a grave we may never see, but as long as life and memory last I will remember thee. – From his sorrowing mother and his four children. “SCRIMSHAW. – Private William Scrimshaw, Royal Scots Fusiliers, killed in action, September 27th (sic), 1915, aged 31. One year has passed, our hearts still sore, as day by day we miss him more; his welcome smile, his dear sweet face, never on earth can be replaced. We often speak his loving name, and shed a silent tear; time cannot alter love so deep and true. One year, but brings our grief anew. Nobly he lived; a hero he died. – From his sorrowing sisters and brother Charlie.” Above notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam, 27 September 1918: ‘Scrimshaw. In loving memory of William Scrimshaw, RS Fusiliers, who was killed September 27th (sic), 1915, aged 31 years, late of 2 Amber-terrace, King’s Meadow-road. Days of sadness will come o’er us, tears of silence often flow, memory keeps our loved one near us, though he died three years ago. Reunited with his son Harold, who died May 9th 1917. From his sorrowing mother and three children.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam, 27 September 1918: ‘Scrimshaw. In loving memory of our dear brother, William Scrimshaw, RS Fusiliers, who was killed September 27th (sic), 1915. He went away, his spirits brave, his resting place a soldier’s grave. RIP. From his sorrowing sisters and brother Charlie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 26 September 1919: Scrimshaw. In loving memory of Pte. William Scrimshaw, Royal Scots Fusiliers, killed in action Sept. 26th (sic) 1915. Oh why was he taken so fresh and so fair, from those at home who loved him most dear; hard was the blow that compelled us to part, with one so loving and dear to our hearts. Loving mother and children. Reunited with his son Harold.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 26 September 1919: Scrimshaw. In loving memory of Pte. William Scrimshaw, Royal Scots Fusiliers, killed in action Sept. 26th 1915. Dear is the grave where oour brother is laid, sweet is the memory that never will fade; ‘tis hard, but ‘tis true, we cannot tell why, the best are the first that are called to die. Loving sisters and brother.’ (british newspaperarchive.co.uk)
