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This data is related to World War 1
Rifleman

Cecil Slight Driver

Service Number R/16536
Military Unit 1st Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps
Date of birth Unknown
Date of Death 27 Jul 1916 (21 Years Old)
Place of Birth Pleasley
Employment, Education or Hobbies He was a hosiery warehouseman (working for Drewry & Edwards Ltd., Stanford Street, Nottingham)
Family History

Cecil Sleight Driver was born in 1895 in Pleasley he was the son of George a colliery saddler and Sarah Jane Driver née Whittle . His father George was born in 1861 in Rolleston and his mother Sarah Jane Whittle was born in 1859 in Queniborough, Leicestershire, they were married in 1882 in Southwell and went on to have the following children ,Margaret Emily b1884 Nottm Mark William b1888 Nottm, Frank William b1887 Nottm, Lucy Winifred b1893 Pleasley, Cecil Sleight b1895 Pleasley Doris May b1899 Bestwood, His mother Sarah Jane died in 1905 aged 46 yrs her death was registered in the Basford Registration District. His father went on to re marry Rebecca Allen( b1860 Arnold), in 1906 their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration District. In the 1911 census the family are living at 23 Bruce Grove, Kirk White Street Meadows Nottingham,and are shown as George 50 yrs a colliery saddler he is living with his second wife Rebecca 51 yrs and his children Lucy Winifred 18 yrs a sewing machinist, Cecil Sleight 16 yrs a hosiery clerk and Doris May 12 yrs a scholar. At the time of his death his father was living at 10 Beauvale Road, Meadows, Nottingham

Military History

Rifleman Cecil Sleight Driver, 5th Platoon, enlisted at Nottingham on 5th November 1914 he was 20 yrs and 164 days old, he was a warehouseman. He was posted to Wichester barracks on 10th November 1914 and served with . “B” Company, 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, He landed in France on 4th August 1915 and joined his battalion in the field on 5th August 1915. He was wounded accidentally on 10th October 1915, a gunshot wound to his right hand and returned to England for treatment . He later returned to the Western Front embarking from Southampton on 17th May 1916 and disembarking at Rouen on 19th May 1916. He was originally reported wounded and missing following action on 27th July 1916 it was not until nearly a year later on 24th July 1917 that he was confirmed killed in action on that day. He is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval.

Extra Information

Death notice published 1st August 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “DRIVER. – Missing July 27th, 1916, now reported killed Rifleman Cecil Driver, aged 23, beloved son of G. and R. Driver, 10, Beauvale-road. A faithful son, a brother kind, a loving memory left behind. – From father, mother, and sisters. “DRIVER. – Missing July 27th, 1916, now reported killed, Rifleman C. Driver, aged 23. A noble sacrifice. – Aggie and family.” In memoriam published 27th July 1918 in Nottingham Evening Post : - “DRIVER. – In loving memory of our dear brother, Rifleman C. Driver, killed in action July 27th, 1916. – Frank and Harriett. “DRIVER. – In loving memory of Rifleman C. Driver, K.R.R., killed in action July 27th, 1916. – Fiancée and family. “DRIVER. – In loving memory of Rifleman C. Driver, K.R.R., killed in action July 27th, 1916. Ever in our thoughts. – From father, mother, sisters Winnie & Doris.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918

Photographs

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