James William Revill
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
James William was the son of Frederick and Hannah Revill (nee England). His father was born in Sutton in Ashfield and his mother in Stoneyford, nr. Codnor, Derbyshire. They were married at the parish church of St Mary Magdalene, Sutton in Ashfield, on 28 March 1891 (J/F/M Mansfield) and had 13 children of whom only seven survived: James William b. 1891 (J/A/S Mansfield), Hannah b. 1896 (A/M/J Mansfield), Lily b. 1897 (O/N/D Mansfield), Frederick Henry b. 15 June 1899 (J/A/S Mansfield), Minnie b. 1902 (A/M/J Mansfield), Ernest b. 1904 (A/M/J Mansfield) and Lloyd b. 1911 (A/M/J Mansfield). In 1901 Frederick (33), a coal miner hewer, and Hannah (28) were living on Hucknall Lane, Sutton in Ashfield, with their four children, James (9), Hannah (5), Lily (3) and Frederick (1). By 1911 they had moved to 27 Morley Street, Sutton in Ashfield. All seven of their surviving children were in the home on the night of the census, James (19) a Sheffield United player, Hannah (15) a hosiery maker and Frederick (11), Minnie (9), Ernest (5) and Lloyd who had been born that year. James had joined Sheffield United in 1910 at the age of 18. James married Olive Shore in 1915 (O/N/D Mansfield). Olive was born in 1893 (A/M/J Mansfield), the daughter of Edwin and Elizabeth Shore. In 1901 they were living on Alfreton Road, Sutton in Ashfield. James and Olive had one child, Jack b. 1 August 1916 (J/A/S Mansfield). James attested in February 1916 when he and Olive were living at 11 Charnwood Street, Sutton in Ashfield, although at the time of James' death in April the following year their home was at 'Rothesay', Alfreton Road, Sutton in Ashfield. However, by September of that year Olive had moved to 10 Doreen Drive, also in Sutton in Ashfield. Olive married Herbert C Hildreth on 8 January 1921 (J/F/M Mansfield); they lived at 57 Wood Street, Chesterfield. Olive and Herbert probably had three children: Joan b. 1921 (J/A/S Chesterfield/Shore) Anthony G. b. 1923 (J/A/S Chesterfield/Shore) and Herbert J. b. 1924 (J/A/S Chesterfield/Shore). James' brother, Frederick Henry, served in the Royal Navy, joining on a 'hostilities only' engagment on 19 June 1917. A Stoker 2nd Class he probably served at home for the duration of the war. He was advanced to Stoker 1st Class in June 1918 and his last draft was Greenwich (Trojan) from 7 December 1918 to 18 February 1919 when he was discharged shore on demobilization.
James attested on 16 February 1916 at the age of 24y 247d, and transferred to the Army Reserve the following day. He was mobilized on 20 March and posted to the Royal Engineers on 22 March. He served with the BEF France from 21 August 1916 and was promoted acting lance corporal on 2 March 1917. On 9 April 1917 James suffered a gunshot wound in the back which penetrated his chest and injured his spine. He died of his wounds at the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station, Bethune, the same day. He was buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais (grave ref. VI.C.80). It was erroneously reported in the newspapers that James had been evacuated to England and died in hosptial of his injuries (see 'Extra Information'). James qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
James' wife, Olive, received a telegram informing her that her husband had been dangerously wounded including the information, 'regret permission to visit cannot be granted.' Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 15 April 1917: ‘Death of United Forward. Jimmy Revill Mortally Wounded at the Front. We regret to state the Jimmy Revill, who for several seasons was associated with the Sheffield United FC, has died from wounds received at the front. The deceased was an outside-forward, playing with equal facility on either the right or left wing, and was also very speedy. The wounds Revill sustained necessitated the amputation of an arm and a leg, but even this could not save his life. Revill was married, and joined the colours about a year and a half ago.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Sheffield Independent, 16 April 1917: ‘Death of JW Revill. It is with deep regret that Sheffield footballers learn that Lance-Corp. JW Revill, who for six seasons played with Sheffield United, has died in hospital from wounds received in battle. Revill, who came to United from Tibshelf in April 1910, being then only 18 years of age, was a clever out-side wing forward, plucky, speedy and a good shot. His position was usually on the left, but he could play almost equally well on the right and did good service for United with both reserve and first teams up to and during the season 1914-15, when he joined the Army. Before going to the front he also played occasionally with Chesterfield Town. ‘Jimmy’ Revill, who was of a happy genial nature, was very popular with his fellow footballers. He leaves a widow.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) The following report appeared in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph on 16 April 1917 under the heading 'Sheffield United player dies from wounds' and also in the Mansfield Reporter on 20 April 1917. It was erroneously reported that James had died in hospital in England. Mansfield Reporter, 20 April 1917: ‘Sport & Pastimes. Jimmy Revill Killed. News was received in Sheffield on Saturday, with very great and general regret of the death of Jimmy Revill, who for some few seasons prior to the war had been a particularly useful and very speedy forward in the [Sheffield] United colours. He played with equal facility on the right wing or left, and had determination and pluck far beyond the ordinary. Short of stature, he nevertheless was an excellent footballer, and very popular. He has died in an English hospital as the result of wounds sustained at the front, and which necessitated the amputation of an arm and a leg. Revill was married, and joined up some fifteen or eighteen months ago, and had see quite a lot of fighting.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Lives of the First World War: 'Football career: Revill played as a football outside left in the Football League for Sheffield United, making 60 appearances and scoring three goals between 1910 and 1914. He also played non-league football for Sutton Junction and Tibshelf. Benefit match staged by Sheffield United FC: On January 12, 1918 the club staged a benefit match for her [widow] against a team representing Hadfield’s, the Sheffield steel and munitions manufacturing company. The match resulted in a 3-3 draw, with United’s goals coming from Harry Johnson, Ben Shearman and Wally Masterman, who had played in the FA Cup final almost three years earlier. Shearman was a guest player whose main club was West Bromwich Albion. An attendance of around 3,000 raised £130 for Olive, a sum worth over £7,500 today.' For an excellent account of Revill's life see 'The Story of Jimmy Revill' by Matthew Bell on-line - Football and the First World War, Legacy 11, First World War Commemorative Project. This article is hosted by the National Football Museum. www.footballandthefirstworldwar.org
