John Robert Antcliffe
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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John Robert (Jack) was the son of William and Charlotte Antcliffe (formerly Bradley née Astill/Astell). His father William was born in Nottingham in 1858. His mother Charlotte Astill was born in Plumtree, Nottinghamshire, in 1859, the daughter of Robert and Sarah Astill. Charlotte married William Bradley at Sneinton St Luke on 1 July 1878. In 1881 they were living in Lake Yard, Nottingham; William (27 b. Cromford Derbyshire) was a labourer. William may have died in 1883 (J/A/S Nottingham). Charlotte had a son, William Bradley birth registered 1885 (J/F/M Nottingham) bap. Plumtree St Mary on 13 September 1885 (parents William & Charlotte Bradley). William Antcliffe married Charlotte in 1889. According to the 1911 Census they had had 11 children, who probably included William Bradley, described as William Antliffe's son on the 1901 Census. Four children had died before 1911, three in infancy or childhood and one, Sydney, at the age of 16 in 1910. Eight children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911; all were born in Nottingham: William Bradley; John Robert b. abt 1886 bap. Meadows St Saviour 19 March 1890; Emma Mary b. 1889 bap. 19 March 1890; Ethel b. 1891 bap. St Saviour 12 August 1891; Sidney b. 1893 bap. St Saviour 23 August 1893 d. March 1910, Arthur b. 1896 bap. St Saviour 23 December 1895; Florry b. 1902 and Harry b. 1903. Two of the three children who died in infancy were: Gertude b. 1895 bap. St Saviour 21 October 1895 d. 1895 and Lily b. 1899 bap. 23 April 1899 d. 1900 (J/F/M). In 1891 William (33), a farm labourer, and Charlotte (34) were living in Brookfield Place, Nottingham, with their children, John (4) and Emma (1). Ethel was born later that year. William Bradley (6) was living in Nottingham with his maternal grandparents, Robert and Sarah Astill. The family was living at 14 Florence Terrace when Sidney was baptised in 1893 and still living there in 1901. William was now a hay and straw carter. Only four of the six children were in the home on the night of the census: William Bradley a baker's assistant, John a grocer's carter, Sydney (7) and Arthur (4). Emma was recorded as a visitor at 23 Florence Terrace in the home of Joseph and Eliza Bowskill. Ethel has not yet been traced on the census. John enlisted in the RFA on 20 March 1906 on a 12 year engagement, 3 years with the Colours and 9 years in the Reserve; he was 20 years old and working as a boatman. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 19 March 1909 and was discharged to 41 Bertram Street, Meadows, his parent's address. The family was still living at 41 Bertram Street, Trent Bridge Causeway, Nottingham, two years later in 1911. William was a hay trusser, Jack a boatman cutter, Emma a lace cleaner (Dobson & Walker), Ethel a lace finisher (J Kirkland), Arthur a van lad (Midland Railway), and Florry (9) and Harry (6) who were both pupils at the London Road School. Sidney had died the previous year aged about 16. Charlotte Antcliffe died in 1937. In 1939 William was living with their married daughter, Emma Fletcher, on Caunton Avenue, Nottingham. William died on 27 February 1941 John was mobilised on the outbreak of war and posted to France on 20 August 1914. He named his parents and brother William, who was serving in the Royal Marines, as his next of kin but this was later amended to his wife after he married Alice Skinner on 19 February 1917 at Woolwich Register Office. Alice had had a son, Stanley Alan Skinner (subsequently Antcliffe), on 19 June 1916 whom the army accepted as John's dependent. At the time of John's death, Alice was living at 68 Church Lane, Charlton SE7. In 1920 she was living at 6 Grayton Road, Plaistow, but the later CWGC record gave her address as 36A, Admaston Road, Plumstead, London. Alice married secondly Arthur W Snipp in 1923 (reg. Woolwich). She died in 1960. William Bradley served in the Royal Marine Light Infantry (10073 or 11073) during the war; he was discharged in February 1919. John's sister Emma married James WM Pickerill in 1914. James served in the Royal Field Artillery (L/42925 Gunner) and was killed in France on 7 September 1917. (See record on this Roll of Honour). According to a notice in a local paper commemorating John's death, his brother Arthur served in Africa during the war. A miiitary record has yet been identified.
'C' Bty 62nd Bde Royal Field Artillery. Appointed acting bombardier 25 August 1916. John attested in the RFA on 20 March 1906 on a 12 year engagement, 3 years with the Colours and 9 years in the Reserve. He was 20 years old and working as a boatman. John served with 147th Bty (42381 Driver) and transferred to the Reserve on 19 March 1909 (Woolwich) on completion of his army service. He was mobilized on 4 August 1914 and by 19 August 1914, the day before he embarked for France, he had completed 8 years 153 days service with the Colours and Reserve. He served in France from 20 August 1914 to 20 March 1916 (1y 213d). While in France he was treated for a slight wound received on 8 July 1915. On 25 February 1916 he was admitted to hospital sick then on 5 March 1916 to No. 50 Casualty Clearing Station (ICT feet). He was admitted to No. 13 GHP on 12 March 1916 (septic foot) and invalided to England on 21 March (Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen). He was discharged after treatment and six days' convalescent in MCH Eastbourne then on furlough as fit for duty. He served at home from 21 March 1916 to 23 April 1917 (1 year 34 days) during which time he married (19 February 1917). John was killed in action on 11 May 1917 just 19 days after returning to the front. His service record gave the place of burial as 'Map reference H.32.(-).00.60j just N. of Tilloy les Mapplaine 1 ¾ miles SE of Arras.' John is buried in Bunyans Cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, France (grave ref. C.10). There are 54 First World War graves in the cemetery. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. CWGC - History of the Bunyans Cemetery (extract): 'The village of Tilloy-les-Mofflaines was captured on 9 April 1917 by the 3rd Division, which was followed up by the 37th. Bunyans Cemetery (the origin of the name is not known) was begun by infantry units (Row A) after the advance in April 1917 and Rows B to E were made between April and 4 July 1917 by the 62nd and 63rd Brigades, Royal Field Artillery.' (www.cwgc.org)
John's brother-in-law, James William Matthew Pickerill, his sister Emma's husband, served in the Royal Field Artillery (L/42925 Gunner) and was killed in France on 7 September 1917 and is buried in Canada Farm Cemetery. (See record on this Roll of Honour) CWGC: John Robert Antcliffe. Army Service Record: John Antcliffe CWGC 'Additional information:: Husband of Mrs. Antcliffe, of 36A, Admaston Rd., Plumstead, London. Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam' (abridged), 11 May 1918: 'Antcliffe. In loving memory of Bdr Jack Antcliffe RFA killed in action May 11th 1917. - From his sorrowing mother, father, sisters and brothers (Will in France, Arthur in Africa).' WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards; Alice Snipp widow b. 1892 residence Plumstead SE18. Child Stanley Alan Skinner Antcliffe b. 1916. of Plumstead SE18. Alice was awarded a pension with effect from 3 December 1917 but had to provide evidence that John had taken responsibility for her child Stanley Alan who was born before their marriage. The service record contains internal correspondence about Stanley's status and also the following letter from John Antcliffe which Alice provided in support of her claim: Letter dated 12 June 1917 to the Army Pay Office RHA&RFA from Mrs Alice Antcliffe, 68 Church Lane, Charlton SE7: ‘Dear Sir, I am forwarding letter of my husband as requested by you, for proof of him taken the child in his care.’ Letter from 42381 Antcliffe, 27 April 1917: 'Dear wife, Just a few lines to let you know that I am in the best of health. Hoping you and baby are the same. I wrote to you last Tuesday I hope you get the letter alright. I am always thinking about you and wondering how you are getting on. I do not suppose I shall be home now before I go [several lines illegible] … C Harris here that used to be with me at (?Woolwich) so it is not so bad. I hope you have heard from your mother and she and your father is in the best of health and hope Flo has heard from Harry and that she is alright and well. We are having splendid weather down here just (-) Camp A Troop (-) of Base Depot, BEF France. I wrote home to let my (-) know I had gone out & have also wrote to (-). Well Dear, all I hope baby is getting on well and how I should like to see him … not a deal of … happen to hear from you soon… Best love to Flo, (-), Ethel and all From your loving(?) husband Jack xxxxxxxx' Alice was awarded a pension of 13/9d (thirteen shillings and nine pence) with effect from 3 December 1917 although it is not clear from the form whether this was for herself, one child, or both.
