Horace Whitby Pike
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Horace was the only son of Robert and Sarah Ann Pike. His name was registered as 'Horace Whitby' but no other records that have been sighted give his second name/initial. Robert was born in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, and Sarah in Nottingham. They were married in 1887 (A/M/J Nottingham) and had eight children of whom only three survived childhood: Horace b. Workington Cumberland 1890 (J/A/S Cockermouth Cumberland), Florence Ann b. Sneinton Nottingham 17 August 1894 (J/A/S Nottingham) and Ethel Jane b. Sneinton 14 December 1895 (birth registered 1896 J/F/M Nottingham). In 1891 Robert (25) and Sarah (28) were living on Wesley Street, Workington, Cockermouth, with their 8 month old son Horace. Robert worked in the steelworks. Robert and Sarah had returned to Nottingham by 1894 when their daughter Florence was born and in 1901 were living at 3 Hermit Place, Sneinton, with their three children Horace (10), Florence (6) and Ethel (5). Robert (36) was a twist beam maker (lace machine), and Sarah (39) a lace clipper. In 1911 the family was living at 79 Alfred Street, Nottingham. Robert (46) was still working as a twist beam maker, Horace (20) was a warehouseman, and Florence (17) and Ethel (15) were both blouse hands. Also in the household was a boarder, Amy Allport (20, b. Leeds), who was also a blouse hand. Robert and Sarah were still living at the same address when Horace was killed in 1918. Of Horace's sisters: Florence married Eric Hayes in 1915 (A/M/J Nottingham). Eric was born in Sheffield on 8 February 1893 and in 1911 was living there with his parents George and Laura Mary Hayes. At the time of the 1939 England & Wales Register Florence and Eric, a sign glass and poster writer/glass embosser and gilder, were living at 2 Ainsty Road, Sheffield. Also in the household was their married daughter Florence Joyce Walker (b. 12 April 1917 A/M/J Sheffield, d. 1998 J/A/S Rotherham) and her husband Percy Walker. Florence died aged 56 in 1950 (O/N/D Sheffield); Eric died in 1975 (O/N/D Sheffield). Ethel Jane married Thomas W Sutton in 1920 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1939 they were living at 57 Stevens Lane, Shardlow, Derbyshire. Thomas (b. 29 September 1894) was working as a railway signal lamp (-). Ethel died in 1970 (O/N/D Nottingham)
15th Bn Royal Irish Rifles, formerly 43672 Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). He was reported missing on 21 March 1918 but his death was not confirmed until December the same year. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 14 December 1918: ‘Pike. Reported missing March 21st, now reported killed on that date, Rifleman H Pike, dearly-loved and only son of Mr and Mrs R Pike, 79 Alfred-street. He was always happy and cheerful, with a heart that knew no fear, he stood to face life’s battles for those he loved so dear. From his heart-broken mother and father, sisters Florrie and Ethel, and brother-in-law Eric, and also aunt and uncle J. and JW. ‘ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
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