Wilfred Kneale Teare
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Wilfred Kneale Teare was born in 1897 at Bolsover and was the son of the late James a corporal in a coal mine and Annie Teare née Arnott of 16 Southwell Road, Mansfield. His father James was born in 1868 at Ramsey, Isle of Man he died on 25th March 1918 he was 51 yrs old, his mother Annie Arnott was born in 1868 at Ripley, they were married in 1894 their marriage was recorded in the Chesterfield Registration district, they went on to have 7 children, sadly 2 were to die in infancy or early childhood, their children all born in Bolsover were Wilfred Kneale b1897, Harold Thomas b1899, Leslie Hector b1901, Christina Margaret b1903 and Cyril Robert b1905. In the 1911 census the family are living at 10 Cavendish Street, Mansfield and are shown as James 43 yrs a corporal in a coal mine, he is living with his wife Ann 43 yrs and their children Wilfred Kneale 14 yrs a coupler in a coal mine, Harold Thomas 12 yrs a scholar, Leslie Hector 10 yrs a scholar, Christina Margaret 8 yrs and Cyril Robert 6 yrs of age
Private Wilfred Kneale Teare, 1/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry during German counter-attacks at Kite Copse, near Gommecourt, on 13th March 1917. He enlisted on 10th September 1914 at Mansfield and was discharged on 11th September 1918 as being no longer physically fit for war service due to heart problems. Described as a "sober, honest, trustworthy and intelligent" Military Medal Citation: for excellent work with his Lewis gun when the enemy made two determined counter-attacks on the position at Kite Copse, Gommecourt on 13/03/1917. He died on 14th June 1919 from 'V.D.H.” (valvular disease of the heart) and is buried at buried at Nottingham Rd Cemetery, Mansfield.
Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 19/06/1919: Military Funeral at Mansfield. Wilfred Teare of 16 Southwell Road has died from the effects of gas poisoning. He had been gassed twice and he was discharged from the army. He had died at 14/6/1919 at Nottingham Hospital. Buried at Nottingham Road Cemetery, Mansfield.: Wilfred's brother, Harold Thomas Teare served in the Coldstream Guards and after the war he emigrated to Canada along with their younger brother, Cyril. Article published 27th April 1917 in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times :- “HONOUR FOR A MANSFIELD HERO. “Mr. Teare, of 16, Southwell-road, has received the following communication regarding his son: – “He was in charge of a Lewis gun team, and showed great courage and resource in the use of his gun during the two counter attack carried out by the enemy on the might of March 13th – 14th, 1917. It was undoubtedly due to his previous care of the gun in the muddy trenches and his coolness and skilful handling of it during the attacks that the enemy suffered so heavily, and was compelled to abandon his attempts. During the whole period he was indefatigable in his efforts. Recommended for immediate award. “The honour was bestowed on April 15th, and he was also promoted to the rank of lance-corporal. The father himself is an old ex-Guardsman.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
