William Henry Flowers
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Surname Flowers. William Henry was the son of William and Hannah Flowers (née Wint). His parents were married at Mansfield St John the Evangelist in September 1876, Hannah signing the marriage register with her mark. They had ten children, two of whom died in infancy or childhood. Nine of their ten children were: William Henry b. Harthill 1877 bap. Harthill 23 October 1877, Harriet b. 1880 d. 1883 and George b. 1884, Thomas b. 1887, Ada b. 1891, Herbert b. 1893, Gertrude b. 1896, Graham b. 1898 and Lily b. 1901 who were born in Pleasley. With the exception of Harriet, George and Lily the younger children were baptised at Pleasley Hill St Barnabus within a few months of birth. The couple's son William was born in Harthill in 1877 but by 1881 his father, a coal miner hewer, and his mother were living at Gas Hill, Pleasley Hill. They had two children, William and Harriet who died two years later. In 1891 the the couple and their four children, William, George, Thomas and Ada, were recorded at Cock Lane, Mansfield. However, William Henry (13) was also recorded on the census living in Pleasley with his maternal grandmother, Eliza Wint, who was married but head of household. William Henry married Ada Wood in 1900; they had two sons, Graham George b. 1901 (reg. A/M/J) and John William H. b. 1903 who died the same year. In 1901 William Henry and his wife were living at 21 Gas Hill, Pleasley, with his grandmother Eliza Wint. William Henry and Ada appear to have separated by 1911 when his wife was living at the Victoria Hostel, Stanton Hill, Skegby, where she was probably working as a general domestic servant. Their surviving son Graham was living in Teversal with his maternal aunt, Annie Green, her husband and their three children. William Henry, a coal miner below ground and head of household, was living at 50 George Street, Mansfield. Also in the home was his brother Thomas who was living as man and wife with Eliza Flowers (née Wilson m. 1914) and their infant son. William Henry's parents had moved from Pleasley to Goldsmith Street, Mansfield, by 1911 where his father had a fish and chip shop. His six other siblings were in the parental home on the night of the census: George, a stoker, Ada who was assisting with household duties, Herbert a coal miner/banksman, Gertrude who worked in a cotton factory and Graham and Lily who were school age. William Henry's parents later lived at 202 Victoria Road, Mansfield. His father probably died in 1939 (reg. J/F/M Mansfield).
York and Lancaster Regiment (58276) transferred to 3rd Company Labour Corps (19304). According to a report of William's death, he had served in France for two years. William was taken ill while on home leave and was admitted to Clipstone Camp hospital, Nottinghamshire. He was transferred to Sheffield War Hospital where he died on 11 February 1918. He was buried with full military honours in Mansfield (Nottingham Road) Cemetery (C. 10856) following a service at St Aiden's Church, Mansfield.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'The Lord said come unto me and I will give you rest' CWGC Additional information: 'Parents William and Hannah Flowers of 202 New Victoria Street, Mansfield.' Mansfield Reporter, 22 February 1918: ‘Military Funeral at Mansfield. The funeral of the late Private WH Flowers, of the Yorks and Lancs Regiment, and son of Mr and Mrs Wm Flowers, of Victoria-street, took place at Mansfield Cemetery on Saturday, with full military honours. The deceased soldier had seen two years’ active service in France, and whilst spending a few days’ leave at home he was taken ill and removed to Clipstone hospital and eventually transferred to the military hospital at Sheffield where he died on the 11th (sic) February. The first part of the burial service was conducted in St Aiden’s Church, by the Rev. WP Seymour, in a very impressive manner. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, and then placed on a gun carriage, preceded by a firing party and band, which alternatively played the ‘Dead March’ and Chopin’s ‘Funeral March.’ The mourners were [list included]: Mr and Mrs Wm Flowers [parents], Sergt T Flowers, Mr G Flowers, Miss L [Lily] Flowers, Mr and Mrs H [Herbert] Flowers [m. Maud Martin 1912].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) The Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser, 21 February 1918, also published a report of the funeral. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father William was his legatee. There is no mention of his wife Ada on the surviving/traced records. William Henry's son, Graham Flowers, a coal miner, who was living at 202 New Victoria Street, Mansfield (his paternal grandparents address), enlisted in Mansfield on 12 December 1915. He transferred to the Army Reserve the following day and was not mobilised until April 1918 when he was posted to the Grenadier Guards (148582 regimental number 32498). However, he was soon transferred to 'W' Class Reserve April 1918 and a note on his record suggests that he then worked for the Langworth Colliery Company. He was discharged from the army, 'surplus to military requirements,' on 14 December 1918, home address 202 Victoria Street.
