John Alfred Wagstaff
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Alfred Wagstaff, known as Alfred, was the son of Charles and Harriett Mary Wagstaff (née Faulkes). Charles was born in 1854 at Luton, Bedfordshire, and Harriet in 1861 at Colston Bassett. They were married at Colston Bassett St John the Divine in April 1883 and had six sons: John Alfred birth registered 1884 (J/F/M), Harry b. December 1885 (reg. 1886), William b. 1889, Thomas b. 1892, Herbert b. 1894 and George Horace b.1897. All the children, who were born in Colston Bassett, were baptised at St John the Divine including John Alfred on 11 April 1884. Charles and Harriet lived in Colston Bassett between 1891 and 1911. In 1891 Charles was recorded on the census as a cottager. He and Harriet had had three sons but only Harry and Wiliam were in the home on the night of the census, the eldest son John Alfred (7) was living in Colston Bassett with his maternal grandparents, Michael Faulks, a joiner and farmer, and his wife Harriett. John was still living with his grandparents in 1901 and was probably working on his grandfather's farm. His parents were living in the village at the Manor House with their five sons, Harry a yardman, William, Thomas, Herbert and George. By 1911 Charles' occupation was given as farmer. His five youngest sons were still living at home and the four eldest were all farm workers, George was still at school. The eldest son John Alfred, a cowman and wagoner, was now living with his paternal uncle, William Faulks, a farmer, and his wife, Annie Rebecca, at Langar Glebe Farm, Barnstone, Nottinghamshire. John Alfred married Mabel Dawn in 1917 (reg. Bingham). There were no children of the marriage. Mabel married secondly George H Oxby in 1921 and had two daughters. Mabel died in 1966.
Formerly South Notts Hussars (53). Later transferred to the 1/1st Bn Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry. CWGC: John Alfred Wagstaff, but other military records indicate he served as Alfred Wagstaff. The 1/1st Battalion was mobilised in August 1914 and in September 1914 transferred from 1st South Western Mounted Brigade to the 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade in the 2nd Mounted Division. In April 1915 it was dismounted and moved to Egypt then landed at Gallipoli in August 1915, withdrawing to Egypt in the December. In January 1916 the Brigade became an independent command and retitled 6th Mounted Brigade, transferring to the Imperial Mounted Division in February the following year. In June 1917 the Brigade transferred to the Yeomanry Mounted Division, retitled 10th Cavalry Brigade in the 4th Cavalry Division in July 1918. The Brigade remained in Palestine until the end of the war. John Alfred died in Palestine on 22 October 1918 and was buried in Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery, Syria (grave ref. B.90). CWGC - History of Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery (extract): 'The cemetery dates from the First World War when Damascus was entered by Commonwealth forces on 1 October 1918. The first medical unit arriving the next day found the Turkish hospitals crowded with sick and wounded, and a few days later an epidemic of influenza and cholera broke out. The First World War burials in this cemetery were mostly from these hospitals. The Second World War burials began in 1941 during the operations against the Vichy French, and later on graves were moved into the cemetery from civilian burial grounds, Deraa French Military Cemetery, and from scattered sites in the areas where the fighting occurred. The first burials were in a tree belt between the cemetery boundaries and the low wall which enclosed the plots of existing graves. Adjoining land to the west, known as "The Cypresses", was acquired by the military authorities when it became necessary to enlarge the cemetery.' (www.cwgc.org)
His brother Thomas attested in December 1915 and was moblised on 11 May 1916 and posted to the RHA/RFA (149251 Gunner), 2/14th Divisoinal Ammunition Column. He served with the BEF France from 27 September 1916 and had at least two periods of leave in the UK, 29 November 1917-13 December 1917 and 11-25 November 1918. He embarked for th UK on 27 January 1919 and was demobilized at Clipstone Camp, Nottinghamshire. CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Charles and Harriet Wagstaff, of Colston, Bassett, Notts; husband of Mabel Oxby (formerly Wagstaff), of Cringle's Farm, Kinoulton, Notts.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'A life well done a crown well won blessed be your rest' Probate: Wagstaff Alfred of Cropwell Bishop Nottinghamshire sergeant in HM Army died 22 October 1918 in Palestine Administration Nottingham 10 March to Mabel Wagstaff widow. Effects £490 8s. 9d. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow Mabel, residence Cropwell Bishop, Nottinghamshire, was his sole legatee.
