Edward Widdowson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Edward was the son of Gervase Widdowson and Hannah Cooper (née Roberts). Gervase Widdowson was born in Ruddington in about 1840. He married Elizabeth Dalby (née Carter b. abt 1830) at Nottingham St Mary in 1867. Elizabeth was the widow of James Dalby (m. Ruddington 1852) and had one child, Arthur (b. 1857). Gervase and his wife were living in Ruddington at the time of the census in 1871 and 1881. Hannah Roberts was born in Derby in about 1857 and married Thomas Cooper at Derby All Saints in 1877. They had a daughter, Martha Cooper (b. Derby 1878) and a second daughter, Mary Emma Cooper, in 1883 (reg. Nottingham). No record has yet been traced of Gervase and Hannah's marriage and her husband Thomas may not have died until 1917, the year after Gervase's death. Gervase and Hannah had six children, all of whom were born in Ruddington. The registrations of birth of the three eldest were in the surname Cooper: Arthur Cooper b. 1886, Gervase Widdowson Cooper b. 1888 and Edward Widdowson Cooper b. 1890. The three youngest children were registered as Widdowson: William Benjamin b. 1892, Annie birth registered 1894 (J/F/M) and Lily Lavinia b. 1897. Gervase (50) and Hannah (35) were living at Marlpit, Ruddington, in 1891 with Hannah's daughter Martha (12) and their children Arthur (5), Gervase (3) and Edward (6m). Hannah's daughter Mary (8), was living in Marlpit with foster parents, Thomas and Phoebe Jesson. The family had moved to Chestnut Grove, West Bridgford, Nottingham, by 1901. In the home on the night of the census were Gervase snr., a lamp lighter for the Urban District Council and general agricultural labourer, Hannah, Mary Cooper, Arthur, Gervase, Edward (9), William (8), Annie (7) and Lily (4). Hannah's daughter Martha had married Charles William Stokes in 1901 and they were living in the Meadows, Nottingham. Their son William Arthur was born in 1904. In 1911 Gervase and Hannah were living at 135 Exchange Road, West Bridgford, with Arthur (in work), Gervase a labourer (Urban District Council), William a plumber, Annie (no occupation), and Lily an errand girl (lace manufacturer). Also in the household was Hannah's widowed daughter Martha Stokes, a 'cutter-out' (hosiery manufacturer) and her son William (6) who were both described as boarders. Martha married secondly Frederick Topley (1915 reg. Derby). Gervase and Hannah's daughter Annie died on 18 October 1914 aged 20. Gervase snr. died two years later in 1916 (O/N/D). Hannah was living at 119 Exchange Road, West Bridgford, by 1917. She died in March 1930. Two other brothers died in the war; William Benjamin (March 1918) and Gervase (November 1918). See 'Extra information.' The fourth brother, Arthur, also served. Edward married Rose Morley (b. 1892) in 1914 and they had two daughters, Emily M. b. 1915 and Rose b. 1916. In 1915 they were living at 193 Exchange Road, West Bridgford. However, by early 1918 Rose was living at 31 Rectory Road West Bridgford, and in 1920, when Edward's medals were sent to her, at 5 Ludlow Avenue, Exchange Road. Rose was awarded a weekly pension of 22/11d for herself and two children with effect from 22 April 1918. Rose married Percy Stokes in 1921. Percy had also served in the war (discharged January 1918, probably physically unfit for further war service). In 1939 Percy, a fireman, and Rose were living in West Bridgford with her daughters Emily and Rose who were both gown machinists.
Edward Widdowson enlisted on 10 December 1915 and the following day was transferred to the Army Reserve. He was mobilized on 17 May 1917 and posted to 4th Reserve Battalion. On 7 August 1917 he was posted to France and the 2nd Battalion. He was posted again, to 9th Battalion, on 27 August 1917. The Battle of Broodeseinde on 4 October 1917 would be Edward's first and last. The 9th battalion attacked towards Poelcappelle at 6 am on 4th October, following the creeping barrage and aided by tanks. After fierce fighting the battalion took all of its objectives but at great cost and Edward was one of the men killed. Battalion HQ was situated at Pheasant Farm and Edward was buried in Pheasant Trench Cemetery, Langemarck. After the Armistice this battlefield cemetery was concentrated to Cement House Cemetery and Edward was re-interred in Grave VI. F. 29. John Morse
Two of Edward's brothers, Gervase and William Benjamin, also died in the war. William Benjamin served with the Royal Engineers (23581 2nd Corporal) and was killed in action on 1 April 1918. Gervase served with the Army Veterinary Corps (18953 Private) and died of wounds received in action on 1 November 1918. (See records on this Roll of Honour) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: William Benjamin (KIA 1918). His legatees were his mother Hannah Widdowson, sister Lily, half-sister Martha Topley [née Cooper], half-sister Mary E Webster [née Cooper], Rose Widdowson [widow of brother Edward] and brother Gervase [DOW October 1918]. CWGC: 'Husband of Rose Stokes (formerly Widdowson), of 5, Ludlow Avenue, Exchange Rd., West Bridgford, Nottingham.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Rest in Peace' His personal property, which comprised two discs and a pocket knife, was returned to his widow in February 1918. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 22 October 1917: ‘Widdowson. Killed in action, October 4th, Private Edward (Ben) Widdowson, Sherwood Foresters, aged 27. Christ will link the broken chain more closely when we meet again. Heart-broken wife Rose and two children, 31, Rectory-road, West Bridgford. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 22 October 1917: ‘Widdowson. Killed in action, October 4th, Private Edward (Ben) Widdowson, son of Mrs and the late Gervase Widdowson. Sleeps with the brave. Duty nobly done. Sorrowing mother, sister Lily, and brothers Gervase and Willie (in France). (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 22 October 1917: ‘Widdowson. Killed in action, October 4th, Private Edward (Ben) Widdowson, Sherwoods. Grant hm eternal rest, O Lord. Olive and Arthur (in France). (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 22 October 1917: ‘Widdowson. Killed in action, October 4th, Private Edward (Ben) Widdowson. A noble life sacrificed. Sister-in-law Flo and brother-in-law Jack (Salonica). (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 22 October 1917: ‘Widdowson. Killed in action, October 4th, Private Edward (Ben) Widdowson, the beloved son-in-law of Mr and Mrs T Morley, 31, Beck-street. A young life full of promise sacrificed on the altar of duty. Also nephew Sammy.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 4 October 1918: notices from wife and children; mother, sisters and brothers [Arthur and Gervase DOW 1 November 1918]. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 4 October 1919: notices from wife and children; mother and sisters Pattie and Lillie [Lily]. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 20 March 1930. ‘Widdowson. March 18th, Hannah, the beloved wife of the late Gervase. Peace after pain. Loving children, West Bridgford.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
