Eric Geoffrey Luntley

Geoffrey Luntley had been with the battalion since the start of hostilities having enlisted on 13th August 1914 at Nottingham. By the end of August 1915, he was one of the few originals left. Since 9th August 1915 the battalion had casualties of nearly 500 all ranks. A composite battalion of 9th Sherwood's and 7th South Staff's entered the front line on 27 August and was to be on trench duties until 12 September in the area of Karakol Dagh. One officer called it 'exciting and dangerous work'. Geoffrey was killed, probably by a sniper, on 8 September 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles memorial. John Morse

Excerpts from a letter he sent to his sister were published after his death in the Notts Local News dated 9th October 1915 :- “Dear Joyce “I am writing this on the sea shore somewhere in the region of the fighting where we are now resting. Yesterday we had a few exciting moments. In the afternoon the Turks unconsciously provided the Staffords with fresh fish for breakfast. It happened like this: There were five or six Staffords bathing in the sea, when a shell burst twenty yards out. They saw something floating where it burst, so they swam to the spot, to find a number of fish. Not many minutes after another shell burst in the same place with the result that they were twenty pounds of fresh fish to the good. In the evening we had another exciting five minutes. A Taube flew right over where we were and dropped about a dozen bombs. As far as I know there was no damage done. “This evening we have had another exciting time, the Turks started dropping shrapnel found our camp, but without our party being any the worse off for it. Am now going into hospital. “Monday, [30th August 1915] Hospital – This last day or two several of us have had a busy time helping the R.A.M.C. men with the wounded. On Saturday [28th August 1915] we were very busy (after 5 o’clock); in fact, we were carrying tea and biscuits to the wounded as they came in until half-past one on Sunday [29th August 1915], when we managed to have a sleep until 5 o’clock when we had to start again. “Tuesday morning [31st August 1915] – I am now with the boys again. Things are a bit quiet just now, but how long it will last I could not tell. “Wednesday, September 1st – A mail arrived here during the week-end and I was much disappointed from not hearing from you. You know it is two months since we left “The land of the living,” and I have not received a letter from you yet. So please be quick and write. “Did you know Fred Hazeldine and Arthur Roberts have both been wounded? Hazledine was wounded in seven places, but nothing dangerous. Just ask Hilda to drop a line now and again, because we look forward to the days when the mail arrives. “Remember me to all at Beeston.” Above extract is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Inscriptions on kerbstones of grave, Beeston Cemetery, Nottingham: ‘In loving memory of John Luntley died Dec. 24th 1942 aged 81 and Annie his beloved wife died Sept. 25th 1905 aged 34.' 'And Eric Geoffrey their son, killed in action Sept. 4th 1915, aged 20.' Headstone: 'Albert Brooks died 7 Sep. 1932 aged 52. Clarissa his wife died Sep. 8th 1950.’