Henry Edmund Priestley

Henry Priestley enlisted at Nottingham whilst residing at Beeston. He died of wounds on 26th July 1915 at Netley Hospital. His body was returned to his family and he was buried in Beeston Cemetery on 31st July 1915.

Article published 2nd August 1915 in the Nottingham Daily Express :- “WITH MILITARY HONOURS. “A Sherwood Forester Laid to Rest at Beeston. “The remains of Private H. Priestley, of 26. Stoney-street, Beeston, were laid to rest in the cemetery on Derby-road there on Saturday. [31st July 1915] “Private Priestley, who belonged to the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foredters, fought through the South African war with his brother and together they rejoined their old regiment and went out to serve their country once more in France. He was wounded and succumbed at Netley Hospital last Tuesday, leaving a widow and a family of young children. “The Robin Hoods Depot Unit sent to the funeral their band, a firing party, and bearers, and also a contingent of men to follow the cortege. They were under the command of Lieutenant Miller and Sergeants Rider and Machin. The Beeston Detachment of the Red Cross Society and the St. John Ambulance Brigade also followed, as did the local company of the Citizen Army. Beeston soldiers at home on furlough also joined the procession, and there was also a party of wounded from one of the local hospitals. Several hundred people gathered round the grave, where three volleys were fired and the Last Post sounded. “Captain McGuire and Mr. C. P. Walker (who made the arrangements) were amongst those who were present. The vicar of Beeston (the Rev. W. P. Cole-Sheane) and the Rev. S. W. Gooch performed the obsequies.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918