Herbert Walker Widdowson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Herbert Walker was the son of Walter and Emma Widdowson (née Walker). His father Walter was born in Hathern, Leicestershire, on 21 June 1860, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Widdowson, and baptised at Hathern parish church on 21 October. His mother Emma Walker was born in Sutton Bonington, Nottinghamshire, in 1858. In 1881 she was a domestic nurse in the household of Rev. Edward Smithies and his family at Hathern Rectory. They were married at St Helena, West Leake, on 15 April 1884 and had three children, all born in Loughborough and baptised at St Helena: Arthur Walker b. 1885 bap. 30 August 1885; Herbert Walker b. 1887 bap. 16 October 1887 and Eva walker b. 1893 bap. 6 October 1895. In 1891 Walter (30), a stocking frame fitter, and Emma (32) were living on Paget Street, Loughborough, with their two sons, Arthur (5) and Herbert (3). Also in the household was Ernest Widdowson (22), Walter's brother, who was also a stocking frame fitter. By 1901 Walter and Emma had moved to Narrow Lane, Hathern, where they lived with their three children, Arthur, a clerk at an electric works, Herbert and Eva (7). In 1911 Walter, Emma and their daughter Eva were living on Derby Road, Hathern. Their eldest son Arthur had married Edith Bexon in 1910 (A/M/J Nottingham) and they were also living on Derby Road; Arthur was now working as a hosiery clerk. Herbert was working as a joiner and wheelwright and living with his uncle Wilfred Widdowson, his wife and their two children on Town Street, South Leverton, Lincoln. He later worked on the Thoresby Estate, Nottinghamshire. Herbert married Maud (also Maude) Nixon in 1914 (A/M/J Southwell). Maud was born in Edwinstowe on 16 December 1890 (reg. 1891), the daughter of Charles and Fanny Nixon. In 1891 the family was living in Thorseby Park, Edwinstowe; her father was an engine driver. Maud later married a widower, Fred Nettleship (b. 22 October 1888), in 1932 (J/A/S Southwell). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living at Budby, Nottinghamshire; Fred was a gardener. Maud died in 1978. Herbert's father Walter died in September 1953 and was buried in Hathern churchyard on 14 September. His mother Emma had probably died in 1937.
Sergeant Herbert Widdowson enlisted at Allerton, Lancashire, residence Loughborough. He was already serving with the Territorial Force when war was declared and he joined the 2/8th Sherwood Foresters and served in 'D' Company. The battalion served in Ireland during the Easter Rising of 1916 and then in France from 23 February 1917. Herbert was killed in action six weeks later on Saturday 7th April 1917. An Anglican army chaplain, Rev. Stanley Hide, conducted the burial service for Herbert and some of his comrades the following Tuesday. However, the grave was lost and Herbert is now commemorated on the Theipval Memorial (Pier and Face 10C 10 D & 11A). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Herbert Walker Widdowson is also commemorated on the following memorials: WMR14738 Loughborough Carillon Tower, Queen’s Park LE11 3BJ WMR38175 St Peter, St Peter’s Centre Loughborough LE11 5EQ WMR37802 Hathern, Hathern Cemetery LE12 5LR WMR70646 St Peter and St Paul, Hathern LE12 5LA Report, Worksop Guardian 11 May 1917: 'The first Budby soldier to make the great sacrifice is Sergt. Herbert Widdowson, son of Mr and Mrs G Widdowson of Loughborough, who fell in battle on Easter Eve at the age of 29 years. Sergt Widdowson was in training with the Territorials when war broke out and was immediately called up for special training at Watford. From there he was sent with his Battalion, the 2/8th Notts and Derbys, to Ireland where he survived the rebellion and was drafted to France on February 23rd, and met with an instantaneous death on the date mentioned. The deceased soldier was employed at the Thorseby estate as wheelwright for several years and was much liked by all who knew him. Sergt Widdowson, some two years ago, married Maud, the third daughter of Mr and Mrs C Nixon of Budby, with whom the greatest sympathy is felt. The news was conveyed to his wife in a letter from his Captain which reads as follows:- “13-4-17. Dear Mrs Widdowson, I am very sorry indeed to have to write and tell you of the death in action of your husband, Sergt Widdowson. You will probably have heard before now, but you may care to have such details as I can give. He was in command of a platoon during recent operations, and his loss to the company will be great. As far as I can find out, his death was painless and he has been buried a little apart from others who fell at the same time, and a cross is being put over his grave. I am trying to get his bounty which was due to him, paid in to you. I can only end by repeating how great a loss he is to us and by offering my deepest sympathy of all who knew him – Yours sincerely, J S Oates, Capt.” The Chaplain wrote:- “13-4-17. Dear Mrs Widdowson – I am very sorry to tell you that your husband, Sergt Widdowson, was killed in action in the early hours of last Saturday, Easter Even. May I assure you of my deep sympathy with you in your loss. At the same time, I know you will be very proud that he died so gallantly. He is exceedingly highly spoken of by both officers and men, and is greatly missed throughout the battalion. You may be certain that he was killed outright and suffered no pain. I buried him on Tuesday last with some of his comrades and a cross is being erected on his grave. May God bless and comfort you and grant him rest – Yours very truly, Stanley Hide, Chaplain, C of E.' A copy of the above report was also published in the Mansfield Reporter, 11 May 1917.
