Stanley Oldenbittle
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Stanley's grandfather John H Oldenbittle was born in Germany and moved to Tower Hamlets, London. His grandmother was from London. Stanley was born in 1898 at Old Basford and was the son of John (a soldier) and Mary Stanley who was from Ireland. They were married in St Canice's Cathederal, Limmerick, Ireland on 10th May 1887 . They had 5 children , however sadly 1 died in fancy prior to 1911 , their surviving children were; George b1899 Limmerick, John b1890 Plymouth, Mable b1896 Nottingham and Stanley b1898 Nottingham. In 1901 they lived at 25 Wilton Terrace Old Basford Nottingham and by the 1911 census they were living at 49 Wallis Street, Old Basford, they were shown as : - John head of the family 44 yrs a carter he is living with his wife Mary 43 yrs and their 2 youngest children Mable 15 yrs a lace hand and Stanley 13 yrs a hosiery trimmer. His father John died in Nottingham aged 73 yrs in 1938 ,his mother also died in Nottingham in 1938 aged 71yrs.
Private Stanley Oldenbittle entered theatre of war - France, after 1 January 1916 and went to the 17th battalion, later moving to the 9th battalion. Stanley was part of the battalion's successful but costly attack on Poelcappelle on 4 October 1917. Elements of the battalion moved forward at 6 am, following closely behind a protection artillery barrage and by 7.18 am, the first objective had been taken. The enemy had concrete strong points and also machine guns in shell holes but despite this the battalion moved forward, clearing as they went. The one Victoria Cross won by the battalion was awarded in the advance that morning and so were many other gallantry awards. They not only fought the enemy but the elements as well, with rain and mud clogging rifles. Somewhere during that attack Stanley was killed and he has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Obituary from the Nottingham Evening Post dated 15th August 1918 : - “OLDENBITTLE. – In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. S. H. Oldenbittle, Sherwood Foresters, missing the 4th October, 1917, now reported killed on that day. His trial here are ended; his cross is now laid down, God called him home to glory, in Heaven, to wear a crown. – From his sorrowing mother, father, sister (brother George in France), fiancée Grace, and family.” His father John Oldenbittle was an old soldier, previously serving with the Sherwood Foresters and South Notts. Hussars, he enlisted, aged 47, on 7th June 1915. Posted to 188th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, he transferred to 40th Divisional Ammunition Column on 27th May 1917. Back to the depot on 9th June 1917, he was discharged as no longer physically fit for service on 4th September 1917. He is shown has having died after his discharge on the pension record Above information is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook page Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
