John William Renshaw
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John William Renshaw was the son of Robert William (also William Robert) and Mary Renshaw (née Pepper). His father Robert William was born in about 1868 at Swinderby, Lincolnshire. His mother Mary was born in about 1870 at Foston, Lincolnshire, the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Pepper. She was baptised at the parish church of Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, in January 1871. William Robert (21), a labourer, and Mary (19) were married in November 1889 at Foston parish church. They had eight children, one of whom died in childhood. The seven surviving children were: Herbert b. Claypole 1889, Arthur b. Claypole birth registered 1891 (J/F/M), John William b. Claypole 1895, Hilda b. Claypole 1899, George Henry b. Flintham 1903, Bertha b. Farndon 1909 and Thomas b. Farndon 1911. The child who died young was probably Annie b. 1892 (O/N/D) d. 1895 (O/N/D). In 1891 William, a groom (domestic), Mary and their two sons Herbert (1) and Arthur (under 1 year) were living on Main Road, Claypole, a village on the Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire border about four miles from Newark. They had moved to 37 Main Street, Flintham, Nottinghamshire, by 1901 where they were living with their sons Herbert, Arthur and John William (6). William was working as an agricultural labourer. By the time of the 1911 census Robert William and Mary had moved to Farndon, Nottinghamshire. Only four of their six children were in the home on the night of the census: John William a labourer, Hilda (10), George Henry (8) and Bertha (1). Herbert was working as a wagoner on a farm in Thurlby, Lincoln, living with the farmer, Edward Roe, and his family. Arthur was also a wagoner working in Lambley and living with the farm bailiff, William Herrick and his family. William and Mary's youngest child Thomas was born later that year. John William's mother completed a form for the army after his death listing her son's surviving blood relatives: Parents: Robert William and Mary Renshaw of Farndon, near Newark Brothers: Herbert (29) of Flintham, Arthur (27) of Springfield, Grantham, George (15) and Thomas (8) of Farndon Sisters: Hilda Renshaw and Bertha Renshaw of Farndon William Robert Renshaw died in 1930 and Mary Renshaw in 1933.
Private John William Renshaw enlisted on 5 November 1914 at Newark. He gave his age as 19 yrs and his next of kin was his father Robert William Renshaw of Farndon. John was posted to the 8th battalion Sherwood Foresters and served in France from 2 March 1915. On 15 June 1915 John was slightly wounded in the hand and in the September was taken ill with pyrexia and incapacitated for several days before discharged to duty. John was initially reported missing on 15 October 1915 but his death was later confirmed on that date. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. He had served at home from 5 November 1914-1 March 1915 (117 days) and 2 March 1915-15 October 1915 (228 days) a total of 345 days. John qualified for the 1914/15 Star and British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Report published 8th December 1915 in the Newark Advertiser:- 'Resided at Bilsthorpe, Southwell. Son of Robert William & Mary Renshaw of Farndon, Newark. Enlisted on the 5th November 1914 at Newark. Arrived in France on the 2nd March 1915. Posted missing, then reported killed.' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His father was his legatee.
