Wilfred Pipkin
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Wilfrid Pipkin was born in 1895 in Long Eaton. Wilfrid was the only son of James, an agent for The Prudential Assurance Company, and his first wife Clara Pipkin (née Pinkitt) of 52 Latham Street, Bulwell, Nottingham. His father was born in 1866 in Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire, and his mother Clara Pinkitt was born in 1871 at Bulwell. They were married in 1890; the marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration District. His mother Clara died in 1902 at Nottingham; she was 31 yrs of age. His father remarried in 1906 at Nottingham to Florence Radburn (born 1873, Strelley, Nottinghamshire). In the 1911 census the family are living at 52 Latham Street, Bulwell, and are shown as James 45 yrs an agent for the Prudential Assurance Company. He is living with his second wife Florence 38 yrs and his son Wilfrid 16 yrs, a grocer’s assistant.
Private Wilfrid Pipkin enlisted on 7th September 1914 at Nottingham. He gave his age as 19 yrs and 241 days and his occupation as that of a carter. He was posted to the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. However, he was transferred to the 9th battalion York and Lancaster Regiment on 11th September 1914. Landing in France on 27th August 1915, he was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916 and is buried in Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood, Somme, France (grave reference IV.D.9). His death was not confirmed until July 1917.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 6 July 1917: ‘Pipkin. Reported missing since July 1st, 1916, now reported as dead, Signaller Wilfred (sic) Pipkin, No 19090, York and Lancs. Regt., later of 52, Latham-st., Bulwell.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 16 July 1917 (photograph): ‘Signaller W Pipkin (Y&L), 52 Latimer-st., Bulwell, missing July 1st, now reported killed.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
