The notes below were researched by Stephen Warwick who has compiled the background of the casualties and survivors of WW1 who are closely linked to Collingtree.
The Collingtree Men
Prompted by the Centenary Commemorations of the First World War, the following are the findings of some extensive research which has been undertaken, in order to try and identify as many ‘Collingtree Men’ as possible who enlisted to serve for their country.By definition, ‘Collingtree Men’ includes those men who were either born in, or were living in Collingtree village at the time of enlistment.
So far 20 men have been identified as fitting this criteria and who served. And this is from a village of only 51 dwellings, which, at the time, would also have been home to parents, brothers, sisters, wives, children, in-laws, cousins, former school friends and workmates.
The impact on this small community must have been immense with many families in the village mourning casualties and losses.
It is impossible to comprehend the immediate and long term effect on life in Collingtree. Even the returning soldiers, who had survived the horrors of the trenches, had to deal with the practical and psychological effects of coming home without those who had made the ultimate sacrifice and would not be returning home with them.
To put this into context though, it has been estimated that by the end of the war, Collingtree was just one of as many as 16,000 villages whose men had volunteered to fight. And of that figure it is further estimated that just 53 villages could be identified as ‘thankful villages’ i.e. communities in which no one had died in the war.
The following is by no means the definitive list, as the task of researching this event is made more difficult because only one third of all soldiers WW1 service records have survived.
If anyone knows of a family ancestor who is not included in these findings, please contact Steve Warwick (seer contact details below) who will be happy to research them, so that the bravery and sacrifice of as many ‘Collingtree Men’ as possible is remembered. Please include the Regiment and/or service number if known and forward it to: collingtree.ww1@btinternet.com
Similarly, if anyone has a copy of the ‘Portrait Postcard Photographs’ that the men who were enlisting had taken before setting off ‘for the front’, and you would like to share them, please also let Steve know as it would be good to be able to put faces to the names.
The Men Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice
Pte Charles George Bailey 204454.13th Bttn Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regt.
Born on 21st Feb 1888 in Collingtree. Son of James & Ellen Bailey who, although originally from Northampton, were residents of Village St (High St), Collingtree. Husband of Margaret Annie Bailey (Nee Tapp). Although Charles was still living in the village at Age 13 by the time he enlisted in Dec 1915 (Age 27) he was living in Northampton. He served in the France & Flanders campaign and was ‘Killed in Action’ on 1st Aug 1917 at Ypres (Third Ypres Battle). Age 29. His memorial is at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.
Pte Ralph Copson 15722
7th Bttn Northamptonshire Regt (D Coy)
Born on 30th Nov 1895 in Collingtree. Son of Emma & John Copson (For 25 Years HeadGardener at Collingtree Grange). Resident of Village St (High St), Collingtree. Ralph was still living in the village at time of enlistment on 14th Sept 1914. Age 18. He served in the France & Flanders campaign and was ‘Killed in Action’ on 25th March 1918 at the 2nd Battle of the Somme, Curchy, Nr Chaulnes, France. Age 22.
His memorial is at Pozieres, Somme, France. And also the Church of St Columba, WW1 Memorial, Collingtree.
2nd Lt Hugh Palliser Frend
6th Bttn Northamptonshire Regt,
Born in 1896 in Staunton Harold, Leics. Although from Leicestershire, at the time of the 1911 Census Hugh was living at The Rectory
in Collingtree. Age 14. Son of Monica Ann & Rev Canon John Palliser Frend (Rector of Collingtree).
His date of Enlistment is not known, but he received his commission in October 1914. He served in the France & Flanders campaign and was ‘Killed in Action’ on 20th March 1917 at St Leger, France, Age 20. His memorial is at Agny Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered on Saint James Church WW1 Memorial, Tunbridge Wells. And also on the Church of St Columba, WW1 Memorial, Collingtree. There is also a memorial stained glass window in St Columba's Church, close to the Pulpit.
Pte George Frederick Thomas Hickman 16639
1st Bttn Northamptonshire Regt
Born on 27th Aug 1895 in Collingtree. Son of George & Kate Hickman of Village St (High St), Collingtree. Although still living in the village as a 10 year old in 1905 George was living in Northampton at the time of enlistment on 23rd March 1915. Age 20. He served in the France & Flanders campaign and was ‘Killed in Action’ at the Battle of Loos on 29th Sept 1915. Age 20. His memorial is at Loos Memorial, Pas De Calais, France
Pte Joseph Henry Hillyard G/67719
6th Bttn Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regt
Born in Jan 1899 in Wootton. Son of Sam and Elizabeth Ann Hillyard of Water Lane, Wootton and still living in Wootton at the time of the 1911 Census.
His date of Enlistment is not known but he served in the France & Flanders campaign. Joseph was ‘Killed in Action’ on 22nd Sept 1918 at the Battle of Epehy (Somme), France. Age 19. His memorial is at Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery, Epehy. Also, the War Memorial at Wootton Church and, although he was a 'Wootton man,' he is also remembered on the Church of St Columba, WW1 Memorial, Collingtree.
SPR George Twistleton 237937
Royal Engineers. 14th Div Supply Company (Formerly 17th Div Signal Company, Royal Engineers).
Born in 1885 in Collingtree. Son of Sarah and John Twistleton of Village St (High St) Collingtree. Husband of May Twistleton (Nee Gardner). At the time of the 1911 Census George was still living in Collingtree (Age 26) with his wife and 6 month old daughter, but by the time he enlisted on 14th Sept 1915, Age 29, he was living in Nuneaton. He served in the France & Flanders campaign but ‘Died of Wounds Received in Action’ on 4th Sep 1918. Age 33. George was awarded the Military Medal for bravery and his memorial is at Lebucquiere Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France and also the Church of St Columba, WW1 Memorial, Collingtree.
The Men Who Returned Home
Pte Thomas Clayson Cockerill 23417 & 930511/4 Bttn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Also previously served for 2 years in the 4th Northamptonshire Regt)
Born in 1875 in Collingtree. Son of Thomas and Mary Ann Cockerill of The Lane, Collingtree. Thomas was still living in the village at time of enlistment in Oct 1915. Age 39. He served in the India/Egypt/Mesopotamia campaign and contracted Malaria in Jul 1916, also in Jun 1917 and again in Feb 1918.
After the war Thomas married Elizabeth Green in 1921 and lived in Water Lane, Collingtree. He died on 31st Dec 1936. Age 61.
Gnr Thomas William Richard Cockerill 123847
36th Howitzer Brigade and 59 (R) Battery Royal Field Artillery
Born on 24th Feb 1894 in Collingtree. Son of Melvina Selina Cockerill of Village St (High St), Collingtree. Husband of Alice Louisa Hillyard (sister of Pte Joseph Henry Hillyard mentioned above). They married on the 26th Dec 1914 in Collingtree. Thomas was still living in the village at time of enlistment on 11th Dec 1915, Age 22. He had previously enlisted with 6th Bttn Northamptonshire Regt on the 3rd Sept 1914 but had been discharged on 2nd Nov 1914 due to being medically unfit for service. He served In the France & Flanders campaign and was ‘Wounded in Action’ on the 11th Sept 1916 (Admitted to Croydon War Hospital). He was also gassed & ‘Wounded in Action’ again on the 12th Sept 1918.
After discharge he was employed as a Brewers Labourer and lived in Water Lane, Wootton. He died on 7th May 1969. Age 65
Sgt Samuel Harry Crow 201802.
4th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment
Born on 26th May 1898 in Northampton. Son of Samuel George and Caroline Crow, formerly of Bedford Place, Northampton. The family moved to Collingtree in December 1909 and Samuel (known as Harry) was living with his family at Maryville in Ash Lane at the time of his enlistment on 17th February 1917. He was aged 18.Harry atended Sniping School at Mytchett Camp, Nr Aldershot and in the Summer of 1917 he qualified as a marksman. He was classified as medically unfit to be posted overseas and he remained in UK for the duration of the war.During his service he was a clerk, a drill instructor, and a qualified gas instructor and by March 1918 he had risen through the ranks and promoted to Sergeant and subsequently became Orderly Room Sergeant. He spent the latter part of his service at Dover Transit Camp, processing documentation of men passing through on leave, or coming home for demobilisation. When demobilised, Harry returned to Collingtree where his trade was carpenter and joiner i9n the family building business. He was married at Collingtree in 1928 to Frances Rebecca Robins, daughter of Francis Robbins (who was Head Gardener at Collingtree Grange) They lived in 18 High Street Collingtree and at the outbreak of WW2 Harry enrolled as an ARP Warden. He was a well known figure in the village and, together with his two brothers, was responsible for building many of the post war houses in the village. He died on 29th August 1991, aged 93
Royal Garrison Artillery
Born on 30th Aug 1893 in Collingtree. Only son of Fred and Louisa Douglas formerly of Wootton but resident of Village St (High St), Collingtree.
George was still living in the village at the time of enlistment in 1914, Age 21. A market gardener by trade working with his father. He served In the France & Flanders campaign and was ‘gassed’ on the 25th April 1918. After discharge he returned to Collingtree and continued to work as a market gardener on the family smallholding on the corner of the High St and Ash Lane. He married Dora Kate Courtman in 1926 and lived in 'The Bungalow' in the High Street. He died in June 1971. Age 77
L/Cpl Harry Thomas Frost 137557
6th Bttn & 3rd Bttn Northamptonshire Regt
Transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps in Feb 1918.Born on 24th May 1893 in Collingtree. Son of Harry and Martha Frost, formerly of Wootton
but resident of Village St (High St), Collingtree. Harry was still living in the village at the time of enlistment on 3rd Sept 1914, Age 21.He served in the France & Flanders campaign and was ‘Wounded in Action’ in Jul 1916 while serving with A Coy, 6th Bttn Northamptonshire Regt, at the Battle of Albert, The Somme. He was discharged in Aug 1919 and his address at the time was the Fox & Hounds Public House, Wootton, Northamptonshire.
Harry married Dorothy Boardman in Warrington, Cheshire in Sept 1923. He died in Cheshire in 1988 Age 95.
Pte Henry Gammage A/326954 & 870309
Royal Army Service Corps (Canteens) And the Merchant Navy
Born in 1881 in Collingtree. Son of William & Jane Gammage of Village St (High St), Collingtree. By the Age of 26 Henry was living and working in London and was married in Jun 1907, in Battersea, to Florence Eliza Winterborne. A Chef by trade, he enlisted on 24th Jun 1916, Age 35, for the EFC (Expeditionary Force Canteens) Army Service Corps. Serving in Calais.In March 1917 he then enlisted for the Merchant Navy. Age 36. Serving with the
Expeditionary Force Canteen in Calais. Henry lived in Maids Moreton, Bucks after discharge and remained in the Merchant Navyuntil Apr 1930.
He died in Padbury, Buckinghamshire in 1953 Age 72.
Pte Albert James Howard 22902
6th Bttn Northamptonshire Regt
Born in Feb 1894 in St James, Northampton. Son of James & Mary Jane Howard formerly of Northampton but then residents of Collingtree.
He was living with his parents in Rose Cottage, Collingtree at the time of enlistment on 10th Dec 2015. Age 21. A Farm Labourer working for Sir Hereward Wake. Albert served in the France & Flanders campaign and was ‘Wounded in Action’ on 17th Feb 1917 (his 23rd Birthday). He was taken Prisoner of War while serving with 2nd Bttn on the 26th March 1918. He was repatriated on 29th Nov 1918 and was admitted to St Georges Hospital in London for 7 days for recovery. After his discharge from the army on the 24th Sept 1919, he returned to live in Collingtree where he remained with his wife Elizabeth Annie Whitehead, (they married in 1934). They lived at 25 High Street and his occupation was an agricultural worker. He died in 1982. Age 88
Pte Fergus Reginald Ogden 1289 & 241027
2/1 Northamptonshire Yeomanry (B Squadron) And 436 Agricultural Coy Labour Corps
Born on 17th March 1897 in Collingtree. Son of John Frederick & Ellen Ogden of Village St (High St) Collingtree. He enlisted in Oct 1914, Age 17. While on duty in the UK in Jan 1916 Fergus was injured when he was kicked by a horse, resulting in him being invalided out of the Yeomanry. He was transferred to the Labour Corps in March 2017 where he remained in the UK. Fergus was still living in Collingtree at time of his discharge on 23rd March 1919. He married Caroline Mabel Crow in Jun 1920 and became Farm Manager at Breadsall, Derbyshire. He died in Somerset 1988. Age 90
Pte William Thomas Richardson 253640 & 235125
4th Res Bttn Norfolk Regt 11th Bttn Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) 6th Bttn Leicestershire Regt 682 Agricultural Coy, Labour Corps
Born in 1891 in Clifton, Nottinghamshire. Son of William & Annie Eliza Richardson of Blisworth, Northants (but later resident of Collingtree). William enlisted for the Army Reserve on 7th Dec 1915. Age 24. A Baker by trade living in Shutlanger, Northants. Although by definition William was not a 'Collingtree Man' at the time of his enlistment his parents were now residents of Collingtree. He was mobilised on 28th Feb 1917 in the Norfolk Regt and he served in the France/Flanders campaign, being posted to France on 13th Jun 1917. He was then transferred to the 11th Bttn Notts & Derby Regt on 2nd Jul 1917. By November 1917 he was hospitalised in France with Dysentery and on the 11th Jan 1918 he was admitted to the
Dysentery Convalescent Hospital in Barton, New Milton, Hampshire. On 23rd Apr 1918 William returned to the front with the 6th Bttn Leicestershire Regt (A Coy) but was 'Wounded in Action' on 30th Apr 1918. Presumably, unfit to return to the front, William saw out the remainder of his service in the
Labour Corps before he was discharged in Jan 1919. At the time he was living with his parents in Collingtree, but thereafter his whereabouts is unknown. Records show that William's brother, James Edward Richardson, was sub-postmaster at Collingtree Post Office in the 30s, with his wife Kate. A position that was then later undertaken, for many years, by their sister Ethel Richardson.
a/Sgt Frank William Russell 150803
1059 Maint Coy RASC
Born in 1887 in Northampton. Son of George Joseph & Martha Ann Russell of Northampton Husband of Emily Russell (nee Dickens). They were married in Kentish Town on 23rd Sept 1912.
Frank was living in Collingtree at time of enlistment on 23rd Nov 1915. Age 29. A mechanic & fitter by trade. He was based in the UK with the Royal Army Service Corps. At the time of his discharge in Feb 1919 he was still living in the village, but any further detail after that is unknown.
Pte Arthur John Warwick 12908
1st Bttn & 7th Bttn Northamptonshire Regt
Born on 24th Oct 1893 in Collingtree. Son of Daniel and Leah Warwick of Village St (High St), Collingtree. He was living in the village at the time of enlistment in August 1914. A Brewers Labourer. Age 20
Arthur served in the France & Flanders campaign and was ‘Wounded in Action’ on 9th May 1915 while serving with 1st Bttn Northamptonshire Regt at the Battle of Aubers Ridge. He was also ‘Wounded in Action’ again in March 1918 while serving with the 7th Bttn Northamptonshire Regt at the First Battles of the Somme. At the time of his discharge in Feb 1919 Arthur was still living in the village at Oak Cottage. He married Winnifred Daisy Smith in Wellingborough in 1923 and they went on to live in Cattle Market Rd, Northampton. His occupation was a Refrigerating Engineer. He was also an ARP Warden during WW2. He died in 1968. Age 75
Daniel Johnson Warwick 13757
6th Bttn Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regt
Born on 28th Aug 1886 in Collingtree. Son of Daniel and Leah Warwick of Village St (High St), Collingtree. Husband of Mabel Alice Goodman. They were married at Collingtree on 3rd Oct 1912. Daniel was still living in the village at the time of enlistment in 1916. Age 30. A Brewery
Labourer. He served in the France & Flanders campaign and saw action at The Somme and at Arras. It is believed that he was ‘Wounded in Action’ and was ‘gassed’, but this is yet to becorroborated. After his demobilisation in 1919 he returned to Collingtree and continued in his occupation
as a Brewers Labourer with Phipps Brewery. Daniel remained in the village, living in The Lane (later to become Watering Lane). He died in March 1979. Age 92.
Pte Walter Edward Warwick 5678 & 178999
5th Bttn & 2nd Bttn Bedfordshire Regt. Also No1 Bttn Machine Gun Corps
Born on 26th Feb 1898 in Collingtree. Son of Daniel and Leah Warwick of Village St (High St), Collingtree. He was still living in the village at the time of enlistment on 15th Jan 1916. Age 18. A Farm Labourer working for Mrs Caroline Sears of Collingtree Grange. Walter served in the France & Flanders campaign and was taken ‘Prisoner of War’ on 22nd March 1918 while serving with 2nd Bttn Bedfordshire Regt at The Battle of St Quentin, during the First Battles of The Somme. He returned to Collingtree after his demobilisation in Sept 1919. His occupation being a ‘Horseman on Farm’ and later a Farm Manager. He married his wife Doris Kilby in Northampton in 1925 and remained in the village, living in the High Street. He died in Jun 1981. Age 83.
Pte Richard Williams 201977
4th Bttn Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regt (C Coy)
Born on 24th May 1890 in Collingtree. Son of Ephraim and Phoebe Williams of Park Lodge, Collingtree. Husband of Leah Warwick (sister of Daniel, Walter and Arthur Warwick, previously mentioned). He was married in Collingtree on 5th Feb 1914. Although having grown up in Collingtree (he was still living there at age 20) Richard was living at 146 Southampton Rd, Far Cotton at the time of enlistment in Dec 1915. Age 25. A Brewery Malster
He served in the India & South Africa campaign and at the time of his discharge in Nov 1919 Richard was still living in Southampton Rd. He went on to become Publican of The Red Lion public house in High St, Wootton.
He died in 1971, Age 81.
MC/CPL Arthur Williams 73488
Royal Engineers Signals
Born on 30th Jan 1892 in Collingtree. Son of Ephraim and Phoebe Williams of Park Lodge Collingtree. Husband of Clara Margaret Slaymaker. They were married at All Hallows Church Wellingborough on 19th Aug 1915. Arthur enlisted in the Royal Engineers, Motor Cycle Section at Bletchley on 21st September 1915.Age 23. His occupation at the time was a clerk in the building trade and he was living in Shakespear Rd, Northampton. He served in the Balkans Campaign (Greece/Macedonia) and was initially posted, in Jan 1916, to the Signal Dept at 'Cleopatra Camp' in Egypt. In May of that year he was then transferred to Salonica in Greece (now Thessaloniki). Arthur was admitted to Hospital in March 1916 with concussion and grazes (possibly due to a motor cycle accident because of the difficult terrain) but he re-joined Base Signals in Salonika a month later in April of that year. In August 1917 Arthur witnessed first-hand the Great Fire of Salonika. A non-military tragedy during which British soldiers assisted in firefighting and transporting victims and their belongings to refugee camps. Arthur departed from Salonika in April 1919 and was demobilised on 30th April 1919. His address was given at the time was in Vivian Road, Wellingborough. In later life he was living in Ashburnham Road, Northampton. A Builders Estimator/Company Director. He was also an Air Raid Warden during the Second World War. Arthur died in Feb 1959. Age 67
This photograph of Collingtree veterans of the Great War was taken around 1920. The figure in the centre of the back row is The Rev.Palliser Frend, the then Rector of Collingtree and who's son, Hugh, was killed in 1917. The names of the other veterans are not known.