Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Betteridge a Retired Coal Miner (Blinded accidentally), born 1831 in Oakthorpe, Leics., and his wife Jane, born 1847 in Donisthorpe, Leics. Timothy was born in 1885 in Parkhead, Derbys., his siblings were Reuben, born 1874 in Oakthorpe, Leics., Mary, born 1879 in Chesterfield, Derbys., Ruth, born 1881 and Leonard, born 1888, the latter two siblings were both born in Parkhead, Derbys., in April 1891 the family home was at Cottage, Oakthorpe and Donisthorpe, Leics. In March 1901 Timothy was employed as a Coal Miner and Pony Driver and was residing in the family home at 17, North Street, Mill Bank, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics., together with his widowed mother and siblings, Mary and Leonard. In April 1911 Timothy was an unemployed General Labourer and was residing in the family home at Mill Bank, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics., together with his widowed mother. The War Diary for the 12th March records. The enemy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR. On the 12th March at 5.15am the Germans counter attacked and A Coy at D. was called up but this counter attack broke down on the right at 100yards from our trenches. On the left they occupied the trench vacated by the 2nd/2nd GURKHAS and advanced from there direct on the 2nd/3rd GURKHAS. They were received with frontal fire from the GURKHAS and enfiladed by B Coy and one Machine Gun under Capt McINTYRE and few returned to their trench. At 9.00am a white flag was seen in this trench and at 9.30am a Coy of the 1st/4th GURKHAS advanced as there was no further movement by the enemy a party under 2nd Lt McINTYRE under fire from enemy behind white flags rushed to the trench and assisted the GURKHAS in clearing it of the enemy, many of whom were killed or wounded, the remainder surrendering to the 1st HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY further north. Information received at 11.00am the SIRHIND Bde supported by JULLUNDER Bde was going to attack in easterly direction, but no attack took place although troops were formed up behind front line, owing to open nature of ground and lack of cover they suffered somewhat heavily. At 3.37pm received information that GARWHAL Bde would remain in possession of line. At 6.00pm FEROZEPORE Bde came up but by 11.00pm it was decided that attack would not take place. Heavy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR from 1.00pm to 2.15pm. Battn HQ’s and ½ D Coy moved to D. at 3.00pm. JULLUNDER and FEROZEPORE Bde withdrawn about 11.30pm. The War Diary for the 13th March records. Heavy shelling in neighbourhood of D. and NEUVE CHAPELLE during the morning. Snipers very active. At 12.30pm it was reported by a Gunner observing officer that the enemy were collecting on the line of LAYES river S.5.b to M.36.c. Orders were issued by Bde at 5.15pm for relief of line by SIRHIND Bde (Appendix E). Operational orders issued at 6.30pm (Appendix F). At 5.30pm information was received that appearances were in favour of the enemy attacking. Relief completed at midnight 13th/14th March all quiet and Battn marched to L’EPINETTE via F. Bde HQ’s RUE DES BERCEAUX – QUEEN MARY ROAD – LA COUTURE – ZELOBES and LOCON ROAD arriving at billets at 6.00am 14th March.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday January 1st, 1915

V.C. FOR ASHBY SOLDIER

News has reached Ashby that Lance-Corporal T. Betteridge, of the 2nd Batt. Leicestershire Regiment, is to be recommended for the Victoria Cross for carrying a wounded comrade under fire out of the firing line. Lance-Corporal Betteridge is a native of Oakthorpe, but for some time before the outbreak of the war when at home he resided with his mother at Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Since he enlisted a few years ago he has been stationed in Ireland and also in India.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 21st 1915:

Lance-Corporal Timothy Betteridge, of A Company, 2nd Leicesters, who came with his regiment from India at the outbreak of war. He is 28 years of age, and had served five years with the colours. He was killed in the battle of Neuve Chapelle on March 10th. His mother resides at 17, Mill Bank, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Research undertaken and kindly submitted by Andy Murby 30/08/2015

Photograph courtesy of A. Garford 2020