Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Attwood a Wood Pattern Maker, born 1869 in Sandford, Oxfordshire and his wife Martha, born 1869 in Ibstock, Leicestershire. Ambrose Harold was born in 1895 in Ibstock, Leicestershire, his siblings were William, born 1892 in Newfoundpool, Leicester, Gradys, born 1894 in Ibstock, Leicestershire, Matilda, born 1899 in Ibstock, Leicestershire, Elsie, born 1901 in Heather, Leicestershire, Leonard, born 1904 in Heather, Leicestershire and Heathcote, born 1908 in Heather, Leicestershire. In March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Heather, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Ambrose Harold was employed as a Tailors Errand Boy and was residing in the family home at 17, Main Street, Hugglescote, Leicestershire. His parents later resided at 268, Goodman, Street, Burton on Trent, Staffs.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday September 1st, 1916

HUGGLESCOTE SOLDIER FALLS IN ACTION

Official information has been received that Lance-Sergeant Ambrose Harold Attwood, of the King’s Royal Rifles, was killed in action on July 27th. Before the war, he was employed at Messrs. Myatt’s cycle works, Coalville, and resided at North Street, Hugglescote, where he has spent most of his life, though his parents have since moved to South Elmsall, Yorks. His father was formerly carpenter at the South Leicestershire Colliery.

Deceased was 21 years of age. He was formerly in the Hugglescote Church Lad’s Brigade, and was a member of the Young Men’s Bible Class at the Church School. His parents some years ago resided at Heather, and Sergt. Attwood attended the day school there at that time.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 15th, 1916

HOW SERGT. ATTWOOD DIED

OFFICER’S TOUCHING TRIBUTE

A letter describing how Sergt. Ambrose Harold Attwood, formerly of Hugglescote, of the King’s Royal Rifles, met with his death, has been received by his mother from 2nd Lieutenant C. V. Erwood, who writes, “It is my unpleasant task to inform you that your dear son, Sergt. Attwood has been killed in action. He died a veritable hero’s death, leading his section gallantly into action. If it is any comfort at all to you to know, he was killed instantaneously, being shot through the head. I feel absolutely heartbroken myself about it, as he was one of the nicest men I ever met in this great war. He was brave to a degree and immensely popular with his men and loved by myself. Our battalion performed marvellously in a great attack and every man went forward as though on manoeuvres. . . . . . Sergt. Attwood always had a cheery smile and a pleasant word for everyone. I had the pleasure of a very long talk with him, the day before we went into action. He took communion just before the attack, and went bravely and cheerfully into action. May God bless and comfort you in your great sorrow.”

Sergeant Attwood was formerly a member of the Hugglescote Church Lad’s Brigade.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 22nd, 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday evening, a memorial service for Lance-Sergeant A. H. Attwood, and Private C. Simmons, both killed in action, was held at the Hugglescote Parish Church. The Rev. H. V. Williams (curate) preached, and there was a large congregation. L-Sergeant Attwood before the war held similar rank in the Hugglescote Church Lad’s Brigade, the members of which attended the service. A former brigade-bugler, Private H. Watson, now of the Leicestershire Regiment, sounded “The Last Post.”

Coalville Times article - Friday July 27th, 1917

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Lance-Sergeant Ambrose Harold Attwood (King’s Royal Rifle Corps) the beloved son of William and Martha Attwood, of South Elmsall, Yorkshire, who fell in action while serving his country in France, on June 27th, 1916. Age 21 years.

“He sleeps not in his native land,
But ‘neath some foreign skies;
And far from those who loved him best,
In a hero’s grave he lies.
For many years our family chain
Was closely linked together,
But, Oh! That chain is broken now,
One link is gone for ever.”

From Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 26th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Lance-Sergeant Ambrose Harold Attwood, of the King’s Royal Rifles, who fell in action whilst leading his men in Delville Wood, France, July 27th, 1916.

He gave his life for his King and country.

“We think we see his smiling face
As he bade his last good-bye,
And left his home for ever,
In a distant land to die.
Sleep on, loved one, in a far-off grave,
A grave we may never see,
But as long as life and memory last,
We will remember thee.”

From Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers, Burton-on-Trent; also his brother, Second-Lieutenant W. W. Attwood, who is serving with His Majesty’s Forces in India.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 25th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Lance-Sergeant Ambrose Harold Attwood (King’s Royal Rifle Corps) who fell in action in Delville Wood, France, while serving his King and Country, July 27th, 1916. Aged 21 years.

“When last we saw his smiling face,
He looked so strong and brave;
We little thought how soon he would
Be laid in a far-off grave.”

From his Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers, Burton-on-Trent; and his Brother. Lieut. W. W. Attwood, now serving in Russia.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Coalville Times article, July 23rd, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Attwood – In loving memory of Lance-Sergeant Ambrose Harold Attwood, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who fell in action while serving his country in France, July 27th, 1916.

“Not now, but in the coming years,
It may be in the better land;
We’ll read the meaning of our tears,
And there, sometime we’ll understand.”

From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 15/10/2016