Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday April 26th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

News has been received in Coalville that Pte. J. Horrocks, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, was killed in action in France, on March 21st. Writing to Miss Jebb, of Gutteridge Street, Coalville, an officer states, “In answer to your enquiries concerning Pte. J. Horrocks, I regret to have to inform you that he was killed on the morning of March 21st, during a bombardment preliminary to the enemy attack of that date. According to the information forwarded by men who were with him at the time, death was caused by a shell and was instantaneous. As you will doubtless understand, it was unfortunately, impossible under the circumstances to recover his body or any of his effects. I hope you will allow me to sympathise with you in your loss and that you will not hesitate to communicate with me should you wish me to make any further enquiries.” A sister of the deceased, residing at Swinton, near Manchester, has also received a letter from a sergeant, who writes, “I am sorry to have to inform you that he was killed on March 21st after a bombardment about 5 am. Pte. Horrocks, who at the time was next to me, was killed by a piece of shell. He died instantly and without pain, and I am sorry to say we were unable to get any of his personal property as we were hard pressed. Lately joined us, Pte. Horrocks was well-liked by all who knew him and he was always willing to do his duty. He did not know what fear was, and we have lost a very good lad. Please accept the sympathy of us all.”

Private Horrocks joined up last September, and had only been six weeks in France. He was formerly for about 3 years, manager of the boot and shoe department of the Coalville Co-Operative Society, and lodged with Mrs Geary at 26, Hotel Street, Coalville.

Coalville Times article - Friday January 24th, 1919

COALVILLE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY

EMPLOYEE’S ROLL OF HONOUR

The 140th quarterly meeting of the Coalville Workingmen’s Co-Operative Society was held in the Adult School Hall on Saturday evening, Mr C. W. Brown, jnr. presiding over a good attendance.

The chairman said it was the first time since he had been chairman that he had been able to wish the members a happy new year, except with bated breath. They were glad that peace was at hand. The war had made many homes sad and they all hoped that at the peace conference now sitting some method would be arrived at in dealing with disputes between nations which would prevent anything of the kind happen again (hear, hear).

A letter was read from Mr W. Stacey, thanking the members for their vote of sympathy with him on the death of his son.

The chairman said that it had been remarked that the Society had made many appeals to the local Tribunal, but it was not generally known that 85 of their employees had joined the Forces. He regretted to say that ten had made the supreme sacrifice, their names being:

J. Horrocks (boot department), E. Stinchcombe, W. Mace (stables), J. Brooks (Bagworth grocery), V. Hancox, W. Tyers (Ellistown grocery), D. Drinkwater (Central bakery), W. Collier (Hugglescote grocery), R. Brooks (butchery), and T. Wild (tailoring).

Coalville Times article - Friday July 18th, 1919


COALVILLE SOLDIERS WELCOMED

The employees of the Coalville Co-Operative Society organised a garden party on Wednesday as a welcome home to their fellow employees who have been serving in the Forces. A company of about 250 were taken by motor ‘bus to the Barrow Hill Farm, Osgathorpe, recently purchased by the Society, and there had tea and games, a pleasant time being spent. The Coalville Coronation Band was present. Of the 83 employees who served in the Forces, 7 were killed. The number recently returned and who were welcomed on Wednesday, was 42. Mr W. Scaysbrook (chairman) read the following to the assembly:

“Coalville Workingmen’s Co-Operative Society. – The primary object of our gathering to-day is to afford the opportunity of welcoming back to our midst those of our fellow employees and comrades who, responding to the call of duty, have endured danger and hardships in order that civilisation might be protected from the ravages of a ruthless foe, and in order that life for all nations shall be more worth living. The Society, with which we are associated, has made its contribution to the common cause, no less than 83 of its employees having joined the military, naval and air forces. To all who have been spared to return, we to-day give a whole-hearted “welcome home,” and at the same time express our deep appreciation of the services they have rendered, and our gratitude for having taken their part in protecting our hearths and homes. To all those who are still in service, we wish a speedy return to the more peaceful pursuits of our movement, so that they, with us, may help forward the day of the Co-Operative commonwealth. At a time like this we cannot forget, and we would not if we could, those of our number who have made the supreme sacrifice of their lives, and once again offer our deepest sympathy with all those who, through the tragedy of war, have lost those who were dear to them. Their names are:

J. W. Brooks, W. Brooks, W. Mace, T. Wild, R. Stinchcombe, W. Collier, R. Brooks, W. Tyers, V. Hancock, J. Horrocks and D. Drinkwater.

In conclusion we venture to express the earnest hope that never again shall you be called upon to leave your homes to engage in warfare, but trust that your future may be peaceful and prosperous, and worthy the sacrifices that have been made. – July 16th, 1919.”

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 11/2/2018