Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday November 3rd, 1916

IBSTOCK SOLDIERS KILLED

Mrs P. Iliffe, High Street, Ibstock, received the regrettable news this week from Captain W. Ghinon, 12th West Riding Regiment, serving at the Front, that Private Robert Holland was killed on the 24th inst., whilst asleep in his tent by bombs dropped from an enemy aeroplane. Robert Holland came from London as a boy and worked at Bagworth Colliery prior to joining the Colours. He was well liked by all who knew him.

Mr and Mrs Arthur Dunnicliffe, Ravenstone Road, Ibstock, received the painful news last week that their son, Gunner Albert Dunnicliffe, of the Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, was killed by shell fire on the 15th October last. His officer in charge, when conveying the sad news, expressed the sincere sympathy of the battery, saying “he always did his duty cheerfully, and without regard to danger, and it was his fate, as well as that of his closest friend, to make the supreme sacrifice together. He is buried in the cemetery behind the lines.”

Gunner Dunnicliffe was a wheelwright by trade, and served his apprenticeship with Mr Green, coachbuilder, Hugglescote, and afterwards worked for Mr Brenfield of Heather.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 17th, 1916

IBSTOCK

WESLEYAN CHURCH

In connection with the deaths of Privates Albert Dunnicliffe and Holland, on active service, as reported in our last issue, an impressive memorial service was held at the above place of worship on Sunday afternoon last, which was attended by relatives and friends of the deceased scholars. The Rev. T. Cottam (Coalville) conducted the service and based his very appropriate remarks on the text Numbers 22 – 18. “We will not return unto our house until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.” The reverend gentleman expressed sympathy with the parent and friends of the two soldiers who had made the supreme sacrifice in the course of duty to King and country, and urged the comforting assurances that no man could perform a greater deed than that of laying down his life for the cause of righteousness and freedom.

Councillor W. Eggington, J.P., read over their roll of honour, which was inscribed with 25 names of which Privates Dunnicliffe and Holland had now fallen, and six others had been seriously wounded. He said he had been connected with that Sunday School for 40 years, and during that period had always endeavoured to instil into the minds of the scholars the great Christian principles of unselfish service and the living of lives of helpfulness and usefulness, and he was glad that it was in this spirit the two scholars who had now made supreme sacrifice had answered their country’s call. Mr Elson presided at the organ, and played the ‘Dead March’ in Saul.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 18/10/2017