Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Willcox (Willcocks), a shoe trade rivetter, born in the January quarter of 1866 in Leicester (son of William Willcocks, 1840-1908 and Sarah Ann Hammond, 1845-1915) and his wife Ann Jane Willcocks, a hosiery trade machinist (nee Norman, married on the 25th December 1884 in All Saint’s Church, Leicester), born in the July quarter of 1867 in Oadby, Leicestershire and baptised on the 4th August 1867 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby (daughter of Jane Norman). Horace Arnold was born in the January quarter of 1888 in Oadby, his siblings were, Mary Ann, born on the 26th September 1886 and baptised on the 6th May 1901 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby and George, born in the April quarter of 1890, both his siblings were born in Oadby, also residing in the family home was Horace’s maternal uncle, George Taylor, a shoe trade riveter, born in the July quarter of 1873 in Oadby, in April 1891 the family home was at Main Street, Stonton Wyville, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Horace was employed as a shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home at London Road, Oadby, together with his father, a shoe trade laster, his mother, a hosiery trade yarn winder and his siblings, Mary, a hosiery trade machinist and George. In April 1911 Horace was employed as a boot and shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home at 107, Bolton Road, Leicester, together with his wife Sarah Willcocks, (nee Clarke, married in the October quarter of 1910 in Leicester) born on the 14th January 1888 in Huncote, Leicestershire and baptised on the 12th August 1888 in All Saint’s Church, Narborough, Leicestershire (daughter of Joseph Clarke, 22/1/1858 and Emma Willson, 6/3/1852). They had two children Emily May, born on the 3rd April 1911 and baptised on the 7th April 1911 in St. Paul’s Church, Leicester and Edith Annie Laurie, born on the 27th October 1915 and baptised on the 8th October 1916 in St. Paul’s Church, Leicester, both children were born in Leicester.
Horace died, aged 30, on the 2nd December 1918. Horace’s younger brother George had been killed in action on October 23rd, 1914.
Horace’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards and the WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards.
Enlisted/Attested in Leicester into the Regular Army. 27/7/15.
Joined. At Leicester. 27/7/15.
Posted. To Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 27/7/15.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 20603.
Posted. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in Mesopotamia. 17/2/16.
Invalided. To India. 8/4/16.
Invalided. To England. 19/5/16.
Posted. To 13th Training Reserve Bn. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted. Regimental service number 13429.
Posted. To Laboure Corps, 494th Company (Leicester). Pte. Date not known.
Allotted. Regimental service number 262584.
Discharged. Under Paragraph 392 (xvi) King’s Regulations. No longer physically fit for War Service. 23/7/17.
Proceedings on Discharge.
No. 13429. Army Rank: Private.
Name: Willcocks, Horace Arnold.
Battalion, Battery, Company, Depot, &c: - Labour Corps, 494th Company.
Date of discharge: 23rd July 1917.
Place of discharge: Nottingham.
[1] Description at time of discharge.
Age: 29 years – months.
Height: 5-feet 9 inches.
Chest measurement: Girth when fully expanded 37 ins. Range of expansion 2½ ins.
Complexion: Fresh.
Eyes: Brown.
Hair: Brown.
Descriptive marks. Operation scar, varicose veins left calf.
Trade: Shoe clicker.
Intended place of residence: 34, Dunster Street, Leicester.
[2] The above-named man is discharged in consequence of: Paragraph 392 (xvi) King’s Regulations. No longer physically fit for War Service.
(The cause of discharge must be worded as prescribed in the King’s Regulations and to be identical with that on the discharge certificate. If discharged by superior authority, the No. and date of the letter to be quoted.)
[3] Military character: Good.
[4] Character awarded in accordance with King’s Regulations: His conduct has been good. Disability due to active service.
(Certified that the above is an accurate copy of the character given by me on Army Form B.2067* and that Army Form D.489 was awarded in this case.
RCN
Initials of Commanding Officer
A summary of his service records:
Home Service. 27/7/15 – 16/2/16. - 205 days.
Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 17/2/16 – 7/4/16. – 50 days.
India. 8/4/16 – 18/5/16. – 41 days.
Home Service. 19/5/16 – 23/7/17. – 1 year 66 days.
Total Service. 1 year 362 days.
Awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Silver War Badge No. 134822.
On Tuesday December 2nd, 1924, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 10, under the heading. – BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. – IN MEMORIAM. – WILLCOCKS-CLARKE. – In loving remembrance of my husband, Arnold Willcocks, died December 2nd, 1918. – From Wife and Children, Mother, Sisters, Albert; also J. W. Clarke and L. W. Clarke, died August 28th, 1918. October 2nd, 1918. Time passes on, loving memories remain. – From Father, Mother, Sisters, Brothers.
[recognitum I-VI-MMXXIII]