Lincoln's links to World War One

The Arras Memorial in France where Lincoln soldiers are remembered

Students at Bishop Grosseteste University College in Lincoln are looking for biographical information about a number of Lincoln soldiers who were killed during World War One.

The study involves a consideration of not only their military career but also of the social environment.

Each of the soldiers, with one exception, died on the Western Front during the Battle of Arras.

The research is for a module on modern British History.

BATTLE OF ARRAS The Battle of Arras was a British offensive during World War I. From 9 April to 16 May, 1917 British, Canadian, and Australian troops attacked German trenches near the French city of Arras on the Western Front The month of fighting around Arras cost the British 84,000 casualties and the Germans 75,000

Bill Hunt from the Bishop Grosseteste University College in Lincoln explains: "The students are working hard to find out more about these fallen soldiers. We're looking for people who might have more information about them or even family photographs which can be used for our study."

If you have any further information about any of the soldiers listed, you can email Bill Hunt [e-mail]

APPLEWHITE, Private William Edgar

9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Service no. 53336. He was born in Lincoln, enlisted in Grantham and was resident in Grantham when he joined the Army. He was the son of William Hodsen Applewhite and Hannah Applewhite, of 34, Tentercroft Street, Lincoln. He was killed in action on 3 May 1917 and is buried in Canadian Cemetery No.2, Neuville-St. Vaast, Arras, plot 16, row D, grave 4.

HAGUE, Lance Corporal Charles

8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Service no, 11632. He was born and enlisted in Lincoln. He was the husband of Alice May Hague, of 3, Michaelgate, Lincoln. He died of wounds on 7 May 1917 and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, plot 18, row K, grave 18A.

Private Waterfield lived at 19 Grey Street Terrace, Lincoln

WATERFIELD, Private Frederick Charles

8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Service no. 16628. He was born and enlisted in Lincoln. He was killed in action on 24 April 1917 and is buried in Chili Trench Cemetery, Gavrelle, Arras, where he is commemorated on a special memorial.

JOHNSON, Private William Harrison

7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Service no. 19102. He was born in Lincoln, enlisted in Coventry and was resident in Washingborough when he joined the Army. He was the son of Thomas and Margaret Johnson, of Washingborough. He was killed in action on 23 May 1917 and is buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Arras, plot 3, row N, grave 35.

KING, Private John William

1/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Service no. 201616. He was born and enlisted in Lincoln. He was killed in action on 2 May 1917 and is buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Loos, where he is commemorated on a special memorial.

LARKINS, Private Arthur

1/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Service no. 201144. He was born and enlisted in Lincoln. He was the son of Frederick Larkins, of 70, Ripon Street, Lincoln; husband of Florrie Larkins, of 27, Dixon Street, Lincoln. He was killed in action on 8 June 1917 and is commemorate on the Arras Memorial.

PANTON, Private Walter

1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Service no. 1855. He was born and enlisted in Lincoln. He was killed in action on 11 April 1917 and is buried in Coujeul British Cemetery, St. Martin-sur-Cojeul, Arras, where he is commemorated on a special memorial.

Second Lieutenant Rankin lived in Lincoln between 1910 and 1916

RANKIN, Second Lieutenant John

7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He was the son of Robert Cullen Rankin and Euphemia Rankin, of 3, Windsor Road, Levenshulme, Manchester. He was killed in action on 23 April 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

PHILLIPS, Lance Corporal Herbert Lewis

1/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Service no. 203010. He was born and enlisted in Lincoln. He was the son of Lewis and Sarah Phillips, of 76, Newland Street, Lincoln; husband of Rose Phillips, of 11, Harrison's Place, Rasen Lane, Lincoln. He was killed in action on 8 June 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

ROBSON, Serjeant Victor John

8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Service no. 13795. He was born in Grantham and enlisted in Deptford, Surrey. He was killed in action on 28 April 1917 and is buried in Chili Trench Cemetery, Gavrelle, Arras, where he is commemorated on a special memorial.

SEMPER, Lance Corporal Leonard Claude

8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Service no. 21579. He was born in North Finchley, London and enlisted in Lincoln. He was killed in action on 28 April 1917 and is buried in Chili Trench Cemetery, Gavrelle, Arras, row C, grave 6.

SEYMOUR, Serjeant Herbert

9th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Service no. 36402. He was born and enlisted in Lincoln and was resident in Bracebridge Heath when he joined the Army. He was the son of Mrs. Seymour, of 108, Bracebridge, Lincoln; husband of Mrs. Seymour, of 18, Fairfax Street, Bracebridge, Lincoln. He was killed in action on 14 April 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

Private Walter Teft was killed in action on 13 October 1915

TEFT, Private Walter

1/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Service no. 1635. He was born and enlisted in Lincoln. He was killed in action on 13 October 1915 and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

SHILLAKER, Rifleman John Marcham

2/9th Battalion, London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles). Service no. 392359. He enlisted in London and was resident in Lincoln when he joined the Army. He was the son of John and Ellen Shillaker, of 26, Ashlin Grove, Lincoln. He was killed in action on 26 May 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

STORR, Corporal George Flintham

10th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. Service no. 12/793. He was born in Retford and enlisted in Sheffield. He was killed in action on 23 April 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

(Despite his lack of obvious connection with Lincoln, an obituary for this soldier appeared in the Lincolnshire Chronicle on 19 May 1917, page 6.)