Bombardier Herbert Gabbitas was born around 1896 at Dinnington, the son of Albert and Clara Gabbitas. Prior to enlistment he worked at Kiveton Park colliery and enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery (18903). He married Annie Dickson in January 1917, but just 10 months later on 27th October 1917 Herbert was killed in action. The Worksop Guardian of November 23rd 1917 reported his death:
Much sympathy is expressed for the young wife and parents, who reside at Starch Houses, Anston, on the death in action of Bombardier Herbert Gabbitas, R.F.A. Bombardier Gabbitas has been in the army for nearly three years, and has been out in France for the past two years. He was only 21 years of age and was married whilst on leave last January. Before the war he worked at Kiveton Park Colliery. Had he lived a few more days he would have been made a Corporal. The following is a letter received by his wife from the officer commanding the battery:-
“I very much regret that I have to give you very bad news. Your husband, Herbert, was hit by a shell this afternoon, and died a few minutes later. I know this will be a tremendous blow to you, but try to bear up bravely and trust in God to help you. Herbert has been in my section ever since he joined this Brigade in 1915, and I wish to say that there was not a better man in all the battery, and I feel personally very deeply the loss of a good comrade. The other officers, the NCO’s and men all join in sympathy. A Medical Officer saw your husband within two minutes of his being wounded, and though all was done possible, his life could not be saved”.
He is commemorated on the Kiveton Park Colliery memorial.
Private Harold (Harry) Gay (b. 1895, Attercliffe) lived on Firvale, Harthill and worked at Kiveton Park Colliery. He joined the York and Lancaster regiment (17768) but was transferred later to the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed 20th November 1915 and his death was reported in the Worksop Guardian of 10thDecember that year:
News was received on Friday morning by the parents of Private Harold Gay, that their son had been killed in action in France on November 20TH last. Private Gay belonged to ‘W’ Company of the 3rd Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers, and was 20 years of age. He enlisted just over six months ago, prior to which he was employed at the Kiveton Park Colliery. Pte. Gay lived at Firvale, two doors away from where Pte. George Wapplington, reported missing, resided. Much sympathy is expressed with Pte. Gay’s parents in their sore trial.
He is remembered on the Vormezeele Cemetary (Enc 1&2) and the Kiveton Park Colliery memorial.
Wing Commander W M Gibson MC. RAF. Enlisted 1939. Served as a Captain in WW1 and was awarded the Military Cross
Gunner Arthur Goddard (b. 1889, Kiveton) was the son of Sarah and (late) Wilfred Goddard of Cross Keys public house, Handsworth. He married Maria H Clarkson (known as Hengie) in September 1913, sister to Albert Clarkson, and they set up home at 57 Wales Road, Kiveton. He worked at Kiveton Park Colliery prior to enlistment on 17th November 1917 into the Royal Field Artillery (service number 251394). They had one child. He was killed on 27th
April 1918 and buried in Canada Farm cemetery Ypres. He is remembered on the St John’s church plaque, Wales Square and Colliery memorials.
Bruce Godfrey was born at Wales in 1899, the son of Albert and Elizabeth Godfrey and brother of Joseph (see below). He worked at Waleswood Colliery prior to enlisting in the Royal Engineers. He survived the war and married Bertha Mildred Chapman on 20th April 1919 at Kiveton Park Methodist Chapel.
John Godfrey (b. 1893, Wales Bar) was the son Frederick Godfrey. In 1911 he was living at 39 Queens Road, Beighton. He married Maud Warnes in Sheffield, 1913 and they lived on 400 GAteford Road, Worksop. He was one of the first to enlist on 1st September 1914 in Worksop, joining the Lincolnshire regiment, 6th Battalion (13055). On attestation he described is occupation as collier and was recorded as 5’6’’, and 13st, with blue eyes and brown hair. Although he was initially described as fit for service, further medicals discovered that he had heart disease and he was discharged as ‘unlikely to become an efficient soldier under Kings regs. Unfit for war service’.
Joseph Godfrey (b. 1894, Wales) was the son of Albert and Elizabeth Godfrey, brother to Bruce (see above). His nickname was ‘Joby’. Prior to the war he was a mechanic at Waleswood Colliery and lived at 17 Waleswood Colliery. He enlisted on 1st Sept 1914 in Sheffield, joining the Notts and Derby Regiment (14076).
Private Harold Scott Goodman was born in Kiveton in around 1896. Prior to the war he was living in Leeds and working at Micklefield Colliery Leeds as an assistant Surveyor. He enlisted in January 1915 in Leeds first joining the Royal Field Artillery, then later the Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) 10th Battalion (19623, SR). He was shot through both lungs, right arm and right thigh in March 1916, but recovered and went back to France. He was killed 29th March 1917 and his death was reported in the Worksop Guardian on 20th April:
We regret to announce the death, killed in action in France of Private Harold Scott Goodman of the Scottish Rifles. His parents were former Kiveton Park residents but now reside at Forest Town, Mansfield. Private Goodman prior to joining the Army, was assistant surveyor at Micklefield Colliery, Leeds. He enlisted in the R.F.A. in January, 1915, and was afterwards transferred to the Scottish Rifles. He was badly wounded on March 25th 1916, being shot through both lungs the right forearm and the right thigh, the wounds being inflicted by a rifle grenade. He recovered however, and was sent out to France again shortly before last Christmas. The news was conveyed to his parents in the following letter:
“Dear Mrs. Goodman – It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son in action. He was killed at his post ‘stand to’ on the morning of 29th March and died bravely. By his attention to duty, discipline and devotion to duty, he was known and admired and whilst his fellows will miss him much, I have to deplore the loss of a good soldier – yours sincerely D McToulis (Capt. Commanding C.Co. 10th Scottish Rifles”.
The deceased soldier, who has a wide circle of relations and friends at Kiveton Park, was only 21 years of age.
He was buried at Faubourg cemetery, Arras, France (plot 3 L20).
Private Lewis Gregory was born 1882, in Sheffield coming from a family of metalworkers who lived on Sydney Street. He married Hannah Checkley in 1907 and they had a daughter Edith. The family lived at 15 Albert Terrace, Kiveton as Lewis was a miner at Kiveton colliery. He was a reservist with 3rd West Yorks for 5 years before the war and enlisted in Sheffield on 8th Feb 1915 into the York and Lancaster Regiment, 1/4th Hallamshire Battalion (201538; 3555; 6057). He was posted missing 6th July 1916 and by 1st Aug presumed killed. His body was never found. He is remembered on St Johns church plaque, Wales Square and Kiveton Colliery memorials. Hannah’s brother Harry ‘Os’ Checkley had been killed 18th July 1915.
Driver Albert Gretton (b. 1892, Thorpe Salvin) lived with his mother Ann at Kiveton Park Station and was a well known local sportsman. He served with the Royal Field Artillery, 76th Army Brigade HQ staff (L/42807). In September 1917, he was injured in the foot and had to cut away boot to be able to walk, but volunteered to go to front the next day. He was gassed and badly burned 19th Oct 1917. He was mentioned in despatches as reported by the Worksop Guardian of 9th Nov 1917.
Corporal Harold William Grounsell (b. 1888, Chapeltown Sheffield) was boarding with Levi Collins at 7 Colliery Road due to working at Kiveton colliery prior to enlisting at the outbreak of war on 2nd Sept 1914 at St John’s rooms, Kiveton along with many others. He served with the Royal Field Artillery (820113). He married Martha Swift in November 1917 while on leave but was killed shortly after returning to the frontline on 15th December 1917. He had been involved with Wales St John’s scouts.
Report and photo from the WORKSOP GUARDIAN,
DECEMBER 28th 1917
Corpl. Harold William Grounsell
It is with deep regret we record the death in action of Corporal William Grounsell, R.F.A., of Kiveton Park, which occurred on December 15th. The news was conveyed to his wife in a letter from Major N. Spearman-Smith, as follows:-
“It is with deepest regret that I have to inform you that your husband was killed in action on December 15th. My regret is enhanced, knowing that you were so recently married. It may be little consolation to you to know that your husband was killed instantaneously by a shell, and therefore suffered no pain. His loss is deeply felt by all ranks of the battery, for he always proved himself a very capable N.C.O., a hard worker and a good comrade. Only recently, he had been promoted to the rank of Corporal, as a reward for good work done in this year’s hard fighting. His place will be difficult to fill. It will be comforting to you that he is being buried with all due ceremony near here, the exact place of burial you will be informed of later. No doubt you will receive a letter from the Chaplain, conducting the burial and I am sure you will receive letters from his comrades. Please accept on behalf of all ranks in the battery my heartfelt sympathy in your very sad bereavement. I trust you will bear your great loss bravely, knowing that your husband did his duty”.
A letter was received from 2nd Lieutenant Wickham in the following terms : -
“Dear Mrs.Grounsell, You will, no doubt, have heard that your husband, Corpl. H. W. Grounsell was killed in action on 15th December 1917. Although not his section officer, I feel I must write to you to offer you my sincerest sympathy in your great loss. He was well known to me, and I was at the battery at the time of his death. It may comfort you to know that death was instantaneous. The battery was being heavily shelled at the time and a piece of shell hit him in the neck, causing instant death. I collected his personal belongings and have had them forwarded to you. He was a splendid fellow, fearless and ever willing to do his duty under the most trying circumstances. Being of a cheerful disposition, he was very much liked by both officers and men. His body was sent to the wagon lines, where it will receive a proper burial, and a cross will be erected over the grave. You can rest assured that everything will be done in as Christian like manner as possible. If you so desire I shall be only too pleased to give you any further information. I understand that when recently on leave in England, he was married hence his death must come as a great shock to you. Words fail to express my very great sorrow and I hope you may be given strength to bear this great loss, and hope for the time you will again meet him in the world beyond”.
Corpl. Grounsell, who was 28 years of age, enlisted on September 2nd 1914 and has been on service in France for two years and eleven months. The sad news was received on December 22nd and it is pathetic to recall that the month previously he married whilst on leave, his bride being Miss M. Swift daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Swift, Wales Road, Kiveton Park, towards whom the very greatest sympathy is expressed by a wide circle of friends. Previous to enlistment, he was employed at the Kiveton Park colliery. He was a very well known lad and the tenour of his officer’s letters is illustrative of his character. He was an active member of the Kiveton Park P.M. Chapel, being a member of the choir and other organisations connected with the Chapel.”
He was buried at Fins New British Cem, Sorel-le-grande, Somme (plot 3, B12) and is remembered on the Wales Square and Kiveton Colliery memorials.