HERBERT EDWARD BLATHERWICK 1893–1963

Cousin of George Harry Blatherwick and Robert Hugh Blatherwick

Born 3rd September 1893 in Nottingham

Baptised 25 October 1908 St Mary’s Church Radcliffe

Married 24 August 1922 to May Beatrice Moss at Westminster St Matthew. Marriage was registered in July-September quarter 1922 in Basford District, Nottingham

Son Peter F.H. born 1925 in Wandsworth district, daughter Rita A. born 1933 in Hendon district

Died 1st June 1963 in Herne Bay, Kent

1901 Census

Age 7 living at 44 Sneinton Boulevard, Nottingham, with grandparents Jesse and Sarah and their sons Ernest 32, and Sidney 29. Grandfather retired grocer, father lace warehouseman.

1911 Census

Age 17 living with uncle George Harry Blatherwick, aunt Mary Ellen and cousins Mary, Robert and Annie at ‘Ye Nook’, Cropwell Road, Radcliffe on Trent. Working as a clerk in a tannery.

Military Service

Rank: Corporal, then 2nd Lieutenant

Service Number: 56287

Military Unit: Royal Garrison Artillery

Theatre of War: France and Flanders, date of entry March 1916

Enlistment: December 4th 1914, Mechanics Institute, Nottingham

Demobilised 20.10.1921

Medals Awarded: British War and Victory

Military Personnel Address on 1918 Electoral Register

Cropwell Road, Radcliffe on Trent

Other information

Cousins George and Robert Blatherwick were both killed in the war (see biographies).

Herbert enlisted in the artillery, December 1914, with Gilbert Elwin, from Radcliffe, who mentions him in his memoir of the First World War. He describes him as being tall – about 6ft 2ins – and notes that they were assigned to the artillery, together with Harry Elwin and Herbert’s friend Will Bradbury, because they were above average height and physically fit. After training at Newhaven and Lewisham, the Elwin brothers were sent to France in September 1915 while Herbert Blatherwick and Will Bradbury continued training in the U.K. The four men met up in Sailly-au-Bois, Somme area, a few days before July 1st 1916:

“Whilst we were preparing for the July 1st offensive, a new battery of 60 pounders like our own took up position in the grounds of a deserted French chateau. To our astonishment two of the members were our two old friends who had enlisted with us. We had experienced a year in action in France and they were newcomers. We had much to talk about.”

Probate 6th August 1963 to Peter Frederick Herbert Blatherwick, shipping clerk.

1921: Living at 22 Denman Street, London Bridge, London S.E.1

1921 Census

Address: Cropwell Road, Radcliffe on Trent

Employment: Assistant Manager at Turney Bros, Leather Manufacturers Nottingham.

Household: father George, Architect,  Quantity Surveyor, mother Mary, sisters Annie and Mary

1939 Register

Address: 10 Courthouse Gardens, Finchley, Middlesex.

Occupation: Manager to leather manufacturer.

Household: living with wife May, born 11 November 1892, and two other people whose records are undisclosed.

Reason for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour

Lived in Radcliffe on Trent with uncle, aunt and cousins.