Raymond Champion

Raymond was born in 1898 the son of John, a gas work labourer, and Annie Champion (née Askew) of 6 Calcutta Street, St Ann's Well Road, Nottingham. John Champion was born in 1859 in Burton Joyce Annie in 1859 at Oakham, Rutland. Married in 1882 they had eleven children. Raymond’s seven siblings surviving infancy were John b.1883, Fanny b.1884, Thomas b.1887, Walter b.1889 (killed in action 3/11/1914), William b.1891 (killed in action 1/5/1917), Rose b.1901 and Albert b.1905. In 1901 they lived at 12 Rushworth Avenue and in 1911 at 6 Calcutta Street (both St Ann’s Nottingham). His brother Thomas King Champion, who had served with the Grenadier Guards throughout the war, was discharged on 5th March 1919 and he died on 25th June 1919 aged 31 at the Nottingham General Hospital, he died after an accident, recorded on the pension record as: “death due to shock from an anasthetic [sic] administered for purpose of amputating a finger.”

He was a bobbin winder.

6 Calcutta Street St Ann's Nottingham

Raymond attested at Nottingham on 6th April 1915. Aged 16 years 11 months he gave his age as 19 years and 11 months. He served with the 7th battalion Sherwood Foresters until 2nd January 1916 when it was discovered he was under age and he was returned to England on 4th December 1916. Raymond remained on home duties in England until on 8th June 1917 he again went to France. He was sent to Etaples Camp on 9th June 1917 and posted to the 9th Battalion Royal Scots Regiment. On 30th September 1917 he received a gun shot wound to his right thigh. He was initially treated in France but was evacuated to England on 2nd October 1917 and transferred to Keighley War Hospital. He died as a result of the wounds on 19th October 1917. His body was returned to Nottingham and he was buried in the Nottingham General Cemetery Screen Wall: 03345

Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged), 22 October 1917: ‘Champion. Died of wounds October 19th 1917, Private Raymond Champion Royal Scots. Brother, sister, Tom and Grace.’ Obituaries from the Nottingham Evening Post dated 18th October 1919 : - “CHAMPION. – In ever-loving memory of our dear sons and brother, Pte. Raymond Champion, died of wounds October 19th, 1917; Lce.-Cpl. William (Billy), M.G.C., killed in action May 1st, 1917; Rfmn. Walter, K.R.R., died of wounds November 3rd, 1914; Thomas, died in hospital June 26th, 1919. Ever in our thoughts. – From mother, dad, sister Rose, and brother Albert. “CHAMPION. – In loving memory of my dear brother, Raymond, died of wounds, October 19th, 1917. Silently mourned. – From sister Fanny and brother-in-law Harry and family.” Obituaries courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918