Harold John Falconbridge

Harold was the younger son of Charles Falconbridge and Mary Martha Falconbridge (nee Earp). Charles was born in Marlow, Nottinghamshire, (1860, J/F/M East Retford) and his wife in Tuxford, Nottinghamshire. They were married in 1884 (O/N/D East Retford) and had two sons, Charles Earp born in Tuxford on 22 January 1886 and Harold John born in Radcliffe on Trent in 1893 (O/N/D Bingham). In 1901 Charles (41), a railway canvasser, and Mary (41) were living on Bingham Road, Radcliffe on Trent, with their two sons, Charles (15) and Harold (7). By 1911 the family had moved to Nottingham and were living at 112 Mansfield Road. Charles senior was still working as a railway canvasser. Charles (25), an electrical engineer, and Harold (17) an apprentice litho artist, were still at home. By the time of Harold's death in 1916 the family was living at 114 Mansfield Road. Harold's brother Charles married Elsie May Cooper on 23 December 1918 at St Faith's church, Nottingham, and they lived at 20 Shakespeare Villas, Shakespeare Street, Nottingham. They had two children, Elsie M. b. 1919 (J/A/S Nottingham) and John Harold b. 9 July 1923. According to Kelly's Directory of 1922, Charles Earp had an electrical engineering company, CE Falconbridge Limited, which had premises at 2 Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, and Hopkinson's Yard, Upper Parliament Street. His home address was still 20 Shakespeare Villas. Charles senior was also listed in Kelly's Directory of 1922; his occupation was given as a railway agent for the Great Northern Railway. Charles died on 8 March 1923; he was still living at 114 Mansfield Road. Harold's mother died at the age of 80 on 6 December 1939; she was then living at Clough House, East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire. Charles Earp died at the age of 95 in 1981 (March Rushcliffe). His daughter Elsie married Frank J Lodder in 1938 (O/N/D Bingham). His son John served in the Second World War (4865594 Private, Army Air Corps) and was a prisoner of war (POW Number 27839), held in Stalag 344, Lambinowice, Poland. John married Clarice Stone in 1946 (A/M/J Bingham).

In 1911 he was an apprentice lithographic artist and although the apprenticeship was cancelled he was still working as a lithographic artist when he enlisted. He was a Wesleyan Methodist.

114 Mansfield Road, Nottingham

Harold attested on 10 September 1914 giving his age as 20 years 307 days. He was posted on 8 October 1914 (Rifleman) and served at home until 1915. He was promoted lance corporal on 28 June 1915 a month before joining the BEF in France on 30 July. Harold served in France until his death in May 1916. He was killed in action and is buried at Berles-Au-Bons Churchyard Extension (plot D11).

Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'Sleep on beloved till the day breaks and the shadows flee.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 30 May 1916: ‘Falconbridge. Killed in action, May 23rd, Corporal Harold John Falconbridge, King’s Royal Rifles, aged 22 years, dearly loved younger son of Charles and Mary Falconbridge, 114, Mansfield-road, Nottingham.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 30 May 1916: ‘Falconbridge. Killed in action, May 23rd, Corpl. Harold J Falconbridge, King’s Royal Rifles, beloved only brother of CE Falconbridge, 114, Mansfield-road, Nottingham.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) The above notices also appeared in the Nottingham Evening Post on 31 May 1916 Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His father was named as his legatee, but the record has a payment in December 1919 to two legatees; his father Charles, as part legatee (£6 17s. 11d.), and a residual legatee. Phoebe E Bailey (£1 12s. 1d.) His effects were returned to his father in 1916; they included a disc, wallet, purse, leather writing case, pens, electric torch and safety razor. Will – Harold John Falconbridge of 114 Mansfield Road, Nottingham Lance Corporal in HM Army died 23 May 1916 in France - probate Nottingham 15 August to Charles Falconbridge, railway canvasser. Effects £12.15s.1d. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Marriages’, 28 December 1918: ‘Falconbridge-Cooper. On December 23rd at St Faith’s Church, by the Rev. AE Barnacle, Charles Earp, only son of Mr and Mrs Falconbridge to Elsie Mary, daughter of Mrs and the late William Cooper, both of this city.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Falconbridge Charles of 114 Mansfield-road Nottingham traffic agent died 8 March 1923 Probate Nottingham 23 May to Mary Martha Falconbridge widow. Effects £975 11s 4d. Probate: Falconbridge Mary Martha of Clough House East Bridgford Nottinghamshire widow died 6 December 1939 Administration Nottingham 25 May to Charles Earp Falconbridge electrical engineer. Effects £118 12s. 3d.