David Love

David was the son of Charles and Frances Love. In 1901 Charles and Frances were living with their family at 35 Lucknow Street, Nottingham, in the ecclesiastical parish of St Luke. Charles (48) was a framework knitter and Frances (44) was a lace mender working from home. They had five unmarried children living at home: David (20), a general labourer, Mary E (17) a lace mender working from home, Frances (15) a lace clipper, Lily (12) and Ernest (10) who were both school age. Also in the household was their married daughter Alice Merric (sic) (26), her husband John H. (26) an iron moulder, and their three children Charles (8), John (4) and Mary E (5 months). David married Sarah Elizabeth Merrick, spinster, at St Luke's Church, Nottingham, on 4 August 1902. They were to have four children, two of whom died in infancy. Their two surviving children were David who was born on 7 October 1907 and Lily who was born on 30 March 1914. In 1911 David (29), a fruit hawker, and Sarah (28, birth registered 1882 O/N/D East Retford Notts) a lace dresser, were living at 24 Woburn Street, Nottingham, with their son, David (3). Their daughter Lily was born in Carlton in 1914 and when David attested in October the same year he listed his next of kin as his wife and their two children; the family was then living at 231 Main Road, Carlton, Nottingham. David and Sarah's daughter, Lily, died on 8 April 1916 from gastro enteritis/convulsions, she was just two years old. Lily died at 16 Buxton Street, King's Meadow Road, Meadows, Nottingham. At the time of David's death later the same year the family address was 5 Meredith Terrace, Hawthorne Street, Meadows. David's widow, Sarah Elizabeth Love, married Thomas Slater in 1918 (marriage registered J/F/M Nottingham) and a letter from the Army in December 1919 regarding the disposal of David's medals was sent to Sarah at 15 Royston Terrace, Hawthorn Street, Meadows. Sarah died aged 53 in 1936 (death registered March Nottingham).

In 1901 he was a general labourer and in 1911 a fruit hawker and a labourer on enlistment.

231 Main Street Carlton Nottingham

Love had previously served with 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters ('time expired 28/12/1909' - ASR). He attested 7/10/1914 standing slightly under 5' 5" and weighing 135lbs and was posted to 'C' Coy. In October 1916 he was awarded 14 days Field Punishment No 1 for 'urinating in his tent and using obscene language to an NCO.' He was killed in action; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 10C 10D and 11A). Field Punishment was introduced in 1881 following the abolition of flogging, and was a common punishment during World War I. A commanding officer could award field punishment for up to 28 days, while a court martial could award it for up to 90 days. Field Punishment Number One, often abbreviated to ‘F.P. No. 1’ or even just ‘No. 1’, consisted of the convicted man being placed in fetters and handcuffs or similar restraints and attached to a fixed object, such as a gun wheel or a fence post, for up to two hours per day. During the early part of World War I, the punishment was often applied with the arms stretched out and the legs tied together, giving rise to the nickname ‘crucifixion’. This was applied for up to three days out of four, up to 21 days total. It was usually applied in field punishment camps set up for this purpose a few miles behind the front line, but when the unit was on the move it would be carried out by the unit itself. It has been alleged that this punishment was sometimes applied within range of enemy fire. During World War I Field Punishment Number One was issued by the British Army on 60210 occasions. Field Punishment Number One was eventually abolished in 1923, when an amendment to the Army Act which specifically forbade attachment to a fixed object was passed by the House of Lords. (Wikipedia)

His birth was registered J/F/M/1881 (aged 29 1911 Census). On enlistment 7/10/1914 he gave his age as 35 years 293 days. He had served previously and may have lied about his age as a younger man so added years on in 1914 to remain consistent with earlier records. Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged), 21 November 1916: 'Love. Killed in action October 15th 1916, Private David Love Sherwood Foresters, late of 5 Meredith Terrace, Hawthorne Street, Meadows.' 7/5/1917 Sarah Elizabeth Slater was awarded a weekly pension of 18/9d for herself and son. Research by David Nunn