Richard Flint

Richard (Dick) was the son of Richard and Fanny Flint (née Smith). His father Richard was born in London in about 1858 the son of Richard Flint. His mother Fanny Smith was born in Sneinton, Nottingham, in about 1857 (age varies on census returns); the marriage certificate shows that her father was surname Smith, Christian names unknown, occupation not given. Richard (20) and Fanny (21) were married at St Leonard, Leicester, on 10 June 1878 following the publication of Banns. Their address was River View, Abbey Gate [Leicester] and both were previously unmarried. Richard's occupation, like that of his father, was 'nailer', probably a trade in the manufacture of boots and shoes. Both of the witnesses had to make their mark although Richard and Fanny signed the register. On the 1881 Census Richard (22), a boot finisher, and Fanny (22) were living on Baltic Street, Holborn, London, with their two children, Fanny (2), named 'Harriet on the census but thereafter called Fanny, and Richard (2 months). Both Fanny (as registered) and Richard were born in Holborn, Fanny's birth was registered in 1879 (J/F/M Holborn-Smith) and Richard in 1881 (A/M/J Holborn-Smith). It is probably that Richard's parents separated later that year as the Fanny and her two children were admitted to the City Road Workhouse, Holborn, on 16 September 1881. Fanny and her son were both discharged on 29 October 1881, but her daughter was discharged on 18 September, probably to another institution (destination illegible on form). By 1891 Fanny was back in Nottingham and living at 4 Oldham (?Coldham) Street, Nottingham, with Fanny (12) and Richard (10). She was working as a lace dresser. Fanny jnr. married Henry Robey Clements, a lace machine fitter, in 1896 (A/M/J/Nottingham), In 1901 they and their sons A. Stanley (2) and Archibald (1) were living with Henry's parents, William Clements, a market gardener, and Sarah, in West Bridgford. (Henry died in 1920.) Richard was serving with the Sherwood Foresters by the time of the census. When he enlisted the previous year he named his next of kin as: father Richard address unknown, mother Fanny address Nottingham (illegible) and sister Fanny Clements of Walnut Cottage Wilford. In 1901 Fanny, described as married and still working as a lace dresser, was living at 93 Annesley Street, Nottingham, a boarder in the household of Ann Wright, a widow. At the time of the 1911 Census Richard (30), head of household and working as a railway goods porter, was living with his widowed mother, Fanny (56), at 2 Midland Terrace, Midland Crescent, Meadows. By the time of Richard's death in 1915 he and his mother had moved to 1 Firth Cottages, Bathley Street, Meadows, Nottingham. Fanny completed a form for the army in April 1919 which listed her son's surviving blood relatives, adding a note to the form, 'My son was my only support': Father: died Mother: aged 64, 1 Firth Cottages, Bathley Street, Meadows Sister: Fanny Clements (40), 61 Muskham Street, Meadows Nephews & nieces: Stanley Clements (20) Royal Marines, Archbald Clements (19) South Staffordshires, Blanche Clements (16), all of 61 Muskham Street. Fanny may have died in 1931 (J/F/M Nottingham) aged about 75.

In 1911 he was a railway goods porter for the Midland Railway in Nottingham and later as a drayman (goods).

Enlisted Nottingham

Richard had served during the Boer War with the Sherwood Foresters (6059) transferring from service in the Miliita, the 4th Bn. Derby Regiment. He enlisted on 5 February 1900 aged 18y.10m. on a 12 year Short Service engagement (7 years with the Colours, 5 years in the Reserve). The papers are badly damaged ('burnt records') but he may have served in India as there is a note that he was 'examined and found fit for India' and may have been in Bangalore around 1906. It also appears that on 1 April 1904 he was given permission to extend his service with the Colours to 8 years (dating from February 1900). At the end of service with the Colours he was found fit for the Army Reserve; he later extended his time in the Reserve. As a reservist he was mobilised on the outbreak of war. He was made lance corporal on 3 September 1914 and disembarked France on 10 October 1914 to join the British Expeditionary Force. He was promoted corporal on 26 March 1915. The 2nd. Battalion Sherwood Foresters were part of an attack on the village of Hooge on 9 August 1915. Aided by a supportive barrage the men managed to capture German trenches, but they were heavily shelled, so much so that reinforcements could not get forward. By the end of the day the battalion had suffered 341 casualties, including Cpl. Flint who was killed in action although initially reported 'missing in action.' Richard has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Richard qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Nottinghamshire Archives (ref NC MR 14/311) Albert Hall Methodist Mission Booklet No 12, ‘The War 1914 – How our Christmas parcels were received in trench, battleship and camp’; reference to Cpl Flint who also appears on the Mission's Roll of Honour. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 30 August 1915: ‘Flint. Killed in action, August 9th, Corporal Richard Flint, the dearly-loved brother of Fanny Clements. Nobly he lived, and nobly he died. From his sorrowing mother and sister.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 9 August 1916: ‘Flint. In affectionate remembrance of our dearest brother and uncle, Corporal Richard Flint, killed in action, 9th August, 1915, at Hooge. Oh, for a touch of the vanished hand, and the sound of the voice that is stilled. From his sorrowing sister, niece, nephews, Fanny, Blanche, Stanley, Archie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 9 August 1916: ‘Flint. In loving remembrance of Corporal Dick Flint, killed in action August 9th, 1915. Absent, but never forgotten by his loving friends, Clara and Emmie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 9 August 1916: ‘Flint. In loving memory of my dear son, Corporal Richard Flint, killed in action; August 9th, 1915, at Hooge, Flanders. He lived a noble life, and died a hero’s death. Greater love hath no man than this, that he laid down his life for his friends. His sorrowing mother.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 9 August 1917: ‘Flint. In love, honour, and affectionate remembrance of Corporal Richard Flint, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action August 9th, 1915. A true and brave heart, sadly missed. From mother, sister, Harry, niece,and nephews.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 9 August 1918: ‘Flint. In ever-loving, and affectionate remembrance of Cpl. R Flint, killed in action August 9th, 1915. We miss him more as the years pass by. Mother, sister, niece, and nephews.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 9 August 1919: ‘Flint. In proud and tender and loving memory of Cpl. Richard Flint, 2nd Notts. And Derby Regt, killed at Hooge, August 9th, 1915. Sadly missed. Mother, sister, niece, and nephews.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Fanny was his sole legatee His medals were sent (date unknown) to his mother at 1 Firth Cottages, Bathley Street, Meadows. Anglo-Boer War Record: 'Richard Flint 6509 Derbyshire Regiment (The Sherwood Foresters) 1899-1902 Ref: Souvenir Coronation Dinner 1911: H Seeley Whitby'