John Francis Rawding

John Francis Rawding known as 'Frank' was born in 1889 at Newark and was the son of Allen a general labourer and Lucy Rawding née Smith of 6 Union Row, King Street, Newark. His father Allen was born in 1847 at Besthorpe and his mother Lucy Smith was born in 1850 at Coddington, (she died in 1908) they were married in 1871 at Newark and went on to have the following children, Maria Elizabeth b1872, Sarah Jane b1877, Lizzie b1880, Annie b1887, John Francis b1889. In the 1911 census the family are living at 6 Union Row, King Street, Newark and are shown as Allen 64 yrs a widow and general labourer, he is living with his children, Annie 24 yrs working at home and Frank 22 yrs a general labourer. John Francis Rawding married his wife Mary Joynes in 1913 at Newark and they went on to have two children Leonard born 1914 and Lawford born 8th December 1915, they lived at Tolney Lane, Newark.

He was a general labourer and maltster at Messrs. Bishops

Company Sergeant Major John Francis Rawding enlisted at Newark , he served with the 1/8th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He died of wounds on 30th September 1918 and is buried in Brie British Cemetery, Somme, France. Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for action at Bellenglise on 29th September 1918 and the Meritorious Service Medal.

'The Sherwood Foresters in the Great War 1914-1919, 1/8th Battalion', p.268 (Bellenglise 1918): Attack on the Hindenberg Line, 'Though the resistance on this [left] flank was not so great it was not altogether easy going, and there was considerable shelling and machine gun fire. Bloor, in command, got badly wounded, and Rawding, his very gallant Comp. Sergt.-Major also fell, dying the next day. Mobilised with the Battalion he went out with it as a Private and won promotion by sheer merit. All ranks of the Battalion had the greatest regard for him and his loss was very keenly felt.' Article published in the Newark Advertiser 19th March 1919 :- Only son of Mr A. Rawding, Union Row, King Street, Newark. Resided with wife and child in Tolney Lane. Would have been 31 next month. He was a maltster at Messrs. Bishops and was in camp as a private with the 1/8th Territorials when war broke out. He was slightly wounded on the 4th July, 1916, but not sufficient to permit of him being sent to England. Home on his last leave in February. On 29th September at Bellenglise: “Displayed greatest gallantry and devotion to duty. Re-organised company after a difficult advance through thick fog, before the final assault. He fearlessly exposed himself to heavy machine-gun fire and was severely wounded”. Admitted to hospital with a severe wound in the abdomen and died at 10.40 pm the same day, he was unconscious throughout. Postumously awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal & Meritorious Service Medal.