Norman Marrison Shardlow

Norman Marrison was the only son of Joseph and Isabella Shardlow (née Hollis). Joseph Shardlow was born in Nottingham in 1860. He joined the General Post Office in June 1883 as a letter carrier and messenger (later a letter carrier and stamper), and in 1891 was living at Glebe Street, Nottingham, with his parents, Reuben, a house carpenter, and Christiana. Isabella Hollis was born in Swinderby, Lincolnshire, in December 1859, the daughter of John, a coachman, and his wife Sarah. Joseph and Isabella were married at Newark Christ Church in July 1891; he was living at Glebe Street, Nottingham, and she at Millgate, Newark. They had two children, Dorothy Hollis b. Nottingham January 1893 bap. St Nicholas February 1893 and Norman Marrison b. Nottingham 14 March 1896 bap. St Nicholas 10 May 1896. Joseph and Isabella were living at 9 Bangor Street, Nottingham, when Dorothy was baptised in 1893 and still at the same address at the time of the 1901 Census. However, the family had moved to 35 Alberta Terrace, Sherwood Rise, by 1911. Joseph was still working for the General Post Office and his daughter was a milliner while Norman was still at school. The later CWGC record gave Joseph and Isabella's address as 83 Foxhall Road, Sherwood Rise, but they then moved to 'Glendon', High Street, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, where Joseph died in December 1926. He was buried in Mablethorpe St Mary churchyard. Norman's sister Dorothy married Frank Percival Baxter in 1922 (reg. Louth Lincolnshire). By 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Dorothy and Frank were living in Nottingham with Dorothy's mother, Isabella, described on the Register as 'incapacitated.' Isabella died in 1947 and was buried in Edwalton Holy Rood churchyard. The probate record gave her home address as Perry Road, Sherwood, Nottingham, but she died at another address in Nottingham, possibly a nursing home. Her daughter Dorothy died in 1979 (reg. Honiton Devon).

2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) The 2nd Battalion served in India from 1882, later transferring to Aden and then Malta, returning to the UK in 1902. It was still serving in England on the outbreak of war in August 1914, but transferred to the BEF France in September 1914. In October 1915, having been part of 18th Brigade, 6th Division, the battalion transferred to 71st Brigade, 6th Division. Norman Marrison Shardlow was killed in action on 5 April 1917 and is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France (grave Ref. VI.A.16). The history of the cemetery indicates that Norman's grave was brought in after the Armistice either from another burial ground or from the battlefields in the area. (See below) He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Vermelles British Cemetery (extract): The village of Vermelles is about 10km. from Lens. 'Vermelles was in German hands from the middle of October 1914 to the beginning of December 1914, when it was recaptured by the French. The cemetery was begun in August 1915 (though a few graves are slightly earlier), and during the Battle of Loos, when the Chateau was used as a dressing station, Plot I was completed. It was laid out and fenced by the Pioneers of the 1st Gloucesters, and known for a long time as "Gloucester Graveyard". The remaining Plots were made by the Divisions (from the Dismounted Cavalry Division onwards) holding the line 1.6 kilometres East of the cemetery until April 1917, and they incorporated a few isolated French graves of October 1914. From April 1917, to the Armistice, the cemetery was closed; but after the Armistice some graves were re-grouped and others were brought in (to Plots II, IV and VI) from the battlefields to the East.' (www.cwgc.org)

CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Joseph and Isabella Shardlow, of 83, Foxhall Rd., Sherwood Rise, Nottingham.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'A dutiful loving son and brother from father, mother and sister' Holy Rood Church, Village Street, Edwalton NG12 4AB. Grave with inscription: 'In loving memory of Isabella beloved wife of Joseph Shardlow, died August 1947 aged 87. Till He come. Also remembering Joseph Shardlow died 1926 interred Mablethorpe [Lincolnshire]. Also of their dear son Norman killed in action France 1917.' Lincolnshire Monumental Inscriptions, Mablethorpe St Mary: 'Norman Marrison Shardlow date of death 5 April 1917 age 21. Son [of Joseph & Isabella Shardlow] Killed in Action.' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Joseph was his legatee.