David Randall

David was the son of George and Alice Randall (née Bennett). Both his parents were born in Brampton, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and were married at Chesterfield St Mary in 1866. According to the information provided on the 1911 Census, they had had 12 children of whom seven survived infancy or childhood. Their surviving children were: Joseph b. 1866, Arthur birth registered 1871 (J/F/M), Amelia Hannah b. 1872 and Robert b. 1879 who were all born in Brampton and all but Joseph baptised at Brampton St Thomas on 21 December 1881; and George William b. 1883, Lucy b. 1884 and David b. 1887 who were all born in Pleasley (reg. Mansfield). There is an anomoly on the 1881 Census where the children include Hannah (8) and Amelia (8), for whom there are individual birth registrations (1872 O/N/D Chesterfield, Randall/Bennett) but one baptismal record: 'Amelia Hannah b. 21 December 1872'. Only Amelia is named on the 1891 Census. Four of the five children who died young were Eliza Ann b. 1867 d. 1871 (buried St Thomas), Charles b. 1874 d. 1886 (reg. Mansfield), Alfred b. 1876 bap. St Thomas 1877 probably d. 1877 (buried St Thomas) and Frederick b. 1881 bap. St Thomas 1881 d. 1881 (buried St Thomas). George, a coal miner, Alice and their children Joseph, Eliza and Arthur were living on Old Hall Road, Brampton, in 1871 and were still living in Brampton in 1881. However, by 1891 George and Alice were living on Cock Lane, Mansfield, with six of their seven surviving children: Arthur a coal miner, Amelia, Robert, George, Lucy and David (3). The eldest son, Joseph, a coal miner, had married Sarah Ann Radford at Mansfield SS Peter & Paul in 1890 and they were living in New England, Mansfield. David had left home by 1901 when he was recorded on the census as a carter on a farm, living at Crow Trees Farm, Fulwood, Mansfield, with the farmer, a widow, Rebecca Clarke, and her family. David's father, now a farmer, was recorded on Common Road, Huthwaite, with his wife, three sons Arthur, Robert and George who were coal miners, and the youngest daughter, Lucy, a milk seller. The only other surviving daughter, Amelia Hannah, was probably married. However, by 1911 David had returned to live with his parents on Springwell Street, Huthwaite. His father was now a milk seller (own account). Also in the household were David's older brother Arthur, a coal miner, and his wife Elizabeth (née Barlow, m. 1902). Robert was recorded as a visitor in Pentrich, Derbyshire, in the home of his married sister Lucy (m. 1906, Walter Bramley). George was also married (Jane Bowmar, m. 1905) and living with his wife and family in New Houghton, Pleasley. David's father died in 1912 (reg. Mansfield). His mother died in 1920 (reg. Mansfield). David married Emma Morgan in 1915 (reg. J/A/S Morpeth) and had one son, James George (b. January 1916). David and Emma lived in Ashington, Northumberland. Emma married secondly Robert Sisterson in 1917 (reg. J/F/M Tynmouth) and in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living in South Shields with their four children.

1901 - farm carter at Crow Trees Farm, Fulwood, Mansfield. 1911 - farm labourer

Resident of Ashington County Durham but enlisted at Sutton in Ashfield.

2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). The 2nd Battalion was serving in Sheffield in August 1914, part of 18th Brigade, 6th Division. Mobilised for service with the BEF France, the Battalion landed at St Nazaire on 11 September 1914 and transferred to 71st Brigade (same Division). According to a newspaper report of his death, Private David Randall enlisted in January 1915. He served with the BEF France from 18 August 1915 and was killed by a sniper on 16 May 1916. He is buried in La Brique Military Cemetery No.2, Belgium (grave ref. I.V.17). David qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of La Brique Military Cemetery No. 2: 'La Brique is a small hamlet named from an old brick works that used to stand nearby before the First World War. The Cemetery was begun in February 1915 and used until March 1918.' (www.cwgc.org)

CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Ever remembered by all' CWGC: 'Son of George Randall, of Nottingham; husband of Emma Sisterson (formerly Randall), of 19, Commercial Rd., South Shields.' Notts Free Press – 2nd June, 1916. 'HUTHWAITE SOLDIER’S TRAGIC DEATH - A SHORT MARRIED LIFE' 'The latest Huthwaite man to lay down his life for the great cause is Private David Randall, and the circumstances surrounding his end are of an unusually sad and touching nature. He was 28 years old, and previously worked as a farm hand. He enlisted in January of last year, his home being in Springwell Street with his aged and widowed mother. He joined the 2nd Sherwood Foresters, his number being 21406, A Company, 2nd Platoon, and was soon stationed in Newcastle-on-Tyne. There he met and married a Miss Emma Morgan, of Chirton Farm, near Newcastle. He was popular with officers and men in his regiment and seemed to have a career before him when the regiment was ordered to the front after he had been married only a month, but the news eventually arrived that he had been killed by a sniper on the night of the 16th. of May. The most pathetic feature of this case is that he leaves an infant son, whom he has never seen. An officer of his regiment, writing to Mrs. Randall, states that he was a good soldier, and his death would be a great loss to the Company. On Sunday the Union Jack was hoisted to half-mast on the Parish Church tower to his memory.' WW1 Pension Ledgers: named his widow, Emma Randall, residence High Shields, and son James George (b. 1916).