William Oscroft

He was born about 1895 probably the youngest child of William and Sarah Ann (Anne) Oscroft. William was a cabinet maker. Seven children were recorded on the three census between 1891 and 1901: Edmund, Frederick, Eleanor, Elizabeth, George, Ethel and William. Another daughter, Edith, is named in the notice of William's death although this could be an alternative name for either Eleanor or Elizabeth, sisters recorded on the census returns. At the time of the 1891 census William and Sarah Ann lived at 29 South Street, Nottingham, and in 1901 at 13 Clarence Street, Nottingham. Sarah Ann ('Anne' on the census) was widowed by 1911 and was living at 38 Salisbury Street, Radford, with four of her children, Elizabeth (27), George (23), Ethel (20) and William (18). The notice of William's death records that he had been adopted by an Alice Jennison although no evidence has been found of this and William was living with his family at the time of the 1901 and 1911 census. He may have been adopted by Alice after 1911 or spent time as a child with her before returning to his own family. The reason for the adoption might have been economic to help out a family with more children than money and there may not have been a legal adoption or formal fostering or it may have been a purely temporary arrangement.

In 1911 he was a packer.

Lance Corporal William Oscroft served in the 11th battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire ) Regiment. He was killed in action on 16th June 1918, and was buried in Granezza British Cemetery, Italy (grave ref. Plot 1. Row C. Grave 1).

Lance Corporal William Oscroft, 11th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 29th August 1918) for his part in a fighting patrol during the night of 29th/30th March 1918 at Morar, near Granazza, Italy. '1,500 yards in front of their line, in search of the enemy, Oscroft, together with W. H. Hancock, F. H.Jones and W. R. Battersby, displayed conspicuous initiative and gallantry in rounding up a strong enemy post, driving them out of some fortified houses. In the process, they inflicted heavy casualties and took three prisoners.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 12 July 1918: ‘Oscroft. Killed in action, 16th June, 1918, Lance-Cpl William Oscroft, MM, Sherwood Foresters. Mourned by his stepmother, Mrs Wyles, 9 Sullivan-street, Radford, and his brother and sisters, Ted, May, Faith and his brother George in France. Not forgotten RIP.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Death Notice 'Nottingham Evening Post', 28th June 1918 :- “OSCROFT. – Killed in action, June 15th, 1918, Lance-Cpl. William Oscroft, M.M., Sherwood Foresters, dearly beloved adopted son of Alice Jennison, 165, Ilkeston-road, Nottingham. Christ will link the broken chain closer when we meet again. – From heart-broken mother and sisters, sister Edith, brother Fred (in France). “OSCROFT. – Killed in action June 15th, Billy, dearly loved brother of Ethel and Lionel Roulstone. A faithful friend, a brother kind, beautiful memories left behind. – His heart-broken Ethel, and Tich (in France).” In memoriam published 16th June 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “OSCROFT. – To the memory of Lce.-Corpl. Oscroft, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action June 16th, Italy. I whisper though you cannot hear, “I loved you so.” Above entries are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918