Robert William Mapletoft

Robert William Mapletoft was born in 1877 at Lincoln, he was the son of the late Berridge a labourer and Sarah Ann Mapletoft née Tongue of Grantham. Robert had lived in Clowne for some years where a brother served as a councillor. Berridge was born in 1844 in Lincolnshire, he died in 1909 aged 64 yrs, Sarah Ann Tongue was born in in 1851 at Carlton Scoop, Lincolnshire, they were married in 1869 at Grantham, they went on to have 8 children, sadly two died in infancy or early childhood. In 1911 his widowed mother is living with some of his siblings at 20 Station Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, she is 61 yrs and a widow, Robert William married Dora Chaloner in 1898 at Chesterfield, they had a son Robert born 12th February 1898 his wife lived at Chesterfield. Robert's pension record card show his legatee as his unmarried wife Rose Hannah Bilby 9 Warren Terrace, Shirebrook.

Coal miner at Shirebrook Colliery at the time he enlisted

Private Robert William Mapletoft enlisted at Mansfield , he initially served with the Sherwood Foresters, service number, 7464. He landed In France on 13 July 1915 and was killed in action on 19th June 1916 and has no known grave but is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial. A service in his memory was conducted at St Edumnd's Church in August 1916.

CWGC gives age as 39 but the report of his death in the local paper gives his age as 38 it also gives his death date as June 1916 although other documents give July. Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times, ‘Roll of Honour’, 25 August 1916 (report and photograph): ‘Private Mapletoft, Mansfield Woodhouse. Much sympathy has been felt for Mrs Mapletoft and family on the death of her son Private Robert Mapletoft who has died whilst doing noble service for his King and country in France. Pte Mapletoft, who was 38 years of age, joined HM Forces when the call for men was most urgent, viz. In September, two years ago. Enlisting in the Sherwood Foresters he was afterwards transferred to the 1st Northants Pioneers. Prior to his joining, he had been employed at the Shirebrook Colliery, and he had very many friends and acquaintances in Clowne, where he had previously resided for some years. He was a brother of Mr Councillor Mapletoft, of Clowne, who is well known there, being the chairman of the local hospital committee, and of the South Gate Lodge of the DMCA. The deceased, who was popular with his comrades, was familiarly known as ‘Bob’ and it was from one of his chums in France who first sent the sad intelligence of his death. The letter ran: ‘I am sorry to say that Bob got killed last Tuesday,. He and another pioneer were sent to do some work to our dressing station on Monday morning, and about 7 o’clock on Tuesday a shell went through the top and killed poor old Bob, the other chap, who happened to scrape out, escaping. Bob, however was buried too much to get out. Please excuse the blunt way in which this letter is composed and break the news to his poor wife as kindly as you can. If I am able I will let you know where he is buried. All the pioneers are very sorry to lose him, for he was a great favourite amongst us.’ Our readers will be interested to know the Pte Mapletoft’s grandfather bobly served his country in our beloved Queen Victoria’s reign, and was a soldier for 33 years. He was in the East Indies for 23 years, and we are told he fought in the battle of Waterloo. A service to Private Mapletoft’s memory was held at St Edmund’s Church, where his name appears on the roll of honour, on Sunday morning. The service was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev ET Harcombe. Special hymns were sung, including ‘For ever with the Lord;, ‘Jesu, Meek and Gentle’, and ‘Lead Kindly Light.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)