Edward Randall

Edward was the son of Henry and Maria (or Martha) Randall (née Waite). His father Henry was born in Mansfield in about 1857. In 1881 he was living with his married sister, Ann Shirley and her husband, on Beaumont Street, Sneinton, Nottingham. His mother Maria was born in 1856 in Ashby, Lincolnshire, the daughter of James and Mary Waite. Maria was baptised at Ashby by Partney parish church in July the same year. In 1881 she was probably working as a cook at the Lumley Hotel, Skegness. According to the 1911 Census which was completed by Maria who had been widowed the previous year, she had been married for 23 years (c. 1888), and had had four children. The registration of their marriage has not yet been traced and five children were recorded on the census between 1891-1911: John b. abt 1883/4, Edith b. 1886, Louisa b. 1888, Henry b. 1891 and Edward b. 1898. All the children were born in Nottingham and there are baptismal records for Edith, Louisa and Henry who were baptised at Nottingham St Nicholas. In 1891 Henry, a traveller's porter, and Maria, were living at 7 Exchange Court, Nottingham, with their three children, John, Edith and Louisa. Also in the household were Arthur Morley, a baker, his wife and their two children, who were described as boarders. Henry and Maria had moved to 5 Rutland Place, Granby Street, by the time of Edith's baptism in 1886 and were still at the same address in 1901 when Henry was working as a grocer's porter. Their four youngest children were in the home, Edith a dressmaker, Louisa and Henry who were school age, and Edward, along with two male lodgers. The eldest child, John, has not yet been traced after 1891. Henry snr. died in Nottingham City Asylum in January 1910 (buried 1 February); he had been admitted two days before his death. In 1911 Maria and three of her children Louisa, a blouse machinist, Harry, a grocer's assistant and Edward, were living at 4 Marriott's Row, St James' Street, Nottingham. The eldest daughter, Edith, had married Walter Wright in 1903 and they and their two daughters were living off Colwick Road, Nottingham. Maria Randall was still living at 4 Marriott's Row when she completed a form for the army in September 1919 naming her son's surviving blood relatives: Brother Harry [Henry], 152 Dame Agnes Street, Nottingham. Sisters Edith Wright (address illegible) and Louisa Randall, 4 Marriott's Row. Harry had married Emma Smith at Nottingham St Ann parish church in 1915 and they were still living at 152 Dame Agnes Street in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Maria Randall died in 1938 (buried 19 May).

Edward was employed as a warehouseman (grocer) when he attested in 1916.

Enlisted Nottingham

2/5th Battalion Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) previously 2/8th Battalion. Both 2/5th and 2/8th (Leeds Rifles) were Territorial battalions. The 2/5th Battalion was raised in York in September 1914 and the 2/8th Battalion in Leeds the same month. Both battalions served with the BEF France from January 1917. Edward Randall attested on 28 August 1916 and was posted on 24 February 1917. His service record shows that he was admitted to the Military Hospital Cannock Chase (Rugeley Camp), admission date illegible, discharged May 1917. He was posted to the 2/8th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment on 11 December 1917 and embarked the same day for BEF France, joining his battalion on the 16th. Edward was admiitted to West Riding Field Ambulance on 28 January 1918, 'PUO' [pyrexia of unknown origin], was transferred to No. 57 Casualty Clearing Station on 2 February and then to No. 4 General Hospital (Dannes Comiero) on 3 February. He was medically evacuated to the UK (ship, Princess Elizabeth) and admitted to a Staffordshire War Hospital on 15 February 1918. He was transferred to Duston War Hospital, Northamptonshire, on 8 March 1918 and discharged on 26 April. He returned to France on 9 June 1918 and was posted to the 2/5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 20 July 1918 and is buried in Marfaux British Cemetery (grave ref. II.E.10). The cemetery was begun after the Armistice and Edward's grave was brought in from another cemetery or battlefield. CWGC - History of Marfaux British Cemetery (extract): Marfaux is 18.5km from Reims and 16km from Epernay. 'Marfaux was captured by the Germans in May 1918, and retaken, after severe fighting, on the 23rd July, by the 51st (Highland) and 62nd (West Riding) Divisions and the New Zealand Cyclist Battalion. The cemetery was begun after the Armistice by the concentration of graves from the battlefields and from other Military Cemeteries in the Marne [listed].' (www.cwgc.org)