Caleb England and Private Joseph England Duke of Corwall's Light Infantry
The Story This is unusually not about medals within this collection, but a clock. The clock awarded to Caleb England for 42 years service at Leamington Gas Works, was acquired following an advert on Facebook in 2020. It was of interest purely because of the inscription on the silver plate, as it was deemed a part of Leamington's social history. The clock was in a sorry state on collection, not working and the wood rather blistered in parts. Due, no doubt to many years sitting over an open coal fire, followed by many more being stored in a damp loft or shed.
The decision was taken to have it restored and it is now in full working order with the wood returned to its former glory. Additionally, Caleb's biography was researched on Ancestry.UK and it was revealed that one of his sons, Joseph, was killed in action in World War I and commemorated on Leamington's War Memorial, thus his biography was pieced together too.
Their biographies are below and this has been an interesting diversion from medals, especially being so close to home.
The decision was taken to have it restored and it is now in full working order with the wood returned to its former glory. Additionally, Caleb's biography was researched on Ancestry.UK and it was revealed that one of his sons, Joseph, was killed in action in World War I and commemorated on Leamington's War Memorial, thus his biography was pieced together too.
Their biographies are below and this has been an interesting diversion from medals, especially being so close to home.
Caleb England was born on Friday 10th July 1868 in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, son of Joseph a Shepherd and Hannah nee Harrison. He was Baptised on 2nd May 1869 at St Johns Church in Kenilworth and one of six children John H born in 1864, Josiah 1866, Joshua 1869, Charlotte M 1880 and Sarah Ann 1881,
Caleb’s father worked as a Shepherd for the Vicar of St John’s on land in Bulkington near Nuneaton and by 1881 the family were living at the Farm House in Hill Wootton and Caleb aged just 12 was shown with his brothers as an Agricultural Labourer. By 1891 aged 22 he was lodging at 58½ (sic) Guthlaxton Street, Leicester, with others as a Railway Fireman.
In 1892, aged 24 Caleb began working at the Leamington Gas Works in Ranelagh Terrace, Leamington Spa, as a Labourer. Shortly after during the first quarter of 1893, he married Sophia South Kilby in Warwick. They had six children, Harry E born in in 1893, Mary Ellen 1895, Joseph 1897, Sarah Annie England 1899, Charlotte 1899 and John 1902.
By 1898 Caleb and Sophia were living at 76A Avon Street, Warwick and by1901 living closer to the Gas Works at 2 East Grove, Leamington Spa. Between 1907 and 1909 they moved to at 32 Ranelagh Terrace, Leamington, virtually opposite the Gas Works where he worked.
In 1911 Caleb had become a Coke Wheeler, literally one who transported coke within the works. At the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Caleb was still employed at the Gasworks and aged 46 so too old to be conscripted, although the age limit was increased to 51 in April 1918, thus it is possible he may have served in the latter part of the war but not overseas as no record can be found.
Harry, his son, enlisted into the Royal Army Service Corps and was promoted to Sergeant, surviving the war. Joseph enlisted as a Private in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry but was sadly killed in action on 18th August 1916. His story is below. Caleb was listed as next of kin and received £4. 6s 8d owed to Joseph in pay (equivalent to about £400.00 in 2021).
Caleb continued working at the Gas Works and living with his family at Ranelagh Terrace until in retirement in 1934 aged 65 after 42 years’ service. He was awarded a clock with a silver plate marking this achievement.
Caleb’s wife Sophia passed away in 1938 aged 71 and in 1939 Caleb and his daughter Sarah were living at the same address 32 Ranelagh Terrace.
Caleb died on 20th December 1950 aged 82 at the Central Hospital, Hatton, Warwick.
Caleb’s father worked as a Shepherd for the Vicar of St John’s on land in Bulkington near Nuneaton and by 1881 the family were living at the Farm House in Hill Wootton and Caleb aged just 12 was shown with his brothers as an Agricultural Labourer. By 1891 aged 22 he was lodging at 58½ (sic) Guthlaxton Street, Leicester, with others as a Railway Fireman.
In 1892, aged 24 Caleb began working at the Leamington Gas Works in Ranelagh Terrace, Leamington Spa, as a Labourer. Shortly after during the first quarter of 1893, he married Sophia South Kilby in Warwick. They had six children, Harry E born in in 1893, Mary Ellen 1895, Joseph 1897, Sarah Annie England 1899, Charlotte 1899 and John 1902.
By 1898 Caleb and Sophia were living at 76A Avon Street, Warwick and by1901 living closer to the Gas Works at 2 East Grove, Leamington Spa. Between 1907 and 1909 they moved to at 32 Ranelagh Terrace, Leamington, virtually opposite the Gas Works where he worked.
In 1911 Caleb had become a Coke Wheeler, literally one who transported coke within the works. At the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Caleb was still employed at the Gasworks and aged 46 so too old to be conscripted, although the age limit was increased to 51 in April 1918, thus it is possible he may have served in the latter part of the war but not overseas as no record can be found.
Harry, his son, enlisted into the Royal Army Service Corps and was promoted to Sergeant, surviving the war. Joseph enlisted as a Private in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry but was sadly killed in action on 18th August 1916. His story is below. Caleb was listed as next of kin and received £4. 6s 8d owed to Joseph in pay (equivalent to about £400.00 in 2021).
Caleb continued working at the Gas Works and living with his family at Ranelagh Terrace until in retirement in 1934 aged 65 after 42 years’ service. He was awarded a clock with a silver plate marking this achievement.
Caleb’s wife Sophia passed away in 1938 aged 71 and in 1939 Caleb and his daughter Sarah were living at the same address 32 Ranelagh Terrace.
Caleb died on 20th December 1950 aged 82 at the Central Hospital, Hatton, Warwick.
Joseph England was born in the first quarter of 1897 at 76A Avon Street, Warwick, son of Caleb a Gas Worker and Sophie South nee Kilby. He was one of six children, Harry born in in 1893, Mary Ellen 1895, Sarah Annie England 1899, Charlotte 1899 and John 1902.
By 1901 Joseph and his family were living at 2 East Grove, Leamington Spa to be closer to his father’s place of work at the Leamington Gas Works in Ranelagh Terrace and in 1911 now aged 14, presumably having finished his education was an Errand Boy, the family having moved to 32 Ranelagh Terrace.
At the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Joseph was aged 17 and a year later enlisted at Leamington into the 6th (Service Battalion) Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light Division) as a Private with service number 18886.
He entered France sometime after Saturday 1st June 1916 and was killed in action during the Battle of Delville Wood (15 July – 3 September 1916) which was a series of engagements in the 1916 Battle of the Somme. The wood was a thick tangle of trees, chiefly beech and hornbeam with dense hazel thickets, intersected by grassy rides, to the east of Longueval. Joseph was killed on Friday 18th August aged just 19 and his body never found in the mud.
Joseph is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and face 6b, Leamington Spa War Memorial, St John the Baptist Church Memorial, Tachbrook Street and the Spencer Street Congregational Church Memorial. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals.
His backdated pay amounting to £4. 6s 8d (equivalent to about £400.00 in 2021) was paid to his Father Caleb.
By 1901 Joseph and his family were living at 2 East Grove, Leamington Spa to be closer to his father’s place of work at the Leamington Gas Works in Ranelagh Terrace and in 1911 now aged 14, presumably having finished his education was an Errand Boy, the family having moved to 32 Ranelagh Terrace.
At the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Joseph was aged 17 and a year later enlisted at Leamington into the 6th (Service Battalion) Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light Division) as a Private with service number 18886.
He entered France sometime after Saturday 1st June 1916 and was killed in action during the Battle of Delville Wood (15 July – 3 September 1916) which was a series of engagements in the 1916 Battle of the Somme. The wood was a thick tangle of trees, chiefly beech and hornbeam with dense hazel thickets, intersected by grassy rides, to the east of Longueval. Joseph was killed on Friday 18th August aged just 19 and his body never found in the mud.
Joseph is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and face 6b, Leamington Spa War Memorial, St John the Baptist Church Memorial, Tachbrook Street and the Spencer Street Congregational Church Memorial. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals.
His backdated pay amounting to £4. 6s 8d (equivalent to about £400.00 in 2021) was paid to his Father Caleb.
Leamington Spa War Memorial and St John The Baptist Memorial
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This page last updated 31 Oct 21