The story of Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire, in the Great War (more commonly known as the First World War) mirrors that of thousands of villages throughout Great Britain, men young and old enlisting in their droves to serve God, the King and the Empire.
During the early months of the war in late 1914, a few hundred men from the village had answered the call to arms, the majority of these were miners in the many Collieries that surrounded the area.
By the end of the war in 1918, it is believed that as many as 2,000 men had enlisted from Mansfield Woodhouse alone.
In the early stages of the war they were spurred on by Patriotism and the chance for adventure. Many had drab, boring lives and this was seen by many as a way to get away from this type of life. They believed the war would be over before Christmas 1914, but they were soon to discover the true horror of this war.
For 4 years the War ravaged Europe, especially the Cities, Towns and villages through which the front line ran. Refugees from France and Belgium arrived in the UK having been driven from their homes by the devastation that had been brought to their country.
The Cedars on the High Street, housed Belgian refugees and the people of Mansfield Woodhouse donated furniture and money to make them feel welcome in the community.
During the 4 years of the Great War 259 men of Mansfield Woodhouse fell, many more would carry the mental and physical scars for the rest of their lives
235 men appear on the 4 tablets of the War Memorial, but a further 25 men have been found with connections to the village whose names do not appear. The reasons for this are unclear but the family may have moved away from the area or chose not to include their loved ones name.
23 of the men named on the Mansfield Woodhouse Memorial also appear on the one at Forest Town. A further 16 also appear on the Memorial in Pleasley Vale.
This project is a tribute to the men of Mansfield Woodhouse, Forest Town and Pleasley Vale who fought and died during the Great War 1914-1918.
‘ At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them’
News: This will be used to inform of any recent additions or news
Site Launched- 1st July 2007
07/06/2007- Updates- The unveiling of the memorial- Order of service and photos added: The Memorial- Photos and text added
08/07/2007- Photos added to Roll of Honour A-C
16/07/2007- Two more soldiers added to those not on the memorial: Captain Curties and Captain Hodges
14/08/2007- Another soldier identified who is not on the memorial- Pte Crow
Photos uploaded D-F, G-I, J-L, M-O
19/08/2007- Photos added for P-S, T-V, W-Z: Additional Information added for many soldiers
26/08/2007- Nominal Roll added- Names of a few of those who served from the village
Another soldier not on the war memorial identified: Private Alfred Victor Watts
9/09/2007- 2 more soldiers identified who are not on the memorial: Frank Adams, Ernest Blake. Both are commemorated on headstones in Mansfield Woodhouse Cemetery
13/01/2008- Section added entitled 'The Book'- The book is almost complete and should be printed for Remembrance Day 2008- This section will be updated with further news as and when known. The additional details found below, have all been added to the book. It is hoped to add all of these to the site at some point after the book has been completed as this is the main priority at the moment.
Also for today: Much more research has been carried out which has now identified in total 52 men from the village who are not named on the Memorial.
1,300 names now appear on the Nominal Roll, this is to be updated on the site in due course.
Service papers have been found for numerous casualties, several obituaries have been lengthened and where little information had been found, the information has been added.
More photos have been found for casualties from local papers and various other sources.
More Gallantry winners have been identified, including a recipient of the Victoria Cross.
More grave, memorial and cemetery photos have been gained