John Edward Bollington (1892–1924)

Private

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 20627 12th; 2/5th Battalions

Biography
Edward, as he was known, was born at Crich but moved to Heage as a boy. Before enlistment, he worked at Pentrich Colliery. Enlisting with the Foresters, he married Mary Spooner during furlough in Aug 1915 and entered France later that month. He went on to have a daughter and also two sons who died in infancy. He was demobbed in Jan 1919 and returned to Heage, where he passed away in 1924 at the early age of thirty-two. After John's death his widow married William Ault.

Photo courtesy Crich Heritage Partnership

Photograph of Crich Sherwood Foresters in 1914

Crich Sherwood Foresters in 1914.
It is believed that brothers Herbert and Stephen Bollington (and possibly John) are amongst this group.

Medal Index Record
He served in France from 29 August 1915, discharged 28 January 1919 and awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals.

Newspaper Report
According to the report on his marriage he was known as Edward rather than John.

Derbyshire Courier 7 August 1915
BOLLINGTON –SPOONER
At the Parish Church, Heage on Saturday, the wedding took place of Pte. Edward Bollington, Sherwood Foresters , eldest son of Mr and Mrs Edward Bollington, Nether Heage, and Miss Mary Spooner, edest daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas Spooner, Derby.
The bride who was given away by Mr Thomas Harrison, was dressed in khaki silk trimmed with cream insertion and had a hat to match. She was attended by three bridesmaids, Miss Rhoda Street, in blue with white silk hat; Miss Violet Sift, cousin of the bride, in white silk; and Miss Margaret Bollington, sister of the bridegroom, who had a white needlework dress. Mr Joseph Taylor (Whittington) uncle of the bridegroom, acted as groomsman.
Pte Herbt. Bollington, Notts. and Derby was in attendance. The bridgroom returned to Aldershot on Sunday night and is expecting to go to the front shortly.
Mr and Mrs G. Bollington [sic] have three sons in the Sherwood Foresters, one being in the trenches. All three have volunteered since the war commenced .

John's brothers Herbert Bollington and Stephen Bollington are also on the Roll of Honour; as is his father Edward Bollington.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Lower Harsay, Heage

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Edward Bollington Head 35 Coal miner hewer Crich
Amy   wife 29   Barlow
John E   son 8   Crich
Stephen   son 7   Crich
Herbert   son 3   Crich
Arthur   son 1   Crich

RG13 piece 3230 folio 101 page 24

1911: Bakers Hill, Heage

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Edward Bollington Head 44 Coal miner hewer Crich
Amy   wife 40   Barlow
John Edward   son 18 Coal miner repairer Crich
Steven   son 17 Coal miner trammer Crich
Herbert   son 13 Coal miner pony driver Crich
Arthur   son 12 School Hartsay
Elizabeth   daughter 10 School Hartsay
Margaret   daughter 6 School Heage
Earnest   son 4 School Heage
Amy   daughter 1   Heage

RG14PN20988 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED17 SN237