Page 32 - WW1 - 1916

Redditch Local History Society Remembering Redditch Residents & WW1

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The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger – Saturday 4 March
1916

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Redditch Soldier’s Death – Second of Two Brothers – Private Alfred Widdus of the 4
Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, formerly of 16 Edward Street, Redditch, and a native of
Crabbs Cross, who was reported missing in September, is now officially stated to have been
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killed at the Dardanelles on August 6 last. He was 33 years of age, and leaves a widow and
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six children. His brother – Sergeant Ernest Widdus – of the 1 Worcestershire Regiment, was
killed in action about twelve months ago.

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(On Ancestry site, Military records, Alfred Widdus (21365) 4 Battalion, born Feckenham,
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resided and enlisted in Redditch, killed in action, 6 August 1915, Gallipoli. Buried at Helles
Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.)
Remembered on St Stephen’s war memorial, Redditch and on Astwood Bank Baptist Church memorial.
(On the 1911 census Alfred aged 29, Goods Checker was married to Leah and they lived with their 4 children
iat 94 Charlotte Road, Stirchley.)

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(His brother Ernest Widdus (10867), 1 Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, born in
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Feckenham resided in Crabbs Cross, enlisted in Redditch, killed in action 16 November
1914, the Western European Theatre and classed as died in France & Flanders. Buried at Le
Touret Memorial, Calais, France.)
Remembered on St Luke’s war memorial, Headless Cross, Redditch and Astwood Bank Baptist Church war
memorial.
(On the 1911 census Ernest aged 21, private at the Barracks, Carisbrooke, Hampshire.)

Remembering Redditch’s Fallen Heroes Book
Harry Hopcroft was born in Feckenham to parents Benjamin and Mary Ann Hopcroft. Harry
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moved to Canada in 1907 and it was there that he joined as a gunner the 4 Canadian Siege
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Battery (Canadian Expeditionary Force). He died 13 March 1916 in the General Public
Hospital St John, New Brunswich, of pneumonia. He is buried in Sussex (Roachville)
Cemetery, Kings County, New Brunswich, Canada.
Remembered on St John the Baptist Church war memorial, Feckenham.

Page: 32 © RLHS 2014