World
War 1
Thrapston War Memorial Research Group

"In the Springtime of their Lives"

Photographs and biographical extracts from the book (M to P)
Makin
Private Philip MAKIN
May 1894 - November 3 1914

Born in Nottingham during May 1894, the eldest child of Philip and Lavinia Makin. By 1901, his family had moved to Thrapston. He enlisted with the 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, Service Number 9698, in Northampton, 18 months before the outbreak of War. He was wounded in the neck at Ypres, Belgium on November 2 1914 and died in hospital of his wounds the next day. He is buried at the Ypres Town Cemetery Extension, Belgium. A joint Memorial Service was held in Thrapston Parish Church on Wednesday December 9 1914 for him and Private Walter Miller, who died on the same day.

Mayes
Gunner Ernest Harry MAYES
1893 - April 29 1918

Born in Thrapston in 1893, the second son of Frederick and Eliza Mayes. On leaving school, he worked for Mr. Hensman, grocer in Bridge Street. He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery Territorial Force on September 13 1915 in Thrapston, Service Number 895761, but was in this country until September 1917, when he left for France. He was killed in action on April 29 1918 at Amiens, France. He is buried at Adelaide Cemetery, Villes-Bretonneux, France.

Miller
Private Herbert MILLER
1880 - October 23 1916

Born in Thrapston in 1880, the second oldest son. By 1891, his father had died and his mother re-married to Marshall Meadows. They lived in Tichmarsh Lane (now Oundle Road), Thrapston. He enlisted with the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment, 10th Battalion, Service Number G/10382, on November 6 1915 in Thrapston. He went to France on May 4 1916. He was badly wounded in the back on September 17 1916 and died of his wounds on October 23 1916. He was buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France and is also commemorated on his mother's headstone in Oundle Road Cemetery, Thrapston along with his younger brother Walter.

Miller
Private Walter MILLER
1883 - November 3 1914

Born in Thrapston in 1883, the third eldest son. By 1891, his mother, Martha, was widowed and the family lived in Tichmarsh Lane (now Oundle Road), Thrapston. He joined the Army circa 1904, enlisting in Northampton and served in India for nearly seven years. He remained in the Reserve, after leaving the Army, for two years before rejoining the colours on the outbreak of War. He was a member of the Northamptonshire Regiment, 1st Battalion, Service Number 7621. He was wounded and admitted to hospital on about November 2 1914. He died the next day of his wounds and was interred in the Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery Belgium.

Morley
Private Joseph George MORLEY
1897 - February 17 1917

Born in 1897 at Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, the youngest of six children born to James and Eliza Morley. They moved to Thrapston between 1903 and 1906 where they took over the Swan Hotel. He enlisted with the 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, Service Number 27409, in August 1916 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire and was killed in action in France on February 17 1917 near Thiepval, France. He had been expected to return to England in December 1917 to enter an Officers' Training Corps. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France and a memorial service was held for him at Thrapston Parish Church on Sunday March 25 1917.

Newman
Private Frederick William NEWMAN
1882 - October 8 1917

Born in Thrapston in 1882, the oldest son of William and Emma Newman. After leaving school, he worked as a fishmongers’ assistant for Mr. Davis in Thrapston. He was well known in the town, having for a number of years been ostler at the King's Arms Hotel in town. He enlisted originally with the Royal Sussex Regiment, Service Number 5268 on February 17 1917 in Kettering, transferring to the Machine Gun Corps, Service Number 99948. He went to France in May 1917. He was killed in action on October 8 1917 at Ypres, Belgium and is buried at the Welsh Cemetery (Caesar's Nose), Belgium.

Newman
Private Sidney NEWMAN
January 6 1897 - October 1 1918

Born in Thrapston on January 6 1897, the youngest son of William and Emily Newman. After leaving school, he worked for Messrs. Heighton, Thrapston, as a driver and mechanic. He enlisted in 1916 in Northampton. After a short time in the Army Service Corps Transport Section, Service Number 268477, he transferred to the York and Lancaster Regiment, 6th (Service) Battalion, Service Number 33724 and went to France in January 1917. He was killed in action on October 1 1918 near Epinoy, France and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France.

Nicholls
Private George Ernest NICHOLLS
1894 - August 10 1916

Born in Thrapston in 1894, the second youngest of nine children born to Thomas and Ann Nicholls. George enlisted in the Northamptonshire Regiment, 5th Battalion, Service Number 18851, in Thrapston. He went to France on November 30 1915 and was killed in action on August 10 1916 at Aveluy France. He is buried at Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boiselle, France.

Pollard
Private John Robert POLLARD
1890 - July 7 1916

Born in Thrapston in 1890, the second son of John T. and Clara Pollard. John was a member of Thrapston Argyll Football Club alongside John Giddings and Richard Templeman. He became an apprentice moulder at Smith and Grace's Foundry, with whom he remained until the outbreak of war. He enlisted in Northampton on September 2 1914 with the 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, Service Number 13827. He sailed to France in June 1915. He was killed in action on July 7 1916 during the Battle of the Somme at Fricourt Contalmaison. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.