Ernest Deacon

         Ernest Deacon, soldier of the Great War 1914-1918.

                                     Albert Gibson

                   Albert Gibson, soldier of the Great War 1914-1918.

                              Arthur Lovell

                Killed in the Great War 1914-1918.

                                 Edgar Finney

               Edgar Finney, Soldier of the Great War 1914-1918.

                        George  Deacon

             George Patrick, Soldier of World War One.

               Killed Great War 1914 Finney

Tom was the son of Charles and Priscilla Finney of 6 New Street, Barlesonte. He was killed at Loos in France on 25th September 1915. He was 22 years of age. He was a member of Barlestone band and played the side drum. In this photograph he is wearing what was a makeshift uniform of the time.

                           Soldiers Great War 1914 Leave.

Albert Gibson and his wife Ida, nee Finney. Albert was obviously at home on leave when this was taken, as he is wearing ordinary boots not army issue.

  World War One

Taken at the beginning of WW1 at Aldershot. The uniforma was known as 'Kitchener's Blue'. Back row with guns: 2nd from the left is James 'Jim' Chapman and next to him, William Wltham. They went together and enlisted as soon as volunteers were asked for.

                             World War One 2  

 James 'Jim' Chapman aged 21/22 on leave.

                           World War One 3

James 'Jim' Chapman aged 21/22 at home on leave. Taken at the back of a house in New Street.

                           World War One 4

       Ethel Chapman (nee Haywood), the wife of James Chapman

                  Earnest Deacon

                         Ern. Deacon

                        Frederick Arthur Weston

Fred Weston enlisted in Spring 1944 and became a Tank Driver. He was promoted to Acting Lance Sergeant. In September 1944 some five months after joining the army he was killed when his tank received a direct hit. He was 20 years old. He has no known grave.

                     George Edward Ted Greasley.

Sergeant George Edward "Ted" Greasley was killed in action in Italy on December 3rd 1943. He was 27 years old. He is buried in the War Cemetery at Minturno. He was born at Ibstock and married Lois Hardy of Barlestone on February 20th 1937 and he lived in the village for the rest of his life. A daughter, Shirley Ann, was born on February 27th 1942.

                           Harold Thompson 

      Edward Harold, the son of George and Flora Thompson  was Baptised September 15th 1895.         

                           Jack Midget Goddard

Jack 'Midget' Goddard was called up in January 1940 when he was 22 years old. He joined the Leicester Regiment and was billeted in Thompson's Factory on The Boulevard in Leicester. After twelve weeks training he was sent to France and was reported as missing believed killed at Dunkirk on May 26th 1940. He had veen in the forces for only four months. Before the War he was one of the up and coming Boxers of the area, fighting under the name of 'Midget' Goddard.

James Williamson Stain 1.

"Son" Stain was a Private in the Leicestershire Regt. He enlisted at the age of 21 in 1940 and was killed on D. Day, 6th June 1944, during the Normandy Landings. He is buried at the British War Cemetery in Bayeux, France.

                                  John Shepherd

Private John Shepherd enlisted in 1939 and joined the Leicestershire Regiment. He was sent out to help with the evacuation of Singapore but suffered an injury during the evacuation and fell into Japanese hands. He died December 11th-12th whilst working on the Burma Railway and his body was cremated by the side of this line. He was 24 years of age.

                                 Len Martin

Len Martin was a Private in the Devonshire Regiment. He was killed in action on August 11th 1944 at the age of 31 and is buried in France.

                              Raymond Smalley

Raymond who was with the South Staffs. Infantry Regt., was killed in the Hook of Holland in 1944, he was 25 years old. He is buried at Mierlo British War Cemetery in the Hook of Holland. Raymond lived next door to Noah's Ark in Newbold Road.

                        Sidney Joseph Hextall

10600 Trooper Sidney Joseph Hextall of the 65th Regiment Recce Corps R.A.C. He was killed in action in Italy on 18 April 1945 when the tank he was in stalled at a cross roads and was hit by enemy shells. He was 30 years old. He was buried at Faenza War Cemetery in Italy. Sidney was born at Barlestone and married Mary West of Newbold Verdon in 1936. One son, Barry Keith was born on 23rd September 1938. His name is inscribed on the War Memorial at Newbold Verdon.

                  Soldiers Great War 18 E Finney 1

Edgar Finney of the Royal Garrison Artillery had this photograph taken in Bonn after the end of the war and sent it to his sister, Rose, of New Street Barlestone.

                         The Village War Memorial.

Situated in the village Cemetery on Barton Road. 1914 to 1918: J. E. Chesterton, F. Chesterton, T.S. Finney, G. Grain, M. Green, R.C. Kirkman, A. Lovell. 1939 to 1945: T.S. Finney, J.W. Goddard, G. E. Greasley, L. W. Martin, J. F. Shepherd, R.C. Smalley, J.W. Stain, F.A. Weston.

         Tom Finney

Tom Finney was a Private in the 2nd-5th Leicesters. He enlisted at the age of 22 in February 1940 and went missing, presumed killed at Dunkirk on May 26th 1940. He had been in the armed forces for less than four months.