Frederick Gillott

Private

Royal Field Artillery 252094  

 

Frederick Gillott

Frederick in 1927

Notes
Frederick Gillott lived in Cromford and he is commemorated on the Cromford Roll of Honour. He worked in the Factory and joined the forces on 15th January 1918, aged thirty-five, after several requests for deferment by the factory. Deferment was granted until the end of December 1917.
Gunner Fred Gillott, 252094, Royal Field Artillery received his first and only parcel from Lea Mills, he was in 6th V.A.D Hospital, Woodside, Darlington, Durham.
His letter is very interesting as he reported, ‘I have been in hospital some time now I came with a sceptic (sic Septic) foot, which I am pleased to say is about right again. He was clearly an accomplished entertainer for his letter contained a signed photograph of himself in a pierrot-style costume and the written comment ‘I have done a lot of Entertaining for the Boys. Also organized Garden Fotos and out door Entertainment which has brought in £1,500 for the Hos funds.’
That was a notable achievement.
He was back in the Factory by August 1919
.
Before the war he played football and cricket for Cromford .

Fredericc Gillott married Lucy Steeples Q3 of 1908 in the Belper Registration District.

His younger brother Sergeant Herbert Gillott was in the Derbyshire Yeomanry. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre as reported in the Derby Daily Telegraph dated 23 July 1919; also Mentioned in Dispatches reported Derby Daily Telegraph 14 July 1916. Herbert also received the Military Medal.

Derbyshire Times, 11 September 1915
CROMFORD soldiers wounded
Private J.Allen (Cromford) of the Derbyshire Yeomanry, has sent in another interesting letter to a friend of his. Private Alan is almost filling the role of war correspondent with the Yeomanry, and all his letters have been read with the keenest interest by those who had relatives with that branch of the service. "We are now in the thickest of the fighting somewhere in the Dardanelles, and I can tell you it is like hell on earth," he writes, "the first day we landed, shells were dropping all around from the big Turkish guns, which we have named "Beachy Billys". They do very little damage unless they hit direct. I am pleased to tell you we are greatly assisted by our gallant Navy. As soon as Beachy Billy fires one or two shots out big naval guns soon quieten him. We have had very few casualties yet in our division. I think that we are to be praised for giving up our horses; we were cavalry one day and in two days we were dished out with infantry packs, and are now fighting along with the brave boys in the Dardanelles. I have not met any pals from our district yet. I don't know if I shall, but I hope so. All the lads from our district are quite safe up to the time of writing, but some have had very lucky escapes. Some of us were going for our water allowance when a shell burst, killing an Indian soldier and his mule. I am pleased to say that we are still happy in our little dug-out. The Allied forces have now gained some valuable positions, and I have no hesitation in saying that things are going well in our favour over in this quarter of the war zone. We have had several aerial attacks but they have been soon driven off with our naval air guns. We have now got used to the noise of the big guns, and are happily living on our bully and biscuits."

In a later letter Private J.Allen says he has been wounded. He states: – "Just a few lines to let you know I have been wounded twice in a terrible battle which I'm sure will count in this fight for freedom. I got a bullet through my jaw, and a shrapnel wound through my wrist, but I am still alive to tell the tale. We lost a considerable number of men, but gained the position we were set to take, and which will assist this war to a nearer the end. I don't think I shall be able to do any more fighting, but my heart is with those who come along to bring this war to a successful issue. "Buck up lads of the Derbyshire Yeomanry" was our leaders order, and we did. We stuck together like glue, never worrying about losing men. We beat the enemy back under our splendid, cool-headed leader. I wish him luck to gain the lads of the Derbyshire Yeomanry good name in their opportunity to do their duty.

In addition to Trooper J. Allen, Trooper Wilfred Boseley (Cromford), of the Derbyshire Yeomanry, has also been wounded while serving in the Dardanelles. In a letter to his father and mother, Mr and Mrs H. Gillott, of Water Lane, Cromford, Sgt Herbert Gillott states that Trooper Boseley was wounded in the leg, and taken to a base hospital, Sgt Gillott had a narrow escape, a bullet going through his sleeve and singeing his arm. In the same action a machine gun was blown to pieces. Some of the wounded lay from twelve to twenty hours and their agony was increased by the grass catching fire.

 

Letter to JB Marsden-Smedley

[Note: Signed photo attached (see below).]
22nd September 1918
6th V.A.  Hosp'l, Woodside, Darlington Durham
Dear Sir
I received your splendid Parcel quite safe and nicely packed. The contents were a treat.
I shared them with my pals and we had a regular Birth-day. 
I wish to thank you Sir for same for I am sure you could not have sent anything better.
I have been in this Hospital some time now I came with a sceptic foot, which I am pleased to say is about right again.
I have done a lot of Entertaining for the Boys, Also organized Garden Fotos and out door Entertainments which has brought in £1,500 for the Hos funds.
Well Sir, I wish you every success at Lea Mills.
Your obedient
252094 Gunner F Gillott

Fredeick Gillott

 

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Scarthin, Cromford

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Herbert Gillott Head 45 Cotton minding overooker Derby
Emma Gillott wife 45   Cheltenham
Frederic Gillott son 18 Cotton minding overooker Litton
Ellen Gillott daughter 12   Matlock Bath
Herbert Gillott son 10   Matlock Bath

RG13 piece 3267 folio 68 page 2

1911: 24 Cromford Hill

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Frederick Gillott Head 28 Overlooker, winding room hosiery mill Litton Mills
Lucy Gillott wife 26 Machine hand, hosiery mill Wirksworth
Dennis Clive Gillott son 2 School Wirksworth

RG14PN21214 RG78PN1262 RD439 SD2 ED16 SN74