Joseph Henry Sheldon (1884–1971)

Gunner

Royal Field Artillery 72753 5th Reserve Brigade

Derbyshire Courier 31 March 1917

newspaper photo of Joseph Sheldon

Biography
Born at Crich in 1884, Joseph was the son of George and Mary Sheldon. Before the war he worked as a stone mason and married Dinah Chamberlain 1912 December qtr (Mansfield reg district). He enlisted in January 1915, entered France in November 1915 and the following November was wounded; this was very briefly reported in the Derbyshire Times on 4 November 1916. He was discharged with the Silver War Badge on 5 September 1917.

Medal Index Card
He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star Medals. He also was awarded the Silver War Badge
He entered France 14/11/15

Silver War Badge
72753, John Henry Sheldon, Gnr RFA, 5c Res Bde, 238.611, enlisted 11/1/15, discharged 5/9/17, sickness, served overseas

Newspaper reports

Derbyshire Courier 17 March 1917
An official intimation has been received by Mrs J. SHELDON, of Mansfield, and afterward forwarded to Mr and Mrs George SHELDON, of Crich, informing them that Gunner Joseph SHELDON R.F.A. , was dangerously wounded. The news, which is lacking in detail, has been forwarded from a base hospital in France. Gunner SHELDON , who is the youngest son of Mr and Mrs G. SHELDON, was badly wounded seven months ago, and was in hospital six weeks as a result of being buried for eighteen hours in a trench blown up by the enemy. Gunner SHELDON, who is married, and has one child, was employed at Mansfield before enlisting.

Derbyshire Courier, 31 March 1917
CRICH GUNNER’S WOUNDS
Joseph SheldonFurther particulars have been received by Mr and Mrs George Sheldon of The Tors, Crich, during the week with regard to their youngest son, Gunner Joseph Sheldon. A letter from the Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot, written by a friend states that Gunner Sheldon has been transferred there from the base hospital in France. He's been severely wounded by shell in the left thigh, and in addition is suffering from shell shock and is slightly gassed. The relatives are greatly relieved to hear that he is progressing satisfactorily, as no news had been received since the intimation that he was dangerously wounded. Gunner Sheldon is a fine physique and when living at Crich was a good local exponent with the gloves.

Joseph's brother William Sheldon is also on the Roll of Honour

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
George Sheldon Head 50 Machinist cotton mill Sutton
Mary Sheldon wife 50   Sutton
Albert Sheldon son 25 Stone mason Sutton
Joseph Sheldon son 16 Stone mason Crich
Florence Sheldon daughter 20 Hosiery Mill Crich
Bertha Sheldon daughter 18 Spinner cotton mill Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 63 page 12

1911: Mansfield

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Joseph Henry Sheldon Boarder 24 Stone dresser Crich

RG14PN20344 RG78PN1219 RD428 SD5 ED12 SN188

1939 Register 160 Big Barn Lane, Mansfield
Joseph Henry Sheldon b.25 August 1888; ripping in a coal mine
Dinah Sheldon b.9 December 1890
Thomas J Sheldon b.19 November 1914
Lily Sheldon b.14 November 1911
[Joseph was born 26 August 1884]