BERNARD TURNEY SKETCHLEY 1894–1932

Photograph Nottm Evening Post 13 August 1932

Born 1894 in Radcliffe on Trent

Died 12 August 1932, Radcliffe on Trent age thirty-seven. Buried Radcliffe on Trent cemetery alongside his father who died 1931.

1901 Census

Age 6 living at Lenton House, Cropwell Road with father George W., 41, insurance agent, mother Lucy 46, brother George Harry Brice 9 and one servant Charlotte Pridmore.

1911 Census

Age 16, assistant in a lace warehouse living at Lenton House, Cropwell Road with mother Lucy  56 and his brother George 19.

Military Service

Rank: Lieutenant

Military Unit: 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Reinforcements, 4th (Rawalpindi) Brigade, 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division. Formerly 2nd Lt. Manchester Regiment. Previously 1st Bn, Durham Light Infantry Reinforcements

Theatre of War: India, date of entry 23.12.15

10.3.15: Appointed temporary 2nd lieutenant (pages missing from the London Gazette showing his regiment)

21.1.17:  Temporary lieutenant, 1st and 2nd Battalions, Durham Light Infantry (from Forces War Records)

Medals Awarded: British War and Victory Medal, but declared ineligible for 1914-15 Star, as service abroad began 23.12.15

Military Personnel Address on 1918 Electoral Register

Lenton House, Cropwell Road, Radcliffe on Trent

1921 Census

Address: Lenton House, Cropwell Road, Radcliffe

Employment: Plain Net Co.

Household: father George, farmer, retired, mother Lucy, domestic servant ? Charlton

Other information

Bernard Sketchley’s military service is not easy to trace from available records. According to his Medal Rolls Index Card, he was a Lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry Reinforcements (who reinforced the 1st Battalion). He transferred to the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment and then completed his service with the Durham Light Infantry. The 1st Durham Light Infantry served in India throughout the war. The 1st Manchesters were in Mesepotamia in 1916, Egypt in 1918 and then Palestine.

He died on 12 August 1932, aged 37 and probate was granted to Mary Irene Allen and John Fillingham Bishop, gentleman.

His obituary in the Nottingham Evening Post on 13th August 1932 states: ‘he was educated at King’s school Grantham and Nottingham High School. He had played rugby for Notts. … he enlisted in the King’s Royal Rifles in August 1914, being then 19 years of age. Subsequently he was granted a commission in the Durham Light Infantry, and saw considerable active service on the North-West Frontier of India, in Mesopotamia, and in Palestine. He remained in the army until 1920’

Reasons for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour

Born, lived and died in Radcliffe on Trent.