As a volunteer researcher working with the City of Doncaster archives on their project Memorialising the 324 Battery, 94th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment.
I came across the story of Jack Boulton. Jack sadly died in an accident on the 12th May 1945 in Cuxhaven, Germany.
Through researching his story I came across a BBC Stoke Newspaper article on the 13th May 2025 that explained the Royal Doulton War memorial was to be replaced 20 years after it had disappeared.
The article mentioned a Mr Mike Lightfoot who had played a part in organising the new Kilngate Memorial project was keen to make contact with families of the men and woman of the Memorial . So I got in touch and offered Mike the biography I had written on Jack Boulton, we chatted and thought what an incredible idea it would be to find all 59 soldiers from the Royal Doulton Kilngate memorial.
Six months in to the research project we are happy to share our findings so far ..
SEPT
2025
Our Alf , the forgotten
soldier.
Sunday 21st September 2025 Burslem cemetery the
commemoration for Pte Alfred William Holdcroft.
The rededication and positioning of a temporary cross on the grave of Private 200814 Alfred William Holdcroft took place in Burslem cemetery, on Sunday 21st September 2025.
The Service was given by Father Andrew Swift; the Master of Ceremonies was Lloyd Cooke, Chief Executive of the charity Salt Box, Wreaths were laid by The Deputy Lieutenant Simon Davies, Lord Mayor Councillor Steve Watkins and David Williams MP.
There was a strong local presence at the ceremony including other civic dignitaries, Lady Mayoress, Councillor Lynn Watkins, Former Lady Mayoress, Councillor Lyn Sharp, Leader of the Council Councillor Jane Ashworth, Councillor Luke Shenton, Liz Hulse Project Manager Centenary 100, alongside other members of the North Staffordshire Regiment Association and former Royal Doulton Employees.
Throughout the ceremony the bagpipes were played by Dee Hardy-Lee of the British Legion, whilst an honour guard formed by members of his Staffordshire Regiment Association stood at his graveside.
Watchman VI, mascot of the North Staffordshire Regimental Association and former mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment & 3rd Battalion Mercian Regiment with his handler Greg Hedges stood alongside three Standard Bearers, a Bugler, and a WWI Sentry.
Alfred's cross was unveiled by Joan Walley Burslem Regeneration MP( ret ) and Ruth Butler, Lead Researcher, the flag was folded and handed to the Lord Mayor for his safe keeping until he can hand it over to Alfred's family.
Many of those in attendance then accompanied Father Andrew and the dignitaries as they laid poppies on the headstones of others who had fallen during both wars. One such grave was that of Corporal 16280 Harry Chesters, Royal Field Artillery, a colleague of Alfred from Royal Doulton.
“Alfred served with the 1/5th North Staffordshire Regiment, deployed to the Gommecourt area of France during the Somme offensive – which was one of the bloodiest battles of the war. On 1 July 1916, his battalion went over the top. Though Alfred survived the battlefield, he was grievously wounded in the chest, a wound which left him paraplegic. He was returned to the UK and whilst receiving treatment in the Star and Garter rehabilitation hospital he succumbed to his wounds and died on 1st November 1918.
Alfred’s body was returned to his home town of Burslem where he was interned alongside his baby daughter Elizabeth who had passed away at the age of eight months in 1912.
“For many years his grave lay unmarked. On Sunday, that wrong has been put right and an application is being made to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for an official headstone.
Alfreds Biography is available to read and we hope the decision from the War Graves Commission for his long overdue war grave commemoration will not be long in the offing.
when we can welcome you back to Burslem Cemetery
Youtube link to ALFRED WILLIAM HOLDFROFT MEMORIAL: kindly provided by Staffordshire Film Archive
Gallery
Pictures from the day taken by Jerome Whittingham , with his kind permission we are sharing them with you
AUGUST
2025
WH Plimbley family
Battlefield visit
Background
My grandson Jack has always taken an interest in History, not surprising as I love the subject.
In March 2024 at the age of 11 he told me he wanted to join the cadets when he is 12.
I said OK fine thinking that he may change his mind. However, 2 days after his 12th Birthday he joined.
At that point I booked the tour for us, primarily because of his interest and I wanted to spend time with him.
I believe that all school children of his age should do a visit to WW1 & WW2 sites as part of their education.
I have been to several sites and for me they are a profoundly emotional experience.
Having served in the Staffordshire Regiment visiting these places whether with veterans or as an individual it becomes a pilgrimage.
I regularly visit Arnhem with the Staffordshire Regt Association, in fact Jack & I are going together in 2026.
I have family buried in France from WW1 and Italy from WW2, my father served in the Far East Royal Navy.
Plimbley and grandson wreath laying at the Menin Gate Ceremony.
The Royal Doulton Fallen - WH PLIMBLEY
In 2025 Mike Lightfoot contacted me regarding the new memorial to the Doulton Fallen.
Chasing up the name WH PLUMBLEY… this is wrong its WH PLIMBLEY no wonder you can’t find his family.
He was the 1st of the Doulton workers to die during WW1
Looking at all the names on the memorial I realised that half of them were of my regiment.
I decided that on our visit Jack & I would lay a poppy cross for everyman at the locations we were going to.
I think we managed to lay crosses for approx. 20 men.
We laid the cross and spoke their names …. THESE MEN ARE NOT FORGOTTON…….
On the last evening Jack & I had the honour and privilege to lay a wreath at the Menin Gate Ceremony, something I & my grandson will remember for ever.
ICH DEIN
Memorials visited
Theipval monument
The Theipval monument commemorates the Somme battle.
Crosses laid
