Sgt Joseph Vickers (Royal Engineers),
35 Hampden Road, Mexborough, has died of injuries accidentally received in France.
He was 43 years of age, married, and leaves four children.
He enlisted in September 1915, in a Tunnelling company of the Engineers, went to France almost immediately. At the time of enlistment he was a miner, employed at Barnborough Main, but prior to that he had worked for 28 years at Denaby Main.
When the call for middle-aged miners for the tunnelling service was received, he volunteered without hesitation, and was quite happy in his work. The other week he came home for his first league, 10 days, and return on Thursday, October 12.
He met with the accident on Saturday, the 14th, as he was proceeding from Le Havre to rejoin his company. He was taken into the base hospital, where it was necessary to amputate his left foot and his left arm. On the following Tuesday his family were notified by telegram that he had succumbed. Prior to that they received sympathetic letters from the sister in charge of the hospital ward and the chaplain attached to the hospital, describing his condition.
The Rev W A Timmis wrote:
“He asked me to write and tell you that he is thinking of you and all that are dear to him. He is wonderfully brave and uncomplaining, though he’s very ill. Still we hope he may pull through. He is strong and an excellent patient, which is all in his favour.”
Miss Helen E Doyle wrote stating that Vickers was sustained injuries in a railway collision. The widow and family are sending wreaths to be placed on his grave in France.
From C.W.G.C/:
Rank: Sapper
Service No: 132701
Date of Death: 16/10/1916
Age: 43
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers 183rd Tunnelling Coy.
Grave Reference: Div. III. M 7.
Cemetery: STE. MARIE CEMETERY, LE HAVRE
Additional Information:
Son of Joseph and Maria Vickers, of Mexborough; husband of Mary J. Vickers, of 35, Hampden Rd., Mexborough, Yorks.