A marble plaque on a black background with gilded regimental badge at the top and raised border decoration.
Inscription -
IN
DEAR MEMORY
OF
BASIL F W MOGRIDGE
2ND LIEUT 4TH LEICS REGT
SCHOLAR OF ST JOHN'S COLLEGE
CAMBRIDGE
KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE
OCT 13TH 1915 AGED 19
"FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH" "2nd Lieutenant Basil Fullelove West Mogridge was the son of the Reverend Henry Twells Mogridge, a clergyman of the Church of England, born on the 9th June 1842 in Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire, and was baptised on the 24th July 1843 in Aston, Birmingham and his wife Fanny Mogridge (nee Collard, married on the 17th April 1888 in Bromley, Kent), born 1861 in Reculver, Kent. Basil Fullerton West was born in the 4th quarter of 1896 in Scalford, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Phyllis Ellen Twells, born 4th August 1890 in Waltham, Leicestershire, Henry Theodore, born 21st October 1891 in Loddington, Leicestershire, Edward Courtney, born 1st June 1893, Isabel Eva Lilian, born 1895 and Philip James David, born 1899, the latter three siblings were all born in Scalford, in March 1901 the family home was at The Vicarage, Scalford. In April 1911 Basil was absent from the family home at The Viacarage, Scalford, residing there was his father, a clerk in Holy Orders, his mother and siblings, Phyllis, Henry, a Cambridge undergraduate and Edward, a bank clerk, Basil was a schoolboy and was residing as a boarder at The School House, Oakham, Rutland. Basil’s Christian name’s were officially recorded at birth as Besil Fullelove West, however Basil Fullerton West has been used among other derivatives of his Christian names, but the Christian name’s of Basil Fullelove seem the most used version’s. Basil was educated at Oakham School, and was a scholar of St. John’s College, Cambridge.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00pm artillery lifted and Battn assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lt Col R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brig Gen KEMP. All officers of the Battn either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battn was relieved by part of the 139th Bde and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1st/4th Battn Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Bde 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Bde 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Friday October 22nd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – VICAR’S SON KILLED. On Tuesday the Rev. H. T. Mogridge received a telegram informing him his third son, Second Lieut. Basil F. W. Mogridge, was killed at the front in France, some time between the 11th and 13th October. Deceased who left Oakham School last Christmas, and who was only just 19 years of age, obtained a commission in the 4th Leicestershire (Territorials). He had for some time been a member of the Public Schools Cadet Corps. He had been at the front about three months. On leaving Oakham he had obtained an open scholarship at Cambridge, and as his abilities were much above the average, a most promising career has been cut short. Much sympathy is felt for the Vicar and Mrs. Mogridge, in their great bereavement. The Vicar’s second son also holds a commission, and is at present with his regiment in Ireland.
On Friday October 29th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – SCALFORD. – MEMORIAL SERVICE. A memorial service for the late Second-Lieut. Basil F. W. Mogridge, was held in the church on Monday afternoon. There was a large number of parishioners present, representing all denominations, and also from Wycombe and Chadwell. There were also present Canon Blakeney, Revs. S. D. Middleton, T. B. Cooper (Melton), Rev. J. B. and Mrs. Gardner (Long Clawson), Rev. J. Williams (Hose), Rev. B. H. Smith (Waltham), and Rev. J. New (Stathern). The service was most impressively taken by the Rev. D. W. Peregrine, rector of Branston. The lesson was read by Rev. W. L. Tudor, Thrope Arnold, who gave a short address. Mr. Segeant, of Melton presided at the organ. For the opening voluntary, “O rest in the Lord,” (Mendelsohn) was played, and at the close Chopin’s “Funeral March.” The Psalms were chanted by the choir, and the hymns, “Christ gather in His Own,” and “On the resurrection morning,” were sung."
SOURCE - (
visit link)