Broken hearts for two Ox and Bucks men

For no other reason than I've just finished some research for a client whose ancestor served with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry during the First World War, I thought I would remember today, those men from the regiment who lost their lives on Valentine's Day.


There are no recorded deaths for 1915 and just one for 14th February 1916: 17040 Pte Percy Slatford, 6th Battalion. Percy was 33 years old and is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres (above, courtesy CWGC). He was the husband of Winifred Emily Slatford (nee Earls) whom he had married in Oxford in 1904. She would later re-marry James Stubbs in Woodstock, Oxfordshire in 1919.


When the 1911 census was taken, Percy and Winifred were living at 32 Lake Street, New Hinksey, Oxfordshire.  Percy was working as a farm labourer and they had four children: Alice Vera Slatford (aged 5), George Slatford (aged 4), Gertrude May Slatford (aged 3) and Violet Edith Slatford (aged 5 months). GRO records reveal that a second son, Leslie V Slatford, was born in 1913. None of these children would see their father again after he left for France on the 22nd July 1915.


The following year, on 14th February 1917, 28396 Pte John Robert Ing of the 3rd Garrison Battalion, Ox and Bucks Light Infantry, died at Milton Hospital, Portsmouth and was buried in his native Long Crendon (St Mary) Churchyard. He was 34 years old, the son of the late Michael Ing, and Fanny Ing and the husband of  Dorothy Ing (nee Warner). The couple had married in 1916, their marriage registered in the final quarter of that year. They had therefore only been married for a matter of months when John Ing died. I believe that Dorothy later re-married in 1923.  There is a birth registered for a John M Ing in the third quarter of 1917, mother's maiden name, Warner and it would seem possible that this was the child that John Robert Ing never lived to see. Note however, that a Dorothy V Ing, with the same mother's maiden name, was born in 1920.


No Ox and Bucks men lost their lives on Valentine's Day 1918.


At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM