St. James' War Memorial

Joseph Christopher Quincey

Surname: Quincey
Other names: Joseph Christopher
Other people in this story:
Alfred James Plowright
Anne Plowright née Kemp
John Quincey
Locations in this story:
Irchester, Northamptonshire
Shrivenham, Berkshire
Upper Benefield, Oundle, Northamptonshire
Weymouth, Dorset
Gillingham, Dorset
France & Flanders
Boezinge, West Flanders, Belgium
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
The name of Christopher Quincy (no 'e') appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury.  The following is the known history of this person.  Joseph Christopher Quincey (always known as 'Christopher') was born in Irchester, Northamptonshire, during 1896 but there is no record of his parents.  He and his elder brother, John Quincey, were fostered by Anne Plowright (née Kemp) who, along with her husband, Alfred James Plowright, farmed at Upper Benefield, Oundle, Northamptonshire.  He was boarding out with a family in Shrivenham, Berkshire, at the time of the 1901 Census but by 1911 was back with his foster mother in Upper Benefield. 

He enlisted with the Northamptonshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 40002).  He was posted to the 2nd Battalion whose headquarters was then based in Weymouth, Dorset, (due to the sea links to France) and later with the Training Unit near Gillingham, Dorset.  He was eventually sent with the 2nd Battalion to France and Flanders and promoted to Lance Corporal. He was regrettably killed in action on 26th June 1917 and finally buried in the Bard Cottage Cemetery, Boezinge, West Flanders, Belgium, (Grave ref: II.B.22). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.  His foster mother received all his final monies due as well as a pension.  It is very likely that he had attended at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, during his time in the area as had other service personnel.

Images:
  • St. James' Roll of Honour

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives