Adeline Rivers

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Adeline Rivers died on 1st March 1937 at Derby City Hospital and is buried in Nottingham Road Cemetery. She was the mother of a remarkable Derby man, Jacob Rivers V.C., who has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.

In tribute to her and her son, “the officers, warrant officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the Sherwood Foresters”, erected a headstone on her grave. On her death, she bequeathed his Victoria Cross to the Sherwood Foresters Regiment.

There are many tributes to Jacob Rivers in the city, but this tribute on his mother’s grave is perhaps the most poignant. Later this year, volunteers from the Victoria Cross Trust, hope to complete the renovation of this grave.

Private Jacob Rivers 6016 VC 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters.

He was the son of Mrs. Adeline Rivers of 4 House, Wide Yard, Bridge Gate, Derby. After serving just 5 months he was transferred on the Sick Convoy for treatment on the frost bite on his feet on 23 January 1915. He was discharged back to duty on 29th January 1915 and died on 12 March 1915, aged 32.

The citation in the London Gazette dated 27th April 1915 records the following “For most conspicuous bravery at Neuve-Chapelle on 12th March 1915, when he, on his own initiative, crept to within a few yards of a very large number of the enemy who were massed on the flank of an advanced company of his battalion, and hurled bombs on them. His action caused the enemy to retire, and so relieved the situation. Pte. Rivers performed a second act of great bravery on the same day, similar to the first mentioned, again causing the enemy to retire. He was killed on this occasion”.

A remarkable family.