John Thomas HADDON

Private 235528, 8th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment
Died 18th September 1917 aged 32
No Known Grave Commemorated Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
Husband of Elsie Haddon
Lived 41, Croft Street, Heckmondwike

John was the son of Charles and Mary Ann Haddon who were from Grantham in Lincolnshire. John was one of six children. The family moved to Heckmondwike sometime between 1891 and 1901, they initially lived on Oldfield Lane and before the war John was an Assistant in a Dye Works.

In 1915 he married Elsie Longden and their only child John was born the following year in 1916. After the war Elsie remarried and went on to have six more children.

He joined the Durham Light Infantry in August 1916 and was later transferred to the York and Lancaster Regiment. On September 15th 1917 the 8th York and Lancaster marched to the front line at the Belgian village of Zillebek, just South of Ypres. They were in the trenches at Hellebast Corner � known to the troops as Hellblast Corner - on the morning of the 18th a party of 40 raided the German line, in retaliation the Germans shelled the British trenches. Between the 16th and the 18th September 23 men of the 8th battalion were killed and John Haddon was one of these.

John William HAGAN

Private 27538, 15th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters)
Died 19th August 1917 aged 20
Buried Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery, France
Son of John and Annie Hagan
Lived 6, Upper George Street, Heckmondwike

Private John William (Willie) Hagan was born in Liversedge on 4th December 1897, the son of John Hagan and Annie (nee Curran) of Gas Street who had married at Birstall Parish Church. Their son was baptized John Willie Hagan at Westgate Congregational Church in Heckmondwike on January 2nd 1898.

By 1911 and at the age of 14, John William was employed as a Bobbin Doffer in a Worsted Mill and living with his mother, siblings and Scottish grandmother in Gas Works Street, Liversedge. His father was employed as a Warehouseman for a Woollen Manufacturer and was lodging at the "Victoria Lodging House" at 31, Leeds Road, Dewsbury, on the night of the census, where 93 other men also lodged, perhaps to be close one of the large Dewsbury Mills. The family later moved to 6, Upper George Street, Heckmondwike.

John William enlisted in Dewsbury into the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) at first in the 11th Battalion moving later into the 15th.

The Battle of the Somme commenced on 1st July 1916 and John was wounded at some time during that battle. He recovered and was sent out to the front again in the 15th Battalion. His service record has been destroyed, but the movements of the battalion were recorded.

" August 1917. Much of the time spent at camp in the early part of the month was spent in training and preparations for an attack planned to knock out a dangerous position in the German Lines called Knoll.

17th August. Moved via Longasvesner and Villers-Faucon to near St Emile.

18th August. Moved to assembly position for an attack on the Knoll.

19th August 1917. A successful attack. Began at 4am and took the trenches, consolidated the positions gained and built a bombing block. Casualties 25 killed, 53 wounded, 2 died of wounds and 5 missing."

The Cleckheaton and Spenborough Guardian newspaper reported on Friday September 14th "Private John William Hagan, son of Mr and Mrs Hagan of Upper George Street, Heckmondwike, has been officially reported to have been killed in action in France. He was twenty years of age, and joined the Notts. & Derby Regiment in June of 1915, and had been in France about eleven months. Prior to enlistment, he was employed by Messrs. Smithson & Gledhill, dyers of Ravensthorpe. He was wounded in the battle of the Somme."

The Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery contains the graves of 227 soldiers who died between February and August 1917. John William's grave stone is on Row E 52 and marked as "J. W. Hagan died 19th August 1917".

Christopher HALLAM

Air Mechanic 2nd Class 77450, 21st Squadron Royal Flying Corps
Killed in a Flying Accident 21st August 1917 aged 28
No Known Grave Commemorated Arras Flying Services Memorial, France
Husband of Sarah (Sadie) Hallam
Lived 6, Sharpe Street, Heckmondwike

Christopher was born on 28th July 1889 in New Whittington, Derbyshire the eldest son of Frank Hallam, a Stuff Presser of Bradford and Selina Davey of Nottinghamshire, who had married in Chesterfield. The family had moved to Norristhorpe Lane, Liversedge by 1891 and their daughter Elizabeth was baptised at Heckmondwike Parish Church on the 19th April 1893.

The parents with five children were recorded in 1911 as living at New Yew Tree Cottage, Lumb Lane, Liversedge and Christopher was a Labourer at the Sewage Works. Later they moved to Sharpe Street, Heckmondwike and Christopher was employed by Mr Whitehead at Crystal Mills, Union Road. He attended St Saviour's Church.

On the 7th September 1914, in response to the call "that every man should do their duty" Christopher enlisted at Dewsbury with at least four friends into the KOYLI, but as they were over subscribed he was transferred ten days later into the Plymouth Division Royal Marine Light Infantry as RMLI PLY 174(S). After training he was sent to the Dardanelles aboard HMS Victory. In a letter he sent to his family from there he wrote "I had my first taste of fighting on 4th March. I came through alright but we had to leave some behind us. I shall not forget the experience in a hurry. I cannot say how long we shall be before we will be at it again. The place is very mountainous and you may guess it is hard work whenever we land from the boats and there are practically no roads at all". The prolonged fighting under difficult conditions later cost the lives of two of his friends from Heckmondwike, George Gale and Arthur Wood on 3rd May 1915.

Christopher was eventually repatriated having had typhoid and was then given a short leave home and on 15th November 1915 he married Sarah (Sadie) Wilson Scott of Norristhorpe at Heckmondwike Parish Church. He was then sent to France and on the 7th September 1916 was appointed Lance Corporal.

Later Christopher was transferred to the Royal Flying Corp becoming an Air Mechanic Second Class . The Royal Flying Corps was the air arm of the British Army before it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service on 1st April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force. The Royal Flying Corps supported the British Army by providing artillery co-operation and reconnaissance photography.

On 21st August 1917 Aircraft type RE8 No. A/3622 with Pilot Captain A. H. Smith and observer AM2C. Hallam, whose duty was aerial photography and artillery observation, took off at 9.05am from an airfield in the Ypres locality. The plane was equipped with one Lewis gun and a Vickers gun. No further definite news was received. An RE8 was seen to go down in a spinning nose dive and crash at 9.30am. The pilot and observer were missing.

The local newspaper carried a report that Christopher Hallam was missing stating that he had been through much active and dangerous service in the Dardanelles and France and it was whilst he was flying over the German lines that he was numbered amongst the missing.

It was to be ten months after he went missing that his wife received official word at their home at 54, Jeremy Lane that he must now be "presumed dead".

Medals: 14/15 Star, British War & Victory

Memorial Book: 6 Sharpe Street, Heckmondwike

Commemorated: Heckmondwike Green Park Memorial and Velum Roll; St Saviour's Church Memorial now kept within St James's Church; Norristhorpe United Reform Church Memorial.

Albert HANSON

Private 16/1490, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
Died 1st July 1916 aged 38
No Known Grave Commemorated Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Husband of Elizabeth Ann Hanson
Lived 114, Brighton Street, Heckmondwike

Albert was born in Ardsley near Barnsley on 17th November 1877. He was, however, baptised at Hartshead Church on 4th April 1878. He was the fifth son of Henry and Julia Ann Hanson. Henry was from Roberttown but went to work in the Barnsley area where his wife Julia Ann had been born. Their first three children were born in Roberttown and the rest (nine children in all) were born in the Barnsley area. Albert worked as a Glass Worker in Barnsley. Albert's father Henry died in 1893 but his mother Julia stayed in the Barnsley area with her two youngest sons.

In 1911 Albert was living with his wife Elizabeth Ann Kelly and four children in Dinnington near Rotherham.

Albert returned to the Spen Valley and was living in Brighton Street. He was employed by Messrs Jackson of Lime Street, Cleckheaton as a Teamer. He enlisted in June 1915 into the West Yorkshire Regiment, Prince of Wales's Own, and spent three months in Egypt before going to France.

Albert was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. His name is also commemorated on St. James's Church and St.Saviour's Church War Memorials. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Reginald Sowden HANSON

Private 235581, 13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (The Green Howards)
Died 9th April 1918 aged 21
No Known Grave Commemorated Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium
Son of William Eward and Annie Hanson
Lived 157, High Street, Heckmondwike

Reginald was born in Heckmondwike in 1896, his parents; William Edward and Annie Hanson were from Dewsbury. William and Annie (formerly Senior) ran a grocers shop on High Street where they both worked and Reginald's brother Hubert was at one time working as an Errand Boy for them. Reginald's father died in 1912 aged 52. Reginald was a Mattress Maker before the war.

He initially joined the Yorkshire Dragoons but later transferred to The Green Howards.

He died in 1918 and his body was never recovered, most of those commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial did not die in major offensives, such as those which took place around Ypres to the North or Loos to the South. Most were killed in the course of the day-to-day trench warfare which characterised this part of the line, or in small scale set engagements, usually carried out in support of the major attacks taking place elsewhere.

Harry HEADLEY

Private 76290, 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment
Killed in Action 23rd October 1918 aged 20
Buried Pommereuil British Cemetery, Nord, France
Son of Isabel West
Lived 9, Brooke Street, Heckmondwike

It must have been a great blow to William and Jane Headley of Heckmondwike to learn that two of their grandsons had been killed on the same day, 23rd October 1918. These notes focus on one of their grandsons, Harry Headley. The details of the other grandson, his cousin John William Spink also appear on this website.

Harry's mother Isabel Headley was born in 1869 in Newton-on-Ouse, North of York, the eldest child of William and Jane Headley. Their growing family, including Mary Ann who was to become the mother of John William Spink, moved around North Yorkshire as William took up a variety of agricultural work. By the 1890's Isobel had left home and spent some time as a servant for a Vicar near Richmond. Her 14 year old sister Mary Ann was employed as a nurse in the same household.

Isabel then went to work as a Domestic Housekeeper at Murton Farm, Sutton-on-the Forest, near Easingwold, the home of farmer William Dennis and his family. On 12th December 1898 Isabel made the short journey to Stillington to register the birth of Harry born 14th October 1898 at Murton Farm. By 1901 Isabel and her son Harry had returned to live with Harry's grandparents at Redvers Mount, Norristhorpe. There were 10 adults and children at that address. In 1905 Isabel married Arthur Agar West a farm worker and by 1911 Arthur, Isabel and Harry were living in Stamford Bridge near York.

Harry Headley enlisted on 21st May 1917 at Beverley with the East Yorkshire Regiment, service number 54783. After training in Withernsea on the East Yorkshire coast he went to France on 20th September 1918 and at some point was transferred to the 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. The Battalion was in action shortly after Private Headley joined them. An attack was made on 20th October towards the village of Pommereuil east of Le Cateau, but came under heavy machine gun fire. On Wednesday 23rd October 1918, three British Armies attacked along their front at 01:20am. Wading through the Richemont Stream, the 20th Manchesters moved towards Pommereuil and the woods beyond the village. Darkness and smoke covered the battlefield and little communication was possible between the groups of soldiers as they advanced. Though they achieved their objectives the Battalion suffered very heavy casualties when caught in orchards by heavy fire from German positions in hedges (see also notes for William Henry Spink). It is possible that Harry met his death here. In October the Battalion had lost 406 men killed, wounded, missing or sick.

On 23rd March 1919 Harry's mother was still living at Brickyard Cottage, Stamford Bridge and was sent £2 11s 3d in arrears of pay followed by a war gratuity of £3 on 5th December 1919.

Harry is buried in Pommereuil British Cemetery just five miles from the grave of his cousin John William Spink. Private Headley was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He is also commemorated on the Calvary Cross in the churchyard of St John the Baptist, Stamford Bridge as well as the War Memorial in Green Park, Heckmondwike.

As well as Harry Headley and John William Spink, two uncles, who survived the war, are remembered in the Heckmondwike Roll of Honour. All have been given the same address of 9, Brooke Street, Heckmondwike. The surviving sons of William and Jane Headley are Fred Harper Headley, Private 13740 of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Christopher Henry Headley was in the Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 388213 and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

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John Thomas HEPWORTH

Private 79767, Durham Light Infantry
Died 9th September 1918 aged 19
No Known Grave Commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Haucourt, Pas-de-Calais, France
Son of Edwin and Maria Hepworth
Lived 10, Strawberry Square, Heckmondwike

In the 1891 census John Thomas' father, Edwin, was living in Strawberry Square, near St James' Church, with his parents and a brother and four sisters. Edwin was aged 22 and was working, like his father Tom, as a Willier in a woollen mill. A willier is a worker who feeds fibres into a "willeying" machine to separate and comb them for carding, often blending fibres in the process.

Maria Rawden, Edwin's wife, was the daughter of John and Hamy(sic) Rawden; John was a Card Fettler - someone who cleaned the machinery in woollen mills, removing fibres, grease etc. The Rawdens lived in Kilpin Hill. Edwin and Maria married in 1897. In the 1901 census the family were living at 32, Milton Square off High Street. Edwin, now aged 32 was employed as a Wire Drawer.

The 1910 local taxation records show that Edwin and Maria had moved to 10, Centre Street; they were living in a house rented from a David Brooksbank of Cooke House. Their house had a rateable value of £5-5s. Centre Street is off Cooke Lane.

In the 1911 Census they were living in 2 rooms at 10, Strawberry Square (behind the Sir Robert Peel Pub). The family consisted of Edwin now a Wire Drawer's Labourer, his wife, Maria, listed as at home, daughter Annie Ward Rawden (14) working as a Worsted Spinner, John Thomas (11), Ivy (6), Horace (4) and Elizabeth (1).

John Thomas was keen to join the war effort and to serve as a soldier; he attested for service on 22 February 1915 at Mirfield. He was a reservist and on signing up he joined 2/5 West Riding Regiment. He was discovered to be under age (3 months short of 16 years) and he was discharged at Larkhill Camp in February 1916 with 340 days service. At this time his physical development was good and it was anticipated it would improve.

After his discharge, John Thomas worked at Burnley's in Gomersal. He attended St James' Parish Church Sunday School. He re-enlisted when he was 18 yrs 54 days from 10, Strawberry Square, Heckmondwike; his initial Army Number was 63554 and by July 1917 he was part of the 85th Training Reserves. The medical records show that he was 5'5" tall with a chest of 33 and a half inches when fully expanded and 31 inches without expansion. He weighed 120 lbs and his development was described as good, but with a slight speech impediment (stammer).

He was posted to Folkestone and then to Boulogne and Etaples on the 21August 1918. The most important base for the British Army was at Étaples, using Boulogne as its port for personnel. Calais was used mainly for stores, ammunition etc. �taples was the BEF's main infantry base, with sections for every regiment with battalions at the front. In theory, the base held a ten percent reserve for every frontline battalion, but these figures fluctuated significantly depending on the levels of casualties at the front and the supply of fresh troops from England. Troops held at the base were "toughened up" while waiting dispatch to the front. Wilfred Owen described the camp as the "bull ring" because of the brutality of the instructors � many of whom had not served at the front � and the generally harsh conditions that reigned there. Whilst training he was promoted to L/Cpl (unpaid) but on transfer to the British Expeditionary Force and to the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry he reverted to Private. His regimental number was now 79767.

John Thomas' service totalled 1 Year 43 days in the United Kingdom followed by 20 days in France.

He died on 9 September 1918, in France, 20 days after his arrival. At that time the Battalion were involved in fighting in the Albert and Bapaume area of Northern France. Unofficial reports of his death were accepted by the War Office, in August 1919, as sufficient evidence for official records and his death was assumed to be on that date.

The official War Office form, for medals and gratuity, was witnessed for his mother, Maria, by the Vicar of Heckmondwike, Rev. Robert Henderson, on 17 October 1919. This form confirmed that John Thomas' siblings at home were: Horace (12), Fred (7), Arthur (5), Clifford (3), Sam (8months), Joy (15), and Elizabeth (10).

John Thomas's final resting place is unknown, he is remembered on Panel 9 at Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Vis-en-Artois and Haucourt are villages in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, on the road from Arras to Cambrai. The Cemetery is at the north side of the main road between the two villages.

His father, Edward, received £7-5-8 from his son's regimental account, this included a War Gratuity of £6-10-0. Edwin Hepworth acknowledged receipt of John Thomas' British War Medal and The Victory Medal on 24 November 1921.

Alfred HINCHLIFFE

Private 982, York and Lancaster Regiment
Died 1st July 1916 aged 24
No Known Grave Commemorated Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Son of William Henry and Mary Jane Hinchliffe
Lived 53, Lobley Street, Heckmondwike

Alfred was born early in 1892 in Leeds where his father William Henry Hinchliffe was working as a Boot Riveter. His mother, Mary Jane nee Pearson, was also born in Leeds and the family were living in Leeds in 1891. They moved to Heckmondwike around 1895 and were living in Milton Square, High Street in 1901 and 1911.  In 1911 Alfred was working as an Apprentice Baker in the Co-operative Society Café. Shortly after this he went to work in Barnsley and enlisted in Barnsley in 1915.

Alfred was the second son of William Henry and Mary Jane. He had an older brother and sister and three more brothers and one sister who were born after Alfred. Alfred’s younger brother Tom, born in 1894, was also killed in World War 1 in 1918 and both their names are in the Heckmondwike Memorial Book.

His brother Walter, born in 1896, also served in World War 1, but survived and is also in the Heckmondwike Memorial Book.

Alfred  enlisted in early April 1915 into the York and Lancaster Regiment. He was sent to Egypt on 26th December 1915. He was transferred to France in April 1916 and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave but his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.  His name is also on both the main and small St. James’s War Memorials, as well as St Saviour’s War Memorial.

Tom HINCHLIFFE

Lance Corporal S/9754, 4th/5th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Died 28 July 1918 aged 24
No Known Grave Commemorated Soissons Memorial, Aisne, Picardie, France
Son of William Henry and Mary Jane Hinchliffe
Lived 12, Milton Square, Heckmondwike

Tom's Grandfather (paternal) was Thomas Hinchliffe (1834-1900) who lived in Leeds and was a Cloth Dresser (Woollen). His paternal grandmother was Eliza McMorran (1829-1923) she was born in Leeds in 1863 and baptised at St Philip's Church in Leeds. Thomas and Eliza were married in Burley at St Matthias Church, Leeds in 1860. Thomas is described as a Cloth Dresser and his father, Joseph, as an Agent. Eliza was a Dressmaker and her father, James, was a Coal Porter. Interestingly, they all signed their own name.

By 1871 Thomas and Eliza were living in Chatham Street, Leeds with their two sons and two daughters; both are still listed as working. In 1881 they are at 55, Chatham Street, Thomas is still cloth dressing and Eliza is not employed. Joseph (19) and William Henry (Tom's Father, aged 17) are Boot Riveters, Mary (16) is apprenticed to a Dressmaker and the other three children are at school.

Mary Jane Pearson, Tom's mother, was baptised in 1863 at St Philip's Church in Leeds, her parents are listed as Edward, a Tailor born in 1839 in Knottingley and Sophie born in 1843 in Leeds. They had married in 1861 in Hunslet. In 1881 their daughter Mary Jane is living with her grandparents; her father Edward had died in 1878.

Mary Jane married William Henry Hinchliffe in summer 1884 and by 1891 they were in Leeds at Runcorn Street, married with 2 children, a niece and a lodger in 3 rooms and he was working as Boot Riveter. Sometime between 1894 and 1896 they moved to Heckmondwike to live in Milton Square, William Henry worked in the boot making industry. By now there were 4 sons and 2 daughters the eldest Harry is a Pit Boy aged 14. By 1911 there are 8 people in the family: father (48) works at home as a Boot Repairer, daughter Florrie (21) is a Servant, Alfred (19) is a Baker's Apprentice, Tom (17) is listed as a Mill Lad in a spinning mill, Walter (15) Pony Lad, Annie (13) is a Mill Girl in a worsted spinning mill, and Eric (5) is at school.

Tom had attended Heckmondwike Secondary School (now Grammar) and was, according to the newspaper, employed before enlistment by the Yorkshire and Lancashire Railway. He was a member of St James' Church, Heckmondwike.

Tom enlisted in 1915 in the Black Watch, Royal Highlanders and was based in Perth. He trained in the Scottish Highlands at Nigg and Tain. He embarked to France in September 1915 and was part of the 4/5th Battalion of the Royal Highlanders, which came into existence in 1916 with the combination of 2 Battalions and was active in the battles on the Western Front, particularly in the Battle of the Somme. It was at the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916 that his brother Alfred was killed. Tom's regiment was involved in particularly fierce actions at Contalmaison, High Wood, Delville Wood and Longueval - the last named changing frequently as the Germans counter-attacked and further assaults were made to regain it.

In April 1917 Tom's regiment was involved in the 1st Battle of Arras. With the support of some of the first tanks, with more sophisticated artillery fire and improved tactics, the five Black Watch battalions involved made some progress. They then held on tenaciously to the gains made at such cost against fierce counter attacks. Subsequent attacks in the Second and Third Battles were less successful but equally costly in lives. July saw six battalions of the Regiment taking part in the Third Battle of Ypres and the endeavours to extend the Salient. In this the 4/5 Battalion was reduced to no more than company strength, indicative of the terrible losses and conditions at Passchendaele.

In July 1918 his battalion was involved in an advance in the area of Soissons near the village of Buzancy. The Germans, realising the enormity of what was at stake, defended the two strategic hinges of the salient with utmost determination in order to win sufficient time to withdraw the remainder of their forces from within the (shrinking) pocket. The American Infantry were relieved by the 15th Scottish Division; their first task was to bury the many American dead still lying in swathes in the cornfields where they had fallen. Supported by US 1st Division heavy artillery pending arrival of their own, the 15th Division's first attack northwards of Buzancy in the coming dawn was poorly co-ordinated, suffered badly from unsuppressed machine-gun fire, and had only limited success.

After a move sideways to directly face Buzancy, shortly after noon on 28 July 1918, the Scots, accompanied by a French flamethrower section, and with the support of French heavy artillery in addition to their own, launched a surprise attack eastwards up the slope towards the chateau and the village itself, in conjunction with French forces to its right. Fierce hand-to-hand fighting around the chateau and through the narrow, sloping streets ensued, the attackers of the former having to scale its boundary walls on the shoulders of their comrades. Unfortunately, the Division's rapid advance left its flanks mercilessly exposed, the French being unable to make similar progress. As the afternoon progressed, a strong counterattack developed by the German 5th Inf. and 50th Res. Divisions and the Scots found themselves slowly being forced to give up their hard-won positions, and by the evening had made a fighting retreat back to where they had started. A few days later the Germans withdrew, their salient having been completely reduced. It was on 28 July 1918 that Tom Hinchliffe was listed as missing presumed dead.

Tom was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal in 1920. He is listed on the Memorial at Soissons in the Departement de l'Aisne, Picardie, France; his final resting place is unknown.

The local newspaper reported that, at the time of Tom's death, his brother Walter was also serving in France with the West Yorkshire Regiment and that his brother-in-law Private James Greenwood was a prisoner in Germany. The paper noted that Mr & Mrs Hinchliffe had "thus made heavy sacrifices"!

Tom's account at Perth was closed with a payment of £17 15 shillings and 11 pence signed for by his father, William Henry, who also received the £14 war gratuity.

Clifford HIRST

Ordinary Seaman J/31566, Royal Navy
Died 31st May 1916 aged 19
Lost at Sea Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Son of Joseph and Edith Hirst
Lived Victoria Street, Heckmondwike

Clifford died during the Battle of Jutland, the greatest sea battle of WW1, fought between the main battle fleets of the Royal and German Navies. Ninety-nine German and 151 British ships took part; many of which were the largest and most formidable warships then afloat. The battle lasted around 36 hours, and both sides claimed a victory, of sorts.

Clifford's father Joseph married Edith (née Tansley) on 16 December 1891. Born in Cleckheaton, Edith was living in Beeston, Leeds at the time of their marriage. Clifford was born in Heckmondwike on Friday 12 February 1897 and was baptised on 24 October 1897 at the George Street Independent Chapel, Heckmondwike.

In 1901 the family were living at 8 Battye Street, Heckmondwike. Joseph was an insurance agent; Edith was at home with daughter Alice; born 15 November 1892; Leonard Arthur, 7 and Clifford, 4. The only member of the family found so far on the 1911 Census is Alice, a carpet weaver, aged 18 and living at 16 Victoria Street, Heckmondwike, with her widower grandfather, William, 70 and her single aunt Elizabeth. William was an insurance agent with the Prudential.

Clifford enlisted in the Royal Navy on 12 February 1915, at Portsmouth. Before the war he worked as a Machinist, making bobbins for a carpet factory. He was described as 5 foot 6 inches tall with a 38 inch chest, brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. He was sent to HMS Vivid 1, a shore based training establishment in Devonport, specialising in signalling and telegraphy. His selection as a boy telegraphist suggests a good standard of education and literacy with an ability to learn Morse Code and the complexities of the Naval communication system. He joined HMS Invincible on 31 March 1915 as a Boy Telegraphist, rapidly progressed to Ordinary Telegraphist then to Telegraphist in June 1915. After a period with HMS Cyclops he re-joined HMS Invincible on 22 April 1916, five weeks before the Battle of Jutland.

Knowing that the German High Seas Fleet was about to leave their North German ports the British Grand Fleet put to sea from their base at Scapa Flow in the Orkneys at 22.30 on 30 May 1916 and headed east into the North Sea. HMS Invincible with Clifford aboard was normally based at Rosyth but had recently joined the fleet in Scapa Flow for gunnery practice.

In the early afternoon of Wednesday 31 May 1916 elements of the two fleets met and opened fire at a range of around 9000 yards. The battle took place about 60 to 75 miles off the coast of the Jutland Region of north-west Denmark, where the sounds of the battle could be heard in the villages near the sea. During the engagement two German ships fired three salvoes each at Invincible. Despite being damaged by Invincible's shells, a broadside from SMS Derfflinger hit Invincible at 18:30 hours, a shell penetrated the front of 'Q' turret, blew off the roof and detonated the magazines, causing a catastrophic explosion which blew the ship in half. Invincible broke in two and sank in 90 seconds. The bow and stern pointed skywards, with the other ends of the ship resting on the seabed, before sinking completely 24 hours later. Clifford's body was never recovered.

The largest warships at that time were the battleships – heavily armoured, with the largest guns, but they were slow and lacked manoeuvrability. Battlecruisers like Invincible, launched in 1909, were designed to be faster and more agile than the battleships, but had slightly smaller guns and thinner armour. The sinking of Invincible meant the loss of 1031 sailors with just 6 survivors. Two other battlecruisers sank during the battle – Indefatigable, 1019 killed (see Thomas Henry Blakeley) with 3 survivors and Queen Mary, 1266 killed and 3 survivors. All sank after sudden catastrophic explosions. Of the 6097 British sailors killed during the Battle 54% were on board these three battlecruisers. German naval losses totalled 2551. SMS Derfflinger, which had fired the fatal shells at Invincible, was one of the German battlecruisers which had shelled Whitby and Scarborough on 16 December 1914.

Clifford's parents were living at 14 Victoria Street, Heckmondwike in 1921 and moved to Elm Grove, Mirfield sometime later. They were declared 'ineligible' for any pension payment in respect of their loss.

No detailed Army service records can be found, but the family's elder son Leonard Arthur was a soldier when he married Mabel Daniells at Battyeford Church on 4 June 1918. He gave his address as Bridge View, Pimperne, Dorset; his bride's home was Field Head Farm, Mirfield.

Clifford Hirst was awarded the 1915 Star; the British War Medal; the Victory Medal and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial as lost at sea. In Thyborøn, Jutland a Memorial Park for the Battle of Jutland is open for visitors at the Sea War Museum.

It is a great shame that the wrecks of the warships of both nations which sank at Jutland have been plundered for their high quality steel. The Protection of Military Remains Act was not passed until 1986 and was not extended to cover the Jutland area until 90 years after the Battle itself.

Haydn HIRST

Private 19472, 8th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
Died 24 February 1917 aged 32
Buried Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, France
Son of Ephraim and Elizabeth Hirst
Lived Hollinbank Terrace, Heckmondwike

Twenty five year old Ephraim Hirst was working as a cotton warp salesman in 1881. With his wife Elizabeth Ann (née Collett) aged 27 and their 11 month old daughter Ethel, he lived on Turnpike Road, Batley. Haydn was born on 8 February 1885 and was baptised on 2 April 1890 together with his brother Tom, born 29 January 1890. The family lived at Providence Villa, Staincliffe and Ephraim described himself as a warehouseman. By 1901 Ephraim and Elizabeth were at 145 Leeds Road Birstall. Ephraim was now an employer in cotton spinning. Two daughters, Ethel and Hilda, and Haydn all worked in cotton warping and winding. Tom and the youngest daughter Beatrice May were at school. Haydn had attended Leeds Higher Grade School in central Leeds.

1911 saw further changes. The family now lived in Hollinbank, Heckmondwike with one servant, a 30 year old widow called Alice Hanson. Ephraim was an employer in cotton warp manufacturing at Ephraim Hirst & Co, Smithies Mill, Birstall. Ethel, aged 30, had no occupation given; Hilda, 27, was a manageress in cotton winding; Haydn, a manager in cotton doubling; Tom, 21, was a traveller (salesman) in warp manufacturing and Beatrice, 18, was a student at Leeds University. Haydn was a keen cricketer and played firstly with Birstall before captaining Heckmondwike First XI in 1914.

On 25 November 1915 Haydn volunteered for the Army under the Derby scheme and as was usual with that scheme he was immediately placed on the Reserve, at home, until called up for the 3rd Battalion on 2 March 1916. When he was medically examined on that day the report shows that he was 5ft 4ins tall and weighed 119lbs. The doctor noted a health problem, but considered it not serious enough to reject him. Later that year he had an operation in Newcastle and a newspaper report published after his death said he had not fully recovered. Despite this, when he was examined again on 3 December 1916 he was passed as A1, fit for service abroad. He left Folkestone on 20 December 1916 and arrived the following day at the Base Depot at Etaples. He joined the 8th Battalion on Christmas Eve 1916 at Arquèves north east of Albert. Knowing they were going into the front lines the Battalion had 'observed' Christmas Day two days earlier. On the 24th the Battalion were moved to the reserve trenches between Albert and Thiepval arriving around 5:30pm. After three days in those trenches they took over the front line trenches at around 8:00am on the 28 December. They were in the front or reserve trenches until 19 January 1917 when they moved to the rear.

On Monday 19 February 1917 Haydn was ill with nephritis and was taken from Beaumetz to the east of Abbeville firstly to 35 Field Ambulance, then on the same day to 1st South African General Hospital in Abbeville. Nephritis was sometimes called Trench Nephritis, a condition affecting the kidneys and made worse by cold, damp conditions.

He died at 8:55am on Saturday 24 February 1917. A telegram with that news was received in York Records Office on Sunday 25 February and a telegram was sent from there to his parents on Monday 26 February. They had received a telegram on Saturday 24 February warning them of Haydn's serious illness. The Matron of the hospital wrote a letter about their son to his parents which they received on Tuesday 27 February.
By 1919 the Hirst family were living at St Elmo, The Grove, Harrogate. None of the three daughters or son had married, but Haydn had been engaged to Blanche Bailey, daughter of Councillor Mark Bailey of Market Place, Birstall. In May 1917 Haydn's estate was valued at £840 15s 2d and Ephraim received his balance of pay of £6 12s 1d and the war gratuity of £3.

Haydn is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, Plot 2, Row C. The inscription on the headstone reads: He Cannot Pass Beyond Our Boundless Love. Duty Nobly Done. For this addition the family, like all others, was charged 3½d per letter. The first part of the inscription is probably taken from a very popular poem by John Oxenham.

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Haydn is also remembered on the Batley Roll of Honour.

The Society thanks The War Graves Photographic Project for providing this headstone photograph.

John William HIRST

ex Army
Died at home 27th September 1919 aged 42
Buried Heckmondwike Cemetery
Husband of Edith Hirst
Lived 51, Croft Street, Heckmondwike

John William Hirst was born in 1879, the eldest son of George Hirst, a Carpet Weaver of Heckmondwike and grandson of Thomas Hirst, a Mason; to Fanny Wilson, a 26 year old spinster of Heckmondwike, the daughter of Joseph Wilson, also a Mason; who had married on 23th December 1878 at Birstall Parish Church. George and Fanny were living at Cook Lane, Heckmondwike on the day of the 1881 census, 3rd April, with sons John William and Arthur.

Sadly John William's mother died in 1886, having had two more children, Ernest in 1882 and Bertha in 1885. Consequently by 1891, George and his young family, including John William now aged 13, had moved in with his widowed mother, Martha Hirst at Park Road, Heckmondwike.

Ten years later George and the four children were living at 69, Cemetery Road and John William, aged 23, is working as a Coal Miner with the skilled job of a Hewer. His task was to breakout the coal from the seam which was then cleared away by other workers.

John William was 30 years old and living in George Street when he married a widow, Edith Lee formerly Leek of Brooke Street, Heckmondwike, on July 4th 1908 at Birstall Parish Church. His sister Bertha Hirst was a witness. Edith was the daughter of Seth and Amelia Leek, who both died before 1891.

The 1911 census was completed on 3rd April by which time John William Hirst and Edith had 2 children, Bertha and Horace, and were living at 1, Brooke Street, Heckmondwike, with Edith's two children from her first marriage, Elsie and John. They later moved to Croft Street, where Edith remained for many years.

John William's army record has not yet been found. He was present at home in 1914 and 1915, when they moved to 49, Croft Street. There were no tax valuations in 1916 & 1917 due to the war, it is therefore uncertain as to when he did enlist. However in 1918 and 1919 those who were away from home, were recorded by the use of a small "a" as being absent voters. John William was absent from home in 1918, but at home with his wife in 1919. The coal mines were all under government control at the outbreak of war in 1914 and although many miners did enlist immediately, they were not all called up as mining had become a reserved occupation. It is not uncommon for miner's health to be affected by their occupation.

Therefore it may be surmised that he was discharged from service due to illness or disability and was awarded a Silver Badge. This was a means of identification of service done and was awarded to the discharged disabled men not in military uniform to deflect the presentation of "White Feathers" by activist women. A Silver Badge has not yet been found in his name but it is known that he would have been seriously ill for some time before he died. His widow Edith Hirst was present at his death at 51, Croft Street and gave the information for the certificate, sighting that he was an ex Army man and had worked in the coal industry as a Hewer.

John William Hirst died on 27th September 1919 at 51, Back Croft Street, Heckmondwike. The Cleckheaton Advertiser and Spenborough Times notice on 3rd October 1919 records the internment was at Heckmondwike Cemetery on 30th September 1919. The grave records confirm he was a Coal Miner and ex Army man, aged 42 and named him as John William Wilson Hirst. The minister officiating was J.F.L. Orton who later went on to become the Anglican Minister in Hull.

Grave: Heckmondwike Cemetery: Consecrated D 208. No headstone remains.

Medals:- None yet found.

He is commemorated on the Heckmondwike Green Park War Memorial, the Vellum Roll and St Saviour's Church Memorial.

Raymond Algeno HIRST

Gunner 1931, 2nd West Riding Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Died 23rd January 1916 aged 24
Buried Heckmondwike Upper Independent Chapel
Son of Walter and Hannah Hirst
Lived 6, Garden Street, Heckmondwike

Raymond Algeno Hirst was born on 27th July 1891 in Roxborough, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the only son of Walter Hirst and Hannah Naylor.

Walter and Hannah had married in the Dewsbury area in 1877 and by 1881 they were living in Staincliffe. Walter was employed as a Card Cleaner and Hannah as a Spinner in a woollen mill. Two years later a decision was made to emigrate and they sailed on board the "Pennsylvania" to Philadelphia, arriving on 30th August 1883. They settled in Roxborough where Raymond was born. He was baptised aged 6 weeks on the 11th of September 1891 at St Timothy's Protestant Episcopal Church, Roxborough. However, six months later, on the 24th April 1892, Raymond's father Walter died aged 36.

Hannah returned to Heckmondwike with her young son, marrying Alfred Newsome in 1907. He was a widow who had one daughter Annie and a son Archibald (Archie). The couple with the two sons were living at North Street, Heckmondwike by 1911.

Raymond was educated at Heckmondwike Secondary School under Mr Cargill and he attended the Upper Independent Chapel, where he was a valued member of their choir, cricket club, Sunday School and Young Men's Guild.

Raymond served his apprenticeship as a Typesetter at the office of the Heckmondwike Herald newspaper. A few months before war broke out, he had taken a job on the staff of the Ossett Observer run by Messrs Senior and Co Ltd as a Linotype Operator and was engaged to be married to Miss Roberts of Spark House, Cleckheaton. Raymond had also served for four years as a member of the Territorial Forces at Heckmondwike, being attached to the local battery of the 2nd West Riding Royal Field Artillery. He had completed his service two years before war broke out, but rejoined his battery in January 1915 when he enlisted in Bradford and was drafted to France in the April.

Archie also served in the war. He enlisted in August 1915 and was sent with the Army Service Corp., to Dar es Salaam, East Africa. He survived the war and returned to the family home at Garden Street, Heckmondwike in May 1919.

A Roll of Honour of the members who were serving in the armed forces, was kept at the Upper Chapel and the Editors of the chapel magazine responded to requests by the soldiers to keep them in touch with one another. This was achieved by mailing them a monthly edition of the "Active Service Magazine" produced by the young men's guild. Each edition contained the current addresses for their serving friends, newsletters sent by the men from the front, messages from the Minister and news of the local war effort.

Photographs of 148 of the Upper Independent Chapel men serving in the forces were eventually mounted into oak frames, 12 men in each and one frame of four. The first seven frames were exhibited at an event held on 24th April 1917 at the chapel. Raymond Hirst's and Archie Newsome's photographs were placed next to one another.

At Ypres on the 20th December 1915, Raymond sustained a severe shrapnel wound to the spine. He was transferred to the King George Hospital in Lambeth, London for surgery and care. His mother, stepfather and fiancée were able to visit him and may have been with him when he died on Sunday 23rd January 1916.

A large Military funeral was held on Wednesday 26th January 1916 in Heckmondwike when thousands of people lined the roads from Church Street to the Upper Independent Chapel where a service was held. The Band and 360 men of the 3rd/ 2nd West Riding Brigade of Royal Field Artillery stationed at Bradford and led by his former Territorial Commander, Major Priestley, led the procession. The coffin, wrapped in a Union Jack was carried by six comrades to the horse drawn gun carriage and then transported to the chapel for a service. He was then interred with full military honours, a gun salute being fired over the grave.

The gravestone records "Raymond A. Hirst only son of Hannah and the late Walter Hirst, wounded in Ypres December 20th 1915, died in London, January 23rd 1916 aged 24 years. He nobly did his duty. Also Hannah, wife of Alfred Newsome who died December 5th 1918 aged 64 years."

Medals: Campaign and Silver War Medals

Commemorated: Heckmondwike United Reform Church Memorial, Green Park Memorial and the Vellum book. Also the St Saviour's Memorial now held in St James' Church.

William George HOFFLAND

Private 204061, 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment
Died 21st November 1917 aged 26
No Known Grave Commemorated Cambria Memorial, Louveral, France
Husband of Florence Walker
Lived 103, Cemetery Road, Heckmondwike

William was born in Runcorn in Cheshire in 1891. He was one of the three children of George and Annie. His mother, Annie Hough, was from Dewsbury. Before the outbreak of war William worked as a Dyers Labourer alongside his brother and brother-in-law. He married Florence Walker in 1916, they had no children. He was called up into the army in March 1917 and died of wounds eight months later. At the time of his death his father, brother, brother-in-law and uncle were all in the army and serving overseas. His mother Annie wrote a letter to her other son's regiment to try and find out what had become of him as she had not heard from him. All of the other family members survived the war.

William died during the Cambrai operations, the 2nd York and Lancaster's were in Couillet Wood and attacked the Hindenburg Line on the 20th November, there were nineteen casualties as a result, William was probably one of these and died from wounds the following day.

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Note: This may be the wrong photograph, the images from the Cleckheaton & Spenborough Guardian and the Cleckheaton Advertiser & Spenborough Times differ and this image may be of Joseph Bennett. If you can help in identifying the correct image can you please contact us at [email protected]

Ernest HOLMES

Private 21/112, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Killed in Action 11th May 1917 aged 41
No Known Grave Commemorated Arras Memorial, France
Son of Abraham and Elizabeth Holmes
Lived 20, Chapel Lane, Heckmondwike

Ernest was born in Batley in 1876, the eldest son of Abraham Holmes, a Rag Grinder and Anne Elizabeth Waring who had been born in Knottingley. They first lived at Kilpin Hill but had moved to 20, Chapel Lane, Heckmondwike by 1901. They had ten children and attended the Upper Independent Chapel and Sunday school.

Ernest remained single and lived at home with his parents. He worked as a Mason's Apprentice, employed by Mr T Oldroyd, Contractor. He enlisted at Dewsbury as a Private in the Pioneer Battalion of the 21st West Yorkshire Regiment on 11th November 1915. He went through a course of training at Halifax and then Skipton before being sent to France in June 1916.

The Upper Independent Chapel produced a monthly magazine during the war years to enable the active service members to read news of their friends on the Chapel Roll of Honour. The May 1917 issue reported that the Chapel had held a photographic exhibition on 21st April to show the first batch of photographs of their soldiers. Seven large frames, with twelve photographs in each were displayed, with more to follow. The speeches alluded to the pride that was felt of the 150 men who had gone from Upper Chapel to fight for liberty and justice.

The June 1917 issue published the photograph of Ernest and the following report. "Our Roll of Honour has again been broken into. This month we have to record the loss of Ernest Holmes, who has given his all in the service of his country. Unofficial information of his death was received by his parents on May 22nd. Private Holmes who was 41 years of age and unmarried, volunteered for service in November 1915, joining the Pioneer Battalion of the 21st West Yorkshire Regiment, with which he went to France last June. With his parents and other members of the family, we express our deepest sympathy. Two of the deceased soldier's brothers are in the Army".

Ernest had been killed in action on 11th May 1917.

Medals: Victory and British.

Commemorated: Upper Independent Chapel War Memorial, outside the United Reform Church, High Street, Heckmondwike; Green Park Memorial and Vellum Roll in Heckmondwike Library.

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Harold Binns HOLT

Private 6019, 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
Died of Wounds 1st October 1917 aged 38
Buried in La Clytte Military Cemetery, De Klijte, Belgium
Son Robert and Mary Holt
Lived 26, Ings Road, Heckmondwike

Harold Holt's mother, Mary (née Firth), died in 1888 aged 36. She had married Robert in 1874 and by the time of her death there were five children: Lavinia aged 12; Wilfred 11; Harold 9; Gertrude 3 and Ernest 2. By 1911 many changes had taken place: Robert died in 1896 aged 50; Ernest died in 1904 aged 18; Lavinia married Fred Barraclough in 1909 and had a son Ernest; Harold lived with Lavinia and family at 1, Nelson Street, Heckmondwike and Wilfred married Sarah in 1910 and lived in Dewsbury. Gertrude lived with an aunt, Emma Wrigley, in Mirfield.

Harold joined the West Riding Regiment on 12 June 1916 at the age of 37. His address was 26 Ings Road, Heckmondwike; he was a Spinner; 5ft 6ins tall and weighed 158lbs. A medical examination in Halifax noted some damage to his left foot as a result of an accident, but this was not serious enough to prevent him training in England, initially with 'F' Company 5th Reserve West Riding Regiment and then the 4th Reserve Battalion from 1 September 1916. The medical categories and definitions used then are both complex and varying, but it is clear that on 12 July 1917 Harold's fitness was downgraded to C2. This reduction in fitness assessment was due to last 6 months. As a result Harold was posted to 360th (Reserve) Employment Company of the Labour Corps in July 1917 based in Strensall near York, then to 738th Area Employment Company based in France, where he arrived on 30 July 1917. It is a sad irony that a move away from an infantry battalion and a reduction in fitness should lead to Harold's death on 1 October 1917. Area Employment Companies typically were used on battlefield salvage work and were not usually armed, though their work did bring them within range of German artillery. Units did not keep war diaries but it is clear from the records that 738 Company were working in the area of the Ypres Salient as part of the Third Battle of Ypres. In a kindly letter sent to Harold's sister Lavinia living at 45, Ings Road, Heckmondwike Sergeant Rennoldson said that Harold had been a good soldier and "All who knew him say he was a good fellow, of quiet disposition and very attentive to his duties". Harold was wounded in the back and face but "was quite cheerful all the way to the hospital, and died quite suddenly on arrival there". The Sergeant said that Harold was buried on 2 October near to the place where he was wounded. This proved to be a temporary burial and in October 1919 Harold's remains, at first recorded as an unknown British soldier, were identified by his clothing and moved to La Clytte Military Cemetery West of Ypres.

Harold was owed £5 14s 8d at the time of his death, but £2 0s 4d was deducted by the Records Office and the balance of £3 14s 4d was sent to Lavinia on 4 June 1918. The War Grant of £5 was sent to her in 1919. The British War and Victory Medals were issued by the Labour Corps to Lavinia. Wilfred completed the form, certified by a Clerk in Holy Orders at the House of the Resurrection Mirfield, to claim the Scroll and Memorial Plaque (the so called 'Death Penny'). Though Harold was killed serving with an Area Employment Company, with a service number of 281290, it was the War Graves Commission policy to commemorate Labour Corps soldiers under the Regiment to which they first belonged.

Rowland JENKINSON

Private 6104, Northumberland Fusiliers
Died 25th September 1915 aged 21
No Known Grave Commemorated Loos Memorial, France
Husband of Ethel Jenkinson
Lived 37, High Street, Heckmondwike

Rowland was born in 1894 at Wombwell near Barnsley where his father was the Innkeeper at The Travellers Rest on Park Street in Wombwell. He was the fourth and last child of William Jenkinson and Eliza nee Dyson. They were married in July/Aug/Sep 1887 at Barnsley. Rowland's older siblings were Elizabeth, born 1887, William born 1889 and Frederick Dyson born 1891, all born in Wombwell.

Sadly, Eliza Dyson died at the beginning of 1895 aged only 32 years, when Rowland was less than a year old, leaving William with four young children to raise alone. By 1901 he had moved to Heckmondwike and was living in Lobley Street with his new wife Elizabeth Ann and was working as a Lamp Cleaner in a colliery while his two youngest sons Frederick and Rowland were at home. The eldest son William had stayed in Rotherham with his maternal grandparents George and Maria Dyson. By 1911 Rowland was the only child left at home and the family were living in High Street, Heckmondwike. Rowland was working as a Miner and his father was a Navvy. Frederick had also returned to Wombwell. Fred later enlisted in the York and Lancaster Regiment (45755) and survived the war.

Rowland enlisted in Cleckheaton in late 1914 and was a Private (6104) in the Northumberland Fusiliers. He married Ethel Spencer on 28th August 1915 and sadly died less than a month later on 25th September 1915 at the Battle of Loos. He has no known grave but his name is listed on the Loos Memorial on Panel 20-22. This memorial is situated in the Dud Corner Cemetery at Loos-en-Gohelle in Pas-de-Calais, France. His name is also on St. James' and St. Saviour's War Memorials. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory medal. His widow remarried Joseph Harrison Pearson after the war in 1919.

Frank KAYE

Corporal 21/507, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Died 20th May 1918 age 25
Buried at Gonnehem British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Son of Henry and Esther Kaye
Lived 8 Park Rd, Jeremy Lane, Heckmondwike

Frank was born late in 1892 at Barnard Castle, County Durham. He was baptised at the Parochial Chapelry, Barnard Castle, Durham, on 4 November 1892. Frank was the second son of Henry Kaye. Henry was born in Millbridge in Liversedge in 1857. Henry was the son of Richard Kaye from Hepworth near Holmfirth; Richard was described as a Coal Miner. Henry married Esther Greaves who was born in Leeds in 1859. They married at St Peter's Church, Birstall on 23 December 1876. Henry, a bachelor, was described as a Carpet Weaver. Henry's father Richard was by now a Pit Sinker - a highly skilled man who 'sank' (i.e. dug) the shafts for coal mines. Skilled sinkers were in great demand and moved from colliery to colliery to dig shafts. Esther's father, Thomas was a Carpet Weaver.

Frank's father, Henry died in 1901 leaving his mother, Esther, a widow, she was working as a Char Woman. In the 1911 census the family were: Esther (aged 50), Jesse Kaye (aged 21), who was a Rug Loom Tuner, Frank (now aged 18) was at this time a Piecer Rug Maker, he joined together of pieces of threads, as in textile work, Nellie (aged 16) a Cotton Winder, Edith (aged 8) was at school. Living with the family was a boarder, Herbert Bruce (aged 41 and married), he was a Horse Keeper at a dye works. They were living at 6, Carr Street, Heckmondwike. The census form was completed by Jesse.

Frank joined the Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), about Christmas 1915 and served in the 21st (Service) Battalion (Wool Textile Pioneers). The Battalion was formed in Halifax on 24 September 1915 by the Lord Mayor and City of Leeds. The Battalion moved to Skipton in February 1916 and in June left for France. They were designated as a Pioneer Battalion, part of the 4th Division. His Service Number was 21/507.

The Battalion of 30 Officers and 1007 other ranks went by train to Southampton on June 14th 1916. They sailed from Southampton on two ships: The Courtfield and The Marguerite. The ships were of the Arabis class and were the third, and largest, of the five sub-classes of minesweeping sloops completed under the Emergency War Programme for the Royal Navy in World War I. They were part of the larger "Flower Class" shipbuilding project, which were also referred to as the "Cabbage Class", or "Herbaceous Borders".

On June 19th 1916 the Battalion left from Le Havre for the railhead at Belle Eglise; there they were involved in road building and digging trenches as part of the build-up for the Battle of the Somme.

Frank's Battalion were in the region of Pacaut Wood in May 1918 and there were two deaths recorded in the battalion war diary of 20 May 1918 one of which could be Frank. The record of his medals, Victory and British, records the date of his death and the legend killed in action. His rank at the time of his death was Acting Corporal.

Frank is buried at Gonnehem British Cemetery, where there are 198 graves. The cemetery is near Bethune in Pas de Calais in France and his grave reference is D. 21. Frank is on war memorials at St James' and on the St Saviour's one.

Mrs Esther Kaye was living at 8 Park Road, Heckmondwike, when she received a letter telling her of the sad death of her son, Corporal Frank Kaye, aged 25, whilst engaged with the enemy. The letter said that Frank had died whilst carrying out his duties and that he was killed instantaneously without any pain. The letter was written by a Lieutenant who described Frank as an excellent NCO and in every way a good soldier. His funeral was performed by a Church of England padre in an authorised British Cemetery. Frank died the day after sending a card to a friend saying that he was well. He was described as a man esteemed by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances and had proved himself a worthy soldier. Before the War he had been a scholar at St James' Sunday School and had worshipped there prior to joining the army. At the time of enlisting he was working at Messrs Sharpe's Dye Works - in the war this became a munitions factory and was where the terrible explosion occurred in August 1916.

Frank's brother Jesse was serving in Egypt. Private Ellis, Frank's brother-in-law, was George Washington Ellis, he had enlisted in Birstall into the 10th Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), on 26 April the Commanding Officer noted that, in the period 10 to 25 April 1917, 5 officers and 38 other ranks were killed - George was one of these. He like Frank was awarded the British War and Victory medals. Jesse had married Matilda Griffiths in 1912 and he survived the war and lived until 1965. He too was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. Esther Kaye continued to live at 8, Park Road and she was listed in the register of electors in 1921; she died in 1934.

Naylor KEACH

Private 4525, York and Lancaster Regiment
Died 25th March 1916 aged 40
Buried Heckmondwike Cemetery
Husband of Julia Ann Keach (deceased)
Lived 158, Brighton Street, Heckmondwike

Naylor was born on 11th May 1875 in Heckmondwike, the eldest son of John Keach of Burton, Northamptonshire and Katherine Naylor of Heckmondwike. In 1881 the family were living in Omar Street Heckmondwike and his father, John, was a Teamer for a local colliery. The family moved to Brighton Street and stayed there for many years. Naylor followed his father into the colliery and worked at Liversedge Coal Company as a Coke Drawer. He married Julia Ann Oram 19th April 1897 at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Heckmondwike and they, too, were living in Brighton Street in 1901. Naylor and Julia had two sons and two daughters before 1906 and then went to live in Catley near Sheffield where another son and daughter were born. By 1911 they were back in the Spen Valley, living in Gasworks Street, Liversedge and Naylor was working as a Coal Carter above ground.

Tragically his wife Julia Ann died in June 1914 aged 39 years leaving Naylor with 6 children, the eldest being aged 16 years. He served for eight years with the 6th West Riding Battery of the Royal Field Artillary at Heckmondwike.

Naylor enlisted while working for White Lee Colliery as a Firer in April 1915.

He was at Clipstone Training Camp in early March 1916 and was given 48 hours leave. Soon after he arrived home he was taken ill with bronchitis. He was attended by Dr. Prior but pneumonia set in and he died on 25th March 1916.

His funeral was held on Monday March 27th with full Military Honours. His coffin was draped with the Union Flag and was accompanied by 40 men from the RFA depot in Bradford. The service was held at St. Saviour's Church prior to interment at Heckmondwike Cemetery and was conducted by Rev. C.E.Hewitt of St. Saviour's. The family received letters of condolence from Naylor's commanding officers, Captain S. Reynolds and Captain L.B. Hirst. His name is also on St. Saviour's and St. James' War Memorials.

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Alfred LAW

Private 42360, 13th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (Barnsley Pals)
Died 12th April 1918 aged 19
No Known Grave Commemorated Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium
Son of James and Elizabeth Law
Lived 27, Kaye Street, Heckmondwike

Alfred was born in 1898 in Birstall, he was the son of James Law and Elizabeth Ann (formerly Moore). James and Elizabeth had three children but only Alfred survived to adulthood. Alfred's father worked for a building contractor and many members of his family were Stone Masons. Alfred's parents both died in November 1913 and Alfred then lived with an aunt in Kaye Street. He enlisted in the Training Reserve Battalion in March 1916 but wasn't called up until May 1917. He was posted to France three days later. In the autumn of 1917 he was transferred to the York and Lancaster Regiment but died six months later, his body was never recovered.

The Ploegsteert Memorial commemorates more than 11,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in this sector during the First World War and who have no known grave. Most of those commemorated on the memorial did not die in major offensives, they were killed in the course of the day-to-day trench warfare or in small scale set engagements, usually carried out in support of the major attacks taking place elsewhere. The cemetery grounds were assigned to the United Kingdom in perpetuity by King Albert I of Belgium in recognition of the sacrifices made by the British Empire in the defence and liberation of Belgium during the war.

George William LAWFORD

Private 20710, 9th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Killed in Action 6th November 1917 aged 30
No Known Grave Commemorated Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
Husband of Lily Lawford
Lived 35, Upper Beauregard Street, Heckmondwike

George was born on 7th May 1887, the second of the three sons of Robert Lawford, a Blacksmith of Lower Hall, Hightown, Liversedge and Naomi Frances Cracknell from Harlow in Essex, who had married on 25th December 1880 at Birstall Parish Church.

They had five children, Louisa (1881), James Arthur Haley (1883), George William (1887), Frances Eleanor (1890) and Freddy (1899). George was baptised at Liversedge Parish Church on 25th July 1888. By 1901 the family had moved to Eddercliffe in Littletown, Liversedge.

George was working as a Twister when he married Lily Walker, a 20 year old spinster of 2, Thornton Villa, Liversedge the daughter of James Walker, an Engineer, at Birstall Parish Church on 2nd July 1910. After their marriage they moved to 11, New Street, Woodlands in Oakenshaw where Lily found work as a Winder in a Worsted Spinning Mill. Their first child was a daughter, Frances Eleanor.

Sometime after the start of the war, George enlisted at Dewsbury in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry as Private 20710, first in the 2nd Battalion, before being transferred to the 1st Battalion and then into the 9th Battalion. His full service record has not survived. His battalion had moved close to the site of Hooge Crater near Ypres by October 31st 1917.

George had filled out his "soldiers will" on 29th October 1917, in case of his death, leaving his property and effects to his mother Mrs Naomi Lawford of Eddercliffe, Bradford Road, Liversedge. He was killed in action on 6th November 1917, but has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial panel 108 to 111.

The Cleckheaton Advertiser and Spenborough Times on 6th December 1917 carried the following information. "News has been received of the death in action of Private G. Lawford of the 9th KOYLI. Private John Hoyle of the same regiment, wrote to Mrs Lawford informing her of her husband's death on November 6th. Prior to enlisting Private Lawford worked at Messrs. Stubley's of Batley. Deceased was 30 years of age and his wife and children reside at 35, Upper Beauregard Street, Heckmondwike."

Medals: Victory and British

Commemorated: St Saviour's Church Memorial (now in the care of Heckmondwike Parish Church), the Green Park Memorial and Vellum Roll.

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Thomas LAWTON

Sapper 82901, Royal Engineers
Died 15th April 1915 aged 28
No Known Grave Commemorated Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium
Son of Thomas and Emma Lawton
Lived 40, Cater Lane, Heckmondwike}

Thomas was born in Bingley in 1887. His parents Thomas and Emma Lawton nee Crouch had married in Northamptonshire at the end of 1879 and had come to Yorkshire around 1884 . They had two sons and a daughter before Thomas was born and another daughter was born in 1889. They came to Heckmondwike around 1889 and lived on Walkley Lane. Sadly Thomas Lawton Sen. died in 1890 aged 37 years leaving Emma to bring up five children. A year after Thomas Lawton senior died his widow Emma remarried William Sheard and the family continued to live on Walkley Lane.

Thomas was working as a Hurrier in a coal mine in 1901 and by 1911 he was a Pit Sinker. When war was declared he was working as a Pit Sinker at Rossington Main Colliery Company in Doncaster. He left to enlist in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in September 1914 but transferred to the Royal Engineers (82901) as a Sapper. His knowledge of mining was put to good use as he volunteered for the dangerous work of mine driving with the Tunnelling Companies of the Royal Engineers. On 15th April 1915 the Germans exploded a mine close to the house in which his section was working and the house collapsed and fell on him killing him instantly.

His name is listed on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium. He is also listed on the St. James' Parish Church and St. Saviour's War Memorials in Heckmondwike. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.{MA-083}

Arthur LEDGARD

Ordinary Seaman J/56146, Royal Navy
Died 14th January 1917 aged 20
Lost at Sea Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Son of Fred and Lizzie Ledgard
Lived 42, Victoria Street, Heckmondwike

Arthur was born on 2nd March 1897 and was baptized at Heckmondwike Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on 29th April 1897. He was the eldest child of Fred Ledgard and Lizzie nee Beaumont. Fred and Lizzie were married in 1896. He had two sisters Lizzie born in 1902 and Frances born in 1907. In 1901 & 1911, the family were living on Westfield Terrace, Little Green, Heckmondwike. They subsequently moved to Victoria Street, where they were living when Arthur died.

He attended Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, where he had been baptised. He was involved with the Young Men's Bible Class and also sang in the choir. He was a pupil at Battye Street School. Later he played Cricket for the 2nd eleven at Heckmondwike Cricket Club.

On leaving school he worked for Messrs. John Wilson's Hide and Skin Company until he enlisted.

Arthur joined the Royal Navy on 4th August 1916 and went to Portsmouth for training which was very brief. His first ship was the "Victory", he went to sea in H.M.S. "Fearless". Sadly he did not come home again after he enlisted.

His parents were notified in a letter from the Admiralty that he had drowned on 14th January 1917, but no further information was given. He was only 20 years of age. His military record states that he was 'killed or died by means other than disease, accident or enemy action' and that 'his body was not recovered for burial'.

His name is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial and also on St. James's Church War Memorial and also on St. Saviour's War Memorial.

Norman K LEES

Private 45326, 13th (Service) (1st Barnsley) Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment
Killed in Action 12th April 1918 aged 26
No Known Grave Commemorated Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium
Husband of Elsie Lees
Lived 150, Brighton Street, Heckmondwike

Norman was born in Ashton-Under-Lyne in 1891, the son of Ben Lees of Ashton-under-Lyne and Hannah Hardiman of Duckinfield who had married in 1889. They had two children, but only Norman survived beyond infancy. Ben Lees worked in a Lancashire cotton spinning mill.

On the 1911 census, Norman was described as a Textile Student, living with his parents at 4, Littlewood Street, Seedley near Ashton-under-Lyne. Norman had moved to Heckmondwike by 1913 where he married Elsie Askham, a Milliner's Apprentice who had been born on 17th September 1894. Her parents were Arthur James Askham, a Brewer's Traveller from Flockton and his wife, Agnes Archer from Ravensthorpe, who were living at 161, High Street, Heckmondwike.

Elsie and Norman Lees set up home at 150, Brighton Street after their marriage. They had three daughters, Elsie Marion in 1914, Gladys in 1916 who died as an infant and Phyllis May born in 1917.

Norman enlisted in the army at Dewsbury but further details are not known as his service record was later destroyed, with many others, in the 1940's Blitz on London. The Barnsley Pals were sent to France in March 1916 and he may have joined them sometime after that date. He is recorded as being an absent voter in the Heckmondwike records in 1918.

Norman was officially assumed to have been killed in action on 12th April 1918. The 13th Battalion records show that there was great loss of life amongst the men on that day when the trench system that they were in South West of Ypres was overrun by the Germans. His remains were never found. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the missing in Belgium.

After Norman's death Elsie received his soldier's effects and continued to live at 150, Brighton Street, Heckmondwike with her children. Her brother Arthur Vernon Askham returned from the war and lived with her for a short time until he married Doris Fox in 1921.

{PL/KH-085}

Medals: British War and Victory.

Commemorated: St Saviour's Church Memorial now held in St James's Parish Church; Green Park Memorial and Vellum Roll of Honour

Thomas William LINDSAY

Lance Corporal 242701, 1st/4th Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
Died of Wounds 27 October 1918 aged 25
Buried Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas de Calais, France
Husband of Annie Lindsay Lived 40, High Street, Heckmondwike

Thomas was born in 1893, the younger son of Fred Lindsay, a 25 year old Blanket Warehouseman and Frances Ann Lindsay aged 24. They had one other child, Arnold, born in 1890. Fred Lindsay died in 1900 and in 1901 the remaining family were at 40, High Street Heckmondwike, part of a household which included Frances Ann's widowed mother and her three sons. By 1911 Thomas was a 17 year old Boot Worker, an occupation in which he continued until he joined the Army on 4 February 1916.

Shortly after enlisting, Thomas married 21 year old Annie Smith of 43 Westgate, Heckmondwike. After training in West Hartlepool, Thomas went to France on 1 June 1916. The 1/4th Battalion had been in France since April 1915 and amongst its officers were A L and J G Mowat, members of a prominent local Cleckheaton family. In June the Battalion received 310 new drafts and the timing suggests that it is highly likely that Private Lindsay was one of that number. The soldiers were soon in action during the Somme offensive of 1916 and Private Lindsay was one of 13 soldiers of the 1st/4th wounded on 7 July 1916 in an attack on the edge of Thiepval Wood. After further action on the Somme the Battalion moved Northwards in the direction of the Ypres Salient.

At home, Annie gave birth to a son Frederick on 23 December 1916.

In 1917 the Battalion was in action around the Ypres area and the local paper later reported that Private Lindsay had been wounded again in September 1917. The military records show that Private Lindsay spent some time with the 1st/5th Battalion but the dates are uncertain. By December 1917 the Battalion was holding the front line astride a railway line to the North-East of Ypres. The appalling conditions experienced by the soldiers in the Ypres Salient in 1917 have been well documented and the Battalion war diary noted that the "approach to the front line was very difficult over heavily shelled muddy ground" and that "no-man's-land was reported by patrols to be almost impassable". Pte Lindsay of D Company was one of two soldiers from the Battalion wounded on 9 December 1917.

By the Autumn of 1918 the Battalion was near Arras North of the Somme area. In October the soldiers were in billets "practically no better than the Front Line". On the night of 17/18 October the Battalion was in the forward trenches and was "heavily shelled with Yellow Cross [mustard] gas". The following morning an "enemy patrol approached a post held by D Company but was easily driven off". The Battalion was out of the line by 21.00 but "D Company was shelled on the way out and suffered several casualties". Records kept by the Battalion show that on 18 October one soldier was killed; four were wounded by artillery; and five were wounded by gas - one of whom was Private Lindsay. The Battalion's total casualties in this last complete month of the war were 444 out of a total strength of about 750.

Thomas was taken to 55 General Hospital at Wimereux near Boulogne, but died on 27 October. He is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas de Calais, France. The local paper reported in detail the kind and considerate letters sent to Mrs Lindsay from the hospital by the Rev J W McMullen and an un-named matron.

The outstanding pay and war gratuity owing to Thomas Lindsay's family was £26 16s 4d. Matters were made more complex because Thomas left no traceable will. This would have caused some delays whilst the York Pay Office followed the normal procedures and Mrs Lindsay was sent one third of that sum on 1 March 1919. The balance of £17 17s 6d was sent on 8 April 1919 to Mrs Lindsay's two year old Frederick. On 26 December 1919 Mrs Lindsay married Arthur Blakeborough. At that point her military widow's pension, likely to be 15s a week would cease, the 5s a week for her son Frederick would continue. Mr Blakeborough died in 1924. Thomas's brother Arnold served in the war and survived; both he and Arthur Blakeborough are listed on the Heckmondwike Roll of Honour. Thomas's uncle John Willie Priestley, the brother of Thomas's mother Frances, was killed in action on 7 September 1918 whilst serving with the Machine Gun Corps.

{AG-086}

Raymond LISTER

Private 200784 (4008), 4th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Died 3rd September 1916 aged 21
No Known Grave Commemorated Thiepval Memorial Pier, Somme, France
Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Lister
Lived 19, Grosvenor Terrace, Heckmondwike

Raymond was born in February 1895, the only son of Joseph, a Scotch Carpet Weaver, and Elizabeth nee Crowther of King Street, Heckmondwike, who had married in 1882 at George Street Chapel; and was also the grandson of Abraham, also a Scotch Carpet Weaver, and Elizabeth nee Lister of Sharpe Street. The family originated from Norristhorpe, Liversedge.

Raymond was baptized on 7th April 1895 at George Street Chapel, as his three older sisters, Emma, Gladys and Winnie had been. His schooling was completed at the Heckmondwike Secondary school on High Street, now the Grammar school.

His father Joseph is named as a restaurant proprietor of the Temperance Hotel by 1901 and they resided at 3, High Street, Heckmondwike. Raymond's mother and two of his sisters were running the restaurant by the time of the 1911 census, whilst his father was employed as a Colour Foreman in a mill, and 16 year old Raymond was working as a Tailor's Apprentice.

Raymond enlisted at Bradford taking the rank of Private 4008 in the 1st Battalion the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders who were recruiting in the area. In time he was attested to the 1st Battalion. His war record is lost but the Heckmondwike Herald newspaper published news that Raymond was missing at the front in September 1916. His father, Joseph had died in the autumn of 1915.

"Of Private Raymond Lister, Cameron Highlanders, son of Mrs Joseph Lister, Jeremy Lane, Heckmondwike, nothing has been heard since August 31st. A War Office communication stated that he has been missing since September 3rd, but no word has been received from him since the date named." It was to be many months before the war office sent confirmation to his mother, by then at 19, Grosvenor Terrace, Jeremy Lane, Heckmondwike, of his having been killed in action.

{KH-087}

Medals: British War and Victory.

Commemorated on: Cameron Highlanders Roll of Honour at Fort George, Inverness.

George Street Plaque; Heckmondwike Grammar School Plaque; St Saviour's Wooden Memorial, now inside St James' Parish Church; the Vellum Roll of Honour and Green Park Memorial.

The copyright image of Raymond used on this webpage is from the Imperial War Museum "Bond of Sacrifice" collection, the reference is Raymond Lister IWM (HU 124192). This image and other related ones can be viewed in the Imperial War Museum "Bond of Sacrifice" collection by clicking on the link below:-

Raymond Lister IWM (HU 124192)

Rhodes LISTER

Corporal 113220, Q Special Coy 189th Company, Royal Engineers DCM
Died of Wounds 20th July 1917 aged 26
Buried Etaples Military Cemetery, France
Son of Henry and Susannah Lister
Lived 31, Francis Street, Heckmondwike

Rhodes was born on 26th May 1891 in Millbridge, Liversedge. He was the second son of Henry Lister and Susannah Hutchinson nee Herd who had married on 5th November 1887 at St Peter's Parish Church, Birstall. Henry Lister was a Foreman at Firth's Axminster Carpet works. By 1901 the family had moved to Omar Street, Heckmondwike and they attended the Wesleyan Chapel at Greenside.

Rhodes first attended Millbridge National School in Holme Street, Liversedge, under the Headmastership of Thomas Irish. In 1903 he won a foundation scholarship to attend Batley Grammar school, where he remained until September 1909 when aged 18, he returned to the Millbridge School as a Student Teacher. He took exams in Leeds and in October 1910 was appointed Assistant Master at Battye Street Council School, Heckmondwike. Rhodes then went to St John's College at York before being appointed to the Central Provided School in Birstall as Assistant Master, where he taught for four years.

By April 1911 the family had moved to 31, Francis Street, Eighty Houses, Heckmondwike. His elder brother, Dempster, had then married in March 1913 and started a Baker and Confectionary business. When the war commenced he was therefore in a reserved occupation.

Following the first use of Chlorine gas by the Germans, on 22nd April 1915, the British decided to follow suit and formed special gas companies of the Royal Engineers, calling for chemists and physicists and technicians from industry to carry out this new form of warfare. Rhodes was one of at least four local men with some knowledge of chemistry who were enrolled into the 189th Field Company, the Chemists' Corps of the Royal Engineers in August 1915. They received their training at Chatham in Kent, before he had short home leave, when his mother gave him a pocket Bible. Rhodes travelled to France on the 6th September 1915, commencing work immediately.

On 13th October 1915 Rhodes was in action at Hullock, "when, after his work during the gas attack was over, with great courage and devotion to duty, he went over the parapet and brought in a wounded soldier of the Black Watch while under heavy fire", becoming Heckmondwike's first winner of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was granted three days special home leave on 21st February 1916. There being no suitable London Ceremony, he was presented with his award by Major Wayne on February 24th at the Halifax Barracks, in the presence of old campaign soldiers of the "Duke's" and the Band of the 2nd Battalion West Riding Regiment and watched by his parents and younger sister, Mary.

During his visit home, he also visited the headmaster and pupils of the Millbridge National Junior School, the Wesleyan Chapel and the Sunday school. The Wesleyan Guild held a reception to congratulate Rhodes on the distinguished honour the King had conferred upon him. He was presented with a Nickel Silver-plated cigarette-case which was embellished with a picture of a horse, it's rider taking a hedge, symbolic of what Corporal Lister had achieved in the trenches.

On 21st July 1916 the Leeds Mercury newspaper reported that Rhodes had been wounded by an exploding shell, fracturing his elbow. He was repatriated to a Bristol hospital until it healed. On returning to the front, he continued to write many letters to his family, his old schools and to his many friends. The psychological toll of being under fire in the trenches and the loss of so many of his friends was added to when his cousin, Private Brook Lister of the 13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, died in a field hospital on 27th January 1917 whilst on the Somme. Brook Lister is remembered on the Spenborough Memorial as his family address was Sydney Street, Union Road, Liversedge.

Rhodes was seriously injured on the night of 14th July 1917. He was transferred from the Ypres area, by casualty train, to the 20th General Hospital close to the coast in France for assessment, treatment and possible evacuation to a hospital in England. In a letter received by his parents on the 21st July, he told them "that he had shrapnel injuries to his back and nose, but that he was comfortable". Official notification was then received by telegram that he had died on 20th July. This was followed by a letter from the Matron of the hospital, "regretting that as he was here for such a short time, it was impossible to get you over to see him. That he had left no message as he was unaware that he was dying".

Rhodes was buried on 22nd July in Etaples Military Cemetery, near Le Touquet, France. His Commonwealth Headstone was inscribed "They shall hunger no more and God will wipe away all the tears". The Bible in which these words were marked was returned to his mother, who wore mourning black for the remainder of her life.

{KH-088}

Medals: DCM, Victory, British, 15 Star

Commemorated: on Heckmondwike Green Park and Vellum Roll; Batley Grammar School Memorial; George Street Chapel Memorial; St Saviour's Parish Church Memorial; the family headstone in Heckmondwike Cemetery.

Documents: "Heckmondwike at War" by Louis Ackroyd published 2000.

"Batley Lads - Grammar School Roll of Honour" by Philip L. Wheeler et al published 2014. ISBN 978-0-9931318-0-6

Arthur Clarence MOFFATT

Private 27897, 9th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
Died 6th October 1917 aged 23
No Known Grave Commemorated Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
Son of Harry Gaythorne and Mary Moffatt
Lived at 97, Brighton Street, Heckmondwike

Arthur was born in Heckmondwike in 1894, he was the son of Harry Gaythorne Moffatt and his wife Mary. Arthur's father died in 1904 when Arthur was eight, his mother never remarried.

Before the outbreak of war he had been a Leather Cutter for CWS Bootworks but had been employed by Messrs Cooke & Sons in the year prior to him joining the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in November 1915. He was later transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers. After completing his training he was posted to Egypt and from there went to the Dardanelles and was evacuated from Gallipoli before returning to Egypt; he was transferred to France in July 1916.

He was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haigh's despatches for keeping up communication from the headquarters to the first line of trenches during a heavy bombardment. He received the Military Medal in August 1917 for a similar act of bravery. Arthur died during the Battle of Pashendaele, an eyewitness account states that Arthur's body was found on the battlefield by a party of Royal Engineers who moved him to a dressing station but he died on the way there.

An article in the Heckmondwike Herald describes his death as "We regret to say that another of our local lads has made the supreme scarifice, and died for his country. We refer to Private Arthur Clarence Moffatt, son of Mrs. Moffatt, of 95 Brighton Street, Heckmondwike. It appears that Private Moffatt went into action on the 4th inst., and was reported wounded and missing. Nothing definite was known as to his fate until the following letter was received by Mrs. Moffatt, on the 19th:- "I am writing this short note to say that your son, Arthur, was found on the battlefield on Saturday by a party of Royal Engineers, who immediately removed him to the dressing station, but I am very sorry to have to tell you that he died on the way there. I may say that Arthur will be interred in a British cemetery in the usual way tomorrow morning." The deceased soldier was a fine lad, and deep sympathy will go out to his sorrowing relatives. He joined the Army in June, 1915, and was attached to the Lancashire Fusiliers and had seen much active service."

A second article followed "The mother of the late Private A. C. Moffatt, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, has received the following letter from his sergeant:- "On behalf of the section to which your late son, Arthur, belonged, I wish to express their heartfelt sympathy in your sad bereavment. I wish to assure you that we miss his smiling face and fully realise what a loss you have sustained. Perhaps it will ease you some little to know that although Arthur was mortally wounded he remained unconscious until he passed away. He received a shell wound in the head, and although it was impossible to remove him immediately every effort was made for his comfort and safety. Your son performed the duties of a runner ably and well, and I may say without fear of contradiction that the part he played was fully deserving of the recognition he received in the shape of the Military Medal. His duties entailed great risks, which he faced boldly and set a good example. We miss him very much and with one accord tender our deepest sympathy."

{PL/RC-090}

George Henry MORRIS

Private 39951, 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment
Killed in Action 6th December 1917 aged 19
Buried Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery, France
Son of Samuel and Elizabeth Morris
Lived 4, Hope Street, Heckmondwike

George was born in Heckmondwike in 1898 the fifth son of Samuel Morris a Coal Miner from Huddersfield and Elizabeth Marsden from Heckmondwike who had married in the Dewsbury area in 1877. Initially they lived in High Street with her invalid mother whilst Sam worked as a Dyer's Labourer and Elizabeth as a Woollen Blanket Weaver before they moved to Crossley Lane, Mirfield where Samuel was employed as a Coal Miner.

By 1901 the family had moved to 35, Croft Street, Heckmondwike together with seven of their eight children, Fred (20), Esther H (15), Hartley (13), Sam (7), Elizabeth (4), George H (2) and new born Martha. Their second son James William, born in 1883, was away serving with the army in India. The family then moved several times, first in 1911 to Burnley, Lancashire with their married daughter Esther Featherstone, then to Hightown, Liversedge for five years before returning to Heckmondwike.

George Henry Morris enlisted in the 7th Battalion of the Leicester Regiment on 19th March 1917 in Bradford. He was 19 years of age and employed as a Miner at the Hartshead Moor Colliery. He was living with his parents at 4, Hope Street, Heckmondwike and attended the Parish Church. His parents must have been very concerned about him as almost three years earlier his brother, James William Morris, had been killed in action on 5th May 1915 after only two weeks at the front; Arthur Berry, a brother in law, died in Egypt in 1915; Harvey Morris, their third son, had been serving in the Army when his hand was badly injured and he was discharged due to the resulting disability. Their fourth son, Sam, was serving as a Sapper in the Pioneer Battalion serving "somewhere in France".

After enrolling George Henry trained at Stafford and went to France on the 23rd November 1917. On the 1st December the 7th Battalion detrained at Tincourt, South of Arras, at 7am and marched North East with stops for meal breaks until they reached Epehy. They took over the front line from detachments of the King's Own Liverpool Regiment until 6pm on December 4th when they were relieved. The following evening they took over some of the trenches previously occupied by the 10th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and until 5pm on the 7th December they supported the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. During this action only one O.T. (other ranks) was reported killed. This may have been George. His service record no longer survives. His grave, close to where he fell, was marked with a simple wooden cross.

His mother Elizabeth was named as the sole legatee for his effects.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission later moved his remains to Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery as they consolidated some of the scattered graves in the area, hisgrave reference is 1V.B.12.

{KH-091}

Medals: Victory and British War Medal

Commemorated: Heckmondwike Green Park Memorial, Vellum Roll, St James's and St Saviour's Church Memorials; Spenborough Memorial in Cleckheaton Memorial Park.

British Legion - Spenborough War Memorial George Henry Morris and Arthur Berry.

James William MORRIS

Private No.12512, 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
Died 5th May 1915 aged 32
Buried Reninghelst Churchyard Extension, Belgium
Son of Samuel and Elizabeth Marsden Morris
Lived 11, Union Road, Heckmondwike

James was born in 1883 in Heckmondwike, the second son of Samuel Morris and Elizabeth nee Marsden, who had married in the Dewsbury area in 1877. Sam was a Coal Miner from Huddersfield and his wife had been born in Heckmondwike.

The 1881 census shows Sam and Elizabeth living with her invalid mother Hannah Marsden at High Street, Heckmondwike, and Sam is working as a Dyer's Labourer, his wife, Elizabeth, as a Woollen Blanket Weaver together with her younger sister Mary. Their first son Fred is mentioned as being 3 years old.

By 1891 the family had moved to Crossley Lane, Mirfield. Samuel, by now aged 33 is employed as a Coal Miner again and they have four children, Fred (10), James W (8), Hartley (3) and Pricilla (1).

The 1901 census shows they had returned to Heckmondwike and were living at 35, Croft Street with seven of their children. Fred, the eldest has joined his father down the coal mine and Esther was working in a mill, but James William is not at home. On the 28th November 1900 he had enlisted with the West Riding Regiment, a job which he kept for 12 years, being posted in "India" at the time of the 1911 census, which lists him with fellow soldiers. His parents were living in Lancashire. Sam was lodging, but his wife was staying with her daughter Esther and other family members, including her younger son, George Henry Morris, who later also became a casualty of the war.

Private James William Morris had been discharged from the army on the 14th July 1913 'a good and steady sober man', after an eventful career. At the outbreak of the Great War he was employed as a Collier, working at Messrs. Read Holiday & Sons Ltd and living at Square Hill, Kirkheaton with his wife, Mabel Mary nee Coates who was born in Ambala, India and he had married in 1911.

He enlisted in Huddersfield, the records stating that he was born in Kirkheaton, and taking the rank of Private, joined the 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment).

James William Morris saw action on Hill 60 at the time of the first German gas attacks in April, which killed many British soldiers including himself and Corporal Fred North also of Heckmondwike, on May 5th 1915. Letters were then written home by fellow soldiers at the front to friends and family, which were published in the Heckmondwike Herald, relating the location of their graves in Reninghelst and the laying of flowers by fellow soldiers and the local ladies.

The Huddersfield Daily Examiner reported 'that he was a man of fine physique, an enthusiastic rugby footballer and was predominantly connected with the battalion team and the Kirkheaton Club.'

The family address: 4, Hope Street, High Street, is in the Velum Memorial Book in Heckmondwike Library.

Locally commemorated: on the Green Park memorial and the Kirkheaton Parish Church memorial.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory medal.

{KH-092}

Website: Kirkheaton local history.

Publication: Huddersfield Roll of Honour 1914-1922 by J M Stansfield.

We have cuttings from local newspapers that you may be interested in, if you wish to view these please email us and we will forward them to you.

James MORTON

Private 16/1488, 16th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Bradford Pals)
Died 27th February 1917 aged 37
Buried Owl Trench Cemetery, Hebuterne, France
Son of Henry and France Jane Morton
Lived 67, Croft Street, Heckmondwike

James was the son Henry & Frances Jane Morton; he was born in Heckmondwike in 1879 and was one of nine children.

Before joining the army in 1915 he worked as a Teamer at Marsden's Engines Ltd.

James joined the 16th Battalion – the Bradford Pals on 16th June 1915. The 1st Bradford Pals, was raised in Bradford in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. James was at home on leave for the last time in September 1915. In December of the same year the regiment set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. James wasn't there for very long because in March 1916 the regiment left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles South East of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916. Their first taste of action was at Serre on the Somme where they suffered heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras. James is commemorated on the Roll of Honour at St James's Church, he was also a member of the Oddfellows Institute.

"At Rest" was inscribed on his Commonwealth War Grave headstone at the request of his mother.

{PL-093}

Walter NAYLOR

Private 6123, 1st/4th (Territorial) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
Died 11th April 1918 aged 26
No Known Grave Commemorated Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium
Son of Henry and Sarah Naylor
Lived 15, Battye Street, Heckmondwike

Walter was born at the end of 1892. His father was Henry Naylor born in 1851 and his mother was Sarah nee Redfearn born in 1862. His father Henry had been previously married to Susan nee Gledhill who died in 1887, so Walter had two older step brothers . His parents married at the end of 1888 and they had an older son, Arthur B Naylor in 1890.

The family were living in Battye Street in 1891 and stayed there until, sadly, Walter's father Henry Naylor died at the beginning of 1917. It appears that his mother Sarah moved to Langsett Road, Sheffield, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Walter trained as a Barber/Hairdresser and was in business in Norristhorpe before he joined the Northumberland Fusiliers.

He went to France in 1915 and was wounded at the Battle of Loos. Nine months later he was wounded again.

He died on 11th April 1918 in France and has no known grave. His name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium.

His commanding officer praised his hard work and reassured his family that his death was instantaneous and would have been painless and that he was held in high esteem by a large number of friends.

He and his family were connected with George Street Congregational Chapel and his name is on their War Memorial.

His name is also on both the Heckmondwike Green Park Memorial and Cleckheaton War Memorial as well as St. Saviour's Memorial and the Parish Church Memorial.

He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

{MA-094}

James Walker NELSON

Private 3955, 1st/4th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Killed in Action 7th July 1916 aged 30
No Known Grave Commemorated Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Husband of Martha A Nelson
Lived 68, High Street, Heckmondwike

James was born in Heckmondwike in 1886, the youngest son of Edwin and Rhoda Mary Sarah Nelson of Hollinbank Lane, Heckmondwike. His mother had been born in Batley and had married Edwin Nelson in 1877 and they had eight children.

However by 1911 only four were still living. James's sisters Hannah and Elizabeth and his married brother, Washington Nelson, who also went on to become a Private in the KOYLI during the Great War, but survived. James was the only child still living at home with his parents at 47, Hollinbank Lane, working as a Warper in a cloth mill.

James married Martha A. Purcell in the Dewsbury area late in 1912 and they eventually made their home at 4, Crofts, Heckmondwike. Their only child, James E. Nelson was born in 1916, possibly just after James was killed.

Notification of James Walker Nelson's death came first in a letter from a fellow Heckmondwike soldier Private J. W. Clough which was published in the Heckmondwike Herald newspaper in July 1916 "of the death in action of Private James W. Nelson, whose wife resides at 4, Crofts, Heckmondwike. Only 28 years of age, Private Nelson was in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He enlisted in the December following the outbreak of war and first landed in France on 7th February 1916."

James has no known grave and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial pier on face 11C & 12A.

Locally commemorated: in the Vellum Roll of Honour; the Green Park Memorial and also on the St. Saviour's Church Memorial.

Medals: Victory and British.

Martha Nelson married again in 1919 to Private James Mossley who had also served in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and they lived at 68, High Street, the address given in the Vellum Roll of Honour for James's relatives.

{PL/KH-095}

Percy ORMAN

Private 50225, 1st/8th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
Died 5th April 1918 aged 19
No Known Grave Commemorated Arras Memorial, France
Son of Tom Chambler and Martha Eliza Orman
Lived 2, Firth Square, Heckmondwike

Percy was born on 13 February 1899, the second child of Tom Chambler and Martha Eliza Orman. Tom and Eliza (her first Christian name was rarely used) were married on 27 June 1896 in St Peter's Batley. Eliza (née Ramsden) had a family background firmly rooted in the Adwalton, area. Tom was born in Bretton near Wakefield but his family originated in Lincolnshire, his mother, Harriett Chambler, came from Upton near Gainsborough.

Tom was a farmer living in Upper Batley at the time of his son's Baptism on 29 March 1899. In 1901 the family of Tom (aged 24) Eliza (26) Cyrus (4) and Percy (2) were at 26 Huddersfield Road, Birstall. Sometime later the family moved further up the road to 109 Gelderd Road not far from the Pheasant Inn and were there in 1911. With their parents were Cyrus (14) Percy (12) Lily (9) Annie (6) Eva (3) and baby Hilda. Tom was a brewery drayman – work which usually involved beer barrel deliveries to local pubs. Cyrus is shown as employed in coal mining.

When war began Cyrus was the first of the brothers to enlist and he joined the West Yorkshire Regiment on 19 June 1915. He gave his address as 2 Firth Square, which was behind the former Heckmondwike Fire Station on High Street, and his occupation as a groom at Springwell Brewery on Church Street Heckmondwike.

No army service records exist for Percy but his enlistment is likely to be not long after his 18th birthday in February 1917. The required age for service overseas had been 19 years, but manpower shortages forced this to be changed to 18½ in March 1918. Percy would already be liable for overseas service from February 1918 but we know that these age restrictions were sometimes only loosely observed. Percy had joined the 1st/8th Lancashire Fusiliers, a Battalion raised initially in Salford, and which had arrived in France in February 1917 after service in Gallipoli and Egypt. The German Spring offensive on the Western Front began in late March 1918 and the Battalion had already suffered over 200 casualties that month alone. On 5 April 1918 at 5am the Battalion was heavily shelled before the German Infantry moved forward around 9am.

The War Diary says that 'The right flank held out, but was afterwards forced to withdraw through the village of Bucquoy [between Albert and Arras]. The remainder of the battalion consisting of 80 men, in conjunction with the 1st /5th Lancashire Fusiliers counter- attacked around 4:30pm and re-established a line somewhat to the rear of our original position'. Percy was one of the 202 other rank casualties on that day. His body was not recovered.

It was not until 28 April 1919 that Percy's father was sent the outstanding pay and allowances totalling £8 9s1d. The records show '5/4/18 – death presumed'. The war gratuity of £5 is included in that sum. A pension of 15s a week was paid to his parents from 14 January 1919 when they were still living at 2 Firth Square. Eliza died in 1926; Tom in 1935. Percy's brother Cyrus was wounded 3 times – gunshot wounds in 1916 and 1917; by gas in 1918. He received no pension payments and died in 1970.

Percy has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial and on the Rolls of Honour at St Saviour's and St James' Churches.

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