Lazarus Hewitt 1887-1916

Lazarus, Maria and Lilian Hewitt in 1914 (photo from CW)

Born:
17th or 18th October 1887 in Barnsley

Son of:
Job Hewitt b. 1857 in Barnsley d.1928 aged 70
1911: 51 Winn Street, Bricklayer
married at St George's Church, Barnsley on 14 May 1883
Mary Jane (nee Cooper) b. 1856 in Barnsley d.1930 aged 74

Position in family: The third of 6 children plus two half-brothers
1. George Henry Ibbeson (later Hewitt) b.1877 (half brother)
2. Walter Ibbeson (later Hewitt) b. 1879 (half brother)

1. Elizabeth b.1884
2. Mark b.1886  WW1 Served
3. Lazarus b.1887  WW1 KILLED
4. Hannah (Annie) Maria b. 1889
5. Albert Ernest Hewitt b.1894 m Ruby Carter in 1914 at St John's
6. Beatrice b. 1896 m James Arthur Ogley (WW1 Served) in 1914 at St John's

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 3 California Gardens age 3
1901: (Lazarus not found) family at 3 California Gardens
1911: 51 Winn Street, age 23, a Glasshand at a Glass Bottle Works
1914: 12 Albion Terrace 26 years 349 days Labourer

Marriage: 
Lazarus was married at St John's Barnsley on 25 December 1911
to Maria Burkinshaw b.1890 in Barnsley

Children:
1. Lilian Hewitt b. 30 October 1913 Barnsley

Military Service:
Enlisted: 1 October 1914 at the age of 26 years 349 days
Regiment and Battalion:    13th York and Lancaster Regiment (1st Barnsley Pals)
Service number and rank:  13/415 Private 
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Personal information:   5' 4" tall, 37" chest, 142lbs, Brown eyes, Dark complexion, Dark Brown hair, Religion: Church of England

Death:     8 December 1916 age 29
Buried at:   Hebuterne Military Cemetery
Grave Reference: I. H. 21.
 
Remembered: 
St John's Church, Barnsley - Oak Memorial Tablet  (lost when the church was demolished)

Notes:
Photo and additional information kindly provided by Christine Watson, granddaughter of Maria Watson (late Hewitt, formerly Burkinshaw).

Lazarus's death was reported in the Barnsley Independent on 6 January 1917.

The Fallen Brave, A Battalion Pal
Private L. Hewitt, 55, Buckley Street, Barnsley, whose name is added to the lengthy list of gallant local lads who have fallen on the field of battle, was a very popular young fellow, and his death is deeply felt by his soldier chums, and all with whom he had come into contact.  He was a good, willing worker and a throughly efficient soldier, observed his Company Commander in the course of high tribute to the deceased hero, who, he also points out, fell on the 8th ult, whilst on duty at an advanced post which the enemy shelled, Pte Hewitt being struck by a piece of shell and killed instantly.  Deceased had been in France ten months and before joining the Forces worked at Wombwell Foundry.  He leaves a wife and one child.
.....................................................................

Maria Hewitt remarried to Thomas Watson (WW1 Served) on 22 February 1919 at St George's Church, Barnsley.  They went on to have three children together, Doris, Donald and Albert.

George Wildin 1887-1916

George Wildin from the Barnsley Chronicle 29 July 1916
(with thanks to Barnsley Archives)

Born:
8 April 1887 20 New Scarbro' Wombwell, Yorkshire

Son of:
David Wildin b. Oct 1843, Baptised 29 Oct 1843 in Newhall, Derbyshire
d.21 Oct 1892 at New Scarbro' (as Wilden aged 49, 9c 129) Buried in Darfield All Saints Cemetery, grave number 483.
1891 census: 20 Elliotts Terrace, Wombwell Coal Miner
who had married on 17 April 1870 in St John's Church, Newhall, Derbyshire to
Hannah (maiden name Smith) b.Oct 1851 Swadlincote, Derbyshire
d.Jun Q 1932 in Barnsley RD (9c 236)
She remarried in March Q 1894 Barnsley RD (9c 323) to John Morgan (b.1861 Wolverhampton RD) who had been the family's lodger in 1891.  
He died in Barnsley in Dec Q 1932.

Position in family: The 7th of at least 9 children to Hannah's first marriage
1. Sarah Ann b.1870 Burslem, Staffordshire
2. Daniel Wildin b.1873 Darfield
3. Joseph Wildin b.1875 Darfield
4. Jane Wildin b.1879 Wombwell
5. William Wildin b.1881 Wombwell
6. Edith Wildin b.1884 Wombwell
7. George Wildin b.1887 New Scarbro' Wombwell WW1 KILLED
8. John Wildin b.1889 New Scarboro' Wombwell  WW1 SERVED Royal Naval Division KW/197 as Weldon
9. Ellen Wildin b.1891 Wombwell
 
10. Thomas Weldin b.24 October 1893 (Thomas appears to have been conceived after David Wildin's death making him George's half brother)  WW1 SERVED 13th Y&L Service no. 13/683 as Weldin.  He died in Leeds in 1948.

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 20 Elliotts Terrace, Wombwell age 4
1901: 41 Elliotts Terrace, Wombwell age 13 Horse Driver Coal Mine below ground
1911: Brins Buildings, Great Houghton age 23, Timber Drawer Underground

Marriage: He was married
In Barnsley Registration District Jun Q 1907
to Norah (maiden name Jennings) b.1888 Gawber, Yorkshire

Children:
1. Hannah Wildin b.1908 Wombwell
2. Thomas Wildin b.1909 Wombwell
3. Florence Wildin b.1913

Military Service:
Enlisted: 1914 Barnsley
Regiment and Battalion:   13th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank:  13/682 Private
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Death:    1 July 1916
Buried at: Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps
Grave Reference: I. A. 37.

Remembered: 
Ardsley, Christ Church, Christ Church Parishioners - WW1 Plaque 

Notes:

Lives of the First World War entry 

Relative Andrew Wildin has been researching George and has submitted most of the above information for this soldier story.  With our grateful thanks!  His Ancestry Family Tree entry for George Wildin can be seen here.

The entry on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for George previously listed him as Weldon, Andrew was able to get this updated to Wildin in 2015.

Barnsley Chronicle 15 July 1916
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)

This cutting from the Barnsley Chronicle clearly states George's name as Wildin and gives his home address as Stairfoot, explaining why he is on the Ardsley Memorial Plaque.

"A Stairfoot First Barnsley Battalion man to fall is Private G. Wildin, of 17, Albion Road, who prior to the war worked at Dearne Valley Colliery.  He leaves a wife and three children.  He has a brother, Private T. Wildin, in the same Battalion, and in a letter home the latter says he assisted to carry his dead brother, who was killed instantaneously."

There is more information in the Sheffield Telegraph on 17 August 1916 under the heading "Wombwell Casualties".

"The death is also reported of Private George Weldin, who formerly resided in Elliot's Terrace. Deceased was killed in a simple manner of a small piece of sharpnel entering his side. None of his pals thought that such slight a wound would cause death, but passed peacefully away a few minutes later."

Norah, George's wife, remarries in Sept Q 1920 to Walter Scarfe and has at least three children with him, George, Walter and Alice.

James Arthur Warden 1885-1917

James A Warden from the Barnsley Chronicle 26 May 1917
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)

Born:
1885 in Jump, Barnsley, Yorkshire

Son of:
Arthur Warden b.1860 (in either France or Cleckheaton!) d. 1936 buried in Barnsley Cemetery, section 6, grave 177.
1911: 21 Wright's Terrace, Barnsley Coal Miner
married in the Barnsley Registration in Jan Q 1884 to
Agnes (nee Robinson) b. 1861 Wombwell, Yorkshire d.1952 Wright's Terrace buried in Barnsley Cemetery with her husband.

Position in family: The eldest of 7 surviving children plus an older half sister. One child has died young before the 1911 census.
1. Kate Robinson b.1883
2. James Arthur Warden b.1885 WWI DIED OF WOUNDS
3. Sarah J Warden b.1887 m.Walter Hudson c.1905 2 children (with her parents in 1911)
4. Richard Warden b.1889 m.Ruth Emily c. 1908 3 children WW1 SERVICE
5. Lottie Warden b.1891
6. Agnes Warden b.1894
7. Spencer Warden b.1899
8. Wilfred Warden b.1902

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: Kitroyd, Jump, Barnsley aged 6
1901: New Street, Barnsley aged 16 Platelayer's Labourer
1911: 2 Garden Cottages, Worsbro' Common aged 26 Coal Miner
1917: 19 House, 7 Court, New Street (wife's address at his death)

Marriage: 
James was married at St John's, Barebones on 7 March 1914
to Louisa Christiana Stockton b.1886 Carlton, Yorkshire d.1952 in Cundy Cross.
[However in the 1911 census the couple claim to have been married for 8 years and have already had three children, one died young]

Children:
1. Horace Warden b.1906
2. (another child died young)
3. Agnes Warden b.1910
4. Irene A Warden b.1914 d.1915
5. (three children alive in 1917)

Military Service:
Enlisted: November 1914 at the age of 29 years (according to his obituary)
Regiment and Battalion:   2nd/5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank:  Sergeant 240733
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Death:     10 May 1917 age 32
Died of wound following injury to left thigh and compound fracture of femur
Buried at: St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France
Grave Reference: P.I.I.8B

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of Arthur and Agnes Warden, of Barnsley; husband of Louisa C. Warden, of 19 House, 7 Court, New St., Barnsley.

Remembered: 
St John's Church, Barnsley - Oak Memorial Tablet 

Notes:

James Arthur Warden's Army Service Records have not survived.  The details of his family and children are a little puzzling, but maybe there are family members who can fill in the gaps in this story.
 
Listing on Lives of the First World War

Barnsley Chronicle 19 May 1917
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)

From the Barnsley Chronicle on 19 May 1917:

Sergeant James Arthur Warden, Y and L, died of wounds at Rouen on May 10th.  He was 32 years of age and enlisted in November 1914 at which period he was employed at Barrow Colliery.  Sergeant Warden leaves a wife and three children who reside at 19 House, 7 Court, New Street, Barnsley.  The Senior Chaplain (Rev. S. W. L. Richards) has written to Mrs Warden expressing his sorrow: "Your son was admitted to XI Stationery Hospital, Rouen, this afternoon (10th May) with a very severe wound in the left thigh, with a compound fracture of the femur, and his condition was almost hopeless from the first.  I saw him at once and ministered to his spiritual needs.  Towards the end he grew a little delirious, but whilst in possession of his faculties he desired me to write and give you his love and tell you not to worry.  I know how fruitless must be any attempt of mine to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming, but I pray Our Heavenly Father to give to your husband a place of eternal peace, also to assuage the anguish of your bereavement and to leave you only the cherished memory of him who so willingly gave himself a sacrifice upon the alter of his country's welfare.  The funeral will take place in the cemetery of St. Sever, Rouen with full military honours."  Captain Hall and Second-Lieut. E. C. Gore also forwarded their condolences and pointed out that the gallant sergeant suffered no pain.  "The work he did throughout was most valuable: he encouraged the men at the most critical time and proved the brave man we all knew him to be."

John Docker 1885-1915

John Docker (photo from ST with permission)

Born:
1885 Dalton in Furness, Lancashire

Home address, age and occupation:
1911: 13 Vaal Street, Ardsley, Barnsley 26 years old, Colliery Labourer (below ground)
1914: 5 Vaal Street, Measborough Dyke, Barnsley  30 years old

Marriage: 

Louie Foweather Docker (from ST with permission)

John was married in the Barnsley Registration District June Q 1909 (9c 490)
to Louie Foweather (b.1892 Ardsley)

Children:
1. John Docker b.4 September 1909
2. Harry Docker b.2 July 1911
3. Edward Docker b.10 April 1913

Military Service:
Enlisted: 27 October 1914 at the age of 30 years
Regiment and Battalion:  1st/5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank:  Private 2578
Arrived in France: 14 April 1915
Awards: 15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Personal information:   5' 2" tall, 37" chest (inc 4" expansion), good physical development

Death:     Killed in Action 10 July 1915
CWGC Remembered: Panel 36 and 55, Menin Gate, Ypres

Remembered:
Stairfoot, Wesleyan Reform Church WW1 Roll of Honour, Hunningley Lane
Ardsley, Christ Church, Christ Church Parishioners - WW1 Plaque

 Notes:
Thank you to Susan Thomas (nee Morton) for the photographs and initial information on John Docker, her great grandfather.

Harry, John and Edward Docker
(from ST with permission)

Louie was awarded a pension of 50/6 (2 pounds 10 shillings and 6d) for herself and the three children from 31 January 1916.

Louie remarried to a Allan Wilcock in Sept Q 1918 and was living at 34 Cemetery Road, Barnsley in August 1919 when she filled in the Army Records next-of-kin form. 

Edwin Betony 1889-1916

Edwin Bettony (from Steve Betony's Ancestry Tree)

Born:
1889 in Pogmoor, Barnsley
Baptised 9 May 1889 at St George's Church, Barnsley

Son of: 
James William Betony b.1859 in Louth, Lincs d.1943 Huddersfield
1911 census: Boarder in Sandal Magna, a Coal Miner Byworker below ground
married at St George's Church, Barnsley on 7 Jan 1884 (9c 170)
Bathsheba (maiden name Fox) b.1865 in Mortomley, Yorkshire d.Dec 1918 buried Barnsley Cemetery (Z 214) with her eldest daughter Mary Ellen.
1911 census: 22 Shaw Street, Barnsley (status: Married (separated))
 
Position in family: The third of 3 children
1. Mary Ellen b.April 1884 d.Sept 1884 buried Barnsley Cemetery (Z 214)
2. George William Betony b.1885 in Barnsley m. Marian Kilburn in 1905
3. Edwin Betony b.1889 WW1 DIED OF WOUNDS
 
Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 1 Wade Street, Barnsley age 2
1901: Shambles Street, Barnsley age 12 Scholar
1911: 10 Milton Road, Jump, Barnsley age 22 Coal Miner Hewer
1914: 10 Joseph Street, Barnsley age 24 occupation Miner

Marriage: 
Edwin was married at St John's Church, Barnsley on 16 May 1908
to Priscilla Poskitt b.1888 in Higham, Barnsley d.1971 in Huddersfield

Children:
1. Edith Betony b.6 Dec 1908
2. Doris Betony b.1910 d.Feb 1912 buried Barnsley Cemetery ((d) 488)
3. James William Betony b.15 Sep 1912 m.Edith Bennett in 1934 in Bradford
4. Frances Louvain b.Q1 1915 d.Dec 1918 buried Barnsley Cemetery ((b) 384)

Military Service:
Previous Service in York and Lancaster Regiment, discharged 1908
Enlisted: 2 September 1914  at the age of 25 years at Pontefract
Promoted to Corporal 8 Oct 1914
Promoted to Lance Sergeant 4 Dec 1914
Arrived in France 27 August 1915 
Regiment and Battalion: 9th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank: 16695
Promoted to Sergeant 29 July 1915
Returned to England suffering from Trench Foot in March 1916
Returned to France 31 August 1916 and transferred battalion to:
Regiment and Battalion:    14th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank:  12825 Sergeant
Wounded in Action: 11 December 1916 with shrapnel wounds to neck and abdomen
Died of Wounds: 18 December 1916
Awards: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Personal information:   5' 4" tall, 37" chest, weight 152 lbs (on enlistment) grey eyes, light brown hair.

Death:     18 December 1916 aged 27 years, 7 months
Buried at: Puchevillers British Cemetery in Somme, France
Grave Reference: VI F 32

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
No family information on his CWGC record

Remembered:
Not remembered on any Barnsley memorial (as yet found 24 Oct 2014)
Edwin Betony on Lives of the First World War

Notes:
With thanks to Steve Betony, great-grandson of Edwin for allowing me to use the photograph at the top of this page.  
Steve told me, "Edwin is still well remembered in our family, albeit one none of us met, my Dad's middle name is Edwin. In fact there are a couple of family anecdotes one of which is that had he survived 24 hours, he would have been promoted to Sgt-Major, the other I can recall my grandfather telling me the only thing he could remember of his Dad was polishing the buttons on his uniform. We still have his medals, along with the "death penny"."

Fallen Barnsley Sergeant - Fatal Wounds

Sergeant E. Betony, York and Lanc. Regiment, 10 Joseph Street, Barnsley who died on December 18th from wounds received three days before, had seen service in the Army before the war and re-joined on the 1st September only a month after the present conflict began. He had seen lengthy service at the Front and was previously wounded in May, 1915. A member at first of one of the earlier Y. and L. battalions, he subsequently transferred to the local Pals contingent. Twenty-seven years of age, he worked at the Barrow Colliery, and leaves a wife and three children. Much sympathy is felt for his widow who had already lost two brothers in the war.  

Barnsley Independent 13 January 1917 (Thanks to Barnsley Archives)

Priscilla's two brothers referred to in Edwin's obituary are Walter Poskitt 1174 York & Lancs who died on 2 Sept 1916 and is remembered on the Cudworth War Memorial and William Poskitt 3/2926 York & Lancs who died on 28/29 Sept 1916 and was remembered on the War Memorial in St John's Barebones, Barnsley, now sadly lost.

Items returned to Priscilla from Edwin's effects in April 1918 included photos, a watch, cigarette case, fountain pen, a 9 carat gold ring, and letters. 
 
Priscilla Betony had already remarried in Q1 1918 to Richard Puckering in the Sheffield Registration District (9c 815).  Priscilla and Richard had three children Rose Ann, Thomas Edward and Annie who died young and are buried in Barnsley Cemetery ((b) 384) in the same grave plot as Frances Louvain Betony. They also had Alice, Richard, John, William and Evelyn who survived.

Fred Proctor 1882-1918

Fred Proctor (photo from EH - see below)

Born:
December Q 1882 in Shelf, near Halifax

Son of:
James Procter b.1862 Northowram d.before 1911
1901: Stone Miner, aged 39, 12 Alma Street, Queensbury, Elland
married at St John the Baptist, Halifax on 18 February 1882
Betty b.1862 Shelf, Halifax (maiden name Sharp) d. ?? 

Position in family: The eldest of six children, three died before 1911
1. Fred Proctor b.1882  died as a consquence of WW1 Service
2. Ida Proctor b.1891
3. Leonard Proctor b.1898
4. Lilian Proctor b.1901

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: Brow Lane, Shelf, near Halifax aged 8, Scholar
1901: 12 Alma Street, Queensbury, Elland, West Yorks aged 18, Apprentice Joiner
1911: 17 Vaal Street, Barnsley aged 28, Joiner
1915: 17 Vaal Street, Barnsley aged 33 years,  a Joiner

Marriage: 
Fred married Elsie Gosling on 30 May 1914 in Ardsley (Barnsley 9c 367)

Children:
1. Ruth b.9 May 1915
2. Freda b. Dec Q 1918

Military Service:
Enlisted: 11 December 1915 at the age of 33 years 1 month
Posted to Army Reserve until the following June
Mobilised: 9 June 1916
Regiment and Battalion:  West Yorkshire Regiment
Service number and rank:  Private 33878
Transferred to: Notts & Derby Regiment on 22 June 1916
Service number and rank: Private 56267
Transferred to: Labour Corps  25 November 1916
Service number and Rank: Private 185831
Discharged 25 October 1918

Personal information:   5' 6.5" tall, 39" chest, 

Death:    1 December 1918 aged 36
Buried at: Ardsley Cemetery, Barnsley
Grave Reference: S "U" 690

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Husband of Elsie Proctor, of Elm Row, Hoyle Mill, Barnsley.

Remembered: 
Ardsley, Christ Church, Ardsley United Methodists - WW1 Roll of Honour 
Ardsley, Christ Church, Ardsley United Methodists - WW1 Plaque 
Ardsley, Christ Church, Christ Church Parishioners - WW1 Plaque

Notes: 

Fred's father's surname is spelt Procter (with an e) in 1891 and 1901 census returns and on his marriage to Betty in 1882.  The name seems to have changed to Proctor (with an o) on the family's arrival in Barnsley after James' death.

Fred is buried in Ardsley Cemetery in the same grave plot as his wife Elsie who died in September 1967 aged 78.  His Commonwealth War Grave Commission headstone sits surrounded by the kerb edging of his wife's grave. 

The inscription at the foot of the stone reads, 

Thy Purpose Lord 
We Cannot See 
But All is Well 
That's Done by Thee

This will have been especially requested and paid for by Elsie at a cost of 3 and a half old pence a letter, a total of 15/2 (fifteen shillings and two pence). 

This information was found on the CWGC website.

Letter written on Elsie's behalf (from Ancestry)

According to his Army Service Records (available on Ancestry) Elsie was awarded a pension of 25/5 (twenty five shillings and five old pence per week) increasing to 44/2 from 3 September 1919 for herself and two children.  

A previous application for the payment due to her as a soldier's wife had been supported by the local Ardsley Branch of the Soldiers & Sailors Families Association.


This letter gives us invaluable personal information including the date and place of Fred and Elsie's marriage and the birth date of their daughter Ruth.

Note how payment at Stairfoot Post Office is requested.  This is about a mile from Vaal Street.




Fred's family story has been written by his grandaughter's husband Edward Holling who also gave us the photos in this story.
(slightly edited for space and accuracy)

"Fred was a joiner and worked for Squire Micklethwaite on the Ardsley House and its estate houses.  He met Elsie Gosling who was a maid servant at the house.
They married in 1914 and the Squire rented them of his houses in Vaal Street, Measbro’ Dyke.  Their first daughter Ruth was born in 1915.

In 1915-16 Fred was conscripted into the army as 33878 Pte F. Proctor, West Yorkshire Regiment.  He  caught tuberculosis and was hospitalised from which he caught pneumonia and died on 1st December 1918 three weeks after the armistice signing.

He was buried at Ardsley Cemetery, Hunningley Lane, Stairfoot with a War Graves Commission headstone.

At this time Elsie was pregnant  and gave birth to a second daughter Freda on 15th December 1918.

In 1920 Squire Micklethwaite offered Granna Elsie a house and shop at 1 and 2 Elm Row, Hoyle Mill which she ran as a General Dealer.

In 1935 her eldest daughter took over the shop, as she had trained as a hairdresser the interior was panelled and local scenes were painted on them by her nephew Reg Gosling, local artist and School Attendance Officer.  Ruth Proctor was noted for her Wella perms and Marcel waves.

In 1937 she married Harry Davies, a barber from Racecommon Road who also played rhythm guitar with the Mayfair Dance Band.  My late wife Betty was born in 1938 and named after the film star Bette Davies.  Ruth retired from ill health in 1965, Freda her sister opened a shop in Cudworth as a hairdresser.

There are four or five headstones in Ardsley Cemetery and the local British Legion up to six years ago put poppies on the stones.  The Branch closed and I still every November put a poppy cross on the grave."

The brother of Elsie Proctor, Ben Gosling b.1878 served in WW1 in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and was killed on 19 November 1917.  He is buried in France.

Photo from EH

Granna Elsie's shop in Hoyle Mill (Photo from EH)

Frank Armitage 1888-1916

Frank Armitage (thanks to JP and TB for the photo)

Born:
11 October 1888 (calculated from his age at enlistment) in Barnsley, Yks

Son of:
Joseph Armitage b.1855 Darton d.1931 Barnsley
1911: Iron Foundry Fettler 14 Blucher Street, Barnsley
married 1.1873 to Nancy (maiden name Field) b.1854 Darton d.1885 Barnsley
married 2. 1888 to Ellen (maiden name Lodge) b.1865 Leeds d.1933 Barnsley

Position in family: The eighth of eleven children in total, eldest son of second marriage
1. Joseph Wade Armitage b.1874 d.1934 WW1 SERVICE m.Nellie Duncan
2. Hannah Armitage b.1875 d.1875
3. Sarah Catherine Armitage b.1878 m.John Walker
4. Elizabeth Ellen Armitage b.1878 d.1896
5. Clara Annie Armitage b.1881
6. Stephen Armitage b.1883 d.1884
7. John William Armitage b.1885 d.1886
8. Frank Armitage b.1888 WW1 KILLED
9. Walter Armitage b.1890 WW1 SERVICE m.Ada Farnsworth
10. Elsie Armitage b.1894 d.1895
11. Eva Armitage b.1896 d.1904

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 14 Blucher Street age 2
1901: 14 Blucher Street age 12 Scholar
1911: 112 St George's Road age 22 Loom Fitter
1915: 13 Blucher Street age 26 years 113 days Fitter

Marriage: Frank was married to Marion (maiden name White) b.10 July 1888 
at St George's Church on 17 February 1910

Children:
1. Marjorie Armitage b.8 April 1910
2. Joseph Armitage b.29 July 1911
3. Clifford Armitage b.1 January 1913
4. Roy Armitage b.17 March 1915

Military Service:
Enlisted: 1 February 1915 at the age 26 years 113 days
Regiment and Battalion:   14th Battalion (2nd Barnsley) York and Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank:  14/366  Private
Transferred to: West Yorkshire Regiment Service no.6347 and 202992
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Personal information:   5' 4.75" tall, 34" chest, weight 116lbs

Death:     28 September 1916 aged 28 years
Buried at: Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval, France
Grave Reference:  I B 20

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of Mr and Mrs J Armitage of Barnsley, husband of Mrs Marion Armitage of 13 Blucher Street, Barnsley, Yorks.

Remembered:
Frank is remembered on his parents' gravestone in Barnsley Cemetery.

Notes:
A blog post here gives more information about Frank's army service and the battle in which he was killed.

Frank, Wade and Walter with Joseph seated
(thanks again to JP and TB)

Frank's grandaughter JP contacted us to let us know that he had been remembered as part of the event at the Tower of London in August this year (2014).  She also arranged the supply of the photos on this page by TB another Armitage descendant.  Our very grateful thanks!

This picture shows Joseph Armitage b.1855 who was 36 years the Caretaker of Blucher Street United Methodist Church and his three sons, Frank, Joseph Wade (known as Wade in the family) and Walter - the youngest looking so much taller than his brothers!

A nephew, Sydney Armitage also served.  He was the son of Sarah Catherine, but brought up by Joseph snr as if he was his own son.  The story goes that he was too young to sign up for the Barnsley Pals with his brothers so he ran away and joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers instead.

Marion Armitage about 1935 (thanks to JP and TB)

Marion Armitage was initially told that Frank was missing in action.  It took nearly a year for the information to get back to Barnsley that he had definitely been killed.  

Marion did not remarry, she remained at 13 Blucher Street with her four children until 1926 when the family moved to one of the new estates being built just outside the centre of Barnsley.

She died in 1967 and is buried in same grave as her parents-in-law, the one on which Frank is remembered.

John Rose 1895-1916

John Rose Barnsley Chronicle 16 September 1916
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)

Born:
24 September 1895 (calculated from age at enlistment)
Baptised: 5 January 1896 St Peter's Barnsley

Son of:
Edwin Rose b.1862 Barnsley d.1937 Barnsley
1911: Coal Miner Hewer 52 Heelis Street, Barnsley
married at St Mary's, Barnsley on 7 April 1882 to
Sarah Ann Rose (maiden name Ward) b.1862 Barnsley d.1942 Barnsley

Position in family: 8th out of 10 children (2 died before 1911)
1. Albert Rose b.1883
2. Walter Rose b.1884 d.1909
3. Joe Rose b.1886 d.1899
4. Vincent Rose b.1888
5. Edwin Rose b.1890  WW1 SERVICE
6. Annie Rose b.1893
7. John Rose b.1895  WW1 DIED OF WOUNDS
8. Eliza Rose b.1899
9. Horace Rose b.1902
10. Arthur Rose b.1904 d.1926

Home address, age and occupation:
1901: 58 Heelis Street, Barnsley aged 5
1911: 52 Heelis Street, Barnsley aged 15, Bottle Hand in Glassworks
1915: 52 Heelis Street, Barnsley aged 20 years 14 days, Miner

Marriage: John was unmarried

Military Service:
Enlisted: 8 October 1915 at the age of 20 years
Arrived in France: 5 April 1916
Regiment and Battalion:    "C" Coy, 2nd Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank:  14/1480 Private
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Personal information:   5' 5.75" tall, 37.5" chest, normal vision, weight 133lbs.

Death:     1 September 1916 age 20 years and 11 months
Buried at: Abbeville Communal Cemetery
Grave Reference: III C 18

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of Edwin and Sarah Ann Rose, of Barnsley, Yorks.

Remembered:
St John's Church, Barebones, Barnsley (memorial lost)

Notes:
He died of "Gun Shot Wound to Back" inflicted 12 August 1916 according to his Army Service Records.  He had been noted as "dangerously ill" on 21 August 1916.

Barnsley Chronicle 9 September 1916 (thanks to Barnsley Archives)

From the Barnsley Chronicle 9 September 1916:
At the early age of 19 years, Private J. Rose, of the Second Barnsley Battalion, late of the 15th Reserve Y & L, has died of wounds received in action on August 17th.  A single man, Private Rose joined the Forces in November 1915, at which time he was working at Grimethorpe Colliery and residing with his parents at 52, Heelis Street, Barnsley.  He succumbed in No. 1 South African General Hospital, France.  Another brother of the deceased soldier, Pte E. Rose, is in the First Barnsley Battalion.  A photo of Pte. J. Rose will appear in next week's "Chronicle".

As you can see the above article contains several discrepancies - John was nearly 21 years old and he joined up in October 1915.  The date of his wounding also differs from that given in his Army Service records.

According to the new records available on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site his mother was willing to pay for the additional words "Though Death Divides, Still Memory Clings" on his gravestone.  As I understand the charge should have been 3.5d (old pence) per letter, but it was not generally enforced.  Unfortunately many poor families were probably deterred by the cost from requesting the additional inscription.

Thomas Goldsby West 1891-1916

Thomas West on the Darfield Village Club Memorial

Born: 
23 May 1891 10 Newton Street, Barnsley.  
Baptised 1 November 1891 St. Mary’s Church, Barnsley
 
Son of:
William Goldsby West b. 1864 Coventry, Warwickshire
1911: 18 Station Lane, Coal Miner Hewer
married at St Catherines Church, Sandal on 24 March 1883 to 
Mary Margaret Green b.1864 Milnthorpe, Yorkshire
 
Position in family: The sixth of 14 children (4 died before 1911)
1. Emma Goldsby West b 1883
2. George Goldsby West b 1884 (died in infancy)
3. Eliza Goldsby West b
4  William Goldsby West b 1888 Cudworth, Yks
5. George Goldsby West b 1889 Barnsley, Yks WW1 SERVICE Cpl. Y&L
6. Thomas Goldsby West b 1891 Barnsley, Yks WW1 KILLED
7  Jane Goldsby West b 1893 Barnsley, Yks
8. Agnes Goldsby West b.1895 Wombwell, Yks
9. Mary Margaret (Polly) Goldsby West b.1897 Wombwell, Yks
10. Walter Goldsby West b.1898 Wombwell, Yks WW1 SERVICE Pte. Y&L/RAF
11. Alfred Goldsby West b 1898 Wombwell, Yks WW1 KILLED
12. John Goldsby West b 1900 (died in infancy)
13. Albert Edward Goldsby West b 1902
14. Irving Goldsby West b 1907 (died in infancy)

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 10 Newton Street, Barnsley
1901: 8 Summer Lane, Wombwell
1911: 18 Station Lane, Wombwell aged 19, Coal Miner Hewer
?Address on enlistment 24 Darfield Main

Marriage: 
He was married to Laura Adelaide Copeland at Wombwell Parish Church on 4 July 1915

Children: None

Military Service:
Enlisted: **
Arrived in France: 26 August 1915
Regiment and Battalion:    King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 8th (Service) Battalion
Service number and rank:  16688 Private
Awards: 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Death:     1 July 1916 age 25
Buried at: Serre Road Cemetery No 2, Beaumont-Hamel, France
Grave Reference: Plot 4 Row G No 16

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of William Goldsby West and Mary Margaret West, of 42, Pitt St., Low Valley, Wombwell, Barnsley.

Remembered:
Wombwell St Mary’s Church Book of Remembrance,
Wombwell St Mary’s Church War MemorialWombwell, Wombwell Reform Club Members WW1, Nu Well Shopping Mall, Hough Lane 
Darfield, Darfield Village Club, WW1 Roll of Honour

Notes:
With thanks to Kevan Goldsby-West for this story.

Burial Return from CWGC website

According to the new information on the Commonwealth War Graves site Thomas's body was identified by his disc when exhumed and then concentrated into and reburied in the Serre Road Cemetery.

John Henry Bird 1898-1917

John Henry Bird (photo from Eileen Bird)

Born:
Q1 1898 Hednesford, Staffordshire (Cannock 6b 550)

Son of:
Samuel Bird b.1869 Newcastle, Staffordshire, d.1933 Barnsley
1911: 28 Wilson Street, Barnsley Boiler Firer at Colliery
married at Stafford Registration District on Q4 1894 (6b 31 - NB. Byrd)
Hannah Bird (maiden name Moore) b.1872 St Mary's Stafford, d.1937 Barnsley

Position in family: Possibly second oldest of twelve children (5 died before 1911)
1. Annie May Bird b.1897 Hednesford d.1910 Barnsley
2. John Henry Bird b.1898 Hednesford WW1 KILLED
3. Samuel Bird b. 1900 Hednesford m.Elizabeth Swift 1918
4. Ann Gladys Bird b.1902 Hednesford m.John Henry Traviss 1921
5. Harry Bird b.1904 Hednesford
6. George Bird b.1906 Hednesford
7. Martha Bird b.1909 d.1910 Barnsley
8. Charley Bird b.1911 Barnsley
9. Arthur Bird b.1916 Barnsley

Home address, age and occupation:
1901: 14 Rawnsley Buildings, Rawnsley, Cannock, Staffordshire, aged 3
1911: 28 Wilson Street, Barnsley aged 13, at School
1917: 77 Thomas Street, Barnsley aged 18 years and 11 months, Glasshand

Marriage: John Henry was unmarried

Military Service:
Enlisted: 15 January 1917 at the age of 18 years and 11 months
Regiment and Battalion:    10th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank:  32953 Private
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Personal information:   5' 5.5" tall, 33" chest, weight 114lbs, good vision.

Death:     30 September 1917 age 19
CWGC Remembered: Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 125 to 128

Remembered:
Barnsley, Redfearn Brothers Glassworks & Aldham Works
St John's Church, Barnsley - Oak Memorial Tablet (lost)
 
Notes:
With thanks to Eileen Bird for the photo, letter and other information about John Henry Bird, couldn't have done it without you!

                         ........................................................

The family appear to have moved to Barnsley from Hednesford between 1906 and 1910. 
Annie May and Martha Bird both die in Barnsley in 1910 and are buried in Barnsley Cemetery.

John's youngest brother, Arthur is born at the end of 1916 and it is his birth record on FreeBMD that gives us the clue to Hannah's maiden name of Moore.  That allowed me to backtrack and find Samuel and Hannah's marriage, where, just to complicate matters Samuel gives his surname as Byrd!

Letter from John to his sister (from Eileen Bird)

About three weeks before his death John sends this letter to his sister.  

In it he says that he is sorry to hear of the death of Andrew Dolan and asks her to remind their mother about the socks she was going to send him. 

It gives a great insight into Army Life, John could get notepaper from the Church Army Hut (or Tent) which was "Open to All".  

He ends, "Give them all my best love at home. xxxxxxxxxxx".


 
John's death is reported in the Barnsley Chronicle in November 1917.

Barnsley Chronicle 3 November 1917

When Samuel Bird the younger gets married in April 1918 his wife is a Munitions Worker reflecting the continuation of the war.

In 1920 Samuel Bird the elder writes to the Army Record Office asking where his "son is put to rest has I have not been informed as yet".  The Infantry Record Office has to tell him that there is no record of a place of burial for John.  They do say they will inform him should any information be received - but as we know John is remembered on Tyne Cot, so John is one of the thousands of men who have no known grave.

When Ann Gladys Bird gets married in 1921 she is a Glass-hand, a job not usually associated with women.

Samuel and Hannah Bird, John Henry's parents, are buried together in Barnsley Cemetery in Section 4 Grave No. 424.  

Thomas Lockwood 1879-1916

1891 Map of Hoylandswaine showing Hill Top (from Old Maps)

Born:
1879 Hoylandswaine

Son of:
William Lockwood b.1837 Hoylandswaine d.Q2 1893
married at Barnsley Registration District on Q3 1857 (9c 149)
Ellen Lockwood (maiden name Stenton) b.1841 Hemingfield d.**
1911: Hoylandswaine aged 70 years
 
Position in family: The 11th of 12 children (one died before 1911)
1. Walter b.1858 bap.7 Nov 1858 Silkstone
2. John Arthur b.1860
3. Lewis b.1862
4. Frederick William b.1864
5. George Henry b.1866 bap.13 Dec 1867 Silkstone
6. ??
7. Philip b.1869
8. Lucy b.1871
9. William b.1874
10.Jonathan b.1877
11. Thomas b.1879 WW1 KILLED
12. Albert b.1881

Home address, age and occupation:
1881: Hill Top, Hoylandswaine aged 2 years
1891: Hill Top Cottage, Hoylandswaine, aged 12 years, Scholar
1901: Hill Top, Hoylandswain, aged 22, Coal Hewer
1911: Hoylandswaine, aged 32, Coal Miner Hewer

Marriage: Thomas was unmarried

Military Service:
Enlisted: 1914 from the reserve at the age of 35 years
Regiment and Battalion:    2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI)
Service number and rank:  Private 7358
Awards: Distinguished Conduct Medal, Victory, British War Medal, 1914 Star and Clasp, Medal of St. George 4th Class
 
Death:     9 February 1916 aged 37 years
Buried at: Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension, France
Grave Reference: C 23

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of William and Ellen Lockwood of Hoylandswain, Penistone, Yorks.

Remembered:
Hoylandswaine St. John's, Thomas Lockwood Memorial Plaque 
Hoylandswaine War Memorial, Barnsley Road, Hoylandswaine
Wombwell War Memorial, St Mary's, Wombwell  

Notes:
Citation for DCM: "For conspicuous gallantry on several occasions. He has continually volunteered for any dangerous enterprise and has on more than one occasion been behind enemy lines." (30 June 1915)
His Medal of St George is cited in the London Gazette on 25 August 1915 but no details of what the medal was awarded for are given.

Barnsley Chronicle 5 August 1916
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)

His next of kin on his CWGC headstone record is listed as Mr W Lockwood, Guyder Bottom, Hoylandswaine.

This piece from the Barnsley Chronicle from 5 August 1916 describes the unveiling of the Memorial Plaque in the church at Hoylandswaine.

"Private Lockwood was on the reserve list when war broke out, and rejoined his regiment in August 1914, going out to France in the early days of the fighting.  He took part in the memorable battle for Hill 60, and received the D.C.M. during the fighting near Ypres, when he paid several visits to the enemy's trenches in the night, and brought back valuable information."

Harry Haigh 1886-1916

Harry Haigh in the Barnsley Chronicle
(Thanks to Barnsley Archives)

Born:
1886 Barnsley

Son of:
Samuel Haigh b.1863 Barnsley d.1931 Barnsley 
1911: 22 Pontefract Road Coal Miner
married at Barnsley on Q4 1881 (9c 283)
Harriett (maiden name Wroe) b.1862 Barnsley d.1917 Barnsley

Position in family: The third eldest of 11 children (2 died before 1911)
1. William Haigh b.1883
2. Florence Haigh b.1884
3. Harry Haigh b.1886  WW1 KILLED
4. Ethel Haigh b.1887 d.1903 (Drowned in Canal)
5. Eliza Haigh b.1889
6. Jenny Haigh b.1892
7. Nora Haigh b.1893
8. Hilda Haigh b.1894
9. Herman Haigh b. 1900
11. Clarence Haigh b.1902

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 9 Highstone Fold, Worsbro' Common aged 6 Scholar
1901: 78 Spring Street, Barnsley aged 15 Glasshand Labourer
1911: 15 Elm Row, Hoyle Mill aged 25 Bricklayer in Glass Bottle Works
1914: 21 Winn Street, Barnsley Coal Miner

Marriage: Harry was married to Minnie Ellis b.1886 Thornhill Lees, Yorkshire
at Barnsley on Q4 1909 (9c 341)

Children:
None according to the 1911 census and a newspaper report

Military Service:
Enlisted: 5 August 1914 at the age of 28 years
Arrived in France on 18 March 1915
Regiment and Battalion:    2nd Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank:  3/2661 Private
Awards: 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Death:     22 August 1916  age 30
Buried at: Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps
Grave Reference: II N 7

Remembered:
Barnsley, St John's Church, Barebones
 
Notes:
On his Soldier's Died in the Great War Record his surname is given as Kendall, and birthplace Gawber - which is odd, could be a transcription error?  Have they confused him with some other man?  The date of death, regiment and service number are correct.

A report in the Barnsley Chronicle on 9 September 1916 reads:

At the outbreak of war, Pte Harry Haigh, a reservist, joined the 2nd Y & L Regiment and went out to France the day following the declaration of war, August 5th 1914.  He was wounded on July 2nd, 1915 and again in September last year.  After being at home for a period of six weeks he returned to France last February and was killed on August 22nd.  Pte. Haigh's home address is 21, Winn Street, Barnsley and before the war he worked at Barnsley Main Colliery.  He was 25 years of age, married with no children.  Mrs Haigh has received the following letter from Company Sergeant Major T. Simpson: "It is my painful duty to have to inform you that your husband was killed by a shell on the night of August 22nd.  He was buried in the presence of some of some of his comrades.  I know it will be a great loss to you but try and face it bravely.  I can hardly express to you how much I, along with his comrades miss your husband.  He was one of the best and was killed in the execution of his duty.  I and his comrades offer you our deepest sympathy."
                    ..........................................

Harry's age has been given incorrectly ... he is around 30 years old in 1916.  

I can find no record of Minnie, his wife, after the war except a possible death for a lady the right age in 1972.