James Pilkington 1890-1917

Barnsley Chronicle 17 November 1917 (thanks to Barnsley Archives)

Born:
Q1 1890 Holbeck, Leeds (9b 338)

Son of:
George Pilkington b.1860 Wakefield, Yks  1901: Boiler Stoker 18 Harbro Terrace
1908: Killed at Redfearns Glass Works aged 45
married at Holbeck in Q3 1885 (9b 444)
Harriett Pilkington (maiden name Crossland) b.1864 Barnsley 

Position in family: The third eldest of 8 children (one died young)
1. George Pilkington b.1886
2. Harry Pilkington b.1888 m Ethel Ann Lax 1911 Barnsley St Mary's
3. James Pilkington b.1890 WW1 KILLED
4. Sarah Pilkington b.1893
5. Eliza Ann Pilkington b.1895 Leeds m William Appleyard 1916 in Cudworth
6. Daniel Pilkington b.1899 Barnsley d.Nov 1901 aged 3
7. Albert Edward Pilkington b.1901 Barnsley m Alice Ann Gawthrope 1932 Barnsley
8. Alfred Pilkington b.1903 Barnsley

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 20 Derwent Street, Holbeck, Leeds aged 1
1901: 18 Harbro Terrace, Barnsley aged 11 Scholar
1911: 51 Honeywell Street, Barnsley aged 21, Machine Glass Bottle Maker

Marriage: James was unmarried

Military Service:
First Arrived in France: 19 August 1915
Regiment and Battalion:    1/5th (T F) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank:  240617 Private
Awards: Military Medal, 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Death:    Killed in Action 9 October 1917 aged 28 (27 according to the Barnsley Chronicle)
CWGC Remembered: Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 125-128

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of the late George and Harriett Pilkington,

Remembered: 
Barnsley, Redfearn Brothers Glassworks & Aldham Works
Barnsley, St Mary's Church, Combined Memorial 

Notes:
His father also worked at Redfearn's Glassworks and was killed there in 1908.  He was
buried 10 June 1908 Barnsley Cemetery.  James' mother, Harriett remarried to George W Lyman in Q2 1916 and then in 1922 she died aged 57, still living at 51 Honeywell Street.  She is buried with her first husband George in Barnsley Cemetery.

John Willie Gothard 1879-1914

John Willie Gothard (photo from his grandson Kevin Gothard)

Born:
13 March 1879 at 20 George Street, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England

Parents:
Father:    Wilfred Gothard (1847 – 1887)  Born Pilley, Yorkshire.  Colliery Lamp Keeper.
Mother:    Sarah Ann Harper (1849 – 1913) Born Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Wilfred and Sarah were married in St George’s Church, Barnsley on 2 April 1866.
Sarah remarried to Joseph Horton Q3 1888 in Barnsley RD (9c 197)

Siblings:
1. John Harper Gothard.  Born 1874, died as an infant.
2. James Wilfred Gothard.  Born 1877.  Died 1941.  Coal miner, hewer.  WW1 Service in 27th Durham Light Infantry from 1915 to 1917.  Married Mary Jane Green.
3. John Willie Gothard Born 1879, died 1914  WW1 Killed
4. Frank Gothard.  Born 1881.  Coal miner hewer. Married Bertha Charlesworth.
5. Eliza Gothard.  Born 1883.  Married Joseph Hurley.
6. Wilfred Gothard.  Born 1887.  Died 1970.  Married Jessie Rawson.
7. George Horton (half brother).  Born 1890.
8. Albert Horton (half brother).  Born 1891.

Home Addresses:
1879  20 George Street, Barnsley
1881  Carlton Terrace, Carlton
1891  5 Shaw Lane, Carlton aged 12
1901  39 Allott St, Hoyland Nether aged 22, a Coal Miner Hewer
1903  The Barracks, Pontefract
1909  18 Central St, Hoyland Common
1911  18 Central Street, Hoyland Common aged 32, a Coal Miner
1913  5 New St Eythorne

Marital Status:
Married Martha Fritchley Trout in St Giles Church, Pontefract, Yorkshire on 26th December 1906.  Martha was the daughter of John and Annie Trout of Bentley, Yorkshire.

Children:
Wilfred Gothard.  Born 29 August 1908.  Died 1995.  Married Margaret Bardon.
Lina Gothard.  Born 2 September 1911.  Died 2003.  Married Robert Finlay
Vera Gothard.  Born 28 March 1913.  Died 1986.  Married Adam Robertson Marshall.

Occupations:
1893 - 1903    Coal Miner Hewer
1903 – 1909    Bandsman, 2nd Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry stationed at Pontefract, Yorkshire.
1909 – 1914    Coal Miner Hewer + Reservist, 2nd Btn KOYLI

Military Service:
Enlisted in the 2nd Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on 2nd March 1903 (Private 7323) as a bandsman.
Transferred to the Reserve List on 22nd September 1909.
Joined his regiment in Dublin on 10th August 1914 following mobilisation.
Arrived in France on 18th August and fought at Mons on 23rd August 1914.
Took part in the retreat from Mons 24th and 25th August 1914.
Awards: 1914 Star and Bar, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Death:     26 August 1914 aged 35 (Listed as Presumed Dead)
CWGC Remembered: Le-Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France

Remembered:
War Memorial, Eythorne, Kent
Memorial Panels, St Peter's Church, Hoyland Common
Hoyland War Memorial, West Street and Kirk Balk, Hoyland

There is some information about John Willie on the Hoyland War Memorial site.

Notes: 
Martha and the three children remained in Eythorne until late 1921 when she decided to take her family to Australia.  She set up house in Newcastle, New South Wales.  She died in 1929, aged 45 years.

John Willie Gothard's Medal Card showing a Clasp was awarded
this would have been for serving under fire between 5 Aug and 22 Nov 1914
(from Ancestry)

Thank you to Kevin Gothard in Australia for sending us this information about his grandfather.

Cooper Allen Robinson 1896-1917

Cooper Allen Robinson's Medals and the letter from his CO (thanks to FP)

Born:
16 October 1896 Town End, Gildersome, Yorkshire, England

Parents:
Enoch Robinson, Born 1871, Beeston Yorkshire. Occupation: Coal hewer (underground)
married 29 October 1892 at All Saints, Batley to
Ann Robinson (Nee Calvert) , Born 1871, Gildersome Leeds

Siblings:  Third son of seven children.
1.    John  1889 - ?   Coal Miner
2.    Herbert  1895 - 1967 Colliery House Driver
3.    Cooper Allen 1897 -1917 Killed WW1
4.    Arthur 1900 - 1982  Served in WWI Married Evelyn sister of Raymond Hudson also commemorated on the Wombwell war memorial. He named his eldest son Allen after his lost brother.
5.    Lawrence 1904 – ?  died of TB in his 20s
6.    Elizabeth 1910 - ? Died young.
7.    Also another child born & died before 1911. Age & sex unknown.

Home address:
1901 – Town End, Gildersome, Leeds Yorkshire aged 4years
1904 -  Howden Clough, Batley,Leeds
1911 – 58 Junction Street, Wombwell aged 14 years Colliery Horse Driver

Marital status:  Bachelor
Occupation: Colliery House Driver

Military Service:
Enlisted: 1915 at Darfield, Yorkshire
Regiment and Battalion: 12th Company Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Service Number and Rank: 9084 Private
Formerly 23692 York & Lancaster Regiment
 
Death:   4th May 1917 aged 20
He was killed by shell fire causing the trench to collapse on top of him. 
Buried:  By a railway arch near Roeux chemical works and close to Fampoux.
CWGC Remembered: Arras Memorial Bay 10

Remembered:
Wombwell War Memorial, St Mary’s Church, Wombwell

Additional information:
Son of Enoch and Ann Robinson, of 58, Junction St., Wombwell, Barnsley.

Notes:
This soldier's story has been submitted by FP, our grateful thanks to her for the completeness of her research.
 
Cooper Allen’s younger brother Arthur ran away to join the army under age. His father brought him home the first time,  but when Arthur ran away again his father left him there knowing that if he tried force him home he would just run away again.  

.........................................................
Letter from his commanding officer


12th Machine Gun Coy
B.E.F
15/5/17
Dear Madam,
It is with deep regret that I have to announce to you the loss of your son Pte. Robinson. Who at the time of his death was employed at my servant. My loss of course is trivial to yours but as it is I feel his absence keenly.  Always cheerful and attentive I could not have wished for a better man. His end was painless in fact he died in his sleep; A shell hitting the trench about two yards in front and blowing the parapet in on top of him.  After removing the earth we found he had a wound to his chest and arm(?). But from his peaceful appearance I am positive it his end was instantaneous from concussion.
He was buried close to a railway arch wither a few hundred yards from the chemical works at Roeux and close to Fampoux. Assuring you of my deepest sympathy.
Yours very sincerely
T Bradbury  St
.........................................................

Letter from CA Robinson's Officer sent 15 May 1917 (thanks to FP)
Click to enlarge

Harold Porter 1889-1917

Harold's Medal Card showing his date of arrival in France (from Ancestry)

Born:
1889 at Stairfoot, Barnsley

Son of:
William Henry Porter b.1861 Aldam Mill, Wombwell d.1934 Cudworth
1911: 50 Lunn Road, Cudworth, a Coal Miner at Monk Bretton Colliery
married at St Paul's, Monk Bretton on 25 August 1881 to
Susannah Porter (maiden name Walker) b.1861 Monk Bretton d.1942 Cudworth

Position in family: The fourth of 8 children (one had died before 1911)
1. Arthur Porter b.1882
2. William Henry Porter b.1885 WW1 SERVICE d.1948 Cudworth
3. Edgar Porter b.1886 WW1 WOUNDED d. 1964 Cudworth
4. Harold Porter b.1889 WW1 KILLED
5. Cora E Porter b.1892
6. Lawrence Porter b.1894
7. Frank Porter b.1896
8. Lilian Irene Porter b.1901 d.1908

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 33 Gordon Street, Stairfoot, aged 1
1901: Gregg Row, Stairfoot, aged 12, Scholar
1911: 50 Lunn Road, Cudworth, aged 21, Coal Miner at Grimethorpe Colliery

Marriage: Harold was unmarried

Military Service:
Enlisted: ?
Arrived in France on 24 March 1915
Regiment and Battalion:    Royal Army Medical Corp 108th Field Ambulance
Service number and rank:  10627 Private
Awards: 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Death:     10 October 1917 near Havrincourt, France, aged 28 years
Buried at: Ruyaulcourt Military Cemetery
Grave Reference: F 2

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Porter, of 50, Lunn Rd., Cudworth, Barnsley.

Remembered:
Cudworth Cemetery, Harold Porter RAMC
Cudworth Wesleyan Methodist Church, Fallen Scholars Memorial Tablet 
Cudworth Wesleyan Methodist Church, Harold Porter - tablet 
Cudworth War Memorial, St John's Church, Cudworth
 
Notes:
His brothers William and Edgar both enlisted in September 1914 so as Harold was sent to France in early 1915 it seems likely he enlisted early in the war too.

Edgar was discharged in April 1917 having been wounded.  William served throughout the war.

Harold left a will.

Probate Calendar Entry 1919  for Harold Porter (from Ancestry)

The Cudworth Local History and Heritage Group's book, Lest Cudworth Forgets, includes information on Harold.

Tom Jaques 1894-1917

Tom Jaques Barnsley Independent 30 June 1917
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)

Born:
30 June 1894 in Barnsley

Son of:
Tom Jaques b.1870 Barnsley d.1938
1911: 21 Tower Street, Hospital Porter
married at St Mary's Barnsley on 9 April 1892 to
Emily Jaques (maiden name Johnson) b.1871 d.1946

Position in family: The eldest of 5 children - 3 died young
1. Tom Jaques b.1894 WW1 MISSING/KILLED
2. Ethel Jaques b.1896
3. Sidney Jaques b.1900 d.1900
4. Doris b.1901 d.1901
5. Hilda Jaques b.1902 d.1903

Home address, age and occupation:
1901: 32 Brinckman Street age 6
1911: 21 Tower Street aged 16 Shop Assistant
1914: 21 Tower Street Grocery Assistant Agnes Road Co-op

Marriage: Tom was unmarried

Military Service:
Enlisted: December 1914 at the age of 20 years
In France from January 1917
Regiment and Battalion:    2nd/5th (Territorial Battalion) York & Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank:   240903 Lance Corporal
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Death:     3 May 1917 aged 22
CWGC Remembered: Arras Memorial Bay 8

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of Tom and Emily Jaques of 21 Tower Street, Barnsley.

Remembered: 
Barnsley British Co-Operative Society Memorial Tablet, Co-Op Funeralcare, Huddersfield Road  and on  Barnsley British Co-Operative Society, WW1 Roll of Honour, Co-Op Funeralcare, Huddersfield Road and on Barnsley, St George's Church and on a Family Gravestone in Barnsley Cemetery

Notes:
Printed under the heading "Missing Barnsley Territorial" with the photo above:

Barnsley Independent 30 June 1917
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)

"Amongst the large number of Barnsley lads who are officially reported missing after an attack between May 3rd and 4th is Lance-Corporal Tom Jaques, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Jaques, of 21, Tower Street. Lance-Corporal Jaques, whose 23rd birthday is tomorrow (Saturday) enlisted in the 2/5 York and Lancaster Regiment in December, 1914, and went out to France in January last. Since a boy he had been employed at the Agnes Road Branch of the local Co-operative Society, and was an esteemed member of the St. George's Church Institute. His last letter to his parents was written on May 2nd. A letter received this week from an officer holds out the slight hope that Lance-Corporal Jaques may have been taken prisoner, and needless to say, his parents will welcome any news of him." Barnsley Independent 30 June 1917

Richard Ward Wealthall 1895-1918

Richard's baptism at St John's Church, Cudworth (from Ancestry)

Born:
Q3 1895 in Great Houghton (9c 167 Hemsworth RD), baptised 5 April 1896 at St John's, Cudworth

Son of:
James Wealthall  b.1873? Carlton, Nottinghamshire d.16 August 1937 in Cudworth
1911: 236 Kings Terrace, Cudworth, a Locomotive Engine Driver on the Hull and Barnsley Railway (previously a Locomotive Fireman)
married at Barnsley in Q1 1897 (9c 260) to
Kate Wealthall (maiden name Ward) b.1877 Littleworth, Monk Bretton, Yorkshire d.6 June 1936 in Cudworth

Position in family: The eldest of 9 children - 4 died young
1. Richard Ward Wealthall, b.1895 WW1 KILLED
2. James Wealthall b.Q2 1897 d.Q2 1897
3. Ada Wealthall bap.15 Jan 1899 Cudworth d.Q1 1900
4. Mary Wealthall b.Q2 1900 d.Q2 1901
5. Harry Wealthall d.Q4 1902
6. Annie Wealthall b.Q4 1902 m Albert W Clare Q3 1925 (9c 581)
7. Betsy Wealthall b.Q2 1908 m Harry Maw 9 Dec 1931 in Cudworth
8. Laurence Wealthall b.Q1 1911
9. Arthur Wealthall b.Q3 1913

Home address, age and occupation:
1901: High Cudworth
1911: 236 Kings Terrace, Cudworth aged 15, Monk Bretton Colliery
1916: 236 Pontefract Road, Cudworth aged 20 years 8 months  Hanger on Pit Bottom

Marriage: Richard was unmarried.

Military Service:
Enlisted: 8 February 1916 at the age of 20 years 8 months
Regiment and Battalion: 2nd battalion West Riding Regiment (previously 4th reserve battalion York & Lancaster Regiment)
Service number and rank:  35400  Private
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Personal information:   5' 5" tall, 36.5" chest, weight 130.5lbs, brown hair, blue eyes, pale complexion, good physical development, scars on the corner of his left eye and back of his left hand.

Death:     24 October 1918 aged 23
Buried at: Verchain British Cemetery, Verchain-Maugre, France.
Grave Reference: B 11

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of James and Kate Wealthall, of 236, Pontefract Rd., Cudworth, Barnsley.

Remembered:
Cudworth War Memorial, St John's Church, Cudworth
Wealthall Family Gravestone in Cudworth Cemetery

Next of Kin form from Army Service Records (from Ancestry)

Notes:
Richard was born (1895) and baptised (1896) as Richard Ward, before his mother Kate married James Wealthall (1897).  However there is never any suggestion in the census or the army records or on James and Kate's gravestone that Richard was not James' son.  On the next of kin form (see right) sent out after Richard's death James states before a Justice of the Peace that Richard is his son.

Although Richard enlisted in February 1916 he was put in the Army Reserve at that point and he was not mobilised until April 1918.  This was probably because he was a miner and then by 1918, during the German advance we needed all the men we could get so he was called up.  His records state that he was transferred to the West Riding Regiment in September 1918 and Killed in Action in October, just seven weeks later.  

His letters and a testament (? bible) were returned to his family in May 1919.