Wednesday 25 June 2014

Charles Henry Cawthorne 1881-1917

Charles Henry Cawthorne Barnsley Chronicle 2 June 1917
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)

Born:
Q1 1881 in Barnsley (9c 172)

Son of:
William Cawthorne b.1861 Barnsley d.1886 buried St Thomas Worsbro' Dale

1881:  Coal Miner, 40 Winn Street, Barnsley
married at St John's Church, Barebones, Barnsley on 26 July 1880 to
Ann (nee Wroe) b.1861 Worsbro' Common, Barnsley d.1927 buried Barnsley Cemetery

She remarries 30 September 1888 at St George's Church, Barnsley to Mathew Linley.

Position in family: The eldest of 4 full siblings and 4 half siblings
1. Charles Henry Cawthorne b.1881 d.1917 WW1 KILLED

2. Mary A Cawthorne b.1882
3. Eliza Cawthorne b.1884
4. Florence Cawthorne b.1885
5. Harry Linley b.1890
6. Marion Linley b.1891
7. Walter Linley b.1893 m.1914 to Julia Crisp at St Thomas' Church Worsbro' Dale
8. Horace Linley b.1899

Home address, age and occupation:
1881: 40 Winn Street, Barnsley age 3 months

1891: 11 Crook Street, Barnsley age 10 (living with his maternal grandmother)
1901: *missing*
1911: 215 Dearne Street, South Elmsall, age 30 Coal Miner Hewer
1915: 14 Peel Street, Worsbro' Common Coal Miner

Marriage: 

He married to Ellen Maher (b.1890 Bedford Lee, Lancashire d.1943 Hemsworth Reg District) in Q1 1908 in Barnsley Reg District (9c 316)

Children: Two born to marriage before 1911, one dies before census; three children mentioned in 1917 newspaper cutting.
1. *died young*

2. Walter Cawthorne b.Oct 1910
3. William Cawthorne b.Sep 1914
4. *???*
 
Military Service:
Enlisted: March 1915 at the age of 34 years
Regiment and Battalion:    14th York & Lancaster Regiment (2nd Barnsley Pals)
Service number and rank:  14/787 Corporal (sometimes Sergeant)
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Death:     7 May 1917 aged 36
CWGC Remembered:  Arras Memorial Bay 8

Remembered:
 
Worsborough Common, St Lukes Church, Highstone Road
Lives of the First World War
 

Notes:

Charles' father William dies when he is five years old.  His mother remarries within two years to Matthew Linley. This may be why Charles is living with his grandmother Mary Wroe in the 1891 census.  

He is missing in the 1901 census and evidence from a newspaper cutting in the Barnsley Chronicle in 1916 suggests he was a regular soldier and served in the Boer War.  No evidence has been found to support this theory as yet, however there is a possibility he enlisted under an assumed name or maybe a name spelt slightly differently.

"... before I re-enlisted in this battalion, I was in one of the finest Regular regiments in the British army.  I fought side by side in India and on the frontier with men who feared nothing.  I was in some famous battles - such as Belmont, Modder River, Magersfontein, and others in South Africa, and I have seen troops in action in the British style; but I have never seen a more combined lot of dare devils than our own Barnsley battalions.  They are the finest soldiers I have ever been associated with."  Barnsley Chronicle 15 July 1916 

Charles is referred to throughout this piece and the one that announces his death in 1917 as a Sergeant, however his official records, his medal card and Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry refer to him as a Corporal, so his higher rank may have been temporary or an acting promotion.

He marries Ellen Maher in Barnsley in 1908, but in 1911 they are living in South Elmsall where his son Walter is born.  Another child is noted to have died between birth and 1911.  The 1917 newspaper cutting refers to "a wife and 3 children" - the name of his third surviving child is not yet known.

Barnsley Chronicle 26 May 1917
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)

"On May 7th Sergeant C.H. Cawthorne. Y and L, fell in action at the age of 36 years and he leaves a wife and 3 children who reside at 14, Peel Street, Worsbro' Common.  Before he enlisted in March 1915, the Sergeant worked at Round Green Colliery.  Captain W.C. Hankinson writes to the bereaved widow under date May 12th: - "Dear Mrs Cawthorne, It is my painful duty to have to inform you that Sergeant Cawthorne was killed in action on the 7th of this month.  He was at his post in one of the most dangerous parts of the whole British line, at a place where some of the fiercest fighting has taken place, and he was spared all suffering, being killed instantaneously.  He had only just come to my Company, but I have known him since the old days in England, and I feel we have lost a very brave and gallant soldier.  Let me assure you that the sympathy of the officers and men of his Company is with you at this time of trial and bereavement, and I pray that God in his good mercy will give you the strength to bear the burden He has put upon you."  Sergeant W. Bowen wrote: "I was further along the trench when I heard a shell burst.  I immediately ran to assist your husband, but he was beyond aid.  We of the platoon all sympathise with you in your sad bereavement.  Your husband was liked by all, and we have erected a cross on his grave, the exact position of which as been reported.  It will be one consolation to you to know that he died fighting for righteousness."  A further letter of sympathy has also been received from Second-Lieut Frank Baker."  Barnsley Chronicle 26 May 1917

This piece mentions a grave - however Charles Cawthorne has no known resting place and is remembered on the Arras Memorial.  He may have been buried by his comrades and his grave lost in subsequent movements of the battles across the same stretch of land.  However he may not have been buried at all if he was blown to pieces by the shell referred to by Sergeant Bowen who mentions a cross and grave just to be kind to the widow.

Ellen Cawthorne remarries in 1918 to Albert R Treacy.  She dies as Ellen Treacy in 1943.  There do not seem to be any children to this, her second, marriage.



Wednesday 18 June 2014

George Lyon(s) 1886-1916

George Lyons Barnsley Chronicle 12 August 1916
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)
Born:
Q4 1886 Barnsley (9c 202)

Son of:

Benjamin Lyon b. 1861 Marton, Lincolnshire d.1923 Barnsley
1911: Grocer's Warehouseman 24 Grove Street, Barnsley
married at ** on **
Emily ?? b.1864 Sandy, Bedfordshire d.1953 Barnsley

Position in family:
The third eldest of 12 children (2 died before 1911)
1. William Alfred b.Q3 1881 Pancras Registration District

2. Francis John b.1884 Barnsley
3. George b.Q4 1886 Barnsley WW1 KILLED
4. Florence Fanny b.1889 Barnsley
5. Arthur b.1892
6. Ernest b.16 June 1893 WW1 SERVICE
7. Emily Eliza b.1895 d.1896
8. Gladys May b.1898
9. Alice b.1902
10. Walter b.1906
11. Albert b. 1907
12. Gwendoline Florence b.1908 d.1908

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 37 Tune Street, Barnsley age 4
1901: 1 Corporaton Street, Barnsley age 14 Glass Worker Bottle
1911: 20a Highstone Lane, Worsboro' Common, Barnsley age 24 Coal Miner Hewer
1914 on enlistment: 13 Highstone Street, Worsboro' Common   Miner

Marriage: George was married twice.
Firstly to Mary Agnes Holt on 9 July 1910 at St Peter's Church, Barnsley.  She died in 1913 and is buried in Barnsley Cemetery.

Secondly to Mary Jane Bashforth on 25 January 1915 at St Peter's Church, Barnsley.

Children:
1. Arthur Lyons b.1910 d.May 1911

2. Lily Lyons b.1913 d.December 1918
3. Gladys Ada Lyons b. 9 Sept 1915

On his service record George also mentions
Frances Bashforth b.28 Sept 1912 - presumably Mary Jane's child before their marriage.

Military Service:
Enlisted: September 1914 at the age of
aged 27 years 329 days
Arrived in France: 11 March 1916
Regiment and Battalion:   13th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank:  13/564 Private
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Personal information:   5' 6" tall, 39" chest, 147lbs, good physical development

Death:     1 July 1916 aged 31 years
Buried at: Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps
Grave Reference: I D 10


Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of Benjamin and Emily Lyon, of 24, Grove St., Barnsley, Yorks.
 

Remembered:
Worsborough Common, St Lukes Church, Highstone Road 
Barnsley, St Peter's Church, Doncaster Road 

Notes: 
His widow Mary Jane (nee Bashforth) remarries in Q4 1918 to Frederick Ryder and later lived at 67 Highstone Lane, Worsbro' Common, Barnsley.  They have four children together, Frederick b.1921, Harry b.1922, Ellen b.1925 and Doris b.1928.


Map snip showing Grove Street, top right and St Peter's Church, bottom centre
(map from Old Maps)




Monday 9 June 2014

Arthur Wray 1891-1916

Arthur Wray Barnsley Chronicle 19 August 1916
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)
Born:
He was born in April 1891 in Yorkshire and baptised on 17th May 1891 at St John the Baptist, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England

Son of:
Arthur Wray b. about 1862 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.  d. Mar 1941 in Barnsley, Yorkshire West Riding. In 1911 he was a Bootmaker and lived at 13 Park Road, Barnsley
Married on 11 Dec 1883 in Silkstone with Stainborough, All Saints, Yorkshire
Mary Emma Winter, daughter of George Winter. She was born about 1867 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England.

Position in family: The 3rd eldest of 9 children of whom 6 were living in 1911
1.    ALFRED WRAY was born in Jul 1884 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. (He possibly died between 1901 and 1911). In 1901 he worked as a “taker in” in a glass bottle works.
2.    POLLY WRAY was born in Apr 1889 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
3.    ARTHUR WRAY was born in Apr 1891 in Yorkshire  WW1 KILLED
4.    MABEL WRAY was born in Jan 1894 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. She died in Apr 1895 in Yorkshire West Riding
5.    ALICE HILDA WRAY was born on 28 Apr 1898 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
6.    FRANK WRAY was born about 1902 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
7.    STANLEY WRAY was born on 07 Nov 1903 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
8.    LILY WRAY was born on 24 Oct 1908 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: Baptism, 50 Joseph Road, Barnsley
1901: 26 Park Road, Barnsley; 9
1911: 13 Park Road, Barnsley; 20; Bottle Maker
1915 at enlistment: 46 Windermere Road Barnsley, 24

He was unmarried

Military Service:
Enlisted: 7 June 1915 at the age of 24 years 1½ months
Regiment and Battalion:    3/5 York and Lancaster; posted to 1/5th Battalion
Service number and rank:  4092; Private
Awards: Victory and British War Medals

Personal information:  5’ 4½   tall, 34” chest.

Death:         2 July 1916 aged 25
CWGC Remembered: Thiepval Memorial; Pier and Face 14 A and 14 B.
 

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of Arthur and Mary Emma Wray, of 46, Windermere Rd., Barnsley.

Remembered:
Barnsley, Redfearn Brothers Glassworks & Aldham Works War Memorial 

Barnsley, Redfearn Bros Ltd Roll of Honour
Barnsley, St Peter's Church, Doncaster Road

Notes:
According to their war diary the 1/5th York and Lancaster regiment were in the areas of Aveluy Wood and Thiepval Wood on the 1st and 2nd July 1916.  These were the first two days of the battle of the Somme.   


This soldier's story has been submitted by Peter West.


Barnsley Chronicle 5 August 1916
(thanks to Barnsley Archives)
This newspaper snip from the Barnsley Chronicle 5 August 1916 gives a little more information about the death of Private Arthur Wray.

Note that his date of death is given as 3rd July, based on a letter from Arthur's officer, Second Lieutenant Beetham who also tells Arthur's mother that he was "killed instantaneously by a shell while on duty".  That appears to be an important point and it is repeated at the end of the piece - that he "died at his post manfully fighting for his King and country".


Arthur Wray's baptism entry from St John's church, Barnsley (from Ancestry)



Saturday 7 June 2014

Harry Field 1896-1915

Harry Field (picture from Memories of Barnsley issue 13)

Born:
1896 in Barnsley, Yks (Q2 9c 216)

Baptised at Barnsley St George's on 11 November 1896
(address 97 Princess Street, Barnsley)

Son of:
Albert Field b.1872 in Barnsley, d.1943 in Barnsley

1911: Brass Finisher at 4 Mount Street
married at St George's Barnsley on 1st February 1892 to

Margaret Field (maiden name Fevers) b.1872 in Barnsley, d.1940 in Barnsley

Position in family: The eldest son and third child of seven children
1. Ethel Field b.1893
2. Isabel Field b.1894

3. Harry Field b.1896 WW1 KILLED
4. Zilpha Field b.1899
5. Alice Field b.1901
6. Margaret Field b.1902
7. Alexander Graham Field b.1904

Home address, age and occupation:
1901: 11 Waterloo Road, Barnsley
1911: 4 Mount Street, Barnsley aged 14, Glass Bottle makers Apprentice
1914 on enlistment: 4 Mount Street, Barnsley aged 17, Glasshand at Redfearns Glassworks

Military Service:
Enlisted in the Territorials: 23 January 1914 at the age of 17 years 9 months

Arrived in France 13 April 1915
Regiment and Battalion:    1st/5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank:  1833 Private
Awards: 1915 star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Personal information:   

(at age 17 years 9 months) 5' 1" tall, 33" chest, good vision, fair physical development 
(at age 18 years 30 days) 5' 5" tall, 35" chest,

Death:     25 May 1915 aged 19 years
Buried at: Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier
Grave Reference: G 27

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of Albert and Margaret Field, of 4 Mount Street, Barnsley

Remembered:

Barnsley, Redfearn Brothers Glassworks & Aldham Works
Barnsley Swimming Club, Race Street, Barnsley
 

Notes:
 

From the Spring 2010, issue no.13 of Memories of Barnsley:

"Harry joined the Barnsley Territorials and was recognised as an excellent shot, and in open competitions at the Drill Hall he was amongst the prize winners.  He was also a keen footballer and cross-country runner.  Harry’s death was mentioned in a letter home by Private R Featherstone: ‘On Monday night, 24 May, about 8 o’clock we were told that a bombardment of the German trenches was to take place and on the stroke of the hour eighty big guns were bursting forth their large and deadly shells.  This went on for an hour, the explosions were like thunder and the earth trembled.  The place was like an inferno.  The Germans were retaliating and their shells burst all around us.  At half-past three the following morning I was standing next to Harry Field and the last words he said to me were “Cocky, I am going to sleep with thee.”  But Harry never came!  I shall never forget it as long as I live.  We had not been asleep above quarter of an hour when Private A Reed came and woke me up saying that poor Harry Field was dead and Percy Hague had been wounded.  A shell had burst where they were sleeping.  This is the fifth night in the trenches and we are ready for a rest.  It makes you think of home when you see a night like this.  We all send our deepest sympathy to Mr and Mrs Field."   
...................................

His personal effects were returned to his family - Two discs, a watch, a prayer book, a safety razor, a comb and a pocket book. (Information from his Army Service Records on Ancestry)