Tuesday 4 October 2016

Frederick Swaine 1888-1917

Barnsley Chronicle 26 May 1917 (with thanks to Barnsley Archives)
Born:
Frederick Swaine was born Q4 1888 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.

Son of:
Elijah Swaine was born Q2 1861 in Darton, Yorkshire, died in 1912 aged 52 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
In the 1911 census he was a Joiner living at 6 Vernon Street, Barnsley.
He was married in Barnsley, St John the Baptist on 20 May 1882 to Edith Truelove who was born abt. 1861 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, she died in Q4 1891 in Barnsley aged 31.

Second marriage Emmeline Wordsworth in Barnsley Q4 1893, m2. John T Rigby in 1916

Position in family: The 4th of 6 children (plus 3 half-siblings)
1. Florence Swaine born about 1883 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. m. Edgar Sidebottom 1905

2. John William Swaine born on Q4 1885 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. He married Elizabeth Jane Anderson who born about 1889 in Seaham Harbour, Durham, in Jul 1908 in Easington, Durham. 
3. Alice Ann Swaine born about 1887 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. m. Harry Jones 1915
4. Frederick Swaine born in Oct 1888 in Barnsley, Yorkshire Died 09 Apr 1917 WW1 KILLED
5. Annie Swaine born 1890 Barnsley
6. Ethel Swaine born 4 Nov 1891 (living with grandparents 1901) married George A Midgley in Q4 1938 in Barnsley.
Half Siblings
6. Eleanor Swaine born 1896 Barnsley
7. Maude Swaine born 1898 Barnsley. m. Isaac Wainwright 1917
8. Doris Swaine born 1903 Barnsley m. Fred Harding 1925 d.1937
 

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 2 Beckett Street, Barnsley, age 2
1901: 6 Vernon Street, Barnsley, age 12
1911: No census record found

1911 at marriage: 31 John Edward Street, age 23, Machine Blower

Marriage:

He married Clara Hardcastle, born about 1891, on 20 September 1911 at St Mary's Church in Barnsley, Yorkshire.  

Clara remarried in Q3 1919 to John Jackson.

Children:    
1.  Annie Swaine was born in Jan 1912 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. She married Norman Mason, born about 1912, on 01 Jan 1935 in Barnsley, St Mary, Yorkshire. 
2.  Leonard Swaine was born in Jan 1914 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. Died 1997.

Military Service:
Enlisted: Estimated from war gratuity payment, February 1915, age 27. 
Regiment and Battalion:  York and Lancaster Regiment 14th Battalion
Service number and rank:  495 Private
Regiment and Battalion:  Northumberland Fusiliers 21st (Tyneside Scottish) battalion (1)
Service number and rank:  389824 Private
Awards: British War Medal and Victory Medal

Death: 9th April 1917, age 29
Buried at: Roclincourt Valley Cemetery (2)
Grave Reference: IV. A. 15

Remembered:

Barnsley, Redfearn Brothers Glassworks & Aldham Works Memorial Tablet
Barnsley, St Mary's Combined War Memorial
Barnsley Redfearn Brothers Roll of Honour

Notes and Links:
Lives of the First World War
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
 
(1) The 21st Battalion was part of 102nd Brigade in the 34th Division.  Fred was killed on the first day of the battle of the Scarpe; part of the Arras offensive in 1917.
(2) He was originally buried nearer the front line but later re-buried in 1919. 



This biography was submitted to the Barnsley War Memorials Project by Peter West in August 2016.

Walter Newsome 1877-1917

In Memoriam Notice Barnsley Chronicle 7 December 1918
(with thanks to Barnsley Archives)
Born: 
Walter Newsome was born abt. Q1 1877 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.

Son of:
James Newsome who was born abt. 1855 in Heckmondwike, Yorkshire and died in Q2 1911 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
In the 1911 census he was a Coal Miner, Hewer living at 44 Rock Street, Barnsley.
He was married in Barnsley in Q4 1876 to Frances Witham who was born abt. 1855 in Dodworth, Yorkshire, she died Q3 1903 in Barnsley.

Position in family:
The oldest of 6 surviving children in 1911.
1.    Walter Newsome was born in Jan 1877 in Barnsley, Yorks. He died on 01 Dec 1917 in Palestine. WW1 DIED
2.    George Newsome was born about 1881 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. He married Emma Goldsby. She was born about 1883 in Sandal, Yorkshire.
3.    Harry Newsome was born about 1885 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
4.    Lily Newsome was born in Oct 1887 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. She married Arthur Winterbottom, child of William Winterbottom and Mary, on 15 Apr 1911 in Barnsley, St Mary, Yorkshire. Arthur was born about 1885 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
5.    Frank Newsome was born about 1891 in Barnsley Silkstone, Yorkshire.
6.    Sidney Newsome was born about 1894 in Barnsley Silkstone, Yorkshire. He married Florence Bailey on 25 Dec 1913 in Ardsley. WW1 SERVICE
 

Home address, age and occupation:
1881: 36 Slack Hills, Barnsley, age 4. 
1891: 52 Rock Street, Barnsley, age 14, Glass Bottle Hand.
1901: 44 Rock Street, Barnsley, age 24, Glass Bottle Maker
1911: 48 Summer Street, Barnsley, age 34, Bottle Blower. 

Marriage:
He married Annie Hartshorne on 30 Mar 1902 in Barnsley, St George, Yorkshire. She was born about 1884 in Denaby, Yorkshire.   

Children:    
1.    James Newsome was born about 1903 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, baptised on 23 May 1907 in Barnsley, St Mary, West Yorkshire.
2.    Edith Newsome was born in Jan 1905 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, baptised on 23 May 1907 in Barnsley, St Mary, West Yorkshire.
3.    Lily Newsome was born about 1908 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
4.    Anne Newsome was born about 1909 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.

Military Service:
Enlisted: Enlistment (mobilisation) date estimated from gratuity payment, March 1915, age 38
Regiment and Battalion:  Royal Scots Fusiliers 1st/5th Battalion
Service number and rank:  241572 Private
Awards: British War Medal and Victory Medal

Death:     1 December 1917, age 41
Buried at:      Ramleh War Cemetery, Palestine
Grave Reference: H. 18.

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

Links and Notes:

Lives of the First World War
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

He died in 32 Field Ambulance Palestine.


We can find no picture of this man in the Barnsley newspapers, or report of his death. The 'In Memoriam' notice shown above was published one year later.

This biography was submitted to the Barnsley War Memorials Project by Peter West in August 2016. 

Thursday 15 September 2016

John Metcalfe 1895 - 1916

John Metcalfe Barnsley Chronicle 24 June 1916

Born: In Q1 1895 in Barnsley. He was 

Baptized: on 26 Feb 1895 in Barnsley, St George, Yorkshire, England.

Son of:
John Metcalfe was born abt. 1859 in Ripon, Yorkshire, England and died in Q3 1906 in Barnsley, Yorkshire West Riding. 
In the 1901 census he was a Bobbin Maker living at 20 Sackville Street, Barnsley.
He was married in Barnsley, St Mary on 24 May 1884 to Sarah Jane Bexon who was born Q2 1864 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. She married John Greaves Smith born abt. 1864 in Lancashire, labourer, on 26 Dec 1907 in Barnsley.

Position in family: The 3rd of 5 natural siblings.
1    Ernest Metcalfe born 01 Feb 1889 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England, baptised 10 Apr 1889 in Barnsley, St Mary, Yorkshire, England and died 14 Jul 1916 in France and Flanders WW1 KILLED
2    Jane Metcalfe born 05 Feb 1891 in Barnsley baptised 06 Sep 1891 in Barnsley, St Mary, Yorkshire, England
3    John Metcalfe born Q1 1895 in Barnsley baptised 26 Feb 1895 in Barnsley, St George, died on 31 May 1916 in France WW1 KILLED
4    Thomas Bexon Metcalfe born abt. 1901 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England
5    Martha Metcalfe born abt. 1897 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England
 

Home address, age and occupation:
1901: 20 Sackville Street, Barnsley, age 6. 
1911: Mount Vernon Road, Barnsley, age 16, Marble Maker.   

Marriage:  
  He was not married


Military Service:
Enlisted: Enlistment date estimated from gratuity payment, January 1915 age 20
Regiment and Battalion: York and Lancaster Regiment 14th service (2nd Barnsley Pals) Battalion
Service number and rank:  14/174 Private
Awards: British War Medal and Victory Medal

Death:     31 May 1916 aged 21
Buried at:     Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps
Grave Reference: I.F. 48


Remembered: 
Barnsley, Redfearn Brothers Glassworks & Aldham Works Memorial Tablet
Worsborough Combined Memorial, St Thomas And St James Church, Worsborough Dale  

 
Notes:

Lives of the First World War
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Extract from the War Diary for 14th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment
In the Field 31st May:
Weather misty in morning, afterwards fine.
Enemy active with light guns & shrapnel over various parts of our sector, special attention being paid to the front line.
Enemby also very active with cannister bombs & rifle grenages.
Casualties 17 killed & 7 wounded.
Section of Trench Map showing area in front of Serre, where the 13th & 14th Y&L attacked on 1 July 1916
Blue lines are British trenches, Red lines are German trenches
This biography was submitted to the Barnsley War Memorials Project by Peter West in August 2016.

Ernest Metcalfe 1889 - 1916

Ernest Metcalfe Barnsley Chronicle 26 August 1916
with thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 01 Feb 1889 in Barnsley, Yorkshire
Baptised: 10 Apr 1889 in Barnsley, St Mary, Yorkshire.

Son of:
John Metcalfe was born abt. 1859 in Ripon, Yorkshire, England and died in Q3 1906 in Barnsley, Yorkshire West Riding. 
In the 1901 census he was a Bobbin Maker living at 20 Sackville Street, Barnsley.
He was married in Barnsley, St Mary on 24 May 1884 to Sarah Jane Bexon who was born Q2 1864 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. She married John Greaves Smith born abt. 1864 in Lancashire, labourer, on 26 Dec 1907 in Barnsley.

Position in family:
The oldest of 5 natural siblings.
1    Ernest Metcalfe born 01 Feb 1889 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, baptised 10 Apr 1889 in Barnsley, St Mary, Yorkshire and died 14 Jul 1916 in France and Flanders WW1 KILLED
2    Jane Metcalfe born 05 Feb 1891 in Barnsley baptised 06 Sep 1891 in Barnsley, St Mary, Yorkshire. 
3    John Metcalfe born Q1 1895 in Barnsley baptised 26 Feb 1895 in Barnsley, St George, died on 31 May 1916 in France WW1 KILLED
4    Thomas Bexon Metcalfe born abt. 1901 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
5    Martha Metcalfe born abt. 1897 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. 
 

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 10 Pinfold Hill, Barnsley, age 2.
1901: 20 Sackville Street, Barnsley, age 12.
1911: Mount Vernon Road, Barnsley, age 22, Bottle maker. 

Marriage: He was not married

Military Service:
Enlisted: Enlistment date estimated from gratuity payment, May 1915, age 26
Regiment and Battalion:  1st Kings Own Scottish Borderers, 1st Battalion
Service number and rank:  18828 Private
Theatre of War: Balkans 15 November 1915
Awards: 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal

Death:     14 July 1916, age 27
CWGC Remembered:  Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Panel Reference: Pier and Face 4 A and 4 D.

Remembered: 

Barnsley, Redfearn Brothers Glassworks & Aldham Works Memorial Tablet
Worsborough Combined Memorial, St Thomas And St James Church, Worsborough Dale 

Notes:

Lives of the First World War
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

There are no casualties recorded in the 1/KOSB war diary for 14th July 1916 (although 20 deaths are recorded by the CWGC for the 14th) the 87th Brigade of which they were a part was out of the line for reorganisation and re-equipment from the 10th to the 16th.  It is therefore possible he was killed earlier in the month.


This biography was submitted to the Barnsley War Memorials Project by Peter West in August 2016.

Thursday 8 September 2016

Walter Jackson 1899 - 1918

Extract from Gazette showing Walter Jackson's Military Medal award (from The Gazette)
Born: Q3 1899 in Barnsley, Yorkshire

Son of: 

Edward Jackson who was born about 1869 in Wroot, Lincolnshire.  In the 1911 census he was a Blacksmith living at 5 Tower Street, Barnsley.
His mother was Harriet Platts Batley born Q1 1867 in Worsborough, Yorkshire.  She married Edward Jackson in Ardsley, Barnsley on 25 December 1890. 

Position in family: The 4th of 7 children still living in 1911.
1.    Ida Jackson was born about 1894 in Ardsley, Yorkshire, and was baptized on 12 Oct 1893 in Ardsley, Yorkshire.
2.    Ethel Jackson was born about 1895 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England and was baptized on 06 Feb 1895 in Barnsley, St John the Baptist, Yorkshire.
3.    Edward Jackson was born about 1898 in Barnsley, Yorkshire and was baptized on 26 Jan 1898 in Barnsley, St John the Baptist, Yorkshire.
4.    Walter Jackson was born Q3 1899 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. He died on 14 Sep 1918 in France and Flanders. WW1 DIED OF WOUNDS
5.    Frank Jackson was born on 05 Oct 1901 in Barnsley, Yorkshire and was baptized on 19 Mar 1902 in Barnsley, St John the Baptist, Yorkshire.
6.    Frederick Jackson was born on 01 Jul 1904 in Barnsley, Yorkshire and was baptized on 10 Aug 1904 in Barnsley, St John the Baptist, Yorkshire.
7.    Nora Batley Jackson was born on 07 Aug 1906 in Barnsley, Yorkshire and was baptized on 26 Sep 1906 in Barnsley, St John the Baptist, Yorkshire.

Home address, age and occupation:
1901: 5 Tower Street, Barnsley, age 1. 
1911: 5 Tower Street, Barnsley, age 11, School

Marriage: He was not married. 

Military Service:
Enlisted: Estimated from his gratuity payment as being less than 12 months from date of death.
Regiment and Battalion:     52 Graduated Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (formed on 27 October 1917)
Service number and rank:  TR/5/19863, Private
Regiment and Battalion:     Durham Light Infantry, 9th Battalion*
Service number and rank:  82159, Private
Awards: Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal

Death:         19 September 1918
Buried at:     Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille
Grave Reference:        IV. A. 23.
Headstone Inscription: Peace Perfect Peace

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of Edward and Harriet P. Jackson, of 5, Tower St., Barnsley, Yorks.

Remembered: 

Barnsley, Redfearn Brothers Glassworks & Aldham Works Memorial Tablet

Notes:
Lives of the First World War


* although the “UK, WWI Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920” records his battalion as being the 20th.
Soldiers Died in the Great War records he formerly served in the West Riding Regiment 32315
In the entry for the award of his Military Medal, he was listed as serving with the Durham Light Infantry.

The war diary of 9/DLI for 16th October 1918 records the award of his M.M. (Courtesy National Archives)
14th Sept
As B Coy withdrew at 4.0am to be clear of barrage of 2/20th London who attacked final objective. Attack was successful. A & B Coy in reestablishing this line took 2 officers & 49 OR prisoners. Very heavy shelling throughout the afternoon & evening. At dark C Coy came back KITTEN TRENCH & A Coy to YORKSHIRE BANK and B Coy was attached to 9th Duke of Wellingtons do Reserve Coy.
Casualties 2 OR killed & 2 wounded
This is the war diary entry for the 14th September when he was killed, this is during the battle of Havrincourt- the first time the Hindenburg Line was breached in this location.  However, the cemetery he is buried in is near Boulogne so it is probable he was wounded earlier and died in a Casualty Clearing Station or hospital.



William Feeley 1892 - 1916

William Feeley Barnsley Independent 8 July 1916
with thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: In Q2 1892 in Barnsley.

Son of:
Unknown father
His mother was Ellen Feeley (nee Donohue) who was born abt. 1856 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. She is shown in the 1891 census as a widow, aged 36, employed as a Linen Weaver living at Freemans Yard, Barnsley.  She died in 1919.

Position in family: The youngest of 5 children.
1    Patrick Feeley Born Q2 1875
2    Thomas Feeley born Q1 1881
3    Sarah Feeley born Q3 1886
4    Joseph Feeley born Q2 1890
5    William Feeley born Q2 1892 WW1 KILLED
 

Home address, age and occupation:
1901: 3 Court 4 Wilson Street, Barnsley age 8.
1911: Nelson Street, Barnsley, age 18, Glass Blower. 

Marriage:  He was not married


Military Service:
Enlisted: Enlistment date estimated from gratuity payment, September 1914 age 22
Regiment and Battalion: Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 9th Battalion.
Service number and rank:  16272 Private
Awards: 15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal

Death:     10th June 1916, age 24
Buried at:     Dartmoor Cemetery Becordel-Becourt
Grave Reference: I.D. 37

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Husband of Mrs S. Nelson formerly Feeley of 3 Wilson Street, Barnsley

Remembered: 

Barnsley, Redfearn Brothers Glassworks & Aldham Works Memorial Tablet

Notes: 

Lives of the First World War 

Although the CWGC records him as being married to S. Nelson there is no evidence of this marriage.  The UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 records his war gratuity was left to his sister Sarah Nelson on 7th September 1919… although his back pay had been granted to his mother Ellen as sole legatee in 1916.
Sarah Feeley married George Nelson in Q1 1917.


This biography was submitted to the Barnsley War Memorials Project by Peter West in August 2016.

Thursday 25 August 2016

John Derbyshire 1892 - 1917

Barnsley Independent 2 February 1918
with thanks to Barnsley Archives
Born: In Q2 1892 in Barnsley.

Son of:
Unknown father
His mother was Catherine Derbyshire born abt. 1877 in Wigan, Lancashire; she married John Harrison on 14th August 1897 at St George’s Church, Wigan, Lancs.

Position in family: The youngest of 6 children.
1    John Derbyshire b abt. 1894 in Wigan WW1 KILLED
2    Timothy Harrison born abt 1899 in Standish WW1 SERVICE
3    Margaret Harrison born abt. 1901 in Standish
4    Mary A Harrison born abt. 1903 in Wigan
5    James Harrison born abt. 1908 in Barnsley
6    Jessie Harrison born abt. 1910 in Barnsley
 

Home address, age and occupation:
1901: 10 Heaton Street, Standish, Lancashire, age 7
1911: 42 Joseph Street age 17 Glass Hand Bottle Works

Marriage:
He married Mary Elizabeth Fletcher at St Nicholas, Cumberworth, Yorkshire on 24th May 1915.   
Children:     None

Military Service:
Enlisted: Enlistment date estimated from gratuity payment, October 1914
Regiment and Battalion: Yorkshire Light Infantry
Service number and rank:  18532 Private
Regiment and Battalion: York and Lancaster 10th Battalion attached to 63 T.M.B.
Service number and rank:  19740 Corporal
Awards: 15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal

Personal information:   Not Known

Death:     24th December 1917, age 23
Buried at:     Hooge Crater Cemetery
Grave Reference:    IXA. C. 7

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of James and Catherine Harrison, of Barnsley; husband of Mary Elizabeth Bailey (formerly Derbyshire), of 7, House, 5, Court, Joseph St., Barnsley.

Remembered: 

Barnsley, Redfearn Brothers Glassworks & Aldham Works Memorial Tablet

St John's Church, Barnsley - Oak Memorial Tablet

Notes & Links:
Lives of the First World War

This biography was submitted to the Barnsley War Memorials Project by Peter West in August 2016.

Albert Bateman 1896 - 1916

Barnsley Chronicle 16 September 1916
with thanks to Barnsley Archives
Born: In Q3 1896 in Sculcoates, Hull.

Son of:
George William Bateman who was born about 1862 in Pollington, Yorkshire, England. He was killed in an accident, falling down the shaft, at Ryland’s Main Colliery in Barnsley on 03 Jun 1891 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. At the time he was employed as a Pit Setter and lived at 33 Waltham Street, Barnsley.
His mother was Sarah Ann Hunt, born in Jan 1863 in South Wales. She married George Bateman in Oct 1883 in Sculcoates, Yorkshire East Riding.
She married Robert Frank Nutting, son of James Nutting, on 08 Jan 1894 in Ardsley By Barnsley, York, England. He was born in 1869 in Saffron Walden, Essex.

Position in family: The second of 10 children.
1.    George Bateman was born about 1885 in Hull, Yorkshire.
2.    Albert Horace Bateman was born in Q3 1886 in Sculcoates, Hull, Yorkshire, East, Riding, Northumberland. He died on 18 Aug 1916 in France. WW1 KILLED.
3.    Maud Victoria Bateman was born on 14 Nov 1889 in Batley, Yorkshire.
4.    Charles Henry Bateman was born on Q2 1891 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. He married Lily Waterfield, born about 1889 in Stockton On Fels, Durham, Q1 1909 in Barnsley, Yorkshire West Riding.
He had 6 step-siblings from his mother’s second marriage:
5.    Clarence Archibald Nutting was born about 1897 in Alloa, Scotland. He died on 19 Oct 1915 in France and Flanders. WW1 DIED
6.    Florence M Nutting was born about 1899 in Alloa.
7.    James Percy Nutting was born on 10 Aug 1900 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. He died in Dec 1975 in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
8.    Robert Norman Nutting was born about 1903 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
9.    Sarah Hellen Nutting was born about 1907 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
10.    Frank Harold Nutting was born on Q4 1894 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 33 Waltham Street, Barnsley, age 4.
1901: 6 Beevor Street, Barnsley, age 14, Glass Bottle Maker Apprentice.
1911: 5 Back Canning Street, Barnsley, age 24, Glass Hand Labourer.

Marriage:
He married Gertrude Barnes, born about 1888 in Clay Cross, Derbyshire.
on 16 May 1908 in Barnsley, St John the Baptist, Yorkshire. 


Children:    
1.    Annie Elizabeth Bateman was born about 1910 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England.

Military Service:
Enlisted: Enlistment date estimated from gratuity payment, August 1914
Regiment and Battalion:     King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 6th Bn
Service number and rank:  16202 Serjeant
Awards: 15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal

Death:         18 August 1916
Buried at:     Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval
Grave Reference:    XXIX G 1

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of George Arthur and Sarah Bateman, of Hoyle Mill, Barnsley; husband of Gertrude Horbury (formerly Bateman), of 43, Prospect St., Barnsley.


Remembered: 

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

Hoyle Mill Scholars, Bethel Chapel, Pontefract Road, Hoyle Mill 
Ardsley, Christ Church, Christ Church Parishioners - WW1 Plaque

Notes & Links:
Lives of the First World War
 
KOYLI War diary 6 battalion casualty return
Source Citation:
The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; First World War and Army of Occupation War Diaries; Class: WO 95
Source Information
Ancestry.com. UK, WWI War Diaries (France, Belgium and Germany), 1914-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.


This biography was submitted to the Barnsley War Memorials Project by Peter West in August 2016.

Sunday 1 May 2016

Harold Bradley born Barnsley 1898

Memories from Anne Griffiths (nee Bradley)

Harold was my father and I understand he left the Army as a Lance Corporal, though the 1918 AVL shows him still as a Private.  

Ward    PD    No    Surname    Forenames    Street    House No    Service No    Rank    Battalion    Regiment
West    13P    3996    Bradley    Harold      Keir Street    48              45322              Pte        18th           D L I


I understand he fought on the Somme and that he was shot through the leg. He also suffered some lung damage due to gas attack. 

Dad was typical of the WW1 veterans in that he spoke very little of his experiences. I do, however, clearly remember (late 1950s) asking him what had caused a small scar on his shin and he told me he'd been shot whilst trying to escape the Germans.... finding himself (as a Lance Corporal) the most senior ranking, it was his duty to lead a small group of soldiers in an escape attempt.  He showed me the scar higher up and at the back of his leg.... it seems the bullet travelled clean through! And, as a result, that leg was 3/4" shorter than the other, so he had his suits made to measure to accommodate the difference, and he didn't have a limp.


The only other information I could glean from him was that he was in the Durham Light Infantry and that he'd had the most awful time, spending "36 hours up to the armpits in freezing mud". He also experienced mustard gas attacks, which left him with a slight, permanent, impairment.

I remember seeing a rolled-up  poster advertising a concert; I was told it was from his time as a POW and he was very proud of it because his name was on it, together with that of Maurice Chevalier (playing a much more starring role than my Dad of course). No-one left in the family remembers ever seeing this, and the lack of evidence of his being a POW was making me doubt my own memory. So it's particularly good to have confirmation of this from you. Having googled Maurice Chevalier, I found evidence of him being a POW in Alten Grabow camp but it appears that may have been in WW2. Perhaps, now that I've managed to trace my father's regt number and POW number, I just might manage to get to the bottom of this too.

My father was a member of a concert party, in Barnsley after the war. He sang and played piano and cello. It's possible there will be other cuttings about him in the Barnsley Chronicle, particularly as I remember my Mum & Dad attending the Royal Garden Party in 1947. Having left school at the age of 10, he worked for the BBCS as an errand boy, working his way up to be Traffic Manager, in charge of travelling shops, delivery wagons, taxis, funeral and wedding cars and coaches. 


I have very few photos of my parents (the family album being dispersed amongst my older siblings) so I must make some time to visit Barnsley and trawl through the Chronicle Archives to see if there is any more evidence I can hand on to my grand children.
............................................................

Anne gave us permission to share her memories following an exchange of emails on 1 May 2016, for which we are grateful.

Harold Bradley's Lives of the First World War entry

This was the information we were able to give Anne; according to our index to the Barnsley Chronicle his name appears at least three times in the Barnsley Chronicle in August 1918:
 
10/08/1918    4    Bradley    Harold    DLI    Pte    Local Casualties - POW in Germany, aged 19, wounded, mother Mrs Bradley, 48 Keir St, Barnsley.
17/08/1918    4    Bradley    H     45322 18th DLI    Pte    POW - 48 Keir St, Barnsley 
24/08/1918    4    Bradley    H    18th DLI    Pte 45322    POW List. 35408, SP Stargard.  48 Keir St, Barnsley.


He may appear in other issues, but Anne will need to go to Barnsley Archives to check our index (we do hope to make it available online eventually) and then use the digitised Barnsley Chronicle to access the full articles.  Printouts of any interesting pieces can be made for a small fee.

Tuesday 29 March 2016

William Poskitt 1896-1916

Barnsley Chronicle 4 November 1916
with thanks to Barnsley Archives
Born:
8 Oct 1896 Barnsley


Son of:
William Poskitt b.1865 Allerton Bywater d.1907 28 Mill Street, buried Barnsley Cemetery

In 1901: Afflicted, Blind, Not at Work, previously Collier
married at St George's Barnsley on 21 September 1885
Rose Ann Price b.1867 Sheffield (Factory Hand at marriage, dau of Isaac Price)
She remarries on 22 January 1921 to John Land, a widower, at St George's, Barnsley and dies in January 1947. Buried in Barnsley Cemetery with her second husband.

Position in family: in 1911 Rose Ann reports 11 children, 2 of whom had died
1. Walter Poskitt b.1885 Barnsley 
WW1 KILLED served in 14th Y&L (2nd Barnsley Pals)
2. Priscilla Poskitt b. 1887 Higham m.1908 to Edwin Betony WW1 KILLED
3. Mary Poskitt b.1890 Pontefract
4. Thomas Poskitt b.1891 Pogmoor d.1948 buried Barnsley Cemetery with his father
5. Annie Poskitt b. April 1892 d. October 1892 buried Barnsley Cemetery
6. Frances Poskitt b.1893 Barnsley
7. William Poskitt b.1896 WW1 KILLED
8. George Ernest Poskitt b. April 1899 d. March 1900 buried Monk Bretton
9. George Poskitt b.27 March 1901 Monk Bretton

*after the death of William snr*
10. Florence Barraclough Poskitt b.1909
11. Emily B Poskitt b.1910

Home address, age and occupation:
1891: 55 Cresswell Street, Pogmoor (before William was born)

1901: 3 Day's Court, Old Mill, Barnsley aged 4
1911: 22 Allatt Street, Barnsley aged 14, Pony Driver in Coal Mine
1914: 22 Allatt Street, Barnsley age 17  Coal miner at Grimethorpe Colliery

Marriage: William was unmarried.

Military Service:
Enlisted:  August 1914 aged 17
Regiment and Battalion:    York and Lancaster Regiment 6th Battalion
Service number and rank:  3/2926 Private

Entered Theatre of War: Egypt  18 September 1915
Awards: 1915 Star, Victory Medal, British War Medal

Death:     29 September 1916 aged 21

CWGC Remembered:  Theipval Memorial, Pier & Face 14A & B

Remembered:
Barnsley, St John's Church, Barebones (Oak Tablet lost when church demolished, replacement memorial soon to be placed in St Peter's Church, Doncaster Road, Barnsley)


Notes:

Lives of the First World War
Commonwealth War Graves Commission


A report of William and his brother Walter's deaths' appears in the Barnsley Chronicle on 4 November 1916.

"Barnsley Brothers Killed - A Mother's Heavy Bereavement
Official news has been received that Private William Poskitt, 6th Y. and L. Regiment, has fallen in action, and following this intimation comes the announcement of the fact that his brother  Lance-Corporal Walter Poskitt, 2nd Barnsley Battalion, has been killed. They are both Barnsley lads, their distressed mother residing at 2, Lower Joseph Street. William joined the army at the outbreak of war, at which time he worked at Grimethorpe Colliery, but Walter served 16 years in the army  and was an employee at Monckton Colliery."

Both brothers' pictures appear in the newspaper.  Walter is remembered on the War Memorial at St John's Church, Cudworth. 

A brief biography of William appears in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour.  Volume 4, p.160.
Available on Ancestry.

"Poskitt, William, Private No. 3/2926, 6th (Service) Battn, The York and Lancaster Regt., s. of William Poskitt, Miner, by his wife, Rose Ann; b. Barnsley, co. York, 8 October 1896; edcu. St John's School there; was a Miner; enlisted in the York and Lancaster Regt. in Aug. 1914; served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at the Dardanelles; proceeded to Egypt; returned to England, after which he served with the Expeditionary Force in France and was killed in action 29 Sept. 1916. Buried where he fell. Lieut. Wedgwood wrote: "Your son was killed by a shell on Sept. 29th 1916. In a successful attach on a German trench he fell with several of his companions. I hope your grief at his loss will be softened by your pride in him as a soldier." Unm."

Photographs of William's medals appear on an Online Tree on Ancestry and have been used with permission of the owner.

This image shows the backs of William's 1914/15 Star and his Victory Medal. 


A close up of the engraving on the back of the Star clearly shows William's details.


3-2926
Pte W Poskitt
York & Lanc R


Tuesday 9 February 2016

Cyril Joseph Smith 1898-1917

Cyril Joseph Smith (photo from Janice Fox)
Born: Cagthorpe, Horncastle, Lincolnshire in 1898
 
Son of:
 
Daniel Burling Smith b.1854 Needlingworth, Huntingdonshire d.1927
1911: Gardener (Domestic) Common Lane, Royston, Yorks
married (1) at York in 1883 to Julia Roux d.1893

married (2) at Lincoln in 1894 to
Annie Raynor b.1871 Mexborough, Yorkshire d.1924 


Position in family: 
Eighth of eleven brothers and sisters including half siblings from his father’s first marriage.
1. Marrie Smith b.1885

2. George Smith b.1886
3. Lillian Smith b.1889

4. Annie Smith b.1890
5. Eric Raynor Smith b.1893  WW1 SERVED Royal Navy & Royal Air Force
6. Claude B Smith b.1895
7. Lionel G Smith b.1897
8. Cyril Joseph Smith b.1898  WW1 KILLED
9. Gladys I M Smith b.1900
10. Noel H Smith b. 1902
11. Audrey I N Smith b.1904

Home address, age and occupation:
1901:
27 Prospect Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire aged 2
1911: Common Lane, Royston aged 12

Marriage: He was unmarried

Military Service:
Enlisted: 22 December 1916 at the age of 18 years

Regiment and Battalion: York and Lancaster Regiment
Service number and rank: 39235
Regiment and Battalion:    Manchester Regiment 2nd/7th Battalion

Service number and rank:  42837 Private
Served in France from: 5 June 1917
Awards: Victory Medal, British War Medal

Death:     8 October 1917 aged 19
CWGC Remembered: Tyne Cot Memorial


Remembered:
Royston War Memorial
 

Notes:
Lives of the First World War
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The Information in this post has mainly been sent to us from Janice Fox (nee Smith). Cyril was her great uncle.  Janice has a website remembering the men
who served in WW1 from the village of Saxlingham in Norfolk, where she now lives. It can be found here.  The following is additional information she has supplied.

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

By 1910 the family were living in Common Lane Royston. Daniel worked as a gardener for the Yardley family, who lived at The Grove, Station Road, Royston. This is where the community centre is now situated.  Cyril went to school in Royston and worked at Messrs. Pickles, Clothiers, in Wakefield.

(Based on the 7th Battalion Manchester Regiment war diaries)
On 6 October the Manchester Regiment were sent to the front lines east of Ypres in Zonnebeke-Staden. Throughout that day the lines were heavily shelled. At 5pm on 7 October their headquarters were blown up by the Germans. The 7th Battalion then attacked the German lines resulting in a heavy loss of men. The situation was made worse by a shortage of rations and water. The weather was described as being bad. Cyril was killed on 8th October 1917 during this fighting.

He was originally buried north of Zonnebeke but at the end of the war his grave could not be found. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial at Zonnebeke Ieper.

There is an entry for Cyril Joseph Smith in the De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914- 1919. 


There is also a photograph of him alongside the entry.  The family provided some of the information for the entry. It reads as follows:-

Smith, Cyril Joseph, Private, No. 42837, 7th (Territorial), Battn. The Manchester Regt., s. of Daniel Burling Smith, of Common Lane, Royston, co. York, Gardener, by his wife, Annie, dau. Of George Raynor; b. Cagthorpe, Horncastle, co. Lincoln; educ. Royston aforesaid; was employed by Messrs. Pickles, Clothiers, Wakefield; enlisted 22 Dec. 1916; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 5 June 1917, and was killed in action at Passchendaele Ridge 8 Oct. following. Buried north of Zonnebeke, north- east of Ypres. An officer wrote:” I was on leave at the time, or I should have written to you before to express not only my sympathy to you , but the respect and admiration I felt for your son. He has won the respect of us all, and we have lost a gallant soldier. My brother was killed two days ago. This will tell you that my sympathy is real, however much my words fail to express it. I feel proud of every man in my company, and your son was worthy of it” and another: “Your son has not been with us a long time, but I soon realized what a sound and reliable soldier he was, and made him my platoon runner and had marked him for promotion.”  Unm


Cyril Joseph Smith (photo from Janice Fox)

His father received his effects which amounted to his back pay in September 1919. An entry can be seen in UK, Army Registers of Soldiers Effects, 1901-1929.


Members of his family continued to live in the same house in Common Lane until the 1970s, although my grandfather, Claude Burling Smith died in 1953.