A quiet day, with heavy rain again falling; however the
weather turned much colder later in the day, with a frost overnight. Training
continued, especially in the use of the new small box respirators.
Ptes. John William
Cooper (see 3rd July),
William Foulds (see 17th July) and Jonathan
Richardson Sunderland (see 17th
June) were promoted (unpaid) Lance Corporal.
One member of the recently-arrived draft, Pte. John Killerby, (see 17th
October) was reported to have been found “unshaven and unwashed on parade”; he
was ordered to be confined to barracks for five days.
Pte. Samuel
Cordingley (see 28th
September) re-joined the Battalion having spent the previous month in
hospital (cause and details unknown).
Pte. Harry Briggs
(19286) (see 30th September)
after spending three weeks in hospital, was reclassified as medical category B
and posted for duty at the Base Depot at Etaples.
Pte. Charles Smith (12380) (see 31st July), who had been at Oakbank War Hospital in Glasgow since having been wounded in July, was posted to 83rd Training Reserve Battalion, based at Gateshead.
Miss Kate Ralph, sister of Pte. Kit Ralph (see 5th
October) received letters from two of her brother’s pals, both fellow
members of ‘A’ Company, giving her the news that he had been killed. Pte. Thomas Bownass (see below) wrote: "It is with the deepest regret that I have
to tell you of the death of your brother, Kit, which occurred whilst we were in
action on the 6th inst. He was at the time acting as guide to the party who
relieved us in the front line on that date, and was killed instantly by a shell
bursting in the trench they were proceeding along. He was well liked by all the
lads of the platoon, as he always had a cheery word and looked on the bright
side of things, and we all miss him badly. The lads wish me to tender you their
deepest sympathy in your great loss, and trust that God will sustain and
comfort you in your dark and lonely hours."
Pte. Harley Bentham
(see below), in his letter said:
"I have been asked by some of the lads to write and tell you how sorry we
are and how we sympathise with you in your great loss. Kit was a fine chap and
a good soldier, and I am sure we all liked him. Our Battalion had been in the
line four days and were being relieved that night. Kit had volunteered to act
as guide to the men who were to relieve us, and he was leading them up the
communication trench when a shell burst right on the parapet close to your
brother and hit him. Death would be instantaneous; he would not suffer any
pain. He has been buried close to the place where he fell. He often used to
talk of you, and look forward to your letters coming. I ask you to accept the
sympathy of myself and his pals from Long Preston and district."
Thomas Bownass
had attested under the Derby Scheme in December 1915, aged 19, at which time he
had been working on the family farm near Hellifield. He had been called up on
25th January 1916 and rained in England before being posted to 34th
Infantry Base Depot in France on 4th July; two days later he had
been posted to 10DWR. Harley Bentham
had also attested in December 1915, aged 21, and been called up at the same time
as Bownass; he was a former pupil at Giggleswick Grammar School and had been
working at the Bank of Liverpool in Settle. He had been posted to 10DWR in May
1916.
 |
| Pte.Kit Ralph |
 |
| Pte. Harley Bentham |
A payment of £7 17s. 6d. was authorised, being the amount
outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Tom Ball (see 5th
July), who had been killed in action on 5th July; the payment
would go to this father, William.
Mrs. Marian Carpenter, mother of the late Capt. Herbert Montagu Soames Carpenter (see 18th October), who had
been killed in action on 5th July, submitted her official claim for
a pension in respect of her late son. 
 |
Capt. H.M.S. Carpenter
Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton
|
Capt. William Norman
Town (see 11th October)
arrived in England onboard the hospital ship Galera. He had been evacuated from Malta for further medical
treatment. On arrival he was admitted to 5th Southern General
Hospital, Southsea.
A series of reports were published in the weekly edition of
the local newspapers detailing the deaths of local men from 10DWR in the
actions around Le Sars.
The Craven Herald
COWLING - SERGEANT JOHN HARTLEY KILLED - A Promising Career
Cut Short
On Saturday last the sad news was received that Sergeant John Hartley (see 14th October), of the Duke of Wellington's West
Riding Regiment, had been killed in action on the 4th inst. The following
letter from his commanding officer has been received by his parents:-
"Dear Mrs. Hartley, - I believe Q.M.S. Frank Stephenson (see 18th
October) has already written to you informing you of the death in action of
your son, but as his platoon commander, I should also like to assure you and
your family of my deepest sympathy in your sorrow. He died a gallant death in
an attack on the German trenches, and we were able to recover his body two days
later and bury him on the field. In the short time I have been with the platoon
I have found him to be a very good N.C.O., always cheerful and willing, and the
Army has lost a good Officer, as I understand he was awaiting a commission.
Once again let me assure you of my sympathy.
"In deepest sorrow, I am, yours sincerely, Philip H. Morris, Second Lieutenant (see 14th October)."
The following letter was received by the same post from a
Grassington comrade in the same Company:- "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hartley and
Minnie, - It almost breaks my heart to have to convey to you the sad news of
the death in action of your son, John. In the first place we had to report him
as missing, but his body has now been found. He fell along with many others of
our Company in a charge we made on the enemy lines on the evening of October
4th, 1916, and really it was a wonder how some of us did get back. His body was
found alongside that of Mr. Harris (see 9th October), our company
commander. It feels cruel to me to have to write this but I should consider I
had failed in my promise to one of the best of friends had I not done so. I saw
him a minute before we went over the top of the trench, and he said,
"Write and give my love to all at home if anything happens to me." I
replied, "All right, John, cheerio." That was the last I saw of him.
He fell leading his men, for his body was found on the German parapet, death
being instantaneous, being shot through the head with a bullet. His cousin,
Second Lieutenant Snowden (son of
Mr. Keighley Snowdon, the novelist) (see
19th October) was wounded in the same affair. I can imagine what
a sad blow it will be to you, and I repeat, it makes my heart ache to be the
bearer of such sad news, but it is my duty.
As a friend I found him to be one of the best, always true
to his promise, never failing in his duties. He was very popular, both amongst
Officers, N.C.O.s, and men, and we all mourned deeply the loss of so popular
and efficient an N.C.O. We managed to get his body buried decently as possible
under the circumstances, and his personal effects will be forwarded on to you
in due course. I trust God will sustain and strengthen you in this sad loss of
your only son and brother. I trust you will find some consolation in knowing he
died a hero's death, fighting for the glorious cause of Freedom. His last
thoughts were of home.
Yours in deepest sympathy, William Oldfield, C.S.M (see
14th October)."
Sergeant John Hartley, aged 21 years, was the only son of
Mr. and Mrs. Watson Hartley, Sunny Mount, Cowling. Mr. Hartley is the senior
partner of Messrs. J. Hartley (Cowling) Ltd., manufacturers, Acre Mills,
Cowling, a well-established business, well known in the Bradford and Manchester
trades. The deceased received his education at the Cowling Council School, and
later at the Keighley Trade and Grammar School, gaining a four-year scholarship
at the latter place. He also studied textile subjects for three years at the
Glusburn Institute and during his last year there he took second place for
linen weaving open to all England. When the above business was transferred into
a Limited Company, a few years ago, he was appointed secretary, and acted as
such until his enlistment. He was a member of the United Methodist Church. He
was also a most active worker in the Sunday School, being a teacher in the
primary department, and the secretary of the United Bible Class. He joined the
Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment as private on September 16th 1914;
promoted Lance-Corporal at Christmas, 1914; went to France August 26th, 1915;
made Corporal Christmas 1915, and Sergeant in September last, having for the
previous three months been Acting Sergeant.
His death is a great loss to the village, and the deepest
sympathy is felt with the family.
 |
| Sgt. John Hartley |
 |
RQMS Frank Stephenson
Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton
|
 |
| Lt. Harry Harris |
 |
CSM Billy Oldfield, MM
Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton
|
A GRASSINGTON MAN KILLED IN ACTION
We deeply regret having to report the death of Pte. Edgar Whitaker (see 10th October), aged 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm.
Whitaker of Brooklyn Terrace, Grassington. The following extract from a letter
to his parents, by one of his pals, gives the sad details:- "It is my
painful and sorrowful duty to write and inform you of Edgar's death. He was
killed by a German bomb on October 4th. I saw him just an hour before, though
not to speak to, and he looked splendid, so cheerful and happy. He was a real
soldier and died the death of a hero, doing his duty bravely and fearing
nothing."
Edgar Whitaker was one of the straightest lads who have
answered the call. He was by trade a joiner, and was esteemed by everybody. He
was the elder of the only two lads in the family. His younger brother, Sydney,
has been in training six months. Deepest sympathy for Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker in
their loss is shown through the district. Deceased went into training on
January 24th and was drafted out in May.
 |
| Pte. Edgar Whitaker |
SEDBERGH'S ROLL OF HONOUR
Sergeant Harry
Lyddington Mason (see 10th
October), aged 27, who was killed in action in France on Sunday, October
8th, was the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. John Mason of Sedbergh. Deceased joined
the army in August 1914, being attached to the Duke of Wellington's Regiment,
and went to the Front in August 1915. He was well known in the Sedbergh
district, where he was deservedly popular with all classes.
Quarter-Master-Sergeant Stephenson, West Riding Regiment,
writing to his parents, said:- "It is with deep regret that I have to
perform the painful duty of informing you that your son Harry was killed in the
performance of his duties on Sunday the 8th October, about 8 a.m. It might be
little consolation to know that he died instantly without suffering any pain.
Harry was one of my greatest friends and most capable of sergeants, also a
great favourite with offices and men alike. Sergt. Davis (see 10th
October) wishes me to inform you that he will write as soon as he possibly
can. They have had a hard time, and he is not quite himself yet." The
letter concluded with the expression of the greatest sympathy in their sudden
and sad bereavement.
 |
| Sgt. Harry Lyddington Mason |
ADDINGHAM SOLDIER REPORTED KILLED
We also regret to announce that Pte. W. Waggitt (see 6th
October), son of Mr. J. J. Waggitt, farmer, Addingham Moorside, has been
reported killed in action. Although official information has not yet been
received, Private R. Smith (see 13th October), who was
reported wounded last week, in a further letter home says:- "A few lines
to let you know I am in hospital with a few wounds in my back and both my
thighs and just a little in my hand. They are bits of shrapnel. I am very lucky
to be wounded, for poor Willie Waggitt has gone under and the two behind him;
then I came next but luck would have it I was not to be killed. I thought my
time had come - I can tell you."
Pte. Waggitt joined up with the first batch of Kitchener's
men and was wounded on August 8th 1915, and after being in various hospitals it
was found necessary on November 5th to remove one of the fingers of his left
hand. He was back in the trenches in January 1916. Another brother is serving
with the Canadian Forces, and a younger brother is in training.
Waggitt’s death was also reported, with some different
detail, in the Ilkley Gazette:
Ilkley Gardener Killed in Action
Lance Corporal William Waggitt, West Riding Regiment, eldest
son of Mr. W. Waggitt, Moorside Farm,
Addingham, was killed in action on October 4th. Up to joining the
army at the end of August 1914 Lance Corporal Waggitt was gardener for Mr.
Crabtree, Fairmount, Ilkley, and went to France in June 1915. He was wounded in
the August following and for some four months was in England, returning to the
fighting line in January last. He was 27 years of age and engaged to be married
to Miss L. Milburn, elder daughter of Mr. George Milburn, Gordon Street,
Ilkley.
 |
| L.Cpl. Willie Waggitt |
 |
| Pte. Reuben Smith |
The Ilkley Gazette
Also reported the death of another of Tunstill’s Company.
Death of One of the ‘Dukes’
The death has been officially notified of Corporal Leslie Seymour Perks (see 14th October), elder son
of Mr. and Mrs. James Perks, 8 Bolton Bridge Road, Ilkley. Corporal Perks was
for four years an apprentice in Taylor’s Drug Stores, The Grove, Ilkley, and
joined the West Riding Regiment two years ago last September and had been in
France about 14 months. No particulars are given as to how he came by his
death, but his parents had not heard from him for some weeks. Up to this time
he had written frequently and regularly. He was 19 years of age.
The Clitheroe Times
BOWLAND COUNCILLOR’S LOSS
Mr. J.T. Lofthouse, the well known farmer of Paa Farm,
Paythorne, and a member of the Bowland Rural District Council, Board of Guardians,
and Education Committee, has, we are informed, this week received an official
intimation that his only son, Private Anthony
Lofthouse (see 10th
October), of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, was killed in
action on October 5th. Private Lofthouse joined the army nearly two
years ago in response to the appeal made throughout Bowland by Captain
Tunstill. He had been in France upwards of twelve months. About 20 years old,
Private Lofthouse shared his father’s popularity, and his death will be widely
lamented.
 |
| Pte. Anthony Lofthouse |
THE SECOND BLOW
NEWTON MOTHER’S SAD LOSS
General sympathy will go out to Mrs. Isherwood, of
Foulscales Farm, Newton, in the sad blow which has befallen her this week, by
the receipt of official news that her son, Private Edwin Isherwood (see 17th
October), has been killed in action. He, along with his brother Walter,
responded to the call of Captain Tunstill two years ago, and joined the Duke of
Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. Walter contracted pneumonia during training
and succumbed, his body being brought to Slaidburn for burial. Whilst attending
the funeral, Edwin also was taken ill, and lay in a critical condition for
several weeks at home, later rejoining the company. He went to France about
twelve months ago and had seen heavy fighting. Another brother, licensee of the
Moorcock Inn, is with the forces expecting shortly to go to France.
 |
| Pte. Edwin Isherwood |
The Clitheroe Times
also carried news of the death of Pte. Joseph Bell, brother of Pte. William Irving Bell (see 16th October) who was one
of Tunstill’s original recruits and still serving with the Company.
GRINDLETON SOLDIER KILLED
News has reached Grindleton that Private Joseph Bell has
been killed in action. Private Bell, who is a nephew of Mr. John Maudsley,
fruit dealer, Grindleton, was brought up by his uncle and aunt, Mr. Edgar and
Miss Maudsley, both his parents being dead. Some four years ago he emigrated to
Australia, and returned with a contingent from the Commonwealth early in the
war, and went to France with them. He was well known at Grindleton and his
demise is much regretted.
The Ilkley Gazette
also reported the death of Pte. Tom
Emmott (see 19th September),
who had actually died of wounds on 19th September.
Burley Man’s Death from Wounds
The casualty lists on Wednesday contained the name of
Private T. Emmott, West Riding Regiment, whose next of kin was stated to reside
at Burley. He had died of wounds. Another Burley man in the West Ridings,
Private A. Pedley, is reported wounded.
There were also reports in the Craven Herald concerning men who had been wounded near Le Sars.
MORE COWLING CASUALTIES
Private Frank
Shuttleworth (see 19th
October), Park Road, Cowling, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding
Regiment, was wounded in a bayonet charge and bomb attack on the night of
October 4th. He received a bullet which passed through the left
forearm and out at the elbow, causing a compound fracture. He was brought to a
clearing hospital at Eastleigh and from there to the 2nd Western
General Hospital, Manchester. He is progressing favourably. Private
Shuttleworth is a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Shuttleworth, of
Beechcliffe, Keighley, and previously of Beechcliffe, Cowling. He enlisted on
September 16th 1914, and went out to France in August 1915. Before
joining the colours he was employed in the office of Messrs. G. Stansfield
& Sons, Royd Mills.
Private Arthur
Lindsay (see 4th October),
Keighley Road, Cowling, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, has
been wounded, a bullet having passed through his right shoulder. He was
returning from a bombing raid. After being transferred to the clearing hospital
at Eastleigh he was sent to Leeds where he is progressing favourably. Before
enlisting in September 1914 he was employed as a twister at Messrs. John Binns
Ltd., Croft Mills. He went out to France in August 1915.
Private Albert
Saville (see 3rd October)
of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, was severely crushed on
September 24th 1916, by the falling of the roof of a dugout,
injuring his spine. He is progressing favourably, being transferred to hospital
at Chichester, Sussex. He enlisted in September 1914 and was drafted out to
France in August 1915. Previously he was employed as a weaver at Messrs. J.
Binns & Sons, Croft Mills.
(Similar reports concerning Shuttleworth and Lindsay also
appeared in the following days edition of the Keighley News).
 |
| Pte. Frank Shuttleworth |
 |
| Pte. Arthur Lindsay |
PRIVATE ARTHUR PROCTER WOUNDED
Mr. and Mrs. Procter of Railway Cottage, Eldroth, have
received a letter from their son, Pte. Arthur
Procter (see 4th October),
of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, informing them that he was wounded with
shrapnel in his side and various parts of his body on October 5th.
Private Procter is 21 years of age and joined the Army in September 1914, and
went out to France on 26th August 1915. Prior to the war he was
employed by the Midland Railway Company as porter at Clapham Station.
The Craven Herald
also reported extensively on the disappearance and death of Adelaide Benson,
sister of Pte. Fred Benson (see 14th October).
THE COWLING MYSTERY - SUICIDE BY DROWNING
An inquiry as to the cause of death of Adelaide Benson, aged
28, a highly respected single young lady who resided with her widowed mother at
199, Keighley Road, Cowling,was held on Saturday last at the Liberal Club, by
Mr. J.E. Newall, the deputy coroner. The jury were Messrs. S. Hutchinson
(foreman), J. Fort, F. Shuttleworth, A. Brigg, J. Harker, H. Smith, A. Shuttleworth,
J. Smith, B. Driver, H. Binns, E. Snowden, and W. Thornton.
Mrs. Ann Benson, the mother, gave evidence of
identification, and said her daughter was 29 years old that day. About a month
ago she had complained about not feeling well, and had consulted a local
doctor. Answering the Coroner, she said that her daughter had been all right up
to the death of her brother who had been killed in France. She had taken this
very much to heart, and would talk about very little else, and had become very
much depressed. There was nothing else to cause her any trouble, and she had
never threatened herself in anyway. She arose as usual on Sunday morning and
seemed her usual self. She advised her to go for a walk and last saw her alive
about 9-30.
Herbert Pickles, farmer, Crag End, Sutton, stated that he
saw deceased on Sunday about 11-15a.m. go through the New Gate and on the Crag
Bottom down past the Brush Farm, which was in the direction of the Malsis Hall
reservoir and which would be about a quarter of a mile away.
Wm. Kirkpatrick, estate foreman on the Malsis Hall Estate,
said that on the previous Tuesday morning the police told him that the deceased
might possibly be in the reservoir, and at their request he let the reservoir
off on Wednesday night at 7-30. When full it was 14 feet deep and took 36 hours
to empty. In answer to the Coroner he said he went up several times to see how
the water was going down. He expected it to be empty by Friday morning, and
going there about 6 o'clock he found the body in the bottom, about one yard
from the bottom of the slope, near where the water runs out. The body was
recovered.
P.C. Lister said he was officially informed that the girl
was missing on Tuesday morning. Before that time parties of villagers had
searched the moors and fields. On Tuesday they dragged the reservoir and
afterwards asked the last witness to let off the water. He also gave evidence
of the conveyance of the body home. Dr. Alex. Curry, of Crosshills, said he had
seen the body. There were no marks of violence. She had met her death by drowning.
The jury were unanimous in the verdict, "Suicide by
drowning, whilst temporary insane, brought about by grief at the loss of her
brother in the war." The jury expressed their sympathy with Mrs. Benson,
and along with witnesses granted their fees, along with a subscription from the
Coroner, to Mrs. Benson.
 |
| Pte. Fred Benson |
There was news also of the death of the father of Cpl. Fred Swale (see 17th October).
AUSTWICK
Sudden Death
The sudden death on the 17th inst of Mr. N.S.
Swale was received with profound regret by the inhabitants of Austwick.
Deceased was 56 years of age and had spent all his life in Austwick and was
well known and highly respected. For many years he had been employed by Messrs.
C. Kirkbright & Son, joiners. For the past twelve months his health had
been so bad that he had been unable to follow his employment. He leaves a
widow, two sons and two daughters.
 |
Cpl. Fred Swale
Image by kind permission of Joan Rigg
|
The Craven Herald
also reported on the fund-raising efforts of Geraldine Tunstill (see 4th
August) which were continuing, even though her husband, Capt. Gilbert Tunstill (see 16th October), had been invalided home in September.
COMFORTS FOR CAPT. TUNSTILL’S MEN
Mrs. H.G. Tunstill acknowledged with grateful thanks the
following contributions of comforts for Captain Tunstill’s men: 12 pairs socks,
6 shirts, 6 pairs mittens from Slaidburn, per Mrs. King-Wilkinson; 3 pairs
socks from ‘a friend of the soldiers’; 2 shirts, 2 handkerchief, 2 pairs socks
from Mrs. Metcalfe, Otterburn; 4 pairs socks from Miss. M. Parsons, Horton; 36
shirts from the Alsager Working Party, per Mrs. Adams; 2 mufflers, one
cardigan, books, writing pads etc. Mrs. H.G. Tunstill; together with 2,500
cigarettes, 20 lbs. sweets, handkerchiefs, literature etc. from the ‘Comforts
Fund to France’ ; twenty-three parcels containing chocolate, stationery, soap,
books and tobacco etc. have also been sent to the wounded. Mrs. H.G. Tunstill
would be glad to have the hospital addresses of any other sick or wounded men
in Captain Tunstill’s Company. Captain Tunstill is at present on sick leave
with an injured knee, but the consignments will be sent as usual each month. If
sent to Mrs. H.G. Tunstill, Milford Hall, South Milford will be gratefully
acknowledged.
 |
Capt. Gilbert Tunstill (front right) and Geraldine (middle right), with other members of Geraldine's family
Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton
|
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