Saturday 20th September 1919

Sgt. William Alfred Walmsley Gaunt (see 26^th February), who had been transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z in February, was awarded an Army pension of 6s. 6d. per week as a result of the wounds he had suffered in October 1916.

Pte. James Wilding Clarkson (see 26^th February), who had been transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z in February, was involved in a violent property dispute, the events and aftermath of which were later reported in the local press, as follows:

GRINDLETON - THROWN INTO A DITCH

Lively Doings over a House

The Bolton-by-Bowland magistrates were occupied over two hours on Monday in hearing charges of assault made by William Altham, overlooker, East View, Grindleton, against James Wilding Clarkson, weaver, Cherry Hall, Grindleton and his son Joseph Clarkson.

For the complainant, Mr. Birtwell of Burnley, stated that early this year Altham purchased the premises occupied by defendant, and it was agreed that Clarkson should continue to be tenant of the house and that Altham should have the garden. A good deal of unpleasantness had been created and Clarkson had challenged Altham to fight on more than one occasion. On September 20^th Altham went to collect the rent and it was alleged that the two Clarksons began to jostle him. He got away and went to the rear of the premises to measure a window which it was proposed to convert into a door. No sooner had he begun the work than the elder Clarkson pulled him down and began to beat him. Ultimately, he got away but the Clarksons followed, threw him into a ditch and beat him, leaving him unconscious. In the evening Altham was walking up the village with his wife when the older Clarkson again attacked him. He protected himself and finally got away. This statement was borne out by complainant.

Mr. T.J. Backhouse, for defendant, said there had been an arrangement that the two men should change houses. On the day of the alleged assault Atham declared that he would have to move or he would take out the windows. He went to the rear with the hammer and chisel and began hammering around the window. Clarkson went to him, took the implements, and threw them into the road. Altham then began to throw stones at the windows, four entering the house and smashing three jugs. Clarkson then went towards him and Altham threw a stone which struck him in the face. Defendant thereupon attacked Altham and did undoubtedly give him a ‘good hiding’. Later Altham returned with his wife and son and the door was struck with a stick, thumped and kicked, Clarkson wisely remaining indoors. In the evening it was Altham who attacked Clarkson, cutting him about the face. As a result, defendant had been off work ever since.

Defendants corroborated this account of what transpired and the elder defendant was fined 40s.; the case against the younger man being dismissed on payment of costs.

Lancs Evening Post, 21^st November

At Clitheroe County Court yesterday, before Judge Sturges, James Wilding Clarkson, weaver, formerly of Cherry Hall Cottage, Grindleton and now of Barnoldswick, claimed £47 2s. 6d. damage sustained during an alleged trespass and assault, from William Altham, East View, Grindleton, owner of the cottage. Mr. Lustgarten, barrister of Manchester, instructed by Mr. J.T. Backhouse, appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. J.C. Jackson, barrister of Manchester, briefed by Mr. J. Birtwell of Burnley, was for the defence.

Clarkson, an ex-soldier, said he had lived in the house in Grindleton since 1914 and when he returned from the Army in January last learned that it had been purchased by Altham. On September 20^th Altham called for the rent and began knocking off the plaster round one of the windows with a hammer and chisel. Clarkson asked him if he was going to have a supply of water laid on, and his reply was that he had given Clarkson five months to get out and he was going to pull the windows out. He also declared that he would do what he liked with his own property. Clarkson, however, took the hammer and chisel from him and threw them int the road. He then returned to the house and Altham began to throw stones through the windows, breaking seven panes of glass, three jugs in the house and damaging a wringing machine. Clarkson went to the front door which Altham was passing at the time. Altham had a stone in his hand and threw it at Clarkson, hitting him in the face. “I gave him a hiding” Clarkson added. His Honour, “What does that mean?”. Clarkson, “I gave him a fairly good roasting”. Mr. Jackson, “Your Honour will hear that Altham was a hospital patient afterwards”. His Honour, “As the boys say, did he take it lying down?”. Mr. Jackson, “He was lying down most of the time with Clarkson sitting on him”. Continuing, Clarkson said that about an hour later Altham returned to the house, accompanied by his wife and son. They began kicking and hammering at the front door. His Honour, “You had not given him enough?”. Clarkson, “He shouted ‘Come outside now; I am well prepared for you!’, but I did not accept the challenge”. His Honour, “Where was the local policeman all this time?”. Clarkson, “Miles away”. Mr. Jackson, “Plaintiff should know, he has been a policeman”. Clarkson went on to say that at eight o’clock the same evening he was walking through the village when he encountered Altham and his wife and the former cut him across the face with a stick, which was broken. He thought his eye had been bursted and, as a result of the injuries caused, he was unable to go to his work for over a fortnight. As a result of the incident Clarkson was summoned at the police court and fined 40s.

Mr. Jackson, “You wanted a garden attached to the house, telling the defendant you had fought for the land and he was not going to have it”. Clarkson, “I told him I had fought for the likes of him”. Further questioned, Clarkson said he went to the village public house after the alleged assault, but it was for the purpose of having a bath. Mr. Jackson, “Did you drink four pints of beer?”. Clarkson, “No. I had three pints.” Mr. Jackson, “Was that the bath?” (laughter).

The defence was that Clarkson was the aggressor. Mrs. Altham saying that she thought Clarkson was going to kill her husband. His Honour said Clarkson failed if he did not prove Altham to be the aggressor in the evening. Counsel addressed the court on this phase of the action.

Summing up, His Honour expressed the opinion that Altham behaved very unwisely, especially having regard to the disposition of Clarkson, who was a very strong man and probably likely to back his opinions with violence. With respect to the alleged assault in the evening, Altham’s contention was that Clarkson first caught hold of him by the collar. If that was true, Altham was entitled to use violence in self protection. He was satisfied that Clarkson had not proved that he did not first seize Altham and there would be judgement for Altham. In order to mark his disapproval of Altham’s action in returning to the house in the afternoon and challenging Clarkson, His Honour refused to allow costs.

Payment of a £5 war gratuity was authorised in respect of the late 2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles (see 26^th June 1916).

2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles

Payment of an £8 war gratuity was authorised in respect of the late Pte. Richard Davies Ellison (see 21^st October 1916) who had been killed in action in July 1916; the payment would go to this mother, Margaret Ann.