LOFTUS COMMUNITY FORUM LOFTUS FAMILY HISTORY GROUP

IMPETUS ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST

2014 SPECIAL EDITION TO COMMEMORATE THE CENTENARY OF THE OUTBREAK OF THE GREAT WAR IN 1914

"THESE LAID THE WORLD AWAY AND POURED OUT THE RED SWEET WINE OF YOUTH, GAVE UP THE YEARS TO BE OF WORK AND JOY AND THAT UNHOPED SERENE THAT MEN CALL AGE."

We Will Remember Them

Loftus War Memorial Loftus War Memorial is situated on the main road through Loftus. It was built above an existing drinking fountain, the water supply was piped through a lion's head and issued from the mouth. It is surmounted by a granite Celtic memorial cross on a rectangular base, on which are the memorial panels. It is accessed by a curving stairway on each side, the supporting structure was built from the local sandstone. The War Memorial was designed by Mr. Bernard Joseph Wormleighton, F. S. I., Surveyor of Loftus Urban District Council and erected by Mr. Charles Hebditch, a local builder and public works contractor.

There are two bronze WWI memorial panels, which carry the names of the dead, a large one at the base of the cross and a smaller one on the basal platform. The fountain carries the inscription “THESE LAID THE WORLD AWAY AND POURED OUT THE RED SWEET WINE OF YOUTH, GAVE UP THE YEARS TO BE OF WORK AND JOY AND THAT UNHOPED SERENE THAT MEN CALL AGE”, a line from "The Dead" by war poet Rupert Brooke. The service of commemoration took place at 2pm on the 11th of November 1922, with Ministers of all denominations preaching to the assembled crowds. The guard of honour and firing party was provided by the local battalion of Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), so many of whose number were inscribed on those bronze tablets. 2

Alphabetical list of the names on the bronze tablets: Adamson, Matthew Adamson, William Andrew, Fred Atherton, John N Bainbridge, Fred Bennett, Arthur Bennett, James W Bowes, James Bradley, Thomas Brogdon, Harold Brown, Charles H Carter, William Clarkson, Harold Clarkson, Horace Coxon, Albert E Crosby, Alfred Davey, Michael Dawson, James Dowey, Thomas A Dunn, Alfred Easton, Harry Emery, Fred Errington, John B Farndale, George Fletcher, Albert Fowle, Thomas Gibson, Robert E Handley, Albert Harland, Robert

Harmer, Arthur Harrison, Thomas Hewitt, Leonard Hicks, Charles E Hicks, W Arthur Hodgson, Fred Hodgson, George T Hodgson, Michael Hopper, George W Jackson, Abraham C Jackson, William E Jefferson, James King, Lewis Leng, Albert E Lobb, John Locker, Richard Locker, Robert Martin, George Mellish, William H Newton, Milton Nicholson, Cyril W Nicholson, Herbert T Nicholson, Joseph L Oglesby Richard Panting, Harry Parrott, William Pearse, Wm Pearson, Joseph Pearson, Robert

Armistice Day at Loftus War Memorial (Early 1930's) 3

Pearson, Robert Potter, George Price, Walter Rex, Harold W Rigby, Sidney W Robinson, Charles Robinson, John Ryder, Albert Sawdon, Joseph E Slack, William Stevenson, Edward Stockdale, Emmanuel Temple, John H Temple, Robert S Thomas, Harry Thornton, James E Thornton, Wilfred Timmins, William E Turnbull, Walter Tyreman, Arthur Walker, Albert Wardill, John W Webster, Ernest Whitely, James Willas, Harry Wilson, George R Wood, Thomas Woodall, W Ernest

Whilst every effort has been made to confirm the information contained within this publication inevitably it will contain errors as sources can be contradictory, interpretations may vary and in some cases little detail is available to be absolutely certain that casualties or their families have been identified correctly. If so we apologise to anyone who feels that someone is misrepresented. Our research has been made in good faith and we welcome any anecdotes or evidence, especially photographs, which can confirm or challenge the findings we have presented. We have made a start with only the names of those on the Loftus War Memorial, but have also identified others with Loftus connections whose names are not on the plaques. We hope all this information will aid others to research family histories and our heritage. We have supporting evidence from various sources which we are willing to share but has not been recorded here due to constraints of space. Please contact us if you have any snippets of information which can add to our knowledge. This special edition can also be downloaded in colour at www.loftustowncrier.co.uk Updated information is available on the Loftus Family History Group’s website. www.lfhg.co.uk Loftus Community Forum’s Facebook page has a comprehensive album of free photographs. This publication contains no advertising and is distributed free of charge but a contribution to the local British Legion in lieu of payment would be welcomed.

The Glorious Dead Matthew Adamson (1887 - 1918) Matthew Adamson was born in Port Mulgrave, Yorkshire, around January 1887, the first son of Matthew Adamson (born about 1861 in Staithes, Yorkshire) and Mary Emma Seymour (born about 1860 in Port Mulgrave), who married about April 1884. Matthew spent the first ten years of his life growing up with his family at Port Mulgrave before moving, with them, in about 1900 to 2 Far Foulsyke, near Loftus, Yorkshire. By 1911 Matthew was a Stoneman, working in Cowpen Colliery, Northumberland and lodging at 13 Beecher, Cowpen New Town, Northumberland, the home of Isabella Dixon, a widow of 50, and her daughter Barbara, aged 17, whom he married around July a year later. Together they had three children, Matthew, early in 1913, Isabella, late in 1914 and Emma about the Spring of 1916. Matthew was a Private, Service No. 26/22, in the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusilers, enlisting in Blyth, Northumberland. He was killed in action on the 10th May 1918 somewhere near Bethune, Pas de Calais, France, aged 30. He is buried in Grave C. 38. Hinges Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais.

William Adamson (1883 - 1918) William Adamson was born in Loftus, Yorkshire, around June 1883, the first son of Joseph Adamson (born about 1860 in Loftus) and Mary (born about 1860 in Aberdeen, Scotland), who married about 1881. William spent his early years with his parents and sister Janet at 2 North Road, Loftus, where his father Joseph had a butcher's shop, then the family moved to 30 Errington Street, Brotton. Joseph died about July 1891 and before 1901 the family moved to Saltburn, Yorkshire, where Mary found work as a linen keeper (according to the 1901 Census) with her daughter helping out, no doubt supplying the many boarding houses in town. William at 17 was an Apprentice Engineer and by 1911 was a Fitter, working in North Shields, Northumberland and lodging at 17 North King Street. William married Florence Carr about September 1915 and brought her back to 16 Bath Street, Saltburn. He joined the Merchant Navy and by the time of his death was First Engineer. William died when the SS ”Stryn” was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine on 10th June 1918. William is commemorated on the Mercantile Memorial, Tower Hill, London. 4

Fred Andrew (1897 - 1918) Frederick (Fred) Andrew was born in Guisborough, Yorkshire, about 1897, the first son of seven children born to Frederick Andrew (born about 1864 in Loftus, Yorkshire) and Mary Jane Saunders (born about 1870 in Witton Park, Durham), who married around July 1896. Fred spent his early years with his family at 3 Hebron's Yard, Loftus, (no longer in existence) his father Frederick working as a Labourer in the local ironstone mine. By 1911 the family had moved to 18 Hartington Street, with Fred working as a Pit Boy, aged 14, in the same ironstone mine as his father, who was, by now, an Ironstone Miner. Fred was a Lance-Serjeant, Service No. 11310, in the 6th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment) and was awarded the Military Medal. He was Killed In Action on the 30th March 1918, during the Kaiser's Spring Offensive. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Panels 44 & 45, Loos Memorial, Loos-en-Gohelle, Pas-de-Calais, France.

John Normanton Atherton (1899 - 1918) John Normanton Atherton was born around July 1899 in 7 Hartington Street, Loftus Yorkshire, the only son of John Thomas Atherton (an Ironstone Miner, born about 1872 in Staithes, Yorkshire) and Frances Ann Linsey (born about 1875 in Loftus), who married about 1897 in Loftus. John was a Private, Service No. 49823, in the 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He Died on 16th November 1918, five days after the Armistice, possibly as a Prisoner Of War (the cemetery was used by the Germans). He is buried in Grave IV. A. 9., Hautrage Military Cemetery, Hainaut, Flanders.

Frederick (Fred) Bainbridge (1889 – 1917) Frederick (Fred) Robinson was born around January 1889 in Newbiggin, Durham, the son of Jane Robinson (born about 1867 in Newbiggin) who married Robert Dowson Bainbridge (an Estate Labourer, born about 1864 in Mickleton, Yorkshire) about 1890. Fred grew up as a member of the Bainbridge family, moving with them from job to job, the family eventually numbering 10 children in 1911 in Loftus, Yorkshire, when he was a Bricklayer, his stepfather working as a Platelayer in the local ironstone mine. Fred was a Bombardier, Service No. 127195, in the 105th Battery, 22nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He was Killed In Action on the 6th October 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres, and is buried in Grave XVII. B. 4. Hooge Crater Cemetery, West Flanders.

Arthur Ernest Bennett (1891 - 1916) Arthur Ernest Bennett was born around October 1891 in Grosmont, Yorkshire, the youngest child of Thomas Bennett (born about 1846 in Staffordshire) and Margaret Ker Smith (born about 1847 in Scotland), who married around October 1868. Arthur grew up in Grosmont but had moved to 17 Cliffe Crescent, Loftus by 1901, where his father worked as a Lift Engine Driver at the Blast Furnaces at Skinningrove Iron Company. By 1911 Arthur had taken employment as an Ironstone Miner in the local ironstone mines, living at home and supporting his parents and family. At the time of his death his father (at least) was living in the little village of Charltons (No. 75), near Boosbeck, Yorkshire. Arthur was a Private, Service No. 11838, 6th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment) who was Killed In Action on the 29th September 1916, in The Battle of the Somme, possibly in an attack on the Stuff Redoubt, near Bouzaincourt, Somme, France, as part of the Battle of the Ancre and is buried in Grave D. 95. Grandcourt Road Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France. 5

James William Bennett (1892 - 1916) James William Bennett was born around July 1892 in Loftus, Yorkshire, oldest son of William Bennett (an Ironstone Miner, born about 1868 in Nant y Moel, Glamorganshire, Wales) and Eliza Ann Yeoman (born about 1869 in Loftus), who married around July 1890 in Loftus. James grew up in Loftus, although he was at Lingdale, Yorkshire for some of his young life, as his father worked in the ironstone mine there for a while. By 1911 he and his two brothers Ernest, and Charles William, had followed their father into the local ironstone mine at Loftus. James was a Private, Service No. 16142, in the 10th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He Died on the 25th September 1916, either as a result of wounds received in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette or The Battle of Morval (both phases of The Battle of The Somme), or of disease (the records are unclear). He is buried in Grave VI. G. 9. Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, Somme, France.

James Bowes (1887 - 1917) James Bowes was born around April 1887 in Westerdale, Yorkshire, the second son of Thomas Bowes (a Miller, born around July1858 in Thornton Le Dale, Yorkshire) and Abigail Elizabeth Featherstone (born around January1861 in Westerdale), who married around October 1882. James was the fourth child in a family which would number ten children in total. His father, Thomas, was the Miller in Westerdale in 1891, when James was just approaching school age. As soon as James left school he was hired as a Labourer by George Mortimer, a Farmer, of Dale View, Westerdale. In 1911 he was a Horseman on Francis Middleton's Farm at Belle Mount, Yarm, Yorkshire. James was a Private, Service No. 24234, in the Grenadier Guards, a conscript. At some point in his service, probably early 1917, he became Guardsman, Service No 52, in the 4th (Foot Guards) Battalion, The Guards Machine Gun Regiment, a member of a 6 man Vickers gun team. He was Killed in Action on the 13th of September 1917 in the Battle of Polygon Wood, part of the Third Battle of Ypres and is buried in Grave V.B.18. in Artillery Wood Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Thomas Bradley (1899 - 1919) Thomas Bradley was born between around July 1899 at 1 Gladstone Street, Loftus, Yorkshire, the eldest son of Thomas Bradley (an Ironstone Miner, born about 1872 at Ingleby Greenhow, Yorkshire) and Mary Ann Stephenson (born about 1872 at Danby End, Yorkshire) who were married at Danby around October 1896. Thomas was brought up at 1 Gladstone Street, the son of an Ironstone Miner, the second child in a family which by 1911 would number five children. By 1911 Thomas senior, now a miner working for Bell Brothers in their mine at Carlin How, and his family, had moved and were living at 3 St. Hilda's Place, Loftus. Thomas was a Private, Service No. 62172, in Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), a conscript. At some time during his Military career we can speculate that he was wounded (unfortunately his Service Record hasn't survived), because he joined the 9th (Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers as a Private, Service No. 80274. This battalion was created on the 25th of September 1917 and joined the 61st Division on the 26th of May 1918 (the 61st Division was heavily involved in the 1918 Spring Offensive and suffered heavy casualties in both Phases) and would have taken part in the final battles of the war. We can only speculate on the cause of his death on the 11th of September 1919: the 61st Division were still in France after the war, guarding the Base Ports, and was called upon to intervene in a dispute involving the Chinese Labour Corps, so he could have been injured there. It is just possible that he died of Spanish 'Flu, but that had largely run its course by then. He is buried in Grave II.M.3. in Janval Cemetery, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France, the burial ground of No. 5 Stationary Hospital. 6

Harold Frank Brogden (1889 - 1916) Harold Frank Brogden was born around January 1889 at Armley, Leeds, Yorkshire the third son of Joseph Brogden (born 30 October 1851 at Wortley, Leeds) and Mary Belcher (born about 1854 at Farringdon, Berkshire) who married in the Leeds area in June 1878. We cannot find evidence of Harold having lived at Loftus, but his brother, Fred, lived there around 1911, at 25 Tees Street, a Gas Stoker, married to Alice Kitching (born 1887 at Loftus) in June 1906 in Loftus, so perhaps they subscribed to the War Memorial Fund on Harold's behalf. Harold was probably born at 10 Theaker Lane in Armley where his father Joseph was a Bone Boiler (Bones were used in the production of woodworking glues). By 1901 the family were living at 14 Penfold Lane in Armley where Joseph was a Coal and Carting agent employing his oldest son Harry as a Cartman. Harold, now 12, had just finished school. In 1911 Harry and Harold had moved out of the family home and Harold was a General Labourer, lodging with his brother Harry, now married to Lavinia for 9 years and with a growing family, at 23 Miller Street, Rochdale, Lancashire. Harold married Charlotte Pullanon the 3rd February 1912 at St. Peter's Church in Leeds and they had a son, Joe (who died in 1913), later that year. Harold was a Gunner, Service No. 42520, in 'A' Battery, 85th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He was Killed In Action on 17th July 1916, during the battles around Mametz, part of the Battle of the Somme and is commemorated on Special Memorial 15 (It is believed that he was originally buried in Mametz Wood Cemetery, but that his grave was subsequently destroyed by shellfire) in Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Departement du Somme, France.

Charles H Brown We have extensively searched the available records, but, as yet, have found no information to firmly identify this casualty. However, if at a later date any information becomes available the record will be updated on the Loftus Family History Group website.

William Carter (1886 - 1915) William Carter was born around April 1886 in Loftus, Yorkshire, the third son of James Carter (born about 1854 in Boulby, Yorkshire) and Hannah Harrison (born about 1861 in Barnby, Yorkshire) who married around January 1880. William grew up in a mining family, his father being a Banksman working on the surface in the local ironstone mines, eventually becoming a Foreman. William followed his father and brothers, becoming apprenticed to the mine's Blacksmith and eventually, by 1911, a Blacksmith's Helper, living at Whitecliff, Loftus. At the time of his death his home was in Liverton Mines, Yorkshire. William was a Private, Service No. 2887, in the 4th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), a pre-war Territorial. He was Killed In Action on the 24th May 1915, Whit Monday, defending The Menin Road, during the Battle of Bellewaarde, part of the Second Battle of Ypres; in his first action, about 1 month after landing in Europe. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on Panel 33 of The Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Flanders.

(Detail of the border design from the unveiling ceremony booklet of Loftus War Memorial)

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Harold Clarkson (1876 - 1915) Harold (Harry) Clarkson was born around December 1876 at South Bank, Yorkshire, the son of Joseph Clarkson (born about 1850 in York, Yorkshire) and Annie Elizabeth Douglas (born about 1847 at Easingwold, Yorkshire), who married in March 1870 at York. Harry grew up as part of a large family, living, around 1881, at 21 Branch Street in South Bank, Yorkshire, where his father was a Steam Engineman. By 1891 he was living at West Dyke in Redcar, Yorkshire, where his father worked as a Gas Stoker in the nearby Gas Works. In December 1897 Harry, by now a Bricklayer's Labourer, married Mary Ann Barker (born about 1875 in Coatham, Redcar), the daughter of his workmate, Thomas Barker, a Bricklayer. They lived with Thomas, a widower, and his family at 2 Victoria Square, Redcar for a while but by 1911 Harry was living at 21 Lawrence Street, Redcar with his wife and six children, working as a Contractor's Labourer. In 1911 his parents, a sister and two brothers lived at 16 Gladstone Street, Loftus. Harry was a Private, Service No. 496, in the 4th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), a long-time Territorial. He was Killed In Action on the 29th December 1915, near Ypres, Flanders, and is buried in Grave I. C. 8. in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Flanders.

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Horace Clarkson (1880 - 1915) Horace Clarkson was born on the 19th April 1880 at South Bank, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, the younger brother of Harold and the son of Joseph Clarkson (born about 1850 in York, Yorkshire) and Annie Elizabeth Douglas (born about 1847 at Easingwold, Yorkshire), who married in March 1870 at York. Horace grew up as part of a large family, living, around 1881, at 21 Branch Street in South Bank, Yorkshire, where his father was a Steam Engineman. By 1891 he was living at West Dyke in Redcar, Yorkshire, where his father worked as a Gas Stoker in the nearby Gas Works. In 1911 Horace was living with his parents at 16 Gladstone Street, Loftus, Yorkshire, working as a Labourer on the Blast Furnaces at Skinningrove Iron and Steel Company. Horace Clarkson was a Petty Officer 2nd Class in the Royal Navy, Service No. 192356 (RFR/CH/B6564) he was Killed In Action in the English Channel, on the 1st January 1915, while serving on HMS Formidable, which was sunk by a submarine, his body was not recovered for Burial and he is commemorated on Panel 9 of the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent.

Albert Ernest Coxon (1879 - 1917) Albert Ernest Coxon was born around January 1879 in Stillington, Durham, the second son of John Coxon (born about 1850 in Warden Lara, Durham) and Jane Irving (born about 1849 in Mildridge, Northumberland), who married around July 1872. Albert spent his early years growing up with his family around Stockton-on-Tees, Durham before they all moved, in about 1886, to 16 Furnace Cottages East, Carlin How, Yorkshire (part of Skinningrove at that time) – just outside the gates of Skinningrove Iron Company, where his father worked as a Blast Furnace Foreman. It is probable that Albert found early employment at Skinningrove Iron Works, but by 1901 he was a boarder in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, a Railway Engine Driver in the local Ironworks. Albert married Emma C Shadforth (born about 1881 in Middlesbrough) in Middlesbrough around October 1902 and by 1911 they were at 70 Haddon Street, with a small family, where he was still a Railway Engine Driver in the local Steel Works. By the time of his death in 1917 they were living at Shipley Terrace in Marske-by-the-Sea, Yorkshire. His mother Jane and her four daughters lived at 21 Zetland Road, Loftus in 1911 about four years after the death of his father, John in 1907. Albert was an Acting Corporal, Service No. 20935, in the 10th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), joining after 1915. He was Killed In Action on the 11th April 1917 during the Battle of Bullecourt, part of the Battle of Arras. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Bay 5, The Arras Memorial, Arras, Pas de Calais, France.

Thomas Alfred Crosby (1890 - 1917) Thomas Alfred Crosby was born about 1890 at Folkton, Yorkshire the son of Richard Crosby (an Agricultural Labourer, born about 1849 at Flixton, Yorkshire) and Ann Redshaw (born 1857 at Wold Newton, Yorkshire) who married around October 1887. Thomas grew up the son of a farm worker, travelling with his family from job to job; in 1891 he was at Folkton and 1901 at Willbery, Sherburn, Yorkshire aged 10. By 1911 the higher wages offered in the Ironstone Mines had attracted Thomas and he was boarding at 1 High Cleveland Street, Liverton Mines, Yorkshire, the home of Matthew Dawson, and working as a Filler in the local Ironstone Mine. Thomas Alfred Crosby was a Gunner, Service No. 63128, in 'A' Battery, 112th Brigade, The Royal Field Artillery. He Died of Wounds received during the Battle of Messines on the 20th June 1917 and is buried in Grave III.D.71. at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. 9

Michael Davey (1891 - 1917) Michael Davey was born around February 1891 in Charltons, Guisborough, Yorkshire, the third son of Richard (an Ironstone Miner, born about 1846 in St. Just, Cornwall) and Annie Elizabeth Davey (born about 1853 in Bridlington, Yorkshire) who married about 1875. Michael was born at 78 Charltons Cottages, Guisborough, Yorkshire as a member of a growing family, his father, an Ironstone Miner, moved to where the best pay for his trade was – he had already worked at five pits in his fifteen years of marriage when Michael was born. By 1901 they had moved again to 6 Hartington Street, Loftus, Yorkshire, where Richard was an Ironstone Miner at the local ironstone mines, with the two older boys, Joshua and Richard, a Driver and a Leader, respectively,in the same mine. By 1911 Michael was a Labourer in the ironstone mine and was the only child at home, at 5 Hartington Street now, to support his parents, his father by now promoted to a Deputy. At the outbreak of The Great War Michael was lodging with his sister Elizabeth, by now married, at Rutherford Street, Choppington. Michael was a Guardsman, Service No. 25393, in the 1st Battalion, The Grenadier Guards. He was Killed In Action on 12th October 1917 in the First Battle of Passchendaele, during a gas barrage by the Germans on the edge of the Houthulst Forest. His body was never found and he is commemorated, with so many others, on Panel 9 of The Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West Flanders.

James Dawson We have extensively searched the available records, but, as yet, have found no information to firmly identify this casualty. However, if at a later date any information becomes available the record will be updated on the Loftus Family History Group website.

Thomas Arthur Dowey (1890 - 1917) Thomas Arthur Dowey was born around October 1889, the second son of David Dowey (born about 1859 in Loftus, Yorkshire) and Elizabeth Whitem Barker (born about 1862 in Whitby, Yorkshire), who were married around October 1885. Thomas was brought up at 33 High Street, Loftus, Yorkshire, attending school there. By 1901 the family had moved to 62 Stephen Street in West Hartlepool, Durham, with his father becoming a Moulder's Labourer in the local iron foundry. David and his family soon moved back to Loftus, where Elizabeth died around January 1904. David re-married to Charlotte Cox around October of the same year and by 1911 was once more an Ironstone Miner living with his family at Brittania Yard, Loftus, with Thomas now cleaning the picking belt at the local ironstone mines. Thomas was a Private, Service No. 19305, in the 2nd Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment). He was killed on the 31st July 1917, in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, the opening battle of the Third Battle of Ypres (the Battle of Paschendaele). His body was never found and he is commemorated on Panel 33, The Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders.

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Alfred Dunn (1897 - 1917) Alfred Dunn, born around January 1897 in Loftus, Yorkshire, son of Thomas Dunn (a Deputy in an Ironstone Mine, born about 1852 in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire) and Anne Trattles Robinson (born about 1859 in Borrowby, Yorkshire), who married around April 1881. Alfred grew up in Raymond Cottage, North Road, Loftus with his family, eventually, by 1911, becoming a Belt Boy, with his older brother John (on the right in the photograph) at Hutchinson's Iron Works (Skinningrove Iron Company) in Carlin How, separating shale from the Iron Ore destined for the furnaces on the cliff top. Alfred (on the left in the photograph) was a Private, Service No. 241328, in the 10th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment). He was Killed In Action on the 4th October 1917, during the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Third Battle of Ypres, and is buried in Grave XI. L. 2., in Hooge Crater Cemetery. John also served in The Great War - he survived.

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Harry Easton (1897 - 1916) Harry Easton was born around January 1897 in Loftus, Yorkshire, the adopted son of John Porritt (an Ironstone Miner, born about 1864 in Loftus) and Jane Easton (born about 1867 in Loftus), who married around October 1883. Harry was the son of one of Jane's siblings, which one has not been ascertained, but as the name 'Harry' doesn't seem to appear in the family, it is possible that he was born out of marriage to one of her sisters. He grew up with the rest of John and Jane's children at 130 Zetland Row, Loftus and finally at 3 East Street, Loftus. By 1911 he had followed his adoptive father into the ironstone mines and was a Horse Driver. Harry was a Private, Service No. 33246, in the 6th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment). He was Killed In Action on the 30th September 1916, shortly after The Battle Of Thiepval, part of The Battle Of The Somme. He is buried in Grave IX. E. 17, Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Departement du Somme, Picardie, France.

Fred Emery (1880 - 1915) Frederic Emery was born around October 1880 in Claines, Worcestershire, the third son of Charles Emery (a China Printer, born around October 1841 in Hanley, Staffordshire) and Mary Jeffries (born around July 1843 in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire), who married around July 1864 in Stoke on Trent. Frederic was born at 23 Mill Lane, Claines, a member of a large, still-growing family with his father employed as a China Printer in Worcester's thriving porcelain trade. By 1891 they lived at 1 Barbourne Bank, South Claines; Charles was still a China Printer with the rest of the family either in employment or at school. By 1911, Frederic was boarding at Lyndon, near Oakham, Rutland, working as a Telegraph Wireman, with the GPO, having completed his apprenticeship at nearby Droitwich. At his enlistment Frederic was living in Loftus, Yorkshire. Frederic was a Lance Corporal, Service No. 12319, in the 11th (Prince Alberts Own) Hussars, a cavalry regiment. He was Killed In Action on the 13th May 1915, during a bombardment by the Germans near Potizje Chateau, in The Second Battle of Ypres. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Panel 5, The Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders.

John Birkett Errington (1898 - 1917) John Birkett Errington was born around April 1898 in Guisborough, Yorkshire, the only son of Thomas Errington (a Bank Manager, born about 1856 in Brignall, Yorkshire) and Jane Ann Birkett (born about 1858 in Handerthwaite, Yorkshire), who married around October 1887 at Barnard Castle, Durham. John was raised with his sisters in Reid Terrace, Guisborough, in a middle-class household with at least one domestic servant. By 1911 he was a scholar at a boarding school in Barnard Castle with a cousin, Frank Errington, while his father and family were in the Bank House, Loftus, Yorkshire. John's War Service Record has survived and shows that at the time he attested he was a Bank Clerk at Loftus and following in his father's career path. John signed up for a Short Service in June of 1916 as a Private, Service No. 10662, in the 2nd Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company (Infantry). He spent about a year at home, before being mobilised on the 16th March 1917 and posted to the BEF in France on the 19th June 1917, arriving in Le Havre on the 20th June. He was posted Missing on the 9th October 1917 during an attack on Reutel, Flanders in the Third Battle of Ypres (Battle of Passchendaele) and Killed In Action later the same day. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on Panel 7, Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West Flanders.

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George Farndale (1891 - 1917) George Farndale was born about 1891 in Egton, Yorkshire, youngest son of John Farndale (a Deputy in an ironstone mine, born about 1851 in Egton, Yorkshire) and Susannah Smith (born about 1853 in Cropton, Yorkshire), who married around July 1872 in Egton, Yorkshire. George was born around the time his father, a Farm Labourer, became an Ironstone Miner, so he would have witnessed quite a change in his young life, from the pastoral surroundings of Egton village to the hustle and bustle of Loftus, Yorkshire. His father must have been a quick learner, progressing to Mines Deputy in 10 years. George followed his father and other brothers into the ironstone mines, becoming, by 1911, a Blacksmith's Striker, living with his family at 19 Tees Street, East Loftus. George was a Private, Service No. 333852, in the 9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, although he was originally conscripted as Service No. 26456, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment). He was Killed In Action on the 27th May 1917 (a day made infamous by the French Army mutinies following the disastrous Nivelle Offensive, which left 100,000 French dead), in the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on Bay 8, The Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Albert Fletcher We have extensively searched the available records, but, as yet, have found no information to firmly identify this casualty. However, if at a later date any information becomes available the record will be updated on the Loftus Family History Group website. 13

Thomas Fowle (1892 - 1917) Thomas Fowle was born in Loftus, Yorkshire, around January 1892, the youngest son of William Fowle (a Woodman, born about 1855 in Stanton St. Bernards, Wiltshire) and Harriet Day (born about 1852 in Loftus, Yorkshire), who married around January 1882 in Loftus. Thomas Fowle grew up at 3 Church Row in Loftus with his family, moving by 1911 to the Hall Lodge in Loftus. Thomas didn't become an Estate employee like his father, or an apprentice Cabinet Maker like his oldest brother Henry, instead he followed his other brother William into the ironstone mines and became a labourer. Thomas was a Corporal, Service No. 26342, in the 4th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), going to France sometime after 1915. He was Killed In Action in the front line on the 26th December 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres, in the final stages of the Battle of Passchendaele. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Panels 52 to 54 and 162a, Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West Flanders.

Robert E Gibson We have extensively searched the available records, but, as yet, have found no information to firmly identify this casualty. However, if at a later date any information becomes available the record will be updated on the Loftus Family History Group website.

Albert Handley (1892 - 1918) Albert Handley was born around July 1892 in Farndale, Yorkshire, the youngest son of William Handley (a Stone Mason, born around Jan 1848 in Helmsley, Yorkshire) and Elizabeth Hall (born about 1852 in Coxwold, Yorkshire), who were married around July 1872. Albert grew up in Church Houses, Farndale East Side, born into a large family. His father, William, and older brother Robert were Stone Masons while he was attending school in 1901. William died in 1905, his older sons taking on the task of supporting his widow and Albert moved out of the family home to board at Helmsley where in 1911 he was a Grocer's Apprentice. Albert eventually moved to Loftus, Yorkshire where around October 1914 he married Mary Elizabeth Leng. Albert was a Private, Service No. 4272, in Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), probably a Territorial Soldier. At some time, possibly due to injury, he transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment) as a Private, Service No. 36073. He Died on the 5th January 1918, possibly from Spanish Influenza, the records aren't clear on this, and was buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), Zonnebeke, Flanders. His grave was subsequently destroyed by shellfire and he is commemorated on Special Memorial G.22.

Robert Harland (1897 - 1918) Robert Harland was born around October 1897 at 8 North Terrace, Loftus-in-Cleveland, Yorkshire, the only son of John Metcalf Harland (born about 1866 at Easington, Yorkshire) and his wife Eliza Simpson (born about 1872 at Great Ayton, Yorkshire), who were married in 1895 and had two children, Annie (born about 1896 at Loftus) and Robert. Robert grew up with his family at 8 North Terrace, his father working initially as a Labourer on the Blast Furnaces at Skinningrove Iron Company in Carlin How, Yorkshire, across the valley, and later as an Assistant Deputy in the local ironstone mines. Robert was a Private, Service No. 37872, in the 10th Battalion, Prince of Wales Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment, conscripted in 1916. He was Killed In Action on 14th August 1918, in the 100 days to Victory Campaign, in the battles of Pozieres and Courcelette, and is buried in Grave I.A.6., Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery, Departement de la Somme, France. 14

Arthur Harmer (1884 - 1916) Arthur Harmer was born in Loftus in Cleveland, Yorkshire, around April 1884, the third child of John Harmer (born about 1852 in Barton Turf, Norfolk) and Harriet Sparrow (born about 1852 in East Ruston, Norfolk) who were married in Sunderland, Co. Durham, at the end of 1872. Arthur spent his early life with his parents, four brothers and two sisters at 10 Church Row in Loftus. When he left school at 12 he went into one of the local ironstone mines and by 1901, when he was only 17, was already an Ironstone Miner, living with his parents and siblings at 1 High Row in Loftus. Around June 1910 Arthur married Alice Maud Payne and by 1911 had moved to 3 Far Foulsyke, Loftus, they had no children. After his death Alice remarried, to William G Temple, around September 1916. Arthur was a Private, Service No. 23951, in the 9th (Service) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, enlisting in Rotherham, Yorkshire. He died on the 20th July 1916, from wounds received when he took part in The Battle of the Somme. He is buried in Grave XIV. C. 1A., Etaples Military Cemetery, at Etaples, near Boulogne, France. His brother Laurence also died in The Great War, Killed In Action on the 2nd September 1918, in the 100 days to Victory Campaign. They are both commemorated on the family gravestone in Loy Lane Cemetery, East Loftus, Yorkshire.

Thomas Harrison (1876 - 1916) Thomas Harrison was born in Loftus, Yorkshire around July 1876 and was the second son of George Harrison (a Foundry Moulder, born about 1844 at Ugthorpe, Lythe, Yorkshire) and Mary Oyston (born about 1847 at Durham), who were married in June 1868 at Lythe. Thomas grew up at 8 Liverton Road, Loftus, near to the foundry where his father, George, was a Moulder. By 1901 he was a foreman moulder. Son Joseph had become a Pork Butcher and Thomas had joined the Royal Navy, Service No. 164512(Po), and was at Portsmouth with his wife, Rose, who he married two years previously in Weymouth, Dorset. By 1911 Thomas was a Leading Seaman on board HMS “Minotaur”, a First Class Armoured Cruiser and flagship of the China Station, at Hong Kong. At the outbreak of war the ships of the China Station were ordered to home waters after failing to find the German commerce raiders that were operating in Asian waters, arriving home at the end of 1914. In 1916 HMS “Minotaur” was transferred to the 2nd Cruiser Squadron and Thomas was transferred to HMS “Hampshire”, a Devonshire-class Armoured Cruiser, part of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron. HMS “Hampshire” was present at, but not engaged in, the Battle of Jutland, firing several salvos that fell well short of their intended targets. Several days later she sailed for Russia in a worsening gale, carrying The Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, and his Staff, and on the 5th July 1916 she is believed to have struck a mine laid by a German submarine and sank with heavy loss of life, including Leading Seaman Thomas Harrison, there were only 12 survivors. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Panel 12 of The Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.

Leonard Donald Hewitt (1883 - 1916) Leonard Donald Hewitt was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire, around October 1883. Leonard was raised by his grandmother, Jane Hewitt (born about 1830 in Scarborough) at 2 Salmon Steps, near Quay Street in Scarborough. By 1901 they had moved next door to 3 Salmon Steps, Leonard was a Brickyard Labourer and his younger brother, James, a Brickyard Runner. Around April 1903 Leonard married Rachel (Ellen) Sowray (born about April 1886 in Scarborough) in Scarborough and by 1911 had moved to 32 Lax Street in Carlin How, Yorkshire, with his wife and three children, Mary, Ena and Leonard, all born in Scarborough, and was working as a Filler in one of the Ironstone Mines. Another boy, James W, was born about July 1915. Leonard was a Private, Service No. 3841, in the 4th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire) Regiment, a Loftus Territorial, enlisting in Loftus Yorkshire. He was Killed In Action on the 16th June 1916, in Flanders. He is buried in Grave L. 31., Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Kemmel in Heuvelland, West Flanders. 15

Charles Edwin Hicks (1883 - 1916) Charles Edwin Hicks was born in Loftus in Cleveland, Yorkshire, between April & June 1883, the third child of William Hicks (born about 1840 in Glaisdale, Yorkshire) and Elizabeth Ann Cammell (born about 1851 in Hull, East Yorkshire) who were married in Hull, East Yorkshire, between April & June of 1876. Charles spent his early life with his parents and brothers and sisters at 26 West Road in Loftus, his father working as a Joiner in Bell's Pit at Carlin How. By 1901 he had gone to work in one of the local ironstone mines and at 17 was a Horse Driver, leading the pit ponies along the tramways in the mine, living with his parents and siblings at 29 Tees Street in East Loftus. Towards the end of 1904 Charles married Mary Elizabeth Telford in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire and by 1911 had his own business, as an “Egg, Butter and Yeast Merchant” at 2 Tees Street in East Loftus, with his wife and two children, Freda Wiseman and Gladys Mary. Charles was a Private, Service No. 28420, in the 6th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), enlisting in Stockton, Durham (where he lived at 12 Farrer Street). He was Killed In Action on the 13th December 1916, in the Somme, France. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Pier and Face 3A & 3D of Thiepval Memorial, near Thiepval in the Somme, France. His younger brother William Arthur also died in The Great War.

William Arthur Hicks (1885 - 1915) William Arthur Hicks was born in Loftus, Yorkshire about July 1885, the younger brother of Charles Edwin Hicks and son of William Hicks (born about 1840 in Glaisdale, Yorkshire) and Elizabeth Ann Cammell (born about 1851 in Hull, East Yorkshire) who were married in Hull, East Yorkshire, between April & June of 1876. William grew up with his parents and brothers and sisters at 26 West Road in Loftus. By 1901, at 15, he was an Assistant Miller, living with his parents and siblings at 29 Tees Street in East Loftus. William's father died around October 1910 and William Arthur, now a Labourer in an ironstone mine took over the task of supporting his mother, along with his younger brother John Robert, a Tub Filler in the same ironstone mine. William was a Private, Service No. 2884, in 'A' Company, 4th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire) Regiment, enlisting in Loftus, a Loftus Territorial. He was Killed In Action on the 29th April 1915, in the Battle of St. Julien, part of the Second Battle of Ypres, 11 days after arriving in Europe. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Panel 33 of The Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Flanders. His older brother Charles Edwin also died in The Great War. 16

Fred Hodgson (1899 - 1918) Fred Hodgson was born in Loftus, Yorkshire, around April 1899, the son of John Hodgson (born about 1870 in Easington, Yorkshire) and Margaret Ward (born about 1867 in Carlisle, Cumberland) who were married around July 1892. Fred spent his early life with his parents and two sisters, Olive and Annie at 3 Victoria Terrace in Loftus, where his father was a Shoemaker. By 1911 the family, now with another son, Arthur, had moved to 4 Tees Street, East Loftus. Fred was a Private, Service No. 62115, in the 15th/17th (1st Leeds) Battalion, Prince of Wales Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), a battalion of The New Army, enlisting in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. Fred was 17 years and 6 months old and a clothing assistant on the Attestation Papers he signed on 8th September 1916. His address was 4 Tees Street, East Loftus, his brother Arthur, 15, and sister Olive, 24, living at home with their parents according to the Military records. Fred was Killed In Action on the 19th July 1918, he is buried in Grave II. D. 8., Merville Communal Cemetery Extension, Merville, Departement du Nord, France.

George Thomas Hodgson (1882 - 1916) George Thomas Hodgson was born in North Skelton, Yorkshire, around April 1882, the second son of George Hodgson (born about 1858 in Witton-le-Wear, Durham) and Jane Ann Bousfield (born about 1858 in Staithes, Yorkshire), who were married in 1877, having seven children in all. In 1891 George was living at 37 Chapel Street, Brotton, Yorkshire with his four brothers Paul, John,Walter and Ralph and attending the local school. By 1901 the family, now with another son, Arthur, and a daughter, Edith, had moved to 4 Child Street, Brotton, with George now an Ironstone Filler in the local ironstone mine. George married Elizabeth Fawcett in 1904 and in 1911 was living at 26 St. Hildas Terrace in Loftus, Yorkshire, they had one child alive from four born, with George now an Ironstone Miner. They went on to have three more children, Alice M, Lily and John R. George was a Private, Service No. 2882, in the 4th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), enlisting in Loftus, a pre-war Territorial. George was Killed In Action on the 14th February 1916 when the German forces exploded a mine under the trench that he and his comrades were occupying near Hill 60 in Flanders. He is buried in Grave II. K. 13., Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), near Ypres, West Flanders. The gravestones of his comrades stand close to on either side, together in death as in life.

Michael Hodgson (1891 - 1915) Michael Hodgson was born at 16 East Crescent, Loftus, Yorkshire around July 1891, the third son of James Hodgson (an Ironstone Miner, born about March 1846 at Scaling, Yorkshire) and Mary Walker (born about December 1847 at Sneaton, Scarborough, Yorkshire) who married around December 1871. Michael was the youngest of a large family and grew up in East Crescent in a typical Ironstone Miner's family. His mother died before he was 9, leaving his upbringing to his sisters, as his father never re-married. His father died at the beginning of 1911 and by the time of the census the family was well dispersed. Michael may already have joined the Army before his father died, but if not he was certainly amongst its ranks by the time of the 1911 Census. Michael was a Lance Corporal, Service No. 14438, in the 2nd Battalion, The Grenadier Guards, enlisting at Redcar before the war. He was Killed In Action on the 11th May 1915 in the Battle of Aubers Ridge. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Panel 2 of the Le Touret Memorial, Pas De Calais, France.

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George William Hopper (

- 1917)

We have so far been unable to trace George William Hopper's life before his war service. George William Hopper originally served as a Private, Service No. 3759, in Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment) (probably the 4th Battalion). He was possibly a Territorial, because his Medal Index Card doesn't show that service, but shows that he served as Private, Service No. 6220, in the Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment, going to France after 1915. He was then transferred, at some point in time, as Private, Service No. 27351, 10th Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He Died of Wounds on the 20th September 1917, at a Casualty Clearing Station, on the first day of the Battle of Menin Road, part of the Third Battle of Ypres, and is buried in Grave I.A.52. in Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, Nord, France.

Abraham Jackson (1875 - 1917) Abraham Jackson was born at Staithes, Yorkshire, around July 1875, the oldest son of Edward Jackson (an Ironstone Miner, born about 1853 at Loftus, Yorkshire) and his wife Sarah Cole (born about 1857 at Staithes, Yorkshire) who married in September 1874 at Staithes and had 9 children (three of whom died before 1911). Abraham grew up in a typical ironstone miner's family. At the time of his birth Edward and Sarah were living in Staithes with Sarah's family, but by 1881 the family were living at 9 Duncan Place in Loftus, Edward was an Ironstone Miner, working in the local ironstone mine and Abraham had two younger siblings Edward and his sister Ada (who was to die young). By 1891 Edward had changed his career and had a Grocer's Shop at 54 High Street, with Abraham as his Assistant. In 1893 Edward died, leaving his widow to run the business and by 1901 Sarah was running the shop and all the surviving children were living at home, with both Abraham and Edward working for their mother, living with them was Sarah's mother, also called Sarah. In 1903 Abraham married Ada Teal in Scarborough, Yorkshire and they set up home at 8 Lyall Street, where she gave birth to their first child Edith Annie in November. In the 1911 Census Abraham was entered in two places: He is entered at 54 High Street, Loftus with his mother, siblings and grandmother on one census. On the other he is entered as a Grocer's Assistant, living with his wife, their daughter Edith and Ada's son George at 8 Lyall Street, Scarborough. Abraham was a Private, Service No. 34953, in the 7th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. He died on the 7th November 1917 and is buried in Grave L.9.32. at Scarborough (Manor Road) Cemetery, Yorkshire. Abraham's brother William also served and died in The Great War.

William Ernest Jackson (1894 - 1916) William Ernest Jackson was born at Loftus, Yorkshire, around January 1894, the youngest son of Edward Jackson (an Ironstone Miner, born about 1853 at Loftus, Yorkshire) and his wife Sarah Cole (born about 1857 at Staithes, Yorkshire) who married in September 1874 at Staithes. Edward died at the end of 1893, shortly before William was born. William grew up in quite a large family, 6 children by the time he was born. Without a father he would no doubt have been kept in check by his elder brothers (Abraham was 18 years older than he was). By 1901 Sarah was running a Grocer's shop with Abraham and Edward working for her. Although it doesn't say so on the Census return for 54 High Street, Loftus, William, aged 7, would certainly be attending the local school. By 1911 William was assisting in his mother's business, by now a Grocers and Confectioners. William was a Private, Service No. 3280, in the 4th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), a Loftus Territorial. He Died of Wounds received during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, part of the Battle of the Somme, on the 16th September 1916 and is buried in Grave III.A.27. at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Departement du Somme, France. His older brother Abraham also served and died in The Great War. 18

James Jefferson (1895 - 1915) James Jefferson was born at Glaisdale, Yorkshire around January 1895, the son, we believe, of William Jefferson (a Labourer, born about 1836 at Egton, Yorkshire) and Annie Lewis (his second wife, born about 1853 at Egton), who married about 1878. James was not in the family home in the 1901 Census and appears not to have been enumerated. In 1911 he was a Farm Worker at Warsett Farm, Loftus, Yorkshire, England. Not long after this James joined the Army as a regular soldier. James was a Private, Service No. 10067, in the 2nd Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), going to France on the 14th November 1914. He was Killed in Action on the 10th March 1915, on the first day of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Panel 12 of The Le Touret Memorial, Pas De Calais, France.

Lewis Thomas King (1885 - 1916) Lewis Thomas King was born on 17th May 1885 at 4 High Row, Loftus, Yorkshire, the son of Mary Jane King (born about 1861 in Marske-by-the Sea, Yorkshire). Lewis was brought up at his grandparents' (Richard and Mary King) home, his mother marrying George Mann Locker (a Jet Worker, born about 1860 at Whitby, Yorkshire), in 1887. By 1901 Lewis was working in the local ironstone mines as a Driver. He married Ada Mary Matthews (born about 1887 in Middlesbrough) in Loftus in 1904 and by 1911 was an Ironstone Miner, living in 32 North Terrace, Loftus with two children, William Lewis and David. Lewis was an Acting Serjeant, Service No. 13070, 'D' Company, 10th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Own (West Riding Regiment). He Died of Wounds received in the trenches at Ploegsteert, where the Battalion had just relieved the 8th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, on 31st August 1916 and is buried in Grave I.D.3., Berks Cemetery Extension, Hainaut, Flanders. Two of his step-brothers, Richard George Locker and Robert Locker also gave their lives in The Great War.

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Albert Ernest Leng (1888 - 1917) Albert Ernest Leng was born in Loftus, Yorkshire, about October 1888, the sixth child of Reuben Leng (born about 1849 in Hutton Lowcross, Guisborough, Yorkshire) and Mary “Polly” Shepherd (born about 1850) who were married in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, around December of 1875. Albert grew up with his family at 6 North Terrace in Loftus. His mother died in December 1896 at the age of 46 and his father married Jane Elizabeth Coates, in Loftus in 1898. By 1901 the family had moved to 2 Hartington Street in Loftus. By 1911 the family had moved again, this time to 18 Tees Street, East Loftus where Albert was an Ironstone Miner at the local Ironstone Mine. Lodging with them was his wife-to-be Betsy Brown (born about 1885 in Scarborough, Yorkshire), a Dressmaker – they married about September 1911 and had one son James R. Leng, born about June 1913. Albert was a Private, Service No. 240754, in the 7th Battalion, Kings Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry Regiment), enlisting in Pontefract, Yorkshire (at some time after this his Service No. Was 3268, implying that he was discharged and re-enlisted, or that the 7th Battalion was absorbed into another). He was Killed In Action on the 27th September 1917, during the Battle of Passchendale, in Flanders. His body was never found, like so many in that battle , and he is remembered on The Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West Flanders. His brother Arthur Herbert Leng served in the Royal Field Artillery, attaining the rank of Sergeant, during The Great War.

John William Lobb (1890 - 1918) John William Lobb was born in Lingdale, Yorkshire, about April 1890, the second child of Emma Cunnington (born about 1869 in Seaton, Rutland). In 1891 Emma was Housekeeper to William Lobb (born about 1858 in Church Town, Cornwall) an Ironstone Miner, at 32 Cockburn Street, Lingdale, with her two children. Emma and William were married about June 1891. In 1901 John was with his family at 29 Hartington Street in Loftus, Yorkshire. At some time between 1901 and 1911 William died, leaving John, a bricklayer at the local Ironstone Mine, to support his mother and her family at 34 Dundas Street, Loftus. By the time of John's death Emma was living at 18 Upper Jackson Street, South Bank, Yorkshire. John was a Private, Service No. 10860, in Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire) Regiment, enlisting in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. At some time he transferred to the 7th battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) as a Private, Service No. 45903. He died of wounds on the 29th September 1918, during the Battle of St. Quentin Canal, in France. He is buried in Grave III.B.9.,The Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux-St. Marc, France.

Richard (Dick) George Locker (1893 - 1916) Richard (Dick) George Locker was born in Whitby, Yorkshire, about April 1893, son of George Mann Locker (born about 1861 in Whitby) and Mary Jane King (born about 1861 in Marske, Yorkshire) who were married in Whitby, about July of 1887. Dick grew up with his family and grandfather at 4 High Row in Loftus, Yorkshire. By 1911, he was an Ironstone Miner, still living at home – his sister, Margaret, had married Harry Panting, also a miner, another casualty of The Great War. Dick was a Private, Service No. 3164, in the 4th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire) Regiment, enlisting in Loftus (a pre-war Territorial). He died of wounds on the 29th February 1916, probably as a result of enemy activity around Hill 60 near Ypres, Flanders. He is buried in Grave II.C.11. at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Vlamertinghe, Flanders. His younger brother Robert Locker also died in The Great War.

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Robert Locker (1895 - 1918) Robert Locker was born in Loftus, Yorkshire, about October 1895, son of George Mann Locker (born about 1861 in Whitby) and Mary Jane King (born about 1861 in Marske, Yorkshire) who were married in Whitby, about July of 1887. Robert, like his brother Dick, grew up with his family and grandfather at 4 High Row in Loftus, Yorkshire. By 1911, he was an Ironstone Miner, still living at home – his sister, Margaret, had married Harry Panting, also a miner, another casualty of The Great War. Robert was a Private, Service No. 20958, in 'Y' Company, 12th (Service) “Teesside” Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), enlisting in Marton, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire on the 26th February 1915, joining up “For the Duration”. A lot more is known about Robert's war service because his service record survives as one of “The Burnt Records” in The National Archive. Robert served in France after being posted there in 1916. He was hospitalised in France with Nephritis, a kidney infection, in 1917. It was serious enough to get him transferred to the Imperial General Hospital in Manchester from where he was posted to Depot duties in Yorkshire, when fit. This obviously didn't appeal to him, because in August of 1918 he transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Prince of Wales Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), Service No. 63147 and was posted back to France. He was Killed In Action on the 14th September 1918, in some of the fiercest fighting of The Great War, as the Germans retreated. He is buried in Grave III.C.9. at La Targette British Cemetery, Neuville-St. Vaast, France. His older brother Dick Locker also died in The Great War.

George Martin (1885 - 1916) George Martin was born in Jarrow, Durham about 1885, the son of Thomas Martin (an Ironstone Miner, born about 1865 in Northumberland) and his wife Mary Jane Scott (born about 1865 in Howden, Northumberland), who married in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire in September 1883. We know nothing about George or his family until 1901 when George lived with his parents at 7 John Street, Loftus, Yorkshire, a Labourer in the Ironstone Mine, possibly working with his father, an Ironstone Miner, in the local ironstone mines. In 1911 Thomas and his family lived at 64 Dixon Street, Gateshead on Tyne, Durham, where Thomas was now a Coal Miner. Of George there is no more trace in Census history, but we know that he was a Territorial Soldier, living at Grange Villa, Durham at the time of his enlistment at Chester-le-Street, Durham. George was a Private, Service No. 3171, in the 1st/8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He was Killed in Action on the 17th March 1916, possibly in trench fighting on Hill 60, near Zillebeke, Flanders, and is buried in Grave II.D.7. at Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

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William Henry Mellish (1889 - 1918) William Henry Mellish was born in Richmond, Surrey on the 3rd January 1889, and baptised two days later at St. John the Divine Church at Richmond, the son of John James Mellish (a Coachman, born about 1849 at Richmond) and Ellen Catherine Ogden (born 1855), who married on the 23rd September 1877 at St. Peter and All Saints, Petersham, in Richmond, Surrey. To understand the story of William we must start before he was born. In 1881 the family was living at 5 Paradise Cottage, Paradise Road, in Richmond, living with them was John's father, Henry, also a Coachman, and his brother William, an Ostler. In 1892 John James died, which caused the family to break up, Henry George James, his eldest son, was placed in an Industrial School in Dartford Kent and from there, by 1901, into the Royal Engineer's as a Driver. By 1901 Eleanor was in the Workhouse, a Laundress, William was an Inmate at Doctor Barnado's House in Cobbold Road, Felixstowe, his brother John, a year older, was an Agricultural Labourer at Lumley House Farm in Botton, Yorkshire (possibly another Doctor Barnardo's placement). As a Barnardo's Boy, William would be placed out to work as soon as he was able, usually far away from the place of birth, so it is not inconceivable that he was sent near to Loftus, either to work in the mines, or on a farm. We know that John stayed in the area, marrying Hilda Bargate in 1913 and raising two children here, William may have stayed with them. William was a Private, Service No. 200889, in the 4th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment) who died on 25 November 1918, possibly from Spanish Influenza and is buried in Grave M.144. in Hornsea Cemetery, Yorkshire, England. 22

Milton Newton (1893 - 1916) Milton Newton was born in Loftus, Yorkshire, about October 1893, oldest child of Harry Newton (born about 1870 in Hartlepool, Durham) and Martha Garbutt (born about 1872 in Sleights, Yorkshire), who were married about April 1893. Milton grew up with his family at 8 East Crescent in Loftus. By 1911 Milton was a Labourer at Skinningrove Iron Works, working on the blast furnaces, but still living with his family at 8 East Crescent. Milton was a Corporal, Service No. 1586, in the 4th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), enlisting in Skelton, Yorkshire (a pre-war Territorial). He died “at home” on the 30th January 1916, aged 22. He is buried in Grave No. C.3236, Loftus Old Cemetery, Loy Lane, Loftus, Yorkshire. His father Harry died in the Cottage Hospital at Whitby, Yorkshire on the 2nd February 1916 and this, combined with Milton's death registration being in Whitby, suggests that whatever killed the father also killed his son.

Cyril Watson Nicholson Cyril Watson Nicholson was born on the 16 August 1897 in Whitby, Yorkshire, the third of seven sons of John Watson Nicholson, born about 1864 in Lealholm, Yorkshire (Licensee of The Golden Lion Hotel in Loftus, Yorkshire) and Mary Elizabeth Oliver, born about 1874 in Whitby, who were married in Whitby in September 1894. Cyril was an Ordinary Signaller, Service Number J/29102 (PO), in the Royal Navy, serving aboard HMS Invincible, the first of the Royal Navy's battlecruisers. He was killed on 31st May 1918, aged 19, as a result of enemy action when HMS Invincible was involved in the Battle of Jutland (she was destroyed by a magazine explosion during the battle after 'Q' turret was penetrated by a salvo of 12” shells from the German flagships Lutzow and Derfflinger, she broke in two and sank with the loss of a great many of her crew (there were only 6 survivors)). Cyril is commemorated on Panel 15,Portsmouth Naval Memorial and in Loy Lane Cemetery at Loftus. Two of his brothers, Herbert Talbot and Joseph Lewis Nicholson, also lost their lives in The Great War.

Herbert Talbot Nicholson (1896 - 1916) Herbert Talbot Nicholson was born in Whitby, Yorkshire, on the 16th November 1896, the oldest of seven sons of John Watson Nicholson, (Licensee of The Golden Lion Hotel in Loftus, Yorkshire, born about 1864 in Lealholm, Yorkshire) and Mary Elizabeth Oliver, born about 1874 in Whitby, who were married in Whitby in September 1894. Herbert was educated at St. Mary's Convent School in Whitby, before taking a post as a Solicitor's Clerk in Loftus. He emigrated to Canada some time after the 1911 Census. At the outbreak of war he joined the 5th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, attaining the rank of Sergeant, Service No. 86063. He died on the 4th September 1916 and is buried in Loy Lane Cemetery, Loftus (New Cemetery. R.C.U. Grave No. 3283). Two of his brothers, Cyril Watson and Joseph Lewis Nicholson, also lost their lives in The Great War.

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Joseph Lewis Nicholson (1900 - 1918) Joseph Lewis Nicholson, was born in February 1900 in Loftus, Yorkshire, the youngest of seven sons of John Watson Nicholson (Licensee of the Golden Lion Hotel in Loftus, Yorkshire, born about 1864 in Lealholm, Yorkshire) and Mary Elizabeth Oliver (born about 1874 in Whitby) who were married in Whitby in September 1894. Joseph was an Apprentice in the Merchant Navy, serving aboard SS Ingleside, out of Whitby. He was killed on the 8th May 1918 as a result of enemy action when SS Ingleside was torpedoed by UB-70 off Algiers, North Africa (At about 17:00 on 8 May 1918, the American armed yacht USS Lydonia – under Richard P. McCullough - and the British destroyer HMS Basilisk were steaming and protecting a convoy from Bizerte to Gibraltar when they encountered UB-70, lining up for a shot at the British merchant ship SS Ingleside. The submarine fired torpedoes and at least one hit the vessel. SS Ingleside burst into flames and immediately began to sink. The merchant ship was manned by an unknown number of crew, some of whom were killed or wounded, and some went down with the ship. The survivors waited for rescue on deck of their sinking ship or in the water. SS Ingleside went down, and by 17:35 the protecting allied warships spotted the submarine. According to postwar accounts, either USS Lydonia or HMS Basilisk rammed the U-boat when it began to submerge and flee. A running battle ensued for fifteen minutes. The allied warships were coordinated and together dropped several well placed depth charges on the fleeing enemy submarine until a slight oil slick began to emerge. After assuming they had sunk the enemy U-boat, USS Lydonia and HMS Basilisk proceeded hastily to the wreck of SS Ingleside. The British and American vessels rescued some survivors and took them to a friendly port, probably Algiers). Joseph is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial and in Loy Lane Cemetery at Loftus. Two of his brothers, Herbert Talbot Nicholson and Cyril Watson Nicholson, also lost their lives in The Great War.

Richard Oglesby (1882 - 1917) Richard Oglesby was born around April 1882 in Stokesley, Yorkshire, the first son of Thomas John Oglesby (a bricklayer, born about 1850 at Thornton Curtis, Lincolnshire) and Sarah Ann Pearson (born about 1855 at Gainsbrough, Lincolnshire), who married about 1877. Richard grew up with his family in Lincolnshire and attended the local school at East Halton, Glanford Brigg, Lincolnshire. He had two brothers and three sisters. His father Thomas died in 1895 and his mother married Joseph Footer the following year and by 1901 had moved with her family to 19 East Crescent, Loftus, Yorkshire, where Joseph was employed as an Ironstone Miner in the local mines. Richard had left the family home before 1901 and in 1902 joined the Army, signing up for 12 years, serving as a Private, Service No. 10079, in the 3rd Battalion, The Grenadier Guards on home duties (and living the life of a regular soldier – getting promoted to Lance Corporal, then demoted again after a Regimental Court Martial), becoming an Assistant Signalling Instructor. He was transferred to the Army Reserve in 1910 and became an Ironstone Miner at Loftus, living in the family home. As a Reservist he would be re-called at the outbreak of The Great War and probably spent the early part of the war training the new recruits before getting his Movement Orders in 1915. Richard was a Corporal, Service No. 3/8839, in 'C' Company, 9th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire) Regiment, arriving in France on 26th August 1915. He was promoted to Acting Sergeant after winning the Military Medal. He was Killed in Action on the night of 24th September 1917, in the aftermath of the Battle of Menin Road, part of the Third Battle of Ypres, on his way to a Rest Camp area near Dickebusche. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Panels 52 to 54 and 162A on The Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

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Harry Panting (1883 - 1916) Harry Panting was born around April of 1883 in Northleigh, Oxfordshire the son of Richard Panting (an Agricultural Labourer, born about 1845 in Hailey, Oxfordshire) and Sarah Lucy Pratley (born about 1850 in Ascott, Oxfordshire), who married at Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire in 1868. They had eight children. Harry's father died about 1890, when Harry was about 6 years old, leaving his older brother Thomas, an Agricultural Labourer, to support his mother, now employed as a Glovier. By 1901 Harry and his younger brother Harold, both General Labourers, had taken over the support of their mother, who was still employed as a Glovier. Harry married Margaret Jane Locker (whose three brothers were also to die in The Great War) around January of 1908 and they lived with her parents at 4 High Row, Loftus, Yorkshire. Harry was a Gunner, Service No. 64494, in “B” Battery, 110th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, going to France on the 25th September 1915. He was Killed in Action on the 30th July 1916 during fighting around La Boiselle, part of The Battle Of The Somme (the Brigade’s War Diary for the 30th records “During the night, “A” Battery had a direct hit with 150mm howitzer on a gun putting it out of action, killing three men and wounding one and destroying some ammunition.” The next day’s entry records a similar story “During the night “B” Battery had a direct hit with a 4 inch gun on one of its (gun) pits, killing three men and wounding four and putting the gun out of action.” It is, of course, possible that the incident had taken place before midnight (making the 30th the correct date of death) but it was not recorded by the Brigade’s “diary officer” until the next day). He is buried in Grave I.L.38. in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, Departement du Somme, France, next to the other members of his gun crew.

William Henry Garner Parrott (1882 - 1918) William Henry Garner Parrott was born around January 1882 at Loftus, Yorkshire, the son of James Parrott (a Woodsman, born about 1855 in Brandon, Suffolk) and his wife Maria Louisa Grass (born about 1853 in Waltham, Norfolk), who married in 1873 in Loftus. William grew up in a large family (7 children including William, 5 girls and 2 boys, all born at Loftus), living at South Lodge, Loftus. By 1901 William had left the family home and appears not to have been enumerated in the Census. William married Florence Ramm around October of 1909 at Scarborough and in the 1911 census they were boarding at 3 Zetland Road, Loftus. William was an Ironstone Miner working in the local mines. At the time of his enlistment they were living in Bentley, Doncaster, Yorkshire. William was a Private, Service No. 32895, in the 1st Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire) Regiment, a Regular Soldier. He Died on the 4th November 1918 in Peshawar in the Khyber Pass region of India (known as the North-West Frontier), possibly from Cholera or any one of the myriad diseases that were rife in India. He is buried in Grave XLV.36. in Peshawar (Right) British Cemetery, but commemorated on Face 1 of Delhi Memorial (India Gate), Delhi, India.

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William Pearse (1898 - 1918) William Frederick Pearse was born in South Hill, Cornwall, around June 1898, the second son of Amos Pearse (a Miner, born 1866, also at South Hill) and Mary Hatch (born 1869 at Lezant, Cornwall, died around October 1900), who married in the first quarter of 1892 at Liskeard, Cornwall. William was only two when his mother died in childbirth, leaving Amos with a young family of four children to rear. His sister, Amelia, became his housekeeper and the promise of a good wage lured him to Loftus, Yorkshire, where in 1911 he was an Ironstone Miner, living at 38 Hartington Street, with William in his last year at school and destined to follow him into the mine. William was a Private, Service No. 3760, in the 4th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), a Territorial Soldier at the outbreak of war, but too young to serve abroad. When he was old enough, after 1916, he was conscripted as a Private, Service No. 201066, into the same battalion. He was Killed In Action on the 13th of October 1918, within a month of the Armistice. He is buried in Grave II.B.3. in Glageon Communal Cemetery Extension, Departement du Nord, France (this presents a conundrum, as Glageon Communal Cemetery and its Extension were used exclusively for the burial of German soldiers and Allied prisoners. We suspect that either the CWGC made an error in the classification of his death, or that William died soon after being captured by the Germans).

Joseph Palister Pearson (1897 - 1917) Joseph Palister Pearson was born on the 3rd November 1897 at Loftus, Yorkshire, the fourth son of William Pearson (an Ironstone Miner, born about 1859 at Runswick, Yorkshire) and his wife Mary Jane Erskine (born about 1873 at Cramlington, Northumberland), who married in March 1890. They were part of the “Pennsylvania Coal Rush”, emigrating to the USA to work the “Black Gold” in the Oliphant area of Pennsylvania. Their first four children were born there, but working conditions were so poor and after a series of mining disasters a lot of the emigrants returned home. Joseph was the first child born after their return and by 1901 they were living at 41 Hartington Street, Loftus where William was an Ironstone Miner, working in the local mines. Joseph grew up in a large family, 7 children by the time of the 1901 census and 11 by the time of the 1911, attending the local schools and eventually working in the local mines, like his siblings. By 1911 his father had become a News Agent and had moved into “York House”, 1 Whitby Road, East Loftus – a definite status change. William Pearson died around September 1913 at Loftus and his wife re-married shortly after, to Joseph T Pinkney, moving into 4 Tyne Street, East Loftus. Joseph moved out of the family home and re-settled in Salford at his sister's home, working as a Labourer, possibly on the Manchester Ship Canal, until he joined the Army. Joseph was a Private, Service No. 25899, in the 27th (Reserve) Battalion, Manchester Regiment, a New Army Battalion, when he joined up on his 20th Birthday in 1915, transferring to the 23rd Service Battalion on the completion of his basic training and going to France in March 1916. He was admitted to hospital in September 1916, suffering from shell shock, whilst attached to the 8th Entrenching Battalion. On his return to Service he was posted to the 16th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, being allocated Service No. 295018. Joseph was reported Missing in Action on the 31st July 1917, during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, part of the Third Battle of Ypres, and Killed in Action on the 2nd August 1917. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Panels 53 and 55 of The Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Flanders.

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Robert Pearson (1894 - 1917) Robert Pearson was born in December 1894 at Liverton Mines, Yorkshire, the fourth son of James Pearson (a Platelayer, born 1856 at Loftus, Yorkshire) and his wife Elizabeth Cornforth (born 1860 at Liverton, Yorkshire), who married in 1883. Robert was born into a growing family, 8 strong by 1901, where they lived at 30 Graham Street, Liverton Mines, James was a Platelayer at the ironstone mine. By 1911 the family had moved and were living at 24 Tyne Street, East Loftus, where James and four of his sons were all Ironstone Miners. By the time of Robert's death they had moved back to Liverton Mines, living at 34 Graham Street. Robert was a Private, Service No. 241476, in “B” Company, the 8th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire) Regiment, enlisting at Whitby. He was Killed in Action on the 29th September 1917, in the Battle of Polygon Wood, part of the Third Battle of Ypres, and is buried in Grave IXA. D. 8 at Hooge Crater Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Flanders.

Robert Pearson (1890 - 1915) Robert Pearson was born in Loftus, Yorkshire around October 1890, the second son of John Pearson (an Ironstone Miner, born about 1861 at Runswick Bay, Yorkshire) and his wife Mary Jane Ward (born about 1865 at Boulby, Yorkshire), who married in 1882 and had twelve children in total. Robert grew up at 30 St. Hilda's Terrace, Loftus where John was an Ironstone Miner in the local ironstone mine. Robert and his brothers followed their father into the ironstone mine, by 1911 he was a Driver in the mine. Robert married Jane Richards in December 1912 and they lived at 3 Marine Terrace, Skinningrove, Yorkshire and had two children. Robert was a Private, Service No. 18458, in the 10th Battalion, Prince of Wales Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), enlisting at Richmond. He was Killed in Action on the 15th February 1916, during the Spring Actions at the Bluff, near the Comines Canal. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Panel 21 of The Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, West Vlaanderen, Flanders.

George Arthur Potter (1892 - 1916) George Arthur Potter was born at Whitby around July 1892, the son of George Potter (a Licensed Victualler, born about 1845 in Malton, Pickering, Yorkshire) and Mary Ann Brough (born about 1863 in Pickering) who married around July 1883. George Arthur was one of 17 children born to George and Mary Ann, only six of whom were still living by 1911. George Potter wasn't always a Licensed Victualler, at the time of his marriage he was a Railway Rulleyman, living in Ruswarp, Yorkshire and his wife was the daughter of a Railway Foreman. A rulley is a flat-bed wagon, either on rail or horse-drawn. At some point in time he moved into the hotel trade and by 1901 had moved with his wife and 8 children, including George Arthur, to 2 Wheelgate, Malton where George was the Manager of a Wine and Spirits Vault. By 1911 George Arthur was a Hotel Waiter at the Wellington Hotel, Whitby, run by his father George. At the time of George Arthur's death. George and Mary Ann were running the Angel Inn, Loftus. George Arthur was a Private, Service No. 18949, in the 6th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire) Regiment, enlisting at Richmond, Yorkshire and landing at Gallipoli on 28th September 1915. George Died of Wounds received during the defence of Delville Wood, part of the Battle of the Somme, on the 6th August 1916. He is buried in Grave VII.E.38. at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension, Departement du Somme, France.

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Walter Pryce (1882 - 1917) Walter Pryce was born around January 1882 at Wilton, Yorkshire, the second son of Walter Pryce (an Ironstone Miner, born around April 1849, in Welshpool, Montgomeryshire) and Mary Roberts (born about 1848, also in Welshpool) who married about 1872 in Wales. They had a large family, producing 12 children in all. Walter’s father was an Ironstone Miner in Eston Mines and in 1891 the family, including seven children, lived at Old Lackenby, Yorkshire, at the foot of the Eston hills and attended the local school. By 1901 Walter's father had retired and moved to Queens Street, Lazenby, Yorkshire, leaving his son Walter, now a General Labourer, to support the family (including the four youngest children). By 1911 Walter had moved out of the family home and was boarding at 40 High Cleveland Street, Liverton Mines, Yorkshire working as a Filler in the local ironstone mine. Walter was a Private, Service No. 12428, in the 6th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire) Regiment, enlisting in Richmond, Yorkshire and landing in France in July 1915. He Died of Wounds received in combat prior to the Battle of Bullecourt, on the 2nd May 1917 and is buried in Grave E.6. in Hermies British Cemetery, Pas De Calais, France.

Harold William Rex (1896 - 1918) Harold William Rex was born around October 1896 in Sutton Bonington, Nottinghamshire. Despite our best efforts we have been unable to locate his parents or his whereabouts until 1911, when, at 14 years of age he was a pupil at Kingswood, the Wesleyan school, in Bath. We know that he was established at Loftus by the time he joined the Army after 1915, because he gave it as his place of residence. Harold was a Private, Service No. 241710, in the East Kent Regiment, but transferred to the 11th (Lambeth) Battalion, the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), with the Service No. G/25035. He was Killed in Action on the 23rd of March 1918, during the German Spring Offensive, known as Operation Michael or “Kaiserschlacht”, at the end of the Battle of San Quentin, the opening phase of the 1918 Battles of the Somme. His body was never found in those desperate days of chaos and he is commemorated on Bay 2 of The Arras Memorial, Pas De Calais, France.

Sydney Walter Rigby (1880 - 1918) Sydney Walter Rigby was born around June 1880 in Silverdale, Staffordshire, the fourth son of Thomas Fownes Rigby (a Publican, born about 1845 in Chester, Chester) and Sarah Elizabeth Taylor (born about 1848 in Chester), who married on the 21st March 1871 in Chester. Thomas didn't seem to hold a job for very long and the family moved around quite a lot. By 1901 they were in Manchester, where Sydney was a Letterpress Printer and Thomas was a Commission Agent for a Drapery Company. Sarah Jane had died in 1892 and her sister Ellen, running a Stationery business, was living with the family. By 1911 Sydney had left the family home, becoming a Railway Porter, boarding in Sheffield, Yorkshire at the home of John Fleming. Sydney was originally a Private, Service No. 27832, in Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire) Regiment. At some time he transferred as Private, Service No. 50133, to the 25th (Works) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry – possibly as a result of injury. He then transferred again as Private, Service No. 182588, to the 252nd Area Employment Company, Labour Regiment. He Died on the 8th of July 1918, possibly as a result of an accident, or of Spanish Influenza, or maybe of a wound he received earlier in the War and is buried in Grave III.G.21. in Bagneux British Cemetery, Departement du Somme, France (Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to associate Sydney with Loftus).

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Charles Hugill Robinson (1896 - 1917) Charles Hugill Robinson was born at Loftus, Yorkshire around April 1896, the eldest son of William James Robinson (a Market Gardener, born around August 1868 in Loftus) and Mary Hannah Hugill (born around April 1868 in East Harlsey, Yorkshire), who married at St. Margaret's Church, Brotton, Yorkshire on the 6th May 1895. Charles was the eldest of only two children born to his parents and was brought up in The Cottage at South Loftus, Yorkshire, where his parents supplemented their income by taking in boarders. Charles followed his father into the family business (William's father Henry had been a Market Gardener before him) and by 1911 they were living, appropriately, at The Gardens, South Loftus. William was now supplementing his earnings by acting as an Auctioneer as well. Charles enlisted at Saltburn, Yorkshire on the 31st January 1916, joining 'B' Company, 21st (Yeoman) Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Regiment, Service No. R/19409, as a Rifleman, on a Short Service. He joined his unit for training on the 3rd February 1916 at Helmsley, Yorkshire, completing this on the 5th May, embarking for France on the same day. On the 11th August, Charles was transported to Bailleul Base Hospital by Field Ambulance with what was reported as Measles, on arrival he was quarantined and the diagnosis became Scarlet Fever. After a month of treatment Charles was sent to Kendal Hospital for rehabilitation, which was to take until November. After a short period of home leave Charles was posted back to France, to No. 1 Base Depot, B.E.F., from where he was posted to the 11th (Service) Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Regiment on Christmas Eve 1916. Charles was Killed in Action on the 30th November 1917, when the Germans broke through the line in large numbers during the Battle of Cambrai, inflicting very heavy casualties on The King's Royal Rifle Regiment. He is buried in Grave IV.I.9. in Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, Departement du Nord, France.

John Robinson (1880 - 1916) John Robinson was born around January 1880, oldest son of Henry Robinson (a Labourer, born about 1857 in Issenwith, Norfolk) and Elizabeth Waller (born about 1860 in Boulby, Yorkshire) who married around October 1877 in Marske, Yorkshire. John was brought up in Marske with his family and attended school there. By 1891 the family had moved to Haverton Hill, Durham where John continued with his schooling, his father working in the local Saltworks. By 1901 John and his brother David were working as Labourers, supporting their widowed mother and youngest sister Ella. John married Lottie Raisbeck around January 1903 and moved in with her brother Robert and sister Amy at 7 West Lane, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire where in 1911 he was employed as a Gantryman on the blast furnaces at the local ironworks and had three children Ida, Lilian and Josephine. By the time of his attestation on the 26th September 1914 John was living with his family at 55 Hardy Street, Middlesbrough. John was a Private, Service No. 14935, 12th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers on enlistment in Middlesbrough on 26 September 1914, but before he was posted to the BEF in France on the 9th September 1915 he had transferred to the 8th (Service) Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment as a Private, Service No. 16986, eventually attaining the rank of Lance Corporal. He was shot in the head during local operations in March 1916 and died on No. 23 Ambulance Train on the 6th March 1916 on his way to Etaples, France. John is buried in Grave VI. D. 17. Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

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Albert William Ryder (1897 - 1917) Albert William Ryder was born around January 1897 at Loftus, Yorkshire, the oldest child of William Ryder (a Cattleman, born about 1871 at Bedale, Yorkshire) and Mary Ann Ryder (born about 1877 at Hull, Yorkshire) who married about 1895. Albert grew up at Arthurs Field, Loftus, a small terrace of cottages originally built for the Alum Miners of nearby Boulby Alum Works, his father William was a Cattleman, possibly working on The Grange farm nearby. He didn't stay at Loftus very long, by 1903 the family were at Wetherby, as William moved to find work. By 1911 Albert was a servant working as a Cow Boy at Scagglethorpe, near Malton, Yorkshire, while his father was a Garden Labourer at Sledgate, Rillington, Yorkshire, one and a half miles away, with his wife and the 8 surviving children of his family of 14. Some time later Albert returned to Loftus and made it his home, joining the local Territorials. Albert was a Private, Service No. 3163, in the 4th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment) who enlisted at Loftus and embarked for France on the 9th October 1915. From his Medal Index Card (his Service Record doesn't survive) we think that he was wounded and on his return to service was transferred as a Rifleman, Service No. 2989, to the 19th (Western) Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own). Again, the Medal Index Card suggests that he was wounded and on his return to service was a Rifleman, Service No. 207571, in his old Regiment, probably sent as a re-supply for casualties. Albert Died at Sea on the 1st of January 1917 when the Troop ship “SS Ivernia” was torpedoed and sunk near Cape Matapan, Greece by a German submarine (UB 47), in all 121 lives were lost. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on The Mikra Memorial, Greece.

Joseph Edward Sawdon (1893 - 1915) Joseph Edward Sawdon was born around April 1893 in Loftus, Yorkshire to Edward Sawdon (an Iron Works Labourer, born around June 1851 at Hawsker, Yorkshire) and Sarah Dobson (born around September 1857 at Glaisdale, Yorkshire), who married around April 1877. By the time Joseph was born in 1893, Edward and Sarah already had a large family of eight children and by 1901, when they were living at 41 Whitecliffe Terrace, Loftus, that had swelled to twelve – a lot of people in a 5 room terrace house. Edward was a Blast Furnace Labourer at Hutchinson's Iron Company at Carlin How, Yorkshire, the young children attending school in Loftus and the older boys working in the ironstone mine. Edward died around January 1902, leaving the older boys to provide for their mother and the rest of the family. Sarah re-married, to Thomas Farndale, an Ironstone Miner, around April of 1910 and by 1911 only Joseph and John were left at home to provide additional support for the family, both were Shale Fillers at the local ironstone mines, while the two youngest children attended school at Liverton Mines, Yorkshire. Joseph Edward Sawdon was a Private, Service No. 9680, in the 2nd Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), a regular soldier, landing in France in 1915. He Died of Wounds received during the first day of the Battle of Loos on the 25th September 1915 and is buried in Grave I.E.1. in Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas De Calais, France.

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William Harold Slack (1897 - 1918) William Harold Slack was born born around July 1897 at Scarborough, Yorkshire, the only child of William Henry Slack (a Cellarman, born around July 1872 at Scarborough) and Lydia Preston (born around October 1871 at Ampleforth, Yorkshire), who married around January 1896 in Scarborough. At the time of their son's death William and Lydia were living at 28 Tees Street, East Loftus, Yorkshire. William was a Private, Service No. DM/2/190377, in the Army Service Corps (later to become the Royal Army Service Corps), who arrived in France on the 30th December 1916. He was assigned to No. 272 Motor Transport Company, attached to No. 213 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. In February of 1917 he was again transferred, this time to No. 283 Motor Transport Company and again in August to No. 565 Motor Transport Company, where he was fined 2 days pay in October for driving the wrong way on the M.T. Circuit without a pass, this offence causing his transfer to No. 9 G. H. Q. Reserve Motor Transport Company. In June of 1918 he was admitted to No. 38 Casualty Clearing Station with Bronchitis, which quickly developed into Pneumonia and on the 29th June he died, the Medical Officer stating that the condition was “aggravated by exposure and fatigue incidental to military service in the field”. He is buried in Grave A.8. in Fienvillers British Cemetery, Departement du Somme, France.

Edward Stephenson (1886 - 1915) Edward Stephenson was born around April 1886 in Loftus,Yorkshire to Hannibal Stephenson (a Hawker of Glass and Crockery, born in December 1844 at Hutton Rudby, Yorkshire) and Margaret Swales (born in June 1884 in Stockton-on-Tees, Durham), who married around July 1865 in Stokesley, Yorkshire. They had 16 children in total, 6 of whom died before 1911. Edward was born at 28 Gladstone Street in Loftus into the already large family of Hannibal and Margaret Stephenson. Hannibal was a Hawker, selling his goods around the streets of Loftus and the locality, a precarious existence at times, but by 1891 earning enough to send the children to school. He had been a hawker all his working life and from previous census data it is obvious that most all of his family were also hawkers, so it was a family trade. By 1901 the family had moved to Dam Street in Loftus and Hannibal and his oldest son Richard had set themselves up as Earthenware Dealers, probably selling products from Loftus Brickworks in the West End of Loftus, with Margaret hawking for him. Edward was a Metal Moulder at the local iron foundry in Carlin How. By 1911 Hannibal and his wife were once again Hawkers supported by Frank and Edward who were Ironstone Miners in the local ironstone mine. Around January 1912 Edward married Ada Evelyn Pharaoh at Easington Parish Church, Easington, Yorkshire. After Edward's death Ada married James Wallace around January 1917. Edward was a Private, Service No. 15456, in the 6th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), arriving in Gallipoli in July 1915, to die less than a month later. He took part in the Landings at Suvla Bay at the beginning of August, the last disastrous battle commanded by Lieutenant-General Stopford before his replacement, Lieutenant-General Julian Byng took over. He was Killed in Action in the assault on the “W” Hills on the 21st/22nd August 1915. Much of the undergrowth was set ablaze by the constant artillery fire from the Ottoman forces, incinerating wounded and dead alike; his body was never found and he is commemorated on Panels 55 to 58, The Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. Edward's older brother Zachariah also served in The Great War, joining the 2nd Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment) on the 26th December 1914 at Richmond, Yorkshire and serving in Munitions Work at Dorman Long, Warrenby Works.

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Emmanuel Stockdale (1881 - 1917) Emmanuel Eeet was born around April 1881 at 12 Wilson Street, Lingdale, Yorkshire, to Mary Ann Eeet (nee Leward, a Housekeeper, born about 1852 in Brigstock, Northamptonshire), a widow. Lodging with them was William Stockdale, Emmanuel's father, an Onsetter at Lingdale Ironstone Mines, who was to marry Mary Ann in 1882. By 1891 Emmanuel was a Scholar at Lingdale School, his father William was still an Onsetter at Lingdale Ironstone Mine where Mary Ann's other sons were all employed and where Emmanuel would also work when he left school. In 1899 Emmanuel (now Stockdale, not Eeet) enlisted in the Manchester Regiment at Skelton, joining the 2nd Battalion within three months and the 3rd Battalion at the beginning of March 1900, less than six months after enlisting, where he was enumerated, as a Private, in the 1901 Census. In November of 1901 he was posted to South Africa to fight in the Boer War, where he was awarded the The Queen's Medal with a Clasp for service in the Transvaal and the King's Clasp for service in The Orange Free State, returning to England in March 1903, to be posted to Singapore for 18 months, then to India, with the 1st Battalion, for three years. He finally returned home in November 1907 to serve in the Reserve, having served 8 years in the Colours, instead of the 7 he originally enlisted for. Reading his Service Record, which has survived, it would be fair to say he was a typical professional soldier of the day: he was persistently on charges for drunkenness and disorderly conduct and he was promoted and demoted with the same regularity! By 1911 Emmanuel was back in Lingdale employed at Lingdale Ironstone Mine as an Ironstone Miner, lodging with his married sister, Anne Elizabeth Parker and her family. He obviously didn't settle to civilian life, because by October he had re-enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, the Manchester Regiment, as a Private, Service No. 5865, (his old Service No.) for a further four years. He went to France with his regiment at the outbreak of the Great War, arriving on the 15th August 1914. His previous experiences in combat stood him in good stead as he fought his way through the opening battles of Mons and the First Battle of Ypres and he steadily rose through the ranks to Sergeant by April 1915. In November he was awarded the Medal of Saint George for Gallantry and distinguished service in the field (reported in The London Gazette). This wasn't to last, as in December he was Court-Martialled for drunkenness on active service and reduced to the rank of Private. In January of 1916 he was transferred to the 184th Company of the Royal Engineers, one of the Tunnelling Companies, as a Private (Tunneller's Mate), Service No. 155867. Once again he was promoted to Lance Corporal and then reduced to the rank of Sapper within four months because of misconduct. He was hospitalised, suffering from the effects of gas, in July. He went A.W.O.L. and was sentenced to 3 months Field Punishment No. 1 in October of 1916, which was commuted later the same month. He was Killed in Action on the 17th September 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres and is buried in Grave I.BA.29. in Ramscappelle Road Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Flanders.

Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori.

Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori ~ It is sweet and proper to die for one’s country. attributed to Roman poet, Horace [Quintus Horatius Flaccus 65–8 B.C.] ~ Wreath design from the booklet for the unveiling ceremony of Loftus War Memorial ~ 32

John Henry Temple (1886 - 1918) John Henry Temple was born around October 1886 in Liverton Village, Yorkshire the oldest son of William Temple (a Farmer and Auctioneer, born about 1830 in Whitby, Yorkshire) and Hannah Stevenson (born around January 1844 in Hinderwell, Yorkshire), who were married around April 1877 in Whitby. John Henry grew up on his father's farm in Liverton, with his younger brother Robert William and his older sisters, attending the local school and helping out on the farm. His father died in 1897 and by 1901 the family were living at No. 2 Zetland Terrace in Loftus, Yorkshire where Hannah was supplementing her own wealth by working as an Assistant Overseer (I can only think this was on a local farm, or maybe William's), with the support of her family and John Henry was in his last year at school. By 1911 Hannah had moved again, this time to “The Greenlands” in Loftus where she was supported by three of her children, including John Henry, who was a Bank Clerk in the North Eastern Bank in Loftus. John Henry Temple was an Acting Sergeant, Service No. C/13021, in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, arriving in France on 29th August 1916, in the middle of the Battle of the Somme. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on the 27th November 1917, as a result of his actions in The Battle of Cambrai, and attached to the 4th Battalion (Territorial), East Yorkshire Regiment. He Died of Wounds received in the 1918 Battles of the Leys, on the 21st May 1918, in hospital at Boulogne, and is buried in Grave VII.A.47. in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. His younger brother, Robert William Temple, also gave his life in The Great War, whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry.

Robert William Temple (1888 - 1916) Robert William Temple was born on 15 March 1888 at Liverton, Yorkshire the youngest son of William George Temple (a Farmer and Auctioneer, born about 1830 in Whitby, Yorkshire) and Hannah Stevenson (born around January 1844 in Hinderwell, Yorkshire), who were married around April 1877 in Whitby. Robert grew up on his father's farm in Liverton, with his elder brother John Henry and his older sisters, attending the local school and helping out on the farm. His father died in 1897 and by 1901 the family were living at No. 2 Zetland Terrace in Loftus, Yorkshire where Hannah was supplementing her own wealth by working as an Assistant Overseer (I can only think this was on a local farm, or maybe William's), with the support of her family. Robert sailed for Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on the 14th of March 1907 on the SS Vancouver to become a Farmer in Winnipeg, Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada. Robert enlisted as a Private, Service No 81877, in 'A' Company, 145th Battalion, Canadian Infantry on the 12th December 1914, eventually serving with the 2nd Canadian Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment) Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was Killed in Action on the 24th June 1916 in the fighting around Mount Sorrel, in Flanders, and is buried in Grave II.B.11. in Woods Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (We believe this to be the entry which should have appeared on Loftus War Memorial, the entry for Temple, R S being in error).

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Harry Thomas (1889 - 1915) Henry (Harry) Thomas was born on the 31st March 1889 in Loftus, Yorkshire, the first child of Joseph (Joe) Thomas (a Miner, born around June 1848 in Loftus) and Hannah Isabella Brundrett (born in 1866 in Guisborough, Yorkshire), who were married around December 1888 in Guisborough. Hannah was Joe's second wife; his first wife, Eliza Metcalf, had died in childbirth in 1887. Harry grew up amongst two sets of older step-siblings: George and Jane Ann Metcalf, born to Eliza and Alfred Joseph Brundrett, born to Hannah. These, over the years, were supplemented by the eleven more children born to Joe and Hannah, making the Thomas household a very busy one! In 1891 the family lived at 37 High Street, Loftus where Joe was a Miner at the local ironstone mines. By 1901 they had moved to 6 North Terrace, Loftus where Joe was now a Deputy at the mines and Harry was in his last year at school. By 1911 Harry had joined the Royal Navy and was a Stoker 1st Class in the Mediterranean Fleet, while Joe and his family had moved back to 37 High Street. Harry was a Stoker (1st Class), Service No. K4704 (Po), in the Royal Navy, serving aboard MFA ”Lyons” (Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary ”Lyons” was a Salvage Vessel that had been requisitioned by the Admiralty, crewed by a mixed crew of Royal and Merchant Navy personnel and was used as a Salvage Vessel and 'Q' Ship, operating out of Grimsby). He Died on the 3rd July 1915 and is buried in Grave 41.D.25. in Grimsby (Scartho Road) Cemetery, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England. 34

James Edwin Thornton (1897 - 1917) James Edwin Thornton was born around June 1897 in North Ormesby, Yorkshire, the second son of William Edward Thornton (a Gas Fitter, born around March 1864 in Huddersfield, Yorkshire), and Sophia Hirst (born around September 1865 in Thornhill, Yorkshire), who were married around June 1892 in Dewsbury,Yorkshire. In 1901 the family lived at 6 Pybus Street, Redcar, Yorkshire. William worked as a Gas Fitter for the Cleveland Gas Company, probably at the Gas Works at West Dyke. By 1911 they were living at 38 Garnet Street, Saltburn,Yorkshire. William still worked for the Cleveland Gas Company as a Gas Fitter, travelling to Redcar by train from Saltburn Station, where his oldest son Walter Hirst Thornton (who also died in The Great War) worked as a Railway Porter. At the time of their sons' deaths the family were living at 17 Cleveland Street, Loftus, Yorkshire. James Edwin was a Private, Service No. 3087, in the East Yorkshire Regiment (according to his Medal Index card, the Yorkshire Regiment according to Soldiers Died in The Great War), when he enlisted, some time in 1916. At some point in time he was probably wounded, because he transferred to the Border Regiment, Service No. 4259 and then transferred again to the 1st/5th Battalion, the Border Regiment, Service No. 241820. He was Killed in Action on the 18th Jan 1917, in fighting near Warlencourt and is buried in Grave II.L.36. in Warlencourt Briitish Cemetery, Pas De Calais, France.

Wilfred Hirst Thornton (1894 - 1917) Wilfred Hirst Thornton was born around July 1894 at North Ormesby,Yorkshire, the older brother of James Edwin Thornton (who also died in The Great War) and oldest son of William Edward Thornton (a Gas Fitter, born around March 1864 in Huddersfield, Yorkshire), and Sophia Hirst (born around September 1865 in Thornhill, Yorkshire), who were married around June 1892 in Dewsbury,Yorkshire. In 1901 the family lived at 6 Pybus Street, Redcar, Yorkshire. William worked as a Gas Fitter for the Cleveland Gas Company, probably at the Gas Works at West Dyke. By 1911 they were living at 38 Garnet Street, Saltburn,Yorkshire. William still worked for the Cleveland Gas Company as a Gas Fitter, travelling to Redcar by train from Saltburn Station, where Walter worked as a Railway Porter. At the time of their sons' deaths the family were living at 17 Cleveland Street, Loftus, Yorkshire. Wilfred was a Private, Service No. 10888, in Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment) (probably in the 6th Battalion), seconded to the 11th Division Signal Company, The Royal Engineers, landing in Gallipoli on the 3rd July 1915, just in time for the operations against Sari Bair (also known as the Battle of Nek). At some point he transferred to The Royal Engineers, becoming a Pioneer, Service No. 206796, in the 4th Division Signal Company (probably responsible for the laying and maintenance of the miles of telephone and telegraphy wires that connected the Front with the Command Centres). He was Killed in Action on the 4th of October 1917 during the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Third Battle of Ypres. His body was never found in that terrible quagmire and he is commemorated on Panels 8 and 162 of The Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, WestVlaanderen, Flanders.

William Ernest Timmins (1884 - 1916) We have so far been unable to trace William Ernest Timmin's life before his war service, but, according to Pease & Partners Ltd. Roll Of Honour, he worked at Loftus Ironstone Mine, Soldier's Died in The Great War, he was born and lived in Loftus, Yorkshire. According to his Medal Index Card he was a Corporal, Service No. 15531, in the 10th (Teesside) Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment) and a pre-war Territorial, arriving in France on the 9th September 1915 and being promoted to Serjeant soon afterwards, in the field. He was Killed in Action on the 29th September 1916, during the Battle of Morval, part of the Battle of the Somme. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Pier and Face 3A and 3D of The Thiepval Memorial, Departement du Somme, France. 35

Walter Turnbull (1889 - 1916) Walter Turnbull was born around June 1889 at Loftus, Yorkshire, the eleventh child of Robert Turnbull (a Check Weighman, born around March 1846 at Middleton, Yorkshire) and Ann Holliday (born about 1846 at Pickering, Yorkshire), who were married around December 1870 at Pickering. Walter grew up at 24 West Road, Loftus, in a busy household, full of children. His father worked at the local ironstone mine as a Check Weighman, having previously been a miner. By 1901 Robert had left the mining industry to take up employment as the Secretary of the Loftus Co-operative Society (a position he would hold all his working life). When Walter left school he became a Draper's Assistant (There were several drapers in Loftus, We are not sure which he was employed by, but it is possible that it was the Co-operative Society) until, in late 1915, he was persuaded to join the Yeoman Rifles. Walter was a Rifleman, Service No. C/12487, in 'A' Company, the 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, training initially at Duncombe Park, near Helmsley, the Estate of the Earl of Faversham, their Commanding Officer. The 21st moved to Aldershot early in 1916, where their training was intensified and they were prepared to depart for France, arriving at Le Havre in May of 1916 and marching to trenches near Bailleul in the Ypres Sector for 'familiarisation' with trench warfare, before going into the line at Ploegsteert, where they remained until they moved to the Somme in August, where their baptism of fire was to be the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, their first and almost their last major battle of the Great War. Walter Died of his Wounds on 25th of August 1916 and is buried in Grave II.F.181. in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. Whilst it is tempting to think that he was injured in the carnage of Flers-Courcelette and subsequently died, it is difficult to think that he would be transported to hospital 105km away, past several hospital areas. It is more probable then that he was injured in the line at Ploegsteert, before the Battalion moved to the Somme, and sent to the Base Hospital at Bailleul where he died. He is commemorated on the plinth of his parents’ grave in Loy Lane Cemetery, Loftus.

Arthur Tyreman (1886 - 1915) Arthur Tyreman was born around March 1886 at Grosmont, Yorkshire, the sixth child of John Tyreman (a Mines Foreman, born around June 1849 at Grosmont) and Mary Hawe (born around September 1849 at Eskdaleside,Yorkshire) who were married around December 1871 at Whitby. Arthur was born into a busy mining household in the picturesque village of Grosmont. His father, John, was a Mine Foreman in the Grosmont Ironstone Mines, near the village of Eskdaleside, a mile or so from Grosmont. Arthur attended the local school, probably taught by his oldest sister, Mary Ann, a Pupil Teacher in 1891. Unfortunately iron production at Grosmont went into decline and, after a disastrous failure of the nearby blast furnace, eventually ceased altogether. John and his family moved to Norfolk Street in West Hartlepool, Durham, John becoming a Superintendent Refuse Distructor (sic), employed by the local council. Arthur was a Telegraph Messenger, a busy job in a port like Hartlepool. By 1911 John and his wife had moved again, this time to Hinderwell, Yorkshire and John was the Under Manager of an Ironstone Mine (possibly Boulby mine), with Arthur working as an Ironstone Miner. Arthur was a Private, Service No. 6991, in the 2nd Battalion, The Coldstream Guards, a regular soldier in the British Expeditionary Force, who landed in France on the 26th August 1914. Arthur was Killed in Action (by shellfire, the only one from his unit killed on that day) on the 24th of April 1915 at Givenchy and is buried in Grave I.G.18. in The Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, Pas de Calais, France.

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Albert Walker (1884 - 1915) Albert Walker was born around July 1884 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, the second youngest son of Henry Walker (a Cutler, born about 1845 in Sheffield) and Mary Wright (born about 1846 in Sheffield), who married around October 1866 in Sheffield. Albert was the ninth child born to Mary and Henry, who, by 1891 was a Master Cutler in Sheffield's most productive industry. When Albert left school he became a foundryman in Sheffield's thriving iron industry and by 1901 he was an Iron Moulder, lodging with his brother Samuel, a Bootmaker, at Pearl Street in Sheffield. Soon after this Census the lure of higher wages in the ironstone mines of East Cleveland caused Albert to move to Skinningrove, Yorkshire, where, in 1911, he was an Ironstone Miner. Around January of 1914 Albert married Annie Found, who gave birth to Harold, his son, around June of that year. Albert was a Private, Service No. 6671, in the 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, probably a Reservist called to the Colours at the outbreak of the war. For some reason, known only to himself, he chose to serve under an Alias, Joseph Smith, which caused great difficulties in finding out what happened to him. To further compound the issue, he is recorded (in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records) as Joseph Walker, whose wife Annie lived at 129 Zetland Row, Skinningrove. He landed in France on 2nd of November 1914, at the close of the Battle of Armentieres (also called The First Battle of Ypres). Albert was Killed in Action on the 18th January 1915. His body was never found and he is commemorated on Panel 4 of The Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Flanders.

John Wilfred Wardill (1892 - 1918) John Wilfred Wardill was born around June 1892 in Ruswarp, Yorkshire, the third son of John Wardill (a Stockman, born about 1853 in Ruswarp) and Hannah Norman (his second wife, born about 1858 in Ruswarp) who married around April 1889 in Ruswarp. Shortly after John Wilfred was born his father's fortunes changed: in 1891 he had been a Farmer at Carr Hill Farm in Ruswarp, but around 1895 he became a Farm Hand at Bransdale, Yorkshire and moved around various farms at Stokesley, Yorkshire and Eaglescliffe, Durham and Castle Farm, Middleham, Yorkshire in 1901, where he was a Hind, looking after the horses. Hannah died around October 1910 at Grange Farm, Brotton, Yorkshire, where John was a Stockman and John Wilfred a Farm Labourer, along with his younger brother Norman. On the 11th June 1914 John Wilfred emigrated to Sydney, Australia, a Farmer, aboard the SS Berrima. John Wilfred was a Private, Service No. 1762, in the 45th Battalion, Australian Infantry Force, joining from Mudgee, New South Wales. He was Killed in Action during the successful counterattack at Dernancourt on the Ancre, in the Somme Battlefield, on the 5th of April 1918 ... (as their war diarist writes: “On March 29th, 1918 the Battalion took over the DERNANCOURT sector which it held for three days. On April 5th, 1918 the Germans made a desperate attempt to break through at DERNANCOURT. Under cover of an exceptionally heavy bombardment of H.E. and gas shells, the enemy launched three Divisions against the 12th and 13th Infantry Brigades. The railway embankment and some valuable high ground to the west of it was captured by the Germans. At 12-noon that day, the 45th Battalion, in conjunction with other Battalions, counterattacked. This attack was made with great dash in face of heavy machine gun fire but the Companies advanced steadily under control of their own Lewis Guns which were fired from the hips as the Lewis Gunners advanced. When at close quarters, the platoons charged with fixed bayonets and the enemy evacuated the captured trenches, leaving behind prisoners and machine guns. This period saw 7 Officers and 46 Other Ranks killed…”). John Wilfred Wardill’s body was never found and he is commemorated on The Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Somme, France. 37

Ernest Webster (1895 - 1916) Twin brothewrs Ernest and Gilbert Webster were born around June 1895 at Besthorpe, Norfolk, , to Robert Webster (an Agricultural Labourer, born around March 1847 at Besthorpe, Norfolk) and Elizabeth Parfitt (born about 1856 at Hingham, Norfolk), who married around October 1875 at Norfolk. They had 13 children in total. Robert Webster was an Agricultural Labourer all of his adult life, which meant he was used to a life of constant movement as he went from job to job around the Besthorpe area: 1881 – The Square House on Black Car; 1891 – The Cottage, Carleton Road; 1901 – Car Road, his son Isaac is a Stockman on a local farm at 13, Ernest and Gilbert are only 6; 1911 – Bottle Yard, with only four children at home, George was a Horseman on a local farm, Ernest was a Farm Labourer, like his father and Gilbert was a Shepherd. Isaac had joined the 2nd Battalion, The Norfolk Regiment as a Private, serving with the Cookers as a Cook (he was to become a Prisoner Of War during The Great War). The eldest son, James was lodging at the home of Robert Welford at 12 Graham Street, Liverton Mines, Yorkshire . The 27 year old Ironstone miner, employed at Loftus Ironstone mine owned by Pease & Partners Ltd, was involved in what proved to be a fatal accident on 30th June 1911. The 1911 Mines Inspectors Report report states: James Webster was working along with another miner in a siding over 13 feet wide which had been driven out of a split and which was nearly holed; while in a stooping position a small piece of shale 2 or 3 lbs. in weight dropped from the roof and inflicted a scalp wound on the back of his head; he walked outbye, and also twice to the hospital, but on July 4th he became rapidly worse and finally had a fit; later on the same day he died of haemorrhage of the brain at the base of the skull, no doubt set up by the injury. James Webster died on 4th July 1911 and was buried at Loftus Cemetery on 7th July 1911. We believe that Ernest attended James’ funeral and subsequently lived in the area (although we can find only slender evidence of that). No record of his twin, Gilbert, was found after the 1911 Census. After the war brother Isaac, born in 1888, came here, possibly to visit James's grave, and stayed, marrying a Loftus girl Alice Pressick in 1919. They named their first child Ernest, who was born in 1920 in Loftus and they probably arranged for his brother Ernest's name to be inscribed on the War Memorial which was unveiled in 1922. Alice and Isaac Webster’s later children were registered in Pontefract, Yorkshire. The couple lived until their early seventies and both died in Pontefract. Ernest Webster was a Private, Service No. 14817, in the 9th (Service) Battalion, Alexandra Princess Of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), arriving in Boulogne, France on the 26th August 1915. The Battalion moved into the Front Line in September and remained there for five months. Ernest Died of Wounds received as the Battalion was being relieved on 27th January 1916 and is buried in Grave I.C.56. in Sailly-Sur-La-Lys Canadian Cemetery, Pas De Calais, France.

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James Whiteley (1877 - 1916) James Whiteley was born around July 1877 in Leeds, Yorkshire, the oldest son of Allen Whiteley (a Wool Washer, born on the 15th April 1855 in Elland, Leeds) and Ellen Handley (born about 1852, who died around April 1880 – probably during, or shortly after, the birth of John, her other son), who married around January 1874. In 1881 Allen, a Wool Washer, and his family lived with his parents, Hartley and Mary Ann Whiteley at Woodland Cottages, Elland (Allen was enumerated as a Widower despite having married Ann Ward on the 22nd of December 1880). In 1891 James, a Cotton Spinner, lived at Stook’s Yard, Elland with his father, a Labourer, stepmother Ann and their new family. James left the family home and moved to Loftus, Yorkshire to take up a post as a Postman. Around April 1908 he married Mary Jane Dowey, from Liverton, Yorkshire and in 1911 they lived at 23 Dundas Street, Loftus, James was a Postman and his first-born, William Allan was one year old. James was a Private, Service No. 3/9113, in the 8th (Service) Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment), landing in France in July 1915, as Lance Serjeant. He received the Military Medal for his actions prior to his death. James was Killed In Action on the 10th of July 1916 during the attack on Contalmaison, in the Battle of Albert, the opening phase of the Battle of the Somme. He is buried in Grave IV.A.9. in Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle, Somme, France. 39

William Henry (Harry) Willas (1893 - 1917) William Henry (Harry) Willas was born about 1893 in Loftus, Yorkshire, the eldest son of William (a Bootmaker, born about 1849 in Skelton, Yorkshire) and Annie Elizabeth Willas (born about 1854 in Skelton), who were married about 1873. Harry was destined to become a bootmaker from birth, as the eldest son his father would have wanted to make him his apprentice from the moment he was born. In 1901 the family lived at 12 Cleveland Street in Loftus, where William plied his trade, boots and the repairing of them was a busy trade in a pit town like Loftus, probably with Harry watching and helping when he wasn't at school. By 1911 the family had moved to 59 West Road in Loftus, where Harry, now a qualified Bootmaker, worked with his father as a Bootmaker. Around January of 1914 William died, leaving Harry to support his mother. William Henry was a Gunner, Service No. 84762, in the Royal Field Artillery, Attesting on the 14th August 1914, being posted on the 21st August 1914 to the 14th Division Artillery and discharged on Medical Grounds on the 28th October 1914. William Henry was determined to join the Army and - Harry Willis (the 'a' had been changed to 'i' on the Attestation papers when he filled them out at Whitby) was a Sapper, Service No. 58110, in The Corps of Royal Engineers, attesting on the 26th November 1914 and joining the 107th Field Company on the 7th December 1914, going to France after training on the 20th September 1915. He wasn't long in France before his unit was transferred to the Balkans, leaving on the 1st of December for Lembel and then Happy Valley Camp. He was reported Missing, then Killed in Action on the 25th April 1917, in the first of the disastrous Battles of Doiran, against the Bulgarians. His body was never found and he is commemorated on The Doiran Memorial, Greece.

George Robert Wilson (1882 - 1917) George Robert Wilson was born around October 1882 in Loftus, Yorkshire, the oldest son of Robert Wilson (an Ironstone Miner, born about 1846 in Marske, Yorkshire) and Margaret Robinson, his second wife, (born about 1855 in Epworth, Lincolnshire), who married in July 1880. George grew up at 72 High Street, Loftus, the son of an Ironstone Miner, his father Robert working in the local mine. When he finished his schooling he followed his father into the mine, in 1901 he was employed as a Labourer, living at 6 Newcomen Terrace in Loftus. In 1910 George married Eliza Jane Thomas and moved into 13 East Crescent, Loftus where, in 1911, George was a Labourer in the local ironstone mine. George decided that there was a better life waiting for him in Canada and in 1913 emigrated there, his wife following a year later, in 1914, and in 1916 they were living in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. George enlisted as a Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion (Saskatchewan), Canadian Infantry. He Died on the 16th of August 1917, in the attacks on Hill 70 in the Lens battlefield, the same battlefield that had cost the British so dearly in 1915. His body was never found and he is remembered on The Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission does not list how he died, but this extract from the 5th Battalion War Diaries gives a good idea:”The second morning of the battle, 16 August, was relatively quiet, with only a few attempts by small enemy parties to approach our lines. At four in the afternoon the 2nd Brigade launched its postponed attack, the fresher 5th and 10th Battalions replacing the 7th and 8th. Despite fierce German resistance, in little more than an hour the whole of the Green Line was in Canadian hands. In the chalk quarry the 10th Battalion killed a hundred of the enemy and took 130 prisoners, while in Norman Trench the 5th Battalion captured fifty prisoners and eight machine-guns. By half-past five the latter battalion had used up all its ammunition and grenades and its two assaulting companies were down to less than ten men. Forced to fall back on the Red Line, the battalion partially reoccupied its objective but was unable to re-establish contact with the 2nd Division’s left flank. The 10th Battalion, despite a temporarily open right flank, grimly hung on to its ground in the face of repeated counter-attacks“) 40

Thomas Birtwhistle Wood (1900 - 1918) Thomas Birtwhistle Wood was born around January 1900 at Loftus, Yorkshire, youngest son of Charles Wood (a Joiner, born around April 1854 at West Witton, Yorkshire) and Mary Jane Birtwhistle (born around October 1862 at Hart, Durham), who were married around April 1887. Thomas was born at 3 South Loftus, the youngest child in a family of four children. His father Charles was an Estate Joiner (possibly for the Grinkle or the Zetland Estate). Thomas was conscripted at 16 years of age, joining the 53rd (Young Soldiers) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers as a Private, Service No. TR5/150051). He Died at home, on the 28th July 1918, possibly from Spanish Influenza and is buried in Grave C.3416 at Loftus New Cemetery, Loy Lane, Loftus.

William Ernest Woodall (1891 - 1918) William Ernest Woodall was born around October 1891 at Carlin How, Yorkshire, the only son of John William Woodall (an Ironstone Miner, born around October 1868 in Seamer, Yorkshire) and Hannah Elizabeth Hudson (born around January 1869 in Loftus, Yorkshire), who were married around October 1889. William was born at 12 Wood Cottages, Kilton, near Carlin How, the second child in the household. His father, John, was an Ironstone Miner in the nearby mine. By 1901 the family had moved to 8 Dixon Street in Carlin How and had grown to four children. By 1911 they had moved once more, this time to 24 East Crescent, Loftus, John had been promoted to Deputy at the nearby mine and William had become an Ironstone Miner. John must have believed in learning, Elizabeth Ann, his oldest daughter (and first-born), had become an Assistant Schoolmistress and Florence, his youngest, a Post Office Clerk. Around July of 1912 William married Bessie Amelia Pearse, with whom he had two children, Cecil Ernest and Florence Mary. After his death, Bessie married Leonard Brown in 1921. William was a Driver, Service No. T4/036890, No. 3 Reserve Horse Transport Depot, Army Service Corps, joining up on the 30th December 1914. He was posted to Salonica with the 26th Divisional Train in 1915. Late in November 1916 he was posted to Home Depot duties (possibly as a result of dysentry or enteric fever) and allocated to Munitions Work at Skinningrove Iron Company's Boulby Ironstone Mine. In August of 1917 he was transferred to the Army Reserve, becoming to all intents and purposes a civilian, under the command of No. 3 Reserve Horse Transport Depot (Woolwich). William Died, of Bronchic Pneumonia, on the 12th July 1918, at his home at 24 East Crescent, Loftus. He is buried in Grave U.3411, Loftus Old Cemetery, Loy Lane, Loftus, Yorkshire. Acknowledgements Letters of support for the War Memorial project were gratefully received from: Alison Atkinson on behalf of Loftus Town Council Rev. Adam Gaunt MA, Rector of St Leonard’s C of E Parish Church Eileen Found, Mars Estate Residents’ Group (MERGE) Kathleen Cornes, Secretary of The Royal British Legion (Saltburn & District) Emma Kate Young, The Royal British Legion (North East Region) Gary Trafford, Woodside Surgery Manager, Loftus Loftus Accord (Area Chairs’ Committee in Loftus) Tony Gatehouse, Manager of the Centre of Opportunity, Old Coop Loftus (TVRCC) Anne Hamilton, Secretary of Loftus Women’s Institute Lee Walters, Neighbourhood Youth Worker, Loftus Youth & Community Centre Linda Bell, Chairperson of Skinningrove Link Up

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Acknowledgements It has long been the wish of the People of Loftus to make essential repairs to The War Memorial and Fountain which have Grade II Listed building status. The War Memorial was built with money raised by public subscription on High Side on land donated by the Zetland Estate. The War Memorial was constructed above the structure of a pre-existing drinking fountain before it was unveiled at a ceremony on November 11th 1922. Loftus Community Forum, a volunteer group chaired by Marjorie Magor, sought support, obtained

quotes, and secured funding. The proposal was to make good the facade of the crescent wall at the front of the War Memorial and to restore the spout of the Lion Head Fountain to its original appearance by commissioning a replica in the centenary year of the outbreak of The Great War . LCF Secretary, John Stockwell, drew up plans of the memorial and obtained Listed Building consent to make this possible, following guidelines by Stewart Ramsdale, Conservation Advisor to R&C BC. Research on the families of those named casualties on the War Memorial was also regarded as part of the project. The photographs in this publication are courtesy of Family members, and contributors to Loftus Library, East Cleveland Image Archive and Loftus Digital Village. Loftus ACCORD and the constituent member groups offered letters of support for Loftus Community Forum to obtain funding for the project from the Impetus Environmental Trust. Nicky Graves of Impetus offered advice on the application process which was much appreciated. Councillor David Fitzpatrick, as chair of Loftus Neighbourhood Action Partnership , provided part funding to enable the bid to be successful. Work by Steve Cubitt of our local neighbourhood team

was invaluable in coordinating activities with the heritage, planning and highways departments of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, all of whom were supportive to the project. The work on the stonework was completed by John Kitching of Facades using Lingberry sandstone blocks to match the existing locally quarried sandstone and regrouting and repairing expansion cracks with traditional lime mortar. The Lion Head was cast by Geoff Robinson of Loftus. The corroded spout was removed and work on the lion head replica was begun by Middlesbrough born sculptor, Andrew McKeown. His work involved covering the original in clay to build up the layers lost by corrosion due to exposure to the elements (a technique witnessed in forensic reconstructions of facial features from skulls). This clay model was then covered in resin to produce a template, for the mould used in the production of the replica, cast in metal at the Robinson Engineering Foundry at Liverton Mines. Damaged and lost lettering was replaced and the original metalwork cleaned and/or painted to limit further oxidation. This special edition of ‘Loftus Town Crier’, collated with the expertise of Kate Barber and Sandra Welford was conceived by Loftus Community Forum and was produced in collaboration with Loftus Family History Group. Special thanks to researchers Rodney Begg, Sandra Hutchinson and Cody McKay Hutchinson of Loftus Family History Group for their resolute efforts into the identification and family background of the casualties who are recorded on the War Memorial. Research also led to rediscoveries regarding names on other local memorials including the original remembrance board in Loftus Town Hall; the memorial from the Newton Methodist Chapel; the headstones and records of the cemeteries; and on war memorials in the nearby village communities which will become available later. Friends of Loftus Cemetery also provided useful information. This work is very significant as we have now reached a point beyond living memories and family recollections. This along with a ‘Field of Remembrance’ at St Leonard’s churchyard and services in November 2014 conducted by The Rev. Adam Gaunt, Rector of Loftus, with representatives from the armed forces; civic dignitaries; the local British Legion; faith groups; councils and local community groups and notably, cadets, youth and schoolchildren playing an integral part in the proceedings, will help us, as a community, to adhere to the words ‘We Will Remember Them’ ~ THANK YOU TO EVERYONE, MANY UNNAMED, WHO HELPED IN ANY WAY ~ 42

This postcard produced by George Skilbeck, a stationer of Zetland Road in Loftus, shows the original drinking fountain, evidently in the late Victorian / early Edwardian era . It was probably built in the latter quarter of the 19th century by the Dundas family who owned the Loftus (Zetland) estate from 1764. The spring water emerging from the lion head spout often flowed over the road, so the spout was sealed in the late 1950s. The lion head also features on the Dundas family crest.

Steps were built at each side of the fountain, with new iron railings, when the granite Celtic Cross was erected after the Great War. This picture shows the War Memorial at the unveiling ceremony on November 11th 1922. The houses in the background have since been demolished. (Interestingly this postcard image was reversed when published). 43

Drawings by John Stockwell of Loftus Community Forum used to obtain planning consent for work on the Grade II Listed Structure which stands within the Loftus Conservation Area.

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THE LION HEAD 1

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(1) The badly corroded lion head removed from the Drinking Fountain after around 130 years in situ. 3

(3) The resin lion head created from the clay version viewed inside and outside. 4

(2) The lion head during and after forensic reconstruction by sculptor Andrew McKeown. The original head has been covered in clay to restore the layers removed by corrosion over the years.

Andrew McKeown

Geoff Robinson

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(4) Furnace at the Robinson Engineering Foundry at Liverton Mines.

(5) The lion head cast in metal by Geoff Robinson in a mould created with the resin model. The plate inside being used to secure the replica in place. The Zetland Crest ‘A Lion's Head affrontée struggling through an Oak Bush all proper fructed or crowned with an Antique Crown of the last.’ The Motto Essayez (French) English Translation: Try !

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STONEWORK REPAIRS

Damaged and eroded stones before repair to Loftus War Memorial.

New ‘Lingberry’ sandstone replacement blocks and traditional lime mortar repairs to the memorial, conducted by John Kitching of Facades, Middlesbrough.

LETTERING ON THE FOUNTAIN

Damaged and missing lettering on the Fountain

Replacement of lettering on the Fountain

WREATHS ON THE IRON RAILINGS The wreaths have been cleaned and painted with gold paint to p r o t e c t against the effects of the weather.

Green discoloration of the metal wreaths on the iron railings due to corrosion.

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THE LION HEAD

Loftus War Memorial and Lion Head Fountain in 2014 after the restoration of the Grade II Listed structure. The Roman Catholic Church of Ss Joseph and Cuthbert can be seen in the background. JS

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The Dead BLOW out, you bugles, over the rich Dead! There’s none of these so lonely and poor of old, But, dying, has made us rarer gifts than gold. These laid the world away; poured out the red Sweet wine of youth; gave up the years to be Of work and joy, and that unhoped serene, That men call age; and those who would have been, Their sons, they gave their immortality. Blow, bugles, blow! They brought us, for our dearth, Holiness, lacked so long, and Love, and Pain. Honour has come back, as a king, to earth, And paid his subjects with a royal wage; And Nobleness walks in our ways again; And we have come into our heritage. These hearts were woven of human joys and cares, Washed marvellously with sorrow, swift to mirth. The years had given them kindness. Dawn was theirs, And sunset, and the colours of the earth. These had seen movement, and heard music; known Slumber and waking; loved; gone proudly friended; Felt the quick stir of wonder; sat alone; Touched flowers and furs and cheeks. All this is ended. There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter And lit by the rich skies, all day. And after, Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance And wandering loveliness. He leaves a white Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance, A width, a shining peace, under the night

Rupert Brooke (1887-1915)

Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori.

Printed by Thurston Printers, Saltburn-by-the-Sea