Wakefield Family History Sharing
Also look on Woodkirk Church War Memorial as names are duplicated
To the Glory of God and in memory of
| Name | Additional information - if known |
| Sam Auty | Samuel Auty was the son of Jesse and Grace who in 1901 were living at Kitson Street, West Ardsley with their family of 4 and a boarder and visitor. Jesse was a labourer at a local colliery. Samuel was born in West Ardsley in 1898 but enlisted into the KOYLI as 526036 or 52663 in Pontefract - 2 sources give two differing numbers. Sam was KIA on 2 September 1918 aged 20 and is remembered at Vaulx Hill Cemetery near Bapaume. |
| Harold Bedford | Harold was the son of George H Woollin (Woollen) Bedford and Annie who in 1901 were living with their two children on Westerton Road. No positive information can be found as to his war service |
| Dennis Beevers | Dennis was the son of James and Annie Beevers who in 1901 were living at Mount Pleasant, Kippax. James was a yeast dealer born in Holmfirth and his wife Annie, was born in Wakefield, while all the seven children listed in the census were born in West Ardsley. Dennis enlisted in Lichfield while living in Halifax. He joined the RAMC as 29423 but later was in the Highland Light Infantry as Pte., 333789. He was KIA on 19 October 1917 aged 36. He is remembered at La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery, approx. 10 km south of Ypres. Dennis had married by this time and his wife was living at Mount Pleasant, Kippas. |
| Richard Burton | Richard was born in 1885, the son of Charles and Ann Burton of who in 1901 were living at Sheard Row, West Ardsley - Richard being one of eight children. He enlisted in Leeds, where he joined the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and became Pte., 3607. Richard died of wounds on 20 July 1916 aged 32 and is remembered at Etaples Military Cemetery, approx. 30 Km south of Boulogne and is one of over 11,000 identified casualties |
| Joe Clough | Joseph Clough enlisted in Leeds, joining the Yorks LI as 13287. He later transferred to the RE's as Sapper 361474. He died on 31 October 1918 and is remembered at Mont Houn Military Cemetery, Le Treport. |
| Tom Fleming | Thomas was born in Woodkirk but when he enlisted in Leeds he stated that he was residing in Wakefield. He joined the YLI as 17671 and later transferred to the York and Lancs as Pte., 19141. He died of wounds on 3 July 1916 only a few days after the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He is remembered at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension, near Arras. |
| Jesse Gill | Jesse was the son of William and Ellen of Leeds Road, West Ardsley. He enlisted in Morley, where he joined the KOYLI as Pte., 35337 or 35837 ( sources differ). He was KIA on 23 January 1917 aged 24 and he is remembered along with over 54000 identified casualties on the Menin Gate, Ypres. |
| Fred Hawthorne | Fred was the son of Thomas Hawthorne who in 1901 was a widow living with his parents Dan and Maria in Scarbro' street, West Ardsley. No information could be found to positively identify his place of death. |
| Elmsall Noble | Elmsall in 1901 was aged 13 and employed as a coal hewer. His parents were John George and Rose Emma who lived on Haigh Moor Road, West Ardsley. Elmsall enlisted in Wakefield where he joined the KOYLI as 21577. He was KIA on 1 July 1916 aged 28 - The First Day of The First Battle of The Somme. Elmsall has no known resting place and is remembered on the Memorial to the Missing - Theipval Memorial along with over 72000 other casualties. |
| Willie Preston | Willie Holme Preston was the son of Susannah Preston who by 1901 was a widow living at Clark Green, Batley with her family. Willie enlisted in Bolton, where he joined the King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt.,). He was KIA on 5 July 1917 aged 29 and is remembered at Rue-David Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix. |
| Harold Proctor | Harold Proctor was the son of George and Mary Ellen who in 1901 lived at Hill Top. George was a carpenter/joiner and the family consisted of five children all born in West Ardsley as was their mother, George being born in Mixenden. Harold enlisted in Batley where he joined the KOYLI as 52616, he later transferred to the Coldstream Guards as 24479. Harold was KIA on 4 November 1918, only a few short days before Peace, aged 21. He is remembered at Villers-Pol Communal Cemetery Extension near Valenciennes along with 152 identified casualties, 39 known only unto God and 74 German casualties. |
| Joseph Rigby | Joseph Rigby was the son of John and Ann who in 1918 were living in West Ardsley. Joseph enlisted in Pontefract, joining the KOYLI as 241176. He was KIA on 14 Marcy 1917 aged 34 and is remembered on the Memorial at Thiepval along with over 72000 identified casualties. |
| Harry Smith | Harry Healey Smith was the son of William and Clara Maria Smith who in 1901 lived at Hollerton Lane, West Ardsley. Harry enlisted in Wakefield, and eventually joining the KOYLI as 62419 - He had previously been 7441 in the TR Batt. Harry was KIA on 21 May 1918 aged 19 and is remembered at Berles New Military Cemetery. By 1918 his parents were living at Allerton (Hollerton) Farm. |
| John Townend | John was the son of John and Sarah of West Ardsley. He enlisted in Doncaster but gave his place of birth as Wakefield when he was born in West Ardsley. John married, M J Townend and they lived at Scarbro' St. Tingley. He joined the KRRC as Rifleman L.Cpl. R/18651. He died of wounds on 25 August 1917 aged 33. He is remembered t Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, nr Poperinghe. He was awarded the MM. |
| William Ward | William, born in East Ardsley, was the husband of Lily who later remarried and became Mrs Harland. William enlisted in Morley and served in the RASC as Pte., M2/175699. He died on 17 June 1917 aged 27 and is remembered at Underhill Farm Cemetery. |
| Charles Westmoreland | Charles was the son of Caleb and Sarah Ann of Westerton Lane, West Ardsley and husband of Beatrice ( latter Beatrice Bollon) of Scarborough St, Tingley. Charles enlisted into the Royal Fusiliers ( City of Longon Regt., ) as 28127. He died on 20 September 1917 aged 25 in Africa and is remembered at Durban (Stellawood) Cemetery, Kwazulu Natal. He shares his resting place with over 700 casualties from the Commonwealth and 21 other nationalities. |
| Edmund Yardley | Edmund was the son of William and Janet who in 1901 were living at 5 Wood Lane, Bramley (on the night of the census William was not in residence). Edmund married Minnie and they lived at 50 Council Houses, Dewsbury Rd, Tingley. Sources differ as to his place of birth - Jump or Tingley. Edmund died of wounds on 15 February 1919 aged 32 He lies in Woodkirk Churchyard. Edmund was awarded the DCM and Medaille Militaire (France) |
" They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
Additional information/photographs regarding any of the above is always welcomed and acknowledged.
|
The men that worked for England they have their graves at home and bees and birds of England above the cross can roam. But they that fought for England, following a falling star. Alas, alas, for England they have their graves afar extract from a poem by G K Chesterton |
If you have found this website of use in your research please think about contributing to its upkeep