The Survivors

Below are the names and biographical details of men from Oulton and Woodlesford who are known to have served in the First World War and survived. Most of the names come from a list printed in the Rothwell Times on 1 January 1916. It gave the individual’s local address and the regiment or unit with which they were serving. The names with an asterisk were, or had been, on active service. A few local men who were already serving were missed off the list as were those who joined after January 1916. Their names have been added from other sources. Additional information for all those listed has been gleaned from archives, newspapers and other sources. If you can add anything please contact bensoh10@woodlesfordstation.co.uk.

OULTON AND WOODLESFORD ROLL OF HONOUR. PATRIOTS SERVING THE COUNTRY.

Abbey, James, Midland Yard, Oulton, 12th K.O.Y.L.I. Born 1885. Miner. Father Smith Abbey, also a miner, White Street. Married Phoebe Ellen Jones, miner’s daughter, at Hunslet in 1910. They had lived at Taylor’s Yard on Church Street. After the war James and Phoebe brought up their family in a council house on North Lane. In the 1930s James worked as a labourer in a steel works.

Berry, Walker, Quarry Hill, Oulton, 15th Battalion (1st Leeds), Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) (the Leeds Pals). Born 1891. Before the war Walker was a labourer at Bentley’s. Father was Crosby Berry, brewery foreman. Sisters Ruth and Emma were teachers, Florence a dressmaker. Brother Samuel was a railway clerk. In 1922 Walker was a traffic manager, possibly at Bentley’s, when he married Sarah Eleanor Crosland,  daughter of Thomas Crosland, farmer at Swillington Common. 15/141 Berry, Walker, discharged 17/10/16. By 1939 Walker Berry had moved to live at Askern near Doncaster where he was the traffic manager and head wagon weigh clerk at a colliery, most likely Askern Main. He died in 1964.

*Beaumont, B., Eshald Place, Woodlesford, 2nd West Yorks.

*Beevers, F., Church St., Woodlesford, R.A.M.C.

Benson, Arthur, Church St., Woodlesford, 12th K.O.Y.L.IBorn 1880 in Leeds. Miner. In 1901 married Mary Elizabeth Batty, daughter of bricklayer John Henry Batty. They had 5 children by 1911. Returned to 70 Church Street after the war before moving to North Lane.

*Benson, Percy. Woodlesford, R.F.A. Born 1895. 28 Alma Street in 1922. John and Mary Ann Benson at 18 Alma Street 1922. In 1901 on Church Street with family. Father John, a miner, born Burmantofts area of Leeds. 

Birkin, Herbert, Pottery Hill, Woodlesford, 12th K.O.Y.L.I. Born 1886 at Newsam Green. In 1911 coal miner living at Beecroft Yard with family. Married on 23 December 1911 to Annie Henshall, father a miner.

Booth, David, Clement St., New Woodlesford. Miner. Born 1888 in Woodlesford. In 1911 living at Allerton Common with parents Walter and Selina Booth (nee Woodhead). Older brother Charles, born 1881, was killed on The Somme, 14 July 1916. 

*Booth, Fred. Clement St., New Woodlesford, R.F.A. David’s younger brother. Born 1893. Pony driver in 1911. 

Boyes, Louis, Albert Yd., Woodlesford, S.W.B. Born 1896. Father Leonard Boyes, labourer at chemical manufacturer. Married in 1917 Rose Ann Jubb, born Swillington, father a miner. Mother Annie plus Amy, John, Arthur. 

*Brown, C., Railway Cottages, Woodlesford, A.S.C.

Brown, H., Airedale View, Woodlesford, R.G.A.

Briggs, Frank, Cross Leonard Street, Woodlesford, A.S.C. Born 1881 Leeds. Colliery fitter. Wife Myra (Harrison), also born Leeds 1881. Married 1904 at St Luke’s in Beeston. Both father’s were butchers. Daughter Mary born 1907 Leeds.

Britton, Thomas Arthur Platts. Gunner in R.F.A. Lived at The Hollins in Oulton. Born 1894. Was a blacksmith’s striker at a local colliery before the war. Died 1951.

Thomas Arthur Britton’s medals.

*Buck, John, Three Horse Shoes, Oulton, R.F.A. This was John Robert Buck, age 17 in 1911, an apprentice litho printer, born at Bramley in 1894. His father, John Buck, born at Catterick in 1864, was a master shoeing smith and moved from Kirkstall to take over the licence of the Three Horse Shoes in 1911. The previous landlord was Joseph Poole. John Robert returned to live with his parents after the war.

Bury, S., Quarry Hill, Oulton, R.A.M.C.

Bush, Herbert Vicent, Eshald Place, Woodlesford, R.A.M.C. Born 1888, 23 in 1911, brewery carter, born Huddersfield, as was mother Mary Elizabeth. Father Vincent a labourer in cellars at brewery. He came from Colchester. Sister Clara Emily, 21. Older brother George Henry Bush married in Huddersfield. Family in Huddersfield in 1891. Herbert Vincent Bush joined up in November 1915 and served with the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was an Acting Corporal at the end of the war. He became a cellarman at Bentley’s brewery after the war. Married  Agnes Harrison, a weaver from Morley in 1921 and moved to work at one of the breweries in Tadcaster. He died 1969, age 81.

*Carrington, Charles Henry, Eshald Place, Woodlesford, R.H.ABelieved to be Walter Carrington’s half brother. A Charles Henry Carrington was born at Ackworth near Hemsworth 7 Aug 1883, father Samuel, mother Sarah. In 1891, at the age of 7 1901 he was living with Thomas Bradford, coal miner, and his wife Annie in Worksop and described as nephew. Annie was his mother’s sister. Still there in 1901, he was a pony driver underground. Thomas was a labourer underground. Charles Henry still in Worksop in 1911. He married Gertrude Burbridge at Pontefract in 1906, 4 children, Evelyn, Mabel, Cyril, Alice.

Walter Carrington in his army uniform.

*Carrington, Walter, Eshald Place, Woodlesford, York and Lancs Regt.
Age 24 130 days when he attested Leeds 5 Sept 1914, miner. Posted 18 Sept 1914. Demobbed and transferred to Z reserve 10 Feb 1919. Born 1890. 5 feet 6 inches, brown eyes, brown hair, 135 lbs. 12624. 8th Battalion. Home 5 Sept 14 to 26 Aug1915. Embarked Folkestone for France 27 August 1915. Expeditionary Force, to 9 Nov 1917. Italy 10 Nov 1917 to 27 July 1918. Entrained 10 Nov France, detrained 14 Nov 1917. Admitted hospital 19 May 1918. Pyroxia, ie fever. Rejoined unit 23 May 1918. Home 28 July 1918 to 17 Aug 1918 on home leave. Italy 18 Aug 1918 to 11 Jan 1919. Home 12 Jan 19 to 10 Feb 1919. Embarked for UK, Ripon, 11 Jan 1919. 4 years 159 days. Protection certificate issued Clipstone Barracks 13 Jan 1919. Saltwood barracks, Hythe, Kent, 5 March 1915. Absent from picket duty at 8pm. 7 days field punishment no 2. Bordon barracks Hampshire, 13 Aug 1915, refusing to obey an order, 7 days confined to barracks. Letter from Walter’s sister, Mary Ellen Wilson, 10 April 1918, 27 Eshald Place. “Dear Sir, Can you please give us any information regarding my brother, 12624, W. Carrington, Brigade Observer, 70th Infantry Brigade, formerly A company 8th Battalion Yorks and Lancs Regiment,  BEF Italy, as it is ten weeks since we have heard anything from him and as we have had another brother killed in battle my parents and all of us are very anxious about Walter, and would be very pleased for news of him hoping you will excuse me for troubling you. I remain yours truly, Mrs. Mary Ellen Wilson.” Walter Carrington was born at Leeds on 17 April 1889. Both his parents had been married twice and he had numerous brothers and sisters. His grandfather, Thomas Carrington, came from Kimberley in Nottinghamshire and worked as a colliery engine man. He appears to have travelled around the country as Walter’s father, Samuel, was born at Ocker Hill near Tipton in Staffordshire in about 1849 but by 1851 was with his parents at Ilkeston in Derbyshire. Ten years later they were back near Thomas’s birthplace at Greasley near Nottingham where Samuel’s mother, Ruth,  was augmenting the family income as a stocking maker. Samuel, at the age of 12 was already working as a coal miner, most likely at the same pit where his father was the winding engineer. In 1871, at Worksop, Samuel married Sarah Bell. Over the next ten years they had 3 sons and 2 daughters and moved to Hemsworth near Wakefield in about 1880, where Sarah died in 1883, possibly whilst giving birth to another son, Charles Henry. Samuel was living at Kinsley near Hemsworth when, at the age of 37 in 1884, he married widow Rose Annie Raynes, 30, daughter of labourer, John Morton. Rose Annie was born in Worksop and she brought with her her daughter, Annie Raynes. Samuel and Rose Annie had three more girls in Hemsworth before the family moved to Pepper Road in Hunslet in about 1888 where Walter was born in 1889. Another son, Arthur, was born in the Woodlesford area in 1895. In 1901 the family were living at Hollinhurst near Bower’s Row where Samuel was a byeworker.  A few years later they moved to Eshald Place and in 1911 the household included Samuel, 60, Annie, 58, Clara, 23, Walter, 20, pony driver, Arthur, 16, grocery assistant, and Samuel’s granddaughter, Eva Annie, 9 months. Eva Annie, 20, married Francis Daniels, 29, discharged soldier in December 1930. He was living 34 Green Lea. His father George Edward Daniels, labourer. After the First World War Walter was 25 years old and working as a miner when he married Lily Johnson at Woodlesford on 27 December 1919. She was 20 and her father was Thorpe Johnson, a milk dealer. In 1922 Samuel, Annie and Walter at 82 Eshald Place. Lily not mentioned in the electoral register because she wasn’t old enough to vote. Thomas and Mary Ellen Wilson at 78, Louisa Wilson and David Bickley at 80. Walter and Lily’s children were Jack 1920, Walter 1924, Alfred 1927, Lilian 1930, Brian 1933, Christine, 1935. The family moved to a council house on the original part of Green Lea in about 1925. By 1928 they were at 1 Holmsley Field Lane. After the death of his wife Samuel moved in with them and lived there until his death in 1934.

Chadwick, Thomas Wilson, Calverley Rd, Oulton, R.N. Born 31 March 1892. 19 in 1911, trimmer or cutter for a clothier. Father David Chadwick a carter for the brewery, 53. All family born Oulton. Thomas had an older brother, Robert, a motor car driver in 1911 living in Ulverston, and a sister, a dressmaker, and 3 younger brothers. J47449. First ship Victory I. left 3 July 1919. Enlisted 30 Nov 1915. 5 feet 7 inches. black hair, brown eyes. Other ships – Excellent, Petunia –  built by Workman, Clark, launched 3 April 1916. Sold for breaking up 15 December 1922., Egmont, Cormorant.

*Clarkson, Richard Mason, The Lodge, Oulton, R.A.M.C. Charles and Rosetta Clarkson from Oulton at Ackworth in 1911. 1871 Charles brother James, father William, stone mason, close to Oulton Lodge. James a miner in Rothwell in 1901, son Richard M . Born 26 June 1893. Richard Mason Clarkson, living at the Old Lodge in 1911 with his uncle and aunt Richard Jowitt 50 and Ada Beatrice Jowitt 45. They married 19 years no children,  Richard gardner, Richard Mason shop assistant for a grocer, born Rothwell. Richard Jowitt married Ada Beatrice Clarkson in 1892 at Oulton. She was born 1865. Enlisted 31 Dec 1914, Royal Marines Medical unit. 3169 RN  Kew reef: ADM 159/209/3169. Died 1988 in Crawley West Sussex. 1937 at Lee Moor Road with Evelyn, married Evelyn Fox 1920.

*Cleaver, John, Aireville Terrace, Oulton Lane, Woodlesford, R.A.M.CJohn 19 in 1911. William Riley Cleaver, 56, cashier at the brewery, born Coventry, rest of family born Leeds. Maria Priestley Cleaver 56. William Riley was a clerk in a flax manufactuer in Holbeck in 1881, already married to Maria. He died 1922 age 67, buried Oulton. she died 1936. Hubert still at the brewery when she died. Arthur a cashier Her father Thomas Carrack was an engine smith in Holbeck. William Riley’s father, John, labourere when they married at St Mary the Virgin Hunslet 1879. In 1911 Hubert, 29, born Holbeck clerk brewery, Arthur, 25, clerk at a newspaper, John 19, student,  Thomas Carrack, father-in-law 80 retired engine fitter. He died in 1917. Hubert married Flora Berry in 1913 at Oulton. John service number 1595, possibly 68441. Gazette date 17/07/1917 – The military decoration was awarded to J Cleaver for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire or for individual or associated acts of bravery which were insufficient to merit the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Conferment of the medal was announced in the London Gazette and J Cleaver earned the right to add the letters M.M. to his name.
John was a teacher when he married Dorothy May Higgins at Oulton in 1921. Her father Benjamin Wood Higgins. Sons, George, was born at Horsforth in 1924 and Donald in Wharfedale in 1928. John died in Horsforth in 1966. Arthur and Maria Priestley Cleaver at 4 Oulton Lane, Hillcrest, in 1921. 

*Coning, F., Alma St., Woodlesford, 11th W.Y.

*Connell, Leonard. Claremont St., Oulton, H.M.S. Comus. Born in December 1896 in Leeds. Miner. Joined the Navy in January 1915 and first served on H.M.S Victory. 5 feet 3 inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes. Served on a number of ships until 1921. In 1911 Leonard was a 14 year old beer bottler working at Bentley’s. He lived with his uncle Fred and auntie Eliza on Temperance Terrace. They were both born at Swillington. Fred was a miner. In 1901 Leonard was living at Allerton Bywater with another uncle, David, and his grandparents. In 1901 Fred and Eliza lived at Astley. 

*Coombes, Thomas. Roberts St., New Woodlesford, A.S.C. Born 1891 in Leeds. In 1911 pit labourer above ground and boarding at 7 Roberts Street with miner William Lawson Jenkins. Thomas’ wife Sarah Ann (Tooley), 19, born Woodlesford and son Leonard, 1, also born Woodlesford, died 1914. Married August 1910. Sarah Ann’s father Eli Tooley, mother Edeline. 

Coope, Ernest Arthur, Post Office, Calverley Road, Oulton, 2nd/7th W.Y. Born Oulton  Sept 1894, law clerk in 1911. Father, Thomas Arthur Coope born Oulton was postmaster, Calverley Road in 1911. Mother Polly born Rothwell. Sister Emma Isabel Rothwell born 1888 Married name Mirfin. Ernest was 2nd lieutenant in West Yorkshire Regiment when he married Mabel Wass at Oulton in 1918. His father had retired by then and her father, Thomas Cave Wass was a carter. Ernest Coope 27 Aberford Road in 1922. May have run the post office and small shop. Also worked in wages office at Water Haigh. Son Eric William, born 1921, drowned in quarry in 1926. Son Brian Albert born 1926. Daughter Moira b 1929. He died age 85 in 1979.

Wakefield Express, 12 June 1926. Bloodhound Traces Drowned Boy.

Immediately after the alarm was give that Eric William Coope, 5, son of Mr. Coope, Midland View, Oulton, was missing on Friday week, there was a united response from the villagers, who searched all likely places, without avail. Eventually, Mr. Russell’s cross-bred bloodhound was given the scent, and it nosed its way to a disused quarry, a few yard’s from the child’s home. Searching the undergrowth, the boy’s cap was found close to the slimy green water of the quarry. The dog then retraced its steps and the lead searchers to another part of the quarry. Dragging operations were commenced and the body recovered after a short period. The inquest was held at Oulton on Monday by Mr. C.J. Haworth, the West Riding Coroner. Mabel Coope, the mother, gave evidence of identification, and said the boy left home at 4.30 p.m. Ruth Garland, Aberford Road, spoke to seeing the boy, playing with Barbara and Kitty Webster, who were called in for tea, leaving Eric by himself about 5 p.m., on Friday June 4th. She had seen the children playing before. The Coroner: A child could fall straight down into the quarry? Witness: Yes. P.C. Teale described the search and the ultimate finding of the body at 3.40 next morning, after dragging operations. It was a yard from the edge. There were no signs of the boy having rolled down the bank. It was possible for him to have walked to the edge, and thought that the top of the water was grass, owing to the green of it. The quarry was 20 feet deep at the place of the fatality. There were no marks on the body. The father said there was nothing whatever to stop children getting into the quarry, as it was open at both ends. He had many times warned children of the danger. The Coroner: If there are openings children will go through. The verdict returned was that death was due to accidentally falling into the disused quarry while playing. The Coroner promised to address a communication to the owners, pointing out the danger of the quarry.

Cowling, William, White St., New Woodlesford, 3rd/8th West Yorks. Gassed and injured on the Somme and had little use of one of his arms. After the war he was arrested several times for being drunk and disorderly and on one occasion for attacking his wife at their home on French Street. He lived for many years on his own at the Nookin and worked as a general dealer with a horse and cart. Today he would be diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.

*Dobson, Ernest Whittaker. 8 Claremont St., Oulton, Scots Guards. Born Stanley 1877. Attested 13 November 1900 at Leeds, age 23. 5 feet  8 inches. blue eyes, brown hair, scar over left eye. Discharged 1902. Recalled 25 May 1917.
Father Thomas Dobson, Royds Green. Daughter Martha Lily born 1909. Enlisted again 10  Nov 10 1914. Appointed lance corporal Feb 1915. Wounded in action 10 April 1915 by a shrapnel from a shell. Ambulance train for England, hospital in Liverpool. Medically discharged  July 1917, physically unfit. Awarded a pension. In 1911 census visiting home of Henry Parkin at Rose Cottage with wife Emma (Walker), and daughter, colliery banksman. Emma born Oulton. married 1908 at Oulton. Father Thomas was a miner b Rothwell, Mother Emma (Whittaker) also b Rothwell, married 1878 at Rothwell. Brother Edwin, labourer at pit age 15 in 1901.

*Daniels, C., Leonard St., Woodlesford, R.W.F.

*Doulon, M., Church Street, Woodlesford.

Stanley Davenport in 1930.

*Davenport, Harold, The Elms, Oulton, 2nd Lieut., 9th West Yorks Regiment.
Born 1891. 2nd Lieutenant. Went missing in Dardanelles between 7 and 11 August 1915. Prisoner of war in Constantinople. (Forces War Records). Repatriated 16 Dec 1918 Record No 7742 on Ancest2ry. Was promoted to temporary Lieutenant on 14 April 1918 – The Gazette) John Edward and Annie Davenport at The Elms on Farrer Lane in 1921. 

Yorkshire Post, Friday 16 October 1914. The marriage took place quietly yesterday, at St. Peter’s Church, Piccadilly, of Mr. Stanley Davenport, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Davenport, of Oulton, near Leeds, and Miss Gladys E. Holdsworth, only daughter of Mr. J. A. Holdsworth and Mrs. Holdsworth, of Leinster Gardens. Lancaster Gate. The bride was attended by three bridesmaids, and the bridegroom by his brother, Mr. Harold Davenport (of the West Yorkshire Regiment), as best man. After the ceremony the bride and bridegroom left for the South Coast.

1911, John Edward 52, iron merchant, born Manchester.Crossley and Davenport, Iron Founders, Leeds. Family already at The Elms in 1901. In 1891 they were living in Potter Newton. John Edward’s brother Frank, 13, also there. Annie, 43, born Huddersfield. Stanley, 22 engineering student, mechanical, at traction engine builder, born Leeds. Harold 19, undergraduate at Christ’s College, Cambridge, entered 1909, born Leeds. In 1901 at a prep school in Filey. 1911 three servants. In 1916 John Edward Davenport sat on the military tribunal for the Hunslet Rural District. He was also involved with the war fund committee. Crossley and Davenport, iron and steel merchants Black Bull street, leeds made steel joists.

Capt. S. Davenport, R.F.C., who has been mentioned in despatches for work in connection with the war, is the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Davenport, The Elms, Oulton, Leeds. It will be remembered that his younger brother was badly wounded and captured by the Turks at the landing of Suvla Bay in 1915, and is now at Afion Kara Hisser, Turkey in Asia. Rothwell Courier and Times 1918.

Stanley’s address was 3 Southampton Street, Strand, WC2, Company Director, when he received a pilot’s licence from the Royal Aero Club. he qualified on a D H Moth 85 hp Gipsy at the Airwork School of Flying on 24 Sept 1930, born 13 Feb 1889, Leeds. Kew FO 383/340. An H Davenport donated £2 2s to the King Edward Hospital Fund for London in Jan 1919.  – The Times. Stanley appointed to the Administrative Branch of the Air Ministry in Jan 1919, Airships. – The Times. Harold Davenport’s name on the war list of University of Cambridge published in 1922. Also Stanley, listed as Captain (Airship) R.A.F. mentioned in the Secretary of state’s list for valuable services in connection with the war. Entered 1907

9th (Service) Battalion
25.08.1914 Formed at York as part of the first New Army (K1) and moved to Belton Park, Grantham as part of the 32nd Brigade of the 11th Division.
April 1915 Moved to Witley Camp, Godalming
03.07.1915 Embarked for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros.
06.08.1915 Landed at Suvla Bay and engaged in various actions against the Turkish Army including;
The Battle of Sari Bair.
20.12.1915 Evacuated from Gallipoli to Egypt due to severe casualties from combat, disease and harsh weather.
07.02.1916 Arrived in Egypt and took over part of the Suez Canal defences.

Yorkshire Post, Thursday 20 April 1922. The marriage took place yesterday, at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Sloane Street. S.W., of Mr. Harold Davenport, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Davenport, The Elms. Oulton, near Leeds, and Miss Elizabeth Field, elder daughter of Mrs. Field, of Stillorgan, Dublin. The bride was given away by her cousin, Walter Hill, C.B., and Dr. Desmond Irwick attended the bridegroom as  best man. After the ceremony the bride and bridegroom left for Devonshire. They may have had a civil ceremony at Henley in 1920? Assistant lecturer in Mathematics at Manchester University in 1937? MA Cambridge.

Doggart, J., Alma St., Woodlesford, 2nd/4th K.O.Y.L.I.

Dunwell, William, Church Street, Woodlesford, 1/7th Leeds Rifles. William Dunwell was one of three brothers who all served in the First World War. His youngest brother, Walter, and an older brother, Wilfred, were both killed in separate battles on the Western Front in France in 1917. They are commemorated on the war memorial in Oulton and those created for Woodlesford school and All Saints’ church. A much older brother, James Dunwell, born in 1874, who lived in Hunslet, also served as a sapper in the Royal Engineers after volunteering in September 1915. He fought on the Somme, at Beaumont-Hammel and Cambrai. Records indicate the possibility of the eldest brother, George Arthur Dunwell, born in 1872, having served with the 9th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery, although this may be another Yorkshireman with the same name.

The Dunwells were a mining family. William, born in 1892, was named after his father who came from Middleton. In 1872 he had married Elizabeth Woolley, the daughter of a Hunslet blacksmith.  After the birth of four children in south east Leeds they moved to Methley in about 1883 and a year or so later to Woodlesford where they rented a house on Princess Street, later renamed Church Street. For many years they lived at Taylor’s Yard, in one of a group of seven cottages on the corner of Applegarth and Church Street.

William started school in the infants department at Woodlesford board school in about 1896 and in December 1899 was transferred to the boys department under headmaster Harry Parkin. The school register shows he left a few weeks after his thirteenth birthday on 27 October 1905. It’s more than likely that he would have started pit work straightaway. A report in the Skyrack Courier from November 1907 suggests he had joined other Woodlesford lads at one of the T. & R. W. Bower pits on the Swillington side of the River Aire. As was quite common he and several others were caught by a couple of local coppers gambling on cards on a footpath that ran from Swillington towards Leeds. William, along with Thomas Stokes, George Jacques, Walter Carrington, and Arthur Bramer were described as pony drivers whilst John Jacques was a horse keeper and John Henry Brown and William Fisher were labourers. All of them lived in Woodlesford and all were prosecuted at the magistrates court in Leeds. They each had to pay a 10 shillings fine.

When the 1911 census was taken Wilfred had joined William as a pony driver underground and they were still living with their mother who had been widowed in 1900. They had two older sisters, Emily and Amelia, who had married and established their own families but lived nearby. Emily had previously worked for several years at the Seanor fire light factory in the old paper mill near the canal in Woodlesford.

In 1913 William married Laura Elliot when they were both 20 years old. She had been born in Rothwell and was the daughter of a miner who had moved to Bingley to work as a warehouseman. Their first son, Herbert, was born in February 1915. Just two months later, on 8 April, William, along with his two brothers, enlisted in the army. All three of them appear to have been recruited together into the Leeds Rifles which was part of the Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment). Whilst William (3845) was posted to the 1/7th battalion his two brothers joined the 2/7th battalion. Both battalions were part of the Territorial Force based at Carlton Barracks in Leeds but in France they were allocated to different divisions on the front line.

No details of William Dunwell’s precise movements during the war have survived but it’s known that the 1/7th Leeds Rifles fought at the Battle of the Somme in 1917 and later in trench warfare around Ypres. At some stage William was transferred to the 18th battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment with a new number – 41288. Later he joined the 1/5th battalion with the same number. In March or April 1918 he was badly injured and had to have one of his legs amputated. News of his injury was circulated in the Woodlesford parish magazine a few weeks later and reprinted in the Rothwell Courier and Times on 18 May: “We regret to state that William Dunwell has been severely wounded in one of the late engagements in France, and is in hospital in Aberdeen,” it said.

He was eventually allowed home on 11 April 1919, probably after a number of months in hospital and a period of convalescence. His record notes that he was discharged under section 16 of King’s Regulations “no longer fit for military service.” As well as the usual military medals given to all servicemen he was awarded the Silver War Badge issued to all those who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness.

With his disability William was given a surface job at one of the Charlesworth pits at Rothwell Haigh as a labourer chopping wood. He also have had a small military pension. A second son, Leslie, was born in April 1920 followed in the next few years by Clifford, Colin and Frank. The family lived at Cross Terrace in Rothwell and by 1939 Leslie and Clifford were pit top labourers, probably working with their father who was a “light labourer” and watchman at the pit. Laura was working in a canteen. At some point the family moved to Temple Avenue on the Rothwell Haigh estate. William passed away at the age of 57 in 1950.

*Everitt, Tom, Calverley Road, Oulton, Yorkshire Regiment. Prisoner of war in Germany. Born Laceby near Grimsby Lincolnshire 1883. Father and brothers agricultural labourers. Colliery banksman in 1911 lodging with John William Davey at 2 The Nookin, on Calverley Road, road labourer for RUDC. 27 in 1911. Married Annie Davey at Wesleyan chapel Oulton in April 1911. Tom and Annie at 13 Calverley Road in 1922. First child William born in 1914 but they didn’t meet until Tom retunred home in 1919. He died in 1953. 

Flockton, Harry, Bentley Square, Oulton, R.E. Born 1879. Private in 1st West Yorkshire Regiment, 8098? Son of Thomas Flockton, stone mason then carting agent, widower in 1901. In 1911 Harry, 32, was living with his auntie, Annie Flockton, at 2 Bentley Square. He was running the carting business and was also a cab proprietor. Also there in 1911 was his cousin, Fred Flockton, an engineering apprentice who was killed in the war. Harry was living at Manor Farm when he died in October 1920. Probate to William Flockton, bricklayer and William Flockton, colliery horsekeeper.

*Flockton, John, The Lock, Woodlesford, 8th West Yorkshire Regiment. Flockton at Woodlesford station 18 April 1907, 17 shillings, horse driver. Born 1889, Woodlesford, father John Alfred Flockton, bricklayer’s labourer, mother Harriet, sister Alice b 1880. In 1901 they were on Alma Street with John’s grandfather, a highway labourer age 70 and his wife Mary Ann 69. John Alfred was a miner, more children, Ethel, Laura, James T.  Girls born Woodlesford, James Thomas at Lemonroyd. John Alfred still a miner in 1911 at Eshald Place. Four more children, Louis, Muriel, Mary Teresa, Christopher, plus boarder William Wade. In 1911 John was at Woodlesford lock with father-in-law Joseph Henry Metcalf and wife Mary Ann and their daughter Vera Avis 7 months old. John was labourer at Armitage’s quarry. Mary Ann born at Goole 1891. They married at Swillington in 1910 when John was a dock labourer. In 1926 they were at 8 North Lane. John died 1957. Mary Ann died in 1975. Her brother Robert Metcalf. Previous unit 1/8 West Yorks 2485 W.O.II.  Leeds Rifles, Territorial Forces. Arrived in France 15 April 1915. 1st West Riding Brigade of the 1st West Riding (Territorial) Division). Sergeant, 305601 Distinguished Conduct Medal. 4 March 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. he was in charge of a party of about 12 men and observed a body of the enemy massing in front. With Lewis gun and rifle fire he killed or wounded the whole party except fifteen whom he captured. He showed great coolness and initiative. Wounded 9 October 1917. Notes from Great War Forum – War Diary shows him as a Sergeant in A Company, and he is listed among the wounded of the Battle of Poelcapelle on 09/10/1917. Re-organisation of 3 battalion brigade and change in designation from 1st/8th on amalgamation with 2nd/8th to just the plain 8th Battalion and the move from the brigade. There is no mention of Sgt Flockton in the narrative of the battle, but given the dates and the time lapse, it might not be unreasonable to suggest that he won his DCM at Poelcapelle.

Rothwell Courier and Times. 22 June 1918. 

PRESENTATION OF WAR HONOURS. On Sunday last, under the auspices of the Oulton and Woodlesford War Honours and Memorial Fund Committee, a procession, consisting of the a procession, consisting of the 11th West  Riding Volunteers, Special Constables, Boy Scouts, and Local Organisations, paraded the principal streets of the two villages, headed by the local band, to a field at the top of Quarry Hill, where a large open-air meeting was held. The weather was fine, and a large attendance evinced keen interest in the proceedings. The chairman, Mr. BenjaminWood Higgins, explained the objects of the gathering, which were to help raise funds for a local War Memorial, and to do honour to the representatives of the twin villages who had won distinction in the war. Stirring addresses were also given by the Rev. A.J.E. Irvin, the Rev. H.T. Pattinson, Mr Thomas Henry Myton, and others. The hymns The principal attraction of the afternoon was the presentation of a gold watch, chain and pendant to each of the following: Sergeant G.W. Franks, D.C.M.; Sergeant J. Flockton, D.C.M.; and Sergeant E.H. Waide, M.M. – the local winners of war honours to date. The presents were very acceptable tokens of the inhabitants’ distinctive service, and will no doubt become treasured heir looms in the respective families. The proceedings throughout were eminently successful, the weather being ideal and the addresses enthusiastic and enheartening. Along the route of the procession a collection was taken for the War Honours and Memorial Fund.

*Franks, George Walter, Temperance Terrace (Claremont St.), Oulton, R.E. Born about 1872 at Holme-on-Spalding-Moor. Father William was a woodman or joiner. In 1901 George was working for Bentley’s brewery as a drayman and boarding at the home of fellow drayman Fred Fish at Burnell’s Yard on Midland Street. In June 1901 George married Emily Arundel, daughter of a miner, at Woodlesford church. They had 7 children, George William, Lily, Emma, Ernest, Albert Edward, Doris and Mabel. In 1911 he was still a drayman at Bentley’s and then became a miner at Water Haigh. Enlisted at Biggleswade on 10 December 1914, age 42, miner 5 feet 9 inches. Became a field line telegraphist in the Royal Engineers and was promoted to sergeant in M Company. Left Avonmouth for Alexandria in Egypt on 25 February 1915. From there was sent to the Dardanelles and was wounded in the left arm in the Anzac campaign at Gallipoli in June 1915. He told a medical board in 1920 that he was wounded in his left forearm and hand by a shell explosion whilst working on telephone lines. He didn’t go sick at once but the arm later became inflamed and he went into hospital on the Greek island of Lemnos in November 1915. He returned to the UK and was treated at hospitals in Oxford and Eastbourne. Was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in June 1916: “For his zeal and devotion to duty throughout the campaign.” Joined Home Command serving with 1 Royal Engineers 594 (Tyne) Fortress Company as an instructor. Discharged Class W and transferred to Class Z Reserve on 12 January 1919. After the war returned to Water Haigh as a byeworker. Appears to have had a protracted struggle to claim a disability pension and was seen by several army medical boards complaining of weakness in his left arm. One record states: “The disability is clearly of the most trivial character and causes no impairment of efficiency.” He contributed to the Oddfellows friendly society which paid medical benefits. Died in January 1934 and is buried at Oulton. His son, George William Franks, worked at Water Haigh colliery. 

(Class W Reserve and its Territorial Force equivalent Class W(T) were introduced in June 1916 by Army Order 203/16. They were ‘for all those soldiers whose services are deemed to be more valuable to the country in civil rather than military employment’. Men in these classes were to receive no emoluments from army funds and were not to wear uniform. They were liable at any time to be recalled to the colours. From the time a man was transferred to Class W, until being recalled to the Colours, he was not subject to military discipline.)

*Fish, Leonard Mark, Midland Yd., Oulton, H.M.S. Barham. Born 1896 in Castleford. Labourer on colliery screens. Father Fred Fish, waggoner at Bentley’s, born Radstock in Somerset. Leonard was still in the Navy in 1919 when he married Millicent Mead, daughter of a Hunslet engine driver. Later he became a postman in Woodlesford and lived with his family in one half of Highfield House.

Fisher, William. Eshald Place, Woodlesford, 3rd/8th West Yorks. 1911, byeworker, 21. Born Methley. Living with widowed mother Elizabeth 63. Father was George Fisher, corn mills waggoner. In 1891 at Fleet Mlls. Born Stillingfleet. In 1911 also at Eshald Place was brother John who had married Sarah Ann Brummitt in 1908 at Woodlesford. Her father John Brummit, a miner. Arthur Brummit, miner, 26, probably Sarah Ann’e brother also there. William living at 11 Airedale View when he married Sarah Bunyan Lyon from Chadwick Row, Oulton in 1921 at Oulton. Her father Alexander Lyon, engine driver.

Fretwell, A., Quarry Hill ,Oulton, 3rd/8th W.Y. Could be related to George, born Sandal, and Jane Fretwell. living in Hunslet in 1901. George was a miner. Had a son called Willie who would have been 15 at the start of the war. In 1911 they were at 16 Wood Lane in Rothwell. Also a son Herbert who married at Oulton in 1921. In 1922 George, Jane and Herbert at 11 Claremont View. Cld be Albert A Fretwell 23374. Medal card.

Fretwell, Willie, Quarry Hill, Oulton, R.N. Born 7 June 1898, Leeds or Rothwell. Baptised at Stourton 7 August 1898. Grocer’s assistant. Age 18. 5 feet 8 inches. Brown hair, blue eyes. Served on Ganges 22 April 1915, Vivid I, Benbow, Cordelia, until January 1920. Willie was 26 and working as a grocer’s assistant and living in Timperley when he married Ellen Keen on 11 August 1924 at the Wesleyan chapel on Bank Street in Altrincham. Her father had been a chapel caretaker. He was living near Ipswich when he died in 1971.

Gosney, Thomas, 11 Quarry Hill, Oulton. N.S. Co. R.E. (T) Had been with the unit from May 1911 to August 1914. He attested at Leeds on 12 March 1915. Born 1896. Mechanic. Rode a motor cycle. Father was a brewery labourer. Mother came from Spalding. Had a sister who was a machinist in a clothing factory.

*Harland, Walter, Quarry Hill, Oulton, 10th K.O.Y.L.I. Born 1895. Miner. Brought up at Beecroft Yard. Father also a miner. Could possibly be his older brother William Harland who had worked at the rope and twine works in Carlton.

*Hines, Albert, 6 Roberts St., Woodlesford, 9th W.Y. 18 in 1911. Pony driver. Living with father William, coal miner hewer,born South Normanton in Derbyshire, and stepmother Amy born Newcaste-on-Tyne. Brothers – James pony driver, William, labourer, Sam, Alfred, all born Oulton, baby George Frederick born in Leeds. Father’s first wife Matilda from Warwickshire died 1909. They were already on Hobb Lane in 1891.

*Hutchinson, Henry., 6 St. John’s Yard., Oulton 1st/8th West Yorks. 25 in 1911, lived with widowed mother, Elizabeth. engineer fitter at hydraulic works. Born 1886 Oulton. Known as Harry. Was already an apprentice mechanical engineer in 1901. Also Walter colliery pony driver, 22, Ada domestic servant, 20, Ellen, 18, Florrie domestic servant, 16. Father was John Hutchinson on Calverley estate.

*Hutchinson, William, Farrer Lane, Oulton, R.A.M.C. 20 in 1911. Born 1891. Colliery labourer above ground. Lived with father William, domestic labourer, and mother Lucy Maria (Woodruffe), born Winterbourne, Gloucestershire. Married at Oulton in 1888. Her father was Mark Woodruffe, a miner. Her husband’s father was Thomas Barber Hutchinson, a gardener. In 1881 she was a parlour maid at Mangotsfield in the home of the  widow of an army surgeon. Sisters Beatrice, Elizabeth, Mildred. Brother Henry, errand boy. Father’s first wife Matilda died 1909. They were already on Hobb Lane in 1891. 

*Hunt, John, Eshald Lane, Woodlesford, Scots Guards. 3 Bernard Street in 1914. John and Mary Hunt in 1921. John 27 hewer in Normanton 1911, born Shaw, Oldham,  Lancashire 1884. 16 Beck Street, wife Mary Beecher 26. Eva 5, Hannah 4 both b Normanton, married Clifford Braddock at Oulton in 1933. Had moved to Normanton, there by census of 1891, father George w colliery labourer from Cindeford Forest of Dean. Mother Anna from Milnrow. 1901 Park Row N George a colliery engineman, John fitter’s apprentice. Borther James pony driver, William, George, Joseph, Edward Eliza. Could be private 12012 1Sg. france from 4 May 1915.

*Hobkinson, Henry., Church St., Woodlesford, R.E. 16 in 1911. Clerk at the brewery. Son of Charles Henry Hobkinson. Married Agnes Hirst, daughter of miner Charles Hirst, at Methley in 1925.

James and Maud Hughes at their daughter’s wedding in 1955. 

*Hughes, James, 5 Oakdene Yd., Woodlesford, York and Lancs Regt. 20 in 1911. Coal miner hewer 19, Church Street with father Arthur, colliery labourer above ground born Woodlesford, and mother Elizabeth born Waterloo. James eldest born Castleford. Also Frances, Percy, Walter boarder byeworker underground, Thomas Briggs widower boarder coal miner hewer. James 23 years 300 days when he attested at Leeds 5 Sept 1914. 12622. 5 feet 3 inches. Auburn hair, blue eyes, 128 lbs. Went to France via Folkestone with 27 August 1915. Wounded by shrapnel in left side on 2 July 1916. Admitted to 13 Field Hospital at Boulogne on 3 July 1916. Sent to England from hospital on 3 July 1916. Home 4 July 1916 to 1 December 1916 36 days in southern general hospital? from 4 July to 9 August. France 2 December 1916 2nd battalion to 2 Jan 1918. Home 3 Jan 1918 to 24 August 1918. Overstayed leave by 7 days, 16 days pay docked. France 25 August 1918 to 14 January 1919 14th battalion. Gassed, spent 37 days in Toxteth Park Military Hospital, Liverpool 3 Jan 18 to 9 Feb 18. Was with 8th battalion 21 Jan 1919 May have been in Italy. Posted to Z reserve from 18 Feb 1919. He was 27 when he married Elizabeth Maud Kershaw at Methley on 7 June 1919. Her father had been a butcher and she was born at Menston. Before the war she had been a domestic servant at the Headingley home of John Brumfitt Rooks, a commercial clerk in a soap factory. James and Maud’s daughter, Joan Margaret Hughes, was born in 1921. James died in Pinderfield’s hospital in 1961 and is buried at Rothwell Haigh,

*Higgins, J. Airedale Terrace, Woodlesford, Royal Naval Division.

*Holstead, Albert Edward, Claremont Terrace (View), Oulton, 9th West Yorks.
Large Holstead family at Lower Station Road in Normanton in 1911. Father James born Whitwood, mother Sarah Emma (Blackburn) born Leeds. Sons – Albert Edward, 18, James, Wilfred, Ernest, Hubert, John, Carrie, Merriam, with James sister, Emma. Father and eldest sons down pit. Moved to 25 Claremont View in Oulton before war to work at Water Haigh. Albert Edward born Mount Pleasant South Featherstone 1892. Family also lived Castleford, Outwood, Stanley. Albert Edward Holstead married Louie Thornhill at Burmantofts chapel in 1918. Her father Richard Gott Thornhill, stereotyper in a print works. Albert Edward 8253 attested at Leeds 8 August 1914. 5 feet 6 and a quarter inches. Brown hair, brown eyes. Faint tattoo on left forearm.  Appointed unpaid lance corporal 9 July 1915. Posted 2 Sept 1915. Machine gunner and one man range finder. Posted to 9th Batt Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. 25 Nov 1915 Wounded by gunshot GSW upper arm, Karakol Dagh. 26 Nov 1915 Admitted 54th Casualty Clearing Station, Dardanelles. 5 Dec 1915 Admitted Floriana Hospital Malta ex HMS Massillia. 1 June 1916 To St Elms Hospital. 2 June 1916 Invalided to England on HS Esquibo. Home 8 Sept 14 to 1 Sept 1915. Mediterranean Sept 1915 to 9 June 1916.. Home 10 June 1916 to 15 July 1916. Address on discharge 4 Quarry Hill (Claremont View). Character very good. Discharged no longer fit for war service, GSW right shoulder, destruction of shoulder joint. 25 shillings pension. Reprimanded several times for neglect of duty. In 1922 was at 2 Kippax Mount, Richmond Hill in Leeds.

*Hudson, Joseph, Farrer Lane, Oulton, K.O.Y.L.I.
Joseph at 5 Farrer Lane with William and Lucy Maria Hutchinson in 1922. Joseph William Hudson, 24, married Elizabeth Hutchinson, 27 in August 1919 at Oulton St. John. See William Hutchinson above. Joseph born 1895.

Hawkins Joseph, The Cottage, Oulton House, 2nd/7th West Yks.
(Born 1885 Normanton. Miner. Father William Hawkins, also a miner, had moved from Staffordshire. Mother born at Altofts. After the war Joseph became a greengrocer and lived at Balmoral Villa on Aberford Road. In 1933 married Rosalie Amy Audsley, daughter of a forage merchant from Armley.)

Hawkins, Alfred, The Cottage, Oulton House, R.F.A. Born 1897. Miner. Father a miner. Married miner’s daughter Doris May Townend from Carlton in 1920.

Hughes, J., Alma Yd., Woodlesford, 2nd/7th W.Y.

*Holt, Tom, Cross Leonard Street, Woodlesford, 3rd Grenadier Guards.
Tom with Ada Minnie at 6 Eshald Lane in 1921.  By 1927 they had moved to Weetworth Avenue in Glasshoughton. At Rothwell Primitive Methodist Chapel, in October 1913, Thomas Holt, 25, miner, married Ada Minnie Strangeway, 24, daughter of William Strangeway, miner, from Sydney Street Woodlesford.  Born 1888? His address The Elms, Pinfold Lane, Methley, father George Holt deceased miner. His brother Herbert. Her sister Eva Strangeway. Tom’s father died in about 1890 leaving his widow Henrietta to bring up 10 children in West Ardsley, although eldest James was already 21 and working as a miner. Thomas born at Tingley. In 1911 Tom was living with Herbert and his wife at Mill Lane, Normanton Common. They had moved to Normanton when their mother remarried William Davis, also a miner. The Strangeway family were living on Castleford Road in Normanton in 1911. William, 60, was from Fazeley Staffordshire. His wife Emily from Burton.

*Holmes, John Bilton, Holmsley, Woodlesford. R.E. Born Woodlesford 1889. Died May 1927. Was a clerk for Leeds council before the war. Lived with his parents at 22 Church Street. Father Hodgson Holmes, brewery labourer and drayman, came from a farming family at Addlethorpe in Lincolnshire. Hodgson married Sarah Ann Boys, daughter of a platelayer, at Woodlesford in 1872. Sarah Ann died and Hodgson remarried in 1882 Martha Langstaff, a bootmaker’s daughter.

Hall, Ernest., Primrose Yard., Oulton, 17th West Yorks. Ernest at 2 Primrose Yard with Alice Wright in 1922. Alice was a widow who took in boarders.

Heaton, H., Manor Lane, Oulton, 2nd/7th W.Y.

*Harland, A., Beecroft Yard, Woodlesford, 9th West Yorks.

*Holstead, Wilfred., Quarry Hill, Oulton, R.F.A. See Albert Edward Holstead above. 32745 Silver War Badge. Gunner. Discharged 18 January 1919. Served in France from 26 July 1915.

Higgins, Clifford, Willow Cottage, Oulton, R.F.A.

Higgins, Reginald Victor, Willow Cottage, 2308 D Company 31st (R) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London) Regiment. His name not on the original list. Born May 1887 at Oulton. In 1911 was architect’s assistant. His brother Rowland was in the Royal Fusiliers. Attested at Rothwell 6 Dec 1915, 28 years 7 months. 5 feet 6 inches. Papers signed by William Lunn J.P. Placed on reserve. Rejoined 2 March 1916. Architect. Posted to British Expeditionary Force 24 Aug 1916. Posted to 26th Bn Royal Fusiliers on 6 Sept 1916. Wounded in neck 20 Sept 1916, probably during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette which took place 15 – 22 September 1916.The 26th (Service) Battalion (Bankers) was formed in July 1915. Formed of bank clerks and accountants in London by the Lord Mayor. Moved to Marlow. After the war Reginald Victor trained to be a priest in Leeds and became a curate at St. Aidan’s church in Roundhay Road on 21 December 1922. At about 11.30 p.m. on Sunday 14 January 1923 he was cycling from the Leeds Clergy School to his lodgings on Loms Street when he was knocked off his bike by a car whilst passing a tramcar on Meanwood Road. The bike was badly smashed and Reginald Victor was thrown off and landed on his head. The newspaper report of the incident said that during the war he had been wounded on his head. He was taken to the Leeds Infirmary where the following Friday he was reported to be in a serious condition. He must have died shortly after the newspaper report appeared. He was buried at Oulton on 22 December. His father, Benjamin Wood Higgins, died a few days later, aged 74, and was buried on 3 February. Father, quarry owner and builder, had gone bankrupt in 1880. OULTON VETERAN DEAD. MR BENJAMIN WOOD HIGGINS’ LIFE OF SERVICE. Yorkshire Evening Post, Thursday 1 February 1923. Within a fortnight of the tragic death of his son. the Rev. R. V. Higgins. curate St. Aidan’s, Leeds (the victim of the Meanwood Road motor accident), the death has occurred in his 75th year of Mr. Benjamin Wood Higgins, of Oulton. Mr. Higgins, who had never recovered from the shock caused by his son’s death, was one the best known men in the neighbourhood. He was a native of Oulton. and had lived there all his life. He succeeded in 1871 to his father’s business of builder and quarry-owner, but latterly had practised as an architect. He had held many public offices in the township of Oulton-cum-Woodlesford; had been overseer for the last, 45 years; a member the Parish Council since its inception, and four times chairman; the local representative on the Hunslet Board of Guardians and Rural District Council; a member local Education Committee, and a manager the Oulton Church Schools. He was a Freemason. For many years Mr. Higgins was a member the Leeds Philharmonic Society and had been choirmaster at Garforth and at Oulton. One the founders of the Oulton Institute, he afterwards became trustee, and was active in local sport. He is survived by a widow, seven sons, and two daughters (two of his sons were killed in France). At his he was within a few mouths of the celebration his golden wedding anniversary.

*Jowsey, W., Clement’s St., New Woodlesford, R.F.A.

*Jewitt, Harry, Eshald Place, New Woodlesford, R.E. Born 1888 Bradford. Drayman at brewery where father William Henry Jewitt was the foreman horsekeeper.

*Jewitt, Arthur, Eshald Place, New Woodlesford, H.M.S. Defiance. Born 1896 Bradford. Brewery labourer. Served on Lion, Defiance and other ships. In 1921 he married Christina Mary Medland, daughter of a groom and gardener from Devon. Left the Navy in 1928. In 1939 Arthur and Christina were living at Wadebridge in Cornwall. He was a coastguard.

*Jewitt Robert, Midland St., Oulton, Sherwood Foresters. Born 1891. Bradford. Shop assistant at Woodlesford co-op. Married Elsie Toft in 1912. After war worked for the Co-op all his life and returned to manage the Woodlesford store in 1951. Lived North Lane.

*Jackson, J.E., Mayfield, Woodlesford, R.F.A.

*Joyner, E., Quarry Hill, Oulton, 6th K.O.Y.L.I.

*Iveson, John William, 8 Oakdene Yard, Woodlesford, 7th Munster Fusiliers. Born June 1878. Not in the village in 1911. A medal card for a John W. Iveson, 2600, 39655, indicates he also served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. The medal card shows he arrived at Gallipoli on 9 July 1915. After the war he lived at 8 Oakdene Yard with Robert Hildred Iveson. Appears not to have married. In the 1930s Sarah and Rosetta Cambridge lived with him. He then moved to 29 East View to live with fellow veteran Fred Holstead, colliery byeworker, and family. In 1939 was a surface worker at Water Haigh. In March 1947 he was living on Fourth Avenue when he was knocked down by a bus on Pontefract Road in Oulton. He sustained a fractured pelvis and was hospitalised in Leeds Infirmary. By 1949 he was living at 9 Airedale View with Wilfred and Minnie Preston. Thought to have died in 1951.

*Jackson, Arthur, 7 Airedale Grove, Woodlesford, R.G.A. After war lived with Joseph Poppleton.

Irvin Arthur Edward, The Vicarage, Woodlesford, 2nd Lieut., York and Lancs. Born 1888. Schoolmaster son of Woodlesford vicar. Promoted to captain then joined the R.A.F. Died in Devon in 1966.

Jones Thomas, 8 French St., Woodlesford, 12th K.O.Y.L.I. Age 24 married Elizabeth Thompson 2 August 1913. Miner. His father Harry also a miner. Her father a miner.

Killighan, E., Farrer Lane, Oulton, R.D.F.

*Kirby, Joseph Patrick., Beecroft Yd., Woodlesford, R.E. Miner. Wife Maria. Son Jabez born 1909 when they were living at Newsam Green.

Lee, Herbert, New Row, Oulton, 3rd K.O.Y.L.I. Born 1888. Quarry labourer. Father Ned Lee also quarry labourer.

Lee, William, New Row, Oulton, R.E. Born 1889. Quarry labourer.

*Lane, William Dawson, Lawrence Villa, Woodlesford, Lieut., 10th West Yorks. Born 1895 in Hunslet. Promoted to capain. Father Charles Frederick Lane, mechanical engineer, railway engine inspector, commercial traveller for steel works, company director. In 1926 married Elenora Turner Waddington, daughter of a surgeon from Upper Armley. Died 1957.

*McCrone, Robert, 61 Church St., Woodlesford, 1st K.O.Y.L.I. Born 1873 at Great Salkeld near Penrith. Father agricultural labourer. 37 in 1911, brewery drayman. Wife Elizabeth Annie also from Cumberland. Married 1897. Children Robert Benjamin and Margaret both born Woodlesford. In 1901 living on Midland Road next to Midland Hotel, builder’s carter. Farm labourer when son born 1902. Regimental number 50. 450162 Labour Corps. Disembarked 20 July 1915. Transferred Z Reserve 12 May 1919. Robert and Elizabeth McCrone 61 Church street in 1922.

Madeley, William, Aberford Road, Woodlesford, R.A.M.C. (T.) Born 1893 at Altofts. Miner. Was in Water Haigh ambulance team after the war. Unmarried. Died 1965.

*Mackman, H., Station Lane, Woodlesford, R.F.A.

*Metcalf, R., Carlton House, Oulton, 6th K.O.Y.L.I.

Madeley, Benjamin, Aberford Rd., Woodlesford, R.A.M.C. Born 1896 at Altofts. Miner. Married at Oulton church 1920 Alice May Morley, daughter of a joiner from Temperance Terrace. Moved to Holmsley Field Lane. Died 1963.

*Mitchell, Fred, Kitchener St., Woodlesford, Y. & L. Born 1878 in Dorset. Collier.

Martin, Cecil Arthur, Church St, Woodlesford, R.G.A. Born 1895 Newark. Father and oldest brother were traction engine drivers. Cecil was apprentice mechanical engineer before the war. Brother Wilfred was killed in action.

*Morton, Harry, Canal Side, Swillington Bridge, Woodlesford, Rifle B. Born 1898. Father William David Morton was a foreman on the canal. Oldest brother John William died in the war. He had been a clerk in a wholesale tobacco firm. Tom Craven was a fitter and George a brewery clerk.

*Mates, Herbert, 61 Aberford Rd., Woodlesford, R.F.A. 1921 Herbert born Oswestry district 1898. With Levi and Margaret Emma and Wallace Roberts. Died 1967. Married Alice Biscombe 1922. Son Harry b 1925. In 1911 at Chirk in Shropshire, Levi a deputy, 38 b Chirk Denbighshire, died 1935. Levi’s’ father, Seth, a stationary engine driver, in Chirk 1891. Margaret Emma, 36. Margaret Elizabeth 17 general servant in a hotel. Maria Alice 15. Herbert 12. Algie 9, All born Chirk..Moved to Woodlesford in about 1915. Medal card. Arrived France 31 July 1915 RFA gunner B/125th Bde R.F.A. 71533, then Labour Corps 439577 to 12 March 1919. Letter home. B Batt., 125th Brigade, R.F.A., says: “We are having a pretty warm time here at present. We are going to let it ‘rip’ in twenty minutes time. I am waiting for the order while I write sitting on the gun seat. We have not had much rest since Christmas, as the Germans have been very active, but we have got the upper hand of them. I wish it were all over. I have seen enough, but we have got to go a long way before we reach the end.”

McWilliam, Ellis, Nookin, Oulton, R.F.A. Born 1883 Newsam Green. Road foreman for the Hunslet Rural District Council. Father Charles was a miner living at Quarry Road in 1901. Brother Ernest died in France in 1918. Ellis married Mabel Wright in 1907. Her father was brewery labourer. After the war they moved to First Avenue on the John O Gaunt’s estate. Died 1955.

*Mitchell, George, Leonard St., Woodlesford, West Riding Regiment. George Mitchell living with Marion Pickersgill 12 Bernard Street 1921. Both still there in 1934 electoral register along with Edith Pickersgill. Maria Pickersgill widow 44 at 6 Cross Leonard St 1911, born Shropshire,  along with daughter Edith born Hopetown, 14. Edith’s father Herbert a colliery wagon builder in 1901 at Normanton. Maria Phillips m Herbert 1895, Normanton..  Her father Robert boot dealer, His father Henry miner. Herbert died in accident at Water Haigh in 1911. An Edith Pickersgill married a George Mitchell in 1933, Wakefield district. 1935 George and Edith at 55 Aberford Road. Still there in 1939.

*Nettleton, Albert, St. John’s Yard., Oulton, 1st/7th West Yorks. Born July 1890. Teacher. 1911, Francis Nettleton, 50, b Saxton cellarman at brewery, died 1919, Emma Jane 47, b Royds Green married 26 years. All 7 children born Oulton. Married at Rothwell 1885, Emma jane Clarkson, father Josiah labourer, Francis father Samuel gardener b Saxton, already living woodlesford on Stockings Lane in 1871. In 1861 still in Saxton, Samuel farmer’s labourer. Fred 22, elementary teacher. Albert 20 student elementary teacher. Percy 18 clerk at a publisher. Bertha 15. Stanley Frances 12. Mildred 7, teacher at Oulton until 1960s? 1901, oldest was Arthur b 1886. Auditor’s clerk. 1891 they lived Quarry Hill. 265312 W Yorks R 15 April 1915.  1/7 W. York. R. 2026 Cpl., 1/7 W. York. R. 265312 became an acting sergeant. Letter 1st/7th West Yorks., gives an idea of the artfulness of the Germans. “It is terribly wet in the trenches,” he says, “and in some places it is up to the waist in water. The Germans have an old trench, (a communication trench) which runs into ours, and it is slightly higher in position, and they have solved the problem of drainage by turning the trench into a canal and pumping the water into our trenches – their sewage as well.”

Nettleton, Percy, St. John’s Yard., Oulton, 15th W.Y. Born Nov 1892. Clerk at a publisher. Father Francis was cellarman at brewery. 2 brothers were teachers. 15/678. Arrived Egypt 22 December 1915. 1924 was 31 a cashier living St John’s View when he married Elsie Jones, 29, daughter of Robert Richard Jones, landlord of the Black Bull Hotel at Rothwell. Percy and Elsie at 35 Aberford Road Woodlesford in 1927. By 1939 they were living in Leeds. 

Nicholson, Frederick William, Water Haigh, Oulton, 13th K.O.Y.L.I. 1922 with Mary Ann at Water Haigh. Maiden name Brett. married at Burley in 1902. Her father John Brett moulder, his James Human Nicholson carpenter. 1911 Frederick Nicholson, b 1876 Bradford, 19 Quarry Hill, married 8 years, stationary engine man, Mary 32, born Bradley Staffs. Frederick Harrison boarder 27 police constable b Bradford. Mary Ann remarried to Albert Wells, 1946 lived 1 Green Lea…died 1964. Fred Nicholson died 1940?

*Newbould, R., Kitchener St., New Woodlesford 5th K.O.Y.L.I. Robert Newbould married annie Newboult hunslet 1915 …they at 12 Kitchener street with Charles Taylor in 1939. register says Charles born 1864 Holbeck miner, Robert born 1892 (register) Castleford, father a steam boiler maker, Annie born 1891. Lived Castleford 1901. (n 1921 Robert at 12 Roberts St with Charles and Mary Taylor. Son Robert b 1926. Died 1974. KOYLI 2004. Machine Gun Corps 23609. France 13 April 1915. 1911 Charles 45 at 12 Robert St with mary 43, married 20 years 2 children not there,  plus harry and ben newboult at Robert St 1911 both born oulton  ben died 1918 in the Leeds Infirmary,  buried oulton, served with Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment 18892, joined 8 aug 1916. In 1901 they lived Kitchener Street, father Benjamin 53, widower, Atkinson 29, stone quarry getter henry 27, quarry labourer john 25, miner byeworker benny 19 carter for market gardener. Benjamin’s wife was Annie Higgins married 1868, she had already had a daughter Elizabeth out of wedlock, 14 in 1881. she died in December 1890, age 41 and is buried at Oulton.

*Pennington, Joseph, 7 Powell St., New Woodlesford, R.F.A. Born 1879 Castleford. Miner. Father was a glass blower. Married in 1906 at Whitwood miner’s daughter Lucy Ann Birks born Mexborough. Childen born at Whitwood. 1921 Lucy Ann at 7 powell st 

*Pennington, Maurice, Aberford Road, Woodlesford, R.E. Possibly sapper 72439. Born 1881. Ironmonger, married Lillie Wood in Leeds in 1905. Lived in Leeds in 1911 but moved to 20 Aberford Road before the war. Died 1960.

*Parsons, A., Powell St., New Woodlesford, 4th K.O.Y.L.I.

Porteus, William Charles, 9 Farrer Lane, Oulton, R.A.M.C. Born 21 Feb 1898. Died 1984 in Worthing. Possibly related to George Porteus & sons, electrical company in Leeds. 1911 William Charles Porteus nephew of George Mirfin Abbey at Farrer Lane. George Mirfin Abbey 50, traveller for Bentley’s brewery b Oulton. Rachel 52, married 28, all b Oulton. Ethel 23. Gertrude 13. Father was Arthur William Porteus, drayman at brewery. Mother Maud Mary Abbey. In 1901 they were living with her mother, Frances Abbey, widow, 78 on Temperance Terrace, own means.  Arthur born Oulton, married 1896,  died 1906. His father George, stone quarry labourer, born Thornton. In Oulton 1881. Married Eliza Charlton Jackson in 1862 at Hunslet St Jude. She was born Easingwold.  William Charles’ mother was living Calverley Road when she died in December 1911, buried on Christmas Day. William Charles Porteus married Edith K Nicholls, born 1901, at East Preston district in Sussex in 1920 and was in the area in 1939. Edith born 15 May 1901. Sylvia Lily Porteus b 1921. Jack William F Porteus born 1923.

Parkinson, E., Highfield Terrace, Woodlesford, R.A.M.C.

*Stead, Thomas Albert., Quarry Hill, Oulton, K.R.R. Thomas Albert Stead at 7 New Row in 1915.

*Stead, Horace., 26 Quarry Hill, Oulton, 10th K.O.Y.L.I. Horace with Sarah Ann at 30 Quarry hill in 1923.

Sykes, Percy., Cross Leonard St., Woodlesford, 12th K.O.Y.L.I. Hilda and Percy Sykes at 10 Eshald Lane in 1923.

Tom and Emily Stokes.

Stokes, Tom, 6 Oakdene Yard, Woodlesford, R.A.M.C. (T) Born 1891 at Moortown. Colliery labourer in 1911. Father William was a brewer and ostler from Dodford near Stowe in Buckinghamshire. Mother Sarah Hesp from North Grimston near Driffield. In 1901 family were at Woodrow in Methley where William was a platelayer on the railway. By 1909 when William died aged 47 the family had moved to Oakdene Yard. Tom’s brother was a coal miner. Oldest sisters tailoresses at a cloth warehouse. Immediately before the war Tom worked for J. &. J. Charlesworth Rothwell Haigh Collieries as a coal miner. Tom was posted for duty at 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds on 13 August 1914. Promoted to corporal in 1915 then sergeant in 1916. He also served at East Leeds War Hospital at St. James’s where he was wardmaster. Appears not to have served abroad. Tom was a sergeant in R.A.M.C. based at Burmantofts when he married Emily Harriet Metcalfe at Leeds All Hallows in May 1916. Born in Leeds she was a sewing machinist in the tailoring business and they may have met because she knew Tom’s sisters. Her father, Frederick Swanley Metcalfe, was a munitions worker. Her mother, Mary Taylor Wood, came from Swillington. Tom’s sister Mary married Ernest Ellis Webster (see below). A medical report with Tom’s discharge papers notes that he suffered from bronchitis in March 1916 whilst camping in wet weather on the lawns of the hospital grounds. Also had heavy strain from lifting stretchers on convoys. He wasn’t committed to hospital for it for two years. During the war Tom and Emily lived at Conway Mount in Harehills. He had pneumonia and heart trouble. He never recovered full health and died whilst living at Queen’s Place in Stourton in 1936 when his only daughter was 13 years old.

*Smith, T. Eshald Place, Woodlesford, R.E. Tom Smith 10 Airedale Grove 1915

*Steel, George William., Eshald Place, Woodlesford, R.F.A.
George William Steele with Elizabeth and Lawrence Steel, Thomas Mitchell 40 Eshald Place 1923.

Gunner G.W. Steel, of the R.F.A., in thanking the committee, says his parcel “was
the envy of all the chaps in the billet.”

*Studd, J., The Hollins, Oulton, York & Lancs.

*Simpson, C., Eshald Place, Woodlesford, 9th K.O.Y.L.I.

*Sharpe, H. Farrer Lane, Oulton, A.S.C. William Sharpe Farrer Lane 1915

Simpson, Thomas William, The Grove, Oulton, Major, 3rd London Rifles. Lt Colonel. Had been in army before the war.

Storey, A.W., Eshald Place, Woodlesford, R.F.A.
George Storey, George Fred and Emily Storey at 20 Eshald Place 1923.

Storey, G.W., Eshald Place, Woodlesford, R.F.A.

Stringer, George Ernest, Hollin Hall, Oulton, Royal Naval Flying Corps.
Yorkshire post sat 24 july 1915. Temporary Second Lieutenant G E Stringer of Hollin Hall, Oulton, near Leeds, has been promoted temporary lieutenant in the RNVR and appointed to the President, additional for the Royal Naval Air Service. Navy List George E Stringer Lieut RNVR 8 Feb 1917. patent 1915 by a g stringer of oulton for throwing bombs, Possibly connected with the Waterloo Main Colliery, Stringer & Son Ltd Wakefield, Park Mill colliery? prosecution of a George e stringer in 1876. George Edward Stringer colliery proprietor at Emley, 27 in 1881 employ 60 men 30 boys, Huddersfield 1901, lived 6 Margaret St Wakefield, died 1937 sold house 1938, took over Waterloo Main Colliery. wedding in june 1907 of george edward stringer, elder son of george edward stringer of snapethorpe hall, wakefield and dora cecil, only d of henry smith j,p. of the cliffe wakefield, George Edward Stringer was a mining engineer. 24 in 1907, dora was 23, George edward and dora at Heath Old Hall in 1921. George e stringer, m Muriel w pennington 1939. George stringer b 1899 with ethel w in 1939 in rothwell.

*Taylor, J.W., Primrose Yd, Oulton, H.M.S. Hindustan.
Albert Taylor 4 Primrose Yard 1915

*Taylor, R., Church Street, Woodlesford, H.M.S. Savage.

*Tomlinson, A., White St., New Woodlesford, R.A.M.C.

Tiffany, William, 5 Beecroft Yard, Woodlesford, 12th K.O.Y.L.I. Born 1877 at Shipley. Married Beatrice Burton at Swillington July 1905. She was born Knottingley. Her father, Walter, was a mason. Children Kate, Walter, Joseph, John, Ivy, Elsie, Alice. Family moved to Hetton-le-Hole in Durham and then 20 Calder Terrace in Bottomboat in 1911 before moving to Woodlesford. In 1881 William, aged 3, was living with Hannah Bailey, a cow keeper and milk dealer at Swillington. She was probably related. A widowed William Tiffany, colliery banksman aged 40, probably William’s father, was living two doors away with his 20 year old son Henry and his wife Mary. William first joined the army at Leeds in April 1897 when he was 18 years old. 5446. Had already been in the militia – 3rd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. Served in the K.O.Y.L.I. in Mauritius. Was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1898 but reverted to private in 1899. Then in South Africa in the Boer War in 1901 and 1902. Forfeited pay three times in next two years. Was awarded South African Medal with clasps for Transvaal campaign.  Transferred to reserve in 1904 and discharged 1909. William 29952. Attested again at Rothwell 5 October 1914. Joined 12th K.O.Y.L.I. 14 November 1914. Had seen a pit head notice and had served in army reserve for 7 years. Was 36 years and 6 months. At Farnley Park 6 Jan 1915. Absent from Reveille on 6 Jan until Tattoo on 7 Jan. 1 day 15 hrs 30 mins. Witness Corporal Turner. Deprived of Lance stripe and 2 days pay. At Burton Leonard in July overstayed his pass 3 days. Was Lance Sergeant by then. Reprimanded. Lost 5 days pay. Same again in October, 1 day 13 hrs at Harrogate, two days, severeley reprimanded. Reverted to corporal. Transferred to 13th K.O.Y.L.I. 4 Dec 1915. Gateshead. Nearly two days. Reverted to ranks. Then again in May 1916 at Gateshead 8 days detention, 8 days pay, 10 days Confined to Barracks. Discharged no longer physically fit for war, 4 Oct 1917 with effect from 29 Nov 1916. Acting Lance Corporal. Army Reserve W. Durham Light Infantry? Had tattoos on both arms. Anchor cross and heart on left. Rose shamrock and thistle on right, 5 feet 8 inches. Military character: “Indifferent.” William and Beatrice moved to 43 Green Lea in the 1930s. He was 83 when he died in 1960.

*Taylor, F., St. John’s St., Oulton, R.A.M.C.

Taylor, Dr J.E., Aberford Rd., Oulton, Lieut., R.A.M.C.

*Townend, Walter, West View, Quarry Hill, Oulton, R.F.A. Born 1877 at Rothwell. Miner. In 1898 Married Catherine Mary Walker. She was daughter of Woodlesford labourer Benjamin Walker. They had lived on Princes Street. They had 2 children. He had lived with grandparents on Royds Lane.

Thorpe, William Henry, Taylor’s Yard, Woodlesford, West Yorks. N.R. After the war lived on Applegarth with Arthur and Fanny Thorpe.

*Thompson, G.E., Quarry Hill, Oulton, H.M.S. Bramble.

*Woodhall, Arthur, 67 Aberford Road, Woodlesford, Dragoon Guards. Rothwell Courier and Times. Regimental Sergeant Major Woodhall of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty. He went out with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in 1915, and is at present in Palestine. He has twice been mentioned in despatches for his good work. He was a reservist at the outbreak of the war, having gone through the South African campaign. He received two medals and five bars. Previous to the war he worked for Messrs. Henry Briggs and Co., Water Haigh Colliery, as a winding engineman. His wife and two children live at Eshald Creacent, Woodlesford.

Arthur was born in 1880 at Warrington in Lancashire. His father, James, came from Brigg in Lincolnshire. He was a cooper and had previously lived at Hull and Langthorpe near Harrogate. In about 1890 he brought his family to live at Woodlesford where he worked at Bentley’s brewery. Arthur was a labourer when he married Mary Annie Ellis in February 1907. At first they lived with her widowed father, James, a retired brewery labourer, on Pottery Lane. Arthur and Mary Annie’s first daughter, Ada, was born in 1907, and Mary Eliza followed in 1912. Arthur died, aged 49, in 1930.

*Whitehead, Wilfred Cordingley, Quarry Hill, Oulton, 9th W.Y. then 5th South Staffordshire Regiment.

*Williams, H., Claremont St., Oulton, 10th West Yorks.

*Whitworth, R., Oulton Hall, A.S.C.

*Whiteley, W., Eshald Place, Woodlesford, 8th K.O.Y.L.I.

Whiteley, Geo., Eshald Place, Woodlesford, K.O.Y.L.I.

Williams, E., Midland St., Oulton, R.A.M.C.

Wesbter, Ernest Ellis, Oakdene Yard, Woodlesford, 12th K.O.Y.L.I. Born 1885. Married at Woodlesford on 27 Dec 1913 Mary Stokes. He was 28. Miner, probably Water Haigh. Father William was a gardener. Mother Sarah Ann came from South Milford. In 1911 Ernest Ellis was living as a boarder in Robin Hood and working at the pit there. In 1891 they were living at Cherry Row in Lofthouse Gate. William was a traveller, born Harrogate. In 1901 they were at Outwood. William described as a navvy. Ernest and brother both born Menston and working as miners. Ernest was a wrestler. In 1933 he went 6 rounds with Tiger Brearley from Huddersfield without either gaining a fall. In 1948, at the age of 63, he was injured in a bout at Leeds and treated for a dislocated shoulder at the Infirmary. Still living at Oakdene Yard. He was 92 when he died in 1977.

Webster, Charles Edward, Railway Bridge, Woodlesford. Not in original newspaper list. Born 1887. 23 in 1911. Bye worker underground. At age 13 was an assistant in a stone quarry. Father Charles came from Northamptonshire. Charles Edward was 28 years and 10 months when he attested on 1 March 1916. Royal Garrison Artillery. 216419. Transferred from A Siege Depot, R.G.A. on 28 November 1918. Allowance of 5s 6d for 13 weeks. Married Eleanor Priestman at Woodlesford on 10 July 1915. They lived in a house on Pottery Hill near the railway bridge. Returned to work at Water Haigh.)

Wild, Alfred, Pottery Hill, Woodlesford, 12th K.O.Y.L.I. 39 in 1911. Miner. Son William Watson Wild killed in 1916. Name could have been Wilde.

*Ward, A., The Villas, Woodlesford, Grenadier Guards.

Waide, M., Applegarth, Woodlesford, R.F.A.

Waide, William, Applegarth, Woodlesford, 2nd Lieut., R.F.A.
19 in 1911, apprentice printer in father’s business. Son of Thomas Waide, Applegarth House. 

Waide, Edward Harrison.  Not on original list. 16 in 1911, apprentice printer.  Son of Thomas Waide. Military Medal. Royal Field Artillery, Territorial Force, 775542. Sergeant. 

*Warrington, Willie., 1 Quarry Hill, Chadwick Terrace, Oulton, R.A.M.C.
Private 161 RAMC. France 14 April 1915. Discharged 4 April 1919. In 1911, Willie 18, born 1892, colliery labourer above ground. His father, Arthur, 49, colliery pump man below ground, b Melton Mowbray. Sarah Ann (Free), 41, b Horseheath Cambridgeshire. They married at Woodlesford in 1890. Fred, 15, brick making. Ralph 13. All children born Woodlesford, Arthur interviewed in Dec 1900 for job of school attendance officer. 1901 on Princess St with railway porter Sydney W Daniell as boarder, b Cinderford. 1891 same address with Issac Free, labourer in coal yard as boarder. Ralph still living with parents in 1921, 7 Quarry Hill, Willie and Sarah Warrington at 1 West View in 1927. Married July 1919 at Oulton Sarah Carlton 25, Willie 27 , Sarah from Shudy Camps in Cambridgeshire, had been a servant in 1911? 

Private Fred Warrington (not on war memorial) Royal Scots Fusiliers
Date of death: 06/04/1918 (aged 22)
Cemetery: Oulton (St. John ) churchyard. Son of Arthur and Sarah Ann Warrington, of 1, Quarry Hill, Oulton, Leeds. Born at Oulton. (In the same grave is buried Pte. R. Warrington, TR5/42964. 80th Training Reserve Bn. 25th Sept., 1924. Age 26. 1 Quarry Hill)

Wass, Albert. K.O.Y.L.I. (33052) Reported wounded in Leeds Mercury, 5 January 1917. Was a clerk at the brewery. Born 1899 at Barmby Moor near Pocklington. Father Thomas Scaife Wass, a waggoner for a stone quarry. Lived Oulton in 1911. Family at Airevale Terrace in 1891. Thomas a carter for a builder. Albert married Mabel Waterhouse from Rothwell in 1914. After the war he returned to the brewery. In the 1920s they lived on Highfield Terrace and in 1939 they were living at 16 Oulton Lane. He died in 1950.

*Wright, Harry, Nookin, Oulton R.F.A.
1911, Florence 45 widow, b Swillington charwoman 1901. Harry 13 school b Oulton. Ellis McWilliam 28 son in law, road foreman HRDC, b Newsm Green, married Mabel Wright 1907. Mabel McwIlliam, 21 Oulton, ellis widowere bricklayer when he married enid maud angus in 1926. Fred McWilliam 3 Oulton. Marjorie McWilliam 1 Oulton. 1901, also son Herbert 7…at Flawith Alne near York in 1911.

Wright, F., Primrose Yard, Oulton, R.F.A.

Wilkinson, L.,  Church St., Woodlesford, R.F.A. Brother Frank had emigrated to Manitoba, with Canadian forces? gardener, wife Amelia, had 181st Overseas Battalion

Wilson, A., Eshald Place, Woodlesford, 3rd/7th West Yorks.

*Ward, A., Bentley Sq., Oulton, K.O.Y.L.I.

Westwood, W.S., Alma St., Woodlesford, R.N.

*Wild, W., Airedale Terrace, Woodlesford, York and Lancs.

Walker, James William Allwood, Leonard St., Woodlesford, R.E. Born 1882. Father a blacksmith from Ashover in Derbyshire. In 1901 James was a blacksmith’s apprentice. Married Clara Higgins, daughter of stone mason Thomas Higgins in 1908 and they had a daughter, Gwendoline, in 1910. In 1911 they lived on Airedale View. James died 1952.

Woodhall, Arthur, Eshald Crescent, Woodlesford. (not on newspaper list).  Rothwell Courier and Times. Regimental Sergeant Major Woodhall of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty. He went out with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in 1915, and is at present in Palestine. He has twice been mentioned in despatches for his good work. He was a reservist at the outbreak of the war, having gone through the South African campaign. He received two medals and five bars. Previous to the war he worked for Messrs. Henry Briggs and Co., Water Haigh Colliery, as a winding engineman. His wife and two children live at Eshald Place, Woodlesford. Arthur was born in 1880 at Warrington in Lancashire. His father, James, came from Brigg in Lincolnshire. He was a cooper and had previously lived at Hull and Langthorpe near Harrogate. In about 1890 he brought his family to live at Woodlesford where he worked at Bentley’s brewery. Arthur was a labourer when he married Mary Annie Ellis in February 1907. At first they lived with her widowed father, James, a retired brewery labourer, on Pottery Lane. Arthur and Mary Annie’s first daughter, Ada, was born in 1907, and Mary Eliza followed in 1912. Arthur died, aged 49, in 1930.