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17 August 1916 : Pte Willie Nettleton

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The eight child of Robert (a woollen cloth binder) and mother Elizabeth 'Betsy' née Roling. Willie was a shop assistant (Boarders) and then a hairdresser before the war. At the 1901 England Census the parents, their 10 children and a grandchild, lived at 13, Ventor Cottages, Back Lane, Ossett - a three roomed dwelling. All those over the age of…

23 September 1918 : Chief Mot Mech William Howson

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His father was a railway engine driver. He had six siblings at the 1891 census and ten years later were joined by a nephew. All lived together at 37 Midland Terrace, Hellifield. William worked in the gas department of Hellifield Station before becoming a motor mechanic at Ilkley prior to enlistment. He joined the Navy in January 1916 and se…

15 October 1914 : Pte Arthur William Heptinstall

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His parents were James (a joiner) and Ann Heptinstall. Arthur was the seventh of their children born between 1864 and 1878. Arthur enlisted in Bradford on 10 November 1899, joining 2nd Bn Royal Scots (Infantry). He was 21. He served in South Africa from 1900 to 1902 and in India from 1902 to 1907, where he became a qualified telegraphist. He ex…

26 October 1917 : Pte George Towler

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The son of John (farmer) and Rose (née Thwaite) their fourth child of seven. Age 20 at the 1911 Census George was working in Lancaster as a grocer's apprentice. He then emigrated to Canada. At the time of his enlistment he was working as a grocer's clerk in Alberta. He undertook his medical in June 1916, in Vernon, British Columbia and enl…

28 November 1917 : James Metcalfe

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Age 17 James emigrated to Masterston, New Zealand. At the outbreak of war in 1914 he was employed as a labourer in Whakatane. He enlisted into the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 12 October 1915 and embarked for Egypt on 5 February 1916. After several weeks in Egypt, he was transferred to the Western Front and was a participant in the Battle …

21 July 1916 : Pte Thomas Rigby

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Thomas was the son of Thomas E Rigby (a farmer) and Ellen (née Nutter) At the 1901 Census, age 11, Thomas (junior) was on the farm with his parents, his five brothers, sisters and a general servant at Lawson's House, Sawley, Grindleton, Yorkshire. Ten years on Thomas was working on the farm alongside two of his brothers, while his sister Alice, …

29 October 1914 : Fred Cockett

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Fred was son of Elizabeth Cockett and (it is presumed) Joseph Moore (they married in 1891). Frederick was the eldest brother of Gunner John Moore, who is also recorded on this site, who died from his wounds in 1918. In the 1891 Yorkshire Census, Fred, aged 4 years, was living with his grandparents, John and Mary Cockett (nee Constantine). John w…

Leeds Pals Memorial

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The Yorkshire Dales can be one of the most picturesque spots in the UK. They can also be cold, windswept, wet and inhospitable. On the road out of Masham (pronounced Massam), which is a small town north of Ripon, are a couple of reservoirs, Leighton and Roundhill. The first of these – Roundhill – was commissioned by Harrogate Corporation in the ve…