Arthur Hopkinson

April 12th 1918: Arthur Hopkinson (22)

 Arthur (b 1897) was the youngest son of Charles and Hannah Hopkinson, Charles was a stone mason, originally from Soyland. The family are recorded in the 1891 census (before Arthur was born) as living at Sowerby Croft in Norland, but Arthur grew up living at 16 Westbury Terrace, in the western outskirts of Halifax, and he attended Warley Road School. His mother died in the year he was born, but there is no record of whether she died in childbirth. In 1900 his father got married again to Sarah Jane Greenwood. Arthur's sister May, who was 14 years older than him, also still lived at home. In the 1911 census Arthur is recorded as an office boy (aged 14) and before he joined the army he worked for Mr W W Sunderland, an accountant in Princess Street, Halifax. At some point the family moved to Norland (address not known) and Arthur attended Bethel Chapel. Arthur was a keen cyclist and was a member of the Halifax section of the Clarion Cycling Club "seldom missing a run". He was also described as being "of cheerful disposition" with "many friends both in Norland and Halifax".

He enlisted in March 1916 with the Cyclist Corps (11542) and trained at Chiseleden (Wiltshire). He later transferred to the East Yorkshire Regt. (36542), and went out to France with them on 13th December 1916. His last home leave was in January 1918.

He was originally listed as missing in action, and his death from wounds to his head and legs was not confirmed until 1919 by a returning prisoner of war, Pte. Harry Craven, as reported in the Halifax Evening Courier on 10th March:  "On April 11th we went into the line and passed that day all right. On April 12th we were on the retreat, and both Arthur and I were wounded. I could not move, being wounded in both legs. Arthur was hit bad, but said he was trying to get away. I said "You won't be able to go far". He had just got to his knees when he dropped back again, shot through the head. I cannot tell you where he was buried, as I was taken prisoner. One of the chaps in our company got his wallet, but I cannot give you his name."

He was recorded on the Bethel Chapel Roll of Honour and is also remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial in the photo. This is 12 km south of Ypres and is dedicated to soldiers with no known grave.

May 17th 1918: Fred Smith  (25)

 Fred Smith was the second child of John and Lily (recorded as Selly in the 1901 census) Smith and he had an older brother, Arthur and a younger sister, Gladys May.  His father was a farm bailiff, originally from Plumpton near Knaresborough, but Fred became a joiner. The family lived at Stansfield Mill in 1901 and Grassy Bottom in 1911. both places within Norland parish but very close to the village of Triangle. At the time of his death, Fred's address is given as East Longley Farm. At some point Fred had become engaged to be married to Edith (surname not known).  Fred enlisted with the Royal Engineers on January 3rd 1916 (3rd West Riding Field Coy, 120797).

The report of his death in action appeared in the Halifax Courier on June 8th 1918:

"Sapper F Smith (25), Royal Engineers, East Longley Farm, Sowerby Bridge, was killed in action on May 17th. Sapper Smith enlisted on January 3rd 1916 and went to France in the October of the same year. He served his apprenticeship as a joiner with Messrs Wm. Morris and was secretary of the Triangle Wesleyan Church, where he was held in high esteem."

The family published the following death notice in the same edition of the Courier:

"Smith: In remembrance of our dear son Fred (120797) Royal Engineers, who was killed in action on May 17th 1918 and buried at Bienvillers-au-Bois, aged 25. Deeply mourned by his sorrowing mother, father, sister and brother, also his fiancée Edith."

Bienvillers Military Cemetery is about 12 miles south of Arras and is the burial place of nearly 1,200 casualties of the war.

May 28th 1918: Frank Harrison (20) 

Frank was born in 1898, the only child of Harry and Sibby Harrison. His father was born in Gomersal and was a tailor. His mother (née Binns) was from Sowerby. In 1901 the family was living at New Longley, in 1911 at Scar Head, and at the time of his death in Prospect Terrace. In 1911 13 year old Frank was a half-timer, half the day at school and the other half working in a mill as a woollen piecer. He enlisted with the Royal Scots in 1916 (13th Battalion, 301987). The Halifax Courier reported his death on June 22nd 1918:

"Pte. Frank Harrison (20), Royal Scots, son of Mr and Mrs H Harrison, Prospect Terrace, Norland, was killed in France, May 28th. He joined the Royal Scots on Oct. 3rd 1916, and went to France June 1st 1917. Before he joined up he worked for Messrs Edleston, Asquith Bottom. He was a scholar of and in the choir at Mount Zion PM Chapel. Second Lieut. McGhie writes to Mrs Harrison: 'Your son was killed on the afternoon of May 28th. He was coming back from the range with the rest of his section, and a shell landed among them, killing your son and two other men and wounding several. Death was instantaneous, He was a brave soldier, willing and obliging, and an example to his fellow soldiers. His death is one of the great sorrows which come to many at these times. He was buried at Duisans, just outside Arras, with full military honours."

Duisans British Cemetery, 9 km west of Arras, is the resting place of over 3,000 casualties of the war. His headstone carries the personal inscription "Worthy of Remembrance". The Commonwealth War Graves records show his parents' address as 2 New Longley.

A memorial service was held in Norland as reported in the Halifax Guardian (29th June 1918): "A very impressive memorial service was held at Mount Zion, Norland, on Sunday, in memory of the late Private Frank Harrison, Royal Scots, of Prospect Terrace, Norland, who was killed in action in France on May 28th. The preacher was Mr M Williamson of Halifax. The choir rendered special music, and the soloist was Miss Louis Sutcliffe. At the conclusion of the service the organist, MIss Clara Sutcliffe, played the "Dead March" in "Saul".

June 30th 1918: Fred Wilcock (27)

Fred was born in Norland,  the son of Edmund and Hannah Wilcock. His father was from Cragg Vale, but his mother was from Norland. The 1901 census shows them living at Scar Head. 10 year old Fred had two much older siblings, George (24), a greengrocer, and Florence (19), a cotton reeler.  His mother, Hannah, died in 1910 and he and his father went to live with Florence, who was by now married to Oliver Akroyd and had a 7 year old son, William. They lived at 3 Clough Terrace in Sowerby Bridge (1911 census). Fred is described as a woollen cloth finisher. His father died two years later in 1913. In 1914 Fred married Ethel Beckwith, who was born in Embsay, near Skipton, but whose family had been living in Sowerby Bridge for over 20 years. He enlisted in 1915 or 1916 and was in 15th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (32102).. 

The Halifax Courier reported his death on July 20th 1918:

"Pte. Fred Wilcock (27), West Yorkshire Regiment, died in France from wounds received in action on June 30th. He had been at the front about two years. His home was at Windsor Terrace, Scarr Head and he was a blanket raiser in the employ of Mr J Riley Atkinson."

The following week the following death notice appeared in the Courier:

"Wilcock: Pte. Fred Wilcock, West Yorkshire Regt., who died of wounds in France on June 30th, aged 27 years.

          'The happy hours we once enjoyed,

           How sweet their memory still;

           No morning dawns, no night returns

           But what I think of him.

           He fought the good fight faithful unto death.'

From his sorrowing wife, Ethel, Sowerby Bridge.

Fred Wilcock is buried at Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery in France, which is about 45 km south-east of Calais. St Omer was behind the lines and was a large hospital centre for casualties. Fred's headstone has the following inscription:

"Too dearly loved to be forgotten: from his loving wife, Ethel."

He is also remembered on the St George's Church memorial, now in St Peter's Church, Sowerby. Ethel moved from Windsor Terrace and went to live at 13 Sowerby Street, Sowerby Bridge.

 August 26th 1918: Robert Ramsden (26)

Robert Ramsden was born in Norland in 1892 to Thomas and Maria Ramsden.  His father was a quarryman and he had four older brothers, George, Edmond, Samuel and Richard, an older sister, Mary Ann and a younger sister, Ellen. The 1901 census shows the family living at Hob Lane Top but by 1911 they had moved to Bethel Terrace. He worked as a cotton piecer for W R K Lee Ltd., of Lockhill Mills in Holmes Road, Sowerby Bridge and attended St Luke's Church.

Robert enlisted early in the war in October 1914, a volunteer, not a conscript, and served with the 2nd/4th Batallion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment.

The Halifax Courier reported his death in the September 14th edition: 

"Lc. Cpl. Robert Ramsden (26) (West Riding Regiment), Bethel Terrace, Norland, was killed on August 26th. He joined the army on October 10th 1914, and went to France in January 1916, prior to which he was employed by Messrs W R K Lee, Sowerby Bridge. He was associated with Norland Church. Capt. R F Sykes writes: 'A shell burst close to him and he died instantly without suffering. Your loss is shared by all of us here as he was one of the very best men we had and one loved by all who knew him.  I remember him from the early days of the war when he enlisted, and can say that throughout his army life we never had a better-hearted, keener, and more cheerful fellow in the good old regiment, of which he was so proud."

He is also remembered on a memorial board of his firm W R K Lee Ltd., which is on display in Bankfield Museum, Halifax. He is buried at Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, 19km south of Arras in France. 

September 9th 1918:  William Barrett (37)

William was born in Sowerby in 1881 to James and Charlotte Barrett, who were both also natives of Sowerby. He grew up there and in 1901 at the age of 20 he was living at 10 Dean Lane and working as a worsted bobbin carrier. He had a younger sister Florence (b 1884) and a younger brother, Edgar (b 1893). Ten years later  in 1911 he was lodging in the Park Lodge at Wibsey Park, Bradford but still working with worsted as a doubling overlooker. His landlord was James Walton, the park keeper and head gardener there for many years. He must have come under James's influence, for he shortly afterwards became the gardener for Mrs Rawson, who lived at Mill House, Triangle. He must have married around this time, possibly towards the end of 1913 to Elizabeth A Gregory (not confirmed).

He enlisted with the Durham Light Infantry in 1916 (service number 200740).

The Halifax Courier reported his death on October 12th 1918:

"Pte. W M Barrett (38) (1), Durham Light Infantry, Wood Lane Bottom, Sowerby Bridge, was killed on September 9th. Pte. Barrett had been in the army about two years and had served 18 months in France. He was invalided home in the early spring, but was only in England for a period of seven weeks. He was gardener for Mrs McDougall Rawson, Mill House, Triangle and was connected with St George's Church, Sowerby. He leaves a widow but no children."

The same edition of the Courier contained two death notices from his family:

"BARRETT: In sad but loving memory of my dear husband, Pte. William Barrett, who was killed in action Sept. 9th 1918 'Somewhere in France'.

          'Tis sweet to know we'll meet again

           Where partings are no more,

           And that the one we loved so well

           Has only gone before.

From his sorrowing wife father, sister and brother, Lane Bottom, Norland."

"BARRETT: In loving memory of our dear son and brother Pte. William Barrett,  Durham Light Infantry, who was killed in action 'Somewhere in France' Sept. 9th 1918, aged 37 years. 'He laid his richest gift on the altar of duty - his life.'  From his father, brother and sister, 10 Dean Lane, Sowerby, near Sowerby Bridge."

William is buried at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, which is about 15 km south-west of Cambrai in France.

(1) William was 37, not 38.

October 11th 1918: Fred Southwell (29)

Fred was born in Norland in 1889. Both his parents Bates Broadbent Southwell and Susan (née Holroyd)  and grandparents James and Betty were also born in Norland. His father was an engineer, for a short time a member of the Parish Council, and the family lived at New Longley for most of Fred's childhood (1891 and 1901 census returns). In 1911 they were living at Spring Villa, with 22 year old Fred described as a draper's assistant. He had an older sister, Mary, and three younger sisters, Ellen, Florence and Doris. Fred moved away to become a drapery department manager, first in Hanley, then in Bletchley. His father died in 1915 and in another tragic blow to his mother, his sister Mary died on 29th March 1917.  It is not known when exactly he enlisted but he became a corporal in 1st/6th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (27726).

The Halifax Courier reported his death in the edition of Nov. 16th 1918, an edition that was otherwise full of the news of peace celebrations:

"Cpl. Fred Southwell, West Yorkshire Regiment, Sowerby Bridge, died of wounds on Oct. 11th. His officer writes: 'I am very sorry to have to inform you that your son died of wounds on Oct. 11th. We have only just had the news of his death, or I should have written you before, as I know the anxiety at home must be very great during a big push. It may be of some consolation to know that your son died after nobly doing his duty'.  

Cpl. Southwell was employed at the Co-operative drapery department, Sowerby Bridge, and afterwards as manager at Hanley (Staffs.) and Bletchley (Bucks.). He attended Norland Primitive Methodist Church. Cpl. Fred Southwell (29), West Yorkshire Regt., Spring Villa, Norland, was killed by machine gun fire on Oct. 11th."

His mother published a family death notice in the same edition:

"Southwell: In ever loving memory of Cpl. Fred Southwell, West Yorkshire Regt., aged 29, who was killed in action on Oct. 11th 1918 and was buried at Wellington British Cemetery, Rieux. A token of love from his mother, sisters, brothers and Laura. Spring Villa, Norland.

          We had pictured his safe returning

          And longed to clasp his hand;

          But God has postponed the meeting,

          'Twill be in a better land."

Although his mother referred to him as being buried at Rieux (Rieux-en-Cambresis, about  9 km north-east of Cambrai in France), presumably based on information sent to her by the army, he does not have a headstone there. However, he is remembered on the Vis-en-Artois memorial for soldiers with no known grave. This is about 20 km north-west of Cambrai.

October 12th 1918: George Herbert Edgerton (19)

George was the youngest of the casualties listed on the Norland War memorial. He was born in Heckmondwike in 1899, and was living there at 23 Francis Street in the 1901 census.  His father, Harry, had been born in Liversedge in 1876 and his mother, Lily, (b 1877) was from Bradford. He had a brother, Horace, two years older than him, and a younger sister, Hannah, also born in Heckmondwike in 1902. At some point the family moved to Sowerby Bridge, for the 1911 census shows them as living at 20 Montague Street. George (or was he possibly referred to by his second name Herbert, given the family's liking for names beginning with the letter H?) was 12 years old, working part time as an errand boy and still also part time at school. His father's occupation is shown as "stuff presser" but he most have been reasonably well paid because the family could afford to employ an 18 year old servant, Ethel Cooper. By late 1914, when his brother Horace (1) enlisted, the family were living at Ivy Cottage, Scarr Head. After leaving school, George Herbert worked at Dugdale's Cotton Mill in Triangle. When exactly he enlisted is not clear, but it was initially as a private with the Northumberland Fusiliers (18381). He later switched to the Prince of Wale's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) 1/7th Battalion with a different service number (63951). He was sent to the front line in April 1918.

The Halifax Courier reported his death on 2nd November: "L-Cpl. George H. Edgerton (19), West Yorkshire Regt., died of wounds in France on Oct.12th. He had been at the front since April 1st. His home was at Scarr Head, Sowerby Bridge, and before enlisting he worked at Dugdale's Cotton Mill, Triangle."

His family inserted a death notice in the same edition of the Courier:

"Edgerton - In loving remembrance of L-Cpl. George Herbert Edgerton, West Yorks., died of wounds Oct. 12th 1918, aged 19 years.

          With aching hearts we shook his hand,

          Tears glistened in our eyes;

          We wished him luck, but little thought

          It was his last good-bye.

          Just when his hopes were brightest,

          Just when his thoughts were best,

          He was called from this world of sorrows

          To the home of eternal rest.

From his sorrowing father, mother, sister and brother Horace in France.

George Herbert Edgerton is buried in the Naves Communal Cemetery Extension. Naves is a small village 5km north-east of Cambrai. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records his parents' address as Ivy Cottage, Scarr Head.

(1) Before he enlisted at the age of 17 yrs 11 mths, Horace was a

labourer for Halifax Corporation Tramways.

October 30th 1918: Ernest Mallinson (24)

Ernest was born in 1895 in Norland. His parents, Tom and Mary, were born in Soyland and Sowerby, and Tom worked as a wool comber. The family lived at Oaken Royd, above Triangle. In the 1911 census 16 year old Ernest was listed as a butcher's assistant. His younger brother, Irvine (14), who also  served in France in the war,  was a house painter's apprentice. Ernest enlisted in January 1916.

Just like with Fred Southwell, his death was reported in The Halifax Courier on 16th November amidst the jubilation of the reports about the end of the war.

"Pte. Ernest Mallinson (18415), West Yorks. Regt., Oaken Royd, Triangle, has died from pneumonia following influenza at 57 General Hospital, Marseilles, on Oct.30th at the age of 24. He enlisted on Jan. 26th 1916 and went to France on May 23rd 1916, then to Italy on Nov. 1st 1917. He served his apprenticeship as a butcher at Sowerby Bridge Co-op and was employed at the Halifax Co-op when he joined up. He was actively identified with Mount Zion Chapel, being a member of the choir. His name is on the roll of honour there and at Triangle. His brother, Irvine, is also serving, and is now home on leave."

His family also published a death notice in the same edition of the Courier with much the same wording.

Ernest is buried at Mazargues War Cemetery in Marseilles, France, and he is also remembered on the memorial tablet at Triangle.