Gunner Harry Allen, 152389, Royal Field Artillery.

Wombwell War Memorrial.

Service Details:
Gunner Harry Allen, 152389, Royal Field Artillery, Z11th Trench Mortar Bty. Died 14th July 1917. Age 18/19

Bio:
Harry was born in 1898, the youngest son of Sarah Ann Allen (nee Spinks) and George Allen, a coal miner. It seems Harry's father George must have suffered an injury prior to 1911 as he is registered on the census as being disabled. Prior to the out break of WW1 Harry was employed as a colliery pony driver at one of the local coal mines. He lived with his parents and three older brothers at 5 Broomhill on the outskirts of Wombwell. After enlisting in the army, Harry served as a gunner with the the Royal Field Artillery in Belgium. He was killed in action only a few weeks before the Third Battle of Ypres was to begin. It is possibly Harry died when a convey he was traveling with came under fire in the early hours of  14th July 1917. He was buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium. This particular graveyard was opened in anticipation of  the allied losses that would no doubt occur in the upcoming offensive planned for July 1917. This action would later become known as the Battle of Passchendaele or the Third battle of Ypres.

Grave:
Vlamertinge New Military Cemetery, Plot I. G. 8., Belgium.

Memorial:
Wombwell war memorial, St. Mary's Church, Park Street, Wombwell Barnsley, S73

Sources_________________
Cwgc.org - Casualty details for H. Allen
1911 Census
Register of soldiers' effects for H. Allen
Soldiers that died in the Great War

Lce-Cpl Arthur Almond, 16017. K.O.Y.L.I 9th Bn.

Arthur Almond

Service Details:
Lce-Cpl Arthur Almond, 16017. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 9th Bn.
Fell in Action 1st July 1916, Age 24.

Bio:
Arthur was born in 1893 to Hannah Matilda and George Almond, a wagon builder. At 18 years old Arthur was employed by a local glass works, however by the time he enlisted he was working on the Great Central Railway. In September 1916 Arthur was officially reported missing since 1st July 1916. He was later confirmed to have been killed in action on the first day of The Battle of The Somme. At the time of his death he was unmarried and lived with his parents at Heelis Street, Barnsley.

Grave:
No known grave.

Memorials:
- Thiepval memorial, Pier and Face 11 C  and 12 A.    France
- Wombwell War memorial, Park Street,
- Light Lines Somme Memorial Barnsley.

Arthur Almond - Top row, second from left.
Barnsley Somme Memorial by Musson & Rettalick.

Source___________________________________________
Cwgc.org - Service details for A. Almond
1911 Census
Soldiers that died in the Great War
Register of soldier's effects for A. Almond
Barnsley Chronicle

Serjeant Henry Sims, 15760, York & Lancs 7th Bn.

Mexborough & Swinton Times 10th Nov. 1917
Image with thanks to the Barnsley Archives.

Service Details:
Serjeant Henry Sims, 15760, York and Lancaster Regiment 7th Bn.
Died 27th October 1917, Age 33.

Bio:
Coming Soon!

Grave:
DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY, Plot XII. C. 15. Belgium.

Memorials:
Wombwell war memorial, St. Mary's Church, Park Street, Wombwell, Barnsley.

Links:
cwgc.org - Service details
LotFWW - Life story
Ancestry Links:
Soldiers who died in the Great War 1914 - 1918

Private Samuel Pittam, 7095, Northamptonshire Regiment 2nd Bn.

Swinton & Mexborough Times 2nd Jan. 1915
Image with thanks to the Barnsley Archives.

Service Details:
Private Samuel Pittam, 7095, Northamptonshire Regiment 2nd Bn.
Killed in action 9th May 1915.

Bio:
Coming soon!

Grave:
AUBERS RIDGE BRITISH CEMETERY, AUBERS, plot III. B. 10. France.

Memorials:
Wombwell war memorial, Park Street, Wombwell, Barnsley

Links:
cwgc.org - Service details
LotFWW - Life story
Ancestry - Soldiers who died in the Great War

Serjeant Albert Ryman M.M, 7419, Lincolnshire Regiment 1st Bn.

Mexborough & Swinton Times 2nd Jan. 1915
Image with thanks to the Barnsley Archives

Service Details:
Serjeant Albert Ryman M M, 7419, Lincolnshire Regiment 1st Bn.
Died of wounds 2nd July 1916, Age 27.

Bio:
Coming Soon!

Grave:
MERICOURT-L'ABBE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION. Plot I. D. 19., France.

Memorials:
Wombwell war memorial, St. Mary's Church, Park Street, Wombwell.

Links:
cwgc.org - Service details
LotFWW - Life Story

Ancestry Links:
Soldiers that died in the Great War.

Pte William Bean

Mexborough & Swinton Times 2nd Jan 1915
Image with thanks to the Barnsley Archives

Service Details:
Private William Bean, 25972,York and Lancaster Regiment 10th Bn.
   Killed in action 21st April 1917, Age 34.

Bio:
William was born in 1883. He was incorrectly reported as having died in Nov 1914, when in fact he was  only wounded. He reenlisted in 1916.

Grave:
No Known Grave.

War Memorials:
Arras memorial, Bay 8, Pas de Calais, France.
Wombwell war memorial, St. Mary's Church, Wombwell.

Links:
Cwgc.org - Service details
LotFWW - Life Story
Ancestry - Service Record

Lundhill Sunday School Memorial

Lundhill Wesleyan reform Sunday School Jubilee 1912
Photograph from my own private family collection

Transcript of the Lundhill Sunday School Memorial:

Sacred to the memory of old scholars
of this Sunday School
Who fell in the great war

1914 - 1918

A. E. Booth
J. Hargreaves
F. J Feasey
G. Booth

A. Watkin
S. Hargreaves
G. Chipchase
E. Skews

Only remembered by what they have done.

Lundhill Sunday School memorial, St. Mary's Church, Wombwell, S73 0DQ

When the chapel was demolished the memorial was moved to St. Mary's Church, Wombwell.

Private Arthur Naylor

Swinton & Mexborough Times August 5th 1916.
Image with thanks to the Barnsley Archives

Service Details:
Private Albert Naylor, 13/1007, York and Lancaster Regiment 13th Bn.
Died 19th July 1916.

Bio:
Albert Naylor was born at Doncaster in 1895. He lived with his Aunt Rose and her Husband William Denmar at 25 Alma Street Wombwell. Prior to the war he worked as a colliery driver below ground.

Grave:
PONT-DU-HEM MILITARY CEMETERY, LA GORGUE, plot I. D. 18.

Memorials:
Wombwell war memorial, St. Mary's Church, Park Street, Wombwell S73

Links:
cwgc.org- Service Details
LotFWW - Life Story

Private Joseph Wilfred Burton

Service Details:
Private Joseph Wilfred Burton, 7025, East Lancashire Regiment 1st Bn.
Fell in Action 1st July 1916, Age 37.

Bio:
Coming soon!

Grave:
HAWTHORN RIDGE CEMETERY NO.1, AUCHONVILLERS, Plot A. 59.

Memorials:
Wombwell war memorial, St. Mary's Church, Wombwell.

Links:
cwgc.org - Service Details
LotFWW - Life Story

Private Edwin Griffiths

Service Details:
Private Edwin Griffiths, 12/383, York and Lancaster Regiment, 12th Bn.
Fell in action 1st July 1916, Age 26.

Bio:
Edwin Griffiths was born in Castleford, West yorkshire. He moved to Wombwell in 1912 and became engaged to Constance Beecher sister of Pte. Stuart Beacher who also died at the Somme.

 " He (Edwin) lived in Wombwell for two years before enlisting in September 1914, he served in Egypt be fore going to France. While in Egypt he rescued two comrades from drowning." 

- Mexborough & Swinton Times August 12th 1916

Grave:

EUSTON ROAD CEMETERY, COLINCAMPS, Plot I. A. 30.

Memorials:

Wombwell war memorial, St. Mary's Church, Park Street, Wombwell

Links:

cwgc.org - Service details

LotFWW - Life Story

Sgt. Henry Hawes

Mexorough & Swinton Times 30th June 1917
Image with Thanks to the Barnsley Archives.

Service Details:
Serjeant Henry Hawes, 13/433, York and Lancaster Regiment 13th Bn.
Fell in Action 1st July 1916.

Bio:
Coming Soon!

Grave:
No known grave

Memorial at Thiepval
Image with thanks to S. Hawes.

War memorials:
Wombwell war memorial, St. Mary's Church, Park Street,Wombwell.
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Pier and Face 14 A and 14 B. France.

Barnsley Somme Memorial by Musson & Rettalick
H. Hawes panel (top right)

Link:
cwgc.org - Service details 
LotFWW - Page

Private Arthur Wallace Ferneyhough

The Mexborough & Swinton Times 15th January 1916
Image with Thanks to the Barnsley Archives.

Service Details:
Private Arthur Wallace Ferneyhough, 17708, King's Own Scottish Borderers 2nd Bn.
Killed in Action: 23rd July 1916, Age 18.

Bio:
Coming Soon!

Grave:
No known grave.

War memorials:
St. Mary's Church War Memorial, Church Street, Wombwell, S73 0DQ.
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Pier and Face 4 A and 4 D, France.
Wesleyan Chapel Memorial Tablet, Park Street, Wombwell, S73 0HS

Links:
cwgc.org - Service Details
lfww.org - Page

Private Joseph Ashton

The Mexborough & Swinton Times 22nd Jan. 1916
Image with thanks to the Barnsley Archives.

Service Details:
Private Joseph Ashton, 19270, York and Lancaster Regiment 10th Bn.
Killed in Action 26th September 1915, Age 32.

Bio:
Coming soon!

Grave:
No known grave.

War Memorials:
- LOOS MEMORIAL, Panel 105 and 106.
- St. Mary's War Memorial, Park Street, Wombwell, S73 0HS.

Sources___________________________
Cwgc.org - Service details for J. Ashton
South Yorkshire Times 22nd Jan 1916

Pte. George Dodds

The Mexborough & Swinton Times Jan. 1916.
Image with Thanks to the Barnsley Archives.

Service Details:
Private George Dodds, 15537, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 9th Bn.
Killed in action 11th January 1916, Age 22.

Bio:
Coming Soon!

Grave:
Plot IX. D. 91. CITE BONJEAN MILITARY CEMETERY, ARMENTIERES.

War Memorials:
Cortonwood Colliery WWI memorial,  Knollbeck Lane, Brampton, S75 0TU

Links:
cwgc.org - Service Details
Lfww - Profile

Lce-Cpl. Ernest Oliver.

The Mexborough & Swinton Times 15th January 1916
Image wit thanks to the Barnsley Archives.

Service Details:
Lance Corporal Ernest Oliver, 10829,York and Lancaster Regiment 6th Bn.
Killed in Action  at Gallipoli 22nd August 1915.

Bio:
Coming Soon!

Grave:
No known grave.

War Memorials:
- HELLES MEMORIAL, Panel 171 to 173, Turkey.
= St. Mary's War Memorial, Park Street, Wombwell, S75 0HS.

Links:
Cwgc.org-Service details
Lfww.org-Profile

Rifleman James Crawford

Mexborough & Swinton Times 5th Feb. 1916
Image with thanks to the Barnsley Archives.

Service Details:
Rifleman James Crawford, C/467, King's Royal Rifle Corps "B" Coy. 16th Bn.
Died 18th June 1916, Age 19.

Bio;
Coming soon!

Grave:
CAMBRIN MILITARY CEMETERY, G. 2. Cemetery

War Memorials:
Wombwell Reform Club Members Memorial, Nu-Well Shopping Centre, Hough Lane, S73 0DR
St. Mary's Church War Memorial, Park Street, Wombwell S75 0DQ
Wombwell Church Lads Brigade Memorial, Located  inside St. Mary's, Church Street, Wombwell,S73 0DQ

Links:
cwgc.org - Service details
Lfww - Profile

Barnsley Pals Memorial

This memorial to The Barnsley Pals is located in Wombwell cemetery. It was erected by the Friends of Wombwell Cemetery.and is dedicated  to the memory of the men of 13th/14th Battalions who fell on the First day of the Somme, 1st July 1917.

Barnsley Pals Memorial, Wombwell Cemetery,
Cemetery Road, Wombwell, S73 8HY

Signaller Harold Skinner, R/16952, King's Royal Rifle Corps 2nd Bn.

Photograph from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honor

Service Details:
Rifleman Harold Skinner, R/16952, King's Royal Rifle Corps 2nd Bn.
Died 10th April 1917, Age 21.

Biography:
Harold Skinner was born in Wombwell on 10th April 1896. He lived with his parent's John Green and Annice Skinner at 165 Barnsley Road. As a child Harold attended Barnsley Road Council School and was a member of the Church Lads' Brigade. After completing his education Harold went on to work at Cortonwood Colliery. Harold enlisted at Sheffield on 16th November 1915 and began training at Seaford Camp, East Sussex. From July 1916 onward he served as a Signaller and Rifleman with the 2nd Battalion,  King's Royal Rifle Corp in France and Flanders. In March 1917, during action at Walincourt, Harold was hit by gun fire while transferring equipment from one dugout to another. It was later reported in the Barnsley Chronicle that he had had to have his right leg amputated below the knee. Despite this operation Harold's injuries were too severe. He succumbed to his wounds, dying on what would have been his 21st birthday in the base hospital at Carmiers. He was interred in Etaples Military Cemetery the following day.

Cortonwood colliery WW1 memorial

Harold is remembered on the grave of his parents which is located in Wombwell Cemetery. He is also commemorated on several local cenotaphs including the memorial to the miners of Cortonwood Colliery who served in WW1 and on the St. Mary's Church War Memorial at Wombwell.

The headstone in Wombwell cemetery which commemorates Harold Skinner.

Grave:
Etaples military cemetery

Links:
cwgc.org - Service details
LotFWW - Life Story

Ancestry Links:
Soldiers who died in the Great War
Register of soldiers effects.
De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour

Able Seaman Ezra Major Hitchen, KW/45, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Anson Bn. R.N. Div

E M Hitchen -  Barnsley Chronicle 19th May 1917
Image with thanks to the Barnsley archives

Service Details:

Able Seaman Ezra Major Hitchen, KW/45, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Anson Bn. R.N. Div
Died 28th April 917, Age 27.

Biography
Ezra was born on February 16th 1890 at Monk Bretton to George and Sarah Jane Hitchen. Prior to the outbreak of WW1 Ezra lived with his grandparents William and Louisa Dinsdale at Old Road, Smithies. According to the 1911 census he was employed as a laborer on the colliery surface.

Able Seaman Ezra Major Hitchen was killed in action on 28th April 1917 while serving with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserves, Anson Bn, R.N Div. He died aged 27. In a letter written to Ezra's mother, his army Chaplain describes how he fell during the battalion's last advance:
" [he] was killed in our in our last advance by a high explosive shell while he was working his Lewis gun. In spite of the fact that we were under heavy fire, he stuck to his gun to the last, fighting bravely."

In another letter, subsequently printed in the Barnsley Chronicle on May 12th 1917, Ezra's commanding officer Sub-Lieut Fraser described the brave seaman as:
"obedient and dutiful"  he then went on say "and his death was at a time was at at time when he was following me without fear or flinching in the stern pursuit of duty."

Family headstone in Wombwell cemetery

Despite the chaplain's letter stating Ezra was to be interred with a cross to mark the grave. The CWGC.org does not give an official grave site but instead lists him as being remembered on the Arras memorial (meaning he has no known grave.). Ezra is also commemorated on the war memorial by St. Mary's Church, Wombwell and on his parents grave in Wombwell cemetery.

"His King and country called him,

The call was not in vain;

On Britain's roll of honour,

You'll find our loved one's name."

- Taken From Ezra's Obituary in the Barnsley Chronicle.

Grave Location:

No known grave.

Memorials:
Arras memorial
Wombwell War Memorial, St. Mary's Church, Wombwell, Barnsley, S73

Links:
cwgc.org - Sevice details
LotFWW - Life Story

Ancestry Links:

Second Lieutenant Alfred Edward Flaxman

Alfred Edward Flaxman
Photograph from the Hexham Courant 10th Jan 2011

Biography:

It could be said that Alfred Ernest Flaxman was one of Wombwell's most accomplished soldiers, but it could also be said he is it's most forgotten. Despite being a talented musician, an athletics champion and 1908 London Olympian, he is largely forgotten in the town of his birth. Remembered only on the crumbling grave of his parents' in Wombwell cemetery.

Alfred was born in Wombwell on 1st October 1879. He was baptised on 28th November 1879. Alfred's mother was named Harriet Jecks Flaxman. Though Alfred was to have little memory of her as she died before his second birthday. Her death came in the Autumn of 1880, shortly after the birth of Alfred's younger brother and only sibling Samuel Christopher Reeve Flaxman. Alfred's father was born in 1850 at Great Ryhburgh, Norfolk. He was became rector of St Mary's Church, Wombwell in the 1870s. The family lived at 10 Summer Lane (The Rectory) along with  three servants. One of whom, Mary Crookson would remain with Alfred's father until his death. The site of the Rectory is on what is now Summer Lane Car park.

By 1901 the family were no longer living in Wombwell. Alfred's father had taken a new position as rector in Grundisburgh, Suffolk. His sons were away pursuing their respective careers. Alfred in athletics and Samuel in medicine. Both men would eventually settle in London. It seems the only tie to Wombwell that remained was their mother's grave. In 1911 Alfred was studying music in Marylebone, London While his father had retired to Bournemouth to live with his sister-in-law, (Alfred's Aunt Elizabeth Reeve.)

Alfred Edward Flaxman is remembered on his
Parent's grave in Wombwell cemetery.

During WWI Alfred Flaxman served as Second Lieutenant with the 1/6th South Staffordshire regiment. He was commissioned on 18th June 1915. Once he arrived in France he was given command of battalion of bombers, where his athletic abilities and body building skills were put to good use. Once during a training exercise at the Bull Ring in Etaples, he managed to throw a grenade a full 75 yards. He was chosen to lead a battalion of bombers at the Somme. Unable to find away through their intended path his group got caught between the wires. They were shot down by enemy fire while exposed in the open. Alfred was killed in action on 1st July 1916, aged 36. His brother Captain Samuel Flaxman, who was serving with the 1/2nd North Midland Field Ambulance searched for Alfred's body without success. His remains were never recovered and subsequently he is remembered on the Thiepval memorial, along with the other missing of the Somme.

His superior LT Col F A M Webster described A E Flaxman as:

  "A simple gentleman, the best of sportsmen and a very gallant soldier"

Service Details:

Second Lieutenant Alfred Edward Flaxman, South Staffordshire Regiment 1st/6th Bn. Killed in action July 1st 1916, Age 36.

Grave:
Body was not recovered Alfred is remembered at Thiepval and on his parent's grave in Wombwell cemetery.

Bibliography:

A Lack of Offensive Spirit?:
The 46th (North Midland) Division at Gommecourt, 1st July 1916
By Alan MacDonald

Links:

British Olympians - Alfred Flaxman

cwgc.org Page

The Great War Forum - 46th Division Officers

Wikipedia Entry

Lives of the First World War entry

Private Richard Bishop

Richard Bishop
His wife Ellen & seven children.

Biography
Richard Bishop was one of eleven children born to Rebecca Guest and Richard Bishop of Tivdale, Staffordshire. He lived in Tivdale from his birth in 1875 until the age of six, when his parents decided to relocated to Wombwell, Yorkshire. Once he was old enough, Richard began working as a miner at one of the local collieries. At some point during the 1890s he met his future wife, Ellen Hancock, a domestic servant from Darfield. Ellen had recently returned home after spending time in service to a family of grocers in Halifax. By 1901 the couple were married and residing at 39 Gower St. Wombwell. By the time Richard went off to war the couple had seven children; Richard, Gertrude, Evelyn, Doris, Ernest, Leonard and Phyllis.

Richard enlisted in March 1916, joining the 2nd Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers. He was one of several men from the Shipcroft area of Wombwell who joined the KOSBs. These men included his younger brother Albert J Bishop, his brother's lodger William Skidmore and neighbour Arthur Ferneyhough. The latter two would not survive the war. They were all members of the Wesleyan Chapel on Park Street and would later be commemorated on a memorial tablet within the chapel.

Wesleyan Chapel Memorial Tablet

On 3rd September 1916 Richard was wounded in battle. He was making an advance with fellow soldier and Hemingfield man Lance Corporal Henry Hunt. Henry was gunned down first and Richard was injured shortly afterwards. While convalescing in Cardiff Richard wrote to Henry's widow from his hospital bed. In the letter Richard describes how Henry met his death only 10 minutes into the advance:

 "Your husband got killed in a charge we were making on a farm on a 500 yard front. I was only sorry our acquaintance was so short, as he was my section commander, and he was liked by everyone. He was a good soldier, and died a hero's death. The bullet hit him in the heart and he fell on my legs. I said, "Harry, have you been hit?" But he never spoke."
Barnsley Chronicle
October 7th 1916

Only ten minutes later Richard too was hit, All though he survived initially Richard died of his wounds on 20th September 1916 in Hospital at Cardiff.

Richard Bishop's grave
in Wombwell cemetery

Richard was buried with full military honors in Wombwell cemetery.  He is also remembered on the war memorial beside St. Mary's Church.  Henry Hunt's body was never recovered and he is subsequently commemorated on the Thiepval  memorial, Wombwell war memorial and the Hemingfield war memorial in Jump cemetery.

Service Details:
Private Richard Bishop, 18489 King's Own Scottish Borderers "A" Coy. 2nd Bn.
Died of wounds Age 41 on September 20th 1916

Grave: 
Richard is buried in Wombwell cemetery.

Links:
CWGC.org
LivesoftheFirstWorldWar.org.

Wombwell 1914 - 1918