Private Bartley Bannister, 215, Lancashire Fusiliers 2nd Bn.

Service Details:

The Mexborough & Swinton Times 2nd Jan. 1915

Image with thanks to the Barnsley Archives

Private Bartley Bannister, 215, Lancashire Fusiliers 2nd Bn. Presumed dead 2nd September 1914, Age 28.

Biography:
Bartley Bannister was born in 1886, at Pemberton in Lancashire, He lived near Wigan for most of his twenty-eight years and only moved to Wombwell shortly before the outbreak of war, however, once he'd settled into his new home on Hough Lane, Bartley quickly became a much loved pillar of the community. He worked for Wombwell Main Colliery and spent much of his free time involved in actives at the local parish church, St. Mary's. He was a drill instructor for the Wombwell branch of the Church Lads Brigade as well as a member of the Church of England Men's Society. He was by all accounts a popular and well liked man.

As a member of the army reserve, Bartley was called up at the outbreak of war. He arrived in France on the 22nd August 1914. His regiment, the 2nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers, got there just in time to take part in the retreat from Mons.  After that he wasn't heard of again for sometimes. In May 1915 an article appeared in The Barnsley Chronicle explaining Bartley's fate:
"Private Bartley Bannister, a Wombwell soldier, who has been reported wounded and missing, died in hospital from wounds received at Cattenieres. Private Steele of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who has lately returned from Germany, as an exchange prisoner of war, brought the news. Private Steele states that Bannister was lying in hospital at Cattenieres at the same time as himself, and died there."

Barnsley Chronicle 8th May 1915

Article with thanks to The Barnsley Archives

Although private Bannister's death wasn't officially declared until September 1915, his name does appear in several newspaper's casualty lists as having being 'killed' prior to this date. The official notification of death claims he 'fell in action' on (or around) 2nd September 1915 and was presumed dead on that date, which is not entirely accurate if  Private Steele's account is to be believed.  Bartley is one of five identified WW1 casualties to be buried in the churchyard at Cattenieres. One man, Private T. Brady died at the same time as Bartley, but the other three burials date from December 1917. Due to his participation in the Mons retreat Bartley posthumously qualified to receive the 1914 Star, a medal also known as the Mons Star.

Church of England Men's Society Roll of Honour
St. Mary's Church, Wombwell.

Grave:
Cattenieres Churchyard, Plot 5, Northern France.

Memorials:
St. Marks Church War Memorial, Newtown, Wigan, WN5 9BN
Wigan Cenotaph, All Saint's Church, Lancashire, WN1 1NL
Wombwell war memorial, Park Street, S73 0HS
Church of England Men's society memorial St. Mary's Church, Wombwell, S73 0DQ.










Sources____________________________________
Barnsley Chronicle - 8th May 1915 & 11th September 1915
South Yorkshire Times - 2nd Jan 1915 & 5th June 1915
Cwgc.org - Casualty Details for B. Banniste
1901 & 1911 Census
Medal index card & Medal rolls for B. Bannister
Register of soldiers' effects f or B. Bannister
Wikipedia.org/wiki/1914_Star

Private Frank Pettitt, 15914,York and Lancaster Regiment, 10th Bn.

South Yorkshire Times 8th Dec 1917
 with thanks to the Barnsley Archives

Service Details:
Private Frank Pettitt, 15914,York and Lancaster Regiment 10th Bn. Died of wounds 12th October 1917, Age 33.

Biography:
Frank was born at Handsworth near Sheffield in August 1884. He was the eldest son of Elizabeth and John Pettitt. The family relocated to Hawson Street at Wombwell in the 1890s and a few years later Frank began working at the nearby Cortonwood colliery.  Sadly out of Frank's twelve siblings six died in childhood and his mother also passed away in 1908. But that wasn't to be the end of the families heartache, both Frank and his younger brother Henry would die during the First World War.

Frank enlisted on the 12th October 1914 and joined the 10th Battalion of the York and Lancaster, his neighbour John Haywood would later join the same regiment. On the 12th October 1917 the Battle of Passchendaele took place. Frank's regiment was one of many which took part in the action that day. The army's objective was to break through the German defenses and take Passchendaele Ridge, however, the operation would ultimately fail on this attempt and would cost Frank his life in the process. One of his comrades Sec. Lieut. H. D. Hughes wrote to his family about the circumstances of his death:

"It is with great sorrow that I heard of the death of your brother Frank. I was not with him at the time, but I know he was at his post and doing his duty, and his loss is a great blow to me. He was liked by us all he was buried near Jack (John) Haywood, another of our men from your street, in a cemetery near here. Words always seem useless in a case like this, but I wanted to tell you how we miss him."

The South Yorkshire Times

8th Dec, 1917

Frank was buried at Larch Wood cemetery 2.5 miles south east of Ypres city centre in West Belgium. His neighbour John Haywood died of wounds only three days after Frank and was buried at Bedford House cemetery. Frank was posthumously awarded the British War and Victory medal, and because he had enlisted before conscription he also qualified for the 1914-15 Star. After the war the government commissioned a commemorative plaque known as the 'Death Penny' to be cast in bronze and given to the families of all those who died serving. Frank's plaque was discovered at scrapyard near Goldthorpe in 2015 and has been displayed at several local history exhibition since it's rescue.

Frank Pettitt's Death Penny
Found at Wallis Metals in 2015

Grave:
Larchwood Railway cutting cemetery, Plot V. A. 19, Belgium

Memorials:
Cortonwood War Memorial, Brampton Brierlow, S75 0TU
Wombwell war memorial, Park Street, S73 0HS

Additional Details:
This piece was written in part with information kindly supplied by, and with thanks to the Wombwell Heritage Group.




Sources__________________________________________
South Yorkshire Times 8th Dec 1917
Barnsley Chronicle 4th Sept. 2015 & 11th September 2015
1891, 1901 and 1911 Census
Cwgc.org - Casualty details for F. Pettitt
F. Pettitt's Service record, Soldier's effects & Medal index card
Wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Passchendaele

Fitter Staff-Sergt. Bernard Washington Kilner, 52200, Royal Field Artillery

Roy Kilner's grave in Wombwell Cemetery

Service Details:
Fitter Staff Sergeant Bernard Washington Kilner, MSM, 52200, Royal Field Artillery 51st Bde. Killed in Action 18th October 1917, Age 28.

Biography:
Bernard Washington Kilner came from a well known family of Yorkshire sports men. His uncle was the former Yorkshire country cricketer, Irving Washington, and all of Bernard's brothers played cricket at some level, two of them professionally, but it was probably his younger brother Roy Kilner who would be considered the star of the family, Roy would play nine test matches for England before his own untimely death in 1928.

Bernard was born at Wombwell on the 16th July 1889 and was the oldest son of  Seth and Mary Alice Kilner. Later in life his parents ran the Half Way House Hotel at Wombwell. As a youth he attended the Church Lad's brigade at nearby St. Mary's church. In his early twenties Bernard married Edith Annie Booker, daughter of a local confectioner and sister of fellow soldier, Walter Booker. Together they had one son named Cyril, who was born 5th September 1910. Upon leaving school Bernard had found work as a fitter at Mitchell Main Colliery, he later left Mitchells' and took up a similar post at Treeton Colliery near Rotherham.

Memorial to Bernard Kilner
On Roy Kilner's grave

On the 4th January 1915 Bernard enlisted in the the Royal Field Artillery at Woolwich,  where he was awarded the rank of Fitter Staff Sergeant after passing all the required trade tests. According to several local newspaper articles of the time, Bernard had served "Through most of the major engagements there, and up to his death had come through it without mishap" In July 1916 Bernard took part in the Battle of the Somme, and was awarded the M.S.M only a few months prior to his death. The Battle of Passchendaele took place in West Belgium on 12th October 1917, six days Bernard was killed in action. He had been stationed near Ypres at the time. His commanding officer Captain R. F. Balmain wrote to his family explaining the circumstances of his death:
"Staff Sergt Kilner had returned to us a few days previous to this most terrible occurrence, and had set out from H.Q to inspect the guns. As he was approaching one of the batteries, he, along with an orderly, was hit by a shell, and died a few minutes afterwards, and did not regain consciousness and owing to this, thank God he could not have suffered. His remains were buried in the military cemetery at St. Julien, about 6 miles from Ypres, on 19th October. Staff sergeant  Kilner's death came as a great blow to us all. He had been with the Brigade such a long time, and had endeared himself on account of his reliability and bravery."

Church Lads' Brigade Memorial
St. Mary's Church, Wombwell.

Bernard's brothers Roy, Norman and Colin who were also serving, all survived the war. Though Roy was wounded on the Somme, he resumed playing cricket again once the conflict was over. Bernard was interred at St. Julien Dressing Station cemetery in Belgium.

Grave:
St. Julien Dressing Station cemetery, Plot I. C. 5, Ypres, Belgium.

Memorials:
Wombwell war memorial, Park Street, S73 0HS
Church Lads Brigade memorial, St. Mary's Church, Wombwell, S73 0DQ.

Additional Details:
There is a dedication to Bernard on his brother, Roy Kilner's grave in Wombwell cemetery.

Sources_____________________________
1901 census & 1911 census
De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour
Cwgc.org - Casualty Details for B. Kilner
Wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Kilner
Wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Passchendaele
Barnsley Chronicle - 23rd Jan 1915, April 10th 1915, June 9th 1917, 11th Nov 1917, 1st Dec. 1917 and June 29th 1918

Private Tom Drudy, 15918, Coldstream Guards 2nd Bn.

South Yorkshire Times - 7th Oct. 1917
Image with thanks to the Barnsley Archives

Service Details:
Private. Tom Drudy, 15918, Coldstream Guards 2nd Bn.
Killed in Action  31st July 1917, Age 20/21.

Biography:
Tom Drudy was one of  Passchendaele's first casualties; The 3 month campaign, which is also referred to as the 3rd battle of Ypres, took place in West Belgium between 31st July and 10th November 1917. The main aim of the offensive was to gain allied control of the area surrounding the Belgian city of Ypres.  At the time Tom was a 21 year old private with the 2nd Cold Stream Guards and a former miner at Wombwell Main Colliery. As the offensive commenced Tom was stationed not far from a railway junction, 5 miles east of Passchendaele. His regiment was part of the Guards Division. When the assault against the German's began at 3.50am on 31st July 1917 it was his brigade's job to support the other regiments in the division, 5 hours later at 8.50am Tom's battalion moved forward in order to take their own objectives, but enemy machine gun fire from the direction of the River Steenbeek caused them to fall 80 yards short of their target. It was during the advance that Tom most likely lost his life. The days following the battle were mired by torrential rain, which halted allied progress and turned the already churned and crater ridden ground into a boggy mire, this made it impossible to recover and identify the bodies of the fallen. Like so many other's that day Tom's remains were claimed by the mud of West Belgium, unable to receive a proper burial Tom is remembered on the Menin Gate instead. His wife, Doris, would not receive notification of his death until September, When it was official announced in The Barnsley Chronicle.

The Menin Gate Image from Wikipedia

Tom was the second son and third child of William and Mary Drudy, a coal miner and riper packer respectively, the family lived at 22 Main Street, Wombwell. Tom enlisted in April 1915, and on 15th September 1916, almost 18 months in to his service, he was wounded in the hand and thigh. Subsequently, Tom was sent back to England to recover and he spent some time convalescing at Whalley Hospital in Lancaster, before returning to join his regiment overseas. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star as well as the British War and Victory Medals.

Grave:
No known grave

Memorials:
Menin Gate, panel 11. Ypres, Belgium
Wombwell War Memorial, Park Street, S73 0HS.

Sources_____________________________________
Barnsley Chronicle: 30th Sept. 1916, 8th Sept. 1917 and 28th Oct. 1916
South Yorkshire Times 7th Oct. 1917.
Cwgc.com - casuality details for Tom Drudy
1911 Census, Soldiers' Who Died in the Great War and Register of Soldier effects

CSM Frank Ashton, C/476, King's Royal Rifle Corps 16th Bn.

Service Details:
Company Sergeant Major Frank Ashton, C/476, King's Royal Rifle Corps 16th Bn. Died of wounds 29th May 1917, Age 21.

Biography:
Frank Ashton was born on the 16th August 1895 to John and Lucy Ashton (nee Jackson). He lived with his parents and siblings at 2 New Street, Wombwell. In his youth Frank was a member of his local church lads brigade. After leaving school  he found work as a miner at Mitchell Main Colliery .

Frank enlisted shortly after the out break of war, attesting on the 21st September 1914. He began serving with the expeditionary forces overseas on 16th Nov 1915, Once in France he quickly rose through the ranks gaining several promotions in rapid succession, rising from corporal to company sergeant major, the latter, a position to which he was appointed on 5th January 1917. During July 1916 he received a gunshot wound to the right shoulder but had returned to regular duty by the end of August. Frank was again wounded in action on 20th May, he passed away a little over a week later at the No. 20 casualty clearing station from injuries to his shoulder and hand and was interred nearby at Boisleaux-au-Mont.

Church Lads Brigade memorial
in St. Mary's Church, Wombwell.

The following account was written by his commanding officer, who praises Frank in glowing terms:
"On 20 May he did not actually go over the top with us. and no one regretted that more than he that his duty kept him at the advanced dressing station.  on the way up to the line he was in splendid spirits as ever, and kept the men singing and cheerful, remaining with us and helping to get the men into position until we actually moved forward to the assault. I have known him for a long time, and followed his promotion with great interest; although he had not been coy. sergt- major very long, nobody could have found a truer or or more reliable man - always popular, a splendid example of a soldier in action, and a man to be proud of and emulate. He was as enthusiastic in sport as in the execution of his duties, and his place will be difficult to fill in the history of the company and battalions."

Extract taken from Frank Ashton's entry in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour

Description:
According to his service record, Frank was 5ft and 9.5in tall and weighed 161lbs when he enlisted. His eyes were described as hazel in colour and his hair a shade of light brown.

The headstone commemorating Frank Ashton,
located in Wombwell Cemetery.

Grave:
Sunken Road cemetery, Plot I.D. 11., Boisleaux-St. Marc, France.

Memorials:
Wombwell war memorial, Park St. South Yorkshire, S73 0HS.
Church Lads Brigade memorial, St. Mary's Church, Wombwell, S73 0DQ

Additional Information:
Frank Ashton is also remembered on his parent's headstone in Wombwell Cemetery, South Yorkshire, S73 8HY.

Photo of Frank from South Yorkshire Times dated 23rd June 1917. With thanks to the Barnsley Archives.

Lce-Cpl. Thomas Ashcroft, 41685, York and Lancaster Regiment 1st 4th Bn.

T. Ashcroft, 8th June 1918,
South Yorkshire Times

Service Details:
Lce-Cpl. Thomas Ashcroft, 41685, York and Lancaster Regiment 1st 4th Bn. Died 29th April 1918, Age 21.

Biography: 
"Lcp Thomas Ashcroft son of Mr & Mrs David Ashcroft 26 Broomhill, Wombwell was killed in Action in France on April 29th during a heavy bombardment. He enlisted in March 1917 and went to France in June. He was 21 years of age".

Taken from South Yorkshire Times, 8th June 1918.

Three of his brothers, David, Sam & William also served in WW1. Prior to the war Thomas was employed by one of the local collieries, His occupation is given as 'pony driver' on both the enlistment form and 1911 census. According to Thomas' service record at the time of enlisting he stood at 5ft, 3& 3/4" tall, weighed 133 lbs, had a scar on the bridge of his nose and was slightly flat footed. More poignantly, also contained within his service record are two letters from his mother, Alice, pleading to have her son's personal belongings returned, there is no reply to these petitions held within the records, so we will never know if she ever got a response or his items returned, Sadly it seems unlikely as Thomas has no known grave, perhaps his belongings were lost along with his body.

Grave:
No known grave.

War Memorials:
Tyne Cot Memorial, Panels 125 - 128,  Belgium
Wombwell, War Memorial, Park Street, South Yorkshire, S73 0HS

Source_____________________________________
South Yorkshire Times 8th June 1918
1901 &1911 census
Cwgc.org - Casualty details for T.Ashcroft
Service Record for T.Ashcroft

Private Sydney Archer, 2963, York and Lancaster Regiment 3/5th Bn.

Sydney Archer is remembered on
the Hemingfield & Jump war memorial

Service details:
Pte. Sydney Archer, 2963, York and Lancaster Regiment 3/5th Bn. Died 27th April 1915, Age 20.

Bio: 
Sydney suffered from epilepsy and died due to complications of his illness. He passed away at the military hospital in York less than six months after enlisting. Because he had spent such a short time with the army, it meant he wasn't entitled to a military burial or headstone.

Grave:
 Plot E.337, St. Peter's churchyard at Hoyland.

Memorials:
Wombwell war memorial, Park Street, Wombwell, South Yorkshire, S73 0HS
Hemingfield War Memorial, Jump cemetery Nr Barnsley South Yorkshire. S73 0JQ

Sources_________________________________________
1911 Census
Register of Soldiers' effects for S.Archer.

Grave of Private Leonard Hellewell

Private Leonard Hellewell, died on the 23rd April 1916. He is buried in Wombwell cemetery, nr Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 8JE

Inscription:
Northumberland / Fusiliers /
30394 Private / L, HELLEWELL /
Northumberland / Fusiliers
23rd April 1916 age 46 /
At rest /

Burial location: Con 8, 2770, Wombwell Cemetery, S73 8JE.

Link to full bio:

Private Tom Hall & Private William A. Hall - Family Headstone

Private Tom Hall & Private William A. Hall, were two brothers who both died while serving their country overseas. Neither of them have a marked grave but they are remembered on their parents' grave in Wombwell cemetery, nr Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 8JE.

Inscription:
In Loving memory Of / Alice / The beloved wife of / Charles Walter Hall /
Died Sep. 26th 1949 / Aged 83 years /
Also their two sons WILLIAM ARTHUR & TOM / Killed in the Great War 1914-1918 /
Also their daughter Margaret Agnes / Who died in infancy / "At Rest" /
Also the above named Charles Walter Hall / Died Nov. 18th 1950 /
Aged 88 years / Re-united.

Headstone location:
Con 8, 2296, Wombwell cemetery, S73 8JE

Burial Locations:
Unknown.

Link to biographies:

Private Herbert Gelder - Family Headstone

Private Herbert Gelder, was killed in France on 4th October 1917 aged 20,  His true burial place remains unknown and unmarked, however he is remembered on his parent's grave in Wombwell cemetery, nr Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 8JE.

Inscription:
In Affectionate Remembrance / Of / Elizabeth / The beloved wife of /
Albert Gelder, of New Wombwell / Who died December 10th 1889 /
Aged 29 years / Also Alfred son of the above / Who died April 24th 1889 /
Aged 5 months / Also Ethel daughter of / Albert and Mary Gelder /
Who died Sept. 5th 1896 / Aged 6 weeks / Also of Mary Gelder /
The beloved wife of the above / Who died July 17th 1912 / Aged 45 years /
Also the above named / Albert Gelder / Who died February 26th 1933 / Aged 66 years //
Also their son / Pte Herbert Gelder / 10th K.O.Y.L.I. killed in France / October 4th 1917 /
Aged 20 years. //

Headstone location:
U/C 3. 4363, Wombwell Cemetery, S73 8JE.

Burial Location:
Unknown, He is remembered on the Tyne Cot memorial in France.

Service details:
Private Herbert Gelder, 42268, 10th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

Link to full bio:

Grave of Corporal Joseph Firth

Corporal Joseph Firth died in Great Britain on 29th October 1918. He is buried in Wombwell cemetery, nr Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 8JE.

Front inscription:
JOSEPH  / the beloved husband of / Annie Firth /
Who died October 29th 1918 / Aged 36 years /
Also Clara Firth / Beloved sister sister of the above /
Who passed away May 24th 1948 / Aged 84 years /
Treasured memories //
Side Inscription:
Also / Albert / Devoted husband / of /
Georgina Firth / Died Dec 23rd 1953 /
Aged 79 years / loved and loving //

Grave location:
Plot U/C 6, 424, Wombwell Cemetery, S73 8JE.

Service Details:
Cpl. Joseph Firth, 9185, Army Pay Corps Army Pay Office (Woking)
Died 29th October 1918, Age 36.

Link to full bio:

Private William Allen, 7219, Coldstream Guards 3rd Bn.

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

Service Details:
Pte. William Allen, 7219, Coldstream Guards 3rd Bn.
Died 21st October 1914, Age 23.

Bio:
Coming soon!

Grave:
No known grave.

Memorials:
Ypres Menin Gate memorial, Panel 11.
Wombwell war memorial, Park Street, Wombwell, S73 0HS.

Sources____________________________
Cwgc.org - Service details for W. Allen
South Yorkshire Times 2nd Jan 1915

Private Charles Exley - Family Headstone

Private Charles Exley is remembered on his parents headstone in Wombwell cemetery. He is buried at Philosophe British Cemetery in France.

Inscription:
In loving memory of / Andrew / The beloved husband of / Jane Elizabeth Exley /
Who died Dec. 19th 1929 / Aged 60 years / Also the above named / Jane Elizabeth Exley /
Who died / Nov. 2nd 1951 / Aged 80 years /
Also their beloved son Pte. Charles Exley Y&L Regt. / Who was killed in France May 31st 1917/ Aged 25 years / Hearts that loved them never forget. //

Headstone location:
U/C 6, 697C Wombwell Cemetery, South Yorkshire.
Charles is not interred within this grave. He is buried in
Plot I.Q.35. at Philosophe British Cemetery, France

Other memorials that commemorate Charles Exley include:
St. Mary's Church War Memorial, Park Street, Wombwell, S72 0HS.
Cortonwood War Memorial, Brampton Bierlow, South Yorkshire

Service Details:
Private Charles Exley, 13/1404, 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regt.

Burial Links:
FindaGrave.com - Headstone (U.K)
FindaGrave.com - Grave  (France)
Other Links:
CWGC.org - Casualty Details
LotFWW - Life Story

Grave of Private William Dennis

Private William Dennis died of wounds in Great Britain on 25th February 1919 and is buried in Wombwell cemetery, nr Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 8JE.

Inscription:
In loving memory / Of  / William, / The beloved son of / George & Emily Dennis /
Born October 16th 1887, / Died February 25th 1919, /
Also Emma their daughter, / Born March 10th 1893, / Died July 30th 1919 ./
Their name is ever dear. / Also the above named George Dennis, / Born May 13th 1859, /
Died May 17th 1928. / Also the above named / Emily Dennis, / Died Feb 26th 1951, / Aged 90 years. / Also Pte Harry Dennis / A.M,R Corps / Son of the above / Accidentally drowned in France, March 25th 1940 //

Grave location:
U/C 6, 1599 A, Wombwell Cemetery, South Yorkshire, S73 8JE.

Memorials that Remember William Dennis include:
St. Mary's Church War Memorial, Park Street, Wombwell, S73  0HS

Service details:
Private William Dennis, 24657, 10th Bn., Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) formerly 3rd Bn.

Burial Links:
FindaGrave.com - Grave
Other Links:
CWGC.org - Casualty Details
LotFWW.org - Life Story

Grave of Private Thomas William Crowe

Private Thomas William Crowe died in Great Britain and is buried in Wombwell cemetery, South Yorkshire, S73 8JE.

Inscription:
In loving memory of / Tom the beloved husband of Emily Crowe /
Who died May 24th 1931 Aged -- years. /
Also the aforenamed / Emily Crowe / Who died Dec 20th 1943, Aged 76 years //
Also Thomas Crowe son of the Aforenamed /
Who died Nov 3rd 1918, Aged 25 years. //

Grave location:
Con 8, 2001, Wombwell Cemetery, South Yorkshire. S73 8EJ.

Memorials that remember Thomas William Crowe include:
St. Mary's Church War Memorial, Park Street, Wombwell

Service details:
Pte T.W. Crowe, 68760,  5th Reserve Cavalry Regiment.



Burial Links:
FindaGrave.com - Grave
Other Links:
CWGC.org - Casualty Details
LotFWW - Life Story

Rifleman Ernest Crooks - Family Headstone

Rifleman Ernest Crooks is remembered on the headstone of his parent's grave in Wombwell cemetery but his body is buried in France at Cambrin Military Cemetery.

Inscription:
In / Loving memory / Of / Edwin / The beloved husband of / Harriet Crooks /
Of Wombwell / Who died March 30th 1913 / Aged 59 years / Also the above named /
Harriet Crooks / Who died February 21st 1922 / Aged 68 years /
Also Rifleman Ernest Crooks / Son of the above / Killed in action, with the 16th /
Kings Royal Rifles on April 13th / 1916, aged 22 years / Peace, Perfect Peace.//

Headstone location:
Con 11, 1254, Wombwell Cemetery, South Yorkshire. S73 8JE. Ernest is not interred within this grave. He is buried in Plot F.10 at Cambrin Military Cemetery, France.

Other memorials that commemorate Ernest Crooks include:
St. Mary's Church War Memorial, Park Street, Wombwell
Church Lads Brigade Memorial, St. Mary's Church, Wombwell

Service Details:
Rfn. Ernest Crooks, C/564, King's Royal Rifle Corps 16th Bn.
Died 12th April 1916, Age 22.

Burial Links:
FindaGrave.com - Headstone (U.K)
FindaGrave.com - Memorial (France)
Other Links:
CWGC.org - Casualty Details
LotFWW - Life Story

Private Jack Count - Family Headstone

Inscription:
In Loving Memory Of / Frank / The beloved husband / Fanny Count /
Who departed this life Nov.15th 1895 / Aged 45 years /
Also Pte.Jack Count, 13th Norhd. Fus. / Son of the above / Who died of wounds in France / June 18th 1917 / Aged 28 years / His resting place, a soldiers grave /
Also the above named / Fanny Count / Who died June 13th 1933, aged 37 years /
Rest in Peace / Also Colin, the beloved son of / Frank and Mary Count /
And the grandson of the above / Who died Dec. 24th 1918, aged 5 years /
Also Charlotte Count / Who died in infancy //

Headstone location:
Con 8, 1952, Wombwell Cemetery, South Yorkshire.Jack is not interred within this grave. He is buried in Plot I. L. 26 at Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France

Other memorials that commemorate Jack Count include:
St. Mary's Church War Memorial, Park Street, Wombwell
Reform Club Memorial, Nu-well Center, Hough Lane, Wombwell

Burial Links:
FindaGrave.com - Headstone (U.K)
FindaGrave.com - Memorial (France)
Other Links:
CWGC.org - Casualty Details
LotFWW - Life Story

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

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