Cyril Priestley 1914-1943 age 29

Barnsley Chronicle 1st January 1944
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 1914 in Barnsley Q2 

Son of: Joseph Priestley (1878-1937, died age 59) and Kathleen (Kate) Priestley nee Reeve (1879-1938, died age 59). They married at St George's Church in Barnsley on 21st August 1898. At the time of their marriage Joseph was 21 year old and lived at 20 Havelock Street, Barnsley. Kate's address was 5 Belmont Terrace, Barnsley.
The couple had at least 8 children

• Rachel Edna 1899
• Lawrence 1901
• Ethel 1907
• Hilda 1909
• Cyril 1914-1943, died age 29 WW2
• Harold 
• Norman 1917 Q2
• James H. 1920 Q2 

Husband of: Eva Priestley nee Mallinder. Their marriage was registered in the first quarter of 1938, and they had one child, Peter, born in 1940. 

Military Service: Cyril was a Sapper in the Royal Engineers 626 Field Squadron, Service number 2135921.

Death: 29th November 1943 in the Mediterranean area. 
Buried: Sangro River War Cemetery in Italy, grave reference XV.A.37.  Cyril was buried here on 9th May 1944 after being moved from elsewhere. 

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  

Remembered: St Edward's Church WW2 Memorial plaque, Barnsley 

Notes: The Barnsley Chronicle of 1st January 1944 reported:

Barnsley Sapper Killed

Wife's Tragic Christmas Message

Pathetic circumstances attend the announcement of the death in action in the Central Mediterranean area of Sapper Cyril Priestley (29), R.E. whose wife lives at 20 Willow Street Barnsley, the official notification arriving at home on Christmas Day. Only two days previously Mrs Priestley received a letter from her husband written November 27th, two days before he was killed. 
Well known in the district, Sapper Priestley, who is the son of the late Mr and Mrs Priestley, joined the Forces three years ago and had been serving overseas with the Middle East Forces about 20 months. He took part in the first landing on Sicily, then going to Italy. Before joining up he was employed as a tailor at Foster Bros., and formerly attended St John's School. He was a member of St john's Church choir and played for Barnsley Boys football team. 
Sapper Priestley has two brothers serving, Driver Norman Priestley who has just returned home on leave from North Africa, and a younger brother, Harold , who is with the Forces in India. Two Brothers-in-law, John Padgett and Walter Mallinder are also in the Forces. 
A memorial service for Sapper Priestley will be held at St. John's Church on Sunday at 3.30 pm. All relatives and friends are invited. 

Research by James Corbett and Gill Brookes of St Edward's Church, Barnsley