Leonard Micklethwaite 1891-1916 age 25

Barnsley Chronicle 19th August 1916
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 1891 at Stainbro' Yorkshire Q2

Son of: Thomas and Elizabeth Mary Micklethwaite nee Davy whose marriage was registered in the first quarter of 1887. Thomas was born in 1856 in Horbury and died in 1910 at the age of 54 years. He was a tenter, looking after the air compressing engine in a colliery. Elizabeth Mary was born in 1863 at Culmstock, Devon, and died in 1946 at the age of 82. The couple had 7 children, all born in Stainbro'. 

• Horace 1887
• Wilfred 1889
• Leonard 1891
• Ernest 1892
• Andrew 1894
• Arthur 1896
• Ada 1897

In 1891 the family lived at Old Laith at Stainbro before moving to 35 Cope Street in Barnsley where they lived during the census years of 1901 and 1911. After Leonard's death, his widowed mother married Ernest Arthur Major in 1932. 

Military Service: Leonard was a Private in the Black Watch 6th Battalion, service number 266324.

Death: Killed in action on 30th July 1916 
Remembered: Leonard has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France, Pier and Face 10A. He is also remembered on the Buckley Street Chapel war memorial in Barnsley and was also named on the (now missing) Barnsley Swimming Club war memorial. His name is also inscribed on his parents' gravestone in Barnsley Cemetery. 

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  
IWM link: Lives of the First World War

Note 1: The Barnsley Chronicle 12 August 1916 reported:

When war broke out quite a number of Barnsley lads joined the Black Watch. One of their number - Private Leonard Micklethwaite, of the 6th - has been killed in action at the age of 25 years. Before joining the Army he lived with his widowed mother at 76 Blenheim Road, Barnsley and worked at Wharncliffe Woodmoor Colliery. At first news came that Private Micklethwaite was missing, but a few days later the graver information came to hand. The deceased was formerly an active member of the Barnsley Swimming Club and he won many trophies, he attended the Buckley Street Chapel. Deceasd has had two other brothers serving with the colours, one being discharged.  

John Clegg 1896-1916, age 20

Barnsley Chronicle 17th February 1917
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 20th February 1896 at Dodworth, Barnsley. 

Son of: James and Elizabeth Anne Clegg nee Waters. James was a miner and married Elizabeth at St John's Church in Barnsley on 15th July 1882.  Elizabeth, born in Barnsley in 1862, died at the age of 70 in 1933. The couple had 7 children by 1911, and all survived at this date. 

• Charles William 1883 
• Harry 1884
• Christiana 1892
• Annie
• Frank 1894
• John 1896-1916, WW1 death. 
• Alice 1902

The family lived at Silver Street in Dodworth in 1901, moving to 98 High Street Dodworth by 1911. John was a rope lad at the age of 15, working below ground, and later became an electrician at Rob Royd Colliery. 

Military Service: John was a Private in the 1st Royal Marine Light Infantry Battalion, service number CH/19403. He enlisted on 10th November 1914. 

Death: 13th November 1916 in France. He was wounded and missing and it was assumed that he died of wounds.  

Remembered: John has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France on Pier and Face 1A.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  

Note 1: The superb family website http://jackclegg.com gives more information about John's life (he was known as Jack) and his experiences from the letters he sent home. 

Note 2: The Barnsley Chronicle 27 January 1917 reported: 

A Missing Marine

News Anxiously Awaited of Barnsley Lad

Mrs Clegg, formerly of Barnsley who is now residing with her daughters at 43, Duke Street, Glossop, is anxiously awaiting news of her son, Private John Clegg, who enlisted at the age of 18 on November 9th 1914 in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, and from whom she has not heard since November 9th last. Under date December 5th 1916, Mrs Clegg received official intimation that her son had been wounded on November 13th, but no mention of his whereabouts was made. Three weeks later she received another official communication which read "previously reported wounded, now posted as wounded and missing during an engagement on November 13th"
From leaving school up to a month previous to enlisting when he went to work at the Church Lane Colliery, Private Clegg worked at Rob Royd Colliery. After completing his training he went out to Gallipoli, going through all the fighting there, and afterwards being transferred to Egypt. For several weeks he was in hospital in Alexandria, suffering from dysentry. On recovering, Private Clegg went to France, and again took his place in the trenches. His elder brother Private C. W. Clegg is serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers and was reported wounded , but has recovered, and is now in the fighting line again. Up to  short time ago Mrs Clegg resided in Crompton Avenue, Racecommon Road, Barnsley, The missing hero as well known in the district, being attached to the Salem Young Men's Bible Class, a member of the Y.M.C.A. and a scholar at the Technical school, where for a long period he took lessons under Mr. D. Paton Grubb, and Mr Matthews. His mother was also identified with the Salem Church. His many friends are much concerned as to his safety, and would welcome any news of his whereabouts

Note 3: John's link to the Kingstone area is the Crompton Avenue address. 

George Galloway 1886-1916 age 30

Barnsley Chronicle 1st July 1916
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 1886 in Barnsley Q1

Son of: George and Mary Galloway of 245 Racecommon Road Barnsley. George snr (born in Worsbrough about 1846-1915, died age 70) was a coal miner in 1891, becoming a platelayer labourer by 1901. Mary was born in Barnsley about 1849 and died in 1924 at the age of 76 at  11 Crompton  Avenue,  Barnsley. George and Mary had 12 children but only 6 were alive in 1911. The known children are:

• Mary Ann 1867-1867, died age 8 days
• James born about 1871
• Mary Ellen 1873-1873 died age 3 months
• Charles 1875-1875 died age 3 weeks
• Lucy 1876
• Joseph 1878
• George Henry 1881-1882 died age 6 months
• Grace 1882
• George 1886-1916, died age 30 WW1
• Frank 1889-1956, died age 67.

Military Service: George was a Private in the York and Lancaster Regiment, 14th Battalion, service number 14/149. 

Death: 4th June 1916.

Remembered: George has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France on Pier and Face 14A and 14B. 

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  

The Barnsley Independent on 24th June 1916 reported:

Fallen Barnsley Sons

Kingstone Sportsman Killed

The latest casualties for the Borough include the deaths in action of Private George Galloway of 245 Racecommon Road, another member of the 2nd Barnsley Battalion [...] Private Galloway was 30 years of age and single and worked as a glasshand at Messrs. Ryland's works. He was killed on the 4th inst by a shell when entering a German trench, death being instantaneous. Deceased was a well-known sportsman and a few years ago acted as trainer to the Longcar United Football Club, when that club competed in the Barnsley Association's competitions. His parents lived at kingstone Place for fifty years. [...]  

Josiah Whitaker 1893-1916, age 23

Barnsley Chronicle 9th September 1916
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: Around 1893 in Batley, Yorkshire. His name was registered as Josiah Gill Whitaker, in Dewsbury Registration District in the first quarter of 1893. It is therefore possible that he was born at the end of 1892. 

Son of: Herbert Gill and Ada Whitaker, single woman. Ada was born in Batley in 1870 and was a woollen weaver in 1901. 

At the age of 8, Josiah lived with his mother at 22 North Parade in Batley. In 1911 he was a boarder, occupation coal miner, living with the Chappell family at Pye Avenue in Mapplewell, Barnsley, At the time of marriage both Emma and Josiah gave their address as 54 Heelis Street, Barnsley, and later moved to 30 Clarendon Street, Barnsley. 

Husband of: Emma Whitaker nee Slater. Emma and Josiah married at St John the Baptist Church, Barnsley on 29th April 1915. 

Military Service: Josiah was a Private in the 13th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment, service number 13/689. He enlisted on 26th September 1914.

Death: 1st July 1916.  

Remembered: Josiah has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 14A and 14B. 
Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  

Note 1: The Barnsley Independent of 9th September 1916 reported:

Missing Longcar Soldier

Formerly of Mapplewell.

Private Josiah Whitaker of the local battalions, and who resided at 30 Clarendon Street, Barnsley is amongst those posted as missing since the big push commenced on 1st July. Twenty-three years of age , and married , he had resided at Longcar for about two years. He was also well-known and highly respected at Mapplewell, where he formerly lived and worked at the Woolley Colliery. 

Note 2: The Barnsley Chronicle of 9th September 1916 also adds that he enlisted on September 26th 1914, and was married but had no family.  

Charles Edwin Blacker 1913-1942, age 28

Barnsley Chronicle
With thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 1913 in Barnsley Q4

Son of: Joseph Thomas Blacker and Lilian Blacker nee Burkinshaw, formerly Wootton. They married in Barnsley in 1904 Q3. It was the second marriage for both of them, having lost their previous partners at a very young age. Lily, born in 1875 in Darton, had 2 children from her previous marriage. Joseph (1869-1947, died age 78) was a miner, born in Darton. The couple had at least 9 children, and three of these were killed in WW2.

• Joseph H Wootton 1900 -1941, died in WW2 age 41.
• Mary Hannah Blacker 1900
• Harriet A Wootton 1902 
• Thomas Harold Wootton Blacker 1903-1990, died age 87
• Doris Blacker 1906
• Phyllis Evelyn Blacker 1908
• Rhoda Blacker 1910 
• Charles Edwin Blacker 1913-1942, died in WW2 age 28.
• Leslie Blacker 1916-1943, died age 27. Leslie was killed in WW2. He was a Corporal in Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) service number 2763258. 

Husband of: Dorothy Beatrice Blacker nee Mosley. Charles and Dorothy married in 1940.  

Military Service: Charles was a Steward in the Royal Navy, serving on H.M.S. Indomitable, service number P/LX 26507.

H.M.S.Indomitable played a vital role in relieving the Seige of Malta in Operation Pedestal which took place on 10th to 12th August 1942. Details of the Operation can be found *here* 
The Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. Indomitable was hit by a number of bombs on 12th August 1942 which resulted in 6 officers and 44 crew being killed. Charles was amongst them. 59 men were also injured.

Death: Charles was killed as a result of enemy action on 12th August 1942. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records his date of death as 14th August, but other sources record it as 12th August 1942. *here*

Remembered: Charles has no known grave but is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 70, column 1. Charles and his brother Leslie are remembered on the Barnsley British Cooperative Society memorial tablet at Cooperative Funeralcare, Huddersfield Road, Barnsley.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: *here*  

The Barnsley Chronicle reported:

Barnsley Steward's Death

On Active Service

The many friends of Steward Charles E. Blacker (29) 37, Bradbury Street, Barnsley who was a well known local runner and formerly a member of the Barnsley and District Harriers, will be sorry to learn of his death whilst on active service. Mrs Blacker received the news on Monday in a telegram and on Tuesday she received a letter confirming the telegram. The letter said that the ship in which he was serving was on convoy duty. "Please allow me to express on behalf of officers and men of the Royal Navy, the high traditions of which your husband helped to maintain, sincere sympathy with you in your sad bereavement," the letter reads. 
Steward Blacker has been in the Navy two years and was formerly employed at the B.B.C.S. Warehouse, Summer lane. He has also served on H.M.S. Furious and had been to Russia and Finland. 

Herbert Thompson 1923-1944, age 21

Barnsley Chronicle 23rd September 1944
Thanks to Barnsley archives

Born: 1923 in Barnsley Q2

Son of: Arthur and Hannah Thompson nee Glover. Arthur, a coal miner (1897-1972, died age 75) joined the M.G.C. in WW1, service number 186903 but did not serve overseas. His address at the time of enlisting was 2 Rhymer's Yard, Buckley Street, Barnsley. Arthur and Hannah ( 1897-1891, died age 83) married in 1919 and later moved to 42 King Street Barnsley. They had four chidren.      

Husband of: Mary Thompson nee Morgan. Herbert and Mary were married in Barnsley in 1943 Q4. 

Military Service: Herbert was a Lance Corporal in the Royal Corps of Signals, 152 (Mobile) A.A. Ops Room Sig . Sec. 

Death: 8th September 1944 in France

Buried: St Sever Cemetery Extension at Rouen in grave Block S, Plot 1, Row M, Grave 15. Herbert was originally buried at Dury Les Amiens, France, but was moved to Rouen on 27th June 1946. His grave bears the inscription 'Forever in our hearts'

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  

The Barnsley Chronicle on 23rd September 1944 reported:

Barnsley Lance-Corporal 

Killed in Action

Lce./Cpl. Herbert Thompson (21) (R.S.O.S.) has been killed while on active service in North West Europe. News to that effect reached his wife at 33 Blenheim Avenue, Barnsley early last week. The son of Mr and Mrs A. Thompson, 42 King Street, Barnsley, he formerly worked on munitions and was an old Park Road scholar. He has been in the Army about 18 months and while at home was a member of Buckley Street Methodist Church. His father served in the last war.  

Alan Trevor Stear 1921-1944 age 23

Barnsley Chronicle 24 June 1944
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 1921 in Barnsley Q2

Son of: Herbert Stanley Stear and Nellie Stear nee Pye. Herbert (born in Dodworth in 1895) and Nellie were married in 1919 in Barnsley Q3. Herbert was a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery in WW1, service number 83983, serving overseas in France before being discharged due to wounds. At the time of his son's death, Herbert was a commercial clerk and they lived at Rosedale, Longcar Lane, Barnsley.  The couple also had a daughter Rita, born in 1923.

Husband of: Laura Stear nee Wilson. Alan and Laura married on Easter Monday, 10th April 1944, just 2 months before Alan was killed. 

Military Service: Alan was a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corps attached to the Glider Pilot Regiment, 1st Wing. 

Death: 6th June 1944 in Normandy, France, killed in action. 
Details of the Operation can be found here 

Buried: Alan in buried in Ranville Churchyard, Normandy, France in grave 10. His grave bears the inscription  'Until we meet again'

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  
Remembered: At the Buckley Street and Ebeneezer Chapel, Barnsley  and on the Holgate Grammar School Old Boys WW2 memorial.

The Barnsley Chronicle on the 24th June 1944 reported:

Staff-Sergeant A.T.Stear

Barnsley Glider-Pilot Killed in Action.

Widespread regret is occasioned by the news which reached his home last week-end that Staff-Sergt. Alan Trevor Stear, Army Air Corps attached to the Glider Pilot Regiment, only son of Mr and Mrs H.S. Stear, Rosedale, Longcar Lane, Barnsley had been killed in action in Normandy. 

Staff-Sergt. Stear originally joined the Royal Artillery as a surveyor but later transferred to the Airborne, qualifying for his Wings as a glider pilot. Educated at St Mary's School and Barnsley Grammar School where he matriculated, he was articled as a surveyor and civil engineer with Dearne Urban District Council and had just completed his articles when he volunteered for the Services four years ago. He was a student-member of the Institute of Civil Engineers and Surveyors and was on the threshold of what promised to be a successful career. 
He was a playing member of Stainbro' Cricket Club, for which his father, a member of an old Stainbro' family, has played for many years as well as for Barnsley. Staff-Sergt. Stear was only married on Easter Monday to Miss Laura Wilson, and his only sister is engaged on war work in Bristol.   

John Harrison 1920-1945, age 25

Barnsley Chronicle 27th July 1943
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 1920 in Barnsley Q2

Son of: William and Emily Harrison, nee Jackson. At the time of their marriage at St Edward's Church on 30th May 1915, William age 23 was a driver in the Army Service Corps. 21 year old Emily lived at 26 Keresforth Hill Road, Barnsley.  

Husband of: Enid Harrison nee Higginbottom. John and Enid married in Barnsley in 1941 Q2. 

Military Service: John was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, 12th Battery, 6 H.A.A. Regt, service number 1569468. He went overseas in November 1941 and was captured at Singapore.  

Death: 11th May 1945 in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp at Kuching, Sarawak.

Buried: Labuan War Cemetery in Malaysia, grave L.B.6. John was originally buried at Lintang Camp Cemetery in Kuching but moved to Labuan Cemetery on 3rd September 1946. The inscription on John's memorial stone reads

IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR SON JOHN

FROM MOTHER AND DAD, REST IN PEACE  

Find a grave link: here 
Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  
Remembered: St Edward's WW2 Memorial plaque, Barnsley and on the Buckley Street Chapel WW2 memorial tablet.

Note 1: The Barnsley Chronicle 24th July 1943 reported:

Barnsley and Worsbro' Men Prisoners

"I am unwounded and in good health and spirits. My love to everyone. Don't worry." writes Gunner John Harrison R.A.(23) only son of Mr and Mrs. Harrison, 10 Baker Street, Barnsley, in a postcard from a Japanese prisoner of war camp. Gnr Harrison who was posted missing in Malaya over 16 months ago, went overseas in November 1941 and he will have been in the Army three years next month. He formerly worked for Mr H. Wills, coal merchant, and is an old Park Road scholar. 

Note 2: 16 months later The Barnsley Chronicle 17th November 1945 reported:

Died in Jap Hands

News has reached Mr and Mrs Harrison, 10 Baker Street Barnsley that their son Dvr. John Harrison (25) R.A. who was captured at Singapore, died in a Jap P.O.W. camp at Kuching, Sarawak. He formerly worked as a lorry driver for Mr H. Wills, coal merchant, and joined up in 1940. 

Jack Kaye 1923-1944, age 21

Born: 1923 in Barnsley Q2

Son of: Arthur Kaye and Mary Ann Kaye, nee Tingle. They married at St John's Church, Barnsley on 10th October 1909. Arthur (1887-1954) was a 21 year old joiner of 34 Tower Street, Barnsley and Mary Ann (1887-1976) was a laundress of 54 Agnes Road, Barnsley.  
In 1911 they lived at 9 Castle Street and later moved to 187 Racecommon Road by the time of Arthur's death. The couple had 7 known children:

• William Arthur 1910-1911
• Mary 1911
• Leonard 1914-1918
• Stanley 1920
• Jack 1923
• Margaret 1925
• Muriel T. 1928 

Jack was a Sunday School teacher and Server at St Edward's Church.

Military Service: Jack was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, 97 Anti-tank Regiment, service number 1136927.

Death: 16th July 1944 in France 

Buried: St Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux, France in grave VIII.E.2. Jack was originally buried elsewhere but moved to this cemetery.  
His grave bears to following inscription:

"Deep in our hearts

A memory is kept

Of One we loved

And will never forget"

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  
Remembered: St Edward's WW2 Memorial plaque, Barnsley 

Arthur Hobson 1921-1945, age 23

Barnsley Chronicle 13th January 1945
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 1921 in Barnsley Q3 

Son of: Thomas Arthur Hobson and Lucy Hobson nee Mann. Thomas (1897-1984, died age 86) was a locomotive train driver.  The couple lived at 27 Raley Street, Barnsley.  

Military Service: Arthur was a Flight Sergeant in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 630 Squadron, service number 1510732.

Death: 7th January 1945.

Buried:  Barnsley Cemetery in Grave 243, Section 9.

Find a grave link: here 
Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  
Remembered: St Edward's Church WW2 Memorial plaque, Barnsley and the Holgate Grammar School Old Boys WW2 memorial.

Note 1: The Barnsley Chronicle 13th January 1945 reported:

Barnsley Airman Killed

Returned From Home Leave Last Saturday

A deep feeling of regret locally will be occasioned by the news Mr and Mrs Tom Hobson, 27 Raley Street, Barnsley received this week that their son, Flight Sergeant Arthur Hobson (23), R.A.F., single, had been killed in operations. The shock is all the more tragic by reason of the fact that he only returned from leave on Saturday. A trained navigator he had been in the R.A.F. three years and was close on his time for ground rest after many operational flights. Before joining up he was a fireman on the L.N.E.R. and for the last three days he worked on the same engine as his father who is a driver and well-known throughout South Yorkshire as a bass-baritone singer.
Flight Sergeant Hobson is an old boy of Barnsley Grammar School with whom he played rugger and earlier attended Agnes Road School. The funeral is at Barnsley Cemetery to-day (Friday).

"Note 2:

David Mokes from St Edward's Church remembers;

"Tom Hobson or Mr Hobson as he was known to me lived at 27 Raley Street and I did know he was a renowned operatic singer. In the early sixties he used to come home on the Kingstone bus from work at 1.05 p.m, he was a man who I would describe as being "a good sort" he took me to two agricultural shows when I was in my early teens and once in the early sixties coming home from Leeds one Saturday afternoon he was the locomotive driver, I can see his smiling face now "get on my train I am taking you home". I would imagine that he would have been extremely proud to have had his son being the Fireman on the locomotive he was driving." 

Harry Turner 1918-1945, age 27

Barnsley Chronicle 7th July 1945
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 1918 in Barnsley Q2

Son of: Ivah and Lilian Wray Turner, nee Bower. Ivah was born in Silkstone in 1894 and was a miner working at the Stanhope Dickson Colliery when he enlisted in the York and Lancaster Regiment at the start of WW1. Lilian (1896-1958) died at the age of 62. 

Harry was unmarried and was an apprentice electrician at Barnsley Main before joining the army in 1936.  

Military Service: Harry was a Private in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 1/4th Battalion, service number 4689978.

Death: 22nd June 1945 in Germany

Buried: Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Germany in grave 59.H.8.

Find a grave link: here 
Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  
Remembered: St Edward's Church WW2 Memorial plaque, Barnsley 

Note 1: The Barnsley Chronicle of 7th July 1945 reported

Victim of Undetected Mine

Barnsley Soldier Accidentally Killed in Germany

Home on Leave a Month Ago.

After serving eight years in the India-Burma theatre of war, and fighting on the Continent since D-day, the death has occurred tragically of Pte. Harry Turner (27) K.O.Y.L.I. of Barnsley who with another comrade was recently killed in Germany - the victims of an undetected mine. Writing to Turner's parents Mr and Mrs I. Turner of 22 Limes View , Gawber, the Commanding Officer says Pte. Turner was in charge of a Bren Gun Carrier and was out on patrol. Unfortunately they went over an undetected mine which resulted in the loss of Pte. Turner and a comrade in the carrier. Pte. Turner, who formerly worked as an electrician apprentice at Barnsley Main, joined the army in May 1936, and in the following 
November went to Gibraltar. After a short time he was drafted to Burma where he stayed for eight years. In the retreat from Rangoon early in the war Pte. Turner was slightly wounded in the arm. He came home in January 1944 but was out on the Normandy beaches on D-day, and it is only a month since he returned to Germany after spending a well earned leave at home. He was educated at Wilthorpe Council and Keir Street schools. 
Mr and Mrs Turner have also received a letter from their son's padre, who writes: "That your son was a great favourite in the battalion can be judged by the number who came to his funeral and the care with which they made the wreath for him. He is buried on a hill side between Dusseldorf and Cassel. He looks over a little white church with woods, fields and hills all around. It seems so hard that he should have lost his life with the war finished here, but we have at least the consolation that he can have known neither pain nor fear, as his death was instantaneous." 

Note 2: I can find nothing to link Harry to St.Edward's Church or the Kingstone area. Perhaps he had a close friend who attended this church? If you can help, please get in touch.