Harry Raymond Allden 1898-1917, age 19

Barnsley Chronicle 20th October 1917
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 5th June 1898 in Barnsley and baptised on 10th July 1898 at St Mary's Church in Barnsley. 

Son of: Edward and Elizabeth Allden nee Midgeley. Edward was born in Brierley Hill, Staffordshire and was a glass bottlemaker. He died in March 1899 at the age of 49 when his youngest son Harry was 10 months old. The couple married on 22nd June 1873 at All Saint's church in Silkstone and made their home in Wesley street, Barnsley. They had 8 children. 

• George Henry 1877
• Edith Annie 1878
• John Edward 1881
• Francis Willie 1884-1884, died age 5 months.
• Thomas Arthur 1885-1932, died age 46.
• Cyril Francis 1888
• Florence Mabel Elizabeth 1891
• Harry Raymond 1898

After Edward's death, the children and their mother moved to Western street, and then later to Shaw Lane, Barnsley. 

Military Service: Harry was a Private in the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) 11th Battalion, service number 42747.

Death: 20th September 1917 in Belgium. 

Remembered: Harry has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium on panel 42 to 47 and 162.  

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  
Remembered: St Mary's church war memorial, Barnsley

Note: The Barnsley Chronicle on 20th October 1917 reported that prior to Harry's death he had worked at the Barnsley National Shell factory. He was educated at St Mary's Schools and was formerly a chorister at the Parish Church.  

Stanley Thorn 1893-1915, age 22

Barnsley Independent 30th October 1915
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 26th February 1893 in Dodworth 

Son of: Edward Thorn (1850-1936, died age 86) and Elizabeth Thorn nee Jacques. Edward was born in Firbeck, Yorks and was a check weighman at a colliery. The couple were married at St George's Church on 28th May 1871 and had 12 children but only 6 were still living in 1911. The children were born in Dodworth but most of the family moved to the Shaw Lane area of Barnsley by the time war broke out. Three sons served in the war, and Stanley was the youngest and unmarried.

• Thomas Henry 1871-1909, died age 37
• Annie 1873
• William 1875, served in the Highland Light Infantry and survived the sinking of the 'Transylvania'.
• Charles Edward 1881-1944, died age 63
• Alfred 1886, served overseas in the Y&L Regiment. He wrote letters to the local newspapers describing his experiences during the war. In January he wrote to the Barnsley Chronicle from the Stoke War Hospital, Newcastle (Staffs) where he was being treated for a breakdown in health and was unable to walk.  
• Clara Grace 1891
• Stanley 1893-1915 WW1 death 

Military Service: Stanley was a private in the Highland Light Infantry 10th battalion, service number 1782.  

Death: Killed in action on 25th September 1915 at the Battle of Loos.
Remembered: Stanley has no known grave and is remembered on the Loos memorial on panel 108 to 112. 
Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  

The Barnsley Independent of 30th October 1915 reported that a letter was received one month ago from another soldier stating that Stanley had been killed, and his father who resided at Shaw lane Barnsley had suffered great suspense and contacted the War Office before receiving official news of his son's death. 

The newspaper reported
[...] "When a youth, young Thorn was apprenticed to learn the engineering trade at Messrs. Qualter and Smith Brothers, engineers and ironfounders, Summer Lane, Barnsley. He subsequently secured a post in the fitting shop at the Church Lane Collieries, Dodworth and was afterwards transferred to the Chemical works at Barugh. He was employed at the last named works when he enlisted early in December last. Since that time he has only visited his home once, and that was last Easter. However he always made a practice of writing home once a week. The following are extracts from the last letter he wrote to his sister 
'Ask father to get me a good thick wool jersey and a pair of good thick wool gloves to wear at nights when it turns quite cold. You will get another silk-worked card about the time you 
get this letter, so look out for it. It has all the Allies flags worked on it and it looks very pretty and neat. You would be surprised to see what a large number are sold. I wish you the best 
of luck and trust that God will bring this war to a speedy termination. It will be a good job when it is finished and the soldiers home safe and sound again'" [...] 

William Montgomery 1893-1917 age 23

 Barnsley Chronicle 2nd June 1917
Thanks to Barnsley Archives 

Born: 17th October 1893 in Barnsley

Son of: William Henry Montgomery (1866-1927, died age 61) and Christiana Montgomery nee Shepherd. William Henry was a grocer and the couple had 3 children, but only their son William survived infancy. Daughter Beatrice died in 1895 aged 7 weeks, and their son George died in 1900 aged 3 years and 6 months.  Their son William was unmarried.  The family lived in Summer Lane, Barnsley before moving to Blenheim Road, Barnsley by the time of William's death. 

Military Service: William was a Private in the York and Lancaster Regiment, 13th Battalion (the 1st Barnsley Pals) service number 649.

Death: 15th May 1917, killed in action in France

Buried: Albuera Cemetery, Bailleul - Sire - Berthoult, France in grave ref South C.17.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  

The Barnsley Chronicle on 26th May 1917 reported:
Private William Montgomery, the only son of Mr and Mrs Montgomery of 48 Blenheim Road, Barnsley, has made the great sacrifice at the age of 23 years. He was one of the first to join the Barnsley Pals Battalion and through hereditary instincts he took an enthusiastic interest in soldiering. Prior to joining the Battalion in September 1914, he worked at the warehouse at Messrs Richardson, Tee and Ryecroft's factory, Pitt Street, and was held in high esteem by his colleagues at the mill and by a host of Barnsley friends. Last November he sustained a gunshot wound in the thigh and was temporarily buried in a dug out, but he made a quick recovery from the injury and was soon back in the firing line. Profound sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Montgomery in the loss of their only son. They have been much comforted by the receipt of a letter received from Lieut. Huggard. "Tonight (the officer wrote) I have one of the saddest duties a man could have to perform when I write to tell you of the death of your son. This will be a shock to you; it has been a shock to me and and to all his pals. Your son was in one of the finest sections of the platoon in controlling the Lewis gun, and he had some good friends who miss him very much. It was soon after midnight last night when your son, with most of the lads in the platoon, were doing a job of great importance close to the front line when a shell burst amongst them, killing two and wounding four others besides your son William, who died soon afterwards. He had not much pain for the stretcher bearers gave him something to numb it. It seems a shame that such a fine young lad as your son was should be taken away but we must bow to the will of Almighty God. Your son died besides his pals for the sake of his home and country. I was his Platoon Commander but have been moved to another Company, otherwise I should have been with him at the time, for I always shared their dangers with them." [...]

Harold Boylan 1919-1942, age 23

Barnsley Chronicle 6th February 1943
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: Barnsley in 1919 Q2

Son of: Harold and Eliza Boylan nee Green. Harold snr (1891-1968, died age 77) served in WW1 as a Corporal in the York and Lancaster Regiment 5th Battalion, service number 3074 and later in the railway section of the Royal Engineers.  Eliza died in 1946 at the age of 55 years and both are buried in Barnsley cemetery. The couple were married in 1915, resided at 14 Havelock Street, Barnsley and Harold was the second of eight children.  He was unmarried.  

Military Service: Harold was a Private in the Northamptonshire Regiment, 5th battalion, service number 5887772.  

Death: 24th December 1942 in Tunisia. 

Buried: Harold was originally buried at Baharine before being moved to Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia on 9th August 1944, grave reference 18.C.3. His headstone is inscribed with the following words

Most sacred heart of Jesus

I put my trust in Thee

Thy will be done, O Lord.  

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here

Remembered: Barnsley Holy Rood Church Book of Remembrance. 

The Barnsley Chronicle 6th February 1942 reported:

Barnsley Soldier Killed in Tunisia

Was in Dunkirk Evacuation. 

News has been received by Mr and Mrs H. Boylan, 14 Havelock Street, Barnsley, that their son, Pte Harold Boylan (23), Northants Regiment was killed in action on the Tunisian front during December 1942.
Pte. Boylan who had a proud record of service joined the Forces with the first Militia in 1939, went to France in 1940 and returned to England during the evacuation from Dunkirk after a rough passage. Taking a course in bomb throwing at a battle training school, Pte Boylan was wounded and had to spend a few weeks in hospital. Later he embarked for North Africa, and took part in the initial landing of troops. 
A corporal who has written to Mr Boylan, says that Pte Boylan "met his death courageously while in the field."
Pte. Boylan was formerly employed at Silkstone Colliery and attended Holy Rood Schools. His father served in the last war with the 5th Y. and L. (Barnsley Territorials), was in the second gas attack at Ypres and was decorated with three medals.