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. 

John Dougherty 1898-1918, age 19.

Barnsley Chronicle 9th February 1918
with thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 1898 in Barnsley Q2.  

Son of: John and Mary Dougherty nee Garnett. John Dougherty Snr (1870-1949, died age 79) was a miner born in Barnsley. He married Lancashire born Mary Ellen Garnett at Ringley Chapel in Prestwich, Manchester in 1891. Mary died in 1934 at the age of 58. The couple had 13 children. 

Military Service: John was a Lance Corporal in the York and Lancaster Regiment, second Barnsley batallion, service number 14/410. 

He enlisted on 2nd February 1915 at the age of 16 years by giving his elder brother Edward Jasper Dougherty's date of birth. John declared to the Military authorities that he was 19 years and 33 days old. 

His mother desperately tried to get him sent back home, but John was already en-route to France. It would appear that in the Army John was a lively lad, punished a number of times for not complying with orders, irregular conduct and overstaying his leave. During his service, John was wounded in action and gassed in July 1917 and was later admitted to hospital with influenza.

Military Medal
On 26th January 1918 the Barnsley Chronicle reported that John had been awarded the Military Medal for having distinguished himself by the promptness with which he brought his Lewis gun into action against a hostile machine gun, silencing it and allowing the attack to proceed.  

Before the war John was a miner working at the Victoria Colliery, Dodworth Road. He was unmarried and Roman Catholic. At the age of 13 years he lived at 24 Longcar Street, later moving to 25 Myrtle Street. At the time of John's death his parents lived at 16 Middlesex Street, later moving to Raley Street until their deaths.      

Death: 8th October 1918 in France from wounds received in action. 
Buried: John was originally buried elsewhere but was moved to Busigny Communal Cemetery Extension in Northern France, grave number VI.B.20. 

John is not named on any Barnsley memorial at the request of his mother Mary who never got over her son's death. 

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here 

Research by KingstoneHistory with thanks to John's youngest sister, Faith.