Sunday 20 September 2015

John Prince 1896-1916, age 19

Barnsley Chronicle 24th June 1916
Thanks to Barnsley Archives
Born:1896 in Barnsley Q3 

Son of: John Starkey Prince and Elizabeth Ann Prince nee Simmons. John Starkey Prince (1859-1928, died age 69) was a druggist's assistant and he married Elizabeth (1858-1934, died age 76) at St George's Church, Barnsley on 22nd January 1886.The couple had six children but only four were alive in 1911

  • Harriet 1886-1889, died age 2 years and 9 months.
  • Arthur Charles, a teacher, born in 1888.
  • Harry, a bookbinder, born in 1890. Harry served in the York and Lancaster Regiment 14th Battalion (the second Barnsley Pals).
  • Weston, a joiner, born in 1892. Weston was also in the York and Lancaster Regiment and was wounded severely in France by a gunshot wound to his left arm in 1916. In 1918 he suffered from deafness and earache. 
  • Dorris 1894-1896, died age 25 months.
  • John 1896-1916, killed in action age 19. 

Military Service: John was a Private in the 2nd Barnsley Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment, service number 14/1112. He was the youngest of four brothers who all served their country in WW1. 

John was unmarried and at the age of 14 years was working as an ironmonger. At the time of joining the army he worked for Messrs. M. Lowrance & Son, ironmongers of Peel Square in Barnsley. He lived with his parents at 79 Shaw Lane, Barnsley. Prior to this, the family lived at 25 Waterloo Road, Barnsley and 67 Shaw Lane, Barnsley. 

Death: 30th May 1916, Ypres, killed in action.  
Buried: Essex Farm Cemetery, Ypres in grave II.M.5.

Find a grave link: here 
Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  

Research by KingstoneHistory

Friday 4 September 2015

Walter Carroll 1915-1942, age 27

Barnsley Chronicle 6th February 1943
Thanks to Barnsley Archives
Born: 24th March 1915 in Barnsley.

Son of: Patrick Joseph Carroll (known as Joseph) and Mary Ann Carroll nee Townend. Joseph (1880-1940, died age 59) was a glass bottle worker who married Mary Ann on 12th November 1904. Joseph served in the Meditteranean during WW1, contracting Malaria during his time there. He died at Hound Hill Road although his home address was 13 Beckett Street, Barnsley. Mary Ann (1881-1944, died age 63) was born in Darton and lived at 139 Doncaster Road at the time of her death. The couple had three children:

  • Doris Mary 1905.
  • Charles 1907-1934, died age 26.
  • Walter 1915.

Husband of: Margaret E. Carroll nee Richardson. Margaret and Walter married in 1939 and had one child Margaret A. Carroll, born in 1940 who was two years old when Walter died.   

Military Service: Walter was a Lance Bombardier in the Royal Artillery, service number 4694697.

Death: 19th August 1942 in St Agnes, Cornwall, drowned while saving two children.  
Buried: St Agnes Cemetery in Plot A, grave 303 X.

Find a grave link: here 
Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  
Remembered: Holy Rood Church, Barnsley, Book of Remembrance and Redfearn Bros Roll of Honour, Barnsley. 

Note: The Barnsley Chronicle on 6th February 1943 reported:
Soldier Husband's Bravery Recognised
Carnegie Fund Award to Barnsley Widow
The gallantry of Lance-Bombardier Walter Carroll R.A. (27) of Blenheim Road, Barnsley who lost his life after saving the lives of two children from drowning at St. Agnes, Cornwall in August last year, and left a wife and one child aged two, has been recognised by the Carnegie Hero Fund, who have awarded to the widow a memorial certificate and a supplementary allowance. 
The circumstances as related in these columns at the time, were that on August 19th last a number of people were bathing in the sea. Four soldiers, including Lce-Bombardier Carroll, heard a cry of help from a child, and they went to their rescue. Carroll saved two children who were in danger of drowning, one a boy of 11, and the other a girl of 13, bringing them to safety by placing them on a rock protruding from the sea. The children were then taken to the beach by other soldiers. 
What really happened afterwards, said Mrs Carroll, in giving this narrative, they did not know. It was believed the current swept Lance-Bombardier Carroll back again and when he was brought to the shore he was still alive. On the beach artificial respiration was applied for three hours, he was attended by a doctor, but all was of no avail. 
Lance-Bombardier Carroll was a well-known Barnsley man, formerly a scoutmaster at Holy Rood Catholic Church. He was a likeable young man, being popular with everyone who knew him. Before joining the Army, the K.O.Y.L.I. in June 1940, he had been employed at Redfearn's Glassworks about ten years, and at his death had been with the Royal Artillery about nine months. 

Research by KingstoneHistory

Wednesday 2 September 2015

Edmund Strawbridge 1871-1916, age 44

Barnsley Independent 15 April 1916
Thanks to Barnsley Archives
Born: 1871 at Kingstone Place, Barnsley Q3

Son of: George Strawbridge, born at Ingbirchworth about 1831, and died in 1892 age 61, and Elizabeth Strawbridge nee Lees (1832-1885, died aged 54). They married at St Mary's Church in Barnsley on 19th August 1855. At the time of their deaths they both lived at 8 Sykes Street, Barnsley. George and Elizabeth had 10 known children

  • James 1857-1932, age 74
  • Joseph 1859
  • George 1860
  • Hannah 1862
  • Harry 1864-1869, died age 5.
  • Arthur 1867-1869, died age 2
  • Frances 1868
  • Elizabeth Ann 1869
  • Edmund 1871
  • Alfred 1876-1877, died age 13 months. 

Husband of: Harriet Strawbridge nee Harris, born in Lofthouse about 1872 and died in 1955, age 83. The couple married in 1904 in the Sheffield Registration area and had 3 known children: 

  • Elizabeth 1906
  • George 1907
  • Harold 1911 

Military Service: Edmund was a Private in the 3rd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, service number 3911. He had served in the army since 1891. 

Death: 5th April 1916 at Hammerton House Hospital, Sunderland. 
Buried: Barnsley Cemetery in grave E.668. His family grave bears the inscription "Loved in Life, Remembered in Death"
Find a grave link: here 
Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  

Notes: On 15th April 1916 The Barnsley Independent reported:
The Last Post
A Boer War Hero
Impressive Funeral
Private Edmund Strawbridge, whose home was at 32 Blenheim Road, Barnsley was buried with military honours at the Barnsley Cemetery on Saturday afternoon last. His death occurred under sad circumstances. Forty-four years of age, he was a time-expired soldier before the war commenced. During twelve years service in the Army he was for a time stationed in India, and later served right through the Boer War. He was then on the Reserve for nine years, and within a few days of the present war commencing he again enlisted, joining the 3rd York and Lancaster Regiment, and has since been on home service. A few weeks ago he was taken ill and died on April 5th from an internal complaint in a Sunderland hospital. Deceased, who was born at Kingstone Place, worked at the Kendal Green Colliery prior to his re-enlistment, and leaves a widow and a family of seven, the eldest of whom is at present serving at the Front. A party of soldiers from Silkstone Camp attended the funeral, and at the graveside three volleys were fired and the Last Post sounded. The military authorities offered to send a band, but this was not desired by the family. Amongst the floral
tokens were wreaths from the neighbours, deceased being held in great respect. 

Research by KingstoneHistory