When you go home, tell them of us and say:
'For your tomorrow we gave our today'
Below is a list of those men honoured on the war memorial in St Nicholas' Church, Stillington.
The last three names were added due to research undertaken for a book on Stillington for the Millennium. The book can be read on the Stillington Village website (see links).
Frank Atkinson
Private 27761
9th Battalion
Lancashire Fusiliers
Formerly 23876 KOYLI
Born 1891 at Marton the sixth of ten children. His parents were John, a farm hand, and Sarah, nee McLoughrey. Sarah's grandfather had been the miller at Abbey Mill, Marton.
Frank was baptised on 13/10/1891 at St Mary's Church, Marton. His parents were living in a cottage on Marton Bridge at the time. They later moved just up the road into a cottage on Jack Lane which is now the site of Pond Cottage Antiques.
He married Eveline Wise in 1915 at Welton near Beverley. They had one child, Clive, born February 1916. Frank enlisted at York, whilst he was living at Easingwold and working as a farm hand.
Died 1/10/1916, of wounds received at the Battle of Thiepval when the 9th Battalion attacked German held trenches.
'KILLED IN ACTION – official intelligence has been received by Mr and Mrs J Atkinson of Stillington, Easingwold that their fifth son Private Frank Atkinson died on the 1st October of wounds received in action. He was 25 years of age and leaves a child and widow who reside in North Ferriby. He joined the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in May 1915 and after six months training was transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was drafted to Egypt in November1915 and after serving there for seven months was sent to France where he was wounded on September 29th and died two days later.'
Hull Daily Mail, Wednesday 1st November 1916
Buried Contay British War Cemetery, France.
Awards: 1915 Star, British and Victory Medals.
George Borwell
Private 34296
2/4th Battalion
Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Formerly Private 35024
6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment
Formerly Driver T/2/72731
Royal Army Service Corps
Born 1894 Stittenham, near Sheriff Hutton. Parents William and Priscilla.
A farmworker on his enlistment at York on 23/9/1914 aged 19.
Attached to the 107th Company ASC at Bradford in November 1914.
Went to France May 1915 with Number 4 Company, 9th Divisional Train.
Whilst a Driver for The Royal Army Service Corps George was mentioned in dispatches. His army record describes him as 'a well thought of individual deserving of any credit due to him'.
Compulsorily moved first to The Yorkshire Regiment on 2/5/1918. Then he was transferred, again compulsorily under Army Regulation 2084/16, to The West Ridings on 12/8/1918.
Killed in Action on 12/9/1918 during the battle for the fortified village of Havrincourt when the British Third Army commanded by Sir Julian Byng attacked superior German forces defending the Hindenburg line.
Commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.
Awards: 1914/15 Star, British and Victory Medals, Mentioned in Despatches (22/6/17) and Good Conduct Badge (7/3/17).
Fred Burks
Serjeant 8391
'C' Company, 2nd Battalion
Yorkshire Regiment
Born 1883 Millington. Parents James and Hannah lived on The Green at Stillington;Wife Eleanora Annie of 227, Acacia Cottages, London Rd., Staines, Middlesex.
Fred was a professional soldier with some years experience at the outbreak of WWI. As a Private he took part in the First Battle of Ypres.
Killed in Action 6/5/1918 aged 34. That day the 2nd Battalion had relieved a South African unit at Voormezeele, a ruined village in enemy hands, and were holding the line there.
At the time of Serjeant Burk's death the 2nd Battalion were attached to the 21st Brigade of the British 30th Division, which had seen much heavy fighting whilst repelling German attacks.
Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Awards: 1914 Star, British and Victory Medals.
John Cooper
Gunner 80718
'A' Battery, 70th Brigade
Royal Field Artillery
Born 1895 Humberton. Parents James and Charlotte, who were living at Sutton on the Forest at the time of his enlistment but later moved to Stillington.
Went to France in July 1915.
Killed in action, by a German shell, 20/2/1916.
The 70th Brigade formed part of the artillery attached to the 15th (Scottish) Division. In early 1916 the 15th Division, barely recovered from their part in The Battle of Loos (25th September - 18th October 1915), they were holding the line north of Lens.
Buried Vermelles British Cemetery.
George Walter Cutler
Private 21473
1st Battalion
Northumberland Fusiliers
Formerly 17221
West Yorkshire Regiment
Born 1889 Manchester, son of William and Sarah Ann. A farmworker on his enlistment into The West Yorks Reg at York in February 1914. He was living with his aunt at Wigginton at the time.
After the death of his parents he had been brought up by his Grandmother Elizabeth Cutler, nee Buckle, who lived in Stillington. On her death in 1908 he began to drift around, unable to hold down a job for any significant time. He worked for Woods the Builders at Stillington and on a number of local farms. George certainly had what we would now term learning difficulties.
Entered the conflict on 13/7/1915.
George was pronounced missing, presumed dead, on 23/7/1916 aged 27.
In early July the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were engaged in some of the fiercest fighting during those first days of the Battle of the Somme. Having suffered heavy losses the Battalion was marched away to rest and regroup.
At some time during that march Private Cutler became detached from his Company. However this wasn't noticed until a roll call was taken on 23rd July at which time he was pronounced missing, presumed dead.
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Awards: 1915 Star, British and Victory Medals.
Reginald Dight
Private 124218
19th Battalion
Machine Gun Corps
Formerly 341489
Northumberland Fusiliers
Born 1885 Sutton on the Forest. Mother Eliza lived in Stillington, in a cottage that stood where the present Primary School now stands. Reggie worked on local farms as a horseman. He enlisted at Richmond whilst living at Thirsk.
Killed by a sniper on 26/3/1918 just before the German offensive against British forces stationed in the Arras Sector (28/3/1918) when the MGC played a decisive action in repelling the attacking enemy force.
Reggie left behind a widow, Ruth, and their only child, Hugh, who was just three when his father gave his life for his country.
Honoured on the Arras Memorial.
Awards: British and Victory Medals.
Robert Henry Gibson
Private 529883
Labour Corps
Formerly Private 4284
2nd/1st Queen's Own Yorkshire Dragoons Yeomanry
Born 1891 Stillington. Baptised 5th June 1892 at St Nicholas' Church. Parents Tom and Annie ran Stillington Mill.
Died of illness in Beverley Military Hospital 27/10/1918 aged 27.
Buried Stillington Churchyard on 31/10/1918.
William Hammond
Able Seaman J/10508
Royal Navy
H.M.S 'Bulwark'
Born 20/3/1895 Little Weighton.
Mother Annie was living in Stillington at the time of William's enlistment in 1910.
Grandmother Ann Lane ran a farm on Stillington Green with his uncle, Walter.
Served on the following ships: Ganges, Leviathan, Victory I, Prince George, Duke of Edinburgh and Excellent. Transferred to Bulwark in August 1914.
Killed 26/11/1914 when H.M.S 'Bulwark' exploded, probably due to an accidental ignition in the shell magazine, while anchored off Sheerness, Kent.
William's body was not recovered from the wreck.
Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Arthur Hobson
Private 27871
7th Battalion
Yorkshire Regiment
Born 1893 Terrington. Parents Daniel and Margaret lived at Stillington.
Killed in action 24/5/1917 aged 23.
The 17th (Northern) Division, to which the 7th Battalion was attached, had been involved in the Capture of Rouex (13th-14th May) and had suffered heavy losses. The 7th Battalion was described in one report as 'dazed and fatigued by combat', having lost 14 out of 18 officers and 195 men. It had been withdrawn to rest and regroup from 16 - 21 May after which it was sent back into the front line. Its exact position on 24th May is as yet unknown, as is exactly how Private Hobson was killed. However trenches the battalion were holding were subjected to heavy shelling on the 24th and 25th, so it is possible this was how Private Hobson died.
Commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
Awards: British and Victory Medals
William Kay
Corporal 23879
9th Battalion
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Born 1897 Stillington. Baptised 27/6/1897 at St Nicholas' Church. His father Robert was a farm labourer his mother Ruth, nee North, was widowed and living at Wire Cottage, Stillington at the time of William's enlistment.
We know little of Corporal William Kay's fate - his records simply say that he was presumed dead on 22/3/1918 and he could be one of the 250 men who did not return to the battalion after an attack against German forces on that day.
Honoured on the Pozieres Memorial.
Awards: British and Victory Medals
Arthur North
Private 19733
4th Battalion
West Yorkshire Regiment
Born 1890 Stillington. Parents Tom, an agricultural labourer, and Eliza, who lived at the West End of Stillington.
Arthur was also a farmworker as the photograph below shows.
Died 2/6/1916 of pneumonia at Throston Workhouse Infirmary near Hartlepool, where the 4th Battalion was stationed training troops for the New Army battalions.
Buried Stillington Churchyard 4/6/1916.
Thomas John Scaife
Serjeant 27041
Royal Engineers
100th Airline Division
Res. Signal Corps
Born 1878 Easingwold. Parents Thomas and Elizabeth lived at Stillington in the house now known as Kirkside Cottage, opposite the church. Lived Gateshead. Married with three daughters - Jane, Eva and Margaret. Telephone/telegraph line engineer, foreman.( Airline Division constructed and repaired overhead telephone lines).
A report in The Newcastle Daily Journal of Thursday 3rd December 1914 mentions Sergeant Scaife.
'It is an encouraging sign of the way things are going at the Front when British officers and men are being allowed home for a brief spell of rest. Among the Newcastle men who have had a trip across the Channel and back is Sergeant T. J. Scaife of the Signal Section, R.E., whom his former colleagues of the Engineering Department of Newcastle Post Office, where he was employed as a foreman, gave a welcome back which was all the more hearty because of the distinction he had won in the firing line.
Sergeant Scaife, who is a man of splendid physique, and looks every inch the soldier, has been mentioned in Field-Marshal John French's dispatches and has been promoted to his present rank for acts of bravery. On one occasion, single-handed, he laid a telephone line between one of the trenches and headquarters under very heavy fire. There is no branch of the services which has done better work in the present war than the Engineers as the dispatches and honours lists indicate.'
Tom was awarded The Medal of St George (2nd Class) in August 1915 whilst serving in the Cavalry Division of The Signal Corps, which he joined from The Reserved List in 1914, after seeing service with The Royal Engineers from 1906 - 1913.
During the 15/16th August 1916 a wide area south of the Somme was subjected to violent shelling by German forces. Many telephone lines were broken by shells, a common occurence, and Serjeant Scaife went out with his men to repair a line. During this he received a wound to the body.
Taken to the hospital facilities at Bailleul, where he was operated on to remove gunshot, but he died there on 18/8/1916 aged 38.
ROYAL ENGINEERS
Sergeant T. J. Scaife, Post Office engineering staff in Newcastle and Gateshead, has died in hospital after an operation following a gunshot wound received in the abdomen. Sergeant Scaife who lived at 22, Goschen Street, Gateshead was after the outbreak of war amongst the first to be mentioned in official dispatches, which honour was later followed by the bestowal of the Russian order of St George. He was attached to the Signal Section of the Royal Engineers.
Newcastle Journal, 24th August 1916
Buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery.
T. J. Scaife is also honoured on the 1914-18 Post Office plaque which reads:
This tablet is erected by / the members of the Staff in the / Newcastle upon Tyne Postal Area / and the / Northern Engineering District / in honour of their colleagues who served their / King and Country / and to perpetuate the memory of those who / lost their lives in the Great War 1914-1918.
It is made of brass and once stood in the Central Post Office on St Nicholas Street in Newcastle upon Tyne. when that branch closed it was moved to the Royal Mail Processing Centre, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead.
The plaque was made by Cowell and Gatiss of Sunderland and once stood in an oak frame. It was paid for by subscriptions from Post Office staff and unveiled on 29/3/1921 by Councillor T. W. Rowe, Lord Mayor of Newcastle.
Awards: 1914 Star, British and Victory Medals, Mentioned in Dispatches and Medal of St George and St Michael (2nd Class).
John Henry (Harry) Thompson
Private 32596
1/4th (Hallamshire)Battalion
York and Lancaster Regiment
Born 1897 Sutton on the Forest. Parents John, a carpenter, and Mary Elizabeth lived at Ashfield Cottage in Stillington's Main Street.
Joined up in 1917 whilst living at 86, Gillygate, York and working as a Pork Butcher. Transferred to the 10th Battalion York and Lancs, Sent to France in early September 1917. Posted to the 1/4th Battalion at the end of September '17.
Killed in action 14/3/1918 aged 21 at Westhoek Ridge, Belgium.
War diaries describe Westhoek Ridge as being 'literally covered in guns' and 'looking like a barrack square in aerial photographs'.
Private Thompson’s battalion had been there some days, working to disguise the true military presence on the ridge, but their work completed were resting in tunnelled dugouts. However British artillery was stationed nearby and the gunfire was almost continuous – prompting a similar response from enemy gun crews. During these fire fights men were killed or badly wounded. Harry Thompson was reported wounded on 14th March. He was declared missing presumed dead.
Commemorated on the Tyne Cott Memorial and on the gravestone of his grandparents, Henry and Isabella Thompson, located in Stillington Churchyard.
Awards: British and Victory Medals
William Sowray
Private 42614
12th Battalion
West Yorkshire Regiment
Born 1898 Askham Bryan, where his father Thomas then farmed. Later moved to Stillington, his parents lived on The Green. Living at Ampleforth on enlistment.
Killed in Action during the first day of the Battle of Polygon Wood, 26/9/1917 aged 19.
Polygon wood is situated on a ridge four miles from Ypres and was an important strategic point. It's capture from enemy forces was a major victory, though shortlived, in the Battle of Passchendaele (31st July - 10th November 1917).
Honoured on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Awards: British and Victory Medals
Alfred Norman Stubbs
Private 44184
18th Battalion
Manchester Regiment
Born 1893 Manchester. Father Joseph Barker Stubbs, a joiner, lived on The Green at Stillington after the war. Enlisted Prestwich, Lancs, where his family had lived for some years.
Killed in Action 12/10/1916 during disastrous attack on the villages of Ligny-Thilloy, Thilloy and Le Sars - the battalion was mown down by machine gun and artillery fire. 350 men went over the top on the afternoon of the 12th and it was a decimated battalion that returned to their trenches the next morning - the night was spent by survivors of the attack hiding in shell holes.
250 men were pronounced either dead, wounded or missing.
'ROLL OF HONOUR - STUBBS, killed in Action October 12, PRIVATE ALFRED N STUBBS, 44184, of The Manchester Regiment, aged 23 years, sixth son of J B Stubbs. From his sorrowing RELATIVES and FRIENDS. 22, Fairfax Road, Prestwych.'
Manchester Evening News 4th December 1916
The 18th Battalion (3rd City)Manchester Regiment were 'Pals', volunteers who answered the call to arms from the Lord Mayor of Manchester.
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Awards: British and Victory Medals.
Fred Waite
Private 20573
10th Battalion
Yorkshire Regiment
Born 1892 Carlton Husthwaite. Parents John and Mary Jane lived at Marton Bridge. Enlisted at Malton.
The 10th Battalion of The Yorkshire Regiment was attached to the 62nd Brigade, 21st Division.
Arrived in France 16/12/1915.
In April 1916 the Division moved to La Neuville to undertake training for the next big offensive.
It was there that Private Waite was wounded in crcumstances unknown and died of his wounds on 22/4/1916 aged 24 at Casualty Clearing Station No 21 which was attached to the 21st Division.
Buried La Neuville Communal Cemetery, Corbie.
Awards: 1915 Star, British and Victory Medals.
There are other men who could, but are not, listed on Stillington's memorial.
Most have been honoured elsewhere.
(Edward) Hills Bamber
Lance Corporal C/12017
21st Battalion (Yeoman Rifles)
King's Royal Rifle Corps
Born 1887 Oswaldkirk where his father Thomas ran 'The Malt Shovel Inn', which had been previously run by his maternal grandfather Edward Thorpe. His Mother Sally moved to West House, Stillington and was living there at the time of Hill's death.
Hills lived at Byland Abbey, where he worked as a farmer, on his enlistment in September 1915 at Helmsley.
He died of wounds on 21/9/1916 at Rouen. These were received on 16th September when the battalion attacked the enemy at Delville Wood as part of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette.
Buried St Sever Cemetery, Rouen and is remembered on the Roll of Honour in St Michael's Church, Coxwold.
Awards: British and Victory Medals
Roger Lawrence Bell
Private 144787
9th Battalion
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Born August 1886 at Farlington
Baptised at Marton on 17th September 1886
Roger's father, George, farmed at Deepley in Marton. He was also a joiner( his original trade). Roger's mother, Mary, was a Wyrill from Farlington.
Roger emigrated to Canada in April 1910 aged 23.
He enlisted on 30/1/1915 at the city of Swift Current in Saskatchewan.
Was in France by September 1915 where his regiment was shipped to the Western Front. However, due to conditions in the battlefield there mounts were more of a hinderance than a help so the regiment was dismounted in January 1916 becoming infantry battalions.
Declared missing in action on 2/6/1916 at the Battle of Mount Sorrel when German forces shelled, then attacked, defending Canadian Divisions causing devastating casualties among the troops trapped in their lines. 80% of Roger's Regiment were killed, wounded or captured.
When Roger's name wasn't on the captured list issued three weeks after the attack he was declared dead, presumed killed in action.
He has no known grave and is honoured on the Menin Gate.
Herbert Burden
Private 202864
2/6th Battalion
Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
Born 1888 Huby.
Parents Francis and Mary of George St, Wistow, Selby.
A farmworker.
Enlisted Stillington 20/11/1915.
Served at home until January 1917 when his battalion was sent to France along with the 2/4th , 2/6th and 2/7th Battalions.
Received wounds on 20/11/1917 when his battalion attacked and took enemy trenches near the Canal du Nord and he died of those wounds on 24/11/1917 aged 31.
John's father, Thomas, was a farmworker and moved around a great deal. This could be why John's birthplace is listed erroneously in some of his records as Tunstall near Doncaster.
John was employed at the gas works in Consett, Durham when he joined the Northumberland Fusilers in December 1915.
He was posted to France a year later. In February 1917 John transferred to the Machine Gun Company. Illness, a nasty bout of rheumatic fever, left him unfit for combat so he joined the ammunition train for a short period before being promoted to Lance Corporal in January 1918 and after some leave at home rejoined his company in early March.
Was pronounced Missing in Action, presumed dead, on 23/3/1918.
Commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
Awards: Victory and British Medals
William Dennis Gambles
Lance Corporal 887
'H' Company
8th Battalion
2nd Brigade Machine Gun Company
Australian Imperial Force
Born 1884 York. Worked at Skeugh Farm, Marton as Horse Lad for William Simpson before he emigrated to Australia in 1912 to become a farmer himself in Victoria.
His mother, Ada, lived on Bishopthorpe Road, York.
Enlisted 18/8/1914 at Broadmeadows, Victoria. He embarked for Alexandria, to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914.
Entered the conflict on 15/4/1915 when his company arrived on the Gallipoli peninsula. Taken ill with influenza in early September. Shipped out and admitted to the No 1 Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis, Egypt where he was severely ill for over three weeks. After a period of convalescence he rejoined his unit in November. By January 1916 it was realised that Gallipoli was a lost cause and a mass evacuation took place.
With the reorganisation of troops William was transferred to the Machine Gun Company. Contracted dysentery in late 1916 and was sent to England for convalescence. Was back with his unit in Belgium by July 1917.
Killed in Action 20/9/1917 aged 23.
Honoured on the Menin Gate.
Awards: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
William Henry Gilbey
Private 9127
1st Battalion
Yorkshire Regiment
Born 1888 York
Worked as a farm servant for Mr John Appleby of Moxby Hall.
Enlisted at Thirsk whilst living at Easingwold. Was stationed in India at the time of the 1911 census.
Died of illness, in the station hospital at Rawalpindi, on 29/12/1914.
His mother received a small war gratuity in respect of William's service for his country.
Buried Rawalpindi War Cemetery, Pakistan.
Awards: British Medal.
Walter Hammond
Lance Corporal 27962
16th Battalion
Lancashire Fusiliers
Formerly with King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
The second Hammond brother, born 1896 Escrick.
Enlisted Leeds where resident, mother Annie living there.
Went to Egypt November 1915. Posted to France 1916.
Awarded Military Medal on 28/1/1918 whilst a Private with the 9th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. That battalion was disbanded on 12/2/1918 and Walter was then transferred to the 16th Battalion.
Died of wounds 1/3/1918 Proven, Germany.
Buried Mendinghem Cemetery, Belgium.
Awards: 1915 Star, British and Victory Medals, Military Medal.
The youngest, and the only survivor, of the three Hammond brothers, Fred, emigrated to Canada.
Rowland Garfield Hayes
Private 26275
2nd Battalion
Yorkshire Regiment
Born 1892 Farlington. Parents John and Mary. Rowland enlisted at Stillington on 20/11/1915.
Killed in action 22/3/1918 at The Battle of St Quentin.
Honoured on the Pozieres Memorial and with a stained glass window in St Leonard's Church, Farlington.
Awards: British and Victory Medals.
William Milner Wood
Corporal 10999
9th Battalion
West Yorkshire Regiment
Born 1884 Stillington. Parents Richard and Henrietta had lived on The Green, then West Lane, before first moving to Bridlington then to Hull. William had been a professional soldier - in 1901 he was Trooper William Wood of The Household Cavalry, in barracks at Windsor.
He re-enlisted at Hull and was killed in action 22/8/1915 aged 31 at Gallipoli during the aftermath of the disastrous attack on Scimitar Hill when the battalion's assault on Turkish trenches was stalled and they had to dig in until they were relieved. In all 196 men from the battalion were killed, wounded or missing after this action.
Commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey and at Hull
Awards: 1915 Star, British and Victory Medals
William Frank Yorke
Private 32454
1/5th Battalion
York and Lancaster Regiment
Born 1890 at Farlington. Parents Thomas, who farmed at Novay Farm, Marton and Margaret Elizabeth, who was the headteacher of Farlington School, were living in Stillington at the time of William’s enlistment at Richmond.
Killed in action 13/4/1918 aged 28 during the defence of Neuve-Eglise, when the brigade counter attacked German forces that had driven them from their positions the previous day.
Honoured on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Awards: British and Victory Medals
The Carlton Cousins from Marton cum Moxby
(Thomas) William Carlton
Lance Corporal 36102
22nd (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion
Northumberland Fusiliers
Formerly 5/41150, The 80th Reserves
Born 1877 at Marton. Parents Thomas and Kate had lived at Marton Barracks.
William was a Boer Veteran. He joined the West Yorkshire Regiment at York in January 1900 and served in the Transvaal until May 1901.
William was a sawyer with the North Eastern Railway at the Wagon Works in York. He had served 21 years with the railway. A founding member of the NER rifle club. He was a crack shot, winning may prizes with his skills.
William was living at Gosforth Park, Northumberland when he transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers from the Reserves.
Killed in action 5/6/1917.
Honoured on the Arras Memorial and Dringhouses War Memorial.
Awards: Victory and British Medals
Percival Carlton
Lance Corporal 14362
12th Battalion
West Yorkshire Regiment
Born 1896 at Marton and baptised at St Mary's church on 19th April. He was the sixth of twelve children born to Thomas and Emily Frances who lived at Grange Farm initially working for Emily's father George Sowray. On his father in law's death Thomas took over the running of the farm. However, they had moved to Tang Hall in the suburbs of York by the time of Percy's death .
Percy was living at Escrick when he enlisted.
Arrived in France 10/9/1915 at Le Havre. With the other battalions in the 21st Division marched into France to be the reserves during the attack on Loos.
On the 21st September they reeived their orders. After four nights forced marching the exhausted and inexperienced 12th took up a position in trenches just north of Bois Hugo. Their job was rout the Germans who had retreated under threat from superior British forces.
Unfortunately the situation changed during the night of the 25th when British troops were forced to withdraw and the whole 21st division was left exposed to repeated German attacks which started early on the 26th. Being the battalion most forward of the line the men of the 12th bore the brunt of the onslaught. Shelling destroyed most of the battalion's food and water supplies, and the men's belongings.
By the evening of the 26th the 12th had lost their Brigadier who was killed rallying his troops after they had repelled a German attack. Several officers had been killed or so badly wounded that they were unable to command. Depleted and demoralised the 12th left their trenches and bivouacked in open fields for the night.
On the morning of the 27th, after a night out in the rain with no cover, food or water, the battalion attempted an orderly retreat but were repeatedly attacked. Percy was killed at this time and his body was never recovered. He was just 19 years old.
The 12th Battalion lost 16 officers and 300 men over the period of three days.
Percy is commemorated on the Loos Memorial and in The King's Book of York Heroes.
Awards: 1915 Star, British and Victory Medals.
William Henry Abba Barrett
Sergeant 21413
11th Battalion
Leicestershire Regiment
Born 1894 Leicester
William gets a special mention on this page as his mother was Bessie Yorke born 1855 in Marton cum Moxby, (not 1857 as in report below).
Killed in Action 22/3/1918. Received DCM for his actions during the assault in which he died.
'He was the son of John Barratt, a Carman with the London and North Western Railway, born 1851 in Gawcott, Buckinghamshire and his wife Bessie, born 1857 in Marton Lordship, Yorkshire. William Henry Abba was a Confectioner's Carman and was born in 1894 in Leicester, his siblings were John Thomas York Barratt, born 1887, Frances Beatrice, born 1890 and Sarah Edith Gertrude, born 1898, all his siblings were born in Leicester. In April 1911 the family home was at 290, Syston Street, Leicester.
The citation in the London Gazette dated 3rd September 1918 reads:-
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a hostile attack. When all the officers of his company had become casualties, he assumed command, and, although wounded, kept the company under perfect control until fresh officers came up to take it over. In spite of his wounds, he refused to retire, and did splendid work, not only by encouraging and cheering the men but also in superintending the issue of rations and ammunition.'
The War Diary entry for the 22nd March 1917 records. FREMICOURT. At 9.30am Transport moved back to about H.13.c. Sheet 57c. Two platoons of 'C' Company withdrawn in the morning to the Army Line about J.8. and 9 Sheet 57c. and the remaining two in the afternoon. At 6.00pm All HQ details moved up and dug in and occupied a line just behind the Army Line about J.14.b. At 4.00pm Transport moved to PIONEER CAMP, LOGEAST WOOD G.1.b Sheet 57c. 1 man of the transport was killed by shell fire. What remained of the Companies were withdrawn to the new line J.14.b. Total casualties of the operations:- 2nd Lt. A. ASHTON, 2nd Lt. C. MILLWARD and 2nd Lt. W. BAXTER were killed in action. Captain R. BENTLEY, Lt. H. H. GRUNDTVIG M.C., Lt. F. J. MEGGITT, 2nd Lt. R. J. NAYLOR, 2nd Lt. O. H. SEWELL, 2nd Lt. E. BEDSON, 2nd Lt. C. O. R. STEVISON were wounded. Captain J. C. SPENCER, Lt. A. L. HICKS, 2nd Lt. N. H. STEVENSON, 2nd Lt. A. SUMMERS are missing. 30 other ranks were killed, 106 wounded and 81 missing.'
Commemorated on the Arras Memorial
Acknowledgements
Stillington and District Community Archive would like to thank the late Mrs Margaret Walker of Stillington for her wonderful photographs of the graves, memorials and cemeteries in France and Belgium.
![inscription reads: in loving memory of/ robert henry/ the youngest son of /tom and annie gibson/ of stillington mill / who died october 27th 1918/ at military hospital beverley/ whilst serving h. m. forces/ aged 27 years/ 'at rest']](https://web-cdn.org/s/1293/image/Old-Site/dscn07060001gs4.jpg)
