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Remembered Today:

Remembering 1st Battalion West Yorks.


kevin

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Remembering this Day;

The Officers and men of the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment that fell on the 20th September 1914, in the Battalion’s first action of the War, on the Aisne Heights.

Officer’s

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Major Alexander Wighton Ingles. La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

Captain Mortimer Fisher, La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

Captain John Francis I’Anson. La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

Lt William Lawrence Eliot. La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

Lt Offley Charles Wycliffe. La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

2nd Lt Eric Western Wilson. La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

Lt Thomas Gilliat Meautys. Vendress British Cemetery,France. G.Ref. III. J. 10. Mortally Wounded this day.

The Men.

---------------

3961 Brown,Percy Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France died of wounds

4107 Carter,Charles C.S.M La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

4249 Eyles,Alfred Henry Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

4668 Wilson,George Francis Dmr La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

5475 Sowden,Fred Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

5713 Pickard,Francis George L/Sgt Chauny Communal Cemetery British Extension,Aisne,France.G.Ref.5.I.14. killed in action

5861 Copeland,Frank(Copland at the CWGC) L/Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

6479 Briggs,Charles Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

6480 Robson,Ernest Lindsay Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

6505 Kemp,James L/Cpl killed in action. [ No mention on CWG or in Wyrall’s list.]

6564 Missett,James Clr/Sgt Vendresse British Cemetery,Aisne,France.G.Ref.Troyon Chyd.Mem.17. died of wounds

6571 Hill,Andrew Pte Villers-en-Prayeres Communal Cemetery,Aisne,France.G.Ref.B.4. killed in action

6576 Thorpe,John Henry Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

6605 Archer,Mark Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

6620 Taylor,Harry Inman Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

6692 Burton,Robert Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

6708 Power,Joseph Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

6733 Cox,Joseph Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7123 Priestley,Bert Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7125 Smith,Robert Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7154 Cawkwell,Alfred Edward Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7173 McGregor,Frank Pte Sissonne British Cemetery,Aisne,FranceG.Ref.N.12. died of wounds

7180 Greenwood,Alfred Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7236 Appleby,Harry L/Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7265 Ellis,John Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7268 Stead, Ernest Pt Chauny Communal Cemetery,British Exension,Aisne,France.G.Ref.Coll.grave.5.L.6-16. killed in action

7353 Hudson,John Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7363 Warner,George L/Cp l Chauny Communal Cemetery,British Extension,Aisne,France.G.Ref.Coll.grave.5.L.6-16. killed in action

7385 Buckley,Fred L/Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

7425 Riley,John Thomas Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7479 Missett,John Edward Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7508 Young,William Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7509 Parkin,Harry Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7515 Roe,Charles Blyton Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7518 Simmonds,Harry Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

7610 Croft,Albert Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7622 Bedford,Horace Henry Sgt La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7636 Pratt,George William Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7647 Hoolighan,John(real name Holehan) Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7656 Sanderson,Samuel Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7658 Soakell,John Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7691 Shaw,Albert Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7697 Porter,Edward Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7746 Addy,Fred Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7750 Ward,George Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7761 Wadsworth,Herbert Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7785 Pond,William Henry Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7797 Boyington,Fred Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7860 Ellis,Joseph Pte Chauny Communal Cemetery British Extension,Aisne,France.G.Ref.5.K.13. killed in action

7885 Roe,Ernest Victor Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7938 Sandiforth,Arthur Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

7998 Kay,William Sgt La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8007 Massey,Robert Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

8010 Etherington,William Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8079 Cunningham,Fred Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8108 Allgood,Harry Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8118 McNulty,William Henry L/Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

8121 Binns,George William Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8127 Westcott,George Arthur Sgt La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8153 Bunting,John Henry Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8160 Marshall,Herbert Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8168 Rooke,Arthur Eustace Pte Chauny Communal Cemetery British Extension,Aisne,France. G.Ref.6.B.5. killed in action

8208 Newell.Albert Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

8275 Parrsloe,William(Parsloe at the CWGC) Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8317 Shepard,Albert Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8380 Bellinger,Reuben L/Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8406 Kane,William James Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8409 Martin,George Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8434 Thackray,William(spelt Thackwray at the CWGC) L/Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France. killed in action

8479 Bates,John L/Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

8501 Briers,Sidney Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

9333 Ratliff,Arthur Henry Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

9420 Parker,Robert Winder Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

9452 Slater,William Henry Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

9750 Roberts,Herbert Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

9754 Haney,Peter L/Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

9828 Brightmore,Edward John Henry Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

9869 Hemsworth,Frank Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

9873 Allinson,Robert Henry Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

9931 Hamilton,John Alexander L/Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

9953 Ward,Walter Charles L/Cpl La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

9975 Hutchinson,Samuel Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France killed in action

9988 Townrow,Bertie William Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

10007 Hudson,John Thomas Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Siene-et-Marne,France. killed in action

10060 Hewett,Fredrick David Arthur Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

10080 Bullock,Ernest Edward Pte La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,Seine-et-Marne,France. killed in action

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Here is the story of how Pte Jack [ John ] Bunting 8153 fell on this day, the words are taken from a post made by Member Alice Jamieson, entitled My Friend Jack, so hope she does not mind them been used here.

My Pal Jack

There’s a mother somewhere in Buckingham

Who morns for her lost son

There’s a cross on the river Ashon

Still marks the grave of a chum

And the author of these verses

Was there when the deed was done

I met him whilst serving in India

At the time he was only a lad

We soldiered together for several years

And many good times we had

I taught him the ways of a soldier

As regards polishing and laying down kit

And from that time onwards as comrades

Our friendship ne’er altered a bit

He could dance and sing a little

Trouble ne’er came to his side

That’s how my pal jack lived

Shall I tell you how he died

Twas September 20th nineteen hundred and fourteen

With the Prussians charging our trenches

And things were not looking serene

They charged upon us in thousands

We stuck it as best as we could

But what with machine guns and rifles

We had to retire to a wood

In retiring my company got captured

And I looked around for Jack

But nowhere could I see him

So I made up my mind to turn back

To try and find my comrade

I saw him what a sight

Surrounded by fire of the enemy

Striking out left and right

Then I saw him reel and stagger

He cried “come on Tom”

And I ran to the place where he had fallen

To help him if I could

But the glassy stare in his eyes told the tale

And the ground was stained with his blood

We buried him there, where he had fallen

At the sound of the enemy’s guns

And wrote on a little wooden cross

To a dear and faithful chum

I’ve only him to thank that I am here

T’was through him I turned back

He lived and died a soldier

My pal Jack

This is the true story of Pte Jack Bunting killed in action September 20th 1914, and although severely wounded was seen to stand up and fight with his fists rather than be taken a prisoner, and to his death I dedicate these verses

His pal Tom

Source Alice Jamieson ( GWF ) 1/7/08.

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Also remembered are the 8 Officers and 436 other ranks that where taken Prisoner on this day, by the underhand tactics of the enemy, and the 7 Officer’s and the 110 Other Ranks wounded, some later to die of there wound’s received on this day and others to die in the Prisoner of War Camps, also the one’s to come home and die of the related illness’s that there contacted whilsted interned.

From Wyrall’s account;

At about 1-30pm , a man ran back from the firing line and reported the companies in front had been captured and the Germans were advancing. From information collected it is certain that the German advanced under cover of the white flag on the right flank, and when the men of the West Yorks went out to meet them they were surrounded and heavily fired on. Many were killed. A few escaped.

So out of a Total Strength that landed at St Nazaire on the 10th Sept 1914 of 27 Officers and 959 Other Ranks, all that was left at the end of the 20th was 5 Officers and 339 Other Ranks that made up the 1st Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment.

Ca Ira.

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Rest in Peace Alexander, Mortimer, John, William, Offley, Eric, Thomas, Percy, Charles, Alfred, George, Fred, Francis, Frank, Charles, Ernest, James, James, Andrew, John, Mark, Harry, Robert, Joseph, Joseph, Bert, Robert, Alfred, Frank, Alfred, Harry, John, Ernest, John, George, Fred, John, John, William, Harry, Charles, Harry, Albert, Horace, George, John, Samuel, John, Albert, Edward, Fred, George, Herbert, William, Fred, Joseph, Ernest, Arthur, William, Robert, William, Fred, Harry, William, George, George, John, Herbert, Arthur, Albert, William, Albert, Reuben, William, George, William, John, Sidney, Arthur, Robert, William, Herbert, Peter, Edward, Frank, Robert, John, Walter, Samuel, Bertie, John, Frederick, Ernest and all those who died later as a result.

What stands, if freedom falls? Who dies, if England lives?

So sad that so few of them have a known grave.

One of my chaps, a special reservist, who died of wounds in April 1915 landed in France or Belgium on 8 October 1914 - he joined the 1st West Yorks and would have been among the replacements for the casualties of 20 September.

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Yes Carole he will have been one of many of the 3rd Special Resevervist's that went out from the 20th Sept onwards to replace the fallen and the POW'S, it was a sad day for the 1st Battalion as it was there first day in the line, since landing on the 8th Sept.

Carole many will have been laid to rest in a Grave, but over the next four years, there will have been lost to man, and now only known to God.

Ca Ira

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Rest in peace, lest we forget...

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Remembering today my mothers GrandFather:

L/Cpl. James Drane, 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, captured in the action and subsequently made P.O.W. on this day and brutally treated at Gustrow Camp on the Baltic Coast. He was eventually repatriated through the Red Cross, due to 'ill health' via Switzerland in late 1917.

The attached photo is taken at the latter location. James is back row, left.

Ca Ira!

Chris.

post-47-1222026733.jpg

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6505 Kemp,James L/Cpl killed in action. [ No mention on CWG or in Wyrall’s list.]

He is on SDGW, is he a non-com ??

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6505 Kemp,James L/Cpl killed in action. [ No mention on CWG or in Wyrall's list.]

He is on SDGW, is he a non-com ??

I was thinking the same and mentioned it to Kevin in a PM.

If he is a non-com how do we bring this to the attention of the CWGC? I just had another search through CWGC and it may just be coincidence but this chaps details are very similar and appeared to have been in the same action;

52 KEMP, JAMES STEWART Private 9505 08/10/1914 28 Highland Light Infantry United Kingdom LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL

Anyone else any idea's?

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  • 2 years later...

Remembering today my mothers GrandFather:

L/Cpl. James Drane, 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, captured in the action and subsequently made P.O.W. on this day and brutally treated at Gustrow Camp on the Baltic Coast. He was eventually repatriated through the Red Cross, due to 'ill health' via Switzerland in late 1917.

The attached photo is taken at the latter location. James is back row, left.

Ca Ira!

Chris.

Hi Chris,

WRT James Drane. I think that your Great Grandfather may also be a relative of mine. My dad's Grandmother was called Julia Drane and had a brother called James. Both were born in Glazworth, Notts and moved to yorkshire with their parents - Their father was called John Blackwood Drane. Would appreciate if you could let me know if this is the same James Drane? I would really like to hear his story, and what happened to him after the war.

Many Thanks

Pete

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