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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Soldiers Died Check Please.


Tony Lund

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I do not seem able to find Fred Sykes on the CWGC website. Could someone please check the information below, if it is wrong that would explain why I cannot find him.

The only information I have is from the old Soldiers Died CD (which could be wrong) and the local memorials. There are only 24 men named F Sykes to go at on the CWGC website, so I would have thought I should be able to find him but there does not seem to be a match to the Soldiers Died information that I have from the old CD. Another possibility is that I recorded the information incorrectly at the time (a while ago now), I was going through a long list of Holmfirth men at the library at the time.

This is what I believe to be correct at the moment:

Fred Sykes lived at Underbank, Holmfirth, a Private (35706), Labour Company, Lincolnshire Regiment, he was born at Holmfirth and enlisted at Huddersfield. He died on 27th April 1917 on the Western Front. Named on the Holmfirth and New Mill War Memorial, Underbank section, and the Holy Trinity, Holmfirth Parish Church Memorial.

Any further information would be much appreciated.

Tony.

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This him Tony

Glyn

Edit: Image removed due to copyright issues.

Roy

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If possible, it is always better to search the CWGC site without any initials (or any other parameter) to obtain the widest spread of likely returns.

This can lead to a longer search for the right man but does avoid the possibility of 'initial' errors.

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  • 1 month later...

Hello Tony,

I have just discovered your interest in Holmfirth men. I am researching 307747, Sgt Henry Hirst MM, 1/7th West Riding Regiment who died on 28th April, 1918. He was from Holmbridge, son of Mary Hannah Hirst, and was also awarded the MSM. I wondered if you might have found any information whilst searching through your list of Holmfirth men at the library.

Is there much information available at Holmfirth Library regarding local men, or is most of the material at Huddersfield Library ?

Any information about Sgt Hirst would be much appreciated. Thanks. Regards, Ron

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  • 5 years later...

Hello Ironduke, How did the research go into Sgt Henry Hirst, I bought the house next door to his and only found out a few years ago about him, I have been over to Tyne Cott a few times and placed poppies on the memorial to him and the Dukes (my old Regiment), Iwas wondering if you had found a photo of him at all. Many thanks

R.WOODHEAD

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A Pension Record survives for an 18 year and 10 month old Henry Hirst when he attested on 7th April 1908 for 2 years Service as No. 5/225 in 5th Battalion West Riding Reg't..

Birthplace given as Bolton, Lancashire, employed as a weaver at W H & J Barber(?) in Holmbridge and living at 158, Woodhead Road, Holmfirth.

He was already a member of 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the WRR since 27 January 1908.

He attended the annual camps including from 26 July to 4th August 1914, being "embodied" the very next day for War Service.

He was promoted to Corporal on 22nd Oct '14 then as unpaid L/Sjt 9th April '15 then appointed L/Sjt 5 days later on 14th!

Promoted to Sjt on 12th Nov 1915 and was "Time Expired" on 6th April 1916 when discharged.

He served abroad (France) from 14th April 1915 till 31st March 1916.

Entitled to 1914/15 Star, (as Corporal) and the British War and Victory medals as Sjt.

His next of Kin was his mother, Mary Hannah Hirst, address as above in Holmfirth.

He had a week with Influenza and some episode with what looks to be Enteric Fever.

No mention of either Military or Meritorious Service Medal, but he seems to have been a very effective soldier, rising to Sergeant and gaining 2nd and 1st Class Proficiency awards.

I'd assume he re-enlisted and a separate set of Service Papers for 307747 recording his MM and MSM and Killed in Action 29th April 1918, may not have survived.

Medal Index Cards exists for both 5/225 (showing Discharge in 1916) and 307747 showing BW and V and KiA 29-4-18.

(Did he have 2 sets of BW &V as both 5/225 and 307747?)

In 1891 he was living with his grandparents and mother at Hinchcliffe Mill.

A Baptism Record in May 1891 shows his Date of Birth as 2nd April (1890?), parents William (a dyer) and Ann (Hannah?) living at what looks to be "Fieldend"

Hope this of some help......

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  • 4 weeks later...

MONDAY, 17 JUNE, 1918. SuPPLEMOT TO THE LOJSDON GAZETTE, 17 JUNE, 1918. 715H

War Office,

17th-June, 1918.

His Majesty the KING has been graciously

pleased to approve of the award of the Meritorious

Service Medal to the undermentioned

Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers

and Men, in recognition of valuable services

rendered with the Forces in France during the

present war: —

307747 Sjt. H. Hirst, W. Rid. R. (Holmsbridge)

11824 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 7 OCTOBER, 1918.

His Majesty the KING has been graciously

pleased to approve of the award of the Military

Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned

Non-commissioned Officers and

Men: —

307747 Sjt. H. Hirst, W. Rid. R. (Holmbridge).

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Hello Richard,

Sorry for the delay in responding, I've only just seen your post. I have quite a bit on Sgt Henry Hirst,there is a big write up in one of the Huddersfield Papers about him being killed including a photo. How long have you lived in the house next door to his, did you meet any of his family ? Send me a PM with your email address and I'll send you some informatiom about him.

Regards

Ron

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