SL038 – Yeadon 1914 – 1918
| Title | Aireborough Boys |
| Date | 1914 – 1918 |
| Location | Aireborough/Europe |
| Photo ID | SL038 |
| Comment | Newspaper cuttings from Aireborough for 1915 – 1916 – of local lads, sadly some who gave all….- See below… |
P582 – Aireborough Boys, 1914 – 1918.
Gunner Tom Mallinson – 1915
The first is a photograph of Gunner Tom Mallinson, of the Austrailian Motor Transport Section, whose parents live at No. 11 Butts Terrace, Guiseley. He joined the R.F.A. last February and was drafted to France with the Austrailian Contingent in June. He was formerly employed at Springhead Mills. The photo was taken at the front.
Private Harry Hawkridge – 1915
The second image is Pte Harry Hawkridge B Company, 6th Nattalion K.O.S.B., a Yeadon man fighting in Flanders.
P583 – Aireborough Boys, 1914 – 1918.
Private Norman Moon (Deceased) – 1915
Private Norman Moon of the 8th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, whose death from dysentery is reported as having taken place on the 6th of October last. The youngest son of Mr Arthur Moon, of Guiseley, he enlisted on the 5th May last, prior to which date he was a grocer at Guiseley, carrying on business in conjunction with his brother. The place of death is not stated, but Private Moon has been on active service in the Dardanelles.
P584 – Aireborough Boys, 1914 – 1918.
Sergeant J. W. Cater – 1915
Group of British prisoners in the German Camp at Gefangenen. The right-hand man of the two in the forefront (standing) is Sergt. J. W. CATER, of the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, whose parents live at Grove Terrace, Guiseley.
P585 – Aireborough Boys, 1914 – 1918.
Private John Pickles – 1915
PTE. JOHN PICKLES, of the 8th Batt. Duke of Wellington’s W.R. Regiment, son of Mr. T. Pickles, of Guiseley, has been home this week on furlough, recuperating from a wound in the head, near the eye, which he received in action in the Dardanelles two moths or so ago. Pickles, who, up to enlistment, was a platelayer in the employ of the Midland Railway Co., joined Kitchconer’s Army soon after the outbreak of war, and was trained at Grantham. His Battalion went out to the Dardanelles three or four months ago, and along with other Yorkshire regiments, took part in the landing at Sulva Bay. After receiving his wound he was in hospital at Malta for a week, and on arriving in this country was placed in a Sheffield hospital.
P586 – Aireborough Boys, 1914 – 1918.
Lance Corporal J W Denison Jnr – 1915
LANCE_CORPL, J. W. DENISON, junr., son of Mr. J. W. Denison, Senr., Highfield, Yeadon, who is at present at home on furlough, after six months experience in the trenches with the 1-6th West Riding Duke of Wellington’s (Territorial) Regt., has been promoted to Second-lieutenant, and, when his leave expires, will take up duties with the 3-6th West Riding Duke of Wellington’s now in training at Clipstone Camp, near Mansfield. Mr Denison joined the Guiseley Territorials a year last August, and went into France last April.
P587 – Aireborough Boys, 1914 – 1918.
Lieutenant. Malcolm Law (Deceased) – 1916
A melancholy interest attaches to the appearance in the list of those “mentioned” for gallant and distinguish service of the name of LIEUT. MALCOLM C. M. LAW, 1-6 Duke of Wellington’s Regt. (T.F.) as this officer was killed in fighting subsequent to Sir John French relinquishing the command. He was the second son of Mr. Duncan G. Law, of Hawksworth Hall, Guiseley, a former President of the Bradofrd Chamber of Commerce. Lieut. Law, who was 26 years of age, and who met his death in action on December 29th, was educated at Street Court, Westgate-on-Sea, and Clifton College, and later became associated with the firm of Messrs. Law, Russell, and Co., (Ltd.), merchants and manufactures, of Vicar Lane, Bradford, of which his father is principle. He joined the Territorials in 1912, and whilst serving with his regiment in France since April last he had been twice previously wounded.
P588 – Aireborough Boys, 1914 – 1918.
Major H. B. Sproat, M.D. – 1916
Amongst those mentioned in Sir John French’s last list for the “gallant and distinquished service” is MAJOR H> B> SPROAT, M.D., of South View House, Yeadon. At the outbreak of war, Major (then Captain) Sproat was in the Wharfedale Howitzers, and he has consequently been mobilised for over sixteen months. Seven of these he has been on active service abroad, and at present is at home on sick leave. Major Sproat has for years been the medical instructor for the Yeadon St. John Ambulance Association, between twenty and thirty members of which are now doing duty in the R.A.M.C.
P589 – Aireborough Boys, 1914 – 1918.
Corporal Edwin Thackeray (Deceased) – 1916
In a communication to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Thackeray, of Oswald Terrace, Guiseley, Sgt. Len Holmes, a Guiseley man who is in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, conveys the sad information of the death of their son, Corpl. Edwin Thackeray, Scotch Fusiliers. The fatal casualty, says Sergt. Len. Holmes, took place on the 11th May, during a bayonet charge, in which, he adds, Thackeray was taking his part like an old soldier. The deceased enlisted on March 30th, 1915, and went out to France eight weeks ago. A letter received by his parents was written the day before his death. Prior to enlistment, Thackeray was a weaving overlooker at Springhead Mill, Guiseley.
P590 – Aireborough Boys, 1914 – 1918.
Private C Waite – 1916
The above photograph, taken in France, shows how the members of the R.A.M.C. have to carry men who are suffering from “trench feet,” due to the circulation of the blood being hindered by cold brought about by men standing in the trenches knee-deep in water. A large number of massaging stations have now been opened immediately behind the trenches, where the men can receive treatment before their feet are so bad that they have to go into hospital. The figure standing on the left-hand side is PTE. C. WAITE, of the 21st Field Ambulance, who is a native of Guiseley, and who, before the war, was an insurance superintendent stationed at Otley. The inset at the bottom right-hand corner is his brother, PTE. T. WAITE, also of Guiseley, who is on an ammunition lorry in the Army Service Corps.
I040 – Aireborough Boys, 1914 – 1918.
Private John Smith Scott (Deceased) – 1915
John Smith Scott was the son of Thomas and Lily Scott and husband of Maria, he died on active service 19th December 1915 aged 32.
Regiment: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Service No: 13255
Additional Information: Husband of Maria Scott of 7 Starkey Field, Yeadon, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead.
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. C. 30.
Cemetery: Menim Road South Military Cemetery.
I699A – Aireborough Boys, 1914 – 1918.
Lieut. Gerald Knapton Brown (Decesaed) – 1917
Tricia (Platts) Restorick donated this material, she is the leader of the Bradford WW1 Group. She recently visited Bullecourt, France on a research trip, on May 3rd 1917 a battle took place which caused severe losses amongst the 62nd West Riding Division: 111 men of the 2/6 Battalion West Yorks (Bradford Territorials) were killed of which 108 are named on the Arras Memorial. One of only 3 men with a known grave is 21 years old Gerald Knapton Brown of Yeadon.
The group are returning to France in 2018 when Tricia intends to place a poppy cross on Gerald’s grave. She has included background information documents for Gerald’s family history.
Lieut, Gerald Knapton Brown, 2/6th (Territorial) Bn, The Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regt.), 2nd s. of Joshua Knapton Brown, of Vermont House, Yeadon, near Leeds, by his 2nd wife, Jeannnie, dau, of the late James Bailey, of Riddlesden Hall, keighley; b. Yeadon, near Leeds, co. York, 26 Nov 1895; edue. Giggleswick School: obtained a 2nd Lieutenancy in the West Yorkshire Regt, 5 Sept 1914, after the outbreak of war; was promted Lieut, early in 1916; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 6 Jan 1917, and was killed in action during during the Bullecourt 3 May following. Burried where he fell. His Colonel wrote: “He was a fine soldier, and in face of the enemy in the most dificult and danegrous situations was always cool and brave, and set a fine example to his men. He died gallantly leading his company into action his Captain having been wounded, receiving a wound in the head, which temporarilly incapacited him; but he pluckily carried on as soon as he was able. He received further injuries (was badly wounded in the right arm and both nlegs), and was lying in a shell-hole waiting for night to fall, so he could be removed by stretcher-bearers (no one being able to approach during the day because of the intense fire of the enemy), when a shell burst near, killing him and other brave boys.” While at school he won many honours in sports, taking his first colours in football, and was the winner of a cup for cross-country racing.
CWGC entry for Gerald Knapton Brown
Rank: Lieutenant
Date of Death: 03/05/1917
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own) 2nd/5th Bn.
Grave Reference: II. G. 6
Cemetery: H.A.C. CEMETERY, ECOUST-ST.MEIN
Additional Information: Son of Joshus Knapton Brown and Martha Jane Brown, of Vermont House, Yeadon, Leeds, Gazetted Sept, 1914, Born at Yeadon. Headstone inscription submitted by Mrs M Brown of Inglehurst, Rawdon: “He gave his all for England”.
I932 – Aireborough Boys, 1914 – 1918.
Private N B Wormald – c1914
Pictured in soldier’s uniform is N B Wormald, the photo was taken on a glass slide by Ernest E Slater. Kelly’s Directory of 1908 lists a Nathaniel Briggs Wormald, grocer, Town Street (Steep), Yeadon.
It is unknown as to wether he survived the war.
Consolidated by Jack Brayshaw. 02 November 2023.
Last updated: 19 March 2024 – Photo ID: I699A, I932. 17 March 2024 – Photo ID: I040.
