WASS and WALKER Family History.
Including Horsman, Blakesley, Taylor, Whittingham, Burrows, O'neill and Armstrong surnames.
Photographs and stories added.
Military History
All families have brave ancestors who served in various campaigns, some survived and some didn't. Everyone will have an ancestor who was killed in the first world war. I'm including here information about my ancestors whose military records I have found, I'm sure there will be many others but due to a fire a lot of records were destroyed, the ones that did survive the fire are called the 'burnt' remains. A lot of them are smoke damaged or burnt around the edges.
we should give our thanks to these brave men.
THE SOLDIER
If I should die, think only this of me:
That there’s some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam;
A body of England’s, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.
Written by Rupert Brooke. 1914
1887-1915
I will start with the men who I know were killed in the wars, then will add other information about ancestors who were in the services.
Dixon Alston
Dixon was the grandson of Sarah Burrows.
Dixon was a Rifleman in the 3rd battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps, service number 731697.
Dixon was killed in action on 9th March 1915 and is remembered at the Ypres, Menin Gate Memorial.
Thomas Alston
Thomas was the brother of the above Dixon.
Thomas was a Rifleman in the 8th battallion Kings Royal Rifle Corps, service number R/3996.
Thomas was killed in Action on 3rd May 1917 in France and Flanders.
He is remembered at ARRAS Memorial.
He recieved the Victory, British and 15 Star medals.
Joseph Johnstone Talbot Armstrong
Joseph was the son of Joseph Johnstone Talbot Armstrong and Annie McVey, grandson of David Armstrong and Alice Armistead.
Joseph was a private with the 1st battalion Cheshire regiment, regemental number 9578. He was killed at the first battle of Ypres on 16th November 1914. The war hadn't been raging for very long and Joseph was among the large numbers of casualties killed during this first and important battle. The British Expeditionary forces were poorly equipped and outnumbered by the German Army and during the first battle there were 90% casualties among the British forces.
Joseph is remembered at the Menin Gate Memorial.
He received the 14 Star medal.
Joseph Talbot Armstrong
Joseph was the son of William Henry Talbot Armstrong and Jane Ellen Alice Armstrong, grandson of David Armstrong and Alice Armistead.
He signed up voluntarily, he was a miner before the war, he was 5'5, fresh complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. He served with the 8th Bt Border Reg. service number 14715, he then transferred to the Tunnelling company, Royal Engineers. He suffered from many bouts of Tonsilitis and dental problems. He was wounded in action 10th July 1916 from a gunshot wound to his penis which had to be amputated and died on 16th July in hospital in Rouen. His wife wrote to the major asking if his watch had turned up as he was going to leave it to his brother if he was spared in the war. Brother John served in the Navy.
He was killed on 16th July 1916 in France and Flanders, European Theatre of War. He died of wounds.
His memorial reads:
In memory of Private Joseph Talbot Armstrong 14715 8th Bt Border Regiment who died aged 22 on 16th July 1916. Son of William Henry Talbot Armstrong and Jane Ellen Alice Armstrong of 26 Low Mill, Egremont Cumberland.
Remembered with honour ST SEVER CEMETARY ROUEN.
Robert Stanley Bland
Son of Mr & Mrs E Bland of Princess Rd, Ripon, husband of Erica E Bland of 23 Ashfield Rd, Harrogate.
Robert was a private in the 9th battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's own), service number 27920.
Robert was killed in action Ypres on 1st October 1917 aged 26.
Remembered at Bard Cottage Cemetary, Leper, West Viaanderen, Belgium.
Herbert Harper
Herbert was the son of Herbert Harper and Hannah Martha Heaton of Silsden
Herbert was a private in the 2nd battalion of Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment).
He was killed in action on 1st July 1916 in the first assault in the Battle of the Somme.
He is remembered at the Somme memorial to the missing at Thiepval, this memorial stands 45 metres high and is a memorial engraved with the names of the 73,367 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth who fell during the first battle of the Somme and have no known grave.
Herberts son Irwin Harper and another child who lost his father unveiled the war memorial in Silsden and in Silsden Church there is a stained glass window dedicated to Herbert and the other soldier. Photo of Herbert below.
William O'neill
William served in WWI.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte William O'Neill, 242626, W. Rid. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte William O'Neill, 242626, 1/5 W. Rid. R. He Died 8th February 1918 aged 20.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte William O'Neill, 242626, 5th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 8.2.18. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: [ - ].
On the 30 January 1918, the 1/5th Bn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) was transferred from the 49th (West Riding) Division to the 62nd (2/West Riding) Division and absorbed the 2/5th Battalion becoming the 5th Battalion.
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: D. 25A.
CWGC Cemetery: BOIS GUILLAUME COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Son of Hannah A. T. and the late John O'Neill, of Skipton, Yorks. (CWGC Headstone Personal Inscription: THY WILL BE DONE. R.I.P.)
Robert Coates Walker
Son of Charles Walker and Mary Elizabeth Coates of Beech Mount Cononley
Robert was a private in the 11th battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers, service number 37118.
He was killed in action on 14th September 1917 aged 19.
He is remembered at the Coxyde Military Cemetary, West Viaanderen, Belgium.
The following information is courtesy of Leah Walker and Craven's part in the Great War.
Article Date: 12 October 1917 (Craven Herald)
ANOTHER CONONLEY HERO - Pte. Robert Walker
Universal regret and sympathy was expressed in the village when it became known that official intimation from the War Office had been received that Pte. Robert Walker had made the great sacrifice in France on September 14th.
Pte. Walker was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Walker, of Beech Mount, Cononley. Mr. Walker is clerk to the Parish Council and well-known in the Skipton district, but is now engaged in the office of Messrs. Whitworth, Armstrong & Co. at Newcastle.
Formerly a member of the National Volunteer Corps, having joined the Crosshills Company, Pte. Walker enlisted in February last in the Training Reserve Battalion at Hornsea. He was afterwards transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers and was drafted to France in June. Nothing had been heard from him since the 12th September, and as he was a very regular correspondent with his family, considerable anxiety was felt as to his safety. Reassuring news was received only this week, but all hope was dashed to the ground by the sad news received on Tuesday.
Pte. Walker was formerly employed as shop assistant in the Cononley Co-operative Society's store, but relinquished that position for a similar post at the Carleton branch of the Skipton Co-operative Society. His popularity there was evinced by the presentation to him by the committee on leaving their service to join the Army of a wristlet watch. He was a most enthusiastic cricketer, playing with the Cononley team; and also took a great interest in football. From his boyhood, when he attended the Cononley Council School, to his early and untimely death at 19 years of age, he was well known for his invariably cheerful temperament which soon won him golden opinions from all with whom he came in contact; in fact he was one of those whom we can ill afford to lose, but such is the sad toll inflicted by the war. Should this meet the eye of any of the poor fellow's comrades who could furnish more particulars of his death, his parents will be most sincerely grateful.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker have two other sons in the Army: Percy is in training, and Walter joined in September 1914, was drafted to France in June 1915, returned to Sheffield War Hospital, sick, in November 1915, and was drafted to France in October 1916, where he is at present. He is expected home for a short leave next week. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Walker and family in their sad loss
Article Date: 19 October 1917 (Craven Herald)
THE LATE PRIVATE ROBERT WALKER
M r. C. Walker, of Beech Mount, Cononley, has received the following letter from Pte. J. Wilkinson, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, respecting the death of his son, Private Robert (Bob) C. Walker:-
"Dear Sir, - Just a few lines to you to let you know you have the deepest sympathy of all the boys of poor Bob's platoon. He was such a good lad too. He was buried in one of the British Cemeteries and he has a nice cross over his grave. Poor Bob! I was surprised when they told me he had got hit; he lived for about five minutes. Your son was always cool, never grumbled; he always did his duty. We both came out together - 20 of us altogether. Well sir, the boys send their deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. From Bob's pals."
A simple, but deeply impressive service was held on Sunday morning at St. John's Church, Cononley, in memory of Private Walker. The Rector read the lesson from the Burial Service, and in his sermon paid a fine tribute to the splendid character and personality of the dead hero, who as a boy had been a chorister, and in other ways closely associated with the church. Special hymns and the anthem 'The souls of the Righteous' were sung by the choir. Miss Turner, the organist, very sympathetically played the Dead March, the whole congregation standing as a token of deep respect
Henry Wass
Henry was the son of Henry Wass and Lucy Ann Porteous and from Ripon.
Henry is recorded as a private in the Light Infantry 1st Battalion, he joined in 1898. He fought in the Boer War and died of enteritis on 24th September 1900 in Kroonstaad, South Africa. Henry was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal along with at least two clasps, the Cape Colony and the Orange Free State clasps. Henry was a Lance Corporal at the time of his death and served in the South African Field Force. Regimental Number 6566.
Henry is remembered on the Boer War South African War Memorial at Durham Cathedral. His brother William was recorded as his next of kin
Christopher I'anson
Christopher was the son of Christopher I'anson and Martha Heslop and was from Ripon.
He served in the 2nd Dragoon Guards, (Queens bays), Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the line. He joined in Harrogate and his service number was 6464. He was a Shoeing Smith.
Christopher died of wounds on 19th June 1915 and it appears that he died in country as the record states 'Home', his place of residence at the time of death was Snelston so maybe he was in hosptial there. He is remembered in Nunhead All Saints Cemetery, South London, panel 3.
Maybe his body was taken back to Ripon for burial but as yet I haven't looked for him there.
Frederick Gibson
Frederick was the son of Maria Horsman and Tom Gibson from Knaresborough.
He served in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 9th Battalion. Service number 30312.
Died of wounds France and Flanders 24th August 1918. There aren't any records other than his death and medals and he isn't listed on the CWGC site. He postumously received the Victory and British medals.
Alfred Blower
Alfred Blower was born in Tipton, Staffordshire in 1882 son of Thomas Blower and Maria Blakesley. Married to Alice Maria Whitehouse in 1902.
WWI was a private in the 15th Sherwood Foresters regimental number 25115. The Sherwood Forsesters was originally a bantam battalion for men whose height was less than the required 5'3" in other infantry battalions.
Alfred was killed in action17th July 1916 in the battle of the Somme, On the night of 16/17th the battalion were moved up to the front line trenches south east of Trones Wood in preparation for an attack on Maltz Horn Farm and Arrow Head Copse on 20th July. Alfred had only been back on the front line for two days after returning from hosptial after being wounded in action previously.
He left a wife and four children. Address 26 Tudor St, Tipton Staffs.
Alfreds body wasn't found and he is remembered at the Thiepval memorial to the missing. His military records didn't survive the German bomb in WWII. But his medal records and soldiers effects records did.
The Tipton Herald Newspaper report at the time had this to say:
ANOTHER TIPTON SOLDIER KILLED.
Pte Alfred Blower, late of 26 Tudor Street, Conygre, Dudley Port, was killed in France during the great advance on July 17th. He was 36 years of age and leaves a wife and 5 small children to mourn his loss. A brother in law of the deceased soldier is serving in Egypt while another brother in law is a German prisoner, a nephew had recently joined the colours. The deceased soldier was in April wounded in action and went into hospital. He had only been back in the trenches two days before he was killed. Prior to joining the army the late private Blower worked for Mr Geo. Ellement as a boat loader. He is spoken of as a man of excellent character , and was a good father and husband.
HIs widow remarried in 1917.
William Mosley
William Mosley, born Farnhill 25 July 1877 son of David Mosley and Mary Ann Hopkinson.
Married Lottie Rich from, Millom Cumberland, 12 June 1903 at Kildwick Church.
Children: Hannah, Henrietta, Frederick, Leo, Joseph, Vida, William. Little Leo was born at 56 Starkey Lane my old house, and died aged 1 month, William was born at 7 Bucklar Hill and died aged 2 months in January 1917. More tragedy was to come for his wife Lottie when William was killed in action 3 June 1917 in France, he was a gunner in the 59th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery, enlisted at Keighley, service number 165037.
For some reason William is not listed in the CWGC.
His wife Lottie remarried in 1931 to Squire Mitchell Blenkarn.
Below are interesting military records from those ancestors in my tree that survived warfare..
William Henry Wass
My grandfather. The military record from the RAF descibes him as 5ft 5 1/2", grey eyes, brown hair, fresh complexion with a 32" chest. Unfortunately the ARMY records which involved most of his military career were destroyed due to the retention of records policy in the RAF at the time. This is a shame as it would have been very interesting to know where he was and what his roles were during his time in India and during the war before he transferred to the RAF. Despite the disappointment it does give some information. His career began on 17 February 1927 with the 5th West Yorkshire Territorial Army, He was discharged on 15 September 1929 to join the regular Army, he enlisted on 16 September 1929 for 6 years and 6 months which he extended for a further 12 years on 16 April 1935, at this time he was a bachelor and didn't marry until 1938. I know that he was in the 13th/18th Royal Hussars Queen Mary's Own then at the beginning of the war he was in the Middle East as part of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 206. His transfer to the RAF took place on 1st February 1943. His promotions (some of them) are listed. 16 September 1929 Trooper, 3 December 1938 Corporal, 6 May 1940 (W/O) Staff Sergeant otherwise know as Sergeant Major. Transfer AC2 1 February 1943, Technical Sergeant 1 February 1943, AC2 7 November 1944. On 20 June 1944 he was on home embarkation, 6 July 1944 213 MU, 12 September 1944 60 MU(d), 9 October 1944 213 MU. From this date it looks as though he was in Scotland until the end of the war before being released to G Res WEF until his discharge on 10 February 1954 when he attained the age of 45. He received the Africa Star and probably more but the Army one's weren't listed. He received 3 Good Conduct badges, all in 1943. He also was severely reprimanded twice in 1944 for absence, he was absent on 4 occasions, one of them overnight from midnight to 11.40am the following day.
William Wass
William was born in Ripon, son of Henry Wass and Lucy Ann Porteous.
He served in WWI in the Labour Corps, service number 350808. it appears that William remained in Britain and didn't go on active service abroad. In 1917 he was 'boarded out' of the army and transferred to Class W which meant he was of more use doing a civilian job rather than fighting. His record shows that he was injured but the writing has faded and is illegible as to what the injury was, the only thing that can be made out is the word 'debilitation', the place of casualty was Thetford but it's unclear if this is where he got injured or whether he was in the military hospital in Thetford. His employment prior to joining the army was working at Irvine's shipyard and dry docks in Hartlepool, on his transfer he applied to be sent back there to work. He was eventually discharged from the army in 1919. After his death in 1926 his widow Eliza wrote to the war office asking for any medals due but was told he wasn't entitled to any as to qualify he would have had to have been on active service outside Britain and this wasn't the case.
His wife and children were living in Retford at the time, in 1911 they were in Hartlepool and after the war in 1919 they were back there.
Robert Jackson Armstrong
Robert was interesting, he appeared to be an enthusiastic soldier. Service number; 10103, Cheshire Regiment. Robert was part of the 3rd (SR) bt Cheshire Regiment, when he was attested on 27th May 1913 at Chester.
He was described on his medical report as 5'5" tall, 111Lbs, chest 34, complexion fresh, eyes brown, hair light brown, pulse 84. He had a scar from a tear on his right forearm and one on the front and back of his left wrist.
He was posted to Londonderry on 6th June 1913 as a private and his record states that on 25th Sept 1913 he was appointed Lance Corporal, his character was very good, he was intelligent hardworking and reliable. However.....On 13th March 1914 he was deprived of his Lance stripe for misconduct, record states: Highly irregualr misconduct ie refusing to warn men to parade to draw clothing and necessaries. By 5th June 1914 there were a number of cases of drunkeness.
Robert was discharged from the army on 22nd July 1914 in Belfast. Reason was that he lied about his age on enlistment, he stated that he was 18yrs 2mnths when in fact he was only 14, his date of birth was 24 Feb 1897. He didn't receive any stoppages as a punishment and his conduct was recorded as good.
Robert had dental treatment while in the army, he had two fillings and one extraction....Cost 6 shillings.
Blakesley family military history:
THIS IS TAKEN FROM THE KEIGHLEY NEWS AND BINGLEY CHRONICLE DATED SATURDAY 2ND JANUARY 1943
Mr. and Mrs. Blakesley, of Holmeleigh, Harding Houses Crosshills, are very proud of their family record in the war for they have four sons and a son-in-law, who lived with them, serving in the Forces.
Gunner Joseph Blakesley of the Royal Artillery anti-tank gun section, joined in June 1940 and is now with the Eighth Army in the Middle East. He was at El Alamein and said in the last letter received that he had been spending a day sight-seeing in Tunis. In civil life he worked in the woolcombing department at Hayfield Mills.
Private Thomas Blakesley is in the Pioneer Corps and had served two and a half years. Before the war he was employed by Messrs. Woodrow at Junction Mills. He is serving in England.
The third son is Gunner Ronald Blakesley Royal Artillery, and so far as is known, is at present in Algiers. He joined the Forces in September last. In civil life he worked at the Sutton Wood turneries.
The fourth is Able-Seaman Harry Blakesley, serving with the Royal Navy, near Ceylon. He joined the Navy two years ago. Previously he worked at Hayfield Mills Glusburn.
The fifth member of the family is the son-in-law Flight-Sergeant Harry Wass now in the R.A.F. and previously in the Royal Hussars. He had nine years service with the regular army in India, was in the first Lybian campaign and also saw service in Crete, and while serving in that area had to swim several miles before he was rescued. He has served for over three years. His little boy was born four months after Sergeant Wass went to the Middle East and he has not yet seen him. He is attached to the Eighth Army in the Middle East.
The two remaining members of the family, Lawrence and Sam Blakesley are expecting to join the Forces shortly.
Lawrence did in fact join the Royal Navy and was at some point serving in Malta. Harry did not see his son until the war ended.
James Burrows
James was my great grandfather. His military record isn't one to be proud of but interesting never the less.
Service number 11933. 9th Battalion Duke of Wellingtons Regiment.
James enlisted at Skipton on 26th August 1914 and was posted on 27th August 1914 to the Bovington military training camp in Dorset.
His enlistment record states he was 5'5", 119 Lbs, chest 35", complexion dark, eyes blue, hair dark and had tattoos on both arms.
His service record was as follows:
3.10.14...Gambling in camp....punishment..admonished
11.10.14...absent from tattoo, until surrendering himself to the civil police at Wareham 9.20am 11.10.14...punishment..10 days CB
14.12.14...drunk and creating a disturbance 9.15pm...punishment..96 hours FP no 2
18.12.14..creating a disturbance after lights out...punishment..7 days CB
19.1.15..1. absent from 12 midnight until 10pm 20.1.14, 2. making away with regimental clothing and necessaries. punishment 96 hrs FP no 2
29.1.15...Drunk and creating a disturbance about 10pm..punishment..fined 2/6
6.2.15...absent from 8am to 9.45pm 7.2.15..punishment..7 days CB
19.2.15...drunk and creating a disburbance..punishment.. fined 10/-
26.2.15...breaking out of barracks about 9.55pm, drunk and creating a disturbance outside the guardroom...punishment..96 hours FP no 2 and fined 10/-
8.3.15...Drunk and creating a disturbance in the Masonic Hall about 9.30pm...punishment..165 hours FP no 2
James was discharged for misconduct on 27th March 1915 and never saw action in the war which must have been hard for his family to accept while other families had sons fighting and dying.
Cyril Wass
Cyril was the son of Robert Wass and Caroline Cobb, his father signed him up for the army at Mansfield in 1919 at the age of 17 .His occupation at the time of his enlistment was an apprentice Linesman. His service number was 314017, he served with the 5th Irish Lancers before being transferred to the 12th Lancers.
His service record was not one to be proud of and he had numerous detentions and fines for his misconduct. His record states that his conduct was VERY BAD and he was discharged from the army for misconduct on 15th December 1920 forfeitting all service and monies due.
Frank Wass
Frank Wass my great uncle, sergeant in the 14th Royal Artillery in WWII..fought in Burma. Photograph below is of Frank.
Bernard O'Neill
His military record shows that he was 5'7", he joined the army in 1911 for four years and served with the 6th Bt West Yorkshire Regiment, before transferring to the Royal Army Corps, at the time of enlisting he was a railway worker and his mother was his next of kin. He embarked on the S S Mathernan from Southampton on 13th April 1915, the ship was an Indian Cargo ship and was sunk in 1917 by the German Raider S M S Wolf.
He was part of the Expedionary Force in 1915 by which time he was a corporal followed by promotion to Lance Corporal, he was attached to the Railway Operating Troops Depot. He saw service in France and while there suffered from Influenza and also admitted to hospital four times suffering from Inguinal Adenitis and on 11th October 1916 was admitted to the hospital ship St Andrew for transfer to England.
on 21 October 1916 Bernard had the following added to his records:
The Divisional commander Major General E Percival C.H.D.S.C desires to place on record the following Act of courage.
Diary: Near Lancashire dump. on the 19th July 1916 a pair of horses in a limber were frightened by the explosion of a shell and bolted. At considerable risk 1624 A.S.C.A L/C. O'Neill galloped after the runaway pair and stopped them before any damage was done. By his foresightedness and skill he thus averted what might have been a serious accident.
In 1917 he was transferred to the Horse Transport Division.
In 1918 he had a compulsory transfer to the Royal Tank Corps, attached to Railway Operations, Troops depot. Issued red and blue chevrons.
In the 1939 register Bernard and Lillian lived at 77 Burnside Crescent. He was an engine driver for the LMS Railway, he was also an LMS ARP.
Joseph O'Neill
He served in WWI originally enlisting with the 3rd Royal Irish Rifles and was a Rifleman, then transferred to the 2nd then the 13th Bt. Worcester Regiment, service number 62977, at the time of his discharge in 1919 his address was 10 Mount Pleasant, Skipton. He served in France and received a gun shot would to his right forearm on 21st March 1918, he was treated in two hospitals in England. His medical record states he had a T&T wound to his right wrist but healed, slight loss of grip.
His medical examination was carried out in Dublin. Occupation was a Boatman. He suffered from Trench Fever in 1917 and was admitted to Fairfield Court Hospital, Eastbourne. His next of kin was his mother who lived at 6 Smith's Yard, Skipton. He qualified as a 1st Class Signaller He had one blue chevron and one wound stripe.
He was absent without leave on two occasions, one was overstaying his leave by three days.
Hezekiah Taylor
Hezekiah Taylor was born 4 Dec 1887 at Brierly HIll Staffordshire, son of Edwin Taylor and Alice Malsom. HIs occupation before signing up for WWI was a coal miner corporal which meant he was in charge of a district.
He attested at Pontefract 2 Sept 1914 and was assigned to the 10th York and Lancaster Regiment.
He is described as being 5'3" tall, dark complex, brown eyes and black hair.
Address at time of signing up was 68 Albert Road Parkgate, Rawmarsh.
Spouse was Florry White and they married at Rotherham regsitry office 14 May 1911, two children born before the war were Adaline and William Edward.
Hezekiah was appointed Lance Corporal within a few weeks of being posted, his records aren't complete but he survived the war and died in Rotherham in 1960.
Fred Walker Whittingham
Fred was also in WWI in the 79th machine gun corps and was demobbed in 1919. His experience in the war must have been terrible. He fought in the Salonika Campaign against the Austrian-Hungarians, Germany and the Ottoman Empire.. He re-enlisted in the Duke of Wellingtons defence force and attested in 1921. He was a motor mechanic by trade.He suffered from Malaria and was admitted to hospital more than a dozen times. Below is his attestation record.
