Private. 8th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. Service no. 10933.
Early life:
James was born in Oakworth in 1898, registered in Keighley in the second quarter of the year. His parents were John Creek and Frances Creek née Iles who were living at 118, Lidget in Oakworth at the time of his birth and moved from there to 69, Devonshire Street West in 1900 and then to 52, Unity Street in 1901.
James was three in 1901 and living at 52, Unity Street in Keighley with his parents John aged 41 and an iron borer in the manufacture of worsted machines and Frances aged 40 and on home duties. James had two brothers Alfred aged 19, a wool baller and Josiah aged 16, a worsted weaver and bobbin fetcher. His four sisters were Margaret aged 15 and a worsted weaving doffer; Gertrude aged twelve and Mabel aged six were at school. James was aged three and Doris was just six months old.
By 1911 they had moved to 158, Devonshire Street in Keighley. John aged 52 and Frances aged 50 had been married for 31 years and produced nine children, one of whom had died. John was still employed as an iron borer at a textile machinery (loom works.) Also here were their daughter Margaret (now Laycock) aged 25 and her husband William Laycock aged 31 and a labourer at a loom works With them was their daughter Ada aged just three months. The Creek family children were Mabel aged 16 and a worsted spinner, James aged 13 (referred to as Bertie) was a part-time ‘taker off’ at a worsted mill and part-time at school. Doris aged ten and John Robert aged seven were at school full time.
Absent from the family home at this time was Gertrude, who was aged 21 and working as a reeler. She was boarding with John and Sarah Ann Whyte at 63, Emily Street.
War service:
In 1914, James enlisted early in the war with the 8th Battalion West Riding Regiment and is listed in ‘Keighley’s Gallant Sons’ as one of the very early volunteers. At that time his home address was 4, Emerald Street at Ingrow.
After a period of training with the 8th Battalion at Belton Park in Lincolnshire, he went out to the Balkan theatre, arriving there on 24th November 1915, although the bulk of the battalion went out to this theatre in July 1915. He was wounded here but we have no further details.
The 8th Battalion took part in the evacuation from Gallipoli at the end of 1915 and they were sent to Egypt for a short while to defend the Suez Canal. They then travelled to France in 1916, landing at Marseilles from HT Ionian on 1st July 1916. The Battalion then travelled by rail to the Somme region on the Western front for further duty, taking their part in the Battle of the Somme, which lasted until November 1916.
James survived this period of the war, but was killed the next year, on 28th August 1917. He has no known grave and is named on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment – War diary extract:
The 8th battalion was in the front line South of Langemarck from 26th to 29th August 1917.
“An attack took place on Pheasant Trench, Y and Z companies taking part, Success on left flank but right held up by heavy enemy machine gun fire.” Casualties: 4 officers killed; 2 officers wounded; 34 other ranks killed; 76 other ranks wounded 31 other ranks missing.
The battalion moved off to Poperinghe, being replaced by the 6th Seaforths.
Keighley News September 29, 1917 page 3:
TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN SOLDIER.
Private James B. Creek, West Riding Regiment, only son of Mr and Mrs J. Creek, 4, Emerald Street, Ingrow, is reported as wounded and missing. In a letter to the parents Lieutenant Sharp writes as follows:
“I am really sorry to have to write you about your son, Private Creek, who, in the attack on the afternoon of August 27, was hit on the forehead. He was by my side when he was hit, and as I did not actually see him die I have reported him as wounded and missing. He was a good help to me. He became a runner about four months ago, and never can a man serve an officer better than he served me.
Many times have we been out together trying to verify information, and he was always cheerful and willing to go anywhere. I remember one night how well he worked in getting assistance for a wounded man, and who greatly appreciated what your son did for him. Sorrowfully do I state that I think your son died just after he was hit; but I am hoping daily to hear that it is not so. All No. 4 platoon mourn his absence, and offer you their heartfelt sympathy.”
Nineteen years of age, Private Creek joined the colours about three years ago, and took part in the landing at Suvla Bay, where he was wounded. He was formerly employed at Huddersfield. A brother, Private J. Creek, is serving in India.
Remembrance
He is remembered in Keighley’s Great War roll of honour book in Keighley Library and on the Ingrow Council School War Memorial, which is on display at Ingrow Primary School.
Post war:
James was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. These would have been sent to his parents in early 1921 along with any personal effects and a bronze war memorial plaque and memorial scroll inscribed with his name. John was his next of kin and received a payment of £22 3s 10d on 20th March 1918 and a war gratuity payment of £13 10s 0d.
Frances also received a 5 shilling per week dependant’s pension from 6th November 1918. His parents were living at 53, Wesley Place, Ingrow after the war. His mother Frances died in 1920 at the age of 58, with her death being registered in the first quarter of the year.
In the 1921 census his widowed father John was aged 61 and employed by Robert Clough as a wool comber. He was living at 4, Emerald Street, Ingrow with his son John Robert aged 17 who was an iron foundry labourer. Also present on the day of the census were John’s daughter Mabel Tibbols and her husband Herbert, with their daughter Winifred aged four.
His father John Creek died in 1938 and his death was registered at Keighley in the second quarter of that year.
Information sources
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915.
1891 England Census.
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915.
1901 England Census.
1911 England Census.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919.
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923.
England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007.
1921 England Census.
Keighley News archives at Keighley Library.
Oakworth war memorial.
Ingrow Council School war memorial.
