Private. 1/5th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. Regimental number 5879 and 242149 Early life: George’s parents were Benjamin William Ely and Ellen Ely née Rutter Stones, who were married at Spilsby in Lincolnshire in the last quarter of 1892. George was born in the first quarter of 1892 at Toynton St. Peter and … Read more
1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) Regimental number 3084. Early life: Thomas’s parents were William George Lemon and Elizabeth Lemon nee Bennett who were married on the 27th of July 1893 at St. Peter’s Church in Marchington, Staffordshire. William George was aged 29 and Elizabeth was aged 33. Thomas was born in 1893 … Read more
Lance Corporal, 237 Machine Gun Company. Service no. 86331. Previously 3rd Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. No. 29992. Early life: Fred was born on 13th August 1893 at Barley Cote, Riddlesden and this was registered at Keighley in the third quarter of that year. His parents were John and Mary Jane Kay, née … Read more
Gunner. Royal Field Artillery. Regimental number 209746. Early life: Foster’s parents were John Baxandall and Zillah Baxandall née Sugden. They were married in Keighley on the 11th of January 1876. John was a 24 year old bachelor and farmer of Dean Lathe and Zillah was a 22 year old spinster and worsted twister of Spring … Read more
Motor Fitter. Army Service Corps (MT) Regimental number: M2/130543. Early life: Frank’s parents were John Baxandall and Zillah Baxandall née Sugden. They were married in Keighley on the 11th of January 1876. John was a 24 year old bachelor and farmer of Dean Lathe and Zillah was a 22 year old spinster and worsted twister … Read more
Sergeant Navigator. 463 (R.A.A.F.) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Service Number: 1624631. Early life: Cecil’s parents were Holmes Sunderland and Annie Sunderland née Hudson, who were married in Keighley, registered in the third quarter of 1911. Cecil was born in 1916 and his birth was registered in the first quarter of the year. In … Read more
Private. 7th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. Regimental number 4351236. Early life: Wilfred’s parents were Herbert and Lily Green, who had been married around 1902. He was born on the 3rd of October 1905, registered in Keighley and he was almost certainly born at 19, Barrett Street at Park Wood Bottom. Wilfred was baptised at St. … Read more
Local war memorials page The Ancient Order of Foresters war memorial (Lost) We know this roll of honour existed but not what happened to it. We presume it went elsewhere when the Keighley Order either moved or closed down, but we have no further information about it. The Imperial War Museum holds very little information … Read more
Gunner. “A” Battery. 178th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Service Number 127166. Early life: Thomas was the only son of Thomas and Elizabeth Howland, who had been married in 1895. His father Thomas from the Isle of Man was previously married (in 1870) to Catherine Ann Martin also from the Isle of Man. They’d had at … Read more
Women’s Land Army Early Life: Betty was born on the 29th October 1918 and her birth registered in Keighley. Her parents were Ellis and Ruth Ackroyd (nee Smith). Ellis was a butcher and they lived at 212 West Lane, Keighley. Betty was living with her parents Ellis and Ruth, her brothers James and Edward, and … Read more