Private. 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of Albany’s) No. S/40506. Early life: Norman was born in Keighley in mid 1886, the eldest son of Joseph and Sarah Walbank. His younger brother Harold also served, but he survived the war. He was four years old in the 1891 census and a scholar, living … Read more
Private. Wellington Infantry Battalion. Service number 10/3379. Early life: Joseph was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire on 29th January 1888, the son of Elizabeth Hannah Robinson. His mother married Joseph Midgley on December 23, 1891 and Joseph took the surname Midgley, but retained his mother’s maiden name. We are not sure if his stepfather actually adopted … Read more
Stanbury and Oldfield Sergeant. 12th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. Service number 31029. Previous service with the West Yorkshire Regiment, no. 1359. Early Life Joseph was born on 13th May 1890 and his birth was registered that year at Goole, Yorkshire. His parents were Marshall and Annie Pearson. Tragically Marshall died in 1890. Joseph was just … Read more
This is one of a series of posts about local men named on the Keighley Union Workhouse roll of honour. Joseph Burke’s father was charged with neglect in 1906 and we presume the children were placed under the care of the Guardians at some point. Lance-Sergeant, Royal Garrison Artillery. Service number 38848. Early life: He … Read more
Private. 15th Battalion, Prince of Wales’ Own West Yorkshire Regiment. (1st Battalion, Leeds Pals). Service no. 1138. Later served with 9th Battalion, Princess Victoria’s Royal Irish Fusiliers, Service no. 40054. Early life: Thomas was born in Oakworth on June 14, 1895, his birth was registered in Keighley in the third quarter of the year. His … Read more