ST. NICHOLAS WW I MEMORIAL
- john fAED armstrong
Corporal Armstrong (23846) of 2nd Battalion Border Regiment died on 26th October 1917 aged 27.
He is commemorated on Panels 85 to 86 of the Tyne Cot Memorial, as he is officially missing presumed dead.
He had been born at Kirkcudbright, Scotland, but was living at 29 Scotch Street when he enlisted in November 1915 and was a painter. His mother was Jane Boustead Armstrong who died on 6th May 1922 aged 66. He was posted to the 12th Battalion on 29th April 1916, and transferred to the 11th Battalion on 23rd June then to the 2nd Battalion on 9th July 1916. On 22nd August 1916 he was promoted to Lance Corporal (unpaid), paid from 29th July 1917. He had then been further promoted to Corporal on 5th October 1917. For official purposes he was regarded as dead on 8th November 1918.
He had one sister, Elizabeth of Chapel House, Hensingham, and had previously been wounded on 2nd December 1916. His father (Andrew) of 2, Prospect Hill had predeceased him on 24thFebruary 1911 aged 63.
The CWGC give his middle Christian name as Ford.
He is also on the Presbyterian Church Memorial. He is also commemorated on the family gravestone 6G49 at Whitehaven Cemetery.
- leonard william armstrong
Second Lieutenant (and Acting Captain) Armstrong (4400) of the 3rd (but attached to the 1st) Battalion Border Regiment died on 19th May 1917 aged 30.
He is commemorated on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial.
He was the son of Thomas and Dinah Armstrong of Meadow Cottage, Whitehaven. He lived at “Ellerslie”, Hensingham Road, Whitehaven and was employed at the Bank of Whitehaven. He originally enlisted in the Artist’s Rifles (28th Battalion London Regiment) but transferred to the Border Regiment in Spring 1916 when he received a Commission. He played in the Hockey and Cricket Clubs at Whitehaven Playground and was an old scholar of the Congregational Sunday School.
At the 1891 and 1901 censuses the family were living at the Timber Yard on Coach Road, where his father was the Manager.
He is also commemorated on the Congregational Church Memorial (now in the URC Church) and on Hensingham St. John Church Memorial.
- john ashworth
Private Ashworth (241060, previously 3195) of 5th Battalion Border Regiment died on 21st March 1918.
He is commemorated on Panel 46 of the Pozieres Memorial, France.
He was born in the December quarter of 1891, the youngest son of Robert and Margaret Ashworth of Hopewell House, Warton, Lancashire.
By the time he enlisted on 26th July 1915 he was living at 3 Sandhills Lane, Whitehaven. He was wounded in both 1916 and 1917. After the second injury he came back to Whitehaven on leave, and the address then was 39 Queen Street.
He married Sarah Jane Roe in the March quarter of 1913 in the Whitehaven District (but not in town). They had three children- Mary in the September quarter of 1913, Hannah (baptised at St. Nicholas on 9th May 1915) and Hannah Mona (baptised at St. Nicholas on 18th April 1917).
After John’s death Sarah Jane went to live at 11 Carlisle Terrace, Warton (near her husband’s family). In the June quarter of 1919 she remarried John Braithwaite in the Ulverston area. In 1921 or 1922 they moved to The Row, Oakenclough, Bleasdale, Lancashire.
- richard robinson banks
Sergeant Banks (240753 or 2603) of 5th Battalion Border Regiment died on 23rd April 1917 aged 32.
He is commemorated on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial.
He was the son of Robert Henry Robinson and Sarah Catherine Banks of Lonsdale Street, Workington. He was also the husband of Amelia Banks. During the war his address was 79 Church Street, but his widow later moved to Mowbray House, Frizington.
He worked at Wellington Pit, and was a prominent footballer, at one time playing for Hull Kingston Rovers. He had previously worked at Workington Steelworks.
They had three children.
- albert beere
Private Beere (174022) of the 75th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment) died on 1st January 1917.
He is buried in grave IV A17 of Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont- St. Eloi, Arras, France. He was killed in action at Berthvonal Wood.
He was born at Carlisle on 17th June 1887, and had arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia on the Vancouver from Liverpool on 30th April 1907 as a Joiner heading for Toronto.
He was married to Mary (nee Black). By the 1911 census they were living at 52 Paton Street, Grimsby, Ontario with their 3 year old son Alexander. He was a Carpenter at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada when he joined up on 22nd September 1915. The marriage had been at Grimsby (Canada) on 20th August 1907. She was also an emigrant.
- david bell
Private Bell (5522) of the 1st/9th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment died of a heart attack at 8.30pm on 9th December 1916 (Whitehaven News), or 6th December according to the CWGC aged 38.
He is buried in grave IV L14 of Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Belgium.
He was born in Whitehaven but had been a hairdresser at Frizington for 13 years until 1915 when he moved to 423 Stanley Road, Liverpool, where he enlisted in March 1916 on his 38th birthday. In 1911 he was a boarder at 59 Frizington Road, Frizington
He had been wounded and was suffering from shell shock on 25th September 1916 but had since returned to duty.
He was the son of Richard & Mary Elizabeth Bell of 103, Duke Street. His mother had died in 1896 aged 40 when the family live at 8 Tangier Street. His father died in December 1922 aged 71. Both are buried in grave 1S125 at Whitehaven Cemetery (no gravestone).
- george william bennett
Second Lieutenant Bennett of the Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry died on 3rd December 1917 aged 19. He was attached to the 16th Battalion Devon Regiment.
He is buried in grave Y73 at Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel. There are now 2,515 burials here, the vast majority being concentrated from other cemeteries in Israel.
He was the youngest son of Alderman George Clare Bennett (a Draper) and Lizzie Mary Bennett of 83 Lowther Street (10 Oakbank in 1911)
He had only arrived at Kantara, at the north end of the Suez Canal on 20th November 1917 (having left England on 28th October), so had barely reached the front but had already been involved in fighting in Mesopotamia and the Holy Land. He was educated at St. Bees School from 1908 to 1915 and was in their O.T.C. for three years from 1912. In August 1916 he had joined the Honourable Artillery Company but being too young to go to the front he went to Netheravon Cavalry Cadet School.
There is a photograph of him opposite page 100 of the St. Bees School Roll of Honour, 36 STB at Whitehaven Record Office.
- isaac benson
Captain Benson (36354) of 11th Battalion Border Regiment died on 2nd December 1917 aged 34. He had been injured on 25th November 1917. He had originally enlisted in the Essex Regiment in Autumn1915 (28832), but transferred to the Borders on gaining his commission as second lieutenant, then gained promotion to First Lieutenant, and sometime in 1917, Captain.
He is commemorated on Panels 85 & 86 of the Tyne Cot Memorial.
He was the son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Benson, and the husband of Maggie Benson (nee Atkinson) of 2, Sea View, Bransty, Whitehaven. He was an Assistant Schoolmaster at Goodmayes Council School, Ilford, Essex by the time of marriage (living at 30 Eastwood Road, Goodmayes). The marriage had been at St. Nicholas’ on 31st July 1911.
He was born at Ennerdale in 1883 (and baptised there on 27th September), and his father had died in 1884. By the 1891 census they were living at 31 Mill Street, Whitehaven.
- fred benson
Private Benson (15426) of the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers died of fever on 24th October 1915, aged 18.
He is buried in Grave D9 at the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt, where 2,762 men are buried.
He was the son of Mrs F. Benson of 13 Carter Lane. Two other sons also served: Dr. John Carter Benson (number 2582) in the Royal Field Artillery, and Private Harold Benson (122740) in the RAF.
He is also on the Holy Trinity Memorial
- joseph benson
Private Benson (2049) 5th Battalion Border Regiment died on 26th October 1915 aged 18.
He is buried in grave I F 170 of Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), France
He was born at Parton but lived latterly at 2 Mark Lane. He was the oldest of 8 children of Robert & Mary Kate Benson, In 1911 the family were living at Main Street, Parton and he was a clipper below in a mine.
- robert RICHMONDcurwen blair D.S.O. E.M.
Captain Blair (No Service number as he was an officer) of A company 5th Battalion Border Regiment died on 21st July 1916 aged 37.He received gunshot wounds at around 0145, lost consciousness and passed away at around 0345 without regaining consciousness. He was buried in grave I G19 of Dranoutre Military Cemetery, Belgium. This is 11km south of Ypres, and 458 men are buried there.When the news of his death was received in town flags were lowered to half mast and many shops closed for the day, as a mark of respect.
From his experience in the 5th Border Territorials (which he joined as 2nd Lieutenant on 26th June 1908, and promoted to Lieutenant on 24th November 1909) he recommended Abraham Acton V.C. to join the army. He was promoted to Captain at the outbreak of war on 26th August 1914 and the company sailed for France from Barrow on 26th October 1914 on board the SS Manchester Engineer.
He was awarded the D.S.O. for his role at Armentieres in 1915 when, in a party of 10, they went off to bomb enemy trenches and he shot 4 of a party of 14 Germans with his revolver. He was presented with a ceremonial sword at the same meeting in November 1915 as Acton’s parents received a watch on behalf of their late son. This sword had largely been subscribed for by the men of the collieries, because of his part at Wellington Pit- see below*. He had been recommended for the V.C. for this action.
He had been an Engineer and Assistant Manager at Wellington Pit at the time of the 1910 disaster, and was one of 14 men to be awarded the Edward Medal 2nd class, for their part in the rescue attempts. He had gained his certificate of competence (no. 2,407) as a mining manager in the East Scotland coalfield on 8th June 1904. On 18th April 1912 this was upgraded to a first class certificate.
He was born at Harrington, and baptised by Revd Alfred Curwen (possibly the source of the third Christian name), the son of John and Nina Blair. They lived at The Brow, Harrington but at Richmond Hill, Hensingham during the war. The family originated from Scotland but his grandfather (Robert) was part owner of the Harrington Iron Works. On the Second World War Memorial in St. Nicholas there is a Joseph Banks Hayton, who is buried at Harrington. His CWGC memorial is shared with a Robert Coventry F Blair of the First War who was a first cousin of Robert Richmond Blair. His mother was the daughter of Dr. Richmond of Paisley, and the granddaughter of General Richmond C.B. At the start of October he single handed killed eight of a ten strong party of Germans with his revolver.
His other cousin, Lt Claude Leslie Edmonstone Blair M.C. (106th Field Company R.E.) is also buried at Dranoutre, in Grave 1J 50. Robert Coventry and Claude are also remembered on the family gravestone at St. Bees along with their father, Robert, who died on 25th November 1902. Robert Coventry is actually buried in the family vault at Harrington, according to the St. Bees headstone, and was an old boy of St. Bees School.
*The official description of this sword is: “The guard or handle is of silver richly gilt and elaborately saw pierced and bears the Royal Cypher and Crown. The grip is of ivory with rich gold cord and a handsome sword knot of scarlet and gold completes the hilt. The scabbard is of burnished silver: and the mounts are in silver gilt (a beautiful contrast to the bright scabbard). In the upper mount is a miniature representation of the Distinguished Service Order richly enamelled: and below the full Arms of Whitehaven with Crest, Helmet and Mantling. The Captain’s monogram, saw pierced and enamelled, is shewn at the foot of this mount and his Crest with ribbon and motto is shewn between the two mounts. The central mount has in the upper division the badge of the Border Regiment in proper enamel colours and below is a bas relief depicting Captain Blair with his men in the engagement for which the D.S.O. was awarded. All these decorations are in raised work upon the front of the scabbard. On the reverse are two views delicately painted in enamels, one of the Whitehaven Colliery, the other of the sailing ship “Lynton”. The blade is of the official regulation pattern; bears the Royal Arms and Crown, and the Officer’s Crest and initials together with the following inscription: ‘Presented by the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Whitehaven to Captain R.C.R. Blair, D.S.O. 5th Battalion Border Regiment (T.F.) as a token of appreciation of his fellow Townsmen on his having obtained the Distinguished Service Order on Active Service in France.’ This handsome sword has depicted on it many features of especial interest in the life of the gallant Captain and is a fine and beautiful example of the Silversmith’s Art.” The sword is now in the Reserve Collection of the ‘Beacon’ museum.There is a photograph of the sword on page 20 of the ‘Whitehaven News’ dated 5th January 2012.
Some of this text is reproduced from various Whitehaven News Articles.
He is also on Hensingham Village Memorial. He was also on the now lost Hensingham Conservative Club Roll of Honour.
- joseph bouch
Private Bouch (30792) of 112th Brigade Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) died on 14th August 1916 aged 26 (hit by a shell while returning from action and he died instantly). He had enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders (service number G/11807) in the Summer of 1915. The Machine Gun Corps were looking for volunteers in late 1915/early 1916 and he transferred to them at that stage. He had been in France for around two months before his death and one of his two brothers was serving with the Royal Field Artillery in Egypt.
He was initially given a battlefield burial around 20 yards from where he fell but is now in grave VI K 3 at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, France. There is a photograph of him on page 8 of the “Whitehaven News” dated 14th September 1916.
He was the second son (6 children in all) of Robert and Mary Ada Bouch (nee Vickers) and was baptised on 8th March 1891 at Bigrigg Church. At the 1901 census the family were living at Low Keekle. At a later date they are known to have moved to Moffat’s Court, Fox Lane, Whitehaven where other members of the extended Bouch family were living. The West Cumbria Bouch family seem to have originated from the Aspatria area and his father was born in Silloth (mother in Frizington). By the time of Joseph’s death it seems that his parents had moved to Accrington, Lancashire.
Joseph had been apprenticed to the butcher Mr R.H. Donaldson of Market Place, Whitehaven and had then worked with Mr Norman of Brisco Bank, Moresby for the four years before joining up. Effectively this means that his schooling had finished at age 11, not unusual then.
- henry hartley robinson bragg
Private Bragg (23526) of 26th Battalion Royal Fusiliers died on 7th October 1916 aged 20.
He is commemorated on the Pier and faces 8C/9A/16A of the Thiepval Memorial, France.
He was shot by a sniper while acting as a stretcher bearer.
He was the only son of the late John Henry Cowman and of Sarah Ann Bragg of 3 Richmond Terrace, Whitehaven. He had worked in the Bank of Whitehaven.
- william brocklebank
Private Brocklebank (12755) of 7th Battalion Border Regiment died on 9th August 1916 aged 24.
He is commemorated on the Pier and Faces 6A/7C of the Thiepval Memorial, France.
He was at Delville Wood, and was in a fatigue party carrying rations to the communication trench when a shell burst near him, causing serious injuries. He was treated but died shortly afterwards. His grave was lost in the course of the war.
He lived at 3 Stainton’s Court, Strand Street and was married to Elizabeth (nee Callow) in 1912. He worked at William Pit before enlistment.
- arthur sydney calLister
Lance Corporal Callister (21438) of 7th Battalion Border Regiment died on 7th August 1916, aged 27. Note that CWGC records state private- he had been promoted (unpaid) on 21st July 1916.
He is commemorated on the Pier and Faces 6A and 7C of the Thiepval Memorial. He was shot through the head and death was instantaneous. His grave was lost in the course of the war.
He lived at 6 Sandhills Lane, the second son of Elizabeth Margaret and the late William Callister. He had served his time with Stead & Simpson in the boot and shoe trade, and was working for them at Rhyl, North Wales when he enlisted. He was also a chorister and a member of the Church Lads Brigade at St. James’ Church. He had been baptised at St. James on 22nd March 1889. The family then lived at 67 Lowther Street. When Charles (his brother) was born in 1887 they lived at Todhunter’s Buildings and his father was a joiner.
There is a photograph of him on page 8 of the “News” of 31st August 1916.
He is also on the St. James Memorial.
- joseph callow
Private Callow (12763) of 7th Battalion Border Regiment but attached to 182nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers died in an explosion on 19th December 1915 aged 32. He was posted missing at the time, which was finally amended to presumed killed in November 1916.
He is remembered on Panel 6 of the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.
He was married to Cordelia (nee Jones) and lived at Richardson’s Court, Scotch Street. They had five children, the oldest of who was ten years old at the date of his death. He had only been in the tunnelling division for two months.
He had worked at William Pit and was a keen footballer and cricketer. He enlisted on 3rd September 1914 and was posted to France on 14th July 1915. He had been with the Royal Engineers for 2 months before his death.
- leonard carver
Private Carver (19842) ofthe 10thBattalion Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regt) died on 22nd April 1915.
He is commemorated on Panels 24, 28 and 30 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. He was injured in the foot at St. Julien (4 miles from Ypres) and was making for the Dressing Station with a Private Goddard when they were hit by a shell- Private Goddard survived but lost trace of his colleague. He was not buried, and the place of his death was lost in the heat of battle. It was only realised at muster on 26th April that he was missing.
His mother (Elizabeth A) lived at 78 Lowther Street- the Pack Horse Hotel. He was born on 25th November 1886 and became a carpenter after education at Ghyll Bank School. He enlistedon 24th September 1914 at Valcartier, Canada.
There is a photograph of him on page 8 of the “News” dated 7th October 1915.
- nelson clementson
Private Clementson (71747) of 51st Company Machine Gun Corps, but originally 12768 of 7th Battalion Border Regiment 7th Border died of wounds at No. 53 Field Ambulance on 16th May 1917 aged 34.