John T. Clayton

“ Time must necessarily elapse before any definitive history can be written, when events can be critically studied and full credit be given to all. The present sketch aims simply at recording how men of Skipton and Keighley, of Settle and Bingley, of Haworth, Guiseley and Barnoldswick, from the dales of Ribble, Aire and Wharfe, from the moors of Sedbergh and from the Forest of Bowland, left their peaceful avocations and went to war at their country’s call, as their fore-fathers had done before them. ”

“ The 1⁄6th was relieved by the Canadians the following day, and on coming out was highly congratulated by the Army and Corps commanders on the part it had played. Whatever may be the military verdict on the Passchendaele battle, it is certain that no other incident in the war tested so thoroughly the grit and fighting qualities of the British soldier and no victories were won in the face of greater difficulties; the 1⁄6th Duke of Wellington’s is justly proud of having taken a worthy part in this struggle. ”

“ It was the strongest concentration of gas sent over by the enemy during the war: the ground over which the cloud passed was covered with powdered crystals like hoar frost, and Canadians on parade at Bailleul, twelve miles back, felt the effects. The 4th Duke of Wellington’s was in the front line, the 6th had B company and the machine gunners on the Canal Bank and the remainder in ruined farms a short distance behind. At 6-30 a.m. the battalion received orders to move forward through the clouds of gas to support the 4th. ”

“ Across this waste stretched the trenches, formed of sandbagged breastworks, with arms and legs of dead Frenchmen projecting from them at intervals. The enemy was too close for rebuilding. The line was curiously irregular, as one side or the other had bitten off a piece of the opposing defences, and at more than one place our men were only fifteen yards from the enemy. In some parts the bombing was worst, in others the trench mortars, and in others again the shells: but none were healthy and all smelt abominably. ”

“ The sector taken over by the 1⁄6th Duke’s was the ruined village of Lombaertzyde, immediately in front of Nieuport. Of trench system in the ordinary sense of the term they found none, and sheltered solely by hollows in the shifting sand they had to face continual bombardment. Here the 1⁄6th first made the acquaintance of shells filled with mustard gas, which caused most painful blisters to many of the men. To reach the front line was a matter of great danger and difficulty. ”

“ The general manager was Lieut. J. S. Spencer, of Keighley, while Private Morgan, of B company, with his wonderful soprano voice, made up into one of the most attractive “leading ladies” in France.
THE GARRISON OF YPRES.
At the beginning of June the 49th Division once again staked out its claim to the proud title of “Garrison of Ypres” by returning to the line in front of that city. The trenches had now drawn very close to the town and battalion headquarters were often in the ancient ramparts. An attack was confidently expected and the order was that Ypres was to be “held at all costs.” ”

“ THE YPRES SALIENT IN 1915.
On leaving Fleurbaix the 147th Brigade moved north by rapid marches, and soon the whole Division found itself in the Second Army under Major-General Plumer. The last march, from the neighbourhood of Meteren to St. Jans-ter-biezen Wood, was particularly severe for troops that had just come out of trenches. It was a good fifteen-miles tramp over rough and hilly roads: it was undertaken at night when most men had been on their legs all day, and everyone had to carry all his belongings on his back. ”

“ Major John Chayter Metcalfe, Cheshire Regiment, killed in action July 3rd, 1916. The deceased officer, who was 34 years of age, was the only son of the late Major John A. Metcalfe, of Ings House, Hawes, and resided at King Edward’s Place, Wanborough, Wilts. He served with the 3rd West Yorkshire Regiment during the South African War, where he was for some time temporary Aide-de-Camp to the late Lord Cloughton. He afterwards received a commission in the 13th Hussars. He left the army in 1906, took up racing, and was a successful amateur steeplechase rider and breeder of thoroughbred horses. ”

“ During all this time both officers and men had been continually welcoming friends among the new recruits who came to take the places of those unfit for active service, under age, or whose circumstances prevented them from volunteering for work overseas. And when a cold wet spell at the end of October brought on a welcome move from tents into the warmer shelter of schools and other billets in Doncaster, it was a strong battalion of fit men, ready to go anywhere, that marched to the station. ”

“ McIntyre was a former Captain of Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton, and St. John’s College, York. He enlisted as a private in the Gordon Highlanders shortly after the outbreak of hostilities, and was first stationed at Aberdeen. Subsequently he transferred to the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders, with which he trained at Stirling and Salisbury Plain. He attained the rank of sergeant, and also held a gymnastic instructor’s certificate, having passed through the school at Aldershot. ”

“ J. A. Slingsby, of Carla Beck, Carleton, fell in action on March 8th, 1916, in Mesopotamia. Captain Slingsby was with General Aylmer’s force proceeding to the relief of General Townshend and his beleaguered army at Kut. Educated at Aysgarth School and Wellington College, Sandhurst, Captain Slingsby, who was 30 years of age, chose the Army as his profession, and passed into the Indian Army in February, 1904. He was a noted climber and a member of the Alpine Club, and did much survey work, particularly of virgin peaks in India, under Government orders. ”

“ Although the Dardanelles attack was not successful and we had a set-back at Kut, the British forces eventually broke the Turkish power in Mesopotamia and Palestine, and on October 30th, 1918, the Turks were granted an armistice.
THE BARBARITY OF THE HUN.
One of the outstanding features of the war was the ruthlessness which marked German methods throughout. In the invasion of Belgium and Northern France no measure was too base to adopt in order that the spirit of the invaded countries might be broken. ”

“ G. C. H. Cutliffe Hyne, Irish Guards, only son of Mr. C. J. Cutliffe Hyne, of Kettlewell, the well-known Yorkshire novelist, died on November 21st, 1916, at the home of the Hon. Mrs. F. Guest, used as a Military Hospital, in Park Lane, London. The interment took place on November 25th, 1916, with military honours, at Kettlewell. Lieut. Hyne, who was in his 19th year, figured in a notable deed of gallantry, which resulted in the saving of all his guns, but seventeen men out of twenty-five in his gun company became casualties. ”

“ But before the battle opened another change came in the command of the battalion. Lieut.-Col. Adlercron, D.S.O., received well-deserved promotion to the command of the 148th Brigade (in the same division) , and Major C. M. Bateman, D.S.O., was appointed Lieut.-Colonel in his place. No more popular choice could have been made. Colonel Bateman had commanded the headquarters detachment of the Craven territorials for many years before the war and had already won golden opinions in France both as company commander and as second-in-command. ”

“ News reached Mrs. Bargh from Col. Wallace, 1st Suffolk Regt., who was a prisoner of war in Germany, that on that date her son was shot in the head, just before the Germans took the trenches, as he was bandaging a wounded soldier, and was killed instantly. Lieut. Bargh received his early education at Halifax, and subsequently obtained his B.Sc. at University College, Reading. He afterwards became a teacher at Hawes Council School. He accepted his commission in the King’s Liverpool Regiment early in 1914.
Lieut. Morkill
Lieut. ”

“ John Illingworth, M.C., West Yorkshire Regiment, of Skipton, formerly assistant to Mr. E. G. Whittaker, registration agent for the Skipton Division Conservative and Unionist Association, was killed on June 3rd, 1918, aged 26 years.
Lieut. Kidd.
Lieut. E. J. C. Kidd, Royal Air Force, son of Mr. W. Kidd, head-master of the National School, Addingham, was fatally injured on April 9th, 1917, while acting as observer. ”

“ When he returned home, Brig.-General L. G. Lewes, D.S.O., of the Essex Regt., took his place.
On leaving Thiepval the battalion at once marched northwards and took over the line near Fonquevillers, facing the German stronghold of Gommecourt, and for the remainder of the winter kept moving on from one bad line of trenches to another, working hard to drain and improve them for the benefit of their successors. At Fonquevillers the trench-mortaring was very heavy, and four N.C.O.’s in D Coy. were killed one night by a single shell. ”

“ Lieut. Christopher W. Brown, Royal Scots Fusiliers, was killed in action in France on April 30th, 1916. Lieut. Brown was the youngest son of the Rev. C. V. and Mrs. Brown, of Embsay Vicarage, near Skipton, and grandson of the late Mr. J. R. Wilkinson, of Burnside, Skipton. He was born at Embsay on November 15th, 1892, and educated at Skipton and Pocklington Grammar Schools. ”

“ Willink succumbed to his wounds a few days later. Sergts. Upton and Davies and Corporal Maude, M.M., all of whom had done gallant work, were also among the fallen. Lieut. Claridge had been wounded shortly before the battle, and Sergt. Fredericksen, M.M., commanded the signallers most successfully throughout the attack.
On the night of November 2nd, the Battalion moved out of the line for what proved to be the last time. Taken in motor ‘buses back to the mining village of Auby, near Douai, they were engaged in reorganizing and training new drafts when news of the Armistice arrived. ”

“ Neillson urging him to hold on till morning, news having come through that the Tynemouth motor lifeboat was coming down the coast during the night and would attempt a rescue the following morning. Oil was poured on the water near the wreck. The motor boat arrived in the early hours and stayed in Whitby harbour until dawn, when it made towards the wreck. Amid scenes that will never be forgotten by those watching from the beach, all the survivors were taken off and landed safely. Pte. Eastwood was the only Barnoldswick man to be taken off in the motor boat ”

“ Of a cheery and kindly nature, he was extremely popular with his men, ever ready to help and encourage them, and his delightful personality made him a host of friends. He was a keen sportsman, polo, shooting and motoring being his favourite recreations. ”

“ The food problem in Austria also became a very difficult one, and this, combined with industrial and political unrest, tended to undermine the Empire’s military efficiency until eventually the operations against Italy came to be regarded as of secondary importance, and overtures were made for peace. ”

“ Private W. Scott, 18th Hussars, a native of Gargrave, where his father was employed as a gardener, killed in action in France 13th May, 1915. Aged 22 years. 92
Private V. Ecclestone, East Lancs. Regt., son of Mr. William Ecclestone, Barnoldswick, killed in action 22nd June, 1915.
Private S. Hargreaves, Duke of Well.’s Regt., son of Mr. Samuel Hargreaves, Skipton, killed in action June, 1915. Aged 21 years.
Private Ernest Askew, Duke of Well.’s Regt., of 40, Westmoreland Street, Skipton, died in France July, 1915. Aged 24 years. ”

“ But his wide military knowledge, his boundless energy, and, above all, his absolute fearlessness, soon won their admiration and respect and established a satisfactory mutual understanding that lasted throughout his command. It has been said of some leaders that they never sent their men where they would not go themselves ”

“ Supple was a keen sportsman, and for some seasons played half-back with the well-known London Irish Team. Lieut. Supple was admitted to Wimbereux General Hospital on August 22nd, 1915, suffering from gunshot wounds through both thighs, and died the same day.
Lieut. Lister.
Lieut. The Hon. C. A. Lister, Royal Marines, of the Hood Battalion, was wounded in Gallipoli, August 24th, 1915, and succumbed to his injuries on August 28th, 1915. Lieut. Lister was the only surviving son and heir of Lord Ribblesdale, of Gisburne Park. ”

“ Educated at Pannal Ash College, Harrogate, he left there to enter the banking profession, and when war broke out had secured a good position in the chief office, at Leeds, of the National and Provincial Bank of England. ”

“ Glibborn was born at Bentham House in 1887. His mother was Miss Baldwin, a member of as well-known Scotforth family. He emigrated to Canada, and married a French Canadian lady who belonged to an old French Republican family. The deceased officer obtained his early education at Miss Wilson’s private school at Bentham, after which he went to Ackworth Friends’ Schools, near Wakefield. 75
Lieut. Carruthers.
Lieut. Gordon Carruthers, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Carruthers, of Skipton, died of wounds received in action in France on November 20th, 1918. Lieut. ”

“ Here the Battalion lost the very valuable services of Regt. Sergt.-Major O. Buckley, M.C., who received a commission as quarter-master of the 1⁄7th Duke’s. He was succeeded by Coy. Sergt.-Major T. Richardson, D.C.M., who had come out as a sergt. with the battalion.
PASSCHENDAELE.
Leaving La Panne on Sept. 23rd, 1917, the battalion spent the next ten days in a most enjoyable march. Trekking by easy stages through rich agricultural country in perfect harvest weather, the men usually found good billets and good fare. St. Omer was passed on the 30th and on Oct. ”