All About Thornton

Initially these will be extracts from a digitised copy of the Bradford Weekly Telegraph newspaper, (© Copyright of Find My Past.) In Italics = Connected with Thornton.

• Alston, Charles Edmund, born 23 January 1896. In the 1901 census he is the younger brother of Robert Richardson Alston, son of George L. and Martha Alston of 35 Back Heights, aged 5. In the 1911 Census he was 15, employed as a doffer in spinning. Formerly Private in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 3rd Btn., # 14202, later Private in Royal Army Ordnance Corps, #S8713. In the 1921 Census he is shown as a visitor. with the employment of Soldier, with his wife, Mary, at the home of Charles Alston, (aged 71) at 2 South View, Thornton. He does not appear in the 1939 Register. He died in Bradford in the April to June quarter of 1975. (Updated 22 August 2025)
• Appleyard, Ben, see Thornton War Memorial WW1
• Appleyard, William Arthur, born on 12 March 1887. In the 1891 census at 13 Ball Street, the son of Jane A. Appleyard and grandson of Mary Wilkinson, widow. In 1914 he was in the 1st Life Guards. In September 1915 he was noted in the Shipley Times and Express as being a Police Constable who had joined up. In 1915 he was Private, Household Cavalry & Cavalry Of The Line (Including Yeomanry & Imperial Camel Corps), Corps of Dragoons, #D/21199 6th Dns. He was discharged on 22 May 1919. In the 1921 Census he lived with his wife Sophia Beatrice at 156 Fitzgerald Street, Bradford, with 2 children, and was employed as a Police Constable. In 1939 he lived at 10 Elwyn Grove Bradford, with his wife Sophie B, and 3 children. He was stated to be a retired Police Constable. (Updated 22 August 2025)
• Archer, Fred, Canadian Force, Canada, Born in Ledstone, Yorkshire in 1889, the son of John and Harriet Archer of 26 Back Field, Thornton. He married Edna Lockwood in 1910. Cannot find further information in Canadian records. (Updated 23 August 2025)
• Archer, John W., Canadian Force, Canada, born in 1892, at Hirst Courtney in North Yorkshire, a son of John and Harriet Archer of 36 Back Field. Cannot find further information in Canadian records. (updated 23 August 2025)
• Bairstow, Harold, born 24 April 1896, son of Sam and Martha Bairstow of 18 Roundfield Place, Thornton. In the 1911 census the family lived at 21 Roundfield Place and Harold, aged 14, was an Apprentice to a House Painter. Joined up on 26 May 1915. He was at home until and including 13 April 1916. Gunner, 125th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, #780782. Fought in France and Belgium. Demobilised on 8 May 1919. In the 1921 Census he was back home and was a house painter and decorator at Thomas Scull and Sons, Heaton. Family address given as 21 Cote Gap Lane, Thornton. In the 1939 Register he was living with his wife Ethel, and their daughter Lilian (later Lilian Feather), and son Harry, at 36 High Street, Thornton, and Harold was a Painter and Decorator on his own account. He died in 1964. (Updated 23 August 2025)
• Barker, Walter Clarence, born on 11 March 1893, the son of John and Hannah Barker, of 4 King Edward Terrace. At the age of 17 he was an apprentice Joiner and House Builder. Private, West Yorkshire Regiment, #16/289. In the 1921 census he was single and an out-of-work Joiner, living as a Boarder at Middlefield House, Honley. In 1923 he married Gerty Butterfield in Bradford. In the 1939 register he and Gerty and their two children, David and Dorothy, (later Dorothy Yelland) were living at 13 Albert Street and Walter was employed as a Coal Lorry Driver. He died in 1955, In the Bradford Observer, there are reports of a Walter C. Barker who produced and acted in plays put on by Thornton Methodist Church Players, and for Thornton Amateur Operatic Society, in the 1930s and 1940s. (updated 23 August 2025)
• Barnard, Harry, see Kipping Chapel Roll of Honour and War Memorial (World War 1)
• Barnes, Enoch, born in 1876/7, a son of William and Mary Barnes, in the 1881 census living at 7 Druid Street, Clayton. In 1891 census Mary Barnes was living with her daughter, Elizabeth Cain, and two sons, William and Enoch Barnes, at 4 Field Court, Thornton. The Bingley Chronicle of 28 November 1898 reported that 2 delvers (quarry men) from Thornton, had created a disturbance, involving both men, at the Friendly Inn at Cullingworth and the landlord had summoned the police, who found blood on the floor, and tables and chairs upset. The two men, who were both sober had refused to leave the pub. One was Fred Jennings, the other Enoch Barnes. It was said that before the court summons could be served on Enoch Barnes “he had left home and it was thought he had enlisted for a soldier.”
  The Yorkshire Evening Post of 28 June 1897 reported that Enoch Barnes of Field Court, Thornton, a grocer’s assistant had been charged with “betting and playing pitch and toss”, on a Sunday, on the moors above Ogden in a quarry. A footpath ran past the quarry to the Oxenhope Road. About 300 men regularly attended these events, which the police had infiltrated. Except for 2 ringleaders all the other 38 men charged were fined 30 shillings with costs, or one month in prison.
  In the 1911 census Enoch is a Stone Quarryman, living with Martha Binns, a housekeeper, at 2 Kipping Place, Thornton. Both are shown as “Married”. The Bradford Weekly Telegraph of 29 November 1912 reported that as he had not been seen all day, police entered his home in Kipping Place and found him in bed with the gas tap turned full on. Dr. Stewart, who lived nearby was summoned ,and was able to save his life. It was reported that Mr. Barnes had for some time been prone to fits of depression.
  In the Admissions book of the 18th General Hospital, at Etaples, France, there is an entry for E Barnes, of the right age, who had spent 1 month “in the field” and was suffering from influenza. He is reported as being a Labourer in the Army Service Corps, #8151. He was admitted on 21 May 1915, and discharged on 12 June 1915. There is no obvious entry for Enoch in the 1921 Census nor the 1939 register. The 1931 census for England was accidentally burnt in 1941. ***Recheck in Ancestry***
• Beetham, George, see Thornton War Memorial WW1
• Bell, Andrew, 6th. W.Y., 4th son of Thomas and Theresa Bell of 37 Leaventhorpe Road, Thornton, born in 1894. In the 1911 census he was 17, living at home at 37 Low Town, Thornton, and was employed as a Warehouseman in the Yarn trade. In the 1st quarter of 1898 he married Minnie Jennison.
  He was first a Private in the West Yorkshire Regiment #2304, and then (no date known), was Lance Corporal, Machine Gun Corps, #139606. In the Bradford Weekly Telegraph of 13 October 1916, it was reported that he had been wounded.
  In the 1921 Census, he was living with his wife, Minnie, and his elder brother John William Bell, at 49 Washington Street, Bradford. Andrew was a Warehouseman for the firm of D & R Delius of Union Warehouses, Bradford. In the 1939 Register he and his wife Minnie, plus their 2 children, Gordon who was a shop assistant for a Cycle maker, and Sheila, later Sheila Ingham, was 12 and still at school, all living at 1 Arthur Avenue, Fairweather Green. He was described as a Forman Wool Warehouseman. He died in the 3rd quarter of 1963 in the Bradford District,
• Bentham, Arnold, born in 1893, son of Jonas and Nancy Bentham of 10 Wensley Bank West, Thornton. In the 1911 census, he was aged 17, and employed as a house joiner.
  He enlisted in the Army at the age of 18 on 20 April 1911. He was serving in the 1/4th West Riding Battery of the 1/2nd West Riding Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery Territorial Force, #866, initially for a period of 4 years. He was appointed, on 5 August 1914, a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery, and appointed on later an Acting Bombardier in the same Corps, #866. He served in France and Belgium from 21 April 1915 to 18 April 1916, when he was discharged from the Army as no longer being fit to serve.
  In the 1921 census he was living at 26 Spring Holes, with his wife, Alice, and their children Nancy aged 3, and Herbert aged 1. He was employed as a Joiner with Abraham Shaw and Co., at Hill Top. He died in 1937.
• Bentham, Granville, born on 29 April 1895, he was the youngest son of Jonas and Nancy Bentham of 10 Wensley Bank West, Thornton. In the 1911 census he was 15 and employed as a Taker Off in spinning in the Worsted trade.
  He enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps on 17 July 1915, #7043, at which time his civilian occupation was given as Tinsmith. He joined the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918. Within both services he had frequent promotions, the last being to Sergeant in the RAF in January 1919. He served from Lee-on-Solent and Gosport and moved to E Reserve on 19 April 1921. He was discharged on 16 July 1923, having served for 8 years.
  On 8 January 1921 he married Violet Evelyn Wareham, at St. Mark’s Church, South Farnborough, Hants. In the 1921 census, held on 19 June 1921, he is living with his mother-in-law, a widow, Harriet Wareham. his wife, his sister-in-law, and a boarder, at 1 Baldhu Villas, Nettley Street, Farnborough, and he is shown as an out-of-work panel beater. In the 1939 register he was living with his wife, Violet E, and their son, Derek J at 240 Brecknock Road, Islington, London. Granville was employed as a Panel Beater (Aircraft)He died on 11 October 1993, aged 98, in Sompting, West Sussex.
• Blake, Harold, see Thornton War Memorial WW1
• Boocock, -, Bricks ** to check on Ancestry**
• Boocock, Andrew, R.F.A., Bricks, born about 1897, grandson of Thomas and Rebellay Boocock, and living with them at 7 Bricks in 1901** to check on Ancestry**
• Booth, Walter Reynolds, born 14 September 1891, eldest son of James and Martha Booth of Claremont, Thornton Road. From 1899 to 1904 he attended Thornton Grammar School, and then Bradford Grammar School, where he obtained an open Scholarship to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in 1910. He was there until 1913, and was made a Foundation Scholar of that college in 1912. His university qualifications were Natural Sciences Tripos, part 1 (1st Class), and Historical Tripos, part 2, (2nd class, 1st division). His first appointment was at St. Bees School as an assistant master, and in 1914 he became science master and dormitory tutor at Wellington College. During the war he became Lieutenant Temporary Captain in the Royal Flying Corps, and adjutant and instructor in the Royal Artillery Cadet School. While serving in France he was taken prisoner of war. In 1923, at the age of 31, he became Headmaster of Wolverhampton Grammar School. In July 1928 he was appointed (head)Master of Dulwich College. In November 1934 he married Aline Margaret Morley, at Grange-over-Sands. in the 1939 Register, following Dulwich College’s evacuation to Tonbridge he was living at 46 Daisy Hill, Park Road, Correnden, Tonbridge. He remained at Dulwich College until his retirement in 1941, after falling drunk from the pulpit. A full account of his years at Dulwich College can be read here. He died in 1963 and is buried at Cockermouth Cemetery.
• Briggs, Arthur, born in 2 February 1881, the 4th son of William and Mary Ann Briggs of School Green Houses. Most likely served in the Royal Navy, #M24124. In the 1921 census he is living with his mother-in-law, Emily Stocks, with wife Lillie Beatrice, and son Kenneth (aged 1), at 13 Cliffe Terrace, Bradford, and was employed as A foreman in a stuff warehouse at 1 Burnett Street, Bradford. In the 1939 Register, he was still living with the same people, and was employed as a Clerk in a textile warehouse. (updated 12 September 2025)
• Briggs, Frank, see Kipping Chapel Roll of Honour and War Memorial (World War 1)
• Brock, Edgar, see Thornton War Memorial WW1
• Brown, Wilfred James, 6th W.Y., 13 Friendly Street
• Butterfield, Herbert, see Thornton War Memorial WW1
• Carrick, John Joseph, 10 Bishop Buildings, born 20 June 1886, in Penrith, Cumberland, the 2nd son of Alice Carrick (a widow in 1891). In 1891 Alice and her children were living at Warren Yard, Burrowgate, Penrith. In the 1901 census he was living at 20 Dixon Street, Gateshead, with his widowed mother and siblings, in the household of Thomas Graham, a widower. John J was aged 14 ad he was a coal miner below ground. In 1911 John J was living in Little Clifton, near to Workington in Cumberland. He enlisted first as a Private in the 18th Btn., West Yorkshire Regiment, #1392, and then prior to December 1915 as a Private in the Labour Corps # 475805. He disembarked on 22 December 1915, and fought in Egypt. He was discharged from the army on 18 November 1918. In the 1921 census he lived with his widowed mother, Mrs Alice Mary Graham, at 1503 Bishop Buildings, Thornton Road. In the 1939 Register he was living with his mother, Mrs Graham, at 18 School Green, and was a Bradford Council labourer doing Heavy Work. He died in 1963 in the Bradford district.
• Clapham, J., K.R.R., Allerton
• Clark, Cornelius, 18th W.Y., 5 Yews Green
• Clarke, Augustine Francis, Australian Force, Australia
• Clayton, -, 6th W. Y., 65 Moscow
• Collier, Arthur, R.F.A.,5th son of James and Annie Collier of 13 Bricks, Thornton Road, brother of Matthew, and brother to Alfred and Herbert who were killed in WW1. Arthur was born on 6 October 1895. In 1911 the family were still at 13 Bricks, Arthur was 15 and employed as a Doffer (Worsted). He enlisted on 1 June 1915 in Bradford, at which time he was living at 37 Holye Ing, and was a Gunner in the West Riding Royal Field Artillery, #796247, previously #6006.. He disembarked in France on 20 May 1916. He was wounded (Gas), on 25 July 1917. On 22 February 1918 he was appointed Acting Bombardier (with pay). He was demobilized on 17 February 1919. In the 1921 census he was living with his wife, Alice, and son Lewis (aged 9 months), at 162 Washington Street, Bradford, and Arthur was employed as a Bowl minder in Wool-combing. in the 1939 Register he was living at 12 Wembley Avenue, with his wife Alice, and son Leslie. Arthur was employed as a Wool-combing operative (Jobber). It is not known when he died.
• Collier, Mathew, 4th son of James and Annie Collier of 13 Bricks, Thornton Road, brother of Arthur, Alfred and Herbert. Matthew was born 28 July 1892. In the 1911 census he was aged 18 and employed as a Woolcomber Jobber. In 1915 he enlisted on 1st June, and was in the 3/2nd Battalion, West Riding brigade of the Royal Field Artillery, #6009, later Gunner, #796249. He served in France. On 2 December 1918, whilst on leave, he attended a War Hospital, due to debility, and was discharged on 13 December 1918. He married Ivy Webster in 1919. In the 1921 census he was a Wool-combing Overlooker and he lived with his wife and 1 year old son, Herbert, with his parents and siblings at 1350 Thornton Road, Thornton. In the 1939 register he was living with his wife, Ivy, and their children, Herbert and Wilfred, plus John W. Little, at 29 West View Terrace, Bradford, when Matthew was a Wool-combing overlooker. Matthew died in 1957, aged 65.
• Conroy, Joseph, 28 Springholes Lane
• Cooke, Harry, R.F.A., Denholme
• Coulton, James, Sapgate Lane
• Dawson, Mark, A.S.C., Thornton Hall
• Dean, Frederick, R.F.A., Ball Street
• Dixon, Clarence, R.A.M.C., Reservoir View
• Downs, William, 11th Loyal North Lancs., West Lane
• Drake, Charles, R.A.M.C., Bradford
• Drake, Joseph, R. Marines, Bradford
• Drake, Robert Victor, born on 21 June 1897, the 3rd son of John Henry and Annie Grace Drake of Headley Hall Farm. From 1915 to 1919 he served in France as a Driver in the Royal Field Artillery, #87045. In 1921 he attested in the Royal Artillery, at Wokingham, when his employment was shown as a Stud Groom. He was Mobilized between 12 April and the 3rd of June 1921. In the 1921 Census he was a self-employed Milk Dealer, living with his parents and siblings at Headley Hall Farm, and he was unmarried. In the 1939 Register he was living at Headley Hall Farm, with his wife, Mary and son John, and two other children, whose names are not shown in the Register. On 26 March 1943 he attended the marriage of his daughter, Myra, at St. James Church, Thornton. He died on 19 June 1973.
• Dunn, Harry, W. Y., 32 Wicken Lane
• Dunn, James, W. Y., 32 Wicken Lane
• Elsworth, Reginald, 5 Roundfield Place
• Farnell, James Harold, R. F. A.
• Farrar, Charles, 16 W.Y., King Edward Terrace
• Farrar, John, 18 W. Y., King Edward Terrace
• Farrar, Sam, 18 W. ~~~~~., King Edward Terrace
• Farrar, Willie, R. A. M. C., King Edward Terrace
• Feather, John Ambler, R. F. A.
• Firth, – , Shillicake Cottage
• Gransbury, George, 16th W. Y., Police Station
• Greenwood, Lancelot, 6th W. ~Y., 24 Green Lane
• Hainsworth, Cecil, R. F. A., 7 Market Street
• Hardcastle, Frederick, 3rd W. Y., 8 Dole Street
• Harrington, Alfred, W.Y.
• Harrington, Fred, R.F.A.
• Hewitt, George, R. H. A.
• Hey, Harold, Bradford Moor
• Hill, Dewhirst, R. Navy, 2 South Square
• Holdsworth, James Isaac, R.F.A.
• Holmes, Arthur, 2nd W. Y
• Holmes, Frank, Northumberland Fusiliers, 10 Moss Street
• Horner, -, Commercial Street
• Horner, James, Pioneers, Wicken Lane
• Hudson, R. F. A., Hill Top Road
• Hullah, R. E. believed to be Pte R. E. Hull, 6th London Regiment, aged 19 in September 1915, he was wounded in the shoulder and spent time at the 4th Field Hospital at Arque. A man and wife and their daughter with the surname of Hull lived at 23 Alderscholes Lane, in the 1911 and 1921 censuses.
• Hurley, Herbert, 18th W. Y., Havelock Street
• Illingworth, Thomas, Northumberland F., 33 Low Town
• Ingham, C. Horace, 18 W. Y., Station View
• Ingham, Harold, Green Howards.
• Jennings, Ben, R. F. A., Storr Heights
• Johnson, Charles Bernard, London
• Johnson, Stephen, Northumberland Fusiliers
• Jowett, Ernest, R. F. A., Green Lane
• Keueghley, Walter, 16th K.R.R., Denholme
• Kellett, Fred.
• Kershaw, James, R. F. A., Commercial Street
• Knight, Harold, R. F. A. 106 New Road Side
• Lambert John, 16th W. Y.
• Leach, Eddy, 16th W. Y., 31 Back Lane
• Leach, Ernest, 16th W. Y., School Green
• Leach, James Ralph. 16 W. Y., Ashfield Road
• Leach, John Edgar, R. A. M. C., Ashfield Road
• Leach, Morris, K. O. Y. L. I., 31 Back Lane
• Long, Horace, 6th W. Y., 26 Spring Gardens
• Mason, William Thomas, R. F. A., Cliff Lane
• Mitchell, Walter, Royal Scots Fus., 5 Lane End
• Morrell, Wilfred, 16th W. Y., 4 Rock Terrace
• Mudd, J. Harold, Ordnance Corps, 2 Henry Street
• Newton, George James, 6th W. Y., 20 Long Row.
• Normington, Harold, R. F. A.
• Northrop, Geoffrey W., R.F.A., Allerton
• Outhwaite, Lewis, R.G.A., Fairweather Green
• Owen, Harry, Yews Green
• Phillips, Herbert, Market Street
• Pool, Arthur, 6th W.Y., Bradford
• Pool, Edwin, R.F.A., Bradford
• Pool, Frank, Bradford
• Raistrick, Albert, 16th W.Y., Well Heads
• Rawnsley, Arthur, Peel Street
• Rawson, E., A.S.C., Brooklands
• Redman, James, 18th W.Y., Wicken Lane
• Redman, Richard. K.O.G.L.I.
• Redman, Thomas, Northumberland Fusiliers
• Riddell, Charles Henry, R.F.A., Bricks
• Robinson, Sam, R.A.M.C., Hill Top
• Rolfe, George, 6th W.Y., Bradford
• Rolfe, John, Royal Navy, Bradford
• Sanderson, George, R.F.A., Clayton Lane
• Scott, Wilfred, 6th W.Y., 17 School Green
• Seekings, Horace, W. Surrey
• Shoesmith, Fred., A.S.C.
• Smith, George, Manchester
• Smith Robert John, Aberdeen
• Smith, Willie, 1st W.Y.
• Spencer, John, Northumberland Fusiliers, 27 Ashfield Road
• Stansfield, Fred, W.R. Cavalry, Green Clough
• Sunderland, Arthur, R.F.A., Industry Street
• Sutcliffe, 74 Market Street
• Taylor, Luther, R. Navy, 22 Havelock Street
• Thomas, William Morcom, Northumberland Fusiliers, Friendly Street
• Thornton, Walter, W.Y., Claremont
• Townsend, Ben, 18th. W.Y., 21 Havelock Street
• Turner, Arthur Roberts, Bradford
• Varley, Wilfred, Mary Street
• Waite, Wilfred, 16 W.Y., Bradford
• Walker, John William, R.F.A., 5 Springfield Street
• Walker, Richard
• Wardman, Low Town
• Wilkinson, William, R.E., 1 Hugill Street
• Winterburn, J., R.F.A., Hill Top Road
• Woodburn, Alfred, R.F.A.
• Wright, Ernest, 6th W.Y., 5 Bricks
• Wright, Joseph, 6th W.Y.

(updated 21 August 2025)