The Imperial War Museum states:
“The plaque is in the vestry room of Kipping Chapel and lists 146 men who fought in the war, including 13 who were killed. It is a cast bronze plaque mounted onto an oak backboard. Inscription in relief laurel leaf border on the plaque. Soldier with arms at the port depicted in the top left hand corner. Figure of Victory/Peace holding a laurel leaf depicted in the upper right corner. The Inscription reads: At the top: Kipping Chapel Roll of Honour of men who offered their lives for King and Country 1914-1919. Left and right hand sides: (Names). Centre: And in memory of those who made the Supreme Sacrifice, (names). Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Research is ongoing as to the backgrounds and service of these men.
Rolls of honour are difficult to research as the men remembered survived the war, and records are relatively sparse after the war. Most service records of WW1 only give forename initials, not full names. I am researching those with uncommon names first.
Those remembered:
John T. Ackroyd, John Thomas Ackroyd, the elder son of Prince and Amelia Ackroyd of 63 School Green, born 1887. In the 1901 Census he was aged 14 and employed as a worsted spinner, living at home at the Wellington Inn where his father was the publican. In the 1911 Census he was living with his mother, Amelia, a widow, and Licensee of the Wellington Inn, and with his younger sister, Laura. John T. was now a Plumber (journeyman), working for Bradford Dyers Association, at Water Lane Dyeworks, off hornton Road, Bradford.. He enlisted at Halifax on 11 February 1916, and transferred to Chatham on 18 February 1916 where he was enlisted in the Royal Engineers, as a Sapper, 202 F Company. #145298. He served at the Expeditionary Force depot in France from July 1916, and was demobbed in January 1919. He married Alice, née Hurtley of Thornton in 1927, and in the 1939 Register they were living at 40 Scotchman Road, his occupation being Plumber and Pipe Fitter retired. He died in 1965, in Bradford.
Joseph Ackroyd, born 1889,younger brother of John Thomas Ackroyd, son of Prince and Amelia Ackroyd of 63 School Green. For his life until 1921 see John Thomas Ackroyd, (above). In 1921 he was an electrical engineer, working for B&F Parkinson of Netherfield Works, Guiseley. . He died 29 April 1954 in Thornton and was buried at Kipping Cemetery. (Updated 6 April 2023)
Willie Ackroyd see Thornton Methodist Church Roll of Honour
Clement Ambler, Clement Roy Ambler, born 13 November 1900 the second son of Albert and Pamela Ambler of 33 Market Street. Enlisted in the RAF at the age of 17 on 2 September 1918. After the war he married Annie Kershaw in 1928. In the 1939 Register he was a weighing machine fitter living in Sheffield. He later moved to Dronfield where he died in 1979.
John A. Ambler, John Alfred Ambler, born 30th October 1898, was the eldest son of Albert and Pamela Ambler of 33 Market Street, Thornton. In the1911 Census, aged 12, he was part time at school and part time worsted spinner. He served as a Private in the 8th East Yorkshire Regiment #40842. Discharged 22 October 1919. In 1924 he married Janey Linda Hunt. In the 1939 Register he was living with his wife and son at 14 Oxford Road, Clayton.. He died in October 1979.
Harold Andrews, born 11 December 1888, the son of Herbert and Lizzie Andrews of number 8 Bottom of the Row (now known as the houses up Close Head.). His father was a weaving over-looker. By the 1901 census Harold was a scholar and the family had moved to 5 Roundfield Place. By the 1911 Census the family had moved to Ash Tree Farm, where his father was the farmer and he worked on the farm. In the 1913 Electoral register Harold was living at 10 Close Head, and in 1914 Electoral register he was at a farm at Close Head. I have not found any military records about him. In 1911 he married Mary Elizabeth Wigglesworth, of Bradford. The electoral registers show they moved to 38 Hoxton Street. They were there between 1923 and 1928, but may have been there before 1923 and after 1928. In the 1939 register they were living at 5 Frizinghall Road, Bradford where Harold was a Grocer in his own right. They had a 22 year old son, Hugh Craven Andrews who was at University. Harold died on 17 December 1974, aged 86. His address at that time was 1 Cliffe Gardens, Bradford Road, Shipley. (Updated 24 August 2022)
Alfred Henry Ashcroft, younger brother of Arthur and George. He was born 4 January 1888, and in the 1911 Census he was living at 81A Thornton Road (near to the house at the village end of Simmonites which was numbered 81). He was married to Alice, and employed as a Chemist’s Commercial Traveller. In 1914 he lived at 8 Close Head. He served from 1916 to 1919 in the Royal Navy, #J6214. He served on HMS Royal Sovereign from 7 Fecruary 1917 to 24 February 1919, when he was demobilised. In the 1921 Census he was Warehouse Manager of the Bradford Chemists Alliance Ltd, at 102a City Road, Bradford. He lived with his wife Alice, and their 9 year old son, Alfred Royston Ashcroft at 26 Well Heads, which is in Denholme civil parish. In the 1939 Register, he was living with his wife and a Catherine Ashcrift, a widow born in 1860, at 35 Ferncliffe Drive, Baildon, and was employed as Wholesale Chemists Manager. He died on 10 October 1966, his probate record stating that he was “of The Empress Hostel, Marine Road, Morecambe and Heysham, Lancashire, with probate awarded to his son, Alfred Royston Ashcroft. The newspaper, the Morecambe VFisitor, of 6 March 1963 in referring to the death of Alfred’s wife, Alice, at that time, states: “She came to the town about 18 years ago (about 1945) with her husband for health reasons. Mr. Ashcroft had been employed by ICI during the war, and then was book-keeper at a local garage. (Updated 10 March 2024)
Arthur Ashcroft, brother of George Ashcroft, born in 27 May 1881. In the 1911 Census he was single, aged 29, and employed as a Stone Mason, and was living with his parents, sisters, and George at 130 Station View, Thornton (now numbered 586 Thornton Road, Thornton.) War service not known, (There were 19 men named Arthur Ashcroft in WW!). ~In the 1921 Census he was living at 8 Close Head, Thornton, with his wife Annie and their 1 year old daughter Kathleen Mary, and he was employed as a Bricklayer and Stone Waller. In the 1939 Register he lived with Annie and their two daughters at 15 Wensley Bank West. He died in 1961. (Updated 10 March 2024)
George Ashcroft see Thornton War Memorial WW1 (George E. Ashcroft)
Herbert Ashton
Alfred Bairstow It was reported in the Bradford Weekly Telegraph of 25 May 1917 that Rifleman Alfred of the West Yorkshire Regiment, of 38 Market Street, Thornton “is now at St. Luke’s Hospital suffering from shrapnel wounds. He enlisted in November last, and was formerly employed by Messrs. Wm North &? Co., Dyers.” (updated 22 August 2023)
Thomas Bairstow, born November 1884, son of James Bairstow. At the time of enlisting, 11 November 1916, he was aged 32, worked in a Munitions Factory (previously an Assistant in a Grocer’s Shop), and lived at 6 Rock Terrace, Thornton. His health was classed as C1, and was in the Garrison at home. He married Annie Buskle at Allerton Parish Church on 20 January, 1917. Gunner, Anti-Aircraft, Royal Garrison Artillery Company #149784. He was discharged in April 1918, receiving a pension to be reviewed in 48 weeks, due to Bronchitis and Debility. In the 1921 census he was living with his wife Annie, and their 2 children, Frances Joan and Kenneth, at 22 Spring Holes, and worked as an assistant at Hollingsworth’s Grocery shop at 61 Market Street, Thornton. In the 1939 Register he was at home with 3 children, at 10 Heys Avenue. His occupation is shown as Grocer; Joan worked in a Bakers and Conectioners, and later married a Mr. Mault; Kenneth was a Sign Writer, and Derek was a Textile Clerk. (Updated 5 May, 2024)
Harry Barnard, son of Thomas and Nanny Barnard. Born 23 March 1896. In 1901 the family were living at 8 Lion (sic) Street. In the 1911 census the family had moved to 23 Commercial Street and Harry was employed as a Bobbin Carrier, most likely at Albion Mills. He attested on 2 September 1914, aged 19 (actually 18), at which time he lived at 13 Friendly Street. He served as a Private in the 6th West Yorkshire Regiment, #2279. His medal card shows that later he was a Private in the Royal Air Force, #402063. In the 1921 Census he was aged 25, and employed as a Fitter at Mark Dawson & Sons, at Prospect Mills. He lived with his parents and two cousins at 17 James Street, Thornton, but is shown on the electoral registers as living at 18 Providence Terrace, (to double check). In the 1939 Register (like a census but not as detailed) he was Single and living with 3 other, apparently unrelated people, at 15 Providence Terrace, and was employed as an Engineer’s Fitter in the textile industry. (Updated 26 April 2023)
Albert Birch
Fred Birch
Johnathan Birch
Percy Birch see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Wesley Birch see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Frank Briggs, born about 1893, the 4th son of John and Elizabeth Briggs of 34 Alderscholes Lane. In the 1911 Census he was a Butcher. He enlisted before 17 September 1915. In 1930 he was living with Sarah Ann Briggs at 34 Alderscholes Lane. (updated 26 April 2023)
Miles Briggs, born about 1889, the 3rd son of John and Elizabeth Briggs of 34 Alderscholes Lane. In the 1911 Census he was a Farm Labourer, most likely working for his father who was a woolsorter and part-time Farmer. (Updated 26 April, 2023)
Arnold Butterfield
Bernard Butterfield
Harry Butterfield
Laurie Butterfield
Harry Clay
Willie Clayton, in 1914 lived at 65 Moscow (updated 26 April, 2023)
Harry Coates
Harry Cook, RFA, Denholme. Enlisted before 17 September 1915. (Updated 26 April 2023)
Willie Cook
Clive Coulson, son of John William and Edith Mary Coulson of Storrs Farm, Thornton. Born in Drewton, Brough, East Yorkshire in 1897. Enlisted 3 May 1918, and served as a Guardsman in the Coldstream Guards, based in Windsor, #27258. He was transferred to Z Reserve on 13 November 1919 (Updated 9 August 2022, incomplete)
William Coulson see Thornton War Memorial WW1
James Coulton, born in 1884, of 95 Sapgate Lane, Thornton. In the 1911 Census James and his wife, Mary Ann, and 3 children, Isabella, George and James were living at 9 Mill Street, Cullingworth, and he was employed as a Labourer in an Iron and Steel works. At the time of enlisting he lived at 95 Sapgate Lane, Thornton, Enlisted 31 May 1915. Private 3/6 West Yorkshire Regiment, #4358, transferred to #241564. Served in France from 27 May 1916. Discharged as surplus to military requirements (having suffered impairment since entry into the service), on 22 March 1919, at which time the family lived at 2 Queen Street, Cullingworth. He was discharged with 50% debility due to bronchitis, caused by war service. In the 1921 Census he was employed as a Postman at Cullingworth, and had 2 more children. (updated 26 April 2023)
Ernest Craven
Harry Craven see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Laurie Crossland
Arthur Crossley see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Frank Dalby
James Davis
Eli Dobson
James Downs, born 30 March 1899, in Pudsey, son of John William Downs and Mary Downs, later of Woodlands, West Lane, Thornton. Educated at New College, Harrogate. In the 1911 Census he was aged 13 and a scholar at that School. He enlisted on 3 June 1918 aged 19 years and 2 months, at which time he was described as a student at New College. Private, 13th Btn., East Lancs, #41433. (Previously Private Northumberland Fusiliers #85828). He was de-mobbed in 14 February, 1919. In September 1922 he travelled on the S.S. Megantic to Quebec, Canada, to sell textile goods, at which time his occupation was manufacturer, and he gave his religion as Congregationalist.. He married Kathleen M. Whitley in April 1925. In the 1939 Register, he and his wife were living at 9 Esholt Avenue, Guiseley and was a Textile Manufacturer and Director. He died in January 1976.
John (Jack) Downs, M.C., born 28 January 1898 in Pudsey, son of John Wm. Downs and Mary Downs, later of Woodlands, West Lane, Thornton. In the 1911 Census he was a boarder at the same school as his brother James, New College at Harrogate. Second Lieutenant, Royal Horse Arillary, later 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery. He served in France. During the war he was awarded the Military Cross. He survived the war. He married Constance Emsley in April 1927. In the 1939 Register he was living at Rookwood, 110 Pearson Lane, Daisy Hill, Bradford, with is wife, at which time he was listed as a Textile Manufacturer and Commandant of Bradford AFS. By 1947 he had been awarded the O.B.E. During his adult life he was known as Jack, rather than John. He died on 21 February 1988, in Bradford.
William Downs, born 29 December 1896, in Pudsey, son of John Wm. Downs and Mary Downs of who were later of Woodlands, West Lane, Thornton. In the 1901 Census he was living with his father, and his brother John at 70 South Parade, Pudsey. In the 1911 census he was a boarder with his brothers James and John, at New College, Harrogate. 11th Loyal North Lancahire Regiment. No war records can be found, possibly because they were amongst the millions of records destroyed by German bomber in WW2. On 14 December 1933 he arrived in New York, on the S.S. Berengaria from Southampton. In the 1939 Register he was living with his parents at Woodlands, Thornton, having returned from abroad. His occupation was shown as a Textile Manufacturer. He died in Wharfedale in July 1962. (Updated 26 April, 2023)
Arnold Drake, Arnold Wilby Drake, elder son of Harriet and Smith Drake of Algoa House, Station View, 122 Thornton Road, Thornton. Brother to Edwin. In the 1911 census he was living with his parents and brother and was employed as a Wool Sorter. He married Clarissa Mary Bateman, at Kipping Chapel on 14 August 1915. He enlisted in April 1917, at which time his address was3 Wensley Bank West, Thornton. Private, Prince of Wales (West Yorkshire Regiment), #205212. He served in France from 17 June 1917 to 20 February 1918, and was then a patient in Mile End Road Hospital, London, for 46 days, before returning home. His attestation records were partly burnt due to enemy incendiary bombs in WW2 and it is not clear why he was in hospital. In the 1939 Register he was living at 25 Albert Street with his wife. His occupation is given as Foreman, wool sorter. He died in October 1951.
Edwin Drake see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Maurice Drake
Percy Drake, born on 28 November 1891, elder son of Tetley and Sarah Drake of 44 Albert Street, Thornton. Before enlisting on 11 December 1915 , Percy was a Plush weaver (silk), living with his wife, Ruth née Spencer at 4 Lyon Street, Thornton. They had married at Denholme Parish Church on 2 October 1915. Gunner, Royal Garrison Artillery, #74985. Served in France from 19/1/17 to 1/9/18. Injured in 1918, twice, to ankle, knee, and face. Admitted to St. James Infirmary Balham from 2/9/1918 to 15/9/18. On discharge, on 24 October 1918, he had Chronic Synovitis of the knee, deemed 20% attributable to war service and he received a pension of 5 shillings and 6 pence to be reviewed after 26 weeks.
From 1918 to 1929 Percy an his wife lived with his parents at 44 Albert Street. They had a daughter, Margery who was born on 25 May 1929. They continued to live ar 44 Albert Street until some time around 1929/30 when they moved to 4 Albert Street. It is not known where they were between 1932 and 1939. In the 1939 Register Percy, Ruth, and Margery were living at 23 Broadbent Street, which was in the Little Horton area of Bradford. Percy’s occupation was given as a Weaving Overlooker. His daughter, Margery was employed as a Building Society Clerk. (She married a Mr. Robinson in the autumn of 1940). There were 2 Percy Drakes born in 1981. One died in 1957 and the other in 1975. It is not clear which is Percy, husband of Ruth. updated 10 August 2022)
Vernon Drake, son of William and Sarah Anne Drake of 9 Mary Street, born 1895. In the 1911 Census Vernon was a Bobbin Pigger in a Worsted mill. On 14 February 1916, at the age of 21 years and 111 days he enlisted in the Army, at which time he was a Velvet Finisher. His incomplete Army papers show him at various times (no dates) in the 15th Yorkshire Regiment, and in the 3rd and the 13th, #28942. A note within the Army papers, addressed to his father is a note date 10 June (year undecipherable), from a Casualty station, stating: “This soldier presumably became a further casualty on his way to the Dressing Station owing to heavy shell fire.” He was discharged from the Army via Clipstone Dispersal Unit on 20 March 1919.
Electoral registers show that he lived at 9 Mary Street from 1919 to 1926. He married Ethel Fallon in the October to December quarter of 1926, and moved in with her and her father at 55 Chapel Street, Eccleshill. They continued to live at that address until at least 1931. Vernon died in 1938 and was buried at Eccleshill Congregational Graveyard on 15 January 1938. (updated 10 August 2022)
Archie Driver Initial check 10/8/22 – Could it be Alfred Archer Driver?)
Arthur Duckett
Clarence Farrar, (initial check 18/8/22)
Harold Farrar (initial check 18/8/22)
Frank Fielding
James Fielding
Arthur Fletcher
John Fletcher
Ernest Frankland
William Gillbanks see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Clifford Greenwood
Sam Greenwood
J. Alfred Hainsworth
Fred Hardcastle, the Bradford Weekly Telegraph of 25 August 1916 states: “Private F. Hardcastle of Green Lane and the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Yorkshire), has been wounded, He enlisted in August of 1914 and was “gassed” in Belgium in May of the followng year. He returned to the front early this year, and was wounded in the July advance. Private Hardcastle has a wife and four children.” (updated 4 July 2023)
Harold Hardy
Joseph Hardy
Bert Harrison
Charles Harrison
William Heaton
Alfred Hill
John R. Hill
John Hindle
Geoffrey Hodgson
James Isaac Holdsworth, Royal Field Artillery. Enlisted before 17 September 1915. (Updated 26 April 2023)
Wilfred Holroyd
Harry Illingworth
Jonas Illingworth
Joseph T. Jackman
Alfred Jowett
Edgar Jowett
Wallace Jowett
Fred Kellett, Enlisted before 17 September 1915. (updated 26 April 2023)
Herman Kershaw, born 12 July1879, the son of Isaac and Caroline Kershaw, who in 1881 were living at 23 Green Well Place, Clayton. His father was a Grocer and Inn Keeper. In the 1891 Census, Herman was living with his mother and sister at 19 Cranbrook Street, Clayton, aged 12 and employed as a Worsted Spinner. In the 1901 Census he was still living at 19 Cranbrook Street, with his mother, a widow. He was employed as a Joiner (Journeyman Carpenter). Later in 1901 he married Emily Smith. In the 1911 Census he was living with his wife, Emily, and their son, Harry, aged 9, himself aged 32. He was employed as a Joiner (on Buildings), and the family lived at 4 Providence Terrace, Thornton. In the 1911 and 1912 electoral registers he was at 4 Providence Terrace, Thornton, and from 1913 to 1914, and 1920 to 1924 at 2 Albert Street, Thornton. In the 1939 Register he was living with his wife, Emily, at 2 Broomfield Place, Clayton, aged 60 and employed as a Joiner – Bench Hand. He died on 7 March 1962 at Leeds Road Hospital, aged 82, at which time his home was in Upper Syke, Clayton. Probate was granted to his son, Harry, who was a Retail Grocer. There were 132 men in WW1 named H. Kershaw. Further update to follow. (Updated 9 August 2022)
Frank Knapton
Harold Knapton see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Thomas Knapton
Willie Knapton
Arthur Laytham
Percy Laytham
Frank Leach see Thornton War Memorial WW1
James Ralph Leach, Ashfield Road, 16th West Yorkshire. Enlisted before 17 September 1915. (Updated 26 April 2023)
John Edgar Leach, Ashfield Road , Royal Army Medical Corps. Enlisted before 17 September 1915. (Updated 26 April 2023)
Norman Leach
Redham Leach
Thomas Lee
Arthur Linfoot
Wilfred Morrell, 4 Rock Terrace, 16th West Yorkshire. Enlisted before 17 September 1915. (Updated 26 April 2023)
Harry Nicholson
Frank Northrop see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Herbert Northrop
John Ogden see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Joseph Ogden
Albert Pickles
James Price
Arthur Rawnsley, Peel Street. Enlisted before 17 September 1915. (Updated 26 April 2023)
Donhirst Robertshaw
Edgar Robinson see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Fred Robinson
Herbert Robinson
John C. Robinson
Pearson Robinson
Sam Robinson see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Harry Rouse
Arthur Rumbould
Charles Seales
Horace Seekin (Seekings), West Surrey Regt. Enlisted before 17 September 1915. (Updated 26 April 2023)
Benjamin Sharpe
Walter Simpson
Archbell D. Smith
Joseph Smith see Thornton War Memorial WW1
George Smithson see Thornton War Memorial WW1
John Speight
Harold Stephenson
Harry Sunderland
Ira Sunderland
John S. Swales
Fred Taylor
Harry Thackeray
Clarence Varley
Sam Varley
Wilfred Varley, Mary Street. Enlisted before 17 September 1915. (Updated 26 April 2023)
James Waddington see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Julian Waddington
Laurie Waddington
Wallace Ward
Alfred Watmough see Thornton War Memorial WW1
Arthur Watmough surname spelt Watmuff see Thornton Methodist Roll of Honour WW1 (survived)
Edgar Watmough
Sam Watmough
Cyril Wharton
Fred Wharton
James Whinson
Willie Wild
Edgar Wilkinson
Harry Wilkinson
Charles Wood
(Updated 6 April 2023)
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