It is in the school library and states:
“THIS LIBRARY IS DEDICATED TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY OF THE OLD SCHOLARS OF THE SCHOOL WHO GAVE THEIR LIVE FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN THE TWO WORLD WARS.”
The Memorial was dedicated on Saturday November 8 1952.
WW1
B. Gill, Bernard Gill, born in July 1896, son of William and Eliza Augusta Gill, of Glenaire, West Lane, Baildon. Born in July 1896. In the 1911 Census they lived at 21 Duckworth Terrace, he was aged 14 and a schoolboy.
Private, 1st/1st Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry, #2104 Died of wounds, 27 November 1915, aged 19. Grave reference: II.C.4, Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. (Updated 7 March 2021)
T. Haggas, see Traverra Haggas on Thornton War Memorial WW1 (Updated 7 March 2021)
C. N. Jolly, see (Charles) Neville Jolly on Thornton War Memorial WW1 (Updated 3 March 2021)
G. Milnes,George Henry Milnes, born in the first quarter of 1897, son of Samuel and Annie Milnes, who in 1891 were living at 142 Baird Street, Bradford. George’s father died in 1903. Bradford. His mother, Annie, married John Hardcastle in 1906, when the family moved to Lower Rushton Road, Bradford.
Private, 15th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment, (Prince of Wales) #40174. Died 21 November 1916, aged 19. Grave reference VI.B.5, Couin British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. (Updated 3 November 2023)
G. Northrop, see Geoffrey William Northrop on Thornton War Memorial WW1 (Updated 3 March 2021)
J. Ogden, see John Ogden on Thornton War Memorial WW1 (Updated 8 March 2021)
A. Whitaker, see Arthur Whitaker on Thornton War Memorial WW1 (Updated 3 March 2021)
WW2
Cyril Bean, born 10 February 1916 in Garforth, Leeds, the 4th and youngest son of Mr. Albert Algernon Bean and Mrs Susannah Bean. In 1921 the family, including 3 daughters and a son-in-law, lived at 52 Scarlet Heights, Queensbury. In 1939 Mr and Mrs Bean were living with 2 daughters at 17 Cambridge Street, Queensbury. Of the others most had married and lived around the Queensbury area. Cyril attended Thornton Grammar School. In the 1939 Register, a Cyril Bean, born on 10 February 1916 was living with the owners and their young daughter in the village of Thorpe, north of Skipton, in a house called Greystones. His employment is shown as “Garden journeyman private…”, and then a difficult-to-read word which could be “services” or “servant”. The family’s name is not easy to read either, could be “Tennant” or “Tenrant”.
Leading Aircraftman, RAF, 84 squadron, #994122. Reported Missing since the fall of Java in March 1942. It was reported in the Bradford Observer of 12 June 1943, that he was a Prisoner of War in the hands of the Japanese. He was then aged 27 and had been overseas for 3 years. He was one of 4 sons serving in the forces and one of his sisters was serving in the Land Army. Records show that he was a prisoner at no. 4 camp in Osaka, Japan, and that he was stll there on 30th August 1945, after the Emperor had declared Surrender. Records show that he was liberated on September 2, 1945. I have been unable to trace a Cyril Bean in the Bradford area after 1945. A Cyril Bean, born 10 February 1916 died in East Staffordshire in 2001. (Updated 12 January 2024)
G. Bentley, see George W. Bentley on Thornton War Memorial WW2 (Updated 8 March 2021)
E. Binns, see Edward Binns on Thornton War Memorial WW2 (Updated 3 March 2021)
R(eginald) Booth, born 14 January 1917, son of Reginald and Beatrice Booth. Attended Thornton Grammar School. He married, Annie Musinski of Eccleshill in 1939, at which time they lived at 41 Mount Street, Ecclleshill. Prior to enlisting he was a Warehouse Clerk. Sgt., RAFVR. Squadron 15, #942419. A member of the crew of a Stirling I W7634 which crashed on a mission in the Germany / Baltic area, killing all 7 crew. 1 of 3, out of 25 aircraft, lost. The aircraft crashed in the Baltic, not far from Peenemunde; one body recovered. Died 1st October 1942. Commemorated at the Runneymede Memorial, panel 78 (Updated 1 October 2023)
H(arry) S(quire) Burke, son of Harry and Lizzie Burke of Cale Green, Stockport, formerly of Bradford. His parents moved to Stockport when Harry was in the 4th Form of the school. Attended TGS 1931-1935. The Thorntonian, the annual periodical of Thornton Grammar School states that he was a trained wireless operator. Air Gunner, RAF, Squadron 61, #551687 Died when a training flight crashed during daylight. The aircraft, an Avro Anson I, serial number N9824, took off from RAF North Luffenham, Rutland, and crashed near Swindon, killing all 5 crew. Died 12 March 1940, aged 19. Grave reference: Sec. A. Grave 1121, Stockport Borough Cemetery. Further details at https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/103216/ (Updated 11 February 2022)
Frank Chapman, attended TGS 1928-1932. Most likely the son of Mr and Mrs J E Chapman of Lidget Avenue, Bradford and husband of Margaret Helen nee Dalby. They married 11 July 1941. Enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, #945792, Flight Sergeant (Observer) 273 Squadron, based at Idku, Egypt. Believed to have been shot down by a Bf109 southeast of Sollum during a ground attack sortie on the road between Buq Buq and Sidi Barrani Reported missing, presumed dead, 26 June 1942. Remembered at Alamein Memorial, Column 249, Egypt (Updated 12 November 2022)
J(ames) Coles, son of Walter and Frances Emma Coles of Bradford, born 2 September 1922. His father, a miner, died in 1932. James attended Thornton Grammar School. In the 1939 Register he was living with his mother, who was a housekeeper to Timothy Wood, all living at Chat Hill Farm. At that time James was an Apprentice Cloth Warehouseman..
Flight Sergeant, (Air Gunner) 163 Squadron RAFVR. #1684124. (Lancaster PB638). The aircraft took of at 19:25hrs from RAF Scampton. It was shot down by night fighter and crashed near Michelbach, 4 km NNE of Aglasterhausen, about 45 km E of Heidelberg, Germany. Died 29 January 1945, aged 23. Grave reference: 5.H.23 Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany (Updated 27 January 2023)
J Dalby see John Dalby at Thornton War Memorial WW2 (Updated 8 March, 2021)
E. Dobson, Ernest Dobson, son of Arthur and Alice Dobson of Copy Field, Allerton. Sergeant, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 214 Sqdn., #1590215. Died 09 February 1945, aged 20. Sgt. Dobson was Air Gunner in the Flying Fortress Mark III HB796 which took off from RAF Oulton (Norfolk) at 03:29hrs, tasked to dispense Window west of the Ruhr. Failed to return on 9 February 1945 presumed lost in the North Sea. Only four bodies were ever recovered. (Robertson, Bunyan, Dobson and Banner). “Window” was later renamed “Chaff” and is a Radar counter-measure. Also remembered at Bradford Crematorium. and at Allerton and Daisy Hill War Memorial. (Updated 20 January 2023)
J(ack) Egarr, born 9 July 1911, son of Thomas and Gertrude Egarr, of 313 Kensington Street, Girlington, Bradford, Yorkshire. and husband of husband of Edith M. Egarr, née Willey, of Alloa, Clackmannon, Scotland. Fellow of the Library Association. The Alloa Advertiser newspaper stated on 11 April 1936 that the Clackmannan County Library Committee had appointed him to be the first County Librarian of Clackmannan. He had previously worked for 4 years before that at Dumfries Libraries, and before that at Bradford Public Libraries. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 264522, H.M.S Culver. Died 31 January 1942 Remembered at Portsmouth Naval Memorial, panel 65, column 3. The Alloa Journal 14 February 1942 reported: “News was received in Alloa on Tuesday that Mr. Jack Egarr, F.L.A., first Chief Librarian of the new County Library had been reported ‘missing, presumed killed‘. He had been serving in the Royal Navy since April last. Mr Egarr was appointed Chief Librarian in 1936 … He was a native of Bradford, where he received his early training in the City Library there. … He took an active part in Scottish Library affairs, and, but for the War, he would have been President of the Scottish Library Association. It will be generally admitted that Mr. Egarr was an extremely successful County Librarian. Popular with all the patrons of the library, he was ever ready to help any reader in search of information….. He leaves a widow to whom sympathy of the book loving community will be extended at this time of tragic bereavement.” He is also remembered on Alloa War Memorial (Updated 13 July 2022)
E(dgar) Feather, born April 1924, the son of Rhudall and Annie Feather, née Mellor. After his parents’ death when he was aged 14, he went to live with his uncle, Norman C. Mellor at 18 Vaughan Street, Halifax. Prior to the war he was a member of Halifax ATC. He was educated at Thornton Grammar School and Halifax Tech, and employed in the fitting department at Halifax Gas Works. Sergeant, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 7 Sqdn., #1459770. He was killed in a Lancaster bomber, which set off on 1 May at night to bomb the main railway depot and stores for northern France. The plane crashed at Nointel, north-east of Versailles, on 2 May 1944. Grave reference: Collective grave, Nointel Communal Cemetery, Val d’Oise, France. He is also remembered in the Halifax Town Hall Books of Remembrance. (Updated 29 April 2023)
Denni) Greaves, born 30 January 1916, the son of Fred and Martha Greaves of 7 Thomas Street, in Denholme. He attended Thornton Grammar school from 1928 to 1932. In the 1939 Register he is living with Jessie Greaves at 16 Old Road, Denholme, and he was employed as a Wool, Mohair, Alpaca Sorter. He was a musician in a Royal Marine Band #RMB/X1467. Killed when HMS Neptune struck two mines in an unchartered minefield north of Tripoli, 19 December 1941. He is commemorated at Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 59, column 3. He is also remembered on Denholme War Memorial. At the time of his death his home was 12 Lodge Gate, Denholme. (Updated 19 December 2022)
J. Hainsworth, see Jack Hainsworth at Thornton War Memorial WW2 (Updated 8 March 2021)
J W Hitchen, James Watson Hitchen, born February 1917. Son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Hitchen, of 3 Lyon Street, Thornton. Husband of Ellen Theresa Hitchen. Attended Thornton Grammar School. Lance Bombardier, Royal Artillery 97 (3rd Bn The London Scottish) Heavy Anti Aircraft Regt. #1534207. Died in 1942 between 17 April and 18 April, aged 25. Grave reference: Uncons. Sec. 3. Grave 1866, Bradford (Scholemoor) Cemetery. (Updated 12 October 2023)
H L Hudson, Henry Lynton Hudson, born April 1914, son of Henry and Elizabeth Ann Hudson of Bradford. He is shown in a list of successful candidates who passed the Award of School Certificate, at Thornton Grammar School, in the Leeds Times of August 1931. In October 1939 he married Marjorie Halford and lived at 520 Great Horton Road. Lance Corporal, Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C., 40th (7th Bn The Kings Regt [Liverpool]), # 7913125. Died 28 July 1941, in Surrey on War Service, aged 27. Grave Reference: Cons. Sec 3, grave1373 Bradford (Scholemoor) Cemetery. A Commonwealth War Grave. (Updated 26 July 2023)
F A Pearson, Frank Alwyn Pearson, born about 1914. Son of Harry and Mary Pearson of Queensbury. In 1941 he married Mary A. Leathley in Calder District. He lived in Queensbury, and achieved a Bachelor of Arts. He was a Teacher in Halifax area. Flight Sergeant, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 149 Sqdn. #1125798. Died 12 March 1943, aged 29. Grave Reference: Coll. Grave 3-8, Bergh (Beek) Roman Catholic Churchyard, The Netherlands. He is also remembered on Queensbury War Memorial and on Halifax Teachers’ War Memorial (Updated 11 March 2021)
J R Robinson, John Richard Robinson born in 1918 in Wakefield, a Lance Corporal in the 4th Battalion, the Lincolnshire Regiment, #4803815. Died 3d September 1944, aged 26. Grave Reference Divn.67, Row M. Grave 12, at Sainte Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France. He is also remembered on the WW2 Bradford Roll of Honour at Bradford Cathedral.
The Telegraph and Argus has 3 “In Memorium” notices in its issue for 3 September 1945. The first from his Parents, just says from “Mother and Father”; that from his widow, describes him as “my husband”, and also states “Chellow”, and the 3rd is from Dors (or Doris), Tom, and Audrey, who describe him as our “brother”. Attempts to find more information about him have been unsuccessful. (Updated 8September 2023)
D. Thornton, Douglas Thornton, born 7 August 1918, son of Thomas and Margaret Thornton of 25 Rhodesway, Bradford. Married Elsie Boocock in June 1942. In 1939 Douglas was a Joiner’s Costing Clerk. Sergeant, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 138 Sqdn., #1055021. Sgt. Thornton was the 2nd Pilot on a Whitley Mk V Z9282 NF-M which left RAF Tempsford on a secret, unrecorded operation. Crashed at Vire, (Calvados), cause not established. Note. The secret operation referred to was probably OPERATION SPANIEL. Recorded as an outstanding supply drop. Source: Aircraft lost on Allied Force’s Special Duty Operations & Associated Roll of Honour, page 43. Died 26 July 1942, aged 23. Grave reference: Plot L, Grave 3, Vire New Communal Cemetery, Calvados, France (Updated 11 February 2022)
J. Worsnop, Jack Worsnop, see Thornton Cemetery War and Family Graves WW2 (Updated 12 March 2021)
Joan Wright, born 23 May 1914, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. H. Wright of Elmwood, 28 Chapel Lane, Allerton. In 1912 her father was a Wool and Waste Merchant. In the 1939 register she is employed as a Private Children’s Nurse, and living with her mother Mabel at the above address. Private, Auxiliary Territorial Service, Women’s Branch, (MTC, (Mechanised Transport Corps, and FANY ( First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princess Royal’s Volunteer Corps) #103354. Died 10 October 1941, aged 27, in the County Hospital at York. An inquest found that she took her own life while the balance of her mind was disturbed. Grave reference: Cons. Sec. 1. Grave 447. Bradford (Scholemoor) Cemetery (Updated 11 February 2022)
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