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The War Memorial in Middleham
 
The War Memorial stands in the Churchyard of The Church of St Alkeda and St Mary and it is inscribed as follows:
 
"Be Thou Faithful unto Death".
 
Br Thomas E M Rumford,      R F A, 10 June 1916
Gnr William H Turner,             R F A, 10 July 1917
Pte Harold L Collinson,           4th North Fus, 26 October 1917
L/Cpl Charles R Nicholson,    19th North Fus, 13 July 1917
Pte John W Weatherill,           Royal Fusiliers, 23 April 1916
Pte Thomas Sarginson,          1st Lincolnshire, 1 June 1918
Sgt John Sarginson,               11th West Yorks, 4 July 1916
Pte John W Teasdale,            2nd Yorks, 26 October 1917
Pte Digby C Beswick,             4th Yorks, 14 February 1916
Pte Henry Peacock,               5th Yorks, 28 April 1917
Cpl Charles B Miller,               6th Yorks, 21 August 1915
L/Cpl Frank Collinson,            1st Border, 1st July 1916
Pte Frederick Clarkson,          8th Border, 10 April 1918
Pte Bertie Putter,                    10th Royal West Kents, 10 August 1917
Cpl William T Deighton,          R A S C, 21 September 1917
Pte John C C Handley,           Tank Corps, 7th October 1918
 
Also: Died in England,
Capt Sir David Durell Barclay, Bart.
R T O Late 19th Hussars
2 October 1918
and
2nd Lieut. William Logan Rayner
The King's Liverpool Regiment
28 October 1918
 
There are two Memorial plaques within the Church
 
TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO
MADE THE GREAT SCRIFICE 1914-1918
 
Br RUMFORD, THOMAS E M           R F A,                          10 June 1916
Gnr TURNER, WILLIAM H                 R F A,                          10 July 1917
Pte COLLINSON, HAROLD L            4 North Fus,                26 October 1917
L/Cpl NICHOLSON, CHARLES R     19 North Fus,              13 July 1917
Pte WEATHERILL, JOHN W              Royal Fusiliers,           23 April 1916
Pte SARGINSON, THOMAS             1 Lincolnshire,             1 June 1918
Sgt SARGINSON, JOHN                   11 West Yorks,           4 July 1916
Pte TEASDALE, JOHN W                  2 Yorks Regt,              26 October 1917
Pte BESWICK, DIGBY G                   4 Yorks Regt,              14 February 1916
Pte PEACOCK, HENRY                    5 Yorks,                       28 April 1917
Cpl MILLER, CHARLES B                 6 Yorks,                       21 August 1915
L/Cpl COLLINSON FRANK                1 Border,                     1 July 1916
Pte CLARKSON, FREDERICK         8 Border,                     10 April 1918
Pte POTTER BERTIE                        10 Royal West Kents, 10 August 1917
Cpl DEIGHTON, WILLIAM T              R A S C,                      21 September 1917
Pte HANDLEY, JOHN C C                 Tank Corps,                7 October 1918
Also Died in England,
Capt SIR DAVID DURELL BARCLAY, Bart.
R T O              Late 19th Hussars      2 October 1918
2 Lieut. WILLIAM LOGAN RAYNER The King's
Liverpool Regiment                             28 October 1918
 
The second plaque:
 
To the Glory of God and
To the Memory of
DAVID EDWARD DURRELL BARCLAY
Twelfth Baronet of Pierston Ayrshire
Born 30 March 1858 – Died 2 Octr 1918
Captain late 19th P W O Hussars Served
In the Egyptian Campaign 1882 Sudan
Campaign 1884 and in the Great War
As Railway Transport Officer  Also of
LETITIA his Wife who died April 5 1923
Daughter of the Hon Amias C Orde-Powlett
Of Thorney Hall Spennithorne  R I P
 
 
Those who fell in WW1
 
BARCLAY Sir David Edward Durell, 12th Baronet of Pierston.
He had served as Captain and the Rail Transport Officer of 19th (Queen Alexandra’s Own Royal) Hussars
He died of natural causes on 2 October 1918 at The Grove, Middleham. He was 60
He was the husband of Letitia Barclay
There is a memorial to him and his wife in the Church
His resting place is not known
 
BESWICK George Digby
Private, 4th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), 150 Brigade, 50th Division.  Army no. 3940
He was killed in action on Monday 14 February 1916. He was 22.
He was the son of Henry and Isabel Beswick of Middleham, both predeceased him.
He is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) near Ypres, Belgium
 
CLARKSON, Frederick
Private, 8th (Service) Battalion, The Border Regiment, 50th Division. Army no 241764. He formerly served as Private, Army no 5424 with Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment),
He was killed in action on Wednesday 10 April 1918 at the Battle of Estaires. He was 29
He was the son of James Henry and Elizabeth Clarkson of Middleham
He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium
 
COLLINSON, Frank
Lance Corporal, 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment, 87 Brigade, 29th Division. Army no. 22977
He was killed in action on Saturday 1 July 1916 in the Battle for Albert which started on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He was 19
He was the son of Albert and Martha Collinson, Vale View, Middleham.
He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, The Somme, France
 
COLLINSON, Harold Lindley
Private 1st/4th Battalion (Territorials), The Northumberland Fusiliers, 149 Brigade, 50th Division. Army no. 202202. He formerly served as Private, Army no. 35687 with The Durham Light Infantry
He died, cause of death not recorded, but probably killed in action on Friday 26 October 1917. This was the first day of fighting in the second Battle of Passchendaele. He was 30
He was the son of Dobson and Mary Jane Collinson, 4 North Road, Middleham.
He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
 
DEIGHTON, William Truefitt
Corporal, 3rd Company, 23rd Divisional Train, Army Service Corps. Army no. T2/14505
He was killed in action on Friday 21 September 1917 He was 30
He was the son of Thomas and Jane Ann Deighton, Leyburn
He is buried in Reninghelst New Military Cemetery near Poperinge, Belgium.  Inscribed on his headstone is “In Loving Memory of Our Dear Brother Not Forgotten”
 
HANDLEY, John Cyril C
Private, 12th Battalion, The Tank Corps. Army no. 307623. He had also served as Private Army no. 26039 in The Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment).
He was killed in action on Monday 7 October 1918 in a period known as the Final Advance in Artois. He was 24
He was the son of John C and Hannah Handley, Middleham and the husband of Jeannie Handley, Market Place, Middleham
He is buried in Anneux British Cemetery, near Cambrai in Northern France and inscribed on his headstone is “Be Thou Faithful unto Death and I Will Give Thee a Crown of Life"
 
MILLER, Charles Ballan
Corporal, 6th (Service) Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), 32 Brigade, 11th Division. Army no. 12374
He was killed in action in Gallipoli on Sunday 22 August 1915. He was 27
He was the son of Jane E Miller, Ivy Grove, Middleham.
He is remembered on the Helles Memorial
 
NICHOLSON, Charles Robert
Lance Corporal, 19th (Service) Battalion (2nd Tyneside Pioneers), The Northumberland Fusiliers, 35th Battalion. Army no. 19/2
He died from his wounds on Saturday 14 July 1917. He was 36
He was the son of Charles and Elizabeth Nicholson of Middleham and the husband of Lily Nicholson of Tynemouth
He is buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, Péronne, France
Additional information
The Memorial has an incorrect date of death
 
PEACOCK, Henry
Private, 5th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), 150 Brigade, 50th Division. Army no. 241634
He died from his wounds on Saturday 28 April 1917. He had probably been wounded in the fighting on the Somme. He was 32
He was the son of Isobel Peacock
He is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. Rouen was a major Hospital Centre
 
POTTER, Bertie
Private, 10th (Service) Battalion (Kent County), The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), 123 Brigade, 41st Division. Army no. 205200.  He formerly served as Private number 4115 with the Northumberland Fusiliers
He died from his wounds at no 41 Casualty Clearing Station in France on Friday 10 August 1917. He was 19
He was the son of Fred and Annie Potter, 13 King John Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
He is buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, France on the Belgian border.
He was born in Middleham.
Additional information
I believe that this is the man on the memorial named as Bertie Putter, 10th Royal West Kents, 10 August 1917
 
RAYNER William Logan
2nd Lieutenant, 17th (Service) Battalion (1st City), The King’s (Liverpool Regiment), (often called the 1st Liverpool Pals), 89 Brigade, 30th Division
He died on 28 October 1918. He was 24. His death was registered in Leyburn by the civil authorities which means that he had been discharged
He was the son of Edward Vyvian and Eva Mary Rayner
Additional information
He is not recorded in SDGW or CWGC.
There is a Medal Rolls Index Card for him which appears to be a posthumous application for the Silver War Badge from William's mother. Address of applicant: Holly Lodge, West Derby, Liverpool. This is significant as it shows that his Mother believed that he died because of his war service.
His resting place is not known
 
RUMFORD, Thomas Edward
Gunner, Meerut Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery. Army no. 87101.
He died of natural causes on Saturday 10 June 1916. He was 37
He was the son of James and Frances Rumford of Middleham and the husband of Mary Margaret P Rumford, East Witton Road, Middleham.
He is buried in Amara War Cemetery in Southern Iraq.
 
SARGINSON, John
Sargeant, 11th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), 69 Brigade, 23 Division. Army no. 11505.
He was killed in action on Tuesday 4 July 1916 on the first day of the Battle of Albert. He was 27.
He was the son of Lily and the late Thomas Sarginson, 40 Poplar Street, Nelson, Lancashire.
He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in the Somme.
 
SARGINSON, Thomas
Private, C Company, 1st Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment, 62 Brigade, 21st Division. Army no. 57467. He formerly served as Private in The East Lancashire Regiment. Army no 23212.
He died of his wounds on Saturday 1 June 1918. He had probably been wounded in the fighting during the Battle of Albert. He was 30.
He was the son of Thomas and Alice Sarginson and the husband of Elizabeth A Cockerill (formerly Sarginson), 202 Southfield Street, Nelson, Lancashire..
He is buried in Sissonne British Cemetery, France.
He had been living in Colne, Lancashire.
 
TEASDALE, John William
Private, 2nd Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), 21 Brigade, 30th Division. Army no. 23433 or maybe 3/9456.
He was killed in action on the Somme on Saturday 8 July 1916. He was 37.
He was the son of John and the late Ann Teasdale.
He is buried in London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval near Albert, France.
Additional information
On the memorial he is: Pte John W Teasdale, 2nd Yorks, 26 October 1917 – wrong date.
 
TURNER, William Henry
Gunner, 40th Howitzer Battery, 25th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Army no. 46137.
He was killed in action on Monday 9 July 1917 He was 29.
He was the son of James and Christina L Turner, Rosemount, Middleham.
He is buried in Ramscappelle Road Military Cemetery, Belgium and inscribed on his headstone is “Faithful unto Death”
Additional information
This is a change of date from that on the War Memorial.
 
WEATHERILL, John William
Private, 13th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), 111 Brigade, 37th Division. Army no. 19025.
He was killed in action on Monday 23 April 1917. This was the first day of the Battle of the Scarpe. He was 27.
He was the son of John and Jane Weatherill, Castle Hill, Middleham.
He is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France.
 
Those who Fell in WW2
 
BENSON, George Edward
Sergeant/Air Gunner, 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force.  RAFVR no 1143366.
He died on active service on Friday 12 March 1943. He was 23.
He is buried in Uden War Cemetery, Holland.
Additional information
Halifax II, DT774 EY-E took off at 19.08 hours from RAF Linton on Ouse near York.  The aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at 21.48 hours at Grafwegen near the Dutch German border. All 7 of the crew were killed and are buried in the same cemetery.
I have not been able to identify his parents.
 
HAMMERTON, Thomas Henry
Private, 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own). Army no. 4540397
He was killed on active service on Friday 5 June 1942 but records show that he died sometime between 5 and 6 June. This was the month in which Tobruk was lost. He was 23.
He was the son of Robert Henry and Maude Hammerton, North Otterington.
He is buried in Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya and inscribed on his headstone is “God be with you till we meet again. Loving, Mam and Dad”
 
HARRISON, Fred
Ordinary Telegraphist, HMS Gould, Royal Navy. RN no. D/JX 577478.
He died on active service on Wednesday 1 March 1944.
He is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memoria.l
Additional information
The German submarine U-358 was forced to surface after being submerged for 38 hours whilst being hunted by 4 Allied Frigates. She succeeded in torpedoing HMS Gould (K 476) with a Gnat fired from the stern torpedo tube, but was subsequently sunk by gunfire and depth charges from HMS Affleck (K 362) only 20 minutes later.
HMS Gould (K 476) was struck on port side in the aft motor room at 20.21 hours on 1 March 1944. The explosion broke her in two, the stern sinking rapidly and the fore part disappearing about 25 minutes later. The commander, 6 officers and 116 ratings from HMS Gould (K 476) were lost.
I regret that I have not identified his parents or his birth date.
 
HOUSEMAN, Raymond
Private, 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. Army no. 4461208.
He died on active service on Monday 4 October 1943. He was 27.
He is remembered on the Athens Memorial.
He was the son of John and Ruth Houseman of Coverham
Additional information
He died in the battle for the Island of Kos. 1,388 British prisoners were taken on this date but I do not know whether he had died in the fighting which preceded the surrender or after his capture.
He appears on the Coverdale Roll of Honour in Carlton.
 
HOUSEMAN, William Edward
His name is included on the Memorial with little further information. He had served in the Royal Artillery which could have been in the Territorials.
On 18 June 1943 he died age 22 and his death was registered by the civilian authorities in Middlesbrough implying that he was not a soldier at that date. There is simply no information.
 
TERRY, Harry
Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner), Royal Air Force . RAFVR no. 1091871.
He was killed on active service on Friday 5 March 1943. He was 21.
He was the son of Harry and Margaret Alice Terry of Kirkgate.
He is buried in the new part of the Churchyard of Saint Alkelda and St Mary’s Church in Middleham. His headstone is inscribed “Greater love hath no man than this.”
Additional information
On 5th March 1943 Wellington 1C  DV923 with 11 Operational Training Unit took off from RAF Westcott in Buckinghamshire for a night navigation exercise returning to base around 01.55 hours. It overshot its approach and crashed at Long Crendon near Aylesbury. Harry Terry and another member of the crew were killed.
 
Those who Fell in WW1 who are not on the Memorial
 
ATKINSON, Robert Stockdale
Private, 1st Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Army no. 6/2922.
He was killed in action on Sunday 17 September 1916 near Flers. He was 21.
He was the son of Nathan and Mary Ann Atkinson, Danby Lodge, Middleham and was living with his brother in Stoneyhurst, Canterbury, New Zealand.
He is remembered on the Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial which is in the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery near Longueval, France.
 
BROWN, Francis Richard
Private, 35th Battalion, Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Army.  Army no. 2768.
He died from his wounds on Saturday 4 August 1917. He was 30. It is possible that he had been wounded in the Battalion’s first Battle – Messines or in its aftermath.
He was the son of Thomas and Dorothy Jane Brown, 119 Red Rock Street, Everton, Liverpool. He was a native of Middleham.
He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.
 
Those who Fell in WW2 who are not on the Memorial
 
HATHAWAY, John
Private, 1st Battalion, The Leicestershire Regiment. Army no. 4858299
He died as a Prisoner of War in a Japanese Prison Camp on Saturday 11 April 1942. He was 23. He had probably been taken prisoner at the surrender of Singapore.
He was the son of Walter Thomas and Jane Elizabeth Hathaway, Carlton
He is buried in Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore and inscribed on his headstone is “Sleep on, Dear Son, in a Far Off Land, in a Grave I will never see. Loving Mother”
 
JAMES, Reginald
Corporal, 912 Balloon (County of Warwick) Squadron, Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force) RAAF no. 848460
He died on active service on Thursday 4 May 1944. He was 41
He was the son of Arthur Thomas and Margaret James and the husband of Lucy Edna James of Middleham.
He is buried in the Churchyard of Saint Alkelda and St Mary’s Church in Middleham and inscribed on his headstone is “Rest in Peace”
Additional information
This was a Barrage Balloon Squadron initially based in Sutton Coldfield defending North Birmingham. It was then posted to France and returned after Dunkirk to Cardington.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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