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The War Memorials in Topcliffe
There are Memorials in St. Columba's Church and in the Methodist Chapel A marble plaque in Topcliffe Methodist Chapel is inscribed: THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THIS CHURCH IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY FROM TOPCLIFFE & ASSENBY Reginald Auton Maurice Harland Fred Barker Thomas Hawksby James Barningham Edgar Hudson James Cook William Jacques John Dunning Harry Jacques Harry Dresser Clarence Jennings Reginald Dight John Lynch Thomas Downey James Place Lewis Hayton Walter Yeates William Hayton Charles Yeadon 1914 – 1918 And a second wooden plaque for ww2 THIS PLAQUE WAS GIVEN BY THE PEOPLE OF TOPCLIFFE AND ELDMIRE IN HONOURED MEMORY OF RONALD J APPLETON JOHN L R HOULSTON J WESLEY ROOKE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM 1939 - 45 The Parish Church of St Columba, Topcliffe has two plaques one for WW1 and for WW2 There is a plaque on the Gate inscribed: THESE GATES ARE ERECTED AS PART OF THE MEMORIAL TO THOSE FROM THIS PARISH WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR To the Glory of God and in memory of those from this parish who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918 REGINALD AUTON LOUIS JOHN HAYTON FRED BARKER WILLIAM HENRY HAYTON JAMES BARNINGHAM EDGAR HUDSON GEORGE WILLIAM BROWN HARRY JAQUES JAMES COOK WILLIAM JAQUES REGINALD DIGHT CLARENCE JENNINGS HARRY LISTER DRESSER JOHN LYNCH JOHN TOM DUNNING JAMES WILLIAM PLACE MAURICE HARLAND CHARLES YEADON TOM HAWKSBY WALTER YEATES And the second for the Fallen of WW2 THIS PLAQUE WAS GIVEN BY THE PEOPLE OF TOPCLIFFE AND ELDMIRE IN HONOURED MEMORY OF RONALD J APPLETON JOHN L R HOULSTON J WESLEY ROOKE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM 1939-1945 There is a further wooden plaque made by Bob Hunter, The Wrenman In memory of the crew of Royal Air Force Neptune WX 545 of No 35 Squadron based at RAF Topcliffe which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre 10 October 1956 with the loss of all crew members. Flt Lt G Finding Captain Fg Off J A Campbell Co Pilot Fg Off G Rishton Navigator Sgt C Armstrong Engineer F/Sgt R Fox Radar/Gunner F/Sgt R M Noble Air Signaller Sgt E Honey Air Signaller Sgt B Lynn Air Signaller Sgt R V Smith Air Signaller WE WILL REMEMBER THEM Underneath a window is another wooden plaque THIS WINDOW AND THE NORTH WEST WINDOW HAVE BEEN RENEWED IN MEMORY OF SGT HAROLD STONE, REAR GUNNER AND FELLOW MEMBERS OF HIS CREW KILLED IN ACTION 2 SEPT 1942 Those who Fell in WW1 AUTON, Reginald Thomas Ordinary Telegraphist, HMS Simoom, Royal Navy. RN no J/28593 He died on active service on Tuesday 23 January 1917. He was 18. He was the son of Thomas and Annie Elizabeth Auton, Asenby, Topcliffe He is remembered on The Chatham Naval Memorial Additional information The destroyer HMS Simoom was sunk in an engagement between British and German destroyers in the Flanders Bight on the night of 22 January 1917 in the North Sea. The ship belonged to the Harwich Force which had put to sea that day to intercept a German flotilla which was known to be making for Zeebrugge from German ports. This flotilla consisted of eleven destroyers. The rival forces made contact between the North Hinder Light and the Maas at 02.45 hours on 23 January 1917. The S50 ran into a line of four British destroyers of which HMS Simoom was leading. There was a sharp exchange of salvoes, the S50 discharged a torpedo which struck HMS Simoom and exploded her magazine, causing heavy casualties. The S50 then escaped in the darkness. HMS Morris rescued the survivors from HMS Simoom and she was then torpedoed and sunk by HMS Nimrod. BARKER, Fred Private, 1st Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment). Army no 32539. He died from heatstroke in Jhelum, India on 20 July 1917. He was 37. He was the son of Frederick and Jane Barker and the husband of Annie Barker, The Grove, Topcliffe. He is remembered on The Karachi 1914-1918 War Memorial. BARNINGHAM, James Private, 13th (Service) Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), 121 Brigade, 30th Division. Army no 242706. He was killed in action on 27 March 1918 in the Battle of Rosières. He was 29. He was the son of Robert and Annie Barningham, Topcliffe and the husband of Dora E Barningham, Langroyd, Topcliffe. He is buried in Rumaucourt Communal Cemetery. BROWN, George William Private, 1st/5th Battalion TF, The Durham Light Infantry, 150 Brigade, 50th Division. Army no 245022. He was killed in action on Tuesday 24 April 1917 in the second Battle of the Scarpe. He was 30. He was the son of William and Martha Brown, Topcliffe and the husband of Emily Mary Brown, Halifax Lodge, Wherstead Road, Ipswich. He is remembered on The Arras Memorial. CARRICK, Tom Private, 6th (Service) Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), 32 Brigade, 11th Division. Army no 28402. He died from his wounds in a Casualty Clearing Station on Friday 10 August 1917. He was 24. He was the son of George W and Jane Carrick, Crakehill, Topcliffe. He is buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery and his headstone is inscribed Peace Perfect Peace with Loved ones far Away. COOK, James Private, Depot of Army Veterinary Corps SE/30379. He had also served as Private, Army no 196442 with the Royal Field Artillery. He died on Monday 22 July 1918 in Liverpool. He was 25. His death is in the civilian registrations so he had been discharged from the Army although the record of his award of a Silver Badge and his discharge from the Army is posthumous and dated 25 July 1919. He was the son of James and Margaret Cook, Topcliffe. He is buried in Topcliffe Cemetery and his headstone is inscribed in sure and certain hope of eternal life. DIGHT, Reginald Private, 19th Battalion, The Machine Gun Corps. Army no.124218. He had also served as Private, Army no 341489 with The Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action on Tuesday 26 March 1918. He was 32. He was the son of Edward and Lottie Dight, Sutton on the Forest and the husband of Ruth Dight, Asenby. He is remembered on The Arras Memorial. DOWNEY, Thomas Private, 1st Garrison Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment. Army no 34926. He had also served as Private, Army no 27424 with The East Yorkshire Regiment. He died of natural causes on Tuesday 19 March 1918. He was 40. He was the son of Thomas and Sarah J Downey and the husband of Ellen E Downey, Clarke Street, Market Harborough He is remembered on The Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial. DRESSER, Harry Lister Private, 2nd Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), 21 Brigade, 30th Division. Army no. 27323. He died from his wounds at the 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station on 3 August 1917. He was 26. He was the son of Hannah E and the late Edwin Dresser, Sunnyside, Topcliffe. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery and his headstone is inscribed until the day breaks and the shadows flee away. DUNNING, John Thomas known as Tom Private, 7th (Service) Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), 50 Brigade, 17th Division. Army no 20713. He died from his wounds on 26 March 1916. He was 18. He was the son of Tom and Alice Dunning, Topcliffe. He is buried in Étaples Cemetery and his headstone is inscribed Their glory shall not be blotted out. HARLAND, Maurice Private, 10th (Service) Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), 50 Brigade, 17th Division. Army no. 13/21007. He died from his wounds on Saturday 4 March 1916 in 24 General Hospital, Étaples. He was 17. He was the son of Nathan and Mary A Harland, Topcliffe. He is buried in Étaples Military Cemetery. HAWKSBY, Tom MM Gunner, 423rd Battery, 264th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Army no. 81087 He died from his wounds on Saturday 8 June 1918 in Egypt. He was 30. He was the son of George and Mary Hawksby, Asenby, Thirsk and the husband of Ivy Hawksby, 14 Bridge Street, Castleford. He is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery and his headstone is inscribed Rest in Peace though death divides still memory clings. HAYTON, Louis John Private, 8th (Service) Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment), 75 Brigade, 25th Division. Army no. 31711. He was killed in action on Thursday 2 August 1917 at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. He was 28. He was the son of Arthur W and Emma Hayton, Topcliffe. He is buried in Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Belgium. And his brother HAYTON, William Henry Private, A Company, 7th (Service) Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), 50 Brigade, 17th Division. Army no 20714. He was killed in action on 21 September 1917 near Arras. He was 23. He was the son of Arthur W and Emma Hayton, Topcliffe. He is buried in Sunken Road Cemetery, Fampoux and his headstone is inscribed Thy Will be done, Still to memory dear. HUDSON, Edgar Private, 9th (Service) Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), 74 Brigade, 25th Division. Army no 201945. He was killed in action on 5 October 1918 which was the day that the Division captured Beaurevoir. He was 34. He was the son of James R and Ann Hudson, Topcliffe. He is buried in Beaurevoir Communal Cemetery British Extension, Picardie. JAQUES, Harry Private, 5th Battalion TF, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), 150 Brigade, 50th Division. Army no 240986. He was killed in action on 27 March 1917. He was 23. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Jaques, 28 Long Street, Topcliffe. He is buried in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnières. On his family headstone in Topcliffe is inscribed Those who have Lost can Understand. And his brother JAQUES, William Private, 5th Battalion TF, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), 150 Brigade, 50th Division. Army no 3685. He was killed in action on 17 September 1916 in the battle of Flers Courcellette. He was 33. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Jaques, 28 Long Street, Topcliffe. On his family headstone in Topcliffe is inscribed In Loving Memory of William who gave his life for those he loved best. JENNINGS, Clarence Malyn Rifleman, 21st (Service) Battalion (Yeoman Rifles), The King's Royal Rifle Corps, 119 Brigade, 40th Division. Army no C/12481. He was killed in action on Tuesday 10 October 1916 on the Somme. He was 22. He was the son of William and Mary A Jennings, Topcliffe. He is remembered on The Thiepval Memorial. LYNCH, John Private, 1st Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), 18 Brigade, 6th Division. Army no 17900 He was killed in action on Monday 16 April 1917 in the fighting on Hill 70, Lens. He was 38. He was the son of John and Eliza Lynch, 21 Lickley Street, Ripon and the husband of Jane A Lynch, Dean's Square, Topcliffe. He is remembered on The Loos Memorial. PLACE, James William Private, 8th (Service) Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), 50 Brigade, 17th Division. Army no 28202. He was killed in action on 17 October 1917 near Ypres. He was 32. He was the husband of Minnie Place. He is remembered on The Tyne Cot Memorial. YEADON, Charles Alfred Private, 2nd/5th Battalion TF, The Lancashire Fusiliers, 164 Brigade, 55th Division. Army no 50668. He was killed in action on Friday 22 March 1918 near Bethune. He was 20. He was the son of Watson and Mary Ann Yeadon, 16 Long Street, Topcliffe. He is buried in Gorre British and Indian Cemetery and his headstone is inscribed Love is Eternal. YEATES, Walter Private, 2nd Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), 21 Brigade, 30th Division. Army no 20637. He was killed in action on 24 April 1917 in the second Battle of the Scarpe. He was 22. He was the son of Thomas and Susannah Yeates, Assenby. He is remembered on The Arras Memorial. Those who Fell in WW1 who are not on the Topcliffe memorial BOLWELL, William Sanson Acting Sergeant,1st Division Ammunition Sub. Park, Canadian Army Service Corps. Army no C/37464. He died on Friday 17 March 1916. He was 37. He was the son of Sanson and Jane Bolwell, London and the husband of Frances A Bolwell, Manor Lodge, Topcliffe. He is buried in Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre. Additional information A Court of Enquiry convened on 18 March 1916 at Rouelles Camp, Le Havre inquiring into the circumstances of this casualty were of the opinion that this non-commissioned officer shot himself in the region of his heart at about 07.15 hours on 17 March 1916 with a comrade’s rifle while of unsound mind due to mental worry. (Canadian War Record). ROGERS, Leonard Charles Gunner, 122nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Army no 185541. He died from his wounds on Wednesday 19 June 1918 in a Casualty Clearing Station. He was 29. He was the son of Henry and Phoebe Rogers, Holbrook, Suffolk and the husband of Rose Rogers, Cliff House, Topcliffe. He is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension. SUNDERLAND, Lewis Driver, A Battery, 52nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Army no 90380. He was killed in action on Monday 2 September 1918. He was the husband of Laura Dorothy Sunderland, Topcliffe. He is remembered on The Vis en Artois Memorial. Those who Fell in WW2 APPLETON, Ronald James Private, 1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. Army no 4540302. He died on active service on Tuesday 12 October 1943 in the fighting at the German defensive position known as the Gustav Line. He was 28. He was the son of George and Emma Appleton; husband of Winifred Appleton, Bramham. He is buried in Sangro River War Cemetery and his headstone is inscribed Gone but Not Forgotten by Your Darling Wife and Son. HOULSTON, John Lofthouse Robinson DFM Pilot Officer (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner), 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force. RAF no 52068. He died on active service on Tuesday 29 June 1943. He was 23. He was the son of Job and Ann L Houlston, Harrogate. He is buried in Schoonselhof Cemetery near Antwerp and his headstone is inscribed a day to remember, sad to recall, without a farewell you left us all. Additional information Halifax HR839 LK-L took off from RAF Snaith at 23:32 hours on an operation to Koln, and was shot down by a night fighter at 02:23 hours at Herentals near Antwerp. John Houlston had started operational flying in December 1940. He had completed one tour (30 operations) to cities including Cologne, Berlin, Dusseldorf and Hamburg. In addition, he took part in 6 anti-submarine patrols and the three 1,000 bomber raids. His second tour had included raids on Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Pilsen and Stettin. ROOKE, James Wesley Sergeant, 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force. RAFVR no 1077030. He died on active service on Wednesday 28 July 1943. He was 22. He was the son of James W and Minnie Rooke, Thirsk. He is buried in Kiel War Cemetery and his headstone is inscribed victorious too shall rise they who have drunk his cup of sacrifice. Additional information Halifax II JD150 DYA took off at 22.32 hours from RAF Pocklington. It was shot down by a night fighter and crashed near Rendsburg. The crew of 7 all died. M |
