Yorkshire Evening Post 12/12/1914 

Many times we just see a list of names on a War memorial, this short poiece shows how close the village was and how well all the boys who gave their lives knew each other. From the list below, Ernest Chilton, Norman Hanson, Clarence Weatherill, are remembered on the War Memorial. 

DIED IN 1915

BOSTON John George 

Private 12435 2nd Bn Kings Own Scottish Borderers 18/04/1915 Aged 21. Born Kilpin Howden Near Selby. Son of Clayton and Sarah Jane Moore Married 1893 in Howden. CWGC of High Street South Milford. 1911 working on a farm in Kilpin for John Ward as a Wagoner. Enlisted York.

Remembered Ypers Menin Gate Belgium. Local Memorial South Milford.

CHILTON Ernest

Private 10667 9th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment KIA 09/08/1915 Aged 23. Born South Milford. Son of Ralph and Amelia Tate. CWGC/1911 Low Street South Milford Occupation Painter.. Enlisted York. Landed 11/07/1915 Gallipoli. His brother Wilfred is remembered on the memorial having giving his life in 1917. Another brother Ralph was a bugaler and recieved the Distinguished Conduct medal and was awarded the St. George Medal by the Czar of Russia, for bravery in rescuing wounded men under fire whilst injured himself. This was mentioned in the London Gazette. Ralph was discharged in January 1918 due to gun shot wound to his elbow.

Remembered Helles Memorial Gallipoli Turkey. Local Memorial South Milford

HANSON Norman

Private 10669 9th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment DOW at Sea 07/08/1915 Aged 24. Born South Milford. Son of John Born and Fanny Enlisted York. Died on board a Hospital Ship after being evacuated from the Gallipoli Landings. 

Remembered Helles Memorial Gallipoli Turkey. Local Memorial South Milford

HARRISON John 

Private S/11895 2nd Bn Gordon Highlanders KIA 06/09/1916 Aged  27. Born Huddleston cum Lumby. Son of William and Mary Elizabeth Britton  Enlisted Ripon as a reservist in West Yorkshire Regiment Aged 26 on 15/02/1915 Residence Holly Farm Lumby South Milford. Transferred 08/06/1915 s 3rd Bn Gordon Highlanders. Suffered from scabies rest of 1915. Left Southampton 26/03/1916. Johns body was found after the war and placed where he lies today.

"Incorrectley shown as 1915 on War Memorial."

Laid to Rest Deville Wood Cemetery Somme France. Local Memorial South Milford.

DIED IN 1916

ATKINSON Walter

Private 22405 11th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment DOW 01/06/1916 Aged 19. Born South Milford. Son of John and Catherine Hannah 1911 Bank House South Milford. Enlisted Leeds.

Laid to Rest Wimereux Communal Cemetery France. Local Memorial South Milford

SMITH James

Private 41223 7th Bn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry DOW 12/04/1917 Aged 23. Born South Milford. Son of James Born Wakefield 1861 and Lucy Ann Born Norton near Malton 1861. Working as a farm servent for George Reacher at Micklefield in 1911. Enlisted South Milford. 

Laid To Rest St Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen France. Local Memorial South Milford

STEWART Charles Kirby

Private 5742 4th Bn West Riding Regiment DOW 12/07/1917 Aged 22. Born Norton near Malton. Son of John and Mary Ann Dale  1911 Residence Slingsby Occupation Railway Porter. Enlisted 05/11/1914 aged 21 years 9 months old Occupation Miner. Reported wounded 12/07/1917 on the 15/07/1917 reported by no 6 Ambulance Company to have a gun shot wound right arm, thigh and right flank of body. 21/07/1917 reported that Charles had Died of Wounds at No 44 Clearing Station 16/07/1917. His mother recieved his hair brush 7 coins and his belt.

Laid to Rest Puchevillers British Cemetery Somme France. Local Memorial South Milford, and Fairburn.

WEATHERILL Clarence

Lance Corporal 11588 10th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment KIA 02/03/1916 Aged 21. Born 09/11/1895 Ackworth nr Pontefract Baptised 08/12/1895 St Cuthbert Ackworth. Son of Thomas and Caroline Powell. 1911 South Milford working as a Plumber and Painter. Enlisted 31/08/1914 York.

Remembered Ypres Menin Gate Memorial Belgium. Local Memorial South Milford.

DIED IN 1917

CHILTON Wilfred

Private 21669 1st Bn West Yorkshire Regiment DOW No 9 Red Cross Hospital 23/05/1917 Aged 19. Born 25/08/1897 South Milford. Enlisted Ripon. Brother of Ernest Remembered above. 12/03/1910 was at the Shadwell Childrens Centre an industrial school which closed its doors in 2004. Landed September 1914 at St Nazaire, Seeing action 1915 Aisne heights France,  Hooge Belgium, 1916. The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval, The Battle of Le Transloy. 

Copyright and acknowledgment to Len

Laid to Rest Calais Southern Cemetery France. Local Memorial South Milford.

GARNETT George

Private 28990 1st Bn East Yorkshire Regiment KIA 04/10/1917 Aged 18. Born South Milford. Son of John a railway platelayer and Sarah Jane Firth Married in 1890 Enlisted South Milford. 1911 at School in South Milford. Enlisted South Milford 05/06/1915 Residence Hagg Farm South Milford Occupation Farm Horseman.  Had his medical in Pontefract 10/10/1916 being described as being 5ft 5 inches tall. Sailed from Folkestone to Bolougne training at Etaples. 

 Laid to Rest Hooge Crater Cemetery Belgium. Local Memorial South Milford

HILL Thomas Edward

Gunner 69203 135th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery DOW 24/04/1917 Aged 21. Born South Milford. Son of Robert Thomas Died 1916 and Lucy Ann Hill, CWGC Common Lane South Milford. 1911 Thomas was a farmhand on his fathers farm at Bondbridge Farm South Milford. Enlisted South Milford 11/12/1915 residence shown as the Swan Hotel South Milford occupation Motor Driver. At his medical Thomas was described as being 5ft 10.5 inches tall. His fathers address was given as 148 York Road Leeds. He was trained as a telephonist and Signaller. His mother Lucy accepted his war medals in 1921.  

Laid to Rest St Fauberg D' Amiens Cemetery Arras France. Local Memorial South Milford

HUME John Frederick

Rifleman 70091 1/8th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment KIA Battle of Poelcappelle 09/10/1917 Aged 19. Born South Milford. Son of John Henry and Maria Married 1897. CWGC High Street South Milford. An employee of the North East Railway. Enlisted South Milford. John was KIA at the 3rd Battle of Ypres the Battle of Poecapple, mistaken by many as the Battle of Paschendaele, which occured on the 12/10/1917 and between 26/101917 and 10/11/1917.  

John went over the top at 05.20 due to a years worth of rain falling in the previous week the conditions were atrocious and many of the shells fired by the british failed to explode simply going down into the mud without exploding. As a result the German defences were still strong and the West Yorkshires who were to the left of the attack having assembled between Frezenberg and Potijze faced heavy resistance. 

The regiment reached the Raveback stream which was shown as 5 feet wide on their maps to find it had swollen to 150 feet. It is not known where John lies what is known is that the advance by the WYR had stalled by 10.00 am.

                                                                      Remembered Tyne Cot Memorial Belgium. Local Memorial South Milford.

RILEY George

Private 31121 1st Bn East Yorkshire Regiment KIA 06/11/1917 Aged 25.  Born Son of John and Sarah Knowles Married St Johns Leeds 1874. Husband of Lily Smith Married 05/02/1916 South Milford. Enlisted 11/12/1915 South Milford 3938 West Yorkshire Regiment Occuaption Colliery worker Copleys Yard South Milford. In 1921 Georges Memorial scroll and penny was sent to Lily however her sister sent it back as Lily had passed away and not left a will. Lily had moved to Castleford by 1918 when she started to recieve a war pension.

Remembered Tyne Cot Memorial Belgium Local Memorial South Milford.

TALBOT Alfred

Private West Yorkshire Regiment Born 1886 Sherif Hutton. 1901 Farm man High Street South Milford. 1911 Newthorpe Occupation Carter in Colliery. Unknown Can You Help.

DIED IN 1918

LINDLEY Arthur

Gunner 167814 328th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery KIA 17/05/1918 Aged 29. Born South Milford.  Son of William railway plate layer Born South Milford 1858 and Jane Baker Born South Milford 1863, they married in 1882. Residence 1911 High Street South Milford Occupation Horseman on a farm. Enlisted York. CWGC 16 Milford Junction, South Milford. 

blairville france

Arthur was laid to rest at Blairville Orchard British Cemetery along with Corporal Henry Charles Robinson 150267 328th Siege Battery Garrison. In 1923 both men were re buried at Caberet Rouge British Cemetery. 

It is clear that Arthur and Charles were killed outright by a shell as it is reported in the burial of graves in 1923 that both mens remains were together in a large package and at the time they were laid to rest due to it being impossible to seperate the remains. The two regimental crosses were placed into store and one cross erected. They still lay sisde by side in one grave.

Laid to Rest Caberet Rouge British Cemetery Souchez Near Arras Local Memorial South Milford

MIDDLEBROUGH George 

Bombardier 8655 150th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery 28/06/1917 Aged 31. Born South Milford 1886. Son of George Rudd Born North Milford 1853 and Elizabeth Hodgson Born Kirkham 1849, they married in 1878 in the Tadcaster District. Husband of Lillian Dales Married Holy Trinity Church Bridlington 24/06/1913, Lillian never remarried and died in 1927 and is laid to rest Trinity Church Bridlington.  Enlisted Selby. shown as 2 Victoria Terrace Bridlington time of enlistment Occupation Brewer.  Landed France 15/10/1916. 

George was laid to rest at Caldron Military Cemetery he was laid to rest next to Gunner 82920 John Edgar of Glasgow and Gunner 326439 James Turner of Cambrdgshire both of the 150th Siege Battery killed alongside George, all were Exhumed in 1922.

Remembered Loos British Cemetery near Lens France. Local Memorials South Milford. Bridlington.

NELSON Lawrence

Driver T4/249804 Royal Army Service Corps 28/05/1918 Aged 29. Born 28/03/1888 Barwick in Elmet. Baptised 26/08/1888 All Saints Barwick in Elmet. Son of John and Mary Shipman. Husband of Sarah Jane Bedford Married 1914 CWGC Lumby Hill Monk Fryston South Milford. Enlisted Doncaster Driver T/445 West Riding Transport and Supply Column part of the 49th West Riding Divisional Train Army Service Corps Territorial Force. He was at annual camp in August 1914 when war broke out they got emergency orders to return to Doncaster on the 13/04/1915. He left Southampton for Le Havre on the 1st September 01/09/1916. He was transferred as T4/249804 463rd Horse Transport Company Royal Army Service Corps. Lawrence died of his wounds at 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station Esquelbecq. Residence at time of Enlistment South Milford.

Laid to Rest Esquelbecq Military Cemetery France. Local Memorial South Milford. Monk Fryston.

PALFREEMAN Charley

Private 53616 9th Bn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry KIA 24/10/1918 Aged 23.  Born 1895 Newthorpe near South Milford. Son of John William and Jane Ann Dixon Married 1890 Pocklington. Husband of Bertha Marshall Married 1917 South Milford. 1911 Farm Hand Huddleston Hall South Milford. Enlisted Pontefract. Charles took part in the Battle of Sambre the last great battle of the war. He was laid to rest where he fell and in 1921 was moved to where he lies at peace today.

                                           Laid to Rest Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension France. Local Memorial South Milford

PORTER John Watson

Corporal 2711 7th Field Company Australian Engineers 05/07/1918 Aged 31 Awarded Military Medal 02/07/1917. Born Kippax Baptised 26/12/1866 St Marys Kippax. Son of Peter a farmer Born Garforth 1863 and Sarah Jane Hesling Born Methley Yorkshire 1864, they married in 1886 of Staton Hall South Milford. John had brothers Lawson Hill, Thomas Edward, and Peter, sisters Clara, and Florence. Enlisted Liverpool, New South Wales Australia 16/08/1915. John was described as being 5ft 6 inch tall Brown Eyes and Black hair and a dark complexion.

His occupation was shown as bricklayer and his father was living at Staton Hall South Milford. John embarked for Alexandria Egypt arriving 14/03/1916 then ointo Marsailes France landing on the 19/03/1916. Suffered from Influenza in hospital Morbecque 01/04/1916 before being moved to Etaples.

John rejoined his battalion 11/11/1916 after spending time in hospital. Wounded in Action 14/11/1918. Given summer rest at Nery Sur Somme12/05/1917 for two weeks. Given leave and came home to Spouth Milford 17/09/1917 for 10 days. Promoted Corporal due to Corporal Lenthal being KIA 05/10/1917. Went on leave to Paris for 9 days 19/01/1918. 

22/07/1919 Johns father was informed that a photograph of John grave would be forwarded. 25/09/1919 Miss J Brogden Post Office Towrang New South Wales sent a letter thanking Divisional Headquarters for 2 photographs of Johns Grave i presume she was his girlfriend. In 1922 a memorial polaque and medals were sent to Johns father in South Milford.

                                 Laid to Rest Romeries Adelaide Cemetery Villers- Bretonneux  France. Local Memorial South Milford.

RAPER Fred

Private 21056 11th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment KIA 23/03/1918 Aged 20. Born South Milford. Son of William a Horseman on a farm Born Topcliffe 1850 and Eliza Benson Born Riccall near Selby 1852 passed away 1913 they married in 1872. Residence 1901 the family were living on the High Street South Milford. Enlisted City Hall Hull being the 15,601 person to enlist in the city. 18/01/1916 Residence 7 Melrose Avenue Greek Street Hull Occupation Grocers Assistant. At his medical described as being 5 feet 3 inches tall. Landed France 06/06/1917. Message of sympathy was sent to the family 22/04/1918 from the commanding officer.

 Remembered Arras Memorial France. Local Memorial South milford 

DIED IN 1919

WALKER John Robert

Private 5/223183 53rd Young Soldiers Garrison Bn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 16/02/1919 Aged 18. Born Cullercoats Whitley Bay Northumberland. Son of Fred and Catherine Husband of Florence Emily Kershaw Married 03/04/1895 Fenwick York. 1911 Residence 9 Stoney Croft Lofthouse Nr Wakefield Occupation Railway Guard on Goods train. CWGC No 13 Milford Junction South Milford. 

Laid to Rest South Milford St Marys Churchyard. Local Memorial South Milford.

PARKER Frank Bryan

Captain 7th Bn Yorkshire Regiment KIA 23/03/1919 Aged 22.  

Remembered on the Village War Memorial and on a private memorial found  on Low Street South Milford

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Laid to Rest Bolshie Ozerki Cemetery Russia Remembred Archangel Memorial Russia. 

Local Memorial St Marys South Milford. Trinity Collage Chapel Cambridge, Selby Abbey.

NOT ON WAR MEMORIAL

ATKINSON Lawrence Alfred  Born South Milford

PRIVATE ERNEST CROMACK

6156 1/5 th Terratorial Bn York and Lancaster Regiment 11/11/1916 Aged 26.

Born South Milford. Husband of Maud E  CWGC 38 Victor Street Bishop Hill, York. Enlisted York Northumberland Fusiliers 32/671. Laid to Rest Mont Houn Military Cemetery Le Trepourt France. 

PRIVATE BENJAMIN NICHOLSON CROSLAND 

49th Canadians DIED At Home November 1923 Aged 35. 

Born 14/10/1888 South Milford. Son of William and Mary Nicholson Married 1882, they lived at The Limes South Milford. Emigrated to Canada 1909. Husband of Poppy Watson in 1921 Residing on a farm in Buffalo Coullee Battle River Alberta.

Enlisted 14/04/1916 In Edmonton Alberta Canada, his Residence was Vermillion Alta Alberta Canada. Described as being 5ft 11 Inches Tall Brown Eyes with a Clear Complexion Dark Brown Hair and a Birth Mark on his Left Breast, religion being Church of England.

On 03/12/1920 Benjamin and Poppy crossed the border to Buffalo New York to visit Poppy’s sister Victoria Watson. At the end of December they both went back to England with Poppy, going back to Canada in 1921 landing at St Johns New Brunswick.

Poppy came back to England in 1924 and passed away in Sussex in 1970. Benjamin left £442.00 in his will to Poppy. Laid to Rest Edmonton Canada. LOCAL MEMORIAL: Family Plaque inside Church at South Milford.

LANCE CORPORAL EDWIN DAVIS 

8910 2nd Bn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry KIA 28/10/1914 Aged 26. 

Born South Milford, Enlisted South Milford. Remembered Le Touret Memorial France. LOCAL MEMORIAL: None.