Here is this week’s round-up of pieces from the Batley News relating to the parish of St Mary’s. As usual I have put in bold the names of those connected to the parish who served with the military. And, as ever, the spelling and punctuation matches that of the newspaper.
The Death Notices contained one with a parish link:
CONNELL. —On 27th ult., aged 53 years, Thomas Connell, 38, New Street.
In to-day’s Batley police:
With three previous convictions against her, Mrs. Bridget Hill, 2 Yard, Victoria Street, was fined 12s. for using obscene language.
News about Fred Cairns appeared this week:
WOUNDED BATLEY LAD GAINS A STRIPE
Corporal Fred Cairns, a machine gunner in the K.O.Y.L.I., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cairns, 35, Cobden Street, Batley, has been wounded. In a letter to his parents, dated November 22nd, he says:—My machine gun team all got killed or wounded, myself being the last to be hit with a piece of shrapnel behind the left knee. You may think I am very unlucky, but I think I am very fortunate, seeing what became of the others. I don’t know whether I told you or not, but they have given me another stripe.
Corporal Cairns, aged 20, formerly served in Batley Territorials. He afterwards enlisted in the Special Reserve, and was called up when war commenced. Her was in the employ of Messrs. J. Newsome and Sons, Batley Carr. He is connected with St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, and attended the day schools there.
Another wounded parishioner was Albert Dolan:
“A VERY BAD SHOT.”
Batley Man’s Opinion of the Germans Who Wounded HimPrivate Albert Dolan, K.O.Y.L.I., son of Mrs. Dolan, 15, Upton Street, Cross Bank, has been wounded in the arm and is now in hospital at Manchester. In a letter on November 19th he wrote: —“I am in hospital with a slight wound in the arm, so you have no need to bother. I was wounded going over the top yesterday, and was hit when about seven yards from the German front line.” Writing later, he adds: —“I am going on all right. It is only a slight flesh wound I have got. I went over the parapet, and it was hell on earth. I am very lucky to be where I am. I saw the German who fired at me. I was only a few yards off him and consider him a very bad shot, although he would be excited when I fired. I don’t think the war will last much longer, so cheer up,”
Private Dolan, aged 20, suffered an attack of pneumonia some time ago. Before joining the Army he was a hurrier at Howley Park Colliery. He is connected with Cross Bank Roman Catholic Church, and attended the day school there. A brother, Private Thomas Dolan, has been wounded in Mesopotamia.
Martin Gallagher’s death was officially confirmed this week:
CROSS BANK SOLDIER KILLED
Private Martin Gallagher, K.O.Y.L.I., son of Mr. John Gallagher, [3?], Villiers Street, Batley, who has been officially posted missing since September 15th, has now been officially reported to have been killed on that date. His name appears in this week’s War Office casualty lists. Private Gallagher was 34 years of age, and before enlisting was a labourer for Messrs. Goodall Brothers of Batley. He served seven years in the Militia. An old boy of Cross Bank Day School, he was also associated with St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. He joined the same month that war was declared, and went to the Front 17 months ago. He has been wounded twice – once in December, 1915, and also in June of this year.
Martin Gallagher appears in the Roll of Honour compiled from casualties in the War Office lists, alongside what is likely to be James Edwards, as follows:
KILLED.
Batley. – Pte. M. GALLAGHER, K.O.Y.L.I.WOUNDED, SHELL SHOCK.
Batley. – Pte. J. EDWARDS, Cameronians (S.R.)
There is also possibly a reference to Patrick Hopkins, of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). Although the regiment is incorrect there appears to be no one else who would fit the details.
KILLED.
Batley. – Pte. P. HOPKINS, Lin. Regt.
Past To Present Genealogy 