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.
Private Matthew Crayton was wounded yet again:
FOUR TIMES WOUNDED
Private Matthew Crayton, K.O.Y.L.I., son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Crayton, Back New Street, Batley, has been wounded for a fourth time, and is now in hospital at Edinburgh, where he is going on nicely. He is suffering from a bullet wound in the head. Two step-brothers, John and Wm. Carroll, are also with the Forces.
Official confirmation of Edward Leonard’s death came through this week. Although the piece indicates he attended St John’s, Carlinghow, the family were associated with St Mary’s and Edward is on the church War Memorial
BATLEY FAMILY’S DOUBLE BEREAVEMENT.
A Carlinghow Lad Who has been Missing Since July 2nd.
Official News of his Death.Rifleman Edward Leonard, who has been missing since July 2nd, is now officially reported killed. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Leonard, North Bank Road, Batley, whose daughter died suddenly the day after her brother was reported missing, after working in a munitions factory.
Private Leonard, who was 22 years of age, has been previously wounded.
He was an old boy of Batley Grammar School, and acted as confidential clerk for Messrs. Bodenheim and Carlebach, rag merchants, Dewsbury, until he joined the Army at the end of August, 1914. He attended Carlinghow St. John’s Church.
Bridget Hughes received news from her brother who lived in France:
LIFE BEHIND THE BATTLE LINE.
What a Resident Sees at Senlis.
The Germans Getting Something they Never Tasted Before.
Coals £6 Per Ton.Mr. James Karney, a brother of Mrs. Hughes, Coal Pit Lane, Carlinghow, whose home is at Senlis, on the Aisne, sends another interesting letter. He writes:—
We are all right just now. We still hear the cannon night and day. We often go out at night to see the lights of the battlefield. We can see them quite plainly from here.
The English are giving the Germans something they never tasted before. They cannot last long.
Let us hope it will soon be finished, and that we may end our days in peace.
We must all be proud of our English, Irish, and Scotch soldiers.
Coal is £6 per ton, and butter is 2s. 6d. per pound. I suppose it is the same in England. The poor people must suffer. Let us hope it will soon finish.
In news from the Batley Education Committee, which met at the Town Hall on Monday afternoon, St Mary’s was one of four Batley schools not to have any pupil awarded a County Minor or Local Scholarship.
The following resignations or withdrawals of teachers were reported:
- St Mary’s Boys’ – Mr. J. Hynes, military service.
- St Mary’s Girls’ – Miss B. Whelan.
- St. Mary’s Girls – Mrs. Bleeze, transferred to Boys’ School.
The following temporary appointments were made:
- St. Mary’s Boys’, Mrs. Bleeze, £90.
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