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.
This week’s paper included information from wounded soldier Sam Gooder:
Private Sam Gooder, K.O.Y.L.I., of 4, Peel Street, Batley, is in hospital at Woolwich suffering from a “bad foot.” He received an injury to it last Thursday, but hopes to be well again soon. Private Gooder, who is 41 years of age and married, went to the Front just after Whitsuntide. Previous to enlisting he was employed as a miner at Carlinghow Lane Colliery. He is a member of the Batley Branch of the United Irish League.
The death of Edward Leonard was confirmed in the Roll of Honour compiled from the War Office casualties list:
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING, NOW REPORTED KILLED.
Batley. —E. LEONARD, West Yorks.
The death of Lawrence Carney featured this week:
CARLINGHOW’S FALLEN HEROES.
Death of Private Lawrence Carney.Another Carlinghow man has given his life for his country. Considering the population Carlinghow has as large a percentage of fallen heroes as any other part of the district, and Private Lawrence Carney, K.O.Y.L.I., Victoria Street, is the latest addition. Deceased, who was 21 year of age, was married, and leaves two children. He enlisted two years ago and had been at the Front 12 months. Previous to joining the Colours he was employed at Soothill Wood Colliery. He attended St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, and was an “old boy” of the Roman Catholic Day Schools, where he was identified with the swimming team and took part in several competitions.
Private Carney was wounded in June of this year and had only been back at the Front nine weeks when he was fatally injured. Last Saturday week his wife received a card from a Warrington Hospital saying her husband lay wounded there, and the following Wednesday she was informed he was seriously ill. Mrs. Carney arrived at the hospital on the Thursday morning, and her husband died half an hour after her arrival. His left leg had been amputated.
The funeral took place at Batley Cemetery on Monday afternoon. There was no band, but a firing party from Pontefract attended, under Sergt. F. Cripps. The coffin, which was of polished oak, was draped with the Union Jack, and was borne to the grave by a number of soldier friends. The last rites were conducted by Rev. Father Lee, and after three volleys had been fired over the grave the “Last Post” was sounded by Bugler J. Hennessy. Six wounded soldiers from Batley Hospital, in charge of Sergt. W. Stidworthy, also attended to pay their last respects.
The deceased soldier is one of four soldier brothers. Driver Michael Carney, Royal Engineers, and Pte. Thomas Carney, K.O.Y.L.I., are at the Front, and Pte. Patrick Carney, K.O.Y.L.I.. is still in training, and attended the funeral.
The family mourners included Mrs. Carney (widow), Nellie and Annie Carney (daughters), Pte. Patrick Carney (brother), Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Carney (mother and father), Mr. Andrew Carney (brother), Miss Mary Ellen Carney (sister), Mr. and Mrs. John Carney (brother and sister-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Carney (brother and sister-in-law), Mrs. Evelyn Carney (sister-in-law), Master Michael Carney (nephew), Mr. and Mrs. John Robert Hill (father and mother-in-law),1 Misses Agnes, Elizabeth, Nellie and Sarah Hill (sisters-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Carney (uncle and aunt), Misses Mary and Jane Carney (cousins), Mr. and Mrs. John Cairns, Mr. Patrick and Miss Winnie Kilkenny (cousins), Mrs. Jack Learoyd (cousin), and Miss Mary Doyle (cousin).
His death was also recorded in the Family Notices column:
CARNEY. —On the 28th ult., aged 21 years, Lawrence Carney, K.O.Y.L.I., Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington.
The Death Notices included another parishioner:
MALONEY. —On the 3rd inst., aged 78 years, John Maloney, 10, Back Spa Street.
Finally for this week, away from news of the war, a parishioner appeared before the Batley Magistrates :
TO-DAY’S BATLEY POLICE.
… “It’s bad enough to walk home in the dark, without getting drunk to do it,” said Thomas Murphy, labourer, New Street, Batley, in promising the magistrates not to get drunk again. He was fined 10s for this offence.
Footnotes:
1. Should be John Herbert Hill.
PastToPresentGenealogy 