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.
Two parish deaths featured in the Batley section of the Family Notices column as follows:
PENDERGAST. —On Nov. 26th, aged 20 months, Frances, daughter of John Pendergast, 30, Cresswell Lane.
KILROY. —On Nov. 27th, aged 2 years, Kathleen, daughter of Thomas Kilroy, 1, Borough Road.
One relevant case appeared before the Batley Appeal Tribunal. This related to 28-year-old married man W.H. Scelly, a wool scourer at Messrs. J., T. and J. Taylor. Medically classed as A, his employers appealed against a previous decision that he would have leave his employment to undertake military service. This decision that he would have to be called up was upheld, though grace was allowed until 1 January.
The final piece concerned the Lynch family – William Lynch, Joseph Lynch and T Lynch, which is a typographical error and should read John Thomas Lynch.
Mrs. Lynch, 9, Richmond Street, Cross Bank, Batley, Cross Bank, Batley, mother of Private Wm. Lynch (31) K.O.Y.L.I., has received a letter from her son’s pal, who writes:—“It is with deep regret I write to you, but no doubt you will have heard from the War Office of your son’s death. Please rest assured that he died a real hero. He was a good pal, staunch and true, and always attentive to his duties. Four chums and myself buried him as respectably as possible.”
A native of Batley, Private Lynch was an old boy of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Schools, Cross Bank, and also attended St. Mary’s Church.
Prior to joining the Forces he was employed in the milling department at Messrs. Wrigley and Parker Bros. Greenhill Mill. He joined Kitchener’s Army immediately war started, but was discharged after a few months. He was accepted in September 1916, on being called up under the Derby scheme, and went to France last June.
A cousin of [sic] Sergt. T. Lynch, of Upper Batley, was killed a few months ago, and news has this week has been received that another cousin, Rifleman Joseph Lynch, Ambler Street, Batley, has received a gun shot wound in the left hand. He is now in hospital. Prior to joining up he worked for Messrs. Brooke, Jubb and Co.
Past To Present Genealogy 