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.
James Carroll (or Carrol in the newspaper) was in Batley Court on Monday:
James Carrol, Hanover Place, Batley, an absentee from the Royal Scots, was remanded for an escort. His excuse was that he “wanted to spend Christmas at home.”
And at the end of the week another parishioner was in court:
TO-DAY’S BATLEY POLICE.
Dominic Kilbride, miner, East Street, for having been drunk and disorderly in East Street, on December 21st, had to pay 8s.
Two deaths appeared in the family notices:
CUNNINGHAM. —On the 30th ult., aged 60 years, Catherine Cunningham, 35, Ambler Street.
WOODHEAD. —On Dec. 30th, 1916, at the 13th General Hospital, Boulogne, Pte. Arthur William Bayldon Woodhead, the beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Woodhead, of 26, Hanover Street, Batley.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for another.”
R.I.P.
Arthur William Bayldon Woodhead’s death was covered in more detail:
A GRANDSON OF DR. BAYLDON DIES IN FRANCE.
“His Body Filled With Shrapnel.”A well-known Batley family has been bereaved by the death at the Front of Private Arthur William Bayldon Woodhead, Seaforth Highlanders, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Woodhead, 26, Hanover Street, Batley, who died of wounds on December 30th. The deceased, who was only 19 years of age, was a grandson of the late Dr. Bayldon, who practiced in Batley for about 40 years. Enlisting about a year ago, Private Woodhead went to the Front in June. The first intimation that he was wounded was received by his parents in a letter dated December 17th, and signed “An Anzac.” The letter, which was evidently written for the deceased, said he was wounded and hoped to be in England in a few weeks time. Subsequently letters were received from a Roman Catholic priest, who said he had visited Private Woodhead and found him progressing favourably; and also by an English Chaplain who said the deceased was in hospital in Boulogne, and although his “body was filled with shrapnel he was very bright and cheerful and progressing satisfactorily.” Later news came in the form of a telegram saying he was dangerously ill and could not be visited, followed on Monday by news of his death.
As a boy Private Woodhead attended Batley Parish Church Day Schools, and he afterwards assisted his father in business. He was interested in various kinds of athletic sports, particularly cricket and cycling. He was a comrade of the late Private Arthur Sheard, also of Hanover Street, whose death at the Front was announced a short time ago.
Finally for this week, amongst the Roll of Honour compiled from War Office Lists the following parishioner appeared:
WOUNDED
Batley. —Pte. A. DOLAN, K.O.Y.L.I.
PastToPresentGenealogy 