This is the round-up of news about St Mary’s parishioners from the 12 October 1918 edition of the Batley News. 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.
There was more St Mary’s swimming success this week. This time the boys’ team.
Double Swimming Honours for St. Mary’s School.
Teams of swimmers representing the elementary schools of Batley competed at the Swimming Baths last Friday for the Talbot Shield, and the trophy was won, after a fine exhibition, by St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School, whose team of girls the previous Wednesday had secured the Hirst Cup. The teams who competed in the final were:— Park Road: Gilbert Calvert, Arthur Brearey, and Foster Robinson. Mill Lane: Harry Binks, Harry Convy, and Wilfred Blakeley. St.Mary’s R.C.: John Rogers, Edward Gallagher, and Denis Moran. Other teams entered were:— Healey: Ronald Charlesworth, Gilbert Flowers, and Willie Newton. Staincliffe C.E.: Reggie Illingworth, Willie Flathers, Roland Lumb. Warwick Road: Thomas Pratt, Herbert Berry, Harry Belk. Carlinghow: Austin Saxton, Joseph Riley, Harry Nutton. Batley C.E.: Willie Pearsall, William Jackson, George Millman. Purlwell: Harold Briggs, Herbert Moss, David Ingham. Mr. J. T. Wilman (Dewsbury), vice-president of the Yorkshire Swimming Association, acted as starter and judge.
There was one death linked to the parish. The Barber family left Batley after the death of sons Willie and Edward, but it was to Batley they returned for the burial of daughter Alice.
BARBER.—Oct. 8th, at 96, Hyde Park Road, Leeds. Alice, the beloved daughter of Wm. and Ada Barber, late of 3, Devon Street, Batley, aged 26 years. Interment will take place at Batley Cemetery on Saturday, October 12th, at 3.30 p.m.
The Cairns marital woes were once more in court:
For failing to pay his wife, Mary Cairns, 36, Victoria Street, Carlinghow, under a maintenance order, John Cairns, miner, Albert Square, Batley, was to-day told by the magistrates that he must go to prison for 28 days unless he made immediate arrangements to pay.
The final piece this week is about 2nd Lt Fred Cairns
Batley Officer Captured Whilst Rounding Up Bosches
Second-Lieut Fred Cairns (20), East Yorks. (attached West Yorks.), son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cairns, 35, Cobden Street, Batley, was first reported missing (believed killed) from September 18th, but the official message has been followed by a letter telegram to the effect that the young officer is now believed to be alive. The latter view is confirmed by a letter from a Captain, who writes:—
“I am extremely sorry to have to inform you that your son is a prisoner of war. It happened on September 18th. We had taken some prisoners about 8.30 a.m., and your boy and another officer thought they could take some more, as the Bosches seemed inclined to give themselves up at the slightest encouragement. After breakfast your boy and another officer went out about 300 yards in front of our line into a wood. Unfortunately they stumbled across an unusually large post of Bosches, who refused to give themselves up. I am afraid the cover of the wood afforded the Bosches too good an opportunity, and, as the officers were alone, the enemy rushed them without firing a shot. They tried to defend themselves, but numbers were too great. It is practically certain they are unwounded, as everything was quiet at the time, and no one heard any shots fired. Your son’s men and brother officers are all very sorry to lose him, but we are glad he will be safe until the end of the war.”
No news has been received from the officer himself, but the belief he is a prisoner is shared by his batman.
Second-Lieut. Cairns, a native of Batley, was in the Batley Territorials, but joined the Special Reserve two months prior to the outbreak of war, and had commenced his training. He went out to France the following November, was wounded in April, 1915, and again in November of the same year. He reached the rank of corporal, and came to England to train for a commission during the latter part of last year. He was “Gazetted” in April, and had been in France ten weeks prior to being reported missing. In civil life he was a stumper for Messrs. Joseph Newsome and Sons, Batley Carr. He is an old boy of St. Mary’s R.C. Schools and a former member of St. Mary’s Boys’ Brigade.
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