Two pieces about St Mary’s parishioners appeared in the 13 July 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.
Another parishioner, James Macdonald, [newspaper spelling] was named amongst the missing from the German Spring Offensive.
Pte. James Macdonald (20), D.L.I., son of Mr. and Mrs. John Macdonald, 16, Fleming Street, Batley, is posted missing from May 27th, and an officer informs his parents that nothing has been heard of him from that date. Pte. Macdonald first enlisted when 17 years age, but was discharged. Joining up again when he attained military age he went to France at Easter. He previously worked at Messrs. G. and J. Stubley’s Bottoms Mill, and attended St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Cross Bank.
The award of a Military Medal to parishioner Joseph Edward Munns also featured.
An Officer Rescued From a Burning Building in Turn Saves His Rescuer’s Life
How Sergeant Munns Won the Military Medal Whilst Badly Wounded
(Special to the “News.”)
Batley has just reason to be proud of its latest Military Medallist, Sergt. Joseph Edward Munns (29), K.O.Y.L.I., who lies in a Manchester Hospital, with his right foot amputated from the ankle, and severely wounded in the right arm. He won the Medal whilst so badly wounded. The story is told in the following letter to the wounded soldier from his Colonel:—
My Dear Sergeant Munns, —I have the very greatest pleasure in writing to inform you that you have been awarded the Military Medal. My heartiest congratulations, in which all officers and men in the Battalion join me. I only hope it may be some little consolation to you in your present suffering. I was extremely sorry to hear you were so severely wounded, and feel that the Battalion has lost one of its best N.C.O.’s. You probably have a very hazy idea of what happened when you were wounded. As you know, Mr. Morgan [an officer] and yourself were caught in a shell, and he was pinned under the debris of a house, and although you were terribly wounded you managed to extricate him. After that you collapsed and he carried you away. If it had not been for your extraordinary pluck Mr. Morgan would have been burnt alive, for the house was already on fire and he was quite unable to free himself. He was wounded in four places, but none of them very serious. Please accept my thanks for all the good work you have done with the Battalion and very good wishes for your speedy recovery.
The many friends of Sergt. Munns will be pleased to hear he is going on nicely. Enlisting in the local miners’ Battalion the month after war started, he was first drafted to Egypt and ultimately to France. He previously worked in Shaw Cross Colliery.
He is a native of Batley, and connected with Cross Bank Roman Catholic Church. His wife lives at 9, Woodwell Street, Batley.
He is a brother of Mr. John Thomas (“Paudy”) Munns, of the Batley Irish National League Club, of which institution the Sergeant was a former member.
Past To Present Genealogy 