This is the round-up of news about St Mary’s parishioners from the 20 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.
Two parishioners had cases heard at Monday’s Batley Tribunal.
Single man James Burns (39), of 25, New Street, who worked as a stableman and was classed Grade 3 [no category given] medically, pleaded physical disability. He was granted a Temporary Exemption until January 1st.
Joseph J. Kelly (19), of 21, Fleming Street, a single cloth fuller, classed as Ciii, was given a Temporary Exemption until 1st September.
The military grades and their meanings at this point were:
Grade 1, Category A, general service. Grade 2, Categories Bi and Ci, general service after a period of training. Grade 3, Bii, Cii, Biii, Ciii, auxiliary, labour and sedentary services.
A “C.E.,” conditional exemption meant that a man was exempt from military service so long as he retained his present occupation.
A “T.E.,” temporary exemption meant that on its expiration the holder, or his employer, could make an application for its renewal.
Two parish deaths appeared in the Family Notices column.
BATLEY
Kilgallan. —July 13, aged 2, Ann, daughter of Thos. Kilgallan, New Street.
O’Hora. —July 15, aged 73, Patrick O’Hora, Institutions Infirmary.
The final piece followed on from last week’s piece about Joseph Edward Munns.
A Batley Military Medallist.
We reproduce this week a photograph of Sergt. Joseph Edward Munns (29), K.O.Y.L.I., of 9, Woodwell Street, Batley, who, as reported in last week’s “News,” has won the Military Medal by saving an officer who was trapped under debris in a burning building, though himself severely wounded at the time. He is now in hospital at Manchester. His right foot has been amputated from the ankle and he is seriously wounded in the right arm. A former employee at Shaw Cross Colliery, he enlisted the month after war started, and went to France after serving in Italy. He is connected with Cross Bank Roman Catholic Church.
A photo of James McDonald was also published, which will be reproduced with his biography.
Past To Present Genealogy 