Two pieces of news about St Mary’s parishioners appeared in the 21 September 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.
Michael Lydon’s death was reported:
Batley G.N. Goods Porter Killed
Private Michael Lydon (26), West Yorks., son of Mrs. Lydon, 12, East Street, Batley, has been killed in action. The information has been received in the forms of letters from an officer and a private. The latter writes: “I am sorry to inform you that your son was killed on Sunday, Sept. 1, by the bursting of a shell, and buried ‘Somewhere in France.’ I wish to express my sympathy and also that of the platoon, by whom he was so well liked.” Private Lydon enlisted in December, 1917, and went to France last June. He was formerly a goods porter at Batley G.N.R. Station, and associated with St. Mary’s R.C. Church.
The second piece was the latest instalment in an ongoing marital dispute, which had been coming before the courts for over four years.
Pit Sinker’s Arrears of Wife Maintenance
Patrick Walsh, of no fixed address, a pit-sinker until recently engaged on work at Canterbury, gave himself up to Batley Police on Friday. There were £21 19s. due on a maintenance order made in favour of his wife, who lives at Batley, on August 10th 1914. Since last December he had paid £28, but in July 24th payments ceased. To the magistrates in Batley Court on Wednesday Walsh said he had given himself up because he was out of work. He was willing to work and make further payments. The wife declared her readiness to give Walsh another chance to pay, and the magistrates made an order of committal to prison for 91 days, to be suspended if defendant made arrangements with his wife for continued instalments.
Past To Present Genealogy 