This is the round-up of pieces about St Mary’s parishioners from the 28 December 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.
One parish death was amongst the Family Notices section:
Frain.—Dec. 26, aged 34, Katherine Frain, 22, Villiers Street.
There was more about the death of Walter James Hughes:
LOCAL SERGEANT DIES IN AFRICA
Sergt. Walter James Hughes (29), South African Rifles, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Hughes, Coalpit Lane, Carlinghow, died of influenza on December 12th, at Fort Johnston, Nyasaland. For eight years prior to the war he was a conductor on the Dewsbury and Cleckheaton trams. An enthusiastic musician, he played double-bass with several local orchestras.
This final piece is about the Collins family. James Collins is commemorated on the St Mary’s War Memorial. The Collins family had been St Mary’s parishioners, with James and his siblings being baptised there. However by the time of the war most of the family has moved to St Joseph’s parish, including James’ brother Michael.
Batley Carr “Contemptible.”
After four years’ captivity in Germany, Private Michael Collins, West Yorks., son of Mr. and Mrs. James Collins, Porritt’s Yard, Beckett Road, Batley Carr, reached home on Monday. Enlisting six years ago, he went to France with the First Expeditionary Force. He endured many sufferings and privations at the hands of the enemy.
Past To Present Genealogy 