This is the round-up of news about St Mary’s parishioners from the 31 August 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.
A marital dispute came before the magistrates this week.
Carlinghow Couple’s Quarrel.
John Cairns, miner, residing at Albert Square, Batley Carr, pleaded guilty at Batley Court on Monday to deserting his wife, Mary Cairns, Victoria Street, Carlinghow. Mr. Samuel Brearley, solicitor, who applied for a separation order for Mrs. Cairns, said the parties were married at Cross Bank Roman Catholic Church in 1884, and there were 14 children, six of whom were living and over 21 years of age. Her husband left her without warning on July 13th, and was at present living at Batley Carr with his brother. The day after leaving his wife defendant returned home whilst she was out, and took away his clothes. When one of his daughters went to see him he said he would not give her a penny. She had received no money from him since he went away. He worked at Soothill Wood Colliery, and the wife was earning 26s. a week from Messrs. C. Robinson and Co. —Complainant said her husband was the cause of all the trouble. He had often threatened to go away.—Defendant: How many times have you been up for being drunk? —Complainant: Not so often as you. —Cairns claimed his wife was equally to blame, and said he had been five times separated from her. “I was once left five months with seven little children and there was never a happier home,” he added. —The Bench granted a maintenance order for 19s. a week and ordered defendant to pay costs.
John William Callaghan’s death was reported this week.
Another of the Original Territorial Army Killed.
News of death of Private John Wm. Callaghan (21), K.O.Y.L.I., has been received by his mother, Mrs. Gavan, who resides at 49, Field Lane, Batley. In addition to the official notification that he was killed in action on July 20th, a letter has been received from a Lieutenant saying: “Your son was reported missing on July 20th, and is now reported killed in action. I must say he was a good soldier and very attentive to duty, and his absence is greatly felt among the men of his company.” Pte. Callaghan, an old boy of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and Schools, Cross Bank, was a member of the Dewsbury Territorials when war broke out, although only 17, he went training with then from their Whitley camp. He served two years in France, and during that time he was once injured. Before the war he was a hurrier at Shaw Cross Colliery.
His brother has been discharged after wounds.
Past To Present Genealogy 