December 2024 Bulletin History Pieces

These are the history pieces which appeared in the Batley St Mary of the Angels and Birstall St Patrick’s bulletin during December 2024. As the parishes are jointly administered and a single bulletin produced, the history pieces are not solely focused on St Mary of the Angels.

07/08 December 2024
Overnight on 12 and 13 December 1940, a Luftwaffe air raid caused extensive damage across Batley. Amongst those injured was Percy Ingham, who lived at Purlwell Hall Road. This area sustained particularly heavy damage, and it was here that an off-duty soldier was killed during the raid. Percy was taken to Staincliffe hospital where, despite all efforts, he died on 16 December 1940. His funeral, conducted by St Mary’s parish priest Father John Burns, was held on 20 December. He is commemorated in the roll of World War Two civilian dead held at Westminster Abbey, and on the Commonwealth War Grave’s Commission (CWGC) database.

I have written two more detailed posts about this air raid:

I have also written seven posts in which I have detailed the houses affected across Batley. To see if yours was affected, these are the links:

In addition to my client family and local history research, I also undertake house history research. For more details about commissioning me for your research, including how to get in touch, please see my research services and fees page.

14/15 December 2024
On 15 December 1870 the opening High Mass was celebrated at the newly-built church of St Mary of the Angels. Designed by Leeds-based architects Messrs. Adams and Kelly, at a cost of around £2,364, the church was constructed using stone from neighbouring quarries. Diocesan Bishop Robert Cornthwaite officiated, aided by clergymen from throughout Yorkshire. Cardinal Henry Edward Manning, Archbishop of Westminster, gave the sermon, along with a subsequent one at 6.30pm Evening Vespers, honouring a promise made to parish priest Fr Rigby that whenever he opened a church he would come to preach not once but twice. In between services, a formal lunch was taken at Batley’s now-gone Station Hotel.

More information about the men and the War Memorial can be found generally in the one-place study pages. I am also writing biographies for the War Memorial men, and for those added to date click here.

21/22 December 2024
On Christmas Eve 1933 St Mary’s parishioner, and Batley’s nationally acclaimed record-breaking rat-catcher, Thomas Cassidy died. His skills had been much in demand by a cross-section of business and organisations, and they took him across Britain and even Ireland. The two major records Thomas claimed were:

  • 1,227 rats caught alive and 446 killed in six hours for Ossett Corporation; and
  • 153 [out of 155] rats caught in thirteen minutes on the premises of a hide and skin merchant in Heckmondwike in 1908. This was unassisted by dog or ferret.

For the latter he is recognised by Spen Valley Civic Society with plaque on the Spen Fame Trail.

For more about the exploits of Thomas Cassidy click here.

28/29 December 2024
On Boxing Day 1922 St Patrick’s parishioners Michael and Mary Ann Brett celebrated their Golden Wedding. They married at St Mary’s in 1872, before the formation of the separate parish of St Patrick’s. Well-known in Birstall, Michael – who had worked at Birstall Gas Works as a stoker for 34 years – held the role of president of the Birstall branch of the Irish National League club for 11 years. The couple had 17 children, six of whom were still alive. The Golden Wedding was celebrated at Birstall Ambulance Rooms when over 100 guests, in addition to members of the family and a large number of children, were entertained in royal style.