John Norman William Atkinson PROCTER

07 January 1916

CRACOE – THANKS FOR GIFTS RECEIVED

Miss Ashton, of Cockerham Farm, Thorpe, has received acknowledgments of parcels sent to soldiers serving at the front, the gifts having been subscribed for by friends in the district. Lieut. J. N. Procter, of the 6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, writing from France says:– “Thank you and the subscribers very much indeed for the parcel. It was an excellent combination. We have been having a lively time out here lately. We are at present in a rest camp after a turn of four days in some very wet trenches; in fact the trenches no longer exist – they are all fallen in. Our men are in very good spirits, however. Again thanking you for your splendid idea in getting up the scheme.”

23 June 1916

CRAVEN AND THE WAR

Second Lieut. J. N. W. A. Procter, who is also mentioned in despatches for gallant conduct, is the second son of Mr. W. A. Procter, of Rylstone. He joined in November, 1914, trained with the 1st 6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, and went out to the Front August 2nd, 1915, to take up the duties of signalling officer in succession to Lieut. Anthony Slingsby.

18 January 1918

CRAVEN AND THE WAR

Lieutenant Norman Proctor, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, son of Mr. W. A. Proctor, Rylstone, has won the Military Cross.

25 January 1918

CRAVEN AND THE WAR – MILITARY CROSS FOR DALES OFFICER

We reproduce a photograph of Lieutenant J. N. W. A. Procter, younger son of Mr. W. A. Procter, of Manor House, Rylstone, who, as briefly intimated in our columns last week, has been awarded the Military Cross. He joined the Army in 1914, and went to the Front in 1915 as the Signalling Officer to the ----- Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. In April 1916 he was mentioned in despatches. Recently he was made Signalling Officer to the ----- Infantry Brigade.

10 May 1918

PROCTER – May 2nd, 1918, aged 23, died of wounds received in action on April 29th, Lieutenant J. N. W. A. Procter, M.C. (Norman), Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, younger son of William and Rebecca Procter, Manor House, Rylstone.

10 May 1918

Lieutenant Norman Procter, Rylstone

Widespread sympathy will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Procter and family, the Manor House, Rylstone, in the sad loss that has befallen them in the death of their younger son, Lieutenant J. W. N. A. Procter, who was admitted to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station on April 29th, severely wounded in the left shoulder and chest, and who died there on the 2nd inst. He was a general favourite in the district and his memory will long remain as a treasured possession. Lieut. Procter was educated at Gresham’s School, Holt, Norfolk. He joined the forces in November, 1914, receiving a commission in a local battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s W.R. Regiment. After training at various places in this country he went to France at the beginning of August 1915, a week after attaining his 21st birthday. He was mentioned in dispatches in April, 1916, and received the Military Cross 1st January, 1918. He acted as signalling officer to his battalion, and subsequently was seconded for service with the Royal Engineers as signalling officer to his brigade. A memorial service will be held on Sunday next at 10.30 at Rylstone Church.

17 May 1918

SKIPTON RURAL TRIBUNAL – Mr. Procter's Loss

At the outset, the Chairman said he was sure it would be the Tribunal’s wish that some token of their deepest sympathy should be sent to Mr. W. A. Procter in his sad bereavement. He had not the pleasure of knowing Mr. Norman Procter, but all who knew him had assured him that he was a magnificent specimen of a young Englishman. He was a gallant officer, for he had not only been mentioned in despatches, but had also won the Military Cross. He moved that a letter containing the Tribunal’s sympathy and regret be sent to Mr. Procter in his hour of trial.

Mr. Mason seconded, and Captain Thompson also associated himself with the resolution, which was carried by the members rising in their places.

23 August1918

MILITARY CROSS FOR THE LATE LIEUT. NORMAN PROCTOR

Mr. W. A. Procter, of Rylstone, has received the Military Cross awarded in January to his son, Lieutenant Norman Procter, 1/6th Battalion West Riding Regiment. Lieut. Proctor died on May 2nd, 1918, in a Casualty Clearing Station after being severely wounded at the Battle of Kemmel Hill on April 29th, and was buried in Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, near Wormhoudt, in North France. The Secretary of State sends the following statement of the service for which the Military Cross was awarded:– For gallantry and most consistent devotion to duly as signalling officer throughout the period 26/2/17 – 20/9/17, especially when in the trenches near Hulloch [Hulluch] in June 1917. When the lines to companies were constantly cut by hostile shell and trench mortar fire he laid a new set of lines at great personal risk and maintained communication to companies under very trying and difficult conditions: and also when in trenches near Nieuport in August, 1917, he established visual communication to companies and was constantly out working on the line to Brigade, which was often cut by hostile shelling. He maintained this line across the Yser canal to the Nieuport side. It is entirely owing to this officer’s energy and diligence since he took over the duties of signalling officer in August, 1915, that the battalion signallers have attained their present high standard of efficiency.

02 May 1919

PROCTER – In loving memory of Lieutenant Norman Procter, M.C., 1/6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who died May 2nd, 1918, at Esquelbecq, North France, of wounds received at the Battle of Kemmel Hill.

‘Bordley,’ Easby Drive, Ilkley.

04 July 1919

PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS: LIEUTENANT J. W. N. A. PROCTER

Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Procter, Manor House, Rylstone, died of wounds May 2nd, 1918, aged 23 years.