Main CPGW Record
Surname: SYKES
Forename(s): William
Place of Birth: Barnoldswick, Yorkshire
Service No: 300081
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 2/6th Battalion
Division: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
Age: ---
Date of Death: 1918-12-31
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: II. A. 1.
CWGC Cemetery: HAMBURG CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SALTERFORTH, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
William Sykes was the son of David and Elizabeth Sykes, née Peckover. David was born at Dawen, Lancashire and Elizabeth at Barnoldswick, Yorkshire.
1891 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: Colne Road - William Sykes, aged 9 months, born Barnoldswick, son of David and Elizabeth Sykes.
1901 Salterforth, Yorkshire Census: Burdock Hill - William Sykes, aged 10 years, born Barnoldswick, Yorkshire, son of David and Elizabeth Sykes.
1911 Salterforth, Yorkshire Census: Park View Terrace - William Sykes, aged 21 years, born Barnoldswick, Yorkshire, son of David and Elizabeth Sykes.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte William Sykes, 3408, 300081, W. Rid. R. Theatre of war first served in: 1 - France. Date of entry therein: 29.6.15. Died 31.12.18.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte William Sykes, 300081, 1/6 W. Rid. R.; 2/6 W. Rid. R. Died 31.12.18.
William was transferred from the 1/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) to the 2/6th Bn. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Bullecourt, 3-17 May 1917 on the 3 May.
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
Data Source: Local War Memorial
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
06 July 1917
BARNOLDSWICK – GOOD NEWS OF MISSING SOLDIERS
After two months’ anxious suspense, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Woodhead, 67, Lower Rook Street, received by Wednesday evening’s post a letter from their son, Private Ewart Woodhead, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, stating that he was a prisoner in Germany and quite well. He was taken prisoner, along with a number of others, at Bullecourt, on May 3rd. The letter is dated May 17th, from Mons-en-Baroul, and is the first to come through. He writes: “I am in the best of health, and I hope the worry you have had will cease at once, as there is no need for it… I mean to stick it to the end. I am quite happy, in the best of health and my spirit is still undaunted.”
Pte. Woodhead adds that two comrades from the Duke’s are with him – Private Willie Sykes, of Salterforth, and the other a Baildon young man named Sugden, neither of whom are wounded. Pte. Woodhead is 22 years of age. He went to France in February last.
31 December 1920
SYKES – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. William Sykes, W.R.R., who died a Prisoner-of-war in Parchim Camp, Germany, on the 31st December, 1918.
Forget him? No, we never will!
We loved him in life, we love him still.
Too far away your gave to see,
Yet not too far to think of thee.
From Father, Mother and Sister, Fair View Cottage, Salterforth.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
13 July 1917
BARNOLDSWICK – MORE NEWS OF “MISSING” SOLDIERS
After two months anxious suspense Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Woodhead, 67, Lower Rook Street, have received a letter from their son, Pte. Ewart Woodhead, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, stating that he is a prisoner in Germany and quite well. He was taken prisoner, along with a number of others, at Bullecourt on May 3rd. The letter is dated May 17th, from Mons-en-Baroul, and is the first to come through. He writes:– I am in the best of health, and I hope the worry you have had will cease at once, as there is no need for it… I mean to stick it to the end. I am quite happy, in the best of health, and my spirit is still undaunted.”
Pte. Woodhead adds that two comrades from the same regiment are with him, Pte. Willie Sykes, of Salterforth, and the other a Baildon young man named Sugden, neither of whom are wounded.
Pte. Woodhead is 22 years of age. He went out to France in February last.
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