Arthur GREENBANK

15 January 1915

STAINFORTH – Recruiting Meeting: Five Married Men

On Monday night a well attended meeting was held in the schoolroom. Mr. Duncan Mackenzie presided. Capts. Groves and Brewin and Second Lieutnants Woodhead and McKillop from Skipton were present. Mr. Bibbings, of Sheffield, made a rousing appeal to the audience to enlist now, not to delay any longer. He made special allusion to the German toast “To-day.” “It meant,” he said, “the lowering of our good old English flag and the hoisting of the Teuton in its place.” – Mr. Simpson said the village had only added one in 75 of the population to the roll of honour. – Mr. Lund, however, pointed out that this was incorrect, and Mr. Simpson readily withdrew the remark. – Mr. Farnsworth spoke on the allowances made to wives and children of those who enlisted; and Captain Groves spoke on the German people and their military advisers. – Five married men volunteered their services. – John Greenbank, James Greenbank, Arthur Greenbank, Henry Lund, and John Lund. These were sworn in and heartily cheered. At intervals patriotic songs were sung by Mr. Thornber, the audience joining in the choruses. In addition to the songs on the sheet, Mr. Thornber sang ‘The Flag that never comes down,’ and ‘The boys in khaki, boys in blue.” Mr. Leaworthy accompanied on the piano. The singing of the National Anthem brought a very enthusiastic meeting to a close.

19 November 1915

GREENBANK – November 6th, while fighting in the trenches in France, Private Arthur Greenbank, of the 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, one of the four soldier sons of Mr. John Greenbank, of Stainforth.

19 November 1915

A STAINFORTH HERO – ONE OF FOUR SOLDIER SONS

Last week news arrived in the village that Private Arthur Greenbank, 6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, had fallen in action whilst fighting in the trenches on Saturday, November 6th. He was one of the four soldier sons of Mr. John Greenbank, gamekeeper, and only enlisted last January, and went to the front in March.

Private John Lund, his chum from early boyhood, and who enlisted with him, sent the sad news to the village. Only a fortnight ago he paid his native place a visit, straight from the trenches, and returned to France on November 2nd. The news cast a gloom over the village and great sympathy was expressed to the family in their bereavement. He leaves a wife and baby son to mourn his loss. Mrs. Arthur Greenbank only a few months ago left the village to live with her relations at Lancaster.

On Sunday the Vicar (Rev. J. Gaskell Exton) made allusions to the dead soldier. The relatives, in deep mourning, attended the church and the Dead March was played by the organist at both services. In the porch the Vicar had placed a large memoriam card, on which was a picture of Christ comforting a dying soldier on the battle field, and underneath was written: “In memory of Private Arthur Greenbank, who died for his King and Country.”

09 November 1917

GREENBANK – In loving memory of my dear husband, Arthur Greenbank, of Stainforth, near Settle, who was killed in action November 6th 1915.

When alone in my sorrow, and bitter tears flow,
There stealeth sweet dreams of a short time ago;
And, unknown in the world, he stands by my side,
And whispers these words, “Death cannot divide.”

From his sorrowing Wife and Children.