Main CPGW Record
Surname: DALE
Forename(s): Brian
Place of Birth: Bradford, Yorkshire
Service No: 8994
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Essex Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion
Division: 4th Division
Age: 26
Date of Death: 1914-11-18
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 7.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Brian Dale (born 14 December 1887) was the son of Thomas and Agnes Dale, née Tabor. Thomas was born at Bradford, Yorkshire and Agnes at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.
1891 Bradford, Yorkshire Census: 7, Wright Street - Brian Dale, aged 3 years, born Bradford, son of Agnes Dale, widow.
1901 Bradford, Yorkshire Census: 162, Barkerend Road - Brian Dale, aged 13 years, born Bradford, son of Agnes and stepson of William A. Garrett. [Agnes had married William Anderson Garrett in 1895.]
1911 Quetta, Baluchistan, India Census: 1st Bn Essex Regiment - Private Brian Dale, aged 23 years, born Bradford, Yorkshire.
Brian was married to Mary Jane Peacock in 1914.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte B. Dale, 8994, 2/Essex R. Theatre of War first served in: ( - ) [France]. Date of entry therein: 22.8.14. K. in A.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte B. Dale, 8994, Essex.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Brian Dale, 8994, 2nd Bn Essex Regt. Place of Birth, Date of Enlistment, Trade on Enlistment: Bradford, Yorks. 24.6.07. Labourer. Date and Place of Death: 18.11.14. In action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Mary Jane. £3 18s. 11d. Self and child. War Gratuity: Widow - Mary J. £5 0s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Brian. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Mary Jane, born 5.9.85. Marriage: 11.4.1914. Address: 74, Broughton Road, Shipton (sic). Children: Hughie, born 9.11.14.
In 1921 Brian's widow, Mary Jane and son Hughie Brian, were living with her parents, Ralph and Annie M. Peacock at 74, Broughton Road, Skipton. In 1939 Mary Jane and her parents were still living at the above address; Hughie was then living at Kirkgate, Settle, Yorkshire. Mary Jane died in 1951. Hughie married Alice Holmes in 1939 and died in 1993.
Brian is commemorated in the Memorial Books of the Post Office Fellowship of Remembrance.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
DALE, Bryan, 2nd Essex Regt., aged 26, killed in action Nov. 18, 1914, formerly employed at Skipton Post Office.
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Private Brian DALE
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Essex Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 4th Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
11 December 1914
DALE – Killed in action on November 18th, Private Bryan Dale, of Clitheroe Street, Skipton.
11 December 1914
SKIPTON'S ROLL OF HONOUR – PRIVATE BRYAN DALE
Another home in which honour has been acquired at the cost of loss of life is that in Clitheroe Street from which Private Bryan Dale was called to his country's service. Private Dale was a reservist in the 2nd Essex Regiment, and had served in India for five years. He returned home about a year ago. He was called to the front at the outbreak of the war, and was killed on November 18th. Of the manner in which he received the fatal wound his widow has no information.
Private Dale had been employed at the Skipton Post Office since June last year, and Mrs. Dale has received a touching letter from Mr. G.H. Sutton, the postmaster. In this letter Mr. Sutton says, ‘The members of staff and myself are very depressed to hear of the death of your husband, who, like many more has given his life to his country’s honour. Please accept deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement.’
Mrs. Dale told the ‘Herald’ representative that the last communication she received from her husband was on the day of his death. In his letter he never made reference to the war.
Private Dale was the son of Mr. Tom Dale the well-known Yorkshire reciter of Bradford. He was 26 years old and married Miss Peacock of Skipton. A son was born 3 weeks ago. Before coming to Skipton he had been employed at the Horton Bank Top tram shed.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
11 December 1914
TWO SKIPTON SOLDIERS KILLED IN ACTION
Our readers will learn with regret of the deaths of two Skipton men who have been killed in the fighting in defence of their country. The twain who had died so heroically are Private Brian Dale, of the 2nd Essex Regiment, and Private John William Varley, of the 2nd West Riding Regiment (‘Green Howards’), both of whom were well known in the town and neighbourhood.
PRIVATE DALE
The other man, Private Dale, was only 26 years of age, and resided at No. 30 Clitheroe Street, Skipton. He also was a reservist, and at the time his regiment was mobilised was working as a labourer at the Skipton Post Office. Up to Whitsuntide of this year he was employed as a storekeeper at Carnforth, in the employ of the Midland Railway Company. As recently as April 16th last his marriage took place to Miss Peacock, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peacock of 23, Thornton Street, and there is one child, a month old.
On Thursday night last week his widow received the usual bare official communication from the War Office informing her that Private Dale had been killed in action on November 18th, but no specific information is as yet forthcoming as to how or where he met his death. The fact, however, that a serious engagement took place between the opposing forces at Ypres on that day, suggests the probability that he may have been killed there.
Private Dale, it may be added, served five years with his regiment in India prior to his discharge, having joined the army at the age of 19. He left England for France early in August, soon after the commencement of hostilities, but his letters home contained very little information as to his experiences and none, of course, as to his whereabouts. It is supposed that he took part in several great engagements before he met with his death. He was always very well liked by his co-workers.
Much sympathy will be expressed with the widow, whose married life has been so brief.
24 December 1915
CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – SKIPTON
Pte. Bryan Dale, 2nd Essex Regiment, killed in action on November 18th 1914, aged 26 years. Employed at Skipton Post Office before he joined his regiment in August. Left a widow and one son.
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