Charles BRANSTON

28 July 1916

SKIPTON MEN WOUNDED

Pte. Charlie Branston, of the West Ridings, son of Mrs. Branston, of 27, Brook Street, Skipton, has received a gunshot wound in the knee and is being nursed in the Australian General Hospital in France. Before enlisting, he was employed at Messrs. Lipton's Ltd., Skipton.

11 August 1916

THE LATE PTE. T. B. CARTMAN OF SKIPTON - LETTERS FROM TWO COMRADES

Official news of the death of Pte. T.B. Cartman of Skipton, which was referred to in our last issue, was received on Tuesday. Letters have also been received by his relatives from two of his comrades, both of which indicate the high esteem in which deceased was held by the men in A Company of the 10th Duke of Wellington's Regiment.

From a letter written by Pte. T. Greenwood, we take the following:- "It is with a heavy heart that I write these few sorrowful words of your Tommy's death, which occurred in hospital on Wednesday, July 12th, at which place they buried him. On Monday morning previous, we shared a parcel and had a few happy minutes together. That night we moved into the trenches on our way to the village. Both your Charlie and Tommy were hit, Charlie very slightly in the knee. I was close to him and we shook hands before he turned to walk back to the dressing station. It was not until the following afternoon that I heard Tommy had got hit. I am sorry I don't know any particulars of his death and funeral. I scarcely know how to express my feelings for I have lost the very best pal I ever had, and I ask you to bear up and face it, if not with a smile, with a good heart and keep your trust in Him above, who guides us in all things. All the platoon join in with their sympathy."

Pte. J. W. Atkinson, another Skipton soldier, has written as follows:- "I cannot tell you how sorry I am to hear about poor Tommy dying from his wounds. He was very badly wounded in the legs when we carried him out on the stretcher, but we did our level best for him. There were a lot of killed and wounded lying all over the trench, but we got them all away as quickly as possible. I thought it my duty to write to you with carrying him out, and being a lad I have known for years. I am pleased to say Charlie only got a slight wound and will soon be back again. He helped us to carry Tom out of the trenches to the dressing station and he worked very hard. I am sorry to say we have had two Skipton lads die from wounds, the other one being Clifford Unwin, who got badly wounded in the big advance. The Germans lost very heavily and had a lot both killed and wounded and we also took a lot of prisoners."

Pte. Cartman was the son of Mrs. Rishworth, of Wood Side Farm, Silsden, and resided for many years with his aunt Mrs. Branston, in Brook Street, Skipton. He enlisted on the outbreak of war; prior to which he was employed by Messrs. Lipton's, High Street, Skipton.

03 November 1916

SKIPTON'S ROLL OF HONOUR - PTE. CHARLIE BRANSTON KILLED

Another fine young Skipton soldier has made the supreme sacrifice - Pte. Charlie Branston, of the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, and son of Mrs. Branston, of 27, Brook Street, Skipton. This is Mrs. Branston's second bereavement, her nephew, Pte. T. B. Cartman, who lived with her for many years, having died from wounds in July last. The sad news respecting her son was received on Saturday morning, an official intimation from the War Office stating that he had been killed in action on October 12th. Deceased, who was only 20 years of age, was a fine specimen of manhood, and was nearly six feet in height. Formerly employed at Messrs. Lipton's Ltd., he enlisted with Captain Tunstill's men in September 1914, and went out to France thirteen months ago. He was wounded in July last, but had never been granted a leave since he went to the Front.

Deceased and his cousin, Pte. Cartman, were both employed at Messrs. Lipton's Ltd. They enlisted together, did their training together, and were both wounded on July 10th.

Pte. Branston was a member of the Skipton Branch of the National Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants, Warehousemen and Clerks, and in a letter to his mother, Mr. George L. Haigh, secretary of the local Branch, writes:- "It is with the regret of myself and all the members of the above Branch that I offer you my deepest sympathy in the loss of your gallant son in action. It seems hard lines that after being so long in France he should meet the same fate as Tom, but I sincerely hope you will bear up in your loss. He was one of the best of men to work with either at business or for the Union. To this I can testify. I can hardly realise it yet, the news coming to me as a great surprise, although I could not understand not hearing from him for over three weeks."

12 October 1917

BRANSTON - In loving memory of Private Charlie Branston, killed in action October 12th 1916.

"May his reward be greater than his sacrifice."

From his Mother, Sisters and Brothers.

02 May 1919

PHILLIP - In loving memory of our dear brothers, Driver Lewis Phillip, Embsay, who fell in action 28th April, 1918, also Privates Charles Branston and Tom [Cartman], who paid the supreme sacrifice in 1916.

Goodbye, brothers! Ah the parting was hard,
'Twas duty that called you to go.
For when England was calling for soldiers
You were hardly the ones to say "No."
Do you think we could ever have loved you,
If we thought you were boys who would lag,
When your comrades were willing and ready,
To fight for our homes and the Flag?

From their loving sister Nellie at Embsay and brother Harry in France.

[Ellen Hannah Phillip and Henry Cartman Branston were married in 1909.]