Main CPGW Record
Surname: RIGBY
Forename(s): Cornelius Thomas William
Place of Birth: Birchfield, Handsworth, Staffordshire
Service No: 3/11375
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 10th (Service) Battalion
Division: 23rd Division
Age: 42
Date of Death: 1916-07-29
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 6 A and 6 B.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON – ERMYSTED’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Cornelius Thomas William Rigby was the son of Thomas Newton and Sarah Elizabeth Rigby, née Lees. Thomas was born at Waterhead near Oldham, Lancashire and Sarah at Aston, Warwickshire.
1881 Handsworth, Staffordshire Census: 13, Trinity Road - Cornelius T. Rigby, aged 7 years, born Handsworth, son of Thomas N. and Sarah E. Rigby.
1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 13, Mill Bridge - Cornelius Rigby, aged 16 years, born Handsworth, Staffordshire, son of Thomas Newton Rigby, widower.
1901 Denby Dale, Yorkshire Census: Field House, Wakefield Road - Cornelius Thos. Wm Rigby, aged 26 years, born Handsworth, Staffordshire, son of Thomas Newton Rigby, widower.
1911 Denby Dale, Yorkshire Census: Field House - Cornelius Thomas William Rigby, aged 36 years, born Birchfield, Staffordshire, son of Thomas Newton Rigby, widower.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Cornelius T.W. Rigby, 3/11375, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: 1 - France. Date of entry therein: 6.10.15. K. in A. 29.7.16.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Cornelius Thomas William Rigby, 3/11375, 10th W. Rid. R. K. in A. 29.7.16.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Cornelius Thomas William Rigby, 3/11375, 10th Bn West Riding. Date and Place of Death: 29.7.16. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Sister and sole legatee - Annie M. £16 16s. 7d.
Cornelius is commemorated on the Denby Dale and Cumberworth War Memorial.
A short biography of Cornelius is included in: ‘A Grammar School at War – The Story of Ermysted’s Grammar School during the Great War’ by Steven Howarth (2007).
Data Source: Craven Herald Article
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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: 23rd Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
18 August 1916
ANOTHER SKIPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOY KILLED
Pte. C. T. W. Rigby, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, was killed in action on July 29th, aged 42 years. He was the only son of the Rev. T. Newton Rigby, of Denby Dale, Huddersfield (formerly curate of the Skipton Parish Church), and had joined the Army on August 5th, 1914. The deceased soldier was educated at Skipton Grammar School.
22 December 1916
SKIPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL’S ROLL OF HONOUR
The Christmas issue of the Skipton Grammar School Magazine contains some very fine and touching tributes to the following ‘Old Boys’ who have laid down their lives for King and Country in this great War since the previous issue of the magazine:–
Lance Corporal A. J. Metcalfe, Durham Light Infantry
Pte. C. T. W. Rigby, 11th West Riding Regiment
Rifleman Harry Tindall, King’s Royal Rifles
Sergt. A. F. Ryder, K.O.Y.L.I.
Rifleman W. M. Jowett, Rifle Brigade, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
It is also recorded with keen regret that Captain C. Waddington, 3rd East Lancashire’s, and Second-Lieut. J. L. Tibbett, R.F.C., two other old schoolboys, have been taken prisoners of war.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
14 December 1917
FOUNDER’S DAY AT SKIPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL
A Fifteenth Century Foundation – War Memorial Proposed
COMMEMORATION SERVICE
Wednesday’s proceedings were opened with a service in commemoration not only of the founders and benefactors of the school but also of the gallant men who formerly passed through the school and who had given their lives for their country in the present war. The service was conducted by the headmaster (Rev. F.G. Forder) in the big school and there was a good attendance of old boys and others interested in the school. The names of the fallen heroes are as follows:– 2nd Lieut. T.B. Bellamy, Captain C.D. Bennett, 2nd Lieut. T.D. Broughton, Captain C.W. Brown, Gunner Philip Brown, Corporal H.S. Caw, Sergt. J. Cockerill, 2nd Lieut. H. Colley (master), Major M.E. Cookson, 2nd Lieut. E.G. Goodman, 2nd Lieut. F.H. Gill, Private W. Hartley, Rifleman W.M. Jowett, Lieut. H. Knowles, 2nd Lieut. C.H. Lee (master), 2nd Lieut. J.C. McIntyre, Captain J.B. McKay, Lance-Corporal A.J. Metcalfe, J.H. [E.] Metcalfe, Private E. Platt, Private C.T.W. Rigby, 2nd Lieut. W.A. Rodwell, Sergt. A.F. Ryder, Lieut. E.J.C. Supple (master), Private F. Thornton, Rifleman H. Tindall, Sergt. H. Walker, Gunner Herbert Watson, 2nd Lieut. Alec Wilson, Private Cameron Wilson, 2nd Lieut. Ian Wilson.
Among the old boys who have gained distinctions are the following:– Military Cross, Second-Lieutenant J.G. Berry, Second-Lieutenant J.B. Hartley, Captain J.T. Hurst, Lieut. P. Jowett, Lieut. J. Petty, and Capt. T.B. Pollard (master); Distinguished Conduct Medal, Corpl. W.A. Murgatroyd; Mentioned in Despatches, Lieut. J. Pethybridge, Capt. Allan Wilson, and many others.
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