Main CPGW Record
Surname: PRIESTLEY
Forename(s): Edmund James
Place of Birth: Bacup, Lancashire
Service No: 23717
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion
Division: 4th Division
Age: 38
Date of Death: 1917-02-21
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: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Edmund James Priestley was the son of Edmund and Ruth Priestley, née Collinge. Edmund, senior, was born at Crawshawbooth and Ruth at Bacup, Lancashire.
1881 Newchurch, Lancashire Census: Moss Gap - Edmund J. Priestley, aged 2 years, born Bacup, Lancashire, son of Edmund and Ruth Priestley.
1891 Stansfield Township, Todmorden, Yorkshire Census: 17, Barker Street - Edmund J. Priestley, aged 12 years, born Bacup, Lancashire, son of Edmund and Ruth Priestley.
1901 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 10 Spring Terrace - Edmund J. Priestley, aged 22 years, born Bacup, Lancashire, son of Edmund and [stepson of] Mary E. Priestley.
Edmund was married to Mary Ann Hartley in 1906.
1911 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 7, Mill Brow - Edmund James Priestley, aged 32 years, born Bacup, Lancashire, husband of Mary Ann Priestley.
The British Army Service Record for Edmund James Priestley exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Edmund J. Priestley, 23717, W. Rid. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Edmund James Priestley, 23717, 2nd W. Rid. R. Deceased.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Edmund James Priestley, 23717, 2nd Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 21.2.17. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow and Sole Legatee - Mary A. £6 2s. 10d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Edmund. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Mary Ann, born 9.7.81. Address: 7, Cardwell Street, Padiham, Burnley. Children: John Edmund, born 8.5.07. James Hartley, born 7.11.15.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
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:
PRIESTLEY, E.J., aged 38, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, 10, Stoney Bank, [Earby], killed in action Feb. 21, 1917.
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Private Edmund James PRIESTLEY
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 4th Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
16 March 1917
PRIESTLEY – February 21st 1917, killed in action in France, Pte. Edmund J. Priestley, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Priestley, 10 Stoney Bank Road, Earby, aged 38 years.
16 March 1917
EARBY SOLDIER KILLED
The death was officially notified last week of Pte. Edmund J. Priestley, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, as having been killed in action on February 21st. Deceased was a married man 38 years of age, and leaves a widow and two children, who reside at 7, Mill Brow, Earby. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Priestley, 10, Stoney Bank Road, Earby, whose three other sons are all serving: one being now in France, another in hospital at Malta (from Salonika) and the other in the Naval Sick Berth Reserve at Gosport. Pte. Priestley, who was the last of four to join up, had only been in France about a month at the time of his death. He was formerly a weaver for Messrs. J.S. Watson and Sons, Albion Shed.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
16 March 1917
PRIESTLEY – Feb. 21st, killed in action, Pte. Edmund J. Priestley, 3rd 6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, eldest son of Mr. And Mrs. Edmund Priestley, of 10, Stoney Bank, Earby, aged 38.
16 March 1917
EARBY SOLDIERS KILLED
The death was officially notified last week of Pte. Edmund J. Priestley, 3/6 Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, as having been killed in action on February 21st. Deceased was a married man 38 years of age, and leaves a widow and two children, who reside at 7, Mill Brow, Earby. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Priestley, 10, Stoney Bank Road, Earby, whose three other sons are all serving, one being now in France, another in hospital at Malta (from Salonika) and the other in the Naval Sick Berth Reserve at Gosport. Pte. Priestley, who was the last of four to join up, had only been in France about a month at the time of his death. He was formerly a weaver for Messrs. J.S. Watson and Sons, Albion Shed.
30 March 1917
PRIESTLEY – March 23rd, at 10, Stoney Bank Road, Earby, Edmund Priestley, aged 61 years.
[Father of Pte. Edmund James Priestley, who was killed in action, 21 February 1917.]
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