Main CPGW Record
Surname: HARDCASTLE
Forename(s): Ernest
Place of Birth: Silsden, Yorkshire
Service No: 29941
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'C' Coy 10th (Service) Battalion
Division: 23rd Division
Age: 19
Date of Death: 1917-09-21
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 82 to 85.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SILSDEN, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Ernest Hardcastle (born 9 February 1898) was the son of John Henry and Alice Hardcastle, née Campion and brother of Private Cyril Hardcastle (17983) (q.v.) who survived the Great War. Their father was born at Silsden and mother at Guisborough, Yorkshire.
1901 Silsden, Yorkshire Census: Brunthwaite - Ernest Hardcastle, aged 3 years, born Silsden, son of Henry and Alice Hardcastle.
1911 Silsden, Yorkshire Census: Swartha - Ernest Hardcastle, aged 13 years, born Silsden, son of Harry and Alice Hardcastle.
The British Army Service Record for Ernest Hardcastle exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Ernest Hardcastle, 29941, W. Rid. R. K. in A. 21.9.17.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Ernest Hardcastle, 29941, 8 W.Rid. R.; 10 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 21.9.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Ernest Hardcastle, 29941, 10 W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 21.9.17. France or Belgm. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - John H. £6 15s. 8d.
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:
HARDCASTLE, Ernest, aged 21, West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. N. Hardcastle, [Silsden], killed in action Sept. 21, 1917.
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Private Ernest HARDCASTLE
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 23rd Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Tyne Cot Memorial
Courtesy of Allan Hartley, High Bentham
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12 October 1917
HARDCASTLE – Killed in action September 21st, Private Ernest Hardcastle, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, and son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Hardcastle, Swartha, Silsden, aged 19 years.
12 October 1917
SILSDEN – PRIVATE ERNEST HARDCASTLE
Mr. and Mrs. H. Hardcastle of Swartha, Silsden, have received official information that their son, Private Ernest Hardcastle, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, was killed in action on the 2lst of September. Company Quarter-Master Sergeant M.H. Denham, in a letter to the bereaved parents, states- “It is with deepest regret and sympathy that I write to inform you of your son’s death on the 21st of September. He was in an attack on the previous day, and was killed whilst engaged holding the line he had helped to wrest from the enemy. He died a victorious soldier’s death, and his country need be proud of him. It may be some comfort to you to know that he was respectably buried not far from the scene of his death, and where his grave will receive every attention. He was a lad of great promise and a favourite with all. His many friends also desire me to express sympathy with you on their behalf. May God comfort you in your great loss.”
Private Hardcastle was 19 years of age. He joined the Colours in December last and went out to France in June. He was formerly employed as a warp twister by Messrs. Driver Bros., North Street, Silsden. Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle have two more sons serving – Signaller Cyril Hardcastle, and Private Willie Hardcastle, of the R.A.M.C. who has been in Mesopotamia almost since the campaign in that quarter was commenced.
19 October 1917
SILSDEN – THE LATE PRIVATE E. HARDCASTLE
The above is a photograph of Private Ernest Hardcastle, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Hardcastle, Swartha, Silsden, whose death in action on the Western Front took place on September 21st last, and was recorded on our last week’s issue.
07 June 1918
SILSDEN – In Memoriam
A service in memory of the Silsden young men who have recently given their lives for their country was held at the Silsden Parish Church on Sunday morning, conducted by the vicar, Rev. E. E. Peters. The hymns ‘The Saints on earth’, ‘O God our help in ages past’, and ‘God the all-terrible King who ordainest’ were sung. Mr. Herbert Cooper presided at the organ. Mr. Peters said in the service in which they had just taken part they had commemorated 69 men who has been killed in action, or died from wounds or from some other cause. He wished to say a few words especially about those young men who had fallen, and were connected with their Church and Sunday Schools.
The first was Sergeant W. Newns, who had been missing for over a year, but whom the authorities had recently announced as killed. He was one of the best young men in every sense of the word. He was a communicant, a Sunday School teacher and a young man who took a great interest in the physical side of life. He was one of the leaders of the training class for physical development. When he joined the Army in the early days of the war, he found that his time had been well spent as he was made an instructor in physical drill and a full Sergeant.
A few weeks ago the Church had lost another of its young men – Signaller Harry Barrett, who, before he joined up, was treasurer of the Church of England’s Young Men’s Society, and a very devoted member of the branch. Private Ernest Hardcastle was killed in September, after having proved himself a good soldier. He and Sergeant R. Hill were connected with the Sunday School and they did not forget their religion when they went into the Army. Mention was made of Second Lieutenant T.D. Stocks and his connection with the Boy Scout movement; Sergeant Rowland Hill; Private Ormond Clarkson, who was accidentally drowned a few weeks ago in the Persian Gulf; Air Mechanic Albert Bradley, who died in hospital alter being away from home only a few weeks; Sergeant Joe Bancroft who won the Military Medal by his extraordinary gallantry; Private Sydney [P]Lumb who was killed in September, and who had four other brothers serving.
On behalf of the church people of Silsden, the Vicar offered to the relatives and friends of those men their deepest sympathy and their most sincere and heartfelt gratitude for what they had done for them. He expressed the wish that as long as the Church remained, and if at any time a new Church should be built, it would be the custom at least once a year to commemorate all the men who had fallen in the war. He was impressed and touched beyond expression by the courage which the women of the parish had shown in these awful times, and it was an inspiration to the men, for they had shown themselves to be worthy mothers and wives of heroes who had given their all.
“Shall we betray their trust and take their deaths in vain?”
20 September 1918
HARDCASTLE – In loving memory of our dear son, Private Ernest Hardcastle, 3rd Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who fell in action September 2lst, 1917.
He laid his richest gift on the altar of duty – his life.
From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sister.
19 September 1919
HARDCASTLE – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Ernest Hardcastle, 10th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who fell in action September 21st, 1917.
“He laid his richest gift on the altar of duty – his life.”
From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sister, Swartha, Silsden.
23 September 1921
HARDCASTLE – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. Ernest Hardcastle, who fell in action, September 21st, 1917.
“He laid his richest gift upon the altar of duty – his life.”
From Father, Mother and Family, Swartha.
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View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
27 April 1917
SILSDEN SOLDIER KILLED
Mr. and Mrs. H. Hardcastle, of Swartha, Silsden, received official news from the War Office on Wednesday morning last, that their son, Signaller Cyril Hardcastle, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, was killed in action in France on April 9th. Pte. Hardcastle, who was 20 years of age, enlisted in January, 1915, and went to France last August. Prior to enlisting he was learning designing at Messrs. Driver Bros., North Street Mills, Silsden. He was a teacher at the Silsden Parish Church Sunday School, and also a member of the gymnasium connected with the school. Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle have two other sons serving, Corporal Willie Hardcastle, who is in Mesopotamia, and attached to the R.A.M.C., and Pte. Ernest Hardcastle, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment.
12 October 1917
HARDCASTLE – Killed in action, Sept. 21st, Pte. Ernest Hardcastle, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Hardcastle, of Swartha, Silsden, aged 19.
12 October 1917
SILSDEN – PTE. E. HARDCASTLE KILLED IN ACTION
Mr. and Mrs. H. Hardcastle, of Swartha, Silsden, have received official information that their son, Pte. Ernest Hardcastle, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, has been killed in action on the 21st of September. Company Quartermaster-Sergeant M.H. Denham in a letter to the deceased soldier’s parents, states:– “It is with deepest regret and sympathy that I write to inform you of your son’s death on September 21st. He was in an attack on the previous day, and was killed whilst engaged holding the line he had helped to wrest from the enemy. He died a victorious soldier’s death, and his country need be proud of him. It may be some comfort to you to know that he was respectably buried not far from the scene of his death, and where his grave will receive every attention. He was a lad of great promise, and a favourite with all. His many friends also desire me to express sympathy with you on their behalf. May God comfort you in your great loss.” Pte. Hardcastle was 19 years of age. He joined the colours in December last, and went out to France in June. He was formerly employed as a warp twister by Messrs. Driver Bros., North Street Mills, Silsden. Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle have two more sons serving, Signaller Cyril Hardcastle, and Pte. Willie Hardcastle, of the R.A.M.C., who has been in Mesopotamia almost since the campaign in that quarter was commenced.
16 November 1917
SILSDEN
SCOUTS’ ROLL OF HONOUR
The following is a list of the Boy Scouts connected with the Silsden Parish Church Troop serving in the Army and Navy:– Scoutmaster Tom Ayrey, Sam Bancroft, Geoffrey Barrett, Tom B. Wilkinson, James Fry, Harold Newnes, Frank Steel, Lawrence Galvin, Edward Galvin (discharged), Duncan Wade, Jack Crossley, Ottewell Lodge, Frank Shackleton, Tom Stocks (Second-Lieutenant), Tom Shackleton, Ernest Bottomley, Edward Saddington, Ernest Shackleton, Fred Bancroft (Military Medal), Willie Bancroft, Tom Cooke, Harold Middleton, Cyril Riley, Alfred Spencer, Oswald Hill, Isaac Webster, Rowland Hill (killed), Norman Phillip (killed), Ernest, Hardcastle (killed), and David Mason (killed).
07 June 1918
SILSDEN’S FALLEN HEROES – Impressive Memorial Service
A service in memory of the gallant Silsden young men, who have recently given their lives for our country, was held at the Parish Church on Sunday morning last. There was a large congregation, and the service was conducted by Rev. E.E. Peters (vicar). Mr. Herbert Cooper presided at the organ, and the hymns sung were ‘The saints on earth and those above,’ ‘O God our help in ages past,’ and ‘God the all terrible King, who ordainest.’
The Vicar said they met that most perfect Sabbath morning amidst peaceful surroundings to worship God, and also to pay their tribute of love and respect to the memory of the brave men from that parish who had laid down their lives for them and their country. In the service they had just taken part in they had commemorated 69 men who had been killed in action or died of wounds, and he wished to refer to those young men who had recently fallen, and were closely connected with their church and Sunday school. The first was Sergt. W. Newnes, who had been missing for over a year, and who had now been presumed killed by the authorities. He was one of their best young men in every possible sense of the word. He was a communicant, Sunday-school teacher, and one who took a great interest in the physical side of life, being one of the leaders of their Physical Culture Class. He found that very useful, and when he joined the army in the early days of the war he was made an instructor in physical drill and became a sergeant. Pte. Ernest Hardcastle was killed last September, and they had heard from those who knew him that he was a good soldier. He was connected with the Sunday School, and like Sergt. Richard [Rowland] Hill did not forget his religion when he went in the army. Only a few weeks ago they lost another of their young men – Signaller Harry Barrett. He was treasurer of their Church of England Men’s Society, and a very keen member of their branch. When he joined the army he did so cheerfully, and was ready and anxious to do his duty. He became a good and efficient soldier. They all knew the charm of his manner and what a delightful fellow he was. Reference was also made to Second Lieut. T.D. Stocks and his connection with the Boy Scouts, Sergt. Rowland Hill, Pte. Orman Clarkson, who was accidentally drowned in the Persian Gulf, Air-Mechanic Albert Bradley and Sergt. Joe Bancroft, one of a large family of brothers serving, a young man of extraordinary gallantry who recently won the Military Medal a man who showed that he had in him the qualities which made the very last type of a soldier and who possessed those characteristics which were born with a man and could not be put into him. Pte. Sydney Plumb, who was killed last September, and one of five brothers serving. On behalf of the churchpeople of Silsden he (the Vicar) offered to the relatives of those men their deepest sympathy and their moat sincere and heartfelt gratitude for what they had done for them. He hoped that as long as that church remained and even if at any time a new church should be built, it would be the custom at least once a year to commemorate all the men who had fallen in the war. These gallant men had not gone into utter darkness, they had not been annihilated, but they lived more perfectly and more beautiful than ever before. Whether there men died in action or at home in England, they all did their duty, and they had all left behind them honoured memories. He was impressed and touched beyond all expression by the splendid courage which the women of that pariah had shown in these awful times. It was an inspiration to the men, for they had shown themselves to be worthy mothers and wives of heroes. In conclusion the Vicar said these men had given all. Shall we betray their trust make their deaths in vain. God forbid we shall not.
20 September 1918
In loving memory of our dear son, Private Ernest Hardcastle, 3rd Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who fell in action Sept. 21st, 1917.
He laid his richest gift on the altar of duty – his life.
– From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sister.
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