Ernest WILCOCK

10 September 1915

LOW BENTHAM – A Low Bentham Family’s Record

The percentage of fighting men in Low Bentham appears to be rather high in comparison with some of the villages in the surrounding districts. The framed parish roll of honour at the Bentham Parish Church now contains 56 names, the latest additions being those of Pte. Tom Nutter and Pte. Ernest Wilcock. Among the families who are doing their bit is that of the late Mr. Edward Wilcock and Mrs. Wilcock, of Highfield Terrace, Low Bentham, who are represented by the following four sons:–

Pte. John Wilcock, the eldest, is married, with a family of four young boys, but he enlisted on the first day of March in the 3rd 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, and he was called up for service about five weeks afterwards. A native of Low Bentham, he worked at the Silk mill there for nearly 26 years. He was a manager of the Low Bentham branch of the Yorkshire Penny Bank, and a member of the High Bentham fire brigade. He also took a great interest in the Floral Society, he serving on the committee for a period of eight years.

Pte, Alexander Wilcock (married), the third son, joined the R.A.M.C. at Leeds about the latter end of February and he is attached to the 3rd 6th Battalion of the West Riding Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. He worked at the Silk mill, Low Bentham, for nearly seventeen years, and he had filled offices in connection with the Low Bentham Band of Hope as secretary and treasurer, and was a member of the Low Bentham Victoria Institute committee.

Pte. Ernest Wilcock (single), the fifth son, enlisted about a month ago in the Royal Garrison Artillery at Leeds, and he is stationed at Dover. At the time of enlisting he was a member of the Leeds City Police Force which he joined nearly 2 ½ years ago. He formerly was employed at the Silk mill, Low Bentham.

Pte. Reuben Wilcock, the sixth son, was very popular at both High and Low Bentham as a cricketer, footballer, and a billiard player. He joined the 7th King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment about a year ago, and he left England for foreign service about the middle of July. Prior to enlisting he worked for Messrs. Geo. Angus and Co. Ltd., at High Bentham.

21 July 1916

LOW BENTHAM DRUMMER WOUNDED

On the 13th inst., Mrs. Edward Wilcock, of Highfield Terrace, Low Bentham, received a letter from her sixth son, Drummer Reuben Wilcock, of the 7th King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, which stated that he had been slightly wounded in the calf of one of his legs. At the time of writing he was in hospital and was going on very well. Further news was received from him last Saturday stating that he had returned to the trenches.

In one of his letters he referred to the death in action of one of his chums, Pte Joe Jackson, of Bentham, who, he said, was killed in an awful fight.

Before the war Drummer Wilcock was very popular at both High and Low Bentham as a footballer and cricketer. He joined his regiment on September 4th, 1914, at Lancaster, and he left England for France about a year ago. Before enlisting he was employed by Messrs. Geo. Angus & Co., Limited, of High Bentham.

Three other brothers are serving:–Gunner Ernest Wilcock in the Royal Garrison Artillery, Lance-Corpl. John Wilcock in the 2/6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, and Pte. Alex. Wilcock in the R.A.M.C.

15 June 1917

WILCOCK – June 7th 1917, killed in action on the Western Front, Gunner Ernest Wilcock, R.F.A., son of Mrs. Wilcock, Bentham, and formerly a member of the Leeds City Constabulary.

15 June 1917

HIGHER BENTHAM – ANOTHER HERO: Gunner E. Wilcock Killed

A letter was received by the widowed mother of Gunner Ernest Wilcock, of the R.F.A., on Wednesday morning, from Lieut. J. C. Watson, R.F.A., intimating that Gunner Wilcock was killed in action on the night of Thursday, the 7th of June. The deceased soldier was a member of the Leeds City Constabulary and had three other brothers in the war. The letter was as follows:–

“Dear Mrs. Wilcock, – It is with sincere regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, Gunner E. Wilcock, who was killed in action whilst nobly serving his King and Country on the night of the seventh instant. He was buried in a quiet little military cemetery behind the firing line, at which ceremony myself, N.C.O.s and men of the Battery were present. I would like to say that by his willing disposition and cheery manner he gained the admiration of all ranks in the Battery. In conclusion, on behalf of myself, N.C.O.s, and men of the Battery, I wish to tender to you our heartfelt sympathy in this irreparable loss.

“J.C. WATSON, Lieut. R.F.A., Officer Commanding Trench Mortar Battery, R.A., June 9th 1917.”

Much sympathy is extended to his bereaved mother, who has three sons still serving – Pte. John Wilcock, Duke of Wellington’s Regt., who was wounded in France nine months ago and is still in hospital; Pte. Alexander Wilcock, R.A.M.C., who went to the Front in the New Year; and Pte. Reuben Wilcock, King’s Own, Military Medallist, who has been in France one year and eleven months.

29 June 1917

LOWER BENTHAM – Memorial Service

Immediately after evensong on Sunday at the Parish Church, the Rector conducted a memorial service for two of the village heroes who have made the supreme sacrifice, viz: Gunner Ernest Wilcock and Pte. Isaac Ruecastle. There was a crowded congregation and the service was most impressive.