Fred SCARFE

‘Leeds Mercury’ (9 December 1914)

SHIPLEY MAN KILLED

Intimation has been received of the death of Private Fred Scarfe, a Reservist in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who lived in Hope-street, Shipley.

Private Scarfe was killed in action in France on October 27th. On this date Mrs. Scarfe received a letter from her husband in which he said he was “in the pink.”

He was employed by the Shipley Tank Company, Bowling Back-lane, Bradford, and leaves a widow and one child.

‘Shipley Times & Express’ (11 December 1914)

KILLED IN ACTION

Another Shipley Victim

Another Shipley home has been bereaved as a result of the war. Private Fred Scarfe a Reservist in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who lived at 5, Hope Street, is included amongst the fallen On Saturday morning Mrs. Scarfe received official intimation that her husband had been killed in action in France on October 27th.

It is a singular coincidence that on that date Mrs. Scarfe received a letter from her husband, written on October 21st, in which he said he was “in the pink.” After asking his wife to forward him a couple of packets of cigarettes, the writer went on to say:–“You do not know how glad our troops will be when this is all over. Anyone not out here cannot imagine what the fighting is like. We will have a beanfeast when I come home.”

Scarfe, who was well-known in the Shipley district, was employed by the Shipley Tank Company, Ltd., Bowling Back Lane, Bradford. He leaves a widow and one child, a boy, who was six years of age on Tuesday last. The greatest sympathy is felt with the family in their bereavement.

It has been decided to hold a memorial service for the deceased at the Shipley Parish Church on Sunday morning. Soldiers who happen to be in the district are invited to attend the service.

‘Shipley Times & Express’ (18 December 1914)

A SHIPLEY HERO

The widow, child, and relatives of Private Fred Scarfe (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry), who was killed in action, attended the morning service at the Parish Church on Sunday. A pleasing feature was that a number of Boy Scouts, anxious to pay a tribute of respect to one of our local heroes, marched to the church in a drenching shower of rain. Appropriate prayers were offered, and one of the special hymns for use during the war was sung. The Vicar (Rev. Barnard Herklots) preached.

‘Shipley Times & Express’ (18 December 1914)

In Memoriam

MRS. SCARFE wishes to THANK all Friends for kind expressions of sympathy in the loss of her husband, Private Fred Scarfe, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action in France, 27th October, 1914.

5, Hope Street, off Ives Street, Keighley [sic].

[The 'In Memoriam', as above, with the correct town: Shipley, appeared in the ‘Shipley Times & Express’ on the 25th and 30th December 1914.]