Garnett LONGBOTTOM

22 September 1916

SILSDEN SOLDIER WOUNDED

Private Fred Fortune, of the King’s Royal Rifles, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Fortune, of Barrett Street, Silsden, has been wounded, and is at present in hospital in England. In a letter to his parents Private Fortune states:–“I am back in old England again, and you will be wondering how I went on in the big push. Our battalion went over the top, and I and Garnett Longbottom (another Silsden soldier) started off together side by side. He went down I know, and was hit in the leg, I think, by shrapnel. It will be a relief to know how he went on. Our company was in the support trenches for two days. We had to carry our rations up to the front trenches. It was an awful job getting up some of the trenches, for they were so narrow and low, and with rifle and two packs of rations they took a bit of managing. On one occasion we were just behind a wood, and we had to go up to the second line. The Germans sent us a few shells over, and we had then to get out into the open to a trench in front of the German lines. There was hardly any room to move in the trench as it was so crammed with men. Afterwards, when we went for the German line, shrapnel was flying about all over the place. We got some little distance and then had to lie down. I don’t know how I got through. When I reached the German first line they had nearly all gone. Eventually, a shell came over when I was in the second line, and wounded me and two or three others. I was hit on the side of the nose and face, and I had also a slight wound in my left hand. We had to stop where we were, because there was no one to attend to us, and when we tried to get back we had to go across open ground under heavy shell fire.”

Private Fortune is 21 years of age, and prior to enlisting was employed by Messrs. Berry & Fletcher, Airedale Shed, Silsden.

20 October 1916

SILSDEN SOLDIER MISSING

Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Longbottom, of 33, South View Terrace, Silsden, received official information from the War Office on Monday last that their son, Rifleman Garnett Longbottom, of the King’s Royal Rifles, had been missing since September 15th. Rifleman Longbottom enlisted in March last, and had only been out in France about five weeks. He is 22 years of age, and was formerly employed as a warp-dresser by Messrs. John Knox, Airedale Shed, Silsden.

05 January 1917

INTERCESSION AND MEMORIAL SERVICE AT SILSDEN – Impressive Sermon by Rev. W. Dickinson

An intercession and memorial service for the fallen heroes in the war was held at the Silsden Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday evening last. There was a large congregation, and the officiating minister was Rev. Wm. Dickinson (pastor). During the service the hymns 'O God our help in ages past,’ ‘Lord God of hosts, Whose Almighty hand,’ ‘God the all terrible! King Who ordainest,’ and ‘When wilt Thou save the people’ were sung. Miss Clara Fortune also ably sang the solo ‘O rest in the Lord,’ and at the close of the service the organist (Mr. Bernard Longbottom) played the ‘Dead march’ in ‘Saul,’ and the National Anthem was sung.

WAR A HARMFUL THING

Preaching from the text Psalm 46, 9th verse, ‘He maketh wars to cease unto the ends of the earth,’ Mr. Dickinson said it seemed almost superfluous to say in this sad day in which we lived that war was a serious and harmful thing. It was, however, a great outstanding fact. When they looked at the expense even in times of peace, when nations made preparations for war, it was even then a great expense, but in days of actual warfare as to-day, when the nation was spending at least £5,000,000 a day, then it was that they were reminded that war was a serious thing from a financial point of view. They tried to have dreams or visions as to what would have been done with that money for philanthropic purposes and for the social amelioration of the people of this country, but the country had put those dreams or visions in the back ground. Then we had the cruelty of it, and the passions that it excited. It marched to hunger and thirst and wounds and death. Then we had the bereavements. Children were made orphans, women were made widows, and parents mourned over children and many were left childless. Then we also had the deplorable feelings produced by war, feeling of revenge, feelings that produced quarrelsomeness, a desire for power and an unholy lust of ambition. That was seen by the works of the great Napoleon, and also by the Kaiser and the Prussian War Lords. The question that now forced itself to the front was ‘Is all war morally wrong?’ We had a very high ideal, and we believed that war was all wrong. They read in the Old Book that David was not allowed to build the temple of the Lord because his hands had been stained by blood, and he was spoken of as a man of war. But, in these days we had to look at actual facts. What was the actual state today? When one side would prepare for war and was determined to declare war, what then could we do? That great poet in Russia called Tolstoy preached the doctrine of being passive, but when we came to think of it, could we be passive? If our homes were to be destroyed and our wives and children to be taken from us, could we be passive? Did it not arouse within us that spirit of manhood that we must assert ourselves and that we must fight? If we were not prepared to do that, all he could think was that we were cowards. They ought to bury their heads and be ashamed of themselves. In days of peace with one breath they would denounce all war, and yet in the very next breath they would ask the question why the Congo atrocities were not stopped even if force were necessary. To-day they looked upon a devastated Serbia, Montenegro, Belgium, and alas Roumania, and they came to the conclusion that there were worse things than war – Armenia and the Congo, and the slavery of the South Americans; and what would have been the slavery of Europe had it not been for the call to arms in a cause that was just and righteous?

A JUST AND RIGHTEOUS CAUSE

If it were not for that conviction that the cause for which they were at war was just and righteous, many of them would have failed to preach, to pray, or to look to God. But, it was that which gave them strength that they looked to him Who was the present help and refuge in their trouble. In their fight against war whom should they attack? Often in the past the attack was made upon the soldier. They could not do that to-day as far as this country war concerned. They had a great civilian army, and they were fighting for freedom, for righteousness, and for justice. They never wanted to be soldiers, they never wanted to fight, but the call had come and they could do no other. Who made war, and why should there be war? Not the soldier. In the days that were gone, it was more the civilian than the soldier, the civilian because he was represented by his Parliament and that Parliament as the representative of the civilian often made war, because the lust for power and the lust for gold had got hold of them. Then in the commercial world, amongst what was known as the ruling classes, there was generally speaking a disposition to make war because there was the old saying that trade followed the flag. The soldier fought because he was ordered to do. It was neither Roberts, Kitchener, nor Buller who made the Boer War. If anybody made it, it was Kruger, Milner, and Chamberlain, and it was made because they had greed for power, and an unholy ambition and wish for gold. If they went back through the pages of history, they would find that that was the source of war as far as this country was concerned. He had come to the conclusion that the man who shouted for war had an axe to grind. The man who shouted for war ought to be made to go and face the music and not to send others. What did soldiery stand for? Generally speaking it stood for the aggressive, the quarrelsome, the brute force. They could not say that of the civilian army that had been raised by this country. They were not aggressive, they were not quarrelsome, and neither could they say that they were asserting brute force. He was sorry to have to say it of the Central Powers where conscription had been reigning for so many years. It was the brute force and the aggressive power that they would have to abolish. But when they had said that, they were bound to come to the conclusion that

SOLDIERY HAS ITS GOOD POINTS

The soldier side by side with the doctor stood to give his life for his country and that was a great deal. He would advise anyone to pause before he sneered at a soldier. He stood between them and the enemy, and if it had not been for the brave men who had stood thus, where would they have been to-day? They had no words too high in their commendation and admiration and love for the civilians of this Empire, who had stood between them and the enemy in this time of crisis. The question came to each one of them what was their position and what were they doing in the national crisis that was before them, and still after all they came to the conclusion that the soldier's life as they saw it to-day was a regrettable necessity, that all those brave men should have to shoulder the musket and defend our shores and fight for the freedom, righteousness, and justice of a cause that none of them disputed. They regretted in this the 20th century that such a thing should have happened. It ought not to have come to pass, and it never would have come to pass if the great Central Powers of Europe had taken heed of the sayings of Christ, and had seen His crucified hands instead of the mailed fist, and if they had listened to His beatitudes instead of the philosophy of the German teachers. How were they to lessen those evils? They must attack the root, that lust for power, that quarrelsome spirit, and that unholy ambition that had dominated the great Central Powers. How were they to attack the root? By educating the people for peace at the proper time, and that perhaps was not just yet. It was an easy matter to give descriptions of the horrors of war, to speak of its abominations, and even to denounce statesmen and people who sanctioned war, but how few people there were who searched for methods by means of which war could be put down and destroyed. When the history of the war and the part which the British Empire had taken in it came to be written – he was not a prophet or the son of a prophet – he ventured to say that the writer would pay a fine testimony to the ex-Foreign Minister of this country (Sir Edward Grey) who night and day at the beginning or before the declaration of war strove with all the brain power he had, and with every ounce of strength, he could put in, to avert this great catastrophe. If to-day he was in the back ground, he would looked upon as one of the finest statesmen this country ever had. On what lines were they to educate people for peace? There was a form of Government not only to arrest this demon war, but to bind him in chains. What was it? A cosmopolitan administration or a great Federal Government of the world. They might be dreamers, but certainly there would come a day either in London, Paris, or New York, when there would be a great Federal Government, and that Government would help them to the day when wars would cease.

THE CHURCH'S ROLL OF HONOUR

Proceeding, Mr. Dickinson said he was sure he was voicing the feelings of all present when he said they sympathised very deeply with the families of Pte. Percy Kellett and Lance-Corpl. T.C. Green, both of whom were in hospital suffering from wounds. They prayed for their speedy recovery, and also that their parents and relatives might he comforted. Then they had Ptes. Bernard Locker and Gannett Longbottom, who were reported as missing, and it was hoped that before long good news would be heard of them. They had to add two other names – Pte. Dan Faulkner and Gunner W.H. Sutcliffe, both of whom had been killed in action – to their list of fallen who had been intimately associated with their church and Sunday-school. Mr. Dickinson then read a list of Silsden soldiers who had died serving their King and Country. They were as follows:– Pte. Harold Snoddin [Snowden], Pte. B. Hodgson, Pte. I. Wade, Pte. R. Spence, Pte. E. Hustwick, Gunner E. Lund, Pte. W. Gill, Pte. J. Faulkner, Pte. N. Holmes, Pte. R. Read, Pte. J. Gill, Pte. S. Wrigglesworth, Sergt. J. Baldwin, Sergt. R. Hill, Pte. Wm. Richmond, Pte. W.H. Teale, Corpl. F. Taylor, Pte. H. Harper, Pte. D. Faulkner, and Gunner W.H.Sutcliffe.

Mr. Dickinson also read the church's roll of honour, which comprised 110 names.

04 May 1917

THE LATE PRIVATE EDGAR RAW, OF SILSDEN – Memorial Service

A very impressive memorial service for the late Pte. Edgar Raw, of the Machine Gun Section (Yorkshire Hussars), son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Raw, of 9, Tillotson Street, Silsden whose death was recorded in our columns a fortnight ago, was held at the United Methodist Church on Sunday morning last. There was a large congregation, and the service was conducted by Rev. Reuben Key (pastor). In the course of his sermon, Mr. Key said that day everyone of them stood beneath the shadow of a great affliction. In this world conflict of the nations, one of the most respected families who attended that church, and the church itself, had been bereaved of one whom they all admired and loved, and of one whom they all expected great things in every sense of the term when this great war was finished. Official news had been received from the War Office of the death of Edgar Raw. In their blindness, and with their limited knowledge when the news first came, they were led to think that the Divine wisdom was at fault in taking away one whose life was so fair, pure, and strong, and so full of promise. But the ways of God were not their ways. There was undoubtedly an element of cloud about the decease of Edgar Raw, but they must rest assured that the Lord doeth all things a well. Death seemed to have completely overshadowed everything, but surely they would see him with the eye of vision serving with that cheerful and that determination of purpose which so much marked his earthly life and work. However, they could not minimise the loss that morning which had come to the family, that church and school, and he might even say the town in which he lived. His was brought up in that school, and became a teacher in it and remained a teacher right up to the time of his enlistment. Just before the war their departed friend brought a great honour to that school and himself. He won a Yorkshire District prize in a United Methodist examination on Dr. Livingstone. He was also a member of the choir, and his position there would be hard for them to fill. He was not a member of that church in the sense of which they counted membership, that he had promised to consider the question when he returned. There was one special feature of his character he would like to pay special attention to, and that was that any task he undertook he would see it definitely carried through. When the call came to arms he could not hold back. He had said to him on many occasions that he could not walk about the streets of Silsden when there was such a great call for active service on the part of young men, and one Saturday afternoon he even cycled to Harrogate in order to enlist. When leaving home that memorable afternoon, he said to his mother and family “God will take care of me,” and when he (Mr. Key) had spoken to him on spiritual matters he remarked “I have no fear, I shall keep straight. I trust in God.” He saw it as his duty to go, and going had left everything entirely in the hands of God. He left home and kindred and friends to fight for higher and nobler ideals, and “greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Repeatedly while he was in training in this country, and whilst out in France he expressed the regret at not being able to do more active work in the field than he had undertaken. But now they thought of their friend that had gone from them. He had gone to the homeland to be with the God whom he honoured and served so faithfully and well. He ventured to say that there was not one of them present that morning who would wish for a better transit from earth’s scenes to the Heavenly, and who would not give all that they had to have such said of their life as was said of him. The sentiments by Pte. Fentiman contained in a letter to Pte. Raw’s parents were worthy of being printed in letters of gold, while his commanding officer had also paid a high tribute to him. Who could say that Christianity was played out when such a man could be produced by it? To the sorrowing family that church’s heartfelt sympathy went out that morning. Edgar Raw was ready for the great transition, and let them all see to it that they were also ready when the time came. Their departed friend was saved much suffering, and it was something to know that his death must have been instantaneous. The preacher urged upon them not to sorrow as those without hope, for although clouds were about them the Lord still reigneth, therefore let them rejoice and be glad. They must cast their care upon Him, knowing that He careth for them, and on the eternal day they would know no tears, and in that day the crooked would be made straight and the rough places made plain.

Mr. Key also referred to another of their brave lads – Garnet Longbottom – whom they feared had fallen never to rise again. He was reported missing after that great attack on July 1st last year, and since that time there had been no news of him whatever. The family were expecting to hear definite news almost every day. Let them pray that the family be sustained during their long and anxious waiting, and that soon they might know the truth concerning their son.

During the service the hymns ‘O God our help in ages past,’ ‘Jesu lover of my soul,’ ‘For all the saints who from their labours rest,’ ‘God of the living in Whose eyes,’ and ‘Peace, perfect peace,’ were sung. Mr. Frank Tillotson also sang the solo ‘When our heads are bowed in woe,’ and at the close of the service the ‘Dead March’ in ‘Saul’ was played by the organist (Miss Mary Longbottom).

Lieut. C.W. Gifford, in a letter to Pte. Raw’s parents, states:– “I am sorry to have to tell you that your son was killed in action on April 11th. We were in -----, where we had just arrived, when a large shell landed almost under his horse’s feet, hitting your son about the neck and shoulder and killing him. He could have suffered no pain, his death being almost instantaneous. We went into some trenches on the edge of the village shortly afterwards, and were relieved about midnight by the infantry. We then went back and had to leave your son’s body where he fell and where he is no doubt buried. I was sorry indeed to lose him. He was my signaller and always did his work well. He was always very keen and very hard working, and one of the best lads in my section. He will be very much missed by me and by all his friends in the section. I am sure I feel for you very much in your great loss, and please accept my sincere condolence in your sorrow.”

27 July 1917

LONGBOTTOM – Killed in action, Sept. 15, 1916, or since, Rifleman Garnet Longbottom, of the King’s Royal Rifles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Longbottom, of 33, South View Terrace, Silsden, aged 22 years.

27 July 1917

SILSDEN SOLDIER REPORTED KILLED

Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Longbottom, of 3, South View Terrace, Silsden, received official news on Friday last from the Record Office, Winchester, that the Army Council had been regretfully constrained to conclude that their son, Rifleman Garnet Longbottom, of the King’s Royal Rifles, died on Sep. 15th, 1916, or since. Rifleman Longbottom was reported missing in October last, and although numerous enquiries had been made as to his whereabouts, no satisfactory news had bean received. It is stated that on Sept. 15th last he was seen to fall wounded in the leg. Rifleman Longbottom, who was 22 years of age, enlisted in March, 1916 and had only been in France about a month when he was reported missing. He was formerly employed as a warptwister by Messrs. John Knox, manufacturers, Airedale Shed, Silsden. He attended the United Methodist Church and Sunday School, and was a member of the gymnasium class.

31 August 1917

SILSDEN

THE LATE RIFLEMAN GARNET LONGBOTTOM – Memorial Service

A service in memory of the late Rifleman Garnet Longbottom, of the King’s Royal Rifles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Longbottom, of 33, South View Terrace, Silsden, whose death had been presumed as nothing has been heard of him since July of last year, was held at the United Methodist Church on Sunday morning last. The service was conducted by Rev. Reuben Key (pastor), who preached from the text St. John 20th chapter, 10th verse, “Then the disciples went again into their own home.” Mr. Key said he held that some of them could not over-rate the importance of the beginning of the home, and he believed that in this country and throughout the civilised world everything in the future when we got through the tumult of these days, would to a large extent depend upon the character of individual homesteads. Home was a sacred gift from God. They found that the importance of home had been recognised wherever man’s being and energies had had room enough to be developed. Not one of them could measure the influence of home for the very reason that not one of them could tell where that influence began and where it ended. Let them think of that influence. The recollection of parental love never passed away from anyone of them. He knew that in these days many people were anxious about their lads and about the new environments in which they were found, but this he did know that only few would be the exceptions where a lad was thought of by the prayers of a godly father and saintly mother, where the influence of mother would be lost. It was most important in these days that they should hold fast to the sacredness of home and to do absolutely nothing in order to soil its purity. It was never more necessary than now that such a warning should be given. Let them think of the trend of events in late years. In late years they had undoubtedly seen a relaxation of home influence. In pre-war days it was easy to see that home did not mean as much to many as it did in days long ago, but if this war did nothing else for this country than make parents more anxious to train their children rightly, to help them to live a pure and holy life, and make these lads who had gone away value the homesteads more, it will have done a great thing indeed. Further, he believed that these were days when they would take up fresh attitudes and when. they would enter into new relationships. Never again must parents allow the authority and control to slip from them, and never again must the sacredness of childhood be tampered with by allowing them at all times to have a free way. This was a critical time in the nation’s history, and now was the tine to set those wrong things right. He urged upon his congregation to recognise the seriousness of these things. Christianity above everything was the religion of the home, and they should see that their homes were as near perfection as they could possibly make them. That day they mourned the loss of one of their scholars and one whom they knew had been taken to that beautiful home above. Garnett Longbottom had left his earthly home in order that they who were left behind might enjoy their homes in security. If he and many more similar brave lad’s had not done so, home for them might have lost all its charm and its significance. Garnet had paid the supreme sacrifice for his devotion to those things which they all held dear, and although for a long time his fate was not known, yet they now knew that he was for ever with the Lord. In the name of that church he offered sincere sympathy to the sorrowing family. The bravery and the fortitude of those friends during these trying days had not been overlooked by Him above. Although he had gone to the homeland above and left the earthly homestead, he knew that his memory would be radiant, would be bright, and for ever fragrant. Let them try to make their homes Christian in the real sense of the word until they met the one whom they mourned above, in the homeland and the soul. During the service the hymns ‘O God our help in ages past,’ ‘For all the saints, who from their labours rest,' ‘As when the weary traveller gains,’ and ‘For ever with the Lord’ [were sung], while at the close Mr. W. Fenwick, who presided at the organ, played the ‘Dead March’ in ‘Saul.’