Main CPGW Record
Surname: MIDGLEY
Forename(s): Gilbert Hardy
Place of Birth: Bingley, Yorkshire
Service No: 72696
Rank: Gunner
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Garrison Artillery
Battalion / Unit: No.4 Depot
Division: ---
Age: 26
Date of Death: 1916-03-24
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Sec. M. Grave 44.
CWGC Cemetery: KEIGHLEY (UTLEY) CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial(s): Not Listed (View Names Not Listed on a Local War Memorial)
Additional Information:
Gilbert Hardy Midgley was the son of John William and Jane Midgley, née Wilson. John was born at Cross Roads and Jane at Bingley, Yorkshire.
1891 Bingley, Yorkshire Census: 39, North Street - Gilbert H. Midgley, aged 1 year, born Bingley. [Gilbert and his parents were living with his mother's parents, William T. and Hannah M. Wilson.]
1901 Keighley, Yorkshire Census: 118, Malsis Road - Gilbert Hardy Midley [sic], aged 11 years, born Bingley, Yorkshire, son of John William and Jane Midgley.
1911 Keighley, Yorkshire Census: 116, Malsis Road - Gilbert Hardy Midgley, aged 21 years, born Bingley, Yorkshire, son of John Wm and Jane Midgley.
The British Army Service Record for Gilbert Hardy Midgley exists but may be incomplete.
Gilbert was buried on the 3 June 1916; his mother is buried in the same grave.
Gilbert was accepted as a war casualty by the CWGC in 2018 after receiving information from the ‘The Men of Worth’ website: https://www.menofworth.org.uk
Data Source: West Yorkshire Pioneer Article
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Garrison Artillery
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View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Keighley (Utley) Cemetery
CWGC Headstone and Memorial Stone
Keighley (Utley) Cemetery
CWGC Headstone
Keighley (Utley) Cemetery
Memorial Stone
Programme for the dedication of Gilbert’s headstone
Pages 1 and 2
Page 3
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View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
02 June 1916
CRAVEN AND THE WAR – Keighley Soldier Found Drowned
Alderman J. Midgley, of Malsis Road, Keighley, has received intimation that his second son, Gunner Gilbert H. Midgley (26), of the Royal Garrison Artillery, had been found drowned at Great Yarmouth on Sunday.
Gunner Midgley, who was connected with the firm of Messrs. Midgley and Douglas and Co., manufacturers, of Keighley, had been missing since the night of Friday, March 24. Only the day before he went to Great Yarmouth to join the Royal Garrison Artillery, and although the manner in which he came by his death is unknown, certain facts about his movements are clear. He reached Great Yarmouth on the night of March 23, and on the following day despatched his civilian clothing home. Leaving the railway station after handing over the parcel he went to the Y.M.C.A. rest-room in the centre of the town, and wrote a long letter to his parents, which was exceedingly cheerful in tone. Shortly before 9 o’clock he left the Y.M.C.A. room, and as he departed he was directed on his way. What happened subsequently is not known, but circumstances suggest that he took a wrong turning and came to a fish quay on the River Yare, which is not far from the Y.M.C.A. room. The night was dark, and severe lighting restrictions are imposed upon the town. It is extremely probable, therefore, that in trying to find his way he fell into the river.
Two men have made a statement that about 8-45 on the night of March 24 they were near a point where Gunner Midgley might easily have stumbled into the water when they heard cries coming from the river. They hurried to the edge of the bank, but in the darkness could see nothing. They stopped a passing cyclist and borrowed his lamp, with which they tried to search the face of the water, but they saw no trace of anyone nor indeed of any untoward happening. This incident supports the theory that Gunner Midgley met his death accidentally.
At the inquest on Wednesday a verdict of ‘Accidentally drowned’ was returned.
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