Godfrey Henry ERMEN

16 October 1914

OFFICERS GAZETTED

In the 'London Gazette' of Tuesday the following appointments were officially notified:–

To be Majors (temporarily) – J. Mackillop, late Major of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment; Edgar Dewhurst, late 3rd Volunteer Batt. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (October 14th).

To be Captains – Capt. J. H. S. Tee from the Territorial Force Reserves; W. Claughton, late captain of this battalion (temp.); N. C. Prince, late Captain of this Battalion (temp.); C. P. Charlesworth, late captain of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion West Riding Regiment (temp.); Capt. J. Groves, from the Territorial Force Reserves; N. A. England, late lieutenant of this Battalion; G. H. Ermen, late lieutenant 6th Battalion Manchester Regulars, Militia (Hon. Lieut. in the Army (temp.), October 14th.

To be Lieutenants – N. Clapham, late lieutenant of this Battalion (temp.); S. J. Rhodes, late lieutenant of this Battalion (temp.); A. E. Booth (temp.), October 14th.

To be Second Lieutenants – J. A. C. Spencer, late Second Lieutenant of this Battalion; W. K. Law, late Cadet, Aldenham School, O.T.C.; G. Broughton, C. D. Bennett, L. Jaques, N. Geldard, R. C. Barrett, G. L. Lupton, G. C. Foulds, C. G. C. Kilner, J. W. Woodhead (October 14th); R. Armstrong, Oxford University; D. V. Bernard. Cambridge University; and … Walker, Sedbergh Grammar School.
Colonel Williamson, in command, was gazetted some weeks ago.

30 April 1915

PROMOTIONS FOR LOCAL SOLDIERS

The 'London Gazette' states that Mr. Eric Aldhelm Forlogh Dutton was gazetted Captain as from March 5th last. This is quick promotion for one so young. He is in the ninth Service Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, and the fifth son of the late Rev. C. A. Dutton, Rector of Lothersdale. The Prince of Wales' Own West Yorkshires have a reputation second to none as fighters, and the regiment has two battalions at the front which are being fed by a third battalion stationed at home.

Captain Godfrey Ermen, Milton House, of the 6th Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment has also been gazetted Adjutant.

07 May 1915

DEATH OF CAPT. G. H. ERMEN

A painful surprise was created among the officers and men of the lst Reserve Battalion of the 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment when it became known in the camp at Doncaster that Capt. G. H. Ermen, who only left the Battalion a few days previously on sick leave, had passed away on Tuesday morning at his residence, Milton House, Gargrave.

Capt. Ermen came to this district about six years ago as General Manager of the Belle Vue Mills of the English Sewing Cotton Company, in which capacity he won for himself not only the confidence of his employers but the esteem of the workpeople, in whose welfare he took a very practical interest.

At the outbreak of the War Capt. Ermen relinquished his position to take up military duties, in which he had had previous experience having formerly held a commission in the 6th Manchesters, with which Regiment he saw service in the South African War.

He was gazetted Captain in the First Reserve Battalion of the 6th Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment then being raised at Skipton under Col. B. E. Williamson, and remained at headquarters until the Battalion was transferred to Derby. While at Doncaster Capt. Ermen was appointed Adjutant to the Battalion; but had not long enjoyed the distinction when he was compelled to return home on sick leave. This occurred quite recently.

It was not generally known that his illness was of a serious nature and it was anticipated that he would be able to resume duty in a short time. Last weekend it became necessary to consult a specialist, but this proved unavailing, and death took place as stated.

Captain Ermen took a keen interest in the National Reserve movement, and was Officer Commanding the Skipton Companies, in the organisation of which he took a prominent part.

14 May 1915

THE LATE CAPT. ERMEN

The remains of Capt. G. H. Ermen, adjutant of the First Reserve Battalion 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, and manager of the Belle Vue Mills of the English Sewing Cotton Company, were laid to rest with full military honours in St. Andrew’s Churchyard, Gargrave, on Friday afternoon. Signs of mourning were general in the village and business was suspended both at the New Brighton and High Mills. There was no stoppage at the Belle Vue Mills where the flag floated half-mast since news of Capt. Ermen’s death became known, but a large number of workpeople journeyed to Gargrave for the obsequies. Some indication of the esteem in which the deceased was held by the workpeople is afforded by the inscription on their beautiful wreath “ As a last token of respect to one of Nature’s gentlemen.”

The passage of the cortege from Milton House to the Church was impressive. The Band of the First Reserve Battalion and a detachment of 200 men from the Second Reserve Battalion were lined up on each side of the road at the entrance to the residence. A Union Jack draped the coffin, on which were placed the deceased captain’s sword, belt, and cap, and a gun carriage was the means of conveyance. A number of representatives of public institutions were also present, and, with the military, made up a long procession, which wended its way to the Church to the strains of the ‘Dead March.’ Opposite the lychgate were the children from the Gargrave National and Council, and the Coniston Cold Schools, who stood bareheaded while the body was taken into the Church.

The simplicity of the service added to its solemnity. As the cortege entered the edifice the organist (Mr. E. Borland) played ‘0 rest in the Lord,’ and the xxxix Psalm was chanted by the choir, which included a number of the Gargrave troop of Boy Scouts. There were two hymns – ‘On the resurrection morning’ and ‘Peace, perfect peace.’ The first portion of the burial service was read by the Rev. A. C. Blunt (Vicar), and as the body was borne to its final resting place appropriate selections were played from the works of Dr. Boyce and Beethoven. The rites at the graveside were performed by Brigade Chaplain De Vine, and the ceremonial of volley firing and the sounding of the “Last Post” carried out very impressively.

The mourners were: Mrs. G.H. Ermen (widow), Mr. and Mrs. Ermen (father and mother), Mrs. Stewart (sister-in-law), Mr. B. Ermen, Mr. G . Ermen and Mr. F. Robey (cousins).

The officers from the First and Second Reserve Battalions of the 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment included Major Mackillop, Surgeon Major Walker, Capt. C. P. Charlesworth, Capt. N. England, Capt. J. D. Horsfall, Capt. B. R. Brewin, Capt. Marriner, Lieut. O. Broughton, Lieut. N. Clapham, Lieut. Grey, Lieut. Mackillen, Lieut. Mann, Lieut. Pearson, and Lieut. Backhouse. The band was in charge of Bandmaster Ramplin, and the detachment from Skipton was under Sergt. Major. May. The firing party from Doncaster under Company Sergt. Major Moore.

The Skipton Company of the National Reserve, of which Capt. Ermen was commanding officer, was represented by Col. Sergt. J. W. Lawson, Sergt. Hillary, Pte. Stony, Mr. T. Rogers, Mr A. Schofield, Mr. F. Perkins, and Mr. T. Milner.

The English Sewing Cotton Company was represented by Mr. Lionel Dewhurst, Mr. A. Dewhurst, Mr. Arthur Dewhurst, Mr. Barlow (secretary) Mr. F. Robey, and the following heads of departments were present from Belle Vue Mills: Messrs. S. Donald, E, Seed, A. Bingham, B. Thornton, F. Peverley, and H. Geldard, with Mr. James Hartley (the architect of the extensions at the Belle Vue Mills carried out during Mr. Ermen’s managership).

The following also attended: Mrs. Davis, the Misses Davis, Mrs. Bracewell, Mr. C. W. Thomas, Mr. Joe. Mason, Mr. R. B. Barrett, Mr. S. H. Walton (Skipton Manufacturers’ Association), Mr. F. H. Garnett, Dr. Wales, Mr. F. Spencer, Mr. R. Fred Wilkinson (New Brighton Saw Mfg. Co.), Mr. J. Taylor, Mr. C. W. France and Mr. J. Hogg. (Gargrave Conservative Club, of which deceased was a vice president), Mr. T. Thompson (Gargrave Mechanics’ Institute), Mr. F. Turner and Mr. B. Walls (Leeds and Liverpool Canal Co.).

The coffin bore the inscription: ‘Godfrey Henry Ermen, died 4th May, 1915, aged 38 years.’ The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. E. Brumfit and Sons, of Skipton.

Floral tributes were sent by Mrs. G.H. Ermen, N. and B. Ermen, Mr. & Mrs. N. Ermen, Miss E. A. Ermen, Capt. and Mrs. N. England, Mr. F. H. Garnett, Mrs. T. A. Falcon, Mrs. Bramwell, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Rickards, Mrs. and the Misses Davis, the Directors of the English Sewing Cotton Co. Ltd., Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Roby, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Stewart and Family, Mrs. and Miss Hepworth, Mrs. Macintyre-Boggs, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Thomas and Family, Nurse Wellock, Mr. and Mrs. B. Schwabe, Miss Darwel and Miss Worsley, Mrs. and Miss Fair, Capt. and. Mrs. C. H. Stewart, Dr. and Mrs. Herbert Wales, Managers and Staff of Belle Vue Mills, Skipton, Col. R. E. Williamson and Officers of the Second 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment; Mr. Jas. Grant, Mr, and Mrs. Donald, Miss Dewhurst, Miss Winifred Boggs, Mr. Lionel Dewhurst, The Officers of the composite Second 6th and Second 7th Duke, of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment stationed at Withernsea, Employees of John Dewhurst and Sons Ltd., Nurse Cockrell, the Officers and N.C.Os and men of A Co. 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, Mr. and Mrs. E. Schwabe, Mr. and Mrs. F. Robey, Mr. Bernard Ermen, Mrs. Henry Ermen and family, and Miss Agatha Ermen.

18 June 1915

GARGRAVE – The Late Capt. Ermen

The will has been proved of Captain G. H. Ermen, 6th West Riding Regiment, of Milton House, Gargrave, lately general manager of the Belle Vue Mills of the English Sewing Cotton Company, who died whilst training with his regiment (net personalty £3,706); gross value £4,113.

04 July 1919

PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS

CAPTAIN G. H. ERMEN

2/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, died at Milton House, Gargrave, May 4th, 1915. Formerly general manager of the English Sewing Cotton Company, Skipton.