Harley BENTHAM

27 October 1916

TWO HELLIFIELD MEN KILLED

Information was received on Friday morning by Miss Ralph, of Haw Grove, Hellifield, that her brother, Private Chris. Ralph, had been killed in action on the Western Front on October 6th. The sad news was conveyed in letters from two Hellifield comrades in the same Company. Pte. T. Bownass writes as follows: "It is with deepest regret that I have to write you these few lines, and they are accompanied with my heartfelt sympathy. I am sorry to have to tell you of the death of your brother, Kit, which occurred whilst we were in action on the 6th inst. He was at the time acting as guide to the party who relieved us in the front line on that date, and was killed instantly by a shell bursting in the trench they were proceeding along. He was well liked by all the lads of the platoon, as he always had a cheery word and looked on the bright side of things, and we all miss him badly. The lads wish me to tender you their deepest sympathy in your great loss, and trust that God will sustain and comfort you in your dark and lonely hours."

Pte. Harley Bentham, in a letter says:- "I have been asked by some of the lads to write to you and tell you how sorry we are and how we sympathise with you in your great loss. Kit was a fine chap and a good soldier, and I am sure we all used to like him. Our battalion had been in the line four days and were being relieved that night. Kit had volunteered to act as guide to the men who were to relieve us, and he was leading them up the communication trench when a shell burst right on the parapet close to your brother and hit him. Death would be instantaneous; he would not suffer any pain. He has been buried close to the place where he fell. He often used to talk of you, and look forward to your letters coming. I ask you to accept the sympathy of myself and his pals from Long Preston and district."

Pte. Ralph, who was 30 years old, was the eldest son of the late Mr. John Ralph, of Main Road, Hellifield. He enlisted with Captain Tunstill's men in the Duke of Wellington's in September 1914 and went to the Front the following August. Before joining the forces he was in the employ of the Midland Railway as a goods shunter. He was of a bright disposition, and was formerly a member of the Church choir and Sunday school.

05 January 1917

HELLIFIELD - SOLDIERS LEAVE

A number of Hellifield soldiers have been fortunate in visiting their homes this Christmas. Amongst those are Ptes. S. Hoar, A. Hailwood, and H. Bentham. Pte. S. Hoar was invalided home from the front about six weeks ago, suffering from trench fever, and has been in the Royal Infirmary at Glasgow. Pte. H. Bentham, who has been at the front for six months, is at home on a month's leave, preparatory to undergoing a course of training in the O.T.C. Wireless Operator J. Wightman has also been on a visit to his parents.

07 September 1917

COMMISSION FOR HELLIFIELD SOLDIER - Mr. Harley Bentham, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Bentham, Thorndale Street, Hellifield, has been gazetted second-lieutenant in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. Mr. Bentham enlisted in the Duke of Wellington's in January, 1916, and went out to France the following May. Since coming home to study for his commission he has spent some months in training at Gailes, Scotland. Formerly he was employed as a bank clerk in the Bank of Liverpool at Settle. He joins his regiment on Monday next.

27 September 1918

Hellifeld Officer Dies of Wounds

Sec. Lieut. Harley Bentham, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, died on Sept. 16th, the official report stating that he died at the 19th Casualty Clearing Station, Havrincourt, of wounds received in action on Sept. 13th. Lieut. Bentham was 23 years of age, and the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Bentham, of Thorndale Street, Hellifield. He joined the Duke of Wellington's as a private in January, 1916, and went to France the following May. In December of the same year he was recommended for a commission, and after completing his training with the O.T.C. at Gailes, he was gazetted in August, 1917, and returned to France in October. After leaving Giggleswick Grammar School be entered the Bank of Liverpool at Settle, where be was employed up to the time of his enlistment. Amongst a number of letters of sympathy and tribute was one from his lieutenant-colonel. Which states:- "It is with deep sorrow that I have to inform you of the death of Sec. Lieut. Bentham in action of the 13th. He was wounded by shell fire whilst gallantly leading his men in the attack which resulted in the capture of Havrincourt. He did not suffer, and died shortly after reaching the C.C.S. We officers, N.C.O.'s and men of his battalion, thought much of him as a gallant, cheerful comrade, and it is a great grief to us that victory has cost so much to you and him. May the knowledge that he did his duty well and bravely help to lighten this great sorrow."

04 October 1918

SETTLE

MILITARY FUNERAL - The death took place in a hospital at Glasgow on Saturday from wounds received in action, of Private Wilfred Wilkinson Whiteley, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Whiteley of Craven Terrace, Settle. Deceased, who was 29 years of age on joining up, was attached to the Duke of Wellington's, but was transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was greatly respected by all who knew him, being of a quiet and kind disposition. Prior to the war he was a clerk at the Bank of Liverpool, Settle, from which branch eight of their staff have joined the Forces, five have been killed and two wounded. Second Lieut. Harley Bentham, Corpl. J.H. Hitchen (drowned in the Mediterranean), Pte. T.M. Birtle, Pte. R.F. Jones, and Pte. W.W. Whiteley are those who have died for their country. There was a large gathering of sympathisers at the funeral on Tuesday. The coffin arrived at Settle Station at 11 a.m. and, covered with the Union Jack, was taken to the Wesleyan Church, where a funeral service (which was choral) was conducted by Rev. Grimshaw Yates. As the funeral party was leaving the church the organist, Mr. W. Walker, played the Funeral March. The cortege then proceeded (headed by the Special Constables and a firing party from the Officers Training Corps of Giggleswick School, of which school deceased was an old boy) to the burial ground of the Holy Ascension Church, where the Vicar, Rev. W.E. Linney, read the burial service assisted by Rev. Grimshaw Yates. On the coffin being lowered three volleys were fired and the 'Last post' sounded. The Holy Ascension Church bells rang muffled peals, and the flag was at half mast. Many beautiful wreaths were sent, amongst them being one from the staff of the Bank of Liverpool, Settle, the Wesleyan choir, and the Settle Tennis Club. Much sympathy is extended to Mr. and. Mrs. Whiteley in their great loss. Their two remaining sons are on active service.

04 October 1918

HELLIFIELD

MEMORIAL SERVICE - A service in memory of the late Sec. Lieut. H. Bentham, whose death was reported last week, was held in the Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday evening. A large congregation was present, which included the local members of the 6th West Riding Cadets, in charge of Lieuts. H. Bilton and T. Holmes. The service was conducted by Mr. J.V. Harger, of Settle, who took for his text six passages from St. John xi. A glowing tribute was paid to the deceased officer's character, and sympathy was expressed for the bereaved. Special hymns were sung, and at the close the 'Dead March' in 'Saul' was played by the organist, Miss A. Thompson. The 'Last Post' was sounded by Lieut. Bilton.