Haydn WOOD

28 September 1917

WOOD – Sept. 13th, in France, Pte. Haydn Wood, West Yorkshire Regiment, husband of Mrs. Wood, of 17, East View, Barnoldswick, aged 37.

28 September 1917

BARNOLDSWICK TRADESMAN KILLED

The death is reported from France of Pte. Haydon Wood, West Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the 13th inst. He was 37 years of age, and a native of Haworth, but had resided in Barnoldswick for about 12 years, and prior to joining up a year ago carried on the business of a joiner and undertaker in Bank Street. He leaves a wife and two children residing at 17, East View, Barnoldswick. Pte. Wood went to France in January last. One of his brothers was killed in June and another is still serving. The sad news was conveyed to Mrs. Wood in the following letter from a Church of England Chaplain:–

September 18th 1917.

“Dear Mrs. Wood, – I regret to inform you that your husband, Pte. H. Wood, was killed in action early in the morning of Thursday September 13th. The enemy tried to raid the trench held by the -----, but were beaten off with heavy loss to themselves. Unfortunately in the preliminary bombardment of the trench the company officer (Captain Turner), and a number of men were killed, including your husband. I buried him in a little English military cemetery well behind the lines beside his officer and the others who fell with him. May I offer to you my heart felt sympathy in your very great loss. I know what it means when the head of the house is taken away like this. You have at least the satisfaction of knowing that he fell in a gallant fight which earned for the battalion the praise of the G.O.C. May the Lord God help you and comfort and strengthen you to carry on until the day breaks and the shadows flee away. – Yours very sincerely, R. C. MacKeown.

18 January 1918

BARNOLDSWICK

NOT LIABLE FOR WIFE’S BUSINESS DEBT

At the Skipton County Court on Wednesday, before His Honour Judge Macklin, Mrs. Mary Wood, widow of a soldier who was killed last September, 17, East View, Barnoldswick, sued Arthur Mann, printer, Alma Cliff, Manchester Road, Barnoldswick, for £7 16s. 3d., the balance at an account for shop fittings supplied by plaintiff’s husband (a joiner) to defendant’s wife who previously carried on a confectionery a business in Barnoldswick.

Mr. F.W. Steele, of Barnoldswick, who appeared for plaintiff, stated that there was no dispute as to the amount, and that the only point at issue was that defendant asked for judgment against his wife.

In a letter sent to the Court defendant admitted that the claim had never been disputed, but claimed that it was his wife’s debt. His wife had carried on the business in her own name and had paid all accounts, and he had nothing whatever to do with the shop. An offer had been made to pay the amount owing at the rate of 10s. per month, but this was refused, and a protest was therefore made against having to pay any Court or solicitor’s fee for which there had been no necessity. Since the above offer things had become more difficult, and his wife had asked him to make another offer of 6s. per month.

Mrs. Mann, who appeared for her husband, stated that she herself gave the order for the work, in the presence of her husband, to the late Mr. Wood.

His Honour ruled that on the evidence defendant was not liable for the debt, and Mrs. Mann agreeing to pay the debt at the rate of 6s. per month, judgement was given against her for the amount claimed at the rate of payment, costs to be borne by plaintiff.

[Mrs. Mary Wood was the widow of Pte. Haydn Wood.]