Herbert WATSON

05 April 1917

WATSON – March 25th, at the 2nd Military Hospital, Birmingham, Gunner Herbert Watson, R.G.A., son of the late Mr. Thos. Watson and Mrs. Watson, of Long Preston, aged 38.

05 April 1917

LONGPRESTON – MILITARY FUNERAL

On Sunday, March 25th, Gunner Herbert Watson, R.G.A., 38 years of age, died in the 2nd Birmingham Hospital. He was the younger son of the late Mr. Thomas Watson and Mrs. Watson of Longpreston, and had been out in France on active service, and was sent back to the hospital named, where he died from pneumonia. At the interment at Longpreston Church on Thursday the soldiers in attendance were some of the Durham Light Infantry, under Sergt. Swann. The body was brought to Longpreston on the previous night and placed in the church. During the service Rev. A.J. Whyte said that “never before in the history of the village had a soldier been brought back to rest in their churchyard. Some there were already in the fields of France, but where they would in a few moments take his body was a holy, hallowed spot in that parish, a spot which would speak of all that was noblest and beat in human life, and life was not measured by length of days, but by duty, discipline, and devotion, there they had all three in one who in his country’s need left his civil occupation without and gave all that a man could give. That being so, that little plot of ground would for ever be a holy place for all of them, where the children could go and say “He did all he could not for what he could gain or for a great name.” He was the only son of his mother, and she a widow. He gave his life that the spirit of England might not fail in its love of freedom, and all that was right and best might be a living truth in the world for future generations. Let them in their small community realise that sacrifice.” The hymn ‘On the resurrection morning’ was sung in the church. The ‘Dead march’ was played, and as the coffin, covered with the Union Jack, was carried down the aisle, on the shoulders of the soldier-bearers, the Nunc Dimittis was sung. After the body was committed to the ground the ‘Last post’ was sounded, and the grave was covered with wreaths. During the week the flag was hoisted half-mast on the church tower. Mr. H. Beecroft was responsible for the military and other arrangements, which were efficiently carried out.

14 December 1917

FOUNDER’S DAY AT SKIPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL

A Fifteenth Century Foundation – War Memorial Proposed

COMMEMORATION SERVICE

Wednesday’s proceedings were opened with a service in commemoration not only of the founders and benefactors of the school but also of the gallant men who formerly passed through the school and who had given their lives for their country in the present war. The service was conducted by the headmaster (Rev. F.G. Forder) in the big school and there was a good attendance of old boys and others interested in the school. The names of the fallen heroes are as follows:– 2nd Lieut. T.B. Bellamy, Captain C.D. Bennett, 2nd Lieut. T.D. Broughton, Captain C.W. Brown, Gunner Philip Brown, Corporal H.S. Caw, Sergt. J. Cockerill, 2nd Lieut. H. Colley (master), Major M.E. Cookson, 2nd Lieut. E.G. Goodman, 2nd Lieut. F.H. Gill, Private W. Hartley, Rifleman W.M. Jowett, Lieut. H. Knowles, 2nd Lieut. C.H. Lee (master), 2nd Lieut. J.C. McIntyre, Captain J.B. McKay, Lance-Corporal A.J. Metcalfe, J.H. [E.] Metcalfe, Private E. Platt, Private C.T.W. Rigby, 2nd Lieut. W.A. Rodwell, Sergt. A.F. Ryder, Lieut. E.J.C. Supple (master), Private F. Thornton, Rifleman H. Tindall, Sergt. H. Walker, Gunner Herbert Watson, 2nd Lieut. Alec Wilson, Private Cameron Wilson, 2nd Lieut. Ian Wilson.

Among the old boys who have gained distinctions are the following:– Military Cross, Second-Lieutenant J.G. Berry, Second-Lieutenant J.B. Hartley, Captain J.T. Hurst, Lieut. P. Jowett, Lieut. J. Petty, and Capt. T.B. Pollard (master); Distinguished Conduct Medal, Corpl. W.A. Murgatroyd; Mentioned in Despatches, Lieut. J. Pethybridge, Capt. Allan Wilson, and many others.