Main CPGW Record
Surname: VARLEY
Forename(s): Herbert William
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 18/102
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment / Corps / Service: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'A' Coy 18th (Service) Battalion. (2nd Bradford)
Division: 31st Division
Age: 28
Date of Death: 1917-06-17
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: E. 15.
CWGC Cemetery: STE. CATHERINE BRITISH CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial(s): Not Listed (View Names Not Listed on a Local War Memorial)
Additional Information:
Herbert William Varley was the son of Herbert and Emily Ann Varley, née Mason. Herbert, senior, was born at Bridlington Quay and Emily at Skipton, Yorkshire.
1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 24, Rectory Lane - Herbert Wm Varley, aged 2 years, born Skipton, son of Herbert and Emily Ann Varley.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 9, Brougham Street - Herbert W. Varley, aged 12 years, born Skipton, son of Herbert and Emily A. Varley.
1911 Bradford, Yorkshire Census: 1364, Leeds Road, Thornbury - Herbert William Varley, aged 22 years, born Skipton, Yorkshire, son of Herbert and Emily Ann Varley.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Sgt Herbert Varley, 18/102, W. York R. Theatre of War first served in: 3 - Egypt. Date of entry therein: 22 December 1915.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Sgt Herbert Varley, 18/102, 18th W. Yks. Died of Wounds 17.6.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Herbert Varley, 18/102, 18th Bn W. Yorks. Date and Place of Death: 17.6.17 France. Wounds. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and sole legatee - Emily A. £10 10s. 0d.
The informal title of the 18th (Service) Bn Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) (2nd Bradford) was the 2nd Bradford Pals.
Herbert is commemorated in the 'City of Bradford Great War 1914-1918 Roll of Honour'.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
VARLEY, Sgt. H., West Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. Herbert Varley, formerly an architect and surveyor, of Skipton, killed in action 1917.
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Sergeant Herbert William VARLEY
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 31st Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
06 July 1917
VARLEY – Died in France, from wounds received in action on June 17th 1917, Sergt. Herbert William (Willie) Varley, West Yorks. Regt., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Varley, 1364, Leeds Road, Bradford (late of Skipton).
20 July 1917
SKIPTON EX-COUNCILLOR’S SON KILLED
As mentioned in our columns on July 6th, Sergt. H. Varley, of the West Yorks. Regt., eldest son of Mr. Herbert Varley, formerly an architect and surveyor in Skipton, and at one time a useful member of the Skipton Urban District Council, has been killed in action. Mr. Varley, who lives at Leeds Road, Bradford, has received a letter from Lieut.-Colonel Hubert G. Carter, which states:– “Had I not been wounded myself I would have written to you before to condole with you on the death of your dear son, who is buried in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, near Arras. I knew your boy well, and we were great friends. He was – and I speak from personal knowledge and experience – a very gallant boy; a great loss to the battalion and one that I feel myself most acutely. Allow me as his C.O. to offer you my heartfelt sympathy in your great sorrow.”
Regimental Sergeant-Major H. Scott writes to say that an enemy shell killed Sergt. Varley and two other men. He adds: – “I have known your son a long time. He knew no fear in the face of the enemy. He had on several occasions been specially detailed for work which required a great deal of tact and self-control, not only for his own feelings but over the men he had charge of.”
Sergt. H. Varley was one of the first batch to join the 2nd Battalion of Pals, and a comrade writing home the other day said that the C.O. had stated that it was intended to grant him further promotion.
Sergt. Varley’s father is doing voluntary war work by assisting in the management of the Church Army Hut at the Aerodrome, Hounslow Heath, London.
Mr. Varley’s many friends in Skipton will join with us in offering sincere sympathy to the family in the loss of a brave and promising son.
27 July 1917
THE LATE SERGEANT VARLEY
We reproduce a photograph of Sergt. H. Varley, of the West Yorkshire Regiment, eldest son of Mr. Herbert Varley, formerly an architect and surveyor in Skipton. Sergt. Varley, as announced in last week’s ‘Herald’, was killed in action on the Western Front. His father is doing voluntary war work by assisting in the management of the Church Army Hut at the Aerodrome, Hounslow Heath, London W., and his mother resides at 1364, Leeds Road, Bradford.
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We never met in life but you will not be forgotten in death. Rest in peace Great Uncle Herbert.
RIP Great uncle Herbert, died far too young.