Main CPGW Record
Surname: METCALFE
Forename(s): Irving
Place of Birth: Barnoldswick, Yorkshire
Service No: 202352
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Highland Light Infantry
Battalion / Unit: 10th (Service) Battalion
Division: 14th (Light) Division
Age: 42
Date of Death: 1918-08-31
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 131 to 132.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Irving Metcalfe was the son of James and Elizabeth Ann Metcalfe, née Edmondson. James was born at Bell Busk and Elizabeth at Stock near Bracewell, Yorkshire. Elizabeth was the daughter of Ellen Edmondson, who married William Smith in 1851.
1881 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: South Street - Irvin [sic] Metcalf, aged 5 years, born Barnoldswick, son of James and Elizabeth Ann Metcalf.
1891 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: Philip Street - Irving Metcalf, aged 15 years, born Barnoldswick, son of James and Elizabeth A. Metcalf.
1901 Barnoldswick,Yorkshire Census: 13, Mosley Street - Irving Metcalfe.aged 25 years, born Barnoldswick, son of James and Elizabeth Metcalfe.
Irving was married to Jemima Hartley in 1901.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 2, Back Chapel Street - Irving Metcalfe, aged 36 years, born Barnoldswick, husband of Jemina [sic] Metcalfe.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Irving Metcalfe, 202352, H.L.I.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Irving Metcalfe, 202352, 10th High.L.I.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Irving Metcalfe, 202352, 10 H.L.I. Date and Place of Death: 31.8.18 presumed dead. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow sole legatee - Jemima. £13 2s. 7d.
Irving is commemorated in the Rolls of Honour at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
A short biography of Irving is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
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:
BARNOLDSWICK
METCALFE, Irving, aged 43 years, H.L.I., 20, Beech Street, killed in action, France, Aug. 31, 1918.
METCALFE, Irving, aged 43, H.L.I., 30, Beech Street, killed in action Aug. 31, 1918.
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Private Irving METCALFE
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Highland Light Infantry
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 14th (Light) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
04 October 1918
WOUNDED AND MISSING
Mrs. Metcalfe, 15 Wellington Street, Barnoldswick, has received a letter from an officer stating that her husband, Private Irving Metcalfe, Highland Light Infantry, was reported “wounded and missing” on August 31st. “Only a few returned from the party he was with, and one of these stated that Private Metcalfe was wounded, but could give no further details. As the party was practically surrounded, some of them were taken prisoner and there is every possibility your husband was among the number. CAPT. HAMILTON.”
Private J. Cafferty, of the same regiment, in a letter enclosing a photograph he had found belonging to Private Metcalfe, writes:– “The poor fellow fell by my side, but I have hopes he has been picked up an a prisoner. I could do nothing for him at the time, as we were under severe machine gun fire and grenades. The envelope enclosed was the means of my finding out your address. I may say there is every possibility of his being yet alive. He was a good and faithful comrade, and we miss him very much.”
Private Metcalfe was well known in Barnoldswick, being the son of the late Mr. James Metcalfe, Wellington Street.
20 December 1918
BARNOLDSWICK – Fate of a Missing Soldier
Enquiries as to the fate of Private Irving Metcalfe, H.L.I., reported missing at the beginning of September, have elicited the following letter from Private P. J. Cafferty (Lewis Gun Section), of the same regiment:– “I regret to tell you that your brother, Private Metcalfe, was killed by machine-gun fire at Ypres on the 31st August 1918. We were in a tight corner, and only a few of us escaped. The enemy at that point were at the rate of five men to our one, and as we were only a scouting patrol, we got trapped. I saw Private Metcalfe swing round and fall, and I know he must have got a few bullets in his left side. I am sorry to have to give you this sad news as he was a very nice chap and a loyal comrade.”
Private Metcalfe was 43 years of age, and leaves a widow and two sons living at 20 Beech Street, Barnoldswick. He only went to France in June last.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
04 October 1918
Barnoldswick Man Wounded and Missing
Mrs. Metcalfe, 13, Wellington Street, Barnoldswick, has received a letter from an officer stating that her husband, Pte. Irving Metcalfe, Highland Light Infantry, was “wounded and missing” on Aug. 31st. “Only a few returned from the party he was with, and one of these stated that Pte. Metcalfe was wounded, but could give no further details. As the party was practically surrounded, some of them were taken prisoners, and there is every possibility your husband was among the number.” – Capt. Hamilton. Pte. Cafferty, of the same regiment, in a letter enclosing a photograph he had found belonging to Pte. Metcalfe, writes:– “The poor fellow fell by my side, but I have hopes he has been picked up as a prisoner. I could do nothing for him at the time, as we were under severe machine gun fire and grenades. The envelope enclosed was the means of my finding out your address. I may say there is every possibility of his being yet alive. He was a good and faithful comrade, and we miss him very much.” Pte. Metcalfe was well-known in Barnoldswick, being the son of the late Mr. James Metcalfe, Wellington Street.
20 December 1918
Fate of a Missing Barnoldswick Soldier
Enquiries as to the fate of Pte. Irving Metcalfe, H.L.I., reported missing at the beginning of September, have elicited the following letter from Pte. P.J. Cafferky (Lewis Gun Section), of the same regiment:– “I regret to tell you that your brother, Pte. Metcalfe, was killed by machine-gun fire at Ypres on the 31st August 1918. We were in a tight corner, and only a few of us escaped. The enemy at that point was at the rate of five men to our one, and as we were only a scouting patrol, we got trapped. I saw Pte. Metfcalfe swing round and fall, and I know he must have got a few ballets in his left side. I am sorry to have to give yon this sad news as he was a very nice chap and a loyal comrade.” Pte. Metcalfe was 43 years of age, and leaves a widow and two sons living at 20, Beech Street, Barnoldswick. He only went to France in June last.
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