James Albert FOURACRE

07 May 1915

SKIPTON MAN AMONG CANADIAN WOUNDED

The list of casualties in the Canadian contingent published on Monday contains the name of Pte. H. Fouracre, of the 1st Infantry Battalion (Western Ontario), whose brother Mr. F. Fouracre, resides in Devonshire Street, Skipton. The injured soldier was also a resident here for many years and worked at the Alexandra Mills. Several years ago he went to Canada, where he has been engaged in the engineering trade.

At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the Western Ontario Regiment, and has been at the front some time. Pte. Fouracre has a brother in the King’s Royal Lancasters, of whom nothing has been heard since Christmas. Prior to that time he wrote regularly to relatives in Skipton.

23 February 1917

SKIPTON SOLDIER’S SAD DEATH – AN APPEAL FOR FUNERAL EXPENSES

Pte. James Fouracre of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, a member of a Skipton family, died at the house of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Fouracre, 9, Hyde Street, Salford, on Tuesday afternoon from phthisis, which early in the present year developed an acute form. The deceased, a single man aged 36 years, was discharged from the Army in August, 1916, after being treated in Whalley Military hospital for a wound in the foot received in the Dardanelles campaign. He came to live with his brother Fred, at 26, Devonshire Street, Skipton, and had a pension of 15s. per week. In October last, he wrote to the authorities for arrears of pay and was informed in reply that he was in debt to the Army, following which came a reduction in his pension of 2s. 6d. per week. Then followed a summons to appear before the Medical Board at Manchester, and though in the opinion of his friends unfit to travel, he made the journey just before Christmas. The result of the examination, we are informed, was an intimation to seek work!

Pte. Fouracre was manifestly unfit for work, and was almost immediately confined to a sick bed at the house of his sister-in-law, where he died, as stated. These facts have been placed before the War Pensions Committee at Skipton, but we are officially informed that they can do nothing in the matter of securing the arrears of pay due, and that only in the event of the expenses of the funeral falling upon the rates can the War Pensions Committee of Salford make a grant of £4 towards them.

As this practically means pauperising a soldier of the King who has served twelve years with the Colours, fought through the South African war, seen service in India and China, and done his ‘bit’ in the present terrible struggle, the Editor of the ‘Craven Herald’ has guarantee the costs of the remains being conveyed to Skipton and interred in the family grave at Waltonwrays Cemetery. The deceased’s brother, Fred Fouracre, has made every financial sacrifice he can, and we suggest that the deceased’s fellow Skiptonians should see to it that the whole of the expenses attendant upon the interment are raised voluntarily instead of falling upon the shoulders of those who are unable to bear the burden.

The Editor of this journal is prepared to receive subscriptions towards the funeral of a brave Skiptonian who has given the best years of his life to the service of his King and Country. It is little short of a scandal that such an appeal should have to be made, but the facts are as stated, and facts are stubborn things.

02 March 1917

ODDS AND ENDS – LOCAL AND DISTRICT NOTES – A Skipton Soldier’s Burial

In response to our appeal last week for contributions to save from a pauper’s grave the remains of Pte. James Fouracre, of the King’s Own Royal Lancashire [Lancaster] Regiment – a member of a Skipton family, who died at the residence of his sister-in-law, Salford on the 20th ult., and whose funeral took place at Skipton last Saturday – we have received the following sums:–

Mr. J. Mason, Thorleby House – £1 1s. 0d.
Rev. C.H. and Mrs. Lowe, Rylstone Rectory – £0 10s. 0d.
A Skipton Sympathiser – £1 0s. 0d.
J.R., F.S.B.B. – £0 5s. 0d.
Mr. A. Girling, Skipton – £0 2s. 6d.

Total up to date – £2 18s. 6d.

The deceased soldier had 19 years’ service in the Army, including the whole of the South African campaign, and was discharged from Whalley Military Hospital in August last year, following wounds received in the Dardanelles campaign. The cause of his death was phthisis. There was no help forthcoming from the authorities to give the brave soldier a decent interment, and we took upon ourselves to guarantee the expenses of the body being conveyed to Skipton and interred in the family grave. The response is disappointing, but we hope to receive further financial help to assist the relatives to meet the cost incurred. Their financial position, we have reason to know, prevents their finding the necessary money. As one subscriber writes:– “It seems to me a shame that after serving his country there should be any need to make an appeal.” We cordially agree, but the fact remains that, as the authorities declare that the deceased must have been suffering from phthisis when he took up service in the present war, there is no claim on the State to give him decent burial. If the State cannot do it, then it is ‘up to’ the deceased’s fellow townsmen to step into the breach. Contributions may be made payable to the Editor, and the fund will be closed next week.

09 March 1917

ODDS AND ENDS – LOCAL AND DISTRICT NOTES – The Fouracre Fund

Our appeal for aid in defraying the cost of the burial of a brave soldier, who died from consumption after 19 years’ service in the British Army, and the circumstances concerning which have been explained in our columns in two preceding issues, has reached £3 18s. 6d.

We repeat that it is a scandal that the expenses of interment should be saddled on the shoulders of a brother of the deceased, who has not the means at his disposal, and we are proud of the fact that, rather than permit the brave fellow–who fought through the South African campaign, and has practically given his life because of the present campaign–to be laid in a pauper’s grave, we guaranteed the expenses of removal and interment in the family grave at Skipton. The response for help is very disappointing, bur the expense will be met privately, and the fund is now closed. We thank those of our readers who have contributed to a very deserving object.

17 May 1918

FOURACRE – May 12th, at 25, Devonshire Street, Skipton, Fred Fouracre, aged 31 years. [Died of lead poisoning - see 'Craven Herald' article, 17 May 1918 - not transcribed.]

[Brother of Private James Albert Fouracre.]