James Maxfield VARLEY

21 July 1916

CRAVEN CASUALTIES IN THE GREAT ADVANCE

Private James M. Varley, of the 1st 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, and of 19, Bennett Street, Skipton, has been killed in action on the Western Front. He was formerly employed as a weaver by Messrs. Johnson and Mason, manufacturers, Skipton. He enlisted soon after the outbreak of war and was an old Volunteer. He was 33 years of age and leaves a widow and three children.

Capt. Hugh Dixon, in a letter to Mrs. Varley, states:– “It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that your husband was killed yesterday afternoon by shrapnel. He did his duty to the last, and shares with many others the honour of having given his life for his country. Please accept my deepest sympathy.”

Rev. R. Shipman, a Chaplain in the forces, also writes:– “I feel it my sad duty to inform you that your husband has been killed. He died fighting as a brave Yorkshire lad. Unfortunately, I was unable to be near at the time, but perhaps you might receive further particulars in due course.”

21 July 1916

VARLEY – In France, Pte. James Varley, of the 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, of Skipton, aged 33.

28 July 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR SKIPTON SOLDIER

At the Skipton Congregational Church on Sunday evening, special reference was made to the death of the late Private Jas. Varley, of the 6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who fell in the recent fighting on the Western Front. Rev. L.H. Gaunt spoke of the noble spirit of self-sacrifice in which the deceased had enlisted soon after the outbreak of the war, though it meant leaving a wife and three young children at home. His best epitaph would be the words written of him by his captain:– “He did his duty to the end”. They at the church were proud to have his name on their roll of honour as one of their old scholars, and he was sure that everyone present would feel the deepest possible sympathy for the widow and her children, and also for the mother of Pte. Varley, and the other members of the family. Appropriate hymns were sung throughout the service, which was of a very impressive character, and suitable voluntaries were beautifully rendered by the organist, Mr. Green, of Silsden.

11 August 1916

VARLEY – Aug. 1st, at 19, Bennett Street, Skipton, John William Varley, aged 6.

[This obituary is for the son of Pte. James Maxfield Varley, killed in action, 9 July 1916.]

06 July 1917

In loving memory of a dear husband and father, Pte. James Maxfield Varley, Duke
of Wellington’s, killed in action July 9th, 1916, aged 33 years.

He left his home in perfect health,
He looked so young and brave;
We little thought how soon he would be
Laid in a hero’s grave.
No one knows the parting,
Or what the parting cost;
But God in His great mercy
Has gained what we have lost.

– From Wife and Little Children 19, Bennett Street, Skipton.

13 July 1917

In loving memory of my dear son, Pte. James Maxfield Varley, Duke of Wellington’s, killed in action July 9th, 1916, aged 33 years.

Sleep on, dear son, in a far off land,
Thy grave I may never see;
But as long as life and memory lasts
I’ll always think of thee.

– From his sorrowing Mother. 13, Rowland Street, Skipton.

In loving memory of our dear brother, James Maxfield Varley, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, killed in action July 9th, 1916, aged 33 years.

Sleep on, dear brother, and take thy rest,
They miss you most who loved you best.
We often think of the days gone by
When we were all together;
A shadow o’er our lives is cast,
O dear one gone for ever.

– Ever remembered by his Brother and Sisters.

03 August 1917

VARLEY – In loving memory of my darling son, John William (Jack), who died August 2nd, 1916, aged 6 years.

An angel took my flower away,
But I must not repine,
For Jesus in His bosom wears
The flower that once was mine.

– From his loving Mother. 19, Bennett Street, Skipton.

In ever loving memory of John William Varley, who died Aug. 1st, 1916, aged 6 years.

The stroke was bitter, the loss severe,
To part with one we loved so dear.

– From his Grandma, Uncles and Aunties. 13, Rowland Street, Skipton.

[Son of Pte. James Maxfield Varley.]

12 July 1918

In loving memory of my dear son and brother, Pte. James Maxfield Varley, who was killed in action July 9th, 1916.

Two lonely years have passed away
Since that great sorrow fell;
Still in our hearts we mourn the loss
Of him we loved so well.

– From his loving Mother, Sisters and Brother, 13, Rowland Street, Skipton.

19 July 1918

VARLEY – In loving memory of my dear husband and father, Pte. James Maxfield Varley, killed in action July 9th, 1916. Also a son, John William (Jack), aged 6, drowned August 2nd, 1916.

“Days of remembrance sad to recall.”

– From Wife and Little Children, 19, Bennett Street, Skipton.