James TOWNSON

11 August 1916

ADDINGHAM

A MISSING SOLDIER – Mrs. Townson, of Southfield, Addingham, has received the following communication in reply to her enquiries as to the whereabouts of her son, Private James Townson, about whom they have been unable to get any definite information. His relatives are naturally in a state of great anxiety concerning his welfare:– “In reply to your letter, dated July 24th, enquiring for news of your son, 5982, Pte. J. Townson, I can only say that he was very severely wounded early on the morning of July 3rd. He was still alive when he was taken to the dressing station, but beyond that we have no news of him. I am trying to get some, and will let you know at once when we do. No notification of his death has come through to us. His wound was in the leg. I am very sorry not to be able to tell you anything definite, and sincerely hope he is alive and getting better. I remain, yours sincerely. J.M. Haigh, Lieut.”

01 September 1916

DEATH OF AN ADDINGHAM SOLDIER

We regret to announce that news has come to hand that Private James Townson, who has been reported as wounded on July 3rd, and about whom his relatives have been unable to get any satisfactory information, has been reported as killed on July 3rd. The official notification from the War Office and from York reached his mother on Sunday morning.

Townson, who was 22 years of age, was the youngest son of Mrs. Townson, of Southfield Terrace. He joined the ‘Duke’s’ on January 26th 1916, went to France on June 23rd and was only out 13 days.

Prior to the war he was employed at the Ilkley engine shed. He was a prominent member of the Addingham Cricket Club’s second eleven, being a fast bowler of great promise.

22 September 1916

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following letter in acknowledgement of parcels sent out:–

Gunner W. Brown writes:–“I was delighted to receive your parcel for which I thank the good old Addingham friends. We had rather a rough time of it last night. The old Germans began gas shelling at about two o’clock in the morning and kept it up until about four o’clock. Of course, we had our gas helmets on all the time, and I am pleased to say it did not take any effect on us, but when we took them off the little bit left in the dug-out made our eyes smart, but it was nothing to make a song about, and we are all going strong. I was sorry to hear that F. Stapleton had got wounded, I hope he is going on all right. Poor James Townson died from his wounds. Old Addingham has lost a lot during the last two months.”

01 December 1916

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following acknowledgements of parcels received:–

Pte. Fred Lister, of the Transport, East Lancashire [Regiment] Egyptian Expeditionary Force, writes:–“Thanks for parcel received in good condition and contents enjoyed immensely. We are still in the Sinai Desert and are a long way past the old Turkish base Katia. It is rumoured that we shall be in El Arish by Christmas. There has been no fighting since that scrap in August. Our patrols keep coming in contact with those of the enemy. All our drinking water comes from Port Said, 50 miles away, but we have got the horses and mules used to the brackish water after a lot of trouble and anxiety. Some of the horses would go as long as six or seven days without touching it. That put them off their feed, and many died, but the rest are doing wonderfully well now. I came across a Skipton lad the other day, and he knew a lot of ‘Trinity’ boys. He let me look at a Skipton paper, and I was sorry to see that James Townson has been killed in France. I think the Addingham lads have been unfortunate, and a lot of familiar faces will be missing when we all return.