Main CPGW Record
Surname: MIDDLETON
Forename(s): James Willie
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 203846
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: East Lancashire Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 2/5th Battalion
Division: 66th (2/East Lancashire) Division
Age: 34
Date of Death: 1917-12-03
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Coll. Grave I. B. 1.
CWGC Cemetery: TYNE COT CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
James Willie Middleton was the son of Richard and Alice Middleton, née Wood. Richard was born at Keighley, Yorkshire and Alice at Macclesfield, Derbyshire.
1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 10, King Street - James Willie Middleton, aged 7 years, born Skipton, son of Richard and Alice Middleton.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 10, Belgrave Street - James W. Middleton, aged 17 years, born Skipton, son of Richard and Alice Middleton.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 9, Cowper Street - James Willie Middleton, aged 27 years, born Skipton. [James was boarding with Elizabeth Ellen Maddison, widow.]
James Willie Middleton was married to Mary Jane Driver in 1911.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte James W. Middleton, 203846, E. Lan. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte James Willie Middleton, 203846, 2/5th East Lancs.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte James Willie Middleton, 203846, 2/5 Bn East Lancs. Date and Place of Death: 3.12.17 in Action. Belgm. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Mary J. £8 13s. 1d.
James is buried in a collective grave with Private Tom Greenwood (203995) and Private Wilfred Turner (204023). All three were probably killed in the same dug-out when it was hit by a shell.
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:
MIDDLETON, J. W., aged 34, East Lancs., 7, Nelson Street, Skipton, killed in action Dec. 2, 1917.
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Private James Willie MIDDLETON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: East Lancashire Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 66th (2/East Lancashire) Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Tyne Cot Cemetery
CWGC Headstone - [Personal inscription: ‘CHRIST WILL CLASP/THE BROKEN CHAIN/CLOSER WHEN WE MEET AGAIN’]
Courtesy of the website: Burnley in the Great War
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
14 December 1917
MIDDLETON – December 2nd 1917, killed in action on the Western Front, Pte. J. W. Middleton, East Lancs. Regiment, formerly of Skipton, aged 34 years.
14 December 1917
FORMER SKIPTON CRICKETER KILLED – PRIVATE J. W. MIDDLETON
Local cricketers will regret to learn that Private J. W. Middleton, East Lancashire Regiment, who formerly was a fast bowler with the Skipton Second Eleven, was killed in action on December 2nd. His wife, who lives with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Driver, 7, Nelson Street, Skipton, has received a letter from a captain in deceased’s regiment in which he expresses his sympathy at the loss of another brave soldier, and mentions that a shell fell on the dugout where Private Middleton was, killing him instantaneously. He was buried in the British Cemetery behind the lines and a cross erected over his grave. “Although he had only been with us a short time,” the officer adds, “he proved himself ever ready and willing to do his duty.”
Thirty-four years of age, deceased had been a wholesale baker at Burnley for over eight years. Whilst in Skipton he played with the Skipton Tuesday team in the Craven League, as well as with the second string of the town club, and he was also a member of the Skipton Liberal Club. He enlisted last April and had only been at the Front about five weeks.
06 December 1918
MIDDLETON – In affectionate remembrance of Private J. Willie Middleton (East Lancs. Regiment), dearly beloved husband of Mary J. Middleton, killed in action December 3rd, 1917.
I have lost, Heaven has gained
One of the best the world contained.
From his loving Wife, 7 Nelson Street.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
14 December 1917
MIDDLETON – Killed in action, Dec. 2nd, aged 34 years, Pte. J.W. Middleton, East Lancashire Regiment, husband of Mrs. Middleton, of 7, Nelson Street, Skipton.
“One of the best.”
14 December 1917
FORMER SKIPTON CRICKETER KILLED
Information has been received that Pte. J.W. Middleton, of the East Lancashire Regiment, husband of Mrs. Middleton, who resides with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Driver, 7, Nelson Street, Skipton, was killed in action on December 2nd. The Captain of the regiment in a letter to Mrs. Middleton states:– “I am sorry to have to inform you that your husband was killed in action on December 2nd. A shell fell on the dug-out where he was, and killed him instantly, so he suffered no pain. He was buried in a British cemetery, behind the line, and a cross erected over his grave. Although your husband had only been with us a short time, he proved himself to be ever ready and willing to do his duty. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your loss.” Pte. Middleton, who was 34 years of age, enlisted at Burnley last April, where he had been in business as a confectioner for about eight years, and had only been in France about five weeks. He was formerly a well-known local cricketer, being a playing member of the Skipton second eleven as a fast bowler. He also assisted the Skipton Tuesday team who figured in the Craven League. He was also formerly a member of the Skipton Liberal Club.
06 December 1918
MIDDLETON – In affectionate remembrance of Pte. J. Willie Middleton (East Lancs. Regt.), dearly beloved husband of Mrs. Mary J. Middleton, killed in action Dec. 3, 1917.
I have lost, heaven has gained,
One of the best the world contained.
– From his loving Wife. 7, Nelson Street, Skipton.
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