Main CPGW Record
Surname: MAWSON
Forename(s): Joe Harry
Place of Birth: Bradley, Yorkshire
Service No: 267183
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'B' Coy 2/6th Battalion
Division: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
Age: 34
Date of Death: 1917-05-03
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Bay 6.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BRADLEY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Joe Harry Mawson was the son of James and Martha Ellen Mawson, née Green. James was born at Otley and Martha at Bradley, Yorkshire. Joe was the cousin of Private Robert Henry Mawson (27647) (q.v.).
1891 Bradley, Yorkshire Census: Main Street - Joe H. Mawson, aged 8 years, born Bradley, son of James and Martha E. Mawson.
1901 Bradley, Yorkshire Census: College - Joe H. Mawson, aged 18 years, born Bradley, son of James and Martha E. Mawson.
1911 Bradley, Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 1, Chapel Terrace - Joe Harry Mawson, aged 28 years, born Bradley, son of James and Martha Ellen Mawson.
Joe is listed in the Nominal Roll of the 2/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment): 'B' Coy - Pte J. H. Mawson.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Joe H. Mawson, 267183, W. Rid. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Joe Harry Mawson, 267183, 2/6 W. Rid. R. Pres dead 3.5.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Joe Harry Mawson, 267183, 2/6th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: On or since 3.5.17. Death pres'd. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - James. £6 18s. 2d.
Joe was killed in action during the Battle of Bullecourt, 3-17 May 1917.
Data Source: Local War Memorial
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
09 March 1917
A BRADLEY SOLDIER’S DEATH
Private Leonard Throup, of the West Riding Regiment, second son of Mr. and Mr. Samuel Throup, of High Fold Farm, High Bradley, has been officially reported as killed in action in France on Tuesday February 20th. On March 1st Mr. Throup received the following letter dated February 23rd:–
“Dear Mr. Throup, – It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you that your son, Leonard, was killed in action last Tuesday evening. He was one of a relief party proceeding to the relief of a stranded section in the front line. They were heavily shelled, and one shell burst in the middle of them killing your son and wounding some others. I regret that we were unable to recover any of his belongings. If I can supply you with any further information I shall be only too pleased.
“Sincerely yours, ALEC S. NEWTON, 2nd Lt.”
The same morning Mr. Throup got the following letter from Private Ive [Joe] Harry Mawson, another Bradley lad of the same regiment:– “It is with sincere regret that I beg to extend my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family in your sad bereavement. I do most earnestly hope that God will comfort you in your darkest hour.”
Private Throup, who was 30 years of age, enlisted on March 28th 1916, and went out to France on the 5th of February 1917. Prior to enlisting, he acted as carrier between Bradley and Keighley for upwards of six years. Of a quiet and unassuming disposition, he was well respected by all.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
At the Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday evening a memorial service was held, conducted by the Rev. E. C. Harris, Supt. Minister, who said that it had not been his privilege to know Leonard Throup personally, but he had heard a very moving tribute to his memory, and on behalf of the congregation he tendered their deepest sympathy to those who mourned his loss in their sad bereavement. At the conclusion of the service, the organist, Mr. Chapman, played ‘O rest in the Lord’.
27 April 1917
A BRADLEY HERO
Mr. and Mrs. Walker Blades, of Prospect Terrace, Bradley, have received the following letter, dated April 15th:– “ It is with deepest regret and sympathy that I beg to inform you of your son’s death. He was killed by shrapnel yesterday, the 14th, and was buried last night. He was a good workmate and soldier, and I sincerely regret his 1oss.
“Yours sincerely, LANCE-CORPORAL J. LITTLEWOOD, Shoemaker’s Shop, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. “
“P.S. He was buried in an English grave and had a proper funeral service.”
Private Albert Blades, of the West Yorkshire Regiment, who was 22 years of age, was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Blades, and enlisted on March 28th, 1916. He went to France in the following January. He was of a quiet and retiring disposition, but all his letters breathed a love of home and of his parents, for whom the deepest sympathy is felt. He was formerly employed as shoemaker by Mrs. Walker, of Skipton.
A memorial service was held in the Wesleyan Chapel, Bradley, on Sunday morning, conducted by Mr. Herbert Thornton, who said that it was their painful experience to have to record the passing away of another of their lads on the field of battle. Never surely in the history of mankind was there so much anguish and heartbreak on account of loved ones who had been prematurely cut off. Well might they cry out “How long, O Lord, how long?” When would the toll for human misunderstanding, avarice and inordinate ambition be expiated? They little thought a week ago, when paying a tribute to Sydney Mattock, that even then Albert had found a last resting place upon a foreign shore. Yet so it was, and his death made the sixth of their lads who had laid down their lives in their country’s cause, viz., Willie Brayshay, while in training on Salisbury Plain; Robert Henry Mawson, Leonard Troup, John Sydney Mattock, James Henry Peel, and lastly, they hoped, and so far as they knew, Albert Blades. Albert was of a quiet disposition; he didn’t wear his heart upon his sleeve, his innermost thoughts and aspirations were rarely, if ever, expressed. He was diligent and plodding, kind and considerate, strongly attached to all at home, purposely avoiding in his letters anything calculated to give uneasiness or anxiety; consequently, it was not known definitely whether he was killed in action or hit with shrapnel behind the line. He was one of their own lads, having passed through the Sunday School and previous to enlisting was connected with Mr. Bray’s Young Men’s Class. He was also a frequent attender at public worship and in their name and his own he extended to the bereaved relatives their sincere sympathy. It was some consolation to know that his death brought no remorse; that his end had not been hastened by fast and profligate living, but that he had died fighting the country’s cause. Might some comfort come to all those who were bitterly mourning the loss of loved ones at this time from the thought that their lives were given up in the most momentous struggle in history, and that they sacrifice their all in order that right and freedom should triumph and the world be made a brighter and a happier place in which to live.
At the close of the service ‘O rest in the Lord’ was played by the organist, Mr. Chapman.
The following letter was received by his parents yesterday morning from Private Joe Harry Mawson, another Bradley lad:–
April 19th 1917
“Dear Mr. Blades, - I beg to extend to you and your family my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement, and I most sincerely pray that God will comfort and sustain you until that day dawns when you will be re-united in the better land. The news came as a great shock to me this morning. I made enquiries about him and learnt that he was wounded in the back and died in hospital. I have seen the place where he is buried, and let me assure you that he has been buried respectably. At present there is nothing but a bottle with his name and number and date of burial as follows: ‘Private A. Blades. No. 4,604, 14/4/17’ but in the course of a few days there will probably be a small wood cross put up to mark the place. I have been talking to his sergeant, and he told me he was a good soldier. There is only one consolation for you, that is that he has done his duty and paid the highest sacrifice for the sake of humanity.”
22 June 1917
BRADLEY – ANOTHER VILLAGER MAKES THE SACRIFICE
News was received on Thursday, the 14th inst., that Pte. William Linford, of the York and Lancaster Regt., had died from gunshot wounds received in action. On Monday the 11th his wife got a telegram stating that he was in the General Hospital at Boulogne dangerously ill suffering from wounds. He joined up on November 13th last and went to France on February 9th. Before enlisting he worked as farmer’s man for Mr. Thompson. He was 31 years of age and leaves a widow and one child.
On Sunday morning a memorial service was held in the Wesleyan Chapel, conducted by Mr. Herbert Thornton, Supt. Sunday School, who, at the outset of his address, tendered to the widow, the fatherless child and relatives the sincere sympathy of the congregation. The deceased was of a quiet and unassuming disposition and loved to come to God’s house and join in worship, and it was fitting that they should pay tribute to his memory. It was only the 22nd of last month that he wrote to Mr. Green saying that he was in the best of health and spirits and that they were having some lively times, but he was among a number of jolly young Christian fellows who had chapels to go to in which the services were helpful, but still they were not like the dear little country place at home. The hand that was so recently made the medium for conveying these kindly feelings is now still in death upon a foreign shore. Their hearts ached to think that our brave young fellows should be prematurely cut off, leaving desolate homes and hearts torn by the sad and sudden bereavement. Their sympathies also went out to Mrs. Hobson who had unofficial news to the loss of her son. Their friend, Joe Harry Mawson, had been missing since May 3rd, but they all cherished the fond hope that he is a prisoner in Germany and that before long they would hear news of his well being. They all begun to realise how terrible is the conflict to which they were engaged. Well might they cry out ‘Why this awful carnage, why this pouring out of the life blood of the young manhood of the nation?’ Was something dearer than life at stake? They thanked God for the noble men who in days gone by had laid down their lives to procure us the liberties, which today was their common heritage. Today, we as a nation, are called upon to take a similar stand and shed our hearts’ blood, believing that the unbroken power of Germany involved a constant menace to every form of peaceful life. May some consolation come to those whose loved ones laid down their lives in the belief that the cause for which they fought was righteous, that they yielded up their breath so the world might move towards the dawn of a brighter and holier day, and surely they would say in the words of Burton:–
For us they died, nor did they die in vain,
As to Thy heaven they found the nearer way;
For through the smoke and through the fiery rain
We see the dawning of a better day.
At the close of the service Mr. Chapman, the organist, played ‘O rest in the Lord’.
17 May 1918
MAWSON – In affectionate and ever loving memory of a dear son and brother, Private Joe Harry Mawson, who was presumed killed on May 3rd, 1917.
The fairest of flowers are first to fall,
A brother so true and brave;
One of the kindest and best of all
Has found a hero’s grave.
If those who made this awful war
Were the only ones to fight,
A brighter world t’would surely be
For aching hearts tonight.
From his Father and Sisters, 1 Chapel Terrace, Bradley.
17 May 1918
BRADLEY – Memorial Service
At the Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday evening a memorial service was held to the memory of Private Joe Harry Mawson, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who joined the Army in March, 1916, and went to France in February, 1917. He was reported as missing in May, 1917, and the family were hoping that he had been taken prisoner, but news since received from his captain leaves no room for doubt that he was killed on May 3rd, 1917. In his letter to the lad’s father he says, “Your son was a real good man and one who had an excellent influence in the Co. and will be much missed.” Another letter from a chum to his sister contains the following: – “He was such a cheerful fellow and always ready to help anybody. I think if there ever was a Christian your brother was one.” Mr. Bray, who conducted the service, is teacher of the young men’s class connected with the Sunday School at which Private Mawson attended. He read letters he had received from him breathing true Christian principles. Mr. Bray paid a high tribute to the lad’s sterling qualities. Messrs. John Gill and Herbert Thornton also spoke, and both testified to his high moral character, the village being poorer by his death, which he sacrificed in helping others. – At the close Mr. Chapman, the organist, played the Dead March.
02 May 1919
MAWSON – A tribute of love and remembrance to a dear son and brother, Private Joe Harry Mawson, presumed killed on May 3rd, 1917.
Gone is the face we loved so dear,
Silent the voice we loved to hear;
Too far away for sight or speech,
But not too far for thoughts to reach.
We loved him, yes, no tongue can tell,
How deep, how dearly and how well;
Christ loved him too and thought it best
To take him home with Him to rest.
From Father and Sisters, 1 Chapel Terrace, Bradley.
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View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
09 March 1917
BRADLEY SOLDIER’S DEATH
Private Leonard Throup, of the West Riding Regiment, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Throup, of High Fold Farm, High Bradley, has been officially reported as killed in action in France on Tuesday February 20th. On March 1st Mr. Throup received the following letter dated February 23rd:–
“Dear Mr. Throup, – It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you that your son Leonard, was killed in action last Tuesday evening. He was one of a relief party proceeding to the relief of a stranded section in the front line. They were heavily shelled, and one shell burst in the middle of them killing your son and wounding some others. I regret that we were unable to recover any of his belongings. If I can supply you with any further information I shall be only too pleased. – Sincerely yours, Alec S. Newton, 2nd Lt.”
The same morning Mr. Throup received the following letter from Private Ive [Joe] Harry Mawson, another Bradley lad of the same regiment:–
“It is with sincere regret that I beg to extend my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family in your sad bereavement. I do most earnestly hope that God will comfort you in your darkest hour.”
Pte. Throup, who was 30 years of age, enlisted on March 28th 1916, and went out to France on the 5th of February. Prior to enlisting, he acted as carrier between Bradley and Keighley for upwards of six years. Of a quiet and unassuming disposition, he was well respected by all.
At the Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday evening a memorial service was held, conducted by the Rev. E.C. Harris, superintendent minister, who said that it had not been his privilege to know Leonard Throup personally, but he had heard a very loving tribute to his memory, and on behalf of the congregation he tendered their deepest sympathy to those who mourned his loss in their sad bereavement.– At the conclusion of the service, the organist (Mr. Chapman) played ‘O rest in the Lord’.
17 May 1918
In affectionate and ever loving memory of a dear son and brother, Pte. Joe Harry Mawson, who was presumed killed on May 3rd, 1917.
The fairest of flowers are the first to fall,
A brother so true and brave;
One of the kindest and best of all,
Has found a soldier’s grave.
If those who made this awful war
Were the only ones to fight,
A brighter world ‘twould surely be
For aching hearts tonight.
– From his Father and Sisters. 1, Chapel Terrace, Bradley.
17 May 1918
BRADLEY
MEMORIAL SERVICE – At the Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday evening a memorial service was held to the memory of Pte. Joe Harry Mawson, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who joined the army in March, 1916, and went to France in February, 1917. He was reported as missing in May, 1917, and the family were hoping that he had been taken prisoner, but news since received from his captain leaves no room for doubt that he was killed on May 3rd. In his letter to the lad’s father he says:– “Your son was a real good man and one who had an excellent influence in the company, and will be much missed.” Another letter from a chum to his sister contains the following:– “He was such a cheerful fellow and always ready to help anybody. I think if there ever was a Christian your brother was one.” Mr. Bray, who conducted the service, is teacher of the Young Men’s Class connected with the Sunday-school at which Pte. Mawson attended. He read letters he had received from him breathing true Christian principles. Mr. Bray paid a high tribute to the lad’s sterling qualities, who, he said, was a thorough Christian in every sense of the word. Messrs. John Gill and Herbert Thornton also spoke, and both testified to his high moral character, the village being poorer by his death, which he sacrificed in helping others. At the close Mr. Chapman (organist) played the ‘Dead march.’
22 June 1917
BRADLEY SOLDIER DIES FROM WOUNDS
News was received on Thursday last that Pte. Wm. Linford, of the York and Lancaster Regiment, had died from gunshot wounds received in action. On Monday 11th, his wife got a telegram that he was in the General Hospital at Boulogne dangerously ill, suffering from wounds. He joined up on Nov. 13th last and went to France on Feb. 9th. Before enlisting he worked as farmer’s man for Mr. Thompson. He was 31 years of age. He leaves a widow and one child.
On Sunday morning a memorial service was held in the Wesleyan Chapel, conducted by Mr. Herbert Thornton, superintendent of the Sunday School, who at the outset of his address tendered to the widow, the fatherless child, and relatives the sincere sympathy of the congregation. Willie, he said, was of a quiet and unassuming disposition, and loved to come to God’s house and join in public worship, and it was fitting that they should pay tribute to his memory. It was only 22nd of last month that he wrote to Mr. Green saying that he was in the best of health and spirits and that they were having some lively times, but he was among a number of jolly young Christian fellows and that they had chapels to go to, in which the services were helpful, but still they were not like the dear little country place at home. The hand that so recently made the medium for conveying these kindly feelings is now stiff in death upon a foreign shore. Their hearts ached to think that our brave young fellows should be prematurely cut off, leaving desolate homes and hearts torn by the sad and sudden bereavement. Their sympathies also went out to Mrs. Hobson, who had had unofficial news of the loss of her son. Their friend, Pte. Harry Mawson had been missing since May 3rd, but they all cherished the fond hope that he is a prisoner in Germany, and that before long they would hear news of his well being. They all began to realise how terrible is the conflict in which they were engaged. Well they might cry out – why this awful carnage, why this pouring out of the life blood of the young manhood of the nation? Was something dearer than life at stake? They thanked God for the noble lives who in days gone by had laid down their lives to procure us the liberties which to-day was their common heritage. To-day we as a nation are called upon to take a similar stand and shed the heart’s blood, believing that the unbroken power of Germany involved a constant menace to every form of peaceful life. May some consolation come to those whose loved ones had laid down their lives in the belief that the cause for which they fought was righteous, that they yielded up their breath that the world might move towards the dawn of a brighter and holier day.
At the close of the service Mr. Chapman, the organist, played ‘O rest in the Lord.’
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