John Dixon READ

19 October 1917

READ – October 9th, killed on the Western Front, John Dixon Read, West Riding Regiment, son of William and Mary Read, Wheatlands Cottage, Crosshills.

19 October 1917

CROSSHILLS – PRIVATE JOHN READ KILLED BY A SNIPER

On Tuesday morning Mr. William Read, of Wheatlands House, Crosshills, received a letter from Lieutenant R. Machin, informing him that his son, Private John Read, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, had been killed by a German sniper.

26 October 1917

CROSSHILLS – THE LATE PRIVATE JOHN READ

With reference to the death of his son, Pte. John Read, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (reported in our last issue), Mr. William Read, of Wheatlands Houses, Crosshills, has received the following letter from Lieut. R. Machin:–

“Dear Mr. Read, – I deeply regret to tell you that your son, Pte. Read, was killed on October 9th. He was shot through the head by a German sniper, and death was instantaneous. I was near him when it happened, and he did not even moan. Please accept the sincere sympathy of the officers and men of this Company. We feel his loss very keenly indeed, though our sorrow cannot be so great as that of his parents. He was a very nice fellow, and a good soldier. I, as his platoon commander, can prove that at all times, under all circumstances, he did his duty cheerfully and well. The only consolation that remains is the fact that he died as a brave man and a British soldier should die, fighting for a just cause.

“Again I ask you to accept our deepest sympathy. Yours faithfully, R. MACHIN.”

Pte. Read joined the Forces in January 1916, and after training went out to France in June 1916. He was 21 years of age, and at the time of his enlistment was serving his apprenticeship with Mr. Harvey Smith, boot and shoemaker, Crosshills. He was very closely associated with All Saints’ Mission Church, Glusburn, and was highly respected by all who knew him. His elder brother, Pte. William Read, is in the King’s Royal Rifles, and is at present on the Headquarters Staff in France. He was cashier to Messrs. Joseph Green, timber merchants, Keighley, at the time of joining the Forces. He was recently home on ten days’ leave.

04 October 1918

READ – In loving memory of my dear true friend, Private John D. Read, who was killed in action 9th October, 1917.

From his chum, Private Frank Bottomley (somewhere in France).

11 October 1918

READ – In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Private John D. Read, 1/5th West Riding Regiment, who fell in action, October 9th, 1917.

We have one consolation,
He always did his best;
Somewhere abroad our loved one lies,
A hero laid to rest.

From Father, Mother, Sister and Brother (in France).

08 October 1920

READ – In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Private J. D. Read, 1/5th W.R.R., who fell in action October 9th, 1917.

“Always in our thoughts.”

From Father, Mother, Sister and Brother, Wheatlands Cottage, Crosshills.

07 October 1921

READ – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private John Dixon Read, W.R.R., who fell in action, October 9th, 1917.

‘Tis sweet to remember him who once was here,
Though absent to us, he is just as dear.

From Father, Mother, Sister and Brother, Wheatlands Cottage, Crosshills.