John STORK

13 July 1917

STORK – July 2nd 1917, killed in action on the Western Front, Drummer John Stork, West Riding Regiment, one of the three soldier sons of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Stork, Alexandra Buildings, Keighley Road, Skipton, aged 21 years.

13 July 1917

SKIPTON'S ROLL OF HONOUR – DRUMMER JOHN STORK, WEST RIDINGS

To the already lengthy list of names of Skipton’s brave lads who have died in the great fight for liberty has to be added the name of Drummer John Stork, West Riding Regiment, one of the three soldier sons of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Stork of Alexandra Buildings, Keighley Road, Skipton. Enlisting in December 1914 at the age of 18, deceased would have come of age on Sunday last, and it is sad to think that his birthday parcel was despatched by his mother on the day that he was killed – July 2nd. A weaver by trade, Drummer Stork was formerly employed by the Skipton Textile Company, and had been at the front since February last. The other sons of Mr. and Mrs. Stork are Private Frederick Henry Stork, who joined up with the West Ridings at the age of 17 in December 1914, and went out to the Front with deceased; and Private Thomas Stork, who was only 18 when he enlisted in March last.

In a letter to Mrs. Stork, the Rev. A. B. Wright, chaplain, says:– “I am very sorry to have to send you sad news of your son, Drummer John Stork. He was killed today (July 2nd) in the trenches by a German shell. He could have suffered no pain, for he was struck at the back of the neck and killed instantly. I have just come back from the sad duty of conducting the funeral. You will understand we are so near the line that we can only bury at night, and we have to shorten the services as the burial party are under fire sometimes. You will like to know, however, that I took the whole of our Church burial service except the lesson and the psalms, and said one or two special prayers which are suitable for one who died as your son died, doing his duty as an Englishman. The grave is in a little plot of ground, one of ten cemeteries, which I think means that the French Government will preserve it for ever as the resting place of our brave dead. I have only just come out here as chaplain and I did not know your son personally, but please allow me to express my deep sympathy with you in your loss.”

Sergeant A. Branker, a Skipton soldier, who formerly worked with Drummer Stork, has written to the bereaved parents as follows:– “Just a line to say how sorry I am to tell you of the death of your son Jack. He was killed on July 2nd, but had no pain, as death was instantaneous. I have known him for two years. He was a good lad and wore the good conduct badge, which is awarded for two years’ good conduct whilst in the Army. He did his duties and did them well. We buried him the same day, and he has got a nice grave and received a decent burial. Myself and the lads of his Company will make it our duty to keep his grave in good order, and the Company would have me extend to you their deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement.”

Writing to his parents, Private Frederick Stork refers to his brother’s death as follows:– “He died like many others have done, doing his duty like a real soldier.”

He also states that the news came as a great shock to him and that he is all right himself. In a letter to his brother, Pte. Thomas Stork, who is training in Staffordshire, Pte. Fred Stork mentions that he was only ten yards away from the place where his brother was killed.