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John William BALDWIN

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Surname: BALDWIN

Forename(s): John William

Place of Birth: Silsden, Yorkshire

Service No: 10892

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion

Division: 5th Division

Age: 44

Date of Death: 1917-05-28

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: 561.

CWGC Cemetery: SILSDEN (ST. JAMES) CHURCHYARD

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: SILSDEN, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

John William Baldwin was the son of William and Ann Baldwin, née Howarth. William was born at Silsden and Ann at Queensbury, Yorkshire.

1881 Silsden, Yorkshire Census: Daisy Hill - John Wm Baldwin, aged 8 years, born Silsden, son of William and Ann Baldwin.

1891 Silsden, Yorkshire Census: 16, Daisy Hill - John W. Baldwin, aged 18 years, born Silsden, son of William and Ann Baldwin.

John was married to Jane Elizabeth Stott in 1908.

1911 Silsden, Yorkshire Census: 2, Kirkgate - John Wm Baldwin, aged 38 years, born Silsden, husband of Jane Elizabeth Baldwin.

The British Army Service Record for John William Baldwin (6008) exists but may be incomplete.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte W.J. [sic] Baldwin, 10892, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 5.12.14. Died 28.4.17 [sic].

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte John W. Baldwin, 3/10892, W. Rid. R. Died 28.5.17.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte John William Baldwin, 10892, 3rd Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 28.5.17. Mil. Hos. Derby. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Jane E. for benefit of late soldiers daughter Alice. £1 14s. 0d. War Gratuity: Widow and legatee - Jane E. £13 0s. 0d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for John. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Jane Elizabeth, born 23.7.77. Address 1. 2, Chapel Lane, Silsden, Yorkshire. Address 2. 15, Bridge Street, Silsden, Yorkshire. Children: Wilfred, born 27.9.02. Alice, born 20.9.09

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

BALDWIN, John William, aged 44, West Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Baldwin, Daisy Hill, [Silsden], died Derby, May 28, 1917.

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Private John William BALDWIN

Private John William BALDWIN

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 5th Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 5th Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: BALDWIN

Forename(s): John William

Born: Silsden, Yorks

Residence: Silsden

Enlisted: Keighley

Number: 10892

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion: 3rd Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 28/05/17

Died How: Died

Theatre of War: Home

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: BALDWIN

Forename(s): John William

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 10892

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Unit: 3rd Bn.

Age: 44

Awards:

Died Date: 28/05/1917

Additional Information: Son of William and Ann Baldwin, of Silsden; husband of Jane Elizabeth Baldwin, of 15, Bridge St., Silsden. (CWGC Headstone Personal Inscription: HE GAVE HIS RICHEST GIFT ON THE ALTER OF DUTY, HIS LIFE)

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St James's Churchyard, Silsden

St James's Churchyard, Silsden

CWGC Headstone

St James's Churchyard, Silsden

St James's Churchyard, Silsden

CWGC Headstone - personal inscription

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08 January 1915

SILSDEN

Private J. W. Baldwin, of the 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, writes:- "Just a few lines to let you know that I received your very welcome Christmas present and to thank you very much for it. I received it on the 22nd, but I have not had time to answer before now as we are fighting in the trenches and we have not had much time. I was glad, however, to think that you in Silsden are thinking about us for it makes us think of the dear old homeland and cheers us up a good deal. I hope you will remember us out here and pray that the war will soon be over and that we may get safely back home again."

05 February 1915

SOLDIER'S LETTER FROM THE FRONT

Mrs. J. W. Baldwin, of 6, Chapel Lane, Silsden, has received a letter from her husband, Private J. W. Baldwin, of the 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, who is fighting in the trenches at the front. He states: "I think I am fortunate enough to get through all right. I shall have earned a bit of comfort. You must know we are always in danger day and night. I have seen a good few knocked over, but thank God I have been lucky up to now and hope to be so to the finish. One never knows, but it is always best to be prepared, for we are not always lucky. We can only hope for the best, because we have our duty to perform at whatever cost. Cheer up, it cannot last for ever! When it is finished we will make up for this lot. If you have got the Christmas gift I received from Princess Mary and afterwards dispatched to you, I hope you will take good care of it as it is very valuable to me. Included in the box was a pipe, but I have kept that back for my own use. My health is quite good, and I hope you are all well."

In a more recent letter to his wife (Saturday last) Private Baldwin states:- "We have come out of the trenches and gone back ten miles for six days' rest. We have had a very rough time for the last three days in the trenches, for the Germans were shelling us nearly all the time. The trench that I was in was blown up in front. We all escaped but one. The Germans were even in a worse plight than us for we could see their trenches and our gunners were dropping shells into them all day long, so they must have suffered very heavily. We were glad to get out last night for a few days, but of course we shall go back again when our time has expired. I wish you would send me a parcel of anything you like. A few sweets with mint in and chocolates would be very acceptable for everybody seems to get these things out here. You can put some of those hot sweets in for a cold and anything you think of, and above all do not forget to put a packet of matches in the parcel, because they are more precious than gold."

26 February 1915

SILSDEN SOLDIER'S LETTER

In a recent letter to his parents, who reside at 16, Daisy Hill, Silsden, Private John W Baldwin, of the 2nd Battalion West Riding Regiment, who is at present fighting at the front, says: -

"Just a few lines in answer to your welcome letter and parcel, which I got all right on the night of the 7th inst. I am now in the trenches but our ten days are up on the 11th, when we go back again for five days rest, and clean up. That is how we go on, ten or fourteen days in the trenches, and five or six days out, so you see we get a bit of rest now and again; otherwise we could not stand it. As you know we get little or no rest when we are in the trenches, either during the day or at night, because we keep loading and blazing away at anything we can see protruding from the German trenches. In some places we are quite near each other - only about 40 yards away; in others we are about 200 yards apart. The trenches are pretty fair at night, for it is seldom the artillery fire during the night, but they shell us all day long, an our artillery is shelling them too. We are subjected to most danger from artillery fire, but our artillery is superior to that of the Germans. I have watched through my port hole shell after shell drop into the German trenches, and, of course, we got some of their shells in our trenches, but most of them either fall short or go over the top of us. Shells are a terrible thing. You can hear them coming a mile away, but you cannot tell where they are coming and all you can do is get well down and trust to luck, for if they drop anywhere within 20 yards there is an extreme likelihood that someone is going home. In spite of their danger you seem to lose fear of them after a while and just duck your head when one is coming. I must now conclude as I am going on the look out."

05 March 1915

LETTER FROM THE TRENCHES

In a recent letter to his brother, Mr. Arthur Baldwin, 1, Albert Square, Silsden, Private J. Baldwin, of the 2nd Battalion West Riding Regiment, who is at present fighting in the trenches at the Front, says:-

"Just a line in answer to your welcome letter. We are getting plenty of hard work, and trench fighting, but I think we are getting the better the Germans all along the line and it might not be so long before the war is over. We shall be glad, I can assure you, to get back to the dear homeland again. I am not allowed to disclose the place where I am, but if you take notice of this letter you will be able to guess, for you have some of the people in Silsden. It is simply awful to see this place, for every town and village nearly are blown in bits. We have just had a very bad hour of it; the Germans have been bombarding our trenches and because of that I had to stop writing this letter as the shells were flying all around us and they have knocked the front of the trench in where I am. I have not seen Ben Hodgson for about a fortnight as he does not belong to my company; therefore, we seldom get together. I see W. Broadhead pretty often, and he is getting along all right."

The names referred to are of other Silsden soldiers who are fighting at the Front.

26 March 1915

A SILSDEN SOLDIER'S LETTER TO HIS PARENTS

The parents of Private J. W. Baldwin, of the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, who reside as 16 Daisy Hill, Silsden, have recently received a letter from their son which reads as follows: -

"Just a few lines in answer to your welcome letter hoping to find you all well. I am at present in the best of health, and we are just now 11 miles back from the trenches on a 6 days' rest after being in them 16 days. You will therefore see that I have not had much time lately to write to you. We go back in the trenches on the 14th of March, so I shall be back before you receive this letter. We have had it very rough this last week or two but I have come out again without a scratch. I suppose you will have heard about poor Ben Hodgson; I was very much upset about it; but poor Ben, he never felt it, for was shot in the head and was dead when he fell. I was not so far away at the time, but I could not leave my post to go down or I would have assisted in his interment - or at least have been there. I have just received a letter from Mr. C. H. Fletcher in which he asks for any photo, but I have not got it, so I will send you the letter, and then my photo can be given to Mr. Frank Driver. I would not like to be left out of the group as I think I have earned being on it."

The reference to the photo is in regard to a collection of all Silsden soldiers which is being undertaken, and it is proposed to have them retaken in group form.

The Horrors of Shell Fire

In a letter to Mr. George Bradley, of Daisy Hill, Silsden, Private Baldwin says:-

"I should like to get through all right now after I have gone through so much, but you know if it is God's will that I should be hit, well I shall just have to put up with it. As you know duty is duty, and I try my best to do my bit as well as I can. I just pot away at the Germans as quick as I can and to hit as many as I can, for you know the more we hit the sooner will the war be over. I shall not be sorry when it is over, for I have had enough fighting. This war is not like the South African War: it is a cruel war, and I cannot make you understand what it is like being under shell fire. It is simply awful. It is very doubtful whether it is possible to get used to shell fire: I cannot, and I have not come across one who has yet. I should very much like to have been at the Memorial Service at the Silsden Parish Church for Ben Hodgson who died like a soldier and without pain."

30 April 1915

VIVID DESCRIPTION OF HILL 60 FIGHT

Private J. W. Baldwin, of the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, who was wounded in the Hill 60 fight, and who is now in Rosherville Hospital, Gravesend, Kent, has sent a letter to his parents who reside at Daisy Hill, Silsden, in which he says:- "I am very glad that I am in England again for believe me on Sunday when we kept charging the German trenches I gave up all hope of ever seeing England or any of you again. After I was wounded, which would be about seven o'clock at night, I had to go two miles to the dressing station under shellfire all the time. Sometimes I was creeping and other times running. There were five of us together who eventually got to the dressing station. I saw Willie Broadhead, another Silsden soldier, about six o'clock on Sunday morning as our Company was passing theirs, and we shouted out 'Good-bye.' I did not see him afterwards, but I hope he got through all right. I shall remember Hill 60 at Ypres as long as I live."

In a letter received by his brother, Mr. A. Baldwin, 1, Albert Square, Silsden, on Wednesday, Private Baldwin says:- "I can always say that I did my best as I believe every man in the Regiment did. As for the officers we have officers in the British Army I can tell you. There is no shirking; they are always in front; but we lost all our officers, or nearly all, even to the old colonel."

10 November 1916

A SILSDEN ABSENTEE

John Wm. Baldwin, soldier, of Silsden, pleaded guilty to being an absentee from the West Riding Regiment and was remanded to await a military escort.

01 June 1917

BALDWIN - May 28th 1917, in a Military Hospital in Derby, after active service in France, Pte. John Wm. Baldwin, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Baldwin, Daisy Hill, Silsden, aged 44 years.

01 June 1917

SILSDEN SOLDIER DIES IN HOSPITAL

Pte. John Wm. Baldwin of the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, husband of Mrs. Baldwin, Chapel Lane, Silsden, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Baldwin, 16 Daisy Hill, Silsden, died on Monday at a Military Hospital in Derby, where he had been for some time. Pte. Baldwin, who was 44 years of age, was a time expired man at the outbreak of war, but enlisted in August 1914, going out to France in November of the same year. He was wounded in the shoulder by a piece of shrapnel in April 1915 during the severe fighting in the vicinity of Hill 60. Returning to England he was admitted to hospital at Gravesend, London. His health has since been broken down, and he has spent most of his time in hospital. His wife and mother visited him at Derby last weekend, and were there when his death took place. Pte. Baldwin had seen service in India, and also went through the South African campaign. Prior to enlisting he was employed by Messrs. Clegg and Houghton's malleable iron foundry, Lawkholme Lane, Keighley. He has another brother serving in the Forces, Driver Herbert Baldwin, who is attached to the R.F.A. The body was conveyed to Silsden where the funeral took place yesterday afternoon. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. E.E. Peters, M.A., vicar. The funeral was attended by a firing party from Halifax who fired a number of volleys over deceased's grave. The funeral was witnessed by a large number of people. Among the floral tributes sent was one from the nursing staff and patients at the hospital where he died.

15 June 1917

IN MEMORY OF SEVEN SILSDEN FALLEN HEROES

There was a large congregation at the Parish Church on Sunday morning last, when a service was held in memory of seven young men from Silsden who have recently paid the great sacrifice for King and Country.

The service was conducted by the Vicar (Rev. E. E. Peters, M.A.,) who said they were met that morning, when all nature seemed to speak of joy and gladness, under very solemn and sad circumstances to pay their tribute of respect and affection to the memory of seven gallant men who had given their lives for their country. They were:- Private Fred Hardy, Private Edgar Raw, Private Harry Wade, Private William Burton, Private Willie Saddington, Private John William Baldwin, and Private Charles Henry Gill.

By their presence and by taking part in that service, they gave some expression of the heartfelt sympathy which they felt with the sorrowing relatives.

Private Fred Hardy had not been resident a great many years in Silsden, but he had gained many friends by reason of his cheerful disposition and his pleasant and amiable manners. When the call came he left his wife and his happy and comfortable home to go forth in order to do his duty. They knew how he was wounded, brought to a Casualty Clearing Station, and how for some days there was terrible anxiety as to how the balance would turn. During that time he either wrote himself, or dictated to the good and sympathetic chaplain, most brave and cheerful letters in which he thought of his wife, not at all of himself. He derived great comfort from the consolation of religion, and the chaplain was able to write to his wife and assure her how he died in the faith and fear of Jesus Christ.

Private Edgar Raw was one who gave an early answer when the call first came. He had not the pleasure of knowing him personally, but everyone spoke in the very highest terms of him. He was a most excellent young man, active in religious work, and left behind him a fragrant memory.

He then came to one whose loss had been a peculiarly intimate one to him as well as a personal sorrow, for he knew him well, and like everyone else who knew him, he had a great regard for him. He referred to Private Harry Wade, a young man of great promise and blameless character, a true simple-hearted Christian and loyal Churchman, and a regular communicant to whom he had had the great privilege of administering on more than one occasion since he joined the Army the Holy Sacrament. He was a young man, home loving and home keeping; yet, one who felt it his duty to volunteer to defend his country. Although he had no taste for military life, he nevertheless made a thoroughly good soldier, and one of whom his officer spoke in the very highest terms. His officer said he showed great capability, was always reliable and trustworthy, and one whom he could chose to do important work and knew it would be carried out well. Now he had gone to the home above and left them a very heavy loss indeed.

Private William Burton, who was probably not known to a great many of them, was held in high esteem by those who knew him. He was the gardener at Moorfield, and a man who was thoroughly efficient in his work and took a great delight in it. He, too, was very comfortable in his home with his wife and two children, and had gained the confidence and esteem of his employer. He and three other men were killed going to the trenches by a German shell.

Then he came to one who was well known to all of them - Private Willie Saddington - a young man who was brought up in their Sunday School. He had the distinction, as was generally known, of being one of the five soldiers in Silsden who, at mobilisation, was called up to the Colours at the very beginning of the war. He believed his father was also one of the original five. He had honourable military traditions in his family, and since the war broke out - he was a Territorial, as they knew - he at once volunteered for active service. He was kept back in England for some time on account of being a member of a military band, and at last he went out and had not been long at the Front before he fell doing his duty honourably and gallantly.

Private John Wm. Baldwin was a man much older than those of whom he had spoken. He was a soldier of that grand Army - the old original regular Army. He had served his country in South Africa, served his time in the reserves; a man time expired when the war broke out, and well above age, but still he volunteered to join the Colours again. He was one of those who during the first terrible months of the war maintained our cause against desperate odds. He was wounded at Hill 60 of bloody memory, the scene last week of our great and glorious victory. He never recovered entirely from his wounds, his health having been grievously affected, and he died at the military hospital at Derby, where he had gained the affection of the staff. He was laid to rest in that Parish Churchyard with military honours in the presence of a large and sympathetic congregation.

It was only the previous week that they heard of the death of Private Charles Henry Gill, one whom the stern necessity of cruel war had made into a soldier. He was a young man of retiring disposition, reserved in his manners to the general public, but one full of family affection, and devoted to his home. He had fallen a victim to the monster, called into being by the Prussian lust of conquest.

He wished to speak of three more of their young men who were in a somewhat different category to those he had already mentioned. He hoped they would not have to mourn them as gone, and prayed that good news might come concerning them. They had all been reported missing:- Sergeant Charles W. Newns, Private Norman Phillip, and Private Jack Riley.

They were all intimately connected with that place of worship, having been taught in their Sunday School. Sergeant Newns was one of the most promising young men they had. He was a splendid young man, a good Sunday School teacher, and a gymnast and athlete. He naturally made a very fine soldier and gained the highest testimony from his officers and also from the men he commanded. The last they had heard of him was that he was seen risking his life for a wounded man. They prayed that it might be the will of Almighty God to restore those men to them, as they could ill afford to lose them. He wished on his own behalf, and on behalf of all of those present, to express deep sympathy with those in great sorrow and affliction. It was hard to express in anything like adequate terms what they felt. They all realised that the inequality of sacrifice was one of the sad things of their life - that some had to sacrifice so much while others, whether they were willing or unwilling, were not called upon to make sacrifices of like character. But he assured them that they appreciated in the most complete manner the offerings of their sons and the husbands and of those so near and dear to them, which had been made in the cause of righteousness and truth.

During the service the hymns, 'The saints on earth and those above', 'On the resurrection morning', and 'O God our help in ages past', were sung.

There was a company of Girl Guides present at the service, in charge of the vicar's wife.

The bells were also muffled as a token of respect to the fallen.

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19 March 1915

A "Cobbydaler's" letter home

Mr. Arthur Baldwin of Keighley Road, Silsden, has received a letter from his brother, Private J.W. Baldwin, of the 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, who is at the Front, in which he says:- "I am in the best of health myself, but, of course, you know that I can be all right one minute and gone the next. Look at poor Ben Hodgson! It was all over in a minute. He was shot in the head and died at once, so he had no pain, but that is poor consolation for his wife. I am very sorry to be the one to let her know, but it had to be, and I thought it best to let her know for it would have come sudden and that would have been worse. W. Broadhead is all right, as I have just been with him. We have taken over another position since I wrote to you last, but I can assure you it is not for the better, for it is the worst in the line. I am about 10 years older than I was last time I was at home, but never mind, it cannot last for ever."

23 July 1915

A SILSDEN SOLDIER AND HIS "SMOKE"

Private J.W. Baldwin of the 2nd Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, while fighting in the trenches, was wounded on the 20th April, and is still in the hospital at Rosherville. He writes home to his wife as follows:- "I received the parcel of sweets and tobacco all right last night. The tobacco came in useful, as I had not had a smoke all day yesterday. I cannot tell you when I shall be home yet, but I might, if I am lucky, be home by the feast, but I shall have to be lucky. I have been here twelve weeks today, and it is a long time. I do not think I am much better than I was when I came. There is still something in my shoulder, and it will not heal until it comes out. When the doctor bethinks him to get it out, of course, I shall gave to go through another operation, and the sooner the better, for I shall never get right until I do. We buried a poor fellow here yesterday. He belonged to the Yorkshire Light Infantry, and had only been here three weeks, and was doing well getting up and walking about. But he got cold in his wound and it went the wrong way, and he died last Monday. I was very sorry for his relatives, for they did not arrive here in time."

In addition to the above letter, Mrs. Baldwin received a letter on Wednesday from the nurse at the hospital, which reads as follows:- "I thought I would like to write you a few lines as you have been parted from your husband such a long time. He has been - and still is - so brave through all the pain. You would feel more proud of him than ever if you new all he had gone through. At one time we thought we should have lost him, he was very ill; but now, of course, he is up and about all day. If only the wound would heal you would soon have him home. Today he, with other patients, has been invited to a picnic, and they are to go on the river afterwards. By that you will gather that your husband is very much better. He is quite bright. We are trying to get you and your little daughter a free pass so that you may spend a day or two in Rosherville. That will do him a world of good, I know, and he will feel all the better for a peep at some of his dear ones. What a terrible time this is. How cruel that loved ones should be parted and sons, husbands and fathers should be tortured and sacrificed to this awful manner. We can only pray that the hideous war may speedily come to an end."

20 August 1915

"LAST TO LEAVE HILL 60"

Private J.W. Baldwin, of the 2nd (Duke of Wellington's) West Riding Regiment, who was wounded on the Battle of Hill 60, on the 15th April last, and is still in the hospital at Gravesend, has written a letter to his father, Mr. Wm. Baldwin, Daisy Hill, Silsden, which reads:- "Just a few lines hoping they find you well, as they leave me. I am sending you a cutting out of the paper, and I hope you enjoy hearing it read, for it is all about Hill 60, on the day I was wounded. I was in the German trench when I was hit; you know we took it at 6 o'clock, and I was wounded at about 7.30 at night, after we had took their trench - but you will read all about it in the cutting I am sending. Let Arthur read it, and it will give him an idea of what we went through that Sunday, April 18th. I shall never forget the date nor the day... "

In the cutting Private Baldwin refers to, forwarded for our perusal, we read a thrilling story of how the regiment to which he was attached, were engaged in the awful fight at Hill 60 on May 4th. We quote the following extract:- "The next morning - it was April 18th - the 1st Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) arrived to relieve the West Kents and the Scottish Borderers, who were now holding on to three craters on the near side of the hill. The Duke's' as they are called, did magnificently that day. Pelted mercilessly with bombs by the Germans creeping ever closer, and bombarded by high-explosive shells and whizz-bangs, they held on grimly all through the day. By noon the Germans had recaptured the whole of the hill, save for a section of a trench between the second and third craters, where the Duke's still held on. Towards evening, the Duke's still holding out, it was decided to make a counter attack, supported by artillery. The Yorkshire Light Infantry were brought up, and at six o'clock the Duke's, as full of fight as ever, with bayonets fixed were away over the parapet of their battered trench, followed by their fellow countrymen of Yorkshire. The Duke's and the Yorkshire Light Infantry were followed by some of the K.O.S.B.s and the Queen Victoria Rifles, a London Territorial battalion that did magnificently in the fighting at Hill 60, one of their subalterns, Second-Lieutenant Woolley, winning the Victoria Cross. 'B' Company of the Duke's on the right reached the German trenches with only slight casualties. 'C' Company, in the centre, had to cross open ground, and of the 100 men who charged only Captain Barton and 11 men got into the German trench, where, notwithstanding their small numbers, they killed or routed all the Germans there. 'D' Company, on the left, had likewise to traverse the open and lost all its officers in its passage of the heavily shelled zone, but with the help of the gallant Yorkshire Light Infantry it managed to secure the trench. Hill 60 was ours once more. Some fine deeds of gallantry were performed on that sombre hillside. Privates Behand and Dryden, of the Duke's, got separated from their company, but charged a German trench single handed, killing three Germans there and capturing two others. When they were reinforced by a detachment of their comrades without an officer, Behand took command with great ability. Both men were rewarded with the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

"The Devons held the line until May 4th, when, after dark, they were relieved by the Duke of Wellington's, who had been detached from the 13th Brigade. At eight o'clock on the morning of May 5th, a warm spring day with a gentle breeze, the Germans launched another gas attack and opened a heavy artillery bombardment. The gas came down the hill "gently, like a mist rising from the fields", says one who saw it, in greater volume than ever before. The gallant Duke's were overwhelmed. Choking with the gas, swept with shells and bombs and machine-gun fire, they were forced to give ground. That morning there appeared, staggering towards the dug-out of the commanding officer of the Duke's, in the rear, two figures, an officer and an orderly. The officer was as pale as death, and when he spoke his voice came hoarsely from his throat. Beside him his orderly, with unbuttoned tunic, his rifle clasped in his hand, swayed as he stood. The officer said slowly in his gasping voice: "They've gassed the Duke's. I believe I was the last man to leave the hill. The men are all up there dead. They were splendid. I thought I ought to come and report." That officer was Captain G.U. Robins, of the 3rd Battalion East Yorks., who had been attached to the Duke of Wellington's after their heavy losses at Hill 60 on April 18th. They took him and his faithful orderly to the ambulance, but though the orderly recovered the gallant officer died that night. He was the last man to leave Hill 60. No man could wish a nobler epitaph than that."

01 June 1917

BALDWIN - Died in hospital at Derby, May 28th, Pte. J.W. Baldwin, of the West Riding Regiment, husband of Mrs. Baldwin, of Chapel Lane, Silsden, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin, of Daisy Hill, Silsden, aged 44 years.

01 June 1917

SILSDEN SOLDIER'S DEATH IN HOSPITAL

Pte. J. W. Baldwin, of the Duke of Wellington's West, Riding Regt., husband of Mrs. Baldwin, of Chapel Lane, Silsden, and son of Mr. and Mrs. William Baldwin, of 16, Daisy Hill, Silsden, died on Monday last at a Military Hospital in Derby. Pte. Baldwin, who was 44 years of age, was a time-expired man at the outbreak of war, but re-enlisted in August 1914, going out to France in November of the same year. In April 1915, he was wounded in the shoulder during the heavy fighting at Hill 66, and was afterwards admitted to Gravesend Hospital, London. His health has since been broken down, and he has spent most of his time in hospital. His wife and mother visited him at the hospital last week-end, and were in Derby when his death took place. Pte. Baldwin has seen service in India, and also went through the South African Campaign. Prior to enlisting he was employed by Messrs. Clegg and Howgate, malleable iron founders, Lawkholme Lane, Keighley. He has another brother serving, Pte. Herbert Baldwin, who is attached to the Royal Field Artillery. The body was conveyed to Silsden, where the funeral took place at the Parish Church, yesterday afternoon, the officiating clergyman being Rev. E. E. Peters, M.A. (vicar). The funeral was attended by a firing party from Halifax, and among the floral tributes sent was one from the Nursing Staff and patients at the hospital where he had died.

15 June 1917

SILSDEN'S GALLANT HEROES - Memorial Service at the Parish Church

A service in memory of Pte. Fred Hardy, Pte. Edgar Raw, Pte. Harry Wade, Pte. Wm. Burton, Pte. W. Saddington, Pte. John Wm. Baldwin, and Pte. Charles Henry Gill, seven of Silsden's gallant heroes who have recently paid the great sacrifice for their King and country, was held at the Parish Church on Sunday morning last. There was a large congregation, and the service was conducted by Rev. E. E. Peters (vicar). As the congregation assembled the organist (Mr. Herbert Cooper) played 'O rest in the Lord,' and during the service the hymns 'The saints on earth, and those above,' 'On the Resurrection morning,' and 'O God our help in ages past' were sung.

In the course of his sermon, the vicar said they were met on that beautiful June morning when all seemed to speak of joy and gladness, in very solemn and very sad circumstances to the honour and glory of God, and to pay their tribute and respect and affection to the memory of seven gallant men who had given their lives for their country - Fred Hardy, Edgar Raw, Harry Wade, Wm. Burton, Willie Saddington, John Wm. Baldwin, and Charles Henry Gill. They were also by their presence, and by their taking part in that service, giving some expression to the heartfelt sympathy which they felt with their sorrowing relations. Fred Hardy had not been resident a great many years in Silsden, but he had many friends by reason of his cheerful disposition and his pleasant, amiable manners. When the call came he left his wife, and his happy and comfortable home, to go forth to do his duty. They all knew how he was wounded, brought to a casualty clearing station, and how for some days there was terrible anxiety as to how the balance would turn. During that time he either wrote himself, or dictated to the good and sympathetic Chaplain, most brave and cheerful letters in which he thought of his wife and not of himself. He derived great comfort from the consolation of religion, and the chaplain was able to write to his wife an assure her of how he died in the faith and fear of Jesus Christ.

Edgar Raw was one who gave an early answer when the call first came. He had not the pleasure of knowing him personally, but everyone spoke in the very highest terms of him, that he was a most excellent young man, active in religious work, and he left behind him a fragrant memory.

Now they came to one whose loss had been a peculiarly intimate one, to him a personal sorrow, for he knew him very well, and like everyone else who knew him, he had a great regard for him. He referred to Harry Wade, a young man of promise and of blameless character, a true simple-hearted Christian, a loyal churchman, a regular communicant, to whom he had the great privilege of administering on more than one occasion since he joined the army, that Holy Sacrament. He was a young man, home loving, and home keeping, yet one who felt it his duty to volunteer to defend his country. Although he had no tastes for the military life yet he made a thoroughly good soldier, one of whom his officer was able to speak in the very highest terms, one he said who showed his capability. He was always reliable, always trustworthy, and one whom he could choose to do important work, knowing that he would carry it out well. They knew how he had gone to the home above; he had left them, a very heavy loss indeed.

Then there was Wm. Burton who was not known probably to many of them, but those who did know him, had a very high esteem of him. He was a gardener, a man who was thoroughly efficient in his work, and took a very great delight in it. He was very comfortable in his home and happy with his wife and two children. He had gained the confidence and esteem of his employer. He and other three men were killed going to the trenches by a German shell.

Then they came to Willie Saddington, one of their own young men brought up in their Sunday School, and whom they all knew very well. He had the distinction of being one of the five soldiers, who at mobilisation at Silsden, was called up to the colours at the very beginning. He also believed that Pte. Saddington's father was another of that original five. He had honourable military traditions in his family. He was a Territorial, and as soon as war broke out, he at once volunteered for active service, but he was kept back in England for some time, being a member of the band. At last he went out, and he had not been long at the front when he fell doing his duty honourably and gallantly.

Then they came to John Wm. Baldwin, a man much older than those of whom he had spoken, a soldier of that old original regular army, a man who had served his country in South Africa, who had served his time on the reserve, a man time-expired when war broke out, and well over age, yet he at once volunteered to join the colours again. He was one of those who during those terrible months of the war maintained our cause against desperate odds. He was wounded at Hill 60 of bloody memory, and the scene last week of our great and glorious victory. He never recovered entirely from his wounds, his health was grievously affected, and he died at the hospital at Derby, where he had gained the affection of the staff, and was laid to rest in the Silsden Parish Churchyard with military honours in the presence of a large and sympathetic congregation.

It was only last week that they heard of the death of Charles Henry Gill, one whom the stern necessity of cruel war had made into a soldier. He was a young man of retiring disposition, reserved in his manners to the general public, but one filled with family affection and devoted to his home. He was not robust in health, but he had fallen a victim to the monster called into being by the Prussian lust of conquest.

There were three others he would speak of that morning, who were in a different category, and they hoped they would not have to mourn them as gone from them. They prayed that news might come of them. Three of their men were posted as missing - Sergt. W, Newnes, Pte. N. Phillip, and Pte. Jack Riley - all three intimately connected with that church and brought up in their Sunday School. W. Newnes was one of the most promising young men they had. He was a splendid young man, a choice young man, a Sunday School teacher, gymnastic, and athlete. He naturally made a very fine soldier, and gained the highest testimony from his officers and the men he commanded. The last that was heard of him was that he was seen risking his life for a wounded soldier. They prayed that it might be the will of the Almighty God to restore them back to their families again. They could ill afford to lose them. He wished on his own behalf, and on behalf of all present, to express their deepest sympathy with those there that day in great sorrow and affliction. It was hard to express in anything like adequate terms what they felt, but they all realised the inequality of the sacrifices was one of the sad things all through life, that some had to sacrifice so much, and others whether they were willing or unwilling, were not called upon to make sacrifices of a like character. He assured them that they appreciated in the most complete manner the offerings of their sons, of their husbands, and of those so near and dear to them, which they had made to the common cause of righteousness and truth.

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