Main CPGW Record
Surname: RAW
Forename(s): John Willie
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 2489
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'A' Coy 1/6th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 21
Date of Death: 1915-12-27
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: IV. H. 4.
CWGC Cemetery: TALANA FARM CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EMBSAY-WITH-EASTBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
John Willie Raw was the son of Joseph and Annie Raw, née Palmer. Both parents were born at Skipton, Yorkshire. John's sister, Agnes, a munitions worker, died of influenza on the 3 November 1918.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 10, Alexandra Terrace - John W. Raw, aged 6 years, born Skipton, son of Joseph and Annie Raw.
1911 Embsay, Yorkshire Census: Millholme - John W. Raw, aged 16 years, born Skipton, Yorkshire, son of Joseph Raw, widower.
The British Army Service Record for John Raw exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte John Raw, 2489, West Riding Regiment. Theatre of war first served in: 1 - France. Date of entry therein: 14 April 1915.
A short biography of John is included in: ‘Though lost to sight to memory ever dear – Embsay-with-Eastby First World War Roll of Honour’ by Jane Lunnon, David Turner, Chris Lunnon (2018).
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
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:
RAW, John, aged 21, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, son of Mr. J. Raw, of Embsay, killed in action in France, Dec. 27, 1915.
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private John Willie RAW
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Talana Farm Cemetery
CWGC Headstone
Courtesy of Aurel Sercu, Boezinge, Belgium
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
07 January 1916
EMBSAY SOLDIER KILLED IN ACTION
Information reached Mr. J. Raw, of Millholme, this week of the death of his son, Pte. John Raw, aged 21 years. He was killed in action on the Western front on December 27th. He was attached to the 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, and in a letter from Capt. R. Nicholson, dated January 1st, the bereaved parents were comforted with the news that their brave lad was always keen on his work and was a good soldier.
“I am exceedingly sorry to lose him” says Capt. Nicholson, “and the N.C.O.s and men in the Company are also sorry to lose a good comrade.”
Corporal D. Carruthers, writing to Mr. Raw on the 2nd inst., says:– “I beg to offer my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. John was always in my section, and won the greatest respect of all his comrades by his cheerful and willing nature. He always carried out his duties with cheerfulness, and set a fine example by his courage. Such lads as John we cannot afford to lose, and he is missed by all of us. It may be some consolation to you to know that your son died instantly.”
14 January 1916
EMBSAY – Memorial Service
On Sunday a service was held in St. Mary’s Parish Church in memory of Private John W. Raw, of the 6th Duke of Wellington’s, news of whose death was received on Thursday week last. The service was a solemn and impressive one, and was largely attended. Much grief is felt in the village at the loss of a brave and gallant soldier. The dead March in ‘Saul’ was played at the close of the service by Mr. Corns. Private John raw was the first of the Embsay lads to join Lord Kitchener’s Army, and the second of the Embsay soldiers who has made the great sacrifice for his King and Country.
29 December 1916
RAW – In loving memory of J. W. Raw, of Embsay, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who was killed in action on December 27th 1915.
Sleep on, dear son, in a far off land,
In a grave we may never see;
But as long as life and memory last,
We will remember thee.
From Father, Brothers and Sisters.
08 November 1918
RAW – On November 3rd, 1918, at Chatsworth Street, Keighley, Agnes Raw, of Millhome, Embsay, aged 26 years.
[The above obituary refers to the sister of Private John Raw]
15 November 1918
EMBSAY – Memorial Service
A memorial service was held in St. Mary’s Parish Church on Sunday morning for the late Miss Agnes Raw, of Millholme, Embsay. Special hymns were sung, and at the close of the service the 'Dead March' was played. Miss Raw had for some time been employed on munitions, and was attacked by influenza, which developed into pneumonia and ended fatally after a few days’ illness.
[The above article refers to the sister of Private John Raw]
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
07 January 1916
AN EMBSAY MAN KILLED
News has been received that Pte. John W. Raw, of the 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, and whose parents reside at Embsay, was killed in action at the Front on December 27th.
He was the son of Mr. Joe Raw, and was about 21 years of age. Prior to the war he was employed at the Millholme Shed. His last letter home was dated December 25th, and in it he mentioned that he was looking forward to coming home shortly on furlough.
14 January 1916
EMBSAY
MEMORIAL SERVICE – On Sunday last a special service was held in St. Mary’s Church to the memory of Pte. John Raw of the 6th Duke of Wellington’s, news of whose death was received in the village on Thursday week last. The service was a very solemn and impressive one, and was largely attended, and great grief is felt in the village at the loss of a brave and gallant soldier. The Dead March in ‘Saul’ was played at the close of the service. Pte. John Raw was the first of the Embsay lads to join Lord Kitchener’s Army, and second of the Embsay soldiers who has made the great sacrifice for his King and Country.
15 November 1918
EMBSAY – MEMORIAL SERVICE
A memorial service was held in St. Mary’s Parish Church on Sunday morning for the late Miss Agnes Raw, of Millholme. At the close the 'Dead march' was played. Miss Raw had for some time been employed at Keighley on munitions, and was attacked with influenza which developed into pneumonia and ended fatally after a few days’ illness.
[The above article refers to the sister of Private John Raw, who was killed in action 27 December 1915.]
Comment on this Soldier Record
You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.
No comments yet.