Joseph BANCROFT

14 May 1915

SILSDEN YOUTH'S EXPERIENCES.

In letters received by an Addingham friend from two brothers, natives of Silsden, named Bancroft, who are serving with the 4th and 6th Battalion of the West Riding Regiment at the front, some interesting details are given, and Joe, who is with the 4th Battalion, says his platoon was fetching rations one day, and it was a very risky job, going about a mile under fire, with no cover or anything. They are just getting used to it. They had only had one killed yet, and that was when they had been there ten days. He had not seen his brother since the day they arrived. He said he was enjoying himself "if only he had more Woodbines."

Sam, who is in the Signal Section, in a few lines said he was still keeping in the best of health and that it was surprising how it got out that they had lost a lot of men. They had been in the trenches three days and they could count on one hand how many they had had either killed or wounded. Besides, they had been shelled out of a village which was not a pleasant beginning. The second night they were in the trenches they had all the wires broken. The officer and himself went out to repair them. It was not a very nice job, but it had to be done so that they could get news through.

21 May 1915

SILSDEN SOLDIER IN BIG BATTLE

Writing to his parents, who reside at 11, Walker's Place, Silsden, Private Joe Bancroft, attached to one of the Yorkshire infantry regiments now in the trenches at the Front, says:-

"We have got all ready for a big battle which starts at three o'clock in the morning of the 8th instant. It is going to be a much greater battle than the last one we had here when Clarke (evidently of Skipton) got killed. We are just north of the former place, so by the time you get this letter we shall probably have got over it - that is, if I get to post it, but I think I might put it in a French letter box as our post was stopped this afternoon."

In a later communication, dated the 12th of May, Private Bancroft says:- "We got through the big battle all right. We were kept in reserve trenches all night and the next day, then they took us up into the front line when the battle had been on all day. We were at it all night, and in the morning our trench was shelled and we had two killed and some wounded with one shell. But it was a sight when the big battle was on. The guns started at five o'clock in the morning. The noise was enough to make anyone deaf. Then in two hours the infantry charged, after which there were wounded men coming down all day. All those that could walk had to do, and there were some sights.

"All the ambulances were flying down with men who were so bad that they could not walk. At the beginning of the charge a General got on the top of the trench to give the men the word to come on; he was shot dead. Some regiments had hardly any men left. We have now had a month in the trenches, and I have just had my clothes off once since I came and one bath, but some one has to put up with it. They keep saying the war cannot last so long, and I hope it will finish soon. We shall all be glad to get away from here."

25 June 1915

SILSDEN - Anniversary of Waterloo

Private Joe Bancroft, of the 4th Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, in a letter to his parents, who reside at 11, Walker's Place, Silsden, states:- "We came out of the trenches last night (18th, inst.) after being in 6 six days. The weather was splendid all the time. Yesterday was the anniversary of Waterloo, and we had flags up on the top of the parapet in front of the trench all day. We had the flags given to us the previous night so that we could put them up during the night. At daybreak we all waited to see what the Germans would do but nothing happened, only they kept potting at them all day. About dinner time they put up two black and white flags in front of us, but soon took them down. The two flags were all I saw of the German decorations. At night when we took our flags down some of them had half-a-dozen holes in. We have recently done a bit of haymaking in front of our trench during the night. The grass was about five feet high, and it had to be cut to enable us to see across. We have all about got used to going out between the trenches by now."

02 July 1915

SILSDEN MAN IN HOSPITAL

Private Joe Bancroft, of the 4th West Riding Regiment, writing home to his parents at 11, Walker's Place, Silsden, from France, states that he is at present in hospital but does not give the cause of his being there. He has been in the trenches for several months.

22 October 1915

REPORTED HONOUR FOR SILSDEN SOLDIER

It is reported that Private Sam Bancroft, a signaller in the 6th Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, and whose home is in Walker's Place, Silsden, has been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery whilst carrying out his duties at the Front.

It is said that the deed, which led to Private Bancroft's recommendation for the D.C.M., was that a telephone wire had been broken and the lieutenant in command asked for volunteers to repair it. The whole of the Signalling Corps at once volunteered, but he chose two out of them, one being Private Bancroft. The work was started at 8 o'clock in the evening and was not completed until 3-30 a.m., during which lengthy period Private Bancroft was constantly under shell fire. He was operating in a bullet-swept zone all the time.

After the work had been completed he made tracks to his previous destination by the guidance of the stars. Being a former Boy Scout, Private Bancroft had learned how to locate himself by this means. He was not allowed to use any kind of light for fear of being located by the enemy. He was able to return safely and was afterwards complimented on his successful work by the commander.

Prior to the war he took a very important part in the Boy Scout movement locally, he being attached to the Silsden Parish Church Troop (Silsden 2nd). He was also a member of the Silsden St. John Ambulance Brigade. Private Bancroft, along with his two brothers - Willie and Joe - have all been home during the past week on leave for a few days. The latter came from Le Havre Hospital, where he has been under treatment for some time suffering from gas poisoning.

10 December 1915

SILSDEN SOLDIERS' APPRECIATION - INTERESTING LETTERS

Mrs. Charles Sugden, Lady Superintendent of the Silsden St John Ambulance Nursing Division, has received a number of interesting letters from local soldiers and sailors conveying their thanks to the inhabitants of Silsden for the parcels which have recently been forwarded to them.

Letters of appreciation were also received from Private Alfred Mosley, of the 9th West Riding Regiment; Sapper E. Summerscales, 37th Division B.E.F.; Private J.W. Jolly, Lance-Corporal J. Craven, Driver W. Baldwin, 46th Battery Royal Field Artillery; Private W. Rawling, 6th West Riding Regiment; Gunner W. Spence, of the Royal Garrison Artillery; Sergt. J. Baldwin; Private Edgar Holmes, of the 6th West Riding Regiment; Private J.E. Windle, of the 37th Divisional Supply Column, R.F.A.; Private W. Long; Private Joe Bancroft; and Corpl. H. Laycock, who has written on behalf of Corpl. P. Hill, the latter being at present in hospital.

They all express their delight with the contents of the parcels, and state that they are just "the things most required."

11 August 1916

SILSDEN

Corporal Joe Bancroft, of the West Riding Regiment, and son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Bancroft, of 11, Walker's Place, Silsden, has also been wounded and is at present in hospital. In a letter to his parents he says:-

"I have bad news for you this time; I was hit last night with a piece of shell at the back of my shoulder. I do not think though it is very bad. We were making a night attack, but the enemy found us before we took up our position. I had just got back into our trench when a shell dropped amongst my half of the platoon. Only two of us were hit, and I think we got off lucky."

In a letter received the day before he was wounded, Corporal Bancroft stated:- "I have been promoted full Corporal, so you see I am not doing so very bad. I think the Silsden men have come out fairly lucky so far in the advance. I hope no more casualties have come through."

Corporal Bancroft is one of three brothers serving in the West Riding Regiment. He and his brother, Sam, were members of the Territorials prior to the outbreak of war, the latter also being a prominent ambulance worker in Silsden before enlisting.

16 February 1917

SILSDEN - MILITARY MEDAL FOR HEROIC WORK

Sergeant Joe Bancroft, of the West Riding Regiment, and son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Bancroft, Walker's Place, Silsden, has been awarded the Military Medal for meritorious conduct on the battlefield. Sergeant Bancroft is one of four brothers serving their King and Country, three of whom are in France. He enlisted on the outbreak of war, having previously been in the Territorials for a number of years. He went out to France in April 1915, where he has since been wounded and also gassed during the heavy fighting in which he has taken part. His devotion to duty had been recognised by his promotion to the rank of Sergeant.

A communication has been received from the Major-General commanding the 49th West Riding Division, in which it was stated that Sergeant Bancroft had distinguished himself in the field from the 18th to the 22nd January 1917. During that period he, along with a Halifax officer, were on night patrol duty when the officer was shot through the head and killed. Sergt. Bancroft assisted in bringing him back to the trenches. Probably this is but one of several deeds of valour performed by him, which have ultimately been the means of his gaining the coveted honour.

In a recent letter to his parents, Sergt. Bancroft states that he has been heartily congratulated by his Colonel and company. He is the 5th Silsden soldier to gain honour on the field, the others being:- Second-Lieut. Harold Longbottom; Corporal R. H. Atkinson; Private W. Jarman and Corporal W. Carter.

Sergeant Bancroft is 23 years of age.

16 February 1917

SILSDEN - THE CONSERVATIVE CLUB CONVERSAZIONE

The ninth annual conversaziones were commenced at the Silsden Conservative Club on Friday evening [9th February]...

Tributes to the Fallen

Monday evening was set apart for the children. Mr. Albert Hill presided, and Mrs. Pinder, of Crossmoor, performed the duty of opener.

The Chairman, referring to the lads who had made the supreme sacrifice, and who were formerly members of that club, said they needed to pay tribute where tribute was due, and honour where honour was due. Those lads had added distinction to that club in making those sacrifices. Sergt. John Baldwin was one of them, and one of the earliest to go and submit to severe training under rough conditions. It was always a great pleasure to read his bright and cheery letters sent to the club. During the voluntary period he offered much encouragement to other lads to go out and do their bit. They were proud of him, and were sorry to have lost so genial and high-spirited a young fellow. Their sympathy went out to those to whom he belonged. A Silsden soldier in France, who was with Leslie Hill, Galvin, Hindle, Summerscales, Carter and Atkinson, all Silsden lads, said of the late Sergt. Baldwin:- "The lads out here who were in his battalion speak very highly of him both as a soldier and a man, and no words are too great for the praise they give him." That excellent testimony, said Mr. Hill, had come from a Silsden man who had recently gone out to the Font. Distinction had also been brought to Silsden through Harold Longbottom, R.H. Atkinson, Edward Jarman, Willie Carter, and Joe Bancroft, who had each performed deeds of gallantry for which they had been rewarded with honour. In regard to R.H. Atkinson, he had gained the Military Medal, and had earned further distinction for which he had been offered a commission. He was pleased to note that an ambulance man (Edward Jarman) had won distinction, and he could tell them from the evidence of his own son that those men were worthy of the highest praise for the extreme bravery so often shown by them. The name of Sergt, Jos. Bancroft had only been added to the local list of honours that day through a communication from the Major-General Commanding a (W.R.) Division, in which it was stated that he had distinguished himself in the field from 18th to 22nd January 1917. During that period he was out on patrol one night with Lieutenant Gerald Rawnsley, of Halifax. They went out to investigate the German wire. A flare went up from the German lines, and the Lieutenant was shot through the head. He never spoke, death being instantaneous. Sergt. Bancroft and others brought him in to their own lines, and he was buried near the battalion headquarters. He felt sure they could congratulate Sergeant Bancroft on not only bringing distinction to his own home, but to Silsden. In conclusion Mr. Hill asked the audience to rise in memory of the lads who had fallen, in which they readily acquiesced.- Mrs. Pinder afterwards declared the third and last night open...

29 March 1918

SILSDEN MILITARY MEDALIST WOUNDED

Sergeant Joe Bancroft, West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Bancroft, of Walker's Place, Silsden, has been wounded in the head. He is one of four brothers serving, and enlisted on the outbreak of war, having been previously in the local Territorials for a number of years. He went out to France in April, 1915, and has previously been wounded and gassed. He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field from 18th to 22nd January, 1917.

17 May 1918

Sergeant J. Bancroft, Silsden

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Bancroft, of Walker's Place, Silsden, have received official news that their son, Sergeant Joe Bancroft, of the West Riding Regiment, was killed in action on May 4th. In a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft, Lieutenant Colonel R.E. Sugden writes:- "I am awfully grieved to tell you of your son's death. He, along with others, was left in the line to assist a famous foreign battalion, and it appears that he was accidentally killed by a shell. There are thousands of very brave men out here, and I have had scores in my battalion, but I have never seen a man so utterly indifferent and regardless of personal danger as your son. After one German attack, which was repulsed with very heavy losses to the enemy, your son went out about eight times on patrol close to the enemy's position. He had already gained a Military Medal and I had recommended him for the D.C.M. for great gallantry about April 16th, and I sincerely hope it will be awarded. I can ill afford to lose such men as your son, as his influence on his comrades was great, and enabled them to hold out in many a tight corner. You and your family can be proud all your life of your son's record in this terrible war, and I can say most sincerely that I never came across a braver man."

Sergeant Bancroft, who was 25 years of age, enlisted on the outbreak of war, having previously been in the local Territorials. He went to France in April 1915. He had previously been wounded and gassed, and only a few weeks previous to being killed he was wounded in the head. He was one of five brothers serving, the others being: Sapper Sam Bancroft, Royal Engineers; Private Willie Bancroft, who is in hospital wounded; Corporal Fred Bancroft, who has also won the Military Medal; and John Bancroft, who joined up last Tuesday.

07 June 1918

SILSDEN - In Memoriam

A service in memory of the Silsden young men who have recently given their lives for their country was held at the Silsden Parish Church on Sunday morning, conducted by the vicar, Rev. E. E. Peters. The hymns 'The Saints on earth', 'O God our help in ages past', and 'God the all-terrible King who ordainest' were sung. Mr. Herbert Cooper presided at the organ. Mr. Peters said in the service in which they had just taken part they had commemorated 69 men who has been killed in action, or died from wounds or from some other cause. He wished to say a few words especially about those young men who had fallen, and were connected with their Church and Sunday Schools.

The first was Sergeant W. Newns, who had been missing for over a year, but whom the authorities had recently announced as killed. He was one of the best young men in every sense of the word. He was a communicant, a Sunday School teacher and a young man who took a great interest in the physical side of life. He was one of the leaders of the training class for physical development. When he joined the Army in the early days of the war, he found that his time had been well spent as he was made an instructor in physical drill and a full Sergeant.

A few weeks ago the Church had lost another of its young men - Signaller Harry Barrett, who, before he joined up, was treasurer of the Church of England's Young Men's Society, and a very devoted member of the branch. Private Ernest Hardcastle was killed in September, after having proved himself a good soldier. He and Sergeant R. Hill were connected with the Sunday School and they did not forget their religion when they went into the Army. Mention was made of Second Lieutenant T.D. Stocks and his connection with the Boy Scout movement; Sergeant Rowland Hill; Private Ormond Clarkson, who was accidentally drowned a few weeks ago in the Persian Gulf; Air Mechanic Albert Bradley, who died in hospital alter being away from home only a few weeks; Sergeant Joe Bancroft who won the Military Medal by his extraordinary gallantry; Private Sydney [P]Lumb who was killed in September, and who had four other brothers serving.

On behalf of the church people of Silsden, the Vicar offered to the relatives and friends of those men their deepest sympathy and their most sincere and heartfelt gratitude for what they had done for them. He expressed the wish that as long as the Church remained, and if at any time a new Church should be built, it would be the custom at least once a year to commemorate all the men who had fallen in the war. He was impressed and touched beyond expression by the courage which the women of the parish had shown in these awful times, and it was an inspiration to the men, for they had shown themselves to be worthy mothers and wives of heroes who had given their all.

"Shall we betray their trust and take their deaths in vain?"

25 October 1918

SILSDEN - ANOTHER SCOUTMASTER PAYS THE PRICE

A letter has been received by Mrs. Bancroft, Bolton Road, Silsden, stating that her husband, Signaller Sam Bancroft, West Riding Regiment, was dangerously wounded by shell fire on the night of Friday, 11th October, and that it had been necessary to amputate the limb, which had resulted in his death. Signaller Bancroft was mobilized when war was declared, being a member of the West Riding Territorials, and went to France in April, 1915, and before this had not received a scratch. Signaller Bancroft, who is the son of Mr. And Mrs. J. H. Bancroft, Walker's Place, Silsden, has three other brothers serving - Corporal Fred Bancroft, Military Medallist, who is at present in Ripon Convalescent Hospital; Trooper John Bancroft, Cavalry Reserve Regiment, at Newbridge Camp, Ireland; Private Willie Bancroft, West Yorks. Regiment, who is in Netley Military Hospital. Another brother, Sergeant Joe Bancroft, D.C.M., and M.M., Duke of Wellington's Regiment, was killed in action in May, 1918. Signaller Bancroft is the third assistant Scout Master of the 2nd Silsden Boy Scouts to make the supreme sacrifice in this war, and his death will be greatly regretted by a large circle of friends and by the lads of whom he had charge.