Main CPGW Record
Surname: TOWNEND
Forename(s): Joseph
Place of Birth: Bentham, Yorkshire
Service No: 523191
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Canadian Army Medical Corps
Battalion / Unit: 8th Field Ambulance
Division: 3rd Canadian Division
Age: 30
Date of Death: 1917-11-18
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: II. G. 32.
CWGC Cemetery: MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: HIGH BENTHAM, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: LOW BENTHAM, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Joseph Townend (born 25 August 1887) was the son of Elias and Sarah Jane Townend, née Ward. Elias was born at Morton near Bingley, Yorkshire and Sarah at Buxton, Derbyshire.
1891 Bentham, Yorkshire Census: Joseph Townend, aged 3 years, born Bentham, son of Elias and Jane Townend.
1901 Low Bentham, Yorkshire Census: Joseph Townend, aged 13 years, born Bentham, son of Elias Townend, widower.
Joseph was married to Lillian Powell Armstrong in 1910.
1911 Bentham, Yorkshire Census: Lair Gill - Joseph Townend, aged 23 years, born Bentham, husband of Lilly Townend.
A short biography of Joseph is included in: ‘Bentham’s Part in the Great War 1914-18’ by Allan and Marilyn Hartley (2019).
Canadian service records: http://www.baclac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef
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:
TOWNEND, Joseph, Canadian Field Ambulance, a native of Lower Bentham, died of wounds Nov. 17, 1917.
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Private Joseph TOWNEND
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Canadian Army Medical Corps
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 3rd Canadian Division
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View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Mendinghem Military Cemetery
CWGC Headstone
Courtesy of Allan Hartley, High Bentham
Memorial Chamber of Canada’s Parliament Buildings, Ottawa
In the Memorial Chamber are the eight ‘Books of Remembrance’ that contain the names of more than 120,000 Canadians who gave their lives in the service of Canada
Source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial (Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman, Clitheroe)
Page from the First World War ‘Book of Remembrance’: Private Joseph Townend
Source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial (Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman, Clitheroe)
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
13 April 1917
LOWER BENTHAM – War Items
Pte. John Burrow, of the Hampshire Regiment, arrived home from France last Tuesday on a ten days’ furlough. He returned to the Front in May last, after being invalided home wounded the previous November. Pte. William James, Canadian Highlanders; Pte. Joseph Townend, Canadian R.A.M.C.; and Mr. F. Crossley, of the Friends’ Unit, are also here on furlough.
30 November 1917
TOWNEND – Died at a Clearing Station of wounds received in action on November 17th 1917, Private Joseph Townend, Canadian Field Ambulance, a native of Lower Bentham, aged 30 years.
30 November 1917
BENTHAM ‘CANADIAN’ PAYS THE TOLL
News has been received that Private Joseph Townend of the Canadian Field Ambulance, son of Mr. Elias Townend, has died at the Clearing Station of wounds received in action on the 17th. Private Townend emigrated to Canada four and a half years ago and joined the Ambulance out there eighteen months since. He visited his native home at Easter before going to France. He was thirty years of age and leaves a widow and two children in Calgary, British Columbia.
SAD NEWS
News reached his father, Mr. Elias Townend, on Saturday, that his son, Pte. Joseph Townend, of the Canadian Field Force, had died of wounds in the head on the 18th November. The deceased was a carter in the employ of Messrs. Knowles & Sons, and emigrated to Canada. He joined the 8th Canadian Field Ambulance at Calgary about eighteen months ago and went to France last March. He was well known at Bentham and in the district, and he leaves a widow and two young children in Calgary, Canada.
The Wesleyan Chaplain at the Front, writing to his sister says:– “Dear Mrs. Brayshaw, – I am sorry to write you again as the bearer of more sad news. Your brother, Pte. Joseph Townend, 8th Canadian Field Ambulance, steadily declined during last night and passed away at 3-5 a.m. this morning without having regained consciousness. At no time was he able to speak or leave any message behind. Please accept my deepest sympathy with you in your sorrow. May our Heavenly Father sustain you and his dear wife in your sorrow. Your brother’s funeral took place in the cemetery here at 2-30 p.m. today and I laid him to rest side by side with other brave soldiers who have given their lives for righteousness sake. Yours sincerely, RIGBY JONES, Wesleyan Chaplain, Nov. 18th.”
04 January 1918
LOWER BENTHAM – Watch Night Service
The usual watch-night service was held at the Parish Church on New Year’s Eve, the Rector conducting an impressive service before a large congregation. A special intercession was made on behalf of our fighting men, and Mr. J. Satterthwaite presented the Roll of Honour, which the Rector afterwards read. The Rector referred in feeling tones to two of the ‘boys’ who have made the supreme sacrifice, namely, Pte. Joseph Townend, Canadians, and Pte. John Wilcock [survived]; of the Royal Fusiliers. No bells were rung, according to regulation orders.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
30 November 1917
LOW BENTHAM SOLDIER’S DEATH – News reached his father, Mr. Ellis Townend, on Saturday last, that his son, Pte. Joseph Townend, of the Canadian Field Force, had died of wounds in the head on Nov. 18th. The deceased was a carter in the employ of Messrs. Knowles and Sons, and emigrated to Canada. He joined the Canadian Field Ambulance at Calgary about 18 months ago, and went to France last March. He was well known at Bentham and in the district. He leaves a widow and two young children in Calgary, Canada. The following letter has been received from the Wesleyan chaplain at the front by his sister:– “Dear Mrs. Brayshaw, – I am sorry to write you again as the bearer of more sad news Your brother, Pte. Joseph Townend, 528191, Canadian Field Ambulance, steadily declined during last night and passed away at 3-5 a.m. this morning without having regained consciousness. At no time was he able to speak or leave any message behind. Please accept my deepest sympathy with you all in your sorrow. May our heavenly Father sustain you and his dear wife in your sorrow. Your brother’s funeral, took place in the cemetery here at 2-30 p.m to-day, and I laid him to rest side by side with other brave soldiers who have given their lives for righteousness sake. May I leave it to you to write to his wife and enclose this letter.”
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