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Joshua CROSSLEY

Main CPGW Record

Surname: CROSSLEY

Forename(s): Joshua

Place of Birth: Bolton-by-Bowland, Yorkshire

Service No: 13770

Rank: Private

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

Battalion / Unit: 'A' Coy 10th (Service) Battalion

Division: 23rd Division

Age: 16

Date of Death: 1914-11-03

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: AF. 1743.

CWGC Cemetery: ALDERSHOT MILITARY CEMETERY

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: GRINDLETON, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Joshua Crossley was the son of John and Mary Crossley, née Lawson. John was born at Bolton-by-Bowland and Mary at Gisburn, Yorkshire.

1901 Grindleton, Yorkshire Census: Cottams - Joshua Crossley, aged 2 years, born Bolton-by-Bowland, Yorkshire, son of John and Mary Crossley.

1911 Grindleton, Yorkshire Census: Cottams - Joshua Crossley, aged 12 years, born Bolton-by-Bowland, Yorkshire, son of John and Mary Crossley.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Joshua Crossley, 13770, 10th Service Battn W. Riding Regt. Place of Birth, Date of Enlistment, Trade on Enlistment: Bolton by Bowland, 19.9.14, Farm Labr. Date and Place of Death: 3.11.14 Mily Isolation Hospl Aldershot. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - John. £2 11s. 6d. War Gratuity: Mother - Mary. £5 0s. 0d.

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

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

CROSSLEY, Joshua, West Riding Regiment, died in camp at Frensham early in Nov. 1914.

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Private Joshua CROSSLEY

Private Joshua CROSSLEY

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: 23rd Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 23rd Division

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

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: CROSSLEY

Forename(s): Joshua

Born: Bolton-By-Bowland, Lancs

Residence: Bolton-By-Bowland

Enlisted: Settle, Yorks

Number: 13770

Rank: Private

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

Battalion: 10th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 03/11/14

Died How: Died of wounds [sic]

Theatre of War: Home

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: CROSSLEY

Forename(s): Joshua

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 13770

Rank: Private

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

Unit: 10th Bn.

Age: 16

Awards:

Died Date: 03/11/1914

Additional Information: Son of Mary Crossley, of Harrop Gate, Bolton-by-Bowland, Clitheroe.

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‘The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times’ (22 September 1939)

(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

ITEMS FROM OUR ISSUES OF SEPTEMBER 18th 1914

There were animated scenes in the usually quiet village of Slaidburn, on the 19th, when the first batch of local recruits left to join Kitchener’s Army. They were Charles Parker, Abel Moore, George Whitfield, Joshua Crossley, Edwin and Walter Isherwood. Their departure was preceded by a little ceremony in the Mission Room, presided over by Mr. W. King-Wilkinson, at which a brief address was given by the Rev. J.C. Garnett, who counselled the men to go in the strength of God, so that whatever danger beset them they need have no fear. The Slaidburn Band played the National Anthem, and to patriotic airs and the cheers of the villagers, the men left for Settle in cars provided by Messrs. W. and L. King-Wilkinson.

‘The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times’ (22 September 1939)

(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

ITEMS FROM OUR ISSUES OF SEPTEMBER 18th 1914

Recruits from Waddington who joined Mr. Tunstill’s Settle Company of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, were Joseph B. Hartley, Albert Herd, Harry Smith, Thomas Rigby and William Watson. Grindleton: William I. Bell, James W. Clarkson, Joshua Crossley, and William Walker. Gisburn: Anthony Lofthouse and John Robinson. Newsholme: Thomas E. Askew, Carl P. Braithwaite [Branthwaite], Benjamin A. Butler and William H. Scott.

Grindleton War Memorial - Biographical Notes by Shirley Penman

JOSHUA CROSSLEY, son of John and Mary nee Lawson married 1891, St. Peter and St. Paul, Bolton by Bowland was born at Bolton by Bowland and enlisted in Settle, along with about twenty other young men from the district. His residence was given as Grindleton. He died in the Military Isolation Hospital at Aldershot, after being conveyed there from Frensham Camp, Farnham.

Commemorated on:

Grindleton Memorial

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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records

Unknown platoon of 'A' Company, 10th (Service) Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), Aldershot, 1914

Unknown platoon of 'A' Company, 10th (Service) Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), Aldershot, 1914

Photograph sent home to his parents at Bolton by Bowland by Pte Henry (Harry) Valance Killeen (13738). Henry is standing, with his hands behind his back, 11th from right. His brother, Pte Reginald Victor Whiteley Killeen (q.v.), was killed in action on the 25 January 1916

Courtesy of Paula Ann Payne (née Bailey), Barnoldswick

Aldershot Military Cemetery

Aldershot Military Cemetery

CWGC Headstone

Courtesy of Charlie: www.findagrave.com/

Next of kin Memorial Plaque

Next of kin Memorial Plaque

Courtesy of Glyn Bailey

View Craven Herald Articles

View Craven Herald Articles

Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

06 November 1914

THE SETTLE COMPANY – Two Deaths

We regret to record that the Settle Company of Lord Kitchener's Army (formed by Mr. H.G. Tunstill) has lost two good men in Pte. Walter Isherwood, of Newton-in-Bowland, and Pte. Joshua Crossley, of Bolton-by-Bowland. Both were in No. 1. platoon of the 'A' Company of the 10th Service Battalion, and none were more appreciated or will be remembered with more, pride. They have sacrificed their lives for their country's good just as much as if they had fallen in the fighting line. They died of pneumonia and measles. There have unfortunately been four cases of measles in the Settle Company, but with the exception of two men in hospital suffering from this disease, the health and spirits of the men are excellent. It is almost inevitable that in a body of men some will succumb to the disease, and the unfortunate result named above is much regretted. With these exceptions the Settle Company has had a wonderfully good bill of health. The Company is still at Frensham Camp, Farnham.

06 November 1914

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND – A Sad Bereavement

On Tuesday morning last the unwelcome news reached Bolton-by-Bowland that the death of Joshua, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Crossley, of Cottams Farm, had occurred at Frensham Camp, near Aldershot. He was one of the recruits who joined Mr. Tunstill’s Division a few weeks ago. Mr and Mrs. Crossley have the sympathy of the whole parish in their bereavement of a son who had so early in life shown himself a most anxious patriot. Deceased was interred on Wednesday at Aldershot.

13 November 1914

BOLTON-BY BOWLAND – MEMORIAL SERVICE AT HOLDEN CHAPEL

On Sunday afternoon last a service was held at the Holden Independent Chapel in memory of Private Joshua Crossley, of A Company, 10th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Crossley, of Cottams, Bolton-by-Bowland, whose death at Frensham Camp occurred last week. There was a crowded congregation and Mr. Knight, the pastor, based his remarks on Samuel II., 10th chapter and 12th verse – 'Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God; and the Lord do that which seemeth Him good.' He said the four striking thoughts in the text were courage, sympathy, reverence and resignation. By courage we understood prompt action in the face of great danger. The nation called in the hour of danger for men of courage. Joshua Crossley like all his comrades loyal to his King and Country responded to that call and gave his life. By sympathy we understood that which forgets self but thinks and acts for others. Was not that the sympathy that had prompted the young men of to-day? They did not say, “I hope someone will help,” but “I will do my own part.” Then let those who cannot go to the front do there part and show our sympathy at home by our prayers and practical support.

The choir very touchingly gave the special hymn entitled ‘For the men at the front’ by John Oxenham. On Monday Mr. and Mrs. Crossley received the following letter from Mr. Tunstill:– “I have just returned from the funeral of your son Joshua. I need not tell you how I sympathise with you, and how deeply I regret the loss of one who put in his lot with me. He had a soldier’s funeral. Three volleys were fired over the grave, and the last post sounded. His coffin was wrapped in the Union Jack and borne from the hospital to the cemetery on a gun carriage. He gave his life to his country in its hour of need, and no man can do more. The number of his grave is 1743 in the Soldiers’ Cemetery, Aldershot.”

02 November 1917

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND – Obituary

Mr. John Crossley, of Cottams Farm, passed away on Saturday morning last aged 53 years. Deceased had suffered for a long time on account of heart weakness. Mr. Crossley was very much respected and had very near associations with the Holden Congregational Chapel. He leaves a widow, one son and one daughter, another son having joined the army at the beginning of the war, but unfortunately contracted an illness which ended fatally. Deceased was laid to rest in the graveyard of Holden Chapel on Wednesday afternoon last, in the presence of a large number of sorrowing friends, the pastor, Mr. Knight, taking the service.

[Father of Private Joshua Crossley]

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

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25 September 1914

THE ROLL OF HONOUR

The following men have answered the appeal by joining the Settle Company of the 10th Battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment:–

From Austwick – William Hoyle, Wilson Pritchard, Samuel Shepherd, Fred Swale, John William Thistlewaite, George Thistlewaite.
Airton – Kayley Earnshaw.
Arncliffe – Percy Hodgson, John Simpson.
Bolton-by-Bowland – Irvine Clark, Jim Coates, Richard Davies Ellison, Harold Greenhow, Edward Victor Grubb, James Mason, Robert Singleton, Joseph Chapman Syers.
Bell Busk – Leonard Fox.
Clapham – Albert Edward Drury, Arthur Herbert Procter.
Grindleton – William Irvin Bell, James Wilding Clarkson, Joshua Crossley, William Walker.
Gisburn – Anthony Lofthouse, John Robinson.
Hellifield – James John Angus, Charles Graham, Thomas Harding, Charles Harwood, Sidney Hoar, John Ernest Linnett, Joseph Edward Preston, Thomas Procter, Christopher Ralph, Norman Roberts, Fred Graham.
Horton – John Bruce Davidson.
Ingleton – Hugh Robinson.
Longpreston – Arthur Bailey, Thomas Garnett, John Henry Hitchin, Henry Edward Horner, William Jones, James Kayley, Job Kayley, Arthur Lawson, William Henry Metcalfe, Joseph Parker, William Procter, William Rawlinson.
Langcliffe – Richard Butler, Thomas Henry Edmondson.
Marton – John Beckwith.
Malham – James Swinbank.
Newsholme – Thomas Edward Askew, Carl Parrington Branthwaite, Benjamin Ashton Butler, William Henry Scott.
Otterburn – Harry Gilbert Tunstill.
Settle – Robert William Bell, Ernest Campbell, George Clark, John Thomas Cockerill, Robert Cresswell, Herbert Dickinson, William Edward Gibson, George Jellett, Thomas Laytham, Robert Henry Maunders, Robert Newhouse, Walter Umpleby, Thomas Walsh, Solomon Richard Webb.
Stainforth – Walter Dinsdale.
Slaidburn – Edwin Isherwood, Walter Isherwood, Abel Moore, Charles Edward Parker, George Whitfield.
Wigglesworth – Fred Metcalfe, George Oversby.
Waddington – Joseph Barrett Hartley, Albert Hird [Herd], Harry Smith, Thomas Rigby, William Watson.

13 November 1914

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT HOLDEN CHAPEL

On Sunday afternoon last a service was held at the Holden Independent Chapel in memory of Private Joshua Crossley of ‘A’ Company, 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Crossley, of Cottams, Bolton-by-Bowland, whose death at Frensham Camp occurred last week. There was a crowded congregation, and Mr. Knight, the pastor, based his remarks on ‘Be of good courage, and let us play the man for our people, and for the cities of our God; and the Lord do that which seemeth Him good.’ The preacher prayed that the spirit of resignation might be given to the parents in their time of grief and to the relations and friends of all our brave men. The choir very touchingly gave the special hymn entitled ‘For the men at the Front’ by John Oxenham. On Monday Mr. and Mrs. Crossley received the following letter from Mr. Tunstill:– “I have just returned from the funeral of your son Joshua. I need not tell you how I sympathise with you, and how deeply I regret the loss of one who put in his lot with me. He had a soldier’s funeral. Three volleys were fired over his grave, and the ‘Last Post’ sounded. His coffin was wrapped in the Union Jack and borne from the hospital to the cemetery on a gun carriage. He gave his life to his country in its hour of need, and no one can do more. The number of his grave is 1743 in the Soldiers’ Cemetery, Aldershot.”

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