Ralph Tiplady METCALFE

30 November 1917

METCALFE – November 21st 1917, from pneumonia contracted on active service in Italy, Private Ralph Tiplady Metcalfe, D.L.I., only son of Mr. John Metcalfe, Bainbridge Ings, Hawes, aged 33 years.

30 November 1917

HAWES – ANOTHER SOLDIER’S SACRIFICE

We regret to announce the death of yet another Hawes soldier in Pte. Ralph Tiplady Metcalfe, D.L.I., the only son of Mr. John Metcalfe and the late Mrs. Metcalfe, of Bainbridge Ings, Hawes, who succumbed to pneumonia in Italy on the 21st inst. Pte. Metcalfe joined up in June last and was attached to the East Yorks. Regiment, but was transferred to the D.L.I. when he went overseas at the beginning of this month. A letter from his chaplain received last week, stated that the soldier had caught a chill but was going on well and would soon be fit and well again. Three days later another communication from the chaplain bore the disquieting news that Pte. Metcalfe was suffering from pneumonia, and that his case was causing the doctors some anxiety. On Monday last Mr. Metcalfe received the official notification that his son had died on the 21st from pneumonia.

The deceased soldier, who was 33 years of age, was a farmer in partnership with his father before joining up, and sold the whole of his stock last spring. He was a fine, tall fellow but never very robust, and never intended by nature for a soldier. The greatest sympathy is felt for the father and aunt in their great bereavement.

07 December 1917

HAWES – THE LATE PRIVATE R. T. METCALFE

In our report last week of the death of Private Ralph Tiplady Metcalfe, Durham Light Infantry, only son of Mr. John Metcalfe, of Bainbridge Ings, Hawes (the result of pneumonia while on active service in Italy), it was stated that the deceased soldier was “a farmer in partnership with his father before joining up, and sold the whole of his stock last spring.” We are now informed by Messrs. Willan and Metcalfe, solicitors, Hawes, acting on behalf of Mr. John Metcalfe, that deceased never farmed in partnership with his father; on the contrary he took over from his father in 1910, and since that time, up to joining the Colours, had been farming solely on his own account. The paragraph would give the public the impression that deceased’s father was in active business as a farmer when the gallant soldier was called up, whereas the fact is that Mr. Metcalfe, senior, retired in 1910 owing to advanced age and infirmity, and deceased’s farming business had to be closed down and all the stock sold off, there being no one left behind to ‘carry on’. Deceased was taken off a farm that was being run single-handed – a one-man farming business. We gladly make the correction, and assure Mr. Metcalfe that there was no intention to misrepresent the facts.

10 May 1918

HAWES – Memorial Service

A memorial service for local soldiers fallen in the war during the past year was held in St. Margaret’s Church on Sunday. The names of the soldiers honoured were Private C.H. Jones, Private N.B. Iveson, Pte. M[H]. Cockett, Private R.T. Metcalfe, Private R. Alderson and Gunner M. Calvert. The Hawes Volunteers and Cadets under Second-Lieutenant H.A. Crallen marched to the church. The choir and clergy were preceded to the chancel by Cadet Kenneth Wilson carrying the Union Jack (draped). A special form of service was used, and the hymns ‘Rock of Ages,’ ‘Brief life is here our portion,’ and ‘On the Resurrection Morning’ were sung. The vicar, the Rev. S.D. Crawford, gave an impressive address. The Dead march was played on the organ after the sermon by Mrs. Place, and the ‘Last Post’ sounded by Mr. J. Blades.