Richard WALLBANK

24 September 1915

WALLBANK – August 23rd, as a result of wounds received at the Dardanelles, Pte. Richard Wallbank, son of Mrs. Wallbank, of Clapham.

24 September 1915

CLAPHAM – DEATH OF PRIVATE RICHARD WALLBANK

Much sympathy was expressed on Saturday when it became known that word had been received by Mrs. Wallbank that her son, Richard, had succumbed to injuries received whilst fighting at the Dardanelles.
Pte. Wallbank was one of the first batch to offer his services to the King and country from this neighbourhood. He was attached to the 8th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, and trained at Halifax, Grantham, and finally Witley Camp, Surrey, being drafted to the Dardanelles about ten weeks ago.

Private Wallbank was wounded on August 21st, and succumbed to his injuries on the 23rd. The death of so promising a young fellow is more poignant from the fact that his father, Mr. John Wallbank, died about a month ago.

15 June 1917

CLAPHAM – MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday afternoon a memorial service was held in St. James’ Church for local soldiers who have fallen in battle. A large congregation assembled, amongst whom were relatives of the heroes and many were visibly affected by the solemnity of the occasion. A special form of service was used including the lesson from 1. Cor. xv. 20 – ‘Now is Christ risen from the dead,’ and Psalm 39 was chanted by the choir. Mr. Goddard Barker, A.R.C.O., gave as voluntaries ‘Marche Funebre’ (Beethoven), ‘But the Lord is mindful of His own’ (Mendelssohn), and ‘Marche Funebre’ (Chopin), and Miss A. Harrison feeling[ly] sang ‘Nearer my God to Thee’ (Carey). The hymns were ‘Jesu, Lover of my soul’ and ‘Lead, Kindly Light.’ Canon Rawdon Briggs preached a touching sermon from 1. Philippians, 23rd verse – ‘To depart and to be with Christ, which is far better,’ and in the course of his remarks said that was an occasion when the people were met to commemorate the sacredness of those dear ones who had fallen in battle. Their words and thoughts were with those who are asleep in the future beyond. There is no death, as the term is only a step into a larger and fuller life beyond. Life is one stage, a kindergarten or preparatory school and the Church states there is no death only a gateway, a closing of the eyes here and opening them there. Those near and dear heroes are moved on to another state. Their lives have not been wasted but developed to higher ones. They should be remembered in people’s prayers, for they are serving on the other side of the grave. In conclusion Canon Briggs quoted the verse:–

He is not dead the child of your affection,
But gone into another school;
Where he no longer needs your protection,
For Christ Himself doth rule.