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Richard WEARING

Main CPGW Record

Surname: WEARING

Forename(s): Richard

Place of Birth: Bentham, Yorkshire

Service No: S/43996

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Gordon Highlanders

Battalion / Unit: 1/4th Battalion

Division: 51st (Highland) Division

Age: 26

Date of Death: 1918-10-27

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 10.

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: HIGH BENTHAM, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Richard Wearing was the son of John and Jane Wearing, née Dent. John was born at Clapham or Newby and Jane at Hawthorn Lodge between Aysgarth and Thornton Rust, Yorkshire. Richard was the cousin of Private Herbert Shires (307567) (q.v.) and Private Wilfred Shires (265405) (q.v.).

1901 Bentham, Yorkshire Census: Main Street - Richard Wearing, aged 8 years, born Bentham, son of John and Jane Wearing.

1911 Langcliffe, Yorkshire Census: Barrel Sykes Farm - Richard Wearing, aged 19 years, born Bentham, Yorkshire. [Richard was employed by Charles Lamb, Farmer.]

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Richard Wearing, 14399, R. Lan. R.; S/43996, Gord. Highrs. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 17.7.15. K. in A. 2.7.18. [sic]

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Richard Wearing, 14399, 7th K.O. (R. Lancs. Rgt); S/43996, 4th Gordon Hdrs.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Richard Wearing, S/43996, 1/4th Btn Gordon Hdrs. Date and Place of Death: 27.10.18. In Action France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - John. £37 10s. 6d.

Richard (as Richard Waring) is commemorated in the Rolls of Honour at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.

A short biography of Richard is included in: ‘Bentham’s Part in the Great War 1914-18’ by Allan and Marilyn Hartley (2019).

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:

WEARING, Richard, aged 25, Gordon Highlanders, son of Mr. John Wearing, Lairgill, Bentham, killed in action, France, Oct. 27, 1918.

WEARING, Richard, aged 25, 4th Gordon Highlanders, Lowgill, Bentham, killed Oct. 27, 1918.

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Private Richard WEARING

Private Richard WEARING

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Gordon Highlanders

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Gordon Highlanders

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 51st (Highland) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 51st (Highland) Division

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

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: WARING

Forename(s): Richard

Born: Bentham, Lancs

Residence:

Enlisted: Lancaster

Number: S/43996

Rank: Private

Regiment: Gordon Highlanders

Battalion: 4th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 27/10/18

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes: Formerly 14399, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: WEARING

Forename(s): Richard

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: S/43996

Rank: Private

Regiment: Gordon Highlanders

Unit: 4th Bn.

Age: 26

Awards:

Died Date: 27/10/1918

Additional Information: Son of John and Jane Wearing, of 13, Lairgill, High Bentham, Lancaster.

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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records

Vis-en-Artois Memorial

Vis-en-Artois Memorial

Courtesy of Allan Hartley, High Bentham

The High & Low Bentham men who gave their lives

The High & Low Bentham men who gave their lives

Top row (l-r): Rfn Ernest Knight Newhouse, Pte John Thornber, Reverend Theodore Bayley Hardy, Pte Richard Wilson, Pte Maurice Richard Bolton, Lieut John Barclay Clibborn, Pte William Throup, Pte Richard Wilcock Carr, A/Cpl William Robinson, Pte James Auton, Pte William Savage. Third row (l-r): L/Cpl David Percival Dixon, Pte John Emmott, Pte Francis Richard Townson, Pte John Adamthwaite, Pte Robert Carter, L/Cpl John Hutchinson, Pte Alfred Edward Gunn, Pte Ezra Stephenson, Pte Edwin Rawlinson Smith, Pte Richard Wearing, Lieut Basil William Ramsbotton. Third row (l-r): Spr Robert Clark, Act L/Cpl Thomas Wilcock, Cpl William Carr, Pte Lawrence Lancelot Dowbiggin, Pte Edward Magoolagan, Pte Isaac Rucastle, Pte Henry Taylor, Cpl Edward Ramskill, L/Cpl Edward Walton Briscoe, Pte Joseph Jackson, Gnr Ernest Wilcock. Fourth row (l-r): Capt Donald Morrison, Sgt Arthur Dean Blackburn, Pte James William Bell, Pte Leonard Nelson, L/Cpl John Edward Leeming, L/Cpl Albert Lister, Pte Percy Preston Whitfield, Cpl Tom Harry Smith, Cpl Thomas Walker Sanderson, Sgt William Patrick Tobin, Pte (Signaller) W. Wilkinson.

Courtesy of the artist, David Hartnup

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07 May 1915

HIGH BENTHAM – News from the Front

Several letters and post cards from boys at the front state that they are fit and well. – Private Joe Jackson, son of Mr. Matthew Jackson, came from Tidwell to pay a short visit home before going out to the front, and returned on Wednesday. Corporal Turner, the only son of Mr. James Turner, of the Army Service Corps, is home on a short furlough, and Pte. R. Wearing, son of Mr. John Wearing, is enjoying an extended leave through being kicked by his horse. He is in the transport section of the 5th King’s Own. – Mr. Wilfred Wells has joined the Sportsman’s Battalion.

21 July 1916

BENTHAM CRICKETER KILLED AT THE FRONT

News reached Bentham on Thursday the 13th that Lance-Corporal Joe Jackson had been killed on the 5th of July in the big push in France. It was contained in a letter from one of his pals, Pte. Dick Wearing, to his mother, as follows:–

“July 10th, 1916 – Dear Mrs. Jackson, just a few lines to let you know that poor Joe has been killed. I was up at the Company this morning and his Platoon Sergeant told me about him. I was so sorry because there was only Joe and Reuben Wilcock and me from Bentham. Wilcock has been wounded too. So I thought I would just write a few lines to you and let you know. I did not know whether Reuben had written to tell you or not. I thought a lot of Joe. I was talking to him the night before he was killed and he was in the best of health and said he would come down to see me when he came out of the trenches. It is terrible where our lads are in the trenches for shellfire. I can’t tell you any more at this time. From R. Wearing, 7th King’s Own.”

Deceased was a well-known member of the Bentham Cricket team, and also a member of the St. Margaret’s football team which played in the Craven League. He was one of three pals who left their looms at the cotton mill, and on the 5th September, 1914 went to the North of Scotland, Fort George, to join the Seaforth Highlanders only to find that regiment closed to all but Scots. Not to be outdone they joined the King’s Own on their return, and one lost his life in the Dardanelles a year ago – Teddy Magoolagan; and the other, Billy Sanderson, Bentham’s bowler, was invalided home. This makes the sixth Bentham youth to lay down his life in his Country’s cause.

He was the youngest son of Mr. Matthew Jackson, a carrier for Wilcock & Co, of Bentham, and great sympathy has been expressed to his bereaved parents, for the lad was a great favourite. He was 20 on the 20th February last, and on that day got 10 days’ furlough to come home. He returned on the last Sunday in February to the trenches in France, and had quite a send-off. He had a presentiment that he would not return, for whilst at a friend’s house he said he “thought a shell would be landing some day with his number on it”.

08 February 1918

HIGH BENTHAM – Soldiers Home

Several of the ‘boys’ are home from the trenches in France, including the two brothers, John and Dick Wearing, the sons of Mr. John Wearing, of Lairgill; Pioneer John Willan, of the R.E.; and Private Nat Robinson, of the ‘Dukes.’

15 November 1918

HIGHER BENTHAM – Death of Two Bentham Youths at the Front

News reached Bentham at the end of last week that Private Richard Wearing, the eldest son of Mr. John Wearing, of Lairgill, Bentham, of the 4th. Gordon Highlanders, was killed on the 27th October. The deceased soldier has three other brothers in France. He joined the 3rd. King’s Own in August 1914 just after the war began and was home on leave last February after which he was transferred to the Gordon’s. He was in his 26th year, a fine young fellow, and well known in Bentham.

24 October 1919

WEARING – In ever loving memory of Pte. Richard Wearing, of the 1/4th Gordon Highlanders, who was killed in action in France on the 27th of October, 1918, in his 26th year.

29 October 1920

WEARING – In ever loving memory of my eldest son, Richard Wearing, of the 1/4th Gordon Highlanders, who fell in action in France, on the 27th day of October, 1918, in his 26th year.

A loving son and faithful brother –
One of God’s best towards his mother;
For all of us he did his best,
God grant him now eternal rest.
It is only a mother who knows the sorrow,
It is only a mother who knows the pain,
Losing her son she loved so dearly,
Never to see his face again.

“Gone, but not forgotten.”

Ever remembered by his Mother and Father, Brothers and Sisters, Lairgill, High Bentham.

28 October 1921

WEARING – In ever loving memory of my eldest son, Richard Wearing, of the 1/4th Gordon Highlanders, who was killed in action in France on the 27th day of October, 1918, in his 26th year.

‘Twas hard to part with a son so dear –
A son so fond and true,
‘Twas hard to part with a partner in life
And to be left behind.
I often pause and think of him,
And think of how he died;
To think he could not say good-bye
Before he closed his eyes.
As long as life and memory lasts
1 will remember thee.

Ever remembered by his Mother and Father, Brothers and Sisters, Lair Gill, High Bentham.

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01 April 1915

BENTHAM – MILITARY NEWS

On Thursday last of week ten more recruits left Bentham to join the ranks. From High Bentham Mr. James Guy is the latest to go. He is a married man with three children dependent upon him. He is the second son of Mr. Hugh Guy, the well known old Bentham stumper. Mr. R. Wearing, son of Mr. John Wearing, who belongs to the transport section of the 4th King’s Own, was injured by his horse, and is at home on sick leave. Mr. Harold, of the Yorkshire Hussars, is spending a short furlough at his home on The Wenning. Mr. Robert Harrison, of the R.A.M.C., stationed at Chester Military Hospital, has been raised to the rank of Corporal, and looked in the pink of condition when he visited his home for a week-end last Friday. He received his promotion after serving four months. There are seven men from Bentham ambulance class with the R.A.M.C.

16 February 1917

BENTHAM

Several soldiers are home from the front, including Pte. R. Clarke (R.E.), Pte. R. Wearing (King’s Own), Pte. John Harrison (Duke of Wellington’s), Pte. Jim Leeming (Duke of Wellington’s), Pte. Fred Clapham and Pte. W. Whittaker (Duke of Wellington’s).

15 November 1918

Death of Two Bentham Youths

News reached Bentham at the end of last week that two more have paid the great sacrifice. Pte. Richard Wearing, the eldest son of Mr. John Wearing, of Lairgill, Bentham, of the 4th Gordon Highlanders, was killed on October 27th. Deceased has three other brothers at the front in France. He joined the 3rd King’s Own in August, 1914, just after the war began, and was home on leave last February after which he was transferred to the Gordons. He was an his 26th year, and a fine young fellow and well-known in Bentham.

The second youth to make the great sacrifice was Pte. Edwin Clapham. of the Lancashire Fusiliers. He is the third son of Mr. Richard Clapham, who for 19 years farmed Staggarth Farm. He joined up last June, and succeeded in winning the champion sportsman’s gold medal given by the officers of the 3rd King’s Own, to which he belonged before they transferred him to the Fusiliers. Deceased was a member of the Wesleyan choir and a bass soloist. He had an elder brother taken prisoner by the Germans. He was only a fortnight in France previous to his death from a machine bullet in the head.

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