Robert Walker EARNSHAW

20 November 1914

PETTY SESSIONS. SKIPTON – Wednesday–before Mr. J.L. Kidd

An Alleged Impudent Fraud–Robert Wm. Earnshaw, an assistant schoolmaster, formerly of Embsay, and well known in the district, was charged with obtaining £2 by false pretences from the landlord of the Swan Hotel, Gargrave.

Supt. Vaughan said the prisoner called at the Swan Hotel, Gargrave, in the first week in November and had supper, leaving in a motor car, stating that he was going to Settle. A few days later he called again, ordering supper for eleven o’clock that night, and also ordered luncheon for himself and two ladies for Saturday morning. He ordered breakfast for himself and two officers for last Monday morning, stating he was a lieutenant from the Drill Hall at Keighley, and had been speaking at a recruiting meeting at Kirkby Lonsdale. He also said he would return for supper. He asked the landlord for the loan of £2, saying he was short of cash through recruiting, and would pay him back on Saturday when he came. The landlord lent him the money, thinking his statement was correct. As a matter of fact he had nothing to do with recruiting, and did not belong to any regiment. Last Thursday, however, he enlisted at Leeds as a private in the Welsh Fusiliers and was sent to join the regiment at Rhyll, North Wales, where he was apprehended on Monday night. Supt. Vaughan asked for a remand until Saturday, adding that further charges would probably be preferred against him.

P.C. Maddox gave evidence of arrest. When charged Earnshaw made no reply.

Prisoner was remanded in custody until Saturday

27 November 1914

OFF TO THE FRONT – CHARGES WITHDRAWN

At the Skipton Petty Sessions held at the Town Hall, on Saturday, before Mr. J. W. Morkill (presiding), Mr. W. R. G. Farey, Mr. R. Fletcher, Mr, T. Fletcher, Rev. F. W. Patten, Mr. F. Driver, Mr. J. England, Mr. R. G. Rankin, and Mr. J. Plews, Robert W. Earnshaw, secondary school teacher, formerly of Embsay, was charged at the instance of William Henry Hodgson, of the Swan Hotel, Gargrave, with obtaining money by false pretences.

Mr. Banks Newell of Bradford, on behalf of the defendant, said there was no need to go into the facts of the case, as it was clearly a misunderstanding. The accused was going to do what some were too old to do, and some would not because they were cowards – his only wish was to defend his country. There was no justification for the charge at all, and all were willing to withdraw their allegations against this young man, who was going to the front very shortly and whose anxiety was that he was wanting to get there sooner than they would let him go.

The Chairman: Your suggestion is that the matter should be adjourned sine die.

Mr. Newell: I should certainly request you to dismiss the charge. The only point is that the man is going to serve his country as an officer and that it would not be proper that he should have a charge hanging over his head.

The Chairman: There is a charge, but it is not likely to be raked up again.

Mr. Newell: Everyone is willing to withdraw the charge and everyone is convinced that there was nothing in it.

The Chairman: I don’t see how we can dismiss a case without hearing it.

Mr. Newell: If there is no evidence offered?

The Chairman: I think it best to adjourn the case for a fortnight until the Clerk has communicated with the Public Prosecutor, and when he receives his reply the Bench will probably act as you suggest.

A further charge made against Earnshaw by Charles Mawson, garage proprietor, of Skipton, was not mentioned, and the Bench adjourned the first case for a fortnight, the Clerk in the meantime to communicate with the Public Prosecutor.

17 September 1915

EMBSAY – Wedding

A wedding was solemnized at the Crosscrake Church [Westmorland] on Tuesday week between Mr. Robert W. Earnshaw (at present serving with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers), formerly senior and modern language master at Tollington Park College, London, and Miss Dorothy Addison Taylor, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Taylor, of Laneside, Stainton. The bride, who was attired in navy costume, with hat of white felt, carrying a beautiful bouquet of white lilies and roses, was given away by her father, the bridesmaids being Miss Earnshaw (sister of the bridegroom) and Miss Edith Duff (cousin of the bride), both wearing grey dresses. Mr. James W. Earnshaw, the bridegroom’s brother, acted as best man. Mr. H. Webster presided at the organ, and the choir gave a beautiful rendering of the hymns ‘How welcome was the call’ and ‘O perfect love.’ The officiating minister was the Rev. R.J. Dickson, vicar of Crosscrake. As the bridal party left the church Mr. Webster played the ‘Wedding March.’ A reception was afterwards held at Laneside.

01 April 1921

EMBSAY – Ex-Serviceman’s Death

The death occurred on Good Friday, after a long and painful illness, of Mr. Robert Earnshaw, who resided with his parents at the School House. Mr. Earnshaw’s illness was the result of a long period of military service. Joining the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1914, he was severely wounded in the jaw at Mametz Wood, suffering from gas poisoning, and later from severe injuries to his thigh as a result of being buried by the explosion of a shell. Although from that time his health declined, he saw further service in Ireland, and was again in the firing line with the South Wales Borderers at the conclusion of hostilities in November, 1918. A school teacher by profession, Mr. Earnshaw was an ‘Old Boy’ of Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton, of which he was head boy and captain in 1914-5. He leaves a widow and one child. The interment took place at St. Mary’s Parish Church on Tuesday. A service was held at the Church and the organist, Mr. J. Corns, played the Dead March in ‘Saul.’