Sydney Emsley CARTER

15 December 1916

CARTER - November 17th, died of wounds received in action in France, Pte. Sydney E. Carter, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Carter, 10, Raikes Road, Skipton, aged 23 years.

15 December 1916

SKIPTON'S ROLL OF HONOUR - PRIVATE SYDNEY E. CARTER

We regret to state that last weekend Mr. and Mrs. William Carter of 10, Raikes Road, Skipton, received a communication from the Territorial Force Records Office, York, to the effect that their son, Pte. Sydney E. Carter, had died on November 17th last from wounds received in action in France. Only 23 years of age, deceased was educated at the National School under Mr. Alfred Hartley, and prior to enlisting in February last had been a clerk for eight years in the local Education Offices under Mr. B. Thornton, the Divisional Clerk. He was serving with the West Riding Regiment, and at the time of his death had only been at the Front about five weeks. He always took much interest in the Skipton Cricket Club and was the scorer for the first team. He was also one of the party of the Church Institute Handbell Ringers of a few years ago. Deceased was also an old Parish Church choirboy, and as a mark of respect and esteem, the Dead March in 'Saul' was played by Mr. J. Turner Smith, the organist, at the close of the morning service at the Parish Church on Sunday.

23 March 1917

SKIPTON'S ROLL OF HONOUR - PTE. LAURENCE WESTERN

We regret to record the death on the field of battle of another fine young Skipton soldier - Pte. Laurence Western, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Western, 28, Gladstone Street, Skipton. Anxiety as to his fate had been felt by the family for a few days owing to reports which had been circulated, and the worst fears were confirmed during the weekend by the following letter dated March 13th, from Captain H. Dixon, of the West Riding Regiment:-

"Dear Mrs. Western, - It is with much regret that I have to write and tell you that your son, Pte. L. Western, was killed yesterday morning, whilst on duty in the trenches about 8 a.m., by a rifle bullet. I feel the loss of such a soldier very much. He has been most consistent in carrying out his duty ever since we first come out to France. I can only hope that the fact that your son died at his post carrying out his duty nobly may be of some consolation to you. Please accept my deepest sympathy."

Twenty-two years of age, Pte. Western in civil life was employed in the grocery department of the Skipton Co-operative Society. He enlisted during the month following the outbreak of the war, and went out to France in April, 1915. He had seen much fighting, but up to the shot which took his life he had come through unscathed, although he had had many narrow escapes. On one occasion, for instance, a bullet passed through his waistcoat without doing any serious damage. He had been on duty for some time as a Lewis gunner. In his last letter home, dated March 5th, he mentioned that his regiment had been on the move for a few days, and that they were temporarily short of food.

Deceased was a member of the Parish Church Institute and was also a member of the Handbell Ringers' Association connected with the Parish Church. Six members of this Association have been on active service -W. Burgess, Albert Coates, F. Billows, Sydney Carter, Laurence Western and J. Chew; and three of them - Burgess, Carter and Western - we are sorry to say, have paid the supreme sacrifice, while Chew has been wounded.

Mr. and Mrs. Western have another son at the Front - Pte. Wm. Western, with the R.A.M.C.; while two sons-in-law, Corpl. J. Bracewell and Pte. H. Garton, are also in the Army.

The parents have also received the following letter from Mr. James Foulds, the manager of the Skipton Co-operative Society:- "Allow me to tender you on behalf of the Society and myself our deepest sympathy with you and your family in your bereavement and sorrow in the loss of your son Laurence, who has so nobly laid down his life for the benefit of others and his county. As an employee he was one of the best, and during the whole of his employment with the Society I never remember having had occasion to say a wrong word to him. He was always cheerful and conscientious in doing his duty. Knowing this, I hope it will help you to bear the serious loss you have sustained."

19 November 1920

CARTER - In loving memory of my dear son, Sidney Emsley Carter, died of wounds Nov. 17th, 1916. Interred at Foncquervilliers Military Cemetery, France.

"To memory ever dear."

From Mother, 18 Raikes Road, Skipton.