Sylvester Moorhouse HARTLEY

18 May 1917

HARTLEY – April 28th 1917, died from wounds in France, Pioneer S. M. Hartley, B.E. Signalling Section, third son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Hartley, of Storiths, Bolton Abbey, aged 30 years.

18 May 1917

BOLTON ABBEY – THE FIRST SOLDIER FATALITY

Quite a gloom was cast over Bolton Abbey district during the weekend when the official news arrived that Pioneer S. M. Hartley had died from wounds. Altogether about 80 men have gone out of the parish into the Army, and this is the first to pay the supreme cost. Hartley is the third son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Hartley, of Storiths. He married the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Phillips, Stank House, Bolton Abbey, and took a small farm under the Duke of Devonshire. Hartley, who was 30 years of age, was with the B.E. Signals. He had been at the Front about six months. His last letter was dated April 27th in which he said what a good time they were having. By the official information, he died from wounds on April 28th. He was, previous to joining the Army, employed on the Duke of Devonshire’s Bolton Abbey Estate. He was a member of the Abbey Church Choir, and highly respected by all who knew him. He leaves a widow and one child.

25 May 1917

BOLTON ABBEY – IN MEMORY OF THE DEAD

A large congregation assembled at Bolton Abbey Church on Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock to sanctify the memory of the first member of the Parish Roll of Honour to give his life for his country - Pioneer Sylvester M. Hartley. The number present was abundant evidence of the fact that Mr. Hartley was greatly beloved and esteemed throughout the parish, and it was an appropriate tribute to the services he has rendered in the past as a member of the Abbey Choir. The Rector, Rev. Cecil Tomlinson, spoke feelingly of the love and respect he had noticed throughout the district for Pioneer Hartley. He said it must be a great comfort to those who were left to mourn his loss to know that he had been such an influence for good in the place, and that he had been a regular worshipper and communicant, for it would strengthen their hope that he had attained that fullness of life which is only to be found in Christ.

25 May 1917

BEAMSLEY – IN MEMORIAM

On Sunday evening a memorial service was held at the Wesleyan Chapel to the memory of Pioneer S. M. Hartley, who died of wounds on April 28th. The service was conducted by Mr. E.W. Hey. Touching reference was made to the fallen hero and expressions of sympathy were made to the widow and little son, also to all members of the family. A large number of relatives attended the service. At the conclusion the organist, Mr. Reed, played the 'Dead March.'

26 April 1918

HARTLEY – In loving memory of a dear husband and father, Pioneer Sylvester Moorhouse Hartley, of the Royal Engineers, who died of wounds, in France on April 28th, 1917.

When alone in our sorrow and bitter tears flow,
There stealeth a dream of sweet long ago ;
But unknown to the world you stand by my side
And whisper these words: “Death cannot divide.”
Sleep on, dear husband, as the days go by,
No flowers can we lay on the grave where you lie,
For the dark waters of the ocean do keep us apart
But your ever loving face will shine in my heart.

From his devoted Wife and two Children, Lilac House, Storiths, Bolton Abbey.

HARTLEY – In loving memory of our dear brother, Pioneer Sylvester Hartley, R.E., who died of wounds in France, April 28th, 1917.

Somewhere in France, in a soldier’s grave,
Lies our dear one amongst the brave.

From Brother and Sister, Storiths, Bolton Abbey.

HARTLEY – in loving memory of my dear nephew, Sylvester M. Hartley, of Storiths, Bolton Abbey, killed in action at Arras, April 28th, 1917.

There is a link death cannot sever,
Love and remembrance will last for ever.

Deeply mourned by his loving Aunt Maggie and Family, Victoria Embankment, Darlington.

HARTLEY – In loving memory of Pioneer Sylvester M. Hartley, who died of wounds in France on April 28th, 1917.

The hours we sit and think of him,
But not with outward show.
For the hearts that morn him sincerely
Mourn silently and low.

From his Sister and Brother, Maggie and Jack.

HARTLEY – In loving remembrance of our dear son, Pioneer S. M. Hartley, who died of wounds in France on April 28th, 1917.

Days of sadness still come o’er us,
Hidden tears ofttimes flow,
But memory keeps our dear one near us,
Although he died a year ago.

From his dear Father and Mother-in-Law, The Stank, Bolton Abbey.

HARTLEY – In loving memory of our dear son, Pioneer Silvester Moorhouse Hartley, who was killed in action April 28th, 1917.

No one can tell the loss of one we loved so well,
Only those who have loved and lost can understand.

From his sorrowing Father and Mother.

HARTLEY – In loving memory of Pioneer Sylvester M. Hartley, who died in France on April 28th.

Sleep on, dear brother, in a far-off land
Your life for your country you nobly gave;
No loved ones near you to say good-bye,
But in God’s keeping you safely lie.

From his loving Sister and Brother-in law, Hilda and Willie, Empress House, Coniston.

25 April 1919

HARTLEY – In affectionate remembrance of my dear husband, Pioneer S. M. Hartley, who was killed on active service in France, April 28th, 1917.

When days are dark and friends are few,
Dear husband, how I long for you;
The flowing streams of life roll on,
But still the vacant chair recalls
The love, the smile of him who once sat there.
Sleep on, dear husband, and take your rest,
Death hides, but it does not divide;
Thou art with Christ and Christ with us,
In Him we still are close to thee.

Sadly missed by his loving wife and little ones, Lilac House, Storiths, Bolton Abbey.

HARTLEY – In ever loving remembrance of Pioneer S. M. Hartley, who was killed on active service in France, April 28th, 1917.

In our home you are fondly remembered,
Sweet memories cling round your dear name;
Hearts that held you in deepest affection
Do love you in death just the same.

“Only those who have loved and lost can understand.”

From his loving Mother and Father, The Stank, Bolton Abbey.

HARTLEY – Sacred to the memory of our dearly loved brother, Pioneer S. M. Hartley, who died in France April 28th, 1917.

Just when his hopes were brightest,
Just when his thoughts were best,
He was called from this world of sorrow
To the home of eternal rest.
Time has passed on, dear brother,
But loving memories still remain,
Hours of joy we spent together,
Joys we cannot share again.

From his devoted brother and sister, Jack and Maggie.

HARTLEY – In affectionate remembrance of Pioneer W. M. Hartley, died April 28th, 1917.

He would not wish us sad,
Our smiles were once his pleasure;
But though we cannot smile at him
His memory is a treasure.

From his loving Brother and Sister, Willie and Hilda, Hempland House, Conistone.

23 April 1920

HARTLEY – In loving memory of our dear son, Sylvester Moorhouse Hartley, who died of wounds in France, April 28th, 1917.

Could we have raised his dying head
And heard his last farewell.
It’s only those who have loved and lost
That know the grief for one they loved so well.

From his sorrowing Father and Mother, High Bank House, Storiths, Bolton Abbey.

30 April 1920

HARTLEY – In loving memory of our dear son, Sylvester Moorhouse Hartley, who died of wounds in France, April 28th, 1917.

Could we have raised his dying head
And heard his last farewell.
It is only those who have loved and lost
That know the grief for one they loved so well.

From his sorrowing Father and Mother, High Bank House, Storiths, Bolton Abbey.

HARTLEY – In loving memory of our dear brother, Pioneer S. M. Hartley, died from wounds in France, April 28th, 1917.

He loved not war, but at his country’s call
He paid the supreme sacrifice, leaving all –
Home, friends, ambitions – all the hope of years
He laid upon the Altar without tears.

From Hilda and Willie, Conistone.

HARTLEY – In loving memory of our dear son-in-law, Pioneer S. M. Hartley, died from wounds in France, April 28th, 1917.

A good life is often short,
But a good name lives for ever.

From his loving Mother and Father-in-law, The Stank, Bolton Abbey.

HARTLEY – In loving memory of our dear brother, Pioneer S. M. Hartley, died from wounds in France, April 28th, 1917.

We shall sleep, but not for ever,
There will be a glorious dawn;
We shall meet to part – No, never,
On the resurrection morn.

From his loving Brother and Sister, Jack and Maggie, The Stank, Bolton Abbey.

29 April 1921

HARTLEY – In loving memory of our dear son, Sylvester Moorhouse Hartley, Royal Engineers, who died of wounds in France, April 28th, 1917.

“No morning dawns, no night returns but what we think of him.”

“Too dearly loved to be forgotten.”

From his sorrowing Mother and Father and his two dear little children; also from an old pal, Tom Hibbert.

HARTLEY – In loving memory of our dear son-in-law, Pioneer S. M. Hartley, died from wounds in France, April 28th, 1917.

There is a link that death cannot sever –
Love and remembrance live for ever.

From his loving Mother and Father-in-law, The Stank, Bolton Abbey.

HARTLEY – In loving memory of our dear brother, Pioneer S. M. Hartley, died from wounds in France, April 28th, 1917.

“Dearest brother, we think of you.”

From his loving Brother and Sister, Jack and Maggie, Summer-scales, Bolton Abbey.

HARTLEY – In proud and loving memory of our dear brother, Pioneer S. M. Hartley, died from wounds in France, April 28th, 1917.

Forgotten by some, to the world he may be,
But true to our memory he ever will be.

From Hilda and Willie, Conistone-with-Kilnsey.