Main CPGW Record
Surname: SHIRES
Forename(s): Wilfred
Place of Birth: Wennington, Lancashire
Service No: 265405
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 1/6th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 20
Date of Death: 1918-05-03
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: V. C. 8.
CWGC Cemetery: LA CLYTTE MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Wilfred Shires was the son of William and Mary Ann Shires, née Wearing and brother of Private Herbert Shires (307567) (q.v.). Their father was born at Wennington, Lancashire and mother at Bentham, Yorkshire. Wilfred and Herbert were cousins of Private Richard Wearing (S/43996) (q.v.).
1901 Wennington, Lancashire Census: Cottage - Wilfred Shires, aged 3 years, born Wennington, son of William and Mary Ann Shires.
1911 Rylstone, Yorkshire Census: Manor House - Wilfred Shires, aged 13 years, born Melling Parish, Lancashire. [Wilfred was employed by William Atkinson Procter, Farmer, whose son, Lieutenant John N.W.A. Procter (q.v.) also died in the Great War.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte W. Shires, 2148, W. Rid. Rgt. Theatre of War first served in: 1 France. Date of entry therein: 29.6.15. K. in A. 11.4.18. [The date for k. in a. belongs to the soldier above Wilfred in 1914-15 Star list.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Wilfred Shires, 265405, West Riding Regiment. Theatre of War first served in: ( - ). Date of entry therein: ( - ).
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls [1914-15 Star]: Pte W. Shires, 2148 & 265408 [sic], West Riding Regiment. Date of Disembarkation: 29.6.15 (1) [France]. K. in A. 3.5.18.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Wilfred Shires, 265405, 2/6 W. Rid. R.; 1/6 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 3.5.18.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Wilfred Shires, 265405, 1/6th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 3.5.18 France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother - Mrs. Mary A. Brown. £26 18s. 4d.
Wilfred, along with another Barnoldswick soldier, Private Thomas Skinner (265741) (q.v.), went to France in the same draft on the 29 June 1915. Both were killed in action on the 3 May 1918.
War Diary of the 1/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment): 3 May 1918. MILLEKRUISSE. The day passed quietly. Final orders were received for forthcoming relief by the French. At 8.30 p.m. a heavy barrage was put down on Front Line and on roads and back areas. Our S.O.S. was sent up on right and left. Reports received from Front Line Battns stated that no attack had taken place. The situation had quietened by 10 p.m. [Wilfred was one of twelve men from the battalion who were wounded or killed in action 3 May.]
A short biography of Wilfred is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
SHIRES, Wilfred, aged 20 years, West Riding Regiment, son of the late Mr. Wm. Shires, Wennington and formerly of 30, Lower North Avenue, [Barnoldswick], killed in action May 3, 1918.
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Private Wilfred SHIRES
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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St Mary-le-Ghyll Churchyard, Barnoldswick
Family gravestone
St Mary-le-Ghyll Churchyard, Barnoldswick
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
19 November 1915
BARNOLDSWICK MEN INVALIDED HOME
Sapper Norman Barrett of the Royal Naval Division (Engineers), has been invalided home to undergo an operation, and is now in hospital at, Gosport. He went out to the Dardanelles in March and since August has been at Malta recovering from an attack of jaundice. He is the son of Mr. Procter Barrett, Coates.
Pte. Wilfred Shires, 6th West Ridings, son of the late Mr. Wm. Shires and Mrs. Shires, 30, Lower North Avenue, is at home on ten days’ furlough, after having undergone an operation for appendicitis at Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot. He has been at the Front, near Ypres, since July, and is returning to Clipstone Camp, Mansfield.
17 May 1918
Private W. Shires, Barnoldswick
Private Wilfred Shires, West Riding Regiment, officially reported killed in action on May 3rd, was the second member of his family to pay the price, the sad news following closely upon that of his brother (Private Herbert Shires) reported a fortnight since, who had been missing since November 27th. They are the sons of the late Mr. William Shires (of Wennington) and of Mrs. Brown, 30 Lower North Avenue, Barnoldswick.
Private Wilfred Shires, though only 20 years of age, had had three year’s active campaigning in France, being called up with the Territorials on the outbreak of war. Two brothers are still serving and another is a prisoner of war in Germany.
02 May 1919
SHIRES – In affectionate remembrance of Private Wilfred Shires, West Riding Regiment, who was killed in action in France May 3rd, 1918, aged 20 years; also his brother, Private Herbert Shires, who was killed on or about November 27th, 1917, aged 21 years.
Two loving sons, two brothers kind,
A beautiful memory left behind;
None but aching hearts can know
The unknown grave is the bitterest blow.
From his loving Father, Mother, Brothers and Sister-in-law and dearest friend, Mary Widdup; also his brother Jack in Egypt. 30 Lower North Avenue, Barnoldswick.
28 November 1919
SHIRES – In ever loving memory of our dear sons and brothers, Pte. Herbert Shires, 2/5th Duke of Wellington’s who was reported missing November 27th, 1917, at Bourlon Wood, aged 24 years; also his brother, Pte. William Shires, 1/6th Duke of Wellington’s, who was killed in action in France May 3rd, 1918, aged 20 years.
Sleep on, dear sons, as days go by
No flowers can we lay on the grave where you lie;
For the broad wide ocean does keep us apart,
Your ever smiling faces shall dwell in our hearts.
As we look at your pictures, that hang on the wall,
The smile on your faces we can’t but recall.
We miss you, God knows, and mourn you unseen,
And dwell on the memories of days that have been.
From their ever loving Mother, Stepfather, Brothers, Sister-in-law, and Mary, 30 Lower North Avenue, Barnoldswick.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
17 May 1918
SHIRES – Killed in action May 3rd, Private Wilfred Shires, West Riding Regiment, son of the late Mr. Wm. Shires, of Wennington, and of Mrs. Brown, 30, Lower North Avenue, Barnoldswick, aged 20.
17 May 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Private W. Shires, Barnoldswick
Pte. Wilfred Shires, West Riding Regiment, officially reported killed in action on May 3rd, was the second member of his family to pay the price, the bad news following closely upon that of the presumed death of his brother (Pte. H. Shires) reported a fortnight since, who had been missing since November 27th. They were the sons of the late Mr. Wm. Shires (of Wennington), and of Mrs. Brown, 30, Lower North Avenue, Barnoldswick. Pte. Wilfred Shires though only 20 yeas of age, had had three years active campaigning in France, being called up with the Territorials on the outbreak of war. Two brothers are still serving and another is a prisoner in Germany.
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