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William Alan BRAYSHAY

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Surname: BRAYSHAY

Forename(s): William Alan

Place of Birth: Rylstone, Yorkshire

Service No: 16/1391

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 'D' Coy 16th (Service) Battalion. (1st Bradford)

Division: 31st Division

Age: 17

Date of Death: 1915-10-20

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: II. A. 14.

CWGC Cemetery: FOVANT (ST. GEORGE) CHURCHYARD

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: BRADLEY, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

William Alan Brayshay was the son of Robert and Edith Mary Brayshay, née Airey. Robert was born at Heywood, Lancashire and Edith at Kirkby Lonsdale, Westmorland.

1901 Bradley, Skipton, Yorkshire Census: William A. Brayshay, aged 2 years, born Rylstone, Yorkshire, son of Robert and Edith M. Brayshay.

1911 Bradley, Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 3, Rose Terrace - William Alan Brayshay, aged 12 years, born Rylstone, Yorkshire, son of Robert and Edith Mary Brayshay.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte William Alan Brayshay, 1391, 16th Bn W/Yorks. Date and Place of Death: 20.10.15. Fovant. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - Robert. £4 13s. 0d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for William. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Edith Mary Brayshay. Relationship: Mother. Address: 6, College Crescent, Bradley.

The informal title of the 16th (Service) Bn Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) (1st Bradford) was the 1st Bradford Pals.

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---

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Private William Alan BRAYSHAY

Private William Alan BRAYSHAY

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 31st Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 31st Division

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

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: BRAYSHAW

Forename(s): William Alan

Born: Rylstone, Skipton, Yorks

Residence:

Enlisted: Bradford

Number: 16/1391

Rank: Private

Regiment: Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Battalion: 16th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 20/10/15

Died How: Died

Theatre of War: Home

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: BRAYSHAY

Forename(s): William Alan

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 1391

Rank: Private

Regiment: West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)

Unit: 16th Bn.

Age: 17

Awards:

Died Date: 20/10/1915

Additional Information: Son of Robert and Edith Mary Brayshay, of 6, College Crescent, Bradley, Keighley, Yorks.

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29 October 1915

BRADLEY - PRIVATE WILLIAM BRAYSHAY DIES IN HOSPITAL

Quite a gloom was cast over the village on Wednesday evening of last week when Mr. and Mrs.
Brayshay received a telegram that their son, Private Wm. Brayshay, aged 17, had died in hospital from tumour of the brain at Fovant Camp, Salisbury. Willie was a bright, cheerful lad, respected by all. Before enlisting in the 16th West Yorkshire 'D' Company in April he was employed at Mr. H. Widdop's gas and oil engine makers, of Keighley. He was trained at Bradford and Ripon, going to Salisbury Plain about seven weeks ago.

The funeral took place on Saturday, the procession from the hospital being headed by the firing party with arms reversed; then the band playing the Dead March, followed by the gun carriage drawn by six black horses, with the coffin on a platform over the gun and draped with the Union Jack; on it were his cap, belt, and bayonet. His brother and sister were next to the gun carriage, followed by Major Moore, Lieutenant Parker, and about one hundred men of the deceased's company. Private Joseph Woodrup, who was in the same Company and enlisted from Bradley at the same time as Brayshay, formed one of the six bearers.

The Rev. J. G. Thornton, chaplain, wrote a beautiful letter to Mrs. Brayshay of deepest sympathy in their sad bereavement, and he hoped that they would be proud to think that their son had died as a soldier, having done what he could for England in this Great War. The Chaplain throughout has shown the greatest kindness and sympathy.

On Sunday afternoon, at Saint Mary's Church, in connection with which the deceased was an ardent worker and member of the choir, a memorial service was held conducted by the Rev. J. J. Turner, vicar of Cononley. The hymns, 'Abide with Me,' and 'Peace, Perfect Peace,' were sung and the 'Dead March' in Saul was played.

Mr. and Mrs. Brayshay and family have the deepest sympathy of the inhabitants of the village in the loss they have sustained.

27 April 1917

A BRADLEY HERO

Mr. and Mrs. Walker Blades, of Prospect Terrace, Bradley, have received the following letter, dated April 15th:- " It is with deepest regret and sympathy that I beg to inform you of your son's death. He was killed by shrapnel yesterday, the 14th, and was buried last night. He was a good workmate and soldier, and I sincerely regret his 1oss.

"Yours sincerely, LANCE-CORPORAL J. LITTLEWOOD, Shoemaker's Shop, Duke of Wellington's Regiment. "

"P.S. He was buried in an English grave and had a proper funeral service."

Private Albert Blades, of the West Yorkshire Regiment, who was 22 years of age, was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Blades, and enlisted on March 28th, 1916. He went to France in the following January. He was of a quiet and retiring disposition, but all his letters breathed a love of home and of his parents, for whom the deepest sympathy is felt. He was formerly employed as shoemaker by Mrs. Walker, of Skipton.

A memorial service was held in the Wesleyan Chapel, Bradley, on Sunday morning, conducted by Mr. Herbert Thornton, who said that it was their painful experience to have to record the passing away of another of their lads on the field of battle. Never surely in the history of mankind was there so much anguish and heartbreak on account of loved ones who had been prematurely cut off. Well might they cry out "How long, O Lord, how long?" When would the toll for human misunderstanding, avarice and inordinate ambition be expiated? They little thought a week ago, when paying a tribute to Sydney Mattock, that even then Albert had found a last resting place upon a foreign shore. Yet so it was, and his death made the sixth of their lads who had laid down their lives in their country's cause, viz., Willie Brayshay, while in training on Salisbury Plain; Robert Henry Mawson, Leonard Troup, John Sydney Mattock, James Henry Peel, and lastly, they hoped, and so far as they knew, Albert Blades. Albert was of a quiet disposition; he didn't wear his heart upon his sleeve, his innermost thoughts and aspirations were rarely, if ever, expressed. He was diligent and plodding, kind and considerate, strongly attached to all at home, purposely avoiding in his letters anything calculated to give uneasiness or anxiety; consequently, it was not known definitely whether he was killed in action or hit with shrapnel behind the line. He was one of their own lads, having passed through the Sunday School and previous to enlisting was connected with Mr. Bray's Young Men's Class. He was also a frequent attender at public worship and in their name and his own he extended to the bereaved relatives their sincere sympathy. It was some consolation to know that his death brought no remorse; that his end had not been hastened by fast and profligate living, but that he had died fighting the country's cause. Might some comfort come to all those who were bitterly mourning the loss of loved ones at this time from the thought that their lives were given up in the most momentous struggle in history, and that they sacrifice their all in order that right and freedom should triumph and the world be made a brighter and a happier place in which to live.

At the close of the service 'O rest in the Lord' was played by the organist, Mr. Chapman.

The following letter was received by his parents yesterday morning from Private Joe Harry Mawson, another Bradley lad:-

April 19th 1917

"Dear Mr. Blades, - I beg to extend to you and your family my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement, and I most sincerely pray that God will comfort and sustain you until that day dawns when you will be re-united in the better land. The news came as a great shock to me this morning. I made enquiries about him and learnt that he was wounded in the back and died in hospital. I have seen the place where he is buried, and let me assure you that he has been buried respectably. At present there is nothing but a bottle with his name and number and date of burial as follows: 'Private A. Blades. No. 4,604, 14/4/17' but in the course of a few days there will probably be a small wood cross put up to mark the place. I have been talking to his sergeant, and he told me he was a good soldier. There is only one consolation for you, that is that he has done his duty and paid the highest sacrifice for the sake of humanity."

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29 October 1915

BRADLEY - SUDDEN DEATH OF A SOLDIER IN CAMP

Quite a gloom was cast over the village on Wednesday evening of last week when Mr. and Mrs. Brayshay received a telegram that their son, Private William Brayshay, aged 17, had died in hospital from tumour of the brain at Fovant Camp, Salisbury. Willie was a bright, cheerful lad respected by all. He was previously employed at Mr. H. Widdop's gas and oil engine makers, Keighley. He was trained at Bradford and Ripon, going to Salisbury Plain about seven weeks ago.

The funeral took place on Saturday, the procession from the hospital being headed by the firing party with arms reversed, then the band playing the 'Dead March' followed by the gun carriage drawn by six black horses, with the coffin on the platform over the gun draped with the Union Jack. On it were his cap, belt and bayonet. His brother and sister were next to the gun carriage, followed by Major Moore, Lieutenant Parker and about one hundred men of the deceased's Company. Private Joe Woodrup, who was in the same Company, and enlisted from Bradley at the same time as Brayshay, formed one of the six bearers.

Rev. J.G. Thornton, chaplain, wrote a beautiful letter to Mrs. Brayshay of deepest sympathy in their sad bereavement, and he hoped they would be proud to think that their son had died as a soldier having done what he could for England in this great war. The chaplain throughout has shown the greatest kindness and sympathy.

On Sunday afternoon, at St. Mary's Church, in connection with which the deceased was an ardent worker and member of the choir, a memorial service was held, conducted by Rev. J.J. Turner, vicar of Cononley. The hymns 'Abide with me', and 'Peace, perfect peace' were sung and the 'Dead March' in Saul was played. Mr. and Mrs. Brayshay and family have the deepest sympathy of the inhabitants of the village in the loss they have sustained.

20 October 1916

In ever loving memory of our dearly loved son and brother, Pte. William Alan Brayshay, who died October 20th 1915, at Fovant Camp, Salisbury, aged 17 years.

"Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee."

From the loved ones at home.

27 April 1917

ANOTHER BRADLEY SOLDIER KILLED

Mr. and Mrs. Walker Blades, of Prospect Terrace, Bradley, received the following letter last week from Lance-Corpl. J. Littlewood, of the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment:- " It is with deepest regret and sympathy that I beg to inform you of your son's death. He was killed by shrapnel yesterday, the 14th, and was buried last night. He was a good workmate, and I sincerely regret his loss. He was buried in an English grave and had a proper funeral service."

Pte. Albert Blades, of the West Yorkshire Regiment, who was 22 years of age, was the only son of the above, and enlisted on March 28th, 1916. He went to France on Jan. 12th. The lad was of a quiet and retiring disposition, but all his letters breathed a love of home and parents, for whom the deepest sympathy is felt. He was formerly employed as shoemaker by Mrs. Walker, of Skipton.

The following letter was received by Pte. Blades's parents yesterday morning from Private Joe Harry Mawson, another Bradley lad:-

"I beg to extend to you and your family my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement, and I most sincerely pray that God will comfort and sustain you until that day dawns when you will be re-united in the Better Land. The news came as a great shock to me this morning. I made enquiries about him and learnt that he was wounded in the back and died in hospital. I have seen the place where he is buried, and let me assure you that he has been buried respectably. At present there is nothing but a bottle with his name, number, and date of funeral, 'Pte. A. Blades. No. 4604, 14/4/17,' but in the course of a few days there will probably be a small wood cross put up to mark the place. I have been talking to his sergeant, and he told me he was a good soldier. There is only one consolation for you, that is that he has done his duty, and paid the highest sacrifice for the sake of humanity."

A memorial service was held in the Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday morning, conducted by Mr. Herbert Thornton, who said that it was their painful experience to have to record the passing away of another of their lads on the field of battle. Never surely in the history of mankind was there so much anguish and heartbreak on account of loved ones who had been prematurely cut off. Rachel's weeping for their children because they are not. Well might they cry out "How long, O Lord, how long?" When would the toll for human misunderstanding, avarice and inordinate ambition be expiated. They little thought a week ago, when paying a tribute to Sydney Mattock, that even then Albert had found a last resting place upon a foreign shore. Yet, so it was, and his death made the sixth of their lads who had laid down their lives in their country's cause, viz., Willie Brayshay, while in training on Salisbury Plain; Robert Henry Mawson, Leonard Throup, John Sydney Mattock, James Henry Peel, and lastly, they hoped, and so far as they knew, Albert Blades. Albert was of a quiet disposition; he didn't wear his heart upon his sleeve, his innermost thoughts and aspirations were rarely, if ever, expressed. He was diligent and plodding, kind-hearted and considerate, strongly attached to all at home, purposely avoiding in his letters anything calculated to give uneasiness or anxiety. Consequently, it was not known definitely whether he was killed in action or hit with shrapnel behind the line. He attested on his 21st birthday, and joined the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. He was one of their own lads, having passed through the Sunday School, and previous to enlisting was connected with Mr. Bray's Young Men's Class. He was also a frequent attender at public worship, and in your name and my own I extended to the bereaved relatives their sincere sympathy. It was some consolation to know that his death brought no remorse, that his end had not been hastened by fast and profligate living; he has died fighting your cause and mine. Death met him in the discharge of his duty. What worthier end? In the words of Mazzini, I would say "Life is a mission duty its highest aim," for unselfish actions never die. May some comfort come to all those who were bitterly mourning the loss of loved ones at this time, from the thought that their life was given up in the most momentous struggle in history, and that they sacrifice their all in order that right and freedom should triumph and the world be made a brighter and a happier place in which to live.

All through life I see a cross
Where sons of God yield up their breath,
There is no gain except by loss,
No life - except by death.

At the close of the service 'O rest in the Lord' was played by the organist, Mr. Chapman.

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