Main CPGW Record
Surname: MURGATROYD
Forename(s): William Allan
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: G/17650
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion
Division: 29th Division
Age: 28
Date of Death: 1918-03-20
Awards: D.C.M.
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: V. D. 26.
CWGC Cemetery: OXFORD ROAD CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON – ERMYSTED’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
William Allan Murgatroyd was the son of William and Margaret Elizabeth Murgatroyd, née Baynes. William, senior, was born at Skipton, Yorkshire and Margaret at Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire.
1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: Carleton Street - Allen Murgatroyde, aged 1 year, born Skipton, son of William and Elizabeth Murgatroyde.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: Rockvilla - Allan Murgatroyd, aged 11 years, born Skipton, son of William and Margaret E. Murgatroyd.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: Rock Villa - William Allan Murgatroyd, aged 21 years, born Skipton, son of William and Margaret Elizabeth Murgatroyd.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: L/Cpl W.A. Murgatroyd, 17650, 2nd Royal Fusiliers, D.C.M.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Sgt William A. Murgatroyd, GS/17650, Royal Fusiliers. Theatre of War first served in: (2B) Balkans. Date of entry therein: 25 August 1915.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Sgt William Allan Murgatroyd, GS/17650, 2/R. Fus. Theatres of war in which served: 2(b) 24.10.15 to 18.1.16. 4(a) [Egypt] 19.1.16 to 21.3.16. 1(a) [France and Belgium] 22.3.16. to 20.3.18.
A short biography of William is included in: ‘A Grammar School at War – The Story of Ermysted’s Grammar School during the Great War’ by Steven Howarth (2007).
See also: 'Growing up in Old Skipton – The memoirs of Joyce Murgatroyd' edited by Stephanie Carter and Ella Hatfield (2011).
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:
MURGATROYD, Sgt. Wm. Allen, aged 28, Royal Fusiliers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Murgatroyd. Rock Villa, Skipton, killed in action March 20, 1918.
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Sergeant William Allan MURGATROYD
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 29th Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Private (later Sergeant) William Allan Murgatroyd, sitting on the ground, in the middle
Courtesy of Craven Museum & Gallery
Waltonwrays (Cemetery) Skipton
Family gravestone
Waltonwrays (Cemetery) Skipton
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
23 March 1917
MORE SKIPTON MEN WOUNDED
Mrs. Wright, of Millbridge, has been officially informed that her son, Pte. Edgar Wright, of the Royal Fusiliers, has been wounded in the Western Front. From another Skipton soldier named Murgatroyd she has received a letter stating that her son was wounded in the right arm on February 28th, and that he was in hospital in France. Formerly employed as an engineer at the works of Messrs. Grace and Sutcliffe, Keighley. Pte. Wright enlisted over two years ago before he had reached the age of 17, and had served in the Dardanelles before being transferred to France.
09 November 1917
D. C. M. FOR SKIPTON CORPORAL
We are pleased to learn that Corporal William Allan Murgatroyd, Royal Fusiliers, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Murgatroyd, of Rock Villa, Skipton, has been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry on the field. At a full parade of the Division on Thursday of last week he had the ribbon pinned on his breast by the Divisional General.
This is the third time Corporal Murgatroyd has been ‘recommended’, and the deed which has won him the coveted honour was for holding with a machine gun, against strong counter attacks, a ‘pill box’ captured from the enemy by his sergeant. The latter was also recommended for an honour for his bravery, but unfortunately he has since died.
Twenty-eight years of age, Corporal Murgatroyd was educated at the Skipton Grammar School, and prior to enlisting in May 1915 assisted his father in the business of coal merchant. He served in the Dardanelles campaign and afterwards went to Egypt, and subsequently to France. So far he has the good fortune to escape unscathed.
Corporal Murgatroyd was a member of the Skipton Shop Assistants Union, who has forwarded him a letter of congratulation on the honour which has been bestowed upon him.
05 April 1918
SKIPTON D.C.M. WINNER KILLED – SERGEANT W. A. MURGATROYD
We regret to record the death of another fine young Skipton soldier – Sergeant William Allan Murgatroyd, D.C.M., Royal Fusiliers, only son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Murgatroyd, Rock Villa, Skipton. In a touching letter of sympathy to the bereaved parents, the Battalion Chaplain states that Sergeant Murgatroyd was killed on the night of March 20th by a stray shell when he was going out of the line. He describes him as “such a good example of cheerfulness and courage to the men in the line.” “He was,” the writer adds, “a brave and gallant man, and his death will be a great loss to the Battalion.” The Chaplain also mentions that he conducted the burial service on March 22nd, and that the Colonel wished him to convey his sincerest sympathy.
Twenty-eight years of age, Sergeant Murgatroyd was a fine type of the new British soldier. He was ‘recommended’ on three different occasions, and the D.C.M. was awarded him in October last for holding with a machine gun, against strong counter-attacks, a ‘pill’ box captured from the enemy by his sergeant (deceased was then a corporal). He was educated at the Skipton Grammar School, and prior to enlisting in May 1915 assisted his father in the business of coal merchant, and was an esteemed member of the Skipton Shop Assistants’ Union. He served in the Dardanelles campaign and afterwards went to Egypt, and subsequently, two years ago, to France.
21 March 1919
MURGATROYD – In loving memory of Sergt. William Allen Murgatroyd, D.C.M., 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who was killed in France March 20th, 1918.
“Only those who have loved and lost can understand.”
Agnes, Ivy Cottage, Rectory Lane.
MURGATROYD – In affectionate remembrance of a good pal and a fine soldier, William Allen Murgatroyd, Sergeant, 1915 Star and D.C.M., 2nd Royal Fusiliers, who made the supreme sacrifice in the Ypres Salient, March 20th, 1918.
Amy and Harold Duckett and Harry Hartley.
19 March 1920
MURGATROYD – In loving memory of Sergeant W. A. Murgatroyd, D.C.M., 2nd Royal Fusiliers, who was killed in action 29th March, 1918.
“Greater love hath no man than this – that he lay down his life for his friends.”
Harold Duckett, Clitheroe, and H.H. Kely.
26 March 1920
MURGATROYD – In loving memory of Sergt. W. A. Murgatroyd, D.C.M., 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who was killed in France, 20th March, 1918.
“Ever remembered.”
Agnes.
18 March 1921
MURGATROYD – In loving memory of my friend, Sergt. W. A. Murgatroyd, D.C.M., 2nd Royal Fusiliers, killed in action 20th March, 1918.
From H. Duckett, Cracoe.
MURGATROYD – In loving memory of Sgt. W. A. Murgatroyd, D.C.M., 2nd Royal Fusiliers, killed in France 20th March, 1918.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
09 November 1917
SKIPTON D.C.M. WINNER
Corporal William Allan Murgatroyd, of the Royal Fusiliers, only son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Murgatroyd, of Rock Villa, Skipton, has been awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry and devotion to duty, the ribbon being pinned to his breast in front of the whole division by his Divisional Commander on Thursday of last week. The deed for which he has been awarded the coveted honour was for holding a ‘pill box’ despite strong counter attacks by the enemy. The pill box was taken by his Sergeant, who was also recommended, but has since died. Corpl. Murgatroyd, who is 28 years of age, was educated at Skipton Grammar School, and prior to enlisting he assisted his father in his coal business at Skipton. He enlisted in May, 1915, first going out to the Dardanelles, then to Egypt, and was transferred to France. He has up to the present come through without a single scratch. This is the third time he has been recommended for distinction.
14 December 1917
FOUNDER’S DAY AT SKIPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL
A Fifteenth Century Foundation – War Memorial Proposed
COMMEMORATION SERVICE
Wednesday’s proceedings were opened with a service in commemoration not only of the founders and benefactors of the school but also of the gallant men who formerly passed through the school and who had given their lives for their country in the present war. The service was conducted by the headmaster (Rev. F.G. Forder) in the big school and there was a good attendance of old boys and others interested in the school. The names of the fallen heroes are as follows:– 2nd Lieut. T.B. Bellamy, Captain C.D. Bennett, 2nd Lieut. T.D. Broughton, Captain C.W. Brown, Gunner Philip Brown, Corporal H.S. Caw, Sergt. J. Cockerill, 2nd Lieut. H. Colley (master), Major M.E. Cookson, 2nd Lieut. E.G. Goodman, 2nd Lieut. F.H. Gill, Private W. Hartley, Rifleman W.M. Jowett, Lieut. H. Knowles, 2nd Lieut. C.H. Lee (master), 2nd Lieut. J.C. McIntyre, Captain J.B. McKay, Lance-Corporal A.J. Metcalfe, J.H. [E.] Metcalfe, Private E. Platt, Private C.T.W. Rigby, 2nd Lieut. W.A. Rodwell, Sergt. A.F. Ryder, Lieut. E.J.C. Supple (master), Private F. Thornton, Rifleman H. Tindall, Sergt. H. Walker, Gunner Herbert Watson, 2nd Lieut. Alec Wilson, Private Cameron Wilson, 2nd Lieut. Ian Wilson.
Among the old boys who have gained distinctions are the following:– Military Cross, Second-Lieutenant J.G. Berry, Second-Lieutenant J.B. Hartley, Captain J.T. Hurst, Lieut. P. Jowett, Lieut. J. Petty, and Capt. T.B. Pollard (master); Distinguished Conduct Medal, Corpl. W.A. Murgatroyd; Mentioned in Despatches, Lieut. J. Pethybridge, Capt. Allan Wilson, and many others.
05 April 1918
MURGATROYD – Killed in action, March 20th, Sergt. Wm. Allan Murgatroyd, of the Royal Fusiliers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Murgatroyd, of Rock Villa, Skipton, aged 28.
05 April 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Skipton D.C.M. Winner Killed
We regret to announce that Sergt. Wm. Allan Murgatroyd, of the Royal Fusiliers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Murgatroyd, of Rock Ville, Skipton, was killed in action by a stray shell on March 20th. The news was received in a letter from the chaplain, who states:– “I deeply regret to have to be the bearer of bad news. Your son, Sergt. W. A. Murgatroyd, was killed instantaneously while going out of the line. He is a very great loss to the battalion, as he was such a good example of cheerfulness and courage to the men in the line. He was a brave and gallant man. He was buried on March 22nd.” Sergt. Murgatroyd, who was 28 years of age, was educated at the Skipton Grammar School, and prior to enlisting in May, 1915, assisted his father in the business of coal merchant. He served in the Dardanelles campaign and afterwards went to Egypt and subsequently to France, where he had been for two years. In October last he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for holding with a machine gun, against strong counter attacks, a ‘pill’ box captured from the enemy by his sergeant, Sergt. Murgatroyd then holding the rank of Corporal. He was a former member of the Skipton Shop Assistants Union.
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