William Arthur HOLGATE

‘Clitheroe Advertiser' (25 May 1917)

(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)

SAWLEY SOLDIER MISSING

Much concern is felt by Mrs. Holgate and family, of Dockber, Sawley, over the fate which has befallen Private Arthur Holgate, 16th West Yorkshire Regiment, who is reported missing since May 3rd. The source of the information is only too well founded, coming from the Chaplain, who writes:–

“The Colonel has asked me to write you a line of sympathy. Your son Arthur was reported missing in an engagement in which the battalion took part on may 3rd. I am sorry I do not write to give you definite news of him; that I cannot do. I believe that a certain number of men were compelled to surrender to superior forces of the enemy, so it may be that your son is a prisoner. If that be so you will probably hear from him in the next few weeks, or of him officially from the War Office. You must try to bear the suspense with the same courage with which your son faced his duty. God grant that you may meet him again in happier times of peace.” – Another son (Richard) of Mrs. Procter [sic] is in hospital in France. The sympathy of friends and neighbours will be given to her and the family in their great trouble.

'Clitheroe Times’ (24 January 1919)

(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)

DIED ON JOURNEY HOME

After being a prisoner in Germany since May, 1917, Private Wm. Arthur Holgate, West Yorks Regt., son of Mrs. T. Holgate, of Dockber Farm, Sawley, died from influenza on the journey home – at Copenhagen. Preparations had been made for a joyous reception and the sad news of his death cast a deep sorrow over the whole neighbourhood. Deep sympathy is felt with the bereaved relatives.

Grindleton War Memorial - Biographical Notes by Shirley Penman

WILLIAM A. HOLGATE, son of Thomas and Ruth nee Bridge married 20-12-1883 St. Mary Magdalene, Clitheroe. Was taken prisoner by the Germans on May 3rd,1917 and incarcerated in Gustrow Prisoner of War Camp, Mecklenberg - Vorpommern, Germany. This camp was situated in pine woods about three miles from the town and held 25,000 prisoners - another 25,000 were registered there but assigned to work camps. He became the “adopted” P.O.W. by Rimington village from March 1918 where by donations of a set amount made each month by the villagers and a parcel of necessities sent once a month. After the Armistice William was freed and sailed from Warnemunde, Germany on a Dutch ship, the “Cimbria”, for Copenhagen. Once there he was transferred to Orsunds Hospital where he died of pneumonia.

Commemorated on:

Grindleton Memorial
Sawley Memorial