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William Henry TOWNSON

Main CPGW Record

Surname: TOWNSON

Forename(s): William Henry

Place of Birth: Hebden, Yorkshire

Service No: 44627

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Northumberland Fusiliers

Battalion / Unit: 1/4th Battalion

Division: 50th (Northumbrian) Division

Age: ---

Date of Death: 1918-03-22

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 16 to 18.

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: POZIERES MEMORIAL

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: KETTLEWELL, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

William Henry Townson was the son of Thomas and Esther Elizabeth Townson, née Brown. Thomas was born at Embsay and Esther at Hebden, Yorkshire.

1881 Hebden, Yorkshire Census: Green Terrace - William H. Townson, aged 5 years, born Hebden, son of Thomas and Esther Elizabeth Townson.

1891 Brierfield, Lancashire Census: 8, Belgrave Street - William H. Townson, aged 15 years, born Hebden parish of Linton, Yorkshire, son of Thomas and Esther E. Townson.

1901 Brierfield, Lancashire Census: 24, Chapel Street - William H. Townson, aged 25 years, born Hebden, Yorkshire, son of Thomas and Esther E. Townson.

William was married to Martha Lund on the 22 February 1906.

1911 Hebden, Yorkshire Census: Clarendon Hotel - William H. Townson, aged 38 years, born Hebden, husband of Martha Townson.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte William H. Townson, 44627, North'd Fus. K. in A.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte William Henry Townson, 44267, 18th North'd Fus.; 9th North'd Fus.; 20th North'd Fus.; 1/4th North'd Fus.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte William Henry Townson, 44627, 1/4 Nthd Fus. Date and Place of Death: 22.3.18. France. K. in A. or D. of W. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Martha. £8 3s. 2d. Self and children. War Gratuity: Widow - Martha. £7 10s. 0d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for William. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Martha, born 14.1.71. Marriage: 22.2.06. Address: Dale House, Kettlewell.

William probably died of his wounds soon after falling into German hands. He would have been buried on the battlefield close to where died and his grave subsequently lost.

A short biography of William is included in: ‘Swaledale & Wharfedale Remembered – Aspects of Dales’ life through peace and war’ by Keith Taylor (2006).

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

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

TOWNSON, H., N.F., formerly at Blue Bell Inn, [Kettlewell], died in Prisoner of War Camp.

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Private William Henry TOWNSON

Private William Henry TOWNSON

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Northumberland Fusiliers

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Northumberland Fusiliers

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 50th (Northumbrian) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 50th (Northumbrian) Division

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

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: TOWNSON

Forename(s): William Henry

Born: Hebden, Yorks

Residence:

Enlisted: Skipton, Yorks

Number: 44627

Rank: Private

Regiment: Northumberland Fusiliers

Battalion: 1/4th Battalion (Territorials)

Decorations:

Died Date: 22/03/18

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: TOWNSON

Forename(s): William Henry

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 44627

Rank: Private

Regiment: Northumberland Fusiliers

Unit: 1st/4th Bn.

Age:

Awards:

Died Date: 22/03/1918

Additional Information:

View Additional Text

View Additional Text For Soldier Records

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966

1919

TOWNSON William Henry of Kettlewell near Skipton Yorkshire private 1/4th battalion Northumberland Fusiliers died 22 March 1918 in France Administration London 24 May to Martha Townson widow. Effects £163 15s. 2d.

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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records

Wedding party outside the Clarendon Hotel, Hebden, after the marriage of William Henry Townson and Martha Lund on the 22 February 1906

Wedding party outside the Clarendon Hotel, Hebden, after the marriage of William Henry Townson and Martha Lund on the 22 February 1906

Courtesy of Hebden Parish Historical Data website: from the collection of David Joy

View Craven Herald Articles

View Craven Herald Articles

Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

11 October1918

PRIVATE W. H. TOWNSON PRESUMED KILLED – The Only Volunteer in Kettlewell

We are sorry to learn that the death is presumed of Private W.H. Townson, formerly landlord of the Blue Bell Inn, Kettlewell, the painful news having been received by his wife, Mrs. Townson, of Dale House, Kettlewell, through the Geneva Red Cross, Switzerland. The deceased soldier, who, we understand, was the only volunteer in Kettlewell, joined on June 16th 1916, the Northumberland Fusiliers. He had been twice wounded, the second time being last Christmas. He returned to France before the New Year, and has presumably been a prisoner of war and died in an enemy camp. The details to hand are very meagre, but there is no doubt that the gallant soldier has paid the supreme sacrifice, and we tender deep sympathy with the widow and relatives.

01 November 1918

KETTLEWELL – PRIVATE W. H. TOWNSON

We reproduce a photograph of Private W. H. Townson, formerly landlord of the Blue Bell Inn, Kettlewell, whose death in an enemy camp was reported in our issue of October 11th. He joined on June 16th, 1916, the Northumberland Fusiliers, had been twice wounded, was taken prisoner after returning to France in December, 1917, and the information obtained through the Red Cross shows that he died while a prisoner of war. His widow lives at Dale House, Kettlewell.

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