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 BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
TOWNSON, H., N.F., formerly at Blue Bell Inn, [Kettlewell], died in Prisoner of War Camp.
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private William Henry TOWNSON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Northumberland Fusiliers
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 50th (Northumbrian) Division
View Additional Image(s)
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
Courtesy of Hebden Parish Historical Data website: from the collection of David Joy
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
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.
---
Comment on this Soldier Record
You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.
No comments yet.