Main CPGW Record
Surname: LAYCOCK
Forename(s): William
Place of Birth: Colne, Lancashire
Service No: 3/18867
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'D' Coy 9th (Service) Battalion
Division: 17th (Northern) Division
Age: ---
Date of Death: 1917-04-25
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Bay 6.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
William Laycock was the son of George and Hannah Laycock, née Robinson. George was born at Gargrave and Hannah at Thornton-in-Craven, Yorkshire. William was the cousin of Private Walter Robinson (14753) (q.v.).
1901 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 48, Victoria Road - William Laycock, aged 4 years, born [ - ], son of George and Hannah Laycock.
1911 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 48, Victoria Road - William Laycock, aged 14 years, born Colne, Lancashire, son of George and Hannah Laycock.
The British Army Service Record for William Laycock exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte William Laycock, 18867, W. Rid. R. Pres. Dead 25.4.17.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte William Laycock, 18867, 9 W. Rid. R. Pres. dead 25.4.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte William Laycock, 18867, 9 W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: On or since 25.4.17, Death pres. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Grantee - Thomas Driver. £7 7s. 8d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: Pte William Laycock, 18867, 9th West Riding. Date and cause of death: 25.4.17. Missing. Dependant: Miss Caroline Laycock. Address: “Glengyle” Rostle Top Road, Earby nr. Colne. Relationship to soldier: Sister. Pension: Gratuity of £24 1s. 0d.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
Data Source: Local War Memorial
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 17th (Northern) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
19 October 1917
EARBY – THE BRAVE LADS WHO NEVER RETURNED
Mrs. Arthur Duckworth, 1, Riverside Terrace, Earby, has received the following letter from the British Red Cross in reply to enquiries about her husband, Private A. Duckworth, West Riding Regiment, reported missing on April 25th:– “We have been endeavouring for some time to obtain information with regard to your husband, and today have received our first report, but I am sorry to say it does not give a very hopeful account of what occurred on April 25th. Our informant, Sergt. Frederick Fletcher of the same regiment and company (now in Harborne Hall V.A.D. Hospital Birmingham), states:– “Pte. Duckworth was known to me as being in my ‘D’ Company, 14 Platoon, and I identify him by his number. We all went over with the first wave of attack at Bullecourt in the early morning of April 25th about 4 a.m. All the men in my Battalion, company and platoon were badly cut up that day by machine gun fire. No men were captured, but our losses were terrible. I cannot say definitely what happened to this man after I saw him last, nor do I think under the circumstances anyone can say more than that he went out and was subjected to sweeping gun fire and never returned. I did not leave my unit until the 31st August 1917.”
“We are continuing our enquiries on your behalf and will forward you any information directly we receive it. Please accept our very sincere sympathy in your anxiety.
“Yours faithfully, J. HOWARD (for the Earl of Lucan).”
Two other Earby soldiers: Private White and Private Laycock – belonging the same Company, were reported missing at the same time.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
12 October 1917
EARBY MEN MISSING
Mrs. Arthur Duckworth, 1, Riverside Terrace, Earby, has received the following letter from the British Red Cross in reply to enquiries about her husband, Private A. Duckworth, of the West Riding Regiment, reported missing on April 25th:– “We have been endeavouring for some time to obtain information with regard to your husband and today have received our first report, but I am sorry to say it does not give a very hopeful account of what occurred on April 25th. Our informant, Sergeant Frederick Fletcher, of the same regiment and company (now is Harborne Hall V.A.D. Hospital, Birmingham), states:– “Private Duckworth was known to me as being in my ‘D’ company, 14th platoon, and I identify him by his number. We all went over in the first wave of attack at Bullecourt in the early morning of April 25th about 4 a.m. All the men in my battalion, company and platoon were badly cut up that day by machine gun fire. No men were captured, but our losses were terrible. I cannot say definitely what happened to this man after I saw him last, nor do I think under the circumstances anyone can say more than that he went out and was subjected to sweeping gunfire and never returned. I did not leave my unit until the 31st August, 1917.” We are continuing our enquiries on your behalf and will forward you any information directly we receive it. Please accept our very sincere sympathy in your anxiety. – Yours faithfully, J. Howard (for the Earl of Lucas).”
Two other Earby soldiers – Private White and Private Laycock – belonging to the same company, were reported missing at the same time.
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