Main CPGW Record
Surname: LISTER
Forename(s): William
Place of Birth: Blackburn, Lancashire
Service No: 3614
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 1/6th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 27
Date of Death: 1915-07-18
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: III. D. 15.
CWGC Cemetery: ARTILLERY WOOD CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
William Lister (born 18 April 1888) was the son of Richard and Betsy Ann Lister, née Catlow. Both parents were born at Blackburn, Lancashire.
1891 Blackburn, Lancashire Census: 10, Oxford Street - William Lister, aged 2 years, born Blackburn, son of Richard and Betsy A. Lister.
1901 Blackburn, Lancashire Census: 63, Alker Street - William Lister, aged 12 years, born Blackburn, son of Richard and Betsy Ann Lister.
William was married to Mary Elizabeth Parker in 1910. Mary was the sister of Private John Robert Parker (26604) (q.v.).
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 7, King Street - William Lister, aged 22 years, born Blackburn, Lancashire, husband of Mary Elizabeth Lister. [William's parents were living at 1, King Street.]
The British Army Service Record for William Lister exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Wm Lister, 3614, West Riding Regiment. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 14 April 1915. Address: Widow - Mrs. M. Hindle, 4, King St. Barnoldswick, near Colne. 18 September 1920.
A short biography of William is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
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:
LISTER, Wm., King Street, 6th West Riding Regiment, killed in action on July 17, 1915; he was formerly right full-back in the Barnoldswick football team.
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Private William LISTER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
30 July 1915
BARNOLDSWICK FOOTBALLER KILLED
News reached Barnoldswick last week-end of the death of Private Wm. Lister, of the 6th Duke of Wellington's, who was killed in France on July 18th. Previous to joining the Army, Pte. Lister was well-known as an athlete and a member of the Barnoldswick football team, in which he played full back.
He was 27 years of age, married, and leaves one child, a boy of three years. The sad news was received in a letter from Major Bateman to Mrs. Lister, who resides at 7, King Street, Barnoldswick:–
“Dear Mrs. Lister, – I very much regret to inform you that your husband was killed in action whilst in the trenches on July 18th. Please accept my very deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. All his personal kit and balance of pay will be forwarded to you in due course by the authorities. I must add that I have always found Pte. Lister a splendid soldier and a good worker.– Yours truly, CHAS. M. BATEMAN”
In his last letter to his wife, dated July 16th, Pte. Lister wrote:– “We are in a very warm part of the trenches just now. I am still in the pink, but we have to skip about pretty lively at times. The Germans are very wide-awake, and keep us so too. Never mind. I shall think of you at the seaside and hope you will enjoy yourself. I wish this lot was over, but I can't see any chance of that yet … All the Barlickers are all right yet. We are now at the place where Vincent Eccleston was killed.”
21 July 1916
LISTER - In loving memory of Private William Lister 1/6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment who gave his life for his country near Ypres July 18th, 1915.
Sad thoughts, they linger round our hearts,
While tears they often flow,
And to that sad and silent grave
Our thoughts they often go.
From his loving Wife and Child, 4, King Street, Barnoldswick.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
23 July 1915
ANOTHER BARNOLDSWICK MAN KILLED
News was received yesterday of the death of Private William Lister, of the 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, who was killed in action on Sunday. He was 26 years of age, married and leaves two children. His wife resides in King Street, Barnoldswick. He was formerly in the Territorials, and re-enlisted shortly before Christmas. Lister was formerly right full-back in the Barnoldswick football team.
30 July 1915
PRIVATE LISTER’S LAST LETTER
As briefly announced last week, Private Wm. Lister, 6th Duke of Wellington’s, was killed on July 18th. According to a letter from Private Wolfenden of Barnoldswick, who was with him in the trenches, there were three killed and two injured at the same time, Lister being shot through the head. Before joining the Army he worked at Messrs. Bailey and Roberts, Barnsey Shed, and was well known as a footballer and athlete. He was 27 years of age and leaves a widow and one boy (3½ years), who reside at 7 King Street, Barnoldswick.
In his letter dated two days before his death, Private Lister wrote in the following cheerful strain:– “We are in a very warm part of the trenches just now. You will know where we are if you look in next week’s ‘Pioneer’. I am still in the pink, but we have to skip about pretty lively at times. The Germans are very wide-awake and keep us so too. Never mind, I shall think of you at the seaside and hope you enjoy yourself. I wish this lot was over, but don’t see much chance of that yet. P.S.- All the Barlickers are all right yet. We are now where Vincent Eccleston was killed.”
24 December 1915
CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – BARNOLDSWICK
Pte. Wm. Lister, 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, killed in action on July 17th. He was married, and left a wife and two children, who reside at King Street, Barnoldswick. He was formerly right full-back in the Barnoldswick football team.
20 July 1917
LISTER – In loving memory of Pte. W. Lister, who was killed in France on July 18th, 1915, aged 27.
Sleep on, dear son, and take your rest,
For God takes those He loves the best;
On earth there’s strife, in Heaven there’s rest,
They miss you most who loved you best.
– From his Mother, Father, and Sisters, King Street, Barnoldswick.
19 July 1918
In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. Wm. Lister, killed in action July 18th, 1915, aged 27.
There is a link death cannot sever,
Love and remembrance live for ever.
– From his loving Mother, Father, and Sisters, King Street, Barnoldswick.
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