William Young MITCHELL

18 January 1918

BOLTON ABBEY

DEATH OF THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE’S HEAD FORESTER

We regret to announce the death of Mr. J. Mitchell, of Strid Cottage, Bolton Abbey, head forester to the Duke of Devonshire on His Grace’s Bolton Abbey estate, after a brief illness of only a few days. Mr. Mitchell had a seizure on Monday of last week and died on Friday at the age of 64. Mr. Mitchell was a native of Tentrethan, Kerrimuir, Forfarshire, and was taught forestry in Edinburgh and Carlisle nurseries, also on the estates of Sir Thomas Gladstone and Sir Gordon Cummings, Altyre, Aberdeenshire, where he met his late wife, Miss A. Young, daughter of Mr. W. Young, East Quarter, Glasford, whom he married in 1881. He leaves six children – four daughters and two sons. The two sons, Pte. J. Mitchell, Military Police, and Pte. W. Mitchell, Scots Guards, are both serving at the front. Mr. Mitchell came to Bolton Abbey in March 1880, so that had he lived till March he would have been on the estate 38 years. The funeral took place at Bolton Abbey Church on Tuesday, and was largely attended, many coming from the adjoining parishes to pay their last tribute. The service was conducted by the rector (Rev. G. Tomlinson). The principal mourners were Miss Mitchell, Miss B. Mitchell (daughters), Mr. and Mrs. J. Throup (daughter and son-in-law), Mr. Young (brother-in-law), Mr. Frost and Mr. Watson (friends). Others present were: Dr. Bates, Dr. Crabtree, Mr. and Mrs. A. Downs, Mr. and Mrs. J. Hagar, Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Lawson, Mr. and Mrs. C. Hustwick, Mrs. W. Whittaker, Mrs. Rooes, and Messrs. W.A. Simpson, R. Simpson, A. Davy, J. Cockshott, H. Carr, G. Demain, W. Demaine, G. Petyte, W. Hartley, H. Hartley, G. Wilson, T. Young, W. Moorhouse, R. Hagar, G. Almack, A. Green (Silsden), J. Hudson, T. Larkin, A. Fairburn, R. Haythornthwaite, W. Leech, J.T. Sutcliffe, E. Moorhouse, T. Brown, T. Moon, S. Lister (Barden), Reynoldson, and G. Atkinson. Floral tributes were sent by ‘Jen, Belle and Will,’ ‘Jack and Moll,’ ‘Jack and Mary,’ Mr. and Mrs. A. Green (Silsden), Mr. and Mrs. Downs, ‘Will and Annie,’ Mr. And Mrs. J. Green, Mr. and Mrs. S. Lister (Barden Tower), Mr. and Mrs. Watson (Ilkley), and the woodmen.

04 October 1918

MITCHELL – No. 17091 Pte. W. Mitchell, Scots Guards, youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Mitchell, Strid Cottage, Bolton Abbey, died of wounds received in France Sept. 20th, 1918, aged 30 years.

04 October 1918

Bolton Abbey Family’s Double Bereavement

The death has taken place in France of two brothers, Lance-Sergt. J. Mitchell, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who was killed by a sniper’s bullet on Sept. 21st, and Pte. W. Mitchell, Scots Guards, who died in hospital of wounds on Sept. 20th. They were sons of the late Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, Strid Cottage, Bolton Abbey; both of them enlisting in the early stages of the war, and having had over four years’ service. Sergt. Mitchell was 36 years of age and Pte. Mitchell 30.

Lance-Sergt. J. Mitchell, who was an old Skipton Grammar School boy, was one of the first batch of eight to enlist from Bolton Abbey. Joining Kitchener’s Army in September, 1914, he went out to France in July, 1915; came home wounded in September, 1915; returned to France in February, 1916; was then transferred into the Military Police, and served with that unit until he rejoined his old battalion, the Duke of Wellington’s, in August last. He was killed on Sept. 21st. The following letter has been received by his wife:– “Dear Mrs. Mitchell, – I do not know if you have yet had any news from anyone in the battalion concerning your husband, Lce.-Sergt Mitchell, but 1 feel it my duty to write and inform you that he was killed about 2 a.m. on Saturday, the 21st Sept. He was carrying out a very important duty in conducting two officers of the Machine Gun Corps to another part of our line, to which he knew the best way, and it was while returning with the officers that he was caught by a sniper’s bullet, being instantly killed, the officers managing to get back in safety. The other two officers of our company, Capt. Sinclair, Lieut. Bird, and myself were terribly cut up on hearing the sad news. Mr. Bird went out with Sergt. Harris, found his body, and collected his personal effects, which they brought back to our dugout. Just where he was killed was a very dangerous place, and nothing further could be done at the time. About 3 a.m. the same morning, Capt. Sinclair, Lieut. Bird, and myself were all three wounded by one shell;, and had to get away to the dressing station. Sergt. Harris was also wounded shortly afterwards. Under the circumstances I regret I am unable to give you any further particulars, and can only convey to you my very deepest sympathy. May God give you strength to bear your great loss. Your husband was loved by everyone, and will he missed by all in the company. He had only been promoted from lance-corporal to lance-sergeant a week previous for good work, and during an attack which we made a few days before he did magnificent work. I only arrived here this morning, and have written you as soon as possible. Yours sincerely, H. Wood, Second Lieutenant.” The letter was written from Hyde Park Hospital, Plymouth.

Pte. W. Mitchell was educated at the Keighley Trade and Grammar School. He enlisted in September, 1914, and went out to France in February, 1915, was wounded and came to London in August, 1915; returned to France in March, 1916: was again wounded July, 1917, and came to England, returning for the last time to France in December, 1917; he was wounded on Sept. 18th, and died in hospital in France from wounds Sept. 20th, the day before his brother was killed. The following letter has been received from the sister at the hospital:– “I am sorry to tell you that your brother, Pte. Mitchell, 17091, was badly wounded in the face, hand, and knee, and gassed, and was admitted to our hospital on the 18th inst. Everything possible was done for him, but we could not save his life. He died yesterday at 3 p.m. He was in a comfortable bed in a nice ward, and had every attention, and he was operated on by a very good surgeon. He will be buried today by the Church of England Padre in the Military Cemetery at Boycelles with military honour. I cut off a piece of his hair, which I enclose. I am, yours truly, K.E. Flower.”

The two brothers were very smart and capable men, with excellent characters, and had bright futures before them. Lce.-Sergt Mitchell had learned forestry at Little and Valentine’s Nurseries, Carlisle, had been assistant forester at Hornby Castle, and also on the Marr Brodsworth. Estate, and had he lived he was to succeed his father as head forester on the Duke of Devonshire’s estate at Bolton Abbey. Sergt. Mitchell was married. and leaves a wife and one child. Pte. Mitchell had served his time as a mechanical engineer, and up to enlisting was with the well-known firm of Messrs. Brown and Co., Clydesdale Works, Glasgow; he was not married. Great sympathy is felt for the family, as this is the third bereavement they have been called upon to bear during the present year; their father died in January.

18 October 1918

BOLTON ABBEY

On Sunday a memorial service was held in the Abbey Church in memory of Sergt. J. Mitchell, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, and Pte. W. Mitchell, Scots Guards, whose deaths took place within a day of each other, as reported in the ‘Pioneer’ on Oct. 4th. A large company attended to pay their last tribute. The organist, Mr. E.E. Moore, played as voluntaries, ‘O rest in the Lord’ and ‘He that shall endure to the end.’ The Rector, Rev. C. Tomlinson, conducted the service, and preached from John II, part of 25th and 26th verses. At the conclusion of the service the organist played the ‘Dead March’ in ‘Saul,’ the congregation standing.

06 December 1918

Bolton Abbey and the War

The ecclesiastical parish of Bolton Abbey, which includes Beamsley, Barden, Bolton Abbey, Halton East & Hazlewood with Storiths, has worked with untiring energy and zeal since the commencement of the war. The following amounts have been raised for War Charities:– By collections in the Abbey church, £38 2s. 11d; by collections in Beamsley Wesleyan Chapel, £12 8s. 1½d; by collections in Barden Church, £3s. 3d [£3 3s]; by the Bolton Abbey working party, £385: by concert, arranged by Mrs. Herbert Carr £18 18s.; making a grand total of £459 15s. 3½d.

The roll of honour contains 97 names; eleven have given their lives in the great cause. These are:– Sylvester Hartley, John Fawcett, Basil Newall, Gill Morell, Herbert Holmes, George Binns, John Thomas Ideson, John Mitchell, William Mitchell, William Johnson and James Atkins. Two are at present prisoners in Germany, Dixon Robinson, Allan Hudson; three have been discharged as unfit, Alex Nelson, Norman Nelson, Frank Higgins; and one presumed killed but not definitely notified, Sec. Lieutenant C. Boothman, R.F.C. Each Christmas the lads from Bolton Abbey have received a parcel, and the greatest credit is due to the committee and Mrs. Downs, who has been secretary, for their labour of love.