Barnsley Pals Memorial Panels

According to this article from the Sheffield Star online, two of the Barnsley Pals to be featured on panels outside Barnsley Town Hall are from Wombwell. Brothers Ernest and Fred Walker lived next door to each other on Princess Street at the time they enlisted. Fred and Ernest were killed on the first day of the battle of the Somme. Their Brother Charles was also killed in action on 1st July but he didn't live in Wombwell with his brothers.

At least 30 men from Wombwell died on the first day of the Somme. Over 10 of them were in the Barnsley Pals.

The Panels will be unveiled in a 40 minute ceremony at 1pm on Friday 1st July outside Barnsley Town Hall.

Installing the panels outside Barnsley town hall

Barnsley Pals Memorial Panels

Installing the panels outside Barnsley town hall

According to this article from the Sheffield Star online, two of the Barnsley Pals to be featured on panels outside Barnsley Town Hall are from Wombwell. Brothers Ernest and Fred Walker lived next door to each other on Princess Street at the time they enlisted. Fred and Ernest were killed on the first day of the battle of the Somme. Tragically their brother Charles was also killed in action on 1st July 1916, but unlike his brothers did not live in Wombwell.

At least 30 men from Wombwell died on the first day of the Somme. Over 10 of them were in the Barnsley Pals.  The commemorative panels will be unveiled in a 40 minute ceremony at 1pm on Friday 1st July outside Barnsley Town Hall. Items belonging to Fred Walker will be on display at Experience Barnsley from August as part of their Somme exhibition.

Ernest And Fred Walker.

Wombwell Soldier featured in the Barnsley Chronicle

There was an interesting article about fallen WW1 soldier Percy Bell, printed in the Wombwell/Darfield edition of the Barnsley Chronicle on 10th April 2015.

During WW1 Percy Bell served as a private with the 14th Battalion  of the York and Lancaster Regiment, which made up part of the Barnsley Pals. He was killed on the first day of the Somme in July 1916 aged just 22. Before the war Percy was employed as a joiner and wheelwright. He lived with his parents Charles and Elizabeth Bell at 12 Smith Street, Wombwell. Percy is mentioned in John Cooksey's book, 'The Barnsley Pals'.

According to the article shown above Percy's nephew Colin Bell would like to have his uncle's medals and death penny displayed at the Experience Barnsley Museum which is located in the Town. I for one, would love to see them if they are.

Learn more about Private Percy Bell

CWGC.org - Casualty details ~ livesofthefirstworldwar.org - Life Story

Arthur Russell - Dead Man's Penny

Last Friday's Barnsley Chronicle featured an article about a dead man's penny, that came into my possession after it had been taken in to a scrapyard near my home. The death penny is a five inch solid bronze plaque modeled on the back of an old style penny. These plaques were given to the families of  over a million soldiers who died during the first world war. This one belonged to a man named Arthur Russell. Despite their being several Arthur Russells who died in WWI, my research found only one possible local candidate, and he is remembered on the Cross Street memorial at Monk Bretton.

Barnsley Chronicle 15th July 1916
Clipping from the Barnsley Archives.
With thanks to Linda Hutton for finding it.

According to a letter printed in the Barnsley Chronicle on July 15th 1916, Arthur was awarded the military medal while serving as a stretcher bearer with the 14th battalion of the York and Lancaster regiment. This is one of Barnsley Pals battalions. (Arthur is in fact mentioned briefly in Jon Cooksey's book the Barnsley Pals.) The letter is even signed by two soldiers from the Wombwell war memorial - W. R Elleway and Samuel Ellis.  Arthur was however serving with the Durham Light Infantry at the time of his death. It was very sad to learn during the course of my research that his mother had only two children, both of whom died during the war. Of course we can never know for certain that it is the same Arthur Russell as on the death penny, but I feel that it is highly likely.

The plaque is now in the safe keeping of Councillor Steve Green and The Friends of Monk Bretton War Memorial. After speaking with Councillor Green and hearing his plans for the Monk Bretton war memorial. Which include involving the local school children in it's upkeep and decoration. I am confident I made the right decision to donate it to his group.  I think it is only right that the plaque should go home to Monk Bretton.

Private George Boldy - Family Headstone

Inscription:
In loving memory of / James /
The beloved husband of Eliza Boldy /
Who died 10th Dec. 1942, Aged 76 years / At rest /
Also the above names Eliza Boldy, /
Who died 18th Nov. 1943 Aged 73 years /
Also GEORGE BOLDY son of the above /
Who was killed in action 23rd July 1916

Headstone Location:
N/C 15, 1559,
Wombwell Cemetery
George Boldy however is not interred within this grave. He is instead buried at:
I.L.1,
Rue-Du-Bacquerot, No 1 Military Cemetery, Laventie, France.
A photograph of George Boldy's grave at Rue-Du-Bacquerot can be seen here.

Other memorials that commemorate George Boldy Include:
St. Mary's Church War Memorial, Park Street Wombwell,

Other Information:
George Boldy is listed in Jon Cooksey's book the 'Barnsley Pals, The 13th & 14th Battalions, York & Lancaster regiments' as having served with 14th Batt. York & Lancaster regiment.

Learn more about George Boldy:
CWGC.org - Casualty Details
LFWW - Soldier Profile