War memorials, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire War Memorials, -
Loftus, -
Town War Memorial
War memorials, North Yorkshire
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The War Memorial, Loftus
The War Memorial, Loftus
(Photo : Stan Grosvenor (<csstan@mametz.fsnet.co.uk>)

The Loftus War Memorial is situated on the main A174 road through Loftus, and takes the form of a drinking fountain above which is erected the Memorial Cross. The memorial is somewhat inaccessible due to traffic, and the memorial panels are very difficult to read because of their position (see photo above). Stan Grosvenor (<csstan@mametz.fsnet.co.uk>) has generously not only photographed the memorial, but has also transcribed the names which appear on two panels.

The Memorial was dessigned by B J Wormleighton, F S I, and erected by C Hebditch. It was unveiled on 11 November 1922.

The fountain carries the words;-
THESE LAID THE WORLD AWAY AND POURED OUT THE RED SWEET WINE OF YOUTH, GAVE UP THE YEARS TO BE OF WORK AND JOY AND THAT UNHOPED SERENE THAT MEN CALL AGE.

The memorial plaques bear the following inscription before and after the names that are listed;-
TO THE GLORIOUS AND EVERLASTING MEMORY OF
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR GOD AND COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918

(Please note that there is a Memorial Plaque in St. Leonard's Church, Loftus, which contains additional names to the ones shown below).

Adamson, Matthew
Adamson, William
Andrew, Fred
Atherton, John N
Bainbridge, Fred
Bennett, Arthur
Bennett, James W
Bowes, James
Bradley, Thomas
Brogdon, Harold
Brown, Charles H
Carter, William
Clarkson, Harold
Clarkson, Horace (*)
Coxon, Albert E
Crosby, Alfred
Davey, Michael
Dawson, James
Dowey, Thomas A
Dunn, Alfred
Easton, Harry
Emery, Fred
Errington, John B
Farndale, George
Fletcher, Albert
Fowle, Thomas
Gibson, Robert E
Handley, Albert
Harland, Robert

 Harmer, Arthur
Harrison, Thomas
Hewitt, Leonard
Hicks, Charles E
Hicks, W Arthur
Hodgson, Fred
Hodgson, George T
Hodgson, Michael
Hopper, George W (*)
Jackson, Abraham C
Jackson, William E
Jefferson, James
King, Lewis
Leng, Albert E
Lobb, John
Locker, Richard
Locker, Robert
Martin, George
Mellish, William H
Newton, Milton
Nicholson, Cyril W
Nicholson, Herbert T
Nicholson, Joseph L
Oglesby Richard
Panting, Harry
Parrott, William
Pearson, Joseph
Pearson, Robert
Pearson, Robert
 Potter, George
Pearson, WM (1)
Price, Walter
Rex, Harold W
Rigby, Sidney W
Robinson, Charles
Robinson, John
Ryder, Albert
Sawdon, Joseph E
Slack, William
Stevenson, Edward (2)
Stockdale, Emmanuel
Temple, John H
Temple, Robert S
Thomas, Harry
Thornton, James E (*)
Thornton, Wilfred (*)
Timmins, William E
Turnbull, Walter
Tyreman, Arthur
Walter, Albert
Wardill, John W
Webster, Ernest
Whitely, James
Willas, Harry
Wilson, George R
Wood, Thomas
Woodall, W Ernest

(1) This could well be "William Pearse".
(2) Correct spelling is "Edward Stephenson"
(*) Formerly in the Yorkshire Regiment

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Lance Serjeant Fred Andrew, 11310. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Frederick Andrew, of 18, Hartington St., Loftus, Yorks. Killed 30 March 1918. Aged 22.
Commemorated Panel 44 and 45, Loos Memorial.
Born Guisborough (Yorks), Enlisted Richmond (Yorks), Resided Loftus (Cleveland).

Private Arthur Ernest Bennett, 11838. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mr. T. Bennett, of 75, Charlton, Boosbeck, Yorks. Killed 29 September 1916.
Buried GRANDCOURT ROAD CEMETERY, GRANDCOURT.
Born Loftus (Cleveland, Yorks), Enlisted Richmond (Yorks), Resided Loftus.
(SDGW has confused the above "A E Bennett" with Albert Ernest Bennett of the 12th Battalion who is bured in Wimereux Cemetery.)

Private William Carter, 2887. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 24 May 1915.
Commemorated Panel 33, Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Born Loftus, Enlisted Loftus, Resided Liverton Mines.

Private Horace Clarkson 34866. 9th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, formerly 3086 the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 24 March 1918.
Buried HONNECHY BRITISH CEMETERY.
Enlisted Loftus.

Corporal Albert Ernest Coxon, 20935. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Husband of Emma C. Coxon, of "Wave Crest", Shipley Terrace, Marske-by-the-Sea, Yorks. Killed 11 April 1917.
Commemorated Bay 5, Arras Memorial.
Born Stiilington (Durham), Enlisted Middlesbrough.

Private Thomas Arthur Dowey, 19305. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 31 July 1917.
Commemorated Panel 33, Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Born Loftus (Yorks), Enlisted Whitby, Resided Grosmont.

Private Alfred Dunn, 241328. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 4 October 1917.
Buried HOOGE CRATER CEMETERY.
Enlisted Whitby, Resided Loftus (Yorks).

Private Harry Easton, 33246. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Porritt, of 3, East St., Loftus, Yorks. Killed 30 September 1916. Aged 19.
Buried REGINA TRENCH CEMETERY, GRANDCOURT.
Enlisted Loftus.

Private George Farndale, 333852. 9th (Glasgow Hds.) Battalion Highland Light Infantry, formerly 26456 the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of John Farndale, of 6, East St., Loftus, Yorks. Killed 27 May 1917. Aged 26.
Commemorated Bay 8, ARRAS MEMORIAL.
Enlisted Whitby (Yorks), Resided Loftus.

Private Thomas Fowle, 26342. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of William and Harriet Fowle, of The Lodge, Loftus, Yorks. Killed 26 December 1917. Aged 26.
Commemorated Panel 52 to 54 and 162A, Tyne Cot Memorial.
Born Loftus (Yorks), Enlisted Skinningrove, Resided Loftus.

Private Albert Handley, 36073. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 5 January 1918.
Buried RAILWAY DUGOUTS BURIAL GROUND.
Born Farndale, Enlisted Loftus.

Private Leonard Donald Hewitt, 3841. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 16 June 1916.
Buried KEMMEL CHATEAU MILITARY CEMETERY.
Enlisted Loftus.

Private Charles Edwin Hicks, 28420. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Elizabeth Ann and the late William Hicks of Loftus. Husband of Mary Elizabeth. Killed 13 December 1916. Aged 33.
Born Loftus, Enlisted Stockton.
Commemorated Pier and Face 3 A and 3 D, THIEPVAL MEMORIAL.
(Elder brother of William Arthur Hicks)

Private William Arthur Hicks, 2884. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Elizabeth Ann Hicks, of 29, Tees St., Loftus, Yorks., and the late William Hicks. Killed 29 April 1915. Aged 29.
Enlisted Loftus, Resided East Loftus.
Commemorated Panel 33, YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL.
(Younger brother of Charles Edwin Hicks)

Private George Thomas Hodgson, 2882. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 14 February 1916.
Buried RAILWAY DUGOUTS BURIAL GROUND.
Born Loftus (Yorks), Enlisted Loftus, Resided West Loftus.

Private George William Hopper, 27351. 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, formerly 3759 the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 27 September 1917.
Buried OUTTERSTEENE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, BAILLEUL.
Enlisted Whitby (Yorks), Resided Loftus (Yorks).

Private William Ernest Jackson, 3280. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Sarah Jackson, of 54, High St., Loftus, Yorks. Killed 16 September 1916. Aged 23.
Buried DERNANCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION.
Enlisted Loftus.

Private James Jefferson, 10067. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 10 March 1915.
Commemorated Panel 12, Le Touret Memorial.
Born Glaisdale (Whitby), Enlisted Scarborough, Resided Loftus.

Private Richard George Locker, 3164. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of George and Mary Jane Locker, of 4, High Row, Loftus, Yorks. Killed 29 February 1916. Aged 23.
Buried VLAMERTINGHE MILITARY CEMETERY.
Enlisted Loftus.
(Brother of Robert Locker, 2nd Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 14 September 1918. Also on the Memorial)

Private Robert Locker, 63147 West Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 20958 12th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of George Mann Locker and Mary Jane Locker, of 4, High Row, Loftus, Yorks. Killed 14 September 1918. Aged 22.
Born Loftus (Yorks), Enlisted Guisborough (Yorks)
Buried LA TARGETTE BRITISH CEMETERY, NEUVILLE-ST. VAST.
(Brother of Richard George Locker, 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 29 February 1916. Also on the Memorial.)

Private William Henry Mellish, 200889. Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Eleanor Katherine Mellish, of 27, Gould Rd., Twickenham, Middx., and the late J. H. Mellish. Born at Richmond, Surrey. Died 25 November 1918. Aged 28.
Buried HORNSEA CEMETERY.
(Not shown in SDGW, therefore not clear what the relationship is between William Mellish and Loftus).

Private Milton Newton. 1586. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Martha Newton, of 8, Hyde Place, Aylesham, Adisham, Canterbury, and of the late Harry Newton. Died 30 January 1916. Aged 22.
Buried LOFTUS CEMETERY.
Born Loftus, Enlisted Skelton, Resided Loftus.

Serjeant Richard Oglesby MM, 3/8839. 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Sarah Ann Footer (formerly Oglesby), of 19, East Crescent, Loftus, Yorks, and the late Thomas Oglesby. Killed 24 September 1917. Aged 35
Commemorated Panel 52 to 54 and 162A, Tyne Cot Memorial.
Born Stokesley, Enlisted Richmond, Resided Loftus (Yorks).

Private William Henry Garner Parrott, 32895. 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 4 November 1918.
Buried Peshawar (Right) B.C. XLV. 36. Commemorated DELHI MEMORIAL (INDIA GATE).
Born Loftus-in-Cleveland, Enlisted Doncaster, Resided Bentley (Doncaster).

Private William Pearse. 201066. 4th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Amos and Mary Pearse, of 21, East Crescent, Loftus, Yorks. Killed 13 October 1918. Aged 20.
Enlisted Whitby, Resided Loftus (Yorks).
Buried GLAGEON COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION.

Private Robert Pearson, 241476. 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mrs. E. Pearson, of 34, Graham St., Liverton Mines, Yorks. Killed 29 September 1917. Aged 24.
Buried HOOGE CRATER CEMETERY.
Enlisted Whitby, Resided East Loftus.

Private George Arthur Potter, 18949. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of George and Mary Ann Potter, of Angel Inn, Loftus, Yorks. Killed 6 August 1916. Aged 24.
Buried WARLOY-BAILLON COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION.
Born Whitby, Enlisted Richmond, Resided Loftus (Yorks).

Private Sidney Walter Rigby, 182588. Labour Corps, formerly 27832 Yorkshire Regiment. Died 8 July 1918.
Buried BAGNEUX BRITISH CEMETERY, GEZAINCOURT.
Born Silverdale (Staffs), Enlisted Catterick (Yorks).

Rifleman Albert William Ryder. 207571. 19th Battalion Rifle Brigade, formerly 3163 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of William Ryder, of Sledgate, Rillington, Malton. Died 1 January 1917. Aged 20.
Enlisted Loftus (Yorks), Resided Loftus.
Commemorated Mikra Memorial.

Private Joseph Edward Sawdon, 9680. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Sarah Farndale (formerly Sawdon), of 41, Whitcliffe Terrace, Loftus, Yorks., and the late Edward Sawdon. Killed 25 September 1915. Aged 22.
Buried CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY.
Born Loftus, Enlisted Guisborough, Resided Loftus.

Private Edward Stephenson, 15456. 6th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Husband of Ada Evelyn Wallace (formerly Stephenson), of 13, Plover St., Warrenby, Redcar. Killed 22 August 1915. Aged 28.
Commemorated Panel 55 to 58, Helles Memorial.
Born Loftus, Enlisted Whitby, Resided Loftus.

Private James Edwin Thornton, 241820. 1st/5th Battalion Border Regiment, formerly 3087 Yorkshire Regiment. Son of William Edward and Sophia Hirst Thornton, of 17, Cleveland St., Loftus, Yorks. Killed 8 January 1917. Aged 19.
Buried WARLENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY.
Born North Ormesby (Yorks), Enlisted Northallerton (Yorks), Resided Loftus-in-Cleveland (Yorks).
(younger brother of Wilfred, - below)

Pioneer Wilfred Hirst Thornton, 206796. Corps of Royal Engineers, formerly 10888 Yorkshire Regiment. Son of William Edward and Sophia Hirst Thornton, of 17, Cleveland St., Loftus, Yorks. Killed 4 October 1917. Aged 23.
Commemorated Panel 8 and 162, Tyne Cot Memorial.
Born Middlesbrough (Yorks), Enlisted Middlesbrough (Yorks), Resided Loftus (Yorks).
(elder brother of James, - above)

Serjeant William Ernest Timmins, 15531. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 29 September 1916. Aged 32.
Commemorated Pier and Face 3 A and 3 D, Thiepval Memorial.
Born Loftus (Yorks), Enlisted Richmond (Yorks), Resided Loftus.

Private William Ernest Tyreman. 201504 of the 1st / 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Depot). Died 28 October 1918.
Buried LOFTUS CEMETERY.
Enlisted Saltburn, Resided Loftus.

Private Ernest Webster, 14817. 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Robert and Elizabeth Webster, of Besthorpe, Attleborough, Norfolk. Killed 27 January 1916. Aged 20.
Buried SAILLY-SUR-LA-LYS-CANADIAN CEMETERY.
Born Besthorpe (Attleborough), Enlisted Aldershot, Resided Besthorpe.
(This may NOT be the "Ernest Webster" on the Loftus Memorial, but there is no other "Ernest Webster" listed in the CWGC register or SDGW that could have any connection. Also, there is no "Ernest Webster" on either the Besthorpe or Attleborough War Memorials.)

Lance Serjeant James Whitely MM, 9115. 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 10 July 1916.
Buried GORDON DUMP CEMETERY, OVILLERS-LA BOISSELLE.
Born Leeds, Enlisted Redcar, Resided Loftus.

The Drinking Fountain under the War Memorial, Loftus
The Drinking Fountain under the War Memorial, Loftus
(Photo : Stan Grosvenor (<csstan@mametz.fsnet.co.uk>)

The plaque to Stanley Hollis, VC, on the War Memorial, Loftus
The plaque to Stanley Hollis, VC, on the War Memorial, Loftus
(Photo : Stan Grosvenor (<csstan@mametz.fsnet.co.uk>)

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