 |
Remembrance
- The Yorkshire Regiment, First World War Lieutenant William Harold ARMITAGE, MC. Close window to return to main page |
|
Lieutenant William Harold ARMITAGE
Photo from the book "Some Other and Wider Destiny" by Elaine
Mercx and Neal Rigby
Lieutenant William Harold ARMITAGE, MC.
9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Only son of William Henry and Eleanor Armitage,
of 34, Rutland Park, Clarkehouse Rd., Sheffield. Died 22 May 1916. Aged 24.
Buried TRANCHEE DE MECKNES CEMETERY, AIX-NOULETTE.
The following biographical information is taken from Robert Coulson's "Biographies
of Yorkshire Regiment Officers";- "William Armitage was not
one of the original party of the 9th Battalion who landed in France in August
of 1915 but joined them in a draft later in the year.
He was awarded the Military Cross for an action in early January of 1916 when
in preparation for a trench raid he led out a party to cut the enemy wire.
Although exposed to German searchlights which brought heavy fire down on them
the wire was successfully cut. The raid itself was also a success and Captain
Thompson who led the attack and Lt Armitage were both awarded the Military
Cross.
In March 1916 the battalion took over part of the line on the Souchez River
and during April and May they were involved in the Angres sector where Lt
William Harold Armitage MC was killed in action on May 22nd at the age of
24."
From the book "Some Other and Wider Destiny" by Elaine
Mercx and Neal Rigby, the following information on William Armitage is given;-
"...a remarkable career at Sheffield University..... He followed up his
Scholarship by gaining the Mappin Medal for first place in the first-class
honours in Engineering, as well as two University prizes. In addition he was
Vice-Captain of the University Team in Rugby football. Not waiting for a commission,
he joined the ranks and earned his stars in his own regiment."
The following information is given in "Lives of the First World War";-
"Lieutenant Armitage was the son of Mr & Mrs William Armitage of
34 Rutland Park,late of Knowsley Rd, Southport. He was 24 years of age and
was educated at Wakefield Grammar School and Sheffield University. At the
outbreak of war he was engaged at Messrs Dorman Long and Company works, Middlesbrough.
He joined the Yorkshires as a private and worked his way up through the non-commissioned
ranks. He gained the Military Cross on New Year's Eve of 1916 for carrying
through a successful wire cutting expedition which necessitated work being
carried out 20 yards from the German parapet. He also brought in a wounded
man in the face of heavy enemy fire. Lieut. Armitage was about to be married
to Miss Mildred Head, only daughter of Mr C H Head M.A. of St John's, Wakefield."
--------------> Return to Top of Page