The Yorkshire Regiment, Local War Memorials

War Memorials Elsewhere, -
Southport (Merseyside)

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The Obelisk of the War Memorial, - Southport (Merseyside)
Photo © Copyright Jeff Buck and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The War Memorial for Southport is located in the London Square Memorial Garden. The memorial consists of a stone obelisk in front of a twin stone colonnade, behind which is a memorial garden with reflective pools. Each of the colonnades has a small chapel at each end, making four chapels in all. Most of the names of those commemorated are on the walls of these chapels, though some additions have been carved on small circular pedestals within the chapels.

1273 names of those who lost their lives in the First World War are commemorated (shown by surname, rank and regiment) , together with 549 of those who lost their lives in the Second World War.

A transcription of all the names is provided on the Merseyside Roll of Honour website.

Six soldiers who served with the Yorkshire Regiment are named on the memorial.

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."

Private Joseph Eaton. 35433. 5th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 5583 Manchester Regt. Killed 11 April 1918.
Born Southport (Lancs), Enlisted Ashton-under-Lyne, Resided Southport.
Buried CROIX-DU-BAC CEMETERY.
(Shown on the Southport War Memorial as serving in the Manchester Regiment)

Private John James Lane. 202375. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 4 October 1917.
Born New Moston (Lancs), Enlisted Southport, Resided Crossens.
Commemorated Panel 47 to 48 and 163A, TYNE COT MEMORIAL.
(Shown on the Southport Memorial as serving in the King's Liverpool Regiment, but there is no corresponding "J Lane" from the Southport area who lost his life serving with this regiment)

Private Thomas Leonard. 3/7741. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 15 June 1915.
Born Southport, Enlisted Richmond (Yorks), Resided Lancaster.
Commemorated Panel 12, LE TOURET MEMORIAL.

Private James Rigby. 38811. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mrs. A. E. Rigby, of 18, Devonshire Rd., High Park, Southport. Killed 2 April 1917.
Born Southport (Lancs), Enlisted Southport.
Buried HENIN CRUCIFIX CEMETERY.

Private Harold Watson. 41703. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 160005 R F A. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Sheffield, Enlisted Southport.
Commemorated on Panel 5, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL -LOUVERVAL.

The Obelisk and Colonnades of the Southport War Memorial at night.
Photo © Copyright David Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The Colonnades and the Obelisk, with Reflective Pool in the Foreground, of the Southport War Memorial The Colonnades and the Obelisk, with Reflective Pool in the Foreground, of the Southport War Memorial
Photo © Copyright Gerald England and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

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