Here are the reports in the newspapers for the period of mid-October to the end of November 1917, detailing the men from Keighley and District who took part in the battles at Passchendaele and nearby areas. The details in bold text indicate those who died during this period.
Sergeant A. Royston, Notts and Derbyshire Regiment, 32, Florist Street, Keighley, has been wounded in the arm and cheek, and is in hospital at Bangor.
Sergeant R. Gibson, Royal Field Artillery, 21, Frederick Street, Keighley, is in hospital at Huddersfield suffering from shrapnel wounds in the head.
Corporal Clifford Nicholson, Grenadier Guards. South View, Braithwaite, died October 9. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private A. Eastwood, West Riding Regiment, of 169, South Street, Keighley, is in hospital suffering from trench feet.
Private J. D. Mitchell, West Riding Regiment, whose wife and family reside at 5, Sladen Street, Keighley, has been wounded, and is in hospital at Leith. Before enlistment he was employed as a gardener in Devonshire Park, Keighley.
Private W. Tillotson, reported wounded and a prisoner in Germany.
Private Herbert Briggs, Royal Berkshire Regiment, 41, Alkincote Street, Keighley. Has been wounded and gassed.
Lance-Corporal Victor Dixon, West Riding Regiment, of 68, Belgrave Road, Keighley, has been wounded in the leg.
Private Harry Wilkinson, West Riding Regiment, of 9, Thorn Street, Keighley, has been admitted to a London hospital suffering from illness.
Private Arthur Chester, West Riding Regiment, of Damems Road, Ingrow, has been admitted to hospital at Exeter suffering from trench fever.
Private R. O. Walker, 37118, Northumberland Fusiliers (killed). October 9. Tyne Cot memorial.
Gunner J. Binns, 89074, Royal Garrison Artillery (wounded).
Private B. Crabtree, 23421, Durham Light Infantry (wounded).
Private H. Hanson, 31224, Labour Corps (wounded.
Sergeant A. Smith, West Riding Regiment, of 7, Apsley Terrace, Oakworth, has died of wounds. October 7. Oxford Road Cemetery.
Private Bertie Ayers, Oxenhope, killed in action on October 7. Tyne Cot memorial.
Rifleman T. E. Baldwin, New Zealand Rifles, and formerly of Steeton, has been severely wounded – foot amputated. Son of Mrs Baldwin, late of 39, Elmsley Street, Steeton.
Private W. Buckley Whiteoak, West Riding Regiment, Keighley Road, Steeton, wounded in the back and has arrived at Southampton.
Private Alfred Ward, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, husband of Mrs Ward, of 1, Fairfax Street, Silsden, is in hospital in Glasgow suffering from gunshot wounds in the knee and head.
Private North Clarkson, of the Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr and Mrs Clarkson, Bridge Street, Silsden, was admitted to the Boulogne Hospital on October 13 suffering from trench feet. He has since been transferred to the 2nd General Hospital. Lily Lane, Moston, Manchester.
Private Herbert Sharp, of the Border Regiment, son of Mr Albert Sharp, Robin Hood Inn, Silsden, has been wounded in the neck and is in a Canadian hospital in France.
Private Thomas Thompson M.M., 83, King Street, Keighley, killed in action on September 20. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private T. Garforth, West Riding Regiment. Oxenhope. Killed in action on October 9.
Private John Bottomley, Vale Street, Bradford Road, Keighley, in Southampton Military Hospital suffering from trench and gastric fever.
Private Walter Dewhirst, 5, Hothfield Street North, Silsden, wounded in the back and is in the same hospital as Private H. Sharp.
Private Fred Booth, of the West Yorkshire Pioneers, Browfield Terrace, Silsden, admitted to hospital at Enfield suffering from septic poisoning.
Private Rennie Laycock, of the Motor Transport Service, son of Mr Ezra Laycock, motor bus proprietor, Cowling, is in hospital at Rouen, France, suffering from burns.
Second-Lieutenant Hugh M. Spencer, of the Buffs (East Kent) Regiment, Lord Street, Keighley, has been killed in action on October 12. Poelcapelle British Cemetery.
Private Harry Burnett, West Riding Regiment, 6, Shed Street, Keighley, killed instantly on October 9, being struck by shrapnel in the head and chest. October 9. Poelcapelle British Cemetery.
Private William Burnett, West Riding Regiment, Foster Road, Ingrow, wounded in the right hand, and at present in hospital in England.
Gunner John Burnett, Canadian Expeditionary Force, went out to Canada about five years ago, has been “gassed,” and he, too, is in hospital in this country.
Stretcher bearers navigate the safest path across the sea of mud. Often walking miles to evacuate a wounded man to safety. Photo believed to have been taken by John Warwick Brooke. Photo credit: Canadian Archives
Private Willie Waite, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 19,Simpson Street, Keighley, wounded in the left arm and in hospital.
Private Francis Butler, of the Manchester Regiment, 25, Back Market Street, Keighley, killed in action on October 1. Tyne Cot memorial.
Lance-Corporal Verney Shuttleworth, 29, Foster Road, Ingrow, is in hospital at Gloucester suffering from trench fever.
Private Eddie Johnson, West Riding Regiment, Ethel Street, Beechcliffe, Keighley, is in Queen Mary’s Hospital, Whalley, Blackburn, suffering from wounds in the leg and arm and trench foot.
Private W. Lund, West Yorkshire Regiment, hairdresser and newsagent in Church Street, Keighley, is in hospital at Prestwich as a result of injuries to his foot received in an accident in the trenches.
Private A. Lambert, West Yorkshire Regiment, of 219, Bradford Road, in hospital at Bournemouth suffering from shell wounds.
Private R. Thompson, West Yorkshire Regiment, of 8, Ivy Place, Keighley, wounded and gassed.
Lance-Corporal A. Anderton, West Yorkshire Regiment (formerly R.A.M.C.), of 36, Coney Lane, Keighley, wounded in the back and in hospital at Chester.
Private Willie O’Hara, North Staffordshire Regiment, 5, Brick Street, Keighley, reported wounded and missing, but now reported dead. Killed in action on October 5. Hooge Crater Cemetery.
Private A. Stables, West Riding Regiment, 10, Lynum Street, Keighley, in hospital at Manchester suffering from wounds in the back.
Private Fred Rooke, South Staffordshire Regiment, of 90, Park Lane, Keighley, wounded and had a leg amputated. Now in a Manchester hospital.
Private J. Bradley (265318) West Riding Regiment, wounded.
Private J. Bartrim (26612) Gordon Highlanders, wounded.
Private H. Throup (6909) King’s Royal Rifle Corps, wounded.
Private Fred Holmes, of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 59, Hebden Road, Haworth, in hospital in France suffering from a gunshot wound in the right arm.
Private Ernest Richmond, Grenadier Guards, 30, Vale Lane, Lees, killed by shell October 10.
Private David Jones, of Victoria Street, Sutton Mill, wounded for the second time on October 8, and in hospital in France.
Private Ronald Benson, Scots Guards, 56, Skipton Road, Silsden, admitted to a rest camp in France suffering from gas poisoning.
Private W. Anderson, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson, 2, Hall Terrace, Riddlesden, wounded in the knee and suffering from the effects of liquid fire.
Lance-Corporal Charles Driver, of the Seaforth Highlanders, Heights Farm, Morton Banks, killed in France by a shell. September 24. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private Percy Redman, York and Lancaster Regiment. 25, Hainworth Road, Woodhouse, Keighley, has been killed on October 13. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private J. W. Smith of the Machine Gun Corps, in the Second Western General Hospital, Manchester, suffering from gas shell poisoning.
Second-Lieutenant David Watson, M.C. Royal Garrison Artillery, son of Mr. T. P. Watson. Principal of the Keighley Institute, has been severely gassed and is in hospital in London.
Private John. W. Greenwood, Coldstream Guards, 90, Hainworth Wood Road, Keighley, killed in action on October 9. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private Thomas Wood, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, Queen Street Arms, Keighley was killed in France on October 27. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private John Driver, of Elmwood Terrace, Bracken Bank, Ingrow, has been killed. Death caused by the explosion of a shell on October 18. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private Wilfred Foster, of the East Yorkshire Regiment, whose home is in Stanley Road, Ingrow, missing since October 4. Ypres Reservoir Cemetery.
Private Jonas. S. Stoney, South Staffordshire Regiment, Oakworth Road, Keighley, is reported missing. September 26. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private G. Allsop, York and Lancaster Regiment of 9, Woodhouse Grove, Keighley, has been wounded, his injuries necessitating the amputation of the left foot.
Private Bertie Nock, York and Lancaster Regiment, of 23, Queen’s Road, Keighley, killed by a sniper on October 9. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private Ernest Frederick Neal, North Staffordshire Regiment, of Keighley, killed in action on October 26. Buried in the Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension.
Private Ernest Scott, Royal Marines, eldest of the five soldier sons of Mr. James Scott, 144, Devonshire Street, Keighley, has been wounded.
Gunner Richard Leach, Royal Garrison Artillery, Mount Street, Keighley, has been wounded and is in a Surrey hospital.
Fitter Fred Parker, Royal Field Artillery, of 37, Mornington Street, Keighley, was wounded on October 27. He is at present in hospital in France, but is expected in England shortly.
Private H. Lumby, King’s Liverpool Regiment, wounded in both legs and the left hand on September 23 and in hospital at Manchester.
Private H. Town, 9278, Yorkshire Regiment, wounded.
Private H. McNicholl, 202304, Sherwood Foresters, wounded.
Gunner G. H. Norfolk, 27859, R.F.A., wounded.
Private A. Long, 235303, Lincolnshire Regiment, wounded.
Private Ernest Spencer, West Riding Regiment, 23, Gladstone Street, Keighley, killed in action on October 10. Tyne Cot memorial.
Lance-Corporal S. A. Bradwell, 71919, Machine Gun Corps, wounded.
Private John Harker, West Yorkshire Regiment, and of 3, Mytholmes Terrace, Haworth, killed in action on October 9.
Private Obadiah Peacock, East Lancashire Regiment, and of Prince Street, Haworth. Killed in action at Poelcapelle, S. E. of Ypres, on October 10. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private A. E. Dent, of Brow, Haworth, has been wounded and is in hospital in Scotland.
The Second Battle of Passchendaele – 16th Canadian Machine Gun Company. Photo is believed to have been taken by John Warwick Brooke. Photo credit: Canadian Archives.
Private Harold Ratcliffe, West Yorkshire Regiment, of Station Road, Haworth, killed in action on October 9. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private Robert Anderton, of the West Riding Regiment, of Lord Street, Haworth, is in the Western Hospital, Torquay.
Private George William Bellwood, of the Grenadier Guards. Haworth and Stanbury. Shot by a German sniper about a week ago while gallantly trying to rescue a “pal” near the front line of trenches, on October 12. Tyne Cot memorial.
Lance-Corporal Arthur Moule, of the West Riding Regiment Beech Street, Steeton, died on November 1, at a dressing station from injuries caused by sandbags falling on him. Buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux.
Private S.D. Ackroyd, Royal Marine Light Infantry, 66, Mornington Street, Keighley, wounded in the thigh and legs and in hospital at Eastbourne.
Lance-Corporal Scott, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, in Leith War Hospital with serious wounds in the abdomen.
Private G. A. Daubney, Highland Light Infantry, wounded in the foot and in Reading War Hospital.
Pioneer William Lund, Royal Engineers, West Turkey Street, Keighley, has died of wounds received in action. On August 19. Mendinghem Military Cemetery.
Private Albert Walton, Northumberland Fusiliers, Thorn Street, Parkwood, Keighley, in hospital at Nottingham with wounds in five places, received on October 31.
Company Sergeant-Major Davies, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 2, Thames Street, Parkwood, dangerously wounded and in hospital in France.
Private Thomas Henry Morton, West Riding Regiment, 9, Beck Side, Keighley, missing since October 10. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private Willie Broster, West Riding Regiment, 244, Skipton Road, Keighley, wounded in the left knee.
Lance-Corporal E. Cunliffe, West Riding Regiment, 31, Leeds Street, Keighley, wounded for the third time.
Private John Murray, Yorkshire Regiment, of Mount Street, Keighley, gassed and in hospital abroad.
Private H. Town, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, Steeton and Keighley, has been wounded.
Casualties for week prior to November 17 issue:
Private E. Johnson, West Riding Regiment. 242616.
Private H. Wilson, West Riding Regiment. 268771.
Private W. Manning, Coldstream Guards. 6646.
Private H. Smith, Royal Army Medical Corps. 106776.
Lance-Corporal F. Bottomley, West Yorkshire Regiment. 265848.
Gunner W. A. Major, Royal Field Artillery. 45444.
Private Charles Hitch, Northumberland Fusiliers, 209, Hebden Road, Lees, suffering from gas poisoning and in hospital in France.
Private Joe Bailey, 7, Gordon Street, Lees, in a Manchester Hospital with wounds in the left hand.
Private Ernest Brooks, Highland Light Infantry, has been a prisoner of war at Limburg in Germany since September 26.
Private Frank Laycock, Essex Regiment. Mount Pleasant, Cononley, Wounded in Palestine on November 2.
Private A. E. Dent, 15297. West Riding Regiment, wounded.
Gunner Bert Taylor, Royal Field Artillery, Steeton Hall Farm, wounded in the leg and heel by fragments from an enemy shell on November 6, and in a base hospital in France.
Private George Stott, West Riding Regiment, Steeton. Suffering from shell shock, and in Eccleshall Hospital at Sheffield.
Gunner George Lister, Royal Field Artillery. Steeton. Hospital at Manchester suffering from trench fever.
Private Harold Waite, Artist’s Rifles. Keighley Road, Cowling, was wounded in the thigh on October 29.
Lieutenant A. H. Dixon, Riversdale, Steeton, Manchester Regiment. Wounded in the left ankle and the wrist whilst in action at Passchendaele Ridge.
Corporal Harold Barrett, West Riding Regiment, of Utley. Invalided home and in Second General Western Hospital at Stockport, after three months serious illness in France.
Lance-Corporal Richard Gidley, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 23, Broomfield Road, Keighley. Wounded in the right foot and chest in Egypt and in hospital at El Arish.
Private Anthony Rowan, West Yorkshire Regiment, 40, Turkey Street, Keighley. Recently wounded in France and in hospital in Stockport.
Private Maurice Dransfield, Royal Army Medical Corps, suffering from gunshot wounds in the chest, right arm and side. In The 3rd Southern General Hospital in Oxfordshire.
Private Arthur Hopkinson, wounded in an engagement near Gaza and in hospital in Egypt.
Corporal Henry E. Sturt, is in hospital in Sheffield suffering from rheumatism.
Private J. T. Holmes, Yorkshire Light Infantry. Marsh Top, Oxenhope, gassed and in hospital at Le Treport, France.
Private George Emmott of High Street, Steeton, Liverpool Regiment is ill in hospital in France.
Private Frank Laycock, Mount Pleasant, Cononley, reported wounded in Palestine on November 2, is wounded slightly on shoulder and in a base hospital in Egypt.
Private Tom Smith, South Staffordshire Regiment, reported wounded and missing on October 4. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private R. R. Beckett, Royal Engineers, 29, North Street, Keighley, died of acute pleurisy in a casualty clearing station in France on November 7. Dozinghem Military Cemetery.
Driver J, Kay, 49502 Royal Field Artillery, wounded.
Sergeant J. Gibson, 49936. Royal Field Artillery, wounded.
Private J. G. Willis, 36477. King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, wounded.
The Second Battle of Passchendaele.
Passchendaele ridge and village is on the right side of the original map below. The Canadian Army were to follow the barrage marked in blue lines, which crept forward towards the German lines and the infantry would follow it, keeping a safe distance behind. The barrage pauses at intervals to allow the infantry to catch up, then moves on towards the objective.
The Germans can still fire their own artillery through our barrage and fire their machine guns and trench mortars at the approaching infantry. Eventually the Canadian Army would reach Passchendaele village and take it on November 10. The offensive is stopped on November 20 after a period of smaller actions against the enemy to consolidate ground gained or take more advantageous positions if possible.
This map represents just one action in a series of small moves over the weeks, to gradually take the ground ahead from the German Army. This allows our Army to consolidate it’s position as it slowly moves towards the Passchendaele ridge and village. The ground is particularly hard to cross with mud and water everywhere because of the appalling weather and damage done to the watercourses by the artillery from both sides. The men had to wade waist deep in the mud and water to move in any direction. The British Army along with the Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians, took adjoining sectors in other actions to try move the whole front forward together. If one part of the Army got too far ahead it would be vulnerable to enemy fire from the sides (enfilading fire) which would be devastating to the infantry.
Second Battle of Passchendaele – first stage, October 26th – Artillery barrage map.
Image: Australian War Memorial archives.
The men listed below are the men from Keighley whom we know died in the final stages of the Battle of Passchendaele. Many others from Keighley and the Worth Valley area fought and survived with terrible wounds, both physical and mental, which they endured for the remainder of their lives.
Private Harry Steadman and Lance-Corporal Benjamin H. Freeman listed below, were originally from Keighley and emigrated to Canada before the war. At the outbreak of war, they enlisted in the Canadian Army and came back over here to fight in the war.
Private William Hanson, Northumberland Fusiliers. 44, Brunswick Street, Keighley. Killed on October 17. Tyne Cot Cemetery.
Private Luke Shackleton (27), of Sladen Bridge, Stanbury. Northumberland Fusiliers, killed in action on October 19. Buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery.
Gunner Coulson Fryer, Royal Field Artillery. 11, Sun Street, Cowling, killed instantly by the bursting of a shell on his battery while it was proceeding to take up a frontal position. The battery suffered many casualties. October 22. The Huts Cemetery.
Gunner W. J. Driver (20), Royal Field Artillery, second son of Mr. W. Driver, a former member of the Keighley Town Council, now of Shipley, was killed in action on October 24.
Private Ambrose Bower M. M., Yorkshire Regiment, 19, Pitt Street, Keighley, killed in action on October 26. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private William Garner, of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Park Lane, Cowling. Killed in action in France. Died instantaneously while advancing across ‘No Man’s Land’ on October 26. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private Joseph E. Midgley, West Riding Regiment, 11, Birch Grove, Ingrow, has died of wounds. October 28. Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport.
Sergeant Edwin Smith, Royal Field Artillery, Bridge House, Keighley, has died of wounds on October 31. Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery.
Private Harry Steadman, 38th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Formerly 31, Pitt Street, Keighley. Killed on October 31. Tyne Cot Cemetery.
Second-Lieutenant Ralph Oscar Gladstone of the Royal Engineers, of Crosshills. Killed in action in France. November 2. Bard Cottage Cemetery.
Lance-Corporal Benjamin H. Freeman of the Canadian Regiment, was killed in action on November 5. Menin Gate memorial.
Lance-Corporal Harry Kirkley, Motor Transport Service, has been killed in action on November 8. Buried in Oxford Road Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Rifleman Tom Thompson, Monmouthshire Regiment. 4, Ryeland Street, Crosshills. Killed on November 10. Tyne Cot memorial.
Private Joseph Layton, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, has died from wounds in a casualty clearing station on November 14. Mendinghem Military Cemetery.
Special thanks to Keighley Town Council for funding the original exhibition.
Transcriptions by Liesl Beckles, Andy Wade and Ian Walkden.
Photographs courtesy of Canadian Archives, The Australian War Memorial, The National Library of Scotland and The Imperial War Museum.
Thanks to the Long, Long, Trail at www.longlongtrail.co.uk
Original printing by Omnis Services at www.omnisservices.co.uk
Original exhibition hosted by Bradford Council Library Services.
Original works copyright to the Men of Worth Project.
This is the final page of this series, taken from our banner exhibition which was on display in Keighley Library in 2017, the centenary of this series of battles leading up to the Battle of Passchendaele.
Back to the Exhibitions page to see more information about our other exhibitions…