Private. 10th Battalion, Training Reserve. Regimental number TR5/38043.
Early life:
Benjamin was born in Bingley in either late 1888 or early 1899. His birth was registered in Keighley in the first quarter of 1899. His parents were Benjamin Bartle and Harriet Bartle née Jessup who had been married at St. Paul’s Church in Burnley on 12th April, 1884.
There is a question over Benjamin senior’s surname which in usage seems to have been Holey, which was his mother’s maiden name. He signed Benjamin Holey on his marriage record but stated that his father was James Bartle. Despite this discrepancy, he and his new wife Harriet became Mr and Mrs Bartle, not Holey.
According to the Census and Electoral rolls, in the years between 1891 and 1898 they were living at Ryecroft, probably so that Benjamin was close enough to work at the quarries next to Ryecroft, or on top of the hill near to The Guide Inn. By 1899 they have moved to 2, Keighley Road in Cullingworth, possibly to be near enough to the Catstones Quarry between the Guide Inn and Cullingworth but also so that other family members might obtain work at The Ellar Carr Worsted Mills in Cullingworth which was just around the corner and newly built in 1894. They were also living at either 13, Old Lane and 13, John Street in Cullingworth between 1903 and 1908, which are probably the same house. This was two minutes walk away from Keighley Road and Ellar Carr Worsted Mill.
In the 1901 census Benjamin was aged two and living at 10, Bank Bottom in Cullingworth with his parents and siblings William Henry aged 15 and a worsted yarn spinner; Annie aged eight, Florrie aged six, Harriet aged five and Hilda aged three. Their father was employed as a crane driver at a local quarry.
They were quite a large family and the 1911 census shows that Benjamin and Harriet had produced nine children, seven of whom had survived until the date of the census.
The two children who did not survive were George Edward aged two months and Beatrice aged one year and one month and they are actually named on the 1911 census, but their entries have been crossed out by the enumerator. Perhaps Benjamin and Harriet wanted to make sure their names were recorded, even though these were not valid entries in the census. Fortunately they can still be read.
In the 1911 census Benjamin was now aged twelve. He was still living with his parents but now at 122, Fell Lane in Keighley. Father Benjamin was aged 50 and a steam crane driver at a stone quarry, the nearest one being Branshaw Quarry which is still in operation today. Mother Harriet was aged 47 and caring for the family and their home. Their children were William Henry aged 25 and a worsted spinning overlooker; Annie aged 18 and a worsted spinner; Florence aged 16 and a worsted spinner; Harriet aged 15 and a worsted spinner; Hilda aged 13 and a worsted spinner, then Benjamin aged 12 and a worsted doffer (probably part time with school) and the youngest was Albert Edward aged nine and at school.
We don’t know where they all worked, but the nearest worsted mills were at Springfield Mill and North Beck Mill, but purely worsted spinning was at Calversyke Mill up West Lane and all were within easy walking distance. For the youngest children the nearest school was at Holy Croft, also close to their home on Fell Lane.
War service:
Benjamin was deemed to have been enlisted as a Private on 2nd March 1916 and was placed in the Reserve until called up for service, at that time he was only 17 years and two months old. This was under the Military Service Act, although he was still under age.
He was still living at 122, Fell Lane in 1917 when He was called up for General Service on 19th February in Keighley. He was aged 18 years and two months and employed as a boiler firer. He was single and had not previously served in the armed forces. Benjamin was five feet five inches tall with a 34, 1/2 inch chest. His Religion was given as Wesleyan Methodist.
His enlistment with the 86th Training Reserve was approved at Halifax on the same date. His recorded next of kin was his father Benjamin of 122, Fell Lane.
Benjamin was serving with the 10th Training Reserve Battalion with the service number TR5/38403 having been posted there on 23rd February. He died of peritonitis whilst in training at Rugeley Camp in Staffordshire on 12th March, 1917. He had only been in training for 22 days before he died at the New Military Hospital, Cannock Chase. He did not serve overseas. His whole service counted as 353 days with the Reserve and 22 days in training, totalling one year and 11 days.
Hansard:
At the time of his sickness and death, Rugelely camp was suffering from outbreaks of sickness and disease amongst the soldiers and this was referred to in the House of Commons, as evidenced by Hansard:
Mr. CROOKS asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office:
‘if any complaints have been received with respect to the conditions prevailing in Rugeley camp; whether his attention has been drawn to the existence of much sickness and many deaths among the soldiers; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to an improvement?’
Mr. MACPHERSON:
‘It appears that there has been a considerable amount of sickness at Rugeley, but the matter is receiving the special attention of the military authorities, and steps are being taken to improve matters.’
Note:
Mr Crooks is likely to be William Crooks MP, member for Woolwich at the time.
Mr MacPherson is Sir James MacPherson MP, who was the Under Secretary of State for War in 1917.
Haworth soldier Private Robert Eric Scarborough was one of the soldiers who died of cerebro-spinal fever in May, 1917. Whilst this is medically unrelated to Peritonitis, it shows the general sicknesses running through the camp at that time.
His funeral was held on 16th March 1917 and he was buried at at Keighley Cemetery, Utley. This was only mentioned in the Keighley News as a listing under ‘Interments at Keighley Cemetery:’
Keighley News March 24, 1917, page 8:
BARTLE – March 16, age 18. Benjamin Bartle, the Military Hospital, Rugeley.
The Keighley Wesleyan Circuit Magazine, April 1917 issue:
It is with deep regret that we record the death of one of our old scholars, Pte. Ben Bartle, of 122, Fell Lane. Pte. Bartle had been in the Army less than a month when he succumbed to pneumonia. We offer our severe sympathy to his family.
Remembrance:
He is remembered in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with his headstone in Utley Cemetery, Keighley.
He is also named in the Borough of Keighley 1918 – 1918 Roll of Honour Book, on permanent display at Keighley Library.
Keighley News 16th March 1918 page 8:
Birth Marriages and Deaths. IN MEMORIAM.
BARTLE. – In loving memory of Benjamin Bartle, who died at Rugeley Camp, Staffordshire, aged 18.
He left his house in perfect health,
He looked so young and brave;
We little though how soon he would
Be laid in his grave.
No one knows the parting,
Or what the parting cost;
But God in his great mercy,
Has gained what we have lost.
From Father, Mother, Sisters and Brother.
Also:
BARTLE – In ever loving remembrance of Private Benjamin Bartle, who died at Rugeley Camp, Staffordshire, March 12th, 1917, in his 18th Year.
Only a year has passed since that sad day,
When one we loved was called away.
God called him home; it was his will;
But in our hearts he liveth still.
From his loving Brother and Sister, Willie and Alice.
His father received Benjamin’s Memorial scroll on 8th June 1920. with a confirmation that his bronze war memorial plaque would be forwarded on completion.
His father received the sum of £1 19s. 3d which was Benjamin’s remaining Army pay.
No war gratuity was paid to his next of king.
There are Pension record cards showing that an application was made, but none of them indicate that a pension was made.
Benjamin’s parents and siblings were still living at 122, Fell Lane in the 1921 census.
Information sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915.
1901 England Census.
1911 England Census.
British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920.
England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007.
Staffordshire, England, Birth, Marriage and Death Indexes, 1837-2017.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919.
Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929.
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923.
Borough of Keighley roll of honour in Keighley Library.
Keighley News archives at Keighley Library.
Weleyan Methodist Circuit Magazines at Keighley Library.
1921 Census Of England & Wales.
Ordnance Survey Maps by The National Library of Scotland Mapping service.
