T H E F A L L E N O F S U T T O N - I N - C R A V E N J O S E P H G R E E N W O O D B A N C R O F T D U K E O F W E L L I N G T O N R E G I M E N T D I E D O F W O U N D S 2 2 N D O C T O B E R 1 9 1 5 B O R N I N 1 8 8 9 A T A R D W I C K N E A R M A N C H E S T E R, T H E S O N O F J O S E P H A N D M A R Y G R E E N W O O D
Bancroft Family History 1891 census shows Joseph, his wife Mary Ann and their 4 children living at 141, Tipping Street, Ardwick, South Manchester as follows: Name Age Work Birth place Birth year Joseph Greenwood (Head) 37 Corn & hay dealers manager Stanbury, Yorkshire 1854 Mary Ann (wife) 38 Grassington, Yorkshire 1853 Charles Greenwood 7 Scholar Ardwick, Manchester 1884 Sarah 6 Scholar Ardwick, Manchester 1885 Ellen 4 Ardwick, Manchester 1887 Joseph Greenwood 2 Ardwick, Manchester 1889-1915 Stockport Rd, Ardwick, South Manchester
1901 census shows Joseph, his wife Mary Ann and their 6 children still living at 141, Tipping Street, Ardwick, South Manchester as follows: Name Age Work Birth place Birth year Joseph Greenwood (Head) 47 Corn salesman Stanbury, Yorkshire 1854 Mary Ann (wife) 48 Grassington, Yorkshire 1853 Charles Greenwood 17 Corn dealer s assistant Ardwick, Manchester 1884 Sarah 16 Ardwick, Manchester 1885 Ellen 14 Ardwick, Manchester 1887 Joseph Greenwood 12 Ardwick, Manchester 1889-1915 Alfred 9 Ardwick, Manchester 1892 Annie 7 Ardwick, Manchester 1894 Empire Theatre in Ardwick, South Manchester
1911 census shows Mary Ann now widowed and that of her 6 children born alive, all 6 were still living. It also shows the Bancroft family now residing at 2, Bridge Terrace, Holme Bridge, Sutton-in-Craven as follows: Name Age Work Birth place Birth year Mary Ann (widow) 58 Grassington, Yorkshire 1853 Charles Greenwood 27 Bank clerk Ardwick, Manchester 1884 Sarah 26 Beamer in worsted mill Ardwick, Manchester 1885 Ellen 24 Elementary school teacher Ardwick, Manchester 1887 Joseph Greenwood 22 Grocer s shop assistant Ardwick, Manchester 1889-1915 Alfred 19 Weaving manager s assistant Ardwick, Manchester 1892 Annie 17 Weaver in worsted factory Ardwick, Manchester 1894 (source: original postcard owned by Andrew Monkhouse)
Notes: The 1871 census shows Joseph Greenwood Bancroft s father, also called Joseph Greenwood Bancroft aged 17 residing in Sutton-in- Craven. He was living with John Stirk aged 40, his wife Ann Stirk aged 32 and their 5 children. John Stirk was the village butcher and ran his shop from Rose Wood Square opposite Croft shed in Sutton. His wife Ann originated from Cowling. World War 1 It had been 99 years since Britain was last involved in a major European conflict following the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 August 4 th 1914 Britain declares war on Germany
In the autumn of 1914, the young men of the nation came from town and village to take the King's shilling and to offer him their dedicated services in defence of their homeland. From mills and mines, from shops and farms, from office chairs and civic departments, from loom, lathe, bench, plough and counter they flooded into the recruiting centres in answer to their nation's call for young manhood. These new recruits came to be known as Kitchener s Volunteers The New Armies: "Kitchener's Volunteers" Earl Kitchener recruitment poster 1914 Parliamentary Recruiting Committee London, 1915 (April)
British volunteer recruits, August 1914 (Kitchener's New Army) Prior to enlistment, Joseph Bancroft was employed as assistant manager in the grocery department at the Sutton Mill Co-operative Society. Sutton Mill Co-operative store, circa 1930 (source: South Craven in old picture postcards Vol 2 by Alec Wood and Peter Whitaker)
At the outbreak of the Great War, Joseph Bancroft responded to the call and volunteered to enlist into the 1/6th battalion Duke of Wellington s (West Riding Regiment) in September 1914. His regimental number was 2713 and he commenced with the rank of Private. The West Riding Regiment raised 24 battalions during WW1 including the 1/6th (Territorial Force) battalion at Skipton on 4th August 1914. OFFICERS SERVING IN THE 1/6th BATTALION WEST RIDING REGIMENT INCLUDED Lieut-Colonel C.M. Bateman Capt A.B. Clarkson Capt N.B.Chaffers All Directors of T & M Bairstow s Mill, Sutton-in-Craven Also Capt C.F. Horsfall of Hayfield Mill, son of Sir John & Lady Horsfall (source: Craven s Part in the Great War original 1919 copy owned by Andrew Monkhouse)
WW1 Duke of Wellington s (West Riding Regiment) Cap Badge Officers of 1/6th West Riding Regiment group photo (source: Craven s Part in the Great War original 1919 copy owned by Andrew Monkhouse)
Pte Bancroft entered the Theatre of War on 14th April 1915 when the 1/6th battalion West Riding Regiment landed at Boulogne in France. MEDAL INDEX CARD for Joseph Bancroft (source: The National Archives) (source: Craven s Part in the Great War www.cpgw.org.uk)
The Western Front The Western Front was the name applied to the fighting zone in France & Flanders, where the British, French, Belgian and later American armies faced that of Germany. It was marked by a system of trenches and fortifications separated by an area known as No Man's land. These fortifications stretched 475 miles and precipitated a style of fighting known as trench warfare. From the moment the German army moved into Luxemburg on 2nd August 1914 to the Armistice on 11th November 1918, the fighting on the Western Front in France & Flanders never stopped. Just as there were quiet periods, there were also the most intense, savage, huge-scale battles the world has ever known. Horse drawn artillery bogged down in mud, WW1
Having been in France for only 4 weeks, Pte Bancroft wrote the following letter to a friend back home about his experiences in the trenches so far Article Date: 21 May 1915 SUTTON MAN TALKS WITH THE GERMANS In a letter to a friend, Private Joe Bancroft, who before the outbreak of war was employed in the grocery department at the Sutton Mill Cooperative Society, writes:- "I have only seen one German yet. I had a pot at him but he 'bobbed'. The Germans use the periscope a good deal, and we do the same. The troops opposite I fancy are Saxons. They are so quiet. The last lot were the Prussian Guards, a very noisy lot. One day some of our fellow shouted across to their trenches, "To ------ with the Kaiser". The answer came back, "Yes, we say the same. I wish I was back in London." In referring to the Christmas incident, Private Bancroft says it was no fable. "One of our soldiers I was speaking with said it would have happened at Good Friday, but their officer said 'No, you would be having tea with them.' Last week we were shelled in our billets and they did some damage. Our aeroplanes seem to do far more work than those of the Germans, also our artillery. The aviators are very plucky. The buildings around here are more or less shelled, and look very dilapidated. It is a shame to see nice farms ruined. If the people over yonder saw them they would waken up and do their part to get this job finished. You cannot understand what war is like until you are in it. I am about three miles from Belgium and if my chance comes I will do my bit for poor Belgium. The tales about the German treatment are all too true." (source: Craven s Part in the Great War www.cpgw.org.uk)
British soldiers firing a Lewis Machine Gun 6 months after arriving in France, Pte Joseph Greenwood Bancroft was Killed in Action on the Western Front on the 22nd October 1915 He was 26 years of age Article Date: 29 October 1915 DEATH OF PTE. J. BANCROFT OF SUTTON On Tuesday morning, Mrs. Bancroft, of Holme Bridge, Sutton, received news that her son, Pte. Joseph Bancroft, had been killed in the trenches on Saturday morning last. Pte. Bancroft was very widely known in the district, and his death is deeply deplored. Prior to joining the 1st Duke of Wellington's, he was employed in the Sutton Mill Co-operative grocery stores, where his services were greatly valued by the committee. His courtesy and desire to please were acknowledged and appreciated by its members. Although not a member of the Sutton Baptist Church, he was a regular worshipper,
and took a great interest in the Young Men's Bible Class, being treasurer at the time of joining the army. He is the first connected with the Baptist Sunday School and Church to lay down his life. His comrades at the front are greatly distressed at his death. The following has been received by his mother, with whom great sympathy is felt:- "Dear Madam, - I am sorry to inform you that your son, Private J. Bancroft, was killed in the trenches yesterday (Saturday). He was a good soldier and always did his work well, and a great favourite with both officers and men. You will be glad to know he suffered no pain. Please accept the deepest sympathy of officers and men of the A Company, 1st Duke of Wellington's Regiment. - Capt. Nicholson." (source: Craven s Part in the Great War www.cpgw.org.uk) Casualty Details Name: BANCROFT, JOSEPH GREENWOOD Initials: J G Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) Unit Text: 1st/6th Bn. Age: 26 Date of Death: 22/10/1915 Service No: 2713 Additional Son of Joseph Greenwood Bancroft and Mary Ann information: Bancroft, of Sutton-in Craven, Keighley. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial IV. C. 19. Reference: Cemetery: TALANA FARM CEMETERY (source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission www.cwgc.org/)
A memorial service was held at the Sutton Baptist Chapel. A memorial postcard was also produced in memory of Pte Joseph Greenwood Bancroft (source: original memorial postcard owned by Andrew Monkhouse)
Article Date: 05 November 1915 SUTTON - THE LATE PRIVATE JOE BANCROFT Memorial Service at the Baptist Church On Sunday morning last, a service to the memory of the late Pte. Joe Bancroft, of the 1st 6th Duke of Wellington's Regiment, who was killed in the trenches on Saturday, October 23rd, was held in the Baptist Church, the pastor (Rev. F.W. Pollard) being the preacher. The large congregation was representative of all denominations in the district, there being present the committee of the Sutton Mill Cooperative Society, his fellow workers (shop assistants), members of the Bible Class, for who Pte. Bancroft acted as treasurer, and the 2nd Sutton Troop of Boy Scouts. The service opened with the hymn 'Nearer my God to Thee', followed by the anthem 'There is a land', under the leadership of Mr. Joseph Overend. The story to the children of heroic deeds done by the Red Cross Society was very appropriate to the occasion. Mr. Pollard based his remarks upon the text from John xv., 13, 'Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friends'. His said: "We are met here this morning to pay tribute and grateful respect to the memory of our dear friend who has been killed upon the battlefield, and your presence in such numbers shows how deeply we all feel his loss. None of us realised it, that he would be taken. It seemed the last thing in our thoughts that his brief, bright life should come so soon to a tragic end. He is the first of our brave lads to fall. It is true that three have been reported missing: Walter Haggas, Fred Simpson and Percy Stell. Recently news has been received that Walter Haggas is still living in the neighbourhood of Berlin. We cling to the hope that our friends who have cost us so much anxiety may yet be heard of. Our friend is the first to fall, and when we heard the news our hearts were wrung with anguish: all of us loved him. He was so bright and cheerful in his disposition and a favourite of all who knew him, young and old alike. He bears a name that we shall remember with thankfulness as long as life lasts. The name of one who was faithful and true, to the highest and best that was in him, and in the
spirit of our text, cheerfully giving himself for those he loved and for those who called him friend." In one of the earlier letters received by Mr. Pollard he wrote: "Before I enlisted I counted the cost, I studied about it no little, and now, after six months of hard training, if it was to do now I should just do the same; in fact I don't see how I could do any other way. In your letter you referred to Mr. Wilson's lads (Lothersdale) being fairly in at it. It has to be hoped they will come through. If we don't come back, it's a good cause we are fighting for, and that's worth something." In another letter, said Mr. Pollard, he showed the true Christian spirit. In answer to Mr. Pollard's letter he wrote: "As regards billet life, it is best to be in at it to know. We have all sorts here, all good-hearted chaps, and so long as you keep straight I think you help others who have need of it. Some might laugh at you occasionally, but then..... It does not bother me." "Here," said Mr. Pollard, "you have a spirit of courage manifested in camp life." In another letter which Mr. Pollard referred to as showing the self-sacrifice of the man, he wrote: "A few months ago I never thought I should be in the army, but things have moved fast since then.... As regards credit being given to us it is not us, but I think it is the mothers that should have it." "These extracts," continued Mr. Pollard, "speak more powerfully than any words a man could; you all knew him and these words represent the man. He met his death while playing the handyman, preparing a meal for his comrades, and he died while on an errand of loving service. Our friend was steadfast to the duties to which he had given his life, and today we lift up our hearts in gratitude to God for the life lived, and we pray that his removal may be sanctified. He entered this conflict because he heard the call of duty. We pray this example may lead us all to the same fidelity and to manifest the same spirit, which was the very spirit of Christ Himself who loved us and gave himself for us." Mr. Pollard closed his address with a special appeal to his congregation to live for the highest and the best. The service closed with the beautiful hymn 'Brief life is here our portion', and the playing of the 'Dead March' in Saul by the organist, Mr. Joseph Petty. (source: Craven s Part in the Great War www.cpgw.org.uk)
TALANA FARM MEMORIAL Talana Farm Memorial in Belgium (source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission www.cwgc.org/) Talana Farm was one of a group of farm houses named by the army from episodes of the South African Boer war. The cemetery was begun by French troops in April 1915, taken over by the 1st Rifle Brigade and 1st Somerset Light Infantry in June 1915, and was used by fighting units until March 1918. The Talana Farm Memorial in Belgium bears the names of 529 Commonwealth servicemen of the Great War buried or commemorated in the cemetery, including the grave of Pte Joseph Greenwood Bancroft. Pte Bancroft is also remembered on the Sutton-in-Craven war memorial
(source: South Craven, the official guide, 1950) Sutton-in-Craven War Memorial (photo taken by Paul Wilkinson)
Pte Joseph Bancroft was posthumously awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal Original trio of WW1 medals, obverse (1914/15 star unnamed original) Original trio of WW1 medals, reverse (1914/15 star unnamed original) (source: owned by Andrew Monkhouse)
A Memorial Plaque inscribed with the soldiers name was also given to the family of those who were killed during WW1 Original WW1 Memorial Plaque (name digitally altered) Also referred to as a Death Plaque or Dead Man s Penny (source: owned by Andrew Monkhouse)
Lest we Forget source: Craven s Part in the Great War Original 1919 copy owned by Andrew Monkhouse
F O R T H E F A L L E N T H E Y S H A L L N O T G R O W O L D, A S W E T H A T A R E L E F T G R O W O L D A G E S H A L L N O T W E A R Y T H E M, N O R T H E Y E A R S C O N D E M N A T T H E G O I N G D O W N O F T H E S U N A N D I N T H E M O R N I N G W E W I L L R E M E M B E R T H E M L A U R E N C E B I N Y O N, 1 8 6 9-1 9 4 3 (Information compiled by Andrew Monkhouse 2011)