SOLDIER WOUNDED. - The third Bentham soldier to be wounded is Private Robert McCann, eldest son of Mr. Elijah McCann, of Lairgill. His father received the following post card, dated November 12th, 1914 - "I have been admitted into hospital, but am going on well and hope to be discharged soon. I am being sent down to the base."
(Lancaster Guardian, 21 November 1914)____________________________________________________________
2395 Private David Nelson, 5th King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Died, from wounds received in action, on 9th May 1915, aged 17.
Sympathy is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, of Highfield-terrace, Low Bentham, through the death of their elder son, Pte. David Nelson (who was reported wounded in our last week's issue). His parents received a note from the Record Office, Preston, on Friday morning, stating: "We regret to have the painful news to inform you that your son, Pte. David Nelson, No. 2395, of B Company, 5th King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, died on the field from wounds received in action on May 9th." Pte. Nelson is the first Low Benthamite to lose his life in the campaign. He was only 17 years old, and joined his regiment last August.
(Lancaster Guardian, 5 June 1915)____________________________________________________________
20044 Lance Corporal John Edward 'Ted' Leeming, 10th Canadian Infantry 21.5.1915, aged 29. Son of Anthony and Katherine Leeming, of Hardacre, Clapham Station.Miss Nellie Clapham, of Lane House, Bentham, has been informed that her cousin, Lance-Corporal John Edward Leeming, has been killed in action. Deceased was the eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. Leeming, formerly of Hardacre, Bentham. He was well-known and highly respected, and emigrated to Canada some years ago. When the war broke out he joined the first Canadian contingent, and was drafted to B Company, 10th Battalion. Sergt. T. R. Bell writes: - "It is with regret that we, the comrades of Ted Leeming, find it our unpleasant duty to inform you that our brave comrade passed away in action on the night of 21st May, during a successful attack on the enemy. We find it difficult to express in words our sentiments in regard to our late comrade. He was a true Christian, and an example to all of us as soldiers. It will surely be a comfort to you to receive our assurance that his death was absolutely painless, and we are confident that he is now with the Master he served so well. Not having Ted's home address, we have taken the liberty, Miss Clapham, of opening your letter, received after the engagement, to obtain the address. Kindly break the news to his mother, to whom he was deeply attached, and accept our deepest sympathy. "We shall never forget him."
Lance-Corpl. Leeming's mother now resides at Newby. He was in the district on furlough a short time ago, prior to leaving for France, visiting his relatives.
(Lancaster Guardian, 5 June 1915)____________________________________________________________
News has been received from Pte. James Carter, second son of the late Mr. Thomas Carter and Mrs. Carter, of Oysterber House, Low Bentham, who went out to France with the 2nd British Columbia Regiment, stating that he was slightly wounded in one of his knees on May 24th, and is now in hospital. He hoped to come over to England with the next contingent of wounded soldiers.
(Lancaster Guardian, 5 June 1915)____________________________________________________________
Mr. Robert Greenep, of The Wenning, Bentham, has been officially informed that his son, Trooper Harold Greenep, of the Yorkshire Hussars, was wounded on Tuesday, the 25th May. He had had three days of trench work, and was wounded with shrapnel at the back of the head when leaving the trenches for a rest. He is at present at hospital in Leeds, and is progressing favourably.
(Lancaster Guardian, 5 June 1915)____________________________________________________________
LETTERS FROM LOW BENTHAM SOLDIERS.Pte. Robert Downham, third son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Downham, of Low Bentham, 6th King's Own, writing on August 1st, to the Rev. Percy Coates, of Bentham Rectory, says: "I'm pleased to say I am in the best of health, likewise all the Bentham boys. We have just returned to the base for a short rest after being in the trenches practically about three weeks, and all through that time we never saw a Turk at close quarters, for they know if they show themselves they will not have much chance. If you saw the land here you would wonder how on earth the English landed, for right to the water's edge it is steep cliffs, and great credit should be given to the 29th Division. You people of England will read about the operations here at the Dardanelles, but you will never be able to realise the hardships the "English Tommy" has got to go through.
As regards the Turks, we can't call them good fighters, for they will not stand to the bayonet, and they want some catching, I can tell you. The worst thing they use is Explosive bullets, and being struck with one of these is practically certain death. If we had to fight by foul means, we should be in Constantinople in a few weeks, but I can tell you it will not be long before we are somewhere near, although they are foul fighters. Well, sir, you may think do we ever remember 'home?' Well, when we Bentham chaps get together we always talk of 'Good old Bentham,' and wonder if there any more enlisted, for more men are wanted, and 'still more men.' As it is getting dark now I will have to close, hoping they are all in the best of health at Bentham, and wishing the Bentham Parish Church Sunday School all prosperity. I am always thinking of Sunday School Young Men's Bible Class."
The Rector also received the following letter from Pte. Maurice R. Bolton, youngest son of Mr. Wm. Bolton, of Town Head Cottages, Low Bentham, D Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Canadian Division, British Expeditionary Force, dated August 22nd: - "I had a letter from my father, in which he said that you would be pleased to have a few lines from me. We have just got back to billets for eight days after fifteen days in the trenches. That is the second time I have been in the front line since I came here on July 16th. So far I am liking the life fine, and about my only trouble is that I was not fortunate enough to get any leave to go home; but, of course, there were a good many of us the same way, and it is to be hoped that we will get it in the near future. I left Canada on June 3rd, and our stay in England was not of a long duration. When I left Canada my brothers Herbert and Lawrence were enjoying the best of health, and they would no doubt have been over here if it had not been for the fact that they are on the Toronto Police Force. The Police Commissioners only allowed 40 of their men to enlist, so there was quite a rush to be one of the required number, when they have over 700 able bodied men on the Force. I must thank you very much for being so kind as to have my name placed in your Church, and I might mention that it has also been placed in the Church I use to attend at Toronto, so I certainly ought to be proud. I am sure your village will be proud when they think what a number has left to fight for their 'King and Country,' and it is to be hoped that they will return safe and sound."
(Lancaster Guardian, 4 September 1915)____________________________________________________________
Low Bentham Family's Record.The percentage of fighting men in Low Bentham appears to be rather high in comparison with some of the villages in the district. The framed parish roll of honour at the Parish Church now contains 56 names, the latest additions being those of Pte. Tom Nutter and Pte. Ernest Wilcock. Amongst the families doing their bit is that of the late Mr. Edward Wilcock and Mrs. Wilcock, of Highfield-terrace, Low Bentham, who are represented by four sons. Pte. John Wilcock, the eldest, is married with a family of four young boys, but he enlisted on the 1st March in the 3/6th West Riding Regiment, and was called up for service about five weeks afterwards. A native of Low Bentham, he worked at the Silk Mill for nearly 26 years. He was a manager of the Low Bentham Branch of the Yorkshire Penny Bank, and a member of the High Bentham fire brigade. He also took a great interest in the Floral Society, serving on the committee for eight years. Pte. Alexander Wilcock (married), the third son, joined the R.A.M.C. at Leeds about the latter end of February, and is attached to the 3/6th West Riding Regiment. He worked at the Silk Mill for nearly 17 years, and had filled offices in connection with the Low Bentham Band of Hope as secretary and treasurer, and was a member of the Victoria Institute Committee. Pte. Ernest Wilcock (single), the fifth son, enlisted about a month ago in the Royal Garrison Artillery at Leeds, and is stationed at Dover. At the time of enlisting he was a member of the Leeds City Police Force, which he joined nearly 2½ years ago. He formerly was employed at the Silk Mill. Pte. Reuben Wilcock, the sixth son, was very popular at High and Low Bentham as a cricketer, footballer, and a billiard player. He joined the 7th King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment about a year ago, and left England for foreign service about the middle of July. Prior to enlisting he worked for Messrs. Geo. Angus and Co., Ltd., at High Bentham.
(Lancaster Guardian, 11 September 1915)____________________________________________________________
6/3594 Private James William Bell, 1st/6th Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Killed in action on 23rd August 1915, aged 23.
The unofficial news which was received in the district two or three weeks ago that Pte. James Wm. Bell, of "C" Company, 1/6th Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, had been killed in action on or about August 18th, was confirmed last Friday afternoon, when Mr. Wm. Bell, his father, received information from the Territorial Force Record Office, York, that he had been "killed in action." The news was received with a deep feeling of sorrow by the villagers and many inhabitants of the district, for in Pte. Bell they have lost a young man of much promise. He was the second son of Mr. Wm. Bell, of Low Bentham, and formerly of the "Crossings," Lower Tatham. He was 23 years of age, and was rather of a quiet disposition, very sympathetic, straightforward, and a hard worker, who won the esteem and respect of all those who knew him, and much sympathy is felt for his father, sisters, and brothers in their sad loss. Pte. Bell joined his regiment at Skipton on December 7th, 1914, and after being billeted there for about three weeks, he was transferred to Doncaster, where he remained until April 13th, when his company left England for France. During the time he was out in France the letters which he wrote home and also to his friends were always of a very interesting character. He was an old boy of Lower Tatham School, and at the time of enlisting he was employed as assistant shopkeeper by the Bentham Co-operative Society at their branch shop at Low Bentham, which he had been associated with since March, 1907, a term of nearly 7¾ years. He was very popular with the customers, and always carried out his duties to the best of advantage, and was very obliging, and in him the Society have lost a very faithful servant. Prior to working at the Co-operative Stores he was employed at the Silk Mill, Low Bentham. He was a member of the Bentham Parish Church Young Men's Bible Class. Although he had not so much time available to take interest in the life of the village, he was during recent years a member of both the Cricket and Football Clubs. At the Victoria Institute he will be greatly missed, for he was a member of the Games Committee there, for which he acted as hon. secretary for a short time, and he was also one of their most prominent billiard players, he being a regular member of the first team. As a last mark of respect the flag at the Victoria Institute and Public Hall was hoisted half-mast on the day that the sorrowful news came to hand.
On Tuesday, the following letter was received from 2nd Lieut. Nicholas Geldard, 6th Batt. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, dated 12th September, 1915: - "I am sorry to have to confirm the rumour that Pte. J. W. Bell was killed in the trenches about a fortnight ago. We were very sorry indeed to lose him - a steady, hard-working lad, ready to do his duty for his country under any sort of unpleasant conditions - and he was caught by a sniper, putting his head up too high, in a way any one of us might have been caught 50 times in the last few months. I hope you will accept this expression of my deepest sympathy and that of all the other men in the company who have lived with him and risked their lives with him in this last few months. We always feel it is a much harder loss to bear for the people left at home than for us who have to keep carrying on and have our thoughts distracted by the continual round of work and duties. We can only put explicit trust in the Divine wisdom and hope that it will please Him to put an end to this bloody war as soon as possible."
(Lancaster Guardian, 18 September 1915)____________________________________________________________
14404 Private Edward Magoolagan, 6th King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Died, of wounds received in action, on 23rd August 1915, aged 24. Bentham Soldier Dies of Wounds.Much regret has been aroused at Bentham by the tidings of the death of Pte. Edward Magoolaghan, 6th King's Own Royal Lancaster's, which occurred at a base hospital in the Mediterranean on the 23rd August. The sad news was received in a letter from the War Office on Wednesday morning, and much sympathy has been expressed for his parents, who are well-known and very highly esteemed. The father, Mr. Magoolaghan, has been in failing health for some time, and the news came to him as a very severe blow. Pte. Magoolaghan was a weaver employed by Messrs. Pickup up to last September, when he enlisted in the 6th King's Own, and went into training at Tidworth. He left for the Dardanelles on the 12th June. An intimation that he had been wounded on the 15th August was received a short time ago, the report stating that he had been injured below the eye, while a comrade who took his place was blown to pieces. Pte. Magoolaghan, who was 24 years of age and the youngest of a large family, was very popular in the district. He was a member of the Bentham Liberal Club, the flag of which was flown at half-mast on receipt of the news of his death; and he was also a prominent member of the Bentham Cricket Club, and played outside right for the Bentham Football Club.
(Lancaster Guardian, 11 September 1915)
As announced in our last issue Pte. Edward Magoolaghan, 6th King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, succumbed on the 23rd August to wounds received in the fighting in the Dardanelles on the 15th August. He was only 24 years of age, and up to joining the army in September last year, had been a weaver in the employ of Messrs. Pickup, at Bentham. He was exceedingly popular in the district, and a prominent member of the Bentham Cricket and Football Clubs.
As an expression of sympathy with the parents and family of the late Pte. Magoolaghan, a large gathering of friends and sympathisers assembled at Pinewood Cottages on Sunday morning, and a procession was formed, accompanied by the mourners, which proceeded to the Roman Catholic chapel of St. Boniface, where a special Mass was conducted by Father Sydney Morgan.
(Lancaster Guardian, 18 September 1915)____________________________________________________________
Pte. Ezra Stephenson.News has been received by his sister (Mrs. Chris. Slinger) that Pte. Ezra Stephenson, West Riding Regiment, has been wounded in the shoulder at the Dardanelles, and is now in hospital. Pte. Stephenson is a son of the late John Stephenson, formerly of Kirkby Lonsdale, and before enlistment was employed by Messrs. G. Angus and Co., of Bentham.
(Lancaster Guardian, 18 September 1915)____________________________________________________________
Captain Donald Morrison, 6th King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Died from wounds on 31st August 1915.
Captain Morrison Dies of Wounds.The Vicar of Bentham (Rev. G. H. C. Hartley) has received unofficial news of the death from wounds, on the 31st August at the Dardanelles, of his friend and late lay reader at St. Margaret's, Captain Morrison. The deceased officer received his commission in October, after being twice rejected by the doctor. He was well known and esteemed in Bentham, and will be missed by a large circle of friends.
(Lancaster Guardian, 11 September 1915)
Tribute to Capt. MorrisonCaptain D. Morrison, 6th King's Own Royal Lancasters, whose death from wounds in the Dardanelles was briefly recorded last week, joined Kitchener's first army in October last, after being rejected three times on account of his health. He gave his whole heart to his military duties, and was rewarded by speedily gaining his captaincy. He was a great favourite with the men of his company, and the few who are left will long lament his loss. When news came that he was to go to the Dardanelles, he thought it more likely he would never see England again, yet no one left these shores with a braver heart; as he had often remarked "I would a hundred times rather die for my country than be a slacker." Though for over twenty years
Captain Morrison was a Presbyterian, he became latterly an ardent Churchman and constant communicant. He was studying for the Church when the war was declared. Under the present Vicar of Bentham, Capt. Morrison acted as hon. lay reader for about five years at Sacriston, Durham, and many times preached in the little Mission Church at Plawsworth, where his geniality won all hearts. For a few months he acted in the same capacity at High Bentham, and made many friends. Numerous letters of sympathy from all classes have reached his friends at the Vicarage. A quotation from one is all expressive "you have the comfort of feeling that he was one who had 'treasures in Heaven,' and perhaps he knows now, how those he met esteemed him." Capt. Morrison, after recounting some terrible hardships the Battalion had undergone, added "In spite of all I feel happy as a king, and buoyant and fit for anything." On August 16th he wrote, "It has been awful; August the 9th and 10th will live in my memory for ever. Major Carnegy died a splendid death; only six officers......left besides myself, and two-thirds of the company are wiped out. We get no news of any kind (yet 20 or 30 letters, newspapers, and 5 or 6 parcels were sent to him). How we long for a good post from home. For twelve days I have not washed, shaved, or had my clothes off. I look like a wild man, my socks and shirt are stiff, and my breeches and putties are in such a condition that no self-respecting tramp would wear them. You would all be amused to see my beard. It means death to go and get water, only at midnight we send out a water party to draw one pint of water for each man to last a whole day in scorching sun." Dating August 27th (received after the news of his death), Capt. Morrison sent a few lines stating he had been very seedy, but had no time to rest. "It has now officially appeared that I am temporary commander. We are preparing for a big fight in two or three days' time; expect to come through it all right. If I don't it will be jolly hard luck after all I have gone through. We'll hope for the best. Still no wash or shave; we live like animals." Capt. Morrison was 30 years of age.
(Lancaster Guardian, 18 September 1915) ____________________________________________________________
Low Bentham Soldier Wounded.Mrs. Savage, of Crow Tree Farm, Low Bentham, received information from the Infantry Record Office, Warwick, on Wednesday morning, that her younger son, Pte. Wm. Savage, 5126, maxim gunner, 2nd Royal Warwickshire Regiment, is at No. 12 General Hospital, Rouen, suffering from a gun shot wound in his right buttock. The letter states that he was in the hospital on Sept. 6th, but only on Wednesday morning a letter was received from another Low Bentham soldier who mentions having come across Pte. Savage on Sept. 8th, and he also saw him early in the morning on the following day, and that he was then all right. Pte. Savage enlisted in the regiment at Lancaster last September.
(Lancaster Guardian, 18 September 1915)____________________________________________________________
WAR ITEMS. - News has been received that Mr. Alan L. Whitehorn, a former tutor at Bentham Rectory, has joined an Australian R.A.M.C. and is in Turkey. - Harry Walters, only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Walters, of Crow Trees, Low Bentham, enlisted last Friday at Lancaster, in the 12th Co. Coldstream Guards, and is stationed at Caterham, in Surrey.
(Lancaster Guardian, 18 September 1915)____________________________________________________________
Lieutenant John Barclay Clibborn, 3rd Canadian Mounted Rifles. Died of wounds in France on 26th November 1915, aged 28. Husband of Catherine L. Clibborn, of 11407-100th Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
The casualty lists of Thursday included the name of Lieutenant John Barclay Clibborn, 3rd Canadian Mounted Rifles, who is stated to have died of wounds at the 3rd Canadian Field Ambulance in France on November 27th. Deceased was a native of Bentham, and the only son of Mr. Alfred E. Clibborn, late manager of the Bentham Spinning Company, and at present residing at Crawford Bay, British Columbia. Deceased was in his 29th year, and was born at Bentham House. His mother was the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Roger Bowling, of Scotforth. Mr. and Mrs. Clibborn and their family were very highly respected in Bentham, and much regret was felt at their severance from the neighbourhood some years ago. Deceased was educated at Miss Wilson's private school, Bentham, and subsequently at Ackworth. He emigrated to Canada 11 years ago, and took up farming in the North West Territory. He married a French Canadian, a member of an old Republican family, who survives with one child. At the outbreak of war deceased joined the 19th Alberta Dragoons, and subsequently transferred to the third Canadian Mounted Rifles, with which regiment he came over to England. He was of a very genial and kindly disposition and was a general favourite with everyone who knew him.
____________________________________________________________
Low Bentham Men Wounded.On Wednesday, Mr. and Mrs. H. Nutter, of Wenning Cottages, Low Bentham, received a field service card from their elder son, Pte. Leonard Nutter, Canadian Mounted Rifles Grenade Coy., stating he had been wounded in action. Further news states he was wounded in his back, but not serious, and that he is in No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, at Boulogne. Chaplain Geo. O. Pollis, of the 8th Brigade, C. M. R., writing on June 3rd, stated - "Your dear one at the war was wounded in a serious bombardment last night. This note is to assure you that you need not worry; a few days or weeks at most will put him on his feet again. Do not worry but rather be thankful that his wounds are no worse." Pte. Nutter emigrated to Canada in February, 1912, and before joining the Canadian Mounted Rifles, Grenade Coy., he was a member of the Canadian Territorial Regiment. He left England for the front the first week in September last year, and during that period he has paid one visit to his home at Low Bentham. His younger brother, Pte. Tom Nutter, is a pay clerk, and is attached to the K.O. Yorkshire Light Infantry.
News was received from Pte. Chris Lockwood, 21618, of the Labour Battalion, West Riding Regiment, on Sunday morning, stating that he had been slightly wounded in the arm. Pte. Lockwood joined the colours on February 15th, at Keighley, when he was drafted into the Lancashire Fusiliers. After being in training at Millington Camp, Pocklington, near York, and Middlesboro' for only six weeks, he left England with the West Riding Regiment, into which he had been transferred.
(Lancaster Guardian, 17 June 1916)____________________________________________________________
446367 Lance Corporal Albert Lister, 7th Canadian Infantry. 3rd June 1916, aged 26. Son of John William and Elizabeth Lister of Low Bentham.Low Bentham Soldier Missing.On Friday morning Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Lister, of Low Bentham, received news from the Canadian Record Office, that their eldest son, Lance-Corporal Albert Lister, of the 7th Canadians, had been missing since June 3rd. Prior to emigrating to Canada, in March, 1912, Lance-Corporal Lister was employed as a blacksmith by Mr. John Howson, late of Bentham, with whom he served his apprenticeship. He was a prominent playing member of both the Low Bentham Cricket Club and Bentham Wanderers Football Club. He arrived in England with his company on Sunday, July 17th, 1915, and was only stationed at Shorncliffe Camp, near Folkestone, for a period of about weeks before he was drafted to France. He was over at Low Bentham on leave about the first week in last September.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 June 1916)____________________________________________________________
GAINED MILITARY CROSS.
Capt. Cecil Percy Coates, Bentham.The Rev. Percy Coates, rector of Bentham, and Mrs. Coates, are proud of the fact that they have four sons serving in the Army, and have been gratified to receive the news that their third surviving son, Captain Cecil Percy Coates, of the Royal Anglesey Co. Royal Engineers, has been awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in the field. He joined his unit in April, 1914, at the age of 19, and went to Flanders in December, 1914. He was promoted Acting Captain in May, 1915, and was gazetted to the full Captaincy in the autumn of last year. Capt. C. P. Coates is only 21 years of age, and is still at the front.
James Percy Coates (eldest son) arrived from British Columbia in November, 1915, and also joined the Royal Anglesey R.E. He is now acting Captain at the Front.
Kenneth Percy Coates (second son) joined the 54th Batt. Kootenay Regiment in British Columbia, and with the offer of a commission to the Royal Anglesey R.E., he was transferred to the Officers Training Corps at Newark in May last.
Harold Percy Coates (the fourth son), aged 18½ years, came from America in December, 1915, and was accepted to the Artist Rifles, O.T.C., in March last. He is training with a view to a commission.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 June 1916)____________________________________________________________
14402 Lance Corporal Joseph Jackson, 7th King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Killed on 4th July 1916, aged 20.
News reached Bentham on Thursday that Lance-Corpl. Joe Jackson, King's Own Regiment, was killed on July 4th in the big push going on in France. It was contained in a letter from one of his pals, Pte. Dick Wearing, to deceased's mother, stating: "Just a few lines to let you know that poor Joe has been killed. I was up at the Company this morning, and his platoon Sergeant told me about him. I was so sorry, because there was only Joe and Reuben Wilcock and me from Bentham. Wilcock has been wounded, too. So I though I would just write a few lines to you and let you know. I did not know whether Reuben had written to tell you or not. But, never mind, I thought a lot of Joe. I was talking to him the night before he was killed, and he was in the best of health, and said would come down to see me when he came out of the trenches. It is terrible where our lads are in the trenches for shell fire. I can't tell you any more this time."
- Deceased was a well known member of the Bentham cricket team, and also a member of the St. Margaret's football team which played in the Craven League. He was one of three pals who left their looms at the cotton mill, and on the 5th September, 1914, went to the North of Scotland (Fort George) to join the Seaforth Highlands, only to find that regiment closed to all but Scots. Not to be out-done they joined the King's Own on their return, and one lost his life in the Dardanelles a year ago (Pte. E. Magoolagan), and the other (Pte. W. Sanderson, Bentham's bowler) was invalided home. This makes the sixth Bentham youth to lay down his life in his country's cause. He was the fourth son of Mr. Matthew Jackson, a carter for Wilcock and Co., of Bentham, and great sympathy has been expressed to his bereaved parents, for Joe was a great favourite. He was 20 years old on the 25th of February last, and on that day got a ten days; furlough to come home. He returned on the last Sunday in February to the trenches in France, and had quite a send off. He had a presentiment that he would not return, for whilst at a friend's house he said he though a shell would be landing some day with his number in it.
(Lancaster Guardian, 22 July 1916)____________________________________________________________
LOW BENTHAM HEROES.
Drummer Reuben Wilcock.On the 13th inst. Mrs. Edward Wilcock, of Highfield-terrace, Low Bentham, received a letter from her sixth son, Drummer Reuben Wilcock, of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, which stated that he had got slightly wounded in the calf of one of his legs. At the time of writing he was in hospital, and was going on very well. Further news was received from him last Saturday, stating that he had returned to the trenches. In one of his letters he referred to the death in action of one of his chums, Pte. Joe Jackson, of Bentham. Before the war Drummer Wilcock was very popular at both High and Low Bentham, as a footballer and cricketer. He joined his regiment on September 4th, 1914, at Lancaster, and he left England for France about a year ago. Before enlisting he was employed by Messrs. Geo. Angus and Co., Ltd., of High Bentham.
Three other brothers are serving: - Gunner Ernest Wilcock, in the Royal Garrison Artillery; Lance Corporal John Wilcock, in the 2/5th Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment; and Pte. Alex. Wilcock, in the R.A.M.C.
On Monday morning Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Lister, of Low Bentham, received official information from the Canadian Record Office that their eldest son, Lance Corporal Albert Lister, of the 7th Battalion Canadians (reported missing), was killed on June 3rd. Profound sympathy has been expressed with the parents in the loss they have sustained by the death of their eldest son, who was only 26 years of age, and a young man of much promise. He was an old scholar of the Bentham Parochial School, and prior to emigrating to Canada in March, 1912, he was employed as a blacksmith by Mr. John Howson, late of Bentham, with whom he served his apprenticeship. He was a prominent playing member of both the Low Bentham Cricket Clubs and the Bentham Wanderers' Football Club. He was also a member of the Bentham Parish Church Young Men's Bible Class, the Conservative Club, and the Victoria Institute. Lance-Corpl. Lister arrived in England with his company on Sunday, July 17th, 1915, and was only stationed at Shorncliffe Camp, near Folkestone, for a period of about nine weeks before he was drafted out to France. He was over at Low Bentham on leave last September. His brother, Lance-Corpl. John Lister, is a member of the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment.
(Lancaster Guardian, 22 July 1916)____________________________________________________________
Pte. John Sugden, of the 13th Canadian Field Ambulance, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Sugden, Low Bentham, spent the week-end with his parents. Before emigrating to Canada in September, 1912, he had worked at the Silk Mill, Low Bentham, for nearly 15 years. He also officiated as hon. secretary for the Bentham Wanderers Football Club for a few seasons.
(Lancaster Guardian, 29 July 1916)____________________________________________________________
WOUNDED.BIBBY, Pte. Clement, R.F.A., is in hospital suffering from wounds in the face and shoulder; he is progressing favourably.
(Westmorland Gazette, 12 May 1917)____________________________________________________________
Pte. P. P. WhitfieldMr. F. Whitfield, of Goodenber-road, Bentham, and formerly of Bowsber Farm, Clapham, received the news last week that the youngest of six sons, Pte. Percy Preston Whitfield, of the Canterbury (New Zealand) Infantry, had been killed in action in France on October 9th. Pte. Whitfield was with his father prior to emigrating to New Zealand seven years ago, and was engaged in farming. He voluntarily enlisted in Nov. 1916, and arrived in this country to complete his training this summer. He was allowed four days leave in August, when he came over to see his parents, and shortly afterwards was sent to France. He was a young man of fine physique, being 38 years of age, and was esteemed by all who knew him. Much sympathy is expressed for Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield in their sorrow. Insp. Whitfield, of the South Lonsdale Constabulary, Morecambe, is an older brother. Sergt. Francis Whitfield, another, is in the Metropolitan Police, and the others are engaged in farming.
