Thomas Fawcett served in and survived the war. He married Elizabeth Smith in 1916. The married couple were living with Elizabeth's parents at 24 Jane Street in Saltaire in 1918.

 

Frank Feather was the son of Briggs Feather. Briggs was born 1861 in Haworth. He married Lavinia Dennison in 1883. From 1887 to 1905 they lived in Ferrands Road in Shipley with Briggs working as a bootmaker.

Frank, an only son with three older sisters, was born 29 September 1894. From 1906 the family lived and ran a shoe shop at 73 Bingley Road in Saltaire. Frank followed in his father's footsteps and trained as a bootmaker. Briggs died 7 October 1916 and his wife, Lavinia died 18 November 1938.

In the war Frank served as a Trooper with the Yorkshire Dragoons. Having survived the troubles he took over the running of the family business. They remained at 73 Bingley Road until 1963.

Frank married a divorcee, Evelyn Annie Hammond (maiden name Tempest) in 1932. Whilst still working in Bingley Road he lived with his family at 11 Beechwood Grove in Shipley. In January 1939 Evelyn was president of the Shipley Branch of the Barnardo’s Helpers’ League. Following his retirement, Frank and Evelyn moved south to live at 29 Bennetts Road in Lower Swainswick in Bath, Somerset.

Frank died 10 January 1965 at Forbes Frazier Hospital in Bath. In his will he left £3,874 to his wife (worth £67k in 2015). Evelyn died in 1976.

 

Ernest Fieldhouse was the son of James Fieldhouse. James was born 1848 in Wilsden. He married Mary Ann Shepherd 10 April 1871 at Bradford Cathedral. In 1881 & 1891 the family lived at 22 Constance Street in Saltaire with James working as a combing overlooker.

Ernest, the youngest of four children, was born c1888 in Saltaire. In 1901 & 1911 the family were living at 24 Constance Street in Saltaire with Ernest working as a printer. Ernest served in and survived the war. After the war he continued to live at 24 Constance Street.

Ernest had an elder brother, Fred, who also served in the war. Ernest's sister, Ada, a mill worker, suffered a serious accident.

 

[Updated: 22/06/2015] Fred Fieldhouse was the son of James Fieldhouse. James was born 1848 in Wilsden. He married Mary Ann Shepherd 10 April 1871 at Bradford Cathedral.

Fred, the second of four children, was born c1878 in Saltaire. In 1881 & 1891 the family lived at 22 Constance Street in Saltaire with James working as a combing overlooker; in 1891 Fred was a spinning doffer. In 1901 the family were living at 24 Constance Street with Fred a mohair comb minder. Fred married Maria Dean 27 October 1906 at St. Pauls Shipley. In 1911 they lived at 32 Mary Street in Saltaire with Fred working as a card cleaner. They had a daughter, May, born 1910. By 1914 they had moved to 28 Titus Street in Saltaire.

Fred served as a Private with the Prince of Wales's Own West Yorkshire Regiment. He was made a Prisoner of War and was not released until hostilities had ceased. After the war the family lived at 19 Mary Street in Saltaire. Fred had a younger brother, Ernest, who also served in the war. Fred's sister, Ada, a mill worker, suffered a serious accident.

 

Edwin Firth was the son of Abraham Firth. Abraham was born c1851 in Shipley. He married Leah Brown in 1880. In 1881 they lived at 25 Field Street in Shipley with Abraham working as a labourer.

Edwin, one of twelve children, was born 4 February, 1894, in Shipley. He was baptised 7 March, 1894, in Shipley. . In 1891 & 1901 the family were living at 106 Union Street in Shipley. By 1911 the family were living at 7 Jane Street in Saltaire, by 1918 they had moved to 5 Jane Street. Edwin worked as a darning room jobber before the war and a dyers labourer after the war.

Edwin served as a Private with 2nd /4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) before transferring to the 2nd/6th Battalion. He attested 28 November 1915 and he was mobilised 11 March 1916. He fought in France from 9 January 1917 and was wounded twice spending time in Bradford War Hospital. He was discharged 3 December 1918.

Edwin married Sarah Alice Pitts 25 January 1919 at St Pauls Shipley. Sarah was born 16 July, 1895, in Windhill. They had a daughter, Winnie, who was baptised 6 July, 1919, at St. Pauls. Sadly, Winnie died in 1920.

In 1921 they were living at 5 Jane Street, Saltaire with Edwin’s mother. Edwin worked as dyer’s labourer at Saltaire Mills. Sarah worked in the mill as a cone winder. By 1923 they were living at 30 Titus Street, where they had a son, Kenneth, born 22 March. In the 1939 Register they were living at 3 Higher School Street, Saltaire. Edwin was working as a dyer’s labourer. Sarah was the manageress of the Shipley Air Training Corps canteen.

Edwin died in 1955 at 3 Higher School Street.

Edwin had two brothers, Frank and Levi, who also served their country and fought in the war.

 

Ernest Firth was the son of John Walker Firth. John was born in 1861 in Hunslet. He married Sarah Ann Rycroft 1880 in Bramley.

Ernest, the second youngest of six children, was born 15 February 898 in Horsforth. In 1901 the family were living in Horsforth with John working as a cloth dresser. Following the death of Sarah, John married Annie Clarke 1909 in Bramley. By 1911 the family were living in Frizinghall with Ernest working as a cloth dresser.

Ernest married Edith Mary Hall, 26 December 1914, at the Primitive Methodist Chapel Saltaire Road Shipley. Ernest served as a driver with the Royal Field Artillery and survived the war, living with his wife's family at 21 Ada Street in Saltaire.

Report in the Shipley Times 15 May 1925 as follows:

DOMESTIC TROUBLE AT SALTAIRE.
STORY OF ALLEGED WIFE DESERTION.
Ernest Firth was summoned at Bradford West Hiding Court yesterday for deserting his wife, Edith Mary Firth. Mrs. Firth said that they lived at 21, Ada Street, Saltaire. They had been married for 10 years. On May 2, after going to the pictures, she returned and found that the door was locked. She knocked but receiving no reply she went home to her mother's. Witness added that her husband had previously left at Easter. He had been "bothering with another girl."
Her husband was a cloth finisher at Saltaire Mills, and she assessed his earnings at £3 a week. He was working five days a week. She had left her husband February 23, and gone to her mother's for a month because her husband said that he would bring the other woman, who was a servant in Nab Lane, down to the house. She had been under operation, and since coming out of hospital her life had been unbearable.
It was not a fact that she spent more time with her parents than she did with her husband. A key might have been left behind the back door, but to get there it was necessary to round the back road, which was very dark at the time. Since May 2 the house had still been locked. Her husband had not been living there. Defendant, in evidence, said that his wife left him first on February 19 for a night, and from February 23 she left for a month except for two days. She took half the furniture with her when she left.
On May 2, during tea-time, his brother and his wife called, and his (witness's) wife got in the middle of the meal and went out with them. Later, he himself went out and left the key in the place which had been mutually agreed upon. On returning he saw no lights in the house, and waited at the top the street to see what time his wife would come in.
 At 10.55 he saw his wife, who passed him. She went into her parents' house, and directly afterwards her brother came out, made a beeline for witness and assaulted him. He obtained police assistance, and returned about 11.45, the constable following behind. On entering the house, witness locked the door and went to bed. He did not hear any knocking after he had entered the house. He had only visited the house in Nab Lane in company with his wife. The girl who was a servant there was a mutual friend of himself and his wife. He had received one letter from the girl since she had left. The Court made order for the payment of 25s per week.

It is unclear what happened to Ernest after this.

 

Frank Firth was the son of Abraham Firth. Abraham was born c1851 in Shipley. He married Leah Brown in 1880. In 1881 they lived at 25 Field Street in Shipley with Abraham working as a labourer.

Frank, one of twelve children, was born 1884 in Shipley. In 1891 & 1901 the family were living at 106 Union Street in Shipley with Frank working as a granite paver apprentice in 1901. By 1911 the family were living at 7 Jane Street in Saltaire, and then by 1918 they had moved to 5 Jane Street.

Frank married Annie Richardson 24 April 1906 at St. Pauls Shipley. In 1911 they were living at 1 Elliot Street in Shipley with Frank working for Shipley Council as a pavior. By 1915 they were living at 11 Oxford Road in Shipley, where they remained throughout the war. They had two sons; Levi born 5 April 1907 and Frank born 10 August 1910.

Frank served as a Private with the 3rd Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) before transferring to the 9th Battalion. He was awarded the Certificate of Merit for conspicuous bravery and gallantry, and devotion to duty as a company stretcher bearer under heavy shell fire between 21 March and 2 April 1918.

Frank died 2 September 1918 and he is remembered on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial in Northern France. He is also remembered on the Rolls of Honour at Nab Wood and St. Pauls.
Frank had two younger brothers, Edwin and Levi, who also served their country and fought in the war.

 

Firth, Levi
2 August 1899 - 1991

Levi Firth was the son of Abraham Firth. Abraham was born c1851 in Shipley. He married Leah Brown in 1880. In 1881 they lived at 25 Field Street in Shipley with Abraham working as a labourer. In 1891 & 1901 the family were living at 106 Union Street in Shipley.

Levi, one of twelve children, was born 2 August 1899 in Shipley. He was baptised 30 August 1899 at St. Pauls Shipley. By 1911 the family were living at 7 Jane Street in Saltaire, by 1918 they had moved to 5 Jane Street.

Levi served as a Gunner with the Royal Field Artillery. Having survived the war Levi had a long life, dying in 1991 aged 92. Levi had two elder brothers, Frank and Edwin, who also served their country and fought in the war.

 

Frank Foster was the son of General Foster. General was born 22 January 1864 in Lancashire. He married Emma Margaret Perry in 1893 in Burnley.

Frank, the middle child of three, was born 1899 in Burnley. In 1901 the family were living at 12 Wellington Street in Shipley with General working as a railway plate layer. By 1911 they had moved to 36 Whitlam Street in Saltaire. In 1916 they were living at 16 Constance Street in Saltaire.

Frank, an attendant at Princes Hall Cinema, served as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). He attested 7 August 1916, was mobilised 2 September 1916 and he went to France 11 June 1917.

Frank died 10 October 1917 and you can find his grave at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge in Belgium. Frank is remembered on the Roll of Honour at Nab Wood.

 

Fred Foster was the son of John Eastburn Foster. John was born c1852 in Shipley. He married Harriet Harrison, 30 November 1872, at Bradford Cathedral. They had five children. In 1881 the family were living at 5 Field Street, Shipley, with John working as a painter. In 1887 they were at 11 Albion Street, Shipley.

Fred, their youngest child, was born c1888 in Shipley. He was baptised 10 October 1888 at St. Pauls Shipley. In 1891 the family were living at 8 Raglan Street in Shipley. John died in 1899. In 1901 & 1911 his widow Harriet lived at 4 Helen Street in Saltaire. In 1901 Fred was working as a doffer and 1911 as a cloth dyer finisher.

Fred married Edith James, 26 December 1911, at St. Pauls Shipley. They had three children: -
Kathleen – born Shipley 24 September 1913 in Shipley. She married Ronald Seager in 1938. They had three children. Kathleen died in 1972.
Harold – born Rotherham 3 August 1915. He married Muriel Clayton in 1937. They had three children. He worked as a steelworks shunter. Harold died 1943 in Rotherham.
Edith – born Rotherham 1919. She married Michel in 1942. They had three sons. Edith died 1985 in Rotherham.

Fred, who served in WW1, left his family soon after the end of the war. He was badly wounded and received a disability pension. He worked as a painter and decorator. He lived alone in Godalming, Surrey, where he died in 1962.

Fred had two brothers who served their country and fought in WW1, Thomas, and William. Their sisters, Elizabeth and Ann, were mill workers.

 

Foster, John
6 February 1869 – 20 February 1955

John Foster was the son of Francis Swift. Francis was born c1833 in Walden Stubbs nr Selby. He married Mary Cook in 1865.

John, the second of six children, was born 6 February 1869 in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. The family lived at Worksop with Francis working as a shoemaker. He married Ada Sutcliffe in 1908. They had twin daughters, Helen & Mary born 1909 in Saltaire. In 1911 they lived at 29 Mary Street in Saltaire with John working as fireman at a wool mill.

The following is an extract from the Shipley Times 4 December 1914:-
"J. Foster (6th West Yorkshire Regiment) of Mary Street, distinguished himself in the recent shooting competition held at York, where the battalion is now training for the front. Foster carried off the premium prize (a silver watch) in the contest limited to privates. We are glad to hear that Foster has been promoted to the rank of Lance-Corporal. He was in the Regular Army for nineteen years, during which period he was several times to the fore as a marksman".

The following is an extract from a letter John wrote home to his wife in May 1915:-
"We got out of the trenches last night with only a few casualties. We have come back to the same barn again and are quite happy with the rats running over our heads. We live very well. I don't know where all the rations come from, but they are different from what they used to be. This morning we had bread, bully beef, jam, butter, bacon, cheese and biscuits.
Things are very dear here in the town. Matches are a penny a box, and twist tobacco I never see. The roads are very bad for marching, as the pavement is so slippery. It is a long way from here to the trenches, about five or six miles. It was fairly warm yesterday, but otherwise it has been rather cold. I have seen many from my old regiment, the Derbys, since we have been out."

John survived the war and lived with his family at 4 Albert Terrace in Saltaire. From 1923 they lived at 4 George Street in Saltaire.

John lost his wife when she died 3 October at 4 George Street .

Report in the Shipley Times 23 January 1952 : -

Volunteered for Home Guard Age of 83

A real old soldier, 83-year-old Mr. John Foster of 22 Albert Avenue, Shipley, has once again sent in an enrolment form, offering his services to the Home Guard.

In spite of his age. Mr. Foster is as straight as a ramrod, and still preserves his military moustache and bearing.

He served 20 years with the East Yorkshire Regiment, 13 of them in India, and he has been drawing a soldier’s pension since 1906.

In 1914 he felt the urge to serve again in the old uniform, so he told the officials he was a year younger than his actual age, and joined the Army, where, as a crack shot, he served as a sniper in the West Yorkshires.

In the Second World War the name of John Foster was one of the first among the list of L.D.V. volunteers. His age in the records then was 65, whereas his actual age was in fact 72!

This time Mr. Foster says he has told the authorities his correct age this time. He said it was when he called at the local Post Office for his pension the other day that he was shown the enrolment cards. He took one and sent it off "for a lark. I know they won’t accept me." he said as he sat bolt upright at his own fireside on Saturday morning. ’But, if they did I could be of some use."

Then he put on his muffler, and hat and coat, and in spite of the icy pavements and cold atmosphere, set off for daily walk.

Living at 22 Albert Avenue, Shipley, John died, 20 February 1955, at St. Luke’s Hospital Bradford.

 

Thomas Foster was the son of John Eastburn Foster. John was born c1852 in Shipley. He married Harriet Harrison, 30 November 1872, at Bradford Cathedral. They had five children.

Thomas, their second child, was born 1878 in Shipley. In 1881 the family were living at 5 Field Street in Shipley, with John working as a painter. In 1887 they were at 11 Albion Street, Shipley. In 1891 the family were living at 8 Raglan Street in Shipley. John died in 1899.

In 1901 & 1911 his widow Harriet lived at 4 Helen Street in Saltaire. In 1901 Thomas was working as a house painter.

Thomas married Alice Goldsborough Sutcliffe 10 March 1910 at St. Pauls Shipley. In 1911 they were living at 11 Caroline Street in Saltaire (now 12 Caroline Street). They had three children: -
Ethel – born Saltaire 4 October 1910. She died before 1916.
Thomas – born Saltaire 8 May 1912. Married Edith Stobart in 1934. He died in 1987 in Bradford.
Winifred – born Saltaire 17 April 1914. Died a spinster in 1943.

Living at 41 Helen Street, Saltaire, Thomas enlisted to serve in WW1 in June 1916. He was a Private with the East Yorkshire Regiment, and he survived the war.

After the war Thomas lived with his family at 41 Helen Street, Saltaire until around 1926. By 1928 they were living at 9 Dallam Walk, where they were still living in 1960. It is unclear as to when he died.

Thomas served as a Private with the East Yorkshire Regiment and he survived the war. Thomas had two bothers who also served their country and fought in the war; Fred and William. Their sisters, Elizabeth and Ann, were mill workers.

 

William Foster was the son of John Eastburn Foster. John was born c1852 in Shipley. He married Harriet Harrison 30 November 1872 at Bradford Cathedral. They had five children.

William, their third child, was born 12 December 1880 in Shipley. In 1881 the family were living at 5 Field Street in Shipley, with John working as a painter. In 1891 the family were living at 8 Raglan Street in Shipley. John died in 1899.

In 1901 & 1911 his widow Harriet lived at 4 Helen Street in Saltaire. In 1901 William was working as a stone mason.

Report from the Shipley Times 17 April 1903 as follows: -

Dear Railway Ride

William Foster, stonemason, Saltaire, was summoned for riding on the railway without paying his fare. From the evidence of Robert Sexton, porter, and Arthur Thornton, booking clerk at Saltaire, it appeared that Sunday, the 8th March, defendant, and a friend alighted at Saltaire from the 8-28 train. They held tickets from Bradford to Shipley, and when asked to pay the penny excess fare, defendant refused, said the train did not stop at Shipley, although he was told by the guard that it did, and gave a false name and address.

Defendant did not intend to defraud the company; he offered halfpenny to one of the witnesses, and when a penny was demanded he thought they were going to take rise out of him. Fined 6s and costs.

William married Harriet Elizabeth Stanley Warrell 3 April 1909 at St. Pauls Shipley. In 1911 they were living at 20 Edward Street in Saltaire (renumbered 25). They had a son, John Eastburn Foster born 14 August 1910. He died in 1969 in Warwickshire.

In the 1939 Register William was a stone mason living without his wife at 4 Helen Street.

William served with the Royal Engineers and he survived the war. It is unclear as to when William died. William had two bothers who also served their country and fought in the war; Fred and Thomas. Their sisters, Elizabeth and Ann, were mill workers.

 

Andrew Charles Frederick Free was the son of Robert Free. Robert was born 1873 in Cambridgeshire. He married Jane Anne Backhouse 1896 in Tadcaster.

Andrew, the eldest of seven children, was born, 10 December 1897, in Biggin near Selby. In 1901 the family were living in Biggin, by 1911 they had moved to Tadcaster; Robert was a farm labourer. In 1914 the family were living at 1 Shirley Street in Saltaire and by 1918 they had moved to 38 George Street.

Andrew served as a Private with the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment. Andrew was made a Prisoner of War. He was not released until after the war had ended. He was discharged 18 February 1920. He worked as a yarn warehouseman and lived with his parents at 15 Victoria Road in Saltaire. In 1921 he was working as a yarn packer at Saltaire Mills .

Andrew married Clara Ellen Watson 28 July 1923 at St Pauls, Shipley. They had two daughters, Marjorie, born 29 July 1924, and Pauline in 1932. They lived at 6 Prospect Street in Shipley until 1927 when they moved to 14 Albert Terrace in Saltaire. By 1934 they were living at 13 Edward Street in Saltaire. Clara died in 1934.

Widower Andrew married Doris Ellen Stone in 1937. In the 1939 Register the family were living at 13 Edward Street with Andrew was working as a yarn packer at Saltaire Mills. Doris as a worsted warper, and Marjorie as a clerk in a textile manufacturers office. Andrew was a member of the Saltaire Mills Fire Brigade.

Andrew died 3 October 1974 at 13 Edward Street. Doris died there, 13 December 1982.

 

Willie Furness was the son of Thomson Furness. Thomson was born c1852 in Shipley. He married Ruth Ann Maud in Bradford in 1874. Thomson was a hairdresser living and working at 79 Victoria Road in Saltaire.

Willie, the third of five children, was born 1877 in Saltaire. In 1891 he was an apprentice hairdresser, but by 1901 he was a painter. In 1911 he remained unmarried living with his parents.

Willie enlisted 16 May 1916; he served as a Private with 196th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. He was discharged physically unfit 27 August 1918 having suffered from malaria. As stated on his service record he was "A sober and hard working man."

Willie married Beatrice Sowden in 1926; he died 17 December 1938 leaving his widow living at 4 Moor Avenue, Wibsey.

 

Harry Furnish was the son of John Furnish. John was born 1866 in Saltaire. He married Theresa Mitchell 3 April 1888 at Bradford Cathedral.

Harry, who had a younger sister was born 1895 in Saltaire. His mother, Theresa, died in 1900 as was buried at St Pauls Shipley 5 April 1900. The Furnish family had lived at 33 Caroline Street in Saltaire since before 1871, and it was there that widowed John, working as a coal carter, lived with his two children. In 1911 Harry was working as a spinner.

Harry served in and survived the war; he married Ethel Hudson 9 September 1918 at St. Pauls Shipley. Harry died 1973 in Lancaster, Ethel died there in 1978.

 

George Fynn Jnr. was the son of George Fynn Snr. George Snr. was born c1850 in Norfolk. He married Sarah Elizabeth Heywood in 1880. In 1891 they were living at 10 Russell Street in Shipley, with George working as a joiner.

George Jnr. was born c1892 in Shipley. In 1901 the family were living at 16 Russell Street in Shipley. Sarah died in 1907, George Snr. died in 1911. In 1911 George Jnr. was living with his sister, Caroline, at 3 Bath Buildings in Saltaire. George was employed as a house painter.

George served with the 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He died 23 October 1916 and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in Somme, Northern France. George is not remembered on any Rolls of Honour in the Shipley area.