Arthur Willie Keighley was the son of Joseph Keighley. Joseph was born c1854 in Idle. He married Maria Illingworth in 1875.

Arthur, the eldest of five children, was born 27 September 1877. He was baptised 28 October 1877 at Low Lane Methodist Shipley. In 1881 they lived at 3 Amelia Street in Saltaire with Joseph working as a woollen weaver. In 1891 & 1901 they lived at 6 Constance Street with Joseph working as a plush dyer.

Arthur worked as a drawer in the mill before becoming a stone mason. He married Emily Sanderson in 1902. In 1911 they were living at 49 Thompson Street in Shipley. Arthur was working as a seal warehouseman. Arthur attended Saltaire Road Methodist Church and he was an Oddfellow. He played cricket for Bolton Woods Wesleyan Cricket Club.

Arthur enlisted in 1915 and he was mobilised August 1916 to serve as a Private with the 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He died 17th September 1916 at the Military Hospital in York. The circumstance of his death was the subject of a coroner’s inquiry at York on Tuesday 20 September 1916. It was reported in the Shipley Times as follows:-

“His widow was the first to give evidence. She said that about a week after her husband reached Strensall Camp she received a telegram saying he was ill, and asking her to go and see him. He told her he twice reported “sick” and had been told to “get on” and he gave her to understand that he had been neglected.
Capt. Russell, the deceased’s company officer, said Keighley first reported sick on September 6th and up to 10th he was reported to the medical officer, given medicine and ordered for light duty. On the 11th he was admitted to the brigade hospital, and on the 14 removed to York. When the witness received notice that Keighley’s food had to be altered, he sent him milk and eggs mixed up, soup, and milk puddings from the officer’s quarters. He never heard any of his subordinates insinuate that Keighley was not so ill as he said he was or that he was told to “get on” or anything of that sort. He had never been kept on parade when he had reported sick, and everything possible had been done for him. Capt. Sheedy, R.A.M.C., doctor at the camp said Keighley was suffering from diarrhoea. He was never put on duty during his sickness. Dr. Micklewaite, of the York Military Hospital said death was due to gastro-enteritis. From what he heard of the case, he was of the opinion that Keighley had received due and proper attention. In reply to Mrs. Keighley, Dr. Micklewaite said the York hospital was certainly different to that at the camp, and Keighley would naturally feel that he would be better looked after at York. Mrs Keighley: He said it was the only kindness that had been shown him. Mrs. Keighley also asked if her husband had been marched while suffering from diarrhoea.  - Capt Russell: No. Mrs Keighley: My husband was a truthful man and he told me he had. The Coroner said that if Mrs. Keighley desired it, he would adjourn the inquiry but she did not think it necessary adding: “They cannot bring him back again.” Though she was not at all satisfied, she had no desire to continue the inquiry. The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes.”

Arthur was buried at Nab Wood Cemetery Shipley and he is remembered on the Rolls of Honour at Nab Wood and St. Pauls.

 

Charles Keighley was the son of Joseph Keighley. Joseph was born c1860 in Bingley. He married Eliza Dennison 20 September 1884 at Bradford Cathedral. In 1891 they were living at Utley, Joseph was a coachman.

Charles, second eldest of five children, was born 1888 in Keighley. In 1901 & 1911 the family lived at 30 Dove Street in Saltaire. In 1901 Charles was a doffer spinner in the mill and in 1911 he was a carter in a furniture store. Charles an employee of Keighley Motor Transport served in the war and survived.

Charles married Ethel Couch in 1915. They had four children; James Edward (1916-1934), Marjorie (1918-1919), Lillian (1921-1921) and Ronald Cedric (1923-2005). In 1923 Charles was a lorry driver working at Salts Mill and living with his family at 60 Earl Street in Shipley before moving to 13 Hirst Lane in Shipley around 1930. After Charles lost his job at the mill the family moved to Silsden where he worked as a chauffeur for Wilsons Mill Textile.

Charles died 28 May 1963 at the Middleton Hospital in Ilkley. Charles had a younger brother, Harry, who gave his life serving his country in the war.

 

Harry Keighley was the son of Joseph Keighley. Joseph was born c1860 in Bingley. He married Eliza Dennison 20 September 1884 at Bradford Cathedral. In 1891 they were living at Utley, Joseph was a coachman.

Harry, youngest of five children, was born 6 August 1897 in Keighley. In 1901 & 1911 the family lived at 30 Dove Street in Saltaire. In 1911 Harry was a doffer spinner in the mill.

Harry enlisted with the Durham Light Infantry 25 November 1915, by which time his family had moved to 63 George Street in Saltaire. He was held in reserve until he was called up on 25 August 1916. He worked as a boot repairer at Feather’s in Gordon Terrace. Upon his call up he was transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment. He remained at home on leave until 14 February 1917 when he was posted to France with the 12th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. He was promoted to Lance Corporal 4 July 1917. He was home on leave from 29 January to 12 February 1918. He was then posted back to France with the 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment.

Harry died 31 March 1918, aged just 20. He is remembered at the Arras Memorial in Northern France.He is also remembered on the Rolls of Honour at Nab Wood, St. Peters and Saltaire Wesleyan Chapel. Harry had an elder brother, Charles, who also served his country by fighting in the war.

 

Kelly, William
c1873 –????

 William Kelly was born c1873 in Bradford.

Working as a quarry labourer he married widow Hannah Stiff (nee Conner), 7 September 1903. at Bradford Cathedral. She was born c1865 in Wales. They had a daughter, Hannah, born in 1913.

From before 1918 to 1927 they lived at 22 Amelia Street, Saltaire.

William served in WW1. He enlisted in 1914 and saw action at Ypres, the Somme, and Passchendale. After the war ended, he served as an air mechanic with the R.A.F. He served in Egypt until after 1921.

William’s wife, Hannah, died in 1926. In 1927 he was living alone at 22 Amelia Street. It is unclear what happened to him after this.

 

Harry Kendall was the son of William Kendall. William was born c1855 in Shipley. He married Hannah (maiden name unknown) in 1878. In 1881 they lived in Rotherham with William working as a police constable. By 1891 they were living in Baildon with William working as a labourer.

Harry, the third youngest of eleven children, was born 1893 in Baildon.  By 1901 the family were living at 20 George Street in Saltaire, where they remained throughout the war. In 1911 Harry was employed a plumber’s apprentice.

Harry served as a Sergeant with the Royal Engineers. Having survived the war he married Ethel Lund, 20 February 1918 at St. Margaret’s Frizinghall. The married couple lived in Shipley.

 

Percy William Killen was the son of Catherine Killen, father unknown.   

Percy was born 1889 in Leeds. From before 1901 Catherine was living with Percy in her father’s house at 44 Caroline Street in Saltaire. In 1911 Percy was an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy in China & the East Indies. In 1915 Percy was serving aboard HMS Canopus.

Percy survived the war after marrying Catherine Groves in 1917. From 1925 they lived in Shipley. Percy died in 1954.

 

Frederick George King served in and survived the war. In 1918 he was living with Thomas Alfred & Sarah King at 20 Baker Street in Saltaire. (Relationship is unknown).

 

Arthur Kitchen was the son of George Kitchen. George was born c1857 in Tadcaster He married Annie Elizabeth Addy 21 September 1879 at St Mark’s in Woodhouse, Leeds.

Arthur, the seventh of nine children, was born 1890 in Pool. He was baptised 17 September 1890 at Meanwood. In 1891 the family were living in Lofthouse and in 1901 they were living in Rothwell. By 1911 they were living at 2 Bath Buildings in Saltaire (now demolished). George was a carter for a worsted manufacturer whilst Arthur was a carter for a coal merchant. Arthur married Edith Green 26 December 1913 at St. Peters Shipley. Both were living in Saltaire; Arthur at 15 George Street and Edith at 3 Dove Street.

Arthur survived the war having enlisted November 1915 as a Private with the Seaforth Highlanders. After the war he lived with his family at 48 Barrett Street in Shipley. By 1940 they were living at 5 Wilmer Road in Shipley. Arthur was a brother in law to Arthur, Charlie & Willie Green who all served their country and fought in the war.

 

James Kitchen was the son of Tom Kitchen. Tom Kitchen was born was born 1860 in Carlisle. He married Agnes Schofield, 10 February 1884, in Wombwell near Barnsley. In 1891 & 1901 they were living at Wombwell with Tom working as a miner.

James, the elder of two boys with 9 sisters, was born 09 May 1895 in Wombwell; baptised 5 April 1896. In 1911 the family were living at 19 William Henry Street in Saltaire with Tom working as a yarn scourer and James as a twister. By the time war started they had moved to 6 George Street in Saltaire and before the war was over they were living at 49 Titus Street in Saltaire.

James served in and survived the war. He was a joiner living at 49 Titus Street when he married Ivy Alice Dalton 21 December 1920 at Christchurch Windhill. They had three children, Thomas, Vera, and Kenneth and 10 grandchildren; they lived in Shipley.

James died in 1973. He had a younger brother, Thomas, who also served in the war.

[Updated with the help of Christina Stead, granddaughter of James.]

 

James Henry Kitchen was the son of George Kitchen. George was born c1589 in Tadcaster. He married Annie Elizabeth Addy 21 September 1879 at St Marks Woodhouse Leeds. In 1881 they were living at Chapel Allerton nr Leeds with George working as a drayman.

James, the third of nine children, was born 1882 in Meanwood Leeds. In 1891 the family were living at Lofthouse near Wakefield. By 1901 they were living at Rothwell Leeds with James working as a blacksmiths striker.

James, working as a warehouseman, married Harriett Raistrick 30 July 1910 at St Pauls Shipley. The married couple lived with Harriet’s parents at 3 Well Croft in Shipley. From 1914 they had their own house at 7 Mary Street in Saltaire, where they remained until 1925. James served in and survived the war. By 1928 they were living at 11 Jane Street in Saltaire, moving to Baildon around 1936. James died in 1952.

 

Thomas Kitchen was the son of Tom Kitchen. Tom Kitchen was born 1860 in Carlisle. He married Agnes Schofield 10 February 1884 in Wombwell near Barnsley. In 1891 & 1901 they were living at Wombwell with Tom working as a miner.

Thomas, the younger of two boys with 9 sisters, was born 6 November 1898 in Wombwell. In 1911 the family were living at 19 William Henry Street in Saltaire with Tom working as a yarn scourer and Thomas as a spinner. By the time war started they had moved to 6 George Street in Saltaire and before the war was over they were living at 49 Titus Street in Saltaire.

Thomas served as a Private with the Prince of Wales’s Own West Yorkshire Regiment and he was made a Prisoner of War during the battle of Kemmel, (16 April 1918) part of the 4th Ypres campaign. He was released and repatriated 30 November 1918.

He was not released until the hostilities had ended. Thomas was a postman living at 49 Titus Street when he married Lilian Flowers 31 January 1921 at St. Peters Shipley. Lilian lived at 29 Mary Street in Saltaire. They had three children: - Elsie, born 1923; James, 14 August 1926; Agnes 5 April 1930.

Report from the Shipley Times 2 December 1921: -

At the Leeds Assizes on Monday (28 November), Thomas Kitchen aged 23, of 104 Birch Lane, Bradford, a Shipley postman, was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment for the theft of registered letters at Shipley in August.

Kitchen was employed as a postman. Between 28 July and 4 August certain registered letters were missing, and on inquiries being made the Postmaster suspended Kitchen from duty. Kitchen left the district, but later surrendered himself to the Oldham Borough Police. Kitchen had forged the receipts of eight registered letters.

The case came before the West Riding Court in Bradford in August, and Kitchen was committed to the Assizes.

By 1931 Thomas was living with his family at 36 Otley Road in Baildon. He lost his wife, Lilian when she died 3 rd Qtr. 1931. Then he lost his daughter Elsie when she died 19 November 1931.

Report from the Shipley Times 21 November 1931: -

Elsie Kitchen, eight year old daughter of Thomas Kitchen, galvaniser, Otley Road, Woodbottom, Baildon, died at Saltaire Hospital under an anaesthetic on Thursday. She had suffered from tonsilitis and adenoids, and was undergoing an operation by Dr. Firth, of Baildon, when she collapsed and died.

Thomas married Elizabeth Flowers 4 th Qtr. 1931. In the 1939 Register Thomas is a galvaniser living with his family in Accrington, Lancashire.

Thomas died 24 November 1972 in Accrington, Lancashire. He had an elder brother, James, who also served in the war.

[Updated with the help of Brian Kitchen, son of Thomas.]

 

Kitchen, Wilfred
c1891 - 25 September 1916

Wilfred Kitchen was the son of Fred Kitchen. Fred Kitchen was born c1871 in Shipley. He married Clara Preston 23 August 1890 at Bradford Cathedral. In 1901 they were living at 97 Briggate Shipley, Fred was a wheelwright. By 1911 they had moved 2 Dove Street in Saltaire. Fred worked for himself building carts and wagons.

Wilfred was the eldest of their six children; he was born c1891 at Windhill in Shipley. In 1911 he was a greengrocer’s assistant. In the last quarter of 1911 Wilfred married Elizabeth A. Herring. Wilfred was working for Darlington (in County Durham) Urban District Council when he enlisted. He was a Private with 10th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

Wilfred died 25 September 1916 aged 25. He was a Private with the 10th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. Rather than enlisting locally, he enlisted at Darlington in County Durham. He is buried at Adanac Military Cemetery in the Somme region of France. The timing of his death and the location of his grave would indicate that Wilfred died in the Battle of the Somme.
He is remembered on the Rolls of Honour at Nab Wood, St. Pauls, St. Peters and Saltaire Wesleyan Church.

 

 

Arthur George Knight (parents unknown) was the adopted son of Mrs Sarah Jane Smith of 25 Jane Street in Saltaire.

Arthur joined the Royal Field Artillery in 1906 and served his country in the war.

Joe Samuel Knott was the son of Thomas Knott. Thomas Knott was born c1847 in Norfolk. He married Ann Myers 17 December 1873 at St Wilfrid’s Church, Calverley.

Joe, the third of nine children, was born 23 November 1879 in Shipley. In 1881 the family were living at 2 King Street in Windhill with Thomas working as a stone delver. In 1891 they were living at 82 Valley Street in Windhill. By 1901 they were living at 69 George Street in Saltaire. Thomas was working as foreman in a stone quarry and Joe as a bootmaker.

Joe married Florence Elizabeth Bittiliffe 10 June 1905. In 1911 they were living at 91 Leeds Road in Windhill. They had three daughters; Edith born 1906 and twins Kathleen and Evelyn born 1909.

Joe served as a Private with the 1st/8th Battalion Prince of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment). He died 23 September 1916 and he is remembered on The Thiepval Memorial in Northern France. Joe is also remembered on the Rolls of Honour at Nab Wood and Windhill Parish Church.

 

John Bracewell Knott was the son of George Knott. George was born 1856 in Addingham. He married Martha Hannah Bracewell in 1882.

John, the second oldest of five children, was born 22 September 1885 in Bingley. He was baptised 17 January 1886 at Bingley Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. In 1891 the family were living in Manningham with George working as a weft man. In 1901 & 1911 the family were living at 78 Victoria Road in Saltaire. George was a weft room manager and John was a cabinet making apprentice before he worked as a wool sorter. John married Caroline Myers 29 July 1911 at Bethel Chapel Windhill. The married couple lived at 54 Titus Street in Saltaire.

John fought and survived the war, living with his family at 54 Titus Street until around 1930 when they moved to Shipley. John died 1972 in Northumberland.