John Eastell was the son of Herbert Eastell. Herbert was born 8 July 1892 in Windhill. He married Mary Bevan, 4 November 1911, at Bradford Cathedral.

John was born 26 November 1913. In 1914 they were living at Cowling Road Shipley. Herbert served in WW1 as a Private with the Prince of Wales’s Own West Yorkshire Regiment. Having survived the war he lived with his family at the following houses in Saltaire: -

1918 to 1928 27 Titus Street
1929 to 1934 7 Constance Street
1934 to 1937 49 Titus Street

John married Emily Slingsby, 30 April 1934, at St Paul’s Shipley. They had at least three children, including Anthony born in 1950. In 1935 they were living at 35 Mary Street in Saltaire. In the 1939 Register they were living in Spenborough, where John worked as a grinder in a tank works.

John, a distinguished boxer, served in WW2 as a driver with the Royal Army Service Corps.

John died 16 June 1973 in Cleckheaton. He had a brother, Thomas, who sadly died in WW2.

 

Thomas was the son of Herbert Eastell. Herbert was born 8 July 1892 in Windhill. He married Mary Bevan, 4 November 1911, at Bradford Cathedral.

In 1914 they were living at Cowling Road Shipley. Herbert served in WW1 as a Private with the Prince of Wales’s Own West Yorkshire Regiment. Having survived the war he lived with his family at the following houses in Saltaire: -

1918 to 1928 27 Titus Street
1929 to 1934 7 Constance Street
1934 to 1937 49 Titus Street

Thomas (known as Tom) was born 17 March 1919.

Report from the Shipley Times 20 February 1937: -

Wrestler’s Success - Tom Eastell, a popular member of the Saltaire Mills Gymnastic Club, was successful on Saturday in winning the Northern and Eastern Counties’ flyweight championship. He is also the present holder of the gymnastic club championship cup, rope climbing championship, and bronze medal weightlifting.

In May 1938, Tom was presented with a pair of wrestling boots by fellow members of the Saltaire Mills Gymnastic Club. Tom was the British & Yorkshire bantamweight wrestling champion.

In 1939 the family were living at 21a Titus Street with Tom working as a wool warehouseman.

Tom served as a Private with the 1st West Yorkshire Regiment in France, India, and Burma. He lost his life 12 March 1944. He is remembered on the Rangoon Memorial in Myanmar.

Tom had a brother, John, who also served in WW2.

 

Jack Eccles was the son of Albert Edward Eccles. Albert was born 26 November, 1869, in Leeds. He married Mary Elizabeth Chambers, 20 August, 1893, at St Giles Pontefract. They had at least twelve children, but five died in infancy.

Jack was born 1 st Qtr 1915 in Tanshelf, Pontefract. By 1918 he moved with his family to 23 (renumbered 45) Albert Road, Saltaire. In the 1921 Register, his father was a builder’s labourer working for Briggs Co. in Cottingley.

In 1930 Jack moved with his family to 43 Titus Street, Saltaire. In February 1934, as a student of Shipley College, Jack passed an exam in “Mechanics applied to Textiles, Weaving & Weaving Machinery.” Working at Saltaire Mills, he then served in the Royal Navy in WW2.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 25 August 1943: -

MET IN NORTH AFRICA

Sapper Jack Bray, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Bray. 27 Fanny Street, Saltaire, and First class Stoker Jack Eccles, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Eccles, of 43 Titus Street, Saltaire. have recently met in North Africa. In an airgraph received by Mr. and Mrs. Bray, their son states that it was quite pleasant to meet someone whom he knew, and they had a good time together.

Before joining up, Sapper Bray was employed by Messrs. T. & M. Bairstow at Crosshills, and Stoker Eccles was employed at Saltaire Mills.

They were both educated at Saltaire Road School. Sapper Bray is married, and his wife lives at Thornacre Road, Wrose.

Extract from the Shipley Times 12 January 1944: -

SHIPLEY FUNERAL

The funeral of Mr. Albert Edward Eccles (retired blacksmith of the Prince of Wales Colliery, Pontefract), of 43 Titus Street, Saltaire, took place at Nab Wood Cemetery on Friday (7 January). The Rev. S. O. McLellan (Minister of Saltaire Congregational Church, Saltaire) officiated.

The chief mourners were Mrs. Eccles (widow), Mr. Jack Eccles (son), Mr. Joe Eccles (son), Miss Rita Eccles (daughter), Mrs. Ada Smith (daughter), Miss Amplus Eccles (daughter), Miss Kitty Eccles (daughter), Miss Nancy Eccles (daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Ward (sister and brother-in-law), Miss Eccles (sister), Mr. Joe Chambers (brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. James Chambers (sister and brother-in-law), Mr. Joe Eccles (nephew), Miss Nellie Smith (niece), Miss Lorna Smith (niece), Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer, Mrs. Fletcher, and Miss E. Fletcher.

Jack married Hilda Slinger, 6 January, 1945, at Saltaire Congregational Church. Hilda, a bus conductress, was born 28 January, 1922. They had two children.

In May 1947 Jack was reported as being a member of the Saltaire Congregational Church and he remained in the Royal Navy stationed at Rosyth.

In 1950 Jack and his family were living at 75 Gaisby Lane, Shipley. By 1958 they were at 105 Festival Avenue, Shipley.

Jack died 12 April, 1967. He is remembered in the Garden of Remembrance in Hirst Wood Cemetery, Shipley.

 

William Thompson Excell was the son of James Blackburn Excell. James was born 21 September 1886 in Baildon. He married Alice Knight 23 May 1911 at Bradford Cathedral. James was working for J. E. Kay Plumbers at 54 Bingley Road. They lived at 22 (renumbered 43) Albert Road, Saltaire.

George was born 5 May 1914 in Saltaire. By 1916 the family were living at living at 21Thompson Street in Shipley.

William married Nellie Irene Hawley in 1936. They had three children – Brian born 1936, Graham 1940, and Bronwyn 1948. By 1939 they were living at 24 Herbert Street, Saltaire.

William served his country in WW2. By 1953 he was living with his family at 13 Birklands Road, Shipley, moving to 9 Springswood Avenue about 1956.

William died in 1976 in Waveney, Suffolk.