by Chris Lloyd | 1916 Centenary, Centenary, Harrogate, In Your Town, Latest, Ripon, War Stories, York
THE family of a soldier awarded the Victoria Cross for leading a counter-attack, against greatly superior numbers, during a key part of the Battle of the Somme have spoken of their pride after a memorial to honour him was unveiled in his home town. Numerous members of...
by Chris Lloyd | Centenary, In Your Town, Latest, Thirsk, York
A COURAGEOUS earl who died while standing up to rally his troops in the “unadulterated hell” of the Somme battlefield is to be honoured with a commemoration service. The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu will join the Feversham family and parishioners at All Saint’s...
by Chris Lloyd | Centenary, In Your Town, Latest, Middlesbrough, People, York
EXACTLY 100 years ago this weekend, two brave local soldiers – one a VC, the other a MC – were killed in the same trench on the Somme. The first to die was Lt George Butterworth of the 8th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, who was the most promising composer of...
by Chris Lloyd | Centenary, In Your Town, Latest, York
WILLIAM “Wass” Reader fought in the Middle East, taking part in the Palestine Campaign between 1917 and 1918, but little is known about the man himself other than he survived the war. He served in C Squadron of the 1st East Riding Yeomanry and throughout his service...
by Chris Lloyd | Centenary, Latest, York
CARTOONS created by a soldier as he served on the Western Front are revealing more of the dark humour of the First World War. The sketches were drawn by Albert E V Richards, who is thought to have served with the 10th Royal Hussars as a lance corporal. Drawn...
by Chris Lloyd | Centenary, In Your Town, Latest, York
IT’S a sight not seen for almost a century – and sure to quicken the heart of any aviation enthusiast. The tiny Eastchurch Kitten was an experimental First World War fighter, an interceptor designed to tackle the threat posed by Zeppelins. The prototype first flew in...
by Chris Lloyd | Centenary, In Your Town, Latest, York
A MUSEUM has appealed for help to translate two diaries written in shorthand by a soldier during the First World War. York Castle Museum said it had unearthed the diaries in its archive and it was believed they contained details of the Palestine Campaign, which was...
by Chris Lloyd | Centenary, In Your Town, Latest, York
COMMEMORATIONS of the “war to end all wars” have been given a £1m boost as preparations continue for the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. The North Yorkshire home to some of the most important regimental collections in the UK has been awarded £999,900...