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SKELTON - IN - CLEVELAND
IN HISTORY
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"WE WILL REMEMBER THEM"
3422/200951 Private RICHARD MATTHEW THORPE.
4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment.
Died, probably of wounds, as a Prisoner of War, aged 20, on the 8th of June 1918.
Born at Carlin How, N Yorks. Enlisted at Skelton in Cleveland
Son of Richard Pickles Thorpe and Emma Eliza Thorpe of 61 Wharton St, North Skelton, N Yorkshire.
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Pte Richard Matthew Thorpe.
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Chambieres French National Cemetery. Metz.
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FAMILY:-
1911.
Richard, aged 13, was living at 61 Wharton St, North Skelton. He had been born in the September quarter of 1898 at Carlin How, N Yorks.
His father, Richard Pickles Thorpe, also known as "Pretty Cap", aged 50, was a mechanic in the Cleveland Ironstone Mines. He was a founder member of the White Rose Sword Dancers. He had been born at South Eston, N Yorks.
His mother, Emma Eliza, nee Leeks, aged 46, had been born in Bradley, Suffolk. She had had 9 children and 8 were still living.
His parents were living at Fogga when they married 25th December 1883.
Their family history, also says that this was the last wedding at the Old Skelton Church.
Walter Thomas Leeks, [presumably Emma's brother, although listed as Son] is living with them.
On the census Richard has two younger sisters Dorothy Madge, age 5 and Alma Sarah, aged 3.
His older sister, Mary Ellen had married John Longstaff/Langstaff in 1910. John served in the Royal Field Artillery and died in the war on the 19th June 1917.
He is commemorated on the Skelton War Memorial. See memorial page.
[Photograph of Richard and family information kindly contributed by his Great Niece, Dorothy Harris of Saltburn by Sea.]
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WAR SITUATION:-
Richard's Medal Card shows that he was an early volunteer for the War and must have enlisted when he was just old enough.
He was awarded the 1914/15 Star and first joined the 4th Yorks Battalion at Ypres on the 9th October 1915.
He must have fought with them through their trial at Ypres in the Winter of 1915/16, but what other action he was ever involved is not known as he died as a Prisoner of War on the 8th June 1918.
MEMORIAL
He is buried in the German extension of the Chambieres French National Cemetery, Metz, Moselle, where there are nearly 100 burials from the First War.
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