Plaque from Stanghow Lane School, New Skelton.
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STANGHOW LANE SCHOOL commemorated old pupils who died in the war on the above plaque.
It bears the following nine names which do not appear on any of the other Skelton memorials.
The village War Memorials include only those who were living there at the outbreak of War.
ALCOCK H.
BECKLEY L.
BEWICK N.
CARVER R.
CHALLIS H.
DUNN S.
GODSMARK William E.
["Soldiers Killed in the Great war" shows that he was 3109 Pte Godsmark of our local Battalion. the 1/4th Yorkshire Regiment and that he was
killed in action on the same day as his brother 3159 Thomas A Godsmark, also killed in action.
This was the 16th of September 1916 during the Battle of Flers de Courcelettes, a part of the Battle of the Somme, when a great many were killed and wounded.
The family had moved to Lingdale, N Yorks.
The brothers have no known grave and are remembered in France on the Thiepval Memorial.]
NAISBITT H.
RODGERS C.
8th February -
SKELTON WHARTON HALL HOSPITAL FINALLY CLOSED.
The Red Cross Hospital,Wharton Hall, Skelton, has been finally closed.
To commemorate the event Mrs Wharton, vice president, arranged a service of song.
During the evening Lt Col Wharton presented the DCM Medal to Corporal Bosomworth of North Skelton, who won it by good work in France.
Since it has been opened the Skelton Hospital has been enlarged and it finally accommodated 36 patients.
Much good work has been done there, for which thanks are due to the Commandant and the whole staff, who for four years have at all times worked so harmoniously.
The buildings were lent and maintained by Lt Col Wharton, who paid the Matron's salary.
25th February -
BENEFIT FOR DISABLED SOLDIER.
A Benefit Dance was held at the Institute, North Skelton in aid of W Jackson [Ferrets], a discharged soldier, who has been unable to follow his employment through disablement.
The function was organised by the Aged Peoples Fund and nearly £15 was raised.
25th February -
SKELTON WAR MEMORIAL - FIRST IDEAS.
A Meeting of relatives of men fallen in the War from Skelton was held in the Skelton Literary Institute to consider the question of having a memorial provided to them.
It was decided that a monument be erected in the public cemetery at New Skelton and a roll of honour be placed in the Parish Church.
A Committee will carry out arrangements and appeal to the public for funds to defray the cost.
[Of course the Memorial was eventually erected on Skelton Cross Green, but when the names became eroded a century later, no one for a time, especially the then Labour Council, would admit ownership.
The centenaries of First War events saw a new recognition of our local lads patriotism and sacrifice. Now the names have been re-entered to last for another century.]
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Army units were still required to police the new areas that had been occupied in the War.
Amos Marley, of New Skelton after serving with the local 4th Yorks and being wounded in 1917 was with the 1st Yorks in Jerusalem.
D Company of the 1st Yorks Battalion, Green Howards in Jerusalem as part of the Army of occupation.
They had formed at Catterick Camp, N Yorks, shipped to Egypt via France and taken by train to Jerusalem.
Back Row - Punch Newman, Sgt Singleton, Bob Green [Skinningrove, N Yorks], Redvers Sharpe [Thornaby], Sgt Lawrence, Jackie Miller [Middlesbrough], Amos Marley [New Skelton, N Yorks], Tommy Abel [Eston]
Front Row - Jack Knights [Guisborough, N Yorks], Paddy Mulligan [Cannon St, Middlesbrough] Gordon Marriot, George Gill and Cpl Hogan.
Those who had enlisted for the duration of the War were now discharged.
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 This image and the photograph above of Amos Marley of the 4th Yorks has been kindly contributed by his Grandson, Kevin Harvey. of Brotton, N Yorks.
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William Bellinger.
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25th February -
INFLUENZA.
On the suggestion of Dr W W Stainthorpe, Medical Officer of Health for the Cleveland area, the elementary schools in the Skelton District were yesterday closed for a fortnight because of the
recurrence of influenza.
In some of the Mining centres diphtheria is also prevalent.
The Cleveland Coroner was today notified of the death of a child named Padgett, aged 20 months, whose parents live at 21 Bolckow St, North Skelton.
It was taken ill and died before medical aid could be obtained on Sunday night. Dr Botham, who was called in, expressed the opinion that death was due to acute influenza.
1 April -
NORTH SKELTON MINE DEATH.
William Bellinger, age 66, of Lingdale was killed by a fall of stone.
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James Rooks.
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26 April -
NEW SKELTON EX SOLDIER'S SUICIDE.
A verdict of 'Suicide, while temporarily insane', was returned at an inquest held at New Skelton this morning on the body of James Rooks, a returned soldier of New Skelton.
The deceased was found hanging in a closet in the yard at his home.
It was stated in evidence that since his return from the Army he had been unable to follow his former employment as a painter on account of ill-health and this had worried him a great deal.
On the 15th October 2008 an official Commonwealth War Graves stone was raised in New Skelton Cemetery and his name was added to the Skelton War Memorial.
A webpage about this can be read - here.
5th March -
NORTH RIDING COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION.
Skelton South.
Robert Raynor, Miner 345 votes, G Thompson, Mining Enginner, 215, Thomas Coatsworth, auctioneer, 140.
6th March -
GOLDEN WEDDING OF MINE MANAGER.
Mr and Mrs Robert Ranson, of 1 Vaughan St, North Skelton, celebrate their golden wedding today.
Mr Ranson has been Overman and Undermanager at North Skelton Mine since August 1875, nearly 44 years and is still able to go to the Mine.
There have been 11 children, 7 of whom are married and living locally. The eldest son, R A Ranson is Undermanager of Bell Bros Kilton Mine.
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Skelton Castle Hockey Team about this time or end of First War.
Back row second from Left, possible Alice Judson [nee Emmerson].
Front row Left her brother, Stephen Emmerson of Hollybush Farm - Front row, second from Right Edie Todd, Stephen's future Wife.
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5th May -
A NEW CLEVELAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE PROPOSED.
To organise a Cleveland Football League for next season, a meeting was held at the Duke William Hotel, Skelton, Mr R Wood presiding.
Mr Hardwick and Mr McLean, two members of the North Riding Association and Mr Harry Dack, Miners' Agent, were also present.
It was resolved to proceed with the formation of a League. Belmont, South Skelton, Skelton Celtic, Lingdale Mine, Lingdale Institute intimated their willingness to join.
It was suggested that Brotton, Skinningrove, North Skelton, Loftus, Marske and Saltburn should be invited to complete the combination.
A Minor Leage is also contemplated.
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29th May -
SKELTON 'COMRADES OF THE GREAT WAR'.
The Skelton and District Branch of the Comrades of the Great War held its first quarterly meeting at the Territorial Buildings, Skelton. [now Marlborough Ct.]
The venue was kindly lent to them by the Territorial Association to use as a Club, until such time as the reconstructed local unit will require it.
Major E Hamilton, President, gave £5 and hoped the Members would work well together in getting funds to rent or build a club of their own.
Capt Hubbard, DSO, MM, spoke about comradeship as he had seen in and about the battlefields.
Mr E Smith and his bandsmen turned out and played a good programme outside the Drill Hall.
13th June -
SKELTON NAVAL HERO - AWARD TO LEADING SEAMAN JOHN EDGAR PEAT.
DANGEROUS MINE MADE SAFE AT SALTBURN PIER.
Leading Seaman Peat of 3 Marske Lane, Skelton in Cleveland, has been awarded by the Admiralty, the Meritorious Service Medal.
His bravery was made known by the local MP, Sir Park Goff.
He described to the local Gazette the events that led to his award:-
I arrived home on 28 days' leave on the 18th March 1919.
On Friday, the 21st, I heard news that a Mine was floating towards Saltburn.
I walked from Skelton and reached the sands at 5.30 p.m.
The Mine had floated under and between the supports of the pier and was aground about 200 yards to the Marske side of the pier.
The tide was coming in and the Mine was rolling about very dangerously owing to its being buoyant
I got tools from the Zetland Garage and took off five horns and removed the detonator and a small cylinder of deadly explosive.
By doing this the Mine was absolutely safe.
The work was more dangerous because the Mine weighed about six hundredweight and was difficult to handle.
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I received the Distinguished Service Medal for gallant conduct or in the words of the official court of inquiry, it was for conspicuous gallantry and meritorious service.
On April 25th, 1918, I was serving on a mystery ship called 'The Cowslip' and we were torpedoed in the Straits of Gibraltar.
The shi was broken in two and the stern was sinking rapidle, with a number of depth charges on board ready for firing.
Had the stern sunk in this condition all the crew would undoubtedly have been killed by the explosion of these charges.
I went from one half of the ship and render the charges safe, being injured while doing so.
We were eventually saved by an American steamer.
The Medal was awarded on Wednesday, April 9th, 1919, by Captain Nasmith. V.C. of HMS Lucia at South Bank.
12 July -
PEACE "A FARCE AND A MOCKERY" - GOVERNMENT'S BROKEN PLEDGES.
Peace celebrations evoked considerable comment at a meeting of the Skelton and Brotton Urban Council at North Skelton on Friday, which was presided over by Mr D W Dixon, JP.
The Deputy Clerk, Mr John R Battersbee, reported the receipt of a memorandum from the Local Government Board explaining that they would be prepared to sanction reasonablyeexpenditure from the rates
to assist in defraying the cost of celebrating peace in the Council's area.
"They don't say a penny in the pound" observed the Chairman.
Coun W Frankland [New Skelton] declared that he could not see any reasons for having peace celebrations. There was no peace. And if money was spent it should be spent on the public good.
12 July -
COUNCIL WARNED AGAINST HOUSING SPECULATION.
At the same meeting the provision of houses in the Skelton and Brotton area was discussed.
The Chairman explained that the present rateable value of the area would not be maintained.
The present rateable value of the Mines in the District was £104,000 and that of dwelling houses £300,000. He warned the Council against rushing into speculation in houses and mortgaging the
finances of the district for future generations to meet.
On the proposal of Coun Saunders, seconded by Coun Hallimond, it was decided that a scheme for the erection of 39 houses at Brotton be approved and plans prepared.
The Chairman suggested the architect should include sketches of ferro-concrete buildings as well as houses of the ordinary brick type.
14th July -
NORTH SKELTON PITHEAD RE-CONSTRUCTED.
The whole of the men and boys at North Skelton Mine received notice to terminate their engagements on Saturday.
About 450 workers are affected.
The framework at the pithead is to be reconstructed and during the alterations the Mine will be laid idle for about a month.
The majority of the employees, if not the whole of them, will be found work at other Mines owned by the Bolckow and Vaughan Company.
14th July -
FOOTBALL.
Skelton Celtic, Charlton Rovers, South Skelton, Brotton, Lingdale, Loftus, Skinningrove, Normanby, Marske, Belmont and North Skelton have been accepted as members of the Cleveland
Amateur League, which is to be confined to 12 clubs.
29th July -
GOLF AND HOCKEY CLUB.
A general meeting in the Church Rooms, Skelton last night decided to form a Golf and Hockey Club and officials were elected for the ensuing year.
18 July -
HOUSES CHANGE HANDS AT GOOD PRICES.
Several freehold lots in Boosbeck Rd, Skelton Green were sold for £280 each. The buyers were Mr J R Hewling, Skelton, No 59. Mr Payne, Skelton No 63. Mr Grattan, Skelton No 85.
Mr Clarke, Skelton, No 2.
No 4 Boosbeck Rd was sold to Mr Barker for £165 and Mr Allison bought No 20 for £150.
No 9 East Parade, Skelton was purchased by Mr Baker for £170 and Mrs Dixon bought no 89 High St for £262.
Mr C Judson, Liverton bought Nos 14, 16, 18, 20 Thomas St, New Skelton for £700.
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30th July -
SKELTON MINING CAMP - SALE OF HUTS AND FITTINGS.
See Government advert below.
Because during the War all men of fighting age had volunteered, or after 1916, been conscripted into the Forces there was a shortage of labour to keep the local ironstone
Mines working and the production of steel was of course vital to the War effort.
Men were brought in from other areas and housed in wooden huts. It not presently known where in Skelton these huts were located.
There is more information about this on the page for 1918, October.
6 August.
SKELTON NURSES HONOURED - LONDON GAZETTE.
War Office.
His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Royal Red Cross to the undermentioned Ladies in recognition of valuable
nursing services under "The British Red Cross Society " or " Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England" rendered in connection with the
war:...
Miss Barbara Private, Matron, " Wharton Hall," Skelton-in-Cleveland.
16th August -
NORTH SKELTON PITHEAD - NEW STEEL PULLEY FRAME.
It is expected that work will be resumed on Monday at North Skelton Mine, which has been closed for 3 weeks.
A new steel pulley frame has been erected and is now practically complete.
2nd September -
WAR CASUALTY FINALLY CONFIRMED DEAD.
235003 Pte FREDERICK BANNISTER , 4th Bn Yorkshire Regiment.
Family and War Service page.
2nd September -
SKELTON CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY - 44 HOUR WEEK ADOPTED.
The Quarterly general meeting was held in the Skelton Literary Institute.
Councillor M Ranson, Boosbeck was elected President.
Messrs JC Wilson, William Mott and John Jackson, Skelton were re-appointed on to the Committe of Management.
Mr W Hardwick, Skelton, was re-elected as Treasurer.
The Society adopted the 44 hour working week for the employees and it came into force on Monday.
The membership is now 2,000.
6 September -
HOUSING SHORTAGE IN SKELTON.
Referring to the housing question at a meeting of the Skelton and Brotton Urban Council Councillor W Frankland, New Skelton, said several houses in the Skelton District had two families in
them and there was much overcrowding.
The need for more houses being provided was very urgent.
He knew of one case where two families had recently been turned out of a house by an order from the Magistrates.
A resolution was adopted urging the local Council to proceed at once with a housing scheme for Skelton.
It was the determination of the people of Skelton to ask for a public inquiry to be held respecting the housing conditions if the Council did not do something to remedy the deplorable state of affairs.
A site for erection of houses was now available and he proposed that the District Valuer be asked to proceed with negotiations for the purchasing of land from Col Wharton for building purposes.
7 October -
ATTACKED WITH A STICK ON THE HIGHWAY. ATTEMPTED TO GAG HIM.
William Jackson and John Johns, of Brotton were charged at Guisborough with assaulting Thomas Askew Coward, of Skelton, formerly an Instructor in dairy work under the North Riding County Council.
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The attack took place on the highway, between Brotton and Skelton at about 11.30 p.m. on September 24th.
Complainant said that he was walking to Skelton, when he suddenly felt a blow on the head from behind and found himself surrounded by three men, who rushed him to the hedge.
He recovered himself and managed to get back into the middle of the road again, where snatching a stick from the hands of one of the men, he was able to hold them at bay for a time.
They, however, succeeded in forcing him into the hedge again and regaining the stick.
While one drew out a cloth and endeavoured to tie it over his mouth, the others continued to strike at him and he felt the stick crash down on his head.
He shouted for help, the men decamped and dazed and bleeding profusely from a wound in the head, he made his way to Skelton and informed the police of the affray.
Witness added that he identified the two men charged, but was unable to recognise the third man concerned in the affair.
Sgt Harrison told the Bench that he had seen the two defendants in conversation with complainant earlier in the evening at Brotton. There were no high words spoken, but the defendants appeared
to have had some drink.
When questioned by the Police, Johns admitted being there, but said Jackson used the stick.
The latter, however, protested that he had never seen Coward before and today claimed Coward had made a mistake in identification.
The Chairman of the Bench in fining the defendants £3 each, said it was a serious matter if a man could not walk along the road without being attacked and it was a question as to whether they should go to Prison without the option of a Fine.
4 MILLION JOBS NEEDED.
Four million men returned to civilian life after the war and work was hard to find.
4th November.
THE POOR RATE.
The Poor Rate for the following local Parishes were signed by the Guisborough Bench today - Tocketts 3s 8d, Skelton 2s 6d, Commondale 4s 2d, Westerdale, 4s.
These amounts are appreciable increases on the Rates for the past half year.
29th November.
DOWSON GROCERS BREAK UP.
London Gazette.
Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us, the undersigned, Watson Teasdale Dowson, Amy Leicester Brown, and Eliza Annie Dowson, carrying on business as Drapers, Grocers and General Dealers, at [149-151] High-street, Skelton-in-Cleveland, in the county of York, under the style or firm of "DOWSON BROTHERS," has been dissolved by mutual consent as and from the first day of March, 1919. All debts due to and owing by the said
late firm will be received and paid by the said Watson Teasdale Dowson....
Dec 12th -
GALE.
So great was the force of the gale on Tuesday evening that the weather vane was dislodged from the top of the Skelton Church tower and fell on to the roof of the Church.
Dec 20th -
MINE DEATH - HIT BY RUNAWAY TUBS.
A inquest was held yesterday afternoon at Lingdale on the body of Robert Husband, a Mines Deputy of Lingdale, who was killed at South Skelton Mines on Thursday.
James M Milligan, another Deputy at the Mine, gave evidence to the effect that he and Husband were working mates in the Mine.
Some wagons filled with ironstone broke away on an incline, where they were working.
They heard the wagons approaching and ran for safety.
He went one way and his mate took another direction and was caught by the wagons.
Husband was terribly injured about the head and chest and was partially covered by the contents of the wagons which upset upon him.
Death was practically instantaneous.
Alfred Wright, a Mines Horse Driver, and J Lynas, a Miner, testified to the wagons getting away from the place where Lynas was working.
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North Skelton Band with Squire W H A Wharton and his second wife Elizabeth seated in the front row.
The photograph must have been taken in 1920 or prior, as seated with them is the Rev Mackworth-Drake, who left Skelton in this year.
Elizabeth died in 1926 and W H A Wharton in 1938.
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1920
Skelton Fire Brigade 1920's.
Middle row, right, John R Hewling.
Front row, right, John Hewling.
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Robert Warner Wheatley BA.
Rector of Skelton 1920 to 1947.
Rural Dean of Guisborough.
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NEW PARSON.
The new rector at Skelton All Saints Church was Robert Warner Wheatley. BA. Rural Dean of Guisborough.
February -
BUFFALOES LODGING IN SKELTON.
The Provincial Grand Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes was formed in Skelton.
The RAOB have three tiers of organisation, Grand Lodge, Provincial and Minor Lodge.
The Skelton Lodge called themselves "Old Royal George". The Royal George Inn was at one time called this and the Lodge may well have
originated there, but records show that it was run from a Working Mens' Club.
The Skelton Lodge existed until at least 1926.
The medal shown here is called a "Jewel" and belonged to founder member, Herbert "Bert" Willie Riddiough, who lived at Hobdale Tce,
Skelton.
Herbert was a second degree member or "Primo". The RAOB have 3 other ranks 1st [Brother], 3rd [Knight of Merit] and
4th [Right Honourable].
Herbert had been born in Shipley, Yorks and had come to this area with his wife Annie Eliza about 1899.
They had at least 10 children and later moved to Brotton, N Yorks.
He died in 1950, aged 74, and is buried with Annie in Brotton Cemetery.
6th February -
NORTH SKELTON WAR MEMORIAL REQUESTED.
The Clerk of the local Council reported the receipt of a letter
dated the 3rd of February 1920 from Mr Frank Ranson on behalf of the inhabitants of North Skelton.
This requested permission to erect a Memorial to the men who have fallen in the War.
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RAOB "Jewel" and its owner, Herbert W Riddiough with his wife, Annie Eliza.
[Photographs were preserved by their daughter Doris "Dolly" Glover and kindly contributed
by their Great Great Granddaughter, Julie Riddiough of Brotton.]
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Mr Wharton had promised a site between the Wesleyan Church and Mr Dowson's shop on condition that the same be passed over to some public
body and asking the Council to accept this responsibility.
The Memorial would be of White Sicilian Marble and 11 feet 3 inches in height.
It was proposed by Mr Gott and seconded by Mr Watson that consent be granted and it was carried unanimously.
13 July -
WAR COMPENSATION FOR THE CO-OP FOR ARMY HUTS ON THEIR LAND.
See 1918 - Hut Sale.
Question in the House of Commons regarding compensation for huts used during the War.
Mr Waterson asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office when the Skelton-in-Cleveland Co-operative Society may
expect the compensation, as agreed upon, due to them for the use of fields;
"Is he aware that the Army representative has constantly been written to since the huts were removed, with no result; and, seeing that the War Office has withheld
payment for so long, is it expected that interest on the money will be paid in addition ? "
Mr Hope - "I have been asked to answer this question."
It is anticipated that the awards of the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission upon the claims will be made in the course of next week, and payment will then be made immediately by the Ministry of Munitions.
The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative."
10th December.
COUNCILLOR HARD UP DUE TO STRIKE.
Letter from William Frankland, who was for some time a Skelton Councillor, to A R Cranmer, Skelton Sanitary Inspector and later Surveyor, asking for a loan to pay his mortgage as he is short of cash due to
a 3 week strike at the Mine.
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Back row players - Bob Copeland, Joe Williams, Fred Appleton.
Middle - Fred Tilley, Bringloe, Harry Davis of the New Inn. Players are Frank Ward, George Skipper, Ticker Ward.
Front players - Bob Fawcett, Gerard Sussans, Joe Robinson, Jimmy Reynolds and Sandy Bright.
[Photograph kindly donated by Alan Ward, son of Frank.]
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Skelton Beck in 1920.
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