SKELTON - IN - CLEVELAND
IN HISTORY

"WE WILL REMEMBER THEM"


3833 Pte JOHN WILLIAM HARRIS.

4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment.

Died on the 14th July 1916.

Home at Skelton in Cleveland.




New Skelton Cemetery, N Yorks.

FAMILY
1881. John William, aged 5, is living in Hinderwell, N Yorks. He was born in Skelton.
His Father, Charles, aged 37, is a Railway Labourer, He was born in Harringworth, Northampton.
His mother, Sophia, aged 25, was born in Suffenham, Rutlandshire.
He has a brother, Webster, age 3, born in Barrenden, Rutland, and 2 sisters, Lucy, age 9 born Worcott, Rutland and Hannah, age 7, born at Kilton, N Yorks.

1891. On this census he is entered as "William", aged 15. He is labouring in the Ironstone Mines and living at 8 Ground Hill, Skelton in Cleveland, N Yorks.
His father, Charles, aged "49", is also working in the Ironstone Mines.
The sisters appear to have left home and he has a new brother Thomas, aged 2.

1901.John William's father must have died as his mother is remarried to a James W Atkins and living at 44 William St, Skelton.
Her age is entered as "49". Thomas is 12 and entered as Stepson and they have 2 miners as Boarders.
Webster Harris is living at 34 William St, with Alfred Cooper and his Wife and entered as Son in Law.
1911. William's mother, aged 60, is a Widow again and working as a Housekeeper for William Dixon at Lingdale, Boosbeck SO.
John William Harris not yet traced on 1901 or 1911 Census.
WAR SITUATION
William is buried in New Skelton Cemetery and presumably was wounded or otherwise incapacitated, repatriated to a UK Hospital, where he died and then brought home to Skelton for burial.
British War Dead at that time were buried in the country where they lost their lives and their bodies not repatriated.
The 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment were part of the 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division.
William's Medal Card shows that he was sent to France on the 2nd October 1915 and was awarded the 1914/15 Star.
In the winter of 1915/16 the Battalion were fighting at Ypres and in Spring 1916 at Kemmel.
Full details of the events prior to his death can be read here.

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