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SERGEANT WILLIAM DALTON.
SERVICE NUMBER: 5963. REGIMENT: 22nd Bn Australian Infantry.
BORN: Tadcaster. ENLISTED: York. GAVE HIS LIFE: 03/10/1917. AGED: 34.
CEMETERY: Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. PANEL: 1-17-23-25-27-29-31.
LOCAL MEMORIAL: Tadcaster.
William was the son of John a Brewerey Labourer Born Askham Richard 1856 and Jane Simpson Born Stillington 1857. William had brothers Amos, George, John and a sister Jane.
He served in the Kings Own Shropshire Battalion seeing service in India and South Africa in the Boar War between 1899 and 1905, before settling with his wife Isabella and his child near Melbourne living at 17 Victoria Street Coburg Victoria Australia.
On September 5th 1916 aged 33yrs and 7 months he enlisted into the 22nd Bn Australian Infantry, at his medical he was described as being of a Fresh Complexion 5ft 7 and 1/2 inches, with Blue Eyes and Brown Hair. William had a tatoo and each forearm, and a scar on his right hand and left knee.
William was paid 5 shillings per day 3 of which to his wife and child. After training William embarked for Plymouth England on the 2nd October 1916 on Board HMAT Nestor from Melbourne.
On the 3rd February 1917 William set sail for France aboard HMS Arundall and was billeted to Etaples near Boulogne the area used fro training troops before joining the trenches. on the 24th February William joined the front line and was promoted to Lance Corporal at the beginning of March 1917.
William was injuered suffering Gun Shot Wounds to his right arm left thigh and face on 20th April 1917, and was evacuated to Hospital in England staying at the Norfolk War Hospital until the 20th may where he reported for training at Perham Downs. He was charged with being AWOL and forfeited two days pay in June 1917, and was promoted to Serjeant a few days later.
Williams past Army experiance stood him in good stead he was given temporary duties as the Company Serjeant Major at the beginning of September 1917. The Battalion left England for Belgium.
On the evening of the 3rd of October 1917 near Zillebeke one and half miles from Ypres, William was with Company A Platoon no 11 carrying out burial duties for men who had lost their lives that day.
After they had finished they went back to Muhl Trench and William sat down on the step to light up a cigerrette it was reported that a shell landed killing William from severe head injuries and also a leiutenant Moore of the 23rd Battalion and Eight others instantly.
The Australian Red Cross interviewed witnesses at the scene, William was described as being called "Bill" "Dolly" and wore South African King and Queens medals.
William had all the papers of the men they had been burying which were reported as being lost. See Eye witness reports Please press back button to return to site.
(http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/1DRL428/00009/1DRL428-00009-0870604.pdf)
William was reportadly buried outside of Muhl Trench, and it can be assumed his body was lost as the fighting still took place, as a result he is recorded on the Menin Gate.
However whilst looking through Williams service record a page came to light for the burial partys and Australian Graves Commision giving details that William had infact being buried in Perth China Wall Military Cemetery.
In 1921 a certificate showing authentation of three photos of a memorial cross Row M Plot 6 are recorded, a copy being sent to his wife Isabella.
Isabella recieved Williams effects after the war a pipe, holdall, and a shaving kit, also details of Williams Will Isabella recieved a pension as did Williams Daughter Elsie.
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PRIVATE FRED DENNISON.
SERVICE NUMBER: 38883. REGIMENT: 25th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers Tyneside Irish .
BORN: Tadcaster. ENLISTED: York. GAVE HIS LIFE: 09/04/1917 AGED: 24.
LOCAL MEMORIAL: Tadcaster.
CWGC States:
"Son of Harry and Mary Dennison, of 6, Hampden Terrace, York Rd., Tadcaster, Yorks"
CEMETERY: Bailleul Road East Cemetery St Laurent-Blagny. GRAVE: I. C. 3.
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DRIVER FRANCIS JOHN DEVINE.
SERVICE NUMBER: T4/066500. UNIT/REGIMENT: 221st Coy. Army Service Corps.
BORN: Tadcaster. ENLISTED: Harrogate. GAVE HIS LIFE: 27/10/1918. AGED: 27.
CEMETERY: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. GRAVE: XXXV. A. 38.
LOCAL MEMORIAL: Tadcaster.
CWGC States:
"Son of James and Annie Devine, of Wighill Rd., Tadcaster, Yorks."
YORKSHIRE HERALD 1916
"The three brothers Devine are doing their bit, and are the sons of Mr J. Devine Wighill Road.
Francis Joseph Devine has been a driver with the Army Service Corps since January last.
Private William Devine West Yorkshires, only joined up in October 1915, but Edward Devine has been on government work for the last 18 months."
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PRIVATE WILLIAM DODGSON.
SERVICE NUMBER: 37896. UNIT: 7th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment.
BORN: Leeds. ENLISTED: Harrogate. RESIDENT: Tadcaster.
GAVE HIS LIFE: 23/10/1917. AGED: 19.
LOCAL MEMORIAL:
CWGC States:
"Son of George and Anne Dodgson, of 9, Lytham Place, Lower Wortley, Leeds."
CEMETERY: Mendinghem Military Cemetery. GRAVE: VI. D. 42.
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RIFELMAN GUY WILLIAM DYSON.
SERVICE NUMBER: C/12385. UNIT/REGIMENT: 21st Bn Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
BORN: Thorpe Arch. ENLISTED: York. RESIDENT: Tadcaster.
GAVE HIS LIFE: 17/09/1916. AGED: 20.
LOCAL MEMORIAL: Tadcaster.
CWGC States:
"Son of Fred R. and Laura C. Dyson, of 34, Westfield Crescent, Tadcaster, Yorks."
CEMETERY: Guards Cemetery, Lesboeufs. GRAVE: II. C. 8.
YORKSHIRE EVENING POST LEEDS
