Sergeant Christopher Kershaw

Sergeant Christopher Kershaw
(11th February 1888- 2nd September 1916)
sorry to say that Sergeant
Christopher Kershaw was killed
yesterday, the 2nd inst. (poor old
Kip). He was buried in a dug-out
along with six others, and he was
dead when they got him out. The
weather is unsettled. I am in the best
of health.
Sergt. Kershaw, who was 28 years of
age, joined the Brighouse Territorials in
April 1909, and was with them at Marske
in August 1914, when the war broke out.
He went out along with the others from
Doncaster in April 1915, and was home on
leave at Christmas. Shortly afterwards he
was time expired, but at once re-enlisted
for the duration of the war. Previous to rejoining comrades, he was allowed a
month’s furlough. On the 15th of April last
he was married to Miss Anne Crowther, of
Brighouse, and went back to the front on
the following Tuesday and has not been
home since. Much sympathy will be
extended to his bereaved wife and
relatives. Previous to August 1914, he was
employed at Messrs. H & J. Sugden’s,
George Street Mills, Clifton.
BRIGHOUSE SERGEANT KILLED
A letter was received yesterday by Mr
Harold Wardingley, of Lane head,
Brighouse, from his brother, Pte. A.
Wardingley, who is serving with the
colours in France conveying the sad news
that Sergt. Christopher Kershaw of the
West Riding Regt., had been killed in
action, on the 2nd of this month. The letter
is dated Sept. 3rd, and the following is an
extract.
A few more lines hoping to find
you all in the best of health. I am
This article was in the Brighouse Echo from the 8th September 1916. Then similarly
the Halifax Courier 9th September 1916 reported:SERGT. C. KERSHAW.
Information was received on Thursday of
the death in action on the 2nd September
of Sgt Christopher Kershaw, W.R. Regt.
(T.F.). He was buried, with six others, in a
dug-out, and died before, he could be got
out. Sgt. Kershaw was 28 years of age, and
was a member of' the Brighouse
Territorials. He went out to France from
Doncaster in April, 1915, Shortly
afterwards his time expired, but he rejoined. On April 15 last he married Miss
Annie Crowther, of Brighouse; in private
life he was engaged by H. and J. Sugden's,
George-street Mills, Clifton.
A week later the news was confirmed in the Brighouse Echo for 15th September 1916
and the Halifax Courier for 16th September 1916 as the following articles report.
1
SAD NEWS CONFIRMED
BRIGHOUSE SOLDIER BURIED IN
DUG-OUT
In the “Echo” last there was published an
extract from a letter written by a local
soldier intimating that Sergt. Christopher
Kershaw, of Brighouse, had lost his life on
the Western front. No official information
was then to hand, but confirmation of the
sad news came during the weekend. Capt.
W.H.Sproulle has written to Mrs Kershaw
as follows:Dear Mrs Kershaw, -- You will no
doubt have heard of the death of your
husband, Sergt. Kershaw of this
company. I take this opportunity
writing to express my heartfelt
sympathy for you in your great
bereavement. There was no N.C.O. or
man in the company I had more
respect for. He was the only sergeant
who had the pluck to volunteer for the
period of the war after his time had
expired. He was absolutely fearless,
and always did his work to perfection.
His loss is very deeply felt by the
officers and men in the company, all of
whom sincerely trust that the
knowledge that he died nobly for King
and country may be of some comfort
to you in your great bereavement.
Another letter has been received from
Sergt. W. Cheetham, one of the deceased’s
comrades, and from it the following is
extracted:--Dear Mrs Kershaw, --- It is with
great regret that I write to inform you
that your husband was killed on the 2nd
of September. He was buried in a dugout along with six others. Everything
possible was done to get them out
alive, but I am extremely sorry to say
that our efforts were fruitless. He is a
great loss to this section as sergeant,
and also a great loss to me as a
pal. The “boys” all join with me in
sending their heartfelt sympathy to you
in your great loss, and hope you will
find comfort in the fact that he died
doing his duty.
As indicated last week Sergt. Kershaw,
who was 28 years of age, had had a
number of years’ service with the
Territorials, with whom he went to the
front in April last year. He was married
during a short furlough in April this year
and has not been home since. Sincere
sympathy is expressed to his wife, who has
been so early bereaved, and with members
of the family of the deceased soldier.
SERGT. C. KERSHAW.
others. The soldier was a married man of
28 years of age, and had had a number of
years' service with the Territorials.
Confirmatory news has been received this
week of the death on Sept. 2, of Sgt.
Christopher Kershaw, of Brighouse. He
was buried in a dugout along with six
Unfortunately Christopher Kershaw’s Territorial
Force enlistment form is very difficult to read
even when the image is enlarged. His name
and signature as well as his address “Lightcliffe
Road, Brighouse” and his employers “H & J
Sugden” are just about readable. The form
also confirms that he was aged 21 years and 1
month when he enlisted in April 1909.
2
Sergeant Christopher Kershaw’s British Army WW1 Medal Rolls index Card above
gives the “Date of entry therein” as 15th April 1916, apparently his wedding day. And
then below there is his UK, WW1 Service Medal and Awards Roll entry and finally his
entry in the UK, Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects which went to his widow Annie.
3
Although Christopher Kershaw was born on 11th February 1888 he was not baptised
until 11th March 1896. His parents, Christopher and Jane Kershaw took him, with his
16 year old brother Frank Rowntree Kershaw and their 6 year old little sister Hilda
Jane Kershaw to be christened at St Martin’s Church, Brighouse. The family’s abode
was Lightcliffe Road, Brighouse and father Christopher was a “Silk Dresser”.
Frank’s middle name was his mother’s maiden name. Jane Rowntree had married
father Christopher Kershaw on 16th October 1872 at the parish church in Halifax.
Although Jane was baptised on 20th February 1848 in Bridlington by the time of her
marriage she was a resident of Hipperholme where her father Francis Rowntree was
a “Joiner”. Twenty five year old Christopher was a “Silk Dresser” again from
Hipperholme. His father was another Christopher (Joshua) Kershaw, a “Gardener”.
Grandfather Christopher Joshua Kershaw was baptised at St Matthew’s Church,
Lightcliffe on 2nd March 1802. He was the son of a Joshua Kershaw. This great
grandfather Joshua Kershaw is probably the 68 year old Joshua Kershaw of Wike
who was buried in an unknown grave within the closed part of St Matthew’s
Churchyard on 12th November 1834.
On 29th October 1827 Christopher (Joshua) Kershaw and Sarah Lummas, both from
Hipperholme, were married in Halifax. By the time of the 1841 census their family
looked like this:Christopher(Joshua)Kershaw 40 Gardener
Sarah sitto 40
Edwin ditto 13
Emma ditto 12
Mary ditto 9
William ditto 7
Ann ditto 5
John ditto 3
Lummas ditto 1
Address Lightcliffe, Hipperholme cum Brighouse
The WW1 soldier’s father, another Christopher, the youngest child of Christopher
and Sarah Kershaw of Lightcliffe was baptised on 20 August 1847 at St Matthew’s
Church. The family were probably still in Lightcliffe on March 1851.
Christopher (Joshua) Kershaw Head 49 Gardner
Sarah ditto Wife 51
Edwin ditto Son 23 Labourer
Emma ditto Dau 21 Worknet Factory
William ditto Son 17 Gardener
Ann ditto Dau 14 Worknet Factory
John Kershaw Son 13 Worknet Factory
Thomas (should be Lummas) Kershaw 10 Worknet factory
Christopher ditto Son 3
Address Hipperholme cum Brighouse
4
Then by census night 1861 only two sons were at home.
Christopher (Joshua)Kershaw Head 59 Gardener (master)
Sarah ditto Wife 63
Lummas ditto Son 20 Gardener
Christopher ditto Son 13 Scholar
Address Turnpike Hill, Hipperholme cum Brighouse
Just before the next census Sarah Kershaw died on 19th February 1871 aged 69.
She was buried on 22nd February 1871 in plot R3 of St Matthew’s Churchyard. This
probably explains why her husband Christopher (Joshua) Kershaw was lodging with
their daughte Emma Stringer and her family on census night 1871. And why her
younger brother Christopher was a 23 year old “Silk Dresser” boarding in
Lancashire.
As already recorded he married Jane Rowntree in 1872 and the family settled in
Lightcliffe. Edith Maud Mary Kershaw was baptised at St Matthew’s Church on 5th
November 1876 followed by Lottie Elizabeth Kershaw on 7 th March 1880 – her date
of birth was 9th November 1879. Their son Frank Rowntree Kershaw was born on
28th Apil 1880 not long before his grandfather died. Christopher Joshua Kershaw
passed away on 6th June 1880 aged 77. He was buried on 9 th June 1880 in plot R3
with his wife Sarah.
The memorial inscription on the ledgerstone for plot R3.
5
The expanding family in the 1881 and then 1891 census:1881 census
Christopher Kershaw Head 33 Silk
Dresser
Jane Kershaw Wife 32
Edith M.M Kershaw Dau 4 Scholar
Lottie E Kershaw Dau 2
Frank R Kershaw son 11 months
Address Lightcliffe
1891 census
Christopher Kershaw Head 42 Silk
Dresser
Jane ditto Wife 42
Edith M. M. ditto Dau 14 Cotton
Millhand
Lottie E ditto Dau 12 Cotton Millhand
Frank R ditto Son 10 Cotton Millhand
Sarah A ditto Dau 5 Scholar
Christopher ditto Son 3
Hilda J ditto Dau 5mnths
Address Lightcliffe Road, Brighouse
Presumably Sarah Alice Kershaw, born 1885, was named after her grandmother and
then Christopher Kershaw, born 11th February 1888, after his father and grandfather.
Sadly Sarah Alice did not live long enough to be baptised with her two brothers and
little sister Hilda Jane Kershaw who was born on 9th November 1890. She died on
18th November 1892 aged just 7 years old and was buried on 21st November 1892
next to her Kershaw grandparents. This was plot R4 in St Matthew’s Churchyard
owned by her father Christopher Kershaw.
So on 31st March 1901 the family comprised:Christopher Kershaw Head 52 Weigher for Silk Dressers
Jane ditto Wife 52
Edith M M ditto Dau 24 Silk Roper
Lottie E ditto Dau 22 Silk Spreader
Frank R ditto Son 20 Blacksmith Apprentice
Christopher ditto Son 13 Cotton Knotter
Hilda Jane ditto Dau 10
Address 9 Lightcliffe Road, Brighouse
A few months later on 9th November 1901 25 year old Edith Maud Mary Kershaw
married Fred Barraclough in Dewsbury. Fifteen year old Hilda Jane Kershaw died on
10th March 1906 and was buried with her sister Sarah Alice in plot R4 of St
Matthew’s Churchyard on 13th March 1906. When their sister Edith Maud Mary
Barraclough nee Kershaw and her husband Fred had a daughter a couple of months
later on 30th May 1906 they named her Hilda Maud Barraclough. This little girl was
baptised at St Martin’s Church, Brighouse – the family lived in Garden Road,
Brighouse – on 1st July 1906. Exactly two years later to the day after Hilda Jane died
her father Christopher Kershaw passed away on 10th March 1908, aged 60. He was
buried ‘next door’ with his parents in plot R3 on 13th March 1908 again exactly two
years after he buried his daughter. So he did not live long enough to see the
marriage of his eldest son Frank Rowntree Kershaw to Elizabeth Bottomley on 20th
April 1908 at St John’s Church, Halifax.
6
The three Christopher Kershaws on the memorial inscription on plot R3
The various households on 2nd April 1911 were:Mrs Jane Kershaw Head 62 Widow
Lottie Elizabeth Kershaw Dau 32
Charwoman
Christopher Kershaw Son 23
Warehouseman Cotton spinning Mill
Address 9 Lightcliffe Road, Brighouse
John Richard Bottomley Head 54
Widower Carter Dyeworks
Walter Bottonley Son 18 Silk Dresser
Elizabeth Kershaw Dau 29
Frank Rowntree Kershaw Son in law 30
Blacksmith
Address
19 Brookfort, Southowram, Brighouse
Fred Barraclough Head 37 Joinery
Contractor
Edith Barraclough Wife 36
Hilda Maud Barraclough Dau 4
Carlotta Nettleton Boarder 39 Cotton
Reeler(Winding Room)
Address 9 Garden Rd, Brighouse
As his WW1 records show Christopher Kershaw had joined the Territorial Army in
1909 when he was employed by H & J Sugden’s at their George Street Mill in Clifton.
He went to the front in April 1915 and then a year later when he re-enlisted after his
time with the Territorials expired. In the brief time he had on leave he married Annie
Crowther on 15th April 1916, the day his records show him as having re-enlisted.
7
Sergeant Christopher Kershaw was remembered on the Thiepval Monument
as well as on the family grave, plot R3, at St Matthew’s Churchyard, Lightcliffe.
8
No further information has been found about Sergeant Christopher Kershaw’s widow
Annie Kershaw nee Crowther. She may well have remarried but it is difficult to
ascertain this or indeed work out a death date.
But some of his surviving family can be traced starting with his mother Jane
Kershaw nee Rowntree.
A year after her son was killed Jane Kershaw passed away, aged 69, on 20th
November 1917. She was buried on 3rd December 1917 with her daughters in plot
R4 of St Matthew’s Churchyard, Lightcliffe. This plot has no gravestone
Her other son Frank Rowntree Kershaw only survived her a few years, dying in
1920. His wife Elizabeth Kershaw nee Bottomley would spend the next forty years as
a widow. They may have had three children, two boys and a girl but this has not
been confirmed. The mother’s name for a Harold Kershaw born 1913, then a Jack
Kershaw born 1918 and finally a Hilda Kershaw born 1920 was Bottomley. All three
births were registered in the Halifax district again lending support to the possibility
that they were Frank Rowntree Kershaw’s children.
For the 1939 register Frank Rowntree Kershaw’s widow Elizabeth Kershaw and at
least one son, Jack Kershaw, were living at 19 Elland Road, Brighouse with one of
her brothers, Harry Bottomley. There is also a ‘locked’ person who could be the
daughter Hilda born in 1920 (locked because this is less than 100 years ago) but
there again it might not be. Again no further information has been found about Hilda
or Harold Kershaw, possible children of Frank Rowntree Kershaw. From the 1939
register we do get the three dates of birth – widow Elizabeth was born on 5th June
1881, son Jack on 19th May 1918 and brother Harry Bottomley on 3rd July 1886. So
Jack’s date of birth agrees with the Halifax registered birth. He was a “Textile Dying
Productive Process Worker” and his uncle, Harry Bottomley, was a “Dye Works Night
Watchman”.
9
Widow Elizabeth Kershaw’s sister in laws Edith Maud Mary Barraclough and Lottie
Elizabeth Kershaw have not been found on the 1939 register but Edith’s daughter
has. Somewhere between July and September 1939 Hilda Maud Barraclough
married William Yates in Burnley. So they were very much newlyweds when the
register was taken on 29th September 1939. William Yates, born 1st June 1905, was
a “Traveller for Granite Merchant” and Hilda Maud Yates, born 30th May 1906, was
doing “Unpaid Domestic Duties” as this 1939 register likes to put it. Their address
was 495 Burnley Road, Accrington M.B., Lancashire.
This may well have been their address when William and Hilda Maud Yates
registered the birth of their son John C Yates in Haslingden Q2 1943. But it was
certainly the Lancashire address on the probates of both her mother and her maiden
aunt. So presumably the sisters of the WW1 soldier Christopher Kershaw, widow
Edith Maud Mary Barraclough and spinster Lottie Elizabeth Kershaw, eventually lived
together in Accrington perhaps when Edith was widowed at the end of 1951. The
following three probate records give more information.
BARRACLOUGH Fred of Kirklees Hunlake-avenue Eastbourne died 19
December 1951 at 123 Church-street Eastbourne Probate London 9 June
[1952] to Hilda Maud Yates (wife of William Yates). Effects £5713 0s 4d
KERSHAW Lottie Elizabeth of 495 Burnley-road Huncoat Accrington spinster
died 26 November 1952 Probate Manchester 31 December to Edith Maud
Mary Barraclough widow. Effects £576 8s 11d
BARRACLOUGH Edith Maud Mary of 495 Burnley-road Huncoat Accrington
widow died 28 January 1955 Probate Manchester 16 March to Hilda Maud
Yates married woman and William Yates commercial traveller.
Effects £1523 7s 3d
The only known male Kershaw left in this family, Sergeant Christopher Kershaw’s
nephew Jack Kershaw, died on 19th January 1996 with probate granted on 22nd
March 1996 at Leeds. (For more recent probates this is the only information
available without sending for the will.)
There are other earlier, related Kershaws and Stringers buried in St Matthew’s
Churchyard, Lightcliffe; their stories will be researched later.
D.M.Barker
April 1916
10