Joseph GREEN

24 November 1916

GREEN – Suddenly in France, Corpl. Joseph Green, of the Inland Water Transport (R.E.), of Farnhill.

24 November 1916

DEATH OF A FARNHILL CORPORAL

Much regret is felt in Farnhill and Kildwick by the unexpected death of Corporal Joseph Green, I.W.T. (R.E.), son of Mr. Charles Green, of Starkey Lane. Corporal Green joined the Forces in February of the present year, under the Derby scheme, and went out in June. He was attached to the Royal Engineers, being employed on canal service in the Inland Water Transport. Prior to joining the forces, Corporal Green was employed in the Canal Company’s offices at Skipton. For some time he was employed as navigator. Being of a very studious nature, he entered into correspondence with the I.G.S., and was very successful. The family are very proud of his successes, some 30 certificates being in their possession He was a member of the Farnhill Institute and the Kildwick Unionist Club. The flag was flown at half-mast during last week at that latter place. The family have received the following letter from. Captain H. Pitman, R.E.:– “Dear Miss Green, I regret to inform you that your brother, Corporal Joseph Green, was taken ill suddenly last Sunday night and passed away in his sleep, being found dead in his bunk by his officer, Sergt.-Major Solley, when he called in the morning. The sergeant tells me that your brother had felt some pain that night. I think he vomited twice, but turned in and appeared to be sleeping the same as usual. The doctor, on examining him, told me that his death was due to disease of the kidneys. Your brother had not complained at all of feeling ill, but the sergeant tells me he was evidently delicate. The sergeant thought much of your brother, his future being of very good promise. I sympathise with you. There is just this to be thankful for – he had not long to suffer. I am writing this unofficially. Yours truly, Captain H. Pitman, R.E.”

05 January 1917

FARNHILL – MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday evening last a service in memory of Pte. Harry Walmsley, who died recently in hospital, and Corpl. Joseph Green, who died suddenly in France, both scholars who have passed through the Primitive Methodist Sunday School, was held in the Primitive Methodist Church, being conducted by Rev. J.E. Woodfield, the superintendent minister. A large gathering was present at the service to show their sympathy and respect, among whom were members of the local Volunteers, numbering about 20, under the command of 2nd Lieut. A. Clough, Company Sergt. Midgley, and Drill Instructor L. Simons. Mr. J.J. Brigg, C.C., of Kildwick Hall, was also present. As the congregation gathered Mr. L. Barker played ‘O rest in the Lord’ on the organ, and during the service the choir sang the anthem ‘In Thee have I put my trust.’ Being the day of national intercession, Rev. J.E. Woodfield read the National Prayer of Intercession.

The words upon which the preacher based his remarks were "He saved others, Himself He cannot save" (Matt. xxvii., 42). The preacher said these words were spoken in reference to Christ as a mockery, yet they embodied the very principal for which Christ lived and died. Only now were we realising the truth of these words. Before the war the words had a theoretical or theological meaning, but now, as never before, through the bitter experience of the last two years, we have learned that the true way is the way of sacrifice. We have learned that to save others we must give ourselves. The principals contained in these words were being carried out to-day in every part of our far flung battle line where our brothers were bearing sacrifices for us. They had put themselves between our enemies and us. They were shedding their blood for us, and “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.” This world has been cursed by selfishness. He had prayed for the coming of the Kingdom of God, but it would only come when selfishness was banished, and it would only come through sacrifice. There was nothing more terrible than the taking of life. The sacrifice of the weakest for the strong was the natural course, but what was taking place to-day was that the strong were sacrificing themselves for the weak. The cross of Christ was still shown in the sacrifices in France, Flanders, and Mesopotamia. He believed with all his heart that the cross of Christ was behind all the sorrows and the heartaches of the world. He did not glory in war. He had preached peace, and would preach peace again after the war. To-day the world was longing for peace, and the latest cry was “Never again.” But it would be “again” unless we had a different spirit, unless we had a different kind of peace. An armed peace was no guarantee. We were called upon to sacrifice for others, and what we need was to set forth the principals for which Christ dies and for which our brothers died. We must make Christ’s policy our policy. To our bereaved friends he would say there is consolation in the thought that they died to save others. Their sacrifice would be counted unto them for righteousness. They gave themselves for others.

Following the sermon ‘The last post’ was sounded by Volunteer Gordon Foulds, of Keighley. The service closed with a verse of the National Anthem. All the names of the young men who have left the village were read out. Solos were given by Miss Florence Midgley, ‘He will guide me,’ and Miss Annie Hardacre, ‘Angel Land.’ Mr. Jos. Petty accompanied on the organ.

11 May 1917

FARNHILL SOLDIERS WOUNDED – A gloom has been cast over Farnhill and Kildwick this week by the heavy list of wounded which has been reported among the soldiers connected with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. The first intimation regarding the list came by letter to Mrs. John Hargreaves from her son, Pte. Anthony, Hargreaves, who has been wounded. Mrs. Hargreaves has four sons, three of whom are serving. Pte. John Hargreaves, of the West Riding Regiment, was wounded some time ago. The other son serving is Charles Hargreaves, he being attached to the Flying Corps, and is still in England. Pte. Anthony Hargreaves refers in his letter to the other lads wounded, remarking that Pte. Blake Spencer, of Sutton Mill, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Spencer, of King Edward Street, is seriously wounded. The family have not yet received any information regarding him. The others mentioned in the letter have sent field cards home, saying they are wounded. Pte. Charles Alec Hargreaves, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hargreaves, is cousin to Pte. A. Hargreaves. Prior to joining the forces he was employed in Mr. Woodrow’s office, Junction. He was for some time secretary to the Unionist Club, and connected with the Kildwick Church. His brother, Pte. Tom Hargreaves, is also in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Bulcock have also received a field card stating: that their son, Pte. Harry Bulcock is wounded. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kitson, of High Farnhill, have received intimation that two of their sons are wounded, a third son, Everett Kitson being in the Labour Batt. Lance-Corpl. Albert Kitson and Pte. Harry Kitson are reported as slight. Mr. Richard Inskip has received information that his son, Pte. Richard Inskip, has been again wounded. These young men were well known in the village, and joined all about the same time. It is reported that all the lads in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in connection with the village are wounded except Pte. Harry Green, of Starkey Lane, son of Mr. Charles Green, who lost a son recently. [A/2nd Corporal Joseph Green]

09 November 1917

In loving memory of Corpl. J. Green, died in France, Nov. 13th, 1916.

“The eyes of memory never sleep.”

– From Lily, Kildwick.

18 October 1918

Farnhill Soldier Wounded

Pte. Charles Green, son of Mr. Charles Green, Starkey Lane, Farnhill, has been wounded in the mouth and cheek, and is at a hospital in France. He enlisted in the West Yorkshire Regiment in May last, and went to France in September. Before joining the Army he was employed by Messrs. J. Woodrow and Sons, at Standard Shed, Crosshills. His brother, Corpl. Joseph Green, died in France in 1916, and another brother, Pte. Harry Green, was invalided home, and is now in hospital at Gateshead.