Those who gave their lives from Yarm ______________________________________

EASBY, John William Cpl 24379 7th Bn Yorkshire Regiment

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The following was supplied by Bob Easby a relative of John. He writes ....

At 20 yrs old at the time of his death, it might normally be considered that he was very young to be a corporal, but at this period of the war, it was not particularly unusual. It appears that he was not married.
His war records were lost during the blitz, but information is available from other sources.
His body was either not found or was unidentifiable.
He is commemorated on the wall of the Arras Memorial, which commemorates 34,795 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died from the spring of 1916 until 7th August 1918, and who have no known grave. Most of the casualties commemorated here were killed during the Allied offensive during the Battles of Arras in April and May 1917 and during the German attack on the Allied Front from 21st March 1918. Extract from the UK War Diaries for 7th Battn. Yorkshire Regiment on 13/5/1917. Trenches N. of ROEUX--"Incessant fighting containment all day in the neighbourhood of the block in CURLY (trench?) but then battn. held its own + was assisted by Stokes mortar battery+c from CROOK (trench?) 13.5.17 contd. 10pm. The Battn. attempted to push northwards in CURLY trench in cooperation with a frontal overland attack on the northern part of the trench by 7th East Yorkshire Regt. Both Battns met with strong opposition. The attack of the left Battn. failed and the Yorkshire Regt. only succeeded in, eventually advancing the stop 20-25 yards. 2/Lt Foy was incommand of the bombing party and both he and Lt. Wilkinson were severely wounded. At one period of the fight they got 100 yards up the trench but had to give way. The men were all very tired + it was impossible, owing to the failure of the attack on the left to do more.There was a shortage of water. Only 3 Coy. officers were left after this operation. 2 Coys. 6th. Dorset were sent up about midnight to reinforce front line.
The UK, Army Registers of Soldier's effects show that his effects of £1.13s2d was authorised to be paid to his father in October 1918, and a War Gratuity of £6 in November 1919.
John was born in Yarm, to Parents Joseph (b Appleton Wiske), a bricklayer, and Hannah Jane (nee Binns from Staithes). In 1901 the family lived in Cross Yard in Yarm, and the 1911 census states they were living at The Spital Road, Leven, Yarm. John William was 14 at this time and no occupation was stated. John had three sisters (all born in Yarm)

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Yarm 1914 Research ________________

The Yarm 1914 Commemoration Group is carrying out research on the soldiers listed. We are finding where they lived in Yarm and will represent the findings in a wall of poppies presentation. More details will be posted on Facebook, Twitter and this web site. If you have any information please contact us. Left click on the picture below.