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Frank Stephen Brown

Born in Hampsthwaite in 1897, Frank was one of four children of Frank and Rebecca Brown. Rebecca died before her son was killed and her husband later moved to New York near Summerbridge. At the time of the 1911 census Frank was living with his parents, a younger brother (Robert Edwin) and two older sisters (Alice Agnes and Annie) at Bramley Cottage, Hampsthwaite. He and his father were employed as farm labourers.

 

Enlisting in Harrogate with a service number of 2807 he joined the West Yorkshire Regiment, later transferring to the York and Lancaster Regiment (service number 263065) in the 2/4th (Hallamshire) (T.F.) Battalion.

 

He was killed in action in France on 12th September 1918 at the age of 21 and is recorded on Comm. Panel 9, Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France.

 

Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

British War Medal	Victory Medal

William Thackray Haxby

Born in Hampsthwaite in 1896, he was the son and eldest of four children of William and Emma Haxby of 'Ashville', Church Lane, Hampsthwaite.

 

Enlisting in York with a service number of 24000 he joined the 2/5 Battalion of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

 

He was killed in action in France on 3rd May 1917 at the age of 21 and is recorded on Comm. Bay 7, Arras Memorial, Fauxbourg-D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France.

 

Awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

1914-15 Star	British War Medal	Victory Medal

Richard Kay

Born in Hampsthwaite in 1899, the son of Frederick W. and Jane Kay, he is recorded in the 1911 census as living in Hampsthwaite with his parents and four of his brothers (Harry, Gilbert, Frederick and Walter). His father is described as a Railway Platelayer and Farmer.

He enlisted in York with a service number of 66364 and joined, as a Private, the 1/6th Battalion (Territorial) Northumberland Fusiliers.

He was killed in action in France on 27th May, 1918 and is buried at V.C.4. Marfaux British Cemetery, France.

Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

British War Medal	Victory Medal

George Ernest Pawson

Born in Melmerby in 1890, George Ernest was the younger son of Edward and Annie Pawson, Edward being a Brewer's Drayman. George's connection with Hampsthwaite has not yet been established but in 1914 he married Minnie Thackwray and they are said to have had two children born in Hampsthwaite where George worked as a gardener. By 1916 they were living at 28 Park Row, New Park, Harrogate.

He enlisted at Harrogate with a service number of 28053 and, joined as a Private, the 12th Battalion of the West Yorkshire (Prince of Wales) Regiment.

He was killed in action in France on the 17th August 1916 and is recorded there on Pier and Face 2A 2C 2D of the Thiepval Memorial. His name is also recorded on the Killinghall Memorial

Although no medal record card has been found for George, it appears he was entitled to receive the British War and Victory Medals

British War Medal	Victory Medal

John Hebblethwaite

Born in 1915, he was the second of four brothers who were all in H.M.Forces during the second world war. He was the son of Joseph and Minnie Hebblethwaite who, at the time of the census in 1911, lived with their five daughters at Glencoe House, Hampsthwaite. He married Dorothy Maureen White of Darlington and he and his wife lived at "Glendale" in Hollins Lane, Hampsthwaite.

He enlisted in the 6th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), had a service number of 2760798 and rose to the rank of Corporal.

He was killed by artillery fire at Dudda crossroads, just before Monte Scalari in Italy on 29th July 1944 at the age of 29 and is buried in X.D.8. in the Florence War Cemetery.

Awarded the Italy Star medal

Italy Star

Jeffrey Swale

Born in Hampsthwaite in 1881, the son of Richard and Ann Swale, he is recorded in the 1891 census as living in Hampsthwaite with his parents and two sisters (Emma and Ada).

By 1911 he was living there with his widowed mother, his two sisters now living elsewhere. He was a stone mason and in September 1913 he married Margaret Millar Dewar of Bilton.

Although only 5 feet 4 inches in height, he was enlisted at Harrogate as a Private in the Durham Light infantry on the 15th September 1916 (service number 42331). After only seven months in the Army and at the age of 36 he contracted pneumonia and died whilst on leave at his home in Hollins Road, Hampsthwaite.

He died on 8th April 1917 and is buried in the churchyard in Hampsthwaite with a Commonwealth War Grave headstone. His widow remarried in 1919.