Wakefield Family History Sharing

Those who served ..........

People who served the Wakefield Community in some way

There are a lot of images, please allow time for them to display.

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George Gray

George Gray began his career working at Stanley Royd Hospital, Wakefield. In 1913 he joined the Wakefield Police Force. He moved to Canada and joined the Ottawan force in 1921. He rose through the ranks and in 1940 became Detective Sergeant in the Morality Branch. In 1949 he became a clerk in the Ontario Supreme Court. He then retired from that post due to ill health. The picture on the top left shows George as PC 22 and next is George in his uniform when the fire service was part of the Polcie Force. Bottom left shows George far right on the back row in the uniform of an Assylum attendant, while the newspaper cutting next shows George in his clerk's gown.

pictures from Milton Gray

 

Walter Gray

Walter was born in Outwood in 1899 and the younges son of Joseph Gray (b 1847 in Carlton) and Susan nee Brown (Apr 26 1856 in Wrenthorpe). In the 1901 census the family were at Marshall St, Stanley. In 1911 Walter was living at Prospect Place, Bolus Lane, Outwood. Joseph at this time was a screener at Lofthouse Colliery and two of his sons also worked at collieries - one at Lofthouse, and the other at Parkhill Colliery in Eastmoor, Wakefield.

Walter enlisted in Wakefield and joined the KOYLI 2/4 Batn and became Pte 200896.

Walter Died of Wounds on 3 May 1917 and rests in Achiet-le-Grant Co9mmunal Cemetery Extension alog with over 1200 other identified casualties.

Walter was eligible for the British and Victory Medals which would have been sent to his next of kin.

 

picture and extra information : Milton Gray

Walter's brother, Harry Oastler Gray (born 1896 in Outwood) was also killed in action on Oct 4, 1917 (buried grave site XII.J.* at Hooge Crater Cemetery in Belgium). Harry was a Private with Yorkshire Light Infantry 10th Brigade (service # 29954) and was awarded Victory Medal & British War Medal. In 1911, he was working as a General Labourer at the Lofthouse Colliery
Herbert Siddle

Herbert Siddle born in 1891 was KIA on 26 April 1918. He rests in Lijsenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Herbert, 1 of 10 children, enlisted in Wakefield and served in the KOYLI. He was injured in the First Battle of the Somme and after being hospitalised returned to France/Belgium.

pictures : Carol Sklinar

 

 

 

 

 

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Herbert Siddle

 

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Wakefield Special Constables prior to amalgamation in 1968. Picture from Carol Sklinar

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The occasion when this was taken is not known but the Mayor is Derek Moss and the young cadet with the X is George Stanley Brough, born in Gildersome in 1925 and was taken on Queen Street, Morley - possibly outside the Town Hall.  Thanks to Kim Groothuis for this picture.