Guardsman Ernest Roberts
Coldstream Guards, Service no. 26046
Born: 5th March 1895. Died: 1940
Story
Ernest was born on Well Lane, Kippax, and was baptised on 3rd April 1895. He was the son of Arthur Roberts (1873-1933) and Sarah Backhouse (1875-1944). By 1911 they were living in East Garforth, and Ernest was a 16 years-old coal miner. Ernest enlisted under the Lord Derby Scheme on 10th December 1915, and was called up and posted on 27th April 1918. Ernest was 5 ft 7 inches tall, and had continued working as a coal miner. Arthur received five days’ punishment for being absent without leave for a single day on 9th September 1918, but received a First Class award for proficiency with a Lewis gun on 28th September 1918. After the War, Ernest lived at 16 Beech Grove Avenue, Garforth, and married Nellie Hutchinson on 1st May 1920 in Swillington. He passed away at the age of 45.
Ordinary Seaman Charles Rowley
Royal Navy, Service no. SS 5784
Born: 24th August 1894. Died: 1970
Story
Charles was baptised in Kippax on 26th September 1894, and was the son of William Rowley (1860-1921) and Amy Farrar (1865-1940). The family lived on Helena Street, Kippax, and Charles worked at the colliery until he joined the Royal Navy on 1st May 1915. He served on HMS Canada (pictured below), and was 5 ft 4½ inches tall. After the War, he stayed on with the Royal Navy, and only left on 4th June 1921, after the death of his father. Charles moved to Hemsworth, and passed away at the age of 75.
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