Members of the family who lived in Clifton were:

• Joseph Rowntree, founder of Rowntree & Co Ltd2

• Benjamin Seebohm Rowntree, Joseph’s son, later company director and social reformer

• Agnes Macdonald, Joseph’s daughter

• Peter Macdonald, Agnes’ husband and doctor at the Cocoa Works

• Winifred Naish, Joseph’s daughter

• Frank Rowntree, Joseph’s nephew

• Theodore Rowntree, Joseph’s nephew

To find out more about each of their houses and see them on an interactive map, head to our map on History Pin.

1066 - 1540

In medieval times, the Burton Stone was the site of an ancient chapel and hospital dedicated to St Mary Magdelene. The lane was called Chapel Lane. In 1227 the chapel was the property of the king who gave the buildings to Dominican Friars. The stone is thought to have had a cross in the central hole and marked the northern city boundary, next to the chapel. Travellers prayed here before leaving the jurisdiction of the city, for safe passage through the Forest of Galtres.

1603 - 1604

The Burton Stone was probably used as a plague stone during York’s worst recorded outbreak of plague when 3,512 died, said to be a third of the population of the city.

The depressions (where the cross had originally been) were filled with vinegar and coins placed in the solution as a means of sterilisation. Those affected by plague or cholera could then safely buy food brought to the city boundaries by people in the countryside.

1545 - 1828

After Henry VIII suppressed the chapel and hospital of St Mary Magdalene, he gave the buildings to the local Burton family. By the early 18^th century, the buildings fell into ruin. Records first mention an inn on the site adjacent to the Burton Stone in 1828. The inn was originally called The Plough but was renamed The Burton Stone.

1849 - present day

In 1849 the road was recorded on maps as Burton Lane, possibly renamed after the Burtons as a wealthy local family. In 1896 the present Burton Stone Inn replaced an earlier inn of the same name. The stone was incorporated within the boundary of the new inn. In 1899 York Council agreed to pay Tadcaster Tower Brewery, owners of the inn, the sum of one old penny a year in rent.

Notes

To find out more about the Burton Stone, check out:

• Charles Brunton Knight, This is York: A Personally-Conducted Tour (Herald Printing Works, 1954).

• Marguerita Spence and Marian E Everatt, A Short History of York (A. Brown & Sons, 1948).

• Van Wilson, The Changing Face of Clifton (York Archaeological Trust, 2011).

• York Historic Environment Record, ‘The Burton Stone Adjacent to the Burton Stone Inn’, MYO1673.

Riverside Walk between Clifton Bridge and Clifton Ings.

Lunaria annua: ‘Honesty’. Emblem of the Honesty Girls’ Club, founded in 1902 by Winifred Rowntree.

Lunaria annua: ‘Honesty’. From the membership certificate of the Honesty Girls Club, founded in 1902 by Winifred Rowntree.

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Heritage Hunters works with York residents to research their local area. The project is not about uncovering new histories. Instead, it supports those who live there to find out more about their surroundings and to share it with their friends and neighbours. We also bring organisations and charities together to support residents and build further connections with the past to share their research.

This website brings together some of the content in each published Heritage Hunters magazine, but also a range of exclusive extra content.

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This post details some background history of the 48 servicemen who are named on the Clifton Parish Church war memorial in York. They range in age from 18 to 53, some having died in this country and others as far away as Yemen. All but one, J Barker, have left behind a searchable history of their lives from sources including census records, baptism and marriage documents, military records, Commonwealth War Graves Commission entries, probate records, newspaper articles and notices, maps, the Ellis Island immigration records, personal family documents, school archives, photographs, prison records, police employment records and a war poem.

One of the most valuable sources of information was the King’s Book of York Heroes, held by York Minster. After the war ended bereaved families provided a photograph and very brief details of casualties which were published in a large book at York Minster which is still on display. A copy was produced which can more easily be used for research purposes.

Another important source was the 10-yearly statistical census process which began in 1801 in the UK. More useful household-level data collection commenced in 1841 and continues to the present day. Over time more questions were added and the handwriting became easier to read. Another, similar document was the 1939 England and Wales registration taken on 29 September of that year. The information was used to produce identity cards for rationing, administration of conscription and direction of labour.

Very few servicemen on the war memorial have full readable military records available. Of those that do the document regarding Gunner William Pearson who served with the Royal Garrison Artillery 252nd Siege Battery stands out. All useful, readable information has been included in his section to illustrate the process involved for the next of kin to receive medals, documents, pensions and personal effects. Some readable documents for other servicemen were found along with some written messages from loved ones, which have also been included here.

One particular name stands out in many documents; Reverend CT Alexander, Vicar of Clifton Parish Church, St Philip and St James. He was involved in the baptism, marriage and funeral of many of those listed in this document. He also counter signed confirmation of War Office next of kin forms. He will have been responsible for the support of many bereaved families in Clifton.

I have tried to show how each serviceman fitted into his family, where they came from, where they lived, how they earned a living and brief details of what happened following their death. It was particularly moving to find four sets of brothers. Hopefully there will be some descendants or more distant relatives still alive who can use this research to fill in gaps in their own family history and know that the servicemen are not forgotten.

C.H. Abson

Sergeant Charles Henry Abson served in the Royal Defence Corps, 70th Protection Company. He died in York on 17^th September 1918 at the age of 53 and is buried at Fulford Cemetery. He was the husband of Jane (Mitchell) Abson, of 2 The View, Clifton, York. They married on 20^th July 1905 in Aldershot.

In 1871 Charles was living at 88 Copenhagen Street, Islington aged 6 with his family.

In 1881 aged 35, he was living at 92 Copenhagen Street, Islington with his father George, a carpenter. He was a soldier with the 5^th Lancers.

At the time of his marriage to Jane, Charles was working as a butler at Campbell House, Aldershot. He was discharged from the 5^th Lancers on 29th October 1908 and awarded a pension. He had previously been serving with The Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment.

In 1911 Charles’ wife Jane Abson was at 1 Abbey Street aged 35 with children Elsie (3), Gertrude (2) and Charles Richard aged 6 months. Charles was working as an Army Pensioner hospital porter at York County Hospital, Monkgate, York. In 1913 Charles and Jane had twins William and Josephine.

In 1921, following Charles’ death, widowed Jane Abson was living with her four children Elsie (14), Gertrude (12) and twins William and Josephine who were seven years old at Ferndale, 2 The View, Clifton, York. Charles Richard Abson, aged 10, was a pupil at the Blue Coat Boys’ School, Peaseholme Green, York.

In 1939 William Abson (one of the twins) was living with his mother, Jane at 63 Clifton. He was working as a Baker’s Assistant. He died in York early in 1975.

Charles Richard married Jessie M Turner in 1934. They were living at 13 Abbey Street in the 1939 registration. Charles was working a hoist, probably at Rowntrees. There is a record of Jessie’s death aged 28 in 1943.

In World War 1 Charles served with the Royal Defence Corps which was formed in 1916 and included servicemen who were too old to serve as fighting soldiers. Towards the end of World War 1 it included 27,000 servicemen of which half were employed in guarding secure establishments like prisoner of war camps.

According to a UK British Army World War 1 Service Records 1914 – 1920 document relating to Charles Abson from 1908 he left the 5^th Lancers, R Squadron on 16^th October and was discharged in York having given three months’ notice. His conduct had been “Exemplary”.

W.S. Allen

Lieutenant William Sproston Allen served with the Royal Field Artillery 1^st (West Riding) Brigade and died on 14^th March 1918 at the age of 20. He is buried at the Huts Cemetery, Belgium. The only son of Mr and Mrs HS Allen, of ‘Penraevon’, Newton Park, Leeds he was born in York in the summer of 1897.1

In 1901 Sproston was living at Clifton Green, aged 3, with his parents. His name was listed as Sproston Allen. His father, Horace, was a commercial traveller.

Sproston was a pupil at St Olaves, as a dayboy, in September 1904. His home address was given as ‘The Hut, Clifton’. This is possibly the smaller house next to Lime Tree Cottage on the corner of Water Lane and Shipton Road. He moved up to St Peter’s in September 1909.

In 1911 Sproston’s father, Horace, was living at 6 Clifton Green. The rest of the family were not present.

A report of promotion to Sergeant was noted in the Military Gazette on 11^th April, 1915.

On 27 March 1918 following his death the Yorkshire Post reported that Sproston had been educated at St Peter’s School and Pembroke College, Bruges. He was also a student at Leeds University and received his first commission in the 1^st West Riding Royal Field Artillery in April 1915. He had gone to the front in February 1916 and was killed with another officer and comrades by a very heavy enemy shell.

W Sproston Allen’s service is commemorated on the St Peter’s School and the University of Leeds WW1 memorials. Sproston left his estate of almost £150 to his father, Horace.

F.T. Appleyard

Sapper Frederick Thomas Appleyard served with the Royal Engineers 72nd Field Company. He died on 19^th July 1917 aged 37 and is buried in Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery. He died of heat stroke in Mesopotamia (Iraq).

Frederick Thomas Appleyard was a cabinet maker born in 1880 in York. He was baptised at St Thomas’s Church in York.

In 1881 baby Frederick was living with his parents at 3 Walpole Street, York. The family moved around Clifton over the next 30 years, often living in the Groves.

In 1891 Frederick was aged 11, living at 37 Vyner Street, Clifton with his parents, brother and sisters Emily, Ettie and Henry.

By 1901 Frederick was living at 43 Abbey Street, Clifton with his family including siblings Ettie, Henry, Dorothy and Albert.

In the 1911 census Frederick was aged 31 and working as a carpenter. He lived at 1 Hampden Street, Clementhorpe. Also at home were his parents Frederick and Mary as well as younger sister Dorothy (18) and brother Albert Victor (15).

By 1921 parents Frederick and Mary were aged 70 and living at 22 Abbey Street, Frederick was still working as a gardener on St George’s Place next to the Knavesmire.

Older brother Albert later married and became a train driver.

J. Barker

Private J Barker served with the 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers. No further information has been found so far.

J. Barnes

Private Joseph Barnes served in the East Yorkshire Regiment 1st Battalion. He died on 20^th October 1914 and is commemorated at the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. It commemorates men who served on the northern Western Front outside the Ypres Salient and whose graves are unknown.

Joseph Barnes was born to Emma and Henry Barnes, a railway worker in 1886 in Malton and baptised on 2 May 1886 in Norton

In the 1891 census Joseph was living in Norton, Malton – aged 5 living with his parents. Joseph’s father worked on the railways.

By 1901 the family had moved to York and were living at 59 Newbrough Street, Clifton. Joseph was aged 15 with parents Emma and Henry a Railway porter. Joseph was working as a Domestic Page Boy.

In 1911 Joseph was now aged 25 and a Private in 2nd East Yorkshire Regt in India at Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh in northern India near the border with Nepal.

A WW1 memorial plaque for former pupils of Shipton Street School, off Burton Stone Lane, was erected after the war. Joseph Barnes is commemorated on the plaque. Following demolition of the school the plaque was put up at Clifton Green Primary School.

J. Bays and F. Bays

Private John Bays served with the Royal Army Medical Corps 7th Field Ambulance and died on 14^th June 1917 aged 25. He is buried at Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France. John was the son of John Thomas Bays, a railway worker, and Emily Adelaide Bays. He was born in York in 1894.

Private Frank Bays was the older brother of John. He served with the Northumberland Fusiliers 17^th Battalion. He died on 1^st July 1916 in the battle of the Somme and is buried in Authuile, France. He was 27 years old, born in York in 1890.

John and Frank were two of 8 children who were baptised together as a family on 22^nd February 1913 at St Mary’s, York. They lived at 11 Surtees St, Clifton all their lives. There were 10 children in the family, born between 1882 and 1902: Thomas, William, Richard, Minnie, Nora, Frank, Louise, John, James and Edward.

Both were pupils at Shipton Street Primary School.

In the 1901 census the family were still living at 11 Surtees Street, Burton Stone Lane, York. Their father worked on the railways. Frank was 11 years old and John was 7.

By 1911, still at 11 Surtees Street, John was now aged 17, working as a Confectioner Chocolate Moulder (probably for Rowntree’s). Frank was 21 and a Railway Wagon Builder. They were two of eight children at home aged between 9 and 29. Also at home were siblings Thomas, Nora, Louise, James, Edward and Ronald, as well as parents John Thomas, a railway clerk, and Emily Adelaide.

On 20^th December 1913, Frank married Ellen Morton, a confectionery packer living on Walmgate. In 1921 Ellen was living alone in Thirsk, working as a ladies’ waiting room assistant at Thirsk railway station. In 1933 Ellen remarried to Sydney Millard, a railway clerk. In 1939 they were back in York, living in Heworth, caring for two young evacuees.

F. Brown

Private Fred Brown served with the Lincolnshire Regiment 2^nd and 5^th Bn. He died on 11^th April 1917 and is buried at Thiepval, France. Fred was baptised at Clifton Parish Church on 30^th June 1897. His parents John Henry and Sarah Elizabeth had married in 1893 in St Olave’s Church.

In 1901 Fred was living in Water End with his parents John and Sarah along with baby brother, George. Sarah’s brother, Neurick Leaf, was living with the family. John Brown also owned a stable where they lived, near Clifton Croft and Clifton Holme. Fred’s father and grandfather were cab proprietors. This meant that they kept horses and carriages and worked much like today’s taxi drivers. Fred was a pupil at Shipton Street Primary School.

By 1911 John was a cab driver and his wife was now Frances Sarah. Fred and George also had more brothers; Reginald, who was 5 years old, and baby Thomas who was 10 months old, the child of Frances.

John and Frances Sarah Towne had married on 31^st July 1909 at St Michael Spurriergate in York. John was listed as widowed and there is a record of the death of Sarah Elizabeth Brown, Fred’s mother, early in 1908, when he was 10 years old.

In 1921 younger brother, Reginald, was employed by the Cleminson family at Manor Farm as a servant (see Matthew Cleminson).

P. Carlton

Lance Corporal Percival Carlton served with the West Yorkshire Regiment 12^th Battalion. He died on 27^th September 1915, aged 19, in the Battle of Loos. He is commemorated at the Loos Memorial, France. He was the son of Thomas and Emily Frances Carlton, of 117, Alcuin Avenue, Tang Hall Lane, York. He was born in Easingwold in the spring of 1896, one of 7 children. His parents married in Easingwold in 1884.

In 1891 the Carlton family were living with Emily’s family including children Frances, Marge, Laura and Mabel, who died aged 5 in 1895.

In the 1901 census Percival was living at Grange Farm, 1, Marton cum Moxby, Easingwold. The farm belonged to Emily Carlton’s father. Also present were children Bertie, Laura, Lillian and Walter.

In 1911 the family was living at Grange Farm, Marton Lordship, Marton cum Moxby near Easingwold. Percival was working on his father’s farm. Also at home, with parents Thomas and Emily, were children Albert, Laura, Walter, Arnold, Herbert and Cecil.

Percival’s last known address in York was 3, Church Farm, Clifton.

In 1921 Percival’s younger brother Herbert was a gardener at Joseph Rowntree’s home at Clifton Lodge.

J.H. Child

Private Joseph Herman Child served with the Seaforth Highlanders 1^st/4^th Battalion. He died on 10^th April 1917 in Arras and is buried at Nine Elms Cemetery, France. He was 22 years old and born in Horsforth, Leeds. His parents were Stephen Witham Child, a Building Contractors’ Agent and Mary Lawson.

Joseph was the second of 5 children with siblings Hilda, William, Stephen and Muriel. In the 1901 census Joseph and his older sister Hilda were living with their parents on Burley Lane in Horsforth.

By 1911 William, Stephen and Muriel were young children and the whole family were living at 22 Garth Terrace in Clifton.

In 1921 Mary and the remaining children (all single) were together on Garth Terrace but Stephen was not present. The family had moved around the country in the early 1900s. William was born in Horsforth in 1902, Stephen in Lingfield, Surrey in 1904 and finally they settled in York where Muriel was born in 1907.

Joseph’s last known address in York was 22 Garth Terrace, next door to Frank Marriss (see below).

His army pension of 5 shillings a week for 1 year was awarded to his grandmother, Harriett Lawson, who lived on New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds.

Joseph’s family continued to move around the country but his father, who died in 1942 in Lincolnshire, was buried in Horsforth Cemetery, Leeds. He left almost £3,000 to his sons William, a teacher and Stephen who was a contractor’s agent.

A. Clark

Corporal Alfred Clark served with the West Yorkshire Regiment 10^th Battalion. He died on 23^rd April 1917 aged 38 and is buried at Feuchy Chapel, Wancourt, France. He was the son of Thomas and Amanda Milvena Clark and was the husband of Mrs A. Clark, of 4 Horner Street, Burton Stone Lane, York.

In the 1881 census Alfred, aged 2, was living at 7 Granville Terrace, Foss Islands, with his parents, Thomas (an engineer) and Amanda, as well as his baby brother, Arthur.

In 1891 the family was living at 40 Newbrough Street, Clifton. Thomas was now a cab driver and Alfred had four siblings, Arthur, Percival, Tom and Florence. He was a pupil at Shipton Street Primary School.

By 1901 Alfred, 22, was a clerk for a chocolate confectioner, probably Rowntree’s. The family was still living at 40 Newbrough Street.

Alfred and Ann Eliza Wilson married on Christmas Eve, 1904. His father, Thomas, was listed as ‘deceased’ on the marriage certificate.

In 1911, Alfred with wife Ann and his children Dorothy and Edwin were at 4 Horner Street, Burton Stone Lane. He was a clerk for Rowntree’s. By the time of his death the family also had daughter, Mabel, born in 1914.

Alfred left his widow almost £400 in his will.

In 1939 Ann Clark was in her late 70s and living,with her daughter Mabel who had married Ronald Addyman, at 4 Lawnswood Drive, Flaxton near York.

M. Cleminson

Private Matthew Cleminson served with the Royal Scots 13^th Battalion. He died on 14^th September 1918 and is commemorated at the Loos Memorial, France.

He was baptized on 6^th September 1896 at Coxwold Church, the son of Benjamin Atlay and Ellen Cleminson.

In the 1901 census Matthew was aged 4 and living at Fox Folly Farm, Coxwold with his parents Benjamin and Ellen as well as siblings May and Benjamin.

By 1911 Matthew was working for his father at Fox Folly farm with his brother, Benjamin, who was one year older. At the time the farm was owned by the Newborough Abbey estate. It is currently a livery stable.

His last known address in York was Rawcliffe Manor, where the family worked on a farm.

In 1939 Matthew’s brother, Benjamin Burton Cleminson, was still at Manor Farm in Rawcliffe. He was a farmer and horse dealer. He married Florence Burton in October 1940 and died in 1974.

Matthew’s father Benjamin Atlay Cleminson died in 1954 aged 86 as reported in the Yorkshire Post on Saturday 24^th April 1954. He was a well known farmer, horse dealer and exhibitor of horses.

The family were still farming near York at Skelton in 1991.

J.H. Craven

Gunner James Henry Craven served in the Royal Artillery. He died on 5^th April 1919 at Morpeth Hospital aged 33. He was the son of Thomas Craven and Sarah Gott who married in St Denys and St George church in 1881. James was born at 12 Price Street, York in 1889.

In 1891 the family was living in Bishophill with children Thomas, John, Florence and James who was 2 years old. Thomas senior was working as a Railway Engine Fireman.

In the 1901 census James has been entered as John H. Craven. However, all other family members and father’s occupation match the 1891 version so this is likely to be an error made by the enumerator who went house to house writing down the information.

The family was growing, now with children Thomas, John, Florence, James as well as Mabel, Cecil, Gladys and Evelyn. They were living at 69 White Rose Street, York.

In 1911 John, Florence and James were no longer at home. The family was still living on White Rose Street but now with more children; Thomas was there aged 29, then Mabel aged 20, Gladys 15, Evelyn 12, Granville 10, and Hilda who was 7.

In a military pension document James’ next of kin is listed as his father, Thomas, who was living at 12 Horner Street, York which matches the Kings Book entry. It is also the address of the family in the 1921 census. Thomas’ occupation was a Stationary Engineman.

James was discharged as physically unfit on 25^th March 1919 and died ‘of disease’ on 5^th April 1919.

H.B. Cross

Private Harold Bruce Cross was born in 1899 in York. He served with the Worcestershire Regiment 'C’ Company, 3^rd Battalion. He died on 30^th April 1918, aged 19. He is buried at Esquelbecq, France. Harold was the son of Sarah Elizabeth Cross, of 7 Beaconsfield Street, Wiggington Road, York. There is a record of the death of Walter Cross, his father, aged 60, in 1916. He was born at 27 Adelaide Street, York.

No information was found in the 1901 census. Harold was a pupil at Shipton Street Primary School.

In 1911 Harold was living at 8 Cromer St, Burton Stone Lane, York, aged 12. He was with his parents Sarah and Walter, a railway locomotive stoker and older brother, Albert.

His last known address was 42 Kitchener Street. He left his mother £335 in his will.

In 1912 older brother Albert married their next door neighbour, Blanche from 6 Cromer Street, at Clifton Parish Church. His father, Walter, was listed as a Foreman engineer.

Albert worked for North Eastern Railways. He and Blanche moved to Darlington and both died in the late 1960s.

A.P. Dale OBE

Major Alwyne Percy Dale served with the West Yorkshire Regiment 5^th Battalion. He died on 1^st March 1917 at the age of 35. He is buried at Queens Cemetery, Bucquoy, France. He was the son of Jane H. Dale, of 10 The Avenue, Clifton, York, and the late Robert Percy Dale, former York Alderman. He was born in the spring of 1880 in York.

In the 1881 census Alwyne Dale was living with his parents at Burton Cottage, next to St Peter’s School.

In 1891 the family was living at Ash Bank, Clifton Green with two sisters Lilian and Helen, and brother Charles. Ashbank was more recently used as York Council offices. It is now awaiting renovation.

In 1901 no record of Alwyne was found. He could have been serving in the Boer War. However, his parents and sister, Helen, were still living at Ash Bank on Shipton Road.

By 1911, Alwyne was living at 10 The Avenue, Clifton aged 30 with his younger sister, Helen, and his widowed mother.

According to Nottinghamshire Role of Honour Alwyne attended St Cuthbert’s College school in Worksop and enrolled at Clare College, Cambridge in 1898 when he was 18. He later became a solicitor and was admitted to the Bar in October 1906. During this time he may have served in the Boer War. Later he worked as a solicitor in York and Knaresborough.

Major Dale was the Assistant Stage Manager for York Operatic Amateurs which put on a performance of the comic opera Falka at The Opera House in 1905 to raise money for York Soldiers’ Institute. As a child he had attended huge children’s parties held at the Assembly Rooms (now Ask Italian) on Blake Street.

On his death Alwyne Dale left £2,305. In a newspaper article in the Leeds Mercury, he was listed as being the only son of Alderman Robert Percy Dale.2 However, in the 1891 census Charles Herbert Dale, son, was living with the family at Ash Bank on Shipton Road. In the Military Honours report from the Harrogate Advertiser, Alwyne was correctly reported as the ‘elder son’ of the family.3

A news item in the Harrogate Advertiser on 10^th August 1918 reported that Alwyne was killed in action in France on 1^st March 1917 and was recommended for the Albert Medal, which is awarded for very illustrious acts of gallantry not in the presence of the enemy.4 It is almost equivalent to the Victoria Cross. Instead, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire IV Class. He had averted a disaster by throwing live ordnance away from comrades.

Major AP Dale OBE was buried at Queens Cemetery, Bucquoy, France.

On her death in 1928 Alwyne’s mother left almost £10,000 to her daughter, Lillian who, in 1939, had moved from Leeds back to 10, The Avenue, Clifton with her husband, Herbert Procter.

There is a report on the death of Alywne’s sister Helen Mildred Dale in the Yorkshire Gazette on 10 May 1913 when she was 24 years old. She died suddenly in Basel, Switzerland while travelling home after a two year trip abroad.

Lillian Procter died in 1942 in Leeds and left £7,500 to her husband and daughter, Kathleen Douglas-White. Kathleen had married Cyril Francis Douglas-White in 1934 in York. She died in Surrey in 1952.

Alwyne’s brother Charles Herbert Dale was born in 1886. He emigrated to Canada and there are several records of Charles travelling back and forth. One shows an arrival date in Liverpool on 19^th December 1937 when he was 52 years old. He’d travelled from Nova Scotia on the Duchess of Bedford of the Canadian Pacific line. On this Christmas visit he used his sister Lilian’s home at 10 The Avenue, Clifton as his forwarding address.

Charles died in 1969 aged 83 in Victoria, British Columbia. He had married Elizabeth Milne who died in 1946 and Florence Kate Poulton who died in 1970. There was no record found of any children of either marriage.

W.E. Davidson

Lieutenant William Ernest Davidson served with the Grenadier Guards 1^st Battalion. He died on 14^th April 1918 at the age of 19 and is buried at Cabaret Rouge Cemetery, Souchez, France. He was the son of William and Annie Davidson who was living at 9 Glen Road, Heworth when he died.

In the 1901 census William was living at 9, Farrar Street, Foss Islands, York. Aged 2, he was living with parents Annie and William Davidson, who was a printing compositor, as well as older sister, Ivy.

In 1911 William was living at 18 Barlow St, Acomb, York. Aged 12, he was living with both parents and sisters Ivy and Florrie, who both later worked at Rowntree’s.

His last address in York was 1 Wilson’s Terrace, Clifton.

In 1921 William’s parents were still living in Heworth with daughters Ivy and Florrie as well as a boarder, Robert Hardy, who was a commercial traveller from Hull. He worked for the Heinz company in London. Robert and Ivy married on 8^th August 1931 in York.

In 1939 Ivy Hardy was living with Florrie and their parents on Kirkstone Drive, Heworth. Robert was with his sister and elderly mother in Darlington.

F. Dunn

Private Frederick Dunn served with the 3^rd West Yorkshire Regiment. He died on 8^th September 1916 aged 26 and is buried at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, France. He was the son of George and Mary Dunn born in 1890.

George Dodds Dunn, was the Superintendent of Horses for York Corporation. He originally married Margaret Ann Thompson who died in 1887. Together they had children Laura, William, Alice Jane, Annie and George. Frederick’s widowed father then married Mary Thompson in 1889 and Frederick was born the following year.

Frederick’s older half sister, Alice, worked as a 14-year-old servant on Clifton Terrace following the death of her mother. She later married and moved to Driffield but may have organised Frederick’s name on the war memorial in Clifton.

In the 1891 census Frederick was a baby and older half-brother, George, was 10 years old. The family lived at 2 Foss Islands Road, York. Their father was the superintendent of horses for York Corporation.

In 1901 Frederick was now the only child at home, aged 10. The family were still living in Foss Islands at the Corporation Depot.

Frederick’s father, George Dodds Dunn, died in 1909 aged 59. Two years later Frederick and his mother, Mary, were living separately. Frederick was employed as a domestic gardener in Swillington near Leeds. Mary, was working as a housekeeper in Snaith, close to where she was born. Mary died in early 1916 in York aged 59.

He left his war pension and £86 to Mrs Annie Ryder, wife of William Ryder. Annie was another of Frederick’s half-sisters who was about 10 years older than him.

P.L. Dunning

Private Percival Lewis Dunning served with the 2^nd Yorkshire Regiment. He died on 7^th June 1917 and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium. His parents were Francis (a plate layer) and Jane Dunning. He was baptised on 14^th November 1890 in Thormanby near York.

In 1891 Percival was a baby living with his mother and uncle near the Black Bull pub in Thormanby.

In 1901 he was living at Railway Cottage in Coxwold with this grandfather and other relatives.

In 1911 Percival was a Lance Corporal with the 2^nd Battalion Alexandra P W O Yorkshire Regiment in York, he was 21 years old.

Percival married Nellie Smith on 17^th August 1912 in the parish church at Hovingham. He was already in the army. On their marriage Nellie had a daughter, Ida (born in 1908), who Percival adopted. They later had a son, Francis Lewis Dunning born 18^th June 1914.

In 1911 Nellie had been a single domestic servant living at 17 Bootham Crescent, York. She was working for Basil McLennan, a Technical Chemist, at Rowntrees.

In 1921 Nellie was living at 34 Surtees Street, Burton Stone Lane with Francis, their son, who was seven years old. Ida was not present at the time. She was 13 years old and living with her widowed grandfather, Henry, in Hovingham, where she was born.

In 1923 Nellie married Reginald Arthur Weatherley at Clifton Parish Church. He was a Staff Quarter Master at Lumley Barracks on Burton Stone Lane. She was still living at 34 Surtees Street.

Percival’s daughter Ida married in 1933 to William Hoskin in Roxeth, Harrow. She was living in Chelsea.

Nellie Weatherly died on 27^th May 1953, leaving £1,345 to her son Frederick who was born in December 1924 in York.

Nellie and Percival’s son Francis died in 2002 in West Yorkshire. He had married Gertrude Saville in 1941 and they had a daughter in 1944.

W. Exelby

Private William Exelby served with the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) 9^th Company. He died on 13^th November 1916 aged 21 in Hebuterne and is buried at Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, France. He was the son of Alexander Francis and Sarah Exelby, of 18 Surtees Street, Burton Stone Lane, York. Willliam was born in Seaton Carew, Durham in 1895.

In the 1901 census William was living at 18 Surtees Street aged 6, with both parents and siblings Annie, Agnes and Alexander. His father was a domestic gardener. William was a pupil at Shipton Street School.

By 1911 he was still living at 18 Surtees Street with his father, a gardener at Rowntree’s, and six brothers and sisters Agnes, Annie, Alexander, Edith, Walter and Arthur. William, aged 16, was a railway clerk for the North East Railway company. William’s mother, Sarah, was with her parents in Cheltenham and her baby Mary.

William’s mother Sarah was the beneficiary of his war pension. She was still living in the family home at 18 Surtees Street.

In 1921 Alexander (still a gardener at Rowntree’s) and Sarah continued to live at the same address with children Agnes, Edith, Walter, Arthur, Mary and Evelyn until his death in 1930. He left £600 to Sarah.

A.E. Farmery

Lieutenant Corporal Albert Farmery served with the West Yorkshire Regiment 2^nd and 6^th Battalion. He died on 20^th November 1917 in Havrincourt Wood, Bapaume at the age of 33 and is buried at the Hermies Hill British Cemetery, France. He was the son of Thomas and Martha Farmery and the husband of Nellie Farmery.

In 1891 Albert was 6 years old, living with his parents Thomas, a Lay Clerk in the church, and mother Martha at 1 North View Terrace. Also at home were children Kate, Harry, Alice, Percival and Ivy Farmery.

Albert is commemorated on a memorial at York Minster as a former chorister.

In 1901 Albert was one of 6 children living with his widowed mother, Martha, who was running her own grocery shop in Clifton. Albert and his older sister worked with her. They lived next to Puckerings Yard.

Albert married Nellie Puckering in Clifton Parish Church on 15^th September 1909. His deceased father, Thomas Farmery, was a former Lay Clerk of York Minster.

In 1911 Albert and Nellie were living with Nellie’s mother, Ellen Puckering, at 16 Grove View, Clifton with their baby daughter, Nellie, born in 1910. Albert was working as a newsagent. They later had a son, William, born in 1915.

On his death Albert left £403 to his widow Nellie Farmery.5

In 1921 Albert’s widow, Nellie, had remarried Harold Dickinson who brought with him a son, John, born in 1911.

W.E. Green

Lieutenant Corporal William Edward Green served with the West Yorkshire Regiment 5^th Battalion. He died on 20^th November 1917 in Cambrai at the age of 21 and is buried at Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, France. He was the son of George and Annie Graham Green, of 11 Skelton Street, Clifton, York, baptised in Clifton Parish Church on 27^th September 1894.

In the 1901 census William was living at 11 Skelton Street, Clifton with parents and 63 year old paternal grandfather, also William, who was a gardener. Also at home were children George and Catherine.

In 1911 William was still at 11 Skelton Street, Clifton with parents George, now a clerk at Rowntree’s and Annie. He was 14 years old and an engineer’s fitter for North East Railways. He was the older brother of George, Catherine, Edwin and Arthur.

In 1921 George, Edwin and Arthur were still living with both parents and now had a younger sister, Annie May, who was nine.

In 1939 George was widowed and living in Whitby with daughters Annie and Catherine, who had married James Mitchell.

T. Harper

Private Thomas Harper served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps 144^th Company. He died on 2^nd September 1919 aged 38 of heart failure in Stobhill Military hospital in Glasgow and is buried at Fulford Cemetery. He was the husband of Christine Harper, of 4 Barker’s Cottages, Clifton.

Thomas was born in 1883 in Bishop Wilton to the north of Pocklington.

Thomas Harper married Christina Oliver on 8^th January 1907 in Clifton Parish Church. Christina was living at 2 Ellison Terrace. He was working as a farmer.

In the 1911 census Thomas and Christina were living at 3 Barker’s Yard, Clifton with their daughters Gladys, Hannah and Anna. He was a farm labourer.

By 1921 Christina was living at 4 Barkers Yard with Gladys, Hannah and Anna as well as 2 younger children, 8 year old Irene and 2 year old Oliver, who was born 4 months before Thomas died.

In May 1939, Oliver Harper enlisted in the Yorkshire Hussars. He was living with his mother, Christina, at 32 Spalding Avenue. He served in the Middle East and South Africa and married Mabel Boagey in 1944 just after being awarded the Africa Star medal.

R. Hodgson and T.A. Hodgson

Private Robert Hodgson served with the Northumberland Fusiliers 17^th Battalion. He died on 26^th January 1916 in Aveluy in the Somme and is buried in Authuile, France. He was born in 1885 in Clifton to parents (John) William and Grace and lived on Chatsworth Terrace.

Private (Air Mechanic) Thomas Arthur Hodgson served with the Royal Flying Corps. He died on 28^th December 1917 and is buried at Maala Cemetery, Yemen. He was born about 1893.

In 1891 the family were in Clifton with children William, Walter, Lillian, Robert, Herbert, John and Hilda.

In the 1901 census the family was living at 21 Clifton with father, John William, who was a tax collector. Also at home were Walter, Lillian, Robert (16), John, Hilda, Thomas (8) and Mary. William was a post master and collector of taxes.

Both brothers were pupils at Shipton Street School.

In 1910 Robert left home and married Marguerite White from Abbey Street. He had been living at 21 Clifton with his family. Marguerite had been living at 36 Abbey Street.

In 1911 the family was still at 21 Clifton, in between Old Moor House and St Olave’s school. Thomas was working as a Merchants Clerk at Rowntree’s aged 18. His siblings Walter, Herbert, John, Hilda and Mary Jane were also there.

In that same year Robert and Marguerite were living in Leeds where he was working as a signal fitter.

Robert’s war pension was awarded to his wife, Marguerite, who was from South London, and their two children Robert, born in 1911, and Joan, born in 1913. In 1921 Marguerite had moved back to London and was living there with daughter, Joan, who was seven years old. Later that year she married Ralph Morgan and lived in London until her death in 1957.

In October 1917 Thomas married Hilda Pawlett in Acomb. He died 2 months later.

By 1921 Thomas’ widow, Hilda, had married James Bairstow in Great Ouseburn. They were living in the home of Hilda’s mother in law, Mary Ann Pawlett.

L.C. Hossell

Captain Leslie Cartmell Hossell served with the West Yorkshire Regiment 1^st and 8^th Battalion (Leeds Rifles). He died on 8^th August 1916, aged 24, in the Battle of the Somme and is buried at Thiepval, France. He was the son of Percy and Edith Hossell, of 11 The Avenue, Clifton.

In the 1901 census the Hossell family were living in Handsworth, Birmingham. Leslie was born there in 1893.

In 1911 the family had moved to York and Leslie was living at 11 The Avenue, Clifton with his parents Edith and Percy, a wool merchant and fellmonger (sheepskin dealer) Leslie was employed as a clerk for his father’s business. He lived next door to Alwyne Dale, also on the war memorial.

Leslie’s death was reported on 14^th August 1916 in the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. On his death Leslie left £273 to his father.

A poem was written on Leslie’s death by his friend Captain Eric Fitzwater Wilkinson.6

A.C. Johnson

Private Albert Johnson served with the Canadian Infantry 28^th Battalion. He died on 8^th October 1915 aged 30 and is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Johnson, of York. He was baptized on 23^rd December 1883 in Wigginton.

British Army, De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-1918 reported on Albert’s death.

Private Albert Chapman Johnson served in the 28^th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force Bomber Section. He lived at 44 Burton Stone Lane, Clifton, York and was a gardener. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of James and Ann Chapman. He was born in Wiggington Grange, near York on 13^th November 1883 and went to school in Skelton and Eythorne, Kent. He worked as a messenger at the Post Office in York and later as an attendant at the North Riding Asylum and at the Mimico Asylum in Canada. He also worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway, at a lumber camp and on the Grand Trunk Railway. He joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 1^st October 1914 and travelled to France on 17^th September 1915 and died in Loos three weeks later. His Company Officer wrote of him ‘a man ever ready to do his duty – no growler, but always bright and willing’.7

In the 1891 census Albert, aged 7, was living with his parents and older sisters Harriet and Rose at Fairfield, Skelton (currently the Mercure Hotel) where his father was a groom.

In 1901 Albert was living a 1 Castle View, Spofforth, near Wetherby, working as a domestic gardener.

An emigration record shows Albert C. Johnson, born in 1883, sailing from London on the Crown Point ship arriving in Philadelphia, USA in 1910.

J.H. Kendrew

Gunner James Henry Kendrew served with the Royal Garrison Artillery. He died on 31^st August 1918 aged 44 and is buried at Wancourt British Cemetery, France. He was the husband of Lizzie Kendrew of 23 Horner Street, Burton Stone Lane, York. He was born in born in 1874 in Tockwith.

In the 1891 census, aged 15, James was working on a farm as a servant in Kirk Deighton.

By 1901 he was living at 30 Baker Street, Clifton as a lodger and working as a labourer at Rowntree’s.

James married Elizabeth Rounthwaite on 7^th March 1905 at Scrayingham Church.

Their daughter, Annie, was born in September of that year.

In 1911 James was at 23 Horner Street with wife, Lizzie, and daughter Annie. James was working at the Rowntree’s factory.

On his death Lizzie was sent James’ possessions which were listed as ‘defaced coin, wristlet, letter, photos, postcards, wallet and knife’.

James’ daughter, Annie, married Ernest Benn, a joiner, in 1930 and moved to Leeds with him and her mother Lizzie.

G. Lee and H. Lee

Sergeant Herbert Lee served with the Kings Own Light Infantry 1^st Battalion. He died on 6^th October 1918 and is buried at Doingt Communal Cemetery Ext. He was the son of George and Louisa Ann Lee and the older brother of Sergeant Major George Lee. He was baptised at Clifton Parish Church on 28^th June 1887.

Serjeant Major George Lee served with the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 10th Battalion and died on 25^th September 1916 aged 25. He is buried at the Thiepval Memorial, France. He lived at 40 Surtees Street, Burton Stone Lane and was baptised at the church of St Thomas and St Luke, York on 24^th March 1891. He was a pupil at Shipton Street School.

Their parents were George, a gardener, and Louisa. They had a very large family including children Charles, Gertrude, Walter, Ada, George and Harold.

In 1901 the family lived at Yew Villas, 1 Burton Lane, York.

1911 Serjeant Major George Lee was also a gardener living as a boarder in a different household on a farm in Askham Richard near York. The rest of his family were living at 40 Surtees Street, Burton Stone Lane.

The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, 10 January 1917 included a report of Sergeant George Lee in its Roll of Honour. It reported that he was killed in action on 25th September 1916 aged 24. It also reported that brothers Herbert, Will, Charlie, Walter and Harold were also on active service.8

Herbert Lee was listed on the Roll of Honour. It stated that he died of wounds. He had been a musketry instructor having been a soldier for 14 years and was 31 years old. His widow Nancy left a moving message:

‘Sleep on, my loved one, sleep on,
Your duty well and nobly done;
All alone, my grief seems hard to bear;
I’m proud I gave you my all, my only one.’

R. Leonard and H.S. Leonard

Sergeant Herbert Shaw Leonard served with the 1^st Canadian Mounted Rifles. He died on 31^st December 1916 aged 33 and is buried at Louez Military Cemetery, Duisans, France. He was born in Withernsea in 1884, the son of Thomas and Agnes Rosalie Leonard and the husband of N. K. Leonard, of 1204 Edison Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, USA. This is a very expensive street in Detroit, where Henry Ford was a former resident.

Gunner Reginald Hornby Leonard served with the Royal Garrison Artillery. He died on 18th February 1917 aged 35 at Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool of scarlet fever and pneumonia. He is buried at Liverpool Kirkdale Cemetery. He was born in Patrington, East Yorkshire and lived in The Avenue, Clifton. He was the older brother of Herbert Shaw Leonard also on the Clifton Parish Church memorial.

In 1890 their mother Rosalie Agnes Leonard was living at 25 Claremont Terrace, York

The 1891 census was taken on 5^th April that year, the day after Agnes Rosalie Leonard had re-married to James Demaine. Herbert and Reginald were living at 15 Grosvenor Terrace with other siblings. Their grandfather, Richard Pearson, a bank director, and other family members were living at number 14.

The Yorkshire Gazette on 4 April 1891 reported the marriage of James Demaine to Rosalie Agnes daughter of the late Reverend RWB Hornby of Clifton Garth, York.

In 1901 Herbert and Reginald were living at 9 St Peters Grove, York, aged 17 with their mother who was listed as Agnes Rosalie Demaine. Her husband, James, was an architect. Herbert was the youngest child with older siblings Mary Lelia Leonard, Tom Hornby Leonard.

On 25^th September 1909, aged 24, Herbert sailed to New York on the Baltic, a ship of the White Star Line.

By 1911 Rosalie Agnes Demaine was living at Thornby Lodge, St Peters Grove with her husband, James, and son Reginald. Herbert was not found in a UK census. He may have remained in North America.

A probate record shows that Herbert left £1400 to his wife Nora Kathleen. They had been living at 102 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Reginald left £2300 to his sister Leila Mary Gape.

F. Marriss

Private Frank Marriss served with the Kings Own Light Infantry 6^th Battalion. He died on 16^th December 1917 aged 21 and is commemorated at Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. He was the son of Alice Marriss and lived at 24 Garth Terrace, Clifton.

In the 1901 census Frank was living with his uncle, aunt and mother at 9 Bean Street, Clifton. A. Marriss, listed on the census, was 33 and single. Frank was 4 years old.

In 1911 Frank was living in a large family group in the home of his uncle at 24 Garth Terrace. His grandmother, mother, uncles and aunts were also there. Frank was 14 and the only child. The head of the household was Joseph Marriss, Frank’s uncle. He was a litho stone polisher. His grandmother, Hannah, was 72. Alice Annie Marris was 43 and still single.

Frank left his war pension to his Aunt Edith, who was a midwife. She was still living at 24 Garth Terrace when she died aged 83 in October 1960 leaving £172.

Frank lived next door to Joseph Child and his family, also listed on the War Memorial.

J.W. Milner

Gunner John William Milner served with the Trench Mortar Battery. He died on 24^th May 1918 aged 36 and is buried at Bucquoy, France. His parents were Thomas and Sarah Jane Milner, who were grocers.

John was born on 18^th October 1881 and baptised on 22^nd December at St Mary Bishophill Junior. He was living at 7 Dewsbury Terrace, Bishophill.

In 1891 John was 9 years old and living with his parents at 17 Thorpe Street in Castlegate. He was the only child in the family. He was a pupil at Shipton Street School.

By 1901 John’s parents had moved to Clifton, still working as grocers. They lived in between Fern Cottages and Barkers Cottages and were well off enough to have a live-in servant.

In 1911 the family were working in the grocers shop next door to Farmery’s newsagent on Clifton. Albert Farmery is also on the war memorial.

On his death John left £225 to his father Thomas.

F.W. Naughton

Private Francis William Naughton served with the 4^th West Yorkshire Regiment 16^th Brigade. He died on 27^th February 1917 aged 33 and is buried at Owl Trench Cemetery, Hebuterne, France.

Francis was born in St Andrewgate, York and lived at 22 Alne Terrace, Heslington Road. He was one of a large family. In 1891 his parents Patrick, a bricklayer, and Ellen (Elizabeth) had Francis as well as Mary, Edith and Sarah. They lived in Harrisons Buildings in Clifton.

By 1901 the family were living at 33 Surtees Street, Burton Stone Lane with Francis and daughters Elizabeth, Sarah, Ellen, Lilly and Eliza.

In the 1911 census the family were living at Old Manor House, Clifton. There were several grown up children present including Francis, Edith, Sarah, Helen, Claire and nine year old John. Patrick and Francis, now 26, were both bricklayers.

Francis married Margaret E Lavan in the autumn of 1911. Their daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Josephine, was born on 28^th May 1916.

In 1921 widowed Margaret and their daughter were living at 22^nd Alne Terrace in Clifton.

In the 1939 World War II registration, his mother Margaret was living at 74 Alcuin Avenue, York, with her daughter Margaret who had married John James Doran. Margaret Doran died in 2007 aged 91.

R. Oakley

Lieutenant Reginald Oakley served with the Yorkshire Regiment 15^th and 8^th Battalion. He died on 25^th August 1916 aged 21 in Armentieres and is buried at Berks Cemetery, Belgium. He was the son of Caleb and Ellen Oakley, of 39 Grosvenor Terrace, York and born in Altofts, Normanton, Yorkshire.

In 1901 Reginald Oakley was living at 84 Castleford Road, Normanton. He was with both parents, grandmother, Ann Elizabeth Cliff, and brother Cyril. Their father, Caleb, was a postal worker.

By 1911 the family were living at 75 Cromer Street with mother Ellen along with brothers Cyril, Raymond and Gordon, sister Marjorie, and grandmother, now an 88 year old widow who was blind. Reginald was a 16 year old school boy, the oldest of the children. Reginald’s father, Caleb, was not present. He was at the Beach Hotel, Sandsend as a visitor when the census was taken.

Reginald’s father was celebrated in 1927 by the Post Office as reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post on 19 August of that year. He was awarded the Imperial Service medal for many years work at Normanton and York. It was awarded for ‘faithful and unblemished service’.

W. Pearson

Gunner William Pearson served with the Royal Garrison Artillery 252^nd Siege Battery. He died on 25^th April 1918, aged 43, and is buried at Whitehouse Cemetery, St Jean les Ypres, Belgium. He was the husband of Annie Adelaide Pearson, of 39 Horner Street, Burton Stone Lane, York.

In the 1901 census William was living at 65 Baker Street in the Bootham area with wife Annie and son, John W aged 1 month. William was working as a bricklayer. John does not appear on any further census and there is a record of the death of John Walter Pearson aged one in 1902.

By 1911 William was living at 39 Horner Street with sons William and Robert but without Annie, his wife and daughter Lily who was born in 1908. Annie was an inpatient at York County Hospital, Monkgate.

William’s war record is available to read online. It shows that he was injured in action but continued to fight in July 1917. From 3^rd to 17^th January 1918 William was given leave to return home. He returned to war and died 3 months later.

Following his death William’s widow, Annie, received a note from the War Office of his belongings which were sent to her.

They included ‘Letter unopened, photos, cards, watch and silver chain, pipe, wounds stripe’.

Annie received a letter showing the Widows’ Pension she would receive from 11^th November 1918. She was entitled to 29 shillings and 7d a week for herself and 3 children with effect from 11^th November 1918.

In 1921 Annie was still living at 39 Horner Street with her children William, Robert and Lily.

In 1939 Annie was still living at 39 Horner Street. Lily was 31 and remained with her mother. She worked at Rowntree’s as a labelling machine operator. Annie never married again and died in York aged 93 in January 2002. The house at 39 Horner Street was sold in May 2002 so it is possible that she was still living there.

A letter was sent to Annie from the War Office asking for the details of William’s close living relatives so that the plaque and scroll would be sent to the right person. The Vicar at Clifton Parish Church, CT Alexander, countersigned the form in which Annie had made a list of William’s next of kin, dated 16^th June 1919.

RV Pickering

Private Robert Victor Pickering served with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers ‘B’ Company. 6th Battalion. He died on 6^th January 1917 aged 29 and is buried at Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras. He was the husband of Mary Pickering, of 45 Markham Street, Haxby Road, York.

In 1891 Robert was living in Pocklington with his parents Robert and Caroline together with younger brother, Lancelot.

By 1901 Robert was living in High Ousegate in York working as a domestic page boy aged 14 in The National restaurant owned by George Thompson.

The whole family had moved to Clifton by 1911, living at 27 Horner Street, Burton Stone Lane. Robert was working as a grocer’s assistant.

Robert married Mary Deighton on 24th November 1915 at Clifton Parish Church. He was listed as the manager of a grocery business. Their daughter, Clarice, was born at the end of 1916. In 1913 brother, Lancelot, had moved to Dewsbury and married there.

In 1921 Mary and Clarice had moved back to her family home at 45 Markham Street, living with her parents and sister.

Mary died in 1980, leaving £35,000 in her will. She was still living in the family home on Markham Street where she lived before her wedding.

G.H. Ruff

Private George Ruff served with the West Yorkshire Regiment 12^th Battalion. He died on 23^rd July 1916 aged 20 and is commemorated at Thiepval, France. He was the son of George and Clara Ruff of 2 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle.

In 1901 George was 6 years old and living at 15 Fountayne Street, York, with his widowed father, also George, who was 32. They were boarders at the house. George senior was a postal worker. George’s mother was Clara Broadwith Thorpe. His parents married in the spring of 1894 in York and Clara died three years later aged 26.

By 1911 George was remarried to Edith Reynolds. They were living at 4 Richardson Street, Clementhorpe, York with George junior now aged 15, an apprentice joiner and builder, and new son Lawrence who was five years old.

In the 1921 census George and Edith had moved to Barnard Castle where the whole family were living at the post office where George where was working as Postmaster. Also in the post office was his sister-in-law, Lena Reynolds, who was also living with them and son Lawrence who was still at school.

As reported in the Sunderland Echo on 5^th August 1925, George senior had died suddenly following a seizure.

Lawrence married Hilda Woodhams in 1939. He was working as a bank cashier in Barnard Castle. He died in 1990 in Darlington.

W.N. Scawin

Lieutenant William Neville Scawin served with the Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment 5th Battalion. He died on 15^th April 1918 aged 36 and is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. He was the son of William and Florence Harker Scawin, of Ravenslea, 137 Shipton Road, Clifton, York, born in January 1882. Known officially as W. Neville Scawin, he grew up with two brothers, Harold and Maurice.

No record has been found of W. Neville Scawin in the 1891 or 1901 census. It is possible that he was away at school and university. Neville attended the same children’s parties as Alwyne Dale and his family at Assembly Rooms in York.

In 1911 W. Neville Scawin was living with his parents at Ravenslea, Clifton. He was listed in the census as a ‘painter artist’ aged 28. His father, William, was working at 26 Blake Street as a stockbroker.

Lieutenant Scawin is commemorated on the St Peter’s School war memorial. His military promotion to Second-Lieutenant was reported in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph on 27 July 1915. The following year his mother died in September. She is buried at York Cemetery and he is commemorated on her gravestone after being reburied there.

On his death Neville left £11,100 to his brothers Harold, a surgeon, and Maurice, a stockbroker. Following his death a letter was received by his family from a German soldier who described finding Neville’s body. He drew a map of the site, showing where Neville had been buried.

E.C. Smales

Private Ernest Corniff Smales served with the Kings Own Light Infantry 2^nd Battalion. He died on 7^th May 1918 aged 37, and is buried at the Harlebeke New British Cemetry, Belgium. He was born in Hull in 1881, the son of Louisa Singleton and Leonard Smales.

In the 1881 census, Ernest was 42 days old. He was living at 19 Argyle Street in Hull, close to the current Hull Royal Infirmary.

He is shown as the son of the head of household, Leonard Smales, and eventually took the surname of ‘Smales’.

In 1891, the family were living at 20 King Street, Hull not far from Hull Minster.

Also in the house were Leonard Smales, a 61 year old widower, and Margaret Corniff a single woman of 49. These names may explain why his name was Ernest Corniff Smales on the war memorial. It’s interesting that in 1881 Louisa was Leonard’s housekeeper and ten years later he was her lodger. Leonard died in September 1895, 4 years after the census, still living at 20 King Street.

In 1901 Ernest and his mother were still at 20 King Street. Margaret Corniff was also still a boarder. Ernest was now a railway clerk.

By 1911 Ernest was now Ernest Smales. He was the head of household living at 40 Rustenburg Street off Holderness Road in Hull. Louise was now his boarder and listed as widowed.

Ernest was still a railway clerk.

Ernest Smales married Bertha Johnson in the spring of 1916 and left his wife, Bertha Winifred Singleton Smales, £97 in his will.

A. Smallwood

Lance Corporal Alfred Smalllwood served with the West Yorkshire Regiment 2^nd Battalion. He died on 1^st July 1916 aged 18 in the Battle of the Somme, the youngest soldier on the war memorial, and is commemorated at Thiepval, France. He was born in 1895 in Clifton.

In 1901 Alfred was 6 years old living with his parents at 6 Roslyn Street in Clifton. His father, George, a house painter and mother, Frances. He was the youngest of 9 children who ranged in age from 6 to 25; Lydia, William, Laura, Ernest, Henrietta, Charles, Rose, Violet and Alfred, who was a pupil at Shipton Street School.

In 1911 the family still lived in the same house. Henrietta, Ernest and Lydia were grown up but still at home along with Rose, Violet and Alfred. Most of his older brothers and sisters worked at Rowntree’s on the production line, but Alfred was a solicitor’s clerk.

Alfred’s oldest brother William, born in 1879, was also involved in World War 1. As explained by Eunice from Helperby in a York Press letter on 5^th July 2016:

‘My grandfather was William Walter Smallwood who was a railway worker and enlisted into the army. However, he was sent to Egypt and spent the war building a railway and didn’t return until 1920. Unfortunately, he died in 1942.’

P.A. Suffield

Gunner Percy Alexander Suffield served with the Royal Garrison Artillery 100th Siege Battery. He died on 23^rd February 1918 aged 27 and is buried at Cite Bonjean Armentieres, France. He was the youngest of 10 children: Ellen, John, Lily, Albert, George, Charles, Rose, Fred and Violet.

Percy married Ethel Horner in 1912 at St Michael’s church, Coxwold. At the time he was working as a farmer with his parents on Byland Abbey Farm.

Percy’s next of kin was his widow, Ethel, who lived at 45 Cromer Street, Burton Stone Lane. His parents, Margaret and George, lived in The Abbey House, Byland Abbey, Coxwold.

In 1921 Ethel signed a form sent acknowledging receipt of Percy’s medals. She received a pension of 13 shillings and 9d a week from 16^th September 1918.

Ethel was particularly keen to retrieve Percy’s personal effects: small wrist watch, pocket book, pay book, leather wallet, pocket testament, blue leather cigarette case, photographs. She wrote to the War Office :

Ethel believed that Percy’s Captain, John, had taken Percy’s personal effects for safe keeping. However, it appears that they were not found.

In 1921, Ethel was still living at 45 Horner Street but now had her mother, Jane, staying with her.

In 1939 they were still together living at 181 Carr Lane, off Boroughbridge Road. They had named their house ‘Byland Croft’ after their original home. Jane was described as ‘incapacitated’ at the age of 75 and being cared for by Ethel. Jane died early in 1951 and Ethel in July of that same year, she never remarried. She left over £6000.

V.O. Sunley

Private Victor Oswald Sunley served with the Durham Light Infantry. He died on 29^th August 1916 in the Somme aged 29 and is commemorated at Thiepval, France.

In 1891 Victor lived with his parents John and Mary as well as brothers and sisters Emily, Mary, Florence, John, Joseph, Walter, Mabel and Kathleen, who was younger than him. They lived on East Parade in Heworth.

By 1901 the family had moved to 36 North Parade in Clifton. John was working as a domestic gardener. All the children were still at home, Victor was 13 years old.

In 1911 only the youngest two children were still at home, Victor and Kathleen. As a 23 year old he was working as a clerk in an engineering company.

Victor married Florence Emma Thorpe on 4^th June 1914 at St Barnabus Church in York. Their daughter Dorothy Maud was born in 1914. In 1921 Dorothy and her mother Florence were living with her grandparents at 44 Balfour St, Leeman Rd, York.

Dorothy became a teacher and was living at 87 Poppleton Road aged 25, with her widowed mother, at the time of the 1939 register. Dorothy married Eric Anderson in 1940 in York. Their son was born in 1941.

Florence let £3,777 in her will on her death in 1976.

R.W. Taylor

Private Robert William Taylor served with the 1^st Scots Guards. He died on 15^th September 1917, near Ypres, aged 19. He is buried at Artillery Wood Cemetery, Belgium. He was the son of William Birkin and Mary Jane Taylor, of 20 Trafalgar Street, York.

In 1901 the Taylor family were living in Salford, where Robert had been born at the end of 1897. William, Robert’s father, was a compositor. Robert was the youngest of 4 children who included Isabella, Tom and Elizabeth. The family had moved to York by 1904 where Robert was baptised at St Luke’s Church, Burton Stone Lane on 17^th March. The ceremony is marked as ‘Privately’, maybe because he was five years old at the time. He was a pupil at Shipton Street School.

In 1911 Robert, aged 13, was living at 9 Garth Terrace, Burton Stone Lane. His father William, aged 66, was a proof reader, and later a journalist. Also at home were his mother, Mary, who was 58; older brother Tom, who became a linotype operator at the Malton Messenger; and sister Elizabeth.

By this time Isabella had married Harry Steel in 1910, and they were living with his family in at 31 Abbey Street, Clifton. Harry was also a compositor and possibly worked with her father, William. Isabella died in 1976 aged 87.

Robert’s brother, Tom, also served in the First World War as a Private in the Royal Army Service Corps.

By 1921 parents William and Mary Jane were living in Leeds with their daughter Elizabeth and her husband Walter Redman, who was a grocer.

Robert’s mother was awarded his war pension of 6 shillings a week.

R.G. Walker

Private Reginald Guy Walker served with the 44^th Canadians. He died on 3^rd June 1917, aged 28, in Passchendaele, West Flanders, Belgium, and is commemorated at the Vimy Memorial, France. He was the son of John Richard and Mary Louisa Walker, born 25^th June 1888 in York. He was baptized at York St Denys with St George.

In the 1891 census, Reginald was living with his parents at Sutherland Villa, 19 Heworth Green. His father was working in engineering.

By 1901 Reginald was 13 years old, living with his parents John (an engineer) and mother Mary Louisa at 19 Heworth Green, 2 doors down from the Shoulder of Mutton pub. He shared the home with his brothers William, Walter and Herbert.

Reginald’s mother, Mary Louisa, died in 1905. By 1911 John had remarried and was living with his new wife, Sarah; son Herbert aged 10; and daughter Sarah, who was nine. There is no record available of where Reginald was living.

However, on 10^th May 1913 he arrived in Ellis Island, New York, having sailed on the Baltic out of Liverpool. He was single, aged 24. There is no record of his marriage in the UK so he must have got married in the USA or Canada. His home address was listed as St Aubyns, Clifton, York. On his death Reginald left £147 to his wife Sarah Margaret Jemima Constantine Walker.

J.A. Welbey

Private John Alfred Welbey served with the West Yorkshire Regiment 5^th Battalion. He died on 21^st November 1917 aged 21 and is buried at Rocquigny Equancourt Road, Manancourt, France. He was the son of Charles and Jane Welbey, of 18 Abbey Street, Clifton.

John was born in 1894 and baptized at St Philip and St James’ Church, Clifton, on 8^th July.

In the 1891 census John’s father, Charles, born in Bicester, Oxfordshire, was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery.

In 1901 John, aged 6, was living at 18 Abbey Street with all of his siblings Agnes, Beatrice, Fred (Charles Frederick), Gertrude, Harold, Wilfred, Margery and Lillian.

In the 1911 census John was living with his parents, Charles and Jane, at 18 Abbey Street, Clifton. He was one of 9 children. John and his father were domestic gardeners.

John’s brother, Wilfred, joined the army in 1911, signing up for 4 years in the Yorkshire Hussars. He had previously been a groom. He was discharged in 1915 having completed his service. He married Florence Louisa Scott. Their son, Wilfred, who was born in 1922, died in the Second World War. He was a Flight Engineer in an Avro Lancaster. Another son, John Alfred, also died in 1945 serving in the Highland Light Infantry three weeks before the war ended.

John’s older brother, Fred, also served in the First World War with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers.

S. White

Private Samuel White served with the 1^st King Edwards Horse. He died on 9^th April 1918, aged 26, and is buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, France. He was the son of Arthur and Alice H. White of 1 Ellison Terrace, Clifton Green, York. Samuel was born in 1890 in Foulby, Wakefield where his father died in 1909.

In 1891 the family were living in Hemsworth in West Yorkshire with children Phyllis, Walter, Emily, Ada and Samuel who was nine months old.

In 1901 the family continued to live in Hemsworth where Arthur was a mining engineer.

In 1911 Samuel was living at 11 Abbey Street, aged 20, with his widowed mother and older sisters, Phyllis and Emily, who were both teachers. In 1912 ,Samuel joined the Police in Middlesborough. His police record includes details of injuries sustained while on duty:

5 August 1913 - Twisted knee

18 September 1913 – Kicked head, struck in face and kicked stomach (assault)

He was following in the footsteps of his brother, Walter White, who was briefly a police officer until 1904.

Samuel’s police employment record includes details of his appearance and previous job.

W.H. Wright

Private Wilfred Harold Wright served with the 18^th Hussars (Queen Mary’s Own). He died on 22^nd March 1918 aged 28 and is commemorated at the Pozieres Memorial, France. He was the son of the late Isaiah Horsley and Mrs Matilda Wright of 107 High Petergate, York.

Wilfred was one of 8 children, of whom 6 grew to adulthood. His 4 surviving older sisters were Minnie, Ethel, Winifred and Mildred. The family were all born in York, except Ethel, who was born in Halifax.

In 1881 the family were living in Corn Market, Halifax, where Isaiah was a hatter. Isaiah was still working as a hatter in 1885 on Redeness Street, Layerthorpe.

In the 1891 census Wilfred was 1 year old. His older sister Minnie was still with the family at the age of 15, working as a domestic nurse. They lived at 23 St Anne’s Street, Walmgate. Isaiah was a miller’s labourer.

The following year in the 1901 census, both parents plus children Ethel, Winifred, Mildred and Wilfred were living at 31 Fountayne Street, York. Ethel packed chocolate, probably for Rowntree’s.

In the 1911 census the family were living at 28 Garth Terrace, Burton Stone Lane. Isaiah was 61 years old and retired (living on his own means). Matilda was 64. Winifred was now also a chocolate packer at Rowntree’s.

Later in 1911 Winifred married Garbutt Bertie Agar who was a mechanical engineer on industrial research, also at Rowntree’s. They later had a daughter, Margaret, and lived at 6 Rowan Avenue, New Earswick.

Isaiah died in June 1911 and Matilda just before the 1921 census at the age of 74. Wilfred left his estate of £105 to his widowed mother, Matilda. She was living at 52 Cromer Street.

Wilfred’s sisters continued to live in York. Minnie and Thomas William Lee married on 14 February, 1900 and by the 1921 census had 7 children.

Ethel died in 1959 aged 78. She had never married.

Mildred Wright died in 1968 also never having married. She left £1300 in her will.

There is a blue plaque on a house in Clifton which pays tribute to a remarkable woman: Edna Annie Crichton, Lord Mayor of York, who lived in Clifton for 69 years.

Edna was the first female Lord Mayor of York and only the second woman to be given the honorary Freedom of York. She served on the York City Council for 23 years and then 13 more years as the first female Alderman in York. She never forgot her duty, even in the face of significant personal tragedy and adversity. Many people in Clifton remember her because of Crichton Avenue, but more on that later.

The early years

Edna Annie Crichton was born Edna Annie Sturge on 8^th May 1876 in Barton St. Mary in Gloucestershire. She came from a Quaker family with a history of political involvement particularly in pacifism and in the abolition of slavery. Her father is described a ‘corn merchant’s clerk’ in the 1881 census.1 Her mother came from Montserrat where the Sturge family had had an estate (without involvement in the slave trade). Edna was the youngest of four children with one older brother, Charles and two sisters: Mary (known as May), and Vida.

Edna was an artistic and ‘sporty’ child but probably not very academic.2 She attended Sidcot School, a Quaker School, in Somerset, but notably, failed later to get into The Mount School in York where her sister May went and where her cousin, Francis, was a teacher and later a long serving headteacher, and another cousin, Millicent was later head of the juniors. Nevertheless, this meant that she already had a connection with York through May.

After leaving school, Edna worked in London at the Passmore Edwards Settlement (now the Mary Ward Settlement), a social welfare organisation that provided education, health and free legal aid services to deprived communities. Edna met her husband David Sprunt Crichton when he was sub-warden at Mansfield Settlement nearby. David Sprunt was from Dundee but grew up in Barrow-in-Furness. He had been educated in Edinburgh and in Mansfield College, Oxford. In addition to being passionate about education and welfare, he was a very keen cricketer and all round sportsman.

Married life

Edna and David married in the Quaker Meeting House at Charlbury, Gloucestershire on 22^nd August 1901. David was not a Quaker but he appears to have become fully immersed in the Quaker community. David was already working as First Welfare officer at the Rowntree Cocoa Works, so the couple moved immediately to York where they lived at 37 St Mary’s. David was involved in the welfare reforms of Joseph and Seebohm Rowntree within the cocoa factory. He encouraged sporting activities such as the Rowntree’s football team and athletics; supported the choral societies, and amateur dramatics; and was a founding member of Rowntree’s in-house journal, the CWM (Cocoa Works Magazine). The Crichtons mixed regularly with the Rowntree family, who also lived in Clifton. David was an active member of the City Council Education Committee and spoke all over the country on education reform.

Edna was also active in social welfare. She served 6 years on the health insurance distribution committee from 1911 and then on the York Board for Poor Law Guardians until 1922. She was member of the Quaker Clifford Street Meeting House (now Friargate). Records show that she was a member of small number of committees but her voice is ‘largely absent from minute books’.3 Throughout her life she was staunchly proud of being a Quaker, her children were brought up as Quakers and it appears that David also embraced the Quaker faith.

In the meantime the couple had two children. Vida Mary Sturge Crichton was born on 15 August 1902. David Sturge Crichton followed on 30 October 1906. Both children were registered at their birth with the junior school of the Mount School. Vida then went to Sidcot School in Somerset, following in her mother’s footsteps, and David to Leighton Park in Reading, also a Quaker school. Both children went to Oxford University.

Vida worked in York for the Joseph Rowntree Social Service Trust and was active in supporting Seebohm Rowntree in collecting data for his second great survey on poverty. She went on to work for the Westminster Group of newspapers, whose chairman was John Bowes Morrell. JB Morrell had married Edna’s childhood friend Bertha Spence so the two families were very close.

David attended Edinburgh University after Oxford. He was sporty and athletic like his parents and went to Carnegie College of Physical Education in Leeds before becoming a PE teacher at Oakham School in Leicestershire (also a Quaker School). He played hockey for the Scottish national team. In 1939, just before war broke out, he obtained a post in Manchester University as organiser of PE.

The 1911 census sees Edna and David at home with the children and two people described as ‘servants’, so it seems they were comfortably well off.4

Political life begins

In 1919, Edna stood for election to the City Council for the first time. She had become a leading figure in the new Women Citizens’ Association ‘designed to help educate women into a new role in public life’,5 with her friend Almyra Gray (wife of the Lord Mayor Edward Gray of Gray’s Court) educating women for full participation in public office. Edna stood for election on a platform of housing, education and health – the three interests she stuck with for the rest of her political life.

Only one other woman was elected that year and she did not remain for long in the council. Only 5 women, including Edna, were elected to the City Council between 1919 and 1938. Not only was it unusual that she had won as an independent candidate, but she was also the first woman in the country, put forward as a candidate by a women’s organisation and then successfully elected.6 She stood staunchly for women’s views and women’s voices, believing that women knew more about matters such as housing, education, maternity, and child welfare than did men.

Edna represented the Bootham Ward. At the time there were only 6 wards in York and Bootham covered Clifton, Bootham, and the Groves.

Tragedy strikes

On 21^st January 1921, David Sprunt Crichton, Edna’s husband, died suddenly. They had been married for just 19 years. He was 51 years old. Although, according to his sister in law May, he had died of postwar influenza as the result of ‘wartime strains’, It seems that he had been suffering from ‘indifferent health’ for only a fortnight and ‘he had visited at the house of a friend on Sunday evening, but after his return home he was taken ill and he died within about half an hour’.7 The shock for Edna and the two children must have been considerable. Although not born and brought up a Quaker, David was buried at the Quaker burial ground at the Retreat. Seebohm Rowntree spoke at his funeral and messages of sympathy came from the great and the good: the Archbishop of York, the Duke of York (later George VI), the Vice Chancellor of Leeds University, the Lord Mayor of York and York Head Teachers Association.

And here we come to Crichton Avenue. Because the avenue built later in the 1920s was not named for Edna; it was named for David. The Housing Committee minutes oi 16^th December 1929 state that the street was to be named after him because ‘his name is so highly honoured in that district‘.8

1920s and 30s

In spite of her loss and while bringing up two children, Edna continued as a councillor. She established a separate Housing Committee while maintaining her place on the Health and – for a short while - the Education Committee.

In 1922 Edna was re-elected to the Bootham ward. By 1925 the wards had split and there were 12 wards in York. Edna was elected unopposed to the smaller Clifton ward. It seems that all parties agreed that housing ‘was a sphere which was essentially that of a woman, […] in which it would be folly to throw aside the experience Mrs Crichton (had) gained, […] which (demanded) that there should be continuity’.9 There was, therefore, cross-party agreement that no one would stand against her.

Edna’s association with the Rowntree family and factory continued after David’s death. She gave a reading at Joseph Rowntree’s memorial service in the Cocoa Works.

‘One of the readings delivered by Mrs. Crichton was John Wilhelm Rowntree’s “Love and Death” […] John Wilhelm was Joseph’s oldest son who had passed away in 1905, aged only 37.’10

She was invited to formally open the Joseph Rowntree Memorial Library in 1928.

But Edna also had to make a living and after David’s death. The 1921 census puts her at St Mary’s with just one other person, described as a ‘servant’.11 Subsequent electoral registers, however, see two and then three other people living there with her, almost certainly as lodgers since she wouldn’t have had the means to take on that many servants. One of these lodgers was Marian Prout, who was a close friend, possibly from school days, since Marian grew up in Somerset and Gloucestershire..

Electoral registers from the late 1920s and early 1930s refer to Edna still living at 37 St Mary’s, although she had now also acquired number 36. From 1926 she is listed at numbers 36 and 37 St. Mary’s but the list specifies that her ‘abode’ was at ‘2, St. Peter’s’ and she is separately listed at 2 St. Peter’s Terrace with her son David and at least two other couples.12 This ‘abode’ at ‘2, St Peter’s’ continues to be listed until the 1933 register when she is listed at 30, Clifton.13 On closer examination of the registers it appears that 2 St Peter’s Terrace is the same as 30 Clifton, since Edna had the same neighbours at both throughout. St Peter’s Terrace was probably the name of that row of houses.

Marian Prout remained at 36-37 St Mary’s and it seems likely that she may have managed the boarding house on Edna’s behalf although Edna herself was quite an ‘astute business woman’.14

Edna lived at 30 Clifton, not only with 3 lodgers (possibly one was a domestic help) but her son David Sturge Crichton is also listed as living there on the Electoral Register.15 This appears to be the years during which he was at Leeds Carnegie so maybe living at home. The house may have been divided into different floors or flats. There is a reference to visiting ‘Edna’s flat’ in the diary of a friend.16

In 1934 and in 1937 Edna was again elected for the Clifton Ward with a massive majority. In the 1937 election she beat her only opponent 2 to 1 and was supported by both the Liberals and the Conservatives in spite of insisting on maintaining her independence. Her focus was specifically on housing. There was a huge slum clearance programme ongoing. Four thousand houses had already been built during Edna’s time, many of them in Clifton, and another 1000 planned imminently. It is said that Edna visited every family in a house that was to be demolished as part of the slum clearance.17

It was surprising to find in shipping manifests that, in a break from the norm, in 1935, Edna and Marian Prout, took a holiday to New York. Records show them leaving on the Cunard White Star Line Aquitania from Southampton to New York on 9th October,18 and returning over a month later on 18th November on the Cunard White Star Line Laconia from New York to Liverpool.19 Neither woman is listed as having an occupation so it appears that this trip may have been for pleasure. Marian had become a good friend of Edna’s as evidenced when she died in 1954 and left everything to Edna and Edna’s daughter Vida.

A year later in 1936 Edna was appointed as a Justice of the Peace, or a magistrate. On 23^rd November 1936, the Leeds Mercury reported on the new appointment of magistrates and described her as:

‘the first and […] only woman member of the City Council’ and a ‘prominent social worker’.20

The war years and Lord Mayor of York

The 1939 register (compiled to replace the missing 1931 census and the uncompiled 1941 census), indicates that Edna lived with 4 other people. Two of them were clerks at the cocoa works and one a bank clerk. Names have been written in, crossed out and replaced with other names which suggests fairly fluid situation with changing tenants. The fourth person, a woman, was listed as a ‘caretaker/domestic duties’ but as she appears to be well into her 70s by this time it was perhaps Edna who looked after her, rather than the other way round.21

Edna chaired a number of committees created to deal with war issues including the:

• On Sites and Emergency Sub-committee – dealing with contamination by poisonous gas at Fishergate and Poppleton Schools

• Billeting Committee

• Apparatus Committee - dealing with emergency kitchens

• Feeding committee – price of food, rationing etc.

On the 8^th September 1941 Edna became the first female Lord Mayor of York in 700 years. The exceptional circumstances of the war meant that Edna was accepted without the usual committee meeting.

The news was widely reported in the press, with the Yorkshire Post stating that Edna was ‘presented by the women of York with the scarlet gown, richly trimmed with fur, which becomes her civic dress for the year’ and expressing particular concern about the cost of the materials at a time of rationing.22 No doubt Edna and the ‘women of York’ ensured that the gown was made using as few clothing coupons as possible.

This was a testing time for Edna as a Quaker with a firm belief in pacifism, but she was able to focus on the objective of the war being to ‘win the peace – a just peace’.23 However, she was to pay a personal price as, along with the telegrams of congratulations, there was a telegram telling her that her son David had died on 29^th August in hospital in a prison camp in Friesburg near Munich. David had been captured at Dunkirk in 1940 and had become ill in captivity. He left behind not only his mother and sister but also a fiancée, Sheila Hamilton Mackay, in Scotland who he had met at Edinburgh University. The last letter that he wrote was his proposal to her and it was Edna who informed Sheila of David’s death.24 As the mother of a prisoner of war, Edna was already Chair of the Prisoner of War Relatives Club. This news was an unexpected blow.

Edna dealt with her grief by continuing her work. She was still chairing the Housing Committee and attending a variety of other committee meetings. This was in addition to carrying out her Mayoral duties.

In the early morning of 29^th April 1942, Edna faced one of her biggest professional challenges when York was hit by an air raid as part of the Baedeker Blitz which targeted cultural rather than military sites. The destruction across the city was significant with major damage in Edna’s own Clifton and Bootham areas, along with Leeman Road and Poppleton Road. The Burton Stone housing estate was particularly badly hit. Edna was living in the Mansion House which was damaged and the Guildhall just behind it was destroyed. Edna’s own house in Clifton also suffered damage. Edna’s own house in Clifton also suffered damage. Up to a third of homes across the city were destroyed or damaged. Over 94 people died and nearly 300 were injured.25

Edna took immediate charge, having the control room set up in the Mansion House. Edna is listed as an Air Raid Protection (ARP) Officer in the 1939 register so she will have been trained to deal with crises like these, although this will have been beyond anyone’s expectations.

The York Evening Press reported that she was:

‘an inspiration to its citizens […] working untiringly for about 18 hours, superintending ARP arrangements, visiting hospitals, and first aid points and generally alleviating distress among the victims.’26

Edna personally visited victims of the raids in Clifton and in other parts of York. She established the Lord Mayor’s Air Raid Distress Fund which raised more than £10,000 from which grants were dispensed immediately. Those families in houses which had been destroyed or damaged had their rent suspended or reduced. The council rehoused 981 applicants for new houses within 4 months. Clifton Councillor H.E Harrowell told the Council:

‘There is, to my mind, one individual who ought not to wait for an acknowledgement of the magnificent example and service which was set to the city, and that is the Lord Mayor.’27

Edna was incensed when the BBC broadcast that the Minster had been spared during the raids. She sent a telegram saying that she believed that this would make the Minster a prime target for later raids. (It didn’t) Nevertheless, this did not stop her broadcasting to Canada with a view of the Minster behind her to show that it had been spared, although not until September that year when, perhaps, she thought it was safe.

In 1942 Edna was elected as the first female alderman in York having missed out by one vote 5 years earlier. In October that year she conferred the Freedom of the City on William Temple, the Archbishop of Canterbury (previously of York.) Edna’s speech was typically full of praise for Dr Temple as a man who recognised the rights of women and the unity of the Christian churches.28 She spoke as a woman and a Quaker.

The aftermath of war

Edan remained a councillor for 10 more years after the end of the war in 1945. The postwar period became more difficult for Edna as an independent, as the growth of party political politics took over. However, she made no secret of not being happy to lose her role (temporarily) as Chair of the Housing Committee to a Labour councillor. ‘I do not like being turned out of the chair […] Why would I?’29 With changing politics she was soon back in the role and voicing her strong views about the ‘flimsy’ prefab houses that had been provided by central government at the extortionate cost of £100 each. Edna wanted the government to provide funding and permission to build permanent housing instead.

Having served longer than any other councillor, she became ‘Mother of the Council’ in 1950 (the name – ‘Mother’ or ‘Father’ officially given to the longest serving council member) and deputy to JB Morrell when the Deputy Lord Mayor William Dobbie died.

Some of Edna’s ideas and proposals were less welcome than they had been in the pre-war years. In 1953 she suggested that council building programmes were not the answer to slum clearances. She proposed subsidising people to buy their own homes which could be privately built. In 1954 she nearly caused a riot with her proposal that council rents be increased but that rebates be provided on a means tested basis. Neither the suggestion of the increase nor the means testing were received well and Edna had to be escorted from the Guildhall through crowds gathered in St Sampson’s Square for her own safety. In 1955 she lost her role as Chair of the Housing Committee once more.

The later years

In 1955 Edna was not re-elected to the council. She was 79 and may have been relieved. On 16th September she was awarded the Honorary Freedom of York. She was only the second woman to be awarded this honour. (The first woman had been Mary, The Princess Royal, so Edna was the first female commoner.) Tributes were paid to her for her ‘calm and dignified’ approach during the war and for her achievements as Housing Chair.30 The ceremony was attended by a child from each school, and the Princess Royal sent her good wishes (they had met). Edna responded in her speech by thanking the Council for the gift of a scroll in a silver container. She also received a ‘silver box’ of ‘her favourite cigarettes’.31 In her speech she described how honoured she was to receive the Freedom as ‘an old woman’ and ‘one who is not somebody’. In the typed draft of her speech she speaks of her long years on the council sitting through many ‘wearisome’ committees. But she has replaced ‘wearisome’ with ‘lengthy’ (in handwriting) for the actual speech, as possibly less insulting to the other committee members. She laments the growth of party politics and the loss of independents. And she states that the element of council work which has interested her most is the ‘human side’.32

In her retirement in Clifton, Edna apparently enjoyed playing chess and ‘bridge, reading romances, smoking du Maurier cigarettes’ and visiting her friends the Morrells.33 She went to the cinema. (Clifton cinema, now Clifton bingo hall, was just up the road from her house.)

In May 1969 her daughter Vida, who had been living with Edna, died at the age of 67. Vida was buried in the Quaker burial ground at the Retreat.

On 3rd March 1970 Edna herself died while recovering from a broken hip in the Grove House Nursing Home. Her ashes were scattered on her husband’s grave in the Quaker burial ground. There was a well-attended memorial service at St. Olave’s Church. The address was given by her friend John Dronfield, the headteacher at St Peter’s School. In the eulogy she was praised for her: ‘lion hearted reaction to the raid in 1942’. He referred to the personal tragedies in her life and that going through these had enhanced her ‘understanding of the difficulties and misfortunes of her fellow citizens.’34

Her memory lives on

There was no second female Lord Mayor after Edna until 1961, twenty years later. Since 1942, there have been 16 female Lord Mayors out of 81 Lord Mayors in total. In later years however, this has evened out to 11 of 21 Lord Mayors between 2000 and 2021. (In 2017-18 the city’s civic party was composed entirely of women.)

While Edna Annie Crichton has no grave, she is remembered in other ways.

On 22 June 2017 the York Civic Trust placed the blue plaque on 30 Clifton remembering Edna as a City Councillor, as Lord Mayor and as Alderman and Honorary Freeman of the City. The plaque was unveiled by the then Lord Mayor, Barbara Boyce, who was accompanied by 3 former Lord Mayors: Janet Hopton, Ann Reid and Janet Looker (Janet Looker was Lord Mayor 3 times).35

Edna’s name and the years of her mayorship are written on a sword holder behind the pulpit in the Minster, under the names of two (one twice) 18^th century Lord Mayors.

Her legacy is, of course, continued by her grandsons and their families.

But, perhaps ironically, she is best remembered by the people of Clifton because of Crichton Avenue: named for her husband David Sprunt Crichton, but forever associated with Edna Annie Crichton, the ‘little woman with the heart of a lion’.36

The certificate now signed by Mr Matterson, albeit reluctantly, they set forth to the Poppleton house, arriving at around midnight. Jane was in bed, Francis was in the parlour and Jane’s cousin, Fanny Bulmer, was also present. Jane’s mother had been taken out of the property at 10pm that evening. Fanny asked Jane to get up: ‘Do get up cousin, if you do not get up we shall have to use force which is a very unpleasant thing’.1 Francis was in the parlour below asked if she had got up, when told that she had not, he said ‘Then I must go up and if she does not get up we must use force’.2 Again Jane was told to get up from the bed and to go with Mr Matterson, without telling her where she would be going. Jane refused and was naturally very alarmed and upset. Again she was requested to go with them and again Mr Matterson questioned his doubt into Jane’s supposed insanity. Francis said then that if Jane consented would Mr Matterson be satisfied, and stated to Jane that if she did not consent to come with them there was a man there that would make her come. The man was one of Dr Belcombe’s men from the asylum, who had a ‘straight waistcoat’ under his arm and, having shown this to Jane, she reluctantly agreed to go with them.3

I cannot end this history without returning to the Baedeker Raids of April 1942. The street you can walk down so peacefully today was once a scene of devastation. The Friends of York Cemetery group have meticulously recorded the victims of the Baedeker Raids of April 1942, and the list for Bootham Crescent is heartbreaking.

At Number 16, two people died: Thomas Cyril Adams and Mary Isabel MacMillan. At Number 18, where Mark would later be born, the records show no fatalities, but the 1939 Register told us the family was ‘"Away’". Perhaps their absence saved their lives, for looking at photographs of the damage, it appears that Number 18 was completely destroyed. If you walk down the street today, look at the bricks of number 18. There is a subtle change in the colour of the bricks where the house was rebuilt after the war. It is a scar, healed over but still visible if you know where to look

Other lives were lost that night in Bootham Crescent, including Halbert Ord, a 66-year-old firewarden who was hit directly and his body never recovered, Ernest Atkin, another fire warden, George Colman and Arthur Broadhead, both of the National Fire Service, Florence Little, John Ruskin, Ada Hooker, and Pauline Blenkin, just 11 years old.

October 1963 saw the opening of Clifton Bridge - 50 years after initial talks began - at a cost of £230,000 (£6.25 million today).1 Prior to that, bus routes 2 and 8 were the popular choices connecting Clifton/BSL to Acomb as well as a ferry, the slipway at Water End providing the only evidence of this today.

The bridge provided a whole new avenue of adventure for us Clifton/BSL kids as we were now able to access the sandy bank on the south side of the river which we regularly used at weekends and school holidays. Back then, summers always seemed to be warm and sunny - probably my selective memory kicking in. I was never a strong swimmer (still aren’t) so it was a proud moment when I first swam the width of the river and back