War Memorial
Our War Memorial was placed in St James’ Churchyard in August 1993 by the Royal British Legion, Grewelthorpe branch, thanks largely to the efforts of the then member Mr Fred Smith of Kirkby Malzeard. Two people from Grewelthorpe were killed in action during the two World Wars. Their details, war grave information and links to information about their service is detailed below.
LEATHLEY, WILLIAM GEORGE
Second Lieutenant
8th Bn., Somerset Light Infantry
died age 20 on 01 July 1916
Son of the late William Leathley, of Grewelthorpe, Ripon, Yorks.
The Thiepval Memorial is the Largest British (and Commonwealth) War memorial and contains the names of 73,357 men who have no known grave.
The battle of the Somme started on the 1st July 1916 the opening phase was known as the Battle of Albert and took place between 1st – 13th July 1916. The preliminary bombardment, which was started on 24th June 1916, failed to destroy the barbed wire and German concrete bunkers. So when our soldiers left their trenches at 7.30am that morning they were hampered by the wire and the fact that the Germans held higher ground, despite this they took parts of the German front line. William George Leathley was one of almost 58,000 casualties on that day, 19,240 of them killed in action. This was, and still is, the worst day in the entire history of the British Army.
The 8th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry was part of the 21st Division which was engaged close to the village of Fricourt. Fricourt was not taken until 2 July, Mametz fell on the first day.
You can read more about the battle around Fricourt here.
Fricourt Information 1
Fricourt Information 2
Fricourt Information Imperial War Museum
Battle of Albert
Men like William Leathley gave their lives so that the British Army could learn the most valuable and expensive lesson of military history. Ultimately this resulted in victory in the First World War and started the process which prepared our services for victory in the Second World War.
One of the main objectives of the Battle of the Somme was to draw the Germans away from Verdun in order to provide some relief. The battle achieved this objective and was far more important than the gains in territory would indicate.
LONSDALE, LEONARD
Private
5th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Age: 22
Date of Death: 18/10/1944
Son of Tom and Edith Lonsdale, of Grewelthorpe, Yorkshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: II, F, 3.
Cemetery: ASSISI WAR CEMETERY
ASSISI WAR CEMETERY PLAN
Italy Campaign October 1944
We would like to include more about Leonard Lonsdale, if you have further information please
Note: We have decided to file this under History, no disrespect is intended by this decision.