Roll of Honour - Yorkshire

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

STAITHES WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Michael Peck 2009

The Staithes War Memorial is to be found on land near the railway station and takes the form of a wheel cross made from pink granite, with Celtic carving, atop a tapering plinth which has a two-stepped base; the inscriptions are on the front face of the shaft, plinth and step. The memorial was originally unveiled 13 August 1921 by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire. There are 37 names for World War 1 and 29 for World War 2. Details appeared in the Whitby Gazette 19 August 1921 also in the article below.

Extract from Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Tuesday 16 August 1921, page 3:

STAITHES WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED.

The well-known fishing village of Staithes. near Whitby, has now its war memorial, a handsome cross, 13 feet high.

The memorial was unveiled by Sir Hugh Bell, Bart., who said no one should think the great struggle the nation engaged in had ceased with the signing of the Armistice. The struggle for those at home was only beginning. Some people promised a new earth and a new heaven, but it was no use looking outside oneself.

STAITHES WAR MEMORIAL
TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO MADE
THE SUPREME SACRIFICE FOR KING AND COUNTRY
DURING THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918

ARMSTRONG	Maud	Accidentally killed in explosion at Skinnigrove Iron Works, Yorkshire 1 June 1917. Aged 17. Daughter of George and Maud Armstrong, of Church Street, Staithes. Her death was blamed on the Staithes bonnet she had been wearing, and the next day, bonnets were banned for the women working in the Iron Works. In the 1911 census she was aged 11, born Leeds, Yorkshire, daughter of George and Maud Armstrong, resident Church Street, Staithes, Yorkshire. Extract from Leeds Mercury, 4 June 1917, page 2: GIRL LABOURER KILLED TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AT IRONWORKS AT SKINNINGROVE. The story of a distressing accident at Skinningrove Ironworks by which a young Staithes woman was decapitated, was told at inquest at Bretton, Saturday, Maud Armstrong, seventeen, a labourer engaged to assist the fitters. How it occurred was not explained, as nobody was a witness it, but it was stated that she went from one part of the works to another in order to get some article, and had to pass a spot where some shunting operations were in progress. An engine-driver named Wilkinson made the painful discovery. The body was lying across the rails with the head practically severed. A verdict of “Accidentally killed whilst following her employment” was returned. [Details supplied by Rosie Barnes - Curator, Staithes Museum]
COLE	Jacob	Jacob Grimes Cole. Third Hand, Mercantile Marine. Steam Trawler ‘Doris Burton’ (Hartlepool). Died 21st November 1914, aged 22 years. Husband of Mrs Crooks (formerly Cole) of 2 Woodyard Cottages, Walton, Wakefield, Yorks. Born Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial.
COLE	John	John Verrill Cole. Private 16614. 8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. Died of wounds 3rd January 1916, aged 38 years. Son of William and Mary Cole of ‘Cambridge House’, High Street, Staithes, Yorks. Born Staithes, enlisted Middlesbrough and resident Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. IV.B.34A.
COLE	Richard	Possibly R Cole (forename unspecified). Fireman, Mercantile Marine. SS ‘Keeper’ (Limerick). Died 10th June 1917, aged 23 years. Husband of Delia Cole of Mill Road, Ennis, Co Clare, Ireland. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial
COLE	Sanderson	Private 23945. 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Died home 27th December 1915, aged 22 years. Son of Mrs Sarah Cole of Church Street, Staithes, Yorks. Born Staithes, enlisted Middlesbrough and resident South Ormesby, Yorks. Commemorated Hinderwell Cemetery. B.I.9.
COOK	John	Private 3496. 5th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action15th September 1916. Born Wigan, LAN, enlisted Whitby and resident Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Thiepval Memorial. Pier and Face 3A and 3D.
DUNN	Harold	Harold Peacock Dunn. Private 11487. B Company, 8th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action 10th July 1916, aged 34 years. Son of (the late) Robert and Elizabeth Dunn of Harbour View, Cowbar, Staithes, Yorks. Born Whitby, enlisted Middlesbrough and resident Guisborough, Yorks. Commemorated Thiepval Memorial. Pier and Face 3A and 3D.
DUNN	Herbert	Herbert Thomas Dunn. Private 22836. Yorkshire Regiment, transferred to 206411 Labour Corps. Died home 28th November 1917. Born Staithes, enlisted Whitby and resident Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Hinderwell Cemetery. B.E.1.
FAWCETT	Joseph	Lance Corporal 21472. 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, formerly 9147 West Yorkshire Regiment. Died of wounds 26th June 1917, aged 29 years. Son of Mrs Elizabeth Fawcett of Barriss, Staithes, Yorks. Born Brotton and enlisted Leeds, Yorks. Commemorated Adinkerke Churchyard Extension. 1710.
GREEN	William	Sergeant 10935. 6th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action Gallipoli 22nd August 1915. Born Ellerby, enlisted Whitby and resident Skinningrove, Yorks. Commemorated Helles Memorial. Panel 55 to 58.
HANSON	Frank	Francis Hanson. Steward, Mercantile Marine. SS ‘Goathland’ (Whitby). Died 4th July 1917, aged 42 years. Son of (the late) John and Sarah Elizabeth Hanson. Husband of Emily Hanson (nee Simpson) of Darlington Terrace, Staithes, Yorks. Born Skelton, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial.
HARKER	Fred	Frederick Harker. Private 18967. 10th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action 26th September 1915, aged 29 years. Son of Alfred and Hannah Mary Harker. Husband of A W Green (formerly Harker) of 1 Micklow Cottage, Loftus, Yorks. Born Kiltonthorpe (as SDGW) or Staithes (as CWGC), enlisted Whitby and resident Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery. VIII.T.28.
HARRISON	William	Private 12751. 9th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action 5th November 1916. Born Staithes, enlisted Whitby and resident Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Panel 33.
HICK	Thomas	Sapper 96998. Royal Engineers, formerly 17890 Yorkshire Regiment and Class W, Army Reserve. Died home 16th July 1918, aged 30 years. Son of Zachariah and Mary Hick of Melville House, High Street, Staithes, Yorks. Born Staithes and enlisted Whitby, Yorks. Commemorated Hinderwell Cemetery. B.D.1.
HILL	Joseph	Master, Mercantile Marine. ‘Renfrew’ (believed should read Steam Trawler ‘Renfrew’). Died 24th February 1918, aged 39 years. Son of Peter William and Elizabeth Hill of Staithes, Yorks. Husband of Florence Hill of 32 Marlborough Avenue, Hornsea, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial.
IRONSIDES	Robert	Robert Ironside on records. Private 8548. 9th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Died of wounds 10th October 1916. Husband of M E Ironside of 11 Cowbar Cottages, Staithes, Yorks. Born Arbroath, Scotland, enlisted Whitby and resident Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension. III.F.18
JOHNSON	Albert	Mercantile Marine on memorial but unable to identify and no further information.
LAVERICK	Thomas	Possibly Thomas R Laverick. Steward, Mercantile Marine. SS ‘Hummersea’ (Middlesbrough). Died 31st December 1915. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial.
LAVERICK	William	Private 12749. 7th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action 8th February 1917. Born Staithes, enlisted Whitby and resident Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Thiepval Memorial. Pier and Face 3A and 3D.
MANSFIELD	John	Possibly John Richard Mansfield. Able Seaman 213674, Royal Navy. HMS ‘Aboukir’. Died 22nd September 1914. Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial. 2.
MARSHALL	Anthony	Private on memorial but unable to identify and no further information
METCALF	George	George Metcalfe. Sailor, Mercantile Marine. SS ‘Sanhurst’ (London). Died 6th May 1918, aged 42 years. Son of John and Margaret Metcalfe of High Street, Staithes, Yorks. Born Foulsyke (which unspecified). Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial
PARKINSON	David	Private 16566. 8th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died 26th September 1916, aged 24 years. Son of (the late) Mr and Mrs D Parkinson of 12 Cowbar Cottages, Staithes, Yorks. Born Dunsdale and enlisted Whitby, Yorks. Commemorated Courcelette British Cemetery. XII.B.8.
PORRITT	Henry	Henry Hobson Porritt. Private 34657. 10th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, formerly 4643 Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action17th September 1916. Born Staithes and enlisted Middlesbrough, Yorks. Commemorated Thiepval Memorial. Pier and Face 11C and 12A.
RIGG	Thomas	Thomas William Rigg. Corporal 10933. 6th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action Gallipoli 22nd August 1915, aged 25 years. Son of James and Mary Rigg of 16 Lowther Village, Hackthorpe, Penrith, CUL. Husband of Nellie Rigg of Derry Cottage, Sedbergh, Yorks. Born Ousby, WES, enlisted Whitby and resident Sedbergh, Yorks. Commemorated Helles Memorial. Panel 55 to 58.
SHIPPEY	Ernest Edward	Apprentice, Mercantile Marine. SS ‘Forestmoor’ (London). Died 6th October 1917, aged 18 years. Son of Robert and Mary Shippey of Back Bottom, Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial.
SHIPPEY	Thomas	Private 22987. 9th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action 7th October 1916. Born Staithes, enlisted Stokesley and resident Great Ayton, Yorks. Commemorated Thiepval Memorial. Pier and Face 3A and 3D.
SMALLWOOD	John	Private 33314. 5th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. Killed in action 26th April 1918, aged 19 years. Son of (the late) Joseph and Mary Smallwood. Born South Bank (which unspecified), enlisted Richmond and resident Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Kemmel No:1 French Cemetery. II.G.4.
THEAKER	Edward	Private 16577. 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died 26th May 1915, aged 28 years. Son of Mrs Hannah Theaker of North Side, Staithes, Yorks. Born Staithes and enlisted Whitby, Yorks. Commemorated Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Panel 8 and 12.
THEAKER	Robert	Private 34795. 8th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, formerly 3781 Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action 25th September 1914. Born Staithes and enlisted Whitby, Yorks. Commemorated Thiepval Memorial. Pier and Face 11C and 12A.
THEAKER	Robert Brown	Private 22391. 12th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died of wounds 23rd May 1916. Born Staithes and enlisted Middlesbrough, Yorks. Commemorated Guillaume Communal Cemetery. I.E.9A.
THEAKER	William James	Private 13908. 13th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died 26th September 1915, aged 22 years. Son of (the late) Stephen and Annie Elizabeth Theaker of Browns Terrace, Staithes, Yorks. Born Washington, DUR and enlisted Whitby, Yorks. Commemorated Loos Memorial. Panel 20 and 22.
THOMPSON	John	Mercantile Marine on memorial but unable to identify and no further information.
THOMPSON	Thomas	Private on memorial but unable to identify and no further information
TRATTLES	Robert	Private 16565. 8th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died of wounds Mediterranean 19th September 1915, aged 21 years. Son of John and Margaret Trattles of 17 Cowbar, Staithes, Yorks. Born Staithes and enlisted Whitby. Commemorated Azmak Cemetery. I.F.6.
TYERMAN	Edgar	Edgar Tyreman on records. Private 5522. 5th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action 24th September 1916. Born and enlisted Whitby, resident Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Caterpillar Valley Cemetery. XVI.G.33.
VERRILL	Burton	Deck Hand 1757SD, Royal Naval Reserve. H M Paddle Steamer Minesweeper ‘Duchess of Hamilton’. Died 29th November 1915, aged 18 years. Son of Thomas and Jane Verrill of ‘Anchorage’, High Street, Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Chatham Naval Memorial. 14.
VERRILL	Joseph	Private 50119. 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, formerly 18932 Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). Died of wounds 21st March 1918, aged 19 years. Son of Joseph and Sarah Verrill if High Street, Staithes, Yorks. Born Hinderwell, enlisted Whitby and resident Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt. X.E.19.
1939 - 1945
ARMSTRONG	Ernest	Able Seaman on memorial. Possibly Ernest M Armstrong. Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Beaverford’ (London). Died 5th November 1940, aged 29 years. Son of George and Maud Armstrong. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 15.
BELL	George Francis	Sailor, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Creekirk’ (London). Died 19th October 1940, aged 24 years. Son of Dinah Mary Bell of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 33.
BENNISON	Robert Edward	Assistant Steward, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Empress of Canada’ (London). Died 14th March 1943, aged 48 years. Son of John and Sarah Ann Bennison of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 47.
BROWN	James Day	Sergeant 4460830. West Yorkshire Regiment (Battalion unspecified). Died 21st April 1945, aged 28 years. Son of William Henry and Dinah Sarah Brown of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Hinderwell Cemetery. Old Cem Row 17W. Grave 6.
BROWN	William T	Distinguished Service Cross. Master, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Empire Heath’ (Sunderland). Died 11th May 1944, aged 45 years. Son of John and Margaret Elizabeth Brown. Husband of Evelyn Ward Brown of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 41.
COOK	Owen	Flight Sergeant, Royal Air Force on memorial but unable to identify and no further information.
CRAKE	Thomas	Possibly Peter Thomas Crake. Boatswain (Bosun), Merchant Navy. SS ‘Creekirk’ (London). Died 19th October 1940, aged 50 years. Son of Peter Thomas and Dinah Crake. Husband of Sarah Ann Crake. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 33.
ELLIS	Verrill	Third Officer, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Widestone’ (London). Died between 17th and 18th November 1942, aged 21 years. Joseph and Mary Annie Ellis (nee Kirby). Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 119.
GARGETT	Joseph	Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Empire Heath’ (Sunderland). Died 13th May 1944, aged 24 years. Son of William and Jane Gargett of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 41.
GIBBONS	Frederick	Assistant Steward, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Ashbury’ (Glasgow). Died 8th January 1945, aged 21 years. Son of Frederick Spencer and Margaret Elizabeth Gibbons of Saltburn, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 10.
GREEN	Septimus	Sergeant (Flight Sergeant on memorial) 347265, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 5th July 1944, aged 41 years. Son of John and Jane Ann Green. Husband of Lillian Green of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Hinderwell Cemetery. Row 3CW. Grave 16.
HARRISON	Richard	Boatswain, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Empire Heath’ (Sunderland). Died 13th May 1944, aged 43 years. Husband of M Harrison of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 41.
HARRISON	Thomas Porritt	Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Empire Heath’ (Sunderland). Died 13th May 1944, aged 33 years. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 41.
LAVERICK	James Thomas	Senior Ordinary Seaman, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Empire Heath’ (Sunderland). Died 13th May 1944, aged 20 years. Son of James Thomas and Ann Laverick of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 41.
LONGSTER	Clemence James	Ordinary Seaman, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Medjerda’ (Swansea). Died 17th March 1941, aged 34 years. Son of Robert and Elizabeth Longster. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 69.
LONGSTER	Henry	Ordinary Seaman, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Creekirk’ (London). Died 19th October 1940, aged 22 years. Son of Richard and Margaret Longster of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 33.
LONGSTER	Leslie	Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Empire Heath’ (Sunderland). Died 13th May 1944, aged 30 years. Son of Richard and Margaret Longster of Staithes, husband of Dorothy Longster of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 41.
MITCHELL	Ernest W	Flying Officer, Royal Air Force on memorial and one Flying Officer only found. Possibly Ernest William Mitchell. Flying Officer (Navigator) 118641, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 22nd September 1943. Commemorated Dyce Old Churchyard.
PEARSON	Robert Alfred	Sergeant 4391013. 6th Battalion, Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment). Died 9th September 1944, aged 22 years. Commemorated Geel War Cemetery. IV.A.4.
SANDERS	James	Able Seaman on memorial. Possibly James Sanders. Fireman and Trimmer, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Medjerda’ (Swansea). Died 17th March 1941, aged 33 years. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 69.
SHIPPEY	George	Chief Officer, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Stanhall’ (London). Died 30th May 1940, aged 63 years. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 101.
SIMPSON	Frank M	Possibly Frank Martin Simpson. Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. MV ‘Ryal’ (London). Died 24th November 1940, aged 37 years. Son of George and Ellen Jane Simpson. Husband of Evelyn Simpson of Meanwood, Leeds, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 89.
THEAKER	James Thomas	Sergeant (Air Gunner) 1593242, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 9 Squadron. Died 5th July 1944, aged 31 years. Son of Mark and Elizabeth Theaker. Husband of Barbara Theaker of Middleton, Leeds, Yorks. Commemorated Creil Communal Cemetery. Plot 1. Grave 385.
TRESIDDER	Ernest Martin	Ordinary Seaman, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Creekirk’ (London). Died 19th October 1940, aged 24 years. Son of Sydney and Cortiga J A Tresidder of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 33.
VERRILL	Burton	Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Empire Heath’ (Sunderland). Died 13th May 1944, aged 25 years. Son of Gertrude Verrill of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 41.
VERRILL	John	Boatswain, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Holmlea’ (Newcastle on Tyne). Died 28th February 1941, aged 33 years. Son of Thomas and Jane Verrill. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 57.
WARD	William	Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. SS ‘Empire Heath’ (Sunderland). Died 13th May 1944, aged 32 years. Son of Isaac and Ann W Ward of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 41.
WATSON	Alexander MacDonald	Chief Officer, Merchant Navy. MV ‘Adellen’ (London). Died 22nd February 1942. Son of William and Margaret Watson. Husband of Lily Watson of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 2.
WREN	Charles Ernest	Corporal 197618. Royal Army Service Corps. Died 12th November 1942, aged 29 years. Son of Frederick Welford and Maud Wren of Staithes, Yorks. Commemorated Caserta War Cemetery. II.E.19.

Last updated 9 March, 2025

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