2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles in history. An additional booklet of those from Ilkley that took part is currently in production and will be published shortly. Please click here for more information.
Photo by Royal Engineers No 1 Printing Company. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Later this year a plaque is being erected, at the Beamsley Beacon trig-point, with all the names of those involved in the crash; four dead and three survivors. On the eve of its final flights it crashed in bad weather. A service of remembrance of the 70th anniversary will take place, at the crash site, and anyone is welcome to attend. Details of the date will be announced later.
Photo by Marc Evans from Reading, UK – “City of Lincoln” Lancaster (BBMF), CC BY-SA 2.0
Ilkley Gazette 9/11/45. Canadian killed in Ilkley bomber crash. Injured Sergeants Gallant work on Beamsley Beacon: At noon Monday 5 Nov Lancaster bomber – heard to pass low over Ilkley flying in Northerly direction crashed into south slope of Beamsley Beacon. 4 killed, 3 badly injured and 1 man injured but staggered 1 mile down the slope to a farmhouse to summon help. Hit hillside with tremendous force twisted propeller 1/4 mile from fusilage. Lurched upward & forward as it hit the hillside breaking up and bursting into flames. Heat melted metal. Visibility in fog 50 yards – the pilot “came down to have a look and crashed” – so said the least injured survivor Sgt Joseph Patrick Balenger. He was taken to Coronation Hospital with head injuries, shock and exhaustion. He returned to his unit later that week. He arrived at Black Hill Farm (Mr & Mrs Billan) and then to Black Foss Frame (Gill family) who phoned the police. 3 badly injured to Coronation hospital then to High Royds. The plane crashed into steep bank of wet heather over boulders and past a succession of small quarries. The heather was set on fire by leaking fuel. Fire died away after two hours. Even the stretcher bearers got lost returning to the ambulance. They could hardly see as thick fog and had to communicate by blowing whistles.
The first Japanese Prisoner to arrive back to Ilkley, Private Addy is shown eating his first Yorkshire pudding at his home 45, Wellington Road. Search our online records to find out more about these individuals and what they went through.
VE (Victory in Europe) Day is being remembered all around the world this week, as will VJ Day in August. Friday, 8th May 2015 will mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Find out more information here.
As well as the poems and photo booklets it is planned to produce a series of additional ones including:
As well as the impending war poems booklet a similar publication will be available in the summer containing a total of 60 photographs, from a large number which appeared in the Ilkley Gazette, during the war years. It will be the same cost and size.
A booklet of first and second world war poetry has now been published. Click here for more details….
The world war I and II databases are now up and running. There are a series of pre-compiled reports in the ‘Reports’ section and you may drill down on the individual by clicking on the info icon. More reports and searching ability will be added shortly.
