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| James Bancroft |
Here's the sad story of a young soldier who enlisted in the West Yorkshire Regiment of the Prince of Wales Own 21st Battalion in February 1916 and was dead by April 1917 after having been injured in France and brought back to England to die. His grave is headed “ Duty Nobly Done”
James was born around 1880 in Heptonstall near Halifax Yorkshire, the son of William and Mary Ann Bancroft, where William worked in the textile industry as a dyer. The family were living at 7 Old Town Cottages in the village at the time.
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| 1891 census |
the 1891 census shows the family living at 35 North Gate in Heptonstall
Records show that he enlisted early in 1916 and was sent out to France in June of that year. It is unclear where he was actually injured in the fighting but it is known that he was transported back to England in December of that year to the Birmingham War Hospital and died four months later on 9th April 1917
Amongst his many activities, he was involved with the Heptonstall Methodist Church and was a member of the Choir, and also through the local Mechanics Institute was a member of the Thomas o'Beckett Lodge of the Antediluvian order of Buffaloes. He was also actively involved in the local cricket and football teams
At the time of his enlistment he was living with his Aunt Elizabeth Helliwell in Heptonstall, and was engaged to be married to a Mary Hartley.
His army effects and pension were sent to his Aunt Elizabeth, as the records show
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| Army effects and pension |
His remains were transported back to Heptonstall and he was buried on 8th April 1917 at the age of 27 years in the Methodist Graveyard with other family members
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| Heptonstall Grave |
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