Harrogate Herald - 1st August 1917

Roll of Honour

Gunner W H Ingleby, RFA, husband of Mrs Ingleby, 64 Butler Road, Harrogate, was killed in action on July 10th. A letter informing Mrs Ingleby of the sad occurrence says : 

"It is with extreme regret that I have to pencil you this letter. I trust you will be able to bear the news of your great loss. It is a painful duty for me to inform you that your husband, and my chum, was killed in action on the 10th inst. I must tender to you my deepest sympathy and that of his comrades here in this your great loss, trusting you will bear up in this my sad news. I beg to remain yours sincerely. Gunner A Smith".

His officer writes : 

"It is with great sorrow that I have to tell you of the death of your husband, who was killed in action on the 10th. He was standing in the doorway of his dugout and was hit by a fragment of shell. His death was instantaneous, and he could hardly have felt any pain. He had been the mess cook for some months, and was always very cheerful and an excellent worker, although at times, and especially all last winter, circumstances could not possibly have been more against him, but he always overcome his difficulties. He was buried last night in a cemetery close by, and I am having a cross made for his grave today. As it was not possible to get a chaplain, I took the short service myself. I mention this as I thought you might like to know that everything possible was done. I am not at present allowed to name place where the cemetery is, but will let you know as soon as possible. Although such letters as these seem very cold in the first pain of grief, please believe that you have my sincerest sympathy in your loss, as I know by personal experience what these losses mean in a family".

Officers of his battery writing say : 

"I was very sorry to learn of the death of your husband. He was my servant, and I had got very much attached to him. I was away from the battery at the time, and the sad news came as a bad shock to me. He was beloved and respected by all the men of the battery. I understand that he went out under shell fire to prepare some tea for the men, and had just got back to the mess when he was killed by a splinter. It will be some comfort to know that he did not suffer in any way. He will be much missed and mourned by all who knew him, as he was always bright and cheery under most adverse circumstances. Please accept my deepest sympathies in your sad bereavement, and may God comfort you in your great loss".

Also : 

"I want to write just a line to you to tell you how sorry I am for you in your great sorrow. I did not write before, as I myself was wounded the same day and I am only just up. I daresay you have heard of me from your husband - I was in charge of the mess and took your husband away from his duties last October and made him our cook. He did splendidly for us, and his place will be hard to fill. We feel the loss of our men very much, and especially men we know well. He was always so cheerful and happy and seemed to enjoy life so much. It is most terribly sad".

SDGW

Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery

Gnr William Herbert Ingleby (134856)

Born : Harrogate

Enlisted : Harrogate

Died : 10th July 1917

Killed in Action

France & Flanders