Private Thomas Greenwood aged 31

This article from the Halifax Courier of 28 August 1915 provides the story of Private Thomas Greenwood: PTE T Greenwood, of Luddenden The family of Pte. Thos. Greenwood, 6513, 2nd West Riding Regiment, 21 Goit Side, Luddenden, are still without official news as to his fate. Nothing of him has been heard since Aug. 24, last year. On that date he was in a skirmish, headed by Col. Gibbs, and accompanied by his brother-in-law, Pte. Albert Gibson. When Gibson was invalided home, he said the last he saw of Greenwood was when he ran to the assistance of the Col. Gibson was called to a side attack, and when it was over, the Col. and a number of others had been taken prisoners. It was hoped Greenwood was of their number, and when the Colonel was sufficiently recovered from wounds to answer letters, he was written to. He replied that he remembered Greenwood well, but knew nothing of his movements after he had carried him (the Colonel) to a temporary hospital. Other inquiries have been without avail.

After repeated War Office inquiries, Mrs. Greenwood received, July 16, this letter: - “It is my painful duty to inform you, that a report has this day been received from the War Office, unofficially reporting the death of No. 6513, Pte. Thos. Greenwood, 2 nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, which occurred in hospital, Mons, on Aug. 24, 1914. He was buried in Garden No.217, Chemin de Epirette, Hornn, Mons. I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss. It is impossible to obtain confirmation of the report, but it is feared that it is probably true. Should any further information be received it will at once be communicated to you.”

Greenwood, aged 32, was the eldest son of Mr H.D. Greenwood, Lane Ends, Midgley, well known for many public works. As a boy Greenwood was a leader in sports and pranks. Fleet of foot, he had few equals in racing as his agility was surprising. He enlisted, 14 years ago, in the 2 nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, and was sent to India, returning in December 1908. After leaving the army, on reserve, he settled in Midgley, and was steward of the Working Men’s Club. This war beginning, he was re-called and left Halifax Barracks with a contingent in August 1914. Mrs. Greenwood, left with three children, is naturally anxious to have the mystery cleared. Private Greenwood is now buried in HAUTRAGE MILITARY CEMETERY, Saint-Ghislain, Hainaut, Belgium. Plot II. Row A. Grave 3.

He is commemorated on the Luddenden Working Men’s Club Roll of Honour as well as on the Luddenden and Midgley War Memorial.