North-Eastern Daily Gazette
WEDNESDAY. 28 APRIL 1915.
CLEVELAND TERRITORIALS.
An Incident Within the Zone of Fire.
REDCAR SURGEON MAJOR.
Has a Narrow Escape While Attending Wounded.
Residents in the North Riding will be interested to learn that the Territorial infantry unit drawn from their district has already had its
baptism of fire.
It is not yet known definitely whether they have actually been in the fighting line, but at any rate, if they have not occupied the
trenches they have been within the zone of fire, for according to messages from the front nine members of the 4th Yorks have been
wounded, but fortunately not very seriously.
The battalion reached France a week past Sunday, so that only a few days elapsed before they arrived in the danger zone.
What has occurred since Saturday is not known, but it seems that a section of the battalion at least were formed up on Saturday a few
miles behind the trenches when a shell burst with the result that a number of the Territorials were wounded by shrapnel. One officer was
injured but not seriously.
Surgeon Major Legh de Legh of Redcar is attached to this battalion and according to accounts received he had a narrow escape while in the
act of attending to the wounds of one man, a shell bursting and destroying a portion of a wagon near where he had been standing.
Shells were evidently falling in the neighbourhood and there is little doubt that the North Riding men behaved splendidly during their
first experience of actual warfare.
Word has been received by Mr J Dargles of Picton House, Redcar that his son Sidney has been wounded and a card has also been received
by Mrs White, who is staying at 12 Cleveland St stating that her husband is now in hospital in Manchester. The card was sent by Pte White
and indicates that he is going on well.
LOCAL TERRITORIALS WOUNDED.
News has been received at Skelton that five members of the local detachment F Peggs, S Shaw, J Thornton, J Smith and J Holden have been
wounded.
It is understood that some of them have already arrived in this country. All the men reside in Old Skelton with the exception of Holden,
who lives at North Skelton. Thornton is particularly well known, as he is the drummer in the battalion band, and Peggs is a butcher
employed by the Skelton Co-op Society. The others are miners. So far as is known their injuries are not very serious.
THURSDAY. 29 APRIL 1915.
Local Territorials Fight Like Heroes.
HEAVY LOSSES.
Well-known Middlesbrough Officers Killed.
When the full story of the doings of the local Territorials during the past week end come to be written the people
of Tees-side and Cleveland will have abundant rreason for pride in the achievements of their soldier sons.
That there was involved in severe fighting the brigade with which the local units of the Yorks and Durhams are
associated and that fairly heavy losses have been sustained may be accepted as correct, although no official statement
is yet forthcoming.
It must be gratifying to all who were interested in the Territorials in peace time, and who never wavered in their
view that if called upon they would demonstrate that they were not behind any of his Majesty's forces either in
courage or other qualities which have made the British soldier the finest fighting instrument in the World, to find them
so distinguishing themselves in action.
The losses will be mourned. But they could not be avoided.
The men of Tees-side and Cleveland all fought like heroes. They have made a name for themselves, and the district has
ample reason for being proud of them.
It is feared that the 4th Yorkshires have suffered heavily. They had to deliver a counter-attack in the teeth of a
terrible rifle and machine-gun fire, and there are indications that they did effective work with the bayonet. They drove
the enemy back and it is not too much to say that they saved a critical situation.
"The Battalion went into action as steadily as on parade; there was not a single shirker." Thus writes an officer from
the front. Surely there could be no finer tribute to any battalion.
It was a magnificent attack, splendidly executed and the North Riding men earned the warm praise of the general in
charge of Operations. [General Plumer.]
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 Lt Leonard Percy I'Anson.
[Photograph and all information kindly contributed by Kevin Galloway of Thornaby.]
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He forwarded a message to Colonel Bell, commanding the 4th Yorks,
declaring that the brilliance of
the attack had saved a most critical situation and conveyed his personal thanks to the
troops and desired this to be known to the members of the battalion.
The conduct of the 4th Yorks at a very trying moment evoked praise from others. These men only left Newcastle the week
previous and soon got an opportunity of showing what fine fighting material they are made of. They have justified the
confidence with which the people of the North Riding have always regarded them.
They have soon established a reputation. Once won it is not likely to be lost.
Capt Nancarrow Killed.
It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Captain J Nancarrow, son of Mr and Mrs G B Nancarrow of Middlesbrough
who has been killed in action.
Lt I'Anson Killed.
Residents of Saltburn and indeed throughout the whole of East Cleveland, today heard with deep regret the news that Lieut
L P I'Anson in charge of the Skelton Company of Territorials had paid the supreme penalty of love of his country by
sacrificing his life on the battlefield in Flanders.
The sad tidings were conveyed in a letter to the bereaved parents at Saltburn. It was from Colonel M L Bell, the
commanding officer of the 4th Yorks Battalion, and from it may be gathered that the 4th Yorks have this week covered
themselves with glory in the severe fighting which is almost daily reported.
The letter is dated Tuesday and says:-
"It is with bitter grief that I report poor Leonard's death. He dropped dead, shot through the heart. No pain.
He was a magnificent officer, loved by all. It was a critical situation and the General complimented the battalion
on their work. Leonard would be proud if he only knew."
Lieut I'Anson was about 38 years old and was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs W I'Anson of Bardencroft, Saltburn. Educated
at Bootham School, York, he served articles as a solicitor with Messrs Jackson and Jackson of Middlesbrough and
afterwards started business on his own accound about ten or twelve years ago.
He had been identified with the Territorial movement since its inception. He was the type of officer who rapidly wins the
confidence and affection of the men and when two years ago the late Major French left the Skelton Corps on promotion
the rank and file were delighted that Lieutenant I'Anson was to assume command of their company, which was one of
the strongest in the whole country.
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 Elsie Constantine.
Sister of the three Officer brothers who served in the Battalion and the grief-stricken fiancee of Lt Leonard I'Anson.
[Photograph kindly contributed by her Grandson, Simon Barnard.]
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The deceased officer was a splendid shot and numerous trophies in his father's house testify to his proficiency with
the gun. He took a deep personal interest in the work of the Territorials.
His enthusiasm, as well as his consideration for those serving under him, gained the admiration of all and by his death
on the battlefield the Skelton Company, which has always been blessed with popular officers, loses another leader, whose
work will be gratefully remembered in a district which is pardonably proud of its local detachment of Territorials.
To Mr I'Anson, the respected secretary and engineer of the Cleveland Water Company and to Mrs I'Anson the bereaved
relatives many messages of condolence have been already addressed.
Deep sympathy will also be expressed with Miss Elsie Constantine of Harlsey Hall, Northallerton, daughter of Mr and
Mrs Joseph Constantine to whom the deceased officer was engaged.
Lt Erasmus Darwin Killed.
We have also to announce with great regret that Lieut Erasmus Darwin, Secretary of Bolckow, Vaughan and Company,
Middlesbrough has been killed.
Lieut Erasmus Darwin, who was a Grandson of the great scientist, became secretary of Messrs Bolckow Vaughan and Co Ltd
some years ago.
He filled that important position with great success and distinction and was highly respected and esteemed both by the
members of the Board of Directors, his colleagues and the staff generally.
When the war broke out Mr Darwin at once offered his services and received a commission in the 4th Yorkshires Regiment.
Mr Darwin resided at Saltburn, but took much interest in philanthropic and other causes in Middlesbrough. He was
associated with the Guild of Help since its inception and held the post of hon Treasurer.
It is reported unofficially that Captain G H Bowes-Wilson has been wounded.
THE MEN ARE GRAND.
Local Officer's Vivid Story of the Work of the 4th Yorks.
A TALE OF SIMPLE HEROISM.
Marched to Death with Laughter on Their Lips.
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4TH YORKS, BAPTISM OF FIRE.
Out on the plains of Flanders,
Reeking with shot and shell,
Boys of our own 4th Yorkshires
Nobly fighting fell.
Facing grim odds with elan
Steady as though on parade
Yielding their lives for Freedom
Glorious Yorkshire Brigade.
Marching to death with laughter,
In the teeth of roaring guns,
Saving the situation;
Checking the dastard Huns.
On through the deadly vapour,
On through that poisoned zone,
Heroes leading on heroes,
Dauntless Yorkshire's Own.
There 'midst the screeching shrapnel,
Officers, rank and file,
Strong-limbed, puissant, fearless,
Sons of our sea-girt Isle.
Flashed through the leaden torrent
As the crest of a surging wave,
Hurling themselves to glory -
Death - and a Soldier's grave.
Toll for the fighting Yorkshires,
Comrades we'll never see more
Toll for the Territorials
Asleep on an alien shore.
Desolate brides are weeping,
Fond mothers mourn the loss
Of sons, who won honour, glory,
A mound and a Wooden Cross.
M F Keegan.
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As further details come to hand of the battle in Flanders on Saturday last, in which the 4th Battalion Yorkshire
Territorials suffered such terrible losses, they emphasise still further the dauntless bravery of the men of Cleveland,
who so soon after their arrival at the front were called upon to undergo such an awful baptism of fire.
Beneath that hail of hissing steel which our men had to face many have fallen to rise no more, but those at home who are
left to mourn will find consolation for their grief in the knowledge that they gave the supreme sacrifice of life itself
in the cause of patriotism and of honour.
Many are the stories of heroism which are now filtering through from the fighting line, but, perhaps, one of the most
vivid narratives of the work of the 4th Yorkshires is contained in a letter from a local officer of the battalion, in
which he describes Friday and Saturday of last week as the "hottest, saddest and most glorious hours of my life."
"On the 23rd," he says, "we moved up in support and came under shell fire at 10,000 yards. The battalion was halted at
the time, and without any warning three shrapnel burst right in the middle of us. Four or five men were hit, but no one
was killed. A piece hit me, but just cut my leg very slightly.
As we got nearer, the shells came thicker than ever. About ten a.m. we took up a position in some rear trenches, under
shell fire at the time and stayed there till 4.30, when we were ordered out for a counter-attack.
The regiment got going in artillery formation and went forward beautifully, laughing at all the shells and Jack Johnsons.
[Jack Johnson was the world heavyweight boxing champion of the time and this was the nickname given to the large
15 cm shell fired by the Germans.]
I took my platoon through a farmyard and just as the last man cleared the yard two Jack Johnsons blew the whole place
to bits, and a field dressing station as well.
We went on another 1,000 yards and took cover in a ditch, as the shrapnel and machine gun fire were very bad. One of
my men got two German snipers 40 yards off who were laying for me.
We got going again and went forward the air fairly humming with all kinds of bullets and shells. Men began dropping
pretty freely, but the battalion didn't care; they meant to get in and they did.
Eykin was killed, then Leonard I'Anson, who was trying to get a German sniper; then Nancarrow and then Darwin and
Matthews. Tugwell and Blackett were wounded.
The German snipers are splendid shots, and get in most awkward places. We were shooting them down from trees and all
kinds of places.
Their Jack Johnsons are wonderful. I have seen a hole 40 feet across and 18 feet deep made by one shell. I fell in
one filled with water and was wet through. They aren't nice.
That night and next day we occupied a line of advanced trenches and were very heavily shelled. I was in a trench with
my platoon and two shells burst right on the back and blew the whole show in. It was a miracle no one was killed. We had
to rebuild the whole thing. We have had many narrow shaves, but that is the nearest.
We are all very well and cheerful and the men are grand. They are simply splendid. The battalion has already been
praised for its work.
People at home have no idea of what is going on here - the utter desolation and ruin and the appalling sights. If some
of the fellows who strike at home could see what their pals are going through here they would make ammunition for
nothing.
We are taking part in the biggest fight of the war, but don't worry."
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