Welcome to The Briercliffe Society Forum

Hi!
If those are the soldiers' addresses at the end of each line, then I don't believe any of these gentlemen would be my grandfather, James Halstead.
He would have likely joined up in the Burnely area...and before he was married, so his address would have been Church Street, Briercliffe.
I have to qualify all that with ..."I think"...because I don't know for sure where he joined up.

Susan

Gloria:
My dad remembers visiting Robert Halstead's grocers shop in Haggate...and yes, that is the photo on the Home page. That would have been my dad's great-grandparent's place. I am gathering that this grocer's shop was the home of my great-grandfather as he grew up at 1 Nelson Road.
Also, the James aged 12 I listed earlier as a brother of John Robert, died at age 16 in 1894. I have sent, among others, a memorial card for James ("beloved son of Robert and Ellen Halstead") and Mel has it in the archives.

Night Watchman:
I just asked my dad about his father's military involvement. He says that his father was a private...and in a non-combative battalion. Apparently he was less than A-1, so he spent the years overseas digging trenches, and graves.
Hope this is helpful!

I have got it Sue, am unsure at the moment as to which section to put the scanned image in. I may have it with me here in France, if I have I will transcribe the details tomorrow and add them here.

_________________
Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Thanks Susan. It would be nice to know the regiment your Granddad served in. Does your Father have his medals or any documentation that would have this information?

Night watchman:
No..I have all his 'stuff' and have gone through everything. No documents...and I don't think he had any medals. Did they give medals to grave diggers?

Sue

We have an image of a grave being dug at Briercliffe. Quite an unusual picture I should think. I am currently in comunication with the lady who has it to see how we can get a clearer version to post on the site. I hope eventually to identify the grave that is being dug. I have an idea where it is.

_________________
Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Re: http://www.briercliffesociety.co.uk/Photo%20Archive/The%20Halstead%20Collection/James,%20Esther%20and%20Jack%20Halstead.htm

Susan, James Halstead is wearing a uniform and he was a soldier so would have been given medals at the end of the war (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/docu ... medals.asp - 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal). I will see if I can find any info from my end.

Maybe there are details on your father's birth certificate? occupation, soldier, East Lancs or something like that...

Kris

When in my health I little thought
The time had come so near.
That I should leave all earthly friends
And my relations dear.

Be warned then by my sudden call,
For death you must prepare;
The time will come-you know not when
The manner how or where.

In Affectionate Remembrance of
James,
The beloved son of Robert and Ellen Halstead of Haggate,
Who departed this life November 29th 1894,
In the 16th year of his age.
And was interred at Haggate Baptist Chapel, Dec 3rd.

_________________
Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

I will be getting a clearer version of this image at the end of the month. With the lady's permission, I will add the picture to the site. I am 97% certain that I have located the grave being dug to within a couple of graves.

_________________
Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

I have added the remainder of Sue's 'Halstead collection'. They are all listed as 'unknown' within the Halstead Collection.
http://www.briercliffesociety.co.uk/Photo%20Archive/The%20Halstead%20Collection.htm

Just the memorial cards to add now.

_________________
Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Sue, have you noticed this in the MI's?

"Section C Grave 339
Kerb
Elizabeth Ellen, wife of Willie MASON, January 14th 1972, aged 72 yrs.
John Robert HALSTEAD, 1870-1932.
Martha, his wife, 1874-1946"

I'll keep an eye open for this the next time I visit the graveyard.

_________________
Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

My very good friend David has spent the morning freezing in Haggate graveyard and found it for me Sue.
http://www.briercliffesociety.co.uk/Grave%20Stones/Haggate%20Chapel/M/Mason%20and%20Halstead.htm

Thanks David

_________________
Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Thank you both....hope David has thawed out by now!
I knew my Auntie Lizzie had been buried with her parents...but I had thought Uncle Willie was elsewhere. Kind of nice to see they are all together.......they were (apparently) very close. Lizzie was the apple of her dad's eye, according to my father.

Hi Suzy
Yes just about thawing out, Mel said I could not come home until I found your memorial.She is a real slave driver you know

Ha ha David, I could lend her some whips
You are doing a splendid job.

_________________
Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.