The events of June 1917
The heavy fighting of Spring 1917 was reflected in the increasing number of casualties, wounded and killed, whose stories were
related in the newspaper. There were also many stories of heroism, courage, sacrifice and more than ever before, of the effect of
shell shock, including soldiers who had lost their ability to speak.
There was not much sign of the war ending - one local Tommy joked that ‘the last seven years will be the worst!’ but at a meeting
at Shipley Glen, ILP member Philip Snowden was urging the governnment to start negotiating a peace.
At home, Germany’s threat to Britain’s naval supremacy meant there was a real fear of food shortages. Everyone was urged to
grow more and be more self sufficient. Land was made available for allotments. And there were constant pleas for people not to
waste a scrap of food and inevitable suggestions that some were using their position to over indulge.
The local political scene was still active. Shipley citizens were presented with an ambitious town planning scheme while nationally
the parliamentary borders were being redrawn, creating much local discussion.
And, Yorkshire being Yorkshire, there were still big crowds and extensive reporting of cricket, especially as clubs signed major
players like Tong Park’s capture of England Test star George Gunn. Even the ladies got into the act with a well-attended match.
The links here will take you to pages containing stories published exactly 100 years before. The headlines shown are only a taste of
the stories that appear on that page.
1 June 1917
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
- Guardians angry at reports of indulgence
- Women prove their worth on the farm
- Allotment association planned for Shipley
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Stiff collars and tight boots at Whitsun
- Veteran still walks miles to preach
- In defence of Conscientious Objectors
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Eight days stranded before being rescued
- Soldier risks tranfusion to save stranger
- Soldier survives being blown off his horse
- Vivid description of battle at Arras
- Baildon lad travelled far for king & country
- Soldier hoping to recover his speech
8 June 1917
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
Shipley Council issue map showing how they
will embark on Town Planning if given the go
ahead by central government
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Couple fined over sale of seed potatoes
- Shipley woman on national education forum
- Let Guardians eat the same as paupers
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Soldiers’ seats not for Weary Willies
- Organist at heart of local music scene
- Action needed on new parliamentary areas
- Familes’ face agony of not knowing
- Sailor’s trip to the Caribbean
- Pals mourn friend they joined up with
15 June 1917
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
- Wounded men deny hospital neglect
- Fined for gambling in the Rec
- Teamer almost slipped through the net
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Call for better roads and tram service
- Summer outings abound
- Eccleshill and Idle ladies clash at cricket
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Man who hated war dies from gas poisoning
- Bandsman killed helping the wounded
- Military Medal for saving NCO
22 June 1917
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
- Public opinion outpaces politicians
- Different fables depict different women
- What is a stand up?
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Tribunal hears reasons for exemption
- Tong Park sign Test star
- Post Office plan favours the better off
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Largest casualty gallery since the Somme
- Killed leading his men to victory
- Cheerful ‘Tommy’ looks on the bright side
29 June 1917
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
- Disappointing ruling for half-timers
- Philip Snowden on diplomacy
- Plans for after-school play centres
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Need to guard allotments and crops
- Death of Shipley Glen stalwart
- Appeal to share toys with the poor
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Medal for soldier’s ‘little stunt’
- Baildon Tommy’s ten commandments
- A few things I need now I’m a PoW
- Bumper In Memoriam a year after Somme
- Signal to start was blowing up Hill 60
- Postman wounded