On 27 April 1917, The Shipley Times & Express published: Mr Herbert Badland, of the Old Glen House, received the sad news on Sunday that his second son, Mr John Badland, had been killed at the front. Mr Badland had four sons – all his family – serving with the Colours. Pte Clarence Badland, RAMC, was wounded on the Somme on July 5th last. He spent some little time at home and then volunteered for further duty in Mesopotamia. Pte Joe Badland is with the Mechanical Transport and Pte Abram Badland, RFA, is in the thick of the present battles. Before joining the forces Pte John Badland was employed by Messrs Illingworth and Co as lithographer

and was greatly respected there, as indeed he was by all who knew him. Much sympathy will also be felt for Miss Mary Fowler, Mr John Badland’s sweetheart. The first intimation of the loss of his son was conveyed to Mr Badland in the following letter from Platoon Sgt G Wood: Dear Sir – I write with much regret to tell you of the accident that befell your son, Pt John Badland, along with 26 other comrades. They were resting in an empty building which, owing to the foundation being shook by the

enemy shell fire, collapsed and buried the platoon that your son was in, along with two officers. Parties at once started to dig them out and seven were brought out alive but badly injured, but your son, I regret to say, was dead when we found him. Everything was done for them. Your son was buried in a cemetery behind the firing line. The exact spot will be notified as soon as we can give the name of the place. I am pleased to say your son was one of the very best, always cheerful and a splendid soldier

right up to the last. He was bright and continually talking about being home at Easter. Please accept the deepest sympathy from all his fellow comrades of B Coy and his platoon. His loss, along with the lads, is greatly felt by us all. Nothing can describe our sympathy with his parents and friends. Hoping you will keep a brave heart and try to realise that your son did his duty to the last. Believe me to remain, yours sincerely, G Wood, Platoon Sgt. *John is not featured on the Baildon memorial but his brother Joe is. However, Joe appears to have survived the war so it looks as though this is an error