On 30 March 1917 the Shipley Times & Express reported: Pte J W McGarry of 22 Constance Street, Saltaire, who has been serving in France, is now in hospital at Aberdeen suffering from pneumonia and wounds. His mother, Mrs McGarry, has received from him an interesting picture was found in an old ruin in France. It depicts Christ, is dated 17th June 1689, and bears the following inscription: “Souvenir of the 2nd century of the demands of our Lord. To the good Margaret Marie in order to adopt the image of the heart on the standard.”

John succumbed to his wounds shortly afterwards and was brought home for burial, as reported on 6 April 1917: Military honours were accorded the funeral of the late Pte John William McGarry, which took place at the Windhill Cemetery on Monday afternoon. Pte McGarry was 33 years of age and lived with his mother at 22 Constance Street, Saltaire, and before the war was a bricklayer’s labourer. He joined early in the war and had been four or five months in France when he was wounded. Death took place in an Aberdeen military

hospital. A number of nephews of the dead soldier are serving with the forces. Pte Wilfred Barnes has been wounded and is at present at home on sick leave. He is in the Seaforths and before joining was employed at Scott’s Engineering works, Shipley. Another nephew, L Cpl John Willie Barnes, KOYLI, has been twice wounded. He is 23 years of age and before going to France served at Salonica, where he was buried as the result of the explosion of an enemy shell and narrowly escaped with his life. Two of his companions were buried alive at the time and two others

succumbed to their injuries later. On going to France he was wounded but has since recovered and returned to the firing line. Pte Albert Barnes, another nephew, is married and resides at Lidget Green. He is 28 years of age and is now in France. Pte David Illingworth, of Saltaire, joined up at the same time as his friend, Pte Wilfred Barnes, and they have stuck together through thick and thin. Pte Illingworth is in the Seaforth Highlanders and he has been wounded.