Born: 7 June 1898, Otley
Died: 16 July 1918
Buried:
Address: 65 Alexandra Road, Shipley
Parents: James and Annie isabella, nee Freeman
Spouse:
Siblings: Mildred, Richard
Occupation: Plumber
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: Signaller
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: St Paul’s, Shipley; Australian War Memorial, Canberra; Chatham Naval Memorial
Children:
Regiment: Royal Navy
Wilfred John Stork
Signalman Stork’s story has been researched by Cathy Sedgwick for the website
http://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com
She has kindly shared it with us and you can read it by clicking on the link below
The parents of the late Signaller
Wilfrid J Stork, RNVR, of 69
Alexandra Road, Shipley, who was
lost at sea, have received several
letters complimentary to their
gallant son.
Mr Angus Heaton of 3 Belmont
Terrace, Shipley, writes stating that
at a meeting of the workers of the
Saltaire Wesleyan Band of Hope a
touching tribute was paid to the
deceased and a vote of sympathy
was passed to his parents.
“He was a grand lad,” wrote Mr
Heaton, “and I had counted on
great things from the promise he
showed but the Master’s will is not
ours and His is past our finding
out.”
Mr Willie Smith, general secretary
of the Saltaire Wesleyan Sunday
School, writes: “At our
school service Mr Dutton
made reference to the sad
news you had received
about Wilfrid and by a
standing vote it was
resolved that the secretary
convey to you our heartfelt
sympathy.”
“He was a good and
willing lad and well
respected at the houses
where he used to work,”
writes Mr A Myers of 55
Bingley Road, Shipley. “I have not
the slightest doubt that he would
have been a good man at his trade
and a credit to his parents.”
Writing for the Saltaire Adult
School and conveying their
sympathy, Mr A Raistrick,
secretary, of 7 Park
Terrace Shipley, says:
“Your son was a noble
lad. He rendered the
school excellent service
as organist and such
services were very
much appreciated.”
Mr James A Daykin of
58 Aire Street,
Windhill, a friend has
also written and
testified to the
estimable qualities of
the deceased.
A letter has also come to hand from
Rev W B Mattinson of Hull, until
recently the pastor at the Saltaire
Wesleyan Church. “To my mind,”
he says, “Wilfrid was a manly
character and his death is a
personal grief to me.
“I had a deep and real affection for
him. He had a great big soul filled
with everything good. He was so
strong and yet so gentle.
“I felt I was in the presence of a
real man, a happy, good man. He
just looked he type of man we
wanted to remain, the sort who
would have done good and big
things for God and his fellows.”
The deceased was a fine physical
specimen of young British
manhood. Twenty years of age, he
stood 6ft and weighed 13 stone. He
was a plumber for Mr Myers of
Shipley and joined the Royal Navy
on 8th January 1917 when he was
18 years and seven months.
Shipley Times & Express
18 October 1918
