The events of September 1915
The results of the recent National Registration of everyone aged 16-65 were starting to filter through and early
on the spotlight was thrown on the fact that many working-class houses in the Shipley area had no man of
working age currently living there.
Registration was seen by many as the first step towards conscription which was still opposed by most people
although a few prominent figures were starting to argue that unless men came forward in greater numbers,
enforced enlistment might become necessary.
Unions also expressed the fear that industrial conscription - forcing people to take jobs in industries that aided
the war effort - would be used by bosses to restrict workers’ rights. They were also concerned that women, who
were increasingly taking on jobs left by serving men, were being paid less and therefore damaging the pay
structure.
All this was against a background of increasing casualties which were already great enough locally for thoughts
to turn to providing a lasting memorial for the fallen when the war was over. It was estimated that at least a
million more soldiers were needed and and many of the letters home were scathing about the ‘shirkers’ who
were letting others fight on their behalf.
The links below will take you week-by-week through some of the stories that appeared in the Shipley Times &
Express exactly 100 years before. The headliines given only contain a few of the leading stories.
There are usually three pages, two generally devoted to events and life in the Shipley district with the other
telling some of the stories of the men at the front.
3 September 1915
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
- Donkey cart needed to carry hospital cash
- Albert only just makes it to the altar
- Canal rescue inspires children to swim
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
10 September 1915
- Golf club treat for wounded soldiers
- Vicar blames Press for doing devil’s work
- Woolcomber to pay mother’s maintenance
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Windhill accident black spot to be improved
- Sobering thoughts for Volunteer Forces
- Poor Care cash set to rise
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distrss shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Medical men face same dangers as soldiers
- Sharp shooter gunned down
- Itching for action at sea
17 September 1915
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
- Crowds at pageant for Belgian refugees
- Registration data to help war effort
- Soldier AWOL to look after sick wife
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Volunteers need old fashioned drill sgt
- Shirkers and unions under fire
- Time to doff the straw and don the felt
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Families at war
- Smiles as sniper reveals he survived
- Casualty returned from Canada to fight
24 September 1915
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
- Salts Mill owner welcomes ‘modest’ taxes
- Mixed success for women in men’s jobs
- Glen picnic shows children’s lot improved
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Rail unions oppose conscription
- Another million volunteers needed
- Call for Shipley war memorial
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Buffalo Bill star forced to give up the fight
- Photos from ‘Somewhere in France’
- Two Windhill men pay the ultimate price