Barwick-in-Elmet’s World War II Heroes
We Remember
From the Barwicker No.95 September 2009
It is 70 years this month since the start of World War II
(September 1939). Many of Barwick-in-Elmet’s residents
served in the forces during that war. A number gave their
lives to ensure we could live in freedom. They are rightly
remembered on the War Memorial next to the Maypole in
the centre of the village and during the annual Remembrance
Events. Their stories are as follows:
Austin BACKHURST – Originally from Hull Lance
Corporal Backhurst of the Royal Army Medical Corps
Airbourne Division married Miss Cecilia Poulter, eldest
daughter of Mr and Mrs W. H. Poulter of Chapel Lane,
Barwick whilst on leave in September 1944. After a brief
honeymoon in London Austin returned to his unit and within
a few day was captured by the Germans at Arnhem. He was
taking part in the Allies operation code named “Market
Garden” to capture a number of bridges in the German
occupied Netherlands. The operation was a failure, a story
told in the 1977 film “A Bridge Too Far”. He spent the
remainder of the war as a prisoner. After the fall of Germany
in May 1945 he returned to the UK suffering from meningitis
caught in the prison camp.
He never recovered and died in
Seacroft Military Hospital on Sunday 8th July 1945 aged just
26. He was buried in All Saints’ Churchyard, Barwick on
the 11th July. It was reported there was much sympathy in
the village for the young widow Cecilia who had only had a
few days together with Austin as a married couple.
Arthur BENSON – Born in Morley in 1894 he married Ada
Evelyn Thorpe at Holy Spirit Church, Beeston Hill, Leeds in
1919. In 1940 they resided in Barwick. A Private in the
50th Auxiliary Military Corps he died on the 17th June 1940
aged 45. It is understood that he drowned in worst single
disaster in British maritime history when the Germans sank
the requisitioned Cunard cruise liner Lancastria. Even today
it is unclear how many died but estimates put the figure at
greater than 4,000. The liner was taking part in “Operation
Ariel” the evacuation of Allied forces from Brittany
following the invasion of France by the Germans. Due to
the effect it was thought it would have on the morale details
of the sinking were initially hushed up as news of the
surrender of France was just coming through.
The day after the sinking on the 18th June Winston Churchill,
the Prime Minister, gave his famous speech “….the battle of
France is over. I expect the Battle of Britain is about to
begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian
civilization. Upon it depends our own British life…….Hitler
knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the
war… Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties…. that if
the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand
years, men will still say, this was their finest hour."
George Walton MARWOOD – He was originally from
Bolton-on-Dearne and was an Observer in 114 Squadron of
the Royal Air Force. He was killed in action on the 13th
October 1939 aged 25 a few days after returning to his unit
from home leave at Barwick. He was the only son of
Emmaline Marwood and the late Hugh Marwood. He is
buried in the Rhienburgh War Cemetery, Germany.
Kenneth SPEAK – He was born in late 1922 and brought up
in the village. His mother and father, Wilson and Elsie
Speak, ran a local shop. He attended Barwick School where
he won a scholarship tenable at Leeds Grammar School.
After leaving School he worked for the firm of Smithson,
Blackburn and Co, accountants of Leeds. An active member
of Barwick Methodist Church he played the organ for the
Sunday morning services. He joined the Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve and became an Aircraftman 2nd class. He
died on the 1st January 1943 in a military hospital in the
south of England aged 20 and was buried in Nelson
cemetery, Lancashire.
Fred TENNANT – Fred was born in 1924 the youngest son
of Frank and Mary Ann Tennant of Welfare Avenue,
Barwick. It is believed his father died whilst he was a small
child. Prior to joining the 2nd battalion of the Gloucestershire
Regiment as a Private he worked at the Thrift stores in
Halton and had also been a Lance Corporal in the Home
Guard. He was also an active member of the Barwick
Methodist Church. It was reported he was missing shortly
before VE (Victory in Europe) day in early May 1945 and
confirmed as having been killed on the 13th April in early
June. He was buried in the Uden War cemetery in the
Netherlands.
DAVID TEAL
Sources: Barwick-in-Elmet War Memorial – The Cross
1901 Census Civil Registration – Births, Deaths & Marriages
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Skyrack Express
Lancastria Association Scotland