Willie Hellawell

Private 28926. 9th Service Battalion, - Yorkshire Regiment

Born 1889 in Golcar.

Son of Joe and Emma Hellawell, and brother of Amy.

Occupation: Power Loom Weaver.

Address: 20 West End Road, Golcar.

Enlisted: in Halifax.

Killed in Action - 5th October 1918. Aged 29.

Commemorated in the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Haucourt. Panel 5.

Wilfred had been educated at Clough Head school. His name is on the Roll of Honour in St.

John's Church, Golcar, and Golcar Baptist Chapel.

Records of the 9th Battalion Engagements.

The 9th Battalion were formed in 1914 and mobilised for war landing at Bologne on 26th August 1915. Trench familiarisation as part of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions and then taking control of the front line at Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armenterieres-WezMarquart road.

1916 - Relieved the French 17th Division in Carency sector. The German Attack on Vimy Ridge, the Battles of Albert, Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Fler-Coucelette, Morval, Le Transloy and the capture of Le Sars.

1917-The Battle of Messines, the Menim Road, Polygon Wood, and the 1st and 2nd Battles of Passchendaele.

13th September 1917 - moved to Italy to strengthen Italian resistance after a recent disaster at the Battle of Caporetto and took part in various actions including fighting on the Asiago Plateau, the Battles of Vittorio Veneto and Monticano.

17th September 1918-returned to France and joined the 74th battalion of the 25th Division, seeing action in the Battle of the Hindenburg Line and final advance in Picardy.