Sharing the story of a Great War hero from Craven

He is a predecessor of mine, in that he became vicar of Hutton Roof, after his time at Bentham School, and it is from Hutton Roof that he went to his war.

Locals who knew him told me anecdotes of his time as “our vicar who went to war”.

The Hutton Roof Parish was absorbed into the Rainbow Team Parish of Kirkby Lonsdale in 1981.

On my appointment as rector of the team by Bishop David Halsey, Bishop of Carlisle, I was made aware of this distinguished predecessor. Plans were made to follow the late Theodore Hardy and his war journeys.

We established, with the support of Patricia Hardy (the hero’s niece), a pilgrimage to the battle fields, the town of Albert and his heroic acts at Nightingale Wood, and ultimately his death in the hospital at Rouen.

I wrote an article on the visit for the journal of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department and David Raw, an ex-BGS scholar, wrote and published a book, copies of which may still be available from Hutton Roof post office.

The answer to the question “where is his memorial?”, there are three in Hutton Roof Church, two in Carlisle Cathedral and also one in Dover Castle, including a painting of the king presenting Hardy with his VC in the field of war in France, a copy of which is in Hutton Roof Church.

Kirkby Lonsdale Parish still keeps a lively interest in the former vicar and subsequent visits have been made to France.

Graham W Bettridge, Chaplain Parcevall Hall (former Rector Kirkby Lonsdale Team Ministry) Maypole Green Long Preston l New First World War exhibition: Page 21 Soldier’s family quest Sir - Whilst my neighbour was sorting out some of her father’s belongings, she came across some information relating to William Quinn.

There is a letter from the 3rd Calvary Division, dated 12/09/1921, informing that Private William Quinn, soldier No. 729, was killed in action 24/03/1918 at the age of 30.

The letter is addressed to Duncan Quinn, 14, George Street, Middletown, Skipton. There are also some medals.

Unfortunately her father is suffering from dementia and cannot recall why they are in his possession. He was too young to have fought in the First World War so they may have been passed down from his father, who was perhaps in the same regiment.

We don’t know of any relation with William, or as to why they were not passed to Duncan Quinn, or why there was a three-year delay in writing the letter.

In the 1901 Census of Skipton, William’s brother is called Daniel, not Duncan. He is also called Daniel in the 1911 Census.

It would be nice to pass on the medals and letter to a member of William Quinn’s family.

Below is all of the information I have been able to find.

1901 Census: 18, Russell Street, Skipton. Thomas Head, 44y, stonemason, born Ireland. Annie, wife, 41y, born Skipton. William, son, 13y, doffer in cotton mill, born Skipton. Daniel, son, 9y born Skipton. Frederick, son, 4y, born Skipton. Cornelius, brother, 48y, cotton winder/ warp dresser, born Skipton. William, brother, 33y, cotton weaver, born Skipton.

1911 Census: 14, George Street, Skipton. Christopher Graham, head. Daniel Quinn , boarder19y , dyer’s labourer.

1911 Census: Aldershot, Surrey. William Quinn, single, 22y, 3rd Dragoon Guards.

1911 Census: Skipton. Frederick Quinn, single, 15y, inmate, schoolboy.

William Quinn. Born: 1888. Place of birth: Skipton, Yorkshire. Enlisted: Keighley, Yorkshire. Regiment: 3rd Cavalry Division, Soldier No. 729. Rank: Private. Death: died in action 24/03/1918, aged 30. Place of death: France and Flanders Listed on the following memorials: Cenotaph, Skipton.

Holy Trinity Church, Skipton - stained-glass memorial window with dedication and two bronze plaques.

St Stephen’s Church, Skipton - stone memorial plaque.

Pozieres Memorial, France. Locality: Somme ( located six kilometres north-east of the town of Albert.

Medals and letter with Harry Wood, who was in the East Lancs Regiment.

James Wood was the father of Harry.

Kenneth Wilmore 17, Park Street East, Barrowford Lancs BB9 6JY 01282 694696 email: kennethwilmore@btinternet.com ‘Miracle’ of Dunkirk Sir - The Second World War in Europe ended 70 years ago, on May 8, 1945. With this important anniversary about to take place, I think your readers would be interested in this old photograph depicting events which took place almost exactly five years earlier, dramatically revealing just how close we came to losing.

When the entire British Army became trapped at Dunkirk, in sheer desperation, King George VI called for a National Day of Prayer to be held on May 26, 1940. In a national broadcast he instructed the people of the UK to turn back to God in a spirit of repentance and plead for divine help.

Millions of people across the British Isles flocked into churches pleading for deliverance. This photograph shows the extraordinary scene outside Westminster Abbey as people queued for prayer.

Two events immediately followed. Firstly, a violent storm arose over the Dunkirk region, grounding the Luftwaffe which had been killing thousands of soldiers on the beaches.

Secondly, a calm descended on the English Channel, the like of which had not been seen for a generation, which allowed hundreds of tiny boats to sail across and rescue 335,000 soldiers. The Channel became like a mill pond. From then on people referred to what happened as ‘the miracle of Dunkirk’.

Sunday, June 9, was officially appointed as a day of national thanksgiving. Had it not been for that violent storm and Channel calm, at that precise moment, the entire British Army would have been destroyed and the war lost.

John Williams Glencregagh Road Belfast Dog waste bin anger Sir - Please can someone tell me why the dog waste bins are never emptied along the canalside at Skipton.

I was out walking two dogs when I came across a dog waste bin that was full to overflowing with bags and other rubbish placed on top.This is not the only time that i have come across a full bin.

This is absolutely disgusting and does not encourage people to clear up after their dogs when there is nowhere to put the waste.The person responsible for emptying the bins should be ashamed of themselves and to me it is just laziness on their part.

Goodness knows what any visitors to Skipton who go for a walk along the canalside will think.

Angela Brown Keighley Road Skipton ‘Not listening to locals’ Sir - It is becoming increasingly clear that the main people who fight for our communities are the public.

There are very few councillors who are prepared to represent us, who are brave enough to put their head above the parapet and actually listen to local people.

So let’s vote accordingly, otherwise you will find yourself on your own, as the onslaught of development continues in and around Craven.

K Pearson Hurrs Road Skipton ‘None of the above’ In reply to David Walsh’s letter what do the planning officers do all day - as a council taxpayer and resident my opinion is not a lot.

Increasingly the planning officers and the councillors do not represent local residents anymore. The fact that they work for residents seems to escape their notice. Isn’t it local people that employ them and pay their wages? Councillors seem very good at pushing fliers through our letterboxes and then running for the hills, so local people are only useful when a vote is required - shouldn’t our votes be none of the above on the voting slip?

We might as well vote for chocolate fire guards.

Sue Hartley Moorview Way Skipton Lack of courtesy?

Sir - I wrote to Craven District Council (CDC) some time ago expressing concern about the Lambert Hills development. Like Michael Devenish I received neither an acknowledgement nor reply.

I do feel this shows a lack of courtesy on the part of our employees. Perhaps by not responding the CDC is hopeful that people like Mr Devenish myself and many others will ‘quietly go away’.

I can assure the CDC that these tactics will have no effect.

Carole Rawson Park Street Skipton ‘Please use your vote’ Sir - One thing that has been crystal clear on the campaign trail is that a very high proportion of voters don’t trust any politician and are thinking that they will not be voting at all.

I would, of course, want everyone in the constituency to vote Green. I think we need to invest now to put our country at the forefront of the next phase of the industrial revolution - which is to produce and consume using as little energy as possible and to make things using materials that can be recycled and reused again and again. I just can’t see how seven billion people can live affluent lives on this planet unless we do this and do it soon.

It is, however, clear that many people disagree with this point or would identify other issues as their top concern. Could I just say how important it is that both those who agree with me and those who don’t go out and vote - even if that vote is a spoiled paper.

Our ancestors fought in the face of fierce opposition to get the right for ordinary men and then ordinary women to be listened to in an election. You only have to watch at a hustings how the sitting MP reacts to being pressed hard on issues by voters to know that the election is a key moment when the public is in control not the politicians.

Please use that voice - even if you use it to vote against me.

Andy Brown Green Party candidate, Skipton and Ripon Main Street Cononley Economy ‘for many’ Sir - I’d like the opportunity to respond to Mr Colley’s letter in last week’s edition.

Mr Colley continues to try and perpetuate the myth that the Conservatives are the true guardians of the economy.

The fact is when they took office in 2010 the economy was growing. By cutting public spending too far and too fast and choosing to dramatically roll back public services and investment, they sucked demand from the economy and left us with a deep recession.

The recovery has been the slowest for over a hundred years and the pre-election economic bubble that has recently been engineered is built largely on yet more property speculation. More than two-thirds of major economists agree that the austerity programme of this government has been bad for the economy.

Over the past few months many local people have told me how they are struggling and that their living standards have fallen.

So, Mr Colley, how about we have an economy run for the benefit of the majority rather than just a few and then we might start to get somewhere.

Malcolm Briks Old Mill Drive Colne New life for school Sir - I welcome the news that entrepreneurs are looking to breathe new life back into Malsis School, as recently reported in your paper.

I attended the Glusburn Parish Council meeting, where the outline plans were unveiled and believe that what is proposed is achievable. Not just from a business perspective, but also the advantages that could be delivered for the local community through employment and accessible facilities.

Having visited the school it was clear that years of neglect had taken hold, but the principal need for the facility remained. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds, but with the right people sat around the table anything is possible.

May I also take this opportunity to thank all the residents who live in the Glusburn and Cross Hills ward for taking the time to discuss with me local issues on the door step and in the streets. Out delivering leaflets and engaging with people makes you acutely aware of what a wonderful place we live in.

Not only have we got beautiful surroundings, but we also have the right to engage in the democratic process of voting both locally and nationally. Everyone needs to remember what this country has gone through to have that right and see it as part of their duty to vote on the May 7. Anyone who is having difficulties voting should contact Craven District Council, who are there to give advice and guidance.

Andrew Mallinson Aireville Mount Silsden Running for diabetes Sir - I am writing to ask your readers to be part of something amazing by joining Team Diabetes UK and running at this year’s Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon, taking place on Sunday, October 11.

In Leeds alone there are currently 37,588 people living with diabetes, as well as a further estimated 12,232 who have Type 2 diabetes but don’t yet know it. Diabetes is not something to be taken lightly – it’s a serious condition that, if not properly managed, can lead to devastating complications such as blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and amputation.

By joining Team Diabetes UK at this year’s Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon, runners will be raising money to provide vital information and support to local people with diabetes as well as increasing awareness for those who are as yet undiagnosed. We campaign for better treatment and care for people with diabetes, as well as funding pioneering, life-changing research into care, treatment and prevention.

This popular and picturesque run – flatter and faster than London, Paris, Chicago and Berlin – takes participants past some of York’s splendid historic sites and along scenic country lanes, making it an attractive prospect for runners of all abilities.

Runners will be cheered on by Diabetes UK supporters from cheer points, giving them an extra boost towards the finish line.

All runners who join the Diabetes UK team receive a branded vest, crazy hair, a fundraising toolkit, online support, training tips and up until the end of April it is only £1 to sign up.

If you would like to run for Diabetes UK, please contact Katie Hall on 07990 003441 email katie.hall@diabetes.org.uk or visit http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Get_involved/Fundraising-events/Yorkshire-Marathon/ Katie Hall Regional fundraiser Diabetes UK Yorkshire