JAMES WHALEY FRYER
12B
Second Lieutenant, 22nd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish),
Northumberland Fusiliers
Died 1st July 1916, aged 24
Born on 25th February 1892 in Hawes, Yorkshire.
Son of Major James Whaley Fryer and Edith Fryer (nee Hindhaugh) of
"Kingarth", 5 Moorside, Fenham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. They had two
children:
James Whaley Fryer (b. 1892)
Dorothy Elizabeth Fryer (b. 1893)
Formerly of Rookhurst, Hawes, Yorkshire. The family later lived at
Dean Park Lodge, 31 Dean Park Row, Bournemouth.
Educated at Yorebridge Grammar School, Hawes, Yorkshire and
Giggleswick School from 1901 to August 1905. Entered Carlisle
Grammar School in September 1905 and left in 1910.
He became an articled clerk to Messrs. Dickinson, Millar & Turnbull,
solicitors, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and has successfully passed his first
examinations and was hoping to qualify his final when he joined the
colours.
He joined the Northumberland Fusiliers shortly after the outbreak of
war.
Went to France on 10th January 1916.
Killed by a shell as he climbed over the trench parapet attacking La
Boiselle.
Also commemorated on the family gravestone in St. Margaret's
Churchyard, Hawes, Carlisle Grammar School War Memorial,
Giggleswick School War Memorial, Panels and a private memorial in
St. Margaret's Church, Hawes.
Craven Herald 1st September 1916
FRYER - Formerly reported missing, now reported killed, Second-Lieutenant J. Whaley Fryer,
Northumberland Fusiliers, only son of the late Major Fryer, Hawes.
The same issue included:
HAWES - MISSING OFFICER NOW REPORTED KILLED
Second-Lieutenant J. Whaley Fryer, Northumberland Fusiliers, only son of the late Major Fryer,
Rookhurst, Hawes, and Mrs. Fryer, Moorside, Fenham, Newcastle, who was reported missing in
the big push in July, is now reported killed. Mrs. Fryer has received the following letter from the
captain commanding the company:-
"Whaley was in my Company, and I have been informed by some of the men in
the Company that they saw him fall. It is very sad, but I am afraid he was killed;
he fell just after he got over the top of the parapet. He was very well liked by all
the men and also got on well with all the officers in the Battalion."
Craven Herald 3rd November 1916
HAWES - IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL SERVICE
A very impressive memorial service for the soldiers from the parish, and those closely connected with
the parish, who have fallen in the War, was held in St. Margaret's Church on Sunday afternoon. From
the Church tower the flag of St. George was flying half-mast, and the solemn tolling of the Church
bell, announcing the hour of service, deepened the solemnity of the occasion. There was a large
congregation, among whom were the relatives of many who have fallen. The service was conducted by
the vicar (Rev. S. D. Crawford), and the hymns were 'Lead, Kindly Light', 'On the Resurrection
Morning', and 'For all the Saints'. The soldiers whose memories were honoured were: Frederick
Cockett (1), Albert Leach (2), Thomas Walton (3), J. W. Fryer, Reginald Milburn (4), James Banks
(5), J. Chaytor Metcalfe (6), George Bargh (7), and James H. Milner (8).
The Vicar took for his text the words, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life
for his friends'. He said "As we think of those who have laid down their lives for their country in this
War, two thoughts force themselves upon us - the greatness they have achieved, and the atonement
they have wrought. Lads who have never trained for war have, in a few months, become the equals of
the most magnificently trained army in the world, and we have lived to see a greatness in our splendid
boys of which we have but little conception. These lads had acquired a deathless fame; a greatness
which would survive as long the British Empire lasts. And some share of this greatness belongs to
those for whose lives and deaths we thank God today, and we believe that as they gave their lives
without a murmur, so our God will hear the prayers we offer that their souls may rest in peace, and
light eternal shine upon them. When we recall the horrors that Belgium, France and Serbia have
suffered, and realise that but for those same brave lads we might be suffering the same, we cannot
honour them too much, we cannot be too grateful for their devotion and self-sacrifice. To those who
mourn their loss, this comfort must come: that their loved ones have passed into the company of
heroes who equated not their lives too dear, but at the call of duty sacrificed all for the sake of their
country, the good of mankind, and the cause of true liberty. But their death has done more than prove
their greatness; it has been an act of atonement, atonement for their country and atonement for
themselves."
There was a time in the history of most nations when it had to be brought back to its allegiance to God
by some sharp punishment. We went into this war with clean hands, but nevertheless it was proving a
means of national purging. While we as a whole suffered in various ways, the sacrificial shedding of
their blood had been the great work of our fallen heroes. "To that sacrifice those we remember today
have shared and may we not confidently say that their deaths are a contribution to the cleansing of the
nation?"
At the close of the sermon 'The Last Post' was sounded on the cornet by Mr. J. Blades, and after the
Blessing the Dead March was played on the organ by Mr. F. Haverfield.
1. Private Frederick Cockett, 6006, 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, died on 29th October
1914. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.
2. Gunner Albert Leach, 44227, 88th Battery, 14th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. died
on 12th July 1916, aged 23. He is buried in grave H.5. in Mesnil Ridge Cemetery.
3. Acting Corporal Thomas Walton, 17799, 6th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, died
on 14th September 1916. He is buried in grave III.M.1. in Lonsdale Cemetery,
Authuille.
4. Private Reginald William Milburn, 24384, 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards, died on
16th September 1916, aged 27. He is buried in grave II.E.28. in La Neuville British
Cemetery, Corbie.
5. Private James Banks, 5836, 1/5th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding
Regiment), died on 26th July 1916, aged 22. He is buried in grave V.B.7. in Warloy-
Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension.
6. Temporary Major John Chaytor Metcalfe, 13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, died
on 7th July 1916, aged 34. He is commemorated on Special Memorial 24 in Ovillers
Military Cemetery.
7. Second Lieutenant George Bargh, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, died on 10th
May 1915, aged 25. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.
8. Rifleman James Henry Milner, C/13003, 21st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps,
died on 17th September 1916. He is commemorated on Pier and Face 13A.
Source: Craven's Roll of Honour & Keith Taylor - "Wensleydale Remembered" & Carlisle Grammar School & Giggleswick School Register