Ralph BUTTERFIELD

32798, Private, b. 1887, Bradford d. Tue. 30th October 1917 (aged 30).
Ralph joined up to the army in Bradford City Centre during January 1917, having left his place of employment that previously had made him exempt from active war service. He was enlisted into the 6th (Service) Battalion of the York & Lancaster Regiment where he trained for two months before being hurried out to France as reinforcement in March 1917.

Over the next six months he lived in (and survived) trench life in France before being badly wounded through the thigh in early October 1917. He was quickly brought back to England and placed in Wharncliffe War hospital in Sheffield in the hope that he might recover from the wound.

The Bradford Weekly Telegraph made mention of him on 19th October 1917, stating that he was wounded but stable in hospital. However shortly afterwards, he must have taken a turn for the worse, as he died eleven days later.

Ralph’s return to Clayton for burial would have been a solemn one for his wife Rachel Annie who lived at 18 Station Road who must have felt a deep sorrow following his death. This was probably extended to many of the local population as he was a well liked Sunday school teacher at the Baptist church.

He is buried to this day at the Baptist Churchyard in Clayton.