Clement Pogson

CLEMENT POGSON

Private 202158 (4986), 1st/4th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

Died 8th July 1916 Aged 20

No Known Grave Commemorated Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France

Son of Albert Edward and Violetta Pogson

Lived Hadfield Buildings, Heckmondwike

Clement was born at White Lee in 1896, the third son of Albert Edward Pogson, a Cloth Weaver from Holmfirth and Violetta Cartwright from Bolton. They had married in 1889 at St John's Church at Carlinghow, and made their first home at West View, White Lee. Clement's Grandfather, Henry Pogson, had moved his family into the area from Holmfirth by 1871, to work as a Music Teacher. On leaving school, Clement found work in the woollen mills, as had his father and brothers before him. All three brothers are remembered on the Heckmondwike Great War Roll of Honour, living at Hadfield Buildings. Ernest and Ramsden survived the war.

The eldest brother Ernest was born in 1891 and worked as a Cloth Finisher being employed by J & B.W. Hirst of Batley. He had previously served in the 4th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and rejoined the Territorial Force at Wakefield on 5th August 1914, but was discharged the same day as medically unfit on mobilization.

Ramsden Pogson was the second son, born in 1894 and employed as an Under Overlooker. At the end of the war he was awarded the British War and Victory medals having served as Private 306620 in the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment's) 2nd/7th and 6th Divisions.

Clement Pogson, aged 14, was working as a Doffer in a worsted mill in 1911. He enrolled at Dewsbury in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, but his service record is now lost. Clement was killed during the Battle of the Somme and he has no known grave. The war diary for the 7th July 1916 states that the battalion was engaged in heavy fighting:-

"The Germans delivered a textbook artillery bombardment as a prelude to an attack in the first hour of the next day, July 7th. At 2 am, their guns were turned on the 1st/4th KOYLI in the A lines and 50 minutes later shells began landing in the communication and support lines as they attempted to choke off the possibility of KOYLI reinforcements reaching the front line. Enemy bombers advanced down the trenches towards A18 and A16 and across the open to A17. Furious fighting took place till 6.30am with lots of casualties from bombers and snipers who shot our men as they fired and threw bombs out of the trenches."

The Heckmondwike Herald newspaper listed him as missing on the 10th August 1916. It would be many months before the family received any confirmation of his death.{PL/KH-104}

Medals: Victory and British.

Locally commemorated: Heckmondwike Roll of Honour and Green Park Memorial. St Saviour's Church (now demolished) Memorial named as Clement H. Pogson.

Clement is also remembered on the Batley Roll of Honour which can be viewed by following this link - BRoH

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