Daniel Faulkner

DANIEL FAULKNER

Rifleman 40050, Royal Irish Rifles

Died 29th November 1916 aged 21

Buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium

Son of Richard and Mary Faulkner

Lived at 70, Brighton Street, Heckmondwike

Daniel was born in the middle of 1896 in Woolwich Kent but was baptised at St. Mary’s Church Riddlesden on June 21st 1896. His parents were Richard and Mary Ann (nee Merrick).

The family had moved around the country as Richard was a Canal Labourer. In 1891 they were at Runcorn in Cheshire and by 1901 were at Silsden near Keighley, but sadly Richard had died leaving Mary to raise at least 7 children.

Unfortunately Mary also died in 1907, so by 1911 the children were scattered around the West Riding of Yorkshire. Two of them were still in Silsden lodging with other families. Daniel was with his aunt Annie Griffiths in Brighton Street in Heckmondwike. He was working as a Checker at a local pit. The youngest sibling Elizabeth was with her uncle Thomas Faulkner at Roebuck Street in Heckmondwike.

Daniel, or Dan as he was known, enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles at the beginning of the war and died of gunshot wounds on 29th November 1916. He was only 21 years of age. He is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery which is about 8 kilometres South of Ypres. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Daniel's grave is the first one on Row H.

Daniel was an active member of St Saviour’s Church and his name is commemorated on their War Memorial as well as on St. James’s War Memorial.{MA/RC-046}

He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

The website Craven's Part in the Great War has additional information about Daniel and also information about two brothers Job and Edward, you can view Daniel's information by using this link. All three brothers died during the war.

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