Naylor Keach

NAYLOR KEACH

Private 4525, York and Lancaster Regiment

Died 25th March 1916 aged 40

Buried Heckmondwike Cemetery

Husband of Julia Ann Keach (deceased)

Lived 158, Brighton Street, Heckmondwike

Naylor was born on 11th May 1875 in Heckmondwike, the eldest son of John Keach of Burton, Northamptonshire and Katherine Naylor of Heckmondwike. In 1881 the family were living in Omar Street Heckmondwike and his father, John, was a Teamer for a local colliery. The family moved to Brighton Street and stayed there for many years. Naylor followed his father into the colliery and worked at Liversedge Coal Company as a Coke Drawer. He married Julia Ann Oram 19th April 1897 at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Heckmondwike and they, too, were living in Brighton Street in 1901. Naylor and Julia had two sons and two daughters before 1906 and then went to live in Catley near Sheffield where another son and daughter were born. By 1911 they were back in the Spen Valley, living in Gasworks Street, Liversedge and Naylor was working as a Coal Carter above ground.

Tragically his wife Julia Ann died in June 1914 aged 39 years leaving Naylor with 6 children, the eldest being aged 16 years. He served for eight years with the 6th West Riding Battery of the Royal Field Artillary at Heckmondwike.

Naylor enlisted while working for White Lee Colliery as a Firer in April 1915.

He was at Clipstone Training Camp in early March 1916 and was given 48 hours leave. Soon after he arrived home he was taken ill with bronchitis. He was attended by Dr. Prior but pneumonia set in and he died on 25th March 1916.

His funeral was held on Monday March 27th with full Military Honours. His coffin was draped with the Union Flag and was accompanied by 40 men from the RFA depot in Bradford. The service was held at St. Saviour’s Church prior to interment at Heckmondwike Cemetery and was conducted by Rev. C.E.Hewitt of St. Saviour’s. The family received letters of condolence from Naylor’s commanding officers, Captain S. Reynolds and Captain L.B. Hirst. His name is also on St. Saviour’s and St. James’s War Memorials.{MA-080}

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