Two brothers who were buried in the same Commonwealth War Grave at a Cleckheaton church get a new headstone after an error was found on the inscription - thanks to the local branch of the Royal British Legion.
Brothers Frank and Roland Hartley are buried in the graveyard at Whitechapel Church, Cleckheaton. Roland was killed on 7th September 1917 and Frank died of war injuries on 18th September 1919 – but last year it was discovered that there was an error in a date of death engraved on their headstone; with Frank shown as having died in 1917.
The Spenborough Branch of the Royal British Legion got in touch with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to correct the headstone – and earlier this month it was replaced.
Branch Chairman Eddie Morton said “It is very unusual for two brothers to be buried in the same Commonwealth War Grave and we are very pleased that this error has been corrected.
“There are two other WW1 graves at Whitechapel for Pte S Butterworth, who died 16th September 1916 and Pte R Barstow, who died 13th December 1916 and we are grateful that the church maintains them all.”
The Whitechapel Vicar, the Revd Brunel James said “Whitechapel is a treasure house of World War One heritage and we invite anyone interested to come and see our historic church on the first Saturday of the month when we are open from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm - or simply to join us for Sunday worship at 9.30 am.”