World War One Commemoration Events At Silsden
Tue 28th October 2014 | General | By Ian Templeman
Silsden have produced a commemorative brochure and organised a remembrance event to honour footballers from the town who were killed in the First World War.
Press Officer Jim Rosser, Commercial Manager Barry Thomas and General Secretary Peter Hanson have put together an illustrated, 16 page newspaper featuring memories from 100 years ago.
The publication is named "The Silsden Herald", and in addition to the newspaper, the club will be organising other commemorative events around their home game against 1874 Northwich on Saturday 8th November.
Jim explained the background to the newspaper and the events.
"On August 4th, 1914 Great Britain declared war on Germany and over six hundred Silsden lads took the “King's shilling”. Whilst at the Front on R and R, they started playing football, and the Silsden lads wrote home for some football shirts.
"The people of Silsden rallied round and produced some blue and white striped shirts, which were duly sent to the Front and the Silsden lads proudly played in their new strip.
"The significance of the strip is that in 1914 Silsden won the Keighley and District FA Charity Cup. They were playing in blue and white stripes and beat the favourites, Cullingworth FC, by three goals to two, in front of a crowd of 2,500 in Keighley.
"The Silsden lads, mainly in the 9th Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, went on to play in a cup competition in the strip, eventually going on to win a prestigious cup. They were presented with the cup and silver medals by the Brigadier General.
"The skipper of the team, Clarkson Baldwin, survived the war and his daughter Elizabeth, who still lives in Silsden will be bringing his medal down to the Cobbydalers ground on November 8th.
"July 1st 1916 was the date of the first Battle of the Somme. Silsden footballer Private John Gill was one of the early casualties on the day which is described as “The worst day in British History”. On the 7th July, two more of Silsden footballers, Sergeant John Baldwin and Private Stanley Wrigglesworth were amongst the fallen.
"The "Silsden Herald" features memories from that period. There are features on Dr. John Purcell, the man who was responsible for the formation of the club, the Silsden footballers who died at the front and also the skipper. There are letters sent from The Front by soldiers who later died, or from their comrades.
"There is a match report on the 1914 Keighley and District Cup Final and the history of Silsden AFC. There are features on the Bancrofts of Silsden, The Red Lion, Silsden Post Office and Jackson's Taxis.
"There are articles on the two main industries of Silsden, Clog making and Weaving and the living conditions of the workers. Other news from 1914 includes the opening of Hothfield Street School and a dance at the Town Hall! No “Silsden Herald” would be without an article on the Silsden Police Station Riot which took place in 1912.
"The “Silsden Herald” will go on sale for one penny (£3 in today's money) and all proceeds will go to the British Legion Poppy appeal".
A week on Saturday, November 8th, the Cobbydalers will honour all those who fought in the Great War in a ceremony of Remembrance and Celebration at the Angel Telecom Sadium. The service starts at 12.50 pm and invited guests will include town councilors, local families of the 1914 Silsden team, the British Legion, and all locals clubs in Silsden.
Silsden Town Band will play songs from the war, backed up by members of Skipton Rock Up and Sing Choir. Prayers and readings from the local clergy and British Legion will be said. The service will end with a rendition of the football Hymn “Abide with me”
There will be a display of Silsden in World War One and refreshments will served.
Prior to the game between the Cobbydalers and 1874 Northwich, the teams will take the field to “Here Comes The Conquering Hero”.
Before the kick off, the respective captains will lay a wreath on the match ball, on the centre spot. This will be followed by one minute's silence for reflection before the game kicks off.
Silsden will also be producing a Commemorative Matchday Programme for this fixture.
World War One Commemoration Events At Silsden
Tue 28th October 2014 | General
By Ian Templeman
Silsden have produced a commemorative brochure and organised a remembrance event to honour footballers from the town who were killed in the First World War.
Press Officer Jim Rosser, Commercial Manager Barry Thomas and General Secretary Peter Hanson have put together an illustrated, 16 page newspaper featuring memories from 100 years ago.
The publication is named "The Silsden Herald", and in addition to the newspaper, the club will be organising other commemorative events around their home game against 1874 Northwich on Saturday 8th November.
Jim explained the background to the newspaper and the events.
"On August 4th, 1914 Great Britain declared war on Germany and over six hundred Silsden lads took the “King's shilling”. Whilst at the Front on R and R, they started playing football, and the Silsden lads wrote home for some football shirts.
"The people of Silsden rallied round and produced some blue and white striped shirts, which were duly sent to the Front and the Silsden lads proudly played in their new strip.
"The significance of the strip is that in 1914 Silsden won the Keighley and District FA Charity Cup. They were playing in blue and white stripes and beat the favourites, Cullingworth FC, by three goals to two, in front of a crowd of 2,500 in Keighley.
"The Silsden lads, mainly in the 9th Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, went on to play in a cup competition in the strip, eventually going on to win a prestigious cup. They were presented with the cup and silver medals by the Brigadier General.
"The skipper of the team, Clarkson Baldwin, survived the war and his daughter Elizabeth, who still lives in Silsden will be bringing his medal down to the Cobbydalers ground on November 8th.
"July 1st 1916 was the date of the first Battle of the Somme. Silsden footballer Private John Gill was one of the early casualties on the day which is described as “The worst day in British History”. On the 7th July, two more of Silsden footballers, Sergeant John Baldwin and Private Stanley Wrigglesworth were amongst the fallen.
"The "Silsden Herald" features memories from that period. There are features on Dr. John Purcell, the man who was responsible for the formation of the club, the Silsden footballers who died at the front and also the skipper. There are letters sent from The Front by soldiers who later died, or from their comrades.
"There is a match report on the 1914 Keighley and District Cup Final and the history of Silsden AFC. There are features on the Bancrofts of Silsden, The Red Lion, Silsden Post Office and Jackson's Taxis.
"There are articles on the two main industries of Silsden, Clog making and Weaving and the living conditions of the workers. Other news from 1914 includes the opening of Hothfield Street School and a dance at the Town Hall! No “Silsden Herald” would be without an article on the Silsden Police Station Riot which took place in 1912.
"The “Silsden Herald” will go on sale for one penny (£3 in today's money) and all proceeds will go to the British Legion Poppy appeal".
A week on Saturday, November 8th, the Cobbydalers will honour all those who fought in the Great War in a ceremony of Remembrance and Celebration at the Angel Telecom Sadium. The service starts at 12.50 pm and invited guests will include town councilors, local families of the 1914 Silsden team, the British Legion, and all locals clubs in Silsden.
Silsden Town Band will play songs from the war, backed up by members of Skipton Rock Up and Sing Choir. Prayers and readings from the local clergy and British Legion will be said. The service will end with a rendition of the football Hymn “Abide with me”
There will be a display of Silsden in World War One and refreshments will served.
Prior to the game between the Cobbydalers and 1874 Northwich, the teams will take the field to “Here Comes The Conquering Hero”.
Before the kick off, the respective captains will lay a wreath on the match ball, on the centre spot. This will be followed by one minute's silence for reflection before the game kicks off.
Silsden will also be producing a Commemorative Matchday Programme for this fixture.
