In loving memory of Pte. Wm. Horace Atterbury, M.G.C. who was killed in France, June 22nd, 1918 aged 19 years.

'Comrades hands, by love made tender, Laid him ‘neath the sod, And he sleeps with England’s heroes, In the watchful care of God. May the heavenly winds blow softly O’er that sweet and hallowed spot: Though the sea divides his grave from us, He will never be forgot.'

Born at Darfield, Yorkshire on December 12th, 1898, the eldest son of William and Emily Atterbury, William Horace Atterbury was baptized at All Saint’s Parish on January 29th, 1899 by the Reverend A.E. Sorby.

In 1901, Horace as he was known, was residing at Moorhouse Hampole in Hooton Pagnell, with his parents and younger brother Thomas Reginald.

By 1911, the Atterbury family had returned to Millhouses near Darfield, and were living at 21 Doncaster Road, the census lists Horace, aged 12 years at the time as a scholar, little is known about his early life, though it can be surmised, that he would likely have been receiving an education in the family's Sycthestone business, starting at the bottom likely fetching and carrying materials or refreshments for the workers, and rubbing the scythestones clean ready to be sold or transported, with the intention of working his way up learning the trade from his father and uncles to one day be a Scythstone maker himself.

It is likely that Horace was conscripted on his 18th birthday, December 12th 1916, to do his duty for King and Country, though it is not known for certain and it is possible he enlisted himself, what is known is that Private William Horace Atterbury (44919) was enrolled at Mexborough, then deployed to the York and Lancashire Regiment for service.

At some point Horace was transferred to the 9th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, and although away from home, with danger forever a second away he found time to write home to his mother, Emily, and attempt to reassure her.

“Dear Mother, just a few lines hoping to find you all right, but I suppose you will not be right ‘till you get home, I hope that will be soon. You do not want to get disheartened don’t let it bother you about our Tom going, he will be alright. From your Loving son Horace”.

It would only be a mere matter of days however, before the post man would deliver a letter of condolence from 2nd Lieutenant Alfred Fleming M.G.C, who himself was killed in action on the 1st of July 1918 aged 35.

"France 23rd June 1918 - Dear Madam as the Lieut. in charge of no:2 section it is my very sad duty to inform you that your son, no: 127096 Private W.H. Atterbury has died of a wound he received yesterday. This is the first opportunity I have had of writing to you since it happened.

Your son was hit by a bullet at about 10 o'clock on the morning of the 22nd June. I was with him directly afterwards until the end. I summoned the services of a doctor at once, but your son died about half an hour after he was hit. I feel sure that it will be some consolation to you to know that your gallant son did not suffer any pain he passed away quite peacefully.

In the evening a Padre, six comrades & myself buried him in a little soldier’s cemetery near here, the Padre read out the burial service at the graveside. We, his comrades all feel your son’s loss very heavily and I assure you of our united sympathy in your sad bereavement.

Yours very Sincerely, Alfred Fleming 2nd Lieut M.G.C"

It is interesting to note that on his initial grave marker it shows Horace was “Killed in Action”, however Horace’s service record shows he was Killed Accidently.

At the time of his death the War diary for the 9th Battalion Machine Gun Corps records the Battalion at Oostlunde, the majority of time spent there, from June 1st was fairly quiet, with harassing fire being laid down.

On September 3rd, 1919, Emily Atterbury received a letter from the Department of the Director General, Graves Registration and Enquiries, for the War Office advising it had been found necessary to exhume the bodies buried in Le Roukloshille Military Cemetery, Meteren, West of Bailleul, and that Private William Horace Atterbury and been reinterred at Meteren Military Cemetery, West of Bailleul, and duly marked with a cross bearing all the particulars and registered to that office, the removal was undertaken with every measure of care and reverence, and the re-burial conducted in the presence of a Military Chaplain.

Darfield has three war memorials, W.H. Atterbury is also listed on the Middlewood Shrine, A635 Doncaster Road along with others who gave their lives during the First World War.