As we proceed through the years 2014 to 2018, I intend to publish the names of the fallen from Bishopthorpe in both Link and Bishopthorpe dot net in the month which marked the centenary of their deaths.

On the last day of July, 1917, and the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres, two Bishopthorpe men died on the same day. Not only did they die on the same day, they were both serving with the same Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment.

As well as spending a few moments thinking of these men and their families, I hope that you find the details of some interest.

OUTRAM, Frank

Private, No. 15029, 2 Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own).
Killed in action 31 July, 1917, aged 23, in the Westhoek/Bellewaarde area, during the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres, commonly known as the Battle of Passchendaele.

SMITH, John Arthur

Private, Service No. 32278, D Company, 2 Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own).
Died 31 July, 1917, aged 28, at Ypres, in Belgium.

Their bodies were never found and they are both commemorated on Panel 21 of the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres.

They both had home addresses in Bishopthorpe, but neither is commemorated on Bishopthorpe’s War Memorial.

Remember them.

Ken Haywood

A new entry for Keep Your Pet has recently been published in the “Charities” section of the Purple Pages directory, so Bish dot net thought residents might like to know a bit more about it.

Keep Your Pet is a scheme that results from a collaboration between Age UK York, Age UK Selby and the RSPCA York Harrogate and District. The scheme aims to provide a short term solution for older or vulnerable pet owners in the York and Selby area, providing services to enable the pet owner to cope with a health or other emergency without the additional worry of having to organize care for their pets. The services include fostering, sitting, walking or feeding any kind of domestic pet.

A local couple, Steve and Dee Marshall, got involved with KYP after their beloved cat died and the house seemed very empty. They volunteered to be pet fosterers and fostered Ben on 3 separate occasions. Sadly his owner died and Ben finished up in RSPCA. When they heard of this they offered to adopt him permanently and he’s now been living happily with them for 3 years.

They’re both keen to promote the charity and help more people to benefit from the services, as well as raising awareness and hopefully attracting more foster carers and volunteers. Steve is a member of the Alterego ceilidh band, and will be performing with the band in a fundraising event at Bishopthorpe Social Club on 21st October.

More details of the event will follow nearer the time, meanwhile save the date!

If you’d like to know more about Keep Your Pet, see the details here and also take a look at the Purple Pages entry here.