Thornsby. James  

Was born in Pontefract in late 1898, the son of Henry and Elizabeth Thornsby he lived at 41, Sabastapol, Hoyland, when he enlisted at Birdwell on the 25th January 1915, his apparent age was 18 years 11 months but he was  just 16 years old at that time.  He was posted to France on the 13th March 1916 where on the 12th October 1917 he was wound and was returned to England on the 8th November 1917, after time in hospital he was discharged disabled on the 17th January 1919 age 20 years, he died in Beckett Hospital, Barnsley on the 8th April 1925, just days before the dedication of Hoyland's war memorial on the 13th April 1925, where his name shows.

His Brother Private 10871 William Henry Thornsby 1/5th York and Lancaster Regiment, enlisted at Pontifract on the 22nd August 1914, he was attached to the 6th York and Lancaster and was discharged on the 15th December 1918

Their Father who had previously served, also enlisted on the 11th October 1915 age 45 years, Corporal 164755  Henry Thornsby 7th Labour Battalion formerly of the 11th York and Lancaster and the East Yorkshire Regiment was discharged on the 7th March 1918.