On a bright, sunny day in St Paul's Churchyard in Birkenshaw, two brothers who died in the Great War (one on this very day 100 years ago, 22 December 1916) were remembered in a short service arranged by Project Bugle of Batley.

The two brothers, Joseph and William Hare were both local lads from Birkenshaw.

Joseph was in the 7th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. His younger brother William had emigrated in search of a better life to Australia before the War and enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy at its outbreak. He was on the flagship HMAS Australia in the North Sea when he suffered appendicitis and was transferred to the mainland, where he unfortunately died. One hundred sailors and a military band escorted his coffin to a waiting train in the North East, in order to be repatriated to Bradford.

They now lie side by side in the family grave at St Paul's.

Special guests on this day were the grandson of Joseph, Richard Foster and his partner Brenda Carpenter, who had travelled over from Clitheroe for the occasion. Also present was local Kirklees Councillor Elizabeth Smaje.

The service was conducted by The Reverend Arthur Daniel Walker, vicar of St Paul's.

Birkenshaw now being within the Spenborough boundary, The Royal British Legion, Spenborough Branch had a good contingent present, including the Branch Standard Bearer David Lamb.

Click on a thumbnail below to see a slide show.