2nd LIEUTENANT KENNETH MALLORIE PRIESTMAN, 105TH FIELD COMPANY ROYAL ENGINEERS.


2nd LIEUTENANT KENNETH MALLORIE PRIESTMAN, 105TH FIELD COMPANY ROYAL ENGINEERS. KILLED IN ACTION 31ST AUGUST 1916, AGED 25.



Kenneth Mallorie Priestman lived with his family in a large house in Ilkley called Hollin Grange on Grove Road. His wealthy father, Edward Priestman, owned the enormous worsted mill, in the Manningham area of Bradford, that bore his family name. The Priestmans were also committed Quakers and pacifists and sent their sons first to Ghyll Royd in Ilkley and then to the well known Quaker School, Bootham, at York. Kenneth continued his education at Leeds University and graduated with an honours degree in engineering in 1912. He was employed by British Thomson Houston in Rugby, before returning to work with his father in 1914.


In June 1915 Kenneth joined the Friends Ambulance Unit which was financed by British Quakers and provided motor ambulances and drivers who ferried wounded men from the front to Base Hospitals. It provided an opportunity for men who had religious or moral objections to the war to serve in a non military role.

                                     Taken from his Friends Ambulance Unit Identity Card 

 In November 1915, Kenneth went on leave and it seems that he decided to reject his previous pacifist stance and enlist in the army. With his engineering background he was immediately accepted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers. Posted to the 105th Field Company, attached to the 25th Division his unit saw action during the Battle of the Somme. On 31st August Kenneth, along with his commanding officer, was engaged in reconnaissance work near to the front line at Aveluy when a German shell exploded nearby. Both officers were hit, Kenneth mortally so as a piece of shrapnel severed his spine killing him instantly.

Today Lieutenant Kenneth Mallorie Priestman lies British Military Cemetery at Blighty Valley and is remembered with pride on the war memorial in Ilkley. After the war his grieving parents placed a plaque to his memory inside All Saints Parish Church.

Kenneth Priestmans grave at Blighty Valley


                                            Memorial plaque in All Saints Church, Ilkley

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