FROM Mills to Marching and Back Again is the first book to be published by Gargrave Heritage Group.

The group’s original idea was to commemorate the lives of the soldiers from the village who lost their lives in the First World War; but it grew to cover the years running up to the outbreak of war in 1914, and changes to the village in the post war years.

The group was fortunate to have access to the archive of the late Dennis French, which includes many pictures taken by amateur photographer, Tom Airton.

The book covers the years 1900 to 1925, and includes shops, leisure, education, health care and work. Some of the men, and one woman, who survived the war are also remembered for their contributions to the conflict.

At its heart are the stories of the fallen of Gargrave, including that of Bruce Bradley, who was killed at sea in July, 1918.

Born in South Street on October 20, 1881 to John and Margaret Ann Bradley, Bruce was the youngest of eight children. The eldest, Edward, 21m was working as a roller coverer in the cotton factory, probably Airebank Mill; Robert, 19, was a cotton mule spinner; Isabella, 16, was a cotton reeler; George, 11, a part time cotton doffer and scholar; and Wallace, two, was at home with Bruce. Bradley senior died in 1885, and by 1901, Bruce was boarding with his married brother, George, in Hellifield., before moving to Burnley where he lived with his sister.

Bruce joined the Merchant Navy Fleet as a ‘Trimmer’. Trimmers were members of the ‘down-below’ team of workers known as the ‘black gang’, working in the boiler room. They had a physically demanding job, working in temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Trimmers ensured that firemen or stokers were supplied with enough fuel from the coal bunkers to keep the boilers going. Boiler rooms were the most vulnerable in a torpedo attack and very seldom did the ‘black gang’ escape alive. Even if they survived an attack, they would probably freeze to death very quickly in the cold North Sea.

Bruce’s Merchant Navy career lasted for nine years, during which time he saw three submarine torpedo attacks. He was eventually allocated to the Llandovery Castle, a former Union Castle liner; it had served as a troopship carrying soldiers, including the Accrington Pals, the 11th Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment. The Llandovery was recommissioned as a hospital ship in July, 1916 and assigned to the Canadian Armed Forces with a medical staff of 102 in addition to its usual crew. It carried out its work for two years until July, 1918 when it was hit by a torpedo. The Llandovery was sunk by a German U-boat, 116 miles off Ireland; 234 were drowned or shot and only 24 survived in what was to become one of the most infamous maritime incidents of the war. It is more than likely Bruce died below decks.

The ship was internationally registered as a hospital ship and under Maritime Law, should have been immune from attack. Lieutenant Helmut Patzig, captain of the U-boat knew the Llandovery was a hospital ship and had been shadowing it for some time. He attacked, against orders from his own high command. In records from the subsequent trial in Leipzig, survivors reported that the submarine came alongside the lifeboat of the ship’s Captain Sylvester, who was accused by Patzig of carrying ammunition and US soldiers, which was denied. Many of those who survived the torpedo attack were machine-gunned in their lifeboats, only the captain’s lifeboat escaped, with its 24 survivors. The German authorities clearly felt the actions of its U-boat commander and his officers were unacceptable, and handed over Patzig and two officers. The commander disappeared before he could face trial, and went on to served in the Second World War, but the officers were found guilty of murder after trial, and sentenced to four years.

An article in the Burnley Express in August, 1918, reported that Fireman Bruce Bradley was presumed dead as the result of enemy action. He was 37 years old, and single. His name is included alongwith the names of 12,000 merchant crewmen on Tower Hill Memorial, London, and also on the Burnley Roll of Honour and on Gargrave War Memorial.

From Mills to Marching and Back Again, is available to buy on Amazon or via the Gargrave Heritage Group website: gargraveheritagegroup.co.uk