Soldier – Rushworth, Jonas – How a Denaby Sniper Died (picture)

April 1916

Mexborough and Swinton Times April 29, 1916

A Highway Tragedy.
How a Denaby Sniper Died

Lance Cpl Jonas Rushworth

Denaby Main, York and Lancaster, Killed in action, April 15th, 1916

News is to hand over the death of Lce-Cpl. Jonas Rushforth (Y&L) of 2, Melton view, Denaby Main, who was killed by a shell on April 15.

From an account from the front, it appears that Lance-Cpl Rushforth, whose normal employment it was to take care of snipers, was out of their trenches for a rest, and at 5 o’clock on the afternoon of April 15 p.m. him and his comrades were looking over a gate into a field when a shell came along and killed all three.

Lee.Cpl Rushforth was 24, married, and had one child. He was married 14 months ago. He enlisted on November 7, 1914, and went to the front on September 10, 1915.

He was formerly employed at Cadeby Main, and was identified with the Parish Church at Denaby being a member of the Bible class. He was also a member of the Parish Church football team. His death will be widely reported in Denaby Main. He was a son of Mrs Wardell, of Tickhill Street, Denaby Main.

The Reverent R. W. Dugdale a Plane serving with the regiment, has written to the widow as follows:

“Dear Mrs Rushforth,

I am writing to tell you the sad news about your husband was killed instantaneously by a shell in the village on Thursday evening last. I buried him, with two of his follow snipers who were killed by the same shell, in a small military cemetery, out on the downs near the village, on Sunday afternoon. A great number of his friends attended the funeral. A cross will be put up by the battalion to his memory. We out here cannot tell you how much we sympathise with those at home in their sorrow. It is you who are really bearing the brunt of this war. Although you must draw some consolation from the fact that your husband has died for England, and no nobler death can be devised.

I knew him in the old Halton Park days, and was going to prepare him for confirmation when something or other intervened. Since then I have met him constantly, and have always found him cheery and in good spirits. He was most popular in the regiment as he well deserved to be.”