SILSDEN soldier John Martin Lambert was one of 22 men from his battalion who died on the same day in 1918.

He was killed in action on the Western Front at the age of 30, on March 27, just over two years after enlisting in his home village.

The following year his mother Alma received £15 from the army, which included £10 because he had died in service.

John was born in Rotherham in 1887, where his father was a police constable, but by the time of his baptism four months later the family were living in Silsden and father Tobias was working as a joiner.

John grew up with four sisters, and worked first as a worsted spinner then later as a labourer at a bobbin works, probably in Steeton.

After enlisting late in 1915, Private Lambert spent time in a training reserve battalion before serving on the front line with the Yorkshire Light Infantry. It is believed he also served with the Northumberland Fusiliers for a time.

Private Lambert was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal, and is remembered on the Silsden war memorial, in the Silsden Town roll of honour book, and on the St James’s Church war memorial panel.