IVOR Tempest Greenwood was one of the first Keighley men to join up following the outbreak of the First World War.

But just 17 days later the 18-year-old Highfield youth died from typhoid fever and pneumonia after contracting it while training at Grantham.

Ivor, who was born in Keighley in 1896, was the son of the wool comb finisher in a local textile company.

Men of Worth Project researchers believe Ivor’s enlistment in the West Riding Regiment was on August 31, the same day as fellow Keighley man Albert Gill.

Ivor and Albert were among nine young men from the Bible class at All Saints Church, Highfield Lane, who are believed to have enlisted together.

The Keighley News of September 18 the following year revealed that, in addition to Private Greenwood, at least three of the men had died, Sergeant JE Robinson and Corporal W Nelmes in action and Private Gill from dysentery in Malta.

A Men of Worth spokesman said: “It is possible that these nine young men went to church on Sunday, August 30, had their Bible class afterwards, then all agreed to go to the drill Hall and enlist as a group the next day.”