B Sankey (1879 – 1916)

Benjamin Sankey was the son of Isaac Sankey, an agricultural labourer, and his wife, Elizabeth. They lived in Cartway.

After he left school, Benjamin went to work in the H & M Southwell carpet factory as a labourer in the dyehouse. He married Emma Bill in 1897. By 1911 they had seven children. They lived in Bernard’s Hill and, later, Severn Street.

Bernard joined up at the start of the war. He served with the 2nd Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, going to France in February 1915. After seeing action in the Second Battle of Ypres, 1915, the battalion was sent to Salonika. Bernard died on 7th May 1916 – possibly of natural causes. He had been evacuated to Malta and is buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery there.

Private Sankey, 6809, was awarded the Victory and British medals and the 15 Star. His death was reported in the Bridgnorth Journal on 10th June, 1916.

DEATH OF A BRIDGNORTH SOLDIER
[Bridgnorth Journal 10th June, 1916]
Private B. Sankey, sen. (6809), Shropshire Light Infantry, whose name appears in the official lists this week under the heading “died,” belongs to Bridgnorth, his home being 15 Severn Street, and he has a son serving. His widow has received official notification of his death. There is a large family of young children.