Mexborough and Swinton Times November 17, 1917

Wombwell Cricketer Killed.
A Well-known Local Sportsman.

Staff-Sgt. Bernard Kilner  eldest son of Mr. and Mrs Seth Kilner, Halfway House Wombwell, is officially reported killed in action on October 18. He was 36 years of age, married and his home was at Woodhouse Mill.  He was the eldest of four soldier brothers, all prominent in the local world of athletics and in the case of one son, even further afield.

Staff Sgt Kilner enlisted over three years ago. He was formerly a fitter at the Treeton Colliery, having served his apprenticeship -at the Mitchell Main Colliery. He played both football and cricket for the Mitchell Main Club, and also for other clubs in the district. Immediately before enlistment he was identified with the Fence Football Club.

His parents received the official notification last Wednesday. Shortly before they had received a letter from another son, Cpl. Colin. Kilner ( R.F.A.), in which he stated, that he had come across his brother Bernard in the neighbourhood of Ypres, and they had a jolly evening together. That must have been shortly before Bernard’s death. Mr. Kilmer wrote to Colin informing him of the death of Bernard asking him to obtain what information he could respecting the manner of his death. He has since received a letter from Cohn, evidentiv written before his own letter was received stating that he was hoping to spend another evening with Bernard shortly. Colin is 19 years of age, and has been once wounded.

Bernard had never been wounded throughout his service until he met his death.

Of the other brothers, the most famous is Roy, the Yorkshire cricketer, who has served practically throughout the war, joined the Leeds Pals with Major Booth (since killed in action). Roy was wounded on July 1. 1916. when Second-Lieut. Major Booth was killed. Since then Roy has transferred to the Royal Field Artillery as a fitter, and is now stationed in Preston.

The other brother. Norman, has been wounded three times while serving with the KRR in France. and on the day that official tidings of his brother’s death were received in Wombwell. he sailed for South Africa, where he is to be employed on instructional duties, and he is in ignorance of his brother’s fate. Of the four brut hers, Bernard and Roy are married.

From C.W.G.C.:

Fitter Staff Serjeant
KILNER, B
Service Number 52200
Died 18/10/1917
51st Bde.
Royal Field Artillery
M S M

ST. JULIEN DRESSING STATION CEMETERY