Contents

World War One Memorial Roll

Compiled by David A. Fearnley
JOHN ACKERS

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Wigan
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 9/8/1915
Rank – Private
Regiment – Prince of Wales Volunteers ( S. Lancashire Regiment )
Battalion – 6th Battalion
No. 11242
Age 45
Additional Information Son of Mary Ackers, Lodge Lane(Warrington Road), Ashton in Makerfield. In 1891 John was living with his uncle and
aunt, John and Catherine Pilling, 34 Warrington Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Husband of Mary Jane Ackers(Jackson), and they lived in Laburnum Street and later 9 “A” Court, off Gerard Street, Ashton in Makerfield. Newspaper report of his death “Leaves a widow & 3 children. Occupation pre war – collier at Garswood Hall Collieries”.
Type of Death – Killed in action/Dardanelles
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 139 and 140
Memorial – Helles Memorial, Turkey (Gallipoli)

FREDERICK BATE

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Earlestown
Rank Private
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 7th
Age 20
Date of Death 15/6/1916
Service No. 26638
Additional Information Son of John and Mary Ann Bate(Corless), 55 North Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Occupation –
miner. Type of Death Died of Wounds (accident from rifle grenade)
Grave/Memorial Ref. IV. A. 13
Cemetery Abbeville Communal Cemetery, France (Somme)

GEORGE BECK

Birthplace – Standish
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 29/8/1916
Rank – Private
Regiment – Kings (Shropshire Light Infantry)
Battalion – 5th Battalion
Service No. 20007
Age 29
Additional Information Son of William and Ann Beck(Smith), 65 Golborne Road, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. George was born
1887 at Engine Row, Standish. Husband of Maggie Beck(Thompson), 30 Edge Green Street, Stubshaw Cross. Employed as a drawer at Boston Colliery. Leaves a wife and 2 children. George’s brother William was killed in action 7/6/1917 aged 23 (see below)
Type of Death – Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. – Pier and Face 12 A and 12 D
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)
Comments – formerly 45209 RAMC.( Royal Army Medical Corps.)

WILLIAM BECK

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion 11th
Age 23
Date of Death 7/6/1917
Service No. 9743
Additional Information Son of William and Ann Beck(Smith), 65 Golborne Road, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Employed as a
drawer at Boston Colliery. William’s brother George was killed in action 29/8/1916 aged 29 (see above) Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 33
Memorial Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

ALBERT EDWARD BOON

Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Ashton
Rank Driver
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Unit “B” Company. 152nd Brigade
Age 26
Date of Death 26/10/1917
Service No. 137787
Additional Information Son of William and Alice Ann Boon(Leather), 3 Heath Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. In 1911 the family lived at
23 York Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Albert Edward had 2 brothers Ernest and William and 2 sisters Annie Hilda and Edna Millicent. Albert Edward was employed as a hingemaker. Enlisted May 1915.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 1 A and 8 A
Memorial Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

JAMES BOON

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Bury, Lancashire
Enlisted Bury
Rank Private
Regiment The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
Battalion 18th
Age 31
Date of Death 21/9/1917
Service No. 300040
Additional Information Son of William and Ellen Boon(Wood), 84 Nicol Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). James had 3 sisters Alice,
Ellen and Mary. Brother in law of James Rogerson, 39 Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan.(James Rogerson married Alice Boon, St. Thomas’, 1914.) Employed as a drawer at Garswood Hall Colliery. James was in the Lancashire Yeomanry and was called up at the start of
the war. Type of Death Killed in Action (by a shell)
Grave/Memorial Ref. E. 15
Cemetery Torreken Farm Cemetery No. 1, Belgium.
Formerly 251371 Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry

RICHARD HAROLD BRADLEY

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Wigan
Date of Death – 15/9/1916
Rank – Lance Corporal
Regiment – Corp. of Royal Engineers
Age – 23
No. 45078
Additional Information – Son of Joshua and Alice Bradley(Fox), of 50 Bryn Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. 1911 Richard was an
apprenticed wheelwright. Richard was a well known boxer having boxed in Wigan and at the Stadium, Liverpool..
Type of Death – Died of wounds
Comments – 61st Field Co. R.E.
Grave/Memorial Ref. III. E. 13
Cemetery – Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, France (Somme).

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

Birthplace – Wigan
Residence – Wigan
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 21/10/1915
Rank – Private
Regiment – Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Battalion – 7th Battalion
Age 21
No. 12290
Additional Information Son of Charles and Annie Campbell, 3 Druid Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). Joseph was one of 10
children. Occupation – collier. Joseph’s brother John Campbell was also in the army, he survived the war.
Type of Casualty – Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. III. B. 2
Cemetery – Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg – L’Avoue, France (Pas de Calais).

LIONEL HEWETT CANSDALE

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 20/7/1916
Rank – Private
Regiment – Royal Fusiliers ( City of London Regiment )
Battalion – 20th Battalion
No. 7760
Age 19
Additional Information Son of James John and Rose Cansdale(Savage), 41 Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). Lionels father was a
tailor and when Lionel was born the family lived in Bryn Street, Ashton. Rose Savage’s father John O. Savage had been the Police Sergeant in the Police Station opposite The Fleece Hotel, Warrington Road. Enlisted June 1915. Lionel attended Ashton Grammar School.
Type of Casualty – Killed in Action.
Grave/Memorial Ref. – Pier and Face 8C 9A and 16A
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

EDWARD CLARKE

Rank Private
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 11th
Age 38
Date of Death 25/5/1918
Service No. 16334
Additional Information Son of William and Mary Clarke, 2 York Road South, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Occupation collier.
Grave/Memorial Ref. New Yard 44
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard
Burial 30/5/1918 St. Thomas’, Ashton, Edward Clark, 2 York Road, Ashton. Aged 37.

EDMUND COOPER

Birthplace Golborne
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Lance Sergeant
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion 11th
Age 21
Date of Death 7/6/1917
Service No. 9744
Additional Information Son of Isaac and Mary Ellen Cooper(Twist), 13 Warrington Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Occupation – collier at
Garswood Hall. Enlisted August 1914. Residence 13 Warrington Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Edmund’s brother Isaac was also killed in action, 14/6/1917, aged 19 (see below).
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 33
Memorial Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium

ISAAC COOPER

Birthplace Lowton
Enlisted Ashton in Makerfield
Rank Private
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 7th
Age 19
Date of Death 14/6/1917
Service No. 31790
Additional Information Son of Isaac and Mary Ellen Cooper(Twist), 13 Warrington Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Occupation – collier at
Garswood Hall. Enlisted July 1916. Residence 13 Warrington Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Isaacs brother Edmund was also killed in action 7/6/1917 aged 21 (see above)
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 37
Memorial Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium

WALTER CORLESS (not on Memorial Roll but an Ashton death in WW1)

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Rank Private
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 2nd
Age 35
Date of Death 3/9/1915
Service No. 16267
Additional Information Son of the late James and Jemima Corless (Kilshaw), 326 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Husband of Annie Corless(Wood) residing at 7 “D” Court, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Occupation – collier. Jemima was the daughter of John and Dorothy Kilshaw. She was also the sister of John Jonas Kilshaw who was known locally as the ‘Gypsy King of Ashton’.
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 37
Memorial Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium

WILLIAM CORLESS

Birthplace/Residence Wigan Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private Regiment King’s Own Scottish Borderers Battalion 7th
Age 24 (was 19)
Date of Death 26/3/1916 killed in action
Service No. 14063 Information : Born 1897, son of Mark & Annie Corless, Druid Street, miner
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 53 – 56
Memorial Loos Memorial, France (Pas de Calais).

ERNEST COTTOM

Rank Able Seaman
Service Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Unit Hawke Battalion. R.N. Division
Age 28
Date of Death 8/8/1918
Service No. R/5185
Additional Information Son of Thomas and Margaret Cottom, 15 York Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Husband of Margaret Cottom(Maddocks),
33 Crackley Street, Goose Green, Wigan. Grave/Memorial Ref. II. A. 8
Cemetery Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery, Poland

CHARLES COUNSELL

Birthplace Wigan
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Private
Regiment Grenadier Guards
Battalion 3rd
Age 23
Date of Death 27/11/1917
Service No. 27775
Additional Information Son of Charles and Charlotte Counsell(Holbrook), 19 First Street, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan. Charles jnr. was a
collier. Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 2
Memorial Cambrai Memorial Louverval, France

THOMAS CROOK 

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Bryn
Enlisted – Warrington
Date of Death – 26/5/1916
Rank – Private
Regiment – Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion – 17th Battalion
No. 14393
Age 24
Additional Information Son of Thomas and Hannah Crook(Grimshaw), 76 Nicol Road, Bryn, Wigan(1901).
Type of Death – Killed in Action
Grave./Memorial Ref. III. H. 6
Cemetery – St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg – L’Avoue, France (Pas de Calais).

WILLIAM THOMAS CUNLIFFE

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Ashton
Rank Private
Regiment South Wales Borderers
Battalion 8th
Age 18
Date of Death 25/8/1917/Mesopotamia
Service No. 23509
Additional Information Of 24 Edge Green Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Collier at Edge Green Colliery. Son of
William and Elizabeth Cunliffe(Winstanley). William and Elizabeth, both from Downall Green, were married 9/2/1887 at Holy Trinity. In 1891
they were living at 43 Factory Cottages, Downall Green. William Thomas was baptised 10/9/1898 St. John The Divine, Pemberton, his parents abode was Ashton in Makerfield and his father was a collier. 1906 marriage of William Milburne and Elizabeth Cunliffe and the family lived at 38 North Street, Stubshaw Cross. In 1911 the family were living at 121 Tram Street, Platt Bridge – William and Elizabeth
Milburne and children Jane Ann, William Thomas, Alice, Elizabeth Ann(all Cunliffe) and Clara Milburne. Type of Death Died/British Expeditionary Force (heatstroke)
Grave/Memorial Ref. L. 24
Cemetery Kut War Cemetery, Iraq

PETER DARBYSHIRE

Birthplace Ince
Residence Stubshaw Cross
Rank Pioneer
Regiment Royal Engineers
Unit H.Q. Special Company
Age 28
Date of Death 6/11/1916
Service No. 130063
Additional Information Son of John and Sarah Darbyshire(Pownall), 122 North Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Lancashire. In
1911 Peter was living in North Street, Stubshaw Cross, with his mother Sarah, and brothers Walter Pownall, Peter, Thomas, John and Reuben and sister Bertha. Peter was employed as a collier at Garswood Hall Collieries.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. II. E. 43
Cemetery Dartmoor Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, France (Somme)
Formerly 18094 South Lancashire Regiment (H.Q. Special Company RE)

ARTHUR DELUCE

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Rifleman
Regiment Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Battalion 16th
Age 21
Date of Death 15/7/1916
Service No. C/48
Additional Information Son of John and Martha Deluce(Pilling), 165 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Brothers Fred, John and
sister Lois. Occupation – collier
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B
Memorial Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

WILLIAM ALBERT DELUCE

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 20/10/1918
Rank – Private
Regiment – Machine Gun Corps.
Battalion – Cavalry 17th Squadron
No. 100339
Age 20
Additional Information Son of Samuel and Mary Deluce(Bate), 41 North Street, Stubshaw Cross(1911).
Type of Death – Died/Egypt(buried at sea)
Memorial – Chatby Memorial, Alexandria, Egypt
Formerly 17761 4th Reserve Regiment Dragoons.

GEORGE DICKINSON

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Earlestown
Rank Private
Regiment The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 1st
Age 22
Date of Death 18/8/1916
Service No. 22525
Additional Information Son of George and Ellen Dickinson(Jones), 4 York Road South, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Employed in lamproom at
Garswood Hall Colliery. Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 11 A
Memorial Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

THOMAS ECCLES

Birthplace St. Thomas’, parish, Aspull
Rank Corporal
Regiment Machine Gun Corps
Unit 33rd Company
Age 39
Date of Death 17/8/1917
Service No. 71279
Additional Information Son of William and Elizabeth Eccles(Gaskell), of Aspull, near Wigan. On enlistment the family were living at 126
Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield – brother William and sisters Anne and married sister Jane Silman. Occupation – collier Grave/Memorial Ref. I. A. 20
Cemetery Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium (Ypres)

ELLIS ECKERSLEY

Birthplace Billinge
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Ashton
Rank Private
Regiment The Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
Battalion 1st
Age 19
Date of Death 23/10/1918
Service No. L/11132
Additional Information Son of Thomas Eckersley, 8 Liverpool Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Occupation – collier at Park Colliery of J
& R Stones, Garswood. Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. A. 24
Cemetery Montay-Neuvilly Road Cemetery, Montay, France (Nord)

JOHN EDWARDS

Birthplace St. Helens
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment Connaught Rangers
Battalion 5th
Age 21
Date of Death 21/8/1915/Gallipoli
Service No. 3801
Additional Information Son of Mrs. Emily Edwards, 11 Millingford Grove, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 181 to 183
Memorial Helles Memorial, Turkey (Gallipoli)

RICHARD EVANS

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Bolton
Rank Private
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion 10th
Age 20
Date of Death 16/10/1918
Service No. 54045
Additional Information Son of Edwin and Elizabeth Evans(Sixsmith), 182 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. In 1911 Richard was an
assistant gardener. Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. XIV. D. 7
Cemetery Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt, France (Somme)

ALBERT FAIRHURST

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Age 25
Date of Death 6/3/1916
Additional Information Son of James and Alice Fairhurst(Greenall), 369 Potters Row (row of cottages next to Potters Farm, Long Lane/Bryn
Road), Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1901). In 1910 the family was living at 103 Bryn Road South, Ashton in Makerfield. Brothers Thomas and Arthur. Sisters Mary Emily and Alice. Husband of Lilian/Lily Fairhurst(Clark), marriage 17/9/1910 St. Thomas’. In 1911 Albert, Lilian and son Thomas were living at 379 Potters Row, Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Albert was a coalminer.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. No CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) details.
Grave/Memorial —
(The above information is obtained from the headstone of James and Alice Fairhursts grave in Heath Road Graveyard)
Albert served under the alias Jack Henshaw, Middlesex regiment, Private, Service No. 14943. Apparently many soldiers served under an alias. There are no service records for either Albert Fairhurst or Jack Henshaw.

JAMES FRENCH

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Bamfurlong
Enlisted – Earlestown
Date of Death – 18/9/1918
Rank – Private
Regiment – Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion – 10th Battalion
No. 64802
Age 23
Additional Information Son of John William and Mary French(Wood), 1 Beech Tree Houses, Bamfurlong, Wigan. Occupation – collier. James’
brother William French died whilst on service in Mesopotamia, 14/12/1916 aged 24; and brother in law Edward Jolley died of wounds at Gallipoli 22/8/1915 aged 33 (see below)
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 5 and 6
Memorial – Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France (Pas de Calais).
Formerly 276671 RASC.( Royal Army Service Corps.)

WILLIAM FRENCH

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Bryn Gates, Wigan
Enlisted Hindley
Rank Private
Regiment Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 6th
Age 24
Date of Death 14/12/1916
Service No. 19570
Additional Information Son of John William and Mary French(Wood), 1 Back, Beech Tree Houses, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan. Occupation –
collier. Williams brother James French was killed in action 18/9/1918 aged 23 (see above); and brother in law Edward Jolley died of wounds at Gallipoli 22/8/1915 aged 33 (see below).
Type of Death Died/Mesopotamia
Grave/Memorial Ref. IV. O. 13
Cemetery Basra War Cemetery, Iraq

ERNEST HART

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Rifleman
Regiment Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Battalion 16th
Age 24
Date of Death 24/10/1918
Service No. C/272
Additional Information Son of the late Charles and Mrs Jane Hart(Fairhurst), 21 Warrington Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Ernest was a
collier. Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. B. 49
Cemetery Forest Communal Cemetery, France (Nord)

HARRY PENNINGTON HART

Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Gunner
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Unit “D” Company. 67th Brigade
Age 22
Date of Death 20/5/1917
Service No. 74444
Additional Information Son of Richard and Eliza Hannah Hart(Greenall), 11 Violet Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). Sisters Jane
and Jessie. Brother James Richard. Harry was a collier. Type of Death Killed in Action/Salonika
Grave/Memorial Ref. V. F. 11
Cemetery Struma Military Cemetery, Greece

THOMAS HART

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Gunner
Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery
Date of Death 20/5/1916
Service No. 50304
Type of Death Died
Grave/Memorial Ref. – no CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) details.
Cemetery/Memorial —
*Possibly –
Thomas Hart, son of Levi and Adelaide Hart(Cottom), 109 Heath Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). Marriage St. Thomas’, Ashton, 1892.
(Thomas 18 and a coal hewer 1911) OR
Thomas Hart, son of Peter and Jane Hart(Simm), 58 Golborne Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). Marriage St. Thomas’, Ashton, 1878.
(Thomas aged 18, 1911)
HERBERT EDWIN HASELDEN

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Shirley/Hants.
Enlisted Southampton
Rank Private
Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
Unit 98th Field Ambulance
Age 25
Date of Death 31/7/1917(action at Zillebeke)
Service No. 339652
Additional Information Son of the late Mr Herbert Edwin and Mrs Grace Emily Haselden(Rimmer), 7 Bryn Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan.
Sister Gertrude. Educated Ashton Grammar School. Enlisted 6/8/1914. Served in France. Herbert had been a teacher at the Manor Schools, Earlestown. Occupation on enlistment – medical student with Dr. S. W.Richardson, Shirley, Southampton. Known as “Jock” to his friends.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 56
Memorial Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium

EDMUND HAYES

Birthplace Leigh
Rank Lance Sergeant
Regiment Manchester Regiment
Battalion 1st
Age 28
Date of Death 27/4/1916
Service No. 13077
Additional Information Son of Edmund Hayes, 54 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Captain of St. Thomas’ Church Lads Brigade.
Husband of Alice Emma Rose Hayes, “The Furze”, Pinewood Road, Ferndown, Wimborne, Dorset. Brothers Frank, John, Philip and sisters Florrie, Adelaide, Dora, Mollie and Lilian. Occupation – clerk at Ashton Council Offices.
Type of Death Died (cholera fever)/Mesopotamia
Grave/Memorial Ref. XX. G. 5
Cemetery Amara War Cemetery, Iraq

JOHN HOPE HAYES

Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Corporal
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Unit “A” Battery. 112th Brigade
Age 21
Awards Mentioned in Despatches
Date of Death 7/6/1917
Service No. 74029
Additional Information Son of Saul and Emma Hayes(Jenkin), 45 Warrington Road, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). John was one of ten children
Amelia, Eliza, Jane, Saul, Harry, Aaron, Harold, Willie and Joseph. In 1911 he was a shop assistant in a grocery stores. Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. II. J. 16
Cemetery St. Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery, Belgium (Ypres)

JOHN THOMAS HEATON

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Earlestown
Rank Gunner
Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery
Unit 221st Siege Battery
Age 38
Date of Death 3/7/1917
Service No. 123703
Additional Information Son of John and Ann Ellen Heaton. Husband of M. E. Heaton, 31 Princess Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Manager
of Bolton Road Cooperative Stores, Ashton in Makerfield. Native of Ashton in Makerfield. Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. XXV. K. 16A
Cemetery Etaples Military Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais)

THOMAS HICKSON

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 14/11/1916
Rank – Private
Regiment – Prince of Wales Volunteers ( S. Lancashire Regiment )
Battalion – 7th Battalion
No. 22542
Age 39
Additional Information Son of James and Elizabeth Hickson(Kilshaw), 13 East Street, Stubshaw Cross(1891). Husband of Annie
Hickson(Turton), 2 Woods Lane, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield. Children – Joseph Albert; Frederick; Elizabeth and Thomas. Occupation
– coal dealer. Type of Casualty – Killed in action.
Grave/Memorial Ref. – Pier and Face 7A and 7B.
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme).

SAMUEL HILTON

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Knowsley/Prescot
Date of Death – 2/1/1918
Rank – Private
Regiment – Kings ( Liverpool Regiment )
Battalion – 18th Battalion
No. 300010
Type of Death – Killed in action
Formerly 250543 Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry
Grave/Memorial Ref. XVI. J. 7
Cemetery – Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium, (Ypres)
*Possibly –
Son of Samuel and Mary Hilton(Speakman), 7 Dig Nook, Ashton in Makerfield (Samuel 27 and coalmine labourer above ground 1911)
OR
Son of William and Sarah Hilton(Boon), 31 Wigan Road, Ashton (Samuel 21 and a coalmine labourer below ground 1911)
OR
Son of John and Ellen Hilton(Billingham), 3 Mill Street, Ashton(possibly brother of William Hilton, next soldier) (Samuel 16 and a house
painter 1911)
WILLIAM HILTON

Birthplace – Wigan
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Sheffield
Date of Death – 22/7/1916
Rank – Private
Regiment – Duke of Wellingtons ( W. Riding Regiment )
Battalion – 8th
Age – 32
No. 15840
Additional Information – Son of John and Ellen Hilton(Billingham), 3 Mill Street, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). In 1911 William was living
in Barnsley working as a collier on the Yorkshire Coalfield. In 1914, in Barnsley, he married Maud Nelson. Husband of Maud Crossland (formerly Hilton) of 59 Dodsworth Road, Barnsley.
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. D 19
Cemetery – Agny Military Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais)

JAMES HODSON

Birthplace Chorley
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Driver
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Battalion 151st (Howitzer) Battalion
Age 29
Date of Death 31/1/1916
Service No. 73019
Additional Information Son of James and Sarah Hodson of Adlington, near Chorley, Lancashire. Husband of Emma Jane Hodson(Hewitt), 254 Old
Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. He was a well known local footballer, having played with Ashton Town, Bryn Central, Tyldesley Albion and Atherton. Occupation – collier at Garswood Hall.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Theatre of War West European Theatre
Grave/Memorial Ref, Plot 1. Row C. Grave 39
Cemetery Corbie Communal Cemetery, France (Somme)

HENRY HOLLAND

Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Fazakerley
Rank Private
Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
Battalion Territorial Force
Age 26
Date of Death 8/12/1915
Service No.1434
Additional Information Son of Robert and Ellen Holland(Hind), married Leigh 1874. Robert was born in Parr, St, Helens and Ellen in
Tyldesley, Leigh. In 1881 the family lived at Barrow Nook, Bickerstaffe. In 1891 they lived at School Lane, Skelmersdale, where Henry was
born in 1890. 1891 Robert died aged 38 and in 1892 Ellen married James Alsopp. 1901 the family lived at Shuttle Street,Tyldesley. Henry had a sister Rachel and a brother Daniel. 24/6/1911 Daniel Holland, 26, 162 Old Road, Ashton, father Robert, deceased, miner, married Margaret Davies at St. Thomas’, Ashton. 162 Old Road was the residence given for Henry Holland at his burial 13/12/1915.
Type of Death Died/Home
Grave/Memorial Ref. 20
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard, Heath Lane Extension.
Burial 13/12/1915 St. Thomas’, Ashton, Henry Holland, 162 Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Aged 26.

GEORGE GARNETT HURST

Birthplace Middlesbrough, Yorkshire
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Newton le Willows
Rank Stoker 2nd Class
Service Royal Navy
Unit H.M.P.M.S. “Duchess of Richmond”/Mine Clearance Unit
Age 28
Date of Death 28/6/1919 (Killed by mine explosion)
Service No. MC/956
Additional Information Son of Henry John and Margaret Hurst. Served with H.M. Forces in Flanders 1915 – 1918 (4th Battalion South
Lancashire Regiment). On enlistment gave his address as 17 Laburnum Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Brothers Dermott Septimus, 17
Laburnum Avenue, Ashton in Makerfield; James and Leonard (addresses unknown). Sisters Marian(address unknown) and Pauline (in Hull). After
his release from the army his mothers address is given as 59 Faggs Lane, Platt Bridge, Wigan. Occupation – collier. Grave/Memorial Ref. 32
Memorial Portsmouth Naval Memorial

THOMAS HURST

Nationality Canadian
Rank Sergeant
Regiment Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Battalion 5th
Age 28
Date of Death 28/9/1916
Service No. 415044
Additional Information Son of James and Alice Hurst. Husband of Elizabeth Hurst(Dearden), 87 Enfield Street, Pemberton, Wigan. 1916
Newspaper report -” Mrs. Hurst, 7 Low Bank Road, informed of the death of her husband Thomas Hurst of the Canadian Army. Sergeant Hurst
was killed in action. 1913 he had gone to Canada and he enlisted in a Canadian Regiment in 1915. Before leaving for Canada he resided at 229 Heath Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan”. The article also mentions his brother J. Hurst who was also a soldier in the Britsh Army.
Type of Death Killed in Action(gas poisoning)
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. BB. 13
Cemetery Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, France (Somme)

EDWARD JOLLEY

Birthplace – Blackrod
Residence – Warrington
Date of Death – 22/8/1915
Rank – Private
Regiment – Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion – 1st Battalion
No. 17212
Age 33
Additional Information Son of John and Ellen Jolly(Booth), of Blackrod. Ellen Jolly married Edward Black, St. Thomas’ 1885, and the family
then lived at 35 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Edward was lodging at 386 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Husband of Nancy Jolley(French). Occupation – collier/drawer. Brother in law of William French who died in action 14/12/1916 aged 24 and James French who was killed in action 18/9/1918 aged 23 (see St. Lukes Memorial Roll).
Type of Death – Died of wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 58 to 72 or 218 to 219.
Memorial – Helles Memorial, Turkey, (Gallipoli).

GEORGE MAURICE JONES

Rank Second Lieutenant
Regiment The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 4th
Age 28
Date of Death 14/7/1918
Additional Information Son of James George and Letitia Louisa Jones(Wallace), 20 Bryn Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. George
Maurice’s parents were married at Golborne, St. Thomas’, 1883 and were shopkeepers(bakers and confectioners). George Maurice was employed
in the printing trade (1911). Type of Death Died of Wounds(“gas poisoning” inscription on gravestone)
Grave/Memorial Ref. New Yard 13
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard
Burial 18/7/1918 St. Thomas’, Ashton, George Maurice Jones, Gerard Street, Ashton. Aged 29.

JOHN JONES

Birthplace Prescot
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment Cheshire Regiment
Battalion 16th Battalion
Age 25
Date of Death 8/9/1916
Service No. 21732
Additional Information Son of Joseph and Mary Elizabeth Jones, 228 Warrington Road, Platt Bridge, Wigan. Living on Bolton Road, Ashton in
Makerfield at the time of his death as recorded in a newspaper report of his death. Occupation – collier at Long Lane Colliery. Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. E. 22
Cemetery Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France (Pas de Calais)

WILLIAM STEPHEN KENEALY VC

Birthplace Wigan (Wexford, Ireland)
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Bury
Rank Lance Sergeant
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion 1st
Age 29
Date of Death 29/6/1915/Gallipoli(Battle of Gully Ravine)
Service No. 1809
Awards VC
Additional Information Son of John and Margaret Kenealy, 361 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Attended Stubshaw Cross Primary School.
William was a collier at Low Hall Colliery, Platt Bridge. William was presented with a gold watch at a ceremony on Ashton Market Square in recognition of his gaining the VC. William’s brother Frank was killed in action 7/11/1914 aged 23 (on St. Lukes Memorial
Roll). Type of Death Died of Wounds(Malta Hospital)
Grave/Memorial Ref. C. 104
Cemetery Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Turkey (Gallipoli)
Citation
Extract from “London Gazette” 24/8/1915 ” On 25th April, 1915, three companies, and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion Lancashire
Fusiliers, in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by a very deadly fire from hidden machine guns which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entanglements,
notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy, and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position
maintained. Amongst the many very gallant officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Capt. Willis, Sergeant Richards and
Pte. Kenealy have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most single acts of bravery and devotion to duty”. The 1,028 men of the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers that landed at Gallipoli were quickly reduced to 320 by the machine gun fire from the Turks.

FRED KIERNAN (JAMES F. KIERNAN)

Birthplace Bolton
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment Prince of Wales (South Lancashire Regiment)
Battalion 6th
Age 20
Date of Death 14/8/1915
Service No. 15735
Additional Information Son of Peter and Mary Kiernan. Brother of Rebecca Talbot, 18 Low Bank Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Fred was
living with his grandmother Mrs. W. J. Thorpe and uncle Mr. Weir, newsagent, at 156 Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Fred was a collier. He enlisted 7/11/1914.
Type of Death Died of Wounds/Dardanelles (buried at sea)
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 139 and 140
Memorial Helles Memorial, Turkey, (Gallipoli)

JOSEPH KILSHAW

Birthplace Rainhill
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Private
Regiment Border Regiment
Battalion 1st
Age 17
Date of Death 3/9/1915
Service No. R/266
Additional Information Son of Frederick and Rachael Kilshaw(Harrison), 183 Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan
Type of Death Died/Gallipoli
Grave/Memorial Ref. H. 64
Cemetery Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt

JOSEPH KNOWLES

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 15/7/1916
Rank – Rifleman
Regiment – Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
Battalion – 16th Battalion
No. C/282
Age 22
Additional Information Son of Peter and Jane Knowles(Hope), 3 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1916). Occupation – grocers assistant
Type of Casualty – Died of wounds. Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 13A and 13B.
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme).

FRED LATHAM (FREDERICK HERBERT LATHAM)

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – St. Helens
Date of Death – 28/3/1918
Rank – Lance Corporal
Regiment – Kings Own ( Royal Lancaster Regiment )
Battalion – 1st Battalion
No. 28361
Age 41
Additional Information Son of John and Emily Latham, 2 Mount Pleasant, Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield(1881) and on Clipsley Lane,
Haydock(1901). Husband of Beatrice E. Latham. Occupation – colliery mechanical engineer.
Type of Casualty – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. IV. B, 3
Cemetery – Roclincourt Valley Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais).

JOHN WILLIAM LYON

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment Cheshire Regiment
Battalion 1st/4th
Age 20
Date of Death 7/10/1918
Service No. 67812
Additional Information Son of Mr James William and Mrs Mary Ann Lyon(Jenkin), 309 Bolton Road, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield,
Wigan. Occupation – haulage hand at Bryn Hall Colliery
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. II. N. 12
Cemetery Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Belgium (Ypres)

STANLEY ROUGHSEDGE MATHER

Residence Haydock
Enlisted St. Helens
Rank Sapper
Regiment Royal Engineers
Unit 421st Field Company
Age 19
Date of Death 7/5/1917
Service No. 426798
Additional Information Son of William and Jane Mather, 12 Penny Lane, Haydock, St. Helens, Lancashire. Enlisted 30/4/1915. Served in
France. Brothers Harry William and John; sisters Ethel May and Amy Doris. Attended Ashton Grammar School. Occupation – chemist
Type of Death Killed in Action(Armentieres Square)
Grave/Memorial Ref. VI. A. 23
Cemetery Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France (Nord)

ERNEST MOLYNEUX

Birthplace Bamfurlong
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private Regiment Coldstream Guards
Battalion 3rd
Age 24
Date of Death 13/4/1918
Service No. 19359
Additional Information Son of William and Sarah Molyneux, 556 Holly Bank, Bamfurlong, Wigan
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 1
Memorial Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium (Comines-Warneton, Hainaut)

WILLIAM MONKS

Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Acting Bombardier
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Unit “A” Battery. 58th Brigade
Date of Death 26/8/1917
Service No. 67578
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. XVIII. E. 16
Cemetery New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium (Ypres)
*Possibly –
William Monks, husband of Esther Monks(Sudworth), 92 Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Marriage St. Thomas’, 1909. (Son of George
Monks, William 24 and a coalmine labourer below ground 1911)
OR
William Monks, husband of Sarah Ann Monks(Hughes), 96 Heath Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. (William 25 and a coal hewer, born Haydock.
(1911)
JESSE PRICE MOSES

Birthplace Wigan
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Lance Corporal
Regiment Manchester Regiment
Battalion 11th
Age 33
Date of Death 26/9/1916
Service No. 23916
Additional Information Son of William and Jane Moses, 55 North Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield(1901). William was born in
Merthyr, Glamorgan and Jane was born in Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire. Husband of Annie Moses(Knowles), married 1903 at St,. Thomas’, Ashton
in Makerfield, and in 1911 were living at 19 Mill Street, Ashton in Makerfield. When Jesse enlisted their residence was 34 Flora Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. A member of the “Wigan Pals” battalion. Collier at Long Lane Colliery. Served at the Dardanelles, Gallipoli and in France. Leaves a wife and 3 children.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 13A and 14C
Memorial Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

ALFRED NAYLOR

Birthplace Earlestown
Enlisted Haydock
Rank Lance Corporal
Regiment Royal Engineers
Unit 55th Division Signals
Age 23
Date of Death 9/4/1918
Service No. 432326
Additional Information Son of Samuel John and Sophia Naylor(Lentz), 219 Penny Lane, Haydock, Lancashire. Occupation – collier.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. III. SS. 6
Cemetery Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France (Pas de Calais)

JOHN NAYLOR

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Wigan
Date of Death – 20/8/1916
Rank – Private
Regiment – Prince of Wales Volunteers ( S. Lancashire Regiment )
Battalion – 7th Battalion
No. 12571
Age 32
Additional Information Son of Thomas and Nancy Naylor(Hope), 6 Mill Lane, Ashton in Makerfield(1891). Johns residence on enlistment(1914)
was 303 Bryn Road, Bryn. 1915 John married Caroline Green, at St. Thomas’, Ashton in Makerfield, and their residence now became 42 Poplar Bank, Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Occupation – collier.
Type of Casualty – Died of wounds.(Belgium)
Grave/Monument Ref. II.F.169
Cemetery – Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (North), France (Nord).

FRED OGDEN

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 6/10/1917
Rank – Private
Regiment – Prince of Wales Volunteers ( S. Lancashire Regiment ).
Battalion – 7th Battalion
No. 31845
Age 37
Additional Information Son of Paul and Jane Ogden(Unsworth), 181 Princess Road, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Brothers John; James and Paul.
Sisters Annie; Victoria and Martha. Occupation – locksmith. Type of Casualty – Killed in Action.
Grave/Memorial – XX1. J. 1
Cemetery – Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium (Ypres)

MATTHEW ORMROD

Matthew is not named on the Memorial Roll. Later information revealed Matthew as a casualty of World War One. In 2018 a headstone was raised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to Matthew in Warrington Road churchyard. Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Parr, St. Helens
Date of Birth 1898
Rank Private
Regiment/Unit – Unit Training Reserves 49th RD Battalion
No. 3/14845
Age 20
Date of Death 30/12/1918. Died of TB at Eccleston Hall Sanatorium Service No. C/280
Additional Information Son of William & Annie Ormrod. 1/1/1898 St. James, Poolstock, Wigan, William Ormrod’s 2nd marriage – William Ormrod, 24, widower, 7 Ash Street, Pemberton Cottages, Park Lane & Annie Speakman, 3 Ash Street, Pemberton Cottages, Park Lane. Children – Matthew born Ashton 1898, Thomas born Ashton 1900, Ann Leah born Ashton 1902 and John born Haydock 1905. In 1901 they lived at 36 Bryn Street, Ashton. In 1911 at 29 Bramwell Street, Parr, St. Helens.
William Ormrods 1st marriage – 12/5/1894 St. Thomas’s, Ashton in Makerfield – William Ormrod, 20, miner, Gerard Street, Ashton, & Leah Banks, 20, Edge Green Lane. They had 2 children Mary born Ashton 1895, James Richard born Ashton 1897. Leah Ormrod of Bryn Street died aged 23 and was buried 13/4/1897 at St. Thomas’s, Ashton. Their son James Richard Ormrod, a half brother of Matthew Ormrod, died 18/7/1918 as a prisoner of war in Germany. James Richard is buried at Cologne Southern Cemetery.
Grave New 115
Cemetery St. Thomas’s, Ashton in Makerfield
RICHARD JOHN OWENS

Birthplace Wigan
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Rifleman
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 1st/5th
Age 25
Date of Death 3/9/1917
Service No. 242817
Additional Information Son of Richard and Betsy Owens, of Wigan. Husband of Alice Ann Owens(nee Massy), 20 Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan
Type of Death Died of Wounds/Home(Edinburgh Hospital)
Grave/Memorial Ref. New Yard 58
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard
Burial 8/9/1917 St Thomas’, Ashton, Richard John Owens, 20 Poplar Bank, Wigan Road, Ashton. Aged 24.

THOMAS OXBRY

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton
Enlisted Warrington
Date of Death – 11/8/1917
Rank – Private
Regiment – Cheshire Regiment
Battalion – 13th Battalion
No. 21734
Age 21
Additional Information Son of Harry and Nancy Oxbry(Cunliffe), 61 North Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Haulage hand
at Mains Colliery, Bamfurlong. Enlisted 1915. Thomas was the main support of his widowed mother and her 4 children. Type of Casualty – Died of wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. V. F. 6
Cemetery – Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium (Ypres).

CHARLES WILLIAM PAINTER

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Rifleman
Regiment Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Battalion 16th
Age 21
Date of Death 28/1/1916
Service No. C/280
Additional Information Son of Charles Henry and Annie Painter(Dierden), “Robin Hood Hotel”, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Annie was
Charles Williams stepmother. His mother was Mary Jane Painter(Tyrer) and she was the daughter of Charles Tyrer the publican at the “Eagle
and Child Hotel” in Ashton. Charles Henry married Annie Dierden in 1902, the Dierden family were from Stock Terrace, Penny Lane, Haydock. Charles William had 2 sisters Annie Evelyn and Constance Mary and a brother Sydney Pennington Painter. Attended Ashton Grammar School. Enlisted 19/9/1914.
Type of Death Killed in Action/France
Grave/Memorial Ref. K. 3
Cemetery Cambrin Churchyard Extension, France (Pas de Calais)

LESLIE WILLIAM PARDEY

Rank Second Lieutenant
Regiment Prince of Wales Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment)
Battalion 5th
Age 19
Date of Death 16/9/1916
Additional Information Son of Lewis Pardey and Sarah Alice Pardey(Aspinall), Park House, Ashton in Makerfield. Enlisted 1/7/1915. Served
in France. Lewis Pardey was the agent for Lord Gerards Garswood Estate. Leslie William was educated at Ashton Grammar School and employed at Parrs Bank, St. Helens.
Type of Death Died of Wounds(at Base Hospital, Camiers, of wounds received in action at Delville Wood)
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. B. 48
Cemetery Etaples Military Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais)
(A Memorial Tablet is inside Holy Trinity Church, North Ashton)

SAMUEL PIERCE

Birthplace Holywell, Flintshire
Residence Earlestown
Enlisted Newton le Willows
Rank Private
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 1st/4th
Age 26
Date of Death 16/6/1915
Service No. 91
Additional Information Son of Griffith Hughes Pierce. Husband of Lily Pierce(Leavis), 45 Bank Street, Golborne (later of 86 Old Road,
Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan). Residence on enlistment – 11 Stanley Street, Earlestown. Employed as a striker(blacksmith) at the Vulcan
Foundry, Newton le Willows. Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 37
Memorial Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium

HAROLD WINSTANLEY PILLING

Birthplace Bryn
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Private
Regiment Manchester Regiment
Battalion “D” Company. 22nd Battalion
Age 20
Date of Death 20/3/1917
Service No. 37706
Additional Information Son of David and Mary Pilling(Winstanley), 2 Skelton Street, Rose Hill, Bryn, Wigan. Attended Ashton Grammar
School. Enlisted 12/4/1915. Served in Egypt, Gallipoli and France.Twice wounded; died a POW in Germany.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. IV. D. 10
Cemetery Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery, France (Nord)

MATTHEW GEORGE PLUNKETT

Birthplace Wigan
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Bombardier
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Unit No. 1 Section 20th Divisional Ammunition Col.
Age 25
Date of Death 26/3/1916
Service No. 70094
Additional Information Son of Isaac and Margaret Plunkett. Husband of Mary Plunkett(Worswick) of 159 Downall Green Road, Bryn, Wigan.
Occupation – stoker at Ashton Gas Works. Attended St. Thomas’ School and was a member of the Old Church Lads Brigade and St. Thomas’ Band.
Type of Death Killed in Action(bursting shell) Grave/Memorial Ref. Plot 2. Row A. Grave 2
Cemetery Ferme-Olivier Cemetery, Belgium (Ypres)

HARRY/HENRY POTTER

Birthplace Wigan
Enlisted St. Helens
Rank Lance Corporal
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion “D” Company. 2nd Battalion
Age 23
Date of Death 3/8/1917
Service No. 31893
Awards Mentioned in Despatches
Additional Information Son of William Henry and Margaret Ellen Potter(Marsh), 3 Sumners Yard, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan (between Gerard
Street and market). Brothers James Henry Marsh, Walter Potter; sister Sarah Ellen Potter. Occupation – miner at Smethursts Collieries(Garswood Hall). Enlisted August 1914. Killed on the same day as his soldier pal John Roughley (see below).
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 37
Memorial Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium

PETER RIGBY

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted St. Helens
Rank Lance Corporal
Regiment Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Battalion 1st
Age 20
Date of Death 17/6/1916
Service No. R/14503
Additional Information Son of William Thomas and Elizabeth Ann Rigby(Knowles), 86 Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Brothers
William, Thomas and Leonard. Sisters Ethel and Ellen. Occupation – collier.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. J. 8
Cemetery Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension, France (Pas de Calais)

JOHN ROUGHLEY

Residence – Newton le Willows
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Rank – Private
Regiment – Prince of Wales Volunteers ( S. Lancashire Regiment )
Battalion – 2nd Battalion
No. 32154
Age 26
Date of Death – 3/8/1917
Additional Information Son of John and Elizabeth Ann Roughley(Moore), 5 Eastwell Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). Husband of Mary
Roughley(Isherwood), marriage 1911 at St. Thomas’, Ashton in Makerfield. Enlisted November 1914. Residence at time of death, 77 Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Collier Garswood Hall. Leaves a wife and 3 children. Killed on the same day as his soldier pal Harry Potter (see above).
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 37
Memorial – Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium

HERBERT STANLEY SCOTT

Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Ashton
Rank Private
Regiment Manchester Regiment
Battalion 2nd/5th
Age 19
Date of Death 22/7/1917
Service No. 201987
Additional Information Son of Thomas Scott, of Haydock Lodge, Newton le Willows, Lancashire
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. J. 61
Cemetery Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium (Coxyde now Koksijde, West Vlaanderen)

HENRY SIXSMITH

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Ashton
Rank Sapper
Regiment Royal Engineers
Unit 175th Tunnelling Company
Age 26
Date of Death 25/9/1918
Service No. 157834
Additional Information Son of William and Mary Ellen Sixsmith(Boon), 36 Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan
Type of Death Died
Grave/Memorial Ref. C. 21
Cemetery Thilloy Road Cemetery, Beaulencourt, France (Pas de Calais)

ALFRED SKIPWORTH

Birthplace – Louth, Lincs.
Residence – Wigan
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 16/11/1916
Rank – Corporal
Regiment – E. Lancashire Regiment
Battalion – 8th Battalion
No. 16209
Age 24
Additional Information Son of Charles and Elizabeth Skipworth(Bower) of Louth, Lincolnshire. Alfred was resident at Louth in 1911 and was
a farm labourer. He probably came to Lancashire to work in the collieries. Type of Casualty – Killed in action
Formerly – 16209 Manchester Regiment.
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 6 C
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

ALFRED SMITH

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Warrington
Date of Death – 6/7/1916
Rank – Gunner
Regiment – Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery
Unit “D” Battery. 148th Brigade.
No. L/13380
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. I I. E. 34
Cemetery – Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, France (Somme).
*Possibly Son of William Smith, 4 “A” Court, off Warrington Road (Alfred 15 in 1911 and a colliery labourer) OR
Son of Benjamin and Agnes Smith(McNamara), 2 Beech Tree Houses, Bamfurlong, Wigan (Alfred was 14 in 1911 and a colliery haulier)

SYDNEY SMITH

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Rank Private
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 1st/4th Battalion
Age 26
Date of Death 16/9/1920 died of sickness
Service No. 241952
Additional Information Born 16/5/1894. Baptised 24/6/1894 St. Thomas’, Ashton, Sydney Smith son of Frederick and Elizabeth Ann
Smith(Rosbottom), Mill Street, bricksetter. 1911 Sydney and parents and siblings Walter, Arthur, Robert Noble, Frederick Charles, Doris
Mary and Kathleen Olive were living at 7 Mill Street, Ashton. In 1911 Sydney was a shoemaker. Brother Walter Smith killed in action 13/7/1916 aged 28 (See below).
Grave/Memorial Ref. New Yard 58
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas’) Churchyard.
Burial 22/9/1920 St. Thomas’, Ashton, Sydney Smith, 7 Mill Street, Ashton. Aged 26.

WALTER SMITH

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Rifleman
Regiment Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Battalion 13th
Age 28
Date of Death 13/7/1916
Service No. R/9209
Additional Information Son of Frederick and Elizabeth Ann Smith(Rosbottom), 7 Mill Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. He was a bugler
and a member of St. Thomas’ Band. Occupation – bricksetter for the Abram Coal Co. Enlisted January 1915. Walter was the company commanders orderly and both were killed by the shell. Brother Sydney Smith died of sickness 16/9/1920 aged 26 (See above).
Type of Death Killed in Action(shell fire)
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 13A and 13B
Memorial Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

JOHN SNAPE

Residence Haydock
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Corporal
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Unit “A” Battery. 112th Brigade
Age 23
Date of Death 1/9/1917
Service No. 74276
Additional Information Son of William and Jane Lloyd. Husband of Bertha Brown, formerly Snape(nee Pilling), 17 Violet Street, Ashton in
Makerfield, Wigan Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. G. 2
Cemetery Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, Belgium (Ypres)

RICHARD SOMERS

Birthplace – Boyne, Durham
Residence – Warrington
Enlisted – Makerfield, Lancashire
Date of Death – 9/7/1916
Rank – Lance Corporal
Regiment – Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Battalion – 7th/8th Battalion
Age 20
No. 17099
Additional Information Son of John Andrew and Rebecca Somers(Wigham) who were married in Durham in 1894. John Andrew Somers, the son of
John and Mary Ann Somers(Wilson), was born at Willington, Durham in 1871. c1877 the family moved from Durham to 8 Spencers Fold, Pemberton, Lancashire(1881). John Andrew was one of 12 children – William, Harriet, Sarah Ada, Joseph, George, Charles, Lily, Herbert, Robert, Richard Archibald and Florence Emily. c1888 the family moved from Pemberton and in 1891 were living in Bryn Road, Ashton in
Makerfield (near the junction with Nicol Road). John Andrew was employed as a coal drawer. In 1901 John and Mary Ann Somers(Wilson) and
family were living at 331 Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield but their son John Andrew had moved away from Ashton c1892. c1892 John Andrew Somers moved away from Ashton, probably to Durham, and in 1894 he married Rebecca Wigham in Durham (“Summers” written on marriage certificate).
Richard “Summers” (name on birth certificate), the first child of John Andrew and Rebecca Somers, was born 1896 at Boyne, Durham. This
was the coalmining settlement at Boyne Colliery, Langley Moor, 2 miles SW of Durham. In 1897 a second child John Joseph was born in Durham. c1898 the family moved to Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland, where Mary Ann was born. The family then moved again and in 1901 John Andrew and Rebecca Somers and their 3 children were living at 10 Devon Square, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. A 4th child
Catherine was born in Alloa 1901. The family then returned to Durham where Sarah Ada was born 1903. 1904 the family had returned to
Pemberton, Lancashire, where James William(1904) and George Robert(born 13/6/1907 at 6 Bolds Yard, Billinge Road, Pemberton) were born.
In 1911 John Andrew and Rebecca Somers and family were now living East of Manchester at 92 Simpson Street, Bradford(Prestwich), Manchester. ( Bradford is a suburb of Manchester bordered by Miles Platting and Beswick ). John Andrew was employed as a colliery
timberman and son Richard as a colliery pony driver at the nearby Bradford Colliery.
Sometime after 1911 John Andrew and Rebecca Somers and family returned to Ashton in Makerfield, possibly before the start of the war in
1914, since Richard Somers enlisted in Makerfield, Lancashire. The family lived at 122 Bolton Road where son Arthur was born 1915 and son Richard 1917 (baptised 26/8/1917 St. Thomas’, Ashton, Richard “Summers”). Later the family lived at 14 Toothill Street, Ashton in
Makerfield. In 1925 (9/5/1925) Sarah Ada Somers, sister of the deceased soldier Richard Somers, was married at St. Thomas’, Ashton in Makerfield and she gave her address as 14 Toothill Street.(William Wood, 34, 40 Golborne Road, miner, father James Wood, miner, and Sarah Ada Somers, 22, 14 Toothill Street, father John Andrew Somers, miner)
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. IV. G. 34
Cemetery – Vermelles British Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais)

WILLIAM STEVENSON

Rank Second Lieutenant
Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery
Unit 147th Heavy Battery
Age 39
Date of Death 18/9/1918
Awards M.C.
Additional Information Son of the late Joseph and Mary Stevenson, of Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Husband of Elizabeth Ellen(Nellie)
Stevenson(Hart), 83 Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan (married St. Thomas’, Ashton 4/8/1908, William was a schoolteacher of Heath
Lane; Elizabeth Ellen a dressmaker of Bolton Road. Williams father, Joseph, was a storekeeper). Trained as a teacher under Mr. A. Molyneux, headmaster of St. Thomas’ School, Ashton. Taught at St. Thomas’ and later became Headmaster of the Parkside Council School,
Golborne and later the C. of E. School, Haydock, Lancashire. A well known concert singer. A member of the Ashton Lodge of Freemasons. He
was a licensed lay reader officiating at Golborne and Haydock churches. Enlisted 13/6/1916. Served in France and Belgium. Mentioned in Sir D. Haig’s despatch for gallantry and distinguished service. Awarded the Military Cross. Leaves a wife and 2 children.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. B. 1
Cemetery Cagnicourt British Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais)

JAMES HENRY SUDWORTH

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted St. Helens
Rank Lance Corporal
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 6th
Age 23
Date of Death 30/4/1917
Service No. 26492
Additional Information Son of John and Mary Sudworth(Rosbotham), 79 Princess Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Brothers Archibald and
John; married sister Lilian Gorner. Occupation – clerk at Richard Evans & Co. Colliery Offices, Haydock. Enlisted 1915. Type of Death Died of Wounds/Mesopotamia.
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 23
Memorial Basra Memorial, Iraq

WILLIAM SUDWORTH

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Warrington
Enlisted – Warrington
Date of Death – 25/9/1915
Rank – Private
Regiment – Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Battalion – 8th
No. 13763
Age 20
Additional Information Son of Joseph and Hannah Sudworth(Brown), 161 Heath Road, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). William was a collier.
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 53 to 56
Memorial – Loos Memorial, France (Pas de Calais)

BENJAMIN SUTTON

Son of Thomas and Mary Sutton, 48 Whitledge Green, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan.
“Wigan Observer” 22/5/1915 report of death . “Born in Bryn and emigrated to Winnipeg, Canada 1912. Employed first as a window cleaner
then waiter at Hotel Royal, Alexandra. Spoke fluent German as most of the waiters were German. Enlisted 79th Cameron Highlanders Canadian Scottish Regiment. Trained in Canada and then Salisbury Plain, England. Killed in Action. Believed to have met his
death on Hill 60 where the Germans used asphyxiating gas bombs and the Regiment suffered severely from the deadly fumes. He was 24”. Birthplace Bryn
Residence Canada
Nationality Canadian
Rank Private
Regiment Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Battalion 16th
Age 24
Date of Death 23/4/1915
Service No. 29269
Additional Information Son of Thomas and Mary Sutton(Grimshaw), 48 Whitledge Green, Bryn, Wigan
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 24 – 26 – 28 – 30
Memorial Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium

GRANVILLE A. SUTTON

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Newton le Willows
Rank Private
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 1st/4th
Age 24
Date of Death 12/7/1917
Service No. 201198
Additional Information Son of Peter and Margaret Sutton(Hart), 184 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Granville was a collier.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. F. 24
Cemetery Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium (Poperinge West Vlaanderen)

LEONARD TALBOT

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Earlestown
Date of Death – 18/3/1918
Rank – Private
Regiment – Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion – 1st/6th Battalion
No. 47657
Age 19
Additional Information Son of John James and Elizabeth Talbot(Sudworth), 72 Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Attended Ashton
Grammar School. Enlisted 13/2/1917.
Type of Death – Killed in action (family gravestone in St. Thomas’, Ashton in Makerfield states that “Leonard died 18/3/1918 as a POW”)
Grave/Memorial Ref .- Pier and Face 3C and 3D
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

GEORGE EDWARD TURNER

Birthplace Wigan
Rank Private
Service Royal Veterinary Corps
Regiment Manchester Regiment
Age 40
Date of Death 15/3/1915
Service No. 27
Additional Information Son of the late John T. and Jane A. Turner. Husband of Gertrude Eleanor Turner, 49 Gerard Street, Ashton in
Makerfield, Wigan. 21 years previous service. Born at Wigan.
Grave/Memorial Ref. South side
Cemetery Scarisbrick (St. Mark) Churchyard

THOMAS TURTON

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Wigan
Date of Death – 28/6/1915
Regiment – Royal Munster Fusiliers
Battalion – 1st Battalion
Rank – Private
No. 6313
Type of Death – Killed in action/Gallipoli
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 185 to 190
Memorial – Helles Memorial, Turkey, (Gallipoli)
*Possibly –
Son of John and Sarah Ann Turton(Worsley), 125 Heath Road, Ashton (Thomas 10 in 1901)
OR
Thomas husband of Elizabeth Ellen Turton(Wright), 81 Wigan Road, Ashton (Thomas 33 and a coal hewer 1911)
OR
Thomas husband of Elizabeth Turton(Marsh), 4 Brook Street, Ashton (Thomas 35 and a coal hewer 1911)

WALTER TURTON

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Ashton
Rank Private
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion “C” Company. 19th Battalion
Age 21
Date of Death 30/4/1918
Service No. 36946
Additional Information Son of Richard and Elizabeth Turton(Wareing), 13 Pretoria Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Educated at the
British Schools, Ashton in Makerfield. Employed at Wareings Boot and Clog Depot, Bryn.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. V. C. 23
Cemetery Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, Belgium (Poperinge, West Vlaanderen)
Formerly 27772 South Lancashire Regiment

EDWARD WHITE

Birthplace – Wigan
Residence – Wigan
Date of Death – 10/7/1918
Rank – Lance Sergeant
Regiment – Kings Own ( Royal Lancaster Regiment )
Battalion – 8th Battalion
No. 28901
Age – 25
Additional Information – son of Edward and Catherine White(Hayes), 15 Chapel Street, Ashton in Makerfield(1901) and 6 Dig Nook(Aldi
area), Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Occupation – Garswood Hall collier.
Type of Casualty – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. III. A. 1
Cemetery Sandpits British Cemetery, Fouquereuil, France (Pas de Calais)

EDWARD WILLIAMS 

Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Ashton
Rank Gunner
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Unit “B” Battery. 276th Brigade
Age 27
Date of Death 8/11/1918
Service No. 164802
Additional Information Son of Edward and Elizabeth Ann Williams of Ashton in Makerfield. Husband of Mary Williams, 30 Edge Green Street,
Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. III. P. 2
Cemetery Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt, France (Pas de Calais)

JOHN WISEMAN

Birthplace – Wigan
Residence – Wigan
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 2/9/1918
Rank – Private
Regiment – Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion – 10th Battalion
No. 5507
Age 30
Additional Information Son of Amos and Mary Ellen Wiseman(Marsh), 63 Princess Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Husband of Beatrice
Wiseman(Turton), 37 Bryn Road, Bryn, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Occupation prior to enlisting – collier at Park Lane Colliery.
Type of Casualty – Died of wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. III. J. 6
Cemetery – Varennes Military Cemetery, France (Somme)

HARRY WORTHINGTON

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Ashton
Rank Gunner
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Unit “C” Battery. 165th Brigade
Age 22
Date of Death 25/4/1917
Service No. 13626
Additional Information Son of Dennis and Leah Worthington(Bolton), 554 Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. XIX. K. 3A
Cemetery Etaples Military Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais)

_______________________________________

The following names are not on the Memorial Roll but all, except one, are soldiers who are buried in St. Thomas’ Churchyard (Ernest
Arthur Ashley is named on the family grave in Warrington Road Graveyard).

ERNEST ARTHUR ASHLEY

Birthplace St. Heliers, Jersey
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Sergeant
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Batalion 2nd
Age 24
Date of Death 24/10/1914
Service No. 7529
Additional Information Son of Louisa Ashley, of Sunnyside Villas, Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan, and the late Arthur Ashley.
Arthur was born in Reading and Louisa at Ryde, Isle of Wight. Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 23
Memorial Le Touret Memorial, France (Pas de Calais).

RICHARD BEDDOWS

Rank Private
Regiment Northumberland Fusiliers
Age 50
Date of Death 20/1/1920
Service No. 56310
Additional Information Son of Lawrence and Catherine Beddows. Husband of Mary Alice Beddows(Webb), 39 North Street, Stubshaw Cross,
Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan.(1911). Children May; Beatrice Maud; Joseph and Richard. Richard was born in Fleetwood and in 1911 was a
coalmine labourer below ground.
Grave/Memorial Ref. 54
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield ( St. Thomas’ ) Churchyard, Heath Lane Extension.
Burial 24/1/1920 St. Thomas’, Ashton, Richard Beddows, 39 North Street, Stubshaw Cross. Aged 50.

JAMES PARRY

Residence Bryn
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment East Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 1st
Age 21
Date of Death 1/3/1919
Service No. 40344
Additional Information Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Parry(Parry), 90 Nicol Road, Bryn, Wigan. In 1911 James was a gardener(green keeper at
golf links/Bryn) Type of Death Died of wounds/Home (effects of gas)
Grave/Memorial Ref. 6
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas’ ) Churchyard, Heath Lane Extension.
Burial 6/3/1919 St. Thomas’, Ashton, James Parry, The Lord Derby War Hospital, Winwick. Aged 21.

JOHN POVER

Rank Driver
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Unit 2nd Army Reinforcement Camp
Age 27
Date of Death 5/3/1919
Service No. 259830
Additional Information Son of Edward and Maria Pover(Lievesley), of Haydock; Husband of Ellen A. Pover(Atherton), 24 Vicarage Road,
Haydock, Lancashire
Type of Death Died (pneumonia)
Grave/Memorial Ref. Old Yard 23
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield,( St. Thomas’ ) Churchyard.
Burial 10/3/1919 St. Thomas’, Ashton, John Pover, 24 Vicarage Road, Haydock. Aged 28.

_______________________________________

The following names are not on the Memorial Roll but are soldiers graves within St. Thomas’ Churchyard (Heath Road). One of the soldiers,
and also possibly the second soldier, was a patient at the Military Convalescent Hospital organised by Mary, Lady Gerard at Garswood Hall.

H. C. WATSON ( HORACE CARLTON WATSON)

Born – 1898
Birthplace – Sheffield
Enlisted – Pontefract, Yorkshire, 24/4/1918 aged 20 years 4 months
Address – 3 Whitworth Road, Ranmore, Sheffield
Occupation – Porter
Regiment – Royal Garrison Artillery
Regiment No. 206927
Marital Status – single
Parents – father Hubert deceased, mother – Mary Ellen Watson, 3 Whitworth Road, Ranmore, Sheffield
Half Brothers – Samuel, 46; Joseph, 44; Horatio, 42; Frank, 39.
Half Sisters – Lilian Firth, 37; Ethel Bell, 34; Mabel Glossop, 29.

5/11/1919 transferred from Prees Heath Military Hospital, Shropshire ;-
” H. Watson, gunner, 2nd Battery, No. 206927, age 21 years 11 months, admitted to hospital 17/10/1919, transferred 5/11/1919, debility,
to Ashton in Makerfield Convalescent Hospital (Garswood Hall) “.
19/11/1919 Telegram from Ashton in Makerfield Hospital to Royal Artillery Command, Prees Heath, Shropshire :-
” No. 206927 Gunner Watson ( 2/3 S.A.R.B. = Siege Artillery Reserve Brigade ) a patient in this hospital was killed whilst crossing the
railway line outside the hospital 5 :13 pm. 19/11/1919.”

Inquest 21/11/1919
H. C. Watson killed in a railway accident, Ashton in Makerfield, 19/11/1919.
Verdict – death by mis-adventure.

Horace Carlton Watson

Surname – Watson
Initials – H. C.
Nationality – UK
Rank – Gunner
Regiment – Royal Garrison Artillery
Age 22
Date of Death – 19/11/1919
No. 206927
Grave/Memorial Ref. 98
Cemetery – Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas’ Graveyard), Heath Lane Extension
Burial 22/11/1919 St. Thomas’, Ashton, H. C. Watson, The Military Convalescent Camp, Ashton in Makerfield. Aged 22.

JOHN FOOT

Birthplace Ebbw Vale, South Wales
Residence Newport, South Wales
Rank Sergeant
Regiment Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Battalion 2nd Garrison Battalion
Age 42
Date of Death 13/11/1915
Service No. 38137
Type of Death Died
Grave/Memorial Ref. 13
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard, Heath Lane Extension.
Burial 29/11/1915 St. Thomas’, Ashton in Makerfield, John Foot, Sergeant in 2nd Garrison Battalion, R.W. Fusiliers, Garswood Camp. Found
drowned in canal at Wigan. Aged 42. *Possibly –
Husband of Mary Hannah Foot(Edwards), 12 Lion Street, Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire. 1911 John was 38 and a collier.

________________________________________

The following soldiers are not named on the Memorial Roll. They are World War One soldiers killed in action, and buried overseas, whose names are inscribed on their parents headstones in Heath Road Graveyard:-
COLIN ANDREW CRANSHAW

Birthplace Leeds
Age 26
Date of Death 1/7/1916
Son of John Nolan Cranshaw and Jane Cranshaw. 1911 Colin Andrew was employed as a clerk.
Type of Death Killed in Action / Battle of Beaufort Hamel.

HERBERT CROMPTON

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Private
Regiment Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of Albanys)
Battalion 4th
Age 19
Date of Death 20/9/1917
Service No. S/22235
Additional Information Son of Henry and Mary Jane Crompton, 49 Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. In 1911 Herbert was employed as
an assistant clogger and lived with his parents, brothers William, Harry and Harold and sister Maggie in Wigan Road. Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 132 to 135 and 162A
Memorial Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (Zonnebeke, West Vlaanderen)
(Herbert Cromptons name appears on the Congregational Church, Gerard Street, Memorial Roll)

EDWARD DAVIES

Birthplace Haydock
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment Army Cyclist Corps.
Battalion VII Corps. Cyclist Battalion
Age 28
Date of Death 12/10/1918
Service No. 7584
Additional Information Son of William and Elizabeth Davies, 68 Princess Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. XXX. B. 20
Cemetery Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium (Poperinge, West Vlaanderen)
Formerly 8108 Lancashire Fusiliers

THOMAS VICTOR HUGHES

Rank Private
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Age 18 and a half
Date of Death 24/3/1917
Service No. 21797
Additional Information Son of David and Miriam Hughes
Type of Death Died of Wounds(Whitchurch Hospital)

WILLIAM HUGHES

Birthplace Gwyspyr, near Llanasa, Flintshire
Enlisted Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan
Rank Private
Regiment The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 2nd/4th
Age 36
Date of Death 28/9/1918
Service No. 31121
Additional Information Son of George and Mary Hughes, 147 Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). William was a coalminer.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. C. 3
Cemetery Anneux British Cemetery, France (Nord)
Formerly 31823 Royal Welsh Fusiliers

WILLIAM HUGHES

Birthplace Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Rank Rifleman
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 2nd/5th
Age 53
Date of Death 6/2/1918
Service No. 21916
Additional Information Husband of Catherine Hughes, 242 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. William had 7 children and was employed
as a coalmine labourer(1911). Type of Death Died/Home(“killed at Mains Colliery” gravestone inscription)
Grave/Cemetery Ref. 31
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas’) Churchyard, Heath Lane Extension.
Burial 11/2/1918 St. Thomas’, Ashton, William Hughes, 242 Bolton Road, Ashton. Aged 53.
(The headstone on William and Catherines grave gives no details of Williams war service)

JAMES INCE

Birthplace Haydock
Residence Haydock
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Lance Corporal
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 7th
Age 27
Date of Death 5/7/1916
Service No. 11492
Additional Information Son of Ignatius and Louisa Ince, 45 Kenyons Lane, Haydock, St. Helens. On enlistment James was living at 15 Penny
Lane, Haydock. James was a coalminer. Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 7A and 7B
Memorial Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

GEORGE FRANCIS MOSES

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death 23/8/1918
Age 27
Additional Information Son of Thomas James and Elizabeth Moses, 379 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). George had 2 sisters
Patricia Minnie and Amelia living with the family in Bolton Road(1911). George was a coalminer. Type of Death Killed in Action/France
Grave/Memorial Ref. No CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) details
Grave/Memorial —

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World War One Soldiers Buried in St Thomas’ Churchyard

 

Compiled by David A. Fearnley
The following names are not on the Memorial Roll but all, except one, are soldiers who are buried in St. Thomas’ Churchyard (Ernest Arthur Ashley is named on the family grave in Warrington Road Graveyard).

ERNEST ARTHUR ASHLEY

Birthplace St. Heliers, Jersey
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Sergeant
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Batalion 2nd
Age 24
Date of Death 24/10/1914
Service No. 7529
Additional Information Son of Louisa Ashley, of Sunnyside Villas, Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan, and the late Arthur Ashley. Arthur was born in Reading and Louisa at Ryde, Isle of Wight.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 23
Memorial Le Touret Memorial, France (Pas de Calais).

RICHARD BEDDOWS

Rank Private
Regiment Northumberland Fusiliers
Age 50
Date of Death 20/1/1920
Service No. 56310
Additional Information Son of Lawrence and Catherine Beddows. Husband of Mary Alice Beddows(Webb), 39 North Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan.(1911). Children May; Beatrice Maud; Joseph and Richard. Richard was born in Fleetwood and in 1911 was a coalmine labourer below ground.
Grave/Memorial Ref. 54
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield ( St. Thomas’ ) Churchyard, Heath Lane Extension.
Burial 24/1/1920 St. Thomas’, Ashton, Richard Beddows, 39 North Street, Stubshaw Cross. Aged 50.

JAMES PARRY

Residence Bryn
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment East Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 1st
Age 21
Date of Death 1/3/1919
Service No. 40344
Additional Information Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Parry(Parry), 90 Nicol Road, Bryn, Wigan. In 1911 James was a gardener(green keeper at golf links/Bryn)
Type of Death Died of wounds/Home (effects of gas)
Grave/Memorial Ref. 6
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas’ ) Churchyard, Heath Lane Extension.
Burial 6/3/1919 St. Thomas’, Ashton, James Parry, The Lord Derby War Hospital, Winwick. Aged 21.

JOHN POVER

Rank Driver
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Unit 2nd Army Reinforcement Camp
Age 27
Date of Death 5/3/1919
Service No. 259830
Additional Information Son of Edward and Maria Pover(Lievesley), of Haydock; Husband of Ellen A. Pover(Atherton), 24 Vicarage Road, Haydock, Lancashire
Type of Death Died (pneumonia)
Grave/Memorial Ref. Old Yard 23
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield,( St. Thomas’ ) Churchyard.
Burial 10/3/1919 St. Thomas’, Ashton, John Pover, 24 Vicarage Road, Haydock. Aged 28.

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World War One Soldiers with graves within in St Thomas’ Churchyard at Heath Road

Compiled by David A. Fearnley
The following names are not on the Memorial Roll but are soldiers graves within St. Thomas’ Churchyard (Heath Road). One of the soldiers, and also possibly the second soldier, was a patient at the Military Convalescent Hospital organised by Mary, Lady Gerard at Garswood Hall.

H. C. WATSON ( HORACE CARLTON WATSON)

Born – 1898
Birthplace – Sheffield
Enlisted – Pontefract, Yorkshire, 24/4/1918 aged 20 years 4 months
Address – 3 Whitworth Road, Ranmore, Sheffield
Occupation – Porter
Regiment – Royal Garrison Artillery
Regiment No. 206927
Marital Status – single
Parents – father Hubert deceased, mother – Mary Ellen Watson, 3 Whitworth Road, Ranmore, Sheffield
Half Brothers – Samuel, 46; Joseph, 44; Horatio, 42; Frank, 39.
Half Sisters – Lilian Firth, 37; Ethel Bell, 34; Mabel Glossop, 29.

5/11/1919 transferred from Prees Heath Military Hospital, Shropshire ;-
” H. Watson, gunner, 2nd Battery, No. 206927, age 21 years 11 months, admitted to hospital 17/10/1919, transferred 5/11/1919, debility, to Ashton in Makerfield Convalescent Hospital (Garswood Hall) “.

19/11/1919 Telegram from Ashton in Makerfield Hospital to Royal Artillery Command, Prees Heath, Shropshire :-
” No. 206927 Gunner Watson ( 2/3 S.A.R.B. = Siege Artillery Reserve Brigade ) a patient in this hospital was killed whilst crossing the railway line outside the hospital 5
:13 pm. 19/11/1919.”

Inquest 21/11/1919
H. C. Watson killed in a railway accident, Ashton in Makerfield, 19/11/1919.
Verdict – death by mis-adventure.

Horace Carlton Watson

Surname – Watson
Initials – H. C.
Nationality – UK
Rank – Gunner
Regiment – Royal Garrison Artillery
Age 22
Date of Death – 19/11/1919
No. 206927
Grave/Memorial Ref. 98
Cemetery – Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas’ Graveyard), Heath Lane Extension
Burial 22/11/1919 St. Thomas’, Ashton, H. C. Watson, The Military Convalescent Camp, Ashton in Makerfield. Aged 22.

JOHN FOOT

Birthplace Ebbw Vale, South Wales
Residence Newport, South Wales
Rank Sergeant
Regiment Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Battalion 2nd Garrison Battalion
Age 42
Date of Death 13/11/1915
Service No. 38137
Type of Death Died
Grave/Memorial Ref. 13
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard, Heath Lane Extension.
Burial 29/11/1915 St. Thomas’, Ashton in Makerfield, John Foot, Sergeant in 2nd Garrison Battalion, R.W. Fusiliers, Garswood Camp. Found drowned in canal at Wigan. Aged 42.
*Possibly – Husband of Mary Hannah Foot(Edwards), 12 Lion Street, Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire. 1911 John was 38 and a collier.

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World War One Soldiers Killed in Action and Buried Overseas

Compiled by David A. Fearnley
The following soldiers are not named on the Memorial Roll. They are World War One soldiers killed in action, and buried overseas, whose names are inscribed on their parents headstones in Heath Road Graveyard:

COLIN ANDREW CRANSHAW

Birthplace Leeds
Age 26
Date of Death 1/7/1916
Son of John Nolan Cranshaw and Jane Cranshaw. 1911 Colin Andrew was employed as a clerk.
Type of Death Killed in Action / Battle of Beaufort Hamel.

HERBERT CROMPTON

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Private
Regiment Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of Albanys)
Battalion 4th
Age 19
Date of Death 20/9/1917
Service No. S/22235
Additional Information Son of Henry and Mary Jane Crompton, 49 Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. In 1911 Herbert was employed as an assistant clogger and lived with his parents, brothers William, Harry and Harold and sister Maggie in Wigan Road.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 132 to 135 and 162A
Memorial Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (Zonnebeke, West Vlaanderen)
(Herbert Cromptons name appears on the Congregational Church, Gerard Street, Memorial Roll)

EDWARD DAVIES

Birthplace Haydock
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment Army Cyclist Corps.
Battalion VII Corps. Cyclist Battalion
Age 28
Date of Death 12/10/1918
Service No. 7584
Additional Information Son of William and Elizabeth Davies, 68 Princess Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. XXX. B. 20
Cemetery Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium (Poperinge, West Vlaanderen)
Formerly 8108 Lancashire Fusiliers

THOMAS VICTOR HUGHES

Rank Private
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Age 18 and a half
Date of Death 24/3/1917
Service No. 21797
Additional Information Son of David and Miriam Hughes
Type of Death Died of Wounds(Whitchurch Hospital)

WILLIAM HUGHES

Birthplace Gwyspyr, near Llanasa, Flintshire
Enlisted Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan
Rank Private
Regiment The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 2nd/4th
Age 36
Date of Death 28/9/1918
Service No. 31121
Additional Information Son of George and Mary Hughes, 147 Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). William was a coalminer.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. C. 3
Cemetery Anneux British Cemetery, France (Nord)
Formerly 31823 Royal Welsh Fusiliers

WILLIAM HUGHES

Birthplace Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Rank Rifleman
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 2nd/5th
Age 53
Date of Death 6/2/1918
Service No. 21916
Additional Information Husband of Catherine Hughes, 242 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. William had 7 children and was employed as a coalmine labourer(1911).
Type of Death Died/Home(“Killed at Mains Colliery” gravestone inscription)
Grave/Cemetery Ref. 31
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas’) Churchyard, Heath Lane Extension.
Burial 11/2/1918 St. Thomas’, Ashton, William Hughes, 242 Bolton Road, Ashton. Aged 53.
(The headstone on William and Catherines grave gives no details of Williams war service)

JAMES INCE

Birthplace Haydock
Residence Haydock
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Lance Corporal
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 7th
Age 27
Date of Death 5/7/1916
Service No. 11492
Additional Information Son of Ignatius and Louisa Ince, 45 Kenyons Lane, Haydock, St. Helens. On enlistment James was living at 15 Penny Lane, Haydock. James was a coalminer.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 7A and 7B
Memorial Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

GEORGE FRANCIS MOSES

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death 23/8/1918
Age 27
Additional Information Son of Thomas James and Elizabeth Moses, 379 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). George had 2 sisters Patricia Minnie and Amelia living with the family in Bolton Road(1911). George was a coalminer.
Type of Death Killed in Action/France
Grave/Memorial Ref. No CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) details
Grave/Memorial —

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Additional World War One Soldiers – St Thomas’ Heath Road Churchyard

Compiled by David A. Fearnley 
These are soldiers buried in Heath Road Churchyard shortly after the end of World War One but they are still classified as war graves :-

ROBERT JONES

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Rank Bombardier
Regiment 263rd Brigade HQ Royal Field Artillery
Age 26
Service No. 12656
Additional Information Son of Owen and Emma Jones(Jones), 264 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan (1911). 1919 referred to as the son of Mrs. Emma Jones, 9 Albert Street, Leeswood, Mold, Flintshire (Emma was born in Leeswood). Robert was a machine planer(1911). Served in Egypt, Serbia and Salonika.
Date of Death 24/2/1919 (pneumonia)
Grave/Memorial Ref. 25
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard Heath Road Extension.
(Burial 1/3/1919 Robert Jones, 264 Bolton Road, Ashton/Central RAF Hospital, Hampstead. Aged 26. Nonconformist religion.)

EDMUND WILLIAM MALTBY

Birthplace Hull, Yorkshire
Rank Captain and Quartermaster
Regiment Lancashire Hussars
Battalion 2nd/1st
Age 47
Additional Information Husband of Minnie Louisa Maltby(Buckwell), 53 Osborne Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Edmund and Minnie were married at Canterbury, Kent, 1894 (Minnie was born in Canterbury). Edmund had 2 children Edmund and William (1911).
Date of Death 18/1/1920
Grave/Memorial Ref. 30
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard, Heath Road Extension.
(Burial 22/1/1920 St. Thomas’, Ashton, Edmund William Maltby, 53 Osborne Road, Ashton. Aged 47.)

WALTER OGDEN

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Rank Private
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 2nd/4th
Age 32
Service No. 202153
Additional Information Son of Frederick and Emma Ogden(Hennedy), 35 Bryn Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. 1911 Walter was living with his parents, brothers John Oliver and Thomas and sisters Maggie and Sarah in Bryn Street, Ashton. Walter was a collier.
Date of Death 14/4/1921
Grave/Memorial Ref. New Yard 2
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard
(Burial 18/4/1921 Walter Ogden, Heath Charnock Sanatorium, Chorley/35 Bryn Street, Ashton. Aged 32.)
Heath Charnock was an Isolation Hospital for infectious diseases such as TB.

JOHN WOOD

Rank Private
Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
Age 32
Service No. 44564
Additional Information Son of William and Ann Wood. Husband of Margaret Wood(Hill), 9 Druid Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Served in Egypt.
Date of Death 20/6/1920 (of sickness)
Grave/Memorial Ref. New Yard 5
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard
(Burial 24/6/1920 St. Thomas’, Ashton, John Wood, 9 Druid Street, Ashton. Aged 33.)

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World War One Memorial Roll – St Luke’s Church, Stubshaw Cross

Compiled by David A. Fearnley
JAMES HENRY ASHURST

Birthplace Hindley
Enlisted Ashton in Makerfield
Rank Private
Regiment East Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 6th
Age 28
Date of Death 15/6/1917
Service No. 19987
Additional Information Son of Jane Ashurst(Howarth), 16 Dawber Street, Golborne Road, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan, and the late Edward Ashurst. Collier at Golborne Colliery. Served 2 years on the Mesopotamian Front.
Type of Death Died of Wounds (hospital in Bombay)
Grave/Memorial Ref. Face C
Memorial Kirkee 1914 – 1918 Memorial, India

FREDERICK BATE

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Earlestown
Rank Private
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 7th
Age 20
Date of Death 15/6/1916
Service No. 26638
Additional Information Son of John and Mary Ann Bate(Corless), 55 North Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Occupation – miner.
Type of Death Died of Wounds (accident from rifle grenade)
Grave/Memorial Ref. IV. A. 13
Cemetery Abbeville Communal Cemetery, France (Somme)

JAMES (HENRY) BATE

Birthplace Earlestown
Residence Stubshaw Cross
Enlisted Ashton in Makerfield
Rank Private
Regiment The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
Battalion 8th
Age 20
Date of Death 25/9/1915
Service No. G/5562
Additional Information Son of Joseph and Mary Bate(Houghton), 24 Edge Green Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. James was a collier.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 13 to 15
Memorial Loos Memorial, France (Pas de Calais)

GEORGE BECK

Birthplace – Standish
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Rank – Private
Regiment – Kings (Shropshire Light Infantry)
Battalion – 5th Battalion
Service No. 20007
Age 29
Date of Death – 29/8/1916
Additional Information Son of William and Ann Beck(Smith), 65 Golborne Road, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. George was born 1887 at Engine Row, Standish. Husband of Maggie(Margaret Elizabeth) Beck(Thompson), 30 Edge Green Street, Stubshaw Cross. Employed as a drawer at Boston Colliery. Enlisted November 1914. Leaves a wife and 2 children. George’s brother William was killed in action 7/6/1917 aged 23 (see below)
Type of Casualty – Killed in Action(shell)
Grave/Memorial Ref. – Pier and Face 12 A and 12D
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme).
Comments – formerly 45209 RAMC

WILLIAM BECK

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion 11th
Age 23
Date of Death 7/6/1917
Service No. 9743
Additional Information Son of William and Ann Beck(Smith), 65 Golborne Road, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Employed as a drawer at Boston Colliery. Enlisted 11/11/1914. William’s brother George was killed in action 29/8/1916 aged 29 (see above)
Type of Death Killed in Action(shell)
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 33
Memorial Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium

ROBERT BROWN

Birthplace Bryn Gates, Lancashire
Residence Hindley
Enlisted Ashton in Makerfield
Rank Private
Regiment East Lancashire Regiment
Unit “A” Company. 3rd Battalion posted to 2nd Battalion
Age 25
Date of Death 23/9/1918
Service No. 40486
Additional Information Son of Alfred and Hannah Brown(Bird), 574 Beech Tree Houses, Bamfurlong, Wigan. Husband of Mary Brown(Rowlance), 100 Argyll Street, Hindley. Occupation – collier.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. V. E. 12
Cemetery Roclincourt Military Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais)

PATRICK CARNEY

Birthplace Wigan
Residence Bamfurlong
Enlisted Hindley
Rank Lance Corporal
Regiment The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 1st
Age 24
Date of Death 15/11/1917
Service No. 2751
Additional Information Son of Sarah Elizabeth Carney, 13 Second Street, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan, and the late Christopher Carney. Drawer at Mains Colliery. Brother William Carney. Enlisted 1914. Brother in law to the deceased soldier Ephraim Hawkins who died of wounds 14/7/1917 aged 24 (see below).
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 102 to 104
Memorial Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (Zonnebeke, West Vlaanderen)

SAMUEL CATTERALL

Born – Wigan(Pemberton)
Residence – Wigan
Rank – Sergeant
Regiment – Border Regiment
Battalion – 8th Battalion
Date of Death – 8/8/1917
No. 18269
Age 34
Additional Information Son of Joseph and Margaret Catterall, Platt Bridge, Wigan. Husband of Betsy Catterall(Atherton). After marriage, 1907, living at 371 Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield. After Samuels death Betsy Catterall was living at 358 Bolton Road, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Occupation – collier at Mains Colliery..
Type of Death – Died of wounds
Comments – MM (Military Medal). (He led the gun line for a few hundred yards over No Man’s Land under heavy fire, and kept them supplied with ammunition).
Grave/Memorial Ref. XVI. K. 22A
Cemetery – Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium (Poperinge, West Vlaanderen)

NICHOLAS CONCANNON

Birthplace St. Catherines parish, Wigan
Residence Wigan
Enlisted Hindley
Date of Death 3/6/1915
Rank Private
Regiment Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 1st
Age 24
Service No. 2790
Additional Information Son of Nicholas and Bridget Concannon, 17 Beech Tree Houses, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan. Sisters Mary Ann and Kate Concannon. Occupation – collier. Resided with his widowed mother at 17 Beech Tree Houses, Bamfurlong. A report states that Nicholas was buried by the house in the NE corner of Square “A”, near Cuinchy(grid reference on the map of Bethune). Later it states that he was reburied at Woburn Abbey Cemetery, Cuinchy.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. B. 7
Cemetery Woburn Abbey Cemetery, Cuinchy, France (Pas de Calais)

WALTER CORLESS

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Rank Private
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 2nd
Age 35
Date of Death 3/9/1915
Service No. 16267
Additional Information Son of the late James and Jemima Corless(Nixon), 326 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Husband of Annie Corless(Wood), 7 “D” Court, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Occupation – collier.
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 37
Memorial Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium

CHARLES COUNSELL

Birthplace Wigan
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Private
Regiment Grenadier Guards
Battalion 3rd
Age 23
Date of Death 27/11/1917
Service No. 27775
Additional Information Son of Charles and Charlotte Counsell(Holbrook), 19 First Street, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan. Charles jnr. was a collier.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 2
Memorial Cambrai Memorial Louverval, France (Nord)

HAROLD CROSBIE

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield(sic) (Askam in Furness, near Ulverston is birthplace)
Residence – Wigan
Date of Death -17/5/1916
Rank – Gunner
Regiment – Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery
Unit – “A” Battery, 149th Brigade
No. L/16610
Age 28
Additional Information Son of William and Margaret Crosbie, of Askam in Furness, Ulverston, and later of Preston. 1911 Harold was lodging at 253 Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Husband of Jessie Crosbie(Griffiths) of 630 Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, marriage 9/10/1915 Holy Trinity, N. Ashton. Employed as a drawer at Smethursts/Bryn Hall collieries. Enlisted 5/4/1915 and had been married for only 2 days before leaving for the Front.
Type of Death – Died of wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. A 32
Cemetery – La Neuville Communal Cemetery Corbie, France (Somme)

WILLIAM THOMAS CUNLIFFE

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Ashton
Rank Private
Regiment South Wales Borderers
Battalion 8th
Age 18
Date of Death 25/8/1917/Mesopotamia
Service No. 23509
Additional Information Of 24 Edge Green Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Collier at Edge Green Colliery. Son of William and Elizabeth Cunliffe(Winstanley). William and Elizabeth, both from Downall Green, were married 19/2/1887 at Holy Trinity. In 1901 they were living at 43 Factory Cottages, Downall Green. William Thomas was baptised 10/9/1898 at St. John The Divine, Pemberton, his parents abode was Ashton in Makerfield and his father was a collier.1906 marriage of William Milburne and Elizabeth Cunliffe and the family was living at 38 North Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. In 1911 the family was living at 121 Tram Street, Platt Bridge – William and Elizabeth Milburne and children Jane Ann; William Thomas; Alice; Elizabeth Ann(all Cunliffe) and Clara Milburne
Type of Death Died/British Expeditionary Force (heatstroke)
Grave/Memorial Ref. L. 24
Cemetery Kut War Cemetery, Iraq

PETER DARBYSHIRE

Birthplace Ince
Residence Stubshaw Cross
Rank Pioneer
Regiment Royal Engineers
Unit H.Q. Special Company
Age 28
Date of Death 6/11/1916
Service No. 130063
Additional Information Son of John and Sarah Darbyshire(Pownall), 122 North Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Lancashire. In 1911 Peter was living in North Street, Stubshaw Cross, with his mother Sarah, brothers Walter Pownall, Peter, Thomas, John and Reuben and sister Bertha. Peter was employed as a collier at Garswood Hall Collieries.
Type of Death Died of Wounds(exploding shell)
Grave/Memorial Ref. II. E. 43
Cemetery Dartmoor Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, France (Somme)
Formerly 18094 South Lancashire Regiment (H.Q. Special Company RE)

ARTHUR DELUCE

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Rifleman
Regiment Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Battalion 16th
Age 21
Date of Death 15/7/1916
Service No. C/48
Additional Information Son of John and Martha Deluce(Pilling), 165 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Brothers Fred, John and sister Lois. Occupation – collier
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B
Memorial Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

WILLIAM ALBERT DELUCE

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 20/10/1918
Rank – Private
Regiment – Machine Gun Corps.
Battalion – Cavalry 17th Squadron
No. 100339
Age 20
Additional Information Son of Samuel and Mary Deluce(Bate), 41 North Street, Stubshaw Cross(1911).
Type of Death – Died/Egypt(buried at sea)
Memorial – Chatby Memorial, Alexandria, Egypt.
Formerly 17761 4th Reserve Regiment Dragoons

HENRY DIXON

*Possibly Son of Henry and Mary Jane Dixon(Fairbrother), married St. Thomas’ 1881, both of Nicol Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Born 1887 Henry/Harry Dixon. 1891 living at 8 Toothill Street, Nicol Road; 1901 at 64 Wigan Road; and 1911 at 74 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield

RICHARD EVANS

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Bolton
Rank Private
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion 10th
Age 20
Date of Death 16/10/1918
Service No. 54045
Additional Information Son of Edwin and Elizabeth Evans(Sixsmith), 182 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. In 1911 Richard was an assistant gardener.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. XIV. D. 7
Cemetery Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt, France (Somme).

ALBERT FAIRHURST

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Age 25
Date of Death 6/3/1916
Additional Information Son of James and Alice Fairhurst(Greenall), 369 Potters Row (next to Potters Farm, Long Lane/Bryn Road), Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1901). In 1910 the family was living at 103 Bryn Road South, Ashton in Makerfield. Brothers Thomas and Arthur. Sisters Mary Emily and Alice. Husband of Lilian/Lily Fairhurst(Clark), marrriage 17/9/1910 St. Thomas’. In 1911 Albert, Lily and son Thomas were living at 379 Potters Row, Ashton in Makerfield. Albert was a coalminer.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. No CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) details
Grave/Memorial —
(The above information is obtained from the headstone of James and Alice Fairhursts grave in Heath Road Graveyard).

WILLIAM HENRY FALLON

Rank Gunner
Regiment Royal Marine Artillery
Unit “H.M.S. Indefatigable”
Age 22
Date of Death 31/5/1916(died when his battlecruiser sank in the Battle of Jutland)
Service No. RMA/14165
Additional Information Son of Martin and Elizabeth Fallon, 171 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. William Henry was born at Newhall, Derbyshire. In 1911 he lived with his parents and brothers James Martin and John and sisters Elizabeth and Mary in Bolton Road. William Henry was employed as an underground labourer.
Grave/Memorial Ref. 21
Memorial Portsmouth Naval Memorial

ALBERT FINCH

Birthplace – Wigan
Residence – Warrington
Date of Death – 12/11/1917
Rank – Private
Regiment – Loyal N. Lancashire Regiment
Battalion – 1st Battalion
No. 15946
Age 21
Additional Information Son of William and Sarah Finch(Baldwin), 14 Rosehill Street, Bryn (1911). Occupation – collier. 1917 Presented with a gold watch, at a military and civilian sporting occasion in Garswood Park, in recognition of gaining the Military Medal. Also presented with a purse of Treasury notes, at the same occasion, was Mrs. Bate, the widow of Pte. James Bate who was awarded the Military Medal but later lost his life. (see Holy Trinity). Albert’s brother Daniel was killed in action 1/8/1917 aged 26 (see below)
Type of Casualty – Killed in action
Comment – MM ( Military Medal ) for special services at Vimy Ridge, Arras, 21/5/1915.
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 102 to 104
Memorial – Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (Zonnebeke, West Vlaanderen)

DANIEL FINCH

Birthplace – Wigan
Residence – Wigan
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 1/8/1917
Rank – Corporal
Regiment – Prince of Wales Volunteers ( S. Lancashire Regiment )
Battalion – 2nd Battalion
No. 12833
Age 26
Additional Information Son of William and Sarah Finch(Baldwin), 14 Rosehill Street, Wigan Road, Bryn, Wigan. Husband of Edith Finch(Wadsworth), 90 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Occupation – collier. Daniels award of the Military Medal for bravery in the field was reported in the “London Gazette”. Daniel’s brother Albert was killed in action 12/11/1917 aged 21 (see above)
Type of Casualty – Killed in action
Comments – M.M. (Military Medal )
Grave/Memorial Ref. II.E.14
Cemetery – Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Belgium (Ypres).

RICHARD FLASBY

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Golborne
Date of Death – 29/8/1918
Rank – Lance Corporal
Regiment – Prince of Wales Volunteers ( S. Lancashire Regiment )
Battalion – 1st/5th Battalion
Age 34
No. 26041
Additional Information – Son of John and Mary Flasby(Worthington), 109 Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). Brother of John Flasby, 427 Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Occupation – collier.
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. III. G. 13
Cemetery – Houchin British Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais)

JAMES FRENCH

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Bamfurlong
Enlisted – Earlestown
Date of Death – 18/9/1918
Rank – Private
Regiment – Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion – 10th Battalion
No. 64802
Age 23
Additional Information Son of John William and Mary French(Wood), 1 Beech Tree Houses, Bamfurlong, Wigan. Occupation – collier. James’ brother William French died whilst on service in Mesopotamia, 14/12/1916 aged 24; and brother in law Edward Jolley died of wounds at Gallipoli 22/8/1915 aged 33. (see below)
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 5 and 6
Memorial – Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France (Pas de Calais).
Formerly 276671 RASC.( Royal Army Service Corps.)

WILLIAM FRENCH

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Bryn Gates, Wigan
Enlisted Hindley
Rank Private
Regiment Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 6th
Age 24
Date of Death 14/12/1916
Service No. 19570
Additional Information Son of John William and Mary French(Wood), 1 Back, Beech Tree Houses, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan.Occupation – collier. Williams brother James French was killed in action 18/9/1918 aged 23 (see above); and brother in law Edward Jolley died of wounds at Gallipoli 22/8/1915 aged 33 (see below).
Type of Death Died/Mesopotamia
Grave/Memorial Ref. IV. O. 13
Cemetery Basra War Cemetery, Iraq

JOHN GARVIN

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfiefd
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 7/12/1916
Rank – Private
Regiment – Prince of Wales Volunteers ( S. Lancashire Regiment )
Battalion – 7th Battalion
Age – 32
No. 16703
Additional Information – son of Mrs. Mary Garvin of Ashton in Makerfield. John had 3 brothers Thomas, Arthur and James. In 1891 the family lived at 17 Reservoir Street and in 1901 in Barbours Square, off Heath Road. On his marriage, 1912, John gave his address as 5 Reservoir Street, Ashton. Husband of Norah Garvin(Langhen), of 2 C Court, Warrington Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Occupation – coal drawer.
Type of Death – Died of wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. III. 11
Cemetery – Ashton in Makerfield (Saint Oswald) RC Churchyard
Burial 12/12/1916 St. Oswalds, Ashton in Makerfield, John Garvin. Aged 32.

JAMES GREEN

Birthplace – Bryn Gates
Residence – Hindley
Enlisted – Bamfurlong
Date of Death – 22/3/1918
Rank – Private
Regiment – Loyal N. Lancashire Regiment
Battalion – 9th Battalion
Age 23
No. 19454
Additional Information Son of James and Phoebe Green(Rogers), 605 Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan. In 1911 James was an underground haulage hand and he lived with his parents and sisters Edith; Alice; Gladys and Olive and brother Thomas at Bryn Gates.
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial/Ref. I. B.
Cemetery – Beaumetz les Cambrai Military Cemetery No. 1, France (Pas de Calais)

MATTHEW GREEN

Birthplace – Stubshaw Cross
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 23/10/1918
Rank – Private
Age 30
Additional Information – Son of Eli and Alice Green(Hart), 296 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Husband of Priscilla Green(Ince), 14 Stockport Road, Bredbury, Woodley, Stockport. Marriage 1911 Congregational Church, Gerard Street, Ashton in Makerfield. Matthew was a collier. Remembered on parents headstone Heath Road cemetery.
Regiment – Kings Own ( Royal Lancaster Regiment )
Battalion – 8th Battalion
No. 29370
Type of Casualty – Died of wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. E. 15
Cemetery Awoingt British Cemetery, France (Nord).

GRIFFITH GRIFFITHS

THOMAS GRIFFITHS

Birthplace – Wrexham, Denbigh
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 27/9/1918
Rank – Private
Regiment – Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Battalion – 14th Battalion
No. 36543
Type of Death – Died
Formerly 46467 S. Lancashire Regiment.
Grave/Memorial Ref. – IV. D. 4
Cemetery – Fifteen Ravine British Military Cemetery, Villiers – Plouich, France (Nord)

WILLIAM GRIFFITHS

Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – St. Helens
Died – 1/6/1917
Rank – Corporal
Regiment – Prince of Wales Volunteers ( S. Lancashire Regiment )
Battalion – 1st/5th Battalion
Age – 21
No. 241670
Additional Information – son of John and Mary Griffiths, 54 Golborne Road, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Lancashire
Type of Death – Died of wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. – XII. C. 9
Cemetery – Lijssenthoel Military Cemetery, Belgium (Poperinge, West Vlaanderen)

ARTHUR GRUNDY

Birthplace – Wigan
Residence – Bamfurlong
Enlisted – Manchester
Date of Death – 1/7/1916
Rank – Private
Regiment – Royal Scots Fusiliers( Lothian Regiment )
Battalion – 15th Battalion
No. 20108
Age 22
Additional Information Son of John and Elizabeth Grundy(Fairhurst), Bryn Hall Cottages, Bamfurlong, Wigan. Employed as office clerk at the Worsley Mesnes Ironworks. Secretary of Bamfurlong Primitive Methodist Sunday School. Service of Remembrance Primitive Methodist Church, Bamfurlong.
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 6D and 7D
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

JOHN HARRINGTON

Birthplace Kilkelly, Co. Mayo
Enlisted Wigan
Rank Private
Regiment The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 7th
Age 22
Date of Death 23/7/1916
Service No. 17867
Additional Information Son of John and Harriet Harrington(Leonard). Husband of Annie Harrington(Pugh), 11 Second Street, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong. Husband of Annie Calter, formerly Harrington(Pugh), 8 Second Street, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan. Occupation – drawer at Cross and Tetley Mains Colliery. Enlisted November 1914. Leaves a wife and 1 child.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 11 A
Memorial Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

PATRICK HASSETT

Birthplace Wigan
Residence Bamfurlong
Enlisted – Bamfurlong
Rank – Private
No. 18262
Regiment – 10th Company South Lancashire (Prince of Wales Volunteers).
Battalion – 6th
Date of Death 9/4/1916
Age 24
Additional Information Son of Thomas and Bridget Hassett(Donohue), Princess Street, Wigan. 1911 Patrick was living with his uncle and aunt Thomas and Margaret Donohue, 3 Croft Cottages, Bryn, Bamfurlong. Croft Cottages were a row of cottages in the yard of Crippins/Bryn Hall Colliery and occupied by miners families. In 1912 Patrick married Rose Hannah Wilcox, at Holy Family Church, Platt Bridge, and they lived at 2 Second Street, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan. Occupation – collier.
Patrick was killed in action 9/4/1916 probably during the First Battle of Kut which lasted from 5/4/1916 to 29/4/1916. 10,000 British forces were beseiged in the city of Kut by the Turks. A relief expedition, many soldiers arriving from Egypt(Patrick arrived via Port Said, Egypt), was sent up the River Tigris to relieve Kut. 5/4/1916 the British attacked the deep trenches of the Turks at Fallahiyeh and Sunniyat and suffered many casualties ( 2,000 on 5/4/1916) in the capture of Fallahiyeh. The British attacked Sunniyat 6/4/1916 (British casualties 1,200 on 6/4/1916). The British attacked again 7/4/1916 and 9/4/1916 again suffering many casualties.The Battle Honours for Patricks regiment, the South Lancashires, include the Battle of the Tigris 1916.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 23
Memorial Basra Memorial, Iraq

EPHRAIM HAWKINS

Birthplace – Wigan
Residence – Wigan
Date of Death – 14/7/1917
Rank – Private
Regiment – Loyal South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion – 7th Battalion
No. 17862
Age 24
Additional Information Son of David and Maria Hawkins(Davis), 589 Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong(1911). Husband of Ellen Hawkins(Carney), 13 Second Street, Bryn Gates. Occupation – collier at Mains Colliery, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong. Enlisted November 1914. Brother in law of Patrick Carney who was killed in action 15/11/1917 aged 24 (see above).
Type Of Casualty – Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. 111. D. 14
Cemetery – Hazebrouck, France (Nord)

THOMAS HICKSON

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 14/11/1916
Rank – Private
Regiment – Prince of Wales Volunteers ( S. Lancashire Regiment )
Battalion – 7th Battalion
No. 22542
Age 39
Additional Information Son of James and Elizabeth Hickson(Kilshaw), 13 East Street, Stubshaw Cross(1891). Husband of Annie Hickson(Turton), 2 Woods Lane, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield. Children – Joseph Albert; Frederick; Elizabeth and Thomas. Occupation – coal dealer.
Type of Casualty – Killed in action.
Grave/Memorial Ref. – Pier and Face 7A and 7B.
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme).

THOMAS E. HUGHES

*Possibly Son of Thomas and Mary Hughes, 435 Gillacre Road, Ashton in Makerfield(off Bryn Road South)(1901). Thomas Edward Hughes born Golborne 1898.

THOMAS EDWARD HUGHES

Birthplace – Prescot, Lancashire
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 4/8/1918
Rank – Private
Regiment – Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Battalion – 1st Battalion, “C” Company
No. 49604
Age – 27
Additional Information – Son of Robert John and Annie Hughes(Hughes), 76 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Lancashire. Thomas Edwards parents were both from Flintshire. Occupation(1911) shop assistant.
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. A. 12
Cemetery – Mont Noir Military Cemetery, St. Jans – Cappel, France, (Nord).
Formerly 4778 S. Lancashire Regiment

HENRY JAMES JOHNSON

*Possibly Henry Johnson, son of Henry and Mary Johnson, 21 North Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan.

GEORGE FRANCIS JOHNSON

EDWARD JOLLEY

Birthplace – Blackrod
Enlisted – Warrington
Date of Death – 22/8/1915/Gallipoli
Rank – Private
Regiment – Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion – 1st Battalion
No. 17212
Age 33
Additional Information Son of John and Ellen Jolly(Booth), of Blackrod. Ellen Jolly married Edward Black, St. Thomas’ 1885, and the family then lived at 35 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Edward was lodging at 386 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Husband of Nancy Jolley(French). Occupation – collier/drawer. Brother in law of William French who died in action 14/12/1916 aged 24 and James French who was killed in action 18/9/1918 aged 23 (see above).
Type of Death – Died of wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 58 to 72 or 218 to 219.
Memorial – Helles Memorial, Turkey, (Gallipoli).

DAVID JONES

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Warrington
Date of Death – 24/3/1918
Rank – Rifleman
Regiment – Royal Irish Rifles
Battalion – 14th Battalion
Age 23
No. 42880
Additional Information Of 510 Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong. Occupation – coal drawer at Bamfurlong and Mains Collieries.1917 Newspaper Report – “David Jones, 510 Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, of the Royal Irish Rifles, was reported missing in action 6/12/1917. He was 23 years of age and was a drawer at the Bamfurlong and Mains Collieries”.
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 10
Memorial Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France (Nord)
Formerly T/041679 RASC
**Possibly David (Rees) Jones, son of David and Margaret Jones, 386 Wigan Road, Ashton(1901) and of 21 Lily Street, Stubshaw Cross(1911) when David was aged 16.
The “Wigan Observer” report of his death in 1918 gives his age as 23.

HENRY H. JONES

JOHN JONES

Birthplace Prescot
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment Cheshire Regiment
Battalion 16th Battalion
Age 25
Date of Death 8/9/1916
Service No. 21732
Additional Information Son of Joseph and Mary Elizabeth Jones, 228 Warrington Road, Platt Bridge, Wigan. Living on Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield at the time of his death as recorded in a newspaper report of his death. Occupation – collier at Long Lane Colliery. Enlisted 1914.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. E. 22
Cemetery Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France (Pas de Calais)

LEWIS ELLIS JONES

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Earlestown
Rank Private
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion 19th
Age 24
Date of Death 14/12/1916
Service No. 36971
Additional Information Son of Evan and Anne Jones, 173 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. In 1911 Lewis Ellis was a shop assistant.
Grave/Memorial Ref. III. H. 6
Cemetery Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, France (Pas de Calais)

LLOYD JONES

Enlisted St. Helens
Rank – Private
Regiment – Cheshire Regiment
Battalion – 15th Battalion
Age 19
Date of Death – 2/10/1918
No. 260194
Age 20
Additional Information – son of Thomas and Hannah Jones, 2 Bryn Road South, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan, Lancashire
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. XXIII. A. 24A
Cemetery – Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium (Poperinge, West Vlaanderen)
Formerly 4308 South Lancashire Regiment

ROBERT WILLIAM JONES

Birthplace Wrexham, Denbigh
Residence Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion 17th
Age 35
Date of Death 25/8/1916
Service No. 15633
Additional Information In 1916 Roberts residence was 17 Lily Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield. Husband of Martha Ellen Jones(Speakman), 95 Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Occupation – collier at Garswood Hall. Enlisted 1914. Leaves a wife and 2 children.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 3C and 3D
Memorial Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

WILLIAM HENRY JONES

Rank Private
Regiment The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
Battalion 2nd
Age 35
Date of Death 31/8/1921
Service No. 42511
Additional Information Son of Ellis Hugh and Margaret Jones, 12 Flora Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan
Grave/Memorial Ref. Old Yard 9
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard.
Burial 31/8/1921 St. Thomas’, Ashton, William Jones, Bolton Road, Ashton. Aged 35.

FRANK KENEALY (FRANCIS ALOYSIUS KENEALY)

Birthplace – Wigan(Abram)
Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Warrington
Date of Death – 7/11/1914
Rank – Private
Regiment – Prince of Wales Volunteers ( S. Lancashire Regiment )
Battalion – 2nd Battalion
No. 1448
Age 23
Additional Information Son of John and Margaret Kenealy, 361 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Husband of Jane Ann Kenealy(Harrison), 10 Flora Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Frank was a brother of William Kenealy V.C. (see below). Occupation – collier. Leaves a widow and 1 child.
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 37
Memorial – Ypres ( Menin Gate ) Memorial, Belgium

WILLIAM STEPHEN KENEALY

Birthplace Wigan (born Wexford, Ireland)
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Bury
Rank Lance Sergeant
Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion 1st
Age 29
Date of Death 29/6/1915/Gallipoli(Battle of Gully Ravine)
Service No. 1809
Awards VC
Additional Information Son of John and Margaret Kenealy, 361 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Attended Stubshaw Cross Primary School. William was a collier at Low Hall Colliery, Platt Bridge. William was presented with a gold watch at a ceremony on Ashton Market Square in recognition of his gaining the VC. William’s brother Frank was killed in action 7/11/1914 aged 23 (see above)
Type of Death Died of Wounds(Malta Hospital)
Grave/Memorial Ref. C. 104
Cemetery Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Turkey (Gallipoli)
Citation
Extract from “London Gazette” 24/8/1915 ” On 25th April, 1915, three companies, and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by a very deadly fire from hidden machine guns which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entanglements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy, and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained. Amongst the many very gallant officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Capt. Willis, Sergeant Richards and Pte. Kenealy have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most single acts of bravery and devotion to duty”.
The 1,028 men of the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers that landed at Gallipoli were quickly reduced to 320 by the machine gun fire from the Turks.

JOHN LIGHT

Birthplace – Rainford, Lancashire
Residence – Warrington
Date of Death – 25/6/1917
Rank – Acting Bombardier
Regiment – Royal Garrison Artillery
Unit – 83rd Company
No. 51797
Age 23
Additional Information Son of Enoch and Harriet Light(Roden) of Rainford. 1901 John, aged 7, was living with his widowed father and siblings at 457 Gillacre Road(off Bryn Road South). 1911 John was living with his father and stepmother Mary Light(Dean) and siblings at 615 Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan. Enlisted October 1914. John’s brother Joseph, a collier at Long Lane Colliery, also served in the Army and was wounded in 1915. Occupation – coal drawer at Long Lane colliery. Served in China for 2 and a half years.
Type of Death – Died/enteric fever.
Grave/Memorial Ref. – 3. 8223
Cemetery – Hong Kong Cemetery, China (including Hong Kong)

ERNEST LORD

*Possibly Ernest Lord at 123 Moss Lane, Platt Bridge. Aged 19 and a shop assistant(1911)

JOHN WILLIAM LYON

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment Cheshire Regiment
Battalion 1st/4th
Age 20
Date of Death 7/10/1918
Service No. 67812
Additional Information Son of Mr and Mrs James William and Mary Ann Lyon(Jenkin), 309 Bolton Road, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Occupation – haulage hand at Bryn Hall Colliery
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. II. N. 12
Cemetery Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Belgium (Ypres)

ERNEST MOLYNEUX

Birthplace Bamfurlong
Enlisted Warrington
Rank Private
Regiment Coldstream Guards
Battalion 3rd
Age 24
Date of Death 13/4/1918
Service No. 19359
Additional Information Son of William and Sarah Molyneux, 556 Holly Bank, Bamfurlong, Wigan
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 1
Memorial Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium (Comines-Warneton, Hainaut)

JOHN THOMAS OWEN

Birthplace Menai Bridge, Anglesey
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Newton le Willows
Rank Private
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 1st/4th
Age 24
Date of Death 13/4/1918
Service No. 201771
Additional Information Brother of Mr. J. E. Owen, 451 Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 76
Memorial Loos Memorial, France (Pas de Calais)

THOMAS OXBRY

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Residence – Ashton
Enlisted Warrington
Date of Death – 11/8/1917
Rank – Private
Regiment – Cheshire Regiment
Battalion – 13th Battalion
No. 21734
Age 21
Additional Information Son of Harry and Nancy Oxbry(Cunliffe), 61 North Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Haulage hand at Mains Colliery, Bamfurlong.
Enlisted 1915. Thomas was the main support of his widowed mother and her 4 children.
Type of Casualty – Died of wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. V. F. 6
Cemetery – Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium (Ypres).

JONATHAN PERCIVAL

Birthplace Haydock
Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Warrington
Date of Death 22/7/1916
Rank Private
Regiment Prince of Wales (S. Lancashire Regiment)
Battalion 7th Battalion
Age 28
Service No. 15034
Additional Information Son of James and Margaret Percival(Johnson), the family living at 28 Lyme Street, Haydock in 1891. Husband of Martha Percival(Bentham), residence (1911) 2 East Street, Stubshaw Cross. Residence at time of death 350 Bolton Road, Stubshaw Cross. Occupation – metalman in colliery, underground. Leaves a wife and 2 children.
Type of Death Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 7A and 7B
Memorial Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

PETER RATCLIFFE

Birthplace – St. Helens
Residence – Hindley
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 12/7/1916
Rank – Private
Regiment – E. Lancashire Regiment
Battalion – 8th Battalion
No. 16548
Age 23
Additional Information Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ratcliffe, 15 Vista Road, Haydock. Peter enlisted in 1914 and was formerly employed at Garswood Hall Colliery. Husband of Glenella Ratcliffe(Wadsworth), 92 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Leaves a wife and child. His brother Private Thomas Ratcliffe who lived at 82 Station Road, Haydock and worked at the Old Boston Colliery was killed in action, by a sniper, 5/7/1916 aged 26. Peters cousin John Marsh, 24 Long Lane, Bryn, a haulage hand at Garswood Hall Colliery was killed in action 10/3/1916 aged 18 (see Holy Trinity, N. Ashton).
Type of Death – Killed in action/bursting shell
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 6C
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

SAMUEL ROBERTS

Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Conway, Caernarvonshire
Date of Death – 4/7/1917
Rank – Sapper
Regiment – 517th Field Corp. of Royal Engineers
Age – 32
No. 551206
Aditional Information – son of the late Evan and Hannah Roberts, of Llanrwst, Denbighshire. 1911 Samuel was lodging with his aunt Catherine Rawson, 262 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Occupation – collier.
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. – II. F. 24
Cemetery – La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium (Heuvelland, West Vlaanderen)

JOHN PARR SADLER

Residence – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Warrington, Lancs.
Date of Death – 15/10/1918 / Mesopotamia
Rank – SPR ( = Sapper equates to Private in Royal Engineers )
Regiment – Corps. of Royal Engineers
Battalion – Inland Water Transport
No. WR /553649
Age 30
Additional Information Son of William and Mary Elizabeth Sadler(Parr), originally from Ince, but resident at 66 Wigan Road(1901) and then 36 Morden Avenue, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan(1911). John was husband of Eve Sadler(Jackson) and they also lived at 36 Morden Avenue, Ashton. Occupation – collier.
Type of Casualty – Died
Theatre of War – British Expeditionary Force
Grave and Memorial Ref. I. Q. 7
Memorial – Basra Memorial, Iraq
Comments – formerly 20507 N. Lancashire Regiment.

JOHN SHARPLES

Birthplace – Leigh
Residence – Atherton
Enlisted – Wigan
Date of Death – 10/8/1915
Rank – Private
Regiment – Prince of Wales Volunteers( S. Lancashire Regiment )
Battalion – 6th Battalion
Age – 24
No. 15972
Additional Information – son of James and Hannah Sharples, 328, Bolton Road, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Lancashire. Newspaper report of death “Lived with his sister at 18 Poets Nook, Leigh. Employed at Bedford Brewery, Leigh”.
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Panel 139 and 140
Memorial – Helles Memorial, Turkey, (Gallipoli)

WILLIAM SHAW

Birthplace – Wigan
Residence – Wigan
Enlisted – Bamfurlong
Date of Death – 22/3/1918
Rank – Private
Regiment – Royal Munster Fusiliers
Battalion – 1st Battalion
No. 15206
Age 19
Additional Information – son of Thomas and Margaret Shaw(Wright), of 3 Brynn Street, Brynn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan, Lancashire
Type of Casualty – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. H. 2
Cemetery – Ste. Emilie Valley Cemetery, Villers – Faucon, France (Somme).
Formerly 6730 Connaught Rangers

ALFRED SKIPWORTH

Birthplace – Louth, Lincs.
Residence – Wigan
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 16/11/1916
Rank – Corporal
Regiment – E. Lancashire Regiment
Battalion – 8th Battalion
No. 16209
Age 24
Additional Information Son of Charles and Elizabeth Skipworth(Bower) of Louth, Lincolnshire. Alfred was resident at Louth in 1911 and was a farm labourer. He probably came to Lancashire to work in the collieries.
Type of Casualty – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 6 C
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)
Formerly – 16209 Manchester Regiment.

RICHARD SOMERS

Birthplace – Boyne, Durham
Residence – Warrington
Enlisted – Makerfield, Lancashire
Date of Death – 9/7/1916
Rank – Lance Corporal
Regiment – Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Battalion – 7th/8th Battalion
Age 20
No. 17099
Additional Information Son of John Andrew and Rebecca Somers(Wigham) who were married in Durham in 1894. John Andrew Somers, the son of John and Mary Ann Somers(Wilson), was born at Willington, Durham in 1871. c1877 the family moved from Durham to 8 Spencers Fold, Pemberton, Lancashire(1881). John Andrew was one of 12 children – William, Harriet, Sarah Ada, Joseph, George, Charles, Lily, Herbert, Robert, Richard Archibald and Florence Emily. c1888 the family moved from Pemberton and in 1891 were living in Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield (near the junction with Nicol Road). John Andrew was employed as a coal drawer. In 1901 John and Mary Ann Somers(Wilson) and family were living at 331 Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield but their son John Andrew had moved away from Ashton c1892.
c1892 John Andrew Somers moved away from Ashton, probably to Durham, and in 1894 he married Rebecca Wigham in Durham (“Summers” written on marriage certificate).
Richard “Summers” (name on birth certificate), the first child of John Andrew and Rebecca Somers, was born 1896 at Boyne, Durham. This was the coalmining settlement at Boyne Colliery, Langley Moor, 2 miles SW of Durham. In 1897 a second child John Joseph was born in Durham. c1898 the family moved to Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland, where Mary Ann was born. The family then moved again and in 1901 John Andrew and Rebecca Somers and their 3 children were living at 10 Devon Square, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. A 4th child Catherine was born in Alloa 1901. The family then returned to Durham where Sarah Ada was born 1903. 1904 the family had returned to Pemberton, Lancashire, where James William(1904) and George Robert(born 13/6/1907 at 6 Bolds Yard, Billinge Road, Pemberton) were born.
In 1911 John Andrew and Rebecca Somers and family were now living East of Manchester at 92 Simpson Street, Bradford(Prestwich), Manchester. ( Bradford is a suburb of Manchester bordered by Miles Platting and Beswick ). John Andrew was employed as a colliery timberman and son Richard as a colliery pony driver at the nearby Bradford Colliery.
Sometime after 1911 John Andrew and Rebecca Somers and family returned to Ashton in Makerfield, possibly before the start of the war in 1914, since Richard Somers enlisted in Makerfield, Lancashire. The family lived at 122 Bolton Road where son Arthur was born 2/12/1914(baptised 1/2/1916 St. Thomas’, Arthur Somers son of John Andrew and Rebecca Somers, 122 Bolton Road, private soldier) and son Richard 1917 (baptised 26/8/1917 St. Thomas’, Ashton, Richard “Summers”). Later the family lived at 14 Toothill Street, Ashton in Makerfield. In 1925 (9/5/1925) Sarah Ada Somers, sister of the deceased soldier Richard Somers, was married at St. Thomas’, Ashton in Makerfield and she gave her address as 14 Toothill Street.(William Wood, 34, 40 Golborne Road, miner, father James Wood, miner, and Sarah Ada Somers, 22, 14 Toothill Street, father John Andrew Somers, miner).
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. IV. G. 34
Cemetery – Vermelles British Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais)

WILFRID SOUTHWORTH

Residence – Warrington
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 10/9/1918
Rank – Private
Regiment – Prince Alberts ( Somerset Light Infantry )
Battalion – 12th ( West Somerset Yeomanry ) Battalion
No. 31194
Age 19
Additional Information Son of Peter and Jane Ann Southworth(Fairhurst), 107 Bryn Road South, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Baptised 1899 St. Oswalds, Ashton in Makerfield.
Type of Death – Killed in action
Formerly – 46392 S. Lancashire Regiment
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. B. 12
Cemetery – Ste. Emilie Valley Cemetery, Villers – Faucon, France (Somme).

THOMAS STONE(S)

Rank Private
Regiment Manchester Regiment
Battalion 8th
Age 32
Date of Death 10/12/1918
Service No. 79630
Additional Information Son of George and Margaret Stones(Lowe), 6 Chapel Street, Ashton in Makerfield. Husband of Esther Stones(Tickle), Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Thomas was a coalminer.
Grave/Memorial Ref. 38
Cemetery Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard, Heath Lane Extension
Burial 14/12/1918 St. Thomas’, Ashton, Thomas Stones, Bryn Road, Ashton. Aged 32.

GRANVILLE A. SUTTON

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Residence Ashton
Enlisted Newton le Willows
Rank Private
Regiment South Lancashire Regiment
Battalion 1st/4th
Age 24
Date of Death 12/7/1917
Service No. 201198
Additional Information Son of Peter and Margaret Sutton(Hart), 184 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Granville was a collier.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. I. F. 24
Cemetery Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium (Poperinge, West Vlaanderen)

THOMAS FRANCIS TATTUM

Birthplace – Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 1/7/1916
Rank – Rifleman
Regiment – Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consorts Own )
Battalion – 1st
No. S/11191
Age 28
Additional Information Son of William and Hannah Ellen Tattum(Davies), of Bagillt, Flintshire. 1911 Thomas was living with parents and siblings William, Benjamin, Peter, James Herbert, Phoebe, May Florence and Margaret Joynson Tattum at 137 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Occupation – haulage hand at Garswood Hall Collieries. Enlisted November 1914.
Type of Casualty – Killed in Action
Grave/Memorial Ref. – Pier and Face 16B and 16C
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)
Comments – formerly 40880 RAME

JOSEPH WHITTAKER

Residence – Warrington
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Rank – Acting Bombadier (Royal Artillery rank of Corporal)
Regiment – Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery
Unit – “Y” Trench Mortar Battery
Date of Death – 18/1/1917
Age 27
No. 66808
Additional Information Son of John and Elizabeth Whittaker(Harrison), 4 Orchard Street, Ashton in Makerfield(1911). Husband of Annie Whittaker(Lowe), 618 Bolton Road, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong. Joseph was a drawer at Abram Colliery. Leaves a wife and 3 children.
Joseph was the uncle of soldier John Harrison who died 20/6/1943 aged 31 (see Additional section of WW2 St. Thomas Memorial).
Type of Casualty – Killed in action
Grave./Memorial Ref. I. K. 15
Cemetery – Berks Cemetery Extension, Belgium (Comines-Warneton, Hainaut)

JOHN THOMAS WILKINSON

Birthplace – Hindley
Residence – Wigan
Date of Death – 15/10/1915
Rank – GDSM (Guardsman = Private)
Regiment – Grenadier Guards
Battalion – 4th Battalion
Age 26
No. 22135
Additional Information – son of Henry and Ellen Wilkinson(Jones), of Hindley, Wigan. They were living at 469 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield in 1911. 1908 John Thomas Wilkinson married Bertha Blinston, and they were living at 173 Princess Road, Ashton in Makerfield with father in law Joseph Blinston. Occupation – collier. Leaves a wife and 2 children.
Type of Death – Died of wounds.
Grave/Memorial Ref. I.K. 33
Cemetery – Vermelles British Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais)

EDWARD WILLIAMS

Residence Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Ashton
Rank Gunner
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Unit “B” Battery. 276th Brigade
Age 27
Date of Death 8/11/1918
Service No. 164802
Additional Information Son of Edward and Elizabeth Williams, 20 Dawber Street, Ashton in Makerfield. Husband of Mary Williams(Coombes), 30 Edge Green Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Edward was a collier. Leaves a wife and 3 children.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. III. P. 2
Cemetery Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt, France (Pas de Calais).

JOHN TENBY WILLIAMS

Rank Petty Officer Stoker
Regiment/Service Royal Navy
Unit H.M.S. “Marmion”
Age 32
Date of Death 21/10/1917
Service No. 307565
Additional Information Son of Isaac Williams of Wigan and husband of Jenny Williams(Ross), 630 Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan. Leaves a wife and 3 children. Enlisted in the navy in 1904 and prior to that he was a coal drawer at Garswood Hall Colliery.
Type of Death Lost at sea
Grave/Memorial 22
Memorial Plymouth Naval Memorial

ROBERT WILLIAMS

Birthplace – Wigan
Residence – Wigan
Date of Death – 15/4/1917
Rank – Private
Regiment – Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion – 18th Battalion
Age – 26
No. 16350
Additional Information – son of Zachariah and Martha Ellen Williams(Kenyon), of 585 Bolton Road, Bamfurlong, Wigan. In 1911 Robert was living with his parents, brothers William and David and sisters Ellen and May in Bamfurlong. Occupation – coal drawer in colliery.
Type of Death – Killed in action
Grave/Memorial Ref. Pier and Face 3C and 3D
Memorial – Thiepval Memorial, France (Somme)

THOMAS VICTOR WILLIAMS

Birthplace – Ebenezer, Caernarvon
Residence – Earlestown
Enlisted – Ashton in Makerfield
Date of Death – 25/3/1917
Rank – Private
Regiment – Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion – 22nd Battalion
Age 18
No. 21797
Additional Information Son of David and Miriam Williams, 570 Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan
Type of Death – Died.
Cemetery Tilstock ( Christ Church ) Cemetery, Shropshire

JAMES WILSON

*Possibly Son of James and Ellen Wilson, Bryn Hall Cottages, Bamfurlong, Wigan. (1911 James was 18 and a colliery fitter).

HARRY WINSTANLEY

Birthplace Bamfurlong
Residence Wigan
Rank Private
Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
Unit 97th Field Ambulance
Age 23
Date of Death 25/8/1917
Service No. 67431
Additional Information Son of William and Sarah Jane Winstanley(Lysons) of 621 Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, Wigan. William was a greengrocer(1911). Harry (Catterall) was the adopted son of William and Sarah Jane Winstanley. Harry was a collier.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. N. G. 125
Cemetery Abram St. John Churchyard
Burial 25/8/1917 St. Johns, Abram, Harry Worthington, Royal Herbert Hospital, Kidbrooke (Woolwich, London). Aged 23.

HARRY WORTHINGTON

Birthplace Ashton in Makerfield
Enlisted Ashton
Rank Gunner
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Unit “C” Battery. 165th Brigade
Age 22
Date of Death 25/4/1917
Service No. 13626
Additional Information Son of Dennis and Leah Worthington(Bolton), 554 Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan.
Type of Death Died of Wounds
Grave/Memorial Ref. XIX. K. 3A
Cemetery Etaples Military Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais)

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World War Two Memorial Roll

Compiled by David A. Fearnley
WILFRED ABBOTT

Son of William and Mary Abbott(Harrison), Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 7/6/1919 Wesleyan Methodist Mission Chapel, Church Road, Haydock, William, colliery dataller(casual labourer), 377 Church Road, Haydock. Mary, loom? tenter in cotton mill, 130 Bolton Road, Ashton).
Husband of Dorothy Abbott(Owen), St. Helens, (m. 10/4/1943 Christ Church, St. Helens, Wilfred, Sergeant, Observer RAF, 4 East Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton. Dorothy, 4 Thorn Road, St. Helens).
Wilfred Abbott :- Pilot Officer (Navigator) 175843 RAF (VR = Volunteer Reserve) 431 (Royal Canadian Air Force)Squadron.
Killed 18/7/1944, age 23. A Halifax III bomber from RAF Croft, North Yorkshire, attacked railway yards at Varies. It crashed near the centre of Creil, northern France, with the loss of all the crew.
Cramoisy Communal Cemetery, France.
( On Ashton Grammar School; St. Thomas’; Stubshaw Cross Independent Methodist Memorials )

HAROLD ALLEN

Son of Albert and Florence/Florrie Allen(Lawrenson), 26 Monica Terrace, Ashton in Makerfield, (m. St. Thomas, Upholland, Albert, collier, Elmers Green, Dalton. Florrie, Ormskirk Road, Upholland.
Husband of Phyllis Allen(Burrows), (m. 24/5/1941 Ragged School and Home Mission, Arthur Street, St. Helens, Harold, A/c No. 1058478 Royal Air Force (mining student), 26 Monica Terrace, Ashton. Phyllis, packer(bathroom fittings), 129 Woodville Street, St. Helens). ). Entered RAF 1940. Employed at Richard Evans & Co. Colliery.
Harold Allen :- Sergeant. (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner). 1058478 RAF (VR) 61 Sqd. Killed 20/8/1942, age 22.
Bilbao British Cemetery, Spain. Plot 2. Row A. Collective Grave 6 – 11.
( On St. Thomas’; Ashton Scouts; Ashton Central School Memorials )

ERNEST BATE

Son of William and Nellie Bate(Hesketh), 298 Golborne Road, Ashton in Makerfield. (m St Thomas, Golborne, 1905, William, coalminer, 10 May Street, Golborne. Nellie, 2 Edge Green Colliery Yard).
Husband of Jane Anne Bate(Lacey), 72 Lyme Street, Haydock(m. 13/12/1940 Church of the English Martyrs, Short Street, Haydock, Ernest, Trooper 7911621 Royal Lancers (motor lorry driver public contractor), 296 Golborne Road, Ashton. Jane Anne, 72 Lyme Street, Haydock). Employed by Albert Marsden haulage contractor (father of Harry Marsden – (see below).
Ernest Bate :- Trooper. 7911621. 12th Royal Lancers, Royal Armoured Corps. Died of wounds in Italy 29/5/1944, age 24.
Naples War Cemetery, Italy. II. A. 14.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

WILLIAM BOARDMAN

Son of Moses and Jane Elizabeth Boardman(Edwards), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 4/8/1923 Holy Trinity, North Ashton, Moses, wagon builder, 58 Bryn Street, Ashton. Jane Elizabeth, 27 Whitledge Green, Ashton).
William was born 1925 the son of Moses and Jane Elizabeth Boardman, Florida Farm, Cottages, Pewfall (Haydock Lane ).
William Boardman :- Wireman. D/MX674004 RN. HMLCT 462(His Majesty’s Landing Craft Tank 462). Died 1/10/1945 in India after an operation, age 19.
Madras War Cemetery, India. 9. F. 16.
( On Ashton Grammar School; St. Thomas’ Memorials )

LEVI BOND

Son of Wilfred and Margaret Ann Bond(French), Ashton in Makerfield. (m. 14/5/1907 Holy Trinity, Wilfred, miner, Bryn Gates. Margaret Ann, Bryn Gates). Levi was born 1910 at 1 Beech Tree Houses, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong. Margaret Ann French was the elder sister of William and James French. Both William and James were killed in World War One. William died in Mesopotamia 1916 aged 24, James was killed in action in France 1918 aged 23 (see St. Luke & St. Thomas Memorial Rolls WW1)
Husband of Catherine Bond(Wood), Ashton in Makerfield (m. St Thomas, Ashton 7/4/1934. Levi, miner, 550 Bolton Road. Catherine, 71 Heath Road). Leaves a wife and 4 children Jean(born 550 Bolton Road), Margaret, Cyril(born 69 Heath Road) and Marion.
Levi Bond :- Lance Corporal 7606505. 2/4th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Killed 29/12/1943 in Italy, age 33.
Minturo War Cemetery, Italy. IV. A. 6.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

CYRIL BOYERS

Son of Robert and Martha Boyers(Singleton), Ashton in Makerfield ( m. 25/7/1914 St Matthews, Pemberton, Robert, miner, 2 Willow Street. Martha Ellen, 8 Willow Street, Pemberton ). Cyril was born 1915. When Cyrils sister, Elsie, was born in 1923 the family lived at 7 Park Lane, Bryn.
Husband of Phyllis Boyers(Cunliffe), 3 Rose Hill Street, Bryn, (m. 14/11/1936 Church of Our Lady Immaculate, Downall Green Road, Bryn, Cyril, motor lorry driver, 7 Wigan Road. Phyllis, 4 Rosehill Street). Occupation – driver for the late Mr. J. Middlehurst, Billinge. Leaves a wife and 1 child James Cyril Boyers.
Cyril Boyers ;- Driver. T/189549 Royal Army Service Corps. Attatched HAA(Heavy Anti Aircraft Artillery) Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 26/4/1941 during the withdrawal from Greece, age 25. No known grave.
Athens Memorial, Greece. Face 8.
( On St. Thomas’; Ashton Central School; Our Lady’s, Bryn, Memorials )

JOHN BYROM

Son of William and Lily Byrom(Griffiths), Golborne (m. 9/3/1918 St. Thomas, William, miner, 46 Old Road. Lily, Edge Green). John was born 1922 at Big Fold, Edge Green, Golborne.
John Byrom :- Signalman. D/SSV33022 RN “HMS Broadwater”. Killed 19/10/1941, age 19. The destroyer “HMS Broadwater” on convoy duty was sunk by U-boat U-101 in the North West Approaches.
Londonderry City Cemetery, Northern Ireland. C of E Plot. Sec. F. Grave 15.
( On Leigh Street, Golborne; St. Thomas’, Golborne and St. Thomas’, Ashton Memorials)

HUGH CUTHBERT CRAIG

Son of John and Catherine Craig(Carney/Kearney), Ashton in Makerfield (m. St. Oswalds, Ashton 1/3/1919. John, 6 York Road. Catherine, 145 Bolton Road). Catherine was the daughter of John and Emma Carney, 4 Reservoir Street, Ashton in Makerfield. Hugh was born 1920 and had 2 brothers John and Thomas and 4 sisters Veronica, Jane, Marie Theresa and Bernadette.
Husband of Kathleen Daisy Craig(Buckman), Haslemere, Surrey.(m. Surrey 1941)
Hugh Cuthbert Craig :- Sergeant. 1169555 RAF (VR) 101 Squadron. Killed 9/7/1942, age 22. A member of the crew of a Wellington III bomber which took off from Bourn, Cambridgeshire, for a raid on Wilhelmshaven and was lost without trace. None of the 5 crew members has a known grave.
Runnymede Memorial, Surrey. Panel 80.
( On St. Thomas’, Memorial )

ARTHUR CUNLIFFE 

Unknown
The only Arthur Cunliffe recorded, by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, to have been killed in WW2 is a Arthur Cunliffe born and resident in Lancashire aged 29. Death 9/7/1943 to 10/7/1943. Private. Service No. 3603466. 1st (Airborne) Battalion Border Regiment. Killed in Sicily.
Named on Cassino Memorial, Sicily, Italy. Panel 7.
( a Arthur Cunliffe is on St. Thomas’ Memorial ) (see below)

HENRY CUNLIFFE

Son of John and Sarah Ellen Cunliffe(Fairclough), Garswood Road, N. Ashton. (m 14/6/1913 Holy Trinity, John, collier, 376 Millfield Lane, Haydock. Sarah, Quaker Houses, Winstanley Road). Henry was born 1/1/1916 at 6 Crow Nest, Winstanley Road.
Husband of Dorothy Cunliffe(Hardman), 542 Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield (m. St Thomas 17/6/1939. Henry, miner, 506 Garswood Road, Garswood. Dorothy, 542 Bryn Road). Served in N. Africa and Italy. Leaves wife and 1 child (David Anthony). Attended St Andrews School, Garswood and Holy Trinity Church. Later a member of St Lukes choir, Stubshaw Cross. Employed Sankey Sugar Co., Earlestown.
Henry Cunliffe :- Fusilier. 3461428 2nd Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers. Died of wounds in Palermo Hospital, Italy. 26/12/1942, age 27.
Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy. III. L. 39.
( On St. Thomas’; Holy Trinity; North Ashton Village Club, Rectory Road, North Ashton Memorials )

HERBERT CUNLIFFE

Son of Kate Cunliffe(Ashurst), 129 Princess Road, Ashton and the late John Simm Cunliffe. (m. All Saints, Wigan, 12/6/1912. John, locksmith, 8 Victoria Road, Garswood. Kate, mill hand, 73 Delph Street, Wigan). Herbert was born 1919 at 66 Station Road, Garswood. Herbert joined the forces December 1939. To France 1940. Employed – metal assembler at Thomas Crompton & Son, Ashton. Late father John was a foreman at Cromptons. Attended St Thomas School and Central School.
Herbert Cunliffe :- Sapper. 1891840 159 Railway Construction Company, Royal Engineers. Lost in sinking of “SS Lancastria”(Liverpool) 17/6/1940, age 20.
During the evacuation of troops and civilians from St. Nazaire following Dunkirk, the passenger ship “SS Lancastria” was bombed and sunk with the loss of over 5,000 from the 9,000 on board.
Dunkirk Memorial. Column 24.
( On St. Thomas’; Ashton Central School Memorials )

RICHARD FREDERICK DAVIDSON

Son of Benjamin and Sarah Davidson(Grant), m. 1897 Sheffield. Born 4/12/1913. Baptism 24/12/1913 St. James, Haydock, Richard Frederick Davidson, son of Benjamin and Sarah Davidson, 104 Station Road, Haydock, collier. On enlistment Richards residence was in Nottingham.
Richard Frederick Davidson :- Private. 2754982 2nd Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment). Killed 21/11/1941, age 27.
Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Libya.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

LESLIE ARTHUR FROST

Son of Arthur Frederick and Alice Anne/Annie Frost(Nicholson), 323 Golborne Road, Ashton in Makerfield. (m. St. Thomas’ 12/4/1908 Arthur Frederick, farmer, Golborne Road. Alice Annie, Bolton Road). Leslie was employed as a roundsman for Bryn Gates Cooperative Society. Attended St Lukes Church.
Leslie Arthur Frost :- Private. 3858746 1st Battalion The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire). Killed in action in Italy. 16/3/1944, age 25.
Cassino Memorial, Sicily, Italy.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

WILLIAM HAMPSON

Son of James Henry and Elizabeth Alice Hampson(Pickervance), 13 Laburnum Street, Ashton. (m. St. Thomas’, Poolstock, 5/8/1905, James Henry, labourer, 7 Thompson Street. Elizabeth Alice, 12 Thompson Street).
Husband of Irene Hampson(Kelly),Ashton in Makerfield (m. St Thomas 14/9/1935. William, miner, 13 Laburnum Street. Irene of 14 Flora Street). Employed as a miner at Haydock colliery. Leaves a wife and 5 children (Joan, May(born 8 York Road), James H., Irene, Elizabeth Margaret Rose).
William Hampson :- Private. 3654997 1st Battalion The South Lancashire Regiment (The Prince of Wales Volunteers). Killed by a sniper just beyond the beaches during the invasion of France, D Day, 6/6/1944, age 31.
Hermanville War Cemetery, France. I. A. 16.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

WILLIAM HARRISON

Son of Thomas and Rebecca Harrison(Causey), (widow of William Wiseman; Rebecca originally came from Bryn Gates), 13 Ladysmith Avenue, Ashton. (m. St. Thomas’, 3/4/1920, Thomas, miner, 71 Princess Road. Rebecca, 13 Ladysmith Avenue, Ashton). William was employed at the Sanitary Dept. Ashton UDC. Attended St Thomas School and Ashton Grammar School.
William Harrison :- Sergeant. 1514814 RAF (VR). Killed in a mid-air collision whilst on a training flight over London 2/9/1943, age 22.
Buried in St. Thomas’ Churchyard, Ashton in Makerfield. Line 5. Grave 41.
( On St. Thomas’; Ashton Scouts; Ashton Grammar School Memorials )

JOHN HEATH 

Son of Harold and Margaret Ellen Heath(Parry), 58 Morden Avenue, Ashton. (m St Thomas’, 14/5/1910, Harold, miner, 18 Liverpool Road. Margaret Ellen, 90 Nicol Lane). John was born 1921 at 22 Toothill Street, Ashton in Makerfield. Employed – forgemaster at Thomas Crompton & Sons., Ashton in Makerfield.
John Heath :- Sergeant. 3655176 1st Battalion The Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Killed 19/9/1944 in Italy, age 24.
Coriano Ridge War Cemetery, Italy. XIX. L. 2.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

JAMES HEATON 

Son of Herbert and Charlotte(Picton), Landgate, Ashton in Makerfield (m. 23/12/1911 Holy Trinity, Herbert, collier, 45 Station Road, Garswood. Charlotte, 26 Station Road, Garswood). In 1912 when their son Herbert Leslie was born they lived at 26 Station Road, Garswood.
James Heaton :- LAC(Leading Aircraftman)1475397 RAF (VR). Killed 4/12/1943 in North Africa, age 22.
Dely Ibrahim War Cemetery, Algeria. 22 4. D. 4.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

NORMAN CLIFFORD HILL 

Son of Peter and Annie Hill(Moulsdale of Farnworth, Bolton), Ashton in Makerfield ( m. 13/2/1902 Wesleyan Chapel, Bispham, Wigan, Peter, widower, Life Insurance Superintendent, Garswood Road, Ashton. Annie, 24 Moss Road, Orrell ). Clifford was born 1907 and in 1911 lived with his parents and elder brother Rowland(8) at 146 Old Road, Ashton.
Husband of Alice Hill(Naylor), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. St Thomas 21/3/1943. Norman Clifford, 40 Low Bank Road. Alice, 6 Adamson Street). Employed as a compositor (setting type for printing).
Norman Clifford Hill :- AC 2 2207345(Aircraftman 2nd Class) RAF (VR) 5013 Airfield Construction Squadron. Died suddenly 8/12/1943 in a Cambridgeshire hospital, age 36.
Buried in St. Thomas’ Churchyard, Ashton in Makerfield. Line 5. Grave 44.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

ARTHUR HOLLAND 

Son of Mary Elizabeth Lowe(Holland nee Jones), and stepson of Abraham Lowe, 23 Duke Street, Ashton. Arthurs parents were Charles and Mary Elizabeth Holland(Jones) who were married 4/7/1914 at St. Peters, Westleigh, (Charles, collier, 34 Talbot Street, Golborne. Mary Elizabeth, 34 Talbot Street, Golborne). Arthur Holland, 34 Talbot Road, Golborne, was baptised 24/2/1915 at St. Peters, Westleigh. Charles Holland died and 5/4/1920 St. Peters, Westleigh, Mary Elizabeth Holland married Abraham Lowe, (Abraham Lowe, collier, 177 Princess Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Mary Elizabeth Holland, widow, 34 Talbot Road, Golborne, Leigh). Abraham Lowe was an elder brother of soldier Thomas Lowe, who died in an accident in Capetown, South Africa 27/4/1942 aged 36 (see below).
Husband of Joan Holland(Broadbent)(m. Oldham 1943). Employed as a miner then at Risley. Leaves wife and 1 child (Marian), at Werneth, Oldham.
Arthur Holland :- WO(Warrant Officer/Air Gunner) 1028124 RAF (VR) 44 Squadron. 7/7/1944, age 29. A Lancaster bomber from RAF Dunholme Lodge(Lincoln) attacked a flying bomb storage depot at St. Le-d’Esserent. The bomber came down in Equennes-Eramecourt and all the crew were buried in the local churchyard.
Equennes Churchyard, France.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

NORMAN HOLLAND 

Son of Ellen Holland(Holland), 13 Church Street, Golborne. Foster son of Joseph and Jane Ann Naylor(Parkinson), Golborne. (m. 28/6/1919 Holy Trinity, North Ashton, Joseph, collier, 12 Stonecroft Terrace, Ashton. Jane Ann, pit brow worker, 43 Rectory Road).
Norman Holland :- Private. 3533023 1st Battalion The Manchester Regiment. Died as a POW of the Japanese. 21/9/1944, age 25.
Singapore Memorial.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

JAMES HUGHES

Son of Edwin and Annie Hughes(McDermott) 10 Mains Avenue, Bamfurlong (m. 24/12/1906, St, Johns, Abram, Edwin, miner, 210 Lily Lane, Bamfurlong. Annie, 9 Brynn Street, Bamfurlong). James attended Bryn Gates School and Central School. Employed at police mobile section at Kirkham.
James Hughes :- Sergeant. 2206716 RAF (VR) 408(Royal Canadian Air Force) Squadron. 25/4/1945, age 28. He was a member of the crew of a Halifax bomber which left Linton – on – Ouse, near York, to bomb gun positions at Wangerooge( one of the Frisian Isles in the North Sea, part of Germany and near the coasts of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark ). The bomber collided in the target area with another Halifax resulting in the deaths of all 14 airmen from both aircraft.
Runnymede Memorial, Surrey. Panel 275.
( On Bamfurlong Methodist; St. Thomas; Memorials )

HAMISH MCBEAN HUNTER

Son of Dr James and Margaret Hunter “Elmfield”, Ashton, (originally of Collieston, Aberdeenshire). Attended Wigan Grammar. Employed Coops & Co. wholesale clothiers, Wigan.
Hamish McBean Hunter :- Lieutenant. 156640 18th Battalion Reconnaissance Corps. Royal Armoured Corps. Died as a result of an accident near Nantwich, Cheshire, 24/9/1941, age 24.
Buried in St. Thomas’ Churchyard, Ashton in Makerfield. Line 2. Grave 26.
( On St. Thomas’; Wigan Grammar School Memorials )

EDWARD JONES

Son of Richard and Dora Jones, Ashton in Makerfield.
Husband of Lena.
Edward Jones :- Flight Sergeant (Air bomber) 548901 RAF 37 Squadron. Killed in action 26/6/1944.
Budapest War Cemetery, Hungary. Coll. Grave II. D. 4 – 8.
( On St. Thomas’; Ashton Central School Memorials )

WILLIAM LEONARD KELLY

Son of Edward and Ellen Kelly, 175 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield. A William L. Kelly born Liverpool 1922? Attended Ashton Grammar School. Employed as a clerk at Richard Evans offices Haydock. Patrol Leader and Cubmaster at Lord Gerards Scouts. Rugby League player for Scouts – referred to as the Scouts “Flyer” due to his speed.
William Leonard Kelly :- Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) 1000480 RAF (VR) 455 (Royal Australian Air Force) Squadron. Killed 13/2/1942, age 21. All members of the crew died when their Hampden bomber from Wigsley, Nottinghamshire, abandoned its mine laying operations and crashed near Lincoln. A newspaper report states that they were killed in action whilst laying mines, against German ships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, over the English Channel.
Buried in St. Thomas’ Churchyard, Ashton in Makerfield. Line 2. Grave 55.
( On Ashton Grammar School; St. Thomas’; Ashton Scouts Memorials )

THOMAS LAWRENSON

Son of James Harold and Mary Alice Lawrenson, Ashton in Makerfield. (There is no record of a James Harold andMary Alice marriage. Possibly Scotland/Ireland marriage?The only local James Harold was born Haydock 1894. In 1911 James Harold was living with his family at 78 Lily Lane, Platt Bridge. 4/1/1916 he married Sarah Barton at Prescot. A Thomas Lawrenson(Barton) was born 1918??).
Thomas Lawrenson :- AB( Able Seaman ) D/SSX18662 RN “HMS Diamond”. Killed 27/4/1941, age 23. When leaving Naplia, Greece, the destroyer “HMS Diamond” was sunk by German Stuka dive-bombers. The ship was carrying survivors from other ships.
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 47. Column 3.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

THOMAS LOWE 

Son of John and Amelia Lowe(Knowles), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 23/10/1897 Wigan Register Office, John, coalminer, 6 Chapel Street, Ashton. Amelia, Golden Lyon, Ashton). In 1911 Thomas was living with his widower father John, brothers Abraham and John and sisters Sarah Ellen and Margaret at 19 Peter Street, Ashton. Thomas was a younger brother of Abraham Lowe who 5/4/1920 married Mary Elizabeth Holland to become the stepfather of soldier Arthur Holland who was killed in action 7/7/1944 aged 29 (see above).
Husband of Florence May Lowe(Atherton), 18 East Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield (m. St Thomas 21/4/1930. Thomas of 177 Princess Road. Florence May of 18 East Street, Stubshaw Cross). Enlisted first day of the war. Served in Dunkirk evacuation. Employed as a belt minder at Bryn Hall Colliery. Leaves wife and 4 children John, Gordon William, Margaret and Joyce
Thomas Lowe :- Gunner. 1057271 115 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Killed in accident in Capetown. 27/4/1942, age 36.
Capetown (Maitland) Cemetery, South Africa. Military Allotment. Grave 96653B.
( On St. Thomas’; Bamfurlong Methodist Memorials )

HARRY MARSDEN

Son of Albert and Edith Marsden(Butterfield?) m Blackburn 1911? Harry was born Blackburn 1917?
Husband of Muriel Marsden(Ormrod), 40 Morden Avenue, Ashton in Makerfield (m. St Thomas 9/6/1940. Harry of 1 Arrowsmith Road, Haydock. Muriel of 40 Morden Avenue). Enlisted 2/4/1940. Served Middle East. Employed as a motordriver by his father Albert, a haulage contractor.
Harry Marsden :- Private. 2934418 The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. Killed 16/8/1943, age 26. Accidently drowned in military exercise. Knocked over by a wave and swept out of his depth by the current.
Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. 5. D. 3.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

WILLIAM NICHOLSON

Son of William and Lilian/Lily Nicholson(Stanley)(m. 5/8/1914 St. Thomas’, William, miner, 245 Edge Green. Lilian, 33 Beech Tree Houses, Bryn Gates). William jnr. was born 1915 at 69 Edge Green Lane, Stubshaw Cross.
Husband of Margaret Nicholson(McNulty), 5 Beech Tree Houses, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, (m. St Thomas 25/7/1936. William of 251 Edge Green Road, Stubshaw Cross. Margaret of 1 Mount Pleasant, off Nicol Road). Served in N. Africa, Sicily and Italy. Arrived in France 3 days after D Day and was wounded. Collier at Bryn Hall Colliery. Attended Bryn Gates School. Leaves a wife and 2 children, Marion and Sheila.
William Nicholson :- Private. 3134802 7th Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Killed 23/3/1945, age 29, whilst crossing River Rhine.
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery,Germany. 60. B. 7.
( On St. Thomas’; Bamfurlong Methodist Memorials )

ARTHUR OXBURY

Son of Nancy Ellen Oxbury(Cunliffe), 61 North Street, Stubshaw Cross and the late Harry Oxbury. (m. St. Thomas’ 23/5/1896, Harry, collier, Long Lane. Nancy Ellen, Stubshaw Cross). Arthur had 4 brothers Thomas(killed in action 11/8/1917), John, Ernest and Harry and 2 sisters Ada Alice and Nellie.
Husband of Lily May Oxbury(Glaze), 70 High Street, Golborne(m. Methodist Church, Plank Lane, Leigh 12/9/1936. Arthur of 97 Plank Lane, Leigh. Lily May of 49 Heywood Avenue, Leigh). Employed as a painter and decorator. Leaves a wife and 1 child, Mavis.
Arthurs elder brother Thomas Oxbry, born 1896, was killed in action in World War One 11/8/1917 aged 21 (See St. Lukes and St. Thomas’ Memorial Rolls)
(The spelling of the surname is Oxbry/Oxbury. WW1 soldier is Thomas Oxbry. WW2 soldier is Arthur Oxbury).
Arthur Oxbury :- Gunner. 1703230 103 HAA Regiment Royal Artillery. Killed in anti-aircraft action in England. 28/11/1940, age 28.
Buried Golborne (St. Thomas) Churchyard. Section C. Row 20. Grave 3.
( On St. Thomas’; Leigh Street, Golborne; St. Thomas’, Golborne, Memorials )

THOMAS PAINTER

Son of John and Miriam Ellen Painter(Hughes), 12 Mill Street, Ashton(m. St. Asaph 1919 ?). Thomas was born 1923 at 6 Heath Street, Ashton. Thomas had 2 brothers John and Sydney and a sister Mary. Member of Cromptons Recreation Football Team. Employed at Thomas Crompton & Sons, Ashton.
Thomas Painter :- Corporal. 14206699 4th Battalion The Somerset Light Infantry. Killed by an army vehicle 22/9/1944 in Holland, age 21.
Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Holland. XIX. E. 5.
( On St. Thomas’; Ashton Central School Memorials )

JOSEPH PICKERVANCE

Son of John and Alice Pickervance(Taylor) of Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 17/6/1899 Wigan Register Office, John, coalminer, 2 Marsh Street, Pemberton. Alice, 2 Marsh Street, Pemberton). In 1912 the family were resident at 2 Commercial Square, off Heath Road.
Husband of Sarah Ellen Pickervance(Prior), Ashton in Makerfield (m. St Thomas 19/5/1934. Joseph, miner, of 28 Flora Street. Sarah Ellen of 173 Old Road) .Leaves a wife and 5? children Phyllis( born 229 Old Road, Ashton), James?(St Helens), John?(Newton), Elizabeth and Joyce(both born Ashton).
Joseph Pickervance :- Gunner. 1714349 26 Lt. AA Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 15/2/1946 in Germany, age 32.
Munster Heath War Cemetery, Germany. 4. A. 21.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

HAROLD PILLING

Son of James Harry and Sarah Jane Pilling(Cottom), Ashton in Makerfield (m. 4/2/1911 St. Thomas’, James Harry, blacksmith, Gerard Street. Sarah Jane, 30 Nicol Lane). Harold was born 1916 at 239 Bolton Road, Ashton.
Husband of Nellie Pilling(Davies), 239 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield (m. Congregational Church, Gerard Street, 1940). Employed Peets grocers, Ashton.
Harold Pilling :- Corporal. 2762173 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment). Killed 20/7/1943 in action during the invasion of Sicily, aged 26.
Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy. I. E. 12.
(On St. Lukes; St. Thomas’; Congregational Church, Gerard Street; Ashton Central School Memorials ).

JOHN PRICE

Son of Henry and Edith Price(Speakman), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 15/7/1905 Wigan Register Office, Henry, coalminer, Bolton Road, Ashton. Edith, 323 Long Lane, Bryn). In 1911 Henry and Edith and family were living off Chapel Street, Ashton. John was born 19/5/1918 and baptised 9/6/1918 at St. Oswalds, RC, Ashton.
John Price :- Private. 3453114 1/4th Battalion The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Killed in France 29/6/1944, aged 26.
Ryes War Cemetery, Bazenville, France. II. G. 4.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial).

CYRIL RIGBY

Eldest son of Lancet Archibald and Elizabeth Ann Rigby(Stalker) (m 3/8/1908, St. Thomas’ Lancet Archibald, machine hand, Heath Lane. Elizabeth Ann, Gerard Street). Cyril was born 1913 at 2 Bryn Street, Ashton.
Husband of Marjorie Rigby(Peet), Wigan, Lancashire (m. All Saints, Wigan 13/12/1939. Cyril, ships engineer, of 1 Gaynor Avenue, Haydock. Marjorie of 2 Frog Lane, Wigan.).
Cyril Rigby :- 3rd Engineering Officer, Merchant Navy “MV Abosso”(Liverpool). Killed 29/10/1942, age 29. About 700 miles North of the Azores the passenger-cargo liner “MV Abosso”, en route from Capetown to Liverpool was sunk by the German U-boat U-575. There were only 30 survivors from 282 passengers and crew.
Tower Hill Memorial, London. Panel 2.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial ).

JOHN ROBINSON

Son of John and Elizabeth Robinson(Abrams), 2 Legh Street, Ashton in Makerfield. ( m. 10/3/1917 Primitive Methodist Chapel, Newton Road, Lowton, John, general carter, 10 Mill Street, Golborne. Elizabeth, 15 Bank Street, Golborne ). John was born in Golborne 1921(address unknown). In 1924 his sister Hilda May was born at 4 Flora Street, Ashton. John jnr. was employed as a hairdresser in Ashton. Attended St Thomas School and Central School.
John Robinson :- Service No.872357. Gunner. Aged 21. 8 Coast Regiment Royal Artillery Hong Kong. Lost on “SS Lisbon Maru” 2/10/1942. No grave.
Sai Wan Bay Memorial, Hong Kong. Column 6.
( On St. Thomas’; Ashton Central School Memorials ).

JAMES SHAW 

Son of James and Elizabeth Shaw(Fagan), Ashton in Makerfield, ( m. 17/4/1915 Wigan Register Office, James, drawer in coalmine, 24 Whitledge Green. Elizabeth, 5 Sumners Yard (between Gerard Street & market) ). James jnr. was born 1/5/1917 and baptised 25/5/1917 at St. Oswalds, Ashton.
Husband of Rebecca Shaw(Smith), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 14/5/1938 St. Oswalds, Ashton, James, 31 Glebe Avenue, Ashton. Rebecca, 163 Back East Street, Stubshaw Cross). Employed as a hingemaker at T. Crompton & Son, Ashton. Leaves a wife and 2 children Mary Irene and Kathleen.
James Shaw :- Private. 3859525 2nd Battalion, The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire). Killed 13/2/1942 during the battle for Singapore, age 24. He has no known grave.
Singapore Memorial. Column 74.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial )

WILLIAM SHAW

Son of George and Matilda Shaw(Webster), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 16/2/1912 St. James,Chorley, George, stripper and grinder, 18 Gilbert Street, Chorley. Matilda, 15 Frederick Street, Chorley). William was born 1923 in Chorley.
William Shaw :- ERA(Engine Room Artificer 4th Class in charge of engines, boilers etc.) 4th Class D/MX79545 RN HMS “Samphire”. Killed 30/1/1943, age 20. Off Bougie, Algeria, this corvette was sunk by the Italian submarine “Platino”.
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 81. Column 2.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial ).

HORACE SHEPHERD

Son of John and Harriet Shepherd(Wilcock), 199 Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield (m St. Thomas’ 15/11/1919, John, miner, 334 Church Road, Haydock. Harriett, 36 Old Road). Horace was born 1922 at 3 Skelton Street, Bryn. Horace was a wireless operator and air gunner. A good boxer. Attended Central School. Employed at a branch of Air Ministry before enlisting RAF before age 17.
Horace Shepherd :- Sergeant. 553812 RAF (VR) 209 Squadron. Killed 8/9/1942, age 20, during a patrol over the Indian Ocean. He has no known grave.
Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Column 262.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial ).

JOHN SMITH

Son of Thomas and Sarah Smith(Radcliffe), 15 Back East Street, Stubshaw Cross. (m. Christ Church, Ince 1/1/1909 Thomas, miner, 16 Petticoat Lane. Sarah, 11 Hall Road). John was born 1914 at 338 Bolton Road. Employed at No. 3 mine Garswood Hall Collieries. In 1931 John joined army and served 3 years in India. In 1939 he was called up and sent to France. Served in the Dunkirk evacuation. Attended St Lukes school and Central School.
John Smith :- Bombardier. 835273 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. Killed in action 14/4/1941, in the Middle East, age 27.
Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya. 3. G. 9.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial ).

THOMAS STEELE 

Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Steele(Heyes)(m. Ashton under Lyne 1899, Thomas Steele and Lizzie Hayes). Thomas Steele snr. was born in Golborne. Lizzie Hayes/Heyes was born 1879 at 30/35 Flora Street.
Born 17/7/1915. Baptised St. Thomas’, Ashton, Thomas Steele, son of Thomas and Lizzie/Elizabeth Steele, 197 Heath Road, miner.
Thomas Steele :- Fusilier. 3860530 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Fusiliers. Killed in Sicily 5/8/1943, age 28.
Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy. III. L. 4.
( On St. Thomas’ Memorial ).

SYDNEY THOMPSON

Son of Albert and Alice Thompson(Hooton), m. 1907 Ormskirk district which covers Southport. Sydney was born in Southport 1913.
Husband of Ann Thompson(Metcalfe), 546 Bryn Road.( m. 6/4/1935 Wigan Register Office, Sydney, colliery surface hand, 9 Low Bank Road. Ann, 255 Bryn Road ). Employed Long Lane Colliery as a colliery carpenter. Member of Ashton Brass Band. Leaves wife and 2 children Albert and Sydney.
Sydney Thompson :- Fusilier. 3457846 2nd Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers. Killed in action 26/11/1942 in North Africa, aged 29.
Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia. 18. A. 14.
( On St. Thomas’; Ashton Central School; Stubshaw Cross Independent Methodist Memorials ).

HAROLD TWISS 

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has no record of a Harold Twiss. (see below)

LEONARD WHITTLE 

Son of Wilfred and Elizabeth/Lizzie Whittle(Webb) (m. St. Thomas 27/12/1913. Wilfred, miner, of 195 Old Road . Elizabeth of 362 Bolton Road), Ashton in Makerfield. Leonard was born 1918 at 297 Bolton Road, Ashton.
Leonard Whittle :- Sergeant. (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) 533685 RAF 58 Squadron. Killed 19/6/1940, age 22. A Whitley V bomber from Linton on Ouse, near York, crashed near Krefeld, Germany. All 5 members of the crew were killed.
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. Coll. grave 18. A 7 – 10.
( On St. Thomas’; Ashton Central School; Bamfurlong Methodist Memorials).

CLIFFORD WILLIAMS

Son of William Thomas Williams and Margaret Jane Williams(Thomas), Ashton in Makerfield. (m. 2/4/1910 Wesleyan Methodist Church, Queens Road, Ashton, William Thomas, coalminer, 236 Bolton Road, Ashton. Margaret Jane, 222 Bolton Road). Clifford was born 1924 in Ashton.
Clifford Williams :- Private. 14512930 1st Battalion The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire). Killed in Italy 19/2/1944, aged 19.
Anzio War Cemetery, Italy. I. L. 8.
( On St. Thomas’; Ashton Central School Memorials ).

THOMAS WOOD

Son of William and Mary Wood(Durkin), 358 Bolton Road, Ashton (m St Thomas 29/6/1918. William, miner, of 272 Bolton Road. Mary of 214 Billinge Road, Garswood). Thomas was born 1919 at 257 Bolton Road. Employed Mains Colliery, Bryn Gates.
Thomas Woods :- Fusilier. 3452309 2nd Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers. Killed 22/5/1940 during the withdrawal to Dunkirk, aged 21.
Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
( On St. Thomas’; Ashton Central School Memorials ).

In addition 3 soldiers recorded on St. Lukes Memorial Roll but not on St. Thomas’s :-

JAMES BATE

Son of Mary Ann Bate(Richards), 15 East Street, Stubshaw Cross, and the late James Bate. (m. St. Thomas’, Poolstock 1/8/1908, James, collier, 906 Warrington Road. Mary Anne, 672 Warrington Road). Father James Bate killed in France WW1 3/5/1917 shortly after gaining the Military Medal (James snr. is named on Holy Trinity WW1 Memorial Roll). James jnr. had 4 brothers – Thomas, William, Ralph and Edward. 3 brothers in HM Forces. In the army for 11 years. Before the war served in Egypt. Served in the Dunkirk evacuation and the D Day Normandy Landings. Attended Park Lane Unitarian church, Bryn. Memorial Service, St Peters, Bryn.
(spelling both Bate or Bates)
James Bate :- Sergeant. 3527108 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. Killed in action 4/9/1944 in France, aged 29.
Pernes British Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais). Plot 4. Row D. Grave 4.
( On St. Lukes; St. Peters, Bryn, Memorials ).

LESLIE MARKLAND

Son of James and Mary Elizabeth Markland(Harrison), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 18/10/1915 Independent Methodist Church, Greenough Street, Wigan, James, coalmine labourer, 280 Bolton Road, Ashton. Mary Elizabeth, 405 Bolton Road, Ashton). Leslie was born 1918 in Ashton.
Leslie Markland :- Corporal. 3451935 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. Killed 13/10/1944 in Italy, aged 26.
Faenza War Cemetery, Italy. I. E. 5.
( On St. Lukes; Ashton Central School; Stubshaw Cross Independent Methodist Memorials ).

JAMES VALENTINE

Unknown
James Valentine :- Trooper. 14296710 The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps. Killed in Germany 10/2/1945. He had family connections with Wigan. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. 55. D. 1.
( St. Lukes Memorial ). (see below)

The unknowns –

Arthur Cunliffe
Harold Twiss
James Valentine

ARTHUR CUNLIFFE

If we assume that the Arthur Cunliffe, details above, refers to an Arthur Cunliffe from Ashton, then since the soldier died aged 29 in 1943 he would have been born c1914. Only 1 Arthur Cunliffe was born in Ashton 1912 – 1916. He was born 1914 and is linked to St. Thomas,’ Church through his parents marriage –
22/3/1913 St. Thomas’, Ashton
George Cunliffe, 21, miner, 13 Low Bank Road, father William Cunliffe, miner
and
Alice Picton, 20, 219 Old Road, father John Thomas Picton, miner.
Born 29/12/1914 Arthur Cunliffe, son of George and Alice Cunliffe(Picton), 219 Old Road, Ashton.

HAROLD TWISS

If we assume Harold Twiss was born in the Wigan area 1909 – 1928 –
1909 -1928 only 2 Harold Twiss

(a)1 in Tyldesley with father born Golborne

(b) 1 in Ashton, born 23/5/1916 son of James and Maria Twiss(Callow). Baptised 2/7/1916 St. James Haydock. (Harold Twiss died 2010, Soughers Lane, Bryn, aged 94).

No other Harold Twiss is found in the Wigan area. The surname Twiss is found locally :-
Elias and Sarah Twiss and family, Back East Street, Stubshaw Cross ( no Harold)
Twiss/Twist surnames in Haydock – Clipsley Lane/Blackbrook Road/Kenyons Lane.(no Harold)

JAMES VALENTINE

1909 – 1928 only 2 James Valentine
1 1924 Ashton
1 1920 Haydock

(a) James Valentine born 15/3/1924 son of Richard and Ellen(Nellie) Valentine(Dowd) – St Oswalds, Ashton

(b) Born 26/9/1920. Baptised 21/10/1920 St. Thomas’, Ashton, James Valentine, son of John and Beatrice Valentine(Aldred), miner, 116 Penny Lane, Haydock ( John and Beatrice married St Nathaniels, Platt Bridge, 1920. )
20/8/1943 marriage St Thomas’, Ashton ;-
James Valentine, 22, miner, 114 Penny Lane, Haydock, father John Valentine, miner
and
Bertha Cross, 22, 9 Glebe Avenue, father Robert, labourer
There is 1 child born 1943 and 1 in 1944 with surname Valentine /Cross and none any later than 1944. ( the soldier died 1945).

Both (a) and (b) possible. The soldiers details say James Valentine, in Nottingham, had links to Wigan. Could the link be through coal and the miner from Ashton had moved to work on the Nottinghamshire Coalfield and enlisted in Nottinghamshire?

Also there is another soldier James Valentines death recorded –
Birthplace Lancashire
Residence Lancashire
No. 3450658
Date of Death 26/11/1942 N. Africa
Addiitional – Husband of Elsie Valentine.
(This James Valentine possibly Salford/Manchester area))

There is no way to positively identify the 3 unknowns unless some person in their family provides the answer.

Reference
Second World War Roll of Honour : Wigan – Eric McPherson.

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Additional World War 2 Soldiers St Thomas, Heath Road, Churchyard

Compiled by David A. Fearnley
Soldiers not on any local Memorial but are named on family headstones in the churchyard :-
James Edmondson(d. 1938)
Robert Ogden
Robert Wilding
Soldiers not on any local Memorial but buried in soldiers graves in the churchyard :-
Edwin Bailey(d. 1946)
John HarrisonA soldier on the Congregational Church, Gerard Street, Memorial, buried in a soldiers grave in the churchyard :-
Frederick Uriah Cook Jones.EDWIN BAILEY

Son of Reuben and Elizabeth Bailey(Littler) m. 15/4/1899 St. Thomas, Ashton, Reuben, collier, Ashton Heath. Elizabeth, Wigan Road. Edwin was born at 16 Druid Street, Ashton.
Edwin Bailey : – Private. 3456910 Cheshire Regiment. Died 5/10/1946, age 33.
Ashton in Makerfield(St. Thomas Heath Lane) Churchyard. Line 13. Grave 19.
( Not on any local Memorial )

JAMES EDMONDSON

Son of Albert and Lavina Hartington(Hesketh) (nee Beck, widow of Joseph Hesketh) m. 5/12/1903 St. Thomas, Ashton, Albert, collier, Stubshaw Cross. Lavina, widow, Stubshaw Cross). 1914 Wigan Register Office, Lavina Hartington married Thomas Dodd. James Edmondson may be a foster son of Albert and Lavina, he is named as their son on the headstone. There is also a William Edmondson (1904-1906) who is also named as their son.
Lavina Beck was the elder sister of George and William Beck of 65 Golborne Road. Both George and William were killed in action in World War One. George was killed 28/8/1916 aged 29. William was killed 7/6/1917 aged 23. (see St. Luke and St. Thomas Memorial Rolls).
James Edmondson ;- “Died on military service. Buried in Hampshire 28/6/1938. Age 26” inscription on family headstone.
(Named on family headstone Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas Heath Lane) Churchyard).
( Not on any local Memorial ).

JOHN HARRISON

Son of John and Rebecca Harrison(Appleton nee Littler), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 6/6/1908 Wigan Register Office, John, drawer in coalmine, 4 Orchard Street. Rebecca, widow, 56 Stocks Fold, Ashton).
Husband of Mary Ethel Harrison(Goulding), North Ashton ( m 9/6/1941 Ince Register Office, John, Lance Corporal, No. 3447211, Lancashire Fusiliers (coalminer), 126 Bolton Road. Mary Ethel, 22 Brocstedes Avenue, North Ashton ).
Soldier John Harrison was the nephew of World War One soldier Joseph Whittaker who was killed in action 18/1/1917 aged 27. (see St. Lukes World War One Memorial Roll).
John Harrison :- Fusilier 3447211 2nd/6th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. Died in a military hospital 20/6/1943, aged 31.
Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas Heath Lane) Churchyard. Line 11. Grave 4.
( Not on any local Memorial ).

FREDERICK URIAH COOK JONES

Son of William and Sarah Jane Jones(Cook), 41, Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 22/11/1902 St. Lukes, Lowton, William, collier, Lowton. Sarah Jane, Lowton).
Frederick died in a road accident in Southern England.. He was 21. Before the war he was an Ambulance Officer for a government factory in Northern England. He was a member of the St. Johns Ambulance Brigade at Ashton and was attached to the medical section of the RAF. The funeral service was held at the Congregational Church, Gerard Street, Ashton, of which Frederick was a member as well as the Sunday School.
Frederick Uriah Cook Jones :- AC2(Aircraftman 2nd Class). 1029526 RAF (Volunteer Reserve) 118 Squadron. Died 2/2/1942, age 21.
Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas, Heath Lane) Churchyard. Line 3 Grave 27.
( On Congregational Church, Gerard Street, Memorial )

ROBERT OGDEN

Son of Paul and Margaret Ogden(Bryce), Ashton in Makerfield/Haydock, (m. 1895 St. Marks, Bredbury, Stockport). Margaret(Bryce) was born in Newton le Willows but her parents were from Scotland.
The family lived in Ashton in Makerfield c1896 where the following children were born :-
Alexander William Bryce Ogden 4/6/1897, Bolton Road, father coachman
Thomas Cecil Fairhurst Ogden 27/7/1898, Bolton Road, father coachman
Madge Ogden 24/4/1900, Bolton Road, father coachman.

Robert Ogden born 2/1/1911 at Stocks Farm, Haydock.

1901 Census
“Off” Bolton Road
Margaret Ogden, married, 29, born Newton le Willows
Madge Ogden, daughter, 11 months, born Ashton
Jane Bryce, mother, 62, born Scotland

1901 Census
(Hospital) Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield
Bryce Ogden, patient, 3, born Ashton in Makerfield
Tommy Ogden, patient, 2, born Ashton

There is no trace of Paul Ogden in 1901 and the family do not appear on the 1911 Census

1901 – 1905 the family moved to Haydock. At the burial of Madge Ogden 31/12/1905, aged 6, her residence is given as Old Boston.
Robert Ogden born 2/1/1911 at Stocks Farm, Haydock
At the burial of Paul Ogden, 17/1/1917, aged 41, his residence was Stocks Farm, Penny Lane, Haydock.

1921 at Wigan Registry Office
Marriage of –
Thomas Cecil Fairhurst Ogden
and
Evelyn Morton, 6 Orchard Street, Ashton in Makerfield.

The family grave is in Heath Road Graveyard and the headstone has the following inscription “Robert Ogden, son of Paul and Margaret Ogden, killed in action “HMS Hood”, 24/5/1941, aged 30″.
Robert Ogden :- Rank Able Seaman RN. P/JX 127622. Entered RN 4/8/1926. Completed training 2/1/1929 and then spent 12 years and 4 months in the RN.

“HMS Hood” sank in the Battle of the Denmark Strait 24/5/1941. Of the 1,418 crew only 3 survived. The British “HMS Hood” and “HMS Prince of Wales” fought against the German battleships “Bismarck” and “Prinz Eugen”. A shell from Bismarck set the Hoods aft magazines alight and the Hood sank almost immediately.

Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Panel 49. Column 1.
(Named on family headstone Heath Road Graveyard)
( Not on any local Memorial )

ROBERT WILDING

Son of Robert Thomas and Mary Isabella Wilding(Turner), Blackburn, Lancashire ( m. 1913 Chorlton, Manchester, Robert Thomas, Inspector Weights and Measures, 22 Prestage Street, Old Trafford(b. Stockport)). Mary Isabella, printers pager, 78 York Street, Hulme, Chorlton(b, Salford) ).
Robert Wilding :- Sub Lieutenant (A) “HMS Landrail” Fleet Air Arm RN Volunteer Reserve. Date of death 16/3/1943, age 29.
Lee on Solent Memorial, near Portsmouth, Hampshire. Bay 4. Panel 7.
(Named on family headstone Ashton in Makerfield (St. Thomas Heath Lane) Churchyard – inscription “Robert Wilding son of Robert Thomas and Mary Isabella Wilding. Sub Lieutenant Fleet Air Arm RNVR. Born 12/5/1914 missing presumed killed 16/3/1943”
( Not on any local Memorial )

Reference
Second World War Roll of Honour : Wigan – Eric McPherson.

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