| MEMORIALS
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L/Cpl James Burns James Burns joined the Lancashire Fusiliers
15 Battalion C Company Platoon No1X and served as a Lance-Corporal on
the Somme, France where he was part of the 32nd Division. At 7.30am
on the morning of Saturday 1st July 1916 he left the trenches and went
over the top never to be seen again. Along with thousands of other young
men his name is on the Thiepval Memorial in France which honours the
names of the missing on the Somme. Contact Sheila about James Burns or her research Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 25065 Pte WILLIAM ROUGHLEY William went off to war leaving behind
his wife and a young son John (my grandfather). William's son produced
4 children of his own from which I William was a member of D Coy, 15th Bn The Lancashire Fusiliers (1st Salford Battalion), who took part in the assault on Beaumont Havel on the first day of the Battle of The Somme. On 1 July 1916, supported by a French attack to the south, thirteen divisions of Commonwealth forces launched an offensive on a line from north of Gommecourt to Maricourt. Despite a preliminary bombardment lasting seven days, the German defences were barely touched and the attack met unexpectedly fierce resistance. Losses were catastrophic and with only minimal advances on the southern flank, the initial attack was a failure. William was in the first wave that went over the top at 0700 hrs that morning. In the following weeks, huge resources of manpower and equipment were deployed in an attempt to exploit the modest successes of the first day. However, the German Army resisted tenaciously and repeated attacks and counter attacks meant a major battle for every village, copse and farmhouse gained. At the end of September, Thiepval was finally captured. The village had been an original objective of 1 July. Attacks north and east continued throughout October and into November in increasingly difficult weather conditions. The Battle of the Somme finally ended on 18 November with the onset of winter. In the spring of 1917, the German forces fell back to their newly prepared defences, the Hindenburg Line, and there were no further significant engagements in the Somme sector until the Germans mounted their major offensive in March 1918. The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. No member of the Roughley family ever knew William except my Grandfather who being a very small boy only had a vague memory of his father walking down the road in his uniform with his rifle slung over his shoulder. That was the last anyone in the family ever saw of him. He is commemorated on the memorial at Thiepval because he has no known grave. On behalf of the surviving members of his descendents, we wish it recorded that: At the going down of the sun With kind regards Michael John Neal (born Michael John Roughley) Contact Michael about William or his research Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 11591
Pte Joe Farmes Joe Farmes was my wife's father's uncle. We had often heard my father-in-law, Tommy Farmes of Hull, talk about a memory that obviously affected him greatly as a young boy during the First World War. He remembered his adored Uncle Joe coming home on leave from the Western Front a changed man. For the rest of his life, Tom could picture him sitting hunched by the fire, hollow-eyed, smoking constantly, not speaking but listening with his head cocked on one side - apparently for the sound of German trench-mining operations. Sharp noises would send Joe to the ground and he would whimper uncontrollably. Tom's other vivid memory of that last leave was of the terrible state of Joe's "trench feet" and of the way in which his mother, Mary Ann, would bathe them. By my father-in-law's account, the adults were convinced by Joe's condition that his nerves were so far gone there could be little hope of his survival when he returned to the Front. Before Tom died, my wife, Beryl, and I took him to see if we could find his Uncle Joe's name on the E. Yorks memorial in Beverley Minster. We did but it was misspelt as 'Farmer'. Until tonight, though, we had no idea of his actual fate, except that he was killed - as tragically expected by his family. Now, thanks to the net - beginning with the first break-through via the wonderful Commonwealth War Graves Commission - we know that he was in the 7th Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment, a New Army battalion in the 17th (Northern) Division of "K2", the army raised in 1914 from Kitchener's second 100,000 volunteers. We know that the division landed in France in July 1915 and fought heroically to the end of the war. Just a year after its arrival in France, after the "Actions of the Bluff" in early 1916, the 17th Division fought alongside all those other tens of thousands of innocent, betrayed young men and boys in the horror of the Somme. Joe, having survived all that, was still only 25 when he died on Sunday, 13th May, 1917, two days before the end of the Arras offensive. During that offensive there had been three battles of the Scarpe in which the division, including the E. Yorks, was fully involved. Then, almost as a post-script, after the third of these, the 17th was sent into action again to capture Roeux, which it did in fighting which took place on 13th/14th May. We can probably assume that Joe Farmes, as a private in the E. Yorks, was one of the casualties on the first of these two days. Sadly, we can't visit his grave to show that someone still cares - his is just one of the 35,000 names on the Arras memorial to those with no known grave. Perhaps I shall be able to find out more about Joe Farmes but, for the moment, I'm grateful that the net - to which I'm new - has made it possible for him to speak to another generation again - however faintly. May his spirit rest in peace, with our thanks. For more information on Joe Farmes contact Eric Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 9781
L/Cpl William Makinson Died Sunday 16 July 1916. For more information on William Makinson Please visit the The Taylor Family Memorabilia Website. Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 29548
Pte John Taylor Died Monday 26 November 1917. For more information on John Taylor Please visit the The Taylor Family Memorabilia Website. Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 18490
Pte Edward Gauton Died of Wounds 03 July 1916. Below is the contents of a memorial card produced by his family, they seem to have the dates mixed up as he died on the 3rd of July of wounds received on the 1st of July. His brother Harry was supposed to have been along side him when wounded. Harry survived the war and was at sometime awarded the Military Medal. His father was killed in a work accident at Cortonwood Colliery 17th January 1916, he was crushed and died in a cart on the way to medical help. He marched away so bravely, In Rememberance of Edward Gauton The beloved son of Edward and Emma Gauton Killed in Action July 1st 1916 Aged 27 years and 10 months For more information on Edward Gauton please contact me Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 281162
Bombardier R J NEAL Who died on Friday, 12th October 1917. Remembered with Honour For more information on R.J. Neal please contact Peter Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page T4/245837
Driver Thomas Povah who died on the 1st December 1918, of the 48 hr flu. He is buried at Ste. Marie Cemetery Le Havre France. He was married to Ann (Newbrook) and lived at 7 Wheathill Street Lower Broughton Salford. Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 3496
L/Cpl Andrew John Forbes Died Saturday 31 March 1917 Andrew John Forbes was born in Lisnaragh, Donemana, County Tyrone, the son of Thomas and Margaret Forbes. He was the youngest of 8 children. He emigrated to Australia and volunteered to serve in WW1 with the 53rd Battalion AIF. He fought at the Battle of Fromelles where he was injured and was transported to a hospital in Oxford where he recovered from his wounds. He was granted a furlough and made his way home to County Tyrone where he was reunited with his family. Less than two weeks later he returned to his Battalion and was killed in France on 31 March 1917. Waiting anxiously back in Australia was his brother, Thomas who requested information regarding his brother two weeks before his marriage. Andrew John had died on the battlefield seven months prior unknown by his family at that time. He was loved, missed and fondly remembered by those who knew him in Ulster and by the generations who followed. Janice Williams (Great-niece) For more information on Andrew John Forbes please contact Janice Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 29252
Pte Edward Chambers Died 27th August, 1917, during 3rd Battle Of Ypres.
For
more information on Edward Chambers please contact Ian Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 6892 Pte William
John Hillman Son of George Hillman (late Col Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers) and Bridget Mary Hillman of 44 Thorparch Road, S. Lambeth London. Buried: STRUMA MILITARY CEMETERY. Grave /reference number: 1V.H.12 For more information on William Hillman please contact Elaine Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 20163
Pte Henry Gibson Harrison Henry Gibson Harrison died aged 31, on the morning of Sunday 27th October 1918 in Italy when the 12 Bn was involved in the Passage of the Piave River. On that day the objective was to clear the Bund, which was the Austrian front line on the east bank of the river, and then to advance into the plain beyond that. Zero hour for this attack was at 6.45am and the objective was captured by 7.00am even though thin bombardment only managed to destroy a little of the wire and there was intense enemy machine-gun fire. Here is the entry in the 12 Bn Durham Light Infantry war diary for that day:- 27th Oct - At 6.45am the advance onto Green Dotted Line commenced. Very deep swift water was found in the most northerly area of the Piave and whilst wading this, the battalion suffered heavily from machine-gun fire, the leading coy losing nearly 50% of it's strength. Companies reorganised and pressed forward to be held up by uncut wire close to the objective, which was strongly held. The wire was cut most gallantly by various parties amongst whom Capt Gibbens MC, DCM, Sgt O'Hara and Pt Brown were conspicuous. The battalion pressed on, and C coy captured the first objective BLUE DOTTED LINE (the road from C PADOVAN to C BENEDETTI). Here orders were received that as the Italians on the left of the Brigade had failed to cross the PIAVE, no further advance would be made. The Battalion organised a defensive position:- A & B companies in front line; D Coy in support, C coy being moved up into reserve near C BORAZZUNI. Battalion headquarters at C BORAZZUNI. Majoy E Borrow DSO was taken from the Battalion to command the 11th NF. Vice Lieut Col ST Hill DSO killed. The Battalion this day captured 3 guns. Our casualties were:- 2nd Lieut Hodgson & 2nd Lieut Fisher killed. Capt C Gibbens MC DCM; 2nd Lieut Smith: 2nd Lieut Wade wounded. RSM Burton DSM was killed after the capture of the first objective by a ricochet bullet. 27 other ranks killed, 111 other ranks wounded; 11 missing. The night was quiet. I have been informed by family members that Henry Harrison was a stretcher bearer and that he was shot although my research shows that most of the casualties of that day were drowned. When Henry died he left a widow Margaret and 5 children: Frank, Winnie, Henry, Daniel and Florence who was only 4 months old. Henry was awarded the Military Medal and is buried in the Tezze British Cemetery. I have added this memorial as Henry's death has affected the family for many years and he was greatly missed. For more information on Henry Harrison please contact Angela Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 23867
Pte Pte Albert Wilson My Grandfather. It has taken me many years to find out about him as my Father was only 3 years old when his father was killed on the 15th of October 1916 whilst serving on the Somme. The story of my Grandfathers death is that he died accidentaly when the Trench Mortar he was working burst and killed him and his companion Pte Simpson from Smethick instantly. He is buried at the Faubourg de Amiens Cemetery in France. Next to him is the grave of his friend Pte Simpson. He was only 23 years old. I would like to send him a special thank you and godbless to him for giving his life that we could live in peace and security. Your Grandson Jeff For more information on Albert Wilson please contact Jeff Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 8860 CSM
Francis (Frank) Tipton Bytheway MC, DCM Killed in Action 14th July 1916. Also to the Officers and Men of the: 7th. Division (Immortal Seventh) who gave their lives for their Country. My Great Uncle Frank was born in 1886,
when he was 17 he joined the local Militia and rose to the rank of sergeant-postmaster.
On completing his service he worked for a short while in a factory,
but he realised that soldiering was his vocation and he enlisted in
the 1st Bn. The South Staffordshire Regiment, where he soon gained promotion.
He served in Gibraltar and South Africa until the outbreak of war. For more information about Francis Tipton please contact Ernie Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 10587 Pte Thomas
Allen I would like to add a Memorial to Private Thomas Allen of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment who died on or around the 18th November 1916. He went missing and a body was never found, I can only conclude that as his name appears on the Thiepval memorial that it was around that area. Thomas was in the 10th Bn which was a service Bn attatched to the 57th Brigade and 19th Western Divison. He was born in Birmingham but moved to Warwick. He enlisted in Northampton. He got the British war medal,1914-1915 medal, victory medal 1914-19 and the memorial plaque. This is all I know about my Private Thomas Allen but we are now in receipt of his war medals and would like him remembered and will continue to try and find out more about him. “We can truly say that the whole circuit of the earth is girdled with the graves of our dead…and in the course of my pilgrimage, I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon earth through the years to come, than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war” King George V Flanders 1922. Please if anyone can help me find out more about this man email me Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 17142 Pte Thomas
Lewis and 17143 Pte William Lewis Private Thomas Lewis and his younger brother, Private William U. Lewis both joined the 14th Bn. Welsh Regiment which became the 114th, 38th Div. The boys joined at the same time as each other and their service numbers were 17142 and 17143. They were the eldest children and the only sons of Tom and Mary Ellen Lewis from Swansea. To allow them to join up together they added a couple of years to their ages, Tommy in truth was 19 and Will was 16. Both boys died in France, Will died on Friday 18th February 1916 and is buried in the military cemetery at St.Vaas Post, Richebourg-L’Avouep, Pas de Calais. Tommy died on Monday 10th July 1916 during the battle of the Somme; there is panel reference for him at the Thiepval Memorial. My grandparents were told by those from Swansea who returned from WW1 that Will, who had a wonderful Welsh singing voice, was singing as he marched and was shot through the throat. Tommy was last seen on the battlefield wounded but no more was seen or heard of him. It was a terrible war and so many people paid such high prices for it. Many thanks for allowing me the chance
to contribute and to pay homage as I live in Australia and have not
had the opportunity to visit the graves. Cienwen is happy to help any anybody researching this Lewis family Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 17387 Serjeant
William Edward Ratcliffe Remembering with pride my mother's eldest
brother Sgt William Edward Ratcliffe, 17387, 9th Batt. KOYLI. He died
of wounds recieved at the battle of Loos on 29 September 1915 aged 23.
He was born in 1892 in Northwood, Stoke on Trent, son of William H Ratcliffe
and Ann (nee Williams). Uncle Willie died at the Military Hospital in
Etaples, Pas de Calais, and is buried alongside thousands of his comrades
in the British Military cemetery there, in Plot 4, Row G, Grave 8A. R.I.P. For more information contact Doug Raybould Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page 630191
Pte James (Jim) Owens Died of wounds on 23 September 1918, aged 29 years, at no. 19 Casualty Cleaning Station, France. Husband of Mrs G Owens, Greenwich, London, brother of Bill, Walter, Jack and Charles , and uncle to James Jnr., George and John. Jim Owens is buried at Sunken Road Cemetery,
Boileux-St Marc. We remember Jim and his brave comrades, who gave their
young lives for the freedom of countless others. For more information on Jim Owens please contact Gill Please read the other memorials on this page Use your Back button to return to the prvious page |