PRIVATE JAMES CARD
2nd Battalion Border Regiment
Service Number: 11811
Died: 28th May 1915
Cemetery: Wimereaux Communal Cemetery France
James was a single man, who lived with his parents William Henry and Mary Jane Card at 4 Pemberton Valley, Tunstall Lane. Also living there were his brothers William and Benjamin and his sisters Annie, Ellen and Margaret. Before his enlistment James was a Collier, working at Pemberton Collieries. He enlisted into the Border Regiment on the 1st September 1914. On completion of his training, James landed in France on the 21st March 1915. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion.
The 2nd Battalion Border Regiment were part of the 20th Brigade, 7th Division. James was a replacement for the heavy losses the Battalion had suffered during the First Battle of Ypres. Following this battle the Division became known as the 'Immortal Seventh'. In May 1915, the 7th Division moved into position near the French town of Festubert, to prepare for action. The British Army had suffered a disaster one week earlier at the Battle of Aubers Ridge, losing approximatley 11000 men. That battle was a disaster, no ground was gained and minimal impact was achieved. Some of the lessons learned from Aubers Ridge were to be implemented at Festubert, most notably the Artillery would be longer and more methodical.
The bombardment started on the 13th May 1915, with over 400 guns and howitzers firing at a 5000 yard front. At 11.30pm on the 15th May, the first men to go over the top were men from the 2nd Division. The 2nd Border Regiment, had to wait till 3.10am on the 16th to begin their attack. Considerable casualty numbers were sustained by the Border Regiment as they advanced too far into the British shells. They managed to move through the German trenches, but were held up by fierce German counter attacks and shellfire, eventually they were forced to withdraw to the first line of German trenches. At around 8pm the Battalion is relieved. The battle was to rage on for a further 10 days. The 7th Division alone sustained 4000 casualties. It is not known at which stage of the battle James recieved his wounds. He was then passed down the line to a Casualty Clearing Centre, and then onto the British Military Hospital at Wimereux, a small seaside town approximately 5 miles north of Bolougne. At 11.45am on the 28th May 1915 James died of his wounds, that were described as General Service Wounds to his knee. He was 27 years of age. James was laid to rest in Wimereux Communal Cemetery in France.
PRIVATE HAROLD CONNOR
5th Battalion South Wales Borderers
Service Number: 41518
Died: 10th April 1918
Cemetery: Godewaersvelde British Cemetery Belgium
Harold was born in Pemberton. He was living with his sister Mrs E Beardsmore at 135 Enfield Street Pemberton. Before he enlisted, Harold was working as a haulage hand at Pemberton Collieries. He enlisted in April 1917 into the South Wales Borderers. Upon completion of his training he joined the 5th Battalion. They were the Divisional Pioneer Battalion, part of the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. Being the Pioneer Battalion, not only did they have to be first class Infantrymen, but they also did the majority of the manual work, involving digging of the trenches, laying wires and general maintenance work.
It appears that Harold joined the Battalion sometime in the latter part of 1917. In March 1918 came the Great German Attack. The 19th Division found themselves right in the firing line. The 5th South Wales Borderers were back on familiar ground in Messines. They arrived in Caestre on the 30th March 1918, and took up quarters in Spy and Gable farms where thet immediatley set to work on the defences and communications. On the 9th April the Battalion received about 400 new troops, bringing them up to full strength. The Division's line ran from Douve to Hollebeke covering about 5000 yards. With their reduced establishments and the high proportion of recent drafts, the prospects of defending this long front was not promising.
On the morning of the 10th April 1918, heavy shell fire opened up and it was not long after that, that the enemy attacked in strength. The Battalion defended bravely, holding the enemy at bay long enough for the South African Brigade of the 9th Division to counter attack. This action improved the situation. The Battalion managed to hold their positions till after 7pm, when as the enemy were advancing on the left side of the line, and only when two Lewis guns had been knocked out, did they retire to positions in Wytschaete, to avoid envelopment.
The Battalion had suffered only 50 casualties, which was an astonishingly low amount, considering the action they had been involved in. Unfortunately Harold was one of those casualties. At some point in the battle Harold recieved his fatal wounds, he was passed down the line to the Casualty Clearing Centre at Godewaersvelde, where he died, he was 19 years of age. Harold was laid to rest in the cemetery at Godewaersvelde British Cemetery in Belgium.
DRIVER JAMES CORLESS
20th Divisional Ammunition Column
Service Number: 70130
Died: 24th December 1916
Cemetery: Carnoy Military Cemetery
James was born in Orrell, but lived with his parents James and Mary Corless in Enfield Street. It is not known what number. James worked as a Labourer at Pemberton Collieries. James enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery around September 1914. Due to James working with horses and ponies at the Colliery, it is more than likely that this was the reason he joined as a driver. James joined the 20th Division, who were formed in September 1914 solely from new volunteers, having only a small number of trained Officers and NCO's to command them, no organised billets or equipment. Artillery was particulary hard to come by, 12 old guns arriving from India in February 1915. The Division was inspected by HM King George V, at Knighton Down in June 1915, by which time it was adjudged ready for war.
James landed in France on the 24th July 1915, where the Division concentrated in the St Omer area, For the next few months, they recieved trench familiarization training in the Fleurbaix area. James by this time had joined one of the Brigade Ammunition Columns. Each of the Brigades had an Ammunition Column attatched to it. It was their responsibility to get ammunition and other supplies to the Artillery Battery positions from the ammunition dumps. The distance between the positions and the dumps was normally around 5 miles. All the movements were achieved by horse power, often over horrendous ground. It was a particulary hazardous job, with the Germans holding the high ground, it was reasonably easy for them to target ammunition columns.
20th Division were involved in various action throughout the Battle of the Somme. On the 21st August 1916 James was wounded in the throat from shrapnel. In October 1916 they were involved in one of the last major battles of the Somme. The Battle of Le Transloy, this battle raged on till the middle of November, when atrocious weather finally brought an end to the Battle of the Somme. The 20th Division were to remain in this area for the foreseeable future. The Divisional Artillery were based near the Morlancourt area.
It was reported that while James was at the base camp on December 24th 1916, he collapsed suddenly. He was taken to Carnoy where he died. He was aged 29 years of age. James was laid to rest at Carnoy Military Cemetery. In a letter home to his parents his Sergeant wrote " He was one of the best lads in the world. I often wished I had a few more like him and I have stuck to him through thick and thin, it is very hard i know, but try and bear it for there is one thing we know and we may be proud of which is he died doing his duty".
CORPORAL GEORGE CROSTON
2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
Service Number: 8230
Died: 7th July 1915
Commemorated: Ypres Menin Gate Memorial Belgium.
George was born in 1894. He was married to Ethel. They had 2 children and settled in the Pemberton area, living at 166 Enfield Street. He was well known in the local area as a keen football follower. George had previously served in the army, so shortly after war broke out George was recalled, leaving his job as a collier at Pemberton collieries. He joined the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. Following a period of training George landed in France on the 2nd May 1915, and was almost immediately in the thick of the action, taking part in the 2nd Battle of Ypres.
The 2nd Battle of Ypres was the only major offensive the Germans launched in 1915. It was here for the first time they used poison gas in a battle, when on the 22nd April, 168 tons of chlorine gas was launched against the allies. The battle raged on till the end of May, with little ground being conceeded, however the Germans had managed to acquire the high ground around Ypres. The 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers were part of 12th Brigade, 4th Division. However in the early part of July 1915 they were attatched to the 11th Brigade, to assist with their operations.
On the 6th July 1915, the Battalion moved to Elverdinghe, to the north west of Ypres. Here they bivouaced for the night amongst the trees in the grounds of a chateau. On the morning of the 7th July 1915 an attack was launched by the 1st Rifle Brigade and the 1st Somerset Light Infantry. Their objective was a German trench on the canal bank, just south of Pilkem. During the morning news reached the Fusiliers that the attack had been a success, and that they were to relieve the attacking Battalions in the captured German trenches.
The relief was carried out amid total confusion, Rifle Brigade and Somerset Light Infantry going out and the Fusiliers going in, an endless stream of wounded men dragging themselves along or being carried out on stretchers, also dead men were lying about on the parapets or the floor of the trenches, amid a strong smell of gas and light shelling. Eventually the relief was completed with the Battalion occupying about 450 yards of a very complicated line.
Around noon on the 7th July, heavy shelling started, and continious counter attacks were launched by the enemy. This was a particulary violent battle, the enemy were reported as being only 15 yards away. At some point in this battle George lost his life, it is not known how. He was 21 years of age. George's body was never recovered, he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres Belgium.
PRIVATE GEORGE COUNSELL
8th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Battalion
Service Number: 26986
Died: 11th October 1916
Cemetery: Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension
George lived with his parents Thomas and Caroline Counsell at 364 Ormskirk Road Pemberton. His father Thomas Counsell a master baker had recently been elected to the Wigan Town Council. George was also a baker, working in the family business Messrs Counsell Brothers. George enlisted on the 7th December 1915 into the Manchester Regiment. He was mobilised on the 3rd May 1916, and the following day he went to Brocton camp in Staffordshire for training. Following his training George landed in France on the 30th August 1916.
Initialy George went to the notorious Etaples Infantry Base Depot. He then transfered to the 8th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who were part of the 7th Brigade 25th Division. On the 9th October 1916, the 10th Cheshire Regiment attacked a German fortification Stuff Redoubt, located to the north east of Thiepval. Following the successful attack by the Cheshires, they were relieved the next day by the 8th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. On the 10th October, the plan was to attack a stretch of high ground known as 'The Mounds'.
The enemy launched a number of counter attacks throughout the morning, all of which were repelled. At 2.40pm the enemy put down a heavy barrage on the position held by the Loyals. Finally the attack commenced at 2.46pm, carried out by A and B companies. George was a member of A company. The tactic of using a creeping barrage was once again used, and was most effective the men kept up with the barrage. The distance covered was roughly 200 yards. The Loyals succeded in their objective, also capturing one German Officer and over a hundred German soldiers, as well as several machine guns. The attack also resulted in the British holding the high ground, giving them the required observation all along the ridge.
The following day the 11th October 1916, the newly taken positions were under heavy sustained shell fire. Most likely this is how George recieved his fatal wounds. He was evacuated by number 76 Field Ambulance , but unfortunately George died from his wounds. He was 21 years of age. George was laid to rest in Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
PRIVATE DAVID DEAN
2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
Service Number: 45194
Died: 14th June 1918
Cemetery: Denain Communal Cemetery
David was a single man, living with his parents William and Ellen Dean at 17 Tunstall Lane Pemberton. It is reported that David was a popular man within the local community with a great many friends. He was a former member of St Matthews bible class. Before his enlistment he worked in the signal department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. David enlisted on the 17th August 1917. After a period of 4 months training, in the early part of 1918 David landed in France where he joined his Battalion, the 2nd Lancashire Fusileers, part of 12th Brigade, 4th Division.
On his arrival at his new Battalion, David went into A company. On the 19th March 1918, the Battalion moved up to relieve the Scots Guards at Stirling camp, situated in Blangy St Laurent slightly north of the town of Arras. Then on the 23rd March 1918 they moved from Stirling camp to relieve the 2nd Essex Regiment in the support trenches in the Fampoox sector, they managed to spend a few days of relative calm. Then on the 28th March the Germans launched a major offensive. The day started with a heavy bombardment, the barrages were directed at the front, reserve and support trenches. This continued till about 7am, when a huge Infantry attack was launched. The front line trenches managed to hold out, till they were virtually wiped out.
'A' company who were in close support, were totally cut off from the rest of the Battalion. 'A' company's orders were to hold on at all costs and with the ammunition becoming desperatly short were totally wiped out. The remainder of the Battalion managed to hold the enemy in the support trenches. The enemy also suffered huge casualties forcing them to consolidate their gains. One of the officers in the same company as David was awarded the Victoria Cross in this battle. He was killed and awarded it posthumousley.
David was reported missing. In a letter home to his parents by his Commanding Officer it stated "Your son was in this Battalion when it withstood the German advance of March 28th, and was amongst a certain number reported missing believed to be taken prisoner of war, I cannot say for certain whether he was taken prisoner. I hope that in the near future you recieve more definite and good news". David was taken prisoner quite possibly suffering from wounds recieved in the battle.
He was taken to the German prisoner of war camp in Denain, situated in north east France.On the 14th June 1918, David died most likely from the wounds he would have recieved in the Great German Advance. He was 26 years of age. He was laid to rest in Denain Communal Cemetery.
PRIVATE JOHN WILLIAM DEAN
1/5th Manchester Regiment
Service Number: 2591
Died: 21st September 1915
Commemorated on : Helles Memorial
John lived with his parents Thomas and Alice Dean at 140 City Road Kitt Green. Thomas who originally hailed from Wrexham in North Wales, was working as a collier at the Lindsay colliery. John's father was also a collier. He was also a member of Wigans territorial force. The 1/5th Manchester Regiment, these young men were commonly known as Saturday afternoon soldiers. Once a week they would meet at the old Wigan drill hall, compnies A to E were based in Wigan, F company was at Patricroft, G company based at Leigh, and H at Atherton. In July 1914, the Battalion had just returned from their annual camp at Stalybridge, when news came through that they had been mobilised for war. Originally the Territorials were only going to be used for home defence, but when the government asked them to serve overseas they agreed unanimously. By October they were posted overseas to Egypt. They were part of 126th Brigade, 42nd Division.
Their initial task was to defend the Suez canal from Turkish forces. On the 3rd May they embarked from Alexandria bound for Gallipoli. They landed on W and V beach at Cape Helles on the Gallipoli peninsular. The Gallipoli campaign was an unmitigated disaster for the allies. John along with the rest of the Battalion endured a torrid time. Following a month of trench warfare and sniping. In early June the Battalion took part in the Third Battle of Krithia, an attempt to break out of the small bidgehead. The Manchesters gallantly took over their objectives, but because of failings by the French on their right hand side were forced to retreat back, incurring high losses.
In August 1915,another attempt to break out, once again more heavy losses were suffered. Then for John and the rest of the Battalion, it was back to trench warfare. Of the original Battalion only a third remained. On September 21st, the Battalion were in a trench in the Gully beach area. The previous few days both sides had started to use mine warfare, not as large as the mines employed on the Western Front, but large enough to cause very damaging explosions. One such mine exploded killing one man. That man was John William Dean. The entry in the war diary states" One man missing entombed through mine explosion" John's body was never recovered. He was 19 years of age. John is commemorated on the Helles Memorial Gallipoli Turkey.
PRIVATE STEPHEN DORAN
1st Battalion The Border Regiment
Service Number: 19126
Died: 24th April 1917
Commemorated on: Arras Memorial, France
Stephen was born in 1889, his parents were Edward and Rebecca Doran of 19 Chapel Lane Pemberton. He had two sisters Annie and Jessie. In 1913 he married Mary Ann. A short time later they had a son named Albert. Following his marriage they lived at 6 Schofield Houses on Billinge Road Pemberton. Before his enlistment Stephen was employed by the Warrington Road Brewery, where he worked as a painter. On the 6th January he enlisted into the Border Regiment, joining the 1st Battalion, part of 87th Brigade, 29th Division.
On the 17th August 1915 he joined up with his Battalion in Gallipoli. He was only there 10 days when he was wounded in action. He suffered a bullet wound to his right buttock. He was treated for his wound, then sometime later returned to active duty. Stephen stayed in Gallipoli through to the end of the campaign leaving on the 2nd January as part of the total withdrawal. From there the Battalion sailed to Egypt to await instructions. It was here that Stephen transfered to the 6th Border Regiment.
The 6th Battalion landed in Marseille in July 1916, ready to go into action on the Western Front. On the 26th September 1916,the Battalion took part in the Battle of Thiepval Ridge, where Stephen was wounded again, this time in the head. On the 11th October 1916 he was evacuated to England for a spell of convalesence. On the 12th February 1917 Stephen returned to France, this time joining his original 1st Battalion again.
The Battalion moved into the Arras sector, an area they were familar with. On the 16th April 1917, they moved into front line trenches at Orange Hill, two miles west of Monchy. They spent a few days there suffering light casualties. On the 19th the Battalion moved into the underground caves in Arras for a few days rest. Then on the 22nd April 1917 they moved out, to take up positions for an attack on the village of Monchy. The next day the battle commenced. Unfortunately during this battle Stephen was killed in action. He was 27 years of age. His body was never recovered. Stephen is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in France.
PRIVATE JOSEPH EDEN
9th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment
Service Number: 40561
Died: 9th June 1917
Cemetery: Perth Cemetery (China Wall)
Joseph was born in Whiston near Liverpool. Upon his marriage to Elizabeth, he moved to 155 Enfield Street. Before his enlistment Joseph was working for his stepfather Mr J Davies who had a hardware business in Ashton in Makerfield. He enlisted on the 11th December 1915, then on the 16th October 1916 he was mobilised, joining the Royal Field Artillery. A month or so later, on the 26th November Joseph decided to transfer to the Infantry, joining the York and Lancaster Regiment. Joseph left these shores on the 7th January 1917, landing in Calais. He then proceeded to Infantry Base Depot at the notorious Etaples. Finally he joined the 9th Battalion on the 10th February 1917.
The York and Lancaster Regiment were a famous old Regiment, formed originally from men who came from the landed properties of the Duchy of York or the Duchy of Lancaster. The 9th Battalion were part of the 70th Brigade, 23rd Division. In June 1917, the allies decided that they would make a major thrust. The battle was the Battle of Messines Ridge. The battle is most notable for what was deemed an allied victory, but for the extensive use of mine warfare. A total of 21 mines were planted with huge amounts of explosives. The Messines ridge was stategically important. Whoever held the ridge, held control over the southern flank of the Ypres salient.
The bombardment of the German lines started on the 21st May 1917, continuing through to the 7th June, the day of the attack. At 3am the mines were detonated. It is said that the explosions were heard in London. Shortly after the explosions the Infantry moved forward under a creeping Artillery barrage. The 23rd Battalion attacked the northernmost point of the battlefield. The Division were up against the German 204th (Wurttemberg) Division. Due to the high ground shaking all around them following the mine explosions they were in total disarray. However they fought bravely, causing the 23rd Division to suffer large casualties. The battle was deemed a success for the allies, all the objectives had been met.
Then on the 8th June the day was mainly spent consolodating the gains that had been won. Then on the 9th June the Germans launched a large number of counter attacks which were repulsed and also pounded the line with their Artillery. It was one of these shells which killed Joseph. In a letter to his wife, his Commanding Officer said that" her husband was killed by concussion or shock, there being no visible marks on his body, and he was buried by his comrades". He added " that he died a true British hero". Joseph was 25 years of age. He is buried in Perth Cemetery ( China Wall) Belgium.
PRIVATE GEORGE FARRIMOND
1/10th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment
Service Number: 4130
Died: 23rd July 1915
Cemetery: St Sever Cemetery Rouen France
George was a single man, who lived at 115 Tunstall Lane Pemberton, with his parents Henry and Lucy Ellen Farrimond, also his younger brothers John and Harold, and sisters Florrie and Annie. His other sister May was married and lived in Cardiff. Before his enlistment George was a civil servant. He enlisted on the 14th November 1914 into the Kings Liverpool Regiment. He joined the 1/10th Battalion otherwise known as the Liverpool Scottish, a famous Regiment, which also saw the only man to win two Victoria crosses, Captain Noel Chavasse.
George volunteered for overseas service and joined the second line terrortorial unit of the Liverpool Scottish, the 2/10th Battalion. Firstly he went to billets in Tunbridge Wells, then onto Blackpool for intense training, to prepare them for the Western Front. On the 12th February 1915 George left Southampton aboard the SS Kephorn bound for France. He was in 12 Platoon, Y Company of the 1/10th Battalion. George was employed within the Platoon as an Officers Servant. This involved cooking his meals, making his tea, and keeping his uniform clean and polished. It is not clear if George volunteered for these duties, but if he had wanted to leave these duties, it would have been quite easy to do so.
In 1915 the trenches were a particulary miserable place to be, the average death rate per day along the whole of the front was about 300 a day, mainly caused by sniping and shellfire. The Battalion, part of the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division were part of an attack on the 16th June 1915, on the village of Bellewaarde, just east of Ypres. Along with all the units of the 9th Brigade the Liverpool Scottish were to lead the attack. They left their jumping off trenches at 4.15am. George because of his position as an Officers servant, would not have been excused from going over the top, he would have advanced alongside his Officer.
The battle had mixed success, managing to take over the second line of German trenches, but following determined counter attacks and accurate shell fire, it was decided that at 6pm, to call a halt to any further attacks, and consolidate the ground that they had won. Following this action the Battalion moved out of the front line. They moved to Busseboom, camping in bivouacs. It was while they were here, recuperating and re-equipping, that George fell ill. He was admitted to the British Military Hospital in Rouen. It was here on the 23rd July 1915 that George died following an operation for an appendicitis. He was 23 years of age. George was laid to rest in St Sever Cemetery Rouen France.
PRIVATE HAROLD ALFRED FOOTE
Royal Army Service Corps
Service Number: M/323485
Died: 24th November 1918
Cemetery: Wigan Cemetery
Harold was a single man, born on the 23rd June 1899 in Wigan. He lived with his parents Thomas and Alice Foote of 9 Billinge Road Pemberton. Harold enlisted into the Royal Army Service Corps on the 15th March 1917. The RASC were responsible for all the transportation of all equipment. Harold joined the Mechanical Transport arm of the RASC. He was mobilised on the 23rd July 1917. The following day he commenced training and on the 6th October he was posted to the RASC Military Transport Reserve depot.
In January 1918 while Harold was serving here, he became ill. He was diagnosed as having Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Following a long stay in hospital Harold was eventually discharged from the Army on the 2nd April 1918 at Chatham in Kent. In the short time he served in the Army Harold never left England. He returned home to his parents house. According to Harolds discharge papers he stood a good chance of recovery. Unfortunately shortly after the armistice, on the 24th November 1918, aged 19. Harold passed away. He was laid to rest in Wigan Cemetery.
