11th Bn
XX The Lancashire Fusiliers
1914 - 1918

Joel Halliwell VC

(1881-1958)
Born in Middleton on 29th December 1881, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell was to be awarded the Victoria Cross for "...conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty".
On 27 May 1918, Halliwell was captured by the Germans and remained a prisoner with them for a short time before he managed to escape. On his way back to the British lines, seeing many wounded comrades lying on the ground, he mounted a stray German horse which he rode back to pick up a wounded man and brought him back to safety, in spite of heavy shellfire. He went on to repeat this process, back and forth, through heavy enemy gunfire, with no thought for his own safety, some ten times, until his horse received a severe wound and he could no longer continue.
Lance Corporal Halliwell was a modest man, maintaining that he had simply done as he was told and that any other man in his battalion would have done what he had done if they had the chance, as they never thought of anything but their duty.
He returned to Middleton amid public jubilation and a civic welcome by the Mayor and Mayoress of the borough.
Joel Halliwell died on the 14th June 1958.

Joel Halliwell VC

Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell of Parkfield, Middleton served in the Lancashire Fusiliers in World War 1. In 1918 he was captured by the Germans and was a prisoner before escaping back to the British territory. He was met with carnage along the way seeing many of his comrades lying wounded in the chaotic 'no mans land.' Finding a stray horse, he rode back through the heavy shell and gunfire to pick up the wounded from the battlefield and take them back to safety. Braving these terrifying conditions he was able to return and one by one, picked up 10 of his comrades until unfortunately the horse was fatally wounded. He then trekked well over a mile or so and back to bring water for the wounded. He modestly maintained that he had simply done what any comrade would have done having had the chance as it was only their duty. How he wasn't hit himself is nothing short of a miracle but saving his comrades was foremost on his mind rather than that of his own safety.

He returned to Middleton where he was celebrated a hero. Thousands rallied to witness the civic parade laid on to welcome Joel and to see this brave man of our town for themselves. He recieved the Victoria Cross for valour, the highest award possible and remains the only Middleton man to date to have recieved this honour. In all, 1,356 VC's have been awarded. Lance Corporal Halliwell was one of 19 Lancashire Fusiliers to recieve one.

He went on to get married, have 3 children and run The New Inn on Long St. He even tried to enlist to fight in WW2 but by this time, his age went against him and he was refused. He died in 1958 his funeral having full military honours and is buried in Boarshaw Cemetary.

for
Joel's Family visit the the Fusilier Museum

Joel Halliwell VC Road Naming Middleton

Joel Halliwell VC Road Naming Middleton 2

The 11th Battalion was accordingly ordered at 9am to occupy a frontage of four hundred yards on the high ground south of the River Aisne. At about 10:50am the Germans reached that obstacle opposite the Battalion, and shortly afterwards the 9th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, the left unit of the 74th Infantry Brigade, became engaged and by 1:30pm the Germans had succeeded in crossing the Aisne River and the Aisne Canal immediately to the south of it by a bridge at Maizy and were advancing rapidly along a valley towards Muscourt. The 11th Battalion was involved and succeeded in holding up the attackers on the road leading south from Concevreux. The German parties which had moved up the valley succeeded, however, in entering Muscourt; and as the Battalion’s flank was thus turned it was forced to withdraw to a ridge near Meurival. Its stay here could not be long on account of the heavy shelling to which the Germans subjected the position. It was here that 9860 Lance-Corporal Joel Halliwell won his Victoria Cross. He galloped forward on a stray horse captured from the enemy and, under very heavy machine-gun fire, bought back unaided and single handed to a place of safety an officer and nine men who had been severely wounded and unable to move. In each case he saw personally to their evacuation by stretcher-bearers towards medical aid. Three times he made unsuccessful attempts to make what would have been his eleventh rescue, but the enemy was now advancing so rapidly that he had to retire to avoid capture. Although the Battalion was shelled off the ridge, its withdrawal was a short one and it found another position along a road five hundred yards south of it. Between 7pm & 8pm the Germans launched three local attacks against the 11th Battalion, but were repulsed with heavy losses each time. In the meanwhile, however, the enemy had succeeded in turning the flanks at other points on the battlefield, and at 10pm the Brigade was ordered to withdraw to Romain, two miles farther south, to conform to similar movement on each side of it. The Battalion moved to Breuil-Sur-Vesle, where its quartermaster, Lieutenant J. Gower, with the help of the transport Sergeant, W. Barnett, managed to supply it with hot tea. During the day the losses had been 6 men and 6 0fficers killed and 79 other ranks wounded.

THE CAPTURE OF "CROSBIE CRATERS"
15th -19th MAY 1916, 11th LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS
The 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers found themselves in the trenches at Souchez, France, 16th-19th May, 1916.
The Capture of "Crosbie Craters."
by Andrew MacKay
(Operation Minor Q90)
In May 1916 it was decided to undertake a mining operation with the object of securing and consolidating a strong line of observation near Souchez at a place where the enemy's mine craters dominated a very wide area. The details were carefully practised before hand, even down to blowing up a mine behind the line in order to give the troops an idea of what was involved in seizing the lip of a newly-made mine crater. The 102nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, prepared and charged five mines; and the night of 15th/16th May was chosen for the operation.
The 11th Battalion was to seize six craters, to be called in order from the right, "Z," "Y," "X," "W," "V," and "Q 90.2,"the latter being an old one which the new explosion were expected to improve. The assaulting parties were detailed for the various craters and in most cases, each was composed of 8 bombers, 4 spade men, 2 loophole men, 1 Lewis-gun team and 1 signaller with electric torch.
At 8:27pm on the 15th May, on a beautifully still night, the heavy artillery began shelling enemy batteries in order to drive their gunners below ground. At 8:30pm, three of the five mines were exploded. A German machine-gun at once opened fire. Ten seconds later the other two mines were sent up. Lieutenant-Colonel Crosbie's comment in his report was, "That machine-gun fired no more." But the enemy artillery took up the tale, to which the British artillery and trench mortars replied. The assaulting parties rushed forward; one man seeing the bodies of Germans coming down to earth again after the explosion and remembering the recent wet weather, remarked "Blimey, Bill, it's raining Germans now." On the left, the near lips of the newly made craters were gained with little opposition. But on the right, the party got to close to the mine which made "Z" crater and all except three men were buried owing to the trench falling in from the shock of the explosion. Another party missed its way to "X" crater and was lost, with only 1 officer and 2 men getting back. "Y" party, however, very quickly grasped the situation took control, gaining "Z" crater and part of "X" as well as their own, "Y", by 8:52pm. At about this time, reinforcements were sent for, these were promptly sent. By 9:25pm the assaulting parties were firmly established on near lips of craters "V" and "W" and had gained contact with the 9th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on the left.
Up to now casualties had not been heavy, but the enemy soon recovered from the first shock and launched a determined counter attack on the new lines, chiefly with bombs. The Battalion carried on with the work of consolidation with excellent initiative, helped greatly by establishing a firm contact with the troops on each flank. The Lewis gunners also did very good work and suffered heavily. Consequently the Germans were unable to penetrate the defence and, in spite of considerable artillery and machine gun fire, the parties were able to put the craters in a proper state of defence and establish satisfactory communications with the rear before dawn. At about 8am on 16th May, the remainder of the Battalion came up and relieved the parties holding the craters. The whole Battalion was relieved late on 19th May, after a trying period during which the enemy continually bombarded the trenches and craters. The casualties between 15th and 19th May had been 4 officers and 46 other ranks killed, and 40 other ranks wounded.
The Military Cross was awarded to Lieutenant Wm Ian Edward and Second Lieutenants J. E. Kinna and R. Ganly; the Military Medal was awarded to Sergeant G. W. Walton, Corporal William Hall (Burnley), Lance Corporal Edgar Trudgill (Nelson), T. Yates, Private L. Alty, T. Armstrong and A. Davies. The Third Army Commander (General Hon. Sir J. H. G. Byng) sent his congratulations to Lieutenant Colonel Crosbie (he was temporally in command) and all others concerned. The Craters were named "Crosbie's Craters" and are so described in the Official History.

The11th Battalion Sign
In spring of 1916 all units, as well as formation headquarters, began to display on their uniform signs which would identify them readily to the initiated without obviously disclosing their titles to the enemy.
In most cases these unit signs were worn by all ranks just below the collar at the back of the service dress jacket, so as to enable troops coming forward to identify those in front. Divisional signs were usually worn on the sleeve close below the shoulder.
MEN KILLED IN THE ACTION
REGINALD BARRETT


Second Lieutenant Reginald Barrett, 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, aged 22, Son of Radford & Alice Barrett, of 7 Rydal Street, Burnley, born at Lowerhouse, Burnley, killed in action 15th May, 1916 and buried at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St-Eloi, grave I. N. 15.
STUDENT'S PROMISING CAREER CUT SHORT.
An official telegram was received in Burnley yesterday to say that Second Lieutenant Reginald Barrett, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, was killed in action on Tuesday last. The telegram came to his parents, Mr & Mrs Barrett, of 38 Emily Street, off Hollingreave Road, and the sad intelligence cast quite a gloom over the district, where Lieutenant Barrett was well known and held in great esteem.
Employed as a weaver at Messrs Witham Bros., he was diligent student at Burnley Technical School, and in August, 1913, at the age of 19, he won a national scholarship in biology, entitling him to four years free tuition with maintenance at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, South Kensington. Young Barrett was at South Kensington when war broke out, and twelve months last Christmas he joined the Officers Training Corps at South Kensington, afterwards receiving a commission in the Lancashire Fusiliers. He went out on the 18th November last, and fell in action on Tuesday. A most promising career as a student has thus been suddenly cut short. Lieutenant Barrett was one of the late Mr Kneeshaw's scholars at St Stephen's. Lieutenant Barrett was 22 last November.
Second Lieutenant Barrett was in command of the assaulting party on "V" Crater and by 9:25pm was firmly established on the lip of the crater and had gained contact with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on the left.
Up to now casualties had not been heavy, but the enemy soon recovered from this first shock & launched a determined counter attack on the new line's, chiefly with bombs. Barrett with two other officers were killed during this fighting but the N.C.O's (Non-Commissioned Officers) promptly took command and carried on with the work.

JOHN CROCKER

7237 Private John Crocker, 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, B Company, aged 21, born & enlisted Burnley, killed in action 16th May 1916 and remembered on the Arras Memorial, France, bay 5.
ONLY SON KILLED.
Young Burnley Salvationist.
Last Wednesday we published a letter stating that four Burnley men serving in the Lancashire Fusiliers had been killed in the same battle. We have already published the announcements of the death of Private J. Wilton, of Napier Street; Private S. Harrison, of Berry Street; and Private Howarth Hartley, of Cog Lane; and official news has now come to hand of the death of the fourth, Private John Crocker, of 26 Thorn Street, Burnley. Private Crocker, who was 21 years of age, was the only son of Mr & Mrs Isaac Crocker, and formerly worked as a twister at Messrs. Thornber's Daneshouse Mill. He enlisted in September 1914, and the date of his death is given as May 16th.
A touching memorial service was held at the Salvation Army Hall, Hebrew Road-which was draped in black and white-where Private Crocker attended the Sunday School, and was greatly liked by all, being willing to do whatever he could for the school. Mr William Palmer (Uncle to the deceased, and a Sunday school superintendent) spoke of the young man's life, the congregation being greatly affected. Miss F. Pilkington and Miss S. Pickup, both of whom had known Private Crocker as a scholar, feelingly sang a duet.
A very effective address was delivered by Captain Powell, the Corps commanding officer using for his text "Come ye out from among them and be ye separable," and also connecting with the text the last words the brave lad used as the train left Burnley upon the occasion of his last leave, "Death before dishonour."
A roll of honour was read out in the service of all who had been in their care as children, which numbered 30, five of whom have been killed, and four wounded. The service closed with prayers for the bereaved.
HOWARTH HARTLEY

7795 Private Howarth Hartley, 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, B Company, aged 24, born & enlisted Burnley, Son of James and Mary Hartley, of 221 Cog Lane, Burnley, killed in action 16th May 1916 and buried at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St Eloi, grave I.N.14.
GREATLY MISSED.
Burnley Drawer's Fate.
(Burnley Express 31/05/16)
Only yesterday morning Mr & Mrs Hartley, of 221 Cog Lane, Burnley, received official intimation of the death of one of their sons-Private Howarth Hartley, Lancashire Fusiliers (machine gun section)-who had been killed in action on May 15th. They have two other sons out-one Private Hiram Hartley, with the East Lancashire Regiment, being missing in Mesopotamia, and the other, also with a battalion of the East Lancashire's, being in France.
Private Howarth Hartley was 27 years of age. He enlisted soon after war broke out, previously to which he was a drawer at Bee Hole Colliery.
In addition to the official notice the family have received the following letter from Sergeant E. F. Dorber (8753 Edwin Frederick Dorber, killed in action 16/07/16), with the machine gun section of which Private H. Hartley was a member-"Dear Mr & Mrs Hartley, it is with sorrow that I have to write and inform you of the death of your son. H. Hartley, who was killed by a sniper, death being instantaneous, on the night of Monday, May 15th, during an attack on the enemy trenches. He was at the side of me when he met his death, so I am sure he suffered no pain, Dear Mrs Hartley, we are very sorry to lose him, as nobody could be more jovial than he was both in and out of the trenches, which of course, he needed to keep one's spirits up during the terrible struggle. He was one of the best lads in my section of the machine gunners and was always ready to do anything required when asked to do so, whether great or small. We have been together ever since the machine gun section was formed; therefore I shall miss him all the more. With the deepest sympathy from myself and his comrades, who have already missed him, I remain yours respectfully, Sergeant E. F. Dorber."

ARTHUR JOHNSON

21083 Private Arthur Johnson, 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, C Company, aged 20, born and enlisted Colne, Lancashire, Son of Henry & Annie Johnson, 3 Croft Terrace, Colne, Lancashire. Killed in action 16th May, 1916, buried Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St Eloi, France, grave I.M.9.

COLNE WAR MEMORIAL
COLNE SOLDIER KILLED: COMRADE'S
HIGH TRIBUTE

(Colne & Nelson times, 02/06/16)
Mr & Mrs H. Johnson, of 3 Croft Terrace, Colne, have received official information this week that their son, Private Arthur Johnson, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, has been killed in action, Private Johnson enlisted on May 24th of last year (1915), and he went to the front in December last. He is only 19 years of age, and prior to enlisting he was employed as a weaver by Messrs R. Shaw & Son. He has two brothers aged 27 and 24 respectively serving in France.
Private E. Blacklock, who is in the Company with who Private Johnson was connected, has written a letter to Mrs Johnson in which he says: "You will be greatly distressed to hear that your son Arthur was killed during an attack on the enemy lines last night, May 15th. He was one of a party of workers who had to follow the attackers. He had nearly got over the parapet when he was heard to exclaim 'I'm hit, and he fell. He suffered very little pain, as he died almost immediately, and when I saw him after the position was captured he looked as if he was only asleep. It may help you in your bereavement to know that he was not forced to do the job but that he volunteered to do it. He will be greatly missed by the boys, as he was a general favourite with everybody. He was always cheerful and never once heard him grumble. We have been chums ever since leaving Barrow, and his came as a great blow to me, but my sorrow will be nothing compared with yours, his mother. May God help you to bear the sorrow bravely, and may he spare the rest of Arthur's soldier brothers. I am enclosing the money and photos I found on him and if you have a photo of him to spare I shall be appreciate it very much. It will help me in after years to remember the best and cheeriest pal anyone ever had."

HUGH KENWORTHY 9232 Private Hugh Kenworthy, 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, D Company, aged 39, born Stalybridge, Cheshire, enlisted Ashton-Under-Lyne, resided Dukinfield, Cheshire, Son of Jane H. Kenworthy, of Globe Lane Farm, Dukinfield, Cheshire, killed in action 16th May 1916, and buried at Ecoivres Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France, grave I. L. 21. "THE VALLEY OF DEATH." Dukinfield Soldier Killed. LAST THOUGHTS OF WIFE AND EIGHT CHILDREN. (Ashton Herald 10/06/16) The death in action is confirmed of Private Hugh Kenworthy, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, whose wife and family live at 15, Lodge Lane, Dukinfield. Nearly a fortnight before the official intimation arrived it was stated in a letter that he had "gone west," but until the sad news was confirmed his wife, who is left with eight of a family would not believe it. In a further letter a comrade says he was shot in the head and back with shrapnel on May 16th, and he only lingered about 5 minutes. His last thoughts were of home, and as he passed away his last words were "God bless my home and children." The deceased soldier was formerly employed at the Queen Mill as a minder. He enlisted soon after the outbreak of war, and went to France last August. In his last letter home to his wife he wrote: - "I am in the tightest corner I have been in for some time. We are in what is known as the valley of death to the French soldiers, and no wonder, for there are men left unburied and rotting away until there is nothing left but the bones. It would unnerve one who was not used to such sights, but cheer up, I think I shall be home before long, Please keep this letter, as you may not hear from me for a bit, as we have some rough work to do. If I get through all right, with a bit of luck I shall not be long in getting home leave." A son of the deceased-Sergeant Robert Kenworthy-is in Transport Section of the 1/9th Manchester Regiment, and was with the Battalion through the fighting at Gallipoli. He went away with the Battalion when he was only 16, and is now 18. He was formerly connected with the Byecroft School football club. Hi Dennis, Spoke to Geoff via email today and he told me that the info that you have on Hugh Kenworthy (11th Bttn LF) was supplied to you by a gentleman called Andrew Mackay?? I am not sure if Andrew only sent you info on Hugh in which case I am intrigued as I would presume in that case he has a personal interest in Hugh and therefore may be related to me? or if he sent you info on a variety of LF soldiers and Hugh just happened to be amongst them. Can you confirm if this is the case? If possible do you have any contact details for Andrew still? In the meantime I am attaching some images for you which you may upload to add to Hugh's story. The first is an original casualty list from the National Archives that contains a list of the men KIA in the attack on 'Crosbies Craters'. There is also Hugh's name on the Dukinfield War Memorial and two photos of his grave at Ecoivres that I took when I visited. Incidentally, the CWGC originally had his inscription as killed on 18.05.16, I sent them evidence to show it was the 16th and they subsequently changed the headstone to reflect this. Look forward to finding out more. If you need any more from me then you still have my mobile number or email me please. Andrew I have lost your contact details please if you see this contact me

FRANCIS McKENNA

9230 Corporal Francis J McKenna, 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, D Company, aged 32, born Manchester, enlisted Nelson and resided Burnley, Husband of Emma J McKenna, of 25 Calder St, Burnley, wounded 16th May and died of wounds 17th May, 1916, buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France, grave I. B. 50, Aubigny was the site of No 42 Casualty Clearing Station.
HIS FAREWELL PHOTO.
Burnley Corporal's Death.
On Tuesday evening Mrs McKenna of & Calder Vale Road, Burnley, received an intimation from the War Office stating that her husband, Corporal Frank McKenna, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, died of wounds on May 17th. Corporal McKenna, who was 30 years of age, was formerly a machine moulder at Messrs. Cooper's Foundry, but at the time he enlisted he was working as a conductor on the Burnley Corporation trams. He joined the forces in October, 1914. On the very day that his death took place; his wife received from him the photograph we reproduced above. This must have been almost the last thing he did before he died. The photograph was taken with a comrade outside their billet over the sea.
Corporal McKenna, who leaves one little daughter, was the grandson of Sergeant-Major Colliffe, of the 17th (Leicester) Regiment. Who died from the effect of wounds received in the Crimean War. His stepbrother, Archie Menzies (2386 Private Archibald John Menzies, 25 Rectory Rd), is serving with the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment as a bomb thrower, and has been wounded and "gassed" while on active service. His sister husband William Morrison, is in training with the 2/1st East Lancashire Royal Field Artillery, and his wife's brother, Ernest Brice, is with the Northumberland Regiment (T4/071704 Driver Ernest Brice Army Service Corps).

WALTER TATTERSALL

13118 Private Walter Tattersall, 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, B Company, aged 19, born & enlisted Bury, son of Eleanor Tattersall of 22 Trinity Street, Bury & the late Arthur Tattersall, killed in action 18th May 1916 and remembered on the Arras Memorial, France, bay 5.

RICHARD TOWNSLEY

7276 Sergeant Richard Townsley, 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, A Company, aged 23, born Brierfield, Lancashire, enlisted Nelson, Lancashire, resided Burnley, Lancashire and Son of Amos and Mary Ellen Townsley, of 18 Hind Street, Burnley, Lancashire, killed in action 16th May 1916, buried at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St Eloi, France, grave I. N. 24.
KILLED AFTER PROMOTION.
Burnley Church Loses Good Worker.
(Burnley Express 31/05/16)
Within a week of being promoted to the rank of sergeant, a Burnley young man met his fate on the battlefield, and by his death Immanuel Baptist Church have lost a good and consistent worker. This is Sergt. (7276) Richard Townsley, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, whose home was at 18, Hind Street, aged 23 years, he was the son of Mr Townsley, a driver on the Burnley Corporation cars, and up to joining the Army in September, 1914, he was a twister at Messrs Sutcliffe and Bateson's Schofield Mill, Nelson.
Mr Townsley has received four letters from his son's regiment. One states he was shot through the mouth on the night of the 16th.

Private G. Astin 282553 (formally 7812) Lance Corporal George Astin,

Private G. Astin 282553 (formally 7812) Lance Corporal George Astin, killed in action 28th July 1917), whose home is at 31 Albert Street, Burnley, states:- "I thanked Corporal Hall for writing straight away, as I was in the crater, and had lost all my kit, Dick was buried at St----, in the soldiers cemetery. I saw him just before he was buried, and I got his watch and one or two things. Corporal Hall is going to give you his Bible. Shall I run the risk of sending them, or wait till I get chance to come home. Accept my deepest sympathy. I have lost the finest pal anyone could wish to have."
Corporal Hall (13103 Corporal William Hall M.M, 310 Cog Lane), a Burnley member of the regiment, wrote:-"As one of Richard's firmest chums I feel it my duty to tell you he was killed when we were taking a trench from the Huns. I had just been slightly wounded in the neck, and Richard just put a bandage round my neck when he went to carry a message to the machine gun. As he did not return when expected I went to look for him, and am very sorry to relate he was quite dead, shot by a bullet from a German machine gun. Perhaps it relieves you to know that he suffered no pain, is death was instantaneous."
On hearing of the soldier's death the Rev. H. B.Hannah, pastor, wrote the following letter to Mr & Mrs Townsley:- "I desire on behalf of Immanuel to tender our deepest sympathy in your hour of bereavement. You mourn the loss of a son; we mourn the loss of one whom we had learned to admire and to love. Richard was very popular with the young men, and will be sadly missed by us all. He has done his duty, has made great sacrifice, and now is certainly living more fully than ever before. May the Farther of us all strengthen and comfort you at this time, and may His radiant light be with you in the shadow, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'"
Mr H. Bailey also sent a letter of sympathy on behalf of Immanuel Choir, of which the deceased soldier was a member, and Mr A. Leaver (secretary), writing on behalf of the Sunday school, said "Every one loved him who knew him."
WILTON Joseph

7781 Private Joseph Wilton, 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, B Company, aged 31, born & enlisted Burnley, Husband of Mrs Wilton, of 2 Napier Street, Burnley, killed in action 19th May 1916 and buried at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont St. Mein, France, grave I. N. 9.
KILLED IN BIG BATTLE.
Four Burnley Men Fall.
(Burnley Express 31/05/16)
Mrs Wilton of 2 Napier Street, Burnley, has received an intimation from a comrade to the effect that her husband, Private Joseph Wilton, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, was killed in action in a great battle on the 17th. The deceased soldier, who was 30 years of age, was well known in Burnley. He joined the colours shortly after the outbreak of the war, and had seen much fighting. Previous to joining the Army he was employed as a miner at Clifton Colliery. He leaves a young widow and a baby boy 14 days old. Private R. Leach, who lives at 48 Harrison Street, Blackburn, wrote:-"I daresay that by the time you receive my letter you will have been notified of the death of your dear husband, who met his death at 6:30am on the 17th. I am sure you have the sympathy of all the company, and especially his platoon. We were both together all the day and he had been talking to me about you. He was craving to have a look at you. He was suited, I can tell you, when he knew he had a son. Joe was a decent sort. My brother and I got wounded the same day. We used to have all our meals together in and out of the trenches. Joe had no pain, as his death was instantaneous, and they buried him near by, with a cross over his grave with his name on, also regiment and date. I sincerely hope you will pull through your trouble. I also hope your son will grow up a good one, and honour his father's name. I had the narrowest of escapes along with Joe many a time, as we had been dodging death for over an hour. Three more Burnley lads met their death the same week-S. Harrison, Jim Hartley, and a lad called Crocker-all pals of mine in the same platoon. I can tell you it has been a terrible strain on us this last three week."
Roll of Honour
WILTON-Killed in action on May 17th, in
France, Pte Joseph Wilton, of the Lancs
Fusiliers, aged 30 years.-From widow and
Son, 2, Napier Street, Burnley.

BRAVERY MEDAL WINNERS
NELSON SOLDIER WOUNDED,
RECOMMENDED FOR THE MILITARY MEDAL.
(Nelson Leader 09/06/16)
Lance Corporal 7671 Edgar Trudgill (later 277096 Labour Corps),

son of Mr and Mrs Trudgill, 127 Pine Street, Nelson has been wounded in action (16/05/16 'A' Company), and is now in hospital at Whalley (Lancashire). He was in the Machine-Gun Section of the Lancashire Fusiliers. The following interesting and symphatic letter has been received from his officer; Dear Trudgill,-Many thanks for your note of the 22nd. Your are indeed lucky to get to "Blighty" (England) so soon, and so close to your own home. You don't mention anything about your wound. When you get a chance drop me another line and say how you are getting on. The lads are all right. After you left on the night of the 15th, Fielding was killed, also Hartley and Forrest (8542 Albert Fielding, 7795 Howarth Hartley, Burnley and 5619 James Forrest). Poor Sergeant Bertwistle was wounded on the 18th and died in hospital. Mercer was also wounded. I have given Alty your address, and he is going to write to you. He is now the senior man left among 'A' Company in gunners; in fact, there are (in 'A' Company) only Alty, Counsell, Potts and Morrison left. So you can guess I am having my work cut out training more gunners, and wish you were back to help me. However, Lance Corporal Parry and Lance Corporal Holmes are now full Corporals. Private Davies is also a full Corporal, and Private Lewis is a Lance Corporal and shortly Alty a Lance Corporal. After taking the craters we held them for four days under very heavy shell fire, and "Minneys" (Private Samuel Deakin 9858) was killed by one. We were relieved on the 19th, and just in time, too. Now we are back resting at a place where we have been once before-where you were billeted on a farm on the far side of a football field, and 'D' and 'C' companies on the near side. It is where the officers played the men at Soccer and got beaten. I wonder if you will remember where it is. Now I must close, as there is much work to do. Write me again when you get the chance. Good luck. Come back to me soon. None of your going to another battalion. * Wm IAN EDWARDS, Lieutenant.
P.S.-No honours have been presented to the Battalion yet. The Commander-in-Chief (Sir Douglas Haig, on 25th May) reviewed us yesterday though.
Mrs Trudgill has received the following letter from the Rev C. H. Gee, the Wesleyan chaplain; "I have just returned from leave and am sorry to find that your son has been wounded. Probably you have heard from him by this time. I know him very well and missed him from the service last Sunday. I heard that he did so well in the attack that he has been recommended for the Military Medal. I hope he gets it. Please mention my name to him when you write to him, and give him my best wishes for a speedy recovery."
* Wm IAN EDWARDS (Military Cross & killed in action 05/08/17); Lieutenant Edwards had done much to make the new position secure. As Lewis-gun officer, he had gone from crater to crater, ensuring that the guns were in order and reorganizing their task where necessary

MILITARY MEDAL FOR NELSON SOLDIER.
(Nelson Leader 21/07/16)
Lance Corporal Edgar Trudgill, son of Mr F. Trudgill, of Nelson, has received a letter from his officer in which he speaks very highly of him. He has been awarded the Military Medal. It is the first medal of this description to come to Nelson. At Vimy Ridge, in an encounter with the enemy, Lance Corporal Trudgill and another soldier were the only survivors out of a section numbering 24 men. Both have been awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 10/08/16).

SERGEANT'S FINE RECORD.
Wins Medal and Recommended
For Commission.

Lance-Sergeant William Hall (13103, 'A' Company),

A particularly fine record of war service has been achieved by Lance-Sergeant William Hall (13103, 'A' Company), of the Lancashire Fusiliers, son of Mr & Mrs W. Hall, of 310 Cog Lane, Burnley. Though only 21 years of age, in less than two years' service in the Army he has worked his way up from a private to his present rank, won the Military Medal, and been recommended for a commission. He was formerly an apprentice to Mr A. J. Laid, plumber, and enlisted on December 15th, 1914. He was drafted to the front in the following July, and during his period of active service he has been wounded three times. He was hit the first time on November 6th last year (1915) in the fighting at Sanctuary Wood (Ypres), where he received a shrapnel wound in the leg. At Vimy Ridge on May 15th he was slightly wounded in the neck by shrapnel, and it was here he won the Military Medal. During the recent push he was wounded again, being hit in the head. He was brought home to his parents his steel helmet, which has a big hole drilled in it by shot. He is now at Withernsea, undergoing a special musketry course. He is connected with Myrtle Bank United Methodist School, for which he regularly played cricket and occasionally football, whilst he was also much in demand as a reciter. His officers have strongly pressed him to consider the acceptance of a commission, and have recommended him for one.

LANCASHIRES' GALLANT ATTACK ON VIMY RIDGE-


Note-A parapet has been erected on the far lip, and is being held against a German counter attack. In the crater itself are dead and wounded, while fresh troops and supplies arrive.

Modern IGN Map

Trench Map February 1917

War Diary Maps

ONE OF THE CROSBIE'S CRATERS BEING HELD

Andrew also included photos of grave stones at the
Military Cemetery Graves Arras Sector April-May 1916 (39 Graves)
Photos List No 1


Graves 11th LF's Somme July-August 1916 (30 Graves)
Photos List No2

To many photos to put on site if you would like one of these photos from the lists above send the name to me and I will send it you djlaverick@lancs-fusiliers.co.uk

WW1 1915 Trio correctly named to 11038 PTE.R.LORD. LAN.FUS. Robert Lord was an original 1st Salford Pal (15th Lancashire Fusiliers) and he is in the book showing that he was in D Company of the 16th Platoon. He was aged 21 when he was killed in action on the 7/8/1917 with the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers. His address was 24 Regents Square, Salford, Manchester. And he is commemorated on the Menin Gate (Ypres Memorial

L/Cpl Albert Fletcher DCM, 8975,

Private WINEARLS, ARTHUR
Recorded in Wadsworth (West Yorkshire) Roll of Honour.
Private 35418, 11th Btn. LF, killed in action 7.6.1917, age 26. Lived in Littleborough, from Old Town, Hebden Bridge. Married, two children. His brother Charles Edward Winearls was killed in 1916, serving with the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Rgt.).
No known grave, commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) memorial.
Service Number 35418

Died 07/06/1917

11th Bn.
Lancashire Fusiliers

Died on 17/06/1917
Private Richard Hayes
11th Lancashire Fusiliers

Died on 09/06/1917
Private Sam Taylor
11th Lancashire Fusiliers

Died on 07/06/1917
Private Thomas Timperley
11th Lancashire Fusiliers

Died on 18/06/1917
Private Richard Hayes
11th Lancashire Fusiliers

48934 Pte Francis Taylor

enlisted into the 11th Bn of the Lancashire Fusiliers,he was then at Lower Stratton in Wilts.
He had previously served in the Hertfordshire Regiment with his Regimental number then being 10071.
In my experience,I believe that he had been wounded with the Herts regiment,been returned to the UK (Swindon) to recuperate and then re-enlisted into the LFs.
He was killed in action on the 1st April 1918.

TAYLOR, FRANCIS
Initials: F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Lancashire Fusiliers
Unit Text: 11th Bn.
Date of Death: 01/04/1918
Service No: 48934
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 4.
Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIA

Francis his wife Frances Lilian Dash

sent in by
Helen Williams
(Francis Granddaughter)

Captain Thomas Rufus, MC

"A Coy" 11th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers. Killed in action 14/04/1918, aged 28.

Click here to go to
Ploegsteert Memorial

Pte Tom E. Sizer 11th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers

Killed in Action
23 March 1918
ARRAS

Rank: Private Service No: 35032 Date of Death: 23/03/1918 Age: 34 Regiment/Service.11th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers Panel Reference: Bay 5. Memorial ARRAS MEMORIAL Additional Information: Husband of Elizabeth Sizer, of 21, Fletcher St., Bury, Lancs.

The newspaper cutting below tells of a wall plaque, engraved with the name of Tom Sizer.
It was found in a scrap yard, and later hung over the bar in the Brickcroft Tavern, off Taylor St in Bury.
Keith Sizer contacted us and sent the newspaper cutting and asked where the plaque was now


The newspaper say's they handed the Plaque to the Museum (at Wellington barracks)
we could not find the plaque and no one in the Museum knew anything about it then on Remembrance Day 2007, Dennis was putting the photos on the web site and spotted this behind Paul Barton and Seth Adams at sometime the Plaque had been put on a wooden Plinth the photo was taken in the LF Club before it closed

Sent in by Keith Sizer's Grandson of Tom

Died 29/03/1917
Private John Dean
11th Lancashire Fusiliers

Private Thomas Shepley Holmes
11th Lancashire Fusiliers.

29468 Pte Walter Tomlinson

5353 Fusilier John Edmund West
11th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers
Died of gunshot wounds to the stomach and thigh 28.11.17 on a hospital ship in Malta.
He was a railway carriage cleaner before enlisting.
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=736991

6033 L/Cpl John Beddow

John's DCM Medal	DCM citation	John is on front row w ith arm in Bandage
	John in later years

Click on any photo to enlarge

WW1 YMCA New Testament named on inside cover to Pte S R Fitton 11th Batt. Lanc. Fus. B.E.F. France. (Although initials could be F R or J R?). Has Lord Robert's August 1914 message to inside cover and at rear YMCA Plege